Chapter Two
Joey twirled about the dance floor to many times to count. Her feet hurt and she was tired of talking to people and having old men ogling her. She made her way to the refreshment table and picked up a glass of punch.
"I hope that you are enjoying yourself." Lady Magdalene Mathews asked coming beside her.
Joey smiled and nodded. "I am, I haven't been able to get out in a while." she replied.
"Well I am pleased you can make it. Oh Brett! Come here doll and meet Joey." she yelped to her younger brother, Brett Mathews.
The young man stood beside his sister and eyed Joey with great interest.
"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance my lady." he said and kissed her hand gracefully.
"It's nice to meet you as well. " she said with a bright smile. The three of them conversed for a few more minutes until she made her exit.
She was on her way to speak with Lord Netzel, her best friends when she came to an abrupt halt.
"I finally caught you alone my dear." a smooth male voice said.
Joey turned and eyed Lord Ryan Blankenship with disdain, yet put on a smile to prevent a confrontation. "I have been unattainable, my apologies." she said.
His eyes roved over her body and he smiled, obviously pleased at what he saw. "Would you care to dance a waltz my dear?" he asked.
But she wasn't allowed to answer. She tried to open her mouth to protest but it was too late, she was all ready being twirled about the dance floor. She caught many pairs of eyes looking at them, including her parents.
"A striking couple they make." Bell said to her husband.
Edward rolled his eyes at his meddling wife. She was always trying to match people and was all ways in everyone's business. He frowned at the thought of his little girl marrying Ryan Blankenship. He knew she didn't like him, and would be disgusted at the thought of marrying him.
"I disagree with you wife. Joey dislikes him immensely." he replied.
Bell rolled her eyes, and saw Brett Mathews starting intently at her daughter. "What about Brett Mathews? He's handsome is he not?" she asked hopeful.
Edward looked at Brett and then at his wife. "What has come over you to make you want to rid us of our daughter?" Brett was only twenty and unable to keep up with the stamina of his daughter, or her sharp tongue, he doubted any man could.
"Joey is 18 and a ripe age for marriage. I don't want her to become an old spinster." Bell answered.
The dance ended and Edward watched his daughter hurry over to Lord Netzel. She would get married, eventually, but not right now.
Joey awoke to warm rays of sunshine on her face. She rolled out of bed and dressed in a pair of boy's trousers and a button down shirt. She braided her hair to the side and pulled on her boots. She skipped downstairs and out to the stables for her morning ride.
"Good morning Jamie." she said brightly to the stable hand.
"Morning my lady. It's going to be a beautiful day, you have a safe one you hear." he replied and handed her the reins of her big stallion Starfire. The stallion was black with a spot or with in the middle of its head and a star on its left leg.
"Good morning star." she said and fed him a few cubes of sugar. The horse neighed and nudged her affectionately.
She climbed on and rode out. Her morning ride usually consisted of a trollop through the woods of her estate, then a run on the beach. She came back an hour or so later and went into the breakfast parlor.
Her parents were sitting at the table conversing quietly when she entered.
"Good Morning Joe." her father said.
"Morning Father, Mother." she replied.
"How was your ride?" Bell asked, sipping her tea.
"Fine." Joey replied and eyed her parents. "Is something going on that I should know about?" she asked.
Her father set down his fork and looked at her. "Not at all dear. Your mother and I were just thinking that you need to go on a vacation." he replied.
Joey arched and eyebrow in question and cocked her head. "A vacation? Why ever would I need one of those?"
"Well..." her father began, but was interrupted by his wife.
"You spend so much time in that library of yours reading and writing and reading and writing and your life is passing you by. I know that this whole pirate thing means a lot to you because of Lauren, but don't do this. You have been to one party in the past month when you could have been enjoying yourself at many." her mother said in one breath.
Joey felt a pang of hurt at the mention of Laurens name, but she contained herself. What her mother said did make sense. She did need to settle down and become a lady, but her work was important to her. Not many ladies are able to speak and be heard but she is.
"I suppose you're right mother. After all I am 18, a spinster in your eyes I assume. And I do suppose that I should choose a husband." Joey said blandly
Her father eyed her and felt guilty. He didn't want to lose his only child. He loved her so much, yet he knew that he must let her go. But not now.
"I'm glad that you see my point. Now, I have all ready arranged for you to vacation in Genoa. Have fun while you're there. I promise that your work here will remain untouched, but I would just like you to relax." Bell said with a bright smile.
Joey folded her hands in her lap and nodded. A short vacation would be fine she thought, and she would do anything to get away from Lord Blankenship's insistent calls, and there was a village that was ransacked by Captain Blood located near Genoa.
Captain Blood. Those two words produced an immediate rush of anger. "Yes, that will be fine mother, I shall leave tomorrow." Joey said and left the room.
Her father stood and gave his wife an incredulous look then followed his daughter out of the room. He found her in her library straightening things on her desk.
"You don't really have to go Joey. Your mother is just...concerned about your well being, that is all." he said.
Joey didn't look up at her father but simply replied, "No, for once mother was right. I have been working myself into the ground, and need a little bit of a rest. I have been meaning to visit Uncle Carmine anyway."
Edward eyed his daughter suspiciously and sat down in front of her desk.
"What are you up too? You normally don't take things lying down. What are you planning?" he asked.
Joey looked up at her father and shook her head. "Nothing father, why ever would you think that I am up to something?" she replied innocently.
"Mm hmm." Edward said. "You might as well tell me. You could never lie to me, your eyes go green when you lie." he said matter-of-factly.
"Fine. Yes I am going to Genoa, one to have a rest, and two to get away from a certain Lord. That is all." She replied. She didn't tell him about her plans to visit the ransacked village, because she knew he would worry.
"All right I believe you. Are you sure you are fine with this?" he asked once more.
"Yes! Now go so I can finish cleaning off my desk. Lord knows Jack will do it while I'm away. Shoo!" she smiled as her father left the room and finished cleaning.
The next morning her journey to Genoa was underway. She would be staying at the summer house on the coast, then visit with her uncle for a few days. She arrived at the large castle the next morning, and immediately fell asleep. When she awoke, it was to the sounds of birds chirping.
She sighed contently and rolled out of bed. She stepped out onto her balcony and felt the warm wind on her bare shoulders. She leaned against the stone railing and looked about the property. The gardens were exquisite and extensive. There were many shades of blue, purple, yellow, oranges, and reds. Their fragrances met her nose, and she breathed in deeply.
She was interrupted by a lit tap on the door. "Enter." she said sweetly. An old lady with gray hair and a short, plump figure bounded through the door, with a tray and set it on the table.
"Ah you're up my lady, you'd been sleeping for a long time." she said, pulling the tops of the trays off.
"Thank you Molly." Joey said and walked back into the large bed chamber. Light flooded through the many windows, and made the room bright and welcoming. She sat down on her bed and Molly put the trays in front of her.
"Cook is so delighted you've come. He was cooking up a storm this morning." Molly added.
Joey tasted the croissants and it practically melted in her mouth. "This is fabulous!" she yelped.
Molly smiled at the young lady sitting there. "What do you wish to do today my lady?"
"I don't know I have-not really thought about it. I think I shall go to the stables and go for a ride." Joey replied, helping herself to more breakfast.
"Ok my lady, your garments have all ready been brought up and put in the wardrobe. I shall send up a bath for you upon your return."
"Thank you" Joey said to a retreating Molly.
When she finished breakfast, she dressed in her men's britches and button down shirt. She pulled on her boots and hurried off to the stables. She looked around and found her horse Marigold.
"Hello sweetheart. It's been quite a while since I've seen you but you're looking well. Shall we ride?" she said smoothly to the horse. The horse craned its neck and nudged her gently.
Joey pulled her out and led her to where the saddles were hanging.
"I'll get that for you miss." a voice said coming into the stables.
Joey turned and saw a middle aged man enter and pick up a saddle. He placed it upon Marigold and dusted his hands.
"Thank you." Joey said and smiled at him. He was handsome enough. He had light brown hair and striking green eyes. He was tall and well built.
"You must be the Princess. My name is Bradley, I work in the stables with the horses, and I heard someone, so I came down to investigate." he said.
"You can call me Joey, I'm glad that there is someone like you here to look after the horses. Well it was nice to meet you but I must get on with my ride, otherwise Marigold will be angry." she said and jumped up onto her back.
"Ride safe my lady." he said as she road out.
She road to the coast and down onto the beach. She dismounted and sat down in the sand. The smell of the ocean assaulted her nostrils and she smiled. She loved the ocean.
Joey twirled about the dance floor to many times to count. Her feet hurt and she was tired of talking to people and having old men ogling her. She made her way to the refreshment table and picked up a glass of punch.
"I hope that you are enjoying yourself." Lady Magdalene Mathews asked coming beside her.
Joey smiled and nodded. "I am, I haven't been able to get out in a while." she replied.
"Well I am pleased you can make it. Oh Brett! Come here doll and meet Joey." she yelped to her younger brother, Brett Mathews.
The young man stood beside his sister and eyed Joey with great interest.
"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance my lady." he said and kissed her hand gracefully.
"It's nice to meet you as well. " she said with a bright smile. The three of them conversed for a few more minutes until she made her exit.
She was on her way to speak with Lord Netzel, her best friends when she came to an abrupt halt.
"I finally caught you alone my dear." a smooth male voice said.
Joey turned and eyed Lord Ryan Blankenship with disdain, yet put on a smile to prevent a confrontation. "I have been unattainable, my apologies." she said.
His eyes roved over her body and he smiled, obviously pleased at what he saw. "Would you care to dance a waltz my dear?" he asked.
But she wasn't allowed to answer. She tried to open her mouth to protest but it was too late, she was all ready being twirled about the dance floor. She caught many pairs of eyes looking at them, including her parents.
"A striking couple they make." Bell said to her husband.
Edward rolled his eyes at his meddling wife. She was always trying to match people and was all ways in everyone's business. He frowned at the thought of his little girl marrying Ryan Blankenship. He knew she didn't like him, and would be disgusted at the thought of marrying him.
"I disagree with you wife. Joey dislikes him immensely." he replied.
Bell rolled her eyes, and saw Brett Mathews starting intently at her daughter. "What about Brett Mathews? He's handsome is he not?" she asked hopeful.
Edward looked at Brett and then at his wife. "What has come over you to make you want to rid us of our daughter?" Brett was only twenty and unable to keep up with the stamina of his daughter, or her sharp tongue, he doubted any man could.
"Joey is 18 and a ripe age for marriage. I don't want her to become an old spinster." Bell answered.
The dance ended and Edward watched his daughter hurry over to Lord Netzel. She would get married, eventually, but not right now.
Joey awoke to warm rays of sunshine on her face. She rolled out of bed and dressed in a pair of boy's trousers and a button down shirt. She braided her hair to the side and pulled on her boots. She skipped downstairs and out to the stables for her morning ride.
"Good morning Jamie." she said brightly to the stable hand.
"Morning my lady. It's going to be a beautiful day, you have a safe one you hear." he replied and handed her the reins of her big stallion Starfire. The stallion was black with a spot or with in the middle of its head and a star on its left leg.
"Good morning star." she said and fed him a few cubes of sugar. The horse neighed and nudged her affectionately.
She climbed on and rode out. Her morning ride usually consisted of a trollop through the woods of her estate, then a run on the beach. She came back an hour or so later and went into the breakfast parlor.
Her parents were sitting at the table conversing quietly when she entered.
"Good Morning Joe." her father said.
"Morning Father, Mother." she replied.
"How was your ride?" Bell asked, sipping her tea.
"Fine." Joey replied and eyed her parents. "Is something going on that I should know about?" she asked.
Her father set down his fork and looked at her. "Not at all dear. Your mother and I were just thinking that you need to go on a vacation." he replied.
Joey arched and eyebrow in question and cocked her head. "A vacation? Why ever would I need one of those?"
"Well..." her father began, but was interrupted by his wife.
"You spend so much time in that library of yours reading and writing and reading and writing and your life is passing you by. I know that this whole pirate thing means a lot to you because of Lauren, but don't do this. You have been to one party in the past month when you could have been enjoying yourself at many." her mother said in one breath.
Joey felt a pang of hurt at the mention of Laurens name, but she contained herself. What her mother said did make sense. She did need to settle down and become a lady, but her work was important to her. Not many ladies are able to speak and be heard but she is.
"I suppose you're right mother. After all I am 18, a spinster in your eyes I assume. And I do suppose that I should choose a husband." Joey said blandly
Her father eyed her and felt guilty. He didn't want to lose his only child. He loved her so much, yet he knew that he must let her go. But not now.
"I'm glad that you see my point. Now, I have all ready arranged for you to vacation in Genoa. Have fun while you're there. I promise that your work here will remain untouched, but I would just like you to relax." Bell said with a bright smile.
Joey folded her hands in her lap and nodded. A short vacation would be fine she thought, and she would do anything to get away from Lord Blankenship's insistent calls, and there was a village that was ransacked by Captain Blood located near Genoa.
Captain Blood. Those two words produced an immediate rush of anger. "Yes, that will be fine mother, I shall leave tomorrow." Joey said and left the room.
Her father stood and gave his wife an incredulous look then followed his daughter out of the room. He found her in her library straightening things on her desk.
"You don't really have to go Joey. Your mother is just...concerned about your well being, that is all." he said.
Joey didn't look up at her father but simply replied, "No, for once mother was right. I have been working myself into the ground, and need a little bit of a rest. I have been meaning to visit Uncle Carmine anyway."
Edward eyed his daughter suspiciously and sat down in front of her desk.
"What are you up too? You normally don't take things lying down. What are you planning?" he asked.
Joey looked up at her father and shook her head. "Nothing father, why ever would you think that I am up to something?" she replied innocently.
"Mm hmm." Edward said. "You might as well tell me. You could never lie to me, your eyes go green when you lie." he said matter-of-factly.
"Fine. Yes I am going to Genoa, one to have a rest, and two to get away from a certain Lord. That is all." She replied. She didn't tell him about her plans to visit the ransacked village, because she knew he would worry.
"All right I believe you. Are you sure you are fine with this?" he asked once more.
"Yes! Now go so I can finish cleaning off my desk. Lord knows Jack will do it while I'm away. Shoo!" she smiled as her father left the room and finished cleaning.
The next morning her journey to Genoa was underway. She would be staying at the summer house on the coast, then visit with her uncle for a few days. She arrived at the large castle the next morning, and immediately fell asleep. When she awoke, it was to the sounds of birds chirping.
She sighed contently and rolled out of bed. She stepped out onto her balcony and felt the warm wind on her bare shoulders. She leaned against the stone railing and looked about the property. The gardens were exquisite and extensive. There were many shades of blue, purple, yellow, oranges, and reds. Their fragrances met her nose, and she breathed in deeply.
She was interrupted by a lit tap on the door. "Enter." she said sweetly. An old lady with gray hair and a short, plump figure bounded through the door, with a tray and set it on the table.
"Ah you're up my lady, you'd been sleeping for a long time." she said, pulling the tops of the trays off.
"Thank you Molly." Joey said and walked back into the large bed chamber. Light flooded through the many windows, and made the room bright and welcoming. She sat down on her bed and Molly put the trays in front of her.
"Cook is so delighted you've come. He was cooking up a storm this morning." Molly added.
Joey tasted the croissants and it practically melted in her mouth. "This is fabulous!" she yelped.
Molly smiled at the young lady sitting there. "What do you wish to do today my lady?"
"I don't know I have-not really thought about it. I think I shall go to the stables and go for a ride." Joey replied, helping herself to more breakfast.
"Ok my lady, your garments have all ready been brought up and put in the wardrobe. I shall send up a bath for you upon your return."
"Thank you" Joey said to a retreating Molly.
When she finished breakfast, she dressed in her men's britches and button down shirt. She pulled on her boots and hurried off to the stables. She looked around and found her horse Marigold.
"Hello sweetheart. It's been quite a while since I've seen you but you're looking well. Shall we ride?" she said smoothly to the horse. The horse craned its neck and nudged her gently.
Joey pulled her out and led her to where the saddles were hanging.
"I'll get that for you miss." a voice said coming into the stables.
Joey turned and saw a middle aged man enter and pick up a saddle. He placed it upon Marigold and dusted his hands.
"Thank you." Joey said and smiled at him. He was handsome enough. He had light brown hair and striking green eyes. He was tall and well built.
"You must be the Princess. My name is Bradley, I work in the stables with the horses, and I heard someone, so I came down to investigate." he said.
"You can call me Joey, I'm glad that there is someone like you here to look after the horses. Well it was nice to meet you but I must get on with my ride, otherwise Marigold will be angry." she said and jumped up onto her back.
"Ride safe my lady." he said as she road out.
She road to the coast and down onto the beach. She dismounted and sat down in the sand. The smell of the ocean assaulted her nostrils and she smiled. She loved the ocean.