The Captain of All Pleasures (32 page)

N
icole and Derek had seen a marked excitement in Grant about the upcoming expedition, though all knew it was far-fetched at best to think the lost family had survived. The islands targeted in Oceania were isolated and riddled with pirate activity, but if a voyage was what it took to make Grant happy, then they would be supportive.

On the day before Grant's departure, she and Derek went to the docks to wish him a safe journey. He was sailing the
Keveral
on the high tide, early the next morning. Embarking was a lively time, but thinking about how long Grant would be gone, and how much Derek would miss him, made Nicole's eyes tear. Lately, it seemed as though she choked up at the tiniest things.

Grant saw her dab at her eyes and said, “Don't cry, Nic.” Then, in a pained voice, he urged, “No,
really,
don't cry.”

Nicole had forgotten how uneasy Grant got around emotional females and smiled to reassure him. Her smile grew when Derek moved his hand to rest at her waist. One night soon when she lay in his arms, she would tell him what she'd suspected for days.

Grant was needed to supervise the last-minute arrival of provisions, so Derek said, “Get back to work, Grant.” A hearty handshake and slap on the back followed.

“Fair winds, Grant,” Nicole said as she hugged her brother-in-law, nearly tearing up again. “I hope you find them.”

Grant looked so very confident and strong when he said, “If they're out there, I'll find them.”

As Derek escorted her off the ship, they called out a last round of good-byes and wishes for smooth sailing. Grant in turn ordered them, “Be good to each other!”

Derek put her arm through his as they made their way to the carriage. “I suppose we'll be doing this again soon,” he said, sounding aggrieved.

Nicole elbowed him, and he chuckled. In another week, they would be saying good-bye to Lassiter, Maria, Chancey, and the
Bella Nicola
's old crew as well. They were all sailing for South America to develop their newly planned routes. Nicole would miss them dearly. Even her grandmother, who'd truly become fond of her father and Chancey, and certainly of Maria, the “governess,” would miss them. However, the marchioness was excited that Nicole and “dozens of great-grandbabies” would be staying in England.

Nicole was no longer worried about Maria and Father. She was confident that together they would turn Lassiter Shipping around, and she'd begun to believe that her father would finally…
see
Maria. The lovely, intelligent woman looked at him with such tenderness that Nicole was convinced she would win him over in the end. A love that shone so brightly would overwhelm any obstacles.

She knew. Because hers had.

As they watched Grant give a last wave before their carriage rolled away, Derek said, “I hope he finds as much happiness in his journey as we found.”

“Still find.” Nicole smiled and snuggled closer to his side. “And I hope we can fulfill Grant's wish by the time he returns.”

“What wish?” he asked against her hair.

“To become an uncle.”