The Sea Maiden (29 page)

Peter was up and about, smiling ear to ear. The Captain gave him three days off as a short honeymoon but with Lynnette’s morning sickness it was getting cut short. As he walked to the bridge Karina surprised him all booted up and dressed in tight fitting black shirt and breeches.

“Oh my God! A lady pirate in the making I was right about you. I rather like it, but I don’t think the Captain will.” He chuckled and shook his head.

The comment angered Karina even more.

“What do you mean the Captain won’t like it?”

“Nothing, but since you no longer have to pretend to be a cabin boy, there’s no need to dress in men’s clothes and he might not like you wearing them around the ship.”

“Why?”

“Well to be honest you look a bit provocative in those male clothes and men don’t like their ladies to look provocative to other men.”

“First of all Peter I am
 not his lady, he certainly has never made that distinction to me, and I am not even part of his crew anymore. I have offered to pay for my passage but he refuses to discuss that with me so I have done my part!” Karina snapped.

“Temper temper! I think you need to go back to Dr. Tibbs and get that bump on your head checked again.” Peter chuckled

“Forgive me Peter I didn’t mean to snap at you. You’re actually the only man who treats me as an equal most of the men in my life treat me like an object or a child. When you go back to work I want you to continue teaching me everything you know about ships alright?”

“Yes ma’am. Nice boots by the way.” Peter winked as he walked away, both headed in different directions.

Karina rebelliously ignored both Peter and Lynnette’s warning regarding irritating the Captain by wearing such snug fitting male clothing, now that she no longer worked as a cabin boy. She reasoned that she would soon pay her passage and therefore he had no say in it. It was not her fault the Captain had ignored her request to do so besides the clothes she wore were nobody’s business but her own.

Realizing she had no direction and since Lynnette was resting she turned back to catch up to Peter, on break from his honeymoon, so he could continue teaching her about ships and sailing but instead ran into the Captain. His displeasure was obvious as he scanned her outfit from head to toe; Karina pursed her lips insufferably and turned away from him in her provocative skintight breeches and shirt.

“Good morning Karina…my you’re a site today why are you dressed like that?”

“Good morning Captain.” Karina answered, as she turned to walk in the opposite direction.

“Karina! You didn’t answer my question but since it’s no longer necessary for you to wear male clothing on board the ship…I think it would be best if you change into a lady like dress.”

“Peter’s going to continue to teaching me all about ships and sailing and I find men’s clothing much more practical to wear so I have decided against wearing dresses while aboard the ship.”

Sensing rebellion in her he ordered as polite as possible, “I see…but being that you’re aboard my ship and that I find men’s clothes on you highly inappropriate, as the Captain I must insist that you change into something more becoming for a lady.”

“Captain Drake I don’t tell you how to run your ship, just the same I don’t appreciate you telling me what I should or should not wear. These are my clothes which I have paid for and I find them more comfortable and practical to wear on the ship then dresses and so I intend to continue wearing them.” Karina said smiling but her tone was dripping with calm sarcasm.

Not accustomed to being countermanded especially in front of his crew Captain Drake started to lose his patience with her.

“Karina so long as you’re aboard
 my ship you will be obeying orders like the rest of my crew.”

“Well Captain, I’m no longer one of your
 crew, remember?”

“But you
 are aboard my ship!”

“Then I should receive equal treatment!”

“Oh so are you interested in being thrown in the hold for disobeying orders?”

“Not at all, nor am I interested in being made sport of.”

“Miss Pembroke I don’t know what you’re referring to and I would appreciate it if you didn’t change the subject. But so long as you’re aboard my ship I expect you to follow orders and dress like a lady. Number one, since you’re no longer a cabin boy or girl, then I suggest you keep Mrs. De Marco company, not Peter! And two, you will not wear any clothing which distracts my crew.”

“Captain I have a very important goals that include learning everything I can about sailing a ship so I cannot simply sit around nursing Lynnette all day! Besides she and Peter are newlyweds and require much privacy; Also, I have offered to pay for my passage on more than one occasion and
 you have ignored me! This is a long trip and I have to keep myself busy so if my clothes distract YOU! Look the other way.”

“Karina I don’t know what’s gotten into you but I’m not going to argue with you any further….I expect you to do as I requested!” He turned and started walking away from her.

“And if I refuse?” She challenged.

“Then you will have to be disciplined.” He said calmly.

“So will you throw me in the hold or put me in irons?” Karina challenged him and extended her hands.

“Well the hold wouldn’t be proper for a lady and I wouldn’t want to mar those delicate hands with any irons-”

“Well they’re not so delicate anymore Captain, see, I have plenty of blisters, scars and splinters from carrying buckets of water to fill your tub and that of the other officers.”

Captain Drake glared at her and exhaled in frustration.

“Go to Lynnette’s quarters and change out of those clothes Karina.” He ordered in a low menacing voice.

In defiance, Karina walked away from him but not in the direction of Lynnette’s room. Her insubordination, took its toll on him and he took three steps toward her, swung her around and threw her over his shoulder.
  Karina began screaming in protest.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING? PUT ME DOWN!
  I’M NOT A CHILD!”

“BUT YOU’RE BEHAVING LIKE ONE! PERHAPS YOU NEED A SPANKING!” He thought to lock her in the guest quarters but forgot the door was broken. “DAMN IT! SOMEBODY FIX THAT DAMN DOOR!”

He carried her into his cabin, slammed the door shut and threw her on his bed then stomped out, and locked her in. Karina jumped off the bed yelling and pounding on the door.

“OPEN THE DOOR! YOU CAN’T KEEP ME IN HERE!”

Karina went on screaming. Captain Drake walked over to Lynnette and Peter’s room and knocked; Lynnette was lying down, she got up feeling a bit uneasy to open the door.

“Captain Drake hello.” She said, sounding surprised to see him.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, I know you haven’t been feeling well but I need Karina’s bag. Karina needs a dress, can you please pick one for her.”

Lynnette, nodded, and turned away to get the bag, rolling her eyes thinking how she had warned Karina. She rummaged through the bag for dresses, there was really only one choice, the red one, since the white one had the blood stain, the burgundy was too warm, and she was currently wearing the blue one Karina gave her earlier,

“There aren’t too many choices I’m afraid.” Lynnette said and handed Captain Drake the yellow dress.

“That will do fine.”

“Is everything alright Captain?”

“Yes everything is fine.” He smiled, “Thank you Mrs. De Marco I hope you’re feeling better.”

“You’re welcome Captain and yes I am feeling better.”

“Glad to hear it. I’ll be on my way now so enjoy the rest of the afternoon.”

“Oh and Captain?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for everything.” She smiled.

“You’re welcome Mrs. De Marco, always glad to help.”

He took the dress and walked back to his cabin. Some of the crew was staring.

“Get back to work!” He ordered.

Peter who had overheard Karina’s yelling came by to see what was going on. He smiled to himself.

“Lover’s quarrel Captain?”

“Get back to work Peter!” Captain Drake snapped.

“I’m still on my honeymoon….by the way I would keep the swords and pistols away from her Captain!” Peter joked.

Captain Drake unlocked his cabin door. Karina had stopped her yelling and was defiantly standing against the wall with her arms crossed still visibly upset over being ordered to change her attire against her will.

“Here!” He tossed the dress at her, “…when I come back you better be in it and out of that!” Referring to her tight black male outfit, “And if you’re not I will do it for you?” He threatened and walked out.

Karina caught the yellow dress and threw it on the desk with disdain. She was outraged at his demand. She sat on the edge of the bed for a long time capriciously avoiding the dress then she heard footsteps and jumped off the bed to get the dress on and take the breeches off while jumping around trying to get the boots off too before he walked through the door. She heard a knock, and she pulled off the black shirt and tugged on the dress, yanked off one boot and pant leg, but still had the other pant leg and one boot on. Then she heard a female voice.

“Karina it’s me.” Lynnette said in a gentle voice.

Karina relaxed, and limped half way to the door dragging the other pant leg.

“I’m opening the door Captain Drake gave me the key.” Lynnette walked in. “Karina what are you doing?” Lynnette asked looking a bit under the weather.

“I’m outraged that he’s ordering me to wear dresses. I find them annoying and impractical. What’s wrong with me wearing breeches?”

“Karina those clothes are a scandal, they fit you much tighter then the ones you left Harmon Hall with. Your father would be outraged to see you dressed that way too. Also try and remember he’s the Captain and we are on his ship….and he risked his life to rescue you! He’s in love with you Karina!  Isn’t it obvious to you? He just doesn’t want you dressed like a man that’s all…I wouldn’t like to see Peter dressed as a woman...would you?”

They laughed.

“No, now that would be silly….he sent you didn’t he?”

“Of course he did, he said he didn’t want to make good on his threat when he returned.”

Karina was still a bit frustrated over the whole control issue.

“It’s just that Captain Drake is slowly taking away my freedom and he keeps toying with me.”

“Karina, I don’t think he’s just toying with you, I believe Captain Drake fell in-love with you the moment he met you, I saw how he couldn’t take his eyes off you during the engagement dinner. Now think of the progress you made since, the beginning. First you were Lord Harmon’s bride-to-be then his prisoner on island impossible to escape from. But you boarded Captain Drake’s ship and when you were taken, he came after you. Thank goodness for that because I was there too…now tell me; don’t you like your rescuer better? Aren’t you glad to be here?

Karina blushed, “Yes, of course I do, and I’m grateful to be here. I think that’s what really scares me now. Lord Harmon was easy to run away from, but with Captain Drake, I get weak knees, and he knows it! I hate feeling like I’m just one of the many women he amuses himself with, it drives me crazy. I don’t want to be just a convenient source of entertainment for him because I’m on his ship and I can’t get away!”

“Just be a little patient with him Karina, you mean more to him than you think. Here let me help you button your dress.”

Karina finished getting dressed with Lynnette’s help; her visit calmed her nerves and insecurities. A few minutes later there was a second knock on the door.

“Come in.” Lynnette said. Captain Drake stepped into the cabin. “Well I better go look for my husband so please excuse me,” She turned toward the Captain, “The key is in your desk drawer Captain.”

Lynnette made her way out smiling at the Captain as she left.

“Thank you Mrs. De Marco.”

“You’re welcomed Captain.”

Like a stubborn child, Karina sat rebelliously on the edge of the bed staring at the floor then stood up.

“Well I better be running along too.”

Captain Drake blocked her way.

“What’s the hurry? You look very lovely in that yellow dress…you just need one thing.”

He gently spun her around and started undoing her braid. He ran his hands through her hair then pushed her hair aside and began kissing the back of her neck. Karina slowly began to feel that uncontrollable desire weakening her resolve. He slowly turned her to face him but she turned aside.

“Why are you doing this to me, you know it bothers me.”

“It doesn’t seem like it bothers you.” He said smiling.

“You know what I mean…what do you want from me?” Karina asked.

He smiled and continued kissing her neck and holding her close.

“Isn’t it obvious?” He answered as he kissed her shoulder.

“I can’t fight you forever.”

“You mean resist me….I know…it’s the mistake you made.”

“What mistake?”