The Charlotte Series: Book 1: The Pirate's Treasure

Chapter 29

"Martin!" The gladness in her voice made his heart beat quicken.

"Millicent, my dear." He kissed her lightly. "May I speak with you a moment?"

"Of course. Lad—"

"Alone." And to Bailey, "Please stay with Lad. We will be but a moment."

Bailey nodded in reply.

"Is there something wrong?" Her brow wrinkled in concern.

"No, quite the contrary my dear." He smiled enjoying the use of the endearments.

Her warm smile and shy blush made his heart light. He led her to a quiet corner away from the others.

"I have news from Masters that is not pleasant. But that will wait. I have other things I must tell you...that I must ask of you..."

"Martin?" she said softly meeting his eyes with a sincerity that made his heart skip, "Anything you ask of me I shall gladly do."

He blinked unable to believe the words she was saying. Surely he had misheard.

"Millicent I don't think you understand. I—"

"Martin, I understand that I love you. I would do anything for you. Anything."

He forgot to breathe for a moment. He didn't deserve her. He felt ridiculously happy... then he remembered what he must tell her and his heart sank. She loved Martin Smith, a merchant and Captain. Would she still love Lord James Grayson, third son of a duke and essentially a pompous nobody?

"I asked you once to use my name." He took both of her hands in his and looked into her eyes. "I told you I would be honored if you would use it. Do you remember?"

"Yes, of course. It was just yesterday that you said so." She looked at him anxiously, "Martin? What is it? What's wrong?"

"My name." He took a deep breath.

"Yes. It's Martin."

"No my dear." He smiled hoping she would understand. "My true name is James and just as you guessed I am a gentleman, the third son of a duke. There is a reason I took a false name and have lived as I have. I will tell you someday soon. I promise. For now I want to tell you that I am James Alexander Collins Grayson." He bowed. "Lord James Grayson at your service."

"Lord? James?" she blinked.

"Yes. It's a very long story. Five years ago I was betrayed and rather than dealing with the pain I was feeling I ran away to sea. But there are things happening that require I must be my true self once more. I will explain all to you later but now I must ask you..."

"You..." she blinked and then smiled at him. "You are James."

"Yes." He watched her carefully.

He had not realized until this moment how much he cared. How much he wanted to marry her.

"I said you looked more like a James, Remember? So, James" She smiled sweetly at him. "What is it that you need to ask of me?"

"You aren't angry?"

"Why should I be angry? You used an assumed name. But your name does not define who you are. I have my father's name but I do not share his wicked ways. Poor Lad had no name at all. As our dear Shakespeare says 'What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.'"

"Millicent, my darling. I do not deserve you." He placed a kiss on her nose. "Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

"Your wife?" She blinked at him.