The Sea Maiden by Mary Speer

lady like yourself I suggest you not come here with Clifton or anyone else again, understood?”
    “Yes Captain I will never come back here again.”
    “Good.”
    Captain Drake raised his mug to her and nodded then sat back and took a drink. He wondered if Clifton and Lynnette were romantic but didn’t want to pry. If this was Clifton’s idea of a courting her he was out of his mind bringing her on one of his late night errands. He turned to Clifton.
    “Well after what just happened I cannot in good conscious let the two of you travel back to Harmon Hall at this hour. All my men are scattered or drunk; you will have to spend the night aboard the ship. In the future I suggest you travel lighter. If you were part of my crew I would throw you in the hold for endangering your lives like that.”
    “Thank you Captain, my apologies for the inconvenience, I-”
    “Stop with the apologies Clifton it’s a sign of weakness.” Captain Drake interrupted
    “Excuse me Captain, but it was Lord Harmon who sent us, I believe his true intention was to be alone with my friend, Karina, his betroth. Clifton did warn me not to come but I insisted.”
    “Why?”
    “I was hoping to see a friend of mine, Peter De Marco who is a member of your crew.”
    Captain Drake sat back in thought for a moment. How like Gunther to send them both out at this hour.
    “Peter? Ah yes…. he did mention meeting a young woman fitting your description. I must say I’m impressed. As a matter of fact he’s on board right now. Today was his turn to be on night watch. I believe he will be pleasantly surprised. As for my dear brother Gunther, I will be sure to thank him for a delightful evening.” Captain Drake stood up ready to leave. “Melanie!”
    Lynnette was smiling from ear to ear after that bit of information until she heard a woman say to the Captain,
    “Good night Captain Drake, give my regards to Peter.” Said a passing serving girl.
    Lynnette looked down in distress, of course she could not be the only girl interested in Peter; he was after all quite charming, as well. Captain Drake sensed her anxiety.
    “Don’t be troubled over that, I assure you, Peter is quite taken with you.”
    As the three walked out of the tavern another woman accosted the Captain, Lynnette kept her head down and continued walking with Clifton. The Captain was indeed popular with the ladies just like Clifton said, even with all the excitement she had not missed the details, tall, muscular build, light brown eyes, dark brown hair tied at the nape, and a smooth tanned jaw line, that contrasted with his white collar. The light colored breaches he wore fit like a glove over muscular thigh and black boots. Handsome indeed she thought but found no resemblance what so ever to his half-brother Gunther. Lord Harmon was older and heavier, although not necessarily fat, with less gray hair on his head than on his face. According to Clifton, Captain Drake resembled his biological father,  Lord Edward Harmon now long gone. Then she remembered poor Karina alone with Lord Gunther and wondered how she was fairing.
    “I’m terribly sorry I brought you here Lynnette, you could have been hurt…please accept my apologies.”
    “Clifton I’m truly grateful for your assistance tonight as well but you really must stop apologizing, I insisted on coming remember?”
    Clifton sighed in defeat and paid the night watchman to watch over his horse and carriage and the three boarded the small boat and were rowed over to  the Sea Maiden by the boatman. Lynnette was amazed at how huge the ship appeared, as they got closer. With the chilly night air, Lynnette pulled her hood over her head and crossed her arms.
    From the deck Peter could see the boat with four people aboard, one he recognized as the Captain, the other was the boatman and he didn’t recognize the third man but the fourth was obviously a female. It was not uncommon for the Captain to bring females on board. As the boat got