Part 15

He was unlike any man she had ever met. He was so magnifisant, so mysterious, fascinating in every line of his body and mind. Who was he truly? All she knew was his name. 'Max' she tasted the name on her tongue. Short, sweet. It rolled off with an endearing yet a frighteningly dangerous quality. It was true that she had never met anyone like him before. Ofcourse she had never seen a pirate before either. All she heard were tales. Tales of treasures and plunders and bloodthirsty men. Somehow though as she gazed solemnly around the deck of the 'Cruella' as she heard the crew call her, she found she could not believe this of this particular pirate.

There was no deck scrubbing today. Infact she was made to polish weapons. Heaven help her the moment she witnessed the offending objects her frame shook at the deadly swords and knives. Her throat choked her. She tried not to scream or faint.

It was not the fact that she was squimish of sharp objects. It was only the image of blood dripping from the tips and ends. An enemy or a poor victim sliced. Liz swallowed as she grapped one and took a rag in the other. Who knew?...they were pirates after all...Liz shuddered and decided to ignore that last thought as she labourously worked until each one was shining magnificantly.

She had spent that whole time in a dhaded spot on deck. No one bothered her. Maria had came by just to bid her good day then disappeared. She did not see Max anywhere either. She did not know if she felt relieved or disappointed.

'I am in a nightmare. I feel trapped, caged. I can hardly breathe. I feel so betrayed. How could he do this to me? How could he subject me to such a revolting and unbearable position. Do I mean so little? Am i simply to be a possession that is to be handed on from one person to another. No second thought. No regards to my feelings or desires. I hate him for it, yet i love him. He is after all only after my own wellbeing and happiness. Unfortunately the poor man cannot see the error of his ways.

'...My loyal book. I am betrothed to Lord Deluca. A man i despise. One i can never come to care for in any intimate manner. This handsome devil in desguise does not fool me. I can see his soul through his very icy blue eyes. I do not love him. I cannot marry him. I feel that i owuld defy the sea and skies just to escape.I will be miserable i know. Yet, even as i think it, i think aswell 'let it not be known i defied my father's will'. I t would destroy him. My family, and me.

I truly wish it were different. In desperation i wished that i was not me. That i was no lady born in iron bands of propriety and passed on in shackles into matrimony. It's such a dismal thought. I want to be free. I want my own will and mind, and heart and soul. That man will deprive me of that i know. I must try. I musr run if i can. I care not which way or how but if i can get away i would.

I must say if that plan is unsuccessful i would not mind even being taken away. It's a desperate thought, however i am desperate. There is so much i want to see and do. I am still so young. I want freedom, it's as simple as that. I want adventure. I want to live life to the fullest with the greatest pleasure. Perhaps even a little romance. Ah my dear loyal book, i even dream of meeting a man and falling in love. Love...thats is what i crave and i know i cannot find it here...'

Sean flung the journal from him in disgust. He had searched high and low in her room for any sign or clue but found nothing but neatly stacked drawers, some which he was not allowed to look into because they contained her undergarments, a neat bed and nothing else but the journal which he found stacked on the underside of one of the drawers he could look into. Drivel. That was what this all was. Half a book which contained nothing but words of dreams, wishes, and stupid folly. He had tolerated these pages. Even found them amusing. She is so young and naive, he thought. Yet these passage he had just read fuled him with rage and resentment. It irked him that she should think of him so.

Who did she think she was anyway? She should infact be gracious in light of his offer. It was the best of the lot and Lord Parker had accepted without qualms. Sean did not know for sure if it was simply greed on the parent's behalf or quick insurance of their only child's security. Either way it mattered not at all to him. Elizabeth is a very beautiful young woman. She possed the most perfect virtues inside and out. In short she would make the perfect wife.

Many eligible men obviously agreed with that fact because the lady never lacked for suitors. They worshipped the ground she stood upon and were enchanted by her. Sean, though the hard man that he is, like ever man saw a most desirable woman and decided to pursue her. To him she was perfect too.

On their meeting however, well they did not exactly get along. She was a cold fish and he, was a relentless fisherman. He vowed he would have her and he had succeeded. And now only a precious month before their wedding she had slipped through his fingers.

He clenched his fists in supressed frustration and anger. He did not know for sure if she truly lived up to the words in her journal and run away or if she was kidnapped. Neither thought reassured him. If she had run away he would pursue and he would find her, and if she was taken, he will track down the ones responsible and kill them.

"Jeff oh my dear Jeff oh dear-" Nancy broke off choking on her tears. It was not true, her daughter was here, safe and sound. She could hear the gay sound of her laughter. Elizabeth was not gone. It could not be true.

"Hush now my love" Jeff held his wife and enveloped her in his arms, comforting her "do not fret yourself my dear, it is alright, it will be alright, we will find her i promise you" he ran a soothing palm up and down her spine, then reached into in pocket and produced a snowy white hanky.

"There now sweet, dry your tears" he handed her the piece and proceeded to kiss the top of her head.

"Oh Jeff who could do such a thing? Who could even think of taking away Elizabeth. She's so innocent, she shouldn't suffer, we shouldn't suffer" Nancy sniffled and pulled back to look into her husband's set face.

"I will find her. She will not suffer." he said reassuringly. When Nancy had quieted down she allowed her mind to rule over her heart for the moment.

"Jeff...you said that it could have been a kidnapping" she swallowed " but you also said that she could have...run...away"

"Yes, my dear it is a possibily" Jeff sighed deeply and looked down and away from his wife's searching gaze.

Nancy gave him a questioning look. "Why would she run away Jeff?" her voice was soft and sad.

Jeff gave a frustrated painful growl and snapped his head up to stare grimly at his wife. "You know why Nancy. She ran away from me, from us, because of her betrothal" he bit out bitterly.

Nancy was the one comforting now. "I had been thinking on that for a while, perhaps...well perhaps it was not right of us to...interfere. She should choose" she said quietly.

Jeff sighed in resignation. " I cannot admit i was wrong in doing what i did Nancy. She's so young, she can't possibly make these decsions on her own. People these days can never decide or be responsible enough to grow up. It is up to us, the parents to guide them and give them a life" he replied heatedly, pulling away from her and pacing to the window of their bedroom.

"Elizabeth is not like that. She may be young but she knows the reality of things. All the youthful dreaming she might have is confined in her mind "

"That may be so, but..." he trailed off, but Nancy knew what he was about to say. She was their only daughter. They both loved her so very very much. If Jeff had been any other man he would have scorned her for the son and heir she could not produce. Unfortunately after the birth of their first born it was impossible to concieve any more. Nancy had had a very difficult pregnancy and then labour.

She had come close to death during that time. She had bled alot. And after the physician examined her after the birth he had sadly concluded that due to complications during the labour it is now impossible for her to concieve any other child.

Nancy cried for a week while Jeff tried to console her, telling her it didn't matter, that he loved her and he loved his little daughter. Nancy believed him but it depressed her that she would not be able to offer him his heir.

She told him so one night as she lay her darling baby Elizabeth to sleep and Jeff only looked at the peaceful little babe and replied that he already had his heir. Nancy could not help but burst into joyful tears. From then on both parents raised and doted on sweet Elizabeth.

She was a young woman now though as they both seemed to realize and it was time to let her go. Yet they were finding it harder and harder to part with her. Nancy wanted her happiness and dulfillment but wanted her baby beside her and Jeff wanted Elizabeth to be secure and lack for nothing.

He had thought that Lord Deluca was the best man for Elizabeth. He was a good man with wealth and looks and other things. Liz was probably too stubborn to see past whatever she sees in the way. Perhaps if she got to know him a bit better...Jeff halted his thoughts. Jeff had allowed the man to search his daughters room because he could do nothing else. Sean came out and said he found nothing. Jeff hesitated then accepted that verdict. It would serve no good to look again. He knew his daughter well. She is not careless.

It is not the time to dwell on such things, he thought. Now he had to find one of the two females he loved more than anything in the world, other than his mother god rest her soul.

If she had run away, he sighed, he hoped she would come to her senses and come back, nevertheless he would search for her, and if she was taken, he drew in a deep breath, he'd kill the people responsible.

The sun was setting. The night was creeping up on her. Her duties were over and it was time to get up and walk down the narrow stairs to her room. Liz looked back at the vast sea and twinkling stars. For the second tome she wondered where they were headed. She must remember to ask someone. She was tired. Carely treading down the passageway she softly passed the great oack door again and shivered involuntarily. Without any thogh she hurried to her chambers and shut the door firm on herself.

It was the first night she would be spending in her new room. Memories assailed her from last night and bit back on her terror. Something inside her new for sure no one would disturb her anymore. She looked towards the door. One man could though...was that a shudder of fear or excitement that just ran through her?