Stowaway (A Pirate Novel) (Completed)

Chapter 58 Unexpected Visitor

Although Elle understood Sister Abigail's reasoning she found it hard to work with her over the next week's. Elle knew what the nun wanted to hear.

According to Sister Abigail even Alexander's parent had been delighted and hopeful for an engagement. They had recognized her as their children's former governess and had confided in her.

They assumed the engagements was something he had handled himself. They took it to mean that he planned to come home soon.

Elle about choked on her tea at news. Alexander was not going to be happy with this rumor. Elle cursed Harv for this, as well as the Captain. They should have had a better plan!

Over the next four weeks Elle waited for a letter. When one didn't arrive she grew worried. She debated sneaking away. She could easily stowaway on a ship headed to England. But what if a letter arrived after she left? She had Father Leo mail her own letter just three days ago. Most likely it hadn't even arrived. When it did they would write back.

Now it was five weeks since the Duke and Dutchess had visited.

It had been seven weeks since she had received the last letter. Captain Talbot had sent a letter like clockwork for the last eight months before the royals visit. Had he somehow gotten in trouble because of her? Harv knew where she was. He could have written. He had before.

Maybe she should sneak out tonight. Something had happened.

She looked up from the book she was pretending to read. The summer sun glared down between the trees. She sat under an old wide tree on a blanket retrieved from the stable.

Since she had 'returned' to the convent she hadn't been watched as thoroughly as before she had 'left'.

Sister Emma had said it was because they obviously couldn't force her to stay. Her disappearance had proved that point.

Now as she looked up Sister Abigail was walking toward her over the lawn. She looked so happy it brought a smile to Elle's lips.

"Rachel, I'm so glad I found you." Her happy smile increased. "You're needed in the Father's office. You have a visitor."

Elle's heart skipped. "The - Is - is it the the Duke?" Elle stammered as she frantically searched for a place to run. She knew the high walls of the reflecting garden held no escape route but it didn't keep her from looking.

Sister Abigail gave an amused laugh. "No. No, the Duke hasn't returned."

For a moment Elle felt overwhelming relief.

"Well, come on, child. They're waiting for you." She reached down and pulled Elle to her feet. She took the book and closed it unceremoniously. They left the blankets and book to be gathered later.

They were halfway to the Father's office before Elle thought to ask who the visitor was.

"Alexander, of course."

Elle stopped in her tracks. "No." She whispered. "No. No. I can't. I can't." She took a step back but Sister Abigail rolled her eyes and took her by the wrist.

"You really must stop being so difficult and frustrating. It isn't becoming." She said as she pulled Elle down the corridor.

"No. You - you don't understand. I - I really can't do th- this. I," she pulled but the sister only tightened her grip. Elle's mind was spinning.

"I understand you're nervous. But if you would only meet him. Take some time to get to know him you may be surprised to find you like him."

Elle wanted to scream at her that none of it was real. She wanted to laugh hysterically and admit to being a fraud, a pirate, a stowaway. But none of her secrets were hers alone. Others would get in trouble with her. Tears of fear and frustration slid down her face.

"Please, please, Sister Abigail. Just let me go. I can't go in - in there." She made a sound like a tiny frightened animal as she saw the door to the Father's office.

"Father?" Sister Abigail called out just loud enough to carry.

Elle made another sound and pulled. If she hadn't worried about hurting the nun she could have been long gone.

The door slid open and Father Leo exited. His eyes took in the scene. The door closed. Sister Abigail's hand around Elle's wrist with Elle's fingers prying at the nuns. Elle's wild paniced eyes.

Elle wanted to scream at him. He knew the truth. He knew she could not enter that room.

He moved forward closing the distance between them. His smile was reassuring but Elle was beyond caring. Her panic ran to deep.

"Father. Father please." She begged. "You know I can't go in there. Please." She didn't stop trying to pull the nuns fingers away.

"Everything is okay, child. I know your confused but it will all be put to rights if you just let, Mister Alexander explain." The priest said.

Elle felt like she was in a horrid dream.

"I've spoken to him. His parents, your leaving, everything. He was understandably concerned about your leaving. But he wants to talk to you before you make a permanent decision." Sister Abigail said as she wrapped an arm around Elle's shoulders.

From the corner of her eyes Elle saw the door open. She knew there was no escape. She knew she was caught. Her self respect forced her to straighten and quit whimpering. By the time the man stepped from the room she had forced a brave face. Sister Abigail and Father Leo noticed. They turned to follow her gaze.

All her bravado evaporated as she recognized Captain Talbot. He was dressed wrong. He was too clean, too smooth. His clothes were wrong but it was him.

"Alexander, come meet Rachel." Sister Abigail said.

Elle jerked her eyes to the nuns happy smiling face. Then she looked at Father Leo who wore a look of guilt. Her eyes slid to the man who looked like her Captain. He looked at her concern evident on his face. He had paused but now he moved.

Impossible! Her brain screamed as her eyes took in the way he dressed, his short hair and trimmed facial hair.

"Elle." He said in the captain's voice.

She opened her mouth but a sound nothing like words escaped.

Her brain started to shut down. The corridor turned gray. Her body felt like lead. The world spun and went black.