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“What’s wrong with you? Not everyone thinks like you do Major Marsh. Your mind is definitely in the pig’s trough tonight!” She accused right back in a low breathless whisper as they danced.

“I think you know exactly what I’m talking about. Didn’t your family teach you any better than to be alone in men’s company, looking like a seductress, Miss Pemberton?” He murmured in her ear.

She was furious at his accusations. Everything about this man was dark and unreasonable, but still her heart started to pound against her chest as his warm breath touched her skin. It made her feel a surge of dizziness, and she found herself struggling to regain composure. It was hard though because he still kept his mouth close to her ear, and she could feel every hot breath he exhaled.

“The song is over Major Marsh, so you can let go of me.” She breathlessly announced, as she pulled herself free of him.

Anna quickly walked back to the table making her apologies and telling the men she was tired. She took her blanket and headed back to the between-decks to sleep, but sleep didn’t come easy though, for she kept listening for Major Marsh. It was nearly daylight by the time she fell asleep, and by then it was time to get up. She thought the evening could not come soon enough, because she was exhausted and looking forward to some rest.

(stay tuned for chapter 5…. coming soon)

Robert ignored her question and he tilted his lips into a wry smile and shook his head slightly. “Do you realize what a tempting tart you are in front of these men? This is a dangerous game you are playing up here tonight.” He said in a low accusing tone, which was almost harsh.

Her face went pale, and she whispered in shock. “What are you trying to accuse me of Major Marsh? You say you were watching and if you were you could see we were only singing and dancing. What harm can there be?”

“Anna, I do believe either you are quite naive or a very stupid woman and I don’t take you for a stupid woman. You were dancing about with every man on your arm, with your lovely hair hanging bout your waist, in that gown, and no chaperons in sight. What do you think they admire, your mind? It’s your delectable little body.” He whispered in a deep raspy voice.

As he had watched her for that hour he convinced himself that he wasn’t jealous, just worried about her, and the dangerous position she was putting herself into. He was sure the Captain and crewmembers were good men, but they were still men and he didn’t want to see anything happen to the women on this trip, especially Miss Pemberton.

She was laughing, singing and dancing and having a great time with them, when Major Marsh tapped her on the shoulder and in that distinctive baritone voice asked her to dance. She wondered how long he had been watching. Then he was pulling her from her chair, a little further away from the group than the other men had, as they began to dance.

He pulled her closer to his chest, as he whispered in her ear, in a deep husky voice. “I heard you when you left the lower deck and I wondered where you were off to. I’ve been watching you for the last hour Anna.”

She pulled back her head and looked at him blankly as she challenged him. “How could you have known I left the lower deck? It’s pitch dark in that hole, so I don’t believe you and besides if you had been on the main deck for an hour then why didn’t you join us?”

“Ah, Miss Pemberton, I know every move you make in the between-decks, since I take my resting spot across the way from you after you lie down in the evening. I hear every cute little sound you make in your sleep.” He pulled her back to him as he whispered while laying his cheek against hers. “You have a lovely voice and I loved that first verse of Greensleeves you sang alone.”

She was startled since she never saw Major Marsh in the between-decks when she awoke in the mornings, nor in the evenings. Anna assumed he slept on the main deck with the crewmembers. “You could scare a lady, Major Marsh. What purpose do you have following me and more than that, spying on me?” She pointed out in a low voice, as she shifted uncomfortably in his grip.

“I’m not sleepy, and it’s too hot and humid lying there in the between-decks, if you can’t sleep.” Anna replied softly. “Please don’t let me stop your singing though, it was wonderful. I was hoping I could join in. If that’s alright?” She smiled brightly at the men.

“What would you like to sing?” One of the sailors with the flute asked.

“Does everyone know the lyrics to Greensleeves?” She felt a blast of excitement.

“Well, I sure do.” The flutist chimed in quickly. “I’ll play the first bar, then everyone can sing along.”

Anna sang the first verse by herself, “Alas, my love you do me wrong.” before all the men started singing. Her parents had told her that she had a lovely angelic sounding voice, soft and sweet, but now she realized it made a great addition to the baritone voices around the table. One man at the table tapped his foot on the deck to the rhythm of the song, as though it were a drum.

Anna was enjoying herself and when they were finished singing Greensleeves, one of the men picked a new song, which they all sang. Every time one song was finished someone would choose a new song, and this continued until Captain Drake ask Anna to dance. She was delighted to be able to dance again, and when she finished dancing with him, each of the men took turns dancing with her.

The men sat in silent, smiling and nodding, in response to what Captain Drake had said. They were enchanted with her too, but she seemed to be oblivious of her effect on them.

She felt at ease around the men and enjoyed their company, and Anna knew it was because she had grown up more in the company of her father and brother than the females in her household. Anna never liked being treated like a fragile flower, like her sisters, who wilted at the sight of sunshine. The only activity that her sisters wanted to participate in was catching a wealthy husband, which both had accomplished their goal by the time they were sixteen.

Anna on the other hand, had always wanted to be part of everything whether it was horseback riding, reading, shooting, swimming, chest, cards or whatever, she was there. She wanted to experience everything that life had to offer and she wouldn’t allow anyone to treat her differently just because she was a female. Some even said she was a tomboy.

“What brings you out this late? It’s near midnight. Not that we aren’t more than happy to be in your presence anytime.” Captain Drake questioned while smiling at her and drumming his fingers on the table.