Safe in the Pirate's Arms: Fall In Love At Sea, #1

By Stephanie Hurt

Her breath caught in her throat as the white sails came into view. She watched The Lady sail into port grandly. Although it was a known Pirate ship she couldn't help but admire it. • • • He wanted to see her again. He'd only caught site of her quickly on the docks. Who was she? She'd been like a breath of fresh air. • • • Their fates were entwined. Although he was deemed a pirate by most, those that knew him were aware of the truth. He would protect her With his life. • • • Their lives were changed forever the moment she stowed away on his ship.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Horseshoe Publishing
• Release date: Aug 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781513061894

Stephanie Hurt

Stephanie Hurt lives in Georgia with her husband Tommy and their son Hunter, along with two dogs, Daisy and Jake. When Stephanie is not lost in one of the worlds that she creates, she’s an accountant and children’s minister. She has been writing the stories that fill her mind since she was a teenager. The moment a story comes into her mind, she’s mesmerized and soon she’s diving into the story with a cup of hot green tea and a notebook. Before long, the story has bones and is ready for the laptop. She happily types away in the early morning and at night. You can always find her with a notebook full of stories that have yet to come to life. Follow her journey in each of her over 40 published works! Stephanie Payne Hurt loves to hear from fans and hopes that she’s helped them go to another world for at least a while! Connect with Author: Twitter: https://twitter.com/StephanieHurt4 Email: https://[e-mail] Website: www.stephaniehurtauthor.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StephaniePayneHurt Sign up for my newsletter at www.stephaniehurtauthor.com to keep up with upcoming events and new releases.

Book preview

Safe in the Pirate’s Arms

By: Stephanie Payne Hurt

Copyright August 2014 © Stephanie Payne Hurt

Revised Edition August 2020

Safe in the Pirate’s Arms

Horseshoe Publishing

Any person mentioned in this book is not based on any person, living or nonliving.

This book is a work of fiction. This book should not be copied in any

Form or used in part or whole without the permission of the author or publisher.

Cover Design by Dragonfly Cover Designs

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Can an age-old spell change the course of time?

Willa Granger, an antique dealer from Salem, doesn’t know how her life is about to change when she inherits a journal from her great-great-grandmother. The journal has a spell on it. The moment Willa begins to write in it, she’s transported back to medieval Ireland, where she finds herself on a grassy hill beside the sea, unsure of what’s just happened.

That’s where Sir Rolfe Gawain, a Knight in the king’s court, finds her. He’s suspicious of her clothing and the way she speaks, but something inside of him wants to protect her. With growing tensions at the palace regarding witchcraft, he must keep the way she says she arrived a secret.

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Chapter 1

Serena sat in the window watching the bay. She just knew The Lady would be in port today. Since she was a small girl she’d loved the sea. Her father had been a Captain in the Royal Navy. Captain Wilmington made sure his children had a love for the sea.

She watched everyday as the ships came and went. The ships were in her memory. Her favorite was The Lady. Even though it was a known pirate ship, she loved to watch those huge billowing white sails as they rounded the end of the island. The ship had been out to sea for over a month and it always came back through this port every month. The Captain of the ship was handsome and she loved to watch him with her telescope as he guided his ship into port. He led his men with a passion that made her smile.

Her father was killed at sea when she was young, but the passion for the sea that he’d given her stayed in her heart. Her heart was heavy as she watched the ripples roll across the top of the water. She longed to be out on one of those large ships away from this house. Life had changed drastically for their family when her father was killed.

The grief took over her mother. She walked around as if in a daze. Then one day a man came by to see them. At first Serena and her twin brother Tad liked him. He was charming and helped bring their mother out of her grief, but soon after they married things changed. He became abusive and mean. Some days they didn’t even see their mother. When they tried to convince her to run away, she’d shake her head and say there was no honor in being a coward.

Edward Rockford was a hard, cruel man. He had wealth and used any means to keep it. Serena and Tad tried to stay out of his way. Once he hit Serena and Tad lunged at him in retaliation, but Edward was larger and knocked Tad out. Serena and one of the servants carried him to his room to tend his wounds.

Tad told Serena that once he was eighteen he was leaving. Both of them worried about their mother, but they’d given up getting her to leave him. Serena and Tad turned eighteen a month ago. Tad had a sweetheart in town that held him here. He planned to marry her soon.

Then her heart leapt with excitement. She leaned forward causing the glass to momentarily fog over. Was that a wisp of white sail she saw around the end of the island? Quickly she wiped away the fog and looked out to sea. There she was, The Lady. Those pristine white sails starched stiff with wind. She was an outstanding ship. She proudly plowed through the water as she entered the port.

Serena held her breath as the ship moved across the bay and headed for port. She’d been watching this beautiful ship for over a year. When she got a chance she’d sneak down to the docks and ask questions. Since most of the shipyard workers knew her, they’d answer her questions. One of the older men had told her The Lady was a pirate ship, but the captain was a good man. One day a couple of months ago she caught sight of the captain. Captain Caleb Tanner was a ruggedly handsome man with Blue eyes the color of cresting waves and dark hair, streaked by the sun’s rays. He walked with a proud gait and was always dressed well. She had sighed and wondered what it would be like to talk with him or sail with him. When he turned she saw a scar down one cheek. She wondered what had caused it. Then she’d watched as he stepped back onto his ship and talked with his men.

She sat there mesmerized as the ship sliced through the water effortlessly. Reaching across the window seat she grabbed her telescope. It was one of the things she’d been able to hide from Edward. The telescope had belonged to her father and Edward had forbidden them to mention their father. She carefully extended it and gazed across the water to the great ship.

As she moved across the deck, her heart hammered in her chest as her gaze found him. He commanded his ship as a master of the sea. His masculine stance told of his confidence. She sighed as she watched him shout orders and as the sails were brought down the men ran across the deck. What would it be like to be sitting on the deck and feeling the sea breeze as he guided the ship to port?

Suddenly she heard her step father calling out at the end of the hall. She carefully pulled in the telescope and put it in a cubby behind the cushion. He pounded his fist on her door.  Slowly she walked across and unlatched the door. His face was red with anger.

Why didn’t you answer when I called for you? He put his large hands on his hips and stared down at her.

Long ago she’d stopped being afraid of him. I didn’t hear you until just now.

Well, you need to go tend to your mother. She’s fell ill. He turned and stomped out of the room.

Serena knew something was wrong if he wanted her to tend to her mother. Running down the hallway she entered her mother’s room. She was lying on the bed pale and thin. Mother, what’s wrong? Edward said you had taken ill.

The look her mother gave her was weak and pitiful. Oh Serena, I’m so sorry I’ve put you and Tad in such a horrible position. I love you both. Tears were streaming down her mother’s face as she spoke.

She knelt beside her mother and held her hand. Don’t worry mother. We know you were lonely. How could you have known he’d turn into such a bad person? Serena tried to put her mother at ease.

I need you to know that I never would’ve married him if I’d known, but what’s done is done. She turned to look out the window. Have any ships come into the bay today? She knew her daughter’s love for the sea.

Yes, The Lady has just arrived and she’s as beautiful as ever. Serena’s face took on a dreamy look as she looked toward the sea. From her mother’s window she couldn’t see the port.

If something happens to me, promise me you’ll leave here. I’m afraid of what Edward will do if I die. She grabbed Serena’s hand tightly. The men down at the docks know you. Most of them were your father’s men. Go to them, they’ll keep you safe. The look in her eyes was desperate.

Serena gasped at her mother’s words. She’d always told her to stay away from the docks unless Tad or someone was with her. Mother, you’re just a little under the weather. She slowly wiped her brow with a cool clothe.

No my beautiful girl, I’m not well. It’s been coming on for a while and I didn’t want to worry you children. Her mother’s eyes were hollow and Serena was suddenly afraid. Promise me you’ll get far away from here.

She looked up and saw Tad standing in the doorway. She’ll be far away from here; I’ll make sure of it. He walked in and closed the door. When he was standing beside the bed, he put his hand on his mothers.

Mary Rockford looked up at her two children. They were such beautiful young people. She could see her dear dead husband’s eyes in her twin children. She closed her eyes as weakness took over. I need to try to rest. She turned to her side and was almost instantly asleep.

Tad looked at Serena sadly. That oaf of a husband has done this to her. I hope he rots for what he’s done to her.

Serena pulled the coverlet up over her mother’s shoulders when she shivered. All I know is that I want to sail on one of those ships as far away as I can. She walked over and looked out at the island. This was a beautiful but volatile place.

Serena, I’ve asked Elise to marry me. He put his hands on her shoulders. If something happens to our mother you’re welcome to live with us.

She placed her hand on one of his and smiled. Thanks Tad, but I’m meant to be at sea. The wistful look in her eyes made him worry.

But how will you do that, you’re a woman?  

I’ll find a way.

Chapter 2

Serena walked out of mother’s room sad and wondering what would happen. She made her way down to see what the dinner plans were. As she entered the kitchen she realized something was up. The cooks were preparing a large feast.

What’s the special occasion? She asked as she grabbed a piece of warm bread.

Miss Serena, don’t you know who’s coming tonight? The head cook asked as she hurried by with a platter of food.

Who’s coming? She sat down on a bench beside the door for fresh cool air. The kitchen was humid and warm. With the summer heat building as the day grew into evening.

That pirate ship captain. Mr. Rockford announced this morning that the Captain would be dining with us.

Serena choked on the last bite of bread. The Captain of The Lady was coming here. She jumped up and ran out of the kitchen. What was he coming here for? Better yet, what was Edward up to?

She quickly changed into her better dress. Normally she didn’t dress up for dinner which totally infuriated Edward, but tonight she wanted to look nice. The dress she chose was the color of the sea as