Sail With Me (A Discovery Series Book)

by Christy Major

  At this, Daniel exploded into laughter. “A gentleman? Ha! I don’t think anyone could learn to be a gentleman from a sea dog like you.”

  “Sea dog?” In one quick movement, the captain slung his arm around Daniel’s neck and squeezed. “Sea dog?”

  “Uh-huh,” Daniel managed around his laughter as he fought his uncle off.

  “Sea dogs don’t play fair,” Captain Finley said as he pulled the back of Daniel’s tunic over Daniel’s head and jabbed him in the ribs.

  Daniel let out a puff of breath as he righted his shirt and reclaimed some dignity. I couldn’t help but laugh myself.

  “What’s he laughing at?” Captain Finley said to Daniel as he pointed to me.

  Before Daniel or I could respond, the captain stepped over to me and wrapped his arm around my neck. I wasn’t sure what to do. Shrugging away would have been rude, but playing along could prove to cause quite a problem as well. I shot Daniel a “help me” look, and he grabbed onto his uncle’s arm.

  “Don’t hurt the boy,” Daniel said. “I’ve wrestled with Charlie before and he’s… well… not made of the same stuff we are, Uncle Samuel.”

  Not exactly the help I was looking for, but it did get the captain to ease up on his grip.

  “He looks pretty tough to me.” The captain released me all the way now, and I adjusted my clothing, making sure everything was still in order.

  “An illusion.” Daniel smirked from behind his uncle, clearly enjoying the tale he weaved against me. “He’s a jellyfish.”

  “A jellyfish!” I hollered. “Why you…” I stormed past the captain and launched myself into Daniel’s midsection. He stumbled backward into the wall, laughing all the way. “Careful,” he warned with a grin.

  “I’m going to get you later,” I whispered as I backed off.

  “I look forward to it,” he said so only I could hear.

  “All right, all right,” the captain intervened. “Let’s all try to be gentlemen anyway.”

  Daniel and I nodded, and Captain Finley smiled back at us. “I’m glad you two are here with me. You’re turning out to be worthy sailors and fine men.”

  A knot developed in my throat. Daniel’s eyebrows lowered as if he were in pain. In pain holding the truth back from his uncle. It took only that expression on Daniel’s beautiful face to make my decision.

  “Captain,” I said. The time had come.

  “Yes, Charlie?”

  “There’s something I should tell you.”

  “No.” Daniel put a hand on my shoulder from behind me. “There’s something we should tell you.”

  “What’s that?” The captain narrowed his eyes at us.

  “I’m a…” I started. “I… uhh… I’m a…” Cripes, how was I supposed to tell a great man like Captain Finley who had just complimented me that I’d been lying to him all this time?

  “You’re a what, Charlie?” The captain glanced at Daniel.

  “Uhh… there is no easy way to say this.” I huffed out a long breath and bent over as if I were going to be sick. Maybe I was. “You’ve been so kind to me. Made me feel like a part of your crew. Part of your family.”

  “You are, Charlie. You’ve done a fine job aboard the Rose. Been a good friend to Daniel,” the captain said. “I meant what I said. You’re a fine young man.” He wasn’t making this any easier.

  “Thank you, sir.” I straightened and rubbed a hand across my face. “I didn’t mean to be dishonest to you.”

  The captain shifted his gaze to his nephew. “What’s he trying to say, Daniel?”

  “He’s trying to tell you that he’s a—”

  “Girl,” I finished, blurting the word out. “I’m a girl, Captain.” I pulled off Benjamin’s cap, letting my hair spill down and slipped out the extra shirt stuffed at my gut. Eric’s tunic fell into place against me. There was no disputing what I was.

  Captain Finley’s face morphed from its normal hue to a darkening red in mere moments. His mouth opened several times, but no words came out. My heart bounced around in my chest like a caught bird as I braced myself for whatever was coming next.

  “Uncle,” Daniel said. “Just listen, all right?”

  The captain held up his hand to stop Daniel. “I’ve had a… a girl… up in my crow’s nest for months? I risked the safety of the Rose? That’s what you’re telling me?”

  I took several shaky steps away from the captain.

  “Look, Uncle Samuel,” Daniel tried again.

  “Hush, boy!” Daniel and I both jumped at the sound of Captain Finley’s voice. “How is it, girl, that you know what you know about sailing?”

  “My father and brothers are sailors, sir,” I said. “I’ve grown up around the docks, the ships, the ocean.”

  “What’s your real name?” The captain had closed the small distance I had put between us. His face filled my vision.

  “Charlotte Denham.”

  “Denham! James Denham’s daughter?” Captain Finley slapped a hand to his forehead.

  I steered clear of looking at him straight in the eye, but nodded. My own eyes had filled with tears. One blink and they would spill.

  “Why didn’t you sail with him?”

  “He wouldn’t let—”

  “Of course he wouldn’t let you!” Captain Finley bobbed his head up and down. “No father would. No captain would.” He paced away from us, and Daniel tugged me closer to him, resting his hand around my waist. When the captain paced back, he stopped in his tracks and stared at us.

  “Wait a minute. What else is going on here?” Something washed across Captain Finley’s face, softening his features, draining the red from his cheeks.

  “We’re in love, Uncle.” Daniel squeezed me closer to him.

  I warmed at hearing Daniel say those words so confidently.

  The captain hesitated for a long moment. So long I thought time would never advance again. Then he walked over to us and reached out a hand.

  I squeezed my eyes closed, expecting the captain’s hand to meet my face in some way. A few tears escaped down my cheeks.

  “Oh, Charlie,” he said. “I’m not going to hit you. Have you seen any violence from me so far?” He scratched at his beard as he regarded me, then Daniel. “Love isn’t an easy thing to find or… hold on to.” His jaw tensed then he drew in a huge breath and let it leak through his teeth. “Well, you fooled me, Miss Charlotte, but you are everything else you claimed to be on that first day on the beach. You cleaned, cooked, fished, trimmed, and repaired sails. You did a first rate job in the crow’s nest aboard the Rose. You were definitely a hard worker and took orders better than some of my more senior crew.”

  “I never got sick either,” I added.

  “No, indeed, you didn’t.” Captain Finley ran a hand over his face. “When did you find out she was a girl?” he asked Daniel.

  “When I was sick.”

  “You knew all this time and didn’t tell me?”

  “What difference does it make, Uncle Samuel?” Daniel said. “She did the job she promised to do.”

  “Seems as if she’s cured you too.”

  “Better than any medicine.”

  I glanced back at Daniel and my love for him grew tenfold.

  “In that case,” the captain began, “you both have my blessing.”

  “Really, Uncle?”

  “She’s made you into a new person, Daniel. The person your parents wanted you to be. The person I knew was inside you. I can’t let one lie undo the good she’s done for you.”

  My eyes filled again as everything I had been holding in for months came crashing down on me. I rushed forward before I could stop myself and threw my arms around the captain.

  “Oh,” he said stiffly, but it only took him a second to relax into the hug.

  “Thank you,” I choked out. “For everything.”

  “It is I who should be thanking you, Miss Charlotte.” Captain Finley peeled me away a bit. “I’ve only wanted Daniel to be happy and look at him now.
I’ve never seen him happier.”

  Daniel turned me around to face him. He lifted my hand to his lips as he had done on so many secret encounters. “Now that we don’t have to hide…” He brushed a quick kiss across the back of my hand.

  As he did so, Tizoc reappeared from behind the curtained doorway. Our eyes connected for a moment then he looked to the captain.

  “A girl among us,” Captain Finley said. “You were right. We were protecting her. Is that going to be a problem?”

  “Not at all.” Tizoc smiled diplomatically but not amicably. I think he had enjoyed knowing something the captain had not. Now the secret was out. All the wrinkles ironed away. He didn’t look pleased.

  “My father will see you now.” He ushered us beyond the curtain, giving me a cool glance as I brushed past him.

  I was overjoyed that Captain Finley had accepted me and wasn’t angry with us. Displeasing Tizoc, however, was another matter.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  An older man with silvery hair hanging past his shoulders sat in the center of the spacious room. He wore a long, colorful cloak decorated with red feathers around the sleeves and a wide silver collar about his neck. His features were similar to Tizoc’s but creased with age. His eyes were black pools like the other Sunal, and as we approached, the man stood.

  “Yaoti Metztli, my tahtli, father,” Tizoc said.

  The captain extended his hand. “Captain Samuel Finley of the Rose.”

  Tizoc’s father shook the captain’s outstretched hand. He glanced behind the captain at me, then at Daniel. The captain took a step back and laid a hand on Daniel’s shoulder. “This is my nephew, Daniel Connor.”

  Daniel bowed his head at Yaoti who returned the gesture.

  “And this,” Captain Finley said, standing behind me and resting both of his hands on my shoulders, “is Miss Charlotte Denham.”

  Yaoti looked at me then to the captain. “She dresses as a man?”

  “Aye. She’s among the best members of my crew.”

  “Women are gifts,” Yaoti said, bowing his head toward me. “I have four daughters of my own. Each is a rare gem.” He came to stand before me. “Welcome, Miss Denham.”

  “Thank you,” I managed, though I was a little awestruck at the majesty of Tizoc’s father. He stood at eye level to me, but a radiance exuded from him—the same energy I had felt from Tizoc.

  Yaoti turned back to the captain. “My son tells me you are Englishmen, here only to observe and learn.”

  “Yes, that’s right,” Captain Finley agreed. “We want only to see your culture.”

  “Then see it you shall,” Yaoti replied. “Tizoc has sent one of our men with one of your own to retrieve the rest of your crew and guide them back here. The men you have brought with you now will be seen to their accommodations nearby. I would be honored if the three of you came to our home where my family can give you a proper Sunal welcome.”

  “We appreciate your hospitality,” the captain said.

  “Part of the invitation is hospitality, Captain,” Yaoti said. “Another part is strategy. Others like you have come before. Not all of them have been honorable men. By having you stay at my home—”

  “You have me under your watch,” the captain finished.

  “Of course.” The lines in Yaoti’s face deepened around his mouth as he smiled.

  “Fair enough,” Captain Finley said. “I assure you, we do not wish your people harm, but I understand your caution.”

  Yaoti’s face softened. “There will be a feast tonight. You must come.”

  “Tahtli,” Tizoc said, with a warning look. “Father, do you think it wise for our guests to attend that feast?”

  “The feast only, my pilli, my son,” Yaoti responded.

  “We are aware that a sacrifice is planned for this evening,” Captain Finley said. “We do not wish to interfere with your ceremony.”

  I let out the breath I had been holding. I did not want to be near their sacrifice tonight.

  “After the feast, we will allow you to retire to your rooms as we continue with our ritual. You must all be hungry. A feast is the perfect way to introduce you to our culture,” Yaoti said.

  Tizoc’s jaw stiffened. He didn’t agree with his father’s invitation, but said no more against it.

  “Thank you,” Captain Finley said. “We shall accept your dinner invitation and happily stay out of your way for the rest of your evening.”

  “Pilli,” Yaoti called to Tizoc. “Take them home. I will settle the others and inform them of the feast.”

  Tizoc nodded, but his features did not relax.

  “I will see you tonight.” Yaoti bowed to each of us.

  “This way.” Tizoc led us through another curtained doorway at the back of the room.

  “You no longer want us here,” I said, widening my stride to catch up to Tizoc.

  “I want you here.” He flashed his hardened gold gaze at me. “I would not have taken you to Ezenoch if I did not want you here.”

  “Then what is it?”

  Daniel and the captain were still several paces behind us.

  Tizoc stopped and faced me, his shoulders squared to mine. “I don’t want you to be afraid.”

  “We will eat, and we will leave, Tizoc.” I took his hand in mine. The connection was strong and warm.

  Some of the ice in his eyes melted, the honey-color swelling again as he looked at our joined hands.

  “That eases my mind,” he said. “Come. I think my sisters will enjoy you.” He tugged me forward, but released my hand when Daniel and the captain neared.

  Sisters. I hadn’t been around women in four months. I had had my fill of fitting in with men, but being a woman among women was going to take some re-assimilation.

  What would Tizoc’s sisters think of someone like me?

  ****

  Tizoc’s home was a rectangular stone building with a high pyramid-shaped roof. Red and black painted shapes adorned the roofline, doors, and windows. Beautiful leafy plants flourished around the base of the house, and brilliantly colored flowers bloomed among the leaves. As we neared, the sound of women’s voices reached us.

  “My mother and sisters. They are preparing for tonight’s ceremony,” Tizoc explained as we stepped onto the paved pathway leading to the house. Daniel and the captain had stopped to examine the artwork around one of the windows. Tizoc and I were alone on the path.

  “Should I attend the ceremony as a boy or a girl?” I asked.

  Tizoc shook his head. “Now that the girl is out, you should not cage her again. It would be a shame.” He traced a finger down my cheek.

  I flushed at his touch and backed away.

  Tizoc glanced to where Daniel talked with the captain. “I know you love him, but I feel drawn to you as well.”

  “You don’t even know me.” I lowered my gaze.

  Tizoc sighed. “And your heart is his.”

  “It is, but… I think I came here to see you. We were supposed to meet if that makes any sense.”

  A slow smile slid across Tizoc’s lips. “It makes sense.” Then in a husky whisper, he added, “Perhaps I called for you.” His voice flowed over me like a warm breeze.

  “All I know is that I’ve wanted to come to the Americas my whole life, and I’m here now. You’re here now. We’re both where we’re supposed to be.”

  “And then what?”

  I shrugged. “We’ll have to see.”

  Daniel and Captain Finley caught up to us as a regal-looking older woman floated out of the house and onto the open patio in front of us. Her hair was twisted into a long silver braid that matched the silver cuffs and earrings she wore. A simple, but bright, purple dress flowed about her lean form.

  “Tizoc!” Her voice was pure music. She spoke in her native language and rushed forward, her arms outstretched to receive her son. Tizoc bent low to match her height and circled his arms around her. When they released each other, she looked our way. “Who have you brought with you?”


  “English explorers, Nantli.” Tizoc motioned for us to come onto the patio. “Captain Finley, Daniel, Charlie, this is my mother, Citlali Metztli. Her name means star, because she sparkles so.”

  Citlali brushed her hand against Tizoc’s chest to push him away. “My son likes to stay in my good favor with his flattery.” She smiled in a way that did sparkle. “I am pleased to meet you. Yaoti sent word of guests. We have set up rooms. You must be tired from your long voyage. Go inside. Bathe, rest, and tonight, we feast.”

  She scooted us all inside the house where four captivating Sunal women stood waiting.

  “My daughters.” Citlali swept her arm out in a wide arc. Pointing to the tallest one first and working her way down to the shortest, she introduced them. “Captain Finley, Daniel, Charlie, this is Xochitl, Teiuc, Eréndira, and Yaretzi. Tizoc and Yaretzi are the youngest and twins.”

  The sisters were far more attractive than any English girls I had ever seen. A different brand of grace and elegance swirled around each of them.

  Xochitl stepped forward and spoke for all of the sisters. “Welcome to our city.” Her eyes rested on me, and she turned to Tizoc, saying something in their native tongue.

  “Yes, Charlie is a girl,” Tizoc said around a chuckle.

  This brought forth a few squeals from the two youngest sisters that I judged to be about my age, maybe a year or two older. Eréndira shot forward and clamped her hand onto my forearm.

  “Come with us,” she said in perfect English. It seemed Tizoc’s entire family knew our language. “We will get you ready for the feast.”

  Tizoc let out a laugh and turned to his mother. “They will turn her into a cihuapilli.”

  As Yaretzi took my other hand and dragged me away, I called over my shoulder. “What’s a cihuapilli?”

  “A princess,” Tizoc called back.

  ****

  As the vapors from the jasmine-scented bath water wafted up all around me, remnants of my old life crept into my mind. The daughter of a wealthy merchant, the sister of two bold sailors, the housemaid of a Southampton dignitary. It all belonged to someone else entirely. Sailing on the open Atlantic was more real to me than any of the years I had spent in England.