Thanks so much to anyone who's reviewed or alerted, it always spurs me on to write more, especially when it's well outside the comfort zone.
I should probably mention at this stage that although I have done some minor research I'm not particularly aiming for historical accuracy, the story's more the thing.
So without further delay …
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Chapter 2
When she woke the next morning she could feel the ship rolling beneath her and guessed that they were already well under way. She dressed quickly, eager to go up on deck to get some fresh air and to observe the crew in action. Nothing whatsoever to do with wanting to see the captain again she thought, smiling to herself.
She'd lead a very sheltered life in many ways, married young to a man she couldn't stand and confined to home for the most part, so this whole expedition was a great adventure, and one she was determined to enjoy.
It was a fine breezy day with little fluffy clouds scudding overhead, and she thrilled to the cries of the crew high in the rigging, watching the sails billow majestically as they caught the wind. The captain was standing on the poop deck, resplendent in the familiar gold and blue uniform, his feet planted firmly apart as he barked his orders, and she watched him surreptitiously for while before turning to gaze out over the unbroken expanse of ocean. She felt a moment's trepidation when she realised it would be close on a month and a half before they encountered land again.
"Good morning, Mrs Trelawney. I trust you slept well?"
His eyes were a dazzling blue and the breeze ruffled his hair giving him an attractively mussed appearance: the sheer nearness of him caused her heart to beat faster. She smiled up at him, his height and commanding presence making her feel so delicate and feminine in contrast.
"Very well thank you, Sir. I think life aboard ship may suit me."
"I am glad to hear it. However, you may change your mind when we run into our first storm."
She looked very pretty he thought, her cheeks flushed and her dark eyes glowing with excitement, and he returned her smile warmly before his gaze dropped to her luscious lips. A bolt of desire ran through him and he looked away guiltily. She was a guest aboard his ship and he intended to behave like the perfect gentleman, whatever the temptations. He realised it was going to be a long voyage.
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Sophie was thinking the same thing later that day, but for very different reasons. She was quite a reader so she'd packed one or two books of her own, and she also had her sewing, but she feared they wouldn't keep her occupied for long. Maybe the captain had a small library she could borrow from: he was clearly an educated man. She would try to remember to ask him over dinner that night. At least she had his company to look forwards to in the evenings, she reminded herself, even if he was likely to be occupied for the most part during the day.
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She had to admit she was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food, finishing her main course with a sigh of contentment. She'd mentioned it to him and he'd expressed his satisfaction but warned her the quality and the choice would get less as the voyage progressed and supplies dwindled.
The captain had made several vain attempts to include her father-in-law in the conversation but to very little avail, so had pretty much given up and left him to the ministrations of Jim Hawkins. That was an inspired decision he had to admit, putting Jim in sole charge of the old man for the duration of the voyage. He knew it would take a weight off Sophie, and also give them more opportunity to talk.
She took a sip of her wine and replaced the glass on the table.
"Have you been at sea all your life, Captain Smollett?"
"Man and boy, Ma'am, since I was Jim's age or thereabouts. I am, however, hoping that the proceeds from this voyage may be enough to finally retire on."
She finished a mouthful of dessert and tried to make the question an innocent-sounding one.
"What will you do then, Sir? Find a rose-covered cottage somewhere and live out the rest of your life in domestic bliss with your wife and children?"
He paused for a second, toying with the stem of his wine glass, and she held her breath, her gaze fixed on his long, elegant fingers.
"Sadly, my wife died three years ago of consumption, and my son soon after. I find myself in the same position as you, Mrs Trelawney, facing a somewhat uncertain future, domestically speaking."
She placed her hand briefly over his and a current of electricity ran up his arm.
"I'm so sorry, Captain, I had no idea. You must miss them both very much."
He sighed, silver blue eyes gazing into deep brown.
"Well, time does heal to a certain extent, does it not? You must surely miss your husband also."
She hesitated for a few seconds and looked down at the table, choosing her words carefully.
"You knew him, Sir, so I think I can be completely frank. We didn't marry for love, my father was heavily in debt to him and he bartered me, sold me like some kind of animal. My husband was a selfish, greedy, arrogant man, and I'm not sad that he's gone. And now I've shocked you."
She felt embarrassed under his intense scrutiny, and it was his turn to take her small hand in his. She shivered at the touch of his fingers.
"Actually, I appreciate your honesty, Ma'am. My assessment of him was not too dissimilar, and I confess I expected the wife of such a man to have certain personality traits in common. Happily, I am confident that you are nothing like him, even on such short acquaintance, and I'm sure we will get along exceedingly well."
She felt herself blushing, and he released her hand, pouring them both another glass of wine and raising his in a toast.
"Here's to a successful voyage, Mrs Trelawney."
She lifted hers also.
"And to friendship, Captain Smollett …"
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She lay in bed later going over the events of the evening in her head. Not only had he not been shocked by her damning assessment of her husband's character, to her great relief he had concurred. She allowed herself the pleasure of recalling his intense silver gaze and the touch of his fingers, and shivered with suppressed desire. There was a definite spark between them, she'd felt it. And he was a widower. Suddenly this adventure had become about much more than retrieving Flint's treasure …
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There is something very inspiring about a certain Mr G in uniform, I'm sure you'll agree. If you're very kind and leave a review, you may even get to see him out of it later. ;)