Confessions of a Pirate's Heart

Chapter Two

“Almost all the family,” Scarlett mumbled.

Her heart leapt at her own sudden response, any ounce of courage she had withering away by the nerves that now grasped her. She focused her eyes on her sewing, squinting to find her thread in the fabric in an attempt to settle the fluttering in her stomach. But her stitches only became uneven.

Meanwhile, the room remained quiet and it only made Scarlett feel worse. She dared another glance at her mother, whose face dropped. Confusion now took the place of her admiration and happiness.

“What did you say?” Catherine said.

Scarlett's heart began to beat faster but she spoke clearer. “I said, ‘almost all the family.’”

“Whatever do you mean?”

Catherine's bewilderment caused Scarlett to drop her sewing and look up. Gazing straight into her mother's eyes, she almost believed her confusion and it gave her the fire she needed. “You know what I mean. How can you sit here and say all these things, especially in the presence of God, about how you are thankful our family is back together when you know very well that my sister is out there somewhere?”

Catherine's eyes widened and her mouth gaped open, a look of near terror spreading across her features.

George looked up suddenly from his book. “Don't you speak to your mother that way,” he said.

“You know it's true,” Scarlett said, lowering her voice but standing firm in her argument. “And I can't stand this anymore. How can you live your lives knowing she's all alone trying to fend for herself because her family turned their backs on her?”

“How dare you,” George said, his voice faltering for a moment as he stood abruptly. His book plopped onto the floor.

“Isn't that how it happened, though?”

“Oh, George,” Catherine said, bringing her handkerchief to her eyes as tears began streaming down her face. “I hoped we would never hear of that scandal ever again.”

“How did you hear of this?” George asked, ignoring his wife's lamentations.

Scarlett took in a breath before gathering her words. “I haven't told you everything about my capture. The Captain--”

She hesitated and glanced around at the expectant eyes of her family. Joseph sat anxiously peering up at his angry father and his upset mother. William, having recovered from his shock at Scarlett's sudden outburst, gave her a gentle nod and urged her to continue.

“The Captain of the ship knew our sister, Grace,” she continued, gazing between her brothers as she realized this was the first time they would hear the truth as well. “He captured me, thinking I was her. He revealed to me that he had watched me from a distance, following my route while making my deliveries. That is how he decided to lure me to his ship. As you know, Father, he sent a note, requesting a delivery. Once I boarded, his crew captured me and we set sail immediately. When he realized I wasn't her, he planned instead to use me to find her. Eventually, he discovered that I didn't even know she existed.”

“Who is this captain?” George asked, squinting his eyes.

“Alexander Jones,” she said, her heart fluttering by speaking those nearly forbidden words. Not only was he an infamous pirate, once betrothed to her sister and responsible for the murder and scandal of her lover, but now he was Scarlett's lover. Every feeling that flooded through her by uttering his name was almost too much for her to bear and she feared her parents would see right through her.

Fear flashed across George's face. “What dealings would she ever have with that pirate?”

“Father, he was her betrothed,” she replied.