Secluded with the Rogue

Epilogue

Epilogue

MAY 1865

C harlie felt the bed shift wildly. She groaned and crawled off the large mattress. Everything tilted again. She looked around the cabin, grateful everything was bolted down. They were on the maiden voyage of Drew's latest addition to his shipping fleet, the Fiery Maiden. Nothing to do with her, of course.

Rising to her feet, she found her clothes and pulled on her split skirt, which allowed her to move about more easily without exposing herself in such a scandalous fashion that Drew felt compelled to lock her in their cabin.

It turned out her husband was quite the jealous type when it came to other men seeing her body in any capacity.

As she finished dressing, Charlene’s stomach lurched most unexpectedly. She was normally an excellent sailor and not prone to seasickness at all, something she had happily discovered on their honeymoon voyage, four years earlier.

But today, she'd woken up and now was about to empty the contents of her stomach.

Finding the basin, Charlene brought up her dinner as she had done for the last week. Granted, the seas had been rough on this voyage, but nothing she had not weathered before. She bit her lip and tried to tamp down the hope that bubbled to the surface. No, she would not give herself the chance to dwell on it. Not yet.

The drawer in her chest held the hard tack she had stashed there for the mornings as the thoughts she had tried to ignore swelled up, like a storm wave that could not be avoided.

Her breasts were tender and the daily bout of sickness…well, they were sure signs that she was pregnant, weren’t they?

Excitement skittered down Charlene’s spine, along with trepidation. She took a bite of the dry biscuit and chewed.

Would Drew make her go home? Was this the end of their adventures together? They had sailed to Egypt, visited Morocco, they had even been to Jamaica. But if she was with child, all that would end.

Charlene took another bite and continued to chew, all the while wishing she had a glass of water or an orange segment to suck on. Anything to help moisten her mouth. She suspected Drew would take her back to Glenn Ivy Manor and lock her away—but she loved the sea, and him, and did not wish to be bound to one place away from him forever.

A knock on the door sounded and Drew stepped in. Charlene tossed a cloth over the basin with the damning evidence and quickly tucked the hard tack away before turning to face him as she choked down the last of the very dry sustenance.

“Good morning, my beautiful Charlie.” Drew pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

“Good morning, my handsome husband.” She loved calling him that. Even four years later, she was deeply in love with him. “How are things up on deck?”

“Everything is going along as planned. We should pull in to New York City today.” His eyes were full of excitement as he stepped back from her but a furrow appeared between his brows. “Are you feeling well?”

Charlene plastered on a smile and pushed the still-threatening nausea down. “I'm fine. Why do you ask?”

“You look pale. I know the seas have been a little rough. I'm just worried about you.” Drew studied her closely.

She chuckled and hoped she sounded convincing. “I'm fine, honestly. I think I'm just a bit peckish this morning.”

“Yes, well, you can ask Cook for anything you want, as you know. Once you've eaten, come up on deck. I hear the view as you enter the harbor is spectacular.”

She smiled and nodded. “I'll be up shortly.”

Drew kissed her forehead and turned to go, but hesitated. “You are sure you feel well?”

“I'm fine .” She shooed him out of the cabin and dealt alone with the dirty basin before finishing her morning ablutions. After a basic breakfast of some plain porridge, which helped settle her stomach, she headed up to the deck to find her husband.

Charlene found him on the forecastle, speaking with the captain of the ship. She sidled up to him and Drew immediately wrapped his arm around her shoulders and tucked her into his side. It was one of her favorite places to be—tucked against him.

After the men had finished their discussion, she and Drew walked over to the upper railing and looked out over the water. He pointed off to the west. “New York should appear out there later today.”

She nodded and relished the fresh salt air as it whipped past her face. It was a lovely day, with the sun shining and a few puffy white clouds in the sky. They both stood there, content in the moment, content to be together.

In that moment, that perfect moment, she knew it was time to tell him. Her earlier fears were a silly moment of panic. Drew loved her. He would do everything in his power to make her happy. “Are you excited to see another new country and city?”

“I'm excited to see it with you. I told you before, it's only an adventure if I can share it with you.” Drew smiled and dropped a kiss on her forehead.

“And how would you feel about a new adventure that was…well, maybe less about travel?” Charlene watched him for a few moments as different expressions flitted across his face. Confusion, curiosity, a glimmer of an idea.

“What are you suggesting?” he asked cautiously.

“I'm not suggesting. At least, I am almost certain—I…I am with child, Drew.” She waited and bit her lip as a blinding smile stretched his kissable lips.

“You're pregnant? With our child?” Drew’s eyes widened almost comically. Shock making him babble.

“I am. I've been sick for a couple of weeks and I'm not sure if you noticed, but my breasts have increased in size too.” She smiled at him.

Drew laughed. “Oh sweetheart, I'm a man, of course I noticed. But I hadn't considered that it meant you were pregnant. And I am glad to hear that you aren't actually ill with anything serious. In all honesty, I was worried about how pale you've been.” He hauled her into his arms and hugged her close. Before the embrace ended, he let his lips take hers as he plundered her mouth in a long, sensual kiss. Finally, they broke apart before the men could stare too much and he affixed her with a mock stern look. “Why didn't you say anything before we sailed? You should have stayed home!”

She frowned. “First of all, I would not have remained at home. Where you go, I go. But most importantly, I wasn't aware until a week ago. Even then it was only a suspicion.”

He sighed and nodded. “Fair enough. But love, you can't keep gallivanting with me if you are with child, it’s simply not?—”

“Unless there is a medical reason I should not travel by boat, I see no reason I should have to stay home until closer to my confinement.” Charlene crossed her arms over her chest. She had known he’d be stubborn about it, the fool.

“But you haven't even seen a doctor yet. What if he advises against any more traveling?” Drew looked truly concerned, and her heart softened.

“I shall make an appointment as soon as we arrive in New York if it will allay your concerns,” Charlene said as she smiled. He was so protective of her and she knew that instinct of his would double when it came to their child.

“I suppose that is a fair compromise—but if he says no more traveling, you will remain in New York until our child is born.” He narrowed his gaze at her.

“Oh, pish, I've already agreed. Now, calm yourself. This is a wonderful event—not something to worry yourself over.” Charlene beamed and patted his arm.

“You're right. Your mother and Polly will be beside themselves with joy when they hear the news, we’ll have to send a telegram as soon as we dock.” Drew grinned. “But no one is as happy as I am. You are the most wonderful wife in the world.” He kissed her lips softly.

“You make it easy, husband.”

“Land ho!” came a cry from below them

And together they turned to watch New York City rise out of the horizon as they dreamed of the rest of their future together.