The Sea Maiden

by Mary Speer

  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?”

  “Boarding my ship.”

  “So it was a mistake to board your ship?”

  “Only if you thought that first kiss back at Harmon Hall was going to satisfy me.”

  “See? You want physical satisfaction, but I want an emotional one.”

  “I’m willing to give you both, why do you run from me.”

  “Because you haven’t said anything to make me feel like I’m more than mere entertainment to you.”

  “I just did.”

  “When? I need to feel it.”

  “That will be my pleasure.”

  He smiled and kissed her; she unlaced his arms then moved away,

  “Be serious.”

  She moved behind his desk. He reached for her hand and gently pulled her from behind his desk then lifted her and sat her on his desk.

  “Karina, I have been a bachelor for a long time and have been with many women, but after I met you, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I wanted you from the first moment I saw you. There isn’t a day since I met you that I don’t think of making love to you…” Karina gasped at his bold confession and nearly jumped off the desk but he held her down. “…are you going to let me finish? I’m just being honest. He took her hands and kissed them. I can’t help wanting you all the time.

  Karina was never weaker, against her better judgment she allowed his caresses to continue then he lifted her off the desk. She placed her hands around his neck, further fueling his desire. ‘Was it possible she meant more to him than passing amusement?’ Karina desperately wanted to believe that. Captain Drake set her down and unlaced her hands and moved away from her, Karina felt a sense of loss. He moved toward the door and locked it then came back and swept his arm under her knees and lifted her again; he carried her across the room and laid her down on his bed where he joined her.

  CHAPTER 29

  Sea, Wind & Fire

  On the bridge James Caleb, the second in command told one of the young officers, Nick McClellan, who was on his first voyage.

  “Go alert the Captain it looks like we’re headed into a tropical storm.”

  “I believe he’s busy sir.”

  “Busy doing what?” Caleb snapped.

  McClellan cleared his throat.

  “Busy with the…um…young lady.”

  Caleb turned in frustration.

  “WHAT? THIS IS A SHIP NOT A BROTHEL! Those damn women need to be put on land as soon as possible, their nothing but a distraction to these men. Since we discovered Aaron was a woman, a fight broke out, we have been attacked by pirates, forced to perform a rescue in pirate ridden territory, lost our quarter master, lost Peter to the other female they brought back with them and now the Captain can’t seem to find the door out of his cabin. He lost focus the minute she showed up. Now go get him and Peter too! We need all hands on deck!”

  “Sir, Peter is with his wife…on his honeymoon.” Officer McClellan nearly whispered.

  “I DON’T CARE IF HE’S WITH THE POPE AT AN INQUISITION! If he wants to live to make love to his wife again he needs to get his rear on the bridge NOW!”

  “Yes sir.”

  Officer McClellan made his way to Peter and Lynnette’s quarters first. He knocked on the door, and almost immediately Peter answered.

  “Mr. Caleb is requesting all hands on deck we have a storm brewing.” Peter looked at the stirring dark clouds in alarm.

  “Jesus! I’m on my way!”

  He turned and finished putting on his boots. McClellan turned and headed toward the Captain’s cabin on the opposite side of the ship, the wind was much stronger now.

  “What’s wrong Peter?” Lynnette sat up sensing his distress.

  “Looks like a storm.”

  “Is that bad?”

  “It’s just procedure…I have to go. Go through Roy’s drawers and look for rope or anything you can tie yourself down with, I’ll be back shortly.”

  “Why?”

  “Well, the seas can get pretty rough sometimes and toss us around I don’t want you getting hurt. It’ll be fine but we have to be cautious, I’ll be back soon, I love you!”

  “I love you too!”

  He kissed her. Peter didn’t want to alarm Lynnette. If the storm was a hurricane they could be in for some serious trouble. He needed to stay positive for the both of them. He walked out and headed for the bridge.

  Still fully dressed Eric was kissing Karina’s neck when he tensed after feeling the ship rising on a swell.

  “Is something wrong?” Karina asked.

  In a second he left her and was looking out the small round window.

  “Good Lord! Change back into male outfit you had on!”

  “What? Why? What’s happening?”

  “A tropical storm!” He said avoiding the word, ‘Hurricane.’

  Alarmed, Karina jumped off the bed, not even registering the door slamming in the background; she ran to the port hole and saw the
stirring black clouds.

  “OH MY GOD!”

  Karina swallowed in horror as she looked at the swelling seas and dark clouds. She put her hands to her mouth. Peter had told her how many ships had been lost at sea when they encountered hurricanes. With the ship’s movement she fumbled around losing her balance as she took off the dress and put the breeches, shirt and boots back on then tied her hair in a knot behind her. Peter no doubt was already on deck too. She better go check on Lynnette.

  Officer McClellan was glad to encounter the Captain already coming toward him. It had started raining hard and the seas were turbulent the ship seem to jump in the water making it difficult to keep balanced. The officers nearly shouted to hear each other.

  “Where is Peter?”

  “He’s on his way sir!”

  Water seemed to come from all angles, both men made their way through the turbulence toward the bridge. The Sea Maiden was now enduring incessant rolls with each plunge of her bow, waves of green ocean water slammed against her. On the bridge Caleb could be heard barking orders.

  “All hands stand by for possible heavy rolls as the ship comes about.”

  They were changing course in the effort to steer away from the storm. The Captain arrived and was given an evaluation and report of their change in course.

  “Men it’s going to be a long night I need all hands to secure any loose gear! Any object not tied down rolling around on deck can be fatal now move! And take precautions!” the Captain ordered.

  They were now enduring, rough seas, strong wind and the blinding rain squalls. Peter went for rope and was on his way to ensure Lynnette was tied down when he saw Karina helping tie down gear. Due to the howling wind, shouting was the only form of communication.

  “KARINA WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”

  “WHAT DO YOU THINK I’M DOING?” He grabbed her hand in an effort to get her to safer ground.

  “C’MON YOU AND LYNNETTE NEED TO BE TIED DOWN INSIDE THE CABIN AND STAY THERE! IT’S GOING TO BE A ROUGH NIGHT!”

  “PETER, I ALREADY TIED DOWN LYNNETTE!”

  “HOW?”

  “YOU SHOWED ME HOW TO DO KNOTS! REMEMBER? I THINK YOU CAN USE ANOTHER PAIR OF HANDS OUT HERE!”

  “NO! YOU NEED TO BE WITH LYNNETTE, IT’S SAFER IN THE CABIN…HOW IS SHE?”

  “TERRIFIED! I JUST CHECKED ON HER …BUT I’M NOT GOING TO SIT AROUND ALL TIED UP AND WAIT FOR THE SHIP TO BREAK UP!”

  Suddenly the ship lurched as it was struck along its side and Karina was thrown bodily against Peter who hit the wall behind him hitting his head pretty hard, he looked dazed. Karina lost site of him for a moment with the blinding salt-water spray. The day had grown dark which compounded the problem. She tried to clear her eyes but couldn’t see.

  “PETER! PETER! WHERE ARE YOU?”

  He was not answering her; frantic she looked around for him, on the deck overflowed with sloshing ocean water nowhere to be found.

  “PETER!”

  She continued to cry out terrified that he might be drowning right in front of her; she was on her knees when she felt strong hands pulling her up.

  “NO! NO!”

  She was not even sure who it was. She squinted against the hard rain and saw that it was Dr. Tibbs trying to help her to her feet.

  “DR. TIBBS HELP ME FIND HIM?” SHE SHOUTED.

  “WHO?”

  “PETER! HE HIT HIS HEAD ON THE WALL, I THINK HE MIGHT BE UNCONSCIOUS, I CAN’T FIND HIM! PLEASE HELP ME!”

  Earlier Captain Drake had told Peter to take Karina and make sure she and Lynnette were tied down. Thinking Karina was with Lynnette he went to check on them, upon not finding Karina with Lynnette, he panicked. Lynnette told him Karina had insisted on helping tie down lose gear and had left. Fearing for her life he went looking for her. He was on the far end of the ship when he heard her screaming for Peter and began making his way through the constant lurching of the ship then realized there was a body by his feet, and heard a crew member say,

  “IT’S PETER SIR, HE’S DROWNED!”

  Captain Drake tensed and he and the sailor lifted Peter’s cold soaked body off the deck. Karina and Dr. Tibbs continued searching and calling for Peter. Then she heard the sailor yell that they had found Peter. Karina and Dr. Tibbs made their way toward them. Upon seeing Peter’s limp body, Karina screamed in horror.

  “OH GOD! OH NO! PLEASE GOD; PLEASE LET HIM BE ALRIGHT!”

  They brought him into the Captain’s cabin, which was closest. Dr. Tibbs tried to revive him basically in the dark under the constant roll of the ship, which seemed to lessen in intensity.

  They lit a lantern, Peter’s lips looked blue. Dr. Tibbs worked on him then suddenly Peter coughed up water. Dr. Tibbs looked up. Karina closed her eyes and clenched her hands,

  “Thank you God!”

  “He’s not out of the woods yet. He’s very cold, we need to get him to his wife she will need to disrobe and warm him up, Karina you need to do the same or he might not survive.” Dr. Tibbs ordered.

  Captain Drake suddenly blinked.

  “What?”

  “His body temperature it’s too low he need’s body warmth. We must go quickly!” Dr. Tibbs ordered.

  Captain Drake draped Peter over his shoulder and carried him over to Lynnette’s cabin trying not to fall with him. Karina and Dr. Tibbs followed closely. The ship was much more controlled now they seemed to have made it out of the turbulence.

  Karina threw open the door to Lynnette’s room. Lynnette who was tied down to the bed and looking unwell herself; let out a blood curdling scream when they brought in Peter’s limp body. Dr. Tibbs started to disrobe Peter.

  “OH MY GOD IS HE DEAD!” Lynnette screamed

  “No! But you must help him! He needs body warmth.” Dr. Tibbs stated

  “We must get these wet clothes off him, you too Lynnette and Karina, he must lie between you.” Doctor Tibbs ordered.

  Terrified at Peters’ site, Lynnette removed the ropes and jumped out of bed. Karina rushed to her side.

  “It’s going to be alright Lynnette. You must take off your clothes dear, we both do and try to raise his body temperature or….”

  Karina gave her a distressed look. Fully alarmed, Lynnette dropped her dress without even waiting for Captain Drake to walk out of the room and climbed into bed next to her husband’s limp cold body. Karina did the same and climbed over both Lynnette and Peter to his backside and got under the covers. Captain Drake’s mouth dropped open at what he just witnessed. The woman he loved and desired just disrobed in front of him to get in bed with another man and his wife….to save his life he had to tell himself….over and over.

  “How long does this have to go on?” He asked Dr. Tibbs

  “Till his body temperature is back to normal…. Captain Drake, he’s unconscious, he doesn’t even know she’s there. If his wife accepted this, so should you. Come Captain, let’s go.”

  Dr. Tibbs gently tapped Eric’s back urging him to leave. Captain Drake looked back at Karina obviously disturbed; she returned an anguished look hoping for understanding. Captain Drake looked away and walked out.

  CHAPTER 30

  The Morning After

  At dawn Peter started stirring, his body temperature seemed to be normal again. Karina got up quickly, the black breeches and shirt were soaked, her yellow dress, was in the Captain’s cabin, the blue dress was now Lynnette’s, luckily her bag was here with her two remaining dresses. The burgundy was too heavy so she put on the only choice left, the white one she got from the pirate captain still blood stained from her head wound.

  Lynnette touched her hand, Karina turned toward her.

  “Thank you Karina for what you did for Peter and me. I hope Captain Drake is not too upset with you. I will talk with him later and thank him and Dr. Tibbs as well as seaman Givens who helped save Peter.”

  “I was scared too Lynnette, it was a frightening moment but I’m glad I could help and that we’re all still here. How are you feeling today?”

  �
��Actually I feel fine. No morning sickness or sea sickness.”

  “I’m happy to hear that Sweetie, you can sure use a rest from that as well.” Karina kissed her forehead. We’ll talk later, alright? Now get some rest.”

  Karina hurried out as she heard Peter ask Lynnette what happened. Karina went back to the guest quarters but with the door still broken it was soaked with sloshing water in the cabin. So she walked over to the Captain’s cabin and knocked. The door opened. He was not there. She came in and sat on the bed and waited for a while but he did not come by. It was still dawn; Karina lied down and soon fell asleep. After a while Captain Drake came back to his cabin and saw her sleeping on his bed, they all had a rough night and no sleep; both were exhausted. He removed his wet clothes and boots and changed into dry breeches. Not wanting to disturb her he lied down next to her placing his arm over her waste, he drew close to her and placed a gentle kiss on her neck and fell asleep next to her.

  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.