Actually, it was all quite respectable then. Father tells wonderful stories about the rounds of entertainment from the merchants of New York when he would put into port with his cargo. He really led a wild, adventurous life, but I believe he met my mother just in time."
"Where did they meet?" asked Caro, completely fascinated.
"Quite classic circumstances, I assure you! My father captured her ship."
"Her ship!?"
"Yes, she was on board one of the few quite luxurious passenger vessels of that time, bound from Russia for the colonies to visit her brother and his wife. Father confiscated all the valuables from her ship, foremost among which was my mother!"
"Alec!" Caro exclaimed. He was chuckling in amusement.
"Yes, I'm afraid the worst happened—for after all, my father was no gentleman. Seems to be a family trait. At any rate, my mother appears to have enjoyed herself immensely, and soon my father had not only returned all the stolen goods, but also married my mother there at sea. She accompanied him on his pirate ship's last voyage to America and they settled down in Philadelphia to live happily ever after. I stand with my four brothers and sisters as proof of that."
Caro looked up to see white teeth flash against his black beard.
"Your father gave up his pirating?"
"Oh, yes—the only voyages he makes now are with my mother to visit their respective families in Russia and France and to inspect some family vineyards they own in the Loire Valley. After my parents married, Father began ship-building, and as the business grew he branched out into several other interests. These days, when I am home, I am his partner in the ships."
"When you are home?"
"I have been quite occupied these last years in the war for independence."
"Oh—of course!" Caro felt something click in her mind, but even though she squeezed her eyes closed, she could not catch it in time.
"Do you remember anything about the war?" Alec queried, looking down at her face.
"Yes, I seem to, though I hadn't thought of it until you said the words. Suddenly now, I can remember it all but rather indistinctly—the deaths, and women all alone, and living with hardships. But I simply cannot see faces in my mind, or recall names."
They were silent for a moment, then Caro, eyes wide with frustration, blurted:
"I don't even know where we are!"
"That is easily enough answered. We are in Connecticut, nearing its western border and the Hudson River. We will follow that to New York town, and then journey on south to Philadelphia."
"But, if you are a man of means, why are you here in the woods with only a horse? Isn't the war over now?"
"Yes, it's over. And, Caro, you mustn't let Ivan hear you speak of him as though he were of no consequence!" He had lowered his voice conspiratorially. "You see, he believes he is absolutely the finest horse ever born—the superior of any man." He paused. "Except me, of course."
"Of course!" Caro giggled, and Ivan peered at them suspiciously from the other side of the fire. Alec squeezed her shoulder and continued:
"To answer your question, I was inspecting a farm I recently acquired in northern Connecticut. It was left to me by one of my comrades who died at Yorktown. I am used these days to traveling light. It’s been a pleasure to be responsible to only myself; to go at my own pace and to enjoy the woods in autumn before returning to city life. Besides, I have friends in this area that I enjoy visiting. We'll be staying with them in the Hudson River Valley, and I'm hoping to borrow a horse for you."
"We will go on horseback all the way to Philadelphia?"
"No, my coach will be meeting us in New York."
"I have only one more question. Who will you say I am?"
Alec smiled with satisfaction.
"Actually, it all fits together brilliantly. You are the poor orphaned daughter of my friend from the war. Much to my surprise, you came with the farm! You'll be my ward, and it will all be cozy and respectable."
Caro felt her eyelids drooping and she smiled to herself contentedly, snuggling against Alec's broad chest.
"Well," she murmured drowsily, "I suppose I shall have to trust you...."
Page forward and explore the Raveneau Novels,
beginning with every reader's favorite,
Silver Storm
Excerpt from
Silver Storm
Special Author's Cut Edition
Raveneau Novel #1
by
Cynthia Wright
Silver Storm is the story of Devon Lindsay, a high-spirited girl who lives in New London, CT during the Revolutionary War. Since the death of her father