It was a bright, clear morning. The chill on the air made the day feel more like autumn than the mid-summer it was supposed to be. Wrapping my borrowed great-coat around my shoulders more tightly I stepped onto the gang plank.
The truth was I couldn't wait to set sail and be gone from the country that now held nothing for me. I had sold myself into a life of servitude and I was glad of it. From now on my life would be danger; the job I was now to undertake would mean that being caught behind enemy lines would result in a firing squad or at least set to rot in a Spanish prison. From now on I was a spy in His most Britannic Majesties Navy.
As a woman I was invaluable, far less suspicious than my male counterparts. It was a life I was never born to. You see, I was a Lady in more than just gender. With my father dead, and my husband with him, I had inherited vast swathes of English countryside; Land, properties and money fell into my lap overnight. I was rich but I wanted nothing more than to be as far away as possible, so I ran away. I wrote to the admiralty and offered my services as a spy. I had learned to defend myself at an early age, making use of my brothers fencing tutors, and my grasp of language. My naturally suspicious mind and a deviousness I'm convinced all women posses made me the ideal candidate.
So, you see, it wasn't a whim; I was well trained for this. It was how I met my husband, an English noble-man spying for King and country, and he was beautiful. I loved him from the first and I love him still. Our magnificent home was filled with nothing but memories. Memories of our life together, of the life we planned to build. I could not bear another minute in that house, in that bed which had once held such joy for me. I wanted nothing more than to leave, to run, to hide myself where the pain would never find me.
The great-coat I wore concealed the dress beneath; I would have to find more suitable attire. I made my way to the Captain's cabin when a large figure blocked my path.
"What brings you here, my lad? A stowaway, and in such a fine coat." He made to pull my collar.
"Let me pass," I said, trying to shrug him off, "I have business with me Captain."
I raised my hand to push him aside and he took hold of my wrist in a hand that was rough and chapped as the ropes they climbed. A warning rang in my head and I heard a whistle sounding further down the deck. Preparing to lash out I curled my hand into a fist.
"Release me or it will be to your detriment," I warned him.
He chuckled in a menacing way and reached to pull the hat from my head, he tugged it off and my hair spilled around my shoulders. His gasp of surprise was not the only one I heard.
"Styles, what are you about?"
The man called Styles had the grace to look abashed and dropped my wrist immediately.
"Sorry Mr. Kennedy, Sir," he mumbled, his face rapidly colouring as he looked from Mr. Kennedy to me.
"As you were, Styles, and don't let me catch you bothering our guest again."
"Aye aye, Sir." Styles hurried across the deck, joining a gaggle of grubby looking sailors.
Brushing my hair from my face I turned to face my rescuer. Before me stood a tall, thoughtful looking young man, fair and tanned, in a lieutenant's uniform.
"He won't bother you again, he is all bark and no bite," My Kennedy informed me, his eyes gleaming.
"Thank you Mr Kennedy," I said, rubbing my wrist where a bruise was beginning to form, "I wasn't expecting a welcome party."
"Styles can be rather...enthusiastic, but he means no harm," Mr Kennedy smiled, "I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage, Madam. You know my name but I do not know yours."
Mr Kennedy had the gleam of a young man, confident in his youth, a handsome smile and friendly demeanour. Yet behind the smile there was something more, something darker. There were scars under the smiles.
"Lady Evangeline Foster, at your service. I need to see your Captain; I have documents that require his attention." Mr Kennedy looked a great deal more uncomfortable than he had done before; he had obviously not expected a Lady to be on his deck this morning. He stood looking at me for a little longer than I was comfortable with, a rather glazed expression fixed his features.
"Your Captain, Mr Kennedy, I need to speak with him."
Mr Kennedy seemed to come to his senses, the fog clearing behind his clear blue eyes.
"Right, yes, the Captain," he stammered, "Allow me to escort you?"
He held his arm out, which I took, and we made our way across the deck to the Captain's cabin. There was an amicable silence and I allowed myself to enjoy the feel of his arm beneath my fingers. Had it been so long since I had taken a man's arm? He felt warm and strong, giving me comfort on that chilly morning. I allowed myself to study my unfamiliar surroundings, to hear the wind in the rigging making the ropes crack, to see the bright sun glinting from the polished railings. The men running up and down the rigging stopped to stare as we walked past, no doubt it had been an age since a woman, let alone a Lady, had walked this deck.
After all too short a walk we reached the Captain's door and Archie rapped smartly on the door, the Marine standing watch eyeing me with interest. This was going to take some getting used to.
"Enter!" A voice beyond the door called. Archie turned the handle and ushered me inside. I released his arm, rather regretfully, and entered the room. It was a small, dark room filled with a large desk covered in charts. Behind the desk sat an elderly Captain, his white hair practically tied back away from a face lined and worn. When he looked at me there was something unpleasant behind his eyes.
"Welcome! Welcome," he cried, a sickly sweet tone in his voice and a simpering smile on his face, "Welcome to His Majesties Ship Renown!"
I smiled, less than enthusiastically, back at him. A sideways glance at Mr Kennedy told me I was not wrong to be wary.
"Well, well a Lady aboard my humble vessel, a lady spy no less, and beautiful to boot. Captain James Sawyer, at your service."