Hearts Crossed

Book Series: The Buchanan Saga

Publishing Date: 2004

Author: Anita Stansfield

Publisher: Crosswalk Books

Category: Historical Romance

Point of View: Third Person Limited: Garret and Brandy

Chapter Count: 14

Page Count: 367

To those who are still in the boat. You know who you are.

Theme song for this book:

Brandy, you're a fine girl.

What a good wife you would be.

But my life, my love and my lady is the sea.

                              Looking Glass

Prologue

1787

      Just like the prologue in the last book, Garret Wentworth is standing on the deck of his merchant ship, the Phoenix, overlooking the vast Atlantic (sans cigar, he quit cold turkey at the end of the last book) wondering if he'll ever find someone to marry and settle down with.

     One of his shipmates, Timothy Ashton, steps up to chat. While Timothy has proven to be a good friend, he is old enough to be Garret's father-thin, wiry, graying red hair, hardworking, honest, yet, Timothy admits his side business has taken a dark turn. He fears his life is in danger; oh, and he also just happens to have a single daughter back in North Carolina. If anything were to happen to Timothy, he'd be especially grateful if Garret would inform her of his untimely demise as well as deliver all his personal effects, oh, and if Garret would make sure she was looked after-bring her on board if necessary. Garret solemnly agrees, doing his best to ignore Timothy's many hints about what a fine girl his only child is and what a good wife she would be...if only the right man would come along.

    Foreshadowing complete, Garret is seated at his desk in his cabin (with two single twin beds) going over his papers when a gunshot rings out from Timothy's cabin. He's very dead while the man in black with a gun who managed to slip on board without attracting any attention, is very gone.

Looks like Garret has a date with Brandy destiny after all.

Chapter 1      Farewells

     Brandy Ashton considers herself the luckiest twenty-six year old single woman in the world. Her longtime (going on five years now) boyfriend, the famous Captain Andrew Cross, (who always dresses in black) loves her and they are exclusive! They kiss passionately at the tavern where Brandy must scrape out her living as a barmaid, biding her time until this unbelievably sexy sea captain with the dark mustache and long flowing black locks will finally come to his senses and marry her. Unfortunately, today is not that day. Andrew must return to one of his three ships. He's made a fortune in the sea trade while Brandy barely survives on minimum wage.

   While they've never slept together, Brandy touches her lips as she watches Andrew exit. He LOVES her and it's only a matter of time before he pops the question, she KNOWS it! After working her shift, Brandy trudges up the streets of the quaint seaside town to the boardinghouse where she lives alone in two respectable rooms, taking her meals from the kind woman who runs the establishment who hopes one day either her father or that famous sea captain will come sweep this poor girl off her feet and carry her away. 

   Morning sunlight fills the sitting room as Brandy wakes from a deep sleep to answer a knock on her sitting room door. As the clip in his voice reveals, the tall, dark, handsome man with the neatly trimmed beard and gold earring in his left ear is unmistakably British. He introduces himself as Captain Garret. Brandy listens in shock as he sits her down and gives her the bad news about her father. 

    Garret stands when Brandy does, desperately wishing he were someplace else right now. The moment is awkward as Brandy turns to the window, in shock, obviously struggling to keep herself from going into hysterics. She breaks down sobbing and Garret is there to catch her, providing a shoulder for her to cry on. He asks, does she have anyone to look after her? Wiping her face with Garret's offered handkerchief, Brandy says yes, but he's...at sea. She thanks Garret and sees him out.

   With swollen eyes, threatening to burst into tears again at the least provocation, Brandy works her shift that evening where the drunken sailors make unwanted advances. Suddenly, Garret is there to punch them off. Brandy thanks him and leaves to walk home, ALONE, along the dark, deserted streets where she is, of course, accosted again and Garret, AGAIN, comes to her rescue. This time he sees Brandy all the way back to the boardinghouse. To their dismay, they enter to find her rooms have been ransacked; someone was obviously looking for something but didn't find it. Garret will spend the night on her sitting room sofa. Just in case.

    Next morning, Brandy goes down to breakfast while Garret is still sleeping, bringing him a tray when she returns. Garret needs to get back to his ship, they'll be sailing in a few days. Brandy promises she will send word if she needs anything.

Chapter 2    The Passenger

    As if we need another plot device to get these two together, Brandy is attacked when she answers a knock at her door the following evening. The two men with rotting teeth, reeking of body odor, wrestle her to the floor and force a drugged liquid into her mouth. They demand information about her father. Brandy has no idea what they're talking about before she loses consciousness. 

   Garret returns to his ship only to learn Timothy Ashton's cabin was mysteriously broken into and searched; just like his daughter's rooms. Trying not to panic, Garret turns around and runs all the way back to the boardinghouse where he finds Brandy in the condition her attackers left her in.

   He sends for Patrick, the ship's doctor, and prays out loud while making Brandy as comfortable as he can, until he arrives. Brandy was drugged with opium, a nearly fatal dose, but Patrick is certain she can pull through; if she has someone to sit with her, keep her awake, prevent her from falling into a coma. Remembering Timothy's last request, Garret announces they are packing anything of Brandy's that looks important and bringing her back to the Phoenix. They will sail with the next tide and Garret will personally see to Brandy's care. Good thing his cabin has separate beds.

   Like the perfect gentleman he is, Garret supports Brandy as she vomits, over and over, into the slop bucket. She cries, again, in his comforting embrace. Garret kisses her brow before tucking her back into bed. They hardly know each other, but, thanks to her father, Garret can't help but feel a special connection to this amazing single woman. Too bad her heart belongs to another.

   Patrick is a little put out with his Captain. This innocent young lady is not going to be very happy when she learns they are on their way to Bombay, India! What does Garret intend to do with her? They don't even know her given name.

   Sure enough, Brandy is not very happy when the reality of her current situation crashes down on her. Stuck at sea for so many months, seasickness already affecting her, away from the only home, people and culture she's ever known. 

Away from Andrew! 

No, she's not very happy at all with Captain Garret.

Chapter 3    Captain Cross's Woman

     Several days later, Garret is admitted into Brandy's cabin (Clutching her pearls, Brandy insisted she be given a private cabin of her own. They gave her Timothy's.) where he suggests her cabin fever and seasickness might be eased if she came topside for a breath of fresh air, for the first time since she came on board. He even brought hot, fresh water so she could wash up and make herself presentable. Brandy reluctantly agrees.

   Strolling the deck, they spend several pages talking. Brandy reveals after her mother died, a freak accident, swept out to sea from the beach she was walking on, she moved inland to live with an aunt who promptly died. That was six years ago. Her father was always away at sea, seeking his fortune, always promising one day he'd provide a better home for Brandy and her mother (before she died). Because of all this, Brandy has never liked the sea. In fact, she despises it. 

    Learning Captain Andrew Cross is the man Brandy told him about; that she is "Captain Cross's woman," Garret is not impressed. He's never met the man, only knows him by reputation: Andrew Cross is a notorious womanizer, a girl in every port, and when it comes to his business affairs, Andrew Cross is a dangerous man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. He's not worthy of Brandy.

  They join the rest of the crew for lunch in the galley where Garret finally gets around to asking Miss Ashton, what is her given name? She tells him. Garret, in turn, tells her his; refusing to reveal his last name. They are on first name basis now.

   Patrick can't help but notice Garret's obvious infatuation with Brandy; he's smitten. Patrick predicts Garret is about to fall head over heels in love and about time too. Garret frowns and they get back to practicing their fencing.

   In the galley, Brandy has decided to make herself useful, helping Cook (that's his name) prepare the meals for the crew. While she works, Brandy notices her thoughts are always wandering to Garret, wondering when she'll see him again. Brandy has to mentally shake herself-No! You're in love with Andrew, remember?! 

   Brandy wanders up to the deck and leans against the rail. It is twilight and the sea is lovely. Garret's hands appear on either side of her as he mummers sweet nothings into her ear. Brandy turns and reminds him her heart belongs to another man.

   Another man who is not worthy of her, Garret reminds her and proceeds to list all the reasons: Andrew Cross is a cheating cheater. There. He said it. Out loud.

   Brandy slaps him before excusing herself below deck to her cabin.

Chapter 4      Revelation

    They make up a few nights later when Brandy finds Garret stargazing on the deserted deck; making sure they don't go off course. He spends the next hour or so giving her a lesson on the night sky, walking her back to her cabin, leaving her with a chaste kiss on her hand.

   Their first date.

   Over the next several days, they begin spending more and more time with each other. When they arrive in Bombay, Garret invites her ashore. Brandy is intrigued. The natives think her fire-colored hair special. Strolling through the exotic marketplace, Garret buys her many gifts. When Brandy asks why, he reminds her she is much more than a barmaid. One day she will be a great lady living in a grand house her future husband will provide. Such a house needs a "Bombay room" a place where she can keep all these exotic knickknacks and souvenirs. Then, since such a room demands something equally special to wear when sitting in it, Garret buys her a white sari made of silk, the kind only worn by the wealthiest women in India.

   Brandy has never felt more cherished. She wears the sari the next evening as they are pulling out of the Bombay port. Brandy sees the love in Garret's eyes when he sees her and has a revelation-he really does love and care for her! They talk about their growing feelings of attraction for each other, but Brandy can't betray Andrew. They kiss anyway. 

   

Chapter 5     The Bargain

    Learning Garret was a turncoat during the war, Brandy asks him why he didn't settle in America? He tells her most of the story about how he came to be a ship's captain. His previous ship was destroyed by a man very similar to her precious Andrew Cross. Brandy gets defensive but Garret brushes it off, they can agree to disagree. Now come over here and kiss him. Brandy melts in his arms, like she always does. 

    Brandy admits her secret fantasy is that one day, Andrew will marry her and provide her with a nice home where she can raise children and live a quiet life: teach piano, tend the garden, keep house and be the happiest woman in the world. Garret knows he is just the man to grant that wish, but he keeps his thoughts to himself. If Andrew Cross were to appear right now, Garret would challenge him to a duel for Brandy's hand.

    Next stop, Hong Kong, where both Garret and Brandy recognize one of Andrew's men who locks eyes with Brandy in unmistakable recognition. Garret gives orders to his crew. Get the goods they ordered on board and prepare to sail with the next available tide. They are getting out of here.

   Too late! Cantonese police board their ship, following a tip about illegal opium on board. They do a search of the ship, but it's Brandy's cabin that gets the full brunt. They find the obviously planted drugs and are about to take Brandy into custody when Garret steps in, declaring her his fiancée. The men stand down, mumble apologies and leave.

   Brandy is furious. What right did Garret have telling them they were engaged! Garret reminds her it's pretty obvious to everyone by now that Andrew Cross is behind all of this and not a man to be trusted while he, Garret, is the right man for her. Brandy sighs, how many times must she repeat this? She LOVES Andrew.

   Garret asks her to marry him anyway. With her life in danger, she needs a man to protect her. As her legal husband, he would take her to England. She could live with his brother and wife, the people he told her about earlier. She would be safe there. In time, she would forget all about Andrew Cross, (and hopefully he would forget her as well) because she is a woman worth marrying and Andrew missed his chance.

   Brandy sniffles and wipes her tears. In her heart, she knows everything Garret has been trying to tell her about Andrew is true-he's into her, but not for the right reasons. She laughs and agrees to this bargain. She will marry him.

Chapter 6       Going Home

   Garret and Brandy dock in Cornwall, England and stop in town for lunch where Garret buys Brandy some new clothes to wear-she hasn't spent anything on herself in years. Brandy is impressed and intimidated by the size of the mansion when they pull up.

   It is nice to see Ritcherd and Kyrah again who gush over Brandy's loveliness and tease Garret about finally giving up his carefree bachelor life. Of course, Kyrah and Brandy become instant sisters immediately upon introductions. Brandy meets Cetty, two-year-old Linnet and, while Garret was busy rescuing damsels in distress, Ritcherd and Kyrah had another baby, a boy they named Christopher. 

    Over dinner, Garret announces he will post the banns tomorrow at church, explaining to Brandy (who should already be familiar with this custom) they serve the purpose of both informing the public of their intention to marry as well as provide any opportunity for objection. If, after three weeks, no reason is found why they should not marry, the wedding ceremony is performed.

   None of the adults can wait!

    After dinner, the happy couple decide to take a stroll on the grounds of the estate where Brandy reveals to Garret that Brandy was her father's nickname for her. Her REAL name is Eugenia Belinda, "Genny" for short. Garret likes it.

   And from this time forth in the narration, Brandy will be known as Genny.

    Garret shows Genny the cottage they will move into and reside after the wedding. Genny loves it. At last, she will have what she always wanted: a home and family. Garret always wanted lots of kids too. Life couldn't be more perfect.

Chapter 7     The Baronet

    The next day being Sunday, Kyrah loans Genny, (everyone accepted her new name without any objection) as the newest member of a respected family, something suitable to wear to the services.  Genny feels welcome at church but is confused when a woman greets her fiancé as "Sir Garret," for he is a Baronet. This upsets her so much she slips off for a brisk walk, furious her husband-to-be is actually one of those filthy rich, aristocratic snobs. Part of that British Order of Precedence America fought so hard to rid itself of. Everyone is equal in America! 
    Discovering Genny is gone, Garret mounts a horse and finds her at the church ruins where they first argue, then talk, resolving the issue of Genny's new social ranking and her fear of everyone gossiping about Garret marrying "down."

   They return to the house for a late meal then join Ritcherd and Kyrah in the sitting room to catch them up on how Genny ended up sailing with Garret around the world to Bombay and Hong Kong.

   Suspecting there's more to the story than Genny wanted to admit, Ritcherd and Kyrah wait until Genny has excused herself (to have a good cry) before confronting Garret for more information. Garret admits his suspicions about Andrew Cross, explaining who he is and his relationship to both Genny and her late father. Seems everyone but Genny understands the danger she is in. 

  But Garret isn't marrying her to be a hero, he really and truly loves her, yet Genny keeps bringing up the fact she is still in love with that jerk.

Chapter 8     The Captain's Wife

     After her long, hard cry, Genny is not disappointed when Kyrah comes knocking to initiate a woman-to-woman talk. After establishing the fact that marrying the men they are crazy about is/was the right thing to do, Kyrah returns to the dining room to report Genny will be all right.

   After sitting empty all these years, Garret spends the next few days readying the cottage which he and Genny will move into after the wedding.

   Kyrah keeps Genny busy with shopping, readying her trousseau for the big day. Garret takes Genny on a romantic horse ride to the beach where they frolic in the surf and plan their future. Garret intends to pass ownership to George and give up the sea trade forever. He can afford early retirement. All of their friends from the Phoenix are also just arrived in town for the wedding. 

    The day of the wedding is rather uneventful. That night, Garret asks Genny, straight out, about her conflicting feelings concerning Andrew Cross. He won't force her to share a bed with him. 

    Genny raises an eyebrow, "Andrew who?" That's all the encouragement Garret needs.

       He shows her the house the next day. Naturally, there's a piano. The walled garden will be a pleasure to tend and the Bombay room is all ready with all the things Garret bought for her during their trip and, very soon, he promises, he'll take her back to that exotic place for a proper honeymoon.

    Genny has to pinch herself to make sure she's not dreaming.

Chapter 9      To Sea

    Unfortunately, if Garret wants to retire permanently from the sea, he must make one last business trip to the Americas to personally say good bye to trusted business partners, sign paperwork, ect. Genny dreads his departure. Kyrah reassures her, she knows exactly how Genny feels.

   The night before his big trip, Garret asks Genny if there's anything, anything at all about her father she might remember that he could use to find out exactly what his enemies wanted from him. Genny does recall whenever her father came home to visit her at the boardinghouse, he often spent hours by himself on a solitary rock on the beach-a rock only accessible at low tide.

    Garret leaves and Genny spends the next several days in bed, weeping excessively, too depressed to participate in anything family-related.

   Her entire attitude changes after Genny discovers she's pregnant.

   Garret arrives safely in North Carolina and wastes no time starting his investigation. He calls on the boardinghouse to learn Genny's rooms were broken into, again, not long after they left. Seeing one of Andrew's ships newly docked at the pier, he visits the tavern frequented by Andrew Cross, it's not long until the man himself appears and joins him at the table. Over their drinks, Garret informs Andrew, in case he hadn't figured it out by now, his former girlfriend (Andrew calls her Brandy, Garret never bothers to correct him) is Lady Wentworth now. They know he's behind Timothy Ashton's murder. They are on to him. Andrew swallows his dismay, puts on a cocky face and warns Garret he will have Brandy and there's nothing Garret can do to stop him. And with that, Andrew gets up and exits the tavern.

    Garret has a bad feeling; he will regret playing all his cards at once.

Chapter 10     The Return of the Captain

    Frank, one of the young sailors who works for Garret, wants to come clean: Andrew Cross offered him a significant bribe to spy for him. Frank gave Andrew all the information he was after, including Garret's home address but his conscious has been bugging him about it ever since. Garret is so angry he orders Frank escorted off his ship. (This will be important later.)
   Hours later, Garret goes to the beach at low tide and finds the large rock Brandy described. Taking a shovel he starts digging in the soft, wet, sand and discovers the carefully concealed chest, waterproof, containing all the legal paperwork necessary to put Andrew Cross away for a long, long time. He brings it back on board and they set sail for home.

   But, "merciful heaven" just as they are pulling up to the shores of England, George informs his Captain their ship has a shadow-one of Andrew Cross's vessels has been following them for weeks and, yes, they only just noticed it now.

    They dock at Cornwall anyway. Garret finds Genny in the Bombay room, seated at the piano. She and Garret have a very romantic, tearful reunion. Garret is thrilled to learn he's going to be a father.

    Andrew Cross left something for Genny at the boardinghouse and it is with some misgivings Garret hands over the items: a package containing a braided chain and, yes, it's made of finest silver from the North of Spain. There's also a letter from Andrew in which he declares his undying love for Brandy. 

   Garret watches Genny's face carefully as she reads the letter. She admits her heart still won't let go of her former beau. In a cynical voice, Garret wonders if maybe it was a mistake for them to get married. With that kind of attitude, Genny can't help but agree. 

   Next, Garret tells her about the evidence he literally unearthed and brought home. He's decided if Andrew Cross ever threatens them again, he intends handing over the incriminating papers her father was holding as blackmail. Anything to get Andrew to leave them alone. See, Andrew Cross tricked Timothy into getting involved in the illegal opium trade, using his relationship with Genny as leverage to assure her father's cooperation. That's why Andrew murdered him.

    Brandy is shocked, shocked I tell you, that her husband would even suggest such terrible things about her former boyfriend. Sure, Andrew could be callous and mean, but murder? Impossible!

    Unbelievable as it sounds, at that very moment, the glass door leading outside from the Bombay room into the gardens shatters to reveal none other than the murderer himself. Without saying a word, Andrew aims his gun at Garret and fires, point blank, at his chest. Garret flies backward. Genny screams.

    With so much blood, there can be no question Genny's beloved husband is dead. Nobody could survive such an attack. (or could they?) Genny kneels over the lifeless form lying spread-eagle on the floor, devastated. Andrew, as casually as if he burst into rooms like this everyday, scoops her up and carries her out.

     Genny has already fainted.

     She comes to in a moving carriage. Andrew is sitting with her and expresses relief he was able to rescue her from that horrible beast she didn't really love. Genny has to pick her jaw up off the floor. At first she is furious, demanding Andrew take her back, NOW! But the more Andrew talks to her, the more brainwashed she becomes. 

     At the Inn, Andrew orders the best room, food is brought up and a seamstress from town enters to measure Genny for the new traveling clothes he is having made just for her. In time, Andrew promises her, she will forget Garret. They belong together. She's always been his. Genny never bothers to correct him on her new name. Andrew is not very happy to learn she's pregnant with another man's baby, but he'll do his best to be a good father to it.

    To spite Andrew, Genny orders all her new dresses to be made in black. She is a widow in mourning. Nevertheless, Andrew is taking her back to America. He is her knight in shining armor who just rescued her and that's the end of it. Genny is still too overcome with shock and grief to even think about escaping. She never realized just how much she loved Garret until he was so cruelly taken from her.

Chapter 11    His Eyes

     Genny soon realizes Garret wasn't kidding-Andrew Cross is disgustingly rich! Everything he buys her for their upcoming trip is the finest. The ship he brings her aboard is more luxurious than the Phoenix. But all the money in the world won't bring back Garret. Andrew scowls when Genny points this out. Oh, and she has no intention of sharing the captain's cabin with Andrew. She'll take a private cabin, thank you very much. The more Andrew tries to be oily and charming, the more Genny notices his eyes do not reflect the same honest love and adoration as Garret's did.

   With another sob, Genny flees Andrew's presence and retires to her cabin for another long cry.

    As the days and weeks at sea pass, Genny finds it harder and harder to resist Andrew's passes. He makes several attempts to kiss her but Genny has discovered being "Captain Cross's Woman" has lost all its thrill. She decides the minute they arrive in America, she will demand Andrew turn around and take her straight back to England. Garret may be dead, but his baby deserves to be raised with the people she's come to care for most.

     Garret comes to in a glaring world of blinding light and pain. (Silly reader. Did you really believe Garret was dead? This is an Anita Stansfield novel!) Learning everything that happened, he and Ritcherd begin planning their rescue mission. They will set sail on the Phoenix for America. Somehow, they will find Genny and Andrew Cross.

How convenient Andrew's bullet merely went straight through Garret's lungs, just missing his heart, and exited his body without being fatal. Everyone thinks he's crazy wanting to tag along on this mission, but Garret is anxious to find his wife. He will just have to finish his recuperation during the voyage. What a trooper!

Chapter 12     The Malevolent Captain Cross
    

       The men say goodbye to Kyrah and leave for their journey. Ritcherd practically has to carry Garret everywhere on board the ship, tending to his every need while Garret scowls at being treated like a baby.

     Not sure how Genny found out but she is appalled when she discovers Frank the Traitor is on board Andrew's ship. She slaps him and cusses him out for betraying, even murdering, her late husband. Andrew tries to calm her down but she shrugs him off. Genny spends the next few days avoiding Andrew, giving him the silent treatment if they happen to be around each other.

    When Andrew does try to talk, he gently suggests Genny think about marriage to him. Next, he urges her to spill any information she might have withheld about her father. This sounds so familiar to what those thugs who drugged her were asking, she asks Andrew if had any part in that. Andrew looks away and denies it.

    A few days later, he again confronts Genny in her cabin, insisting she agree to marry him. Genny reminds him Garret was more of a man than he ever was to her when they were dating. Andrew strikes Genny hard enough for her to see stars. Captain Cross's malevolent true nature is revealed as he sexually assaults Genny, forcing her to the bed intending to take advantage of her. Genny struggles and cries out just as the door bursts open and one of the older sailors enters to put a stop to Andrew's wicked intentions. Genny wonders what kind of power this man has over Andrew who exits in a defeated huff without further argument. 

   From then on, Andrew's orders, Genny's cabin is under guard 24/7 and when they arrive in America, she is not allowed to leave or go anywhere without an escort. She makes one attempt to escape but Andrew catches her. She grabs his pistol and points it at him, but can't bring herself to pull the trigger. Not yet. As the ship sets sail for New Orleans, Genny is confined to her cabin.

    Following their arrival in The Big Easy, Genny gives birth to a baby boy in her cabin. Andrew was nice enough to allow a midwife on board to assist with delivery as Genny insisted she didn't want his ship's doctor anywhere near her.

Chapter 13     The Captain's Ghost

    Throughout this entire rescue mission, Garret has been biting his nails. What if Andrew seduced Genny into marrying him? What if he, the gallant hero, comes bursting in, and she laughs in his face? The shores of New Orleans come into view.  Garret can hardly believe it when he sees Andrew's ship docked at the pier. Now this "only semi-thrilling" plan to rescue Genny from their enemy can commence. Here's how it plays out:

    Docking several miles away from the main ports, Garret and Richard take a carriage into the city. Garret sneaks on board Andrew's ship and finds the cabin with the sleeping baby, but no Genny who was allowed shore leave to purchase some necessary items for the next leg of her kidnapping.

   It's a wonder Genny's discovery of Garret, stretched out comfortably on the bed, snuggling the sleeping baby in his arms, didn't alert everyone to his presence. A few needless pages are spent as Garret gives a long speech why he understands if Genny doesn't want him, now that he's back from the dead and would rather stay with Andrew Cross.

   Genny is all: "Are you freakin' kidding me? I love you MORE!!!"

   And with that out of the way, Garret can slip off the ship with the baby carefully concealed under his cloak while Genny gives a lame excuse about a forgotten errand, promising to be right back so there's no need for anyone to go with her. Since Andrew is whooping it up at his favorite tavern tonight and isn't here to enforce the rule, nobody stops her. In fact, nobody suspects anything. They are never followed and no one challenges them even once. Ritcherd picks Genny up in the carriage and they meet Garret at the rendezvous where Patrick and George are waiting to row everyone safely to the Phoenix for more joyous reunions. Garret and Genny agree to name the baby Timothy and make plans to set sail for England as quickly as possible.

   All too easy.

Chapter 14     The Double Cross

    As they stroll on the deck in the warm sunlight, surrounded by open water, Genny informs Garret she saw Frank, that dirty double-crosser. That she slapped him but Andrew was rough with her when he intervened. He left bruises. That was when she knew Andrew Cross was not the kind of man she ever wanted to marry. 
    Garret heaves a sad sigh and tells her about the day of Frank's confession and his impulsive decision to fire Frank. He regrets sending the enemy camp a bonus as it's pretty obvious Frank continued to give information to Andrew. They must be very careful. Andrew's threats to have Genny are real but Garret swears, (despite being too weak to even lift a pistol,) he will never let Andrew Cross hurt her again. Genny takes Andrew's braided chain which Garret hands her and tosses it over the rail into the ocean. (I'll skip the Titanic reference. You get it.) 

    Returning to the Bombay room is poignant for Garret. Ritcherd and Kyrah finally come over from the big house to celebrate Genny's safe return, not to mention the newest addition to the family. Everyone does their best to be positive but...the inevitable shadow of Andrew Cross looms over them all. He's coming! And this time he's not leaving until Garret is really and truly dead. 

   Just one page later, Andrew is announced and brought in. As planned, Genny is alone while Andrew cranks up the charm to get her to come away with him and this is when Garret makes his appearance. Andrew CAN'T BELIEVE IT!

     Garret tells him to take the bundle of papers he was originally after all this time and leave them in peace. Andrew fires his gun at Garret, takes Genny and the incriminating papers and flees to South America. Without another word, Andrew picks up the papers and exits the house just as Garret requested.

     Wow, was it really that easy?

     Over the next several days, Garret is very nervous and anxious. Andrew Cross hates him, he really really wants Genny, will stop at nothing to make her his, yet, all they can do is watch and pray. Genny hopes Garret is right; that if Andrew returns looking for a fight, they will be able to stop him.

     Word comes from the Phoenix. They were boarded, just like in Hong Kong. If Garret doesn't go down there and defend himself against the charge of illegal opium smuggling, he will be arrested and the government will take everything. Genny insists she is going with him. Garret just shrugs.

     Entering the captain's cabin, everyone takes a step back seeing a smirking Andrew Cross rubbing his hands. The men in charge will be entering any minute to arrest Garret. Andrew just couldn't resist coming to watch while Brandy will, of course, be coming with him. 

    The authorities enter, but, to Andrew's great dismay, the man in charge merely greets Garret before turning to arrest Andrew Cross for everything those papers proved about him to be true. Everyone follows the dramatic scene topside. Once the shock wears off, Andrew suddenly punches himself free, grabs one of the soldier's pistols and holds Garret in a fierce lock, pistol firmly pressed against his back. 

   Silently uttering a quick prayer, Genny slips the gun out of George's holster and points it at Andrew. He just laughs, calling her bluff. Silly woman, it is HIM she really loves and they would've been so happy together if only...

     Genny fires the gun, just to shut him up.

     Back at the house, everyone is wondering. How did Garret manage to double cross, er, Cross? And why is Frank here, looking so sheepish? Garret sits everyone down and explains:  
     Little did anyone know, back in Chapter 10, Garret's public display of firing Frank in front of the rest of the crew was just a big bluff. He and Frank planned this whole thing. Of course, Garret didn't expect Andrew to come bursting in like he did, leaving him for dead. Even Frank thought Garret was dead. But, "odd's fish!" Garret is just full of clever little tricks like this; he left notes in predetermined places for Frank to find and thus Andrew Cross was led (most conveniently) into their trap. Why leave everything to chance? They seek him here, they seek him there...The ladies laugh in delight. Garret really should change his name to Sir Percy Blakeney.
    He takes Genny and baby Timothy on a picnic to the beach instead. Genny declares she has learned an important lesson-recognizing the love in a man's eyes is all any woman needs to know he's THE ONE. 

THE END

Author's Note
     The original Captain of Her Heart draft was written in 1986 but it took until 2004 to finally get published. The author is so glad readers have come to love the Buchanan family (as well as Byrnehouse-Davies and Hamilton and Trevor families) as much as she has. Anita is also very glad her fans keep begging her for more and while Anita promises she still has plans in the works for more Buchanan family saga books, (while she promises Volume 5 will come out "very soon" The Captain's Rose won't be published until 2012 and will only be available in ebook/Kindle format only) she feels the time has come to put all of these beloved characters aside and focus on a BRAND NEW project
THIS IS THE STORY ANITA STANSFIELD WAS BORN TO WRITE EVERYONE!!!!

Excerpt from Behind the Mask Vol I of The Horstberg Saga follows

Not published until 2013 and you won't find it under Anita Stansfield but Elizabeth D. Michaels. Available at your local library and published by yet another independent, non-affiliate Deseret Book, publishing company