Paradise West (Romancing The Keys #1)

Prologue

Key West, Florida

I watched Ian sail away this morning and I thought my heart would break in two.

I finally told him last night that I had missed my courses and was certain I was in the family way.

He promised me this was the last trip, that after this he would have enough money for a respectable wedding and a home.

He gave me a small gold ring as a promise of his intentions and said he would be back within six weeks and then we would be properly wed.

I promised him I would keep a lantern lit in our Widow’s Walk every night so he can find his way back to me.

The next few weeks are sure to feel like an eternity, but I will focus on our future and can only hope that time will slip by quickly.

I received a letter from Ian today. Gordon managed to hide it before Mother saw it.

Ian’s ship is slowly making its way around Cuba and just left Baracoa for its next stop.

He says he is eager to reach home and is happy about starting our family, that we now have a reason to push past my parents’ disapproval at marrying so far beneath my station.

I am terrified to tell them, but with Ian by my side, I know I can do it.

My heart is so full of love for him that I think it will burst.

A horrible storm hit this morning and the society matrons are worried that it will become a hurricane.

The winds are relentless and have brought down so many trees.

As this storm rages, I can only think of Ian and pray with all my heart that he is safe.

If their ship stays south of Cuba, they should avoid the worst of the winds. I pray for him every night.

October 15, 1870

My mother informed me that Mr. Miller, a widowed shopkeeper, has expressed an interest in courting me.

I was afraid I would vomit on her feet. Mr. Miller is forty years old, fat, balding, and his two children are only a few years younger than me and horribly ill-mannered.

I shudder at the thought of being part of that household, of that man touching me.

I would rather jump off the pier and take my chances with the sharks than marry a man such as him.

I take strength in knowing my Ian will be back before anything can progress on that front.

As I promised, I have kept a lantern lit for him every night when the storms allow.

I know when Ian sees it, he will know it is me.

My heart sings just thinking of him and I pray for his safe and swift return.

October 17, 1870

Another terrible storm hit today so closely on the heels of the last, and it feels as if the winds will tear the house apart.

I cannot go up to the Widow’s Walk as I normally do and do not dare light the lantern.

The sound of the wind is a constant howl, as if God himself is angry.

It is so loud that one cannot even think.

I have not received a letter from Ian in over two weeks and can only hope he is safe and nearing the end of his voyage.

I felt our baby move for the first time this morning.

October 25, 1870

There is still no word from Ian or his ship and I worry constantly that something terrible has happened to him.

Gordon assures me that all is well and that the post is probably delayed from the storms. I am sure he is right.

My brother has been such a huge support to me and I don’t know what I would do without him.

He promises to help me with my parents when the time comes for us to tell them the news.

Even so, I dread that moment. I have had such horrible sickness recently that I can barely keep down my afternoon tea biscuits, and my mother has promised to send for the doctor. If she does that, I will be discovered.

October 30, 1870

It’s been six weeks since Ian left and it feels like an eternity.

I miss him so. I’ve received no letters in a month now and Gordon assures me he has watched for the post each day.

I can only hope Ian is well and on his way back to me.

My mother sent me to the dressmaker today to measure for a new wardrobe and I was terrified they would notice my growing stomach.

The change is still so small I don’t believe they noticed, but my heart was pounding frightfully the entire time.

Mother says that Mr. Miller will begin calling on me soon and the thought makes me ill. Ian, please hurry home!

November 5, 1870

My heart is broken and my world has stopped.

The ache is overwhelming. My life is over and I cannot stop sobbing.

Gordon learned today that Ian’s ship, my father’s ship, went down off the coast of Cuba in the first hurricane.

There were no survivors. My love is lost at sea, gone forever.

Whatever will I do without him? Surely I cannot survive this.