Unknown by Unknown

man isn’t he? Not overly handsome but he is so commanding he makes you look twice. I felt my heart skip when we were introduced.”
    Touching Greta’s hand, Lady Deborah seemed to tremble.
    “A touch of humors,” her friend asked.
    “No, it’s just that… that, well Greta, we’ve had no secrets between you and me. I don’t want to be disloyal to the memory of Lord McKean, but I feel like… like a young girl when I’m close to Captain Anthony. I think I’ve found the man I could love.”
    Greta was touched by her friend’s admission, but not surprised. She had known the marriage between Deborah and Lord McKean had been an arrangement. Greta took the glass of wine from her friend’s hand and turned her so they were facing each other.
    “Deborah, you listen to me. Lord McKean was a good man, but he’s dead. Life is short and out here in the islands it’s shorter still. You deserve some happiness in your life. Go to him. Let him know how you feel. We can’t be assured of tomorrow so live it for today and to hell with the rest. Besides, some other devilish imp will get her clutches on him if you wait. Now go to him now and let him know how you feel. I’ll help arrange a discreet meeting later.”
    Anthony could not for the life of him remember half of the guests the commodore introduced to him. Never had he shaken so many hands or bowed to so many ladies in one evening. Nor could he remember drinking so much. Scarcely had his glass been emptied before it was refilled, or replaced. Anthony’s officers were all being entertained like conquering heroes. Much was made of the pirates murdering Lord McKean, and Drakkar’s sudden arrival. Turning, Anthony spied Buck in deep conversation with a boldly dressed woman. Her bosom was so open it scarcely left anything to the imagination.
    Anthony felt a hand on his upper arm. Turning, he felt like the room was spinning. She was here standing before him. He felt his chest tighten.
    “Lady McKean.”
    “Lord Anthony.” She was dressed in black, but still she was here.
    “I’m very pleased to see you,” Anthony said. “I was not sure you would be here, considering all you’ve been through.”
    Lady McKean looked at Anthony, and he was not quite sure how to take her next words. “But sir, you are my rescuer. This reception is in your honor. How could I not be present?” They had moved toward an open window in search of a little breeze. “Did you know my husband?”
    Anthony was caught off guard, “Madam?”
    “Did you know my husband?” she asked again.
    “No, my lady, I never had the honor.”
    “Lord McKean was of Scottish descent. He came from a titled family of long standing. Titled, but impoverished. Ours was an arranged marriage. My father was a tradesman—a rich, powerful tradesman, but still a tradesman. Being a tradesman meant he wasn’t completely accepted as a gentleman. This pained my father. He wanted a son, but he had a daughter. He hoped that by my marriage to Lord McKean, he would have titled grandsons. We had a son but lost him to the fever. I’ve had no others. Now my son, my father, and my husband are all gone. When we were attacked, we were headed to Barbados to meet some of my husband’s friends. They were giving him a birthday party. His seventy-fifth.”
    Anthony was astounded. Thinking aloud he said, “He was old enough to be your father.”
    “One year younger than my father,” she replied. I was never quite sure if the reason we didn’t have any children was my fault or his. But at his age I felt it might have been his.’’
    Anthony didn’t know what to say about this discovery but muttered, “Did you love him?”
    Lady McKean looked somewhat hurt, “As I said, ours was an arranged marriage. But after a fashion, I guess I did. He was a good and caring man. He dearly loved me, and so I tried to make him happy. I was faithful.”
    “Dear God! I should he ashamed of myself,” Anthony said. “I have no right.”
    “You