The Captain of Her Heart

Book Series: The Buchanan Saga

Publishing Date: 2004

Author: Anita Stansfield

Publisher: Crosswalk Books

Category: Historical Romance
Point of View: Third Person Limited: Kyrah and Ritcherd
Chapter Count: 15
Page Count: 331

To my daughter, Anna. I see in you the child I once was. May your imagination serve you well. Never, never, never let go of that creative part of you; let it be one of the brightest, strongest threads in the tapestry of your life.

Prologue

The American Colonies-February, 1777

        Ritcherd Buchanan is from Cornwall, England (Located at the very southern tip and in the same LDS mission her son was serving at this time. Perhaps her inspiration for this story?) and he's been in love with Kyrah half his life. She is all he thinks about as he mounts his horse and leads his men to battle against those unruly American colonists. For England, men!

       In the heat of battle, Ritcherd hears a familiar voice telling him to duck. Ritcherd obeys the prompting just as a bullet whizzes by. That voice just saved his life, except it sounded very much like Kyrah's father, Stephen. Ritcherd dismisses it as one of his men who only sounded like Stephen. For the hundredth time, he wonders what Kyrah is doing right now, at this very moment, for today is her sixteenth birthday. He surmises she's probably spending it with those loving parents of hers. How he longs to be there!

Chapter 1     First Kiss

Cornwall, England

         Unfortunately for Kyrah, her life has just been turned upside down. Like Cinderella, Stephen's very unexpected and tragic death on her sixteenth birthday left Kyrah and her mother, Sarah Payne, destitute. Unable to deal with the reality of her husband's death, Sarah spends all her time in bed leaving it up to Kyrah to work as a maid in service in order to support them. 

         Deciding to take a walk, Kyrah leaves the humble cottage she and her mother were forced to move into and goes to her favorite haunt. She sits for a long time in the crumbling church ruins, remembering with fondness how this was the very spot, nine years ago, where a handsome young man of thirteen first spoke to her, a seven year old girl (kinda creepy). Kyrah and her parents had just moved into this neighborhood, a modest house on the great Buckley estate. The owner of said house had recently died. Kyrah's father was a professional gambler who won the place in a game of cards. 

         Kyrah is shy at first but Ritcherd speaks kindly to her and she begins to open up. She even invites Ritcherd home to meet her parents that day where he is warmly received. From that day on, Ritcherd and Kyrah were like peas and carrots. They began spending all their free time together, roaming the moors, making up adventures in the church ruins, nursing baby birds back to health. (Watch for this repeated bird motif throughout the book.)

        As the years passed, Kryah often wondered why Ritcherd never invited her to HIS home to meet HIS parents? Turns out, Ritcherd is the only child and heir to the Buchanans of north Cornwall, the wealthiest family in the area not to mention the most powerful since they practically run the entire county including the local village. When Kyrah is introduced to Ritcherd's mother, Jeanette Buchanan, she understands for the first time just how wide that social divide between their two classes is. Jeanette sneers at this homely peasant girl her son brought home. Ritcherd tells her off and wastes no time propelling Kryah out the door, apologizing profusely for his mother's rudeness. You see why he prefers spending all his time at her home? He tells Kyrah their socio-economic differences mean NOTHING to him! Kyrah knows she will never be a lady and that his mother is right. They are completely unsuitable for each other. The bird and the fish...

        Ritcherd and Kyrah continue to see each other anyway. Until one day in 1777 when Ritcherd, who looks much older than twenty-one, announces to his best girlfriend he's been called up to fight in that war against those ungrateful colonists. Ritcherd has blue eyes, downy blonde hair and sculptured features and he won't be home till it's over, over there. Kyrah, now fifteen, has grown into a lovely young lady with long dark wavy hair, light blue eyes, full lips and a figure. And she's never been kissed, either! Ritcherd takes care of that immediately, kissing her with a passion Kyrah can't help but share. He asks her to wait for him. Kyrah promises to do so.

Chapter 2    Too Long Apart

        Not long after Ritcherd's departure came the worst day of Kyrah's life (so far). Believing Stephen was out of town on a simple business trip, a knock at the door on Kyrah's birthday informed them Stephen Payne lost everything, including the deed to this house, in a foolish game of cards gone horribly wrong. Stephen was later found in his room at the local Inn with a gun in his dead hand. He committed suicide. The shame is great. Never the most popular family in the area, this humiliating loss is devastating for both Kyrah and her mother.

     It gets worse. The winner of the card game is named Peter Westman. Not only is he very single, he's also very willing for Kyrah come and work for him as his servant. The irony! Kyrah and her mother, banished to a tiny cottage not far away, while Kyrah rises early every morning, making the long trek across the moors, to cook and clean in the home that used to be hers. Peter strokes his mustache and leers at Kyrah every chance he gets. Kyrah does her best to ignore his sexual harassment by going to her happy place-those carefree childhood days with Ritcherd.

     Every night Kyrah comes home where Sarah has been lounging around, unable to do anything to help out so Kyrah has that work to do as well. Like a true martyr, she endures her trials silently, saying nothing to anyone. Even in her letters to Ritcherd, she carefully omits any details about her new life.

    Over in the Americas, Ritcherd continues to spend several pages reflecting on how much he's truly come to care for Kyrah and how he intends to ask Stephen Payne for his daughter's hand the second he's back on English soil. Compared to his own neglectful father, Stephen Payne had truly become a surrogate father figure to Ritcherd. They went hunting and fishing together. They had long talks about Kyrah and how important she was to both of them. Stephen basically told him, straight out, he expected Ritcherd to marry his daughter. Still, reading her latest letter, Ritcherd can't shake this nagging feeling that something's very wrong back home. Kyrah needs him!

      A bullet finally catches Ritcherd in the arm. He will be sent home with an honorable discharge. Naturally, he can't wait to see Kyrah.

Chapter 3   The Return of the Captain

     Kyrah has absolutely no friends. She never has, in fact. While she was often teased in the village because of her father's occupation, Ritcherd was always there to defend her. Together, they would shake off the bullies and walk away in triumph.

     She could really use that shield now, Kyrah thinks to herself, waiting in line at the village post office for her mail. Jeanette Buchanan is also in line, bragging loudly about her son, due home soon and, Oh my! So many single young ladies on his list he can't wait to reconnect with after his long three year absence. It's Kyrah's turn and with a big smile and loud voice the postmistress hands her a large sheaf of letters, all from one Captain Buchanan who must be very sweet on her, eh? For the first time in weeks Kyrah smiles, but the sight of Jeanette's face scares her back to reality. She can't exit the scene fast enough.

     August arrives and so does Ritcherd but Kyrah knows once he learns of her social downfall, he'll want nothing to do with her. She hopes he won't try to seek her out.

      Ritcherd stops at his grand mansion home first where Jeanette maliciously informs him of the poor Payne family and their sad misfortunes. Kyrah and Ritcherd can never be together now, so there! 

      Unwilling to believe it, Ritcherd rides straight to the humble cottage. Sarah is overjoyed to see him. It's true her husband is dead but Kyrah will be home soon on her lunch break and will be just as happy to see him as well. Their prayers have been answered!

      The reunion scene in the garden does not go as planned. Ritchard is shocked at Kyrah's cold, indifferent reception. They argue. Refusing to explain why she never told him anything about her new circumstances, or her father's tragic death, Kyrah turns and flees back into the cottage. Like an idiot, Ritcherd can only gape after her.

Chapter 4    The Abduction

      Many pages pass as Ritcherd attempts to get Kyrah to talk to him but she keeps refusing and running away. She doesn't want his help OR his money! She won't be a charity case. Confused, Ritcherd just stands there and watches her walk away, again. Hours pass as he ponders the past three years while he was away, wondering where it all went wrong.

    Peter Westman makes another pass at Kyrah who pushes him off and gets back to scrubbing floors. Later, she goes to the church ruins. Unaware she's being watched, Kyrah curls up on one of the moldy pews and cries herself nearly to sleep until Ritcherd steps out of the shadows to try talking to her again. He declares his love for her. Kyrah runs away. Again. Ritcherd finds the local pub and drinks himself into oblivion.

Kyrah really deserves better.

     Ritcherd tries talking to Sarah who confirms his suspicions that Peter Westman may have wicked intentions toward her daughter, but what can they do? They're SO POOR! By the way, Peter probably cheated to win that card game that drove her husband to suicide. Both agree Stephen was a good man, albeit a very stupid one when it came to managing his finances. Turns out he wasn't so good at cards either.

      As if this story couldn't get any more ironic, Jeanette informs her son they've been invited to tea at Peter Westman's home where Kyrah serves them. She glares at Ritcherd. Jeanette sneers. Peter ogles. Ritcherd frowns. Kyrah's situation was more serious than he thought. (Did you really just figure this out, Ritcherd?) He excuses himself and walks to the church ruins, racking his brain for a way to rectify this mess. The love of his life is in trouble. This calls for drastic measures!

     So, what does the brave and noble Captain Buchanan do to sweep his lady love off her feet and rescue her from her life of shame and poverty?

    He kidnaps her! Waiting until nightfall, when a weary Kyrah is stumbling down the lane to her poor cottage hovel, he sneaks up behind her and grabs her, tying her hands, blindfolding and gagging her, forcing her onto his horse where he takes her to the church ruins. Naturally, Kyrah is anything but flattered when Ritcherd reveals himself before proceeding to make a lengthy speech about how much he cares about her and is going to help her, whether she wants him to or not!

    Kyrah pretty much spits in his face and storms out leaving Ritcherd, once again, staring dumbfounded after her. He wonders how he can ever make her understand how deeply he cares for her.

Ritcherd, you are hopeless.

Chapter 5   Distain

       This latest encounter with her ex-boyfriend has made Kyrah realize she can run but never hide from Ritcherd. Knowing what she has to do, Kyrah sneaks into the great house, unseen by any of the staff or servants (fans of Downton Abbey will know this is an impossible feat, but there you go). She knocks on Ritcherd's bedroom door where they FINALLY have that talk we've been waiting for since chapter three. Kyrah is ready to let Ritcherd be brother, friend, and yes even...husband. If he'll still have her.

     Ritcherd is all: "Are you freakin' kidding me? YES!" His prayers to God have been answered for Ritcherd has always been a good, Christian man, despite the lack of upbringing by his parents. Ritcherd also tells Kyrah about that miracle on the battlefield when the voice of her (Wow, he really WAS dead after all, wasn't he?) deceased father saved his life. Both weep at this revelation.

     Taking Kyrah in his arms, Ritcherd vows, right then and there, to elevate Kyrah and her mother's financial situation. First thing the next day, they announce their engagement to Peter Westman giving him Kyrah's two week notice to boot. She'll never have to work for this slimy, evil man again!

    Next they tell Sarah who cries and gives her blessing. Jeanette is planning to throw a big welcome home party for her son. While Kyrah is certainly not invited, every eligible maiden is being thrown at him. How surprised everyone will be when Ritcherd and Kyrah announce their engagement, officially, at the big gala! But first, Kyrah will need something suitable to wear.

     The snobby woman who runs the only dress shop in town, refuses to serve Kyrah until Ritcherd strolls in, flashes some money and suddenly the woman is only too happy to assist Kyrah with anything she needs for the biggest ball of the year. Ritcherd and Kyrah exit the store, laughing in their sleeves.

Chapter 6    Diamonds Round Her Throat

      At their first meeting, one of the profound things Ritcherd told Kyrah was how pretty her name was and how ladylike her countenance. He predicted she would grow up to be a fine lady. The kind who only wore diamonds which made Kyrah blush. Those words are about to become reality for this single lady as Ritcherd is determined to put a ring on it! He takes her on a long walk and they kiss, declaring their love for each other. It's so late when they return to the cottage, Kyrah timidly invites him to sleep in the spare room. 

So they won't...you know...be tempted or anything.

       The next day, Ritcherd takes the two women out to lunch. Later that evening, at the church ruins, he gets down on one knee to officially propose. Kyrah accepts, of course. He then presents Kyrah with a diamond necklace and matching earrings. Don't worry, folks, he can afford it!

       Ritcherd is just in time for dinner when he arrives home. Seated at the table with Jeanette, she begs her son to deny these shocking rumors but Ritcherd proudly admits it's true. He and Kyrah are going to get married and intend to announce their engagement at Jeanette's big party tomorrow night. Jeanette gets downright sinister, threatening her son she's going to do everything in her power to make sure this wedding never takes place. Ritcherd just scoffs in disbelief. If anything, he'll marry Kyrah just to spite his mother! Again, Jeanette warns him if he does, he'll regret it. No woman is worth this much trouble.

Foreshadowing anyone?

      Never fear, Ritcherd and Kyrah's downfall comes as a result of their own poor choice-literally making their own bed of destruction. After the chilling conversation with his mother, Ritcherd returns to the cottage to take Kyrah on his horse to the ruins where they can speak privately. He shares with Kyrah his mother's threats. Holding her tight, kissing her with renewed passion, Ritcherd swears their love can withstand against ANYTHING, even Jeanette.

     Kyrah breathlessly agrees. They share another heady kiss. Ritcherd picks Kyrah up in his arms and carries her to a patch of soft grass. They love each other so much! Both know they probably should put the brakes on this madness, (Say no to this!) the sensations of this moment as they spiral downward in a torrent of passion unlike anything they've ever experienced.

     The solemn stillness afterwards, the glaring reality of what just occurred is enough to make Kyrah burst into tears while Ritcherd pleads forgiveness. They'll get married right away. He SWEARS it! 

     

By now, you've probably figured out what BIG NO-NO act they just committed.

     Kyrah stops crying and hushes Ritcherd. She's not sorry. As long as he promises to never leave her side, for as long as they both shall live, they will get through this. Together.

Chapter 7    Criminal Accusations

       The Cinderella-esque ball is almost everything Kyrah imagined it would be. When they enter the ballroom, conversation stops as all eyes turn toward them. All the single ladies glare at Kyrah in her gorgeous ball gown of deep green, the diamond necklace sparkling round her throat while she and Ritcherd dance. Ritcherd has an old childhood friend, George Morley, who is also friendly to Kyrah. He greets them as they mingle. George has been trying to get in touch with Ritcherd for weeks now. He has something very important he wants to discuss with him but Ritcherd has been far too busy. Ritcherd promises to see him tonight, after he drops Kyrah off.

     Supper is served. Kyrah tries to ignore the daggers of contempt coming from Jeanette. During dessert, Ritcherd stands to make a speech, thanking everyone for coming and formally announcing his great pleasure in that Kryah has agreed to become his wife. Most are happy for them, others turn up their noses. To Kyrah's horror, Jeanette looks neither angry nor pleased but downright smug, like the cat who swallowed the canary. What in the world could she be up to?

     Peter Westman is also at the party. He adds his own warning. Nevertheless, he raises a glass in honor of their engagement. Kyrah and Ritcherd exchange worried glances. Something's not right.

     Deciding he'd better take Kyrah home, they approach the front doors where Jeanette is waiting to accuse Kyrah of petty theft. She holds out the "stolen" jewels she claimed were found in Kyrah's cloak pocket. Two constables step up. Kyrah is under arrest!

    The police agree to let Ritcherd to escort Kyrah home to change. The drive back to the cottage is tense. Ritcherd whispers his plan to Kyrah: once they get back to the cottage, they'll give these men the slip and elope to Scotland, as they probably should've done last night.

    The starcrossed lovers give a hasty explanation to Sarah while Kyrah hurriedly packs a bag. Ritcherd and Kyrah are at the back door, ready to make their escape, when Sarah suddenly bars the way. Tearfully, she pleads with them not to do such a foolish thing as evade the law. Surely if Kyrah goes peacefully, the truth will prevail and Kyrah will be found innocent; the charges will be dropped and everyone can live happily ever after. 

    The constable allows them one (last?) emotional goodbye. First thing tomorrow morning, Ritcherd promises Kyrah, he and his lawyer will come to release her. He would walk through hell for her! With a terrible sense of foreboding, Kyrah allows herself to be taken away in custody.

    Why Ritcherd would return to his own mansion home that night just so he can sleep in his own bed under the same roof as that evil monster who gave birth to him who really has it in for his fiancée is anybody's guess but that's what he does. 

A maid brings in a cup of hot chocolate, courtesy of Lady Buchanan. 

Like an idiot, Ritcherd drinks it. 

Thinking to himself maybe his mother isn't as bad as he'd suspected, he falls into a deep sleep.

Chapter 8     The Nightmare

    It is still dark outside when the key is turned in Kyrah's jail cell. A strange man who smells like the sea is here to take Kyrah away. Realizing she's being shanghaied, Kyrah tries to fight back but her two fowl-smelling male captors, dressed in sailor garb, easily overpower her, knocking her unconscious. (This book is already beginning to date itself. Everyone keeps referring to Kyrah's being "deported." With all the illegal immigration acts today, modern readers associate this term with, "the action of expelling a foreigner for an accused crime" instead of "to expel from a country" as the author intended. Since Kyrah was not foreign born, I cringe every time I read it. Kyrah was abducted, banished, expelled, not sent away by some political despot. Oh, wait, maybe she was!) 

   Back at the Buchanan mansion, Ritcherd is frantic when he wakes to discover it's nearly noon. He overslept! Or did he? The chocolate! He flies out the door to the jail but of course it's too late. Kyrah is gone and no one will tell him where she was taken. He searches the shipyard but finds no clues or answers. He prays to God in desperation before realizing he needs to return home and have a little chat with the woman who gave birth to him.

    Kyrah comes to in the hold of a swaying ship. Her bag is here and untouched. Not wanting to take any chances, Kyrah wisely pulls out the diamond necklace Ritcherd gave her and hides it in the hem of her skirt, sewing it shut. When the door opens, Kyrah makes another attempt to escape but a pair of dirty hands force her to drink something that knocks her out again.

   In a fit of rage, Ritcherd storms into the only home he's ever known, grabs Jeanette by the scruff of her neck and, when she refuses to tell him where Kyrah was taken, proceeds to have his revenge by smashing all of her finest china.

   What a bull.

   Feeling regret, Ritcherd leaves a white-faced Jeanette sitting on the parlor floor in shock, surrounded by pieces of shattered porcelain. His next stop is Sarah's cottage where he gives her the bad news but SWEARS he'll make it right by finding Kyrah and bringing her home. Sarah and Ritcherd cry on each other's shoulders before Ritcherd stands up. Time to begin his search for answers and he'll start with Peter.

   But it's too late at Peter Westman's place where, to Ritcherd's dismay, he learns Peter has supposedly left the country. Last anyone saw of him, he was boarding a ship bound for who knows where.

This does not look good.

Chapter 9     The Proposition

     Ritcherd wakes with the worst hangover ever. George is sitting by his bedside, smiling. At long last, they can have that talk. With the war still raging in America, George is one of the turncoat English who believe in their cause. Dressed as a sailor, he's been using his money to help fund the smuggling of weapons and supplies across the Atlantic to the colonists.  Except their last ship was discovered by a British Letter of Marque, (a private vessel hired by King George for just such an occasion) fired upon and sunk. George isn't as rich as Ritcherd and they need his help by funding a new privateer ship. George is planning to go too this time. There's a captain and crew all ready. The cargo is waiting in a warehouse. Would Ritcherd be interested in joining them in their noble cause?

    George is also sorry to learn the wedding is off but never mind that now. George also just happened to be at the pier night before last where he witnessed the boarding and departure of one single ship, bound for the American colonies. He didn't see Kyrah but they sure had a lot of crates and sacks they were carrying on board. One burlap sack looked big enough to hide a body.

   Just as casually, George mentions except for the dirty sailors, there weren't any passengers either, except one man, the one George was watching for, who came running down the pier and boarded just in time to set sail.

   Ritcherd has a sinking feeling he knows who that man was and that changes everything. He's in!

   Ritcherd and George stroll down to the docks where George shows him the ship he's interested in having Ritcherd purchase with all his family wealth. Without thinking twice, Ritcherd signs the papers and becomes the proud owner of one barquentine-a small schooner, popular with smugglers due to its ability to sail relatively close to the wind while carrying plenty of cargo.

      Ritcherd visits Sarah to say goodbye. Sarah agrees her daughter was most likely on that ship George saw leaving the harbor. Again, Ritcherd swears he'll not rest until Kyrah is found and brought safely home.   

      Then it's off with George to meet gentleman turned pirate, Captain Garret, who takes one look at Ritcherd and frowns. With his aristocratic ponytail, fine clothes and demeanor, Ritcherd is no Jack Sparrow. If he plans on joining their motley crew, he'll need to dress and act the part which means getting his ear pierced with a gold hoop (pirate's insurance-the gold earring assures in the event of his death, his loved ones will receive the body) and buying a whole new pirate wardrobe-else risk getting shot. No pomp and frills allowed on THIS vessel. Ritcherd agrees to the makeover and he and George go shopping.

    Back on the new ship, aptly named The Phoenix (bird motif) by Ritcherd, the name and symbol are being painted by hired hands when they return; Ritcherd dressed in his new pirate garb. (What, no free tattoo?) Captain Garret invites Ritcherd to his cabin where an extra bed has been set up. They sit down and have a long heart-to-heart talk. While he's killed plenty of bad English men, Garret admits he's also a God-fearing man who forbids any lewd behavior on his very sober and dry ship. He respects Ritcherd's position as ship's owner. They will be equals, joint captains, in this venture and, so the crew won't get any wrong ideas, he suggests Ritcherd go by another name for the entire trip. Ritcherd expresses his gratitude, knowing he will probably share his sad story about Kyrah at a later date with this man. 

This looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Chapter 10    Captive Hearts

     Three weeks at sea, trapped in her tiny cabin with nothing to read but her book about birds, Kyrah tries to make the best of her situation. She cries and prays to God but it's not enough to suffice her dismay when the door is unlocked and Peter Westman enters, asking if she'd like to take a turn with him up on deck. He's fixed everything, all charges dropped, the silly misunderstanding straightened out. Kyrah is now free to do as she likes on the ship. He gives her the key to her own cabin and offers his arm. The fresh air is invigorating to Kyrah. Peter explains he's partial owner of this ship, taking smuggled goods to aid the Americans in their cause. What a coincidence they just happened to meet up on the same vessel today. He is so kind to her, Kyrah wonders if she's going crazy.

     Two weeks later, Kyrah realizes she's pregnant. At first she is overjoyed, she's going to have Ritcherd's baby! Until she remembers Hester Prynne's sad fate. Unmarried, pregnant women in a foreign colony have zero social status. A single, attractive woman like herself is also a risk for sexual assault, as Kyrah learns one day. Lucky for her, Peter comes rushing in with a gun to rescue Kyrah from the foul sailor who almost had his way with her.

    After many weeks at sea, the ship is almost to America. Peter strolls with Kyrah on deck, reminding her that a woman in her precarious situation would be wise to forget any previous men she's ever known, like Ritcherd, and marry him instead. Doesn't she realize she's better off without him? Kyrah is reticent. She doesn't love Peter. Peter assures her he's willing to wait as long as it takes until Kyrah comes to her senses. She really has no other choice.

     Pretty obvious what's going to happen next, eh?

     We go now with Ritcherd, following him on his adventures at sea with his new group of friends.

Chapter 11    (Oh) Captain, (My) Captain

      Ritcherd learns how to fire a pistol, hitting clay targets thrown over the water, with his uninjured left arm. Next, Captain Gerret teaches him the art of left handed fencing and swordplay. The entire crew watches the big, friendly, competition held on the main deck between the two Captains. Ritcherd does well and everyone cheers his victory. He spends the next week chatting with other crewmen, learning their tragic stories-wife and kids taken by fever, others orphaned or homeless until Garret took them in. Captain Ritcherd never realized how blessed he was to be born into a titled family that never knew poverty or hunger. Kyrah would be proud of him.
       That's when Gerret announces a change of plans, they've been blown off course to Jamaica and will be stopping there before heading up the coastline of the American colonies.
       (Darn!)

Chapter 12     Separate Realms

      Kyrah wakes one morning to discover the ship has reached its destination, some fictional port town, and she is the only one left still on board. Apparently every person took shore leave. Left to her own devices, Kyrah disembarks from the ship. Peter is gone, never bothered to say goodbye to Kyrah who shrugs and proceeds to find a place to stay, selling the diamond earrings Ritcherd gave her for her room and board and going on a shopping spree. Kyrah will bide her time in this sleepy colonial town until she can find passage back to England where she just KNOWS Ritcherd is waiting for her, if he hasn't already found a way to come to her. With the war going on, nobody is sailing for England anytime soon. She starts checking the docks daily, inquiring of every arriving ship. No one has heard of Ritcherd Buchanan.

      Somewhere in Jamaica, the Phoenix arrives in the middle of the night. Garret looks on proudly next day as Ritcherd tosses handfuls of money and candy to the poor island natives who flock around the colorful sailors, begging for handouts. George and another sailor perform a stand-up routine with magic tricks. They stay several days, making repairs, taking on supplies before charting a course for New England where Ritcherd is confident he'll find Kyrah. 

      Ritcherd gets a lesson in American History, instead. One night, dropping anchor off the coast, Garret goes ashore to obtain copies of Common Sense and the Declaration of Independence which Ritcherd gets very emotional after reading. This is what he's been searching for all his life! Equal rights for all, rich and poor, bond and free (if you're white). Back on the open water, Ritcherd notes the albatross (bird motif) following the ship and the traditional bad luck that follows any vessel who neglects or kills it. He and Garret study the coastline. Garret assures him, this is truly a promised land, where two people can create a life together, no matter their social rank! Ritcherd fingers the gold band Sarah gave him to pass on to her daughter. He's going to find Kyrah!

Chapter 13      She Couldn't Wait Another Day ("for,"...Let's hear it! "the captain of her heart")

      Back at the port town, two months have passed and Kyrah is growing just a tad impatient. Ritcherd should've found her by now! Her money is running out. She's been spending most of her time visiting the docks, dressed in her red cloak with hood, studying each sailor from every ship that docks. No Ritcherd.
     Unable to leave the bird motif alone, Kyrah bird watches too while strolling the pier. An old man with a pushcart makes friends with her, telling her all about the sea loving birds, such as the Avocet, (this is important in the next book) while she fantasizes Ritcherd, the greatest bird of all, swooping down to rescue her.

     Like a poorly written Thomas Hardy novel, Peter Westman swoops down instead, stepping out of the woodwork to say hello. Word among men in town there's a beautiful female phantom haunting the docks, searching for her true love. Could it be he?

     Peter invites her on a date. He hugs and kisses her. Like a zombie, Kyrah lets him. He says nothing about her expanding waistline, declaring her more beautiful than ever. Again, Kyrah wonders why he's being so kind to her? One evening, Kyrah is attacked, again, by dirty men with equally dirty minds. Again, Peter steps in with his pistol to scare them off and rescue her. He really, really, really wants to marry her and as an unwed mother with no money to support herself, Kyrah knows she can't wait another day.

   

      Reader, she married him.

      Peter is a different man after they leave the church, cackling over his prize, ripping off his mask, Kyrah is horrified to learn they will not be sailing for England like Peter promised but staying right here in the little house where Peter brought her. She makes a weak attempt to bolt for the door and run for her life but is met with a cruel backhand to her face followed by a beating that leaves her curled up on the floor. Peter packs a bag and bids her goodbye, for now. He'll be back. In the meantime, Kyrah is trapped here. The marriage certificate binding her to him, the bruises on her face preventing her from showing her face in town for weeks. He monologues how this house, the money used to follow her and seduce her into marrying him, the men who kidnapped her, everything was arranged by Jeanette Buchannan, you see. And with that, Peter skips merrily out the door.

    Kyrah stumbles to bed and cries herself to sleep.

     Never fear, Ritcherd and his crew, including George (we last see him here on p. 269 helping strike the colors on the flagpole with Ritcherd but he appears to have been dropped from the narrative after this) having traded the Jolly Roger for the colors of the American colonies, have arrived at some colonial port town that Garret knows well.
      They disembark. Gerett announces they'll be staying for an indeterminate amount of time. Or at least as long as it takes to find Kyrah; Garret has promised Ritcherd they won't be returning to England without her. Somehow, they just KNOW she's here.

     Weak and sore from Peter's beating, days pass as Kyrah drags herself around the small house, finding something to eat and caring for herself as best she can. One day, a knock at the door reveals a young, cheerful, blonde woman around Kyrah's age who introduces herself as Daisy. She's here to be Kyrah's new best friend. Daisy is a young widow who lost her husband in the war. She lives in the cottage down the lane, heard about the man who purchased this place and supposedly brought home a bride, except no one's seen her. One look at Kyrah's face explains everything.

    In town, Ritcherd and Garett discover many encouraging clues that prove Kyrah was here! The man who bought the diamond earrings, the woman who ran the boardinghouse. A month passes quickly as Ritcherd tears the place apart in his search for Kyrah but no one seems to have any idea where she disappeared to. Ritcherd now becomes the lost soul, wandering the docks, staring out to sea for no particular reason, praying in his heart for God to make him a bird so he can fly-far, far away.

Maybe he'll find Kyrah.

Chapter 14     Liaisons

       After a long speech from Daisy about women making their own happiness without the need of a man that would make Betty Friedan proud, Kyrah knows what she has to do. Find passage on a boat to England immediately and figure out how to get a divorce from Peter. Daisy cheers before inviting Kyrah to move in with her. Daisy also promises to help Kyrah find a ship that will take her home.

      Ritcherd meets the old man with a pushcart who frequents the pier and they get to talking. He causally mentions his friendship with a young woman named Kyrah who used to come here and watch for ships. When asked who she was looking for she replied, "The captain of my heart." She recently got married to some lucky man who took her away, at least that's what everyone assumes. No one's seen her for weeks now. Ritcherd throws some money at him and walks away in disgust at his own stupidity. She got MARRIED?!

     Daisy bursts into the house one day to announce glorious news, she found passage for Kyrah on a ship that's been sitting in port almost three months now but is eventually bound for England. 

You'll never guess who the (joint) captain of that ship is! 

     Captain Garret is pleased to meet "Mrs. Griffin" (her mother's maiden name) kindly allowing her to keep the diamond necklace until they reach England where she can sell it and pay him for her passage. She thanks him and leaves. Garret watches her go, thinking to himself if that woman isn't the famous Kyrah Payne his buddy has been searching for, he'll eat his own hat. Ritcherd stumbles in, practically in tears over the news he just received. Never mind this Mrs. Griffin they've agreed to take on board, Kyrah is lost to him forever. She got MARRIED! 

      Deciding this means Ritcherd has just given him permission to pursue the lovely, albeit pregnant, Mrs. Griffin, Garret pays a visit to Daisy's cottage. He and Daisy are old acquaintances, you see. They flirt. Kyrah sighs for her captain before excusing herself to lie down. Garret returns to the ship where Ritcherd is writing furiously in his journal. Probably cursing the day he ever met Kyrah Payne.

Chapter 15     Heart to Heart

      Deciding to have a look at the Phoenix, it is inevitable Kyrah will (FINALLY) see Ritcherd up on the deck of the ship, chatting with Captain Garret and the rest of the crew about some albatross that followed them into port. Unprepared to face him, cradling her swollen belly, she pulls up the hood of her red cloak and makes her way through the crowds, back to town. No way is she talking to Ritcherd. Not today. 

     It is also inevitable when Ritcherd turns and wonders if he's going crazy when he catches a glimpse of Kyrah in the throng of people below. He yells her name but Kyrah keeps walking. He runs down the gangplank in hopeless pursuit but it is inevitable. Kyrah is gone.

    Learning of this, Garret decides to have a word with the suspicious Mrs. Griffin. Daisy is working a double shift so it's just them as he knocks on the door and is invited in. It only takes a little probing for Kyrah to admit the truth about everything-her true name, Ritcherd's child conceived in pure love, the horrible kidnapping, tricked into marrying a man she loathed. Still, Kryah admits she made her bed and must lie in it; and with all her sins, she can never face Ritcherd. 

    In turn, Garret informs her Ritcherd has been moving heaven and earth to find her-his heart bleeding all over the place-Gerret's never met a more devoted man. Kyrah begs him not to tell Ritcherd she's here and has a good cry in his arms. As Gerret holds her, he fights his own feelings of attraction for this incredibly brave woman. (Should we just rename Kyrah, Katniss?)

    Three days later, the ship must set sail as British redcoats are coming. Except this is the same day Kyrah goes into labor. With Daisy attending her, there's a very long, dragged out scene when Ritcherd (as forced by Garret) comes knocking to deliver the message to the supposed "Mrs. Griffin" that she better come now or miss her ride only to be thrown out on his ear by Daisy who has no idea of Ritcherd's connection to Kyrah. Hearing his voice, Kyrah shouts his name before dragging herself out of bed. Ritcherd hesitates at the door before re-entering so he and Kyrah can finally have their dramatic, highly emotional, reunion with many "I love you's" exchanged between them before Daisy drags Kyrah back to bed. She's going to deliver this baby!

    Ritcherd returns to the ship to update Garret who has to hit Ritcherd over the head with the ship's logbook before he can put two and two together as to whose baby Kyrah is about to deliver. Always two steps behind the reader, Ritcherd now understands he must send the Phoenix away, instructing Garret to come back for both of them at a later date. Now, if you'll excuse him, he must run back to Kyrah!

    Kyrah delivers a baby girl. She also asks Ritcherd's help in getting a divorce except Ritcherd doesn't know the name of the man she married and doesn't care. Ritcherd declares he's never going to leave her side again!

    At least until the next book.

THE END