Chapter Twelve

No City More Fair

Carolyn sighed as she glanced at the sun, rising slowly in the sky. The day stretched ahead, seemingly endless until she could finally be alone again with her husband. Her breath caught with longing and anticipation of the night to come…

Guided by Daniel's iron hand and shouted commands, the Carolyn finally bumped gently against the dockside, swinging slowly into position among the line of many other ships and barges. Onshore, dock workers scrambled to catch the thrown mooring lines before securing them to the bollards, bringing the Carolyn up short. The ship bumped against the dock again, creaking and groaning at her sudden confinement before settling reluctantly against the rugged uprights, her seasoned timbers scrapping against them as the tide continued to rise beneath her.

Giving over command of the ship's uploading to his first mate, Daniel descended the steps slowly, savouring the moment he would once again stand at his wife's side. Carolyn's face was averted when he finally stopped beside her. He heard her sigh, long and low.

"You sighed, my dear. Are you troubled?" he asked gently.

"Troubled?" Carolyn turned to him. "Oh, no, never think that. I was just… thinking…"

"I wonder if your thoughts run the same course as mine…"

"Definitely…" Carolyn's cheeks warmed anew as she smiled up at him, wanton longing in her eyes.

"Ah, don't look at me like that, my love, or I will not be responsible for my actions…" Daniel took her small, gloved hand within his, carrying it to his lips. He pressed a fervent kiss to the backs of her fingers. "Tonight, we will finally have a berth ashore. A wide, feather bed in a room with a fireplace."

"In a room that doesn't roll from side to side." Carolyn nodded. "A pity, I will miss being rocked to sleep in your arms."

"Who said we are going to sleep tonight?" Daniel leaned closer, his blue eyes gleaming with intimate intent.

"Captain Gregg," Carolyn gasped in mock innocence, lowering her lashes. "Whatever can you mean?"

"Mrs Gregg…?" His eyebrows rose questioningly. "You very well know the full intention of my statement."

"Yes…" Carolyn chuckled, clasping her free hand over his where it encompassed hers. "I can't wait."

"I've sent word ashore of our arrival. By the time we disembark, my rooms will have been made ready for us. The linen changed, the windows thrown open and fires kindled in every room to air them out."

"You have servants?" Carolyn stared up at him wonderingly.

"I have a very capable housekeeper in Mrs Colman and her husband, Nate. They live in the attic apartment and care for all the tenants who rent rooms from them. It's a comfortable arrangement that has always suited me very well."

"Then it will also suit me very well." Carolyn nodded. "I shall look forward to meeting them."

She turned her head to the view. "I want to see it all and yet I do miss Jonathan and Candy. I wish they could see all this as well. It is so magical."

"If you wish it, then they can accompany us on our next voyage." Daniel captured her chin, bringing her gaze back to his. "But this voyage, this dream, is for us, alone. Call me selfish, if you will, but I want you all to myself this time. We still have so much more to learn about each other."

"I know, and I thank you for it..." Carolyn's rosy cheeks heated further at the possessive look in his eyes. "And I wouldn't have it any other way."

She pressed her chin down to drop a kiss against the pulse beating on the inside of his wrist. "I was just thinking about the children and Martha. About everything we've left behind. And all we are yet to see…"

"I know, my love…" Daniel's fingers stirred against her soft skin. "Just say the word and I will end it for you. You know you have that power to command me."

His dark brows rose as he waited for her to say the word that would take them straight back to Gull Cottage and the safety of her bed where she lay sleeping and dreaming. Several seconds ensued where neither said anything at all.

"No, my love…" Carolyn finally shook her head slowly. "No, please, not yet. Not after we have come so far…"

"Very well…" Daniel nodded, hiding his deep sense of relief behind a suddenly business-like demeanour. "For now, we have a more immediate problem. We must unload the ship first and pay off the crew. For that, I need you to retire to our cabin until I am able to come for you."

"But I—" Carolyn made to protest his statement.

"I do not command, my dear, I simply request." Daniel raised a denying hand. "I would not have you in the way of such dangerous work as the unloading of a ship. There are many things that can go wrong and often do. It commands my complete attention. I could not bear it if anything happened to you…"

"Of course, I understand." Carolyn lowered her eyes. "Then I will retire to our cabin and wait for you to come for me."

"Thank you, my love." Daniel laid the back of one finger against the soft curve of her cheek, drawing it slowly down to the point of her chin before tilting her face up as he lowered his mouth toward hers.

"Ah, Captain…?" a voice behind them inquired. "Um, Captain Gregg? I'm afraid we need you now, sir."

Daniel sighed roughly at the interruption before turning to his first mate. "Thank you, Mr Jarvis. Duly noted."

He stepped back. "Please escort my wife to our cabin, and make sure she is safe and secure. Upon your life, young man."

"Yes, sir, it would be my honour." Jarvis saluted smartly. "Please, this way, Mrs Gregg." He stood back to indicate the easiest path along the crowded deck toward the below decks' hatchway.

Daniel sighed again as he watched them walk away together. He stared up at the sun, rising slowly toward its zenith in the sky. The day was going to be long and trying indeed until he and Carolyn could finally be alone again. His whole body tightened with longing and anticipation of the night to come…

※※※※※

The following afternoon, Alice Peterson and Eileen Vogel once again sat on Gull Cottage's living room couch sipping coffee and sampling some of Martha's excellent fruit cake. They both looked very pleased with themselves.

"It was an absolute doodle in the end," Eileen confided to Carolyn. "The man took the bait and went hurrying off to Boston first thing this morning like his tail was on fire." She giggled.

"Our husbands and Ed Peevey came through brilliantly. They haven't had so much fun since they tricked Claymore Gregg into digging for lost pirate gold supposedly buried down on the beach."

"I remember that," Carolyn marvelled.

"I think Ed deserves one of my cherry pies for his efforts," Martha commented.

"That was his price for taking part," Alice replied. "He wouldn't budge for anything less."

"Typical…" The housekeeper shook her head, smiling. "Then I'd better start baking right away. No doubt he'll be out here as soon as he can get away."

"I don't think we'll be seeing Peregrine Montgomery back in Schooner Bay again," Eileen reassured them. "I think he's had enough of our small town and its quaint ways."

She glanced up at Daniel's portrait. "I think the captain can rest easy that we've taken care of business like he would've done if he'd been alive. I like to think he'd be very pleased if he knew."

"Thanks to you both, I'm sure he can rest easy…" Carolyn looked beyond the two women to where Daniel was sitting in the window watching her with an intimate smile curving his mouth, his blue eyes alight with sensual humour.

Carolyn's cheeks warmed at the beguiling memory of their most recent shared dream. "And I think he would be very pleased, indeed…"

※※※※※

"Well, I never…" Martha marvelled, sitting at the kitchen table, reading the morning paper. "Will you look at this…" She turned the paper to face Carolyn, pointing to an article. "Some people fall into muck and come up smelling like roses."

"I don't believe it…" Carolyn breathed, scanning the article quickly. "You're so right."

"I guess, every cloud has a silver lining, for some people." Martha chuckled.

"What has your attention, Madam?" Daniel inquired, materialising in a vacant chair.

"This…" Carolyn turned the paper toward him. She pointed to the article. "It seems Miss Evelyn Montgomery has entered the world of literature with a best-selling cookbook based on an extensive collection of nineteenth-century recipes her brother uncovered in his ongoing research into Maine sea captains."

"I don't believe it!" Daniel scanned the article with raised eyebrows.

"It seems your unfortunate housekeeper lives on to upset the stomachs of a whole new generation." Carolyn laughed. "I guess you could call it Captain Gregg's revenge."

"Well said, Mrs Muir, very well said, indeed," Daniel approved, joining the two women in laughing with delight.

※※※※※

Mrs Sarah Colman stood before the open doorway to Daniel's apartment as the newly married couple ascended the first-floor staircase. She was very curious to meet the woman the Captain had married so unexpectedly.

When Mr Jarvis had sent word from the Carolyn there had been a recent nuptial and the rooms were to be opened, the housekeeper had abandoned her baking and hurried to dust and clean the apartment to make it ready. She was not about to be found slacking in her duties.

Sarah's husband, Nate, followed close behind the couple, carrying a collection of luggage in his large, capable hands. He grinned when he saw his wife hovering at the top of the stairs.

"It's pleased I am to see ya back with us, Captain." Mrs Colman smiled as she dropped a quick courtesy, turning aside from him at the same moment.

"I see you received my message," Daniel replied, drawing level with her.

"Yes, indeed. Your Mr Jarvis was most attentive to your requirements. Hot water, clean linen, windows wide open and the fires to be lit in every room. Everything is as you ordered."

As she spoke, she was studying Carolyn with open curiosity. "And he also said you would be bringing a pretty young lady with you. But he never said how pretty."

"Mrs Sarah Colman, may I introduce my wife, Mrs Carolyn Gregg," Daniel replied formally, as Nate carried their bags into the rooms and re-emerged.

The sidelong look the housekeeper slanted Daniel spoke of her deep curiosity that he'd finally married one of the petticoated lovelies he often brought to his lodgings whenever he was in London. But Sarah could see immediately that Carolyn was nothing like any of the previous women who had enjoyed her new husband's intimate attentions.

"I'm very happy to finally meet you." Carolyn held out one hand, which the housekeeper took carefully, unsure of this oddly masculine form of greeting. "I'll admit to being curious about you, as well. The Captain tells me you keep a good and comfortable house."

"Well, Mrs Gregg. I am but a humble woman…" The housekeeper smiled as she preened a little. "But never let it be said that I can ever be found wanting. I've known our good Captain for years beyond counting and—"

"Mrs Coleman…" Daniel interrupted, clearing his throat pointedly.

His sharp glare at the older woman warned her to mind her tongue and her manners. He would tolerate no idle or malicious gossip finding its way to his wife's delicate ears.

"Pleased to meet ya." The housekeeper nodded at his look as she made another quick courtesy. "Be pleased to come inside, if you will." She indicated the doorway behind her, stepping aside to allow them both to enter.

"Thank you, Mrs Coleman. That will be all," Daniel replied repressively, as he followed Carolyn into the apartment, shutting the door firmly behind him.

"Curiosity never did the little cat any favours." Nate chuckled. "And your face couldn't say it any clearer, woman. Best you curb your gossiping tongue, else the Captain and his lady might decide to seek out new lodgings."

"Well, I'll thank you to mind your tongue, Nate Coleman," his wife huffed as she climbed the stairs to their attic apartment. "Now, make yourself useful. I need more coals for the fire. I have baking that needs doing."

"Yes, my dear…" Still chuckling with rich delight, her husband headed downstairs to the coal cellar.

※※※※※

Carolyn stood at the bedroom window of Daniel's apartment, looking out over the city. She'd risen from their bed in the early morning, wrapping her naked body in a silk robe before drawing back one curtain to stare out at the shadowed cityscape.

The warming fire in the grate had burned low, and the early morning chill was creeping into the room, making her shiver. As she rested her forehead against the cold windowpane a tear ran down the curve of her cheek. She sighed as she brushed it away with the back of her hand. But another quickly followed, and a quiet sob broke her silence.

Suddenly, warmth surrounded her as her husband came up behind her, wrapping his strong arms around her slenderness and drawing her back to rest against his solid masculine strength.

"You are troubled, my love," he whispered. "Tell me what ails you so…" He leaned down to kiss her tears away.

"This is all so beautiful, so magical…" Carolyn sighed as she leaned her head back against his shoulder. "We have everything we could ever need, except…"

"Except?" Daniel prompted when she didn't continue.

"I miss my children…" Carolyn faltered. There she'd said it. She felt relieved.

"Of course, you do. You are their mother, and you need them." Daniel rocked her slowly from side to side. "I miss them too. We will see everyone again soon. The new cargo will be loaded aboard in a week's time, and we will sail for Maine on the tide."

He laughed softly, the rumble of his amusement flowing through into his wife. "I even find myself missing Martha's quick wit, amazing as it may seem."

"Yes," she replied. "But I do wish they were here, with us, now. To see all this…" She waved a hand at the great city sprawled beyond the window.

"Right now?" Daniel drew back, his hands moving down her barely covered nakedness in appreciation before settling over her lower abdomen, his fingers spreading out across the feminine angles of her upper thighs.

"Well, no… not right now." Carolyn's breath caught as his intimate exploration continued further beneath the cover of her robe.

"If you wish to return sooner, please just say the words and I will order it so," her husband reassured her. "I would not keep you from those you love for any longer than is needed."

Carolyn caught his hands, bringing them up to her lips before she turned within his embrace. "You kept me from sleep last night."

"Ah, but that was for a very different reason…" Daniel drew her up almost clear of the floor as he lowered his mouth to hers and for a long while there was silence in the shadowed room.

Finally, Daniel pulled back to rest his forehead against hers. "Never hide what you are thinking and feeling from me," he commanded softly. "How can I know what I must do if you refuse to tell me."

"Aye, aye, Captain…" Carolyn saluted him naughtily, her damp lashes sweeping down.

"For that little piece of insolence there is a forfeit to be paid…" Daniel cupped her bottom within his hands, lifting her high against him.

"Oh?" Carolyn's legs parted to encompass his waist almost by instinct as he turned, carrying her back to the bed, tumbling her into the mound of sheets and blankets covering the deep softness of the thick feather mattress…

※※※※※

"Ladies and gentlemen…" Elvira Grover waved her hands impatiently. "Please, settle down. I called for this extraordinary meeting to make my dearest wishes known. I do not see the need for such a furore over a simple announcement."

But the dissenting noises went on despite her best efforts to quiet them. Taken by surprise, the members of the Schooner Bay Historical Society gathered in her living room for this unexpected morning meeting were paying her no heed at all as they discussed her outrageous proposal.

"I tell you it's not right!" Zac Petersen shot to his feet. "I thought we'd put the whole of idea of your erecting a statue of that darned foolish Captain Figg to bed years ago! Why drag it up again now? It makes no sense that we can see."

"Do not shout at me!" Miss Grover demanded tersely. "And I will thank you to talk well of my illustrious ancestor. It was all very badly handled all those years ago. I mean to set things right this time."

"Illustrious…" Zac shook his head, looking as if he'd just discovered a bad taste in his mouth.

"But, Elvira, think of the expense," Sam Richards protested, fully aware of how much it had cost the society the last time the ultimately disastrous idea had been enacted.

Despite his seat on the town council, he still maintained an interest in the society, if only to keep an eye on their president's increasingly alarming agenda. He doubted the townsfolk would be very happy with the idea of Figg's statue being erected in their town.

"I didn't ask for your opinion, Sam Edwards," Elvira zeroed in on him with narrowed eyes, as she always did. It still rankled that he'd taken over control of her beloved society and had only relinquished the role for a higher standing in the town. "I'll thank you to keep out of the discussion."

Sam ignored her glare of wrath. "You were happy enough when you decided to write a novel involving your Figg. We agreed. Then you had the bright idea of a non-fiction book about him. We could accept that expense too."

He shook his head. "But surely that was enough? Why do we need to revisit the whole idea of putting up a statue in his honour when it's been proven the man was a coward?"

"He was proven to be no such thing!" Elvira looked scandalised, raising a hand to her lips. "How could you? I have become convinced that it was all a smear campaign to blacken the good Captain's name."

"You would try to prove black was white if it suited your purpose…" Sam shook his head.

"It's true, I had planned to have my ancestor immortalised by a writer of non-fiction works," Elvira ignored the remark. "But sadly, the man proved to be inadequate in all areas of naval history. Now I have found someone new."

She looked around the room, seeing she finally had everyone's attention. "I made extensive inquiries, and I have paid well to engage the services of an experienced Maine naval historian. Mr Montgomery has assured me, by telephone only yesterday, that it's possible Captain Figg's precious name was blackened by forces who went out of their way to besmirch his memory."

"What forces?" Zac Peterson demanded to know. "And why are you bringing that nosy, impertinent Montgomery fellow back to town? We only just got rid of him last time."

"All will be revealed in good time." Elvira sighed dramatically. "Let's just say that it's possible a certain jealous midshipman aboard the dear captain's Marlin had reason to bring him down by paying to have that scandalous addition made to the gravestone once the poor man was dead. A case of pure spite."

"I don't care who paid for what." Sam Edwards shot to his feet. "What I want to know is who's going to pay for your precious foible this time? I'm certain the town council won't be voting to put up any money."

"I have already been in touch with your president," Miss Grover assured him smoothly, waving a dismissive hand. "After some productive discussion he came around to my way of thinking. And he agreed that the midshipman I mentioned may have been responsible."

She lofted her chin. "I am sure the proof will be found, and soon. Therefore, what better way to honour such a great man as Captain Figg who did so much for this town?"

"Claymore Gregg would sell his grandmother if he thought it would make him a profit," Sam replied through set teeth.

"As president of this society I have made my decision." Elvira shrugged. "I still have all the plans and drawings. Work will begin as soon as Montgomery has completed his investigations and brought me his conclusions. I am sure they will be favourable."

Her look dared anyone to defy her wishes. "Good, that's settled, then. Now, shall we go on with other business before we partake of tea and cakes?"

Unseen by his hostess, Sam Richards leaned closer to Zac Petersen. "My place, after the meeting? I'm not standing for any more of this Figg nonsense. The town has had enough of him."

"From the looks on their faces, so have a lot of us." Zac shook his head. "Claymore Gregg might be on Elvira's side, for now. I say the town council must call an emergency meeting and scupper the whole deal. Save us a lot of money and grief."

"What we need is a proper town identity to put up a memorial to." Sam shrugged.

"Claymore would be the one to know who that could be," Zac agreed. "He's got files on everyone and everything that goes on in this town, right back to Adam and Eve. We just need to convince him to let us take a good look at his records."

"Then, for once, our town president will do the right thing and find us a real hero." Sam nodded with satisfaction. "I'll phone him as soon as I get home and tell him we're calling a meeting and he'd better attend."

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