Chapter 2: Changes

This was absurd! The man of the house was sleeping in the spare bedroom!? Women were starting to run everything! What was next? Telling him how to run his ship? Blast! That would never happen as long as he were alive. Nobody would tell him how to run his beloved.

Taking in his new surroundings, Captain Gregg inspected the room. It appeared as though this room had not been used since—Clara had visited, a year ago in October. The clean, crisp linen sheets still smelled of roses, the sound of the After Dinner Waltz filled his ears and a vision of him and Clara dancing at a seasonal ball one spring. A single rose petal lay upon the shallow window seal. Making his way across the room, the captain approached it and took the small dainty object within his large hand. Such a terrible accident, had taken place, and the captain had never forgotten it.

Shaking his head, the captain forced the terrible memory to the back of his mind. What was done was done, there was no changing it now.

"Captain Greg." came a small child's voice.

Turning around, the captain saw a little boy with blond hair and blue eyes standing within the doorway. "What is it lad?"

"What is it like to be a captain?" Jonathan questioned as he cocked his head to one side.

"It is a grand feeling lad. Nothing else like it. The wind in your hair, a crew that answers to you and you can do whatever you please. Nobody to answer to. As a matter of fact, I wasn't much older then you. When I discovered that I wanted to explore the open seas in me own ship."

"Neat! Do you ever fight pirates and look for treasure?"

"Well—"

"Jonathan, please don't disturb the captain." Carolyn approached the bedroom door. "I believe you have schoolwork to finish."

"But mother, I was just talking to the captain about pirates and treasure." Jonathan glanced up at his mother as he tried to keep away from his schoolwork as long as possible.

"Go do your schoolwork lad and I will talk to you later about it."

Sighing Jonathan gave in "Alright Captain." With his head bowed, he left the room to work on his schoolwork.

"I'm sorry he disturbed you." Carolyn replied as her eyes were fixated upon the door that her son had left through.

"It is quite alright. If the children ever need help with schoolwork I would be glad to help."

"Why thank you Captain. I am sure the children would like that."

"My pleasure madam."

Silence filled the tight quarters as both waited for the other to speak. Clearing her throat Carolyn broke the silence. "I wanted to thank you once again for letting us stay. You do not understand how much this means to me and to the children." She now looked up into the captain's face. He appeared gentle and kind, but something seemed aloof. She could see something within his eyes, that seemed guarded and—dark. "Ever since our arrival six months ago, we have not been happier."

"I am glad to hear that my lady. From hearing your story, I could hardly tell you no."

"However, there are some changes I wish to make."

"WHAT!? Changes on my ship?" fury raced through the captain's body as his face changed from warmth to hostility.

"Captain, this is a house. A ship is on the sea."

"Absolutely not! I will not have my home changed from the rough and tough feel; to lavender perfume filled rooms, lace table clothes and garden parties. Blast!"

"This home needs to have more of a home feel to it. It has more of an isolated feel to it and hardly welcoming for visitors. In fact, just last week, I was walking in town, when I overheard rumblings of how people won't step foot in this house, because of the atmosphere and its owner."

"I like to be left alone. No one to disturb me and I can come and go as I please." A strand of blond hair had fallen across Carolyn's forehead in the mist of his statement. The captain wanted to reach up and brush it away from her beautiful face, but he did not dare.

Taking her slender fingers, Carolyn brushed the hair from her face. "This is a home, not a ship where ale is passed around and woman flock to your feet." Spinning on her feet, Carolyn departed from the room before the Captain could utter a word.

"Confounded woman!" Captain Gregg roared as he followed the lovely creature to his old cabin. "I will have you know that I have never allowed women aboard my ship."

"I am sure you have plenty at different ports."

A proud smile surfaced the Captains lips "Ten, twenty, half a hundred if I wanted." As this statement left his lips, a duel ach filled his heart. No one ever made him truly happy as SHE once did.

"My, someone must think truly highly of himself." Carolyn placed herself in front of her desk that carried her paper, goose feather and ink.

Captain Gregg puffed out his chest. Yes, well a man has to have a little fun every once in a while. "What are you working on?" he asked abruptly as he changed the subject.

"I am writing for the local paper, and I have a piece that is due by sun down."

"A woman writer? Blast! I have never heard of such a thing."

"Well Captain you have been away at sea for six months. Things have changed while you have been away."

"I don't like it, not one bit." Lifting his pip from his coat pocket, Captain Gregg lit it and began smoking.

"Captain, must you do that around my work space?" "Also, may we continue at the matter at hand? I would like to change things around the house. For instance, this room will have to be fixed."

"My cabin will not be touched! It is to stay as it is. As for the rest of the house, you may add a little more merriment to the place, but do not go overboard."

"Thank you Captain. Now if you will excuse me, I have an article to write."

"Of course madam." Exiting the room, Captain Gregg made his way towards the front door. Some fresh air would do him some good. Sitting on the porch, the waves roared within his ears as the gulls flew overhead. Having a woman within his home would make it harder to work and harder to remain a bachelor.

Carolyn Muir was one of the most beautiful women he had ever set eyes on. Even lovelier then his late Clara.

A/N: Who could this Clara be that the Captain keeps thinking of? Will his memories of this lady keep him and Carolyn apart or will it bring them closer together?