Sequel to CAPSIZE
The adventure continues as Celia finally escapes Elizabeth's iron grasp, but the horrors that await the recently free, seemingly happy couple surpass their expectations.
Set in 1500s America
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Ah, I heard tale of white sails in the distance, but never thought it to be true!"
Celia and Harry turned to face the deep voice. A man with black hair and dark eyes walked toward them with swift strides. He greeted them with a welcoming smile and an outstretched hand.
"My name is John White, I'm the governor of the Roanoke settlement. You must be Sir Harry Styles," he said.
Harry grasped his hand and gave it a firm shake. "Indeed. This is my wife, Lady Celia Styles."
Celia curtseyed. "A pleasure, sir."
"'Tis all mine, m'lady," he said with a short bow. "And this healthy young babe?" He nodded to Nerissa in Ana's arms.
"Our daughter," Harry answered.
"Well, our fellow settlers will find this exciting—the first baby in Roanoke!"
Celia smiled, but her eyes wandered. Thick woods bordered the beach. She hoped that the journey to the settlement would not be too tiresome. All she wanted was to sleep in a warm bed without the wavering water beneath her.
Minutes of formal chatter between Harry and John passed by as they waited for the crew to unload the ship. Finally, they made it to shore, luggage and necessities in tow.
Celia watched as Andrew stepped onto the sand and trudged further onto the land. He scanned the island with care, his gaze reaching Celia and his eyes narrowing briefly at her. She clenched her jaw and swallowed hard, hoping to disguise her fear as strength.
"Come, I'll lead the way," John said, breaking the silence that had overcome the shore.
Celia took Harry's arm as they began to follow John into the woods.
Trees loomed over them, bugs buzzed near their ears, twigs snapped beneath their feet. It was definitely a new world for Celia. A palace had been her home for years, and she had only recently grown accustomed to life aboard a ship, but she would now have to adapt to completely different terrain.
"Welcome, my friends, to Roanoke," John said as the group came upon a clearing.
Wooden posts carved from the trunks of trees positioned in a large circle towered over them. They were led through the entrance and into the settlement.
Celia's eyes scanned the grounds. Houses made of clay, mud, and grass were scattered throughout the spacious fort. A well was placed in the center of the settlement. A woman filling a bucket with water from it glanced over her shoulder at Celia, who stood behind John with Harry by her side. Celia smiled warily, hoping to receive a welcoming grin, but the woman turned her head and pulled the bucket over the side of the well and walked away.
