Chapter 28

The grey clouded sky matched her mood as she sat back with a high level of nervous anticipation rolling through London's crowded streets. The coal-tinged air choked the view of the sun giving her little light to see beyond the window.

The attempt to stave off the sudden tears that flooded her vision, failed when they finally had gotten closer to her home. Her home.

Or what she could remember of it.

Dusk had broken the sky the moment they turned into her parents' drive and rolled up the estates cobbled walk way. Despite the dark dingy city they were in, the house still held an appealing quality. It was clear of debris although somewhat still had its stately appearance like the rest in the area.

The hackney halted to a slow stop at the front door and a young-looking footman exited to greet the driver. A second had passed before the door to the Hackney had slowly opened. She slid slowly over and reached for the footman’s hand and was drawn out and helped out.

Slowly she looked up then as the front door swung opened only to hear the familiar baritone voice call her name.

"Tempest? My sweet darling Tempest," her father cried.

She stood rigid to the spot as the burly Admiral filled the doorframe with his presence and held her gaze with joy and tears. Slowly she stepped forward and soon was in a quick step until she flew into his arms.

"Oh my sweet child, I thought the worst," he whispered with a choked sob. She broke down in tears in his arms and hugged him tight. Quickly he pulled back and held her at arm’s length and held her cheeks in his warm palms.

"Did they hurt you?" his voice shook as he frantically searched her gaze.

She shook her head with a sob. She opened her mouth to say something but was cut short.

"Harold there is no time for such questions at the entrance door. The last thing we need is for her predicament to end up in the news columns." the harsh female voice sent shivers of anticipation and dread down Tempest's spine.

She watched her father's eyes darken slightly with annoyance but just as quickly lit up as he smiled down at her. "Don't keep her to yourself love. Come here and hug me, darling," her mother demanded.

The secure embrace of her father reluctantly fell away as he slowly stepped aside and turned with Tempest to face her mother.

She stepped forward through the door and into the foyer where she greeted the tall woman that gave her life.

"Hello Mother," Tempest clenched her fingers to hide their trembling as she walked closer to her. 

She observed her with hidden weariness.

Her mother's dark brown hair was now covered with a powdered wig. Her face had grown prominent and stern with very few telltale signs of aging except for the smile line by her eyes. She seemed taller than Tempest remembered. Slimmer and regal, despite her aggressive look and the curl to her aristocratic nose. All the same, she still was beautiful.

Cool clammy hands reached for hers and pulled her close before caressing her cheek. 

"You are finally home," her mother smiled. With rigid unease, she lowered her powdered cheek to Tempests in quick air of a salute and false affection as if they had seen each other days ago for tea. When in fact it had been years.

Her gaze blurred with unshed tears. No embrace? She thought. There was no motherly warmth or concern in those cool eyes that held hers. Tempest was disappointingly not amazed for she too suddenly straightened her back and faced her mother with the same pose.

"Very good then. Let us get you inside my child. We have much to discuss," her mother turned away.

"She needs to rest and get settled," her father gently approached her and placed his arm around her.

Her mother stopped. Her shoulders froze. She whirled around to glare at her father. But stood there in silence as he continued.

"She suffered an ordeal. Now is not the time for anything else but to let her rest," he demanded.

"Ordeal?" she scoffed. "She would not have been in such an ordeal if you had not taken her to that...savage island," she stepped closer angrily towards them.

She trembled in his hold. Savage island.?

"She wanted to be with me," he stepped closer.

She was now in the presence of her mother and father's marital dispute and felt so ashamed and saddened by it.

"You preferred the damnable Tea parties and evening socials than to raise her. She needed a loving mother. You were not such. Therefore, it was best for her to come with Josephine and be in my care," He boomed.

Her head lowered. Josephine. 

Now she felt alone. More now than ever. She would never see her nana again. She will be four months without Justin. How will she do it? 

She needed him now more than anything.

"If you had not raised her to be headstrong and willful-"

"Stop it! Please?" Tempest cried out.

She covered her ears and tightened her eyes shut. Tempest spun away from them and ran to the door, swung it open and stepped out for air on the front lawn so quickly her vision swam.

"Tempest, what is wrong?" her Father caught her as she swayed.

"Air. I need air," she inhaled deeply but the sooty flakes in the air around her were all she had that she choked a cough.

"Quick get her water," he demanded.

Water? That was not enough she shook her head. She needed to go back. She needed the sea. She needed him.

"Papa," she sobbed as he quickly held her to him.

She could hear her mother's protests ordering her father to bring her inside.

Their voices grew distant as they continued to argue as heat overtook her then. She could no longer speak, no longer breathe. She was dizzy… gasping… fading…

I will come back for you in 4 months. He whispered.

Her legs crumbled beneath her as blackness engulfed her.

******

"She needs lots of rest. She is not accustomed to this smog."

She lay still listening to her father talk with the physician.

She gasped and wheezed trying to control her breathing as they spoke amongst themselves. The sensation of fire in her throat was bothersome but there was nothing more to do but drink water. 

She slowly reached for a glass of the refreshing liquid and pressed it to her lips with savoring sips. Grateful for the cooling relief on her scratchy throat, she slightly glanced at the expanse of the room. She sat in the large four-poster bed. Not an unfamiliar bed. This was her bed. Her room.

She lowered her gaze then to the glass and concentrated on the water. It made her think of the Floating Vengeance, its crew, and Justin.

He would have reached Surrey hours ago. By now he would be attending to his affairs and setting things right to return for her. So that they can get married. She swallowed hard. Her fingers shook as she replaced her water glass on the nightstand.

He was gone but he will return as he promised. She will wait for him at all costs. A slight tap at the door pulled her away from her thoughts. the bedchamber door eased open. Her father entered, bearing a tray with delicious-smelling food.

"How are you feeling?" he smiled.

"Much better," She sat up and straightened against the pillows, and accepted the tray.

She salivated at the sight of so many of her old favorite foods, many of which she hadn't had since leaving England. Many of the palates on the tropical island was fresh fruits and legumes. Much of it hard to come by on this side of the world due to the weather.

Her stomach rumbled in anticipation. She hadn't eaten in more than a day. "I'm famished." Her father pulled up a chair and chuckled as she reached for a scone.

"Eat. You must get your strength back."

He watched her in silence. With a saddened gaze he observed her.

Tempest lowered a half-eaten pastry. "What's wrong? Why do you look at me so papa?"

His eyes lowered for a moment before he began to speak.

"I was worried we would never see you again." He whispered.

She stared at the tray before her and listened to him.

"Did they?" he began. "Were you....hurt?" he looked at her with red-rimmed eyes filled with anguish.

She prayed he did not see the answer in her eyes as she thought of Josephine and what Cuthbert’s men did.

"No papa," she said hoarsely.

She looked away slightly. Not wanting to look at him as she spoke of Justin. 

"I was rescued by another ship," she began.

"The Floating Vengeance?" Her father breathed.

She nodded slowly.

He remained silent for some time. His gaze was fleetingly sad and filled with worry. He focused on her then with an earnest gaze.

"Did he?.. He paused. Then lowered his face to stroke his beard. "Did he hurt you?"

Her cheeks warmed remembering her time with Justin at sea. How could she explain to her father what had happened? That she fell in love with a notorious pirate. That she had offered herself to him with no reservation and will await his return so they can be married.

Her heart raced at the thought.

Her eyes raised to his. She dared not. She could not.

"No papa. He..... saved me," she whispered.

More than once.. She wanted to say.

It seemed he was pleased with her answer because he did not ask another question after that. He inhaled a deep breath and sat back to watch her continue to eat.

They fell into small talk and spoke of what is to come. 

To her dismay, the plans for her to attend The London Season were still in effect. 

Her hands shook.

Her blood chilled. "You still want me to attend, papa?" she lowered the cup onto the tray. "After all that I have been through?" she looked at him.

He had a troubling time answering right away as he slowly stood and walked towards the far window. She observed him as he stared out into the distance.

"Your mother feels it is best that you do. A marriage prospect would secure your future," he whispered with an emptiness to his tone.

"But what do you want, papa?" she asked hoping he would come to reason and speak to her mother.

She did not want any of this.

She just wants Justin.

"I want what is best for you, pet." he turned to face her and stepped closer.

Her throat dried. "You will side with mother then?"

"I have no choice in the matter," he admitted sadly. "Besides, your mother would choose society over anything. Regardless of any circumstance...she will see it through," He shook his head.

She looked over to him sadly. "So that is it then? I will be tossed like a bone to ravenous dogs?" she swallowed.

"No. No. Princess. You will go to soirees and tea parties, go to balls and outings." he assured her with a convincing tone. He stepped closer and sat beside her on the bed.

"You will eventually catch the eye of a good suitor."

She lowered her gaze then. 

How would she explain she could not be with anyone else? How could she explain she was no longer a maiden and that she had already placed her heart and eyes on someone else?

She would have to. If anyone deserved to know, it would be him. She would have to explain to him what had happened. She would have to confide in him and tell him she had fallen in love.

She needed the courage. She needed to do this. It was the only way.

"Papa?" her voice shook.

She lifted her head to look at him. "There is something you must know." she paused. Her heart began to hammer in her chest. Her courage waning by the second as his trusting gaze filled with so much love held hers.

"When..I..I..was at sea on The Floating Vengeance. I f-."

Suddenly her bedroom door swung open.

"Oh! there you are George love, tea is being served in the parlor," her mother interrupted.

Her gaze fell on Tempest then lightly crossed towards her father.

"Ah yes, of course," he stood slowly. Before leaving, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to the crown of her head. 

"We will continue our talk later, pumpkin," he muttered.

She nodded softly. He turned then before leaving her mother in the room with her, he kissed her cheek then left.

Straightening her shoulders, her mother forced a pleasant expression to her face and turned to face Tempest with amusing interest.

"Now what were you and your father talking about?" she slowly edged closer towards Tempest.

Forcing her head up, Tempest could not find it in herself to answer. Instead, she swallowed and simply shook her head.

"‘tis nothing of importance."

She raised an eyebrow and gave a penetrating once over of Tempest in silence.

It was that look of cool indifference that pained Tempest deep down in her heart. Her mother's ways offered nothing but sternness and frigid compassion. It was there but not warm enough. The icy expression she now held, said as much.

"Very well then, I will leave you to your rest. We have a big day tomorrow." she turned towards the door but halted as Tempest spoke.

"Tomorrow?"

Slowly turning she pinned Tempest with a dazzling smile. "Why yes dear, we will be going dress shopping in the morning. Then we are having tea with Lady Pembrooke at noon time."

Her throat suddenly felt dry. She fought against the sudden urge to cry. Saddened by her predicament, she forgot her mother stood by and curiously observed her. It wasn't until her mother spoke again that she lifted her head to look at her.

"Need I remind you, Tempest, of the importance in finding a suitable marriage prospect. It is imperative to your future."

Tempest remained quiet.

Immediately her eyes pinched into an annoyed frown.

"You will do so with aplomb and decorum. You will not disappoint me. Am I clear?" her mother was rather intrigued with her miserable expression. Then suddenly a triumphant gleam in her eyes appeared following a satisfied smile.

"Yes, mother." Tempest bit back the sudden urge of a retort. Oh, how she wanted to lash out, to scream, to tell her mother she did not want this.

Her mother only pretended to care about Tempest's welfare and future, but she knew it was only a pretense. It was a need to prance her around in society's eyes with an aristocratic difference. Only an attempt to make her feel obligated somehow in the event she needed to live her parasitical life by feasting on the luxury and wealth of Tempest's future husband.

It wasn't until the click of the door she realized she was finally alone and suddenly surrendered to the heart-wrenching tears she held back.

How will she endure these three months without him? She lowered her head to her pillow in thought. Gently wiping away the tears on her cheek, she settled beneath sheets in low breathless sniffles. Slowly closing her eyes to stave off the endless flow of tears, she thought of Justin. She felt her body yearning to be close to him. She envisioned the deep blue blaze of his eyes each time she closed her own. How she longed to hear the deep tone of his voice, wished for the sound of his low chuckle in her ears.

Finally, when she could barely open her eyes, the memory of those beloved moments in his cabin spent wrapped in his arms, Tempest at last found sleep.

Regardless of the troubling times to come, Tempest finds respite in the unconscious dreams with her pirate.

******