Chapter Nine
Clytie went to the galley to eat lunch and relax. She found only Preston there, which was something of a relief. She nodded quietly to him as she sat down across from him with her bowl of porridge (again).
Preston studied her carefully. She looked quite fetching in that black dress… but there was something else different about her… something about her eyes… "So… what's your story? How did you survive the storm?" he asked, curious about the light in her eyes and the color in her cheeks.
"Well, I was almost washed overboard," Clytie said. "I was standing outside the bridge as a lookout, and suddenly this big wave knocked me over. There was another big wave coming, but I was so stunned I couldn't move. Luckily for me, the captain noticed that I had disappeared from sight, so he came out there and got me back inside." She took a deep breath and slowly let it out, absently stirring her porridge, her eyes defocused. "He saved my life."
Preston rested his chin in his hands and raised his eyebrows. "Wow. Your grandchildren are going to love that story."
Clytie glanced sharply at him. Grandchildren, eh? She had always thought she would end up an old maid. She was in her mid-twenties already and had never had a very serious relationship. But now…maybe there was a chance for her. She had been asked out on a date already on this voyage and had just been kissed by someone whom she liked very much. She smiled. "Yeah. I'm gonna love telling them that one."
"Englehorn must think highly of you to have done that," Preston remarked nonchalantly. When Clytie didn't reply, he continued, "Jimmy and I were talking about it… How we've noticed what's going on between you and the captain."
Clytie nearly choked on her porridge and started coughing.
"Are you all right?"
"I'm fine." Clytie cleared her throat, blinking her watery eyes.
Preston looked askance at her. "Is there something we don't know yet… about… what's going on?"
Clytie stared at him incredulously. "What would make you think that?"
He grinned slyly. "You look… different. Your eyes, Clytie… They're shining."
Clytie immediately sucked the porridge from her spoon and held up the utensil so she could see her reflection in it.
Preston laughed.
Clytie did notice in her distorted reflection that her eyes were large and shiny, and her cheeks were pink. She quickly dropped her spoon into her porridge. "Is it… extremely obvious that I'm… different?" That I was just kissed by the one person in all the world I would want to kiss me?
Suddenly, Jack and Ann walked into the galley. Ann smiled instantly. "Clytie, you look so pretty today!" she exclaimed, sitting beside her friend. "Are you wearing your makeup differently?"
Clytie glanced at Preston, then said to Ann, "Actually, no. I'm just feeling very… refreshed."
Preston snorted and muttered, "I'll bet."
Clytie kicked him under the table.
Jack sat across from Ann and passed her a bowl of porridge (oh, how sick of it they were). He started stirring his own bowl. "So, Clytie, we hear that Englehorn had to save you from being washed over the side this morning," he remarked casually.
"That's true. Who told you?" Clytie asked. Did everyone know about that?
"Darby," Jack replied. He took a sip of porridge. "Is it just me, or does it actually taste different today?" he joked.
Everyone laughed, even Clytie.
Jack glanced at her. "Is it just me… or do you look different, Clytie?"
Clytie blushed. "I guess my little… adventure… excited me… I guess..."
Preston grinned at her.
She shook her head slightly at him.
"Well, there's going to be plenty of adventure for you ahead," Jack said gravely. "Once we get off the island with your brother, believe me, you'll be sick of it."
Clytie suddenly felt as if another wave had washed over her. "How could he have survived this long?" she asked quietly. "It's been so long…"
Jack mentally kicked himself. Driscoll, why do you always have to bring up stuff like that? "He's an explorer, Clytie," he said soothingly. "From what I've heard, he's a very resourceful young man. I'm sure he's found a way to remain safe." He smiled wryly. "If I could have survived Skull Island, surely your brother can."
"He's right, Clytie," Preston added. "Jimmy and I survived, too, and you know how we are. And Ann, too."
That made Clytie feel better. "He's all right," she said, trying to convince herself. "I'm sure he is. And we'll rescue him, and we'll be all right, too."
Preston grinned slyly at her. "And you'll have Captain Englehorn to keep you from falling over the side of the deck if we go through a storm again," he said, laughter in his green eyes.
She kicked him again.
Ann studied Clytie closely, noticing some things she hadn't caught before. "I'm sure you feel safer to have him along. I think you were wise to go to him about this."
"Me, too," Clytie said quietly.
Ann exchanged glances with Preston. So he had already figured this out…
After lunch, Ann hooked her arm around Clytie's. "Let's take a walk on the deck, Clytie," she suggested. "This may be our last chance before… you know."
Clytie smiled gratefully at her. "Sounds good to me." She walked with Ann out onto the deck.
The sun was starting to break through the dark gray clouds, and there was a pale rainbow slashed across the sky. It was absolutely beautiful.
The two young women walked to the bow and stood there quietly at the railing, arms linked. It was a long time before Ann spoke. "On my last voyage on this ship, I fell in love with Jack," she said softly. The rainbow was reflected rather strangely in her green-blue eyes. It had a hauntingly pretty effect. She turned to look at Clytie. "They say that kind of thing happens on these sea voyages."
Clytie looked down at the water. "So you've figured it out, too."
Ann smiled at the other girl. "It took me awhile. I thought at first that the two of you were just becoming friends, that he admired you for your sailing skills, that you respected him as a leader."
Clytie quickly met Ann's eyes. "I know you don't trust him--"
Ann held up a hand. "I didn't. But I think I'm learning to. All of us made mistakes on that last journey." She smiled sadly.
"I'm really sorry that all that happened to you," Clytie said.
Ann shook her head. "It's okay. Some good came of it. I met Jack on that trip, the love of my life. And I did make a good friend, even if…" She quickly stopped herself from thinking of Kong. "And it looks as if those of us who survived stand to gain even more. We got to meet you, Clytie. I have a feeling the captain will stand to gain the most from that." She winked.
Clytie blushed. Then she sighed, worried. "Do you think we have a chance, Ann? We're a lot alike, it's true. We both love the sea and all, but… We're very different, too. And we come from very different backgrounds…"
"It's a bit early yet to tell," Ann replied. "But if Jack and I could make it…"
Suddenly, Jimmy joined them at the rail. "Miss Seaborne, Miss Darrow--I think you'd better get over here," he said quickly.
"What's going on?" Ann asked worriedly.
Clytie felt her heartbeat speed up. Not something bad, not again…
"There's some trouble with Mr. Denham," Jimmy explained quietly, glancing over his shoulder. He looked from Clytie to Ann and back again. "And it involves both of your men."
Ann and Clytie looked at each other, then said to Jimmy in unison, "Lead the way, Jimmy."
(LINE)
"Mr. Denham, stand aside. I'm taking Mr. Wilson back where he belongs," Captain Englehorn insisted, taking a step forward.
Carl shook his head. "I'm afraid that's not possible. I'm not doing anything you say until you take us through that fog."
"Carl, don't be an idiot," Jack snapped. "We can't go through now. We need to wait until tomorrow morning."
"You're wrong, Jack. We need to get there as soon as possible. David Seaborne can't possibly last much longer." He grinned. "And besides… I have a deadline. I need to get filming as soon as possible."
"It would be stupid to try searching the island at night," Englehorn insisted. "We would have to wait for daylight anyway." He took another step forward. "Mr. Wilson, come with me."
Wilson shook his head. "I'm with Mr. Denham now, Captain. I don't take you orders anymore."
"Traitor!" Darby shouted from the small crowd gathered behind Jack and the Captain.
Englehorn glanced behind him. There stood Jimmy, Darby, Preston, Atkins, Baxter, Ann, and… Clytie. Clytie had her eyes fixed on him. Her skin looked so pale against the black of her dress.
"Captain, you need to agree with us now before we resort to more… drastic measures," Carl announced.
"Don't do it, Englehorn," Jack said quickly.
Clytie, watching from the crowd, felt someone grab her arm. She turned and looked up into the face of her godfather. "Stop them, Jake!" she whispered. "Stop Denham and Wilson!"
Jake shook his head. "They're doing this without my consent…"
"Then stop them!" Clytie snapped. "Jack and Eric might get hurt!"
Jake blinked. " Eric? So you and the captain are on a first name basis now? Is there something between the two of you I need to know about?"
"Jake! DO SOMETHING!"
Jake hesitated. He didn't like the idea of his goddaughter gallivanting with some lowly ship's captain--a foreigner at that!
Suddenly, there was a collective gasp from the crowd. Clytie turned to see what was going on.
Wilson had drawn a pistol.
Clytie clenched her fists and bit her lip to keep from crying out.
Darby moved closer to her and nodded downward. She saw that his left hand hovered over a pistol in his belt. "Don't worry," he whispered.
"I can't help it," she answered shakily.
Englehorn eyed the gun in Wilson's hand. Wilson wasn't a speedy man. He relied more on strength. The captain had a pistol. Maybe he could draw and fire before Wilson noticed…
"Captain…" Jack said, his voice cautioning.
Englehorn looked at Jack. Maybe Jack could distract Wilson and Denham…
"This is taking far too long," Carl said impatiently. "If you can't make up your mind, Captain, we are going to make it up for you." He stood on his tiptoes and studied the crowd. "Miss Seaborne. Step forward."
"Denham…" Englehorn growled.
"Clytie, if you don't step forward, Mr. Wilson is going to shoot the captain," Carl said matter-of-factly. He nodded to Wilson, who immediately leveled the barrel of his gun at Captain Englehorn.
Clytie stepped forward slowly, feeling a bit frightened--and very angry.
"Keep coming," Carl urged, motioning to her.
As she walked past the captain, she brushed her hand against his arm.
"Clytie…" he whispered. "Go back."
She shook her head and said nothing.
Carl nodded to Wilson, and the big man suddenly grabbed Clytie and held the gun to her head.
Englehorn's hand jerked convulsively toward his pistol, but he hesitated. If he drew his weapon, Wilson would surely hurt Clytie…
Clytie remained still and silent in Wilson's grip, closing her eyes and praying. God help us…
"Captain, get up there to that bridge and get us into that fog," Carl said calmly.
Jack closed his eyes and hung his head.
Englehorn nodded tightly. "All right. You win, Denham." He turned angrily and started walking toward the bridge.
"Jack, you go with him," Carl said. "Mr. Galyon, you, too."
Clytie knew what he was doing. He was gathering everyone he saw as a threat into one place so he could keep an eye on them.
(LINE)
Englehorn steered his ship slowly into the fog. This entire situation was driving him mad. He could see Wilson and Clytie down on the deck. Wilson had made sure to stand where the captain could see him, reminding him that Clytie was being held hostage. And right now, he was powerless to save her.
Carl stood in the bridge with Jack, Darby, and the captain, keeping a sharp eye on them. The instant anyone tried anything, he had explained, he would signal to Wilson. Ann, Preston and Jimmy were locked in the galley. Bruce and Jake, not being seen as much of a threat, were allowed to wander free. The rest of the crew was being allowed to do what was necessary to get the ship through the fog.
Jack glanced at Darby and Englehorn. Both were armed. Maybe, somehow, they could overpower Carl and Wilson… But first, they would need a distraction. He decided to get to work on that as the ship slid into the fog…
(LINE)
"I think we need to somehow distract Wilson and get Clytie away from him," Jimmy spoke up from where he sat on the floor of the galley.
Preston and Ann looked at each other, then at Jimmy.
"How do we get out of the galley?" Ann asked. "Because if we get out, I say--go for it."
Jimmy smiled. "I'm a cabin boy. I know a way out. I just had to think about it first."
Preston smiled. "Then let's go for it."
