Writester.net

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.