Chapter 59

NORA FOUND JACK in the captain’s cabin. She had wondered what had been keeping him from coming to their cabin that evening. With the end of the voyage mere days away, they had planned to discuss what they were going to take with them and what would be left behind on the ship. Thanks to Mr. Hancock, they were well supplied for their travels, but whether the trunks came with them or not remained the question. Nora knocked on the door and opened it when given entry.

Captain Hancock, Jack, and Ben, sat around a table playing a game of cards.

“Oh, so this is how you’re spending your evening?” Nora noted and raised an eyebrow in disapproval. “Gambling?”

“Jack is teaching us a new game called stud poker, my dear,” Ben replied. “Shall we deal you a hand?”

Nora crossed her arms. “We had preparations to make this evening,” she said. “We are nearing the end of the voyage and need to get ourselves organized.”

“And I was on my way there,” Jack replied, “but my wounds ached a bit. Captain Hancock offered me some whiskey to dull the pain.”

“I suppose it can wait until tomorrow,” Nora sighed, dropping her arms.

“We shall take care of the task first thing in the morning,” Jack assured her.

“And then you and Nora will be married,” Ben an-nounced.

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“WHAT!?” Jack thundered. He could not have been more stunned had Ben been sitting before him in a ball gown.

“Ben!” Nora gasped.

“You have dishonored my ward, Jack, the entire voyage, and I warned you not to do so,” Ben replied sternly. He set his cards down and folded his hands.

Sitting back in his chair, Hancock lit a cheroot and looked on in interest.

“She was a willing participant,” Jack protested, pushing away from the table and jumping up. “She was not forced or coerced in any way.”

“That doesn’t matter to me,” Ben replied. “She is my ward, and I will see her duly married. Captain Hancock will per-form the ceremony.”

“I will?” Hancock asked, then recovered when Ben glared at him. “Of course, I will! I am a ship’s captain after all. I can perform marriage ceremonies, and I will marry you. Too right, I will. There will be no dishonoring aboard my ship, though it appears there was much already.”

Jack and Nora gaped at Ben and Hancock in disbelief. Neither man appeared at all affected by it.

Jack knew he was the last person a girl should marry. He had nothing, absolutely nothing. Even his surname wasn’t even his own. He had no money, no land, no title, and no formal education, just his wits and a couple of weapons. Yet, the idea of not being with Nora was even worse. Now that he had her—had her in every way he could—he was not willing to give her up. He thought that was only attributable to the fact that he was a selfish son-of-a bitch and didn’t want anyone else having her either.

“You cannot force me to marry,” Jack hissed. “I will not stand for it.”

“Lady Nora,” Hancock said, rising out of his chair. “It is a beautiful night, and you were correct when you said the voyage is nearly over. I fear it will be a very long time until we see each other again. Would you honor me with a stroll on the deck?”

Nora hesitated. She looked from Ben to Jack, as if willing one of them to deny Hancock’s request so she could stay and hear the outcome of the argument. When neither man did so, she glared and drew herself up regally. She took Hancock’s offered arm, chin held high, and slammed the door shut behind them.

Ben and Jack engaged in a deadlocked stare.

“I agreed to protect her,” Jack reminded Ben, “I did not agree to a marriage. What purpose could this possibly serve? And do not tell me it has anything to do with she and I being lovers. I do not believe that of you.”

“Marriage is an extra layer of protection,” Ben explained patiently, spreading his hands in a placating manner.

“We are already traveling as man and wife,” Jack pointed out. He crossed his arms and paced away from Ben. He did not understand the man’s mind. Over the past weeks of the voyage, he had gotten to know Ben much better. Jack admired him and respected his opinions—even when they made no sense to him.

“But the law will not be on your side, Jack,” Ben said earnestly. “If she is your legal wife, Rogan has no claim to her in a court.”

“Believe me when I tell you, Ben,” Jack said, dropping his hands to his hips, “if Rogan gets his hands on her, I will not take the time to petition a court.” And there was nothing he wouldn’t do to get her back.

“You need to be ready for any eventuality,” Ben argued. “She is like another daughter to me, and I worry about her. I love her as my own. It would ease my mind and my heart to know that she is well-cared for, well-protected. You are her Warrior, Jack. I know she has fighting skills. I have seen for myself that she can take care of herself in a fight. But you must understand by now, at the most basic level, she is the Guardian of the Philosopher’s Stone, and she must be protected at all costs.”

“You employ guilt well, sir,” Jack said. He crossed to the portholes and looked out into the inky black.

“People have arranged marriages all the time, Jack,” Ben continued. “Sons and daughters marry for duty and frequently aren’t given a choice. It is not unheard of. They do perfectly well for themselves.”

Jack slowly paced the cabin. As he moved, he watched his feet step one foot in front of the other. He didn’t believe in eternal life—at least, he didn’t think he did. But he had sworn to protect Nora. How long she had to live was open to debate in his mind, but he did understand he had a role to play in the quest she was on.

He also knew if he’d stayed with his tribe, his parents would have wished for him to marry Little Star. He did not love Little Star. He did not even care for her more than any other maiden in the tribe. But he had respected her, and he would have honored his parents’ wishes.

Had he stayed with his tribe.

But he had made the decision to stay in the white world. In Nora’s world. He respected Nora, as well. What was more, he had come to care for her. She eased his mind and his soul when they were in each other’s arms. He also craved her body. All day, he looked forward to the night when they would be together again.

“You care for her, Jack,” Ben said. “I can see it.”

“I am not indifferent to her,” Jack admitted.

Ben let out a hearty laugh. Jack smiled in spite of himself. “Oh, many a girl dreams of a man speaking to her so.”

“I hope she is not looking for a poet,” Jack said. “She won’t find one in me.”

“A good thing she is not then,” Ben chuckled. “So, you will agree to the marriage?”

Jack sighed deeply and ran a hand down his face. Did it matter? Did it really matter? He and Nora were to be thrust together for an indeterminate amount of time. Other than the fact that he had nothing of value to offer her—not even a home—what was really holding him back? He wanted her. He’d be damned if any other man would have her, and
Ben’s argument was sound enough.

“Yes,” Jack said. “I am not convinced that it is the best course of action, but I value your opinion and counsel. If it will set your mind at ease, I will marry Nora.”

“Do yourself a favor, son,” Ben said.

“What’s that?”

“Don’t use that as your reason when you speak with Nora. It likely won’t go well for you.”