“I think Father just gave you his blessing,” Rebecca said with a wink to Sebastian.
Sebastian straightened his shoulders. “Captain, I was hoping to have a word with you if you have a moment.”
“I should think so,” her father grumbled. But his grumbling was tempered by a smile as he stuck his pipe in his mouth and turned to head back inside. No doubt already on his way to his study.
“Do you mean—” she started, turning back to Sebastian.
“Take this leap with me, Sally,” he pleaded. “I know we both have issues to sort through and families who need our help. But I want you at my side, and I want nothing more than to be by yours. I want to face your troubles with you. I want to experience your joys at your side.” He cupped her face in his hands. “I want to experience all life has to offer with you. Will you do that with me, Sally? Will you trust me with your happiness?”
She nodded, tears spilling once more but this time it was the only outlet for this crushing happiness. Her heart felt as though it might burst from her chest as he kissed her hard, sealing the moment as though this right here, right now was their sacred vow.
“I love you, Sally,” he whispered when he pulled back, ignoring her sisters’ laughter and cheers up above.
“I love you too, Sebastian.”
“I cannot wait to make you my wife.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Stay right there. I’m going to go make it official with your father and then I expect to give you a run for your money out there.” He pointed to the place where she’d accidentally tackled him.
“Reliving that first run-in?” she asked with a laugh.
“Just so,” he said, already moving toward the door. “But this time when I catch you—” He glanced back with an impish grin. “I don’t plan on ever letting go.”
Epilogue
One year later…
Sebastian slipped his fingers through Sally’s to keep her from fidgeting once more with the letter she’d just re-folded for the tenth time. With a sigh she returned it to the pocket hidden in the folds of her gown.
“Sally, my love, you have nothing to be nervous about,” he said.
“I’m not nervous.” But her protest was a bit too quick, and she cast him a quick smile. “Oh, all right, I’m a little nervous.” She patted the letter now safely tucked in her pocket. “I wish Minerva could be here in person for this meeting.”
He squeezed her hand, tugging her toward him to kiss her temple. His darling Sally, so strong and so clever. It was a rare sight, indeed, to see her so anxious. “I’m sure she wishes she could be here as well.”
“It’s just as well she did not try to travel back for this. A sea voyage can be an ordeal during the best of circumstances but with a baby on the way, I’m glad she’s home safe and sound, and with Marcus looking after her,” she said.
He grinned down at his wife, who shared his silly smile. They hadn’t told the others yet. It was still too soon to be certain. But when talk turned to Minerva’s burgeoning family, it was getting harder and harder for him and Sally to hide their own delightful surprise.
Soon enough they’d be able to share the news, and as a family they would celebrate. But today’s family gathering was for another reason entirely.
Laughter from the far corner of the drawing room had them both looking over to see his father and Rebecca playing chess. Or bickering over chess, as was usually the case. The two had been thick as thieves for ages now, and once the earl had taught her to play chess, they’d discovered their favorite pastime together.
“At least Rebecca isn’t anxious about this meeting,” Sally said. “Unlike Father.” They both turned to look at the captain, who was paler than normal and his features set in a grim expression.
“Perhaps I ought to talk to him,” Sally said.
Sebastian released her hand so he could slip an arm about her waist. “Abigail seems to be calming him,” he said. “He’s in good hands.”
And indeed, Sally’s elder sister seemed to be in her element as she talked quietly with their father, putting him at ease and comforting him just like she did with her little army of students and, more recently, her twin baby boys.
Caleb had gone to put the twins down for a nap as they waited for their guest of honor, but he walked back into the room now. The former pirate thoroughly filled the space, making the large room appear small.
A man of his size tended to do that to a room.
“She’ll be here any minute,” Sally said.
Sebastian could hear the tension in her voice though she’d done an adequate job of sounding like her normal calm, practical self. He squeezed her waist again, a silent show of support. “Shall I fetch Hattie?” he asked.
Caleb gave a short grunt. “I’ll get her.”
He headed toward the library. No one needed to be told where Hattie could be found in the earl’s house. She could almost always be found in the library, which the earl had told her was hers to use whenever she pleased.
Sally glanced up at him. “I still cannot believe your father offered to host this gathering.”
Sebastian laughed. “He’s come a long way this past year,” he said. And that was an understatement. If anyone had told Sebastian one year ago that his father would be welcoming a known criminal into his home, Sebastian wouldn’t have believed it.
But that would have been before Sally came along. Before she and her family had brought love back into this household. Now, Sebastian’s father wasn’t lonely and he wasn’t scared, and his life was filled with laughter and love. All thanks to Sally, though she’d never take the credit.
It had been
