Chapter Eighteen

"In A Captain's Arms…"

The following morning, Carolyn sat at her desk, reading through the notes her husband had made from the story Lucius had finally consented to relate to him. Daniel stood behind her chair, reading over her shoulder.

After a lengthy silence, Carolyn put aside the last page with a sigh. "That is the most amazing tale I have ever read." She turned to look up at her husband. "But, are you sure any of it is even true?"

Daniel shrugged as he shook his head. "He swears so. I never knew Lucius's life was even more interesting than mine. And that is saying something. He puts my adventures quite in the shade."

"Well, I suppose it doesn't really matter. We now need to craft it into a story suitable for publication. But there are the bones of a good tale in here."

Carolyn sighed as she gazed up at him. "I missed you last night. I wondered where you were or what you were doing. I fell asleep waiting for you."

She looked away toward the bed. "And I woke up alone, as well."

"I am truly sorry, my love…" Daniel leaned down to kiss her. "I know I said I wouldn't be long. But Lucius was very reluctant, at first, to relate anything. It took some time and I had to grease his throat with several glasses of my best Madeira before he would talk freely."

"I forgive you." Carolyn took his hand between hers. "Just don't make a habit of it."

"I can certainly promise you that…" Daniel looked down to look into her eyes with longing.

"Good…" Carolyn smiled as she looked back at the stack of papers. "I have written away for Hanover's submission forms. While we wait for them, I guess the first thing we need to do is think of a suitable title before we get down to writing the synopsis and the first three chapters."

"A pity Maiden Voyage has already been taken," Daniel teased gently.

"Yes, well, the less we say about that one the better." Carolyn quelled him with a frown. "This is to be a historical romance and it will not have my name on it anywhere. From what Martha told me, they are becoming very popular."

She shook her head. "It certainly would seem so, given the monthly orders Lorrie Hammond down at the General Store said he's being asked to fulfil. It's a case of moving with the times or being left behind."

Daniel shrugged. "In my day, to be accepted by society as a serious writer, a woman author often had to adopt a male nom-de-plume."

"Thankfully, we've moved on from such nineteenth-century thinking."

"May I make a suggestion as to the title?" Daniel asked, taking the seat next to the desk. "I have been giving it some thought and from the flavour of Lucius's tale I do think a title such as 'In A Captain's Arms' would be appropriate."

"'In A Captain's Arms,'" Carolyn mused, considering it. "I'm not sure I want to be a party to whatever thought stands behind such a title, but I like it."

Daniel shook his head. "Some of the women Lucius escorted often were not averse to switching their favours to other captains if the man happened to capture their feminine fancy." He brushed the line of his moustache with the side of his forefinger.

"Ah, I see…" Carolyn indicated the stack of papers. "I knew there was more behind this story than you were telling me." She shook her head. "You two must have had some adventures together."

"Oh, we did, Madam, we did…" Daniel chuckled, leaning closer. "Some of them I am sure we can turn to our advantage as ideas for our novels. But that is all in the past. As I told you before, it is a very pleasant place to visit at times, but I wouldn't want to live there again. Not now that I have found you."

He studied the picture she made sitting beside him in the morning light. "And for a long-term arrangement, I still much prefer the present and always will..."

"Me too…" Carolyn leaned over to cup his bearded cheeks in her hands before she kissed him deeply.

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"Did you remember to collect the mail while you were out?" Martha looked up from her cleaning as Carolyn opened the front door and walked in after a much-needed trip into town.

Over the last week, the whole household had been pitching in and helping out while Daniel and Carolyn had been working solidly on their shared manuscript. The rough draft of the first three chapters was finally coming together nicely. All that remained was to type up the final draft before writing the synopsis and covering letter while they waited to hear from the publisher.

"Yes, I most certainly did," Carolyn replied, walking up to the foyer table to put down her handbag and a small parcel she'd also collected. "Unfortunately, it's always the same old friends writing as usual."

She stood looking through the letters she held in her hands. "They're as regular as clockwork."

She put them down one by one. "The gas company, the electric company, the phone company and we can't possibly forget the oil company…"

She sighed as she dropped the rest of the mail to pick up the small, brown-paper-wrapped parcel. "But this one got my attention."

She frowned at the handwritten address. "I don't recognise the writing and there's no return address on it."

"As long as it's nothing from that nosy Harriet or your family saying they're dropping by for another visit," Martha cautioned, joining her at the table. "We all need some time to catch our breath."

She smiled. "We'll have to put up a sign out front that says 'Gone fishing'."

"Great idea. But no, it's not Harriet's writing." Carolyn shook her head. "Or my mother's…"

"Well, don't keep us both in suspense," Martha replied. "Open it and find out who it's from."

"All right…" Carolyn slid her fingertip beneath the adhesive tape holding the parcel together.

It gave easily, falling open to show a red, hard-cover book inside. Carolyn pushed the wrapping aside and picked up the book, turning it over to read the title on the dust jacket.

"'The Ghost and Miss Peekskill…'" she said slowly, in a wondering tone. "'A cautionary tale about the dangers of falling in love with a romantic dream instead of an honest man…'"

"Well, I never." Martha's brows rose. "That woman has a real cheek. What a nasty thing to say about the Captain."

"Yes, a very odd title," Carolyn agreed. "But she did fall in love with the dream she was working on turning into a novel about true love. Now look…"

She held the book out. "It's authored by Vanessa Peekskill herself. She's even signed it to me."

"What?" Daniel materialised on the stairway next to her, leaning over the railing to read the cover of the book. "Who afforded that woman permission to write anything about me?"

"Oh, I very much doubt she sought anyone's permission to write it." Carolyn opened the book to read the inside leaf of the dust jacket. "That Vanessa had a mind of her own. And a determination to get her own way. I shudder to think what could have happened if Claymore had managed to sell the house to her."

"None of us would be here now and that's a fact," Martha stated grimly.

"Yes…" Carolyn nodded as she frowned at the smiling photograph of the author displayed there. "She certainly gathered enough information in that precious notebook of hers while she was here to write a dozen books. Not to mention anything personal she was allowed to uncover in the attic." She glanced significantly at her husband.

"Must you always hold that against me?" Daniel asked softly, shaking his head. "If you remember, I did apologise."

"Yes, you did…" Carolyn smiled at him, remembering his words from that day about the past being a pleasant place to visit, but he wouldn't want to live there.

"For a long-term arrangement, I still much prefer the present," Daniel whispered for her ears alone. "And I always will…"

"Well, I say Miss Peekskill's got a bare-faced nerve to be writing anything about any of us," Martha commented stoutly.

"Yes, she has…" Carolyn tore her eyes from her husband's concentrated gaze.

It was only then that she noticed there was a folded note tucked inside the flyleaf. "Maybe this will explain it…"

She unfolded it, finding it was from Vanessa Peekskill and giving a return address in Boston. She shook her head in bemusement as she began to read the letter aloud.

'My very dear Mrs Muir,

I do hope my little book finds you well and happy. I know you, as a fellow writer, will appreciate the time and effort that has gone into my work.

When I left behind those letters written by that scoundrel, Captain Gregg, I had no intention of ever writing anything about the man. I did not wish to bring him back to life. I was so thankful my grandmother escaped his awful attentions in time to meet and marry my great-great-grandfather. I would not have wanted the Captain as my ancestor.

Captain Gregg was both a cad and a bounder, and no doubt he did have a woman waiting for him in every port. His kind cannot change their ways, no matter what the century. You are welcome to his unsavoury memory. If I had bought the house from that awful Claymore Gregg, the first thing I would have done was burn the Captain's dreadful portrait.

After the unfortunate events of those few days when I stayed with you at Gull Cottage, I had thought the sordid little affair between my great-great-grandmother and the dastardly Captain was better left buried where I found it, in the pages of those letters and history.

However, after taking some much-needed time away visiting my aunt in New York before returning home to Boston, I was given to some serious reflection. The publisher I had first contacted about my intention to write the book was still very keen to publish it. They even paid me a substantial advance.

And as the months passed I began to feel the tale I should have been telling was one of caution about never allowing oneself to be taken in by a handsome face and a smooth line. Again, no matter the century, men have not changed for the better. Being a modern, progressive woman, my publisher wholeheartedly agreed.

In the last few months, my sales have gone extremely well and my book is now in its third edition. I have become quite the feature on the feminist book signing circuit and I have met so many women who agree entirely with my premise.

I could have done none of it without your generosity of spirit in allowing me to stay with you. I learned so much about myself in those few days. For that reason, I have gifted you a signed copy of my book. I had contemplated a return visit to the house to thank you in person, but for now, I am far too busy with my commitment to writing my second book. Perhaps, in the future, we will meet again.

My dear Carolyn, I must thank you again for your wonderful hospitality and understanding. You, I will always remember with deep affection.

If there is ever anything I can do to repay you then please let me know by return mail to the above address. I would be more than happy to help in any way I can because you helped me become the woman I am today.

Yours Sincerely,

Vanessa Peekskill'

"Well, I never…" Martha breathed, shaking her head. "The audacity of the woman. Some people certainly do fall into muck and come up smelling of roses. I think we should put up that sign now. She is most certainly not welcome here."

"And her premise is completely wide of the mark. I was nothing but honest with her great-great-grandmother. Too honest, if the truth is told." Daniel plucked the book from Carolyn's hands. "I think we should burn this for the heresy it is."

"No, don't…" Carolyn quickly retrieved it. "I'm curious to read what she's written."

"Women…" Daniel sighed as he shook his head. "Do not forget, Madam, that we have the first three chapters of our own book that need completing by the end of the day," he reminded her gruffly before dematerialising.

"Men…" Carolyn and Martha both said at once, laughing as they shared a look of sympathetic understanding.

"You go on up," the housekeeper encouraged. "I'll bring up a tray of coffee and sandwiches. I think if the Captain's got anything to do with it, you'll be up there for a while." She jerked a thumb toward the ceiling as she walked away, shaking her head.

"Thank, Martha." Carolyn collected the rest of the mail and headed up the stairs, knowing she would find her husband waiting for her impatiently.

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The moment Carolyn walked into the bedroom Daniel pulled out the chair at the desk for her, leaning on its back. "Now, we need to focus all our attention on this project. All interrupts and annoyances must be put aside, even if I have to lock the door to keep them out."

"Aye, aye, Captain..." Carolyn nodded her thanks as she sat down at her typewriter. "But don't lock it just yet. Martha said she's going to bring us up some coffee and sandwiches."

"Sensible woman to think of keeping us alert and well-provisioned," Daniel approved, rubbing his hands together. "Right, we need to finalise those first three chapters and have them polished by the end of the last dog watch. We're almost there. I know we can do it if we apply ourselves."

"Last dog watch?" Carolyn frowned up at him.

Her husband sighed. "You really do need to learn to keep naval time, Madam. Especially if you are going to be writing about maritime adventures. That is twenty hundred hours."

Carolyn did a quick calculation in her head. "Ohhh, right. Eight o'clock tonight. Yes, I think that's doable. If we start now and don't stop."

"Isn't that what I just said?" Daniel demanded to know.

He turned away to pace to the window, his hands clasped in the small of his back. "All right, now where were we? Read me the last page again, please."

At the same moment, the telephone beside Carolyn rang. Daniel turned back, his hands clenching at his sides.

"I knew I should have ripped the blasted infernal thing from the wall!" he fumed. "Whoever it is, get rid of them, Madam, or I will be forced to take action to repel them!"

"Sorry…" Carolyn grimaced her apology as she picked up the receiver. "Hello?" She listened. "Oh, hello, Mother. How nice to hear from you again."

"God's bones!" Daniel stalked back to the desk. "We will never be finished tonight at this rate!"

Carolyn covered the mouthpiece with her palm. "I really am sorry," she whispered. "But this won't take long, I promise. She just wants to catch up and I need to reassure her that we're all fine. No doubt Harriet has already reported her findings."

"Then I shall await your timely summons." Daniel bowed his head as he waved his hands and vanished abruptly.

Carolyn sighed as she went back to her phone call. "Sorry, Mother. What was that you said?"

"I said, we really hope you didn't mind us sending Harriet to visit you. After all, you are our only daughter and we wished to make sure all is well between you and the Captain."

"Of course not, Mother. I didn't mind one bit. I enjoyed Harriet's company," Carolyn told the lie briskly. "But Violet needed her more."

"Oh, yes, Harriet's been spending all her time looking after the poor dear. She has been quite ill and seeing some dreadful visions. But she's now on the mend and Harriet finally managed to telephone me yesterday to tell me all about the wonderful dinner she had with you and your most charming Captain. She was really quite taken with him."

"Yes, it was quite the evening." Carolyn nodded. "The Captain can be a real charmer when he wants to."

"Yes, it seems so. She said he wasn't at all like the man she met the last time she stayed with you. It was almost as if he was a different person entirely at the dinner. So handsome and charming, and quite the poet. I must say, her glowing description didn't really fit the man we meet, either. It was almost as if there were two of them, which is a very silly notion, I know."

"Rest assured, there is only one Captain, and I can tell you he's no different to the man you met," Carolyn affirmed quickly. "I didn't see any difference at the dinner. The Captain has always been the Captain. Nothing will ever change him."

She crossed her fingers beneath the desk. "Maybe Harriet just had one too many glasses of sherry."

"Excellent. I'm very glad to hear that. Harriet also said you're still planning on writing those dubious memoirs. She assured me that you promised they will be nothing like that rather racy piece you wrote for Feminine View. I really do hope not. Some of my bridge ladies didn't know what to say."

"Oh, no, Mother. Please don't worry, I've learned my lesson there. That won't happen again, I can promise you that."

"I'm so glad, dear. Harriet did say you both looked very happy and content. I'll admit that was a weight off my mind. What with you taking on that big old house on very little income. But Harriet said you gave her a copy of that old sailor's will that explained everything."

"Yes, I did, Mother. It certainly explains everything. I'm sure Harriet will show it to you as soon as she gets back to the city."

"Well, that's wonderful. Your father sends his love. I just wanted to hear your voice and know you are all right, dear. You know how we worry about you, stuck all the way out there in the wilderness."

"I know, Mother. But please believe me that we are fine. We couldn't be happier."

"Very well, dear. If you say so. Say hello to the Captain for us when he's back from the sea. I'm sure we can find the time to visit you sometime soon. I will let you know our plans. And, of course, if there's to be a wedding in your future, we'll be so happy for you. Harriet was sure the Captain is intending to pop the question when he returns."

"Oh, you'll be the first to know if I ever decide to get married again," Carolyn crossed her fingers. "But truly we are fine. It was lovely of you to call. Goodbye, Mother."

She replaced the receiver with a sigh. "You can come out now, Captain."

Daniel materialised, shaking his head. "It seems we are to have no peace from your interfering family."

"I know. But they mean well." Carolyn shrugged.

"Yes…" Her husband's lips thinned with dissatisfaction. "For your sake I know we will need to make the best of it and tolerate them. But at times, Madam…"

"I couldn't agree with you more…" Carolyn propped her chin in her upraised palm. "Sometimes, even I feel like running away from them. And I've known them all a lot longer than you have. That's why I came here in the first place, to escape them and their ideas about what I should do with my life after Bobby died."

"And love is now the reason you stay here…" Daniel took her hand between his and kissed it. "I am eternally grateful."

"That's because I fell in love with the real man and not the dream…" Carolyn smiled. "And to think I could have married Owen Mitford instead of you."

"I try not to think anything about that detestable man or Miss Peekskill's deeply flawed view of all men," her husband replied hardly. "But running away from everything does have its appeal."

"If only we could…" Carolyn sighed as the door opened to admit Martha carrying a covered tray of food and coffee.

"I'll just put it down over here…" she said, placing the tray on the small table beside the easy chair in the corner. She walked back to the desk. "Help yourselves when you're hungry. I'll collect the kids from school and then take them out for some ice cream. Give you two some more time to get finished up."

She wagged one finger. "And don't forget I want to be the first to read those three chapters when you're done. I'll be happy to give them my professional opinion."

"Thank you, Martha," Carolyn acknowledged with a grateful smile. "For everything. I wish we could dedicate this first book to you. After all, it was your idea."

"Yes, thank you, Martha," Daniel added, moving closer to kiss her cheek. "We couldn't do any of this without you. You are a priceless treasure."

"Oh, go on with you now. Don't you go trying out any of Sean Callahan's blarney on me," Martha chided him with a chuckle as she left the room, closing the door behind her.

Daniel sat down in the chair beside Carolyn's. "Until we have finally completed the task at hand, there will be no more phone calls or interruptions," he commanded, removing the telephone receiver from its cradle and laying it down on the desk. "Now, where were we?"

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