Chapter Five

"Oh, you simply must tell me more, dear cousin," the pink-haired woman sitting across from me pleaded as she continued to fan herself. "This 'Woman's Keeper' of yours sounds like quite the devil!"

"Lyla..." I sighed heavily, trying my best to keep my patience yet again. "It has been so long since I saw him... and since it seems that you have forgotten this, allow me to remind you that it was dark when he came upon me in the night." While I had not meant to put it so bluntly, the woman only stared at me in disbelief, and I soon felt a slight blush creep into my face under her gaze.

"Popuri, I fear this heat does not suit you, for it seems to have made you rather cross with me," she remarked, her own voice strained with annoyance.

I could only bow my head in some sense of shame as she said it, but I honestly felt nothing for what I had told her since I simply spoke the truth. I only wished I could have said it in a much more civil manner. However, I really had offered her all I could concerning the man and what had transpired between us. Unlike herself, I chose not to create unnecessary and inaccurate details for the sake of telling a good story, and so I had nothing more for her to hear.

Even so, being the woman that she was, my cousin was eager for far more than I was willing to give. "Now... would you say he was rather handsome by your measure? For if he is, that would make it all the more exciting, would you not agree?"

"I cannot honestly say," I replied which I suppose was only a half truth at best. After all, given what I could see of him that night, I had thought he was fairly handsome if not a little worn and ill-dressed, but in the very same moment, I was at a loss for any features that struck me as such in particular. Other than perhaps his smile... "But with a husband as sweet and doting as your own dear Louis I am quite sure that a man such as the Woman's Keeper would not be able to care for you as properly."

"Women should be allowed their fancies, my dear cousin," Lyla scoffed, setting down her tea on the small table between us. "My husband is a good man, just as you have said, but he is certainly not a man of adventure," she continued to lament with a heavy sigh. "He is a scholar, a man of learning... and yet there are time when I find myself dreaming of a brute who would steal me away to do with what he liked."

"Good heavens!" I gasped with a laugh. "Who could have thought you would have such a fantasy!" She certainly did not give the impression of a woman that would lust after a man who would treat her so poorly. After all, I highly doubted that any one could have suspected she was capable of such thoughts and secret desires given her manner of both dress and disposition, for by society's standards, she was the pinnacle of femininity.

Her hands were always elegantly resting in her lap while she sat perfectly poised with her back erect and her breasts presented in the proper fashion. Her gentle face was pleasant as well with its delicate curves and charming features which I had always envied. Even her curls seemed to have more bounce than my own, and I often had to refrain from reaching out to brush my fingers against her hair in passing...

Because I was sure I would only try to tear at them out of jealousy.

"Well, I do enjoy surprising others," she admitted with a laugh of her own. "But do promise me you will take the opportunity to go with him should it ever present itself again," she whispered behind her fair hand. When my eyes widened at her suggestion, she only giggled, but soon her voice was soft once more. "What I mean to say is... You are very much like myself," she explained with a playful wink.

"Are you suggesting that I run off with such a dangerous man?" I asked breathlessly, unsure of my own growing sense of excitement. Lyla only smiled brighter and offered me an encouraging nod, yet her assurance simply made me all the more curious. After all, cousins should not try and convince one another to abandon all common sense without reason. "And, pray tell, why should I do such a thing?"

"You are a very clever woman," she replied with a gentle pat on my hand. "And I have known many a clever woman go dumb after being idle for too long." Then she sighed as if remembering something unpleasant and said, "Our dearly beloved Mary was one such woman, and though I commend her for finding a man of her own choosing, I have heard he is no more than a mere farmer. A pity really... seeing as she left with him after having only known him for a night."

Even when the afternoon had given way to evening, my cousins' words still lingered in my thoughts, and I could not help but continue to dwell on the notion of escaping the place of my imprisonment. However, I had my doubts as to whether it would be the right course of action, for should I run off, I could not return so easily. There was also the possibility that the man would not be as considerate as he had been in the garden if he found me stowing myself away on his ship.

There was very little else I could do, though... for I could already feel the noose tightening around my neck as I sat in front of my vanity, toying with my hair. With each passing day, I felt more and more frantic concerning my future.

My brother was growing all the more anxious to wed me off to some gentleman, it seemed, and so he had planned yet another celebration in the hopes of achieving that very goal with haste. Knowing all too well how determined he could be about such things... my days of being a free woman were coming to a swift end. However, what pained me most was the realization that his patience would certainly give way if I did not take a fancy to any of the suitors he presented to me that evening, and then I would find myself married off to whomever he chose for me.

My thoughts were soon interrupted by a knock at the door, however. I simply rose from my stool before smoothing out my new dress, bought solely for the occasion, but I nearly leapt out of it to hear the voice that came to me from the other side. "Miss Hurst, I apologize for the intrusion, but may I come in?"

For a moment, I simply froze. While I knew it was rude of me not to answer, it was almost as if my breath had hitched in my chest, making it difficult for me to breathe let alone talk. The voice that had spoken to me was gentle, perhaps even considered by some to be rather light and airy like that of a woman's, but no other like it could fill me with such feelings of dread. Regardless, I knew I could not refuse the man entry for long even if I desperately wished for him to simply leave me be.

"Please do come in, Vice Admiral," I welcomed him, pasting on what I hoped to be a warm smile on my tired face. When he stepped into the room, I caught his emerald gaze as it settled upon me, and my mind began to hum with apprehension. His appearance was not all that frightening though no less impressive, yet I could not help but shake in his presence. It was as if he gave off an aura of greatness... one to which my mere existence could not compare with.

He was neither tall nor short for a man, and as I have said, he had a wonderfully startling pair of rich, green eyes. Not surprisingly, he was dressed in his full naval uniform with powered wig and all the proper decorations of buttons, fringe, and tassels. I myself had never seen his true hair or its colour, but I had heard through rumors that it was long, blonde, and- by some accounts at least- soft as silk. If that was truly the case, perhaps I would have found myself more comfortable in his company, for it certainly would have softened his sharp features.

However, what troubled me the most was his way of speaking.

"Red suits you," he said simply, his voice seemingly gentle and possibly having some true fondness in it. Whether it was for me... well... I was rather doubtful. He may have sounded sincere, but I found I was suspicious of him from the start. He was too kind, too appreciative, and far too agreeable for my tastes. "Might I ask to be given the honor to dance with you this evening?"

"Is that why you chose to see me?" I asked quietly, my eyes flickering up to meet his. "Or could it be you only came because my brother sent you?" The man seemed to stiffen then, and as if revealing the truth of his reason for coming here was enough to encourage me to become all the more bold, I felt my confidence return by a few, strong strides. "Well, since it is clear you have no true interest in me, then allow me to assure you that Mr. Cameron will make more than a suitable enough partner for me this evening," I said to him with a genuine smile.

"Well, I see that we are in agreement in one sense," the man replied. "We certainly have no interest in one another, nor are we suited to each other's nature, it seems," he added as an afterthought.

"Mr. Miller... are you suggesting that you do not find me to be pleasant enough company for you?" I pressed, trying not to let the insult crawl under my skin.

He stayed quiet for a moment as he crossed the room, but it did not seem that he did so merely out of restlessness. His unusually delicate hands passed over every piece within reach, and it seemed as if his touch drained them of their soft colours and feminine charm. This notion only grew stronger when his fingers brushed against my music box. The man paused then, his gaze never parting from the precious object, and I could plainly see the envy laying just beneath the placid surface of his face.

"My brother gave it to me as a child," I explained, reluctantly coming to stand beside him.

"Yes, I am well aware of that," he replied sharply, narrowing his eyes as he said it. We stood in silence then, neither one of us completely certain of the other's thoughts, but just when the tension between us nearly became too much for me to bear, he turned on his heel to leave. "Forgive me again, Miss Hurst, but it would seem that you and I have nothing of further importance to discuss." I merely glanced over my shoulder, but he did not turn back to face me. "Should you have need me this evening, however, I shall be in company with the Admiral."

And with that, he simply left, but not before slamming the door behind him which caused the small treasure to bounce against the dresser. The force was just enough to jar open the box, and as the tinny music began to play, I was left to wonder just what had sent him off so violently.

--

"Gray... what do you know of the Vice Admiral?" I asked my companion as we continued to make our way across the dance floor. Like always, he had been a bit clumsy at first, but after I refreshed his memory concerning the proper steps, he had picked up his rhythm once again. It was something of a challenge for me to keep up with him, though, since his movements were more abrupt and forceful than my own. Even so, I could not help but grin like a fool to dance with him, for it was in these moments he let his stoic façade fall away to show his kind and gentle nature that lay beneath his rugged features.

However, upon hearing me mention the other man, his face had become rather grave, and his unease was only emphasized by an awkward misstep on his part. I had also noticed his gaze flicker towards the individual whom I had wished to discuss before his startling, light blue eyes fell on me again.

Well... almost anyway being as he had the peculiar habit of looking slightly to the left of me whenever we spoke to one another, whether in the presence of others or in private.

"I canae say it's much," he admitted at last with a heavy sigh, picking up his steps at the beginning again. When I urged him to on with a gentle squeeze of his hand, a light brush of scarlet dashed across the bridge of his nose, but he continued without any further mishaps concerning his footwork. "All I know of 'im is that he's got a mind fer makin' war."

"So... he is a violent man?" I pressed. After all, I had not forgotten what cruelty he had shown to the gentleman I was dancing with as well as many others, for even if it had been under my brother's orders, there was no sense in the way in which the other had brutalized him.

"Not in so many words, Miss," Gray corrected me. "He be a fair man most of the time, but... Forgive meh fer sayin' so, but it's best that he kills fer us."

"What do you mean by that?" I inquired curiously just as the melody died away. He shifted uncomfortably before taking a step away from me, but when he went to speak again, the heavy hand of my brother fell upon his shoulder.

Though the imposing man said not a word to either of us, my escort for the evening fell silent all the same. He had gone as white as a sheet as well, and even I felt somewhat ashamed in the presence of my own family. I suppose the reason could have been that we were speaking of his closest associate, and yet I was certain I would have felt sullied all the same.

"Mr. Cameron... might I have a word with you?" My companion and I exchanged a glance, yet there was no question as to whether or not he would have council with the man. However, I must admit my heart sank to have him taken from me at that moment. After all, our conversation was one of great importance to me, and to have my my brother so carelessly interrupt us was an all but unforgivable act in and of itself.

And yet...

With a quick glance in either direction, I stole myself away from the crowd. Though I was still greatly troubled by the concerns I held for Gray and his well being, I could not help but feel relieved to be free once more, and upon stepping out into the cool night air, I found that at last I could truly breathe. This night, the moon was full, and so I could see all that lay before me from the humblest cobble stone to the grandest pillar. While I had seen all of this not so long before in the daylight, one had the feeling of being surrounded by magic when basking in the silver glow of the moon.

At that moment, as I tore off my shoes and danced in the garden, I was a mere child at play. No longer was I a woman with duties and obligations. No longer was I to answer to the whims of another that was not myself. I could spin about without a worry nor a care for anything else in the world, and for what felt to be the first time in my life, I laughed with joy. Not because I was expected to, but out of pure joy.

I ran down the gentle slope of the first hill, my dress billowing out from behind me, and I could not help but giggle with glee to feel the dew beneath my feet. At last, I came to the bluff which overlooked the harbor, and it was only then that I came to a stop, my chest rising and falling with labored breaths after my reckless sprint.

It was then that I cast my eyes upward and into the velvety sky above, and I gazed in wonder at the stars overhead. Though I knew of the North Star and both the Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, I felt rather sad that I could not name or even recognize the others. However, this feeling passed soon enough as I began to create constellations of my own design in the way in which my brother and I had done so long ago.

Richard had been less imaginative than myself even as a child, however, and so I had always had a much easier time of playing such games. While he had tried once in vain to teach me the proper placement of the stars within the constellations, I had been far more entertained by my own stories. Often times I would interrupt him with a tale of my own fancy, but he never once complained.

"Popuri, what do you think you are doing?" My heart jumped as my brother's voice reached me, yet I smiled to see him all the same, a faint blush making its way across my delicate features. For a moment I dreamed that he was young again, but that moment was soon stolen away by his own words. "You should not be out here, especially not alone."

"Forgive me, dearest brother, but I'm afraid I let myself become lost," I apologized with as much sincerity as I could muster. "Did you have need of me?"

"Yes, indeed I do," he agreed before glancing down at my feet. "Where, pray tell, are your shoes?" It was all I could do not to laugh, but as soon as I felt his gaze become one of disapproval as opposed to mild curiosity, I bade myself to fetch them. When I returned, I was surprised to see my brother offer me his arm. I took it, of course, and with that, we began to make our way through the garden together as we had in our younger days. Days in which he was of a more gentle and sympathetic mind.

"I am truly sorry for you to have found me in such a state," I apologized again with a faint laugh. "As I'm sure you realize, it is not often I have time to myself."

"As it should be, dear sister," he replied cooly. "You are much too carefree."

"Richard..." I began with a heavy sigh. "My only fear is that you are much too serious." When he offered no reply, I chose to continue, yet I reminded myself to do so with caution as to not offend him in any way. "You sacrifice so much for me, and while I now you long to see me married, I feel I must remind you that you are unmarried as well."

"Though I thank you for your concern, it is no matter of great importance whether I should be married or not," he insisted, his voice unwavering. "While it is acceptable for a man such as myself to remain so, a woman is not to be left alone in such a way."

"You worry far too much for my well being," I argued. "I am more than happy as I am."

"Sister, I believe you do not understand," my brother sighed in frustration. "You say that you are happy, and while I am glad for you in that regard, I feel I must remind you that it is I who provide for your comfort. However, I cannot continue to do so as I have for so many years. As a father must give up his daughter, so must I give up you who are my sister."

"Then I should rather be thrown into the streets than be married off for your benefit," I replied coldly as I released myself from him. "And with that, I wish you good night... brother."

I gave the man no chance to convince me to feel otherwise as I fled to the manor house which I had run from not so long before. Though I knew what he said was true, my heart ached to have been spoken to so harshly by my own blood. While it was true that I may have become a burden to him, I would have hoped my own brother would have had more tact in saying as much. Had he not been the one to teach me to speak kindly to others even when they were not to my liking?

Just as the tears first came to my eyes, I caught sight of Gray at the end of the hall. Though his head was turned in such a way that he could not see me, I still smiled upon seeing him, for knew he would lend a tender ear to me and my plight. However, when I came upon him, his eyes were distant like my own.

"Gray?" I began quietly, my voice uncertain. "What has happened? What was it my brother said to you?" He did not reply, merely turning away once again, and it was in that moment that I felt my chest tighten. "Why is it you won't speak to me... What have I done for you to treat me in this way?"

"Mr. Cameron will no longer be in your service, I'm afraid." I spun about to find the Vice Admiral standing before me, his face stern as always, and the mere sight of the man was enough to cause my blood to run cold. "The Admiral felt you have become too head strong, and though he did not say as much to me or any other, I believe he felt that this man was to blame. A belief which I am inclined to agree is sound."

"That is utterly preposterous!" I hissed, my hands clenched into tight fists. "Gray has done nothing that would influence my behavior in such a way, and I am appalled by whatever logic would so much as attempt to prove otherwise."

"In any case..." the man continued. "I was appointed to keep you as my ward for the time being." Though I opened my mouth to speak, I found no words to describe what I felt then, and so I could only close it again. "As such, I do not believe it would be wise for you to hold company with Mr. Cameron at this, or preferably any, time."

"You cannot do this..." I breathed, my heart aching with every word that came from him. "I... I will no tolerate this!"

"Should you have any further grievances, you shall have to discuss them at length with the Admiral," he replied solemnly. Then, turning his attention to Gray, his voice became all the more stern, and upon hearing it, I could not help but feel a shiver run down my spine. "As for you, Mr. Cameron... you are dismissed. Return to your quarters immediately."

"Aye, sir." Without so much as a glance in my direction, my former companion made his leave, and it was only after the great door closed behind him that my heart truly fell to despair. Oh, how I wished I had not been so eager to escape him... and yet I knew that would have made no real difference as my brother would have dismissed him even in my presence.

"Shall I escort you to your chambers, Miss Hurst?" the man offered, gesturing for me to take his arm which I refused to accept.

"No, I do not believe you shall, Vice Admiral," I said rather simply as I threw back my head in smug defiance. Though the tears welled in my eyes and caused them to burn, I made my way down the hall and into my room without so allowing much as a single tear to slip down my cheek. My heart was heavy, but I would not permit anyone, especially not a man such as he, to cause me to weep. If nothing else, I would have my pride.

However, I would not be content with having pride alone, and so it was at that very moment that I began to plot a means of my own revenge. One that would certainly prove that I was more than capable of bending even the supposed iron will of Admiral Hurst and his Vice Admiral.

After all, if I was thought to be head strong, then so be it.