Ahoy!

Thank you to Mel, Jill, and Gemma!

SEVENTEEN

"Secure the main-course!"

My head whips around, my eyes trying to track through the rain and roiling sea who is following Mr. Davenport's orders. I see a few sailors rushing to the main sail, and I make my way, slipping over the water-logged deck, to help them. Lines are snapping in the wind, and above us, someone shouts, just before a piece of rigging comes crashing to the deck. I don't have time to wonder about it though, because the main sail is thrashing angrily in the wind, threatening to tear loose any moment.

"Grab the lines!" I shout to the sailor nearest me. He nods, trying to grab hold of the flailing rope. I start on my end, attempting to make purchase on the sail.

The ship tilts again, and I'm pitched backward off my feet, thrown across the deck until my body slams into the railing. I let out a gasp as my body struggles to bring oxygen back into my chest.

"Captain!"

I look up, water and salt burning my eyes as Isabella lands near me, a line in her hands. She pulls me to my feet, her arms going around my stomach. I'm so caught off guard, I instinctively hug her back.

"Oh Captain, I love to see your sentimental side," she says, and despite the storm raging, I can hear her clearly. I look down at her as she pulls back from me. Her hands move, and I feel a rope securing around my waist as she tightens it. I realize now she was not trying to hug me, but secure a life line around me.

There isn't time for embarrassment though because the sound of the main sail starting to rip draws my attention.

Isabella and I move across the deck, climbing up the rigging to take hold of the flapping lines and bring the sail down.

"Stay here!" Isabella shouts. I open my mouth to protest, but then she's climbing higher in the rigging. I watch her, fighting the main-course in my arms as she scales the slippery rope.

The ship pitches again, and a gasp escapes my lips as I see her feet slip. Her grip is strong though, and her hands steady her. She continues climbing without missing a beat, and I have to say a silent prayer that we all make it out of this storm alive.

"Okay!" Isabella shouts when she's climbed the main sail. "Let go of the portside corner!"

I look down at the massive bundle in my arms. How am I to differentiate what is what?

A sailor comes over, helping me to untangle the mess in my arms, and together we start to unfurl the sail again. It catches the wind, and several more sailors race to join us and hold the sail still. When we have it sorted, we release the port side, and I watch as Isabella begins to draw it up, securing it with a firm knot. She moves down the rigging, her small body gripped tight to the yard as she secures the main.

"Someone get up there to help her!" I shout. A young man nods beside me and starts his way up the rigging, his movements quick and lithe despite the uneven rocking of the ship. He makes it to the yard where Isabella is still securing the main, and he gathers the line into his hands.

The ship jolts as it meets a wave, and several sailors around me topple to the deck. I brace myself, but even I'm caught off balance and have to let go of the sail. It snaps high in the wind, and I hear a scream from up above. I look up to see Isabella hanging from the yard by a single hand, her grip growing more slack with each passing second.

Fear grips my heart and I race forward, trying to bring the main under control enough to provide her a sheet to slide down. Isabella's grip gives out, and I'm moving before I can think better of it. I dive across the deck, arms outstretched to break her fall.

Her body crashes into mine with a heavy thud, and we are both thrown to the deck, rolling away from the main. My arm is injured, though I do not believe it to be broken. I look up from where I've landed facedown on the deck over to Isabella.

She's caught in a pile of rope, struggling to free herself.

I crawl forward, not daring to get to my feet as the ship tilts again, sliding me further away from her.

The pain in my arm is great, but I push through it, determined to make it to where Isabella is still tangled in the rope.

When our eyes meet in the darkness, I am relieved to see the life still very much in her mischievous gaze.

"Don't struggle," I tell her, wanting a moment to assess her for injury once she is freed of the ropes. I reach out, trying to gauge if there is any blood.

"Darling, while I'm all for a thorough examination, there is still a storm raging." She gasps, her usual humor cut by the breathlessness of her voice.

"Are you hurt?" I ask, ignoring her flirtation.

"Nothing lasting," she says, as I help her free of the ropes. She leans toward me. "Remind me later to thank you properly."

Despite the storm and the sea raging and the imminent danger against all our lives, I feel my cheeks warm.

Isabella gets to her feet and offers me a hand. I look up at her, taking a deep breath, before accepting the offer. Her hand is small and warm in mine as she helps me to my feet.

"Darling, this won't hurt," she says, stepping closer to me. I'm alarmed by her sudden nearness, but before I can do or say anything, her hands are gripping my injured arm and shoving it back into place. I shout, pain lancing through me. After a moment, my arm does feel better though.

"I lied," she tells me. "But it was for your own good. Come along, Captain. We are far from out of the storm."