by Mary Speer
“I’m the happiest man on earth right now.” Peter whispered in her ear and placed his hand on her stomach.
“And I am the happiest woman.” Lynnette and Peter kissed and hugged again.
“The Captain told me earlier I’m to be the 1st mate for his new ship, the Lady Dorothea.”
“Oh, Peter that’s wonderful…it’s like a dream come true, but what about Karina, she wanted you to continue working with her as well?”
“Don’t worry about that, the Captain has his own plans for her but don’t say anything.”
Then the Captain congratulated the couple and made an announcement.
“We have been experiencing many unexpected events on this ship but this one I commend and brings me great pleasure to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Peter and Lynnette De Marco.”
Everyone cheered and clapped. “And now Emmett has prepared a special meal for us to celebrate our happy couple. Unfortunately not everyone fits in the dining room but there are plenty of hands to help out.”
Peter and Lynnette led the way to the dining room; Captain Drake extended his arm to Karina as they made their way to the dining room along with some of the officers.
“You look stunning Karina; I hope you’re recovering from your injury.”
He looked at the top of her head where he could still see a bruise.
“Well it was a bit tender when I washed and brushed my hair earlier but it’s not bothering me anymore. If I may say so Captain you look very handsome as well.”
“Glad my lady approves.”
Was she his lady or his entertainment? She wondered but decided to let the thought go for now, she didn’t want any conflicting feelings at Lynnette and Peter’s wedding. She could never repay Captain Drake for rescuing her from those pirates and Lord Harmon but that was not a reason to allow him to take liberties with her. She had to set boundaries with him she decided or risk becoming a convenient toy for him. Karina joined in small talk around the dinner table and distanced herself from the Captain as much as possible. As the celebration wore on some of the crew brought out fiddles and began playing music and danced and sang. Everyone was enjoying and celebrating Peter and Lynnette’s nuptials. After a long day of the merry festivities, Peter and Lynnette bid everyone good night as they made their way to their newly converted honeymoon suite. Previously Lynnette’s and Karina’s quarters after Roy left. Karina now needed to stay in the guest quarters with the broken door. She would simply brace the table and chair against the door, she thought.
Captain Drake approached Karina and led her away from the others to the side of the ship.
“Now I would like to know why you have been so cold toward me all night.”
“Cold? I hardly consider my behavior cold Captain I have shamefully accommodated your indulgences with me.” He was about to kiss her when Karina purposely interrupted by placing a hand to his chest. “Captain Drake regarding my passage, I am fully prepared to-”
He was not listening to her and kissed her before she could finish her sentence. This was exactly the kind of behavior she needed to stop. She could not deny her attraction to him or the pleasurable sensations she felt when they kissed. What bothered her was how he simply took liberties with her and worst of all was how he affected her. Even Lord Harmon’s comment about doubting she would remain a maiden for long in his company made her both uncomfortable as well as undeniably heated, she cringed ashamed of her obvious desire for the man. Karina knew that if she didn’t set some boundaries with him soon her fate would be like that of Lavinia’s, discarded by her father years before. Karina decided she would set it straight now.
“Captain Drake I truly appreciate everything you’ve done for me but I think we need to clarify something. First I must deeply thank you for your assistance in rescuing me from those pirates, for that I’m truly grateful but I find it disrespectful that you take liberties with me at will and I am not comfortable with that, and will no longer permit such behavior from you.” Eric having drunk a few glasses of wine was not listening to her and attempted to kiss her once again but Karina stopped him. “Very well captain, since you’re apparently not in a listening mood then I bid you good night!”
Karina turned and started to walk away from him. Captain Drake reached for her arm.
“Where are you going?”
“To the guest quarters.”
“The door is still broken.”
“Yes, but I will lodge the table and chair against it for now, I trust tomorrow you will have that repaired for me.”
“Yes of course but tonight you can sleep in my bed.”
Karina gasped and slapped him for the offending suggestion.
“Ow!”
“I’m not one of your riff raff serving girl floozies you’re so accustomed to, thank you!”
“Forgive me Karina I didn’t mean for it to sound that way!”
Karina walked away in a huff and went directly to the guest quarters. She had forgotten to bring her sack of clothes from Lynnette and Peter’s new honeymoon suite however she didn’t need the sack, it only had her dresses, the male clothes and boots she took from Roy’s drawers were in the crate in the guest quarters and that was all she needed for the moment.
CHAPTER 28
Lady or Buccaneer
The next morning Karina got up and put on the black breeches she took from Roy’s drawer. They fit her snug compared to the previous breeches. She then put on the black extra shirt Peter gave her which was also snug and tucked it in then put on the boots, intended for Roy’s son, which fit much better than the ones left in New Providence. She finished by making one long braid. Today was a new day and she was going to stick to her decision not to allow Captain Drake any more liberties. Feeling empowered for finally putting her foot down with the Captain and happy she set boundaries with him she felt confident she wouldn’t be toyed with again. She picked up the blue dress to give to Lynnette and walked out of the room.
Karina was about to go toward Lynnette’s room to leave her the dress but ran into her on the deck. Being that Lynnette was on her honeymoon, Karina was surprised to see her so early. Lynnette was on her way back to the cabin looking weak and pale from apparently having to get to the side of the ship in hurry again.
“Lynnette, are you alright?”
“Better, for the moment.” Lynnette paused and scanned the male outfit. “You’re looking very buccaneer today all in black.” No longer having her vest, which hid her feminine figure and full bosom, Karina was a bold statement with the snug fitting breeches and tight shirt, “Are you sure you should be wearing that Karina? I don’t think Captain Drake-”
Karina’s heated response was instant.
“Frankly I’m not concerned Lynnette!” Karina snapped.
“My, you’re sensitive today; I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Forgive me Lynnette; I’m just not myself today.” ‘Obviously’ Lynnette thought. “Here take the dress…I won’t be needing it anymore.”
“Thank you Karina….well I’m going to lie down now I will talk to you later.”
Lynnette took the blue dress and walked away sensing something was bugging Karina but she was still nauseous so she decided not to pursue the subject for now.
Karina only grew further irritated and thought, what she chose to ware should not be up to Captain Drake. She was grateful for his heroic rescue of her of course but he was not her employer or her husband, and up until now there was no defined relationship between them other than the heated moments they exchanged and liberties he continued to take with her whenever they were alone, she hated herself for allowing them; she was incensed at the thought that she was merely a convenient source of entertainment for him. She became even more frustrated thinking how men, including her father, regarded women as mere objects making decisions in their lives without even consulting them, and expecting them to follow through. She remembered Aunt Dottie’s words ‘Don’t let others dictate your life to you because you’re the one who has to liv
e it.’ The truth was she liked her new independence. She would no longer allow any man to dictate to her especially regarding something as trivial as clothes.
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?”