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She found his answer disturbing to say the least, and felt a pang of jealousy swirl inside her at his response. “Major Marsh, I’m sure you will be happy.” She managed to murmur.

“Oh, are you now. How can you be so sure I’ll be happy?” He questioned, as he raised his eyebrows.

“Well, I would hope you wouldn’t marry unless you thought it would bring you happiness.” She answered, sounding a bit defensive.

“Marriage has nothing to do with happiness.” His tone was very cool. Then as he bent his head and put his lips close to her ear, and he whispered, “Remember if a man wants happiness he has only to look for a mistress.”

His breath felt warm and sensuous on her skin and made her heart pound in her throat. She could feel heat rushing through her bloodstream, and her face felt hot and flushed. Not willing to allow him to affect her this way, she pulled herself back together.

Shocked, she stopped and stood. “Robert your idea of a marriage is warped and perverted. You are the same as every man in England I knew, and that’s the reason I didn’t stay and get married!”

“Where did you get the notion that marriage and happiness went together? Don’t tell me you’re one of those females that believe in love before marriage.” He accused in a mocking tone, narrowing his eyes on her.

“I can only speak for myself and say I would not marry a man I didn’t love. It wouldn’t matter if he were the King of England, King James himself! I will hold out for happiness and love and if that can’t be found, then I guess I’ll stay unmarried.” The minute she spoke she realized she had said way too much, wishing she were a little less outspoken.

He picked up her sketchpad, charcoals, and carried them for her as she looped her arm in his and they walked along the main deck. She could almost feel the hairs on her arm stand on end as she felt the heat from his arm on hers, through their clothes. It was a heady feeling.

“So Anna, since you’re headed to Virginia to find a husband, do you mind me asking why? I’m sure there were dozens of men in England who would have lined up to marry you. Why do you feel the need to travel across the ocean to find a husband?” He was anxious to know a little more about this beautiful stranger.

She hated lying, but she knew she better keep up her cover, at least until she reached Virginia. There would be fewer problems for her that way. “Robert, I have no family or means to live on my own in England, so I’m going to Virginia to make a new start.”

Well, it wasn’t really a lie. She felt like she didn’t have any family after her brother’s betrayal and her father’s death. Anna was looking for a fresh start. She just hoped she was convincing enough.

“Anna, there must have been a man more than willing to marry you and offer you a place to live in England. Was there not?” He inquired as they walked along.

“Well, of course there was one, but he was someone I didn’t even know, so I’d prefer to make a new life of my own choosing.” She sighed. “Now what about you Robert? Are you married?” She retorted to distract him and take the conversation away from her and also because she was a bit interested in hearing about him.

He looked at her and smiled, thinking she was an expert in turning the conversation around. “I’m not married as of yet, but I am promised in marriage to someone.” He stated, showing no emotions.

“Anna your sketch does flatter me. I do believe that you’ve drawn the portrait of another man. This handsome man could not be myself.” He insisted jokingly as he smiled at her.

“Robert, stop that and tell me what you think!” She demanded impatiently as she stood up, crossing her arms on her chest, as though that made her have great power over him.

“Aha, I sense the lady draws her emotional energy from her gorgeous mane of red hair.” He replied as he chuckled. “You do know I’m only teasing you Anna.” He added while grinning.

“So what do you think?” She demanded again as she remained standing and anxious to hear his opinion. Her temper had cooled. His grin had that affect on her and she believed it could even melt a brick, if that was possible.

Robert stood up, straightening and dusting off his breeches and coat. He shook his head and said, “Anna, you definitely have a gift when it comes to drawing. Vain as it may sound, that is a handsome picture of me you sketched, although the man in your sketch lacks my flaws. I must say I’m happy that’s the way you see me.” He assured as he reached for her arm. “Why don’t we take a walk around the deck? It would be good to stretch my legs a bit. How about you?”

Men usually had little affect on her, but this one was different. That alone should have been a sign to run, but her legs felt too heavy to move from his side. “Sure, I think I’d like to stretch my legs for a while.” She allowed as she slowly exhaled, trying to halt her excitement.

“Well, really Robert, I don’t know how I’d describe you.” She said feeling a little shy, which was an emotion usually lost on her.

“Aha, I think you won’t have much of a book if you lack the ability to describe the characters in your drawings.” He said offhandedly.

She sighed as she rolled her eyes and began. “What I write in my journal is private, but if you insist on knowing what I’m going to write about you, I’ll tell you. Let’s see. Major Robert Marsh is an arrogant, domineering, pompous scoundrel who attacked me on the first day of the voyage.” She tossed back as she laughed.

He laughed too. “Touche, Anna.”

“Major, maybe one day you will read my account of our encounter today, that is if women are ever allowed to publish books. Until then you’ll just have to wonder.” She suggested still chuckling.

“Well then I’ll have to push forward women’s rights so I can read my description. Now, how about letting me see the drawing, so I can be the judge of your talents drawing my portrait.” He begged as he reached for the sketchpad.

Anna swatted his hand away so she could put the finishing touches on his lips. When she was finished with the drawing, she passed the sketchpad over to him and waited for his remarks.

This was the worst time for her, when others judged her work. She felt inadequate when it came to her art, but usually others found it quite good. It was hard though for her to see her work in the same way they did, when she noticed all the imperfections in each drawing or painting.

“Anna, I would be honored, to be included.” He admitted truthfully. The idea actually appealed to him and he thought he would like to be remembered by this woman.

“Do you mind if I ask how old you are?” She asked slyly, for no clear reason she could think of other than being nosy.

“Not at all, I’m thirty-five, and since I’ve told you my age, won’t you do the same?” Robert’s mouth tilted into a devilish grin.

“I turned twenty-one this past February.” She answered as she sketched.

Still studying his face she said, “Robert, you know you’d make a good model for an artist. Has anyone ever told you that? You have handsome facial features that can easily be drawn.” She remarked, her words showing no outward emotion as she sketched. Her eyes were dancing between his face and her sketchpad as she quickly sketched his features.

“Is that right Anna? You are actually the first to ever think my features could merit the honor of modeling.” He replied through a deep throaty chuckle. “Now, didn’t you say you were also keeping a written diary of your travel, to go along with the drawings? Let’s see if your words can match your drawing abilities. Tell me exactly how you will describe me in your diary?” He challenged her, in a deep silky voice.