The Courting of Bryn – Ch 10
"How about this, is this right?" Bryn asked, showing Doubar the knot she'd been practising while he stood at the tiller.
"Here, hold this for a moment," Doubar said, and waited 'till Bryn had secured the tiller against her hip before taking the rope out of her hand and inspecting it.
"You've almost got it, but you went under instead of over here and that means…" Doubar tugged at both ends of the rope and half the knot unravelled, leaving a tangled rope in its place.
"Oh, you make it look way too easy, I didn't know it would take all this practice!" Bryn complained.
"Just keep at it, you'll get the hang of it," Doubar assured her, taking back the tiller and handing her the piece of rope.
"Well, at least I've got a patient teacher," Bryn smiled at her beau.
"If it were up to me you'd never get it, I like spending all this time with you," Doubar said.
"If you keep saying things like that I'm going to do something that'll cause so much talk the ship will explode," she flirted.
Doubar fanned himself, deciding against pushing the subject even further, Bryn laughed out loud at his exaggerated antics.
"Speaking of causing talk… Aren't we in for a little pay-back?" She nodded towards the deck where Maeve stood with her back against the mast while Sinbad was tying off a line just above her head, which of course meant they stood very close together. Though the two at the tiller couldn't hear what they were saying, and saw only Sinbad's back, the look on Maeve's face was definitely challenging; she was not backing down.
"What do you suggest?" Doubar asked, following her line of sight.
"We could start a rumour of our own…" Bryn thought aloud. "But that would be too mean-spirited."
"The way they're standing now, we could wrap a rope around the mast and tie them to it," Doubar said. "Or we could lock them in the cupboard until they either kill or kiss each other."
Bryn laughed. "I think I like scheming with you."
"And I'm enjoying this naughty side of you immensely," Doubar flirted.
"Just you wait, you haven't seen naughty yet," Bryn said, the look she tossed him speaking volumes.
Doubar felt his blood pressure rising and at the tiller there was very little to hide behind so he changed the subject back to his little brother and his stubborn paramour.
No words came out. He had to clear his throat before being able to speak again. "So uhm, how are we going to get those two back?"
"They have to think it's their idea, or they'll never go for it," Bryn said, noticing exactly what kind of effect she had on Doubar and enjoying it immensely. "How about we give him a note that's supposedly from her and her one from him? Asking to meet or something."
"Little one, I think we have a plan!" Doubar enthusiastically agreed.