The Falcon and the Sparrow (45 page)

Dominique stood at the bow of the brigantine and wrapped her arms about her chest as she stared upon a sea as dark and thick as ink. A half moon flung sparkling dust upon the tips of choice waves as it made its way across the sky. The smell of the sea—salt, fish, and freedom—wafted about her, tousling her loose hair and ruffling her skirts. Taking in a deep breath of it, she praised her Father in heaven and found it surprising that she could still do so.

Only an hour ago, she had buried her brother. Sewn into a burlap sack, he had slid into the sea from a plank around which stood the admiral and his crew. The mighty Word of God had been read, and then, just like that, Marcel had slipped away from her, out of her sight, out of her life, and into eternity. Now he rested at the bottom of the deep, alongside countless heroes before him. Despite his betrayal, he was and always would be a hero to her.

The strong one.

The boy who had become a man on the streets of Paris.

“
And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
”

Dominique remembered the words from the book of Revelation and knew in her heart she would see Marcel again. Truth be told, the eternal world had become much more real to her than the wooden planks beneath her feet or the salty air she breathed. These past months, she had witnessed not only the Lord’s protection, but also His mighty hand. God sat on the throne and was as active now in the affairs of men as He was in days of old.

She gripped the railing as the ship heaved over a swell. The salty spray showered her. The creak of wood and snap of sails reached her ears. Why was she not sick? She had never been able to sail before without losing the contents of her stomach. She laughed in amazement as a sudden strip of light streaked the horizon, blazing upward into the sky.

A new day dawned.

A new life seemed to burst forth within her heart.

For God had become her strength, just as His Word declared. She had only to keep her eyes on Jesus, regardless of the fear she felt inside. And as He promised, He had seen her through to accomplish His will. For it was always His will that would be done in the end—even Marcel’s death. She swallowed a lump of sorrow. She would miss her brother, but he was in a far better place. A smile lifted her lips as she envisioned him in heaven, riding horses with Father or sitting with Mother, excitedly telling her of his
adventures. Someday she would join them.

But not yet.

She had not seen much of the admiral since they had boarded the merchantman-privateer he had procured in London, busy as he was with the running of the ship, especially with the possibility of French gunboats still lurking about. Though the vessel was not one of His Majesty’s ships, Chase had assured her it was both well armed and well manned. Many of the crew aboard had sailed under his command before and were extremely loyal.

“What do you have in store for me now, Father?” She gazed upward as the stars began to fade under the fiery sunrise.

Chase had come to her rescue, yes, but she had no idea what his true feelings were. How could he not be angry with her for her deception? Would he take her back as governess? Or would she have to fend for herself on the streets of London? If so, she knew now that the Lord would take care of her. But the loss of the admiral and his son would surely damage her heart beyond repair.

Yet love had beamed in Chase’s eyes when she had first seen him on Lihou, had it not? Or had that just been wishful thinking?

Dared she hope that he could forgive her? Dared she hope that he could love her?

She bit her lip, pondering these things, when from behind, strong arms wrapped around her. Chase’s spicy scent set every nerve on fire.

“I love you, Dominique.” His warm breath sent a tingle over her neck as his soft words melted her heart.

She turned toward him, hope flickering to life. “After what I did? After I stole your documents? Gave them to the French?” Then it suddenly dawned on her. She took a step back from him. “Sacre bleu, the French have the Admiralty papers.” She flung her hand to her mouth.

Chase grinned.

“How can you be so cavalier?”

“Ma chérie, they were fake. Planted in my study by the Admiralty. In the hands of our enemy, they will help our cause rather than harm it.”

He knew about me all this time?
Dominique blinked. “But how… how did you know I—”

“I didn’t.” He raised one brow. “All I knew was that I possibly had a spy in my household. Truth be told, and much to my deep humiliation, I never suspected you.”

“I am so sorry, Chase.” Dominique lowered her gaze to the sodden planks below. “I never meant to hurt you.” Her thoughts drifted to Marcel. “Now I know how it feels to be betrayed by someone you l—”

“Love?” He placed a finger beneath her chin and lifted her gaze to his.

Dominique searched his eyes, warm and inviting, no longer shielded by a cold veneer. “But how can you…after what I have done?”

“With the help of God—and my sister, of all people.” He chuckled. “I have come to understand your reasons—not agree with them, mind you, but understand them.” He moved his fingers from her chin to her cheek and began to caress her skin.

This could not be happening. Was she dreaming?
Oh Lord, could the man really love me?

His eyes grew sad. “I am so sorry for your loss, Dominique.”

She gazed at the purple stain on his blue waistcoat and cringed.

The last remnant of Marcel.

No, not true. Her brother would always live in her heart. “Now I, too, understand the pain of losing someone you love more than your own life,” she added, her eyes shifting to the wound on Chase’s chest, realizing how close she had come to losing him, as well.

“But you have not turned from God in anger as I did.”

“I wanted to at first. I could not understand why, after all I suffered to save Marcel, the Lord would end up taking him.” Dominique gazed out across the sea. Ribbons of yellow and orange stroked the horizon and cast glittering jewels upon the water. “But I have come to believe that was His plan all along. Though my heart feels as though it has been blasted to bits, I know the Lord will see me through, and it will all work out for good.”

A breeze danced through Chase’s hair, lifting it from his
shoulders. “Perhaps it was God’s plan to take Melody, as well. Maybe I believed that all along, and that is why I was so furious at Him.” Chase snorted. “As for turning out for good…well, I pray someday I shall have just a fraction of your faith, Dominique. You inspire me.”

“Do my ears deceive me, or did I hear you say that nasty little word
pray
, Admiral?” she teased him.

“Aye, I will admit to it. I have begun to speak to the Almighty again.” He shifted uncomfortably and drew his lips into a thin line.

“And has He spoken back?”

Chase nodded and smiled. “In more ways than one.” Then his smile faded. He eased a lock of hair from her face. “When I thought I might lose you, my world collapsed. All the fears of Melody’s death surrounded me like a fleet of enemy ships, but I called out to God. I cannot explain the peace that came over me, not a peace that ensured you would not be taken from me, but a peace that said God loved me and I could put my trust in that love.” His stubbled jaw tightened. He rubbed his eyes and looked away.

The arc of the sun crested the horizon, instantly setting aflame the rippling azure waters and flinging sparkling nets of gold and crimson into the sky.

Slowly his warm brown eyes met hers again.

“I never want to be without you, Dominique.”

Before she could respond, he covered her lips with his, caressing them as if she were the most precious thing in the world. Gentle, loving kisses that began to grow in intensity. Crushing her against him, he claimed her mouth as his own. Dominique grew dizzy with the feel of him, the taste of him. A warm flutter radiated out from her belly and sped through her until nothing else mattered to her but being in Chase’s arms.

Chuckles erupted from behind them. Chase withdrew, a mis-chievous grin on his face. “Forgive me. I am so overcome by you that I fear I forgot we were not alone,” he whispered.

She knew exactly how he felt. Dominique’s skin flamed, but she dared not glance across the deck at the sailors, who no doubt were
enjoying the spectacle. Instead, she faced forward and clutched the railing, raising her face to the beauty of God’s creation, allowing the morning breeze to cool her passions. “So does this mean you will not dismiss me as governess?” She cast Chase a coy look.

“Nay, I intend to dismiss you.” He sternly fisted his hands at his waist. “You cannot expect an admiral of the fleet to harbor a known spy within his home.”

Dominique’s insides crumbled. Truth be told, she could not. “I understand,” she said, wondering where she would find lodging.

“But a wife, now that is a different matter altogether.” He winked. “That is, if you will do me the honor?”

Dominique flung herself into his arms and showered him with kisses.

Stepping from the carriage, Chase removed his hat and gazed up at the Randal house—his house. Whenever he had returned home before—especially after Melody’s death—he had felt only despondency coupled with an urgency to leave as soon as he could, even before he had put a foot inside the door. This time as his gaze took in the three massive white columns guarding the front of the home and the ornate ironwork on the porches above encasing sparkling french windows, joy and excitement bubbled within him at the prospect of finally coming home.

“Darling.”

“Ah, yes, forgive me.” He turned, held out his hand for Dominique, and assisted her from the landau. Her chestnut hair fluttered from beneath her bonnet and glimmered as a ray of sun alighted upon her. She gazed at him with those amber eyes now brimming with love and admiration—for him. He still could not believe it.

He paid the driver then turned to her and held out his elbow. “Shall we?”

Placing her hand on his arm, she smiled, and he believed at that moment that all his happiness in this whole world rested within that smile alone.

Feeling a lightness in his step that he had not known in years, he swaggered to the front door, Dominique on his arm. Before they could reach it, the door slammed open and his son blasted from within the house like a cannonball.

William dashed toward them, his blond head bobbing, his blue eyes glowing. “Father, Father—Miss Dawson.”

Katharine stepped out behind him and leaned against the front wall, her hands clasped before her and a smug grin plastered on her lips.

Chase scooped the leaping boy into his embrace and gave him a tight squeeze, savoring the feel of his son and the warm touch of William’s arms encircling his neck.

Chase kissed him on the forehead. “Good to see you, Son. I have missed you so much.”

“You have?” The boy giggled with delight.

Chase nodded and tousled his hair, vowing to God to be a better father. With God’s help, he would keep that promise. Not that he wouldn’t return to sea—for that was his duty, his job. But he would never let his love of the sea come before his love for God or for his family.

Never again.

“Miss Dawson, you came back, too?” William exclaimed with a wide grin.

“Your father came to get me, William.” She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.

“I am so glad you found her, Father.”

“So am I, Son.” Chase flung a sultry glance at Dominique. “So am I.”

Holding William in one arm, he grabbed Dominique’s hand, and they entered the front door as a family.

Katharine looked at them both, joy skipping across her eyes—a joy Chase had not seen in years. “I see you have found what you were looking for.”

“Aye, that I did, dear sister.”

Releasing his hand, Dominique plucked off one of her gloves and waved her left hand in the air before Katharine. A golden ring 1
sparkled on Dominique’s finger, drawing Katharine’s gaze.

She flung her hands to her mouth. “Oh my word. How? When?”

“Just yesterday,” Chase answered. “We obtained a special license.”

“And my good friend Rev. Newton performed the ceremony,” Dominique added.

William’s confused gaze wandered from Chase to Dominique.

“What does this mean, Father?” He scrunched his tiny nose. “Does this mean Miss Dawson can be my new mother now?”

Chase gave his son another squeeze and kissed him on the nose.

“No, William. It means she already is.”