Chapter Nine

The Captain And His Lady

Late the next morning over an early lunch, Carolyn's parents tried one last time to change their daughter's mind and make her see the sense of their proposal. But when she refused, once again, to listen to their reasoned arguments, they had to finally admit defeat. Their daughter and grandchildren were quick to get them organised to be driven to the airport.

"I'll see you, tonight…" Carolyn whispered to Daniel, as she passed him in the foyer.

"Have a care, my dear," he replied, watching her parents walk down the front path hand in hand with Candy and Jonathan. "They are not scuppered by any means. I sense they are planning to mount a fresh attack involving the dreaded Cousin Harriet."

"I love them dearly and they mean well," his beloved reassured him. "But nothing my parents can say or do will change my mind. Not now. I have too much to lose…" She smiled as she closed the front door behind her after one final longing look back at him.

"As have I…" Daniel shook his head at the closed door.

The Muirs would be gone for the rest of the day. Carolyn intended to take the children shopping in town and they wouldn't be home until late. Martha seized the opportunity of some free time to go on a picnic date with Ed, armed with one of her famous cherry pies.

As soon as he was alone in the house, Daniel rose to his wheelhouse and sent out an urgent summons to the spirits of his peers. He needed an answer to his burning question that couldn't wait any longer.

"I am the Master of my fate. I am the Captain of my soul…" he quoted the last two lines of his favourite poem beneath his breath to bolster his determination.

He waited nervously for nearly half an hour, alternating between sorting the papers on his desk, pacing the floor and rearranging his salver holding the Madeira decanter and glasses. He'd almost given up hope when two figures suddenly materialised before him.

The younger of the two spirits walked past him without comment, shaking his head ruefully. He eased his tall frame into a nearby chair, seemingly intent on enjoying the situation as it was about to unfold.

The elder was a ramrod straight old man, resplendent in a full, nineteenth-century admiral's uniform. Daniel snapped to attention the moment he saw him.

"Admiral Kearns! I didn't expect to see you on board, Sir."

"Yours is a most troublesome question, young man. It was passed up the chain of command to me." The old fellow frowned at him as he paced the cramped wheelhouse, his weather-beaten brow creased in deep thought.

His dress sword clanked and rattled at his side as he walked. "You've sought the spectral fraternity's advice over your desire to marry a human. An unusual request and one we never expected from you."

He stopped to peer closely at Daniel through near-sighted eyes. "Most unusual. Why a human?" he barked. "Dammit, man! There's any number of suitable ladies in spirit who would gladly take you on board. You needed only to show at least one of them a spark of interest in the last hundred or so years."

"Because I love Carolyn Muir, Sir," Daniel replied honestly, still standing stiffly to attention. "And only her."

"Love…" the old boy harrumphed disbelievingly. "A dangerously unstable emotion. Worse than gunpowder. Best left to the ladies, that."

He looked Daniel over from head to boots, assessing him closely. He'd not given his subordinate permission to stand at ease. But then the old man always was a stickler for correct protocol.

"Love is not a good enough reason," Captain Lucius Beaumont commented drily from the old rump-sprung easy chair he was sitting in. "We've all been in love, several times. It changes like the seasons and fades just as quickly."

He was allowed to be at his ease, being the old admiral's trusted confidante and favourite son-in-law. "Anyone can fall in love, and out of it, just as easily. You've proven that often enough in your human life, Gregg. You broke a fresh heart every time you sailed away from your latest amour. Who is to say you won't break this human's when you finally tire of her?"

"That will never happen," Daniel replied hardly.

Beaumont shrugged as he eased his long legs out before him, crossing them at the ankle. "I'm not saying it's unknown for a spirit to marry a human. There have been a few cases. But why should we single you out for special dispensation?"

"Because, over the last two years, I have come to regard Mrs Muir and her children as my family. They live under my protection and care. I would never allow any harm to come to them. Nor would I willingly dishonour her by remaining here in my altered state."

"Ah, a familial attachment," Admiral Kearns seized upon the admission. "Now that is understandable. It can happen when you lock yourself away for a hundred years or more and somehow manage to convince yourself you're content with your own company. Never a good idea. And certainly, a very bad idea to go messing around with the state of your matter. You were happy enough being in spirit all these years."

"I may have railed against the unfairness of my early demise, but I was content enough with my lot in the afterlife." Daniel shrugged. "Until the Muirs came into my realm."

"Most of us have cause to complain about the abruptness of our deaths," Beaumont replied.

"That's as well may be for a pair of young bucks like you two, but I near-sailed my full course, straight and true. I would have if I'd held my port better and not stepped out into the street at the wrong moment to be knocked down by that runaway carriage..."

The old Admiral fussed with the set of his walrus moustache. "Blast it all, I was nothing more than a young, snot-nosed shavetail when I managed to survive Trafalgar; you know!" He sighed roughly. "But the manner of our own personal demise is not at issue here."

He frowned at Daniel. "We all tried to warn you, my boy. But you maintained the same pig-headed stubbornness you had when you were alive. You grew lonely and this family filled the deep need we all could see in you."

"Running a tight ship is not being pig-headed," Daniel denied. "I simply preferred my own company along with maintaining some sense of order and discipline. I detested having my ship cluttered up with a constant stream of babbling humans. They drove me to distraction. Therefore, I put an end to it."

"Yet you have done tolerably well rubbing along with the Muirs," Beaumont commented. "It has not gone unnoticed. Of course, having a pretty, young widow around to watch over is always a bonus."

His dark eyes gleamed as he shook his head. "But if this is simply a case of your attachment to the warmth of a human family, then there's no need to marry your Carolyn Muir. Be satisfied with haunting this house and them. You have done that very well up to now. We've all kept a weather eye on you."

Admiral Kearns circled Daniel. "The spectral word is you made some sort of deal with the detestable Mr Turner and his master, to become human. I believe the demon has been boasting about how he finally managed to capture your eternal soul to anyone who will listen. Is there any truth in that scurrilous rumour, young man?"

"It's all here in my report, Sir." Daniel stiffly presented three closely written pages he picked up from his desk.

"I seem to have lost my eyeglasses somewhere, again…" The admiral patted his uniform pockets before handing the report to his son-in-law.

Beaumont read it quickly before looking up. "Ah, it all makes sense now." He nodded. "Fear of abandonment by the ones you have come to see as yours, can make any spectre do rash things. You over-reacted and then over-reached by getting Turner involved. You had a very lucky escape there. The devil owes very few favours. But this is not love, it's obsession."

"You are very wrong, Lucius. We can't continue as we are, being neither handfasted nor wed," Daniel replied stiffly. "We cannot live under the same roof because I now possess the power to move into a physical form. If I must give up everything for the sake of Mrs Muir's honour and reputation, then I will do it gladly."

"You would give up everything?" Admiral Kearns looked startled. "After all the years we've known you, you would chose to become a non-entity on this plane, if you cannot marry this woman?"

"Willingly…" Daniel sighed brusquely.

The two seamen stared at each other. Captain Beaumont raised his dark eyebrows and his father-in-law sighed as he shook his head in resignation.

"Oh, at ease, man, at ease!" Kearns snapped, frowning at Daniel. "Stand easy. It does seem as if we have a genuine case of love on our hands."

He leaned close to frown at his subordinate. "I thought you abhorred the whole idea of marriage? You've said so often enough."

"To any other woman, yes," Daniel admitted. "But not with Carolyn. She is everything."

"Oh, spare me…" Beaumont threw up his hands. "Next thing he'll be telling us is she completes him. I believe that is the current phrase."

"She does, indeed." Daniel turned to him. "Do you not feel completed anew when you go home to your Rebecca every night, thanking the gods that she is still with you in spirit form, Lucius? Your early death at sea meant you waited a long time for her to finally come to you."

Captain Beaumont looked taken aback. "Well, yes. I would have waited forever to be with her again…"

"And you, Admiral. You still have your Mary?"

"Of course. It's been more than a hundred and sixty years since she agreed to accept my suit. I haven't regretted a single moment and now I wouldn't be without the old stick. Mind you, there are times…"

Kearns stroked his bushy grey beard thoughtfully. "I grasp your point, Gregg. And justly made. Very well, as far as I can see, there's no barrier to this union. If the lady agrees."

"Some other issues remain, though." Captain Beaumont stood up, easing the dull pain of the cannon shot wound in his back that had killed him. "We all know you cannot legally marry this woman in the human world. Too much paperwork and far too many unanswerable questions. Your nuptials would have to be a spiritual match attended only by those who have passed. She cannot tell anyone living. Is your lady willing to accept such a secret union?"

"I… have not yet asked her," Daniel admitted, trying not to allow his relief to show.

"Buckets of hellfire, man!" Kearns exploded. "You've asked for our advice before you've even proposed to your intended? What if she refuses your suit? That's putting the cart well and truly before the horse and no mistake! My Mary would have had seventeen different kinds of fit before breakfast over such tardiness!"

"I will ask Carolyn in the morning. When we can be alone." Daniel crossed to his desk and the tray of Madeira. "I needed to be sure, first." He poured a measure of the dark wine into three glasses. "I cannot leave anything to chance."

Each man took a glass and they all held them up. As the senior officer on board, Admiral Kearns led the toasts.

"To our beloved navy and to all women, living and in spirit. God bless 'em!" He downed his portion in one swallow. "Excellent vintage, Gregg. Very excellent." He held out his glass for a refill.

"To all men who go down to the sea in ships," Captain Beaumont said quietly, shaking his head. "May they always come safely home again…"

Once more he eased his stance against the dull ache in his back before emptying his glass. He too held out it and Daniel obliged with a refill.

"To all the ladies we love and cannot exist without…" Daniel toasted, his expression full of guarded anticipation.

"If your lady agrees to marry you…" Admiral Kearns surveyed him closely, looking unconvinced. "Then leave everything to my Mary and some of the other ladies in spirit to arrange the ceremony. She organised all the weddings of our five daughters. She knows what she's about and once she hears of this..."

He shook his head ruefully. "Better not to get in her way. Heartier men have tried."

"Thank you, sir," Daniel acknowledged the generous gesture. "I'm sure Carolyn would be honoured to accept your lady's assistance."

"You never know with women…" the Admiral grunted as he stroked his beard. "And Chaplain Andrews from my flagship can officiate. He's performed the service before for a spirit marrying a human, so he knows the ropes. But he hasn't done it for more than sixty years."

He leaned closer. "Don't make a hash of it, young man. Do it once and do it right. The honour of the navy is on the line. If the lady accepts your suit, have you given any thought to the venue?"

"I had hoped to hold the ceremony in the front garden," Daniel replied, pointing to the wheelhouse window. "The house is isolated enough."

His expression firmed. "And the Muir children and their housekeeper will be attending our nuptials. I have shared the secret of my altered state with them and they have always understood the need for total secrecy. They are my family. They're all I have now."

"Fair enough. A simple plan. I like it." Captain Beaumont nodded his approval. "We will throw up a spirit screen so no lights or sound escapes the confines of the garden and no one will intrude, uninvited. To the human eye everything will look as it should do. It will be safe enough for everyone who wishes to attend."

He saluted Daniel with his glass. "If you will agree, it would be my honour to stand up for you as your best man. I haven't done that in a long while. But I think I still know how." He smiled, softening his usually sombre expression.

"Thank you, Lucius. That would be most acceptable."

"Excellent…" Admiral Kearns drained his glass, smacking his lips in appreciation. His shaggy brows drew sharply together. "Now all we need is a willing bride…"

※※※※※

Claymore was leaving his office when he noticed Carolyn Muir's car passing by, carrying her parents and the children. He figured they were heading for the airport. He'd already seen their housekeeper with Ed Peevey as they too drove out of town in Ed's pick-up truck.

"So, the coast is clear out at Gull Cottage, except for old Spookface…" He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Shame he doesn't take a long trip somewhere, for good…"

He looked up and down the street, hunting for any sign of his irascible great-uncle. Greed was eating away at his ability to rest or eat. Being finally rid of the heavy millstone that had been Gull Cottage had settled nothing.

Possession of the Captain's long-buried treasure in exchange for the house had only stoked Claymore's need to find the rest. He knew there had to be more treasure out there, somewhere. He could feel it calling to him.

He'd spent several pleasurable hours counting and recounting the contents of the dirt-smeared canvas bag, all the while talking himself into the frame of mind that he'd somehow been bilked out of what was rightfully his. Under the law, he should still own both the house and the treasure. The rash idea of leading future summer tours of the house had also taken root in his brain and he could see all those tourist dollars eluding his greedy grasp.

"After all, the old boy is dead." Claymore shook his head. "By rights, everything he owned is still mine. And he has no right to keep it hidden from me. All his threatening is just bluster. What can he really do to me?" He giggled nervously. "He can't sue me."

After seeing the Muirs' car pass by, Claymore's insatiability finally overrode his usual innate sense of caution and he hurried to his own vehicle. He had no idea how long his former tenants would be away, and he didn't want to be caught in the act of searching the grounds of the cottage. Maybe he'd get lucky and find the place where the treasure had been buried and dig up the rest.

"Let's hope X still marks the spot," he muttered as he drove out of town and turned onto Bay Road.

He pulled up well out of sight of the house. Getting out of his car, he grabbed a shovel from the back seat before approaching cautiously, peering around the bushes to see if anyone was in sight. Everything looked deceptively quiet and serene. All the windows were tight shut and the curtains drawn.

"If I didn't know better I'd swear he's not even home…" Claymore muttered, bolstering his flagging courage with visions of more piles of golden doubloons and sparkling jewels like those he already possessed, stashed away in his office safe.

He pushed a hand into one pocket of his trousers, jangling the spare set of keys he had for the house. If all else failed he would try and sneak inside through the back door. Pulling in a long breath, he climbed over the stone wall and began to tiptoe around the side of the house and into the back garden.

From the wheelhouse window, Daniel happened to catch sight of his great-nephew's sneaking approach. He turned back to his guests.

"If you gentlemen will excuse me, I have to go and repel an unwanted boarder."

Captain Beaumont joined him at the window in time to catch a glimpse of a crouched figure moving down the side of the house. "Is it anything we can help you with?" he asked.

"Thank you, but no." Daniel shook his head. "It's only my great-nephew who seems to think he still owns my house and all my treasure. It's about time I taught him a lesson he will not soon forget."

"Then we will wish you happy hunting and bid you good-day, my boy…" Admiral Kearns nodded, patting Daniel on the shoulder. "Do not tarry too long in asking your lady for her hand or you will have my Mary after your hide…" he added jovially as both spirits dematerialised.

Thinking himself still unobserved, Claymore pushed through the bushes of the back garden, searching the undergrowth in vain for any sign of disturbed earth. The treasure bag had been covered in a sandy soil typical of the area the house was built on, so there were no obvious clues. He knew the spot had to be here, somewhere. He just needed time to locate it.

He also tried to keep one eye on the house, looking for any signs he'd been spotted. But, as before, everything was quiet and the shadows appeared unoccupied.

"Maybe old Spookface isn't around, after all…" He giggled nervously, going back to his search. "Maybe this finally is my lucky day."

He stopped at a patch of undisturbed, level ground that seemed to be calling to him. Deep in his bones, he could feel the pull and warmth of precious metal.

"Come to Papa…" Inhaling an excited breath, he lifted the shovel with the intent of driving it solidly into the ground.

He neither heard nor saw Daniel's approach until a large, powerful hand landed on his shoulder in a vice-like grip. Claymore jumped in fright, babbling with fear as he dropped the shovel on his foot, making him yelp in pain.

"Did you not understand that this house is no longer yours, Claymore?" a familiar voice growled in his ear. "You are not welcome here."

"I'm only out here looking for what's rightfully mine…" Claymore tried in vain to defend his intrusion as he hobbled on his injured foot.

He turned his head to find himself looking up into Daniel's furious eyes. The grip on his shoulder tightened and his knees buckled. "Ow, that hurts!" he protested, sinking to his knees.

"It is only the beginning of the pain I will cause you if I ever find you trespassing again where you no longer belong! You have been paid for this property, fair and square!"

Daniel shook him as he spoke before he released his iron grip. Stepping away he waved his hand. The soft ground right in front of Claymore fell open into a neatly cut grave and a granite headstone rose from the depths to stand at the head.

"Read what it says and learn your lesson, for the final time," Daniel commanded harshly.

Claymore peered at the stone. "Here lies the late, unlamented Claymore Gregg…" he mumbled. "A man can be cured of his lust, but a fool can never be cured of his greed..."

"You will never intrude here again, or this will be your epitaph, you conniving codfish! Do you understand me?"

"Yes, yes, yes, I understand…" Claymore stammered, struggling to his feet, keeping a wary eye on his nemesis.

"Keys…" Daniel extended an imperious hand toward him. "And do not tell me you have none."

"Oh, very well…" Claymore complained in an injured tone, pushing his hand into his pocket and producing the ring of house keys. "Here, take them." He held them out. "For all the good they've done me."

Daniel accepted them before folding his arms across his chest. "If you ever come here again, it will be by the kind invitation of Mrs Muir only. And you will be suitably grateful."

"I…" Claymore rubbed at his abused shoulder. He looked miserable and cowed. Then his forehead suddenly creased in puzzlement. "You touched me and I could see you when you did it. How did you do that?" he demanded to know, remembering his great-uncle had been visible when he'd first seized him by the shoulder.

"Let's just say I have been given a whole new set of powers that you would do better not to test."

Claymore's face lost all remaining colour. "All right, all right, you win." He sighed roughly. "Why is it always me who suffers? I can never catch a fair break. Oh, why was I ever born a Gregg? I don't want to be a Gregg."

"At last, we see eye to eye," Daniel replied, stepping out of his great-nephew's path and pointing back toward the front fence. "Now you better be on the other side of that wall by the time I count to ten or you will regret the day you were ever born a Gregg!"

"I'm going, I'm going…" Claymore hobbled past him, favouring his sore foot as he picked up the pace and scrambled over the stone wall in record time.

"Run, you lily-livered spalpeen…" Daniel watched his great-nephew scuttle away down the road. "And don't come back!"

He shook his head as he glanced down into the open grave. Just visible in the bottom were three large, bulging canvas bags. He began to laugh as he waved his hand again and the gravestone settled gently over the bags before the open grave returned to level ground as if nothing had ever been disturbed.

If only Claymore had realised how close he'd actually come. The sound of Daniel's rich enjoyment of the situation echoed around the garden.

"Why does this always happen to me?" Claymore grumbled as he tottered down the road to his car and jumped into the driver's seat.

His great-uncle's mocking laughter echoed in his ears as he turned the key in the ignition and drove away at high speed without daring to look back to see if he was being followed.

※※※※※

"Good morning, Mrs Muir." Daniel materialised in the vacant chair beside Carolyn at the kitchen table, just as Candy and Jonathan left the kitchen to play ball in the garden with their dog.

"Good morning." Carolyn smiled as she looked up from the paperwork she was reading.

"Your usual coffee, Captain?" Martha queried from the stove.

"Thank you," Daniel acknowledged.

Since drinking his first twentieth-century coffee during his shared meal with Carolyn, he'd developed a taste for it. It had become a ritual for him to join the family at breakfast time and enjoy an excellent cup of strong, black brew.

"You're looking very pleased about something," Carolyn observed, putting aside her paperwork before picking up her coffee cup.

"I am pleased, my dear. I received some very good news yesterday." Daniel accepted his cup from Martha with a nod of thanks. He drank his coffee, savouring the taste and aroma.

"Are you going to tell us, or keep us guessing?" Carolyn frowned at him over the rim of her cup.

Daniel leaned closer. "It is a private matter for your ears only, Madam. We shall talk about it later." He took his time finishing his coffee.

"Well, I'm taking the children down to the beach for the morning. We're going to build sandcastles." Martha began collecting the used dishes. "So, you two will have the house to yourselves until lunch."

She looked from Carolyn to Daniel in speculation but neither commented. "Oh, I see. More secrets. I'm always the last one to know anything about what goes on around here." She sighed, carrying the dishes to the sink.

"Madam, will you allow me to escort you on a turn around the garden?" Daniel stood, moving behind Carolyn's chair. "It is a beautiful morning."

"I have a new deadline I really need to meet," Carolyn warned, indicating her paperwork as she stood up. "But I can spare a few minutes." She smiled at him as they stood side by side, not quite touching.

"Go on, the pair of you," Martha shooed them toward the back door with her dishtowel as she bustled about. "I've got work to do and the children will be back any minute now."

"Thank you, Martha." Carolyn nodded, quickly hugging her friend and confidante.

"Madam…?" Daniel stood back, extending his arm to indicate she should go before him.

Carolyn walked on ahead, leading the way out into the garden. Clear of the house, she linked hands with her love. They walked deeper into the back garden, leaving by the rear gate, and out onto the meandering path that led toward the distant headland.

Carolyn stopped, turning to him. "Now are you going to tell me why you're looking so pleased with yourself, this morning?"

Daniel knew that his time for a full confession had finally arrived. He drew a long, steadying breath before releasing it slowly. "The boon Lucifer granted me came with more levels than I realised, at first. Or even thought possible."

"I did suspect there was more that you were not telling me," Carolyn replied, watching him closely. "Remember you promised me you would tell me everything? No matter the cost."

"Yes, I did. But, for both of our sakes, I needed to be sure. Sure, that what had been granted would not be snatched away, again."

"And now you're sure?"

"I am, my dear. But the boon has thrown up a whole new dilemma for which I was not prepared."

"Tell me," Carolyn encouraged softly, taking a tighter grip on his hand. "Nothing you can ever say will shock or upset me. Please believe that."

"I know and I do… Carolyn…" Daniel smiled, remembering what he had said to her at her parents' wedding. Just to hear how it sounded…

"Tell me…" Carolyn encouraged. "Whatever it is that you find so difficult to say."

"The devil's boon changed me," he confessed. "It seems I now live in a kind of half-life. When I touch you I am in a physical human form. But my ghostly side, with all its powers, remains. It is an act of conscious will to move between them."

"That certainly is some kind of gift," Carolyn marvelled. "Or a curse."

"Yes. But it also leads to an inevitable conclusion…" Daniel stared down at the intimate connection of her hand clasped in his. "And that is, we cannot go on co-existing beneath the same roof. I could never dishonour you in that way."

"What are you trying to tell me?" Carolyn stared up into his pensive face. "Is this like that dream you gave us for Christmas? You took rooms at the Inn, instead of staying with us at Gull Cottage. Because of how it would look to others?"

"I am sorry, my dear, but you must blame my nineteenth-century origins." Daniel sighed. "My very existence has been changed, and unless I reject the devil's boon and go back to being fully a spirit, we cannot remain as we are."

He closed his eyes briefly, before continuing. "It would not be right. A beautiful young widow living beside me when we are neither handfasted nor wed…"

He allowed the last word to hang in the air between them, watching his beloved's face closely. He tried to interpret what she was thinking and feeling in that fraught moment of silence.

"I appreciate your concern, I truly do." Carolyn swallowed tightly. "Are you telling me that your sense of honour and care for my reputation would force you to leave us forever?"

"If I retain the ability to move into a physical state, then yes. I love you, but I cannot stay." Daniel shook his head. "I am prepared to leave if that is what you desire. I will simply not exist anymore in either plane."

It hurt to say the words, but it was the truth. He had made a solemn promise never to hide anything from his love.

"How can you say that to me? I don't want you to ever leave us…" Carolyn stared up at him, aghast. "I love you too much. We all do."

Her eyes began to fill with tears. "You said you could stay if we were handfasted… or wed… I… What are you asking of me, Daniel?"

"Just this…" He pushed a hand into the pocket of his trousers, drawing out a small, black velvet ring box.

He opened it and held it out, at the same time going down on one knee before her. "Carolyn Muir, I love you more than life itself. I am yours for all eternity. Will you do me the great honour of consenting to marry me?"

※※※※※