Authors: Janelle Taylor
“Coffee, Capt’n Steele?” the cook called out from his side.
Spencer turned to face him, smiling amicably with the sheer delight of being alive and skimming across the expanse of blue before him. “It’d be much
appreciated, Tully,” he replied in a lazy drawl. The awe and affection which always shone brightly within his cook’s eyes never ceased to warm him. He smiled at the barrel-chested man with his shiny, bald pate and sparkling brown eyes. If ever there was a man totally satisfied with his lot in life, it was Tully O’Shay. His impish smile and engaging charm could melt the coldest heart or brighten the dullest day. To add to his favorable traits, he was a superb cook; he had a knack for making the worst fare look, smell, and taste better. The crew adored him.
Tully nodded and grinned, then left to fetch the coffee. First mate Andrew Pennington joined his captain. He chuckled roguishly and playfully teased, “Tell me, Jos…why do you keep casting those wishful looks over your shoulder? Something special you left back there?”
Smoldering flames radiated a light from the captain’s eyes which baffled and astonished Andrew. Spencer confessed before thinking, “You might say she was really something else!” Annoyed by his unwitting admission, he chuckled and smugly declared, “But not unforgettable. What female is?” he arrogantly sneered, rubbing the tender spot where that little witch had struck him. He moodily gazed off into the unseeable distance.
Andrew observed him suspiciously and perceptively. The captain could deny any real interest in that unknown female all he wanted, but Andrew knew him well enough to realize that his best friend had not dismissed some bewitching creature from his mind.
Odd, Joshua didn’t normally give any female an afterthought, but especially not any pensive meditation like this girl was receiving. Unable to stifle his curiosity, he casually quizzed, “Who is she, Josh? Have you known her long?”
“Who is who, Andy?” Spencer parried, feigning indifference. For once, his blue eyes belied his words and cunning.
Andrew wasn’t fooled and laughed heartily. “The female who makes your eyes light up when you think about her, the beautiful woman you reluctantly left back there,” he smugly declared, pointing past the stern of the
Black Mist
toward Britain. “Somehow I don’t think missing your meeting with Bonaparte, or deserting some tavern doxy, or leaving an old friend behind explains that miserable dejected expression and your somber mood. I’d venture to say that some ravishing feline gave you more to think about than your current mission. Right?” he challenged.
Spencer’s penetrating gaze engulfed Andy’s mocking grin and taunting amber eyes. “Since when does your duty include harassing and teasing your captain?” he genially rebuked Andy.
Andy chuckled humorously. “We’ve been mates too long for you to conceal such a troubled spirit. If you don’t want to talk about her, fine; but don’t go trying to convince me she doesn’t exist,” he exclaimed—yet, his gaze revealed concern and sincerity.
“Exist?” Spencer gloomily echoed. “I’m not positive myself that she does! One minute she’s lying
beside me; the next, she’s vanished like a morning mist. I scouted the entire area. Not a soul knew anything about her; and, mind you, she wasn’t a female who could go unnoticed! If she were real, someone would know something about her. A girl that beautiful and exquisite couldn’t be overlooked. Maybe she was only an illusion. Maybe naiads and sea sirens do exist. Either way, as far as I could discover, she presented herself only to me and then only for two hours,” he snarled in renewed frustration and disappointment.
“She must have been some beauty to intrigue and warm the black heart of Joshua Steele. Why, rumor claims your heart is as cold and hard and deadly as your name. Evidently the gossip is false. Tell me, Jos…what did this siren look like? And how’d you let her get away from you? With all that charm and prowess, I’m absolutely stunned. What female would hide from you?” he jested.
Spencer scanned Andy’s boyish face and merry eyes. He grinned. “Let’s just say she made a delightful pastime. Fact is, I wouldn’t have minded her tagging along to Virginia. She was young enough to be trained very nicely, a shave under twenty. I’m telling you, Andy, she could spark jealousy’s flames in Aprodite herself. Wouldn’t surprise me any if she was the goddess of love and beauty herself!”
“That beautiful?” Andy questioned in astonishment.
“More so, my friend. Her hair was a silky mixture of
sunlight and moonlight, streaks of silver and curls of gold. Her eyes were the shade of brilliant emeralds and her skin was as creamy and succulent as golden taffy. Her face…” he faltered as he mentally envisioned it, “…was that of an angel’s. I’ve never seen such purity and total innocence blended with such potent and vivid seductiveness and sensuality. A witch? A goddess? An illusion? Who knows, Andy?” Spencer confessed, followed by lusty laughter. “One thing for certain, I wouldn’t mind running into her again.”
“By total innocence and purity, do you mean you were the first man in her life?” Andy couldn’t help but ask.
Spencer chuckled wickedly. “The first, but definitely not the last! A female with that much fire and beauty won’t lead a celibate life. Damn her!” he stormed at that vexing thought.
“It bothers you to think of her with other men?”
“Hell no!” he furiously disclaimed. “Fact is, I have a little score to settle with Miss Angelique,” he murmured in an ominous tone, eyes chilling and narrowing, jaw growing taut.
“About what, Josh? For deserting your side?” he jested.
“For cracking my skull before doing it!” he snapped.
Uncontrollable laughter filled the warm air. Andy shouted incredulously, “She did what? From what I hear, virgins normally get testy after a cunning seduction. Is that what happened? I thought girls and
virgins were no-nos to you.” Radiant brown eyes glimmered with amusement and intrigue.
“Never mind!” Spencer sneered irritably, unaccustomed to being the butt of a painful joke. “Suffice it to say that a certain sun-goddess owes me a hefty debt. If I ever get the chance to collect it…” he muttered underbreath, hope edging into his vow of revenge, remorse lacing his fury. “Don’t you have something else to occupy your time and mind, Andy?”
Andrew Pennington grinned mischievously, then left Spencer poised against an azure skyline, again staring back toward the East. Finally Spencer shrugged off his wistful brown-study and headed for his cabin for some privacy.
The warm days and breezy nights coalesced into one noneventful blur which added up to three weeks. In all that time, the
Moon Maiden
did not come into close contact with any enemy ships; most unusual, was Captain Burns’ opinion.
Alex had spent most of her time in her cabin, reading and making notes about this splendid adventure: a diary for her children. She was growing restless with this stuffy confinement and boring stage of her intriguing journey. She eagerly anticipated her stay in America.
Three times she had dined with Captain Burns and several other passengers of genteel breeding. She had politely listened to their meaningless banter and had
made the appropriate comments in just the right places. She hated to be so selfish, but taking care of her sea-sick maid at least gave her something profitable to do with her abundant time and excessive energy.
With the sun sparkling off the blue waters during the day, she couldn’t remain outside for very long. The strong reflections burned her eyes and enticed little lines to tease at her brow and to mar her most flattering feature: her forest green eyes. The heat dried her lips and devoured their softness. Besides, it wasn’t proper for a young lady to have such golden skin! She was grateful that her caramel coloring was natural and complimentary. She had seen women who lived and worked in the harsh sunlight; their complexions became leathery and lined. To appear older and weathered didn’t appeal to Alexandria Hampton!
At night, she was also forced to remain within her cabin, unless she strolled the deck upon the protective arm of Captain Burns, the only man her father would permit near her and the only man Captain Burns would trust around her! The brisk winds trimmed her walks to short strolls, for it savagely tore at her hair and clothes.
Perhaps it was unladylike to stand at the railing and to allow the wind to whip through her long hair, but it felt so exhilarating. The smell of the salty ocean would fill her nose and send shivers of excitement over her body. Surely the life of a sailor was stimulating and intoxicating! How she would dearly love to travel the
world over, sailing with the tides, visiting foreign ports, living a carefree and suspenseful life.
The day finally arrived when the lookout shouted loudly, “Land ho! Port in two hours!”
Sitting in her cabin and intently concentrating upon Shakespeare’s Love Sonnets, the news reached her ears. She flung the book aside and raced up to the wooden deck, oblivious to all eyes and ears. She put her hand above her eyes to shade them; she avidly searched the distant horizon for a strip of dark matter. She squinted and strained until a dark, narrow strip could be detected just above the ocean.
Alex jumped about in excitement and pleasure. The crew scurried about as they prepared to land in America. The ship sailed northward through the Delaware Bay, up the river, and eventually docked at the bustling and thriving seaport at Philadelphia. There was so much to take in all at once! Each of her five senses was vying for the most concentration. Sounds, sights, feelings, and odors stormed her simultaneously. She savored all of them, hoping to separate and digest each of them later.
It was May, 1812. The hills around this American city were alive with color and beauty. Alex had not believed any place other than the English countryside could be so lovely or inspiring. She stood at the railing on the port side of the massive frigate which was now flying the American flag, docking easily as if she were a slender and graceful sloop.
Alexandria’s emerald gaze eagerly scanned the sea
of strange faces. It instantly halted when it seized upon the jovial face of her Uncle Henry. He was frantically waving to her in an attempt to gain her attention amidst this merry bedlam. A brilliant smile touched her lips. She waved back at him to let him know she had sighted him. She impatiently waited for the three-masted ship to be secured by other heavy ropes to the dock. At last, the sturdy gangplank was let down and tested for safety.
Moments later, her uncle was embracing her and bussing her cheek with a fatherly kiss. It was so good to see him again after all these years of separation. He held her back at arm’s length to study her. He smiled in open pleasure and joyful surprise.
“You’ve transformed into a real beauty, Alexandria, just like your mother was, God rest her soul. I’ve missed ye, girl,” he confessed, that slight burr noticeable in his voice even now.
“And I, you, Uncle Henry. It’s been so long. The trip was so exciting. I saw so many strange and wonderful sights,” she bubbled with vitality and delight. “I can hardly wait to tell you all the news from home. Papa sends his love and good wishes.”
“Let’s get ye home where we kin talk in private. I’m glad you decided to come. You’re a sight for sore eyes, child,” he murmured happily at the enchanting young woman before him.
This dislocated Englishman revealed no trace of sadness or regret. He promptly sent two of his servants to fetch her belongings and chaperon while he
escorted her to his carriage. As they sat waiting for her luggage to be gathered and brought to them—along with a weakened Tessa—Alex questioned Henry about several curious and puzzling facts.
“Uncle Henry, if there is indeed an embargo against British ships, why are they permitted to sail into American ports? Is that why the
Moon Maiden
travels under different flags in different countries?” she reasoned. “What if she had been an enemy ship sneaking into port?”
Henry chuckled and then cordially explained, “We live under what Madison calls the Non-Intercourse Acts. They apply to British ships, but not privateers. Commerce and shipping would be at a standstill if it wasn’t for privateers like Burns. Certain ships and captains are granted permits to dock at almost any port in America. But if you asked me, Captain Burns owes his loyalty to no one other than Captain Burns,” he whispered in a low, conspiratorial tone. “He flies whatever flag is safe. As long as his services are needed and he doesn’t harm anyone, why should we halt him? Frankly, I find the old gent most likable and trustworthy.”
“But that seems contradictory,” she remarked.
“The point of an embargo is to reveal strength and unity to the Crown. You might call it a show of defiance and disagreement, a way of making our point. There are a great many problems between here and there. To allow British ships to dock anytime and anywhere would be dangerous to our security, just as
you keenly surmised, young lady. Several ships of supplies and soldiers landing at numerous points along our coast could spell disaster for us. This is our way of preventing an attack, which I wouldn’t put past Old George.”
“You keep saying ‘us’ and ‘our.’ Do you now consider yourself one of these crude and wild Americans?” she asked, amazed at Henry’s boastful disloyalty to the Crown. “I don’t understand this conflict. America is free of the British Empire now. We’re too busy fighting Napoleon to attack a country clear across an ocean. Besides, probably half of the people here are of English heritage. To attack America would be like assaulting your own family and kinsmen,” she naively concluded.
Henry smiled indulgently at her wide-eyed innocence. “If only King George felt as you do, Alex. Yes, lass, I am now an American and I’m mighty proud of it. As for your rustic image of us, you couldn’t be more mistaken. In time, you will see for yourself,” he said proudly. “America can claim men from the best families in England and from other countries,” he exaggerated with an engaging grin and twinkling eyes.
Perhaps Uncle Henry was right, Alex thought. Perhaps her image of America and her people had been colored by false gossip. For certain, she would soon learn for herself. Glancing around, she admitted how wrong she had been so far. This definitely wasn’t a wilderness! America for a month…she sighed
dreamily and leaned back in Henry’s comfortable carriage.