“I’m honored, lass, and should you choose the sea, you have a ship. But I fear that path might end with your neck bent on the gibbet.”

My breath stilled, and a metallic flavor rose beneath my tongue. “What about your neck? You could be captured or killed in battle. I can’t lose you.”

His gaze sank into mine. “Such big grown-up worries in your child’s eyes.” He ran a thumb across my cheekbone. “I’m careful. Which is why I cannot visit as often as I’d like.”

I didn’t remember the first time he came to me, but there wasn’t a day I didn’t know him. He’d always been a part of my life. My very own secret to cherish and protect.

When I was younger, he visited more frequently and stayed longer. Sometimes months. But as his reputation grew, so did the risks. Now I was lucky to steal a few hours with him each year.

“I have something for you.” I jumped up, retrieved the linen-wrapped package from the horse’s saddle, and proffered it to him.

Nervous energy flapped beneath my breast as he unfolded the cloth and removed the gift.

“The natives wear these on their feet.” Crouching beside him, I traced the deerskin coverings. “The women scrape and smoke the skin to make it feel soft like this.”

The shoes were gathered at the toe and sewn above and behind with a raised flap on either side. Colorfully dyed porcupine quills and white glass beads decorated the folded edges in artistic designs.

“Exquisite.” He removed his jackboots and slipped the shoes onto his bare feet. “A comfortable fit. I shall wear them every night and think of you.”

My heart turned over so hard I felt it in my throat.

“How did you acquire such a thoughtful gift?” He guided me back onto his lap and stroked my hair.

“The servants make them. The cook maid is always kind to me, and she traded them for a spool of ribbon. I was discreet.”

“You did good.”

I snuggled into the warmth of his embrace, perfectly content and blissfully happy. I loved him so deeply and so completely. It went against logic that my mother could not.

“I’ve been stowing my prizes in a safe place over the years.” He kissed my forehead. “Enough riches for you, your children, and your grandchildren.”

“I don’t care about that.”

“You will. I want you to have this.” He removed the compass that hung from a chain on his belt. “It’s a map. When you’re ready, you will follow it and claim what’s rightfully yours.”

“A map?” I cupped the gold casing and lifted the lid to reveal the navigational needle within. “I don’t see a chart.”

“It’s there if you know how to unlock it.”

I turned it over in my hands, rubbing the polished surface. “Is there a key?”