"She needs lots of rest. She is not accustomed to this smog."

She lay still listening to her father talk with the physician.

She gasped and wheezed trying to control her breathing as they spoke amongst themselves. The sensation of fire in her throat was bothersome but there was nothing more to do but drink water.

She slowly reached for a glass of the refreshing liquid and pressed it to her lips with savoring sips. Grateful for the cooling relief on her scratchy throat, she slightly glanced at the expanse of the room. She sat in the large four-poster bed. Not an unfamiliar bed. This was her bed. Her room.

She lowered her gaze then to the glass and concentrated on the water. It made her think of the Floating Vengeance, its crew, and Justin.

He would have reached Surrey hours ago. By now he would be attending to his affairs and setting things right to return for her. So that they can get married. She swallowed hard. Her fingers shook as she replaced her water glass on the nightstand.

He was gone but he will return as he promised. She will wait for him at all costs. A slight tap at the door pulled her away from her thoughts. the bedchamber door eased open. Her father entered, bearing a tray with delicious-smelling food.

"How are you feeling?" he smiled.

"Much better," She sat up and straightened against the pillows, and accepted the tray.

She salivated at the sight of so many of her old favorite foods, many of which she hadn't had since leaving England. Many of the palates on the tropical island was fresh fruits and legumes. Much of it hard to come by on this side of the world due to the weather.

Her stomach rumbled in anticipation. She hadn't eaten in more than a day. "I'm famished." Her father pulled up a chair and chuckled as she reached for a scone.

"Eat. You must get your strength back."

He watched her in silence. With a saddened gaze he observed her.

Tempest lowered a half-eaten pastry. "What's wrong? Why do you look at me so papa?"

His eyes lowered for a moment before he began to speak.

"I was worried we would never see you again." He whispered.

She stared at the tray before her and listened to him.

"Did they?" he began. "Were you....hurt?" he looked at her with red-rimmed eyes filled with anguish.

She prayed he did not see the answer in her eyes as she thought of Josephine and what Cuthburts men did.

"No papa," she said hoarsely.

She looked away slightly. Not wanting to look at him as she spoke of Justin.

"I was rescued by another ship," she began.

"The Floating Vengeance?" Her father breathed.

She nodded slowly.

He remained silent for sometime. His gaze was fleetingly sad and filled with worry. He focused on her then with an earnest gaze.

"Did he?... He paused. Then lowered his face to stroke his beard. "Did he hurt you?"

Her cheeks warmed remembering her time with Justin at sea. How could she explain to her father what had happened? That she fell in love with a notorious pirate. That she had offered herself to him with no reservation and will await his return so they can be married.

Her heart raced at the thought.

Her eyes raised to his. She dared not. She could not.

"No papa. He..... saved me," she whispered.

More than once.. She wanted to say.

It seemed he was pleased with her answer because he did not ask another question after that. He inhaled a deep breath and sat back to watch her continue to eat.

They fell into small talk and spoke of what is to come.

To her dismay, the plans for her to attend The London Season were still in effect.

Her hands shook.

Her blood chilled. "You still want me to attend, papa?" she lowered the cup onto the tray. "After all that I have been through?" she looked at him.

He had a troubling time answering right away as he slowly stood and walked towards the far window. She observed him as he stared out into the distance.

"Your mother feels it is best that you do. A marriage prospect would secure your future," he whispered with an emptiness to his tone.

"But what do you want, papa?" she asked hoping he would come to reason and speak to her mother.

She did not want any of this.

She just wants Justin.

"I want what is best for you, pet." he turned to face her and stepped closer.

Her throat dried. "You will side with mother then?"

"I have no choice in the matter," he admitted sadly. "Besides, your mother would choose society over anything. Regardless of any circumstance...she will see it through," He shook his head.

She looked over to him sadly. "So that is it then? I will be tossed like a bone to ravenous dogs?" she swallowed.

"No. No. Princess. You will go to soirees and tea parties, go to balls and outings." he assured her with a convincing tone. He stepped closer and sat beside her on the bed.

"You will eventually catch the eye of a good suitor."

She lowered her gaze then.

How would she explain she could not be with anyone else? How could she explain she was no longer a maiden and that she had already placed her heart and eyes on someone else?

She would have to. If anyone deserved to know, it would be him. She would have to explain to him what had happened. She would have to confide in him and tell him she had fallen in love.

She needed the courage. She needed to do this. It was the only way.

"Papa?" her voice shook.

She lifted her head to look at him. "There is something you must know." she paused. Her heart began to hammer in her chest. Her courage waning by the second as his trusting gaze filled with so much love held hers.

"When..I..I..was at sea on The Floating Vengeance. I f-."

Suddenly her bedroom door swung open.

"Oh! there you are George love, tea is being served in the parlor," her mother interrupted.

Her gaze fell on Tempest then lightly crossed towards her father.

"Ah yes, of course," he stood slowly. Before leaving, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to the crown of her head.

"We will continue our talk later, pumpkin," he muttered.

She nodded softly. He turned then before leaving her mother in the room with her, he kissed her cheek then left.

Straightening her shoulders, her mother forced a pleasant expression to her face and turned to face Tempest with amusing interest.

"Now what were you and your father talking about?" she slowly edged closer towards Tempest.

Forcing her head up, Tempest could not find it in herself to answer. Instead, she swallowed and simply shook her head.

"Tis nothing of importance."

She raised an eyebrow and gave a penetrating once over of Tempest in silence.

It was that look of cool indifference that pained Tempest deep down in her heart. Her mother's ways offered nothing but sternness and frigid compassion. It was there but not warm enough. The icy expression she now held, said as much.

"Very well then, I will leave you to your rest. We have a big day tomorrow." she turned towards the door but halted as Tempest spoke.

"Tomorrow?"

Slowly turning she pinned Tempest with a dazzling smile. "Why yes dear, we will be going dress shopping in the morning. Then we are having tea with Lady Pembrook at noon time."

Her throat suddenly felt dry. She fought against the sudden urge to cry. Saddened by her predicament, she forgot her mother stood by and curiously observed her. It wasn't until her mother spoke again that she lifted her head to look at her.

"Need I remind you, Tempest, of the importance in finding a suitable marriage prospect. It is imperative to your future."

Tempest remained quiet.

Immediately her eyes pinched into an annoyed frown.

"You will do so with aplomb and decorum. You will not disappoint me. Am I clear?" her mother was rather intrigued with her miserable expression. Then suddenly a triumphant gleam in her eyes appeared, following a satisfied smile.

"Yes, mother." Tempest bit back the sudden urge of a retort. Oh, how she wanted to lash out, to scream, to tell her mother she did not want this.

Her mother only pretended to care about Tempest's welfare and future, but she knew it was only a pretense. It was a need to prance her around in society's eyes with an aristocratic difference. Only an attempt to make her feel obligated somehow in the event she needed to live her parasitical life by feasting on the luxury and wealth of Tempest's future husband.

It wasn't until the click of the door she realized she was finally alone and suddenly surrendered to the heart-wrenching tears she held back.

How will she endure these three months without him? She lowered her head to her pillow in thought. Gently wiping away the tears on her cheek, she settled beneath sheets in low breathless sniffles. Slowly closing her eyes to stave off the endless flow of tears, she thought of Justin. She felt her body yearning to be close to him. She envisioned the deep blue blaze of his eyes each time she closed her own. How she longed to hear the deep tone of his voice, wished for the sound of his low chuckle in her ears.

Finally, when she could barely open her eyes, the memory of those beloved moments in his cabin spent wrapped in his arms, Tempest at last found sleep.

Regardless of the troubling times to come, Tempest finds respite in the unconscious dreams with her pirate.

******