Authors: Janelle Taylor
Love Me With Fury (15 page)
“Where are you, Stephen? Who are you? Will I ever see you again?” she softly repeated questions she had uttered countless times since that fateful day in April.
When the moon disappeared over the ship, she finally went to recline upon the bunk. She sighed in weariness, at least delighting in the clean linens.
As if drugged, Alex gradually aroused from her heavy slumber. Suddenly aware of the gentle rolling of the ship, she jumped up to peer out the porthole. Her eyes widened in disbelief. How long had she slept? They were already at sea! If she had any doubts about
this voyage, it was definitely too late to change her mind now!
A light knock caught her attention. Just before heading to the door, she wisely recalled her concealing hat. She hurriedly retrieved it and put it on, arranging the veil to totally obscure her face. As quietly as possible, she moved the chair aside and opened the door. Pete was standing there, grinning amiably, carrying a tray of food.
“I let ye sleep, ma’am. I figured ye be tired after that late night. I heard ye pacing most the night. Not to fear; ye’ll have ye sealegs soon.”
“You heard me? How?” she softly asked, remembering to keep her voice even.
“Me bunk be under here and I got sens’tive ears,” he proudly boasted.
“I’ll settle down today, Pete. Thank you for your kindness,” she stated, saying more than she should.
Pete flashed his lopsided grin once more and brought her tray inside. “I’ll come back later to fetch it. If ye need fresh air or a walk on deck, I’ll take ye later. The men git kinda rowdy sometimes. Ye know what I mean?”
“I think I understand, Pete. I’ll be fine. Thank you.”
He left, closing the door behind him. Alex studied the tray of food, wondering if she could consume any of it, deciding she would have to in order to keep up her health and strength. Summoning her courage, she nibbled at the nearly tasteless fare. When she could
stomach no more, she placed the tray outside her door and secured it with the chair. She went to her baggage and unpacked a book to read. This was going to be a very long trip, for she was already bored on the first morning at sea!
Alex halted her reading when she heard noises outside her room. She relaxed as she realized it was only Pete getting her tray. It was nearly dark when that knock came to her door again. She politely greeted the short man with his genial smile and sunny disposition.
He chided her, “Ye didn’t eat much the last meal, ma’am. I know the victuals be poor, but ye must eat.”
“I wasn’t very hungry, Pete.” This time, she kept her comments to a minimum, knowing she was pressing her luck to strike up a casual friendship with this apparently lonely man.
“Losing loved ones be hard on a woman. But ye’ll find another husband and have more children,” he ventured.
Alex wondered at why he assumed she was young enough to have other children, but didn’t question this assumption. “Would ye like to walk on the deck, ma’am?” he asked.
“Perhaps tomorrow evening, Pete. I’m still a little weak and tired from the journey.”
“Just let me know when I bring ye supper,” he replied before leaving her alone.
It was the third day before Alex decided she needed the stroll on deck before she would go mad from the
silence and confinement. She asked Pete to wait until most of the crew was below eating, playing cards, drinking, or sleeping. It was around ten o’clock when Pete came to get her. Dressed in all black and her face obscured from all inquisitive eyes, Alex followed Pete up the steps and onto the deck.
She glanced around her. If Thackery was as strict as Pete had claimed, why were the decks so grimy and the ship so cluttered? “Are there any other females aboard, Pete?” she inquired in a low tone.
Flustered, Pete stammered before answering. “They be two females aboard, ma’am, but no other ladies,” he replied in a manner which clearly revealed her position.
“I see,” she murmured demurely. “I thought you told my…brother that Captain Thackery was a strict man. His ship certainly doesn’t prove it.”
Pete actually lowered his head in shame. “I know, ma’am. But if I’d told ye brother the truth, he’d have not let ye sailed with us. The Capt’n would’ve flogged me if he lost that fat purse of gold fur ye passage,” he anxiously confessed. “That’s why I be taking good care o’ye. Ye trust old Pete; he’ll let no harm come to ye.”
Alarm raced through her entire body. “Are this ship and crew safe?”
“If ye stay in ye cabin unless ye be with me, ye’ll be safe,” he answered candidly.
“I think I’m ready to return to my cabin, Pete,” she stated shakily.
Comprehending her panic, he smiled ruefully and said, “I’ll take care of ye, ma’am.”
In the cabin, Alex paced the floor for hours. She still had over two weeks to survive on this ship. After tonight, she would cautiously remain here even if she had to tear her hair from boredom and agitation.
Her guarded plans were thwarted that very next day. When a knock came to her door, she unthinkingly pulled it open without asking who was there, assuming it to be Pete. Through her veil, she observed the visage of a strange man who was clad in drab blue except for his time-yellowed cotton shirt. He sported a neatly trimmed beard and heavy mustache. His wiry hair teased at the collar of his faded blue jacket. His boots mutely begged for a good polishing. His washedout pants negligently declared several careless stains. Bushy brows which were a mixture of chestnut and gray perched over hooded eyes of chocolate brown. His cheeks were plump and rosy. For an outdoorsman, he noticeably lacked a natural tan or even a healthy color.
He spoke to her in a raspy voice. “Pete tells me you’ve been keeping to your cabin, Mistress Hathaway. Ain’t no need to be scared to go for walks on my deck. My crew’s been warned to be on their best manners. Wouldn’t do to go offending a proper lady or a wealthy man like Cowling. If you be needing anything, give Pete a message for me. Just wanted to make sure you ain’t ailing.”
“Pete’s been most kind and helpful, Captain
Thackery. Under the circumstances, I wanted to be alone. But thank you for your courtesy,” she said as softly as possible, feeling compelled to be polite.
She could tell the offensive man was straining to catch her words and was somewhat too curious about her. His next words proved her recent suspicions, “Sad to think such a young woman has met such tragedy.”
“One can hardly call forty young, sir. But thank you for the compliment,” she replied, holding a kerchief to her lips to muffle her voice.
“Would you care to take a stroll on the deck with me? Might be nice to have some good talk for a change,” he boldly suggested, his eyes revealing his intense scrutiny as they struggled to pierce her heavy veil.
“Perhaps another day, sir. I’m reading a most fascinating book and I’m presently in a place which intrigues me,” she offered what she knew sounded like the flimsy excuse it was.
“But you need fresh air and sunshine, mistress. You can’t stay locked in here for weeks. Ain’t healthy for you,” he dashed her reasons.
Feeling cornered, she couldn’t decide what course to take. If she was too cordial, he would be inviting her to dinner next! However, she certainly didn’t want to offend him. Why had he mentioned being locked in? A figure of speech or keen insight?
“Perhaps you’re right, sir. I’ll join you shortly,” she acquiesced.
He nodded and pulled the door shut. Alex’s terrified gaze flickered around the small cabin. She cautioned herself against conversation, her agile movements, her graceful walk, exposing her unlined hands, and any other action which might betray her.
With the aid of a small mirror from her baggage, she checked her appearance. Thankfully the black gown was loose, obscuring at least part of her enticing figure. She pulled on black lace gloves and adjusted her hat and veil. She wisely refrained from applying any provocative perfume.
She opened the door to find Thackery leaning against the wall near her cabin. “I’m ready, sir.”
He grinned in a strange manner, then took her elbow to lead her down the hallway to the steps. He climbed up first, then held out his hand to assist her when she was within reaching distance. Even through the thin gloves, she could detect the clamminess of his palms. She wished he would release her trembling elbow and would move away from her. He did neither.
They headed toward the stern of his ship at a leisurely stroll, gradually covering the distance until they were heading for the bow on the starboard side. The ship was moving across a relatively calm sea, the sails billowing and swaying in a slight breeze. They had walked in complete silence until this point.
“Hope we keep up this nice weather. The sea can be mighty hateful when she takes a mind to,” he aimlessly began a conversation.
Alex simply nodded in agreement. “How long was
you married?” he suddenly asked, cunningly forcing her to speak.
There was no way to politely avoid answering, so she softly replied, “Twenty-three years.”
“You only had the one son who was killed?” he continued his nosy line.
“Yes,” she answered.
“Too bad, seventeen is too young to die,” he muttered as if thinking aloud.
“Yes, it was,” she responded, unaware he was entrapping her with the false information supplied by Cowling.
He lightly clutched the damp rail as his gaze focused on the distant skyline of clear blue. In pensive thought, he pursed his large lips and rocked back and forth. Innocently thinking him to be giving her time for fresh air as he politely submitted to her annoying company, she relaxed against the rail a few feet from him.
As several dolphins began to leap and frolic to her right, she slightly turned in that direction to watch them. The sun was nearly touching the deep blue water; the blue horizon was peaceful and free of dark clouds. The dolphins played in carefree abandonment before a backdrop of subtle lavender, muted gold, and fiery pinks etched upon serene azure. There was so much beauty, tranquility, and exhilaration at sea at this time of day.
In spite of her alarm and tension, Alex relaxed and enjoyed her surroundings. So enchanted was she by this setting, she failed to realize she actually laughed
in soft and silvery tones. A sudden updraft from the ocean below lifted the veil just enough to present the stunned Thackery with a view of tawny curls, sparkling emerald eyes, flawless skin, and exquisite, angelic beauty. As she gasped and clutched at the veil, he instantly looked the other way as if this impish trick of nature had gone unnoticed…
“How poor are they that have not patience!
What wound did ever heal but by degrees?”
—
Othello,
William Shakespeare
Alex fearfully glanced toward the captain, relieved to find him half-turned the other way. She promptly resolved to secure the veil to her dress with a brooch on future outings. It wouldn’t do for these crude men to see her face! With quivering hands, she held tightly to the veil to make sure it did not lift again.
As the dolphins moved further toward the stern of the ship, she followed their adventures. Facing the bow, Thackery was grinning lewdly. Absently rubbing his swollen manhood, he couldn’t turn around until he had his lust under control. So many delightful ideas raced through his eager mind and inflamed body. Now he knew why she was hiding behind that veil and in her cabin! One look at her and his men would go wild! How lucky could a man be than to have a living goddess on board his ship? A ship under his control and out of the reach of any authority but his!
“Ready, sir?” she inquired for the second time, startling him out of his lecherous reflections.
“Sure, Mistress Marie,” he replied, huskily using her first name with a tone she didn’t like at all, but wisely let the offense pass.
She wondered if every man was so carnally minded that any female enflamed their unruly lusts, even a proclaimed widow! Annoyed, she held her shoulders erect and stiff as she hurriedly crossed the deck to the doorway. She cautiously went down the steps to avoid tripping on the long gown. She mutely went to her cabin and opened the door. After a cool offer of gratitude, she closed the door before he could speak.
Without the slightest hesitation, Alex placed the chair under the knob. Unsettled, she paced the floor for hours before turning in for the night. Plagued by doubts and tense nerves, she slept very little. For the first time, she was acutely aware of the captain’s movements in the next cabin. Evidently he wasn’t sleeping well either! Why?
New qualms filled Alex when Pete offered to bring in a tub and water if she wished to bathe. She instinctively knew she should refuse this strange offer, but she didn’t. After three days of merely sponging off, a real bath sounded too tempting to sacrifice. While she sat patiently upon her bunk, Pete and a youthful boy hauled in a wooden tub and water. Placing a thick cloth beside the filled tub, Pete turned and smiled before walking out.
Alex went to the door and made certain the chair was firmly implanted against the knob. She dropped a bar of scented soap by the tub and quickly removed
her clothes. She immersed herself in the water, surprised and delighted to find it warm. As swiftly as possible, she scrubbed her body from head to toe. Stepping out of the tub, she knelt beside it to pour the extra bucket of water over her long hair to rinse it a final time. Checking to see that no one was leaning over the rail above her cabin, she sat on her table and hung her lengthy curls out the porthole to dry them in the sun and air.
Afterwards, she sat on the bunk and brushed her silky mane until it shone with shimmering highlights. Deciding to reject the captain’s company today should he offer, she donned a skin-caressing day dress in dark green. Clean hair and body and a colorful dress did wonders for her deflated spirits. She quickly put her hat and veil in place when Pete and the youth returned to remove the tub.
Pete grinned in pleasure and genially announced. “Ye be looking fresh as a spring mornin’. Ye be wanting to get some air on deck?”
“Not today, Pete, but thank you. I really should rest after all this activity. Tomorrow?” she said in her normal tone of voice.
“Me pleasure, ma’am,” he replied like a lad of eighteen. He left this time whistling cheerfully.
Around eleven o’clock, another knock came to her sealed door. Alex teased herself that Pete was making another try to coax her outside. As she answered the light knocking, Pete shifted anxiously as he informed her, “Sorry to trouble ye, ma’am, but the captain
wants to see you. Says it’s mighty impo’tant.”
“Why would he need to speak with me, Pete?” she asked, panic edging into her tone. Perhaps to share a cordial lunch?
“He said fur me to fetch ye to his cabin. Seems upset ‘bout some’em,” he stated in uncertainty, his tension increasing hers.
She pondered the worry lining his brow. Did Thackery simply wish to behave in a cordial manner he assumed proper for a lady on board? Was this merely a polite and harmless invitation to tea? Was there perhaps trouble brewing and he wanted to personally alert her to that possibility? Perhaps give her some orders of what to do in such an event? No matter, she couldn’t adamantly refuse to comply. She was alone on his ship and it wouldn’t be shrewd to displease or openly disdain him.
Closing the cabin door, she followed Pete the few steps to the captain’s cabin. Pete knocked almost timidly and apprehensively waited for an answer. The door opened and the captain smiled at her. “Aw, Mistress Marie. Do come in,” he suggested, as if surprised to see her standing there! “I won’t be needing you anymore, Pete. Return to your duties,” he ordered in an authoritative manner.
Alex remained in the hallway, suddenly aware of her green gown. She asked, “Did you wish to tell me something, Captain Thackery?” She hoped she could handle any business they might have here and now, then return to her room immediately.
Thackery gently, but firmly, took her arm and pulled her inside his cabin as he spouted, “Come in, come in, Mistress Marie. We’ll have some tea or sherry while we chat.”
Sherry? Chat? This meeting didn’t appeal to her at all! What was this old buzzard up to this afternoon? “I really don’t care for tea, sir; and I don’t partake of strong spirits,” she lied to hurry this talk. Fear claimed her senses as she noted the captain’s heated stare as his glowing eyes eased over the perfectly fitting green gown and the black veil which his keen eyes couldn’t penetrate. “I’m not good company today, sir. I’m weary from all my exertions,” she tried to excuse herself again.
Thackery beamed as he stated, “Thought you might enjoy a nice bath. Sit down and join me. A glass of sherry might lighten your spirits,” he encouraged, twisting his clasped hands in apparent anticipation.
Despite her protest, he poured two glasses and placed one before her. Without accepting the glass, she unthinkingly interlocked her fingers and rested those silky-skinned, graceful hands on the table before his astute vision. She remain rigid and straight in her seat.
“You’re in private now, Mistress Marie. Why not give yourself some fresh air; you can take off your veil in here,” he boldly offered.
She tensed. “It wouldn’t be proper, sir. I am in mourning, and we are strangers.”
He chuckled in a way she found disturbing. “You
seem nervous. That sherry’ll calm you down,” he coaxed. When he turned as if to get something from his desk, she hastily took several sips to do just that!
He came back to the table, carrying a small box of scented powder. “I thought you might like to have this,” he offered, holding the fragrant box out to her.
She inhaled sharply. “I do not accept gifts from strange men, Captain Thackery. If you don’t mind, I would prefer to return to my cabin to rest,” she stated indignantly, resolved to end this unpleasant meeting even if she had to offend him! He was as repulsive, persistent, and obnoxious as Daniel Grey!
She felt as if her racing blood froze in her veins when he calmly announced, “But I do mind, Marie. You see, my dear lady; I don’t mind your play-acting around my crew, but I dislike deceit and haughtiness where I’m concerned. If you can’t trust the ship’s captain with the truth, you’re in deep trouble out here alone,” he murmured in a tone laced with innuendo.
“I beg your pardon, sir?” she apprehensively stated, doubtful of what to do or say. Did he imply he knew who and what she was?
“Did you think I was too low to be trusted? Why didn’t your brother, if he’s really your brother, tell me why a beautiful lady would travel the perilous sea alone?” he abruptly stated.
“You were paid well to see me safely to England, sir. My personal affairs are none of your concern. You accepted the money and the responsibility for my safe voyage. My friendship and company were not part of
that bargain,” she tersely informed him.
He stood up and walked around a few minutes in deep thought. He halted near her. “Perhaps you’re right,” he mumbled, yanking her veil off before she realized what he was doing. He leered at the young beauty before his smoldering eyes as he sneered, “Then again, perhaps you’re not.”
Alex jumped to her feet, knocking over her chair. She blanched white, then flushed crimson in fury. “How dare you! Your behavior is unforgivable, sir! Be assured my uncle and father will hear of this outrage!” she boldly threatened the laughing man. Snatching her hat from his loose grip, she whirled to leave.
Thackery seized her arm in a painful grasp and yanked her around to face him. Fear and anger flooded those dark green eyes. “Release me this instant! This conduct will not go unpunished!” she stormed.
“How can you report something when you might never get ashore?” he threatened.
Alex paled in shock. “Surely you would not murder an innocent woman! Have you forgotten my uncle knows I am aboard your ship? He is awaiting word of my safe arrival in England. I assure you he will not rest until you are located and punished!” she daringly informed him.
“Who said I was going to kill such a breathtaking creature?” he asked, reaching out to caress her satiny cheek.
She slapped his hand away. He chuckled heartily. “Women get sold to them foreign slave ships all the
time. Who’s gonna challenge my word when I sadly relate how you took ill and died, how we was forced to bury you at sea?” he smugly challenged the panicky girl before him.
Trying to appear poised and brave, she scornfully asked, “Just what is it you want from me. Captain? More money? Jewels?”
“Two things, Marie,” he easily came back, then abruptly asked, “Is Marie your real name?”
“Yes, but Henry is my uncle, not my brother,” she stated.
“Why are you dressed in that silly black outfit?” he demanded.
“Uncle Henry felt it was safer since I was forced to travel quickly and alone. He wanted to send me home before a war broke out. He thinks England is getting ready to attack the Colonies. My brother and maid had taken ill with some strange fever and couldn’t come with me,” she fabricated a new story as she went along. She prayed he might suspect her of carrying that unknown fever and would leave her alone.
“Why does he think there’s gonna be a war soon?”
“He said men were talking about it all the time now. I think he mentioned some vote in Congress this week. He felt America wouldn’t be safe for me, so he’s sending me home.” She inwardly fumed as she watched skepticism fill his eyes. She added, “He assumed I would be safe aboard your ship, but evidently he made a bad choice in judgment.”
Thackery laughed coldly. “You said you wanted two
things from me, what are they?” she returned the conversation to his greedy demands.
“First, the whole truth about you. Second, a nice little diversion along the way,” he drooled.
“You must be mad! You cannot accost a lady in your care!”
“Not mad, dear Marie, just determined to enjoy a tasty treat placed within my reach,” he calmly replied.
“I would die first!” she screamed at him. Would his crew come to her aid if she yelled. No, probably not.
“Come, come, Marie. There’s no need to preen those lovely feathers for me. Let’s relax and have some sherry. This is gonna be a long voyage, but a pleasant one,” he ominously warned.
“If you lay one finger on me, I’ll slit your miserable throat!”
“Do tell?” he mocked her.
“Yes,” she dauntlessly vowed, annoying him.
She attempted to pull free from his grip, but could not. She recklessly slapped and kicked at him, actions which only infuriated the lust-filled man. When she managed to rake her nails down the side of his face and produce rivulets of blood, he angrily shoved her backwards with such force she toppled and fell. His hand went to his face to check the damage she had done. He looked at the blood on his fingers, then glared at the girl on the floor.
He cursed her with words she had never heard used before and stalked forward to tower over her in a
menacing fashion. Alex defiantly returned his glacial stare as if daring him to touch her again. He seized a handful of golden hair and yanked her to her feet. She screamed in pain and beat him with ineffectual blows.
“You little hell-cat! You’ll pay for that!” he snarled through gritted teeth. He threw her against the wall, knocking the breath from her body. Grabbing both sides of her dress at the neckline, he yanked fiercely and ripped the material. She screamed again, but no one came to her rescue. She never knew old Pete was outside, chewing his nails and praying for the courage to come to her aid, knowing he would never find it.
Alex wrestled with the stodgy Thackery with all her might, fearing she could never resist his intentions to ravish her. Still, her battle was as necessary as it was futile. Just as she felt she had no energy left to fight with, the alarm sounded.
The ensuing fight lasted only a few more moments as Pete pounded upon the door to capture Thackery’s attention. At long last, Thackery shouted, “What the hell do you want?”
“Pirate attack, Capt’n!” came the answer all captains dreaded.
“Pirates?” he echoed as if stunned by this untimely intrusion.
“Yep! The lookout says the sails are black, Capt’n,” came a far worse announcement.
Alex watched the evil man before her actually pale
and shudder in noticeable fear: He quickly attempted to hide such weakness from her. “You wait here, Marie. I’ll make short business of these pirates and be back to take good care of you. To make sure you stay put, I’ll prevent any ideas of your escaping over the side.”
He pulled her struggling body over to his bunk and secured her hands tightly above her head to the post which reached from ceiling to floor. To vex her, he kissed her soundly. Alex thought she would retch. When she spit in his leering face, he slapped her hard across her cheek, slightly stunning her with its brutal force.