Pirate's Daughter, Rebel Wife. June Francis

me that I have no wife or house to call home when I make landfall. Now I have decided that I will buy a house in some port and you can live there. Will that not suit you? You will not have to constantly tolerate my presence for I will be away on business some of the time. You can make a home for me and Joe. Do you think you can manage to do that? If you feel it is beyond your capacities, then say so now.’

      Bridget was still feeling stunned by his proposal, but his reasoning sounded sensible. She had to give it serious thought, because what would happen to her if she turned him down? He might feel he no longer needed to feel responsible for her. He had been kind and tended her when she was ill. No doubt he had saved her life and not once had he taken advantage of her dependency on him. He appeared to be an honourable man. But what did he mean exactly by a marriage of convenience?

      She cleared her throat. ‘I thank you for your offer, Captain, but does it not bother you that we scarcely know each other?’

      He raised those devilishly dark eyebrows of his and drawled, ‘Most couples who make convenient matches are barely acquainted.’

      Bridget knew this to be true. Even the King of England’s daughter, Margaret, had married the King of Scotland by proxy without ever having met him. ‘That is certainly true. You speak of a marriage of convenience—does that mean you intend this to be a match in name only or shall it be a proper marriage?’

      He hesitated. ‘Perhaps we can discuss that when we are better acquainted.’

      She could see the sense in that because it was possible that they both might have a change of heart in a few months’ time. But even so—She frowned. ‘Wouldn’t a housekeeper do you just as well?’

      Harry blinked at her. ‘Am I to presume you would rather be my housekeeper?’

      ‘No! For what security would that give me?’ she said honestly, reaching out and touching his arm. ‘Yet what if, against all the odds, you were to meet another woman and fall in love with her? You might decide that you’d rather be rid of me.’

      ‘It is hardly likely, Mistress McDonald,’ he said ruefully. ‘But your point is worth considering, only maybe it will be you who will fall in love with another man. You are lovely. It isn’t as if you are stuck with an ugly visage like mine. Maybe you will come to hate looking at my face.’

      She hesitated. ‘I confess I do not have a fondness for black beards. Perhaps if you shaved it off, I would marry you.’

      Harry’s hand went to his beard in a defensive gesture. ‘Is that really necessary?’

      ‘No, it’s just that the slave trader had a black beard and I would rather not be reminded of him,’ she said.

      Harry did not want her constantly thinking of the slave trader, either, as that would not bode well for their future. On the other hand, when she saw him without his beard and recognised him, as well as getting a good look at the disfiguring scar currently hidden beneath his beard, she would have more than one reason for refusing his offer. ‘What if I were to promise to shave it off after the wedding?’

      She smiled. ‘That is a rare promise. I cannot believe you are as ugly as you say you are. I deem you just hide behind that beard because you wish to keep the women at bay.’

      He grimaced. ‘I would like to hear you say that when you see me minus this beard,’ he said, touching his whiskers.

      ‘I deem you dwell too much on the importance of a person’s appearance. Surely it is what one’s heart is like that is more important.’

      ‘You can say that because you are lovely,’ said Harry, ‘not that I disagree with you about a person’s nature. I would add that, if you decide to accept my proposal, I will expect your complete loyalty to me once we are married.’

      His words surprised her. ‘Why should you doubt my loyalty? You are offering me a home where I will rule when you are not there. I have no dowry, so no other man of worth would take me as I am. A home of my own is something I have never had before. Just like you, my home was a ship for several years. Even when I lived on land before sailing with my father, my home was either in my Irish grandfather’s keep or my uncle’s castle. It is true that there will be much for me to learn about organising a household, but I have seen how it is done and I have certain housewifery skills, such as sewing and cooking.’

      ‘Then you will agree to be my wife?’ asked Harry, his heart thudding as he waited for her answer.

      Chapter Four

      Bridget said hesitantly, ‘You are offering me so much. I only wish I had part of my father’s hoard to give you, then I would feel more worthy of you. I would that neither of us will regret my agreeing to be your wife.’

      ‘I have no need of a dowry,’ said Harry, relieved. He took her hand and lifted it to his lips and kissed it. ‘Obviously there will be no time for banns to be read, but I will visit the priest in Machico today and, for a few pieces of silver, I am sure he will obtain a special licence so we can wed before we leave Madeira. I pray that you will feel well enough to make the journey in the next few days.’

      ‘If that is your wish.’ Bridget could feel her skin tingling where his lips had touched it. ‘How will we travel there?’

      ‘On horseback or you could ride alongside me when I drive the cart into Machico. After the ceremony we will go aboard my ship. I will need to oversee the loading of the cargo and, God willing, we will set sail the following morning on the outgoing tide.’

      ‘You have it all planned,’ said Bridget, attempting to conceal her sudden apprehension. Could he have planned this from the moment he had discovered her identity? But why should he have done? He had, after all, given sensible reasons why he wished to marry her.

      ‘Naturally, I gave my proposal some thought before broaching the matter,’ said Harry. ‘Of course, plans can easily be overturned by forgetfulness or misfortune,’ he said idly. ‘If you can think of aught I might have forgotten, then I will be glad if you will inform me of it. I will leave you now and speak to you on my return.’

      Bridget watched him go. She found it difficult to think of anything other at the moment than this man who had saved her life. She had a fair notion of what life was like being married to a mariner. Lonely, if one did not have a family or friends living close by. She felt a tightness in her chest and a moment’s panic. Had she made the right decision? He had made no mention of wanting children. Yet she knew from listening to married women talking that most men wanted a son. Her mother had wanted a son, but it had never happened.

      There were footsteps outside in the passage that she recognised and her heart began to thud. ‘Is that you, Captain?’ she called.

      He entered the bedchamber and smiled down at her. ‘I have been thinking you might like to sit outside on the terrace. I am certain the fresh air and sunshine will do you good.’

      Instantly his thoughtfulness banished her ponderings. ‘I would like that,’ she said sincerely. ‘But I have no shoes.’ She lifted her skirts to reveal her bare feet. ‘I lost them in the sea.’

      He frowned and stroked his beard. ‘I should have thought of that earlier. No doubt you could also do with more clothes for the journey. I shall see what I can do about such matters when I go into Machico.’

      She thanked him.

      ‘I think it is best if I carry you downstairs as this will be the first time you will leave your bedchamber since your arrival,’ he said.

      Before she could protest and say that she was quite capable of walking, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her from the room. ‘But, Captain, my condition is much improved,’ she assured him.

      ‘Aye, but you have been close to death and need to conserve your strength for the journey.’ Harry was not going to deprive himself of the pleasure of holding her close to him.

      On those words, Bridget decided to remain silent, conscious of the strength in his arms and the beating