Lie to Me (Pearl Island Trilogy #4)(85)

And they had been apart a long time, Chloe realized. For a hundred and fifty years, Marguerite had been tied to the house with Jack trapped on his ship. The punishment seemed far too harsh for Marguerite’s well-intentioned sacrifice.

In the reflection, Marguerite glanced over her shoulder. When she looked back, a smile softened her face. Find your courage to fight for love, mon cher, to follow your heart. Wherever love leads you is the place where you belong.

Marguerite turned and started walking down the beach. Chloe struggled to keep the mirror turned so she could watch her. The further Marguerite moved away, the more Chloe could see of her full body. She wore a beautiful, full-skirted, lavender dress with lace trim. Then Chloe saw another figure in the mirror.

“Captain Jack,” she breathed. He looked every bit as dashing as she’d always imagined, wearing a full-sleeved white shirt, skin-tight black breeches, and thigh-high jackboots. He held his hand out to Marguerite. She took it, tilting her face to him. Leaning down, he brushed a kiss to her mouth. When he lifted his head, he looked at Chloe and smiled before he led Marguerite farther down the beach.

They faded away until the mirror reflected only waves lapping at the sand.

“Whoa.” Chloe lowered the mirror. Had that really just happened?

As her shock faded, Marguerite’s words sank in. Marguerite wished she’d let Jack fight with her. Hadn’t Luc said the same when they’d played Vortal as allies? That she needed to trust him more?

Could they both be right? John was formidable, but Luc was smart and determined when going after what he wanted. His cunning combined with her experience with John’s tactics could form a mighty force if they stood united. She’d been tempered by years of enduring her family’s fire. She’d learned to stand on her own and brave any pain, but maybe the time had come for her to stop standing alone.

Fear fluttered through her at the possible consequences. So many people could get hurt if she followed her heart.

Struggling with what to do, she glanced up the beach in the direction of the inn. Her breath caught at the sight of Luc walking toward her. She rose in a rush, then stood frozen in place. Her heart raced at the thought that he’d come for her.

~ ~ ~

Luc watched surprise wash over Chloe’s face as he drew closer. Then his gaze dropped to her hands and he saw what she held. The necklace. Too many emotions hit him at once for him to sort through them.

“Luc,” she said breathlessly when he reached her. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to settle something with you,” he told her, anxiety forming a band around his chest.

“Yes?” She looked so wary, yet so beautiful with the wind lifting her hair, he wanted to take her in his arms and just hold her. He couldn’t do that, though, until she decided to trust him enough to fight for what they had, and to let him fight by her side.

“I know I said to give John the necklace, but I’ve changed my mind.” He looked down at the piece, longing to touch it but resisting that need. “If you do that, he wins. I can’t let that happen. Not because I care about the necklace, but because I care about you. I’d rather see you throw the necklace in the cove than have you give in to John’s threats.”

“You can’t mean that.” Her eyes widened.

“I do,” he insisted. “Let him take away your trust fund. Let him threaten to cut you off from your family. Once Diane marries Harold, John’s threats will be meaningless. You’ll have Harold Bradford as a stepfather, and he’s not the kind of man who will let a bully like John LeRoche use wealth to control the people he loves.”

Chloe’s eyebrows went up. “You’ve been thinking about this quite a bit.”

“It’s a long drive from New Orleans.”

“You drove?” She looked at the sky, confirming the sun hadn’t climbed any higher than mid-morning.

“All night,” he told her, thinking of the miserable hours he’d spent with his emotions in knots. “I had a lot of time to think, and I spent most of it thinking about you.” Giving into need, he cupped her face in one hand. “You’re stronger than this, Chloe. You’re brave enough to stand up to a tyrant like John LeRoche.”

“I can stand anything,” she told him, her eyes watering. “Except the thought of him hurting you.”

“I’d like to see him try.” He dropped his hand as fury at John filled him. “Or do you think I lack the nerve to fight back?”

“No.” Wonder filled her face as she grabbed his hand. “I don’t think you lack anything.”

“Then don’t stand in front of me trying to shield me when you could stand beside me.”

“I’m sorry.” She blinked rapidly.

The sight of her tears slammed the brakes on his rant. He was angry for her, not at her. Didn’t she know that?

“It’s okay.” Stepping closer, he cupped her face again. His voice gentled but lost none of his conviction. “It’s time to fight back. But let me fight with you. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, but whatever he throws at us, we stand together. All right?”

She looked up at him a long time before she swallowed. “All right.”

“Seriously?” He blinked.

“Because you’re right. What we have is worth fighting for. Whatever happens, I want to be with you.” Joy and conviction blossomed over her face. “But I’m not throwing the necklace into the cove. I’ll give it to your grandmother, and then move in with you.”