Chapter Nineteen

When she first awoke, Rebecca felt as though a heavy weight was pressing down on her. Her mouth was thick and dry, as if she had been chewing on a feather pillow throughout the night.

She struggled to recall how she had gotten in bed but couldn't focus on any of the disjointed images running through her mind. She tried to sit up, and a groan escaped her as a white-hot flash of pain seared its way through her neck and down her back.

"Rebecca?"

She felt the bed dip, followed by his hands on her arm. "Alex?" She turned her head in the direction of his voice and saw his worried expression. "What troubles you, my love?"

"Nothing now." He smoothed the lank strands of hair off her brow. "You are back with me. I must fetch the physician."

She reached for his hand but was barely able to grasp it. "Nay, stay with me awhile yet."

He shook his head but looked regretful. "Dr. Harris insisted I wake him if you regained consciousness during his rest."

"Regained consciousness?" Her brow furrowed as she tried to recall her last memory before waking at home. She remembered standing with Alex in a field, confessing her love. Something about the diamond necklace…then pain as she had never known. "What happened with Bradleaf?"

Alex's eyes burned almost black with rage. "He shot you, but he will not trouble anyone again."

Her eyes widened as she realized what he meant. His foreboding expression didn't invite discussion of that topic yet. Her lips trembled as she squeezed his hand. "The babe?"

Alex squeezed her hand in return. "He is fine. The bullet did not come near him."

"Or her," she whispered.

He laughed. "Now, I must get the doctor."

She tightened her grip, not wanting to be alone. "Why did he shoot me, Alex?"

"Because he realized how important you are to me, and it was his chance to hurt me."

Rebecca shook her head and winced as pain traveled up her neck. "You are wrong, Alex. It was me he wanted to punish. I cost him a great deal of money when he did not win the wager."

A small smile curved his lips. "I am certain he was displeased with you, but Bradleaf hated me, dearest."

"Why?"

"Years ago, we were partners until I discovered he was embezzling from our fledgling company." Alex's mouth tightened. "Bradleaf wormed his way out of trouble with the help of his father, leaving me holding the bag." His voice lowered. "It was he who forced me into pirating to pay off the debts. I do not understand it, but he grew to hate me when I rescued the company and made it a success—all without the aid of him or his father's money."

She gasped. "I thought it was your brother rejecting you and sending you off penniless that turned you to piracy."

Alex shrugged. "The Earl did turn me out without a dime, but I had some money, which I used as capital for the shipping venture with Bradleaf. However, it was not enough to cover everything when he used our meager profits to buy the silence of a young lady's family after he seduced her and left her with a child."

Rebecca blinked, seeing the similarities in their situation. "Did you marry me so you would not be like your ex-partner?"

He sighed. "I must fetch the doctor."

She put a trembling hand on his thigh. "Is that what our marriage is about? Proving you had more honor than he did?"

"Marrying you was partly a matter of honor, but not entirely." Alex shifted his weight. "You have raged with fever and infection for three days. The doctor must see you."

"Fine." She sniffed back tears.

He froze. "Are you crying?"

"No," she said in a wet voice, even as she collapsed against his chest. "Why would I be crying?"

"I do not know."

She drew in a ragged breath. "I had hoped I meant more to you than, well…I obviously do." Her voice was muffled against his waistcoat.

Alex had the audacity to laugh as he eased her away from him. He tilted up her chin and looked into her eyes. "You mean the world to me, my love."

She sniffed again. "I do?"

"I love you, wife."

Rebecca's mouth dropped open into an O. "You do?"

"Aye. I have since the day I claimed you as my own."

"Oh." She snuggled against him once more.

"Oh?" He sounded annoyed. "That is all you have to say?"

"I love you too." She sighed. "You may have claimed me, but I tamed you."

He growled low in his throat, and the sound vibrated through his chest. "You have not tamed me, Rebecca."

She giggled, not bothering to refute his statement. After all, his honor would not allow him to admit the maiden had tamed the pirate, just as she would not willingly admit how quickly he had claimed her for his own.

Rebecca blinked when she abruptly realized she was lying in her husband's bed, not her own. "Alex?"

"Yes, love?"

"Why am I in your room?" Rebecca shook her head. "My presence must have disturbed your rest these past few nights."

"All that disturbed me was worry for your health. I had you placed where you belong, Rebecca. We have no need for separate rooms…unless you prefer your own quarters?" He sounded uncertain.

She turned her head to see his expression. He looked anxious. "I should like to have a sitting room attached to our room."

He sagged against her. "I will have it seen to immediately."

"There is no rush, love. We have all we need in this room."

He chuckled. "Aye, my love, we do."

She closed her eyes as Alex lowered his head to kiss her. He moved carefully, so she felt barely a twinge of pain as the mattress shifted. She pressed herself closer to him as she relished in the feel of his arms around her. She did have everything she needed, right there with him.