Legrace:
Jacques Cousteau has always been one of my great heroes. I'm actually thinking of studying somemarine science. As for Colonel Pitt, she'll be telling them what really happened before they reach Jamaica, but there's a few more things I need to set up first.

Flossy:
"a tragic accident involving the flying jib and a bowl of fresh custard"
Not the custard!!! How cruel!!
I assure you, you'll be satisfied when the truth comes out!
She's an attractive woman and a good listener, which is more than enough for many men! In addition, there is that earthy sexuality that she got from her parents… On the other hand, it's really a strange situation. If there were other women present, even one other, the whole group dynamic would change. To tell you the truth, she probably wishes there were several other women to deflect some of the attention!

The Lost Ones

During the first dogwatch, Mrs. Stirling came to ask Mr. Pullings, who was the officer on duty, if she might borrow one of the spy-glasses. He gave his permission and she went aft to the starboard rail to study the cays that slipped past. He let her be until eight bells, and when the watch had changed, he went, curious and full of questions, to speak to her.

By then, she had put away the telescope and was sitting in her usual place against the rear taffrail. Wishing her a good afternoon, he settled beside her. "Are you familiar with these waters?" he asked her, for over time, he had told her about many of his adventures in the Indian Ocean and of his interest in sailing the treacherous Red Sea, but he had not found out about her experiences.

"Yes, very well," she smiled, nodding towards the starboard rail. "The Spanish call that little island Cayo Hueso – Bone Cay. It was because of the native burial grounds they found there.

"Do you know it?"

"My yes, I've been there dozens of times. We used to trade for mahogany there and sell it for immense profit back in England!"

At his urging, she told of adventures aboard her husband's ship, Calypso, a fine three-master out of Bristol, and the hurricanes and gales, fortunes and misfortunes, fair and foul luck. As it was of interest to him, she described the details of the islands, the reefs, the difficult points in navigation, and the landings she knew.

"It has always been on islands that I have lived, and I know these waters as well as any other. There are innumerable little islands and rivers in the south of the peninsula. Places where it is possible to swim with sea creatures like manatees and dolphins."

"You swam with them?" he asked in surprise.

"Yes, many times, in the shallows where the water is nearly as warm as your blood. The sweet things are not afraid and will let you hold to them as they dart through the shallows. Such lovely, playful animals! We took the boys a few times even when they were small." She smiled wistfully at the memory. "When I was expecting, I made a little infant's gown and cap with dolphins embroidered all round the hem."

"Right little sailors," said Pullings with a charmed smile, for dolphins were considered lucky by all seafaring men. "From the cradle even!"

"For certain, sir." With a sad smile, her eyes took on a far-away look. "One child, a little girl, did not live long. She came too soon, you see."

"I'm sorry," he said, all cheerfulness gone.

"It was a sore loss, and we buried her in that gown and cap."

"I'm so dreadfully sorry," he said, reaching to clasp her hand. His was a rough, thickly-calloused mariner's hand, the kind of man's hand she had known all her life, so comforting now in its familiarity.

"After we lost her, my husband told me that her soul had gone into the sea. To a pretty young dolphin. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it comforted me in days of unbearable grief." She paused and took a deep breath, gripping his hand. In a near whisper, she added, "Now, when I see them swimming with us, I think perhaps her father is there with her."

He watched her with a profound feeling of sorrow and compassion. "Well, then he is," he told her softly.

Not sure if he was merely humoring her, she looked at him in surprise. In his expression she saw absolute sincerity, and the tiniest smile curved her lips. He understood. In that moment, there was complete and utter comprehension between them. When she looked down again, her fingers squeezed his and he tightened his grip a little.

Neither one spoke or moved much as some minutes slipped past. One of the cheerful young midshipmen approached with a salute. "Pardon me, ma'am. With the cap'n's compliments, if he and the doctor are not to eat up the table's cloth whilst waiting on ye, come to the Great Cabin, if you please."

It took her a moment to reply. "My apologies to those gentlemen; please tell them I shall come directly."

The lad ran off as both of them got to their feet. "Thank you, Mr. Pullings," she murmured, looking up at him. "Thank you, Tom."

He smiled and flushed happily at the use of his Christian name. "There is no need to thank me," he replied with absolute candor.

Smiling back, she nodded and then turned to hurry down to join her impatient host. Pullings stood for a minute, then looked up in time to catch the eyes of two of the crewmen who had been standing still and watching before they quickly turned their eyes away and went back to their work with unnatural vigor.

Note:
Now called Key West