Time for Talking

It had been a week since the attack on Lily. Gregory had made an effort, several times, to speak to Arabella alone. He'd tried again this morning, right after breakfast. She, however, had scurried up to her cabin with Chloe and disappeared inside. He'd gone to make his rounds and then worked on the sea charts for the remainder of the voyage.

He knew she was avoiding him. There was no doubt about that. He'd told her not to go below deck unless she had an escort, and she'd done exactly what she'd been told not to do. He also knew he probably should take her to task for her disobedience. But since the day Lily had been attacked, all three of them seemed to be staying where they were supposed to be. He assumed Arabella had learned her lesson. In addition to that, there was a more pressing matter at hand.

He glanced toward the calendar. They would hopefully make land in a little over a week and a half. It was time to speak with her.

Strolling beside the cabins, he heard her before he saw her and turned.

"Arabella, I need to speak with you."

She turned suddenly, as if realizing he was there for the first time. Her eyes were an intense shade of emerald and filled with surprise. She opened her mouth to make an excuse, he was sure, and he scowled.

"No. No excuses, young lady. You've avoided me for a week now. It's time we talked. Chloe, please stay aboveboard. I will have her back before long." He held out his hand, and Arabella lowered her head, finally putting her small one into his.

"Come with me."

He had closed the door behind her, when he noticed how pale she was.

"You…" She gulped. "You aren't going to punish me—"

He frowned. "For what?"

"Nothing."

His mouth rose on one side. "For being below deck, the day Lily was attacked?" When she nodded, he grinned. "I should. But, right now, I think that event scared all of you enough that I won't have to worry about your disobedience for a while. No, there is another reason I've asked you here."

Her chin rose. "But you didn't. You ordered me here."

Gregory considered her words, watching her. "So I did. Come, Arabella. I have some questions for you."

She blinked, looking up, and when he tugged on her hand, she moved forward.

"Sit down, relax, and listen carefully."

She sat.

Gregory sat opposite her and pulled his chair forward. Leaning toward her, he took both hands in his.

"Arabella, I looked over the letter again from your father and, also, the one from Mr. Picou. There is nothing that indicated to me he intended for the both of you to be on the same vessel. First, I want you to tell me what you know about him."

She bit her lip. It was an awkward question.

"He seemed nice enough when I first met him. But there were things about him that worried me. He seemed to have much more interest in talking with Papa than with me. He took me for a drive a few times in the park, with a chaperone. But he—" She stopped, blinking.

"Go on," he prompted gently.

"He didn't seem truly interested in me. Only the connection with my family."

"Do you trust him?"

She stared down at his hands that held hers, before looking up into his eyes. "At first, I had no reason to distrust him," she said, frowning. "Until the night Lily and I spoke out on the deck, and I realized that she…" her voice became a whisper "…and I…were both to marry the same man. Then, I saw the letter. He'd referred to her as his secretary. She said, later, she suspected he had no intention of marrying her—that he only wanted her for a 'mistress'. It must have been awful for her." She slowly raised her gaze to his. "Now, I don't trust him at all. He was horrible to lead her on. And then, I began to wonder."

He waited, watching her small face. "You began to wonder if he was considering doing the same thing to you."

She nodded miserably.

"Were you consulted about this arrangement, Arabella?"

Immediately, she withdrew her hands and stood up. She was pacing around the table within seconds. He let her go, watching.

"No," she said, angrily. "No one asked me. My father told me, two weeks before I was to leave. I pleaded with him. My mother pleaded with him, but it did no good." She stopped and turned, her eyes fierce. "I hate the thought of marrying him," she said, pausing. "But I don't know what else to do. Look how he treated Lily. Will he do the same to me? What can I do?" She took a step toward him, her eyes pleading.

"Sir, would you agree to let me hide somewhere inside the ship until she sails again to England? You could tell him I missed the boat—that I was lost at sea—you could tell him—" She stopped when he put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her closer to him.

"I won't lie for you, Arabella. And you are not to lie, either."

"But I would be glad to work on the ship, sir. I'm strong—" She had tears in her eyes when she turned to look at him. "I can't marry him, Captain; I-I don't know what to do. I'm so afraid."

Gregory had heard her say that once before, on the first night of the voyage, when she talked in her sleep. He rose and reached across the table for her, drawing her down around the end and toward him.

"Then, don't, Arabella."

Her eyes opened wide, hopefully. "You would let me work, then?"

"No."

"But I can't make the voyage back without paying you, and—"

"I can't allow you to go through with marriage to Picou."

"But—if I can't work—then I have to go through with it. You don't understand."

"I understand more than you know." He had her shoulders in his grasp now. "I understand fully, that you have a choice to make, Arabella. You'll either have to refuse him and come back with me, or you'll have to stay and accept whatever demands he makes of you." He scowled down into her frightened face. "And I know this. I cannot stand the thought of leaving you there on the dock with him, But, if that's your decision, I also know that once I pull the Charlotte away from the dock, young lady, you'll be totally defenseless. You'll be at his mercy." His voice seemed saddened. "And I might never know what happened to you."

"Then let me come back with you. Please!"

"Arabella, I want you to come back with me. I may not give you a choice, if I feel you're in danger. But I can't allow you to work off your passage. I will, however, give you another option."

She stared. "What's that?"

"Marry me, instead."

She pulled out of his arms, staring in disbelief.

He nodded. "You heard me."

"You're offering out of pity. I can't accept an offer of marriage on those terms."

Anger flashed in his dark eyes. "Don't you dare assign motives to me, young lady. You have no idea why I'm offering."

"I do. You'd never want to be saddled with me aboard ship. Gregory, don't you see? What would you do with me once we were married? Leave me on land to go and sail the seas? No. I refuse to be left behind."

"I have no intention of leaving you at home while I'm at sea." His voice seemed to have dropped an octave as he stared down at her.

She looked up, searching his eyes. "What would you do with me, then?"

"Keep you at my side. Always."

Her mouth opened then closed again. Her gaze had dropped to his chest as he continued.

"I will never marry for the sake of convenience. And I will never marry out of pity—it would make for a most pathetic existence. When I marry, it will only be because of love."

She tried to move away, but his grip on her shoulders tightened. "Hear me out, Arabella. Please."

There was a tone in his voice that made her pause. His eyes were gentle. "The first time I saw you down on the dock, standing alone, looking so lost, my heart was pledged to you. I was gone. I can't explain it any better, and I don't expect you to understand. But if I didn't tell you, I'd never forgive myself."

Her eyes were large with hope, and she swallowed, searching his own. He leaned over and kissed her forehead.

"I won't always be a sea captain, Arabella. But when I marry, I will have my wife beside me, wherever I am. Whether I'm on land or at sea. Or in the marketplace. Or in the Tower of London." He was grinning now, and she swallowed, hard.

She was blinking. "I-I'm honored, sir, but I can't—"

"You can. I want you to think about it. Arabella." He paused, meeting her eyes. "You and I—there is something between us. You know it as well as I. Do you deny it?"

She raised her eyes slowly to his. Searching his eyes, she shook her head.

"I know it is soon for you." He held her close and leaned down to kiss her mouth. "But know this, I love you, Arabella."

A sharp intake of breath was heard. "I-I—"

"Shh. Don't say it yet. Just think about it." He sat down in the chair and lifted her into his lap. "Tell me," he said, staring down at her. "What happens to you if you return home without marrying Picou?"

She gulped and swallowed hard. "My father will disown me for letting the family down."

His eyes didn't leave her face. "But this is your life, Arabella. Not his. And you deserve happiness." He held her there, his dark eyes boring into hers. "Please, think about my offer."

She paused, and he could see that she was blinking back tears.

"You are very gracious, sir, but I must kindly refuse—" Before she could finish, his mouth covered hers, and his tongue took deep possession. Hers answered. His hands fisted in her hair, refusing to allow her escape, before he, at last, raised his head. His eyes were dilated and dark, hers, pale with uncertainty.

"Gracious, Arabella?" he said in a husky growl. "I hardly think so. When it comes to you, I'm a very selfish and jealous man."

She gasped sharply and pulled abruptly out of his arms, tearing toward the door, with one hand clasped to her mouth, still feeling the depth of his kiss.

Then, suddenly, she turned back to face him and approached.

"How dare you!"

His face was grim. "How dare I?"

"You think you can order me about like a—a puppet? I am not one of your crewmen! I have a mind of my own, and I can make my own decisions. And I don't take orders from anyone!"

He caught her arm and brought her close. His face was inches from hers. "So, you don't take orders? Not even from Picou?"

She gasped at him and jerked away.

This time, he let her go. She bolted toward the cabin door and jerked it open, running outside and slamming it behind her.

He could hear her footfalls as she disappeared toward her cabin. With a sigh, he turned back to the windows that lined the stern, muttering to himself. "Well, damn you, Smythe. You blew that straight to bloody hell."

* * *

Becalmed

Gregory was sitting at the table with sea charts around him and instruments in hand, plotting the course of the Charlotte, when Earl's familiar pounding on the door caused him to look up.

"Come in, Earl. You know you needn't knock."

Earl's face was grave. "We're becalmed. She can't steer the course she needs."

Gregory gave him a brief glance and grabbed the sea chart once more. Rising to his feet, he strode past him to the door. "On my way. We need to change course."

"Captain!" A shout from above was heard, and he craned his neck to look upward. The lookout from the crow's nest had his attention now. Quickly, he climbed upward on the rope and eased over the top.

"What is it?"

"Look." The seaman shoved the telescope into his hand and pointed. "Directly behind."

Gregory peered through the instrument carefully at the ship carrying the black flag. His mouth became grim. "Privateers. Jean Luc Poche from the Mermaid's Revenge. How long have they been there?" he demanded.

"Just now. It's the first time I've seen them. I swear it, Captain. I've heard of her."

"So have I." Gregory nodded, scowling. Leaning down over the edge, he could see that Earl had assembled the crew and they awaited orders.

"Hoist the outer jib," he called downward. "Man the cannons!"

They scurried into action. A moment later, he looked toward the stern.

"Haul out the spanker."

Glancing downward again, he could see that Arabella was standing outside her cabin, watching. Her small hands were clasped in front of her chest. She looked as if she wanted to speak with him, but there was no time for that now.

"Keep an eye out. I'll send up help." He swung out over the rope and began to make his way down. His next command was to the crew, working tirelessly. "Brace 'round forward," he called out. He prayed for wind.

When he reached the deck, Benny stood in front of him. "I'll go up, Cap'n."

Gregory nodded. "Run to my cabin for the extra scope. It's on the table."

"Yes, sir, Cap'n." Benny hurried away and, a moment later, was scrambling up the ropes toward the crow's nest.

Arabella was moving his direction now, watching as the sails obeyed, but he moved toward the ship's helm as he reached the deck and kept his eye on the compass, watching.

"Set the courses." He strained to see the crow's nest. Both men were watching diligently.

"Mercer? Benny?"

He stepped back. Both men were on the nest now, and, at length, they leaned down and gave the 'all clear'. The distant ship was no longer within sight. Gregory stood, eyeing the compass a moment longer, and then sighed as a slight wind fluttered. He glanced backward to see if Bella was still there and frowned.

Arabella was gone.

Abruptly, he moved toward the bow, stopping by her cabin, and pounded on the door. He heard movement inside. As soon as it opened, he stepped in and took her by the shoulders.

"What is it, sir?" Her voice was tremulous.

"There is a likelihood we're being followed by privateers, Arabella. I won't lie to you. But if I give you an order to go below deck and hide in steerage, you are to take Chloe and Lily with you and go down immediately. I want to know you understand."

Her eyes were huge. "I understand, sir," she said quietly.

"Good. No matter what happens between here and land, I must know you're safe."

* * *

Seeing his Face

The closer they got to their destination, the more anxious Bella found herself. Her stomach rolled with every wave that crashed into the Charlotte. She was not sure if it was caused by seasickness or a broken heart.

She was unsure of how it happened, but, indeed, it had. She had fallen in love with Gregory Smythe. Wherever she went, whatever she did, his face haunted her. His smile dared her to forget him.

"Bella, you know he loves you,” Chloe’s voice spoke from behind her. “Why can’t you…

Bella stared at her. She wasn't about to tell Chloe that Gregory had already confessed his love for her.

"Wait. Someone's at the door. Probably Lily." Chloe immediately rose to answer it.

"I decided to come and check on you, Bella." Lily's voice was sympathetic. "You seem sad these days. Can I help?"

Arabella smiled. "Just having you here helps. Thank you."

"I hope it's not the captain."

Bella only smiled. But Chloe, sensing Bella's inner turmoil, had been flanking her side at every opportunity. For a full week now, Bella had done her best to avoid the captain. She knew he had claimed Bella's heart.

"The captain is fine, Lily," Chloe said.

Lily glanced at her, then at Bella, and stood up to pace.

"Our world is doomed to end violently and foolishly, with men running it." She sighed. "It's too bad we can't just stay on the ship, instead of getting off at New Orleans. The captain may be bossy, but he's dependable and trustworthy." She glanced toward Bella. "And he would never consider sending for his wife and mistress on the same vessel."

Bella remembered what Gregory had said to her. "I don't know if Mr. Picou realized we would be on the same ship," she said. "I wasn't supposed to sail to America so soon. When my father learned that the Charlotte had passenger space and was setting course for the area, he rushed to pack me up and send me off." Thinking about her family made her stomach lurch even more.

Lily stopped, sitting down on the bed next to Bella.

"If things become too hard for you, you can always come and stay with me. At least I've been promised my own place. You'll be safe there."

Arabella nodded. "Thank you, Lily. That means a lot to me. I wish I knew what's going to happen when we arrive."

She considered what Gregory had said in his cabin. What would happen if she refused to marry him? On top of that, she wondered if Picou himself might possibly change his mind. Perhaps he might decide he no longer wanted to marry her. Where would she go? How would she survive?

Gregory's stern face appeared before her yet again. Allow him to make the ultimate sacrifice, he seemed to say, and all her problems would be solved. If only life was that easy. Her father had made an agreement as her legal guardian. Wasn't she legally bound to honor it? Even if not, was she selfish enough to ruin her captain's future just to protect her own?

"I don't know if he intended for us to be on the same ship," Lily said, interrupting Bella's thoughts. "But Claude Picou is a scoundrel. Once we arrive in New Orleans, my reputation will be destroyed. Even a man of lowly means, like Earl, will be ashamed to seek my hand in marriage. Bella, you should turn your efforts toward Captain Smythe. He would most likely leap at the chance to make a marriage with you. You are from a titled family. He would be lucky to have someone like you as a wife."

Bella couldn't bring herself to tell Lily the captain had already offered. Instead, she shook her head. "I already have one intended too many," she said, bristling. "And titles mean nothing here in America. Even so, my refusal to marry Mr. Picou would cause my father to disown me." She realized that Chloe was staring at her and stopped. It was a moment before she spoke again.

"I think women should be allowed to work as sailors on a ship like the Charlotte. I know my way around, and aside from taking a watch in the crow's nest, I think I might be able to handle at least some of the chores."

"The food is not as horrible as I first feared," Lily admitted.

"And the apples are delicious." Bella reminded her. "And although I know Gregory would be a tough taskmaster, at least, he would be fair and noble, neither of which Mr. Picou seems to be."

"I might not be able to hoist up the heavy sails, but I could scrub the decks with rags and buckets. The crewmen do seem to be scrubbing the ship night and day." Lily pursed her lips a bit. She had done far worse jobs before. Maybe being a sailor was not such an odd notion.

Chloe lost what was left of her patience, looking from one to the other. "You've both lost your minds," she said severely. "You have no idea what you are suggesting. Men don't like having women aboard ships. They consider us bad luck, at best, and nuisances, at least. The day the sailors carried the crate I was hiding in aboard ship, I heard them talking. They knew women had booked passage, and they were quite spooked about staying on for the journey. They stayed because of their loyalty to the captain."

"Well," Lily said, not ready to give up hope yet. "We proved them wrong. Nothing bad has happened."

"Except for the food," Bella suggested. "But that was nothing to do with us."

"And the stowaways," Chloe pointed out, grinning.

"Sending Bella up to the crow's nest seemed to annoy a lot of people." Lily subconsciously rubbed her backside. Though that correction happened weeks ago, it still made her pause to think about repeating it.

"The attack by Miller, but that wasn't our fault," Bella told Lily. "We know he'd been sampling the whiskey."

"But it wouldn't have happened, had we not been here." Chloe's face was grim. "And the ship with the black flag the captain spotted following us? It still might be tailing behind us, waiting to attack when we lest expect it."

Lily eyed the younger girl for a moment. "Chloe, if pirates were going to attack us, they would have done it by now. And I'm beginning to think all those rumors about pirates attacking ships sailing the oceans are just fairy tales. I'm thinking they're not true, merely a ploy to scare off women." Lily crossed her arms under her chest and pursed her lips.

Chloe's mouth became tight. "Think what you like, Lily. But they are out there. You can choose to be stupid and ignore the risks at your own peril."

Bella shook her head. "Gregory himself told me he'd seen privateers following us. I know it's true."

Late that night, Chloe cornered Bella when Lily was not around. "You love him, Arabella. Why are you pretending you don't?"

"Because I'm promised to another man." Bella groaned. "Even if I loved him, what good would it do? Gregory is a man of plans and procedures. Having to deal with a wife will only complicate his life. It would be so unfair to him for me to marry him."

Chloe's blue eyes widened, and her voice became demanding. "Are English women all so stubborn? Or are you and Lily the only ones? Go to him, my friend. Talk to him about your fears. Give him a chance to help you figure out what's best for you both."

Tears glistened, and Bella blinked. "Sometimes, Chloe, love is not enough," she offered before her stomach knotted tightly again. She turned away, hoping Chloe would miss the telltale tears. "I'm tired. I think I should sleep now."