Plans

He'd said it. Gregory cursed himself as he left Arabella sitting on the edge of the bed and went back to her cabin to retrieve Chloe. The young lady he had just disciplined soundly had only looked up at him as if she didn't know what to say.

The captain bit back a smile at the picture she had presented as he was about to punish her. Arabella St. John was a beautiful little thing. Her waist was slender, her hips deliciously rounded, and her backside heart-shaped. While her legs were petite with stockings that tied just above her knees, they were slender and perfect.

She was perfect.

He was almost to her cabin when he heard it—the sound of shrieking, punctuated by the sound of hard slaps on bare skin. Earl was lecturing and making no attempt to keep his voice down.

Gregory paused, nodding. "About time," he said.

* * *

He arrived back at his cabin with Chloe in tow, a few moments later, to find Arabella curled up on his bed, her feet drawn up, her cheek resting on her hand. Her long lashes still showed traces of tears.

"Arabella," he said, leaning down next to her ear. "Chloe is here. We need to make plans."

Her eyes fluttered open, and he lifted her, setting her against the headboard, among the pillows. She rubbed her eyes, looking from one to the other. Chloe smiled at her.

"Chloe, I need to know about the others with you." Gregory tried to make his voice gentle.

She didn't speak for a long time. Finally, she answered, "They are good people, sir. But they've been into the whiskey and the beer. I…" She paused. "I moved up to the second floor to get away. We all stole from the food. But I think the men, mostly." She continued, looking up at him ruefully. "They got into the whiskey. Too much. We brought a little food with us, too. But we couldn't cook it without someone finding out we were here."

Gregory was listening thoughtfully.

Arabella's eyes were large as she spoke. "So you were the rodent!" Chloe appeared shocked, and she continued. "I saw shadows the first day I was down there. I thought it was a big rat. It was you?"

Chloe laughed. "Yes, miss Bella. It was probably me you heard, or it might have been Cooper."

Gregory, however, wasn't laughing. "Chloe, you realize you can't stay down in steerage with the rest of them. Or on the second deck. It's not safe for you. Can you show me where they are? I have an idea what we might be able to do."

"Yes, sir. I'll show you. But—what would you have me do?"

Gregory frowned. "Arabella's father paid for the passage of a young lady who was to be a lady's maid to her. I don't suppose you know anything about that?"

Her eyes large, she shook her head.

"No, I thought not. Do you have any experience as one? You speak very well."

Another shake. "But I would be happy to learn. And I read, sir."

He turned to Bella. "This is agreeable with you, Arabella? To have Chloe act as your lady's maid and stay with you?"

Arabella was nodding vigorously at him. "Yes, sir."

"It would do several things—provide meals for Chloe, provide safety for her. I have the paid receipt that says she is a passenger aboard the ship. Chloe, your last name?"

"Cates, sir."

"The receipt I have is for a Miss Tucker. So, from here on, you will be known as Chloe Tucker. Understood?"

"Yes, sir."

"And you will follow all the rules I give Arabella. If not, both of you will answer to me. Still—Chloe, listen to me. Neither of you may go below deck without my knowledge and permission. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir."

"The commander and I will take care of letting the others know that Chloe is your missing lady's maid, Arabella." He nodded toward Chloe. "You are to come with me. Miss St. John, I will walk you to your cabin—and you will stay there. Is that quite clear?"

Arabella, standing in front of him, troubled her lip with her teeth and nodded. Gregory led both of them down the corridor toward her cabin and opened the door for her. Lifting her chin, he spoke softly. "You're exhausted, Arabella. I want you to lie down. I'll bring Chloe back after we have finished."

Her eyes were reproachful, but she nodded and went inside. As he closed the door, Earl came out of Lily's cabin. "Accompany us, Commander? I'll explain later, but I need your help. We have found our Miss Tucker."

Earl grinned. "I'm eager to hear this one, Captain."

They took Chloe down with them, but when they reached the second deck, Gregory asked her to show him the areas in which they'd been taking food. She showed him the fruit, the oatmeal, the whiskey and beer, and some of the water. The hardtack that had been prepared ahead of time had also been used.

But as they reached steerage, they stopped. Three men were relaxed on the floor, lolling against the sides of the ship. Several more were asleep, and one older, well-endowed woman was present. She stood; the rest of them did not. But their large dark eyes stared at the captain and the commander.

"Hey, Cap'n." One of the older men grinned, drawing out his words slowly but quite good-naturedly. "Thought you'd find us before now."

"Benny. Stand up. Be polite." The woman next to him scowled and poked him in the ribs.

He laughed. "Leave me be, woman. Can't stand. Too much whiskey. Too drunk."

"I see that." Gregory was trying to be severe, but instead, found himself grinning. He turned toward the woman next to him, whose dark eyes showed white all the way around them. "Ma'am? Can you tell me where they've been getting the whiskey?"

"On the next deck up, Mr. Cap'n. Sorry."

"They have none down here?"

She glanced back at the man she'd addressed as Benny and stood. "Show you."

"Thank you. Your name, ma'am?"

"Sarah. Married to Benny." She jerked a thumb backward to the man on the floor.

Gregory followed her to the crates in steerage and nodded. There were several containing whiskey, beer, and fruit. And a few empty ones. He nodded, turning to her.

"My men will remove these immediately, ma'am. But we'll bring you other things to replace it. Can you cook the meals in the steerage kitchen, if we bring you down enough food?"

Her eyes widened eagerly. "Yes, sir. I cook real good."

He nodded. "I'll be back. But I want the men sober and able to think, when I come to speak with them. I'll send down blankets. The hammocks are in the berth."

"Yes, sir. We found 'em already."

He nodded. "But I need to make plans, first."

She nodded toward Chloe. "Chloe tell you we were here?"

"No, ma'am." His voice was quiet. "The disappearing provisions told us you were here."

But Sarah put a hand on his arm, speaking softly. "Cap'n, I need to talk to you. 'Bout Chloe." Then she motioned toward the young girl. "You all right, child?"

"Yes, ma'am. I'm all right."

Sarah hugged her tight, as she sent a glance upward at Gregory. It caused him to turn.

"Earl, take Miss Chloe back to Miss St. John's room, please?" He waited until they had gone and then turned back to Sarah. "You wanted to tell me something?"

"'Bout the girl. She's smart, Cap'n. She was the daughter of mixed parents and went to school. Her ma died, and her pa married again. The new woman wasn't good to Chloe, so Benny and me—we took her in. She reads and writes. She's a good girl, Cap'n. But it ain't safe for her down here. She's scared. Been stayin' up on the next level, cause some of the men been so drunk. Understand?"

"I understand. I have a place for her to stay that's safe. You needn't worry. Thank you, Sarah. I appreciate your help. We'll get you provisions to cook for supper, but, for dinner, we'll send some down. You can be in charge of distributing them. The men will need something besides whiskey in their bellies before they sober up."

* * *

The next morning, however, proved to be profitable. The visit of Earl and Gregory with the now sober but hungover men accomplished several things. They were tired of lying around. They were willing to work for food. Gregory explained how things would work aboard the ship and hired them temporarily. Four would be in charge of fishing. That would help extend the food until they reached their destination. Five would help aboveboard. The cook would bring down food for meals, and the woman named Sarah would do the cooking in the steerage kitchen, three times a day. They seemed delighted at the prospect of eating regular meals.

Gregory turned to Earl, once they were out of earshot. "Well, we're set," he said. "And we'd both better hope and pray this works."

* * *

Arabella was amazed at how the captain laid the ground work among the crew for the cover story about the recently introduced passengers on board. He greeted Bella and her companion the next morning, as they entered the dining room. "Miss Tucker," he said with a slight bow. "I'm glad to see you are feeling well again. I feared you would spend the entire trip sequestered on the lower deck with the other ill passengers. Now that you're well, we'll need to move you to another room so you won't be exposed to more illnesses. Miss St. John, I assume you are pleased to have your lady's maid back."

"Lady's maid, my arse!" Lily muttered as Chloe was introduced.

"Keep looking for trouble, and it will be your arse," Earl muttered in her ear before standing up to welcome them.

"May I inquire if you, too, are a future bride heading to New Orleans? There seems to be an abundance of us aboard the Charlotte."

Bella watched in dismay as Lily appeared to forge a bewildered look when Earl caught her eye. "I was making polite conversation, Commander. Quit your scowling. You might be a rather attractive man if you did not frown so often."

Bella choked on her oatmeal, and the captain slapped her lightly on the back. How odd of Lily to think Earl did not smile. She chanced a quick glance up toward Gregory, remembering when she once thought he was too stern to show his marvelous, wide grin.

"Are you all right, Arabella?" he asked, concerned, next to her ear.

She smiled. "I'm fine, Captain." But as she met his eyes, she realized how attracted to him she'd been since boarding that first day. She had worked hard at trying to find fault with him. Was Lily doing the same with Earl? How amusing it would be to see Claude Picou shown up by one of his women falling in love with another man? She admitted to herself silently that she was already half in love with Gregory but unable to act upon her feelings.

She sneaked a peek at him when she thought he wasn't looking. But he was.

Their gazes locked for a moment. Would it be Gregory's face she would see every time she was forced to look at Mr. Picou for the next fifty years? Dear God. What a wonderful thought…to be free to marry a man whom she truly loved, instead of being forced into a marriage for the sake of convenience, just to benefit her family!

How she envied Lily's freedom.

As a few more days passed, Bella realized she was especially pleased with the turn of events. The fishermen brought in enough, every two or three days, to feed the entire crew. She knew the captain was still concerned about having enough provisions to last until they reached Charleston, but things seemed brighter. The stowaways were hard workers. The captain had more than once thanked them, in her hearing, for their diligence in their work. Chloe had indeed appeared unsettled when she was first introduced to the crew, but her confidence seemed to be growing. But still, often, Bella and Chloe returned to their cabin to rest after meals, just for the solitude.

It was the next day, at dinner, when Lily sat down and glanced across the table at her and shifted her gaze from Bella to Chloe.

Earl, attempting to be friendly, gave them a big smile. "How did you sleep, ladies? We have fresh fish today. I know the men will enjoy it." He took a bite and turned his attention back to the ladies.

"Like a rock, sir." Bella met his smile with one of her own, while Chloe answered, with, "Very well."

"Miss Collingwood?"

Lily gave him a smug smile. "I will sleep fine again, when someone finally shows me the proof of Miss Tucker's paid passage on this ship."

Gregory's hand came down on the table, causing the wooden utensils to jump.

"Miss Collingwood? I've heard enough of your incivility. The commander will bring you by my cabin, after dinner, to see the letter that Miss St. John's father sent, booking the passage of Miss St. John and Miss Tucker, a week prior to departure. And, if you like, I'll also show you the letter Mr. Picou sent, booking yours."

Bella gasped. Instantly, she felt sorry for Lily, whose face seemed to have turned to stone. The crewmen in the room fell into conversation again. But all Bella heard were comments about the drama caused by having women aboard.

The seamen were tired of it, too.

* * *

Lily's Betrayal

Now, Lily was seething. Bella had been sent on the voyage along with a servant to see to her needs. It was all the more proof of her pampered life. Lily was convinced, once and for all, that Claude Picou only meant to keep her as his mistress, a glorified servant. He had written the word 'secretary', but she knew otherwise. He had no intention of wedding her. She knew that, now. How could he ever think of taking her for his wife, when the perfect Arabella St. John was available? The betrayal of it stung deeply.

Lily had been sure she had solved her problem with the stiff competition by attempting to expose Bella for harboring a stowaway. Fighting the urge to rub her backside, she reflected how that had not turned out very well for her in the end. The commander was a harsh taskmaster. She would have to be careful not to let him catch her in any future schemes. Tears threatened, and she blinked them back.

The commander was quite handsome, even if a little arrogant. It was too bad he was just second in command of this great ship. Like her, he was obliged to those in power, just as she was. Had he been titled, even as a lowly viscount, she would have found herself attracted to him. While he'd scolded and spanked her, he also had been quite wonderful afterward, holding her until she stopped crying, listening as she confessed her greatest fears and concerns.

He'd even held her as she told him about her family, about their loss, and about her terrible childhood. She wouldn't forget the kiss on the top of her head, as he'd stood her in front of him and told her she was forgiven. He'd also told her that no man should ever look down to her or think of her as less than worthy.

She sighed, saddened. Earl would be of no help to her now, aboard a great ship, heading to social disgrace as the mistress of a wealthy man. No, her only course of action was to position herself as more desirable than the perfect Bella.

She hated herself, even as she thought of it. But it was necessary. She must discredit Arabella St. John before they arrived in New Orleans, even if it was the last thing she ever did.

* * *

The Crow's Nest

Bella convinced Chloe to try to rest in their cabin while she went to take a walk. They'd come that afternoon from the captain's cabin, where he had shown the letters of passage to both Lily and herself. Lily had seemed heartbroken. Mr. Picou had referred to her as his secretary, not his fiancée.

Chloe had not seen the letters but hung back, by the doorway. Dear Chloe. She was taking her duties very seriously, assuming she needed to follow Bella around to see to every possible need. While Bella adored her, she longed for some time to herself. But as she clung to the side of the deck and gazed out to sea, the face that arose before her eyes was not that of her fiancée. It was the face of Captain Gregory Smythe. She was daydreaming about what her life might have been like, had she been pledged to Gregory instead of Mr. Picou.

Shaking herself out of her reverie, she strolled along the deck. Overhearing the very man of her thoughts talking to Earl, she wondered if she would ever tire of hearing Gregory's deep voice? The second in command seemed quite optimistic about how things were going.

He was still cautious, but it didn't surprise her. She had come to learn much about him by now. Gregory was a planner who did not like to be caught unprepared. She heard him express concerns to his friend about nagging worries which remained. Would there be enough food to get to Charleston? If not, they'd have to stop there for a week to restore their provisions again, and it might take longer to get to New Orleans than expected. Then he confided in lower voices of pirate attacks in the region they would soon be reaching.

Both men happened to glance her way, and their conversation abruptly ended. The captain turned to face her and automatically sent her a wide grin. A warm smile touched her lips, and dimples appeared on her cheeks with her first genuine, carefree smile in a long time.

Bending at the waist, he greeted her. "Exploring above level, these days? That pleases me, Arabella. It is much safer up here than on any of the lower levels. Not as many opportunities to get into mischief."

"Give me time, sir. I'll find a way to prove you wrong on that," she teased him back, making Earl howl with mirth.

"Be that as it may, try to stay out of trouble. I would hate to have to address any more issues so soon after our last discussion. Excuse us, young lady. Earl and I are on our way down to check on our new crew members."

Bella watched them go, feeling forlorn. Without the captain around, she decided to return to her cabin. Nothing at this level interested her, at the moment.

But when she opened the door, she found that Chloe was gone. She tried not to get alarmed. Chloe always told her where she would be. Opening the door once again, she saw that Lily was standing in the door of her own room, smiling at her as if she had a secret.

"I suppose you're looking for your lady's maid?"

"Yes," Bella answered suspiciously. "Where is she?"

Lily pointed upward, and Bella craned her neck to follow the rope ladder up and further up, until it reached the crow's nest. "Up there."

Arabella gasped. "Why would she go up there?"

Lily shrugged. "Perhaps because I told her you might be up there looking for her. I didn't see you anywhere else." A laugh followed. "And perhaps," she said, leaning forward. "Because I told her you were quite afraid of heights. Of course, how was I to know she would be, too?"

Bella closed her eyes. She wanted to slap Lily's face. Was it possible Chloe had really done that? Lily still blamed her for their current situation. Yet Chloe was so eager to please and was trying so hard to make up for sneaking onboard, it was easy to imagine her climbing upward. Bella's heart fell, and her face blanched with pallor. She started for the ropes.

The sun and the sails hindered her view up into the crow's nest, which seemed to tower way above the top of the ship. Bella saw movement in the small perch and started screaming for Chloe to come down before she got hurt. The roar of the sea made communication impossible. If Chloe was up there, it would be impossible for her to hear.

Suddenly, as she brought her gaze further upward, she froze. There was another structure up above this one. What if Chloe climbed up to the top?

She had to go. There was nothing else she could do. She had to go up and convince Chloe to come back down before she started up to the highest level!

Yet as Bella started to reach for the robe to climb, memories of her childhood flashed before her eyes. When she was a small child, she had climbed a tall tree outside her family's home in the country. She'd stopped just in time to see into the fourth story window, when her father, appalled at her wild behavior, had gone into great detail describing every horrible fate awaiting her if she fell.

Even now, remembering his words, she was terrified. Would she indeed break her 'fool neck' or hit her 'hard head' on a rock, as her father had suggested? Back then, Bella had been too scared to move. She'd begged her father to come up and help her down. He had merely announced, "You got yourself up there. Now find a way to get yourself down." It was her mother who had finally sent one of the servants to climb the tree and carry Bella down to safety.

Now, a few feet up the thick rope ladder, she glanced down. She might as well fall and break her 'fool neck' right now, as her father had suggested. There were no rocks about, but jagged edges from crates and ledges promised a certain death, if she landed on them. If the ship listed even a little, she might end up in the blue ocean. At least she could drown without worrying about slamming into a ship's mast. Water was soft, after all.

Eyes closed tightly, Arabella pulled herself up the rope, inch by inch. The wind blew her hair around her face until she could see nothing. She thought perhaps she heard a man shouting, but couldn't see whether he was above or below. The wind completely blocked out his words, and Bella prayed continuously to the Lord to keep her from falling to her death.

Finally, she felt hard wood at her fingertips, then reached forward. The flat surface at the top called to her, and big hands reached to grab hold of hers, pulling her onto the floor of the lookout. Her eyes were still tightly locked shut. "Chloe, you have to get down from here, right now. This is no place for you!" she chided.

"Excuse me, miss, but shouldn't you be heeding your own advice? Women aren't allowed up here. It's one of the reasons I took on the task. Get down, or I will be forced to go get the captain."

Eyes open now, she stared at the bearded sailor frowning down at her. A quick look around proved Chloe was not up here. She had risked life and limb and it had been another one of Lily's schemes to cause trouble. Bella turned beet red at her own stupidity for believing Lily. A moment later, however, looking over the side and seeing the path from which she had traveled, her face became nearly colorless.

"I think I'm going to be sick," she announced, clutching the low wall of the perch. She moved to the pole that came through the middle and slid down to the floor of the structure on her bottom, holding on to the pole for dear life. Once again, she closed her eyes.

"Well, damnation. Don't go losing your meal all over my crow's nest, missy. Getting water up here is next to impossible and I ain't putting up with the smell of retching until the next rainfall." The sailor started down the rope to get help. He muttered as he went, "I can't believe Captain Smythe allowed women on board. It will be the death of us all."