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His friends were still laughing as he spoke. “Don’t mind them. I am flattered by your offer miss, but please excuse me for I have matters to attend”.

She seemed pleased with the answer, and went back to the group of women she had been standing with early. They all looked his way and made eyes at him as they giggled and waved.

“This is going to be one long trip. How did I get talked into going to Jamestown?” He shook his head and sighed.

“The little redhead’s already gotten to you, has she?” Edward remarked in a voice tinged with humor.

“I’m glad to see that I was able to provide everyone with so much amusement today.” He barked back as he looked in the direction of where Anna and the Captain had walked.

Robert raked his hands through his thick black hair as he stood on the main deck. He noticed that the main deck seemed to be bustling with activity. It looked like a group of sailors were mending a torn sail, while several other crewmembers were tending to the normal sailing duties climbing up the steep rigging to secure and tighten the sails. He wondered why he hadn’t seen all the activity earlier when he walked the deck with Anna and he shook his head as though to shake the thought of her from his mind.

Robert continued to visit with his friends and the day went by very quickly. By early afternoon the wind had picked up and the waves were getting pretty rough. He noticed that just about everyone except his friends and the sailors were missing from the main deck. He went down the steep narrow steps to the between-decks, and found that the room was filled with seasick passengers. It was an unpleasant sight with people moaning and retching all over the place. The air in the sleeping area was so thick and hot, and the smell was almost insufferable.

Robert wasn’t in a jovial mood though; this woman had upped him once again. He watched as she swaggered off holding on to Captain Drake’s arm. He thought Captain Drake better be careful or that woman would accidentally knock the poor soul right off the ship. She’s a danger, and someone should see that she stays in chains till this voyage is over.

He turned and found another woman standing in front of him, eyeball to eyeball. “Major Marsh, I do believe that was your name wasn’t it?” She quizzed as she batted her eyelashes.

“You are correct. Can I help you?” He replied as he raised his eyebrows. She was a wispy woman looking very thin and not more than seventeen. Her height couldn’t have been more than five foot and her mousy brown hair was plastered to her head in a tight bun.

She blinked and tried to act shy. “I was going to say, I would be more than happy to walk with you Major Marsh, and I promise not to knock you down.”

His two friends busted out laughing once more, as did several others who stood around. “I promise I didn’t put her up to it.” Henry said as the Major gave him a sour look.

“No, I can assure you no one put me up to anything Major Marsh. I just wanted you to know that not all women would take such displeasure in your company.” She replied smoothly.

Captain Drake saw what happened from the half deck and came down to rescue Miss Pemberton once more. “Major if we hadn’t already left port, I would put you off this ship at once. I’m tempted to put you on a roll boat and send you back but we are too far out. Now if you don’t mind I would prefer that you stay away from Miss Pemberton for the rest of the voyage. Is that clear?” He told Major Marsh as he extended his hand to Anna and helped her up.

“It was a total accident. We were knocked off our feet by the motion of a wave. Isn’t that true Miss Pemberton?” He asked, waiting for her response. Surely she wasn’t going to try and pin this whole thing on him.

She looked directly at Captain Drake as she said, “I believe that’s an excellent idea Captain Drake. Can you make sure Major Marsh stays away from me? I would really appreciate it.” She said in her most syrupy sweet voice, as she batted her long eyelashes over her huge emerald green eyes.

“I think I can handle that Miss Pemberton.” Captain Drake said, flashing Major Marsh a grim expression before turning and walking away with.

He watched her as she leaned down to pick up her charcoals and sketchpad and then looked his way. There was an expression of victory and triumph on her face. Darn woman! It wasn’t his fault that she kept falling all over him. He turned to his friends who were still roaring with laughter while he lay prone on the deck. “One of you two jackals give me your hand and pull me up from here!” The irritation echoed from his voice.

Henry reached down and pulled him to his feet. “Man you got to stop trying your hand at that one. That beautiful hellion will be the damnation of you yet, before you even accomplish your mission in Jamestown.” He laughed and shook his head.

(Stay tuned tomorrow for Chapter 3 -part 3)

Edward and Henry watched as Major Marsh and Miss Pemberton fell against the ship’s deck and couldn’t contain their laughter as they walked over. “Major, looks like the little lady has attacked you for the second time today. What would you like us to do to her sir?” Edward grinned, with laughter still in his voice.

Anna was furious and embarrassed all at the same time, because once again this man had managed to upset her and knock her off her feet. The nerve of him she thought! She could hear the roar of laughter once more from the crowd that had started to form.

Her hand whipped across the air to slap Major Marsh the minute they hit the deck, but he caught her hand in time before it could make contact. “Unhand me, you overbearing pest!” She demanded crossly. “Is this the way you entertain yourself by knocking over unsuspecting females? I would place bets that this is the only way you can catch one.” She could feel her last hairpin fall out of her hair as the thick wavy curls tumbled down around her face and onto his chest.

“May I remind you I was only protecting myself from you. I’ll be more than happy to release your hand if you can guarantee me you aren’t going to try and hit me again.” He added quickly with a gleam in this eye.

Robert watched her with a certain about of amusement, as she struggled to get her hand free from his grip. He could see once more with her so close, how lovely she was with her hair falling round her face, and he wanted to reach up and touch her mane but knew better, since she was in no mood. She was a funny little thing, with that temper ignited and trying to pin this whole incident on him.

(check back tomorrow for Chapter 3 - part 2)

“Ah, I see the Lady is not desperate to get married. I thought not or else you would have married in England. A woman with your looks could easily have snagged a husband.” He drawled in a low silky baritone voice, and then he took a deep breath and continued. “So what would Miss Anna Pemberton, be headed to Jamestown for, if she’s not desperate for a husband I ask? Maybe the lady is planning on starting her own publishing company? No, I don’t think that’s true either, but I’ll figure it out before this trip is over.” He confessed seriously, with a hint of danger in his blue eyes.

His touch suddenly burned her skin and she tried to quickly jerk her arm loose from his, at the same time the ship hit a large wave. Robert and Anna both lost their balance, and started falling toward the deck. The whole thing happened so quickly, as she felt him pull her in his direction so he took the brunt of the fall and she fell on top of him for the second time today.

(Stay tuned for Chaper 3 - part 1 tomorrow)