“No,” she said, surprised to find she meant it. “That’s behind us now. The important thing is that we never really loved anyone else, that our hearts have always belonged to each other. Oh, Steve, it’s all that’s important!”

“Ginny—”

“You don’t need to remind me of all that’s happened between us, because, believe me, I remember it far too well to ever forget. But I do know that despite everything—or, maybe in some strange way because of it—we’ve always loved each other that much stronger. I’ll admit that I’ve been jealous of you, of your women like Concepciόn and Francesca di Paoli, even the arrogant Miss Lorna Prendergast and her obvious designs on you. Does that surprise you?”

“Only that you admit to it.” A wry smile twisted his mouth as he stared at her, his eyes half-lidded and slightly wary.

“Well, why shouldn’t I? This is a night for confession, for the truth. No more ghosts, Steve.”

“Yeah, maybe you’re right.” After a pause he said, as if to himself, “I haven’t always made the right decisions. For a long time I thought I knew what I wanted from life, from myself. It was enough to do what was right at the moment. If I hadn’t met you, maybe I would never have felt any differently. But you, green-eyes, changed everything.

“When I was in Cuba, I was told you were dead. Maria Felipa, Cuban leader Julien Zuleta’s daughter, took great pleasure in informing me of your death. I felt responsible. It didn’t matter that you weren’t with me when you had your accident. You were my wife, and I should have protected you, should have been with you instead of letting you go off with Andre Delery. I blamed myself for a long time. It ate at me…turned me into a man I didn’t know anymore. Hell, for the first time since I was a kid, I felt utterly lost and bereft.”

His eyes met hers. “I wanted you and knew I’d never have you again. It was the worst time of my life. I tried to forget you even though I knew that I couldn’t, that nothing and no one could replace you. But I still tried.”

When he drew in a deep breath, she put her fingers over his lips and shook her head. “I know. You told me about her. The woman you asked to go away with you. But now I’m here, and we’re together. Nothing can hurt us if we refuse to let it. Don’t, Steve, don’t tell me anymore. I can’t bear to hear it….”

Silence fell between them, the creaking of the schooner a familiar counterpoint. Water sluiced against the sides in a steady whoosh and the muted snap of canvas sails was like the beat of giant wings against the wind.