The Sea Maiden (10 page)

“Give me your hand!”

Lynnette looked up and stretched out her hand. Peter blinked and squinted as if he was seeing a ghost. Lynnette smiled her heart racing.

“Lynnette?” Shocked to see her he pulled her straight into his arms and over the deck and greeted her with a hug and kiss. “I can’t believe this! What are you doing here? How did you know where to find me? How do you know Captain Drake?”

He had so many questions. Clifton came on board behind her and Peter tensed wondering why she was with him and the Captain. Clifton could not help feeling a sense of loss after seeing Peter embrace Lynnette.

“I have a friendly crew,” Captain Drake chuckled. “Peter you can spare us the hugs and kisses…this is Clifton, he and Miss Attoms are our guests this evening.”

“Yes sir….but I am a little confused about…”

“I know you are Peter, I’ll explain later…I am tired and so are our guest so please take care of them first.” Please take him down to the crew’s quarters let him find an empty bunk or hammock. And show our pretty lady guest to the guest quarters.”

“Right away Captain.”

“Peter! Don’t forget you’re on watch tonight!”

“No Sir.”

Captain Drake then turned his attention to Lynnette.

“Welcome to the Sea Maiden Miss Attoms, I know it’s not home but I hope you will find it adequate at least for tonight. Peter will show you to the guest quarters. It is small but clean and accommodates only one person.” He gave Peter a stern look, and walked part of the way with them. “You will find blankets inside, if you need more do let us know. Well Miss Attoms it’s been an unexpected but interesting pleasure. I do wish you a comfortable stay, good night and good night to you Clifton.”

Captain Drake turned to retire toward his own quarters.

“Good night Captain and thank you for everything.”

“You
’re welcome, pleasant dreams Miss Attoms.”

Peter and Lynnette walked ahead of Clifton, Peter held Lynnette closely

“Thank you Captain and if there is anything I can do please let me know?

“Actually yes Clifton, keep an eye on them; make sure she’s off to bed in 15 minutes, for her own good.”

“Yes Captain good night.”

“Peter you have 15 minutes to get back to your post.”

“Yes Captain.”

Peter stopped first at the guest quarters to let Lynnette in the small room.

“I will be right back beautiful.”

He kissed her once more before walking away he wanted to get Clifton settled in the crew’s quarters and get back to Lynnette quickly.

“Come with me mate! So how do you know Lynnette?”

“She’s Lord Harmon’s guest.”

“Not tonight, why are you with her? And who is Lord Harmon?”

“He’s the Captains half-brother.”

“Really? I didn’t even know the Captain had a brother.”

“That’s because they’re not close, merely civil toward one another for business purposes. Lord Harmon had me run an errand to the Captain and arranged that she join me so he could be alone with her friend. I suggested she stay but after hearing I was to come to
 the Sea Maiden she insisted on coming.”

“I see” Peter smiled to himself. “Well this is the crew’s quarters. Most of the crew is gone, some may come back tonight, I suggest you find a bunk or hammock on this side, most seamen have claimed the rear.”

“Where does Wilkes sleep?”

“Remus Wilkes? He sleeps on this hammock, you know him?”

“Um…briefly.”

“He’s a bad tempered drunk I would sleep somewhere else if I were you mate.”

“Captain Drake dismissed him earlier.”

“Why? Never mind tell me tomorrow, never liked the man anyway. Well hope you can get some sleep see you in the morning.”

Peter was curious to know why Remus was dismissed but was anxious to get back to Lynnette. The guest quarter’s was just on the other side from the Captain’s cabin and he would be monitoring his time away from his post. Clifton seemed like a good fellow but he only had a few more minutes left to spend with Lynnette.

Lynnette looked at the tiny room with a small bunk, a table and chair, a lantern, a small crate, perhaps to be used for passenger belongings, above on the wall was a mirror and a small port hole. Peter returned promptly, she was waiting for him by the door holding herself tightly due to the chilly night air, the moon provided most of the light. Peter wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her into a passionate embrace. Lynnette had no experience with suitors and was unsure how to act but the embrace felt warm and inviting, the feelings and sensations radiating through her were addictive. Then she remembered Karina’s warning not to allow him too much familiarity with her and keep some physical distance. Lynnette broke the embrace.

“What…? What’s wrong?”

“We need to discuss something very important.”

“We will later.”

Peter was only half listening to her as he tried to kiss her again but Lynnette stopped him by placing her hand between them.

“No Peter now! We don’t have time later, it’s very important, it’s why I came!”

“Oh so you didn’t just come to see me.” Peter said sounding wounded.

“Yes but I’m also here to ask a favor.”

He looked puzzled and a bit disappointed.

“Peter, please don’t look at me that way. I only have a few people in my life that truly matter to me, my mother, my father, who passed away when I was 10, my twin brothers, Danny and Tommy, and my best friend Karina who is more like a sister. Then I met you just a few days ago, so logically I shouldn’t feel anything…but look,” She took his hand and placed it on her chest over her heart which was beating fast. “Do you feel that? You’re the only person that makes my heart beat so fast. So yes I came to see you but I also came for my friend Karina, who you met, because she’s in trouble and asked me if I could help her find you to ask a favor of you. At first I didn’t want to do this because I was afraid so I tried to change her mind…but the thought of seeing you again gave me the courage to come and that’s why I’m here. So Peter will you help us?”

“You could have stopped after you placed my hand on your heart. As long as that heart beats for me I will do anything.”

Peter placed a kiss on the back of her hand. Lynnette smiled; they embraced and kissed once again.

“Can you meet Karina and I tomorrow, Clifton will be driving us to some shops in town we should be here at approximately at 2:00 O’clock.”

“Of course, I look forward to helping your friend and seeing you again. I will tell Clifton where we can meet tomorrow.” Peter sighed knowing he had to leave her soon. “It’s almost time for me to go back on watch it will be a long night knowing you’re just a few feet away.”

Peter attempted another kiss but Lynnette stepped in the room.

“Good night Peter, thank you.” She smiled sweetly then closed the door.

Peter leaned his head against the door and bit his lower lip then went to his post. Captain Drake heard Peter walk by, back to his post, and smiled to himself lucky man he thought. Lynnette was smiling to herself as well, she had so much to tell Karina tomorrow, and then again she wondered how Karina’s evening had gone.

After Clifton and Lynnette left Lord Harmon took Karina’s hand and hooked it around his arm. Karina felt awkward at his closeness but tried her best to seem agreeable.

“I have greatly anticipated your visit my dear Karina. There are many things we need to learn about each other. As you know your father would like our marriage ceremony to take place at once, unfortunately the earliest that can be is in 30 days. Since tomorrow you’re going into town to get some alterations I will have Clifton take you to visit Celia, she’s the best seamstress in town, so she can help you with your needs and take your measurements as well. She knows to spare no expense on you bridal gown. She will show you some of the finest fabrics and latest styles; you will be the envy of town. The next few weeks will not go by fast enough for me I’m very much looking forward to making you a very happy…and satisfied bride.” He whispered in her ear and kissed her hand.

Karina tensed, he took the opportunity to try and kiss her, but she instinctively, withdrew from him. She felt even more awkward and wanted to be as far away from him as possible but she didn’t want to create any suspicions in him and merely said,

“Lord Harmon you must remember this is all new to me, you must give me time to adjust.”

“Of course, my apologies my dear, it’s just that I find you irresistible. It will be difficult for me but I will try to be less familiar. I must warn you though I’m not a patient man; however, I do want you to feel comfortable with me.” Gunther said with a smile.

“I appreciate that thank you.”

Karina was getting physically sick and wondered how much more of his company she had to endure.

“Very well you have seen most of the inside of my home…our home, now let me show you the garden in the back. It’s quite beautiful there is a little brook that runs through it. It’s my favorite part of the house; I think it will be yours also.”

After pointing out several features of the back and garden, he led her to a small bench where they sat. Then Gunther reached into his pocket and brought out a small box with a velvet red ribbon and placed it in her hand. Karina was surprised.

“What is it?”

“Open it.” Karina hesitated for a moment then opened it and she gasped, it was a large diamond solitaire engagement ring. Gunther took her left hand and placed it on her finger. “It was expensive but you are worth it my beautiful Karina, I hope you like it?”

Karina was stunned. All she wanted to do was leave and now he was presenting her with an expensive engagement ring.

“Oh my, it’s beautiful.”

“What kind of a groom would I be if my beautiful bride-to-be was not wearing an adequate engagement ring at our engagement dinner tomorrow?” He chuckled.

“Lord Harmon, would it not be better if you held on to the ring until tomorrow?”

“I wanted you to wear it the minute you stepped off the carriage so that everyone would know you are my bride.”

“Thank you I’m very flattered, it’s truly beautiful but I could not possibly-”

“Not another word, I expect you to wear it as of this very minute.”

Karina was searching for an excuse to give it back.

“It’s too loose it may fall off.”

The ring fit loose on her slender finger as she demonstrated for Lord Harmon.

“That’s true, the jeweler told me if you needed the size adjusted to simply bring it by his shop and he would size it correctly. Tomorrow when you go to Celia’s make sure you stop by the jeweler’s as well. I want you to where it Saturday evening.”

“Yes, I shall.” Karina smiled

Then he attempted to kiss her again but she turned away. He sensed that Karina had no romantic interest in him and would not likely respond favorably to his advances soon but there were other ways to make her more receptive, thirty days was too long a wait for her to adjust. For the moment he simply kissed her hand and continued the tour. They headed in the direction of the stables.

Gunther went on talking about several other details of his property, for the time being Karina was feeling more at ease. She endured walking arm in arm with him. When they reached the stables, she disengaged her arm from his and went directly to pet the horses; she talked to them and patted their mane. There was a container with apples nearby, she took a few and fed them to the horses. She thought of Thunder, and the last day she and Lynnette spent riding the horses and met Peter. She wondered if Lynnette had any luck running into him, after all they were going to
 the Sea Maiden. She was so busy with her own thoughts that she missed answering a question posed by Lord Harmon.

“What do you think?”

“Please forgive me; I was reminded of my horse Thunder?” Karina apologized nervously.

“Of course my dear, what I mentioned was that, I recently purchased property in the outskirts of Paris, a countryside vacation home, and I would like us to go there for our honeymoon, would that appeal to you?”

“It sounds splendid.” She lied.

An hour had gone by since they began the tour; it was getting dark and chilly when Nate approached them. Karina was relieved to see him.

“Miss Karina, your father is asking for you.”

“Thank you Nate, I’ll be right there.” Karina said, grateful Nate came to her rescue.

“Lord Harmon thank you for this evening and for your patience with me and also for presenting me with this beautiful engagement ring, I’m truly speechless.”

“You’re welcome my dear, I’m glad you approve, and please call me Gunther from now on.”

“I will and I shall have the ring sized down when I go into town tomorrow. Now, if you will excuse me I would like to check on my father before I retire. You have a beautiful home…thank you for everything and g-good night.” She stated, sounding somewhat awkward.

“Good night my dear and thank you for your company this evening I look forward to that beautiful smile tomorrow.”