Chapter One- An Interesting Start:

I looked at my Captain in disbelief.

"Are you sure, sir?" I queried hesitantly. He nodded briskly.

"Yes, Westenra. Go on, get it over with..."

"But sir..."

"Damnit, man, one of us has to do it!"

The thought of my captain performing this task himself was so ludicrous that even I, Captain's secretary, couldn't question it any more.

"You want me to..."

"Do you want sealed orders, Westenra?"

His sarcasm was so acerbic I gave in.

"Very well sir. An inch?"

"No. Three inches."

I privately decided that I would risk two inches- three was ridiculous, one was on the long side.

"Very well, sir. Three it is."

I picked up the scissors and began cutting his hair. In my eyes, it was fine on the long side, but my eyes, never mind belonging to Lady Evelyn Montmorency, one of the richest women in the world (albeit incognito) didn't matter to Captain James Wendon, of His Majesty's Britannic Navy. Apparently, someone else's in Conrad Bay seemed to though.

We were anchored at Sea for the last time in some weeks tonight. Tomorrow we would reach the infamous port, and rendezvous with Captain Aubrey and Dr Maturin on their ship, the Surprise. I was betting we were winning a bet made by the Captains so far; in fact, I knew it.

Captain Wendon had to find some of Bonaparte's military plans by intercepting the 'Toulouse' at one of two rendezvous or chasing until 'sunk or destroyed'. This, I might add, was in my opinion, the easier task. Captain Aubrey's task was to locate a missing heiress, one of the richest women in the world, called Lady Evelyn Montmorency. Of course, anyone with a logical mind, that knew of the circumstances the bet was made in, might say 'pshaw, child's play' and that any adult could trace me.

Well, I am a careful woman, and so when I say this is not so, you may believe me. Let me explain.

(Flashback to Chapter 14, A Calculated Risk I).

After entertaining Grange and the Duchess with an extended tale of mischief I (in reality, one of my brothers) had got caught up in at the age of sixteen, I had carefully edged myself towards Emily. Bright girl that she was, she noticed, and stood demurely away from Catherine and Hannah's party, whom she had been shadowing. Pretending excellent manners, I had been careful to preserve decency and neither draw her into shadows or too close...

"Emily, dear girl, how are you" I asked, as Byrne laughed loudly with Hannah.

"Very well, thank you. I have a message." She lowered her voice, and surreptitiously checked around, while pretending to observe the weather.

"They are still checking the grounds, questioning guards etc. The Duchess has laid a trail- to Conrad Bay. She thinks it is better to have them close to you, where you may know how close they are. There is a new man- a Senor Veritas D'Aljuan. He is a trained spy, and the Duchess, Dr Maturin and Captain Aubrey dislike him intensely. Be wary of him- we do not yet know his purpose. They leave tonight."

I paused, thinking furiously. This D'Aljuan fellow seemed...Dangerous. Yes, better to have him where I could see him.

"Thank you Emily -please tell the Duchess I may be reached care of the Harbor master at Conrad Bay. I'll send word when I can."

"Good luck, Lad...Jack." She caught herself, and smiled quickly, apologizing, and returned to her mistress.

(End Flashback).

Thoughts interrupted by the importance of my task, I wrestled with the Captain's hair, until I had brushed it out into smooth and silky waves of black silk, and then I began cutting great chunks from the end.

To my Captain, it must have looked as if I was shaving his head.

"Are you sure that's three inches, Westenra?"

"Yes sir- well, two, sir, and you could have it shorter if you wanted it, sir."

"seems a good idea, Westenra."

I was lying- it was really an inch and a half, but as I had guessed, his nerves had made him exaggerate, and he really only wanted a little cut off. He was peacefully still as I cut the rest of his hair, hands content on each knee of his duck whites.

"Done, sir."

I said quietly, afraid to disturb this reverie he had fallen into, relaxed, calm and almost pleasantly entranced by the sound of the scissors. He nodded, and slowly stood up.

"Do you know Westenra; you are a very relaxing man. I have never felt so relaxed in my life. You are also a particularly neat man."

I wondered what this strange list of 'qualities' was leading to, as he paced to his desk.

"My mother resides in Conrad Bay at the moment, my dear Westenra. She likes to meet one or two of my officers every time I call in near her. Would you..?"

I got the picture that Mrs Wendon moved about a great deal, but was so delighted to be asked, I made the only possible reply to an invitation given by a Captain to his secretary.

"Of course, Captain. I would be honored."

He looked relieved, dismissed me, and as I went out, I heard him settle into his chair again. I smiled, and slipped quietly away.

Out on deck, I saw Byrne and Grange standing on the fore-deck, and sauntered over to join them, feeling fairly happy. The weather was excellent, as we had come to expect, and we would hopefully spot land within a day or two. The ship had a comfortable rolling motion, and with my sea-legs regained, I swayed comfortably as I walked, feeling particularly at one with the ship. Byrne smiled to greet me, and Grange nodded in a friendly manner.

"It's a lovely day," I grinned, meaning every word I said. Byrne agreed.

"It won't last, though- have you seen those storm clouds on the horizon? I'll wager we hit it some time this evening…Maybe during the first or second dog watch?"

It would delay our arrival, which was a shame. I hurried below again soon to rest before my watch. The lull of the ship rocked me gently to sleep.

But it was rocking violently, when habit and the ship's bell roused me for my watch. I hurriedly donned my waterproofs and thickest clothing, and ran up on deck. It was pouring with rain, and blowing hard, and I feared more than ever for the veracity of my disguise. However, the blackness of the night and the fog helped restore my confidence, and as I met Daniels, one of the midshipmen of deck for our watch, I greeted him cheerfully.

"It's like the apocalypse out here, hey, Mr Daniels?"

"Yes sir! Freezin' too, sir. But hopefully we'll catch sight of land soon. The

Cap'n said he'd be up halfway into our watch, apparently."

"Aye aye, Mr Daniels. Let's get us to our places. Sing out if you see any sunlight."

"Aye aye, sir."

The watch was uneventful, until Captain Wendon appeared on deck about 3am shore time.

Bleary eyed, soggy and frozen, my salute was decidedly squelchy, and I thought groggily that a nasty cold could be the only result of this little storm.

"Westenra?"

What on earth could that tone of voice mean? I braced myself for a reprimand, but suddenly I recognized affection and concern- it was exactly the irritated, slightly worried, annoyed tone I remembered from my half-conscious sleep, when he had lightly scolded me for being beaten by fishermen.

"Sir?" My teeth chattered as I spoke.

"What are you doing on watch in this weather? You're only just recovered, and to visit my mother tomorrow evening- and I tell you, she has absolutely no patience with infirmity."

"Byrne offered, sir but I am well, and I shall toughen up, sir."

"What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, eh, Jack? Not quite true, I assure you. If you are determined, you must at least stand under the overhang just there. Oh, don't look at me like that, man, it was an order!"

I moved- his flash of anger was rather warming, and his feeble attempt at jocularity was endearing. Forgetting me entirely, he moved fo'rard to talk to Daniels, laving me a little drier and a lot more comfortable about five feet to the right of my correct position.

An hour later, I stumbled into a warm hammock, with every shred of clothing I could find laid over me. Oh for tropical heat!