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screwed-up her second chance. “Celeste? I need your help.” And fast. Ian said her only use was finding Alicia. After that…
    “You’re awake.” Ian marched into the room. “Good.”
    “No.” She wrapped the blanket tighter, ready for battle. “I never slept.”
    He stopped, frowned, then cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing beneath her eyes. Guilt and exhaustion pinched his features. Apparently he hadn’t slept either. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so harsh with you.” He hesitated then brushed a kiss to her forehead, her nose, her mouth.
    Dear God, just like her Ian used to do.
    “I— my patience is not what it should be since the disappearance of my sister.” His words caressed her cheek.
    Hope surged through her like a caffeine rush. “You believe me then? About my not helping Daniel?” Maybe, just maybe, they could make this work.
    He sighed. “I believe Daniel took advantage of your naïveté. I believe you didn’t know people would get hurt by your actions.”
    Not exactly the enthusiastic answer she hoped for, but since she couldn’t really explain about Daniel, it would have to do. “So can we move forward from here?”
    “We’ll reach Jamaica soon, yes.” He dropped his hand and drifted to the window.
    Geez, was he being deliberately dumb?
    “That’s not what I meant. Are you ready to work on our marriage?”
    One dark brow dipped. “I don’t understand what you mean.”
    Okay, maybe he didn’t. Their problems started when they stopped understanding each other. This time, she had to be clear, spell out exactly what she needed from him.
    She leaned on the desk. “I want to be your wife, but I want you to trust me. Believe in me. We can be partners, work together.”
    He shook his head. “Women want a home, some place they feel safe.”
    “Says who? Besides, was Alicia safe at home?” He flinched, pain tightening his expression. “Sorry. Look, I know most women want that kind of life. But I don’t. I want adventure, and I feel safe when I’m with you.”
    A haunted smile lifted the corner of his mouth. “Izzy, while I appreciate your faith in me, I’d rather you stay at home. After all, you can’t raise children aboard ship.”
    Children? Whoa. They had never decided one way or another, and she didn’t like any decisions being made for her. That had been the problem before.
    “So I’m supposed to stay home, barefoot and pregnant. Is that what you’re saying?”
    Confusion knitted his brows. “I can afford my wife shoes— but, otherwise yes.”
    “How about consideration? Can you afford me some of that?”
    He frowned.
    She took his hand. “Look, Ian, marriage is all about compromise. I wish it wasn’t— I wish real life was like a romance book— but it’s not. Life is picking up dirty socks and cleaning toilets and fighting…and, and compromise. That’s what we have to learn to do.”
    “Izzy, just tell me what you want.”
    “To be with you. To work with you. I want love and adventure.”
    He hung his head and blew out a long sigh. “I suppose once this problem with Daniel is settled , you could take an occasional trip with me.” He held up a finger. “A short trip, when I began running as a merchant vessel. Otherwise, I need you to stay home and keep watch over Alicia until I can find her a suitable husband— if I can find her a suitable husband.”
    Disbelief sucker-punched her. He didn’t want her because he cared, he’d just found another way she could be useful. She dropped his hand and paced. “You want me to watch your sister?”
    “Not want, need.”
    “No.” This had to be the part where she fought for what she wanted. And she wanted Ian’s heart, his respect, the life they had planned together.
    His jaw tightened. “Isabella, I am your husband. Wives are supposed to listen to their husbands. Besides, you just said we must compromise.”
    “An occasional boat ride isn’t compromising.” She shook her head. “I’ll help you find