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Seacrets

Page 5

by Adrianna Wingate


  The Norman ship was secured. Prisoners were held below the deck of their own ship with some of Daniels men standing watch until a military ship should pass through these waters within a few days, at which time he'd turn the thieves over to them to stand trial. This would put them behind schedule. Daniel hated the thought of that, but it could not be helped. He did his duty in securing his cargo and the safety of his men, with not so much as one death in the firefight.

  Daniel's attention was strangely focused on checking up on his cabin boy's whereabouts. He tried not to look too concerned, after all he is just a cabin boy, for God sakes, he told himself. But he did find himself feeling greatly relieved when he caught sight of him at midship, standing beside Godsey.

  §

  The next morning was a difficult one for the entire crew without much sleep, but everyone was up at the usual hour managing their assigned duties. There was plenty of yawning in the galley the next morning, as Maura was sent to fetch breakfast.

  When she returned to the cabin Daniel had already disappeared topside to get a better accounting of the damages to his own vessel. There would be more than a few repairs to be done. He assigned tasks to the appropriate crew members and headed back to his cabin to update his log.

  While Daniel was up on deck Maura felt it the perfect opportunity to unravel her bindings to give her breasts a well needed break from their bondage. When the last binding was finally unraveled she took in a deep breath and massaged the skin of her breasts in hopes of bringing circulation back to them. She was thoroughly enjoying the sensation that the freedom from her bindings was providing at that moment.Then she took some of the hot water from the kettle and poured it into the pitcher on the stand, next to the woodstove. She rummaged through the satchel she had brought from home and found some rose scented soap.

  It wouldn't hurt to use just a little. She reasoned with herself. “I must wreak. The constant sweating beneath these fetid strips of cloth is beginning to nauseate me.” She poured the water from the pitcher into the bowl that was beside it on the stand. She freely splashed the water to her face. The feel of the hot water on her skin felt heavenly. She scrubbed her face of the smudges she was forced to paint on daily, to hide her identity. Then she scrubbed her arms and underarms with the rose scented soap. The splashing of the water to her body blocked out the sound of the creaking door hinges. She did not hear the cabin door open.

  But she certainly heard it slam, with a mighty thud, nearly rocking her off of her feet.

  She knew she’d been caught.

  ξ

  Chapter six

  Maura startled with the slamming of the heavy wooden door. Her breath was caught in her throat and her mouth was left agape. She instinctively covered her breasts with the flannel on the washstand. "Captain, please! I can explain!"

  The look on Daniel's face was one of astonishment that turned to relief, and eventually turned to rage. “Please do cabin boy.” He said through clenched teeth.

  His eyebrows knitted into one black line across his forehead and his normally warm deep blue eyes were like ice cold steel, cutting through her. So outraged was he that she had tricked him, he could not speak.

  Long minutes passed as he tried to put together all the little hints and signs of a female he should have picked up on. Daniel turned from her and began to pace, trying to calm his desire to thrash her.

  Maura stood perfectly still, afraid to move for fear of attracting his attention. She had no idea what he was thinking… What he would do to her. She was terrified, frozen in place.

  Then, with infinite slowness he turned in her direction and spoke in an unnervingly calm and quiet tone of voice. "’Tis an unpardonable offense ta stow aboard a ship. Did ya know that?” He passed by to one side of her, then settled directly behind her and stood just inches away while he continued to take her apart mentally. “As bad as thievery, I could have the very skin taken off o’ ya back with the lash for this offense." His voice remained deep and even toned, as he gently ran his fingers between her shoulder blades.

  Maura straightened her back and sucked in her breath in response to his unexpected touch. Why, if he had not been dressing her down, she thought he might have been trying to seduce her with his deep husky tones. Daniel walked to the front of her.

  Maura kept her eyes affixed to Daniel’s boots, afraid to look up at him.

  "Look at me girl." Again, even toned and deep.

  Maura brought her eyes up to meet his.

  "Does Godsey know ya are a lass or have ya been up to ya trickery with him, as well? Don't lie ta me, now." His tone was a bit colder, as his agitation began to mount.

  With a pleading look in her eyes, Maura finally spoke. "Please, Captain, I'll be beggin’ ya not ta give poor Godsey the lash. He was just fullfillin' my dyin’ father's last wishes ta get me ta America for a chance at a better life, is all." She beseeched him.

  “Does anyone else aboard know about ya?" He snapped.

  Maura thought for a moment before she spoke. She didn't want him to know about Kilern. She didn't want another lashing or death on her conscience, even though he surely would be deserving of it, if anyone was. No, she'd be quiet about that one, for now.

  "No Captain, no one." She whispered with her eyes cast downward.

  Daniel turned from her and walked over to the table, where just the night before, they had both been engaged in a challenging game of chess. She played as rousing a game as any male he'd played against. He thought. This told him she was no ordinary thinking female. In fact she was quite thoughtful and calculating in her decision making.

  The board was still set up, waiting for them to finish where they had left off. He pulled the chair out away from the table and sat, quietly staring at the board. After a few thoughtful moments he picked up the bejeweled pewter queen and rolled it between his thumb and middle finger. And then, unaware of his actions, Daniel slowly brought the piece to his mouth and ran it across his lower lip, in a most sensuous way. Within seconds he was aware of his actions and placed the piece back in its place on the board. Daniel raised his eyes to meet hers.

  They stared into each other’s eyes for one long seductive moment that was both exciting and frightening to Maura. Her heart was pounding so hard, she feared he could hear it from across the room.

  He arose from his chair and walked toward her, stopping just inches from her half unclad body. Her eyes were level to his chest and she could see it was rising and falling at as rapid a pace as her own. He reached out and took off her cap. His breath was caught in his throat as he observed her long black silky tresses cascade down in a wave of curls that fell just beyond her shoulders. He reached out to touch the bindings resting in a raveled heap, just above her hips. He moved his hand up slightly to the right and ran his fingers through a few silken tresses. Abruptly, he turned from her and stood on the opposite side of the cabin, breaking the silence and the spell that was evidently taking hold of both of them. He turned his back to her and snapped his order, to his own disconcert, “Dress ya upper half.” When he saw she’d finished, he turned again to face her. "What is your name, girl?" he asked in a stern tone.

  "Maura, Captain. Maura McCoveny." she replied, with a shaking to her voice, still unable to make eye contact with Daniel.

  He moved to the cabin door and with a loud bellow, he shouted up through the passageway for a mate to summon Mr. Godsey to his cabin immediately.

  This sudden flurry of activity caught the attention of Kilern, standing at the head of the steps,topside. He lagged behind Godsey, so as not to be seen, and slipped into the adjoining cabin to overhear the scuttlebutt taking place in the Captain's quarters.

  When Godsey entered the cabin he immediately noticed Maura's hair was free from her cap. He swallowed hard, knowing this could not be a good thing. Continuing to feign ignorance, he took off his cap, bobbed his head to Daniel and then nervously said "Y-ya summoned me, Cap'n?"

  "You bet ya sorry seafarin’ arse I summoned ya, man." Danie
l said sarcastically.

  He paced before the two of them. "Have I not always been a fair man Mr. Godsey?”

  Godsey shrunk back from his Captain as he passed by him.

  “I am sorely disappointed in ya mate. This makes it very hard on me. How can I ignore this blatant breech of rules? Ya know the punishment for lyin' aboard my ship, man, do ya naught?" Daniel restlessly ran his hand down through his black mane, as he continued to pace.

  "Aye, Cap'n, I do. I have no excuse for my actions. I'll take my punishment as ya see fit ta dole it out ta me." His hat gripped between two shaking hands.

  "This lass claims ya be fullfillin' an old mates last wishes? Is that the way of it?" In Daniel’s mind he was begging Godsey to save him from doing his duty to maintain order on his ship.

  "Aye, Cap'n. That be the way of it. I knew full well if I was to be caught we'd both be taken ta the lash, or worse. Please, sir, this is but a girl. Don't punish her for my stupidity o’ thinkin’ we could fool ya. ‘Tis all my doin'. I'm ta blame and will take the brunt of the punishment." Godsey straightened his back, with head held high, as he looked to the right of his Captain's eyes.

  Lunging forward and placing her palms flat onto the table, Maura leaned in towards Daniel, and cried out, "No, Captain! It was my idea. I convinced Mr. Godsey he should sneak me aboard. I lured him with promises of wealth from my dowry, when I reached America. I am the one who is the liar and the one who uses trickery. You even said so, when you discovered my secret. I will take what ever punishment you deem fit to hand down."

  This display of bravery thoroughly impressed Daniel. She is a fighter, he thought to himself. He turned from Godsey and looked directly into Maura’s eyes. If she wasn't so serious he would have burst out into a raucous laughter, at her strong, fierce attempt to protect her accomplice.

  He turned from them both and hid a half smile. When composed, he turned again to face them and said, "I'll have ta be givin’ the matter of both your punishments a lot o’ thought. Not a word o’ this ta anyone, ya here me, Godsey? I need ta think on this a while. In the mean time, you Miss McCoveny, will continue on with ya charade. If the mates knew ya ta be onboard I'd be havin' a mutiny on my hands. It would be too disruptin' ta have a known female aboard. Godsey, here will have ta keep a better eye on ya than he obviously did tryin' ta keep ya from bein' known ta me. Ya are dismissed, Mr. Godsey.”

  §

  From the adjoining cabin Kilern could hear everything being said. He leaned against the cabin door, breathed in a great sigh of relief for having known Maura did not tell the Captain he, too, knew of her identity. He broke out into a great smile and rubbed his grimy hands together, while thinking he still had a chance to claim his pot of gold, and to himself, made his plan. When we reach the Shawmut Peninsula I'll make away with the wench. The lass has naught yet escaped me. I'll just bide my time, heh, heh, heh.

  He cackled inside his lecherous mind. As soon as Kilern heard Godsey leave the Captain's quarters, he waited a few minutes then snuck back up to his assigned post on deck, never having been missed.

  With Godsey gone from the cabin, Daniel turned his attention back to Maura standing frozen, over by the wood stove. Speaking in a most sarcastic tone, Daniel said to her, "Well don't ya just be standin’ there, cabin boy, you've still a whole day’s work ahead o’ ya. I believe ya were just about ta assist me with my morning bath and shave."

  Maura approached Daniel, now, much differently than she did before he had found her out. She was awkward and shy about how to proceed. She was standing much too far away from him to assist him with an adequate shave. She handed him a steaming hot towel to assist his full day’s growth to stand. Then she bent towards him with a good foot between them.

  In an attempt to further embarrass Maura, Daniel reached out placing both hands firmly on her hips and pulled her in closer to him, securing her between his hardened muscular thighs.

  "There, that's about how close ya should be ta get the job done properly, don’t ya think?"

  Maura knew he was playing with her, now. That he wanted to make this as uncomfortabl for her as possible. She was drenched in perspiration, under her clothes, her forehead, and atop her upper lip. She refused to look directly into Daniel’s eyes, but continued onward with the task at hand. She put the blade to his face as she had been doing for weeks, but now it was different. He knew of her gender.

  This was most embarrassing to her gentle nature. She had never tended to any man, other than her father. She tried desperately to imagine this was her father she was attending, but her heart and her breathing told her otherwise. As embarrassed as she was to be standing between his thighs and attending his most personal needs, of shave and bath, Maura could not deny she felt feelings of exhilaration. Her stomach was a mass of knots. Her mouth suddenly went dry. In an attempt to moisten her lips she parted them, ever so slight, and used her tongue to moisten them.

  Daniel's breath was suddenly caught in his throat when she ran her tongue over her beautiful mouth. He could feel his trousers becoming noticeably tight at the junction of his thighs. Her blushing at her predicament only fanned the flames in his loins. God, she is beautiful, he thought. Then he remembered how she came to be aboard his ship and his thoughts turned to females and their trickery.

  No, he told himself, I am not going to pleasure her. She does naught deserve pleasure. She deserves a good thrashing. He wanted her to be on edge, not knowing what the outcome of her fate would be when she reached New England. Not knowing will surely keep her in line and under control…and safe.

  With the shave finished, she cleared her throat and wiped the remainder of soap from his face. She cocked her head from side to side, in inspection of her work, then backed away from Daniel and began to collect the towels and grooming supplies to put them away.

  Daniel, in an attempt to further torture her senses, cleared his throat and said, with an obvious swagger to his voice, "Uh, Uh. Not through yet, cabin boy. There be the matter of my back and chest that has yet ta be cleansed o’ the night's sweat."

  Her back was to him, at this point, and she cringed at his enjoyment of her awkwardness in attending to him.

  Then he remarked, "what be the matter, cabin boy, ya appear ta be havin’ some definite problem this morn attendin’ to your duties, servin’ ya Captain?”

  His entire manner suggested to Maura he was enjoying her predicament.

  “All these many weeks you've had no problem assistin’ me with my daily toilet, yet today ya are a quiverin’ mass o’ nerves?"

  Maura would sooner die, first, than to allow him the pleasure of seeing her in a flustered state. She straightened her back to his words and slowly turned to face Daniel, head on.

  "I am havin’ no problem, sir. Mayhap ‘tis you who are havin’ the problem of knowin’ I am a female attendin’ to ya daily needs?" Maura gave him back a dose of sarcasm to match his own.

  Daniel did all he could to hold back his laughter of her comments. A slight smirk did form on his face, and just as sudden his jaw hardened as he looked directly into her deep green emerald eyes. He leaned forward in his chair, as if to stand, but did not. Never taking his eyes from her for one moment he coldly stated, "My dear, I am havin’ no problem whatsoever with ya attendin’ ta my needs of any kind. Do ya get my meaning, lass? I'd be keepin' my tongue inside o’ my head, if I were you, girl, lest ya will be findin’ out exactly what needs ya might be tendin' to."

  He waited a few moments and when he was satisfied he had her under control, he settled back into his chair with a very pleased and relaxed look upon his face. He ran his hand across his cleanly shaven face and down the length of his thick neck, to rest upon his smooth and muscular chest, tapping his fingers in satisfaction.

  Maura knew she’d lost that battle, and just as quick became silent, so as not to tempt his wrath any further.

  Daniel unfastened the ties on his shirt and lifted it over his head. "My back, please. A back massage would be most welcomed, as I am extre
mely tense at this moment."

  Maura squinted her eyes in his direction, then reminded herself she had been tending to Daniel for weeks in this very manner. But the fact he knew her a female changed their entire dynamic. Previously she was safe from the possibility of being ravaged because he thought her a boy, and had no interest in such matters. She tried to tell herself it was the same for her, but it wasn't. She was obviously attracted to him. Her heart raced, and her face became warm and flushed when ever she was too close to him.

  Maura grudgingly picked up the wash cloth and began washing his back with the soapy warm water. She placed the wash cloth in the basin and massaged his shoulders and between his shoulder blades with the aide of the warm soapy water.

  Unaware of his own feelings, Daniel rolled his head backward and groaned aloud from the pleasure that was being bestowed upon him. All the times previous Maura had messaged his shoulders and back during his bath felt wonderful…too wonderful, as he recalled, and he felt odd about his own feelings thinking he was accepting pleasure from a lad. Daniel recalled how it had made him feel very uncomfortable. At one point he thought he might be attracted to males and this was something he was very confused about. It sickened him, when he thought about how much he was enjoying his times alone with his cabin boy. Now that he knew the truth he could finally pull it all together in his mind and it made perfect sense. Now that he knew the truth he could enjoy all that he was experiencing without feelings of guilt.

  I am not a buggerer of boys, after all. Daniel sank a bit deeper into the chair. All the muscles in his back slowly became unknotted and relaxed.

  Maura rinsed his back of the soap and watched the clean water glistening off of the muscles in his back. She came around to the front of him, picked up the wash cloth and squeezed out the excess water, then brought the cloth to his chest.

 

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