Chapter Twenty-Four
Conundrums and Beginnings
"Miss Lacey is coming to see you tomorrow…" Martha echoed what Carolyn had just told her.
She and the children had recently returned from their shopping trip into town. "Well, that's a bit short notice, I must say. Especially given all the mess we're still in and likely to be so for some time to come." She frowned as she looked around the kitchen.
Carolyn shrugged. "But it can't be helped. We need to publish the book so I can earn money to pay for all this. We'll just have to make the best of it."
"Well, why not?" Martha replied bracingly. "We might as well weather the good news with the bad. We can look on it as camping out in our own house." She shook her head at the dusty disorder of the room.
"But we're not going to have pizza again for dinner tonight," Jonathan announced. "We've got a much better idea."
"Well, really it was the Captain who thought of it," Candy qualified. "He met us in town and gave Martha a list of things he wanted us to buy. It was so exciting."
"He did?" Carolyn looked confused. "What was he doing in town?"
She glanced to the corner of the room where she'd last seen him. "He did say he had some urgent matters he needed to attend to. I don't understand."
"You will," Martha replied quickly. "We all need to get washed up and then come outside into the back garden. Go on up and see to your hands and faces, kids. I'll get the cutlery and plates."
"What's happening?" Carolyn looked even more confused. "We're going to eat out in the garden?"
"Not only are we gonna eat out there," Candy replied. "But we're gonna cook out there too! Just like we are going camping! We've got marshmallows and everything!"
"The Captain thought of it all!" Jonathan declared as both kids ran for the stairs.
"It's all right, Mrs Muir," Martha reassured her. "It's all right. You'll see in a minute. You don't have to do a thing. It's all been prepared. All you need to do is sit down and put your feet up. We'll do everything else."
She smiled as she encouraged Carolyn toward the kitchen sink. "We'll get washed up in here and then go on outside. There's a big surprise waiting for you out there."
"You're being very cryptic," Carolyn accused as she washed and dried her hands. "I'm not sure I like surprises anymore. I've had more than enough of them already with this blasted kitchen. One more might be the end of me."
"Ah, but this is a really nice surprise," Martha told her as she washed up and then laid out plates, napkins and cutlery on a tray. "I think you're going to enjoy yourself tonight."
"I'm glad somebody thinks so…" Carolyn commented dubiously as she followed her friend to the back door and out into the moonlit rear garden of the house.
She stopped the moment she inhaled the delicious smell of cooking meats. Her mouth began to water.
"What's all this?" She frowned at the lamplit scene before her.
Someone had gone to a great deal of trouble to set the scene with candles and lanterns. There were glasses and bottles of wine on the picnic table, as well as fruit juice for the children.
The darkening sky overhead was cloudless and filled with a myriad of twinkling stars. It was going to be a beautiful fall evening.
"I told you it was going to be a really nice surprise," Martha said comfortably as she carried the tray to the table and set it down. "It was all the Captain's idea. He met us in town and gave me a list of everything he wanted me to buy, including that new charcoal grill."
"I can see that," Carolyn marvelled at the Captain looking entirely domesticated as he used a large fork to turn a range of meats on a red portable grill.
"Good evening, Madam," he greeted her cordially. "I thought you would prefer some home cooking after all that take away food the children said you were being forced to consume. This afternoon, I took the liberty of perusing some of those household catalogues you ladies seem to enjoy. They were most informative."
His blue eyes danced with devilish amusement. "I can thank Claymore for the idea of having a party. But first, I took great pleasure in disrupting his little tete-a-tete this evening."
"Thank you, Captain," Carolyn replied with a smile. "I don't mind your haunting him. And I'm sorry again for doubting your word about scaring the workmen. I really do feel awful."
"All is forgotten and forgiven," he replied expansively. "We shall talk no more about it. I am entirely at your service, tonight."
"See what I mean?" Martha shook her head. "Ghost or not. If you give any man a charcoal grill, he'll soon think he owns the world." She chuckled. "Except maybe for Claymore."
"You can cook," Carolyn remarked in a marvelling tone as she approached the grill. "Of course, you can. Why am I so surprised."
"I can do a lot more than simply grill some steaks and sausages," he replied a trifle loftily. "You just never asked."
"No, I guess I didn't." Carolyn shook her head at him, feeling the tensions of the last few days easing from her tired body. "But then, I have so many questions that need answers."
"I can answer one for you." The Captain studied her as he worked. "The word barbecue comes from the Spanish word, barbacoa. Which has its origins in the Arawak peoples of the Caribbean. It translates as a 'framework of sticks set upon posts'."
He pointed his fork at the round metal grill he was working on. "I will say, this little invention of an excellent charcoal brazier with legs, is a worthy advancement in technology. It saved me from the backbreaking work of digging a hole in the ground for my fire pit and assembling the required framework of suitable sticks."
Carolyn laughed softly, knowing he was teasing her. It felt good.
She watched him work. "And, of course, you've been there. To the Caribbean, I mean."
"Of course…" He raised his brows at her. "I sailed those azure waters many times and met some fascinating people. Who do you think taught me to cook over an open fire? I learned from the best barbacoa masters in the business. And many of them were women."
"He said he's going to give me a few pointers," Martha added with a chuckle as the children came running into the garden. "Help yourselves, everyone. No one goes hungry tonight."
The Captain looked at Carolyn. "Madam, you need to eat, drink some wine and then sleep the clock around," he instructed. "You'll feel better for it in the morning. Tomorrow is going to be a very busy day. What with Mr O'Flynn and Miss Lacey descending upon our disrupted household."
"You already know they're coming tomorrow." Carolyn shrugged. "Even though I didn't have time to tell you."
"I know everything that goes on inside my house," he told her softly as the children crowded around him with their plates held out. "Do not fret. I shall be beside you all the way. Despite your drive for feminine independence, there are times when you need me around."
"Thank you, Captain…" Carolyn said again. "And yes, I do…"
She knew he was right, of course. There were times when she did need him around. And tomorrow was going to be one of them. Even if they would have to forgo their weekly glass of Madeira once more.
She walked away to pick up a plate and returned to the grill. "This all looks so delicious and despite everything, I am hungry."
They were momentarily alone. Martha and the children had settled at the table to eat their food.
"Thank you, Madam…" The Captain nodded as he forked a steak onto her plate and then added a sausage. "I also have some news for you that should set your foundering ship to rights and bring you about handsomely."
Beneath the plate, his long fingers stroked down hers as he held it steady. His touch was almost warm and electric. Carolyn shivered at the contact and her breathing accelerated. Heat invaded her cheeks. She knew he was teasing her with his new ability to touch her. And she knew they both wanted more.
"Oh?" She managed to study his satisfied expression. "Well, the only way to make that happen is to somehow con Claymore into paying for everything. Which we both know is impossible." She moved her fingers against his.
The Captain nodded. "Precisely, Madam." His fingers quested further along her bare forearm.
Carolyn swallowed tightly as her mouth opened and closed. Then she said, "You did? You couldn't. How did you? I mean, what threat did you use?"
She knew that he knew precisely what he was doing to her equilibrium. He made no move to pull back. Carolyn licked her lips and stared at his.
Her love smiled. "Nothing but the promise to haunt that pilfering pickpocket to the end of perdition and beyond if he did not do the decent thing and be a man for once, and not a craven coward," he replied. "He would not be able to make a single dime or close any new deals on my eternal watch."
Carolyn shook her head at him. "That'll do it." She leaned closer. "Thank you, Captain. For everything…" She laid her free hand on the sleeve of his jacket and caressed it.
"My absolute pleasure, my very dear lady," he replied with a long look that made her toes curl.
They stood staring at each other for a long, breathless moment. Then they were reluctantly parted by the return of Jonathan seeking more food.
"Isn't this all neat, Mum?" the boy asked innocently as the Captain served him.
"Very neat," Carolyn replied with a wistful smile.
※※※※※
Carolyn opened her bedroom windows and walked out onto the balcony. The inky black night sky was full of stars and the moon was huge. She was grateful for the warmth of her dressing gown against the chill of the fall evening.
Behind her, the house was quiet and still. It was almost as if the whole world was holding its breath, except for the ceaseless wash and retreat of the waves on the beach below.
Carolyn rested her hands on the balcony rail as she leaned forward to stare down at the sea foam that was luminescent in the white moonlight. She too felt restless and couldn't sleep.
"You cannot sleep, Madam? You are over tired. It's gone midnight. You need to recoup your strength for the day soon to come. It will be trying enough."
Carolyn turned to find her love standing behind her. "No, I can't sleep…" She moved closer. "I miss the dreams you gave me. I miss being with you in them. I miss… so much now that the book is completed." She moved her shoulders restlessly.
"As do I…" He stared at her, his blue eyes darkening with need and a fathomless look of wanting. "The moonlight truly becomes you, my dear."
"Just like it did for Olivia's two ardent lovers entwined in the soft moonlight…" Carolyn's breathing hitched as her cheeks warmed. "I remember that vision…"
"And the lady was clothed in nothing but diamonds and pearls…" Daniel lifted his free hand and extended his forefinger. "And love…"
In a repeat of his previous gesture, he traced the line of her cheek from her temple to the point of her chin with close attention to his action.
"Lord knows, I waited for you and hunted for you," he whispered. "How was I to know you hadn't even been born yet?" He used that same gossamer touch to tip her face up to his.
"Diamonds and pearls…" he repeated in a broken whisper as his gaze caressed the line of her throat down to the shadowed valley between her breasts.
Carolyn moved closer to him. "Dance with me," she murmured. "Like we did the other night. Like I did that time with Sean. You remember…"
"Only too well…" Daniel looked up at her.
"Please…" she begged. "It's what we both want and need…"
Daniel sighed, unable to resist the sensuous entreaty of her green eyes. He advanced one hand to her waist and clasped her upraised fingers with the other. From nowhere, came the soft strands of the same waltz that had played that night when they'd first danced together on the front lawn of the house in her fever dream.
With the ship's wheel and the moon as their only witnesses, they moved slowly together along the balcony and back again. Not even the silver of the evening light could come between them then, so close did they hold each other.
With a sigh of longing, Carolyn rested her cheek against the broad strength of her love's shoulder. He drew her in closer still from shoulder to hip as they followed the music to the end of the balcony and then back again in slow, deliberate circles.
Carolyn wanted to say so much and ask for more. But all too soon, the romantic interlude had to end.
Daniel drew back slightly and looked down at her nestled against him. "I must go…" he said.
"Yes, I know…" Carolyn's breathing hitched as she felt the seeming solidness of him beneath her fingers begin to dissolve once more.
"I would stay longer if I could, but I am not yet strong enough," Daniel told her with deep regret. "I need still more time…"
Carolyn pushed down her own needs as she went up onto tiptoe and kissed him. "I understand. Bridget is coming to see me tomorrow and we still have the kitchen to get finished. I do need to get some sleep."
Daniel nodded. "Yes, you do. But the precious gift of a dream I would devise first to make sure it is fully worthy of you…" He smiled down at her as he began to dissolve further. "I shall keep it a close secret until the time is right."
He kissed her gently. "Goodnight my sweet, Carolyn…"
"Goodnight, Daniel…" Carolyn said then, as she stepped slowly backwards, and the music faded away along with his physical presence.
Even as she sighed over the need for him to go, she also marvelled that they had come so far in such a short time. But the desire to go further still burned like a slow fire within her blood.
She turned back to the light of the moon and crossed her arms across her aching and unfulfilled body. She rubbed her upper arms as she pleaded, "Please don't make me wait too long for a new dream about you and I…"
※※※※※
The following day, it was just after midday when the front doorbell rang. Carolyn looked up from setting out the coffee cups on the table in the living room.
"I believe your Miss Lacey has arrived," the Captain said from his position beneath his portrait. "If you strive to maintain your calm, Madam, I predict we shall have smooth sailing with our little venture. Do not allow those noisy alterations to the kitchen to ruffle your calm. Peevey assured Martha that the end is finally in sight."
"Thank you, Captain. I'll do my best," Carolyn replied with a loving look as she hurried into the foyer to open the front door.
"Welcome to Gull Cottage," she said to the woman standing on the front porch. "Or what's left of it."
She was surprised to find Bridget Lacey was taller, more stylishly dressed, and younger-looking than she'd imagined. In fact, she appeared to be a woman about her own age.
"I know…" Bridget addressed Carolyn's look of amazement. "Being a book editor, I should be stout and grey-haired with a no-nonsense bun," she said as she stepped inside the house and put down her briefcase.
She held out the covered wicker basket she was carrying in her other hand. "I get that look a lot."
"I'm sorry…" Carolyn smiled as she accepted the basket. "I don't truly know who I was expecting to see. And thank you for these supplies."
She held out her free hand. "I'm Carolyn Muir. And I'm very pleased to finally meet you, Miss Lacey."
"Bridget, please," the other woman said smilingly as she shook hands. "Calling me Miss Lacey makes me sound so old."
"How curious…" Carolyn mused, remembering what Brady O'Flynn had said about his name just as Martha opened the kitchen door.
"What's curious?" the housekeeper asked with a frown.
The sounds of hammering and sawing followed her from the kitchen. Ed Peevey and Harvey Burrows had arrived early and were working as hard as they could to get everything completed.
"Oh, nothing…" Carolyn prevaricated. "I was just thinking…" She handed the basket over.
"Hello, I'm Martha…" The housekeeper held out her hand to Bridget. "The keeper of the zoo behind me. Thanks for the goodies." She lifted the basket. "We don't have much right now. But we do have sandwiches, cake and hot water for coffee."
She winked at Carolyn. "Thanks to a necessary little invention called a barbecue. I'm afraid our kitchen has been put out of action by a major incident with the plumbing and electrics. We dare not look at anything else, in case it too decides to give up the ghost."
Carolyn smiled nervously. "Oh, Martha..."
Bridget nodded as she picked up her briefcase again. "So, Carolyn told me on the phone yesterday. I promised I wouldn't take up too much of your time."
"Time is the one thing I have plenty of right now. Please, come into the living room…" Carolyn indicated the way. "We can be comfortable in there away from the noise of all the work going on in the kitchen."
"Thank you…" Bridget followed her into the room.
She stopped in front of the Captain's portrait. She studied it with deep curiosity. Of course, she couldn't see the ghost standing beneath it as he assessed her with approval.
"Very trim…" the Captain mused as he stroked his chin with one hand. "Miss Lacey is not at all the type of woman I was expecting. Courage, my dear. I sense calm waters ahead."
"Oh, I can see where you got your gorgeous inspiration for that delicious Captain Webster," Bridget stated. "He looks quite the dashing heartbreaker."
She turned to Carolyn. "Who is this?"
"I guess you could say he's the original Captain Webster," Carolyn replied quickly. "That's Captain Daniel Gregg. He's the sea captain who built this house."
She glanced at the ghost. "He's been dead for over a hundred years."
"And yet he looks so alive. It's almost as if he's in the room with us. Very atmospheric…" Bridget looked around the room. "I understand how you came by your knowledge of all things nautical. This is an amazing house. You must adore living here."
"I'm liking this young lady more and more," the Captain approved. "She has an excellent eye for detail."
"Shall we sit down?" Carolyn invited, indicating the couch. "Martha will bring us our coffee and then we can get comfortable."
"Thank you…" Bridget walked to the couch and sat down. She lifted her briefcase onto her lap. "I have all the documents here. The contract for you to sign the moment we agree on its terms."
"I'm sure there won't be a problem there," Carolyn replied. "I'm really glad you liked my story."
"Oh, I did more than like it. It gripped me right from the start." Bridget nodded. "When that dreadful Smeaton threw back the lifeboat cover to expose our stowed-away heroine, I can tell you, my heart was in my mouth. What if Joshua didn't get to her in time? What if he'd been taken prisoner by his own men?"
"It would never have happened, Madam," the Captain commented sternly. "I have always been the master of my fate and the captain of my soul. No scurvied knave under my command would ever have gotten the better of me."
Carolyn nodded. "Yes, I know…"
"Of course, you do." Bridget gave a little laugh. "At times, I almost felt as if I was there, experiencing all Colleen's fears and anguish."
She shook her head. "You're such a talented writer. You must have felt the same. You draw people in almost as if you'd been there yourself."
"Why, thank you…" Carolyn avoided looking over at the Captain's expression of gloating satisfaction. "At times, it almost felt as if I was."
"Well," Bridget replied. "I can predict a bright future for you under my care. I have the feeling that your Captain Webster is only the first in a very long line of swashbuckling, romantic heroes you're going to write about."
She looked briefly doubtful. "I know we've already discussed it, but I do hope you have more stories like that one. I mean, you cannot stop now. Your reading public will never allow it."
"More stories?" Carolyn's eyebrows rose as she glanced uncertainly at the Captain. "I… well, yes. Of course, I have more."
"Your reading public, Madam," he mused with a smile. "I like the sound of that. Of course, you have more stories. I have a thousand of them, just waiting to be told. We spoke of the Caribbean only last night. I can take us there and to a hundred other exotic locations."
He clasped the lapels of his jacket with both hands. "Since you now have the need, I shall allow you full access to my sea journals and diaries. My personal letters, too, where they may be needed. I can't say fairer than that."
He stared at her. "They're only gathering dust up in the wheelhouse where I was forced to hide them from Claymore's grasping fingers. We might as well put them to good use now we have a solid purpose."
Bridget turned her attention to the portrait above the fireplace. "Now that I've seen him, I've had an idea, and I might have a use for your Captain. He can help us with your book sales. Immediate impact is what matters most, and I bet he would have had some excellent stories to tell."
"Oh, you might find that a lot of his stories are a little too warm for publication," Martha remarked as she carried in the tray with the coffee pot and plates of food. "From what the townspeople have said of him; he led a rather womanising life. A lady in every port, so to speak."
She winked at the Captain. "His great-nephew, Claymore Gregg, knows all about him. To his cost." She chuckled as she left the room.
"I would expect nothing less from a man who looked as good as him." Bridget laughed as she opened her briefcase. "I'm already in love with Captain Webster and he's only a fictional hero."
She drew out a sheaf of papers and laid on the couch between herself and Carolyn. "Once we've eaten, we'll get down to business. I want to be able to publish 'A Stowaway On Board' as soon as possible in the new year. Sadly, Christmas is out of the question this year. But by our first publishing date, I would hope you would have your second novel well underway."
She patted Carolyn's hand. "You and I are going to be in the forefront of an entirely new line in women's fiction and I don't intend to allow anything to get in the way of your future success. What do you say to that?"
"I say that I think I would like that very much," Carolyn replied. "And I'm sure that, wherever he is, Captain Gregg would wholeheartedly approve…"
"He does, indeed, Madam…" The Captain smiled at her. "He does, indeed…"
She smiled back at him, feeling buoyed and overjoyed that her life was slowly coming back together. The kitchen would finally be completed, and Claymore was going to pay for all the work.
Then, it would be time to return to their shared dreams. The one Daniel had promised her. She longed for that more than anything…
※※※※※
Despite Bridget's assertion she would not keep Carolyn too long, the two women were getting along so well, it was only when the clock struck the hour of five that they both realised how fast the time had flown. The Captain had long since retired to his wheelhouse to search out his journals and diaries, leaving the women to their chatter.
"Goodness me," Martha declared, as she bustled into the room. "Where has the afternoon gone? Ed and Harvey have already left for the day, Mrs Muir. They promised to be back here again, first thing in the morning to finish things up."
Bridget stood up. "Then I really must be going too. I will mail you the first proof of the novel as soon as it's printed. You'll need to go over it from cover to cover and make sure everything meets with your approval. Then you can mail it back to me."
She smiled. "This has been a most entertaining and informative afternoon. I cannot remember when I have enjoyed myself so much. Thank you, Carolyn."
She held out her hand as Carolyn rose to her feet. "I've stayed a lot longer than I expected." She glanced up at the Captain's portrait. "I don't know how you can work with those gorgeous eyes on you all the time. I can understand what women saw in him when he was alive."
"Oh, I work upstairs, in my bedroom. It's quieter there," Carolyn admitted. "I don't know when I've enjoyed myself so much. It has been a wonderful afternoon."
"With many more to come," Bridget assured her as she collected her briefcase. "Next time you must allow me to take you all out to lunch. I presume Schooner Bay has a suitable restaurant."
"I'm sure Norrie's would come through for us if we gave him sufficient notice," Carolyn assured her just as the front door opened and the children came running in.
"It was a neat party, Mum!" Candy declared. "They had pony rides, and we got to feed the chickens. We had lots to eat, and Bonnie got some neat presents!"
"And her grandad had some neat stuff too," Jonathan added. "Almost as good as the Captain's!"
"I have to assume that's some high praise indeed," Brady O'Flynn remarked as he followed the children into the house. "I've heard a lot about this Captain of his."
He paused when he saw Bridget standing next to Carolyn. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realise I was interrupting company." He nodded to both of them. "Two children delivered safely as promised. I'll be on my way."
"I was just leaving…" Bridget replied quickly. "Please, don't go on my account. That's if you'd rather stay…" She glanced back at Carolyn.
"This is Candy and Jonathan…" Carolyn managed to corral her excited children. "Children, this is Miss Lacey. She's my new editor. She's going to publish my first novel."
"Good afternoon, Miss Lacey," the kids chanted together before they turned and ran up the stairs.
"And this is Brady O'Flynn," Carolyn added, turning back to the man standing at the front door. "The children have been out at a birthday party for his daughter, Bonnie."
"Miss Lacey…" Brady inclined his head.
"Oh, please, call me Bridget. Miss Lacey makes me sound like I'm ancient."
Brady's gaze arrested thoughtfully on her face. He raised one hand to stroke his jawline. "Bridget, it is then…" He smiled. "And I'm Brady. Mr O'Flynn was my father."
"Thank you, Brady." Bridget smiled back at him as they shook hands.
Carolyn looked from one to the other and then back again. It seemed they had both momentarily forgotten she was there. The Captain appeared seated in the chair beside the kitchen door. He too became absorbed in watching the pair.
"I'm afraid I was just leaving," Bridget said then. "I've stayed too long already. Carolyn has been a most entertaining hostess."
She turned to Carolyn. "Thank you again for this wonderful afternoon. It has been a delightful and productive visit. But I do need to get back down to Boston before it gets too dark."
"Of course," Carolyn responded quickly. "I shall look forward to seeing you again soon."
"Me too," Bridget affirmed. "Now that I know my way here. And I do hope to see a new manuscript as soon as you can settle to it after your kitchen work is done."
"I'll let you know." Carolyn held out her hand. "Thank you for coming all this way."
"Goodbye…" Bridget shook her hand before she turned back to Brady. "And it was nice to meet you, Mr… Sorry… Brady."
"Since I'm going your way, I'll see you out to your car," he offered, turning back to hold the front door open.
"Thanks for bringing Candy and Jonathan home," Carolyn said to him. "They seem to have had a great time."
Brady grinned at her. "Anytime. All you gotta do is call… Goodbye."
"Goodbye…" Carolyn stepped up to take hold of the door as the pair walked out of the house and down the front path side by side. She stood in the open doorway to watch them leave.
The Captain rose from his chair to stand close beside her. "There seems to be no accounting for the mercurial nature of a woman's taste," he said with a wry smile. "Miss Lacey was totally captivated with me mere minutes ago. Now she has shifted her allegiance to my complete opposite. I fear you too have been usurped in the gentleman's equally changeable attentions, Madam."
Carolyn smiled up at him. "Oh, I don't know. I'm sure there'll always be the fascination of a Captain Webster or a Gregg. But Brady also has a certain kind of endearing charm. We women are allowed to have more than one swashbuckling hero in our lives."
"You are allowed to have only one while you live in this house," he pointed out with a close look at her face. "We have already weathered that storm with that blasted O'Flynn. I will tolerate no other under my roof."
"Aye, aye, Captain, Sir!" Carolyn's loving smile widened as she closed the door.
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