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Forgive me, son. I wish you were here for me to ask for your forgiveness in person. I fear I may not live until I see you again, and I have many, so very many regrets. I drove you from me, just as I did your father.

My pride has been my greatest flaw, followed closely by criticism and discontent. I could’ve lived a happy, blessed life; instead, I ruined all I had been given because I coveted more prestige.

And in the end, what does it matter whether one is nobly born or a pauper? It is how one lived one’s life, the good one accomplished, and the legacy one leaves behind. I have failed miserably in that respect, except for you. You are the one thing I am proud of.

You are a good, decent man like your father was.

I do love you, Devin. I did not show you or tell you as I should have done, which is my biggest regret. That and I shall never see what an exceptional father I know you shall be.

~Mrs. Desdemona Everingham, to her son, Devin

Dictated to her physician—never posted

Still in Trinity’s cabin

Ten perfectly silent and tension-filled seconds later

Trinity opened and closed her mouth thrice, but no sound emerged.

Devin could not prevent the chuckle that escaped him.

He had successfully rendered her speechless.

“Pardon?” she whispered.

“I said, I want to marry you. Before we dock, Captain Breckett can perform the ceremony.”

“I heard you.” She gaped at him. “I just cannot believe what I heard.”

She eyed him as one might a lunatic.

Mayhap he was mad.

It was a madcap idea.

“You cannot be serious, Devin. We’ve known each other for less than a week. Besides, Captain Breckett cannot legally marry us.”

Actually, four days if he did not count their first meeting at the Mumfords’ house party, for which, for all accounts and purposes, she’d been invisible to him.

The ship pitched, and she braced herself with a hand on the upper bunk.

Perchance her affections lay elsewhere.

Blast. Devin had not considered that possibility.

He cocked his head. “Is there someone who holds your heart?”

“No.” She shook her head, causing the lush curls to sway. “But that doesn’t mean I shall marry you. What do you take me for?”

Such relief engulfed him that he nearly grinned. However, given Trinity still looked at him like he had either grown horns or was dicked in the nob—perhaps both—he checked his jubilation.

“An extremely desirable, intelligent woman I would be honored to make my wife.”

In truth, no other lady had ever tempted Devin—a self-proclaimed, on-the-road-to-redemption rogue—to propose matrimony. From the moment his eyes had met hers that first night, something had sparked between them, whether she recognized the attraction or not.

Eyes narrowed, Trinity pointed at him, her demeanor shouting suspicion and a little bewilderment too.

She thought he jested.