Seacrets

by Adrianna Wingate

  "Well do ya think Miss McCoveny might know who would want ta harm her boss, Miss Katy?" Sullivan pressed further.

  "What do you mean, Harm?" Daniel was questioning him, now.

  "I mean kill, sir. Murder.” Sullivan stated flatly. "She was found in her suite, sir, with a bullet hole ta the back o’ her head. Examiner thinks it was either shortly before or after Miss McCoveny’s shooting." Constable Sullivan finished his statement as though he were talking about the weather. Very matter of fact, in nature.

  Daniel had not a clue why all of this was happening but he knew it must be connected some how and suspected the constable thought as much, the same.

  "I had never made it ta my weddin’'s eve party, at the tavern. I was supposed ta meet with my brother and some friends there, after I checked on my frigate, but never got ta the tavern." Daniel answered this one last question and then decided it was time for the constable to shove off. "Miss McCoveny is in no condition ta answer any questions at this time. Ya are welcome ta come by in a day or two ta ask her more questions, that's when Doc Kerrighan thinks she'll be comin’ about." Daniel was now leading the constable toward the foyer and out the front door.

  "Alright then Captain Hargendon. I shall return in a day or two for more answers and I hope I am able ta solve this mystery, sir." Sullivan tipped his cap and bobbed his head, then turned and walked toward his carriage to take his leave.

  Daniel closed the front door and turned around to find his brother and Godsey standing behind him. He almost jumped through the roof, not having expected them to be standing behind him."What the devil are the two of ya doin’ standin’ behind me like that without so much as a word of notice." he snapped.

  "Sorry sir," Godsey spoke first, "but we didna want the constable ta be askin' us any questions, so we hid out in the great room listenin' at the door, waitin' for him ta take his leave."

  "Danny, why didn't ya want the constable ta know ya are acquainted with Maura?" Aiden asked.

  "Because I want the chance ta talk with Maura before he does. Somehow I have a feeling this may have somethin’ ta do with Maura's disappearance from the ship. I want ta hear her side o’ the story, first." Daniel left the foyer and ascended the staircase toward his chamber.

  "And Godsey not a word o’ this ta anyone. I mean ta get ta the bottom of this mystery."

  “Aye Cap’n”

  Daniel entered his bedchamber to find his mother already in there attending to Maura's bath and bandages.

  "Daniel she's racked with fever. I don't know that she's goin’ ta make it son."

  The look of worry on his mother's face had Daniel really worried now.

  "I will do my best ta keep her wounds clean and her skin cool. The rest is up to God, son."

  She dipped the washcloth into the basin of cool water, wrung it out and placed it onto Maura's forehead. "We've got ta get her fever down. We've got to break it." Mary wiped the beads of sweat from her own forehead with the sleeve of her dress.

  Daniel placed his hands to his mother's shoulders, “Take a break, mother. Get some rest. I’ll bathe Maura’s brow and keep an eye on her.”

  "But son, what about your weddin’ today?" Mary queried.

  "I went ta the Gilmore's, this mornin’, explained ta Leif that I cannot, in good conscience, marry his daughter. I have made arrangements ta repay fathers debt ta him. He, of course, was not happy with the arrangements, but none the less, won't fight me on this score, I guarantee you." Daniel straddled a Queen Ann sitting chair, next to his bed and rested his forearms on the back of the chair and continued to update his mother of the day’s events.

  "His sweet daughter was all over town, in plain sight of everyone, breakin’ her betrothal vows, so he knows he's not got a leg ta stand upon. I've made sure he'll have enough money ta get himself out o’ debt and then he can start out across the ocean, again, ta earn his livin’, rather than tryin’ ta steal it from me." Daniel rose from the chair and walked over to the cupboard, poured himself his favorite brandy and downed a full flask, scowling as it burned his throat going down. He turned to look upon Maura, lying in his bed, noticing even in her injured and sickly state, she was still a siren calling out to him. “How beautiful she is”, he thought.

  His thoughts immediately turned to their night of passion. Forgetting his mother was still in the room, he touched Maura’s cheek with the back of his hand.

  "You care for her, don't ya son?" Mary whispered, softly placing a hand to his forearm.

  "I don't know what I feel, mother. I do know I should have taken better care o’ such a young girl on her first voyage. I feel responsible. I should have kept her close ta me and taken her, myself, ta her destination. Then maybe this would never have happened" He poured another flask of brandy and gulped it down then wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his jacket.

  "Looks ta me like she is a survivor, son. She is no weaklin’. No fledglin’ needin’ protection. She managed ta stay alive all these months, since ya got ta port. My guess is that ya have brought her to her destination, son." Mary smiled at her son then kissed him on his cheek and took her leave. "I'll be back in a few hours ta check on Maura."

  Daniel pulled his rocker as close to the bed as possible. He took Maura's hand in his and gently rubbed the back of it with his thumb. He closed his eyes and drifted into a deep sleep.

  He began to dream he was on the Arabella. He could feel the heat from the woodstove warming his bare chest. His eyes were closed, yet he could somehow see everything that was occurring in the cabin. He could feel warm, soft hands massaging his shoulders. Then those soft hands traveled down his sides and encircled his waist, stopping to rest on his, flat, muscular abdomen. He felt a chill run up his spine as warm, soft breasts seared his back and full, moist, lips kissed along the nape of his neck. Daniel arched his back and groaned as those soft hands massaged his chest. He reached up and took hold of a hand and kissed the back of it, then turned to face this sensual creature that was giving him these sweet pleasurable sensations.

  When he did this he could see Maura's beautiful face in the firelight. He pulled her to him with animal-like aggression.

  Her eyes became wide and intense, though she was smiling, at the same time. No fear.

  He laid her back onto his bunk and rained soft kisses down the length of her porcelain neck

  She pulled him to her and moaned her delight.

  His eyes were transfixed upon her mouth.

  She ran her tongue along her full bottom lip, to moistened it.

  Daniel breathed in deep and then leaned in to draw her full bottom lip between his teeth. He could hear Maura moaning in the back of her throat. He moaned along with her, while forcing her legs further apart and pulling her into the junction of his thighs, his hands roughly grasped both of her hips while making her feel his hardness up against her warm, velvety junction.

  With that movement she did startle and sucked in her breath. Her eyes were wide open staring directly into his. They were both transfixed on one another. That moment, in his dream, seemed to standstill. He could hear her moaning, "Daniel, Daniel..."

  He awoke to hear Maura calling his name. He jumped from the chair to the bed in a heartbeat. "Maura, are ya wakin' up, love? Talk ta me. Say something, anything." He was pleading with her to awaken.

  Maura's forehead was a mass of sweat. He removed the hot cloth from her forehead and replaced it with a fresh cool cloth. She was turning her head from side to side. Her dressing gown was soaked with sweat.

  "Daniel why did ya not come ta find me. Why, Daniel, have ya forsaken me? I love you so much, Daniel… so much…I love you…so much." Then she fell back into a deep sleep. All at once her brow seemed to dry up. He dabbed at it with a change of cloth.

  "Daniel I could hear her cryin’ out from the other room and came ta check on her." Mary took over, pushing Daniel out of her way. "Oh look Danny, her fever seems to have broken! She may be alright, after all! Call Sally ta come help me change Maura's dressing gown and b
andages. She'll be fine, son. This is a good sign!" His mother went to her task with a new energy.

  Daniel walked to the door, called out for Sally, the house maid, and walked down the hall to one of the guest rooms to get some sleep. When Daniel awoke, he realized he’d slept longer than he planned. The sun was setting. He could see the last remnants of daylight fading behind the mountains in the horizon.

  He walked to the wash stand and splashed cold water to his face. As he dried his face he looked into the mirror over the washstand and ran a hand across the stubble of a few days growth of beard and noticed the dark circles under his eyes. He laid the towel across the hanger and leaned onto the edge of the washstand and let out a great yawn. He stood back to stretch out the rest of the way then donned his shirt and trousers and then went down the hall to check on Maura.

  He knocked gently on the bedchamber door, but there was no reply. The room was a glow with the soft light from the many candles Mary had lit, before leaving the chamber. Maura was still asleep. He could see she had been bathed and her clothes and bed linens had been changed. Her skin was dry and no longer drenched in sweat. As Daniel neared the bed, Maura began to stir.

  When she caught sight of Daniel she sat bolt upright in bed and let out an ear piercing scream. "Who are ya? What do ya want of me?" Maura clutched the sheets tight to her chest and let out another loud bellow. "Help! Help! Someone please, Help!" She cried out in fear for her life.

  Daniel stepped away from Maura to try and quell her fear. "’Tis alright, love. ‘Tis only me, sweet." His voice was soft and gentle.Daniel tried desperately to console Maura, to no avail. She continued her alarming screams for help.

  "What do ya mean, callin’ me love? I do not give you liberty to use such talk ta me, you lecherous barbarian!" Maura cried out for Mary to come to her aide.

  The door swung open and both Mary and Sally were at Maura's bedside trying to calm her down.

  Mary led Daniel out into the hallway to talk with him. "Oh Danny, I hoped I would hear ya stir and be able ta warn ya of this change in Maura. She doesn't seem ta remember what has happened to her or how she even came ta be in America. She awoke thinking she was still in Ireland.

  She seems ta have blocked out her entire memory of her experience, since before coming to America." Mary was out of breath. “I've sent Godsey ta fetch Doc Kerrighan in hopes he may be able ta shed some light on the matter. In the meantime, be gentle with your questionin’ and don't startle her."

  Daniel reentered the chamber and stood by the doorway. He asked Maura for permission to enter.

  She reluctantly allowed him entrance. Daniel inched his way to the rocker, at the end of the bed, and sat down. "Do ya know who ya are?" Daniel questioned her.

  "Yes. My name is Maura McCoveny." She answered with a hint of pride.

  "I am not daft, ya know. Of course I know who I am." Maura snapped back.

  "Good. Glad ta know ya are not daft." He said with a slight grin that made Maura instantly furious.

  "Who are you, sir, ta be makin’ fun o’ me? You needn't smirk at me. Placing her arms across her chest in a huff.

  Daniel waited for Maura to settle and then probed on. "Do ya know where ya are?"

  "Yes. Mary told me I am in America...Boston, I think she said." Maura answered with some degree of uncertainty.

  "Do ya remember how ya got here...to America, I mean?"

  "No. That I do not know." Maura looked down and was pulling at her fingers.

  "Lass, tell me the last thing that ya do remember." Daniel pushed on.

  "Well, I do remember having a rousing argument with my father. Richard is his given name. You see, he has never taken very good care of himself. He wanted ta send me away and I said no I wouldna go away and leave him in his hour of need." Maura began to rub at her temples. She was somewhat dizzy and complained of a slight headache.

  "Is my father dead?" She asked.

  "I don't know Maura. The argument ya had with ya father was months ago. Ya sailed over with my ship five months ago." He replied.

  "Five months ago!" Maura sounded shocked at that revelation. "I feel as though I just had that argument with him a day or two ago. How could five months and a trek across the ocean have escaped my mind?" She dropped her head into her hands and began to sob.

  Mary came to the bedside and interjected on Maura's behalf. "Alright now, son, enough. Perhaps her memory will return in a day or two. She's had a terrible shock and it may take some time ta wear off." Mary sat at the bedside and rubbed Maura's back. "Danny I'm sure that ya have plenty ta do 'round here. Ya can visit her again later, off with ya now."

  Daniel let himself be shooed out by the women in the room but felt he needed to get to the bottom of what had happened on the night Maura was shot. Why would anyone want to shoot Maura? Or was the bullet meant for him? He really hadn't a clue. Was she still in danger? Was he? Would whoever tried to harm them be back to finish what they started? He told himself to be on his guard, for certain.

  Ӝ

  Chapter Fourteen

  The weeks past from spring into early summer. The pastures of Hargendon Hills were lush and green o'er the many acres as far as the eye could see. Maura sat by the brook, not far from the main house. This would be her first venture out onto the grounds, alone, since her arrival to the great estate. She was gaining strength with each passing day. It felt good to be outside in the fresh air with the sun shining on her face. She had removed the large brimmed hat Mary had insisted she don.

  "Part of her rebellious nature, I take it". Mary spoke out from the screen door, behind Daniel.

  "What was that Mother?" Daniel replied.

  "I said Gee she may as well be naked the way ya are starin’ so intently."

  "Oh you did not say that Mother, now c'mon, out with it." Daniel was more than a little embarrassed that his mother had caught him staring at Maura. Had she only known that was exactly what he was picturing in his minds eye and more.

  "I said she has quite a rebellious streak, that one. She'll be a good match for your temper, eh?"

  Daniel just glared at his mother."I have no idea what you're speakin' about woman. You must've been inta the brandy closet again, ta be makin’ such statements.”

  "She is becomin’ more restless, son. She has been askin’ if there is any chore that she may do ta repay our kindness toward her. I told her she was still too weak ta be up and about for too long and that her verbal thank you would suffice. Truth is Danny, she is strong enough ta probably be put upon a transporter and sent back ta her kin, in Ireland."

  Daniel's eyes widened. He had a look of complete dread, as though he were about to meet his end. "What are ya saying, Mother? Ya don't want Maura here any longer?" He stood head and shoulders above his slight wisp of a mother, looking directly into her eyes.

  "No Danny, that 'tis not what I'm sayin’, but ya have just answered my other question.It is you who do not want her ta leave. Ya have feelin's for this girl.Ya just haven't admitted it to ya self yet." She replied with a grand smirk upon her face. "Ah yes,the lord does work in mysterious ways.” Mary laughed.“My son, the hard hearted sea captain is finally in love." Mary swaggered away with a lilt in her step and a song in her heart.

  Daniel bellowed after his mother and followed her into the main house."Mother, you come back here immediately! That is utter nonsense! I'm as concerned for her well bein' as anyone would be, considerin' the circumstances that had befallen her. It is my duty as a gentleman ta care for her." Daniel was directly on Mary's heels as she entered the kitchen.

  “Well then what's the big fuss all about? If ya don't have feelin's for this girl then there should be no problem for ya ta make arrangements for her ta set sail, say, by the end o’ the summer? Yes, that will be about the time you'll be itchin' ta get back ta the sea. Why ya could take her back yourself. That way ya can resolve this insane notion that ya have wronged this child in some way, eh?” She winked at him and then shooed him out of her kitchen as it was getting to
be time for her and Sally to start preparing for the evening repast.

  Daniel was more tuckered out after one conversation, with his mother, than if he'd been in a fierce battle with a brigand at sea. Taming his emotions was the toughest battle yet and even he knew he was losing this one.

  When Daniel returned to the front porch, he could see that Maura was engaged in conversation with his brother Aiden. He walked out toward the pair to better hear their exchange.

  "Oh that's wonderful news, Aiden. Oh thank you! Thank you! You've no idea how happy this makes me! I must go and speak with Mary of this and seek her guidance as ta when she thinks I may be ready ta begin my new position!" She stood upon tip toes and kissed Aiden on his cheek and hugged him tight about the shoulders.

  Daniel was not sure what it was he’d just walk up on, but he was sure he and his brother would have words.

  "Oh hello Daniel. Please forgive my racin’ off this way but I need ta speak with ya mother immediately about when I may be ready ta move out. I'll talk with ya at dinner tonight." She was gone in a flash, hardly what one might expect from someone still in a weakened state.

  Daniel was left speechless. He looked in Maura's direction and then in the direction of his brother, with a hardened jaw and squinted eyes. "What in the name o’ God just went on here, brother? Did I miss some part o’ this conversation? What does Maura mean when she states she wants ta know when it will be alright for her ta move out?"

  "Now Danny hold up a minute. Mother mentioned that..."

  Daniel was beside himself, “mother mentioned!"

  "Yes Danny as I said, if you'll only listen for a moment you'll see this is good for all involved." Aiden tried to calm his brother’s frustration.

  Daniel was still in a state of agitation, but did listen, with his arms firmly crossed over his chest and a glaring stare.