The Sea Maiden (31 page)

The Sea Maiden had narrowly escaped complete destruction thanks to an experienced crew that quickly maneuvered through the turbulent seas away from the storm. Despite the need for repairs they continued their journey to Yucatan.

Karina opened her eyes, sunlight from the porthole lit up the cabin. Karina realized she was not alone. Turning slightly she viewed Captain Drake lying next to her, his arm draped over her waist holding her close. He was not wearing his shirt and suddenly she was overcome with desire at the masculine display of tan muscle and flesh lying next to her and his face had developed an overnight shadow. Her gaze fell to his defined muscled chest adorned by a minimal amount of chest hair that spread thinly past his navel.
  A dark lock of hair fell over a straight thick brow and his full sensual lips were temptingly close. He was such an alluring male; she felt a compelling desire to press her lips to his but stopped fearing she might arouse him in more ways than one. She could almost welcome his fiery touch but scolded herself for wanting to allow those dangerous caresses she had only dreamed of, those reserved only for married couples then she remembered Lynnette. She could end up in the same condition, expecting a child, except unmarried like Lavinia, cast aside by her own father. She pictured herself not only cast aside after giving in to temptation, but sick and nauseated on a daily basis like the misery she endured when she first boarded the ship. She took one more look at his virile masculine form and sighed, deciding to leave before she caused her own fall from grace by seducing the handsome captain.

Karina carefully lifted his arm and slipped from under it, thankful he didn’t sense her leave. Still dressed in the white blood stained dress she quietly picked up her boots and yellow dress and tiptoed out of the cabin barefoot.

It was a quiet morning, the Sea Maiden was a mess, most of the crew was still resting, the men on duty roamed around evaluating the damage. She walked over to the guest quarters, it was flooded, everything was wet and the door was on the floor. She opened the crate to see if perhaps some of the other male clothes she had in there were dry but they were soaked as well. She walked over to Lynnette and Peter’s cabin; perhaps Peter was up now, Karina knocked.

“Who is it?”

“Karina!”

“Come in.” Lynnette said.

Karina opened the door and came in.

“Where’s Peter?”

“He’s out surveying the damage.”

Karina went directly to Roy’s drawers and started looking for more clothes.

“What are you doing?”

“I need some dry breeches.”

“You’re going to leave the man without any clothes.”

“I know but I did leave him enough to replace everything I’m taking.”

“I hope you’re not going to provoke an episode with Captain Drake again.”

“Lynnette, have you been outside yet?”

“No.”

“It’s a disaster and the guest quarter is flooded, I have much work to do and I cannot do it in a low cut dress without my bosom spilling out. Besides, Captain Drake was still sleeping when I left him.”

“When you left him?” Lynnette looked at her in shock. “You slept with him?”

“Yes-” Lynnette gasped. “…but not like you think?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well there was no place for me to go after leaving you and Peter this morning, like I said, the guest quarters was flooded everything was wet so I
 had to go to his cabin. He wasn’t there when I came in he was still on the bridge most likely, so I lied down and fell asleep. When I woke up he was lying next to me. So yes I slept with him but nothing happened.”

“How is that possible?”

“Well, we were both exhausted, he must have come in while I was asleep but he was gentleman and didn’t disturb me or take advantage of me while I lied there. I on the other hand had very wanton thoughts upon waking and seeing him there without his shirt. I had to leave before I did something I would regret…or sinfully enjoy, anyway I left.”

“Well congratulations, you’re much stronger than me.”

“No, I just thought of myself cast aside like Lavinia and in your condition, nauseous, homeless and unwed and waking up daily to empty the contents of my stomach….that made it easier to leave.”

“I’m not unwed!”

“No, but I am and neither the Captain nor I are ready for any children.”

“Well, Peter and I weren’t ready for any either.”

“Yes but Peter spoke about marring you almost the moment he met you. Captain Drake, on the other hand, has never mentioned the word. We are making progress however, yesterday he told me he can’t help wanting to be with me all the time.”

“There, you see, that’s wonderful Karina!”

“Wanting me for intimacy, is not exactly declaring undying love!”

“I’m sure it’s more than that Karina you’re much to guarded, but why are you still so formal with him? Why do you still refer to him as Captain Drake? The two of you have shared romantic embraces several times now.” Karina looked down,

“I stay formal because it helps me set boundaries with him, which is becoming a real struggle for me lately, however I was grateful for his gallantry this morning of course but I think the real reason he didn’t seduce me while I lay sleeping next to him was because he was feeling resentful toward me…for helping Peter last night.”

Lynnette looked away.

“Yes well it was disturbing…you know this morning after you left…Peter and I…um…were intimate…but he was different and rather rough with me. I don’t know if it was his brush with death or knowing he was between us most of the night that intensified the intimacy. It was unsettling for me and it must have bothered Captain Drake as well. We are human you know.”

“I left before he woke up. Did you tell Peter he slept between us….nude?

“Well…yes.”

“Why?”

“I wanted him to know you helped save his life.”

“Good Lord Lynnette! I know you meant well…and I appreciated it but you should have held that back. ” Lynnette bit her bottom lip in anguish. “It would be good of
 you to also remember that Peter is human too and a man…anyway it’s too late now. I better get dressed and get going. I have to get that water out of the guest room and get my bed dry, because I don’t know how many more nights I can remain a maiden if I continue to stay in the Captain’s cabin, either by his hand or mine. Right now it helps me to remember Lavinia and my father, and all the misery, regrets and lost love after indulging in temptation. Once we reach New England, the Captain and I will likely part and I don’t want to face that kind of misery alone, especially if I’m with child.”

“I don’t believe that will happen, Karina.”

“Well I remain unconvinced.”

Karina finished dressing in Roy’s shirt and breeches, put on her boots, braided her hair and walked out.

Lord Harmon had recovered from his near death overdose. The saving factor was not finishing the lethal drink. The drug had made him take on a death like state. He awoke the next day. He surveyed the damage then found Marcus lying dead on the living room floor. The room was in shatters and Karina and Lynnette were gone. Later he learned that the military had confiscated
 the Raven and taken Captain Tate into custody.

Lord Gunther was outraged that Karina had slipped through his fingers once again but he had one consolation, she was now legally his wife who willed control of her inheritance over to him and had signed documents to that effect. Gunther planned to take immediate control, however he had to remove a few hindrances first.

Gunther reasoned, that since the use of force had not worked, he would now take a new approach, this time he would use the law to his advantage. She was obviously in love with Eric, and cared deeply for her father’s welfare, so obviously there were other ways to persuade her to return to him and do his bidding. He would need Charles in New England in order for his plan to work. Charles would do anything for Karina and if he received a desperate note for help from her, he would be on the next ship to America, ailing or not.

As for Karina, she just needed to be reminded, that her father clung to life by a thread and if she wanted to keep him alive she would need to cooperate in pressing full charges against his dear half-brother Eric for kidnapping her against her will and confiscating the ring. Gunther prepared for his trip to New England, with Charles in New England, Karina would come running to meet him and Gunther would then explain to Karina her need to press charges against Eric. Once incarcerated he would offer his dear bastard half-brother a bargaining chip, to drop charges against him if he returned
 the Sea Maiden, and later have him killed down a dark road. They were all so predictable his new plan was going to work smoothly. Gunther patted himself on the back after all he wasn’t wealthy by accident.

Karina got busy draining the water out of the guest quarters and had to take out the mattress that was on the bunk and set it out to dry. She washed her dresses and her male clothes. Lynnette joined her in washing clothes.

Captain Drake woke up near noon; upon noting she was no longer next to him he felt frustrated for not waking sooner. She was more slippery than he anticipated, that or she had a guardian angel watching over her. It suddenly occurred to him…could the very name of his ship have anything to do with her remaining an elusive maiden, he smiled to himself as he smoothed out the sheet where she’d slept next to him. He dressed and left the cabin. Outside he heard Karina and Lynnette talking. He was surprised to see that Karina was busy fixing the hinges on the door; he was rather hoping she would need to spend another night in his cabin.

“Good morning ladies.”

“You mean good afternoon Captain.” Karina corrected.

“So it is…I stand corrected.” He crossed his arms as he surveyed the activity. “Well Karina…you continue to surprise me, I never guessed you to be so talented.”

“I have many talents Captain.”

“I see that.” He smiled

“Not only that Captain, Karina has also drained out the room and both these ladies have been busy washing clothes.” Dr. Tibbs added and pointed toward the drying clothes.

“I just like to be productive Dr. Tibbs; thank you for noticing besides it’s not good to have too much time on one’s hands.” Karina added.

“I agree my dear.” Dr. Tibbs replied.

“I see you’re back in men’s clothing.” Captain Drake commented

“As you can see
 Captain my dresses are drying.” Karina motioned toward the clothes drying with a sarcastic smile.

Peter approached. He was unusually serious

“Hello Captain.”

“Hello Peter how are you feeling? You gave us a real scare yesterday, glad to have you back.”

“Thank you Captain…it’s good to be back. Since you’re all here I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you all, Captain, Karina, my beautiful wife Lynnette, Seaman Givens, and Dr. Tibbs for saving my life last night.” Lynnette hugged him. “Life has been coming at me fast lately and the thought of losing my wife, my life and everyone in it was a sobering experience. I guess you don’t really appreciate what you have till you nearly lose it so I wanted to say that I truly appreciate what you all did for me yesterday, once again, thank you.”

“It was frightening yet humbling experience for all of us Peter, it helped us realize that not only is life fragile but that we should value each other more as individuals, embrace our differences and not be so superficial, petty or intolerant with one another.” Karina replied looking at Captain Drake.

Captain Drake recognized Karina’s small jab about not being superficial or petty surely meant in regards to their disagreement over her choice of clothing. Peter hugged Karina and Lynnette.

“My two favorite girls in the world I never knew my mother so I can’t include her.”

“Well that makes two of us.” Captain Drake said.

“That makes three of us.” Karina added.

“Well I’m sure they were all special ladies.” Peter added.

Lynnette, Dr. Tibbs and seaman Givens simply looked at one another glad not to share that misfortune.

“In view of what we have all experienced I believe we need to take a day to reflect and be thankful for escaping a terrible fate. There is a small uninhabited island just ahead where we will anchor off shore to take a much needed rest and celebrate our good fortune.” Captain Drake announced.

Everyone cheered and clapped at the Captain’s announcement. They could all use a break, after having endured the past events, fighting, pirates, a rescue, and a hurricane. Even the officers and Mr. Caleb approved. They all scattered in anticipation of a relaxing day on the island.

Karina finished securing the hinges to the door, she was proud to see the door back in working condition.

“I’m proud of you Karina, not only are you a skilled swords-woman and schemer but turns out you’re gifted in the carpentry arts as well.” Captain Drake joked. “Not to mention extremely beautiful.”

He added as he pulled her into an embrace and playfully secured her hands behind her back. Once again irritated at his public display of familiarity with her in front of the crew she snapped rebelliously and pulled away.