Chapter Five
Visiting Gull Cottage
"Well, Niece…" Claymore put his clay pipe aside as he sat back in his office chair, his fingers linked contentedly across his abdomen. "The ice is beginning to thaw in the bay and it looks like spring will be arriving earlier than expected this year. April is just around the corner. It will bring the first of the city tourists flocking to refill my coffers, eager for some fresh sea air and sunshine."
He smirked, drumming his fingers on his waistcoat. "I must inform you that I require the return of Rose Cottage by the end of the month for the summer rental season."
"But it would be such a shame to uproot the children. They love it there," Carolyn countered, turning from her ledgers. "Could we not rent it from you for the summer?" she asked, putting forth an idea she'd been dwelling on for some days now as the deadline loomed. "Surely it doesn't matter who lives in the house?"
"Your father could not afford my new summer rates," her uncle stated firmly, shaking his head. "Besides, the Porteous family from Boston have always secured the first summer rental on that house. They are old and trusted clients. As well you would know if you paid sufficient attention to your duties instead of daydreaming about fickle Maine sea captains."
"You have not mentioned my father in weeks," Carolyn replied, watching him with confusion. "How will we know what he can afford unless we ask him?" She moved off her stool. "I can walk to the office and compose a telegram to ask his advice."
"No!" Her uncle raised a denying hand. "Even your father's patience has its limits. We have no time to waste on such idle questions when my business is about to get busier. You will apply yourself to your ledgers and leave the decisions to the menfolk."
He frowned at her direfully enough to make her slowly regain her stool. "A deal is a deal. I expect to hear from you by morning about what has been decided. I do hope your ardent lover has made provision for you and your children, as per our agreement."
He picked up his quill pen to wave it for emphasis. "If you find yourself homeless, you can always take rooms at the Schooner Bay Inn. I have heard that their accommodations and kitchen are fairly tolerable."
"The Captain is not my lover, as you very well know." Carolyn raised her chin at him. "He is a good friend who cares for us all. Must you always try to find fault where there is none?"
Her uncle's lips twisted. "Then inform your friend that I expect him to have made alternative arrangements for you before he sets sail. And believe me when I tell you, you cannot trust the word of any sailor."
He raised a warning finger. "He may dance his fine attendance on you in a property of his own, but he will forget you the moment he crests the horizon. It is the nature of all such men to seek fresh conquests."
He went back to his ledgers, looking well satisfied with his crude characterisation of his cousin's character. "I will see no tears and will not tolerate any long faces or fanciful sighs after he is gone. We still have my business to attend. Tell your captain, he has five days to settle your affairs."
"I will tell him…" Carolyn turned away with a heavy heart. "When I see him this evening. And your mean assessment of the Captain could not be more wrong."
Her uncle shrugged. "You forget that I have known my cousin for longer than you. He has never made any secret of the number of women he has won over by his charms and easy address. He thinks his endless boasting will impress me." Claymore harrumphed his disbelief.
"I still say you are very wrong…" Carolyn went back to her bookwork, but the figures began to swim before her frustrated gaze.
She swiped a hand across her eyes, but it didn't help. They still stung with unshed tears. She felt her uncle's impatient gaze upon her and managed to subdue her desire to cry at the unfairness of it all.
The intervening weeks had rushed by with almost breathless speed. April was about to arrive before she was even prepared for it. She had prayed, to no avail, for the ice the stay in the bay and winter to last longer. For her time with Daniel to be measured in days, not hours. Now the point of no return had been reached and she was at a loss to know what to do for the best.
She had no real idea of where she would go, or how she would live if he let her down or backed out of their agreement. But she comforted herself with the knowledge he had not done so yet.
※※※※※
"Good evening, Captain," Carolyn acknowledged warily when Daniel appeared that evening to escort her home as usual.
"Good evening, Mrs Muir…" Daniel touched two fingers to the brim of his cap as he studied the concerned look in her eyes when she glanced up at him. "You are looking very pensive tonight."
"I… had some rather unsettling news today," Carolyn acknowledged, walking around him and away down the street.
Daniel turned to follow her, now deeply concerned his love had reverted to her old habit of trying to avoid all contact with him. By now he would have had her small hand tucked securely in the crook of his left arm as they walked along, discussing their day with the ease of long friendship. Bereft of the companionship he had come to look forward to each evening, the frown lines between his dark brows deepened.
"Is it your family?" he asked, wishing he could put out a hand to detain her, knowing she would avoid it. "Are they all right?"
"I… no, there is still no word from them," Carolyn replied, watching his expression from the corner of her eye. "But thank you for your concern."
She could see that she had hurt him by her unthinking actions this evening. But she could not afford to allow him to come closer if she was soon to be forced to push him away again.
She pictured her careworn father and wondered if he was thinking of her at the same moment. His lack of contact still hurt, but she had finally managed to build up barriers around the pain.
Come the summer, if there was still no word, she would reassess her plans for the future of her little family. Should they even remain in Schooner Bay?
She glanced sideways at the man walking beside her. Could any such plans include the Captain? Or was it a wiser course to end it all now and save them both a deal of unnecessary pain? But her woman's heart quailed at such a radical idea.
"Then tell me, what news could be so bad that it makes you want to withdraw from me?" Daniel demanded to know, almost as if he could read her mind.
"I…" Carolyn swallowed tightly. "This afternoon, Uncle Claymore took great pains to remind me that my tenancy of Rose Cottage is almost at an end. That I need to make plans. He refused to allow me to rent it from him for the summer."
"Is that all?" Daniel asked, almost sagging with relief.
"All?" Carolyn stopped walking to frown up at him. "To me and my family, it is everything. We are about to become homeless."
Daniel immediately saw the yawning gulf caused by his rash words. He had not meant to offend. "I am sorry, my dear. I spoke unthinkingly."
"Yes, well…" Carolyn looked away. "We shall be forced to take rooms at the inn. Uncle Claymore is quite determined we cannot stay as we are."
"I will hear no more talk of you rooming at the Inn." Now Daniel did place a hand on her arm then to detain her. "We made a binding agreement, you and I and the detestable Claymore Gregg."
He easily resisted her attempts to free herself. He would lance this festering wound cleanly and without the deeply interested audience of Martha and the children who were only a few steps away down the street.
"I have a very simple solution. You will all come and live with me," he quickly addressed her worried concerns without thinking.
He watched Carolyn go completely still. Her sharply averted face and the blush of colour that bloomed in her pale cheeks told their own story. He tried to gauge her reaction to his proposal. Inwardly he cursed his unusual crassness. He knew better how to deal with the fairer sex.
His proposal sounded outrageous to his own ears the moment he uttered the words. It had been an idea he'd been turning over in his mind for some weeks now and there was no way of retrieving the situation if she flatly rejected him.
He had no true idea how far he could advance their tenuous relationship, which still seemed to be on unstable ground. He clenched his free hand against his thigh, knowing this course he was charting led into deeper waters he had never sailed before.
"I…" Carolyn finally shook her head. "What are you asking me to do?"
Daniel regarded her solemnly as he drew her suddenly unresisting hand through the crook of his arm. "Not what you are thinking, my dear. I could never dishonour you in that way. I was merely offering you and your children the use of my house while I am away at sea. Upon my final return before next winter, I will happily be the one to take rooms at the Schooner Bay Inn."
"Oh, no…" Carolyn shook her head. "But, I couldn't possibly turn you out of your own house."
"Why not?" Daniel's eyebrows rose. "It is a large house and there is only me and my daily housekeeper who does not live in. When I am alone, I rattle around in it, at times, like a dried pea in a can."
He smiled, seeing a way to retrieve his crassness. "Your family's presence would relieve me of that aloneness. Believe me, it is not an existence I favour. They say talking to oneself is the first sign of an unstable mind."
"They do say that, don't they?" Carolyn allowed him a shy smile.
Daniel watched her quick mind analyse his seemingly outrageous proposal. He could almost look forward to her next answer. He knew he would never tire of watching her. She was as changeable as his beloved ocean and equally deep and mysterious.
He became aware he had never met another woman like her and he doubted he ever would again. In that moment of revelation, he became doubly determined to make her his, no matter the cost.
"But you said you'd built your house with a family in mind," Carolyn worried the point as they turned to walk slowly onwards. "What will become of us when you bring home your new wife?"
Daniel shook his head ruefully. "I have travelled this world from end to end since I was very young. I have yet to find the woman who is for me. Besides, I allow no women aboard any ship I command, so how would I bring her home with me?"
Carolyn slanted him a disbelieving glance. "I'm sure you would make an exception if you found the right woman for you."
"Perhaps…" Daniel looked down at her sweet face. "But, I think I've been looking for a wife for too long in all the wrong places."
"Oh…" Carolyn kept her eyes down, absorbing his words.
"You have nothing to say in reply?" Daniel finally asked, glad she was no longer resisting him.
"I…" Carolyn shook her head. "What is there to say?"
"You could say, yes, Daniel, I would be very happy to move into Gull Cottage if it pleases you. Thank you for your very generous offer."
Carolyn smiled. "Yes, Captain, I will consider your generous offer. Thank you."
"Not quite right, but it will do for now," Daniel chided in amusement, lifting her hand from his arm to his lips before pressing a kiss to the back of her gloved fingers.
Carolyn stopped to stare at him. This was the first time her escort had made any kind of advance toward her beyond drawing her hand through the crook of his arm. She had become very comfortable with his easy company and she felt she could tell him anything.
With his head bowed near to hers it would only be a simple matter of her turning her head as he pulled back and his lips would encounter hers. A warmer flush rose into her cheeks, making her feel awkward and ill at ease.
Daniel felt her pull back from him slightly. He was immediately all solicitous. "Did I distress you? If so, then I apologise wholeheartedly. I would never willingly cause you a moment of concern."
"I… no…" Carolyn relaxed immediately, feeling foolish.
It was common enough in society for a man to kiss the hand of a woman in greeting or farewell. She knew that. Her erstwhile suitors had done it often enough if they could secure her hand. There had just been an unexpected intimacy to the gesture that had caught her unawares and made her heart miss a beat.
"Your current position is an uncomfortable one and you do need somewhere to live now that Claymore is demanding the house back. Come and visit me at home tomorrow. I will collect you all after church," Daniel encouraged. "See the house for yourself and tell me your decision then. I will respect whatever you tell me."
"Very well…" Carolyn nodded. "I would like that. But I will insist on paying a fair market rental. This is to be a business arrangement."
"If you insist, then it shall be so." Daniel shrugged his unconcern.
He breathed a cautious sigh of relief. She had not turned him down flat. If she had he would have been forced to buy a suitable house from Claymore.
He knew his cousin would enjoy twisting the knife just to see him squirm as he pledged the profits from his next cargo to fatten Claymore's already plump coffers. And Carolyn would see the entry and know what he'd done.
"It's that I do not wish to be beholden to anyone," Carolyn told him. "For anything."
"I understand," Daniel nodded. "And I admire that independent trait in you."
For the first time this evening, Carolyn smiled. "Thank you, Captain."
"You are very welcome, Mrs Muir," Daniel teased in return.
They arrived at the front gate of Rose Cottage. He pushed the gate open to allow her to pass through before him.
He closed it behind her. "If your decision is yes, then I shall bring young Malcolm and his cart and we will move you into my house. Then Claymore can close his mouth and get on with his own affairs. It will make both your lives easier."
He shook his head. "My ship sails on Wednesday bound for London with a cargo of timber and tallow. I can sleep aboard her and I will not be back for several weeks. Then I will take rooms at the Inn."
"Your generosity to my children and me is unbelievably kind," Carolyn whispered, placing her hand tentatively on his forearm.
"It is not from kindness, my dear…" Daniel responded gently. "But that subject will have to wait for another time. When I return from sea, we will talk."
Again, he took her hand and raised it toward his lips, but this time he turned it over before he made contact. Deftly unbuttoning the small mother-of-pearl fastening of her glove at her wrist, he pressed a kiss to the pulse beating fast beneath her soft skin.
Carolyn stared at his action, fascinated that it felt so good to have his warm lips moving against her skin. She shivered, not wanting the caress to end, but it was over in a moment.
Daniel raised his head and his darkened blue eyes encountered her startled green ones. A satisfied smile curved his mouth at the look of confusion on her face.
"Somehow I very much doubt that the lady's heart is clothed in ice, after all…" Releasing her, he stood back, tipping his two fingers to the brim of his cap in his usual courteous gesture. "Good night, sweet Carolyn. Sleep well…"
Turning away, he left her standing there, gazing after him in wonder. He looked very pleased with himself as he walked into the darkness, his hands clasped in the small of his back as he hummed a jaunty sea shanty.
※※※※※
In all the months she'd lived in Schooner Bay, Carolyn had not found the time to venture too far from town. The road out to the Captain's house was easy enough to find, despite the snow, and the runners of his hired sleigh hissed across the packed surface to the merry tune of its jingling bells.
In what seemed like no time at all, they arrived outside Gull Cottage. As soon as the vehicle came to a standstill and the Captain tied off the reins, the occupants all got out and walked up to the front gate. The children and their dog climbed onto the stone wall, as Carolyn and her housekeeper stood at the gate.
"Oh, Martha, look…" Carolyn whispered, gazing up at the house set on a slight rise above them. "It's even more charming than I imagined. I think it would be like heaven to live here."
"Heaven for some…" Her housekeeper looked the large, two-storied house over thoughtfully. "Well, I like the style of it, but look at all those windows someone's going to have to clean."
She shook her head. "But yes, I think we could do very well here. Are you going to decide to stay?"
"I haven't made up my mind yet," Carolyn murmured.
"Oh, I think you have." Martha smiled. "But I also think you're still trying to decide which is more attractive. The house or its handsome owner."
She gave her mistress a small nudge with her elbow. "I guess, time will tell, but I know which one I'd choose." She chuckled richly as the master of the house walked up to stand beside them.
"Welcome to Gull Cottage," the Captain said simply, his gaze fixed on Carolyn's rapt expression. He opened the front gate and stood aside for the two women to go through before him.
"It's beautiful…" Carolyn replied for him alone, keeping her eyes on the house.
"Not nearly as beautiful as you…" Daniel murmured, as he closed the gate behind them.
Startled by his words, Carolyn glanced up at him, and what she saw in his eyes made her cheeks feel warm with something more than simple embarrassment.
"Well, I've never seen such a big house like this in Schooner Bay before," Jonathan marvelled. "Uncle Claymore's place is small."
"Where's the beach? May we go down to the beach?" Candy asked, getting off the stone wall to follow her mother.
"Yes…" Jonathan looked up at the Captain. "You promised that we could go down and build sand castles."
"Your memory is a marvel, lad," Daniel teased. "All in good time. A tour of the house first, then luncheon. Your mother has yet to give me her decision if she will stay here or not."
"Oh, very well…" Jonathan sighed as he dragged his feet along the stone-flagged front path, Scruffy trotting at his heels. "But I want to live here."
※※※※※
Daniel and Carolyn stood together at the head of the house's elegant staircase. Martha had discreetly left them alone together, taking the children into the front garden to play ball with their dog and the Captain's stony-faced housekeeper was occupied with washing the dishes in the kitchen.
"Your housekeeper is familiar," Carolyn commented as Daniel showed her down the hallway toward the bedrooms. "She was on the coach with us when we first arrived in town last summer."
"Mrs Dawson was away visiting her sick sister," Daniel replied, pushing open a door to their right. "She remarked upon your arrival. She is not happy with the idea of you potentially moving in here."
He shrugged. "She has stated her refusal to clean up after children and a dog and has already handed in her notice. She intends to go and live with her sister. I'll admit, she will be no great loss to me. We have never seen eye to eye in all the years she has worked for me."
"Oh, but I didn't want that," Carolyn remarked as she went before him into the bedroom. "I have not yet said if I will move in."
Daniel ignored her comment. "This would make a nice room for the children."
Carolyn looked around at the bookcases, twin four-poster beds and a cosy fireplace. There was a large window complete with a seat beneath the eaves. "It's truly charming."
"I think the children will be very happy here." Daniel nodded, watching her.
"Perhaps…" Carolyn shrugged, as she left the room, heading for the next door on her right. "What's in here?"
"My bedroom..." Daniel told her softly. "But it will be yours. It's convenient to the children."
"You have a point…" Carolyn glanced back at him over her shoulder as she opened the door. She stopped in the doorway, looking all around with approval. "Oh, it's wonderful…"
The large, well-appointed room would be any clipper captain's dream. It was handsome and wood-panelled, designed for the convenience of its occupant. There were more bookcases and a captain's desk made of the best teak set with a glass container of quills and a stack of good linen paper.
For a brief, sweet moment Carolyn allowed herself to dream of having the time to sit there with the morning sunshine warming her shoulders and writing down all the stories that constantly whirled in her mind. It would be so easy to give in to the charm of the place and its master.
She turned away before her chaotic thoughts escaped her control. She saw a large fireplace with a grilled gas heater gracing the far wall, beside comfortable leather chairs and a large couch. Looking back there was also a wide, comfortable-looking bed standing proudly to one side. She ducked her head and tried not to contemplate its implications.
Although it was decidedly a man's room, its cosiness was appealing. Carolyn's eyes sparkled with contentment as she crossed toward a large brass telescope set up in a wide window embrace of French doors that gave access to the balcony overlooking the ocean.
Daniel remained standing in the open doorway, watching her closely as she walked around the room looking at everything without touching. He could see her trying to resist the charms of the room and failing. It had been his intention.
When she turned toward his bed, he decided to push her further. "If you are planning to make any feminine changes in here, I would request only to be consulted first."
"Oh, no…" Carolyn gasped as she turned back to him with wide eyes. "Everything is as just perfect as it is. I could enjoy living here."
"Could or will?" Daniel walked forward slowly, his eyes never leaving hers.
"You make it so difficult for me to deny you…" Carolyn whispered as he came to stand close beside her.
"That was my intention by inviting you out here…" Daniel raised one hand to cup the soft curve of her flushed cheek. "I wished to make it impossible for you to refuse my kind offer…"
"Uncle Claymore warned me about you…" Carolyn sighed. "He said I could never trust any sailor."
"If you are to live in my house, Madam, you will quickly learn that the word is seaman. Sailor is a landlubber's word…" he replied as he bent so close to her lips that she could feel the warmth of his breath.
"Will you?" he continued when Carolyn didn't speak.
"Will I… what?" she questioned shakily with her fascinated gaze fixed on his generous mouth.
"Live here, with me…"
"I didn't think you required an answer…"
"No… I don't… I can see it in your eyes…" Daniel whispered against her lips. "But we really should seal the deal with a kiss…"
Whatever her reply might have been was lost in the sheer heaven of his mouth covering hers in a kiss that left her breathless and craving so much more. Of their own accord, her hands closed tightly on the fabric of his naval jacket, encouraging him to explore further.
And when Daniel pulled back slightly to look down at her, she felt bereft. She sensed the revealing colour in her cheeks and it annoyed her how easily this man could sway her emotions without even appearing to try.
Her late husband's caresses had never moved her in this way. She had always been in total control and her blood had never heated as it did now.
"Your blush betrays you, my dear," Daniel said softly, stroking the ball of one thumb across her warm cheek. "You look as if no man has ever kissed you before, and yet you were a married woman."
"I…" Carolyn's startled gaze flew up to his concerned look. "My husband was a kind man. He was… good with the children."
"But I fear he never managed to touch your feminine heart…" Daniel inquired softly. "Your look is so full of beguiling confusion."
Carolyn shook her head as she moved back from his grasp. "Robert is not here to defend himself, so our discussion is pointless. I think I would like to go downstairs now. I have seen enough to make my decision."
"Please accept my apologies…" Daniel put a detaining hand on her arm, holding her in place beside him. "I never meant to kiss you and it will not happen again without your permission."
He released her. "Call it a moment of weakness. But I will not say I didn't enjoy it…"
"As did I…" Carolyn confessed quickly, her blush deepening as she moved further from his grasp and walked out the door, not looking to see if he followed.
"And the house?" Daniel caught up with her at the head of the stairs. "You will agree to stay?"
"Frankly, my choices are limited, as you well know," Carolyn acknowledged, walking down the stairs. "Uncle Claymore is a man of his word if nothing else. Rose Cottage is already let to the usual summer tenants. They move in next week."
She turned to him at the bottom. "Therefore, I am forced to accept your offer. We will move into Gull Cottage and I thank you for providing us with a roof over our heads. We can work out a fair rental and write up an agreement when we get back to town."
Daniel folded his arms across his chest. "I do not desire your money."
"Then we cannot do business." Carolyn shrugged.
"Blast it, Madam! Has anyone ever told you that you are the most stubborn, infuriating and contrary woman on the face of the earth!"
Carolyn smiled up at him sweetly, knowing she had the upper hand suddenly. "Oh, many times, by many people. It seems I cannot be any other way. I am the despair of my poor parents and all who know me."
She crossed the foyer to look through the open doors to the living room. She considered the large portrait hanging above the fireplace. To her critical eye, Daniel's look was austere and commanding.
"The artist succeeded in capturing your sterner side," she murmured. "You look unable to compromise. But it is a magnificent portrait."
Daniel shrugged. "It was painted in eighteen-fifty-two. The artist had heard the story of how I managed to sail my ship through a raging storm off the coast of Madagascar. He wanted a certain look from me."
He sighed. "Since then, I have learned to compromise, a little. I shall learn to adjust to your moods as you will need to adjust to mine. You will not find me unreasonable."
"Thank you…" Carolyn watched him warily, not sure where he was going with his train of thought.
Daniel inhaled deeply as he shook his head. "If you think I am a man to be so easily diverted from his charted course, then you are very much mistaken. I have that man in the painting within me."
"Very well. Then I think we finally understand each other," Carolyn assured him quickly. "Now I believe you promised the children a trip down to the beach…"
※※※※※