The Captain's Lady by Louise M. Gouge Page B

no matter how his business prospered, she would have work to do, as did every person in that wilderness, whether wealthy or poor, master, mistress or servant. She would not be able to wear gloves for her work, and soon her hands would become callused like everyone else’s. He could not do that to her.
    “What are we to do, Jamie?” The innocence and trust in her voice stabbed into his heart.
    He reached out to caress her smooth cheek. “Beloved, you realize there is nothing we can do, don’t you? We are not well suited. Therefore, we must pray for strength to follow the paths God has chosen for us. For as surely as we sit here, He has ordained separate paths for us.”
    “No.” She gulped back a sob, and he could see she was trying not to cry. It was no use. A flood of tears poured down her cheeks, and she grasped his hand tighter. He bent close and touched his forehead to hers. This too shall pass, he told himself. One day this pain will subside. But he’d never been successful at lying to himself.
     
    Marianne could not stop her tears, but with deep breaths, she managed not to sob. She would save that for later in her bedchamber. Despite her denial, she knew Jamie spoke the truth, although it stirred a bitter rebellion within her. There simply must be a way for them to share a future together.
    “I do wish to follow God’s path.” She reached for the handkerchief in her sleeve and dabbed her cheeks. “But I am not convinced His will is to separate us.”
    Jamie took the handkerchief and finished the job of patting away her tears, a tender gesture that calmed her. “He’s already separated us through our births, and the work He’s given each of us will take us to different places.” Sorrow creased his broad forehead.
    “Yes, you have important work to do. But what work has God given me? I am pampered by my parents and society, and I know full well my uselessness on this earth.”
    “How can you say that?” He reached out as if to touch her cheek again, but then withdrew his hand. “Your charitable work among London’s orphans is an example to that same society, and I know it comes out of a true Christian heart.”
    “But are there not poor people everywhere? I can minister to the needy wherever the Lord sends you. ”
    “Not at sea. Not to my crew.” His words were a whisper, yet she flinched at this truth.
    “But will you always sail your own ship? As you prosper, will you not hire others to import your wares so you can settle in comfort either here or in East Florida?”
    He started to speak, but she touched a finger to his lips. “Would we not have a lovely life there? You and I, Frederick and Rachel. Oh, Jamie, I so dearly long to know my brother’s wife, my own dear sister. Will you not take me there to meet her?”
    Jamie moved back, staring beyond her as if contemplating her words. But then he shook his head. “Lord Bennington will never approve our marriage.”
    “Perhaps we should give him a chance to approve or disapprove. He surely thinks well enough of you. He hasmade you like a son, even favored you over his own.” She felt like a traitor to Robert for saying it. William, Thomas and Frederick had all found their places in life, but dear Robert was still far from it, even with his recent improvements. “We have not been fair to him. We must give him a chance to say yes or no.”
    “But what if it’s no, as it likely will be?”
    “I cannot think he would deny me my happiness when he himself has been so happy in marriage with Mama.”
    A loud sneeze came from the room’s other settee, which faced the hearth. Marianne jumped, and Jamie drew in a soft breath. The man chuckled as he peered over the settee back. His face was shadowed, but the well-formed shape of his head was unmistakable.
    “Well, isn’t this a pretty pickle?”
    “Robert!” Marianne thought she might faint. “What are you doing here?”
    Robert sat up and scratched his jaw. “I came to escape the