Disclaimer: don't own anything…I WISH I owned Englehorn..Rawr.
Chapter 11:
The days passed slow, and Eva was growing anxious to get to London. Her plan hadn't even had the opportunity to begin. Wes' ship never pulled beside them, the S.S. Venture never slowed or stopped.
She was beginning to wonder if it were a sign that she was being ridiculous. But, of course, every time she began debating that theory, Englehorn would narrow his eyes on her as if she were a misbehaving toddler!
He infuriated her to her core. He threatens to dump her off on some foreign land, and when he has the chance, he doesn't do it. And then turns it around, practically blaming her.
Eva hit her fist against the rail and crossed her arms stubbornly over her chest. She could just see the little tantrum she was throwing in her head, but she had no care as to who was watching.
Unfortunately, it was the one man she was growing to hate more and more.
"Something troubling you, lit'le girl?" A cold voice hissed at her ear.
Eva turned around quickly, her eyes momentarily widening at the burly sight of Willem. He was grinning, a thick, smoldering cigar between his lips. Her mouth upturned into a snarl at the first sight of him. "You."
Willem tilted his head back and laughed. A few other sailors glanced his way, but didn't dare stare long.
"Oh, little girl. You think your tongue is so harsh." Willem took a long drag from his cigar, turning to Eva to blow it against her hair.
She coughed at the stench, and glared up at him angrily. If Eva could have her way, she'd turn that cigar the opposite way and catch fire to his mouth. "Did you come over to make conversation with me, Willem? Stooping awfully low, even for your level."
Eva narrowed her eyes at herself, realizing she had just basically insulted herself in the process of insulting Willem. Yet, he grinned and caught the brown cigar between his fingers. "Conversation, no."
"Then, what do I owe the pleasure?" She asked bitterly, wishing he'd go away.
"Blackmail, little girl."
Her blood ran cold at the hiss of his voice. Another puff of smoke wafted against her face, but she couldn't pay any attention to that. Willem's face held no smirk any longer. It was stone cold, serious.
"What do you mean, e-exactly?"
"What do you think I mean?" Willem took a step closer, glancing sideways at the other crew. There were fewer of them now. The sun was going down and dinner was almost ready to serve, even though Eva was refusing to cook or clean.
His hand returned the cigar to his mouth before Willem let one hand travel up her forearm. It made her insides boil while a sickness began to grow in her stomach.
"I don't know." She couldn't even whisper anymore.
Her fingers were shaking, her knees were knocking together beneath her skirt, and Eva had the feeling she was about to be sick. "I know who you are, Miss Henley. I know who your infamous father is, where your family lives…I know all about their sick, despicable fortune they gather from ruining other people's lives." Willem pulled Eva closer, taking his cigar away from her face. His eyes, flickering with excitement.
"And I," He winked at her. "couldn't be any luckier. The day you were dumped on this ship, stupidly bringing on the picture of your father, I couldn't believe it. Do you know there are men who want your father killed?"
Eva shook all over now, her eyes burning with fearful tears. The deck was deserted, and the pair were directly under the helm. No help from Englehorn, like all the other times before. Eva was alone in this now.
"I don't believe you."
"Well, believe it, little girl! Your father is a corrupt man, and he will rue the day he met me."
Eva looked up at him. What was going on? Who exactly was Willem? For that matter, who was her father?
"What do you want from me?"
"It's simple really." Willem let go of her arm, but stayed close. She wouldn't dream of trying to run. She was quick, but Willem could tear her apart like a bear preying on a rabbit. "You won't even have to pretend to be some poor orphan. All you have to do, little girl, is sit pretty and beg your daddy for ransom."
Eva's body froze as she turned her tear filled eyes to him. Her lower lip quivered, the thoughts swarming around her brain like a frenzy. "You're kidnapping me?" Her throat tightened, making Eva have a hard time forcing her words out.
She felt like fainting as Willem's mouth began to stretch into a grin. He stayed silent, only putting his cigar back in his mouth before turning his back to leave her standing there.
Eva looked around, frightened for her life. How could she have been so stupid? Thinking about making men jealous, trying to prove herself as an adult…when she wasn't even smart enough to see what her own father was, what Willem was.
Her breath was short and Eva barely made it to her cabin before collapsing against the door. She brought her knees to her chest and wracked her brain for a solution. Sleep came before she figured anything out.
The shore was in sight. Eva, once excited beyond belief about arriving in England, was now ready to jump over board.
She bit her lip and wrung her hands as she stared off the bow toward the docks. They were coming closer.
Eva looked behind her and spotted Englehorn at the wheel. He wasn't looking at her, his eyes trained on docking the ship safely in the harbor.
However, another pair of eyes were locked onto hers. Willem stood loyally by Englehorn, and apparently had regained his position once more. He was making sure Eva could not possibly run to Englehorn for help.
She turned back around, her breath hitching in her throat. 'Jump Eva…jump!'
Her lip was clamped tightly between her teeth, her nervousness growing to enormous proportions. If only she had stayed with Wes after their 'dinner'. If only she had--- Her eyes lit up with amazement. Wes!
If she couldn't go to Englehorn, then Wes would definitely still be there to help her. Eva turned back to look at Willem. She didn't dare smile at him, but her lips lifted slightly at the sight of the ship trailing the S.S. Venture.
She turned back to face the docks, biting her lip to keep from shouting out in joy. Surely Willem would have to stay on the ship to take care of matters when they docked. He couldn't possibly keep her from talking to Wes.
The S.S. Venture docked, sending a frenzy about the ship. Every man was running around like they were chickens with their heads cut off, grabbing ropes, dropping the anchor, lowering the ramp to the dock.
Eva stood out of the way for the most part. Just as the ramp was secured, she hurried to the railing, ignoring the fact that she had no idea where to go once she got onto the docks.
Relief flooded over her once she rushed down the ramp. Her foot raised to step onto the wooden planks below her, but it never made it. Eva's elbow was seized, bringing her foot back onto the ramp.
She whirled around, her eyes nearly blinded by the sun blazing behind her. Willem stood, his arms crossed over his chest with a sneaky grin covering his face. He glanced to the side, toward Captain Englehorn, who's hand was still gripping Eva's elbow.
Englehorn released her, staring down at her as if to intimidate her. Eva wasn't so much scared of the Captain as she was of the latter man. Willem was still grinning, and she could tell he had something up his sleeve that she would hate.
"Willem has brought it to my attention that you've been wanting to see the city." Englehorn smirked almost wickedly, making Eva gulp. Had Willem told him? No, Englehorn wouldn't ever let him kidnap Eva.
He just wouldn't…would he?
Eva narrowed her eyes, hoping to direct her icy glare was directed wholly onto Willem. "I thought I ought to volunteer, for the job." Willem said, taking a step toward Eva. "To keep you out of trouble."
"Funny. It seems I'll be jumping from the frying pan and into the fire with you."
"You'll be out of the way." Englehorn stated, giving her one final glance before turning to make his way back toward the ship. He left Eva alone with a madman. She would never forgive him if Willem actually did kidnap her. She would make sure he was arrested and put in jail for years.
Her father would rescue her. Whoever her father was now…
AN- Whoa…Been a while hasn't it? I know I know! I feel horrible. Well, this has taken a turn in the Willem situation…Now, hopefully people will be satisfied. But, the question remains…What happened between Willem and Eva's father! Dun dun dun! And has Willem told Englehorn? Will Eva EVER get help from Wes? Or…are they all in on it? Mwhahaha! Such drama and mystery! Next chapter up faster than the last…I promise!