Chapter Three

Meeting The Captain

Carolyn sighed as she trudged wearily through the new fall of snow. The fall days had shortened and the nights had grown chill. Winter had taken a firm hold on the small Maine town she now thought of as home.

Keeping one gloved hand on the wide brim of her bonnet, she pulled it down against the wind to protect her vulnerable face. She did her best to hold her skirts out of the wet with her other hand.

She well knew the path from her uncle's office to the cottage, she had trodden it often enough in the past months. But the drifting snow made walking difficult.

As usual, she'd stayed later than was safe and the cold night was closing in rapidly. Claymore always tried to delay her with one last task, one final check of the daily figures. He believed in getting his money's worth for the pittance he paid her to clerk for him.

In the past months, his constant looking over her shoulder and reviewing her work had deeply irritated Carolyn's sense of fair play. Of course, she could have made a poor show of the figuring and been sent back to her parents as unsuitable, but her sense of pride in her work would not allow her to be so underhanded.

"But what could I say or do to make him think better of me?" She grimaced. Her uncle knew he had her at a disadvantage and he exploited it at every opportunity.

Then end of Carolyn's trial period of three months had come and gone. Their celebration of Thanksgiving was a small affair with very little to be thankful for. In the last three days, the festive season of goodwill and family gatherings had also passed, without bringing any word of summons from her father. The little Muir family had celebrated on their own again for the one day off Claymore had grudgingly allowed.

A month ago, Carolyn purchased a festive card and a gift for her parents. Her uncle had assured her that it had been mailed when she asked him what became of it. Her monthly letters home went unanswered.

She could only assume her parents had shut up the house and gone on their extended trip, but it was all very puzzling. Her father loved his bank work too well to be away from it for too long.

During that time, Carolyn's uncle had begun to ease his guarded wariness with her. He seemed pleased with her work, as pleased as he ever was with anything. But he made no suggestion of turning her out of her little, cramped house and sending her all the way back to Philadelphia like an unwanted parcel.

Claymore's abrupt manner towards her had begun to change for the better when he saw his already fat coffers were steadily increased by his niece's thrifty diligence. He no longer complained about being saddled with a mere woman for a clerk, but he remained alert for any unfortunate shortcomings on her part.

He now afforded her the occasional smile of satisfaction and once or twice even a grudging compliment. He'd even begun to hum to himself as he added up the weekly takings. Carolyn took pride in her work and she could see theirs could be a good partnership if only her uncle would be more charitable in regard to her gruelling hours of work.

"I wish I knew what to do for the best…" She didn't know how to remedy the situation. "But something needs to change…"

She pulled the brim of her bonnet lower, as she turned the corner of the lane leading to her home. She couldn't wait to get inside, out of the biting cold and eat something warm.

Their little house might now be clean and tidy, but windproof it was not. Small drafts and eddies made everyone feel the chill. The children had developed constant sniffles.

Winter in Maine was not for the faint of heart or the unready. Carolyn spent some of her savings on warmer clothing for herself and the children. She was informed by the cheerful storekeeper that it would get colder still into March until April brought the beginnings of spring and the welcome return of the sunshine.

Carolyn wasn't sure if she and her little family could endure even colder weather in their little, drafty house. But her uncle refused to move her to another house, even though his rentals were vacant at this time of year and he had plenty available. And his office was not much warmer due to his parsimony when it came to using the gas heating.

Carolyn had entertained the idea of sending a telegram to her father but had quickly discarded it. What could she say about her situation that didn't sound petulant and disloyal? Her family were doing their best for her.

"And as for my literary endeavours, well…" She shook her head.

She worked hard six days out of seven, only allowed to take the Lord's Day for church-going. The long hours made it difficult for her to see her children before they went to bed at night, and she was gone early in the morning. She was grateful she had Martha to tend to the children's needs and their schoolwork, but some nights she felt as if she couldn't go on.

"If I were not a lady…" she muttered as she trudged along, her boots getting mired in small drifts.

Not being truly able to see where she was going, it was a shock to suddenly cannon into someone solid and unyielding. She would have fallen back into the snow but for the hard grip of two large hands on her upper arms that held her steady.

"God's truth, have a care where you walk, Madam!" a deep masculine voice remonstrated hardly.

"Oh…" Carolyn raised her head. "I'm sorry. I didn't see you…"

Her startled gaze encountered a broad chest clad in dark clothing beneath a thick winter cape. Her eyes travelled upwards over a crisp white shirt front, complete with a neatly tied, black stock, to stop at a strong, bearded chin.

She gasped and stiffened. "Unhand me, sir, if you please. I am no longer in danger of falling."

"I can see that." The hard grip on her arms immediately lessened, becoming more supportive. "I am sorry, the fault is entirely mine. I was deep lost in troubled thought."

"Apology accepted. Now, will you not oblige me by stepping out of my path, sir?" Carolyn's consternated gaze carried on up to the man's face and her breath caught when she saw his frowning blue eyes assessing her closely.

"Again, please accept my apologies, Madam." Her assailant released her immediately before touching two gloved fingers to the brim of his seaman's cap. "I am the one in error for not looking where I was going. I was truly lost in my own thoughts. Are you harmed in any way?"

His indrawn breath hissed between his set teeth even as his narrowed gaze studied her upturned face. His half-raised hand curled as if it wanted to cup her flushed cheek. He shook his head as he put it firmly behind him.

"No, I am not harmed…" In the failing light, Carolyn could just read the legend of CAPTAIN across the top of gold badge on the front of his cap. "Thank you, Captain. I too was in error for not looking where I was going. Your assistance is appreciated. Good evening."

She gave him a quick curtsy even as she went to sidestep him and continue on her way home. But he moved in front of her again, obviously intent on detaining her.

"Will you not allow me to pass, sir?" Carolyn's chin firmed, as she frowned up at him.

He was much taller than her and commandingly handsome in a very masculine way. Magnificent was the word that whispered within her writer's imagination, but, of course, she could not give voice to such a fanciful notion to a complete stranger.

"I would allow you to pass with the best will in the world, Madam. My only reason for further detaining you is to ask if I may escort you home."

The Captain stood back to look around. "'Tis not a night for a lady to be abroad alone, after dark. It will snow heavily come morning. Is your destination far from here?"

"It is not far. And I walk this way every night, except on Sunday," Carolyn replied repressively. "And I have always been free from being waylaid, until tonight."

"I have already apologised," the Captain's tone hardened. "If you are not going to be sensible to the need for my escort, then I will bid you good night, Madam." Again, he tipped two gloved fingers to the brim of his cap before passing on his way into the deepening darkness.

"Good night…" Carolyn turned to look after his broad, retreating back view.

Now that he had left her alone, she suddenly missed his masculine company. Her lips twisted in dissatisfaction.

"Do not be such a fool, Carolyn Muir," she remonstrated with herself, picking up her skirts and her path again. "A man like that would not be free. He's probably on his way home to his wife and ten children." She sighed with dissatisfaction.

She did not perceive or hear the tall, powerfully-built figure which followed her, keeping to the shadows, until she was safely through her front gate and inside her small cottage with the door shut behind her. Only then did the Captain turn and continue on his way to his own house on Bay Road, well beyond the edge of town.

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The next afternoon, the doorbell of Claymore Gregg's office jangled as a customer entered. Seated at his desk, puffing on a long-stemmed pipe, Claymore didn't look up from his ledgers. He frowned at the interruption.

"See to that, Mrs Muir," he commanded, waving a dismissive hand in Carolyn's direction. "Whoever it is, tell them to come back later. I'm far too busy."

"Far too busy for family?" a familiar voice inquired, as Carolyn put aside her feather quill before turning to get down from her tall stool.

But her feet didn't touch the floor. She sat on her stool staring at her would-be rescuer from the previous night. Seeing her astonishment, the Captain shook his head slightly, obviously requesting her silence over their impromptu meeting.

"Oh, it's you. You're finally back, then." Claymore put aside his pipe as he looked up with dissatisfaction. "What ill wind blew you home again?"

"And it's good to see you again, cousin." The Captain closed the door before advancing into the office, stripping off his seaman's cap and gloves to knock the snow from them. "You haven't changed. But then I never expect you to. Like the north wind, you are one of the irritating constants of my life."

"Very funny," Claymore sneered, turning back to his beloved figures. "What do you want with me, then? Make it quick. You know I'm a very busy man and I have no time for idle conversation. Even if you are family."

"I came to see you because of the rumours I've been hearing ever since I docked a week ago…" His cousin's speculative gaze turned fully to Carolyn. "I was told you have acquired a rather attractive new clerk. I was not prepared to discover how attractive."

"Have you now?" Claymore asked sourly. "So that's your game. Pushing your nose into my business as always. Right where it is not wanted."

"That's because, dear cousin, you make it difficult, at times, for me to stay out of your business," the Captain replied with steel in his tone. "And now, this new situation of yours has been brought to my attention by some concerned citizens."

"Too many other people sticking their noses in where they're not wanted," Claymore grimaced. "I conduct my own affairs as I see fit. I always have and I always will. You stick to your ships and cargoes and leave me be."

Silence greeted his terse comment. He sighed as he looked up again to see the other two occupants of the office were watching him with varying degrees of expectation. "Oh, very well…"

He waved a hand toward Carolyn. "Mrs Carolyn Muir, permit me to introduce my distant cousin, Captain Daniel Gregg. Do not allow him to flatter you, Niece. He's rumoured to have a woman in every port and his is a roving eye, always looking for new conquests. And then he will be away to sea again at the first sign of the spring and all memory of you will quickly fade from his mind."

Satisfied with his scathingly dismissive assessment, he turned back to his ledgers, a smirk curling his lips. He waited for his intrusive cousin to absent himself, now his curiosity had been satisfied.

"Mrs Muir…" Captain Gregg looked briefly non-plussed.

His gaze dropped to the wedding ring on her left hand. "I see. Well, as a distant relative of mine, may I bid you welcome to Schooner Bay. I trust my cousin treats you with all the courtesy and care that he should, Madam?" He raised one dark, inquiring eyebrow.

"I… why, of course," Carolyn managed to stammer loyally. "I do not want for anything, sir. My children and I are well looked after."

He is called Daniel… her author's mind whispered. My favourite name of all names… Unaware of the action, she sighed wistfully.

"There, satisfied, Cousin?" Claymore did not look up from his ledger. "Do you not have your own affairs to attend to? In my experience, cargoes do not unload themselves. I wouldn't wish to detain you any longer from your dubious pursuits."

The Captain ignored his comment as he continued smoothly, "Because I would hate to discover that a man who thinks he's so important in this town would underpay or ill-treat any woman, especially one from his own family, however distant. Such as housing them in an abode unsuitable for a young lady, her woman companion and two small children?"

Claymore turned in his seat to glare at him with dislike. "What exactly is your game, here, Cousin? Charity has never been a watchword of yours."

"I am simply levelling the field of play," Captain Gregg replied evenly. "I know what you paid your last clerk, and I doubt Mrs Muir receives the same recompense. And that man, by your own admission, could not add up or calculate beyond the fingers of his two hands."

"Of course not!" Claymore spluttered in outrage. "The cases are entirely different, as well you know!" He waved his feather quill at Carolyn. "She's a woman!"

"I did notice that salient fact," Captain Gregg stroked his beard thoughtfully, his considering gaze making Carolyn's cheeks warm. "Now, if a rumour were to start that you are being underhanded in your dealings with Mrs Muir and her children…"

He shrugged. "Your cherished re-election to town president could be put in jeopardy. Another candidate could be proposed. Maybe even myself."

"You know, I much prefer it when you're at sea for months on end," Claymore grouched. "You interfere too much in my affairs when you are ashore and have idle time on your hands to formulate mischief."

"The way you choose to conduct your affairs makes me wish to interfere," the Captain replied evenly. "Shall we say Mrs Muir's honest diligence on your behalf has earned her a raise of two dollars a week?"

"Two dollars?!" Claymore squeaked, looking scandalised. "That's blatant highway robbery! I could hire a male clerk for that price!"

"But not as good as Mrs Muir, from what I've been told." His cousin shrugged. "I hear her industry has increased your coffers substantially. You can afford it."

"Yes, well…" Claymore harrumphed. "Oh, very well. If it will get you gone from my sight. Is that all?"

"No, you will remove her and her family immediately from the old Palmer place and accommodate them properly. I think Rose Cottage will serve very nicely. It's vacant. I would be more than happy to perform the small service of changing their accommodation at no cost to yourself."

Claymore's eyebrows rose toward his hairline in horrified astonishment. "My best rental? Impossible!" he blustered.

"It lies vacant now until the spring." The Captain considered his cousin closely. "It is warm and dry with three good-sized bedrooms. You can charge Mrs Muir's father a higher rent, for her fortunate change in circumstances, if it will soothe your unquiet conscience."

"You appear to know everything already…" Claymore subsided with ill grace. "Oh, very well, see my man for the keys. But it is still an imposition on my time and good nature," he grumbled. "Just remember, as soon as spring comes, the house goes back on the market as a summer rental. Then you will have to find them somewhere else to live."

He glanced significantly at Carolyn. "That is if they're still here."

"Thank you, Claymore, for seeing the error of your ways," the Captain said mildly as he pulled on his cap and gloves. "Do not disappoint me. And Mrs Muir's employment will not be threatened by the betterment of her circumstances, or you will answer to me."

He turned to Carolyn, again touching two fingers to the brim of his seaman's cap. "Your servant, Mrs Muir."

He bowed his head before turning on his heel and leaving the office. The doorbell jangled and he was gone as quickly as he'd arrived.

Carolyn sat on her stool looking after him in bemusement. How had everything changed for the better in such a short time? How could one man make such a difference?

"You needn't think his unwarranted interference has done you any favours," her uncle warned her. "You will work for your raise, believe me."

"I do not doubt it, Uncle," Carolyn replied, eyeing him warily. "But how is it that the Captain may command you so?"

"He possesses some influence in this town." Claymore shrugged. "His side of the family has always been more powerful than mine. They have often denied any familial connection. But I have found to my cost that it does not pay to dismiss his advice, however interfering. I find it easier to placate his eccentricities."

He turned back to his pipe and ledgers. "Thankfully, he is at sea for most of the year, until the winter confines him to harbour and home. I will be grateful when he sets sail again at the first sign of spring. It cannot come soon enough for my liking."

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