Chapter Twenty-Two

Jandeau's arm dropped from Tessa's waist as Sia landed, claws extended. The rough release threw Tessa off balance for a second. Her gaze slid around as if time had stopped. Charlotte and Bann were being rowed across to the Calypso ; there were only a handful of her father's men standing on the deck, their muskets forgotten with the spectacle, and Sia attached to her father's furious face.

Twenty-four tiny needles from her six toes on each foot poked and slid lines down Jandeau's swarthy skin.

"Bloody beast!" her father yelled, raising his talon-like fingers to grab her.

Tessa reached out, pulling Sia from Jandeau before he could reach her. "Sia!" she yelled, and the cat turned to cling to her bodice. Her sweet face was frantic with terror, ears flattened and eyes wide.

Without any thought except an instinctual need to flee, Tessa clung to the cat and dashed to the rail.

"Bloody foking cat!" Jandeau yelled. "I'm going to skin you alive."

Tessa's steps took her right up to the gunwale. Sia clung to her so Tessa held her with only one hand and used the other to steady herself as she threw a leg up and over the rail.

"Grab her!"

Her father's voice made Tessa throw herself off, releasing into the open air, her whole body curling inward around Sia. The shock of the icy water knocked the air from Tessa's lungs, and her petticoats flew up over her head. Even though dawn had broken, the darkness of the fabric blocked all light.

She was caught in her own, heavy clothes. She let go of Sia to use both hands, pushing the fabric out of her way as bubbles rushed out of her mouth.

Tessa kicked against the pull of the sea, her legs growing numb at the cold embrace that tried to pull her down. Salt burned up her nose, and she clawed at the freezing water. The surface was above her somewhere. Kick! Kick! She pushed with her hands against the cloth and the water. Swim! Up! Up! Up!

The need for air made her long to open her mouth. But if she did, if she sucked in the sea, she would forever be part of it. Her water-filled body would be dragged down into the frigid blackness below her like into the open maw of some great, icy beast.

She fought harder, kicking and pulling against the water with her arms, and saw a light above. The surface! As her face broke through, she gasped for precious air. She spat and coughed, her face skimming the surface for Sia.

Boom! Cannon fire heralded the splintering of wood behind her. Boom! And then in front of her. Debris rained down, but she fought against the numbing water trying to drag her back under.

"Tessa!" Eagan's voice called, and her gaze snapped toward the Calypso . Eagan pointed at a man, swimming toward her. It was Eagan's brother, Adam. Tessa's heart pounded, her body starting to go slack with relief and numbness.

Another man's head popped up, and he lifted something up out of the water. The cat climbed up the man's face to the top of his head as if he were an island in an icy sea. Drostan swore, probably at the cat's piercing claws. Sia was thin with her fur wet against her body, and she arched her back as Drostan swam back to the Calypso with a drenched cat as a hat.

Tessa's legs had grown numb, and she couldn't tell if they were moving. Her body began to sink again, and she tried to use her arms to paddle her way higher on the surface.

"Eagan will put me to the rack if I let ye drown," Adam said. "Relax. 'Tis easier for me to pull ye if ye're on yer back."

She coughed against the salt water that kept trying to throw itself down her throat and maneuvered her body behind Adam. "I…I didn't mean to…bring Jandeau to your family," she said between gasps for air. "I didn't mean to endanger Eagan."

Adam swam, one arm around her neck. "He was going to leave us," he said. "I found his packed things."

Water kept sloshing into her ears, and men yelled overhead, but Tessa fought to hear Eagan's brother.

"Ye've kept him here, Tessa," Adam said. She couldn't see him as she stared up at the looming Macquarie ship as pistol fire erupted. "I thank ye for that and for flushing out Jandeau." His words, coming with his big huffs of breath, sounded sincere. He didn't hate her for bringing her father to Wolf Isle.

Boom! Cannon fire exploded, sending wood from the front of the Macquarie ship into the air. Boom! Boom! Boom! The Macquaries retaliated.

Tessa kicked as best she could, but the combination of heavy petticoats and numb legs made her efforts as useless as using a rock to paddle a rowboat. She held her breath against the choppy water splashing in her face, the briny taste almost like cold blood. As they neared the ship, she could hear shouting above, but the cannons had stopped pounding.

When they met the bobbing wooden hull, Tessa felt arms grabbing her, and she was pulled upward. The cold fingers of the sea seemed to cling, furious that it had lost its victim. Too exhausted to help, Tessa went limp, letting whoever was lifting her do their task.

"Eagan," she murmured, realizing he was there, helping to bring her aboard.

"I'm here, Tessa," he said, the sound of his voice washing over her as he pulled her freezing, soaked body up against his chest. The heat penetrated her, and the feeling of protection and strength encircling her nearly made her sob with relief.

"Get her into the captain's quarters." Eagan's voice sliced out of the void that was wrapping around Tessa. "Eliza, help her out of those clothes and into something dry and warm."

"But Jandeau," Eliza said, her voice surly. "He's getting away."

"We have children on board," came another man's voice. And I don't want to lose the Calypso again." Tessa thought it sounded like Beck, Eliza's husband and the captain.

"Jandeau doesn't seem ready to give up his ship, either," Callum said. "He's heading out to sea."

"'Tis his third Bourreau ."

"Yer safe now," Eagan said as he helped her walk away from the rail. "I won't let Jandeau harm ye again."

But how could he possibly promise that when her father still lived?

…

"I've sent word to Captain Wentworth of the English Navy," Adam said. "He's looking for Jandeau, too, for killing his brother and sister-in-law."

"My brother, Edward, sails with Wentworth and seeks revenge as much as I do," Eliza said. Despite her cold tone, she patted the back of her two-year-old son whom she held against one shoulder. She dipped in a rhythm meant to put the lad to sleep, although his blue eyes were wide open, watching everyone.

'Twas a family meeting in the great hall of Gylin Castle. Eagan, Adam, and Drostan had soaked in warm baths to pull the cold from their bones, and Lark and Anna had helped Tessa to do the same. Now Tessa rested in Eagan's large bed above with Charlotte, Grace, and Bann, while Sia roamed the room and the two wolfhounds stood alert, seeming to guard them. Despite the fright and cold sea, the cat seemed as hearty as usual.

"Did ye see Jandeau's face when Adam made it to the Calypso with Tessa?" Callum asked.

"He was furious," Eagan said, still wishing he could have been the one to dive in after her. His arm, shot extracted, was cleaned, stitched, and packed with a poultice, and Lark was pouring bitter concoctions down his throat every hour to fend off infection.

"He retreated to fight another day," Beck said. "With most of his crew unconscious, he knew he couldn't win against us."

"His gaze wouldn't leave Tessa," Eagan said. "He's coming back for her."

"Good," Eliza said, "I'm going to cut his—"

"Let's wait a few more years to scar our lad with his mama's bloody details about dismemberment," Beck said, pulling Richard out of her arms while continuing the gentle rhythm of bobbing up and down.

Eliza slid her thumb across the chubby cheek of her son and smiled at him. "Our Richard will be the fiercest captain on the seas with the most courageous and golden heart." The bairn smiled back at her, reaching to tug a curl that hung along her face.

"If Tessa carries a Macquarie child, Jandeau will be back immediately," Callum said, and they all looked at Eagan.

He exhaled and gave a small shake of his head. "I don't know if she does or not."

Callum crossed his arms over his chest. "If the tree starts to lose leaves—"

"Foking hell, I hate that bloody tree," Eagan said, frustration heavy in his voice. He shoved his hands through his hair, ready to pull it out.

"We all do," Lark said from her seat at the table.

"We'll all move away if it starts to die again," Anna said, cradling her daughter, Elizabeth, against her shoulder.

The five brothers looked at her. "Not unless I'm dead," Adam said.

"And me," Beck followed.

Callum and Drostan nodded together.

Eagan looked at Anna. "'Tis a bit more than merely a piece of land to us."

"Foolish arses," Aunt Ida said, sounding like her old grumpy self.

Rabbie stood next to her. "Ye got to understand, Ida, we men fight for our land. And this land is Macquarie land. 'Tis in our blood."

"You're a MacDougall," Ida said, "not a Macquarie."

"I pledged my loyalty to John Macquarie," Rabbie said, crossing his arms. "Makes me a Macquarie."

Eagan didn't know if he agreed with his brothers. He loved his clan, his brothers, and their growing families. But life was more important than land to Eagan, and if pressed to save their children and wives, his brothers would agree with him. As it was, Eagan had been ready to leave his clan and Wolf Isle anyway.

He rubbed a hand down his face. His bag was still packed, waiting for him to take it up and strike out on his own. Bloody hell, so much had happened since he'd left it beside the door of his bedchamber.

"We should fortify the coast," Eagan said, "in case Jandeau returns here. He made landfall on Grissell's side of the isle before. And no one's there right now." Grissell, who was too weak to live on her own, had remained at the castle to help care for her returned children.

"Drostan and I will organize groups to patrol the coastline," Callum said.

"I'll finish the repairs to Calypso's forward deck," Beck said, "and sail her around near Drostan's cabin on the northeast side of Wolf Isle. It will be ready to strike if the Bourreau comes around."

"And I'll send word to Cullen and Tor," Adam said, "although, I think they're already at sea."

Lark rested both palms on the table. "We should put everyone in Ormaig and the surrounding homesteads on alert. 'Tis a small community, so strangers will stand out immediately."

Eagan trailed his gaze across them all. "Thank ye for yer efforts."

Eliza quirked one side of her smile higher. "'Tis obvious you love her, so if you lose her, you'll be impossible to live with."

Emotion poured through him like warm honey. He smiled, relief and gratitude overflowing inside him. He did love Tessa. Watching her sacrifice herself to rescue the children only deepened the strength of his love. She was everything opposite of her bitter, angry, evil father.

"I do love her," Eagan said, his words soft. "And when she wakes, I'll ask her to wed."

"I'm awake." Tessa's voice rang out clear and even.

Eagan turned to see her standing in the archway leading to the stairs. She wore a simple pale and dark blue ensemble, that followed the inward curves of her waist over her hips. Her hair had been cleaned and brushed to fall in soft waves around her face. Her cheeks were red-hued with health. She was beautiful with her dark hair and fine, smooth features. The blue in her costume brought out the color in her eyes framed by dark lashes.

She met his gaze, a smile bending her soft lips. "I love you, too, Eagan Macquarie."

Eagan's heart jumped in his chest, and his smile widened.

Grissell stood beside her holding onto her arm.

"What are you doing out of bed, Grissell?" Ida asked.

"She came to see me and said I should come below," Tessa said, but her gaze remained on Eagan. "That she thought things were happening that involved me."

Eagan strode over to Tessa, wanting to snatch her up in his arms, but he couldn't knock the old woman aside. Or could he? Gently of course.

But Aunt Ida, apparently reading the situation in his rapid steps, came up beside Grissell, taking her other arm and leading her to the side.

Tessa gasped with a laugh as Eagan lifted her with only one arm to press her to him and spin her around. He set her down and kissed her, his hand cupping her jaw gently. "Thank the Lord I have ye back." Eagan let all the gratitude in his heart bleed out in the words. "And I will never let ye go."

Her laughter had that musical quality that reminded him of her singing. "I will have trouble getting dressed if you don't let go occasionally."

His brow went up, and he bent near her ear. "Then ye'll have to stay naked in my arms."

She chuckled.

Eagan inhaled, growing serious, as he let her back up. "Claudette Tempest Ainsworth, will ye wed me and spend the rest of my days as my wife and love?"

No one made a noise, not even the fussy bairns. She nodded, her smile bright. "Of course, Eagan Macquarie. I pledge myself to you for the rest of my days."

Rabbie slapped his hands together, making Ida jump and scowl at him. "That's basically a wedding right there," he said, his thick eyebrows raising with glee. "Oaths taken before witnesses. Ye're married."

Eagan's heart felt full to bursting, and he pulled Tessa against him, kissing her. She opened under him as if she hungered for him like he did for her.

"Let's make it official before the willow tree," Adam said.

With a frustrated groan, Eagan rested his forehead against Tessa's. "They want to make certain the tree hears ."

Tessa shook her head. "Macquaries are a strange lot."

"They're cursed," Ida said. "That would make even the Pope strange." She frowned at Grissell, who was still on her arm. "And now finally," Ida said, "we will see Wilyam Macquarie's sins washed away."

The old woman neither agreed nor disagreed with Ida but let her lead her across the hall.

"Right now," Adam said. "Outside." He almost sounded giddy with the thought of finally breaking the curse that had plagued their clan for a century.

"Without a priest?" Lark asked.

"Sure," Beck said. "Before the tree. We can get a priest next week but the two need to marry right away, just in case."

In case Jandeau stole Tessa away again? Eagan's body clenched. He leaned to Tessa's ear. "He won't get close to ye."

She looked up at him, her smile faded away. "My father is still alive?"

Eagan nodded. "He sailed off, and we brought ye and the children home to Wolf Isle."

Her face remained tight. "I don't know yet if I'm with child, but either way, I fear he won't let me go," she whispered. A slight shudder ran through her as he rubbed up and down her arm. "Even if I'm married."

Then I'll kill him , he thought but didn't say it. Tessa had longed for a father but had received a monster instead. Her heart must be broken. Eagan kissed the top of her head. I promise to heal it.

Sia trotted down the stairs and into the great hall. "Oh, sweet Sia," Lia said from afar. "Did Charlotte let you out of Eagan's room?" Drostan put his arms around her as if she would forget her terrible reaction to cats and run to pick her up. "I know," Lia said, patting his arm.

The cat walked between them all on her way to the doorway leading to the bailey. "Follow the puss," Rabbie said, waving his arms to get them moving. "Go say the words before the tree, and then one of ye needs to pole the ferry over to Mull to get Father Thomas to make it a Godly union."

"So then this is what?" Ida asked, "a pagan union?"

"Woman," Rabbie said, "ye sure make it hard to like ye."

"Maybe I don't want you to like me," Ida said, her hand flapping up and down at him. "With that scruffy hair and stains on your tunic."

Rabbie looked down and pulled his shirt outward to see the marks that looked like apple tart. "'Tis better than bloodstains."

Ida rolled her eyes and continued to hold a silent Grissell up as they walked slowly toward the door arm in arm. They all followed.

The morning fog descended inside the walls surrounding the bailey. The cool temperature had the bite of winter in it. Eagan kept his good arm around Tessa as they walked.

He saw her fingering the golden birdcage still on a chain around her neck. "It didn't break away from ye in the sea."

Tessa clutched the golden locket lying on her chest. "Jandeau smashed it."

"We'll have it fixed."

She gave him a small smile and squeezed his hand that she held. "And I will put a likeness of you inside." Eagan kissed her gently on the lips.

"Very well now," Rabbie said, "we be all out here before the willow. Say yer pledges."

Eagan looked down into her eyes. "Tessa, I pledge to love, respect, and protect ye for all my life. I will be true to ye always."

Tessa smiled up at him, holding both his hands. "Eagan, I pledge to love, respect, and protect you for all my life. I will be true to you always."

They both smiled brightly at her reciprocated words. A small cheer rose in the bailey from his brothers, their wives, and the older children who'd run out of the castle to witness the union.

"Is the curse broken?" Ida asked.

Eagan tucked Tessa against his side, and they all turned to look at the ancient willow as if the green leaves would suddenly turn yellow like they should at this time of year. The wind blew the whip-like limbs about, the green leaves on them the same as they'd been.

"Maybe they will start turning color in the next day or so," Lark said, her daughter, Hannah, on her hip. "Falling to the ground like from any normal tree in autumn."

"Can I touch it then, Mama?" her five-year-old son asked, his hands outstretched.

Adam scooped up the lad. "Not until we deem it safe."

"I can touch it again," Drostan said, but Lia held tight to his arm.

"Let's not right now," she said.

"But I did before," Drostan said. "Once touched I'm unable to father a child." He took a step away from her.

"That part of the curse may not be true," Lia said, drawing out the last word with a little twist of her lips.

Drostan turned on the balls of his feet to face her, his boots crunching on the pebbles. His mouth dropped open, his eyes widening. "Are ye…?"

Lia nodded, her hands going to her abdomen. "I think so." It had been two years since they'd wed, and no child had been conceived yet. They both had decided that they would adopt when the opportunity came.

Drostan whooped, lifting her off the ground in a hug and twirling them both around as more cheers erupted in the bailey.

"Curse or not," Eagan called out, "the Macquarie Clan is growing."

Lark stuck her finger into Adam's chest. "Curses are only real when people believe in them."

"Well," Adam said, setting his son down. "I believe this curse is broken." He kissed her and looked out at all of them. "We've learned about love, things Wilyam Macquarie never did." Adam grinned at Lark. "Like love can come from unexpected proposals."

She nodded. "And true love can heal a lifetime of old hurts."

Beck pulled Eliza closer, taking their son from her. "Love means respecting each other's differences and not expecting another to be something she's not." Eliza pulled his face down for a kiss while their son tugged on her hair.

Callum turned Anna in a circle, and she wove under his arm. "Love means never abandoning your partner no matter how difficult the circumstances."

"And trusting one another with each other's secrets," Drostan said, capturing Lia's face between his two hands for a kiss.

Eagan's heart swelled with happiness, and he looked from his brothers to Tessa. "And it means being loyal to one's love even if their family is…a bit…"

"Vicious, murdering, lying," she finished.

He chuckled, his brows going up. "Aye, even if their family is all that."

Clap. Clap. Clap.

The cracking sound made everyone turn toward the gate. Eagan's hand moved straight to his sword as his gaze rose to the top of the wall. Instead of the two usual guards in the gatehouse tower, another figure stood dark and mocking.

"The Macquarie pups have found love," Claude Jandeau said and continued his cracking, slow applause. "Bravo." All around the wall, pirates rose, some adding to the slow, stark clapping while others held muskets primed and aimed at the people in the bailey. The entire Macquarie Clan was surrounded.