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“Major, why would I want to do that? In fact, why would any woman want a man to take credit for her work? Not this woman, I can tell you that. No, I believe I’ll keep my work to myself, rather than put a man’s name on it!” Her fiery temper coming out.

“Oh, I see you are a rebel at heart Anna.” He suggested with a slight laugh, knowing good and well he was egging her along.

“No, not a rebel, just a woman that believes in preserving her own identity! I believe each person is an individual capable of wondrous works, if given the chance to develop to their full potential. I think it shouldn’t matter whether that person happens to be a man or woman. Maybe you call that a rebel sir, but I don’t.” Anna assured him, with conviction, and more emotion than she had planned to.

She quickly changed the subject as she managed to say, “I’d like to sketch a portrait of you as a reminder of the first person I ran into on the ship, in a manner of speaking.” Struggling to smother a chuckle. “I’ve been studying your face and you have a great bone structure. Would that be okay with you?” She asked charmingly.

“What?” He paused as he tried to focus on what she just asked. Women, they were hard creatures to figure out, and exhausting to keep up with. One minute she was verbally combating him over woman’s equality rights, then the next she wanted to include him in her book. Go figure.

“Aha, I think the lady does laugh at me.” He said smiling, as he tilted his face up to the sunlight.

As she studied his face, she noted that he was a handsome man in a rugged way, with his piercing blue eyes, and tanned skin. His hair was black as a raven, and he had a few strands, which fell, across his forehead gave him an unkempt look. The face sported a strong square jaw line and perfectly formed lips, which seemed even now to curl on the ends in a grin. Then as though she just remembered his first question she said in a soft voice, “I’ve been drawing and painting since I was six years old. It was always something I loved and came natural to me. If you don’t mind can I ask your name?”

His gaze swept over her, as he lifted a dark eyebrow. “I’m Major Robert Marsh at your service madam. My family calls me Robert and if you don’t mind I’d like you to call me the same.” He grinned not taking his eyes from her face.

This was the first time he had really taken a good look at her and he realized she was quite lovely. A man could drown in those large green eyes, surrounded by those long dark reddish blond eyelashes. He noticed she had removed her hat and now he could see her gorgeous red hair, which was pinned loosely in a bun. There were wavy ringlets of hair falling about her beautiful oval shaped face and long neck. The lady looked like what he could only imagine a goddess would look like.

“What did you say your name was?” He prompted, flashing a coaxing grin.

“Don’t believe I did say, but it’s Miss Ann Pemberton.” Anna continued to focus on her drawing, moving her eyes from the shoreline to the sketchpad, trying not to miss a thing, before it was out of sight. Sketching quickly but with the skill of a true artist she finished her drawing. “What do you think Major?” She asked, as she turned the sketchpad over so that he could see the completed picture.

He raised his eyebrows and turned his head slightly studying the picture. “I’m impressed Anna and I’m not easily impressed. You have a natural ability to make a picture come alive.” His tone was serious, and he looked surprised.

“Thank you, Major. I’ll take that as a compliment.” She studied his face again before continuing. “‘I’m planning on sketching everything of interest on this voyage. I want to document my travels as well, by keeping a written report of the journey. I would love to publish my historical account of this trip one day, that is if women are ever allowed the privilege of publishing books.” She complained, then questioned. “What do you think about that Major?” She was always curious how men would react to issues, which she thought important.

“Anna, please call me Robert.” He said simply, as he glanced back at her face.

“Okay.” She answered, forcing herself to meet his gaze. “Robert, what do you think about what I just said?”

He hesitated for a moment before he answered, because having four sisters, he knew that no question was simple, but yet a test of some sort. “Anna, I say why wait till women are allowed to publish their own work. You can publish your notes and drawings in a book under your new husband’s name in Virginia, once you get married.” He said fishing for more information on this woman.

She had been enjoying her solitude, and had to quell the urge to flee. Instead, she slowly exhaled and without saying a word held up her sketchpad for him to see.

“This is very good. How long have you been drawing?” The Major asked as he moved to the deck area in front of her and sat down.

Anna hadn’t recognized his voice at first, but now she knew exactly who he was and wondered if he was back to haunt her. Her visitor looked stylishly handsome with his cleaned shaved face and his tightly fitted waistcoat, which clung to his broad shoulders and chest. She studied him as he leaned back on his elbows and crossed one long leg over the other, and relaxed in the morning sunlight.

“It seems too, that you have the only area of the deck not filled with the chatter of females. I hope you don’t mind if I relax here.” He said as he gave her a lazy grin, which showed off his dimples.

Anna looked down in front of her where he had stretched out and couldn’t help but smile back. His grin was contagious. “Well, make yourself comfortable by all means. Who am I to hog all the good space on this rather large ship?” She answered sarcastically with a little chuckle. “So are you back for a second try at knocking me off my feet or what?”

“Madam, it was not like that at all.” A flicker of a smile came to his lips, “I was only trying to offer my assistance.” He coughed trying to keep from bursting into laughter again and not wanting to run her off. She might be good entertainment for the long trip to Jamestown; after all she was still an unwed woman, no harm in a little horseplay.

“Believe whatever you want and I’ll believe what I want. You bully.” She joked. Now, that she thought of it, it probably did look pretty funny, but also very scandalous and her family would have died if they saw her laying on top of a man in public. She couldn’t help but chuckle out loud.

Major Marsh and his two friends walked around the deck, his friends stopped to visit with several women who were huddled in a circle talking excitedly and giggling. The mystery lady wasn’t in any of the groups of women walking around, but as he continued to walk around the ship’s main deck, he saw her sitting alone. He stood behind her at some distance while watching her for the longest time and then walking closer he realized she was drawing something.

“Excuse me. Would you mind if I saw what you’re drawing?” His deep voice rumbled from behind her.

Startled, she jumped; not realizing anyone was behind her. “You should let a person know before you sneak up on them like that.” Anna suggested as she turned her head to see who was behind her, but the rising morning sun blocked her view of the visitor. She squinted her eyes and placed her hand on forehead to shade her eyes, but still couldn’t get a clear view. The only thing she could tell was that he was extremely tall.

“No one has ever accused me of being quite and actually I did try to make noise with my shoes but you were too engrossed in your work to hear me.” He added casually.