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Anna closed her eyes. She couldn’t tell Robert or anyone else her secret. Her family was too powerful and influential and she didn’t want anyone else involved in her lies. The only thing it would do is get them in trouble too, if her brother found out someone had helped her. No, the best she could do was to keep her mouth shut even as it sickened her having to lie.

“Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get by you, and go back to my drawing.” She insisted, as she tried to get around him on the narrow steps.

“Anna you didn’t answer me.” He urged, still holding her arms.

“I don’t think your questions deserves an answer, now if you don’t mind I would like to get by.” She said adamantly, and feeling him release her arms she ran back up the stairs to the main deck and nearly plowed over the Captain.

“Well, Anna I was just coming to claim you for our little chess match. Are you ready?”

She nodded and they walked off to the half deck, leaving Robert in the shadows once again.

First, he stooped down to see if he saw anyone in the between-decks and saw no one there. He turned Anna around so they faced each other, as he placed his hands on each side of her face. She stood there just looking into his crystal clear blue eyes, as he brushed her face softly with the backside of one of his hands. “I have wanted to touch you all day. You are so beautiful Anna.” He whispered, in a deep husky voice. “Anna, can I kiss you?” He murmured into her hair.

“Please,” she breathed. Her emotions were reeling when his lips touched hers. He placed soft kisses on her lips, then her cheeks, and then her mouth again. She could hear his heavy breathing even as she heard her own.

Then with his hands still on both sides of her face, he pulled his mouth from hers and whispered hoarsely, “I want to know everything about you. Tell me who you really are Anna.”

“You know who I am.” She managed, as she snapped back to reality and she pulled from his grip.

“No, I know something isn’t right in what you say. You aren’t like the other women on this voyage; your clothes are finer, your speech is clearer, and you’ve been educated. Tell me again why you are headed to Jamestown, but this time be sure and tell me the truth. You know you can trust me.” He whispered, while he pulled her back to him and brushed a kiss in her hair.

She insisted in a breathless voice, “Robert, I don’t think this is a good idea.” But at the same moment she was reaching for his arm and wrapping hers in his. Her skin felt hot and her breathing heavy as confusion fogged her mind. Anna had to admit to herself that she liked being with this man, even though her better judgment told her to run. She knew she never could.

Anna strolled along the main deck with him arm in arm, and they stopped to chat with different women and men as they walked along. Several of the women were talking about the classes they had been holding.

Robert was amazed how genuine she was around other people and he could see that she believed in treating everyone equally, both men and women. The other people on the ship seemed to respect her that much was obvious. He could also tell someone had polished and educated this pearl of a woman, but who, and why did she ended up as a mail-order-bride, he liked to know.

“Walk with me Anna.” His deep voice willed.

They walked again, arm in arm, his tall frame guiding hers toward the entrance to the steps that lead to the lower deck area. Captain Drake watched with some interest from the upper deck, but Robert and Anna seemed unaware they were being watched by anyone. He guided her along, far removed from the world around them, till they made it to the bottom step.

“How dare you talk about him like that? He is a kind man that you know nothing about.” She huffed. “Robert, every time I decide I like you as a person, you insult me or someone around me. If you don’t remember me saying, I said I refused the offer of the Captain! I have never met a man quite like you, which makes me so angry.” She said weakly.

He changed his tone, and grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “So you like me. I’m not sure how my wife-to=be will feel about that, but I think I like it.” He teased as he curled his lips into that cocky half grin.

Anna gulped. “You know you are twisting what I said! And I’m more than happy to pass you back to your wife-to-be. Now let loose of my hand. She tried to retrieve her hand but his grip tightened.

“Put your arm in mine and walk with me Anna, and I’ll let your hand go.” His deep voice commanded, not taking his eyes from hers.

Anna’s heart was racing inside her chest. She knew she should remove herself as far as possible away from Robert, but something kept drawing her to him, like a moth to light. She swallowed hard and tried to control her emotions once again, which were tumbling out of control. Just the touch of this man’s hand against hers left her powerless to resist his charm.

“I’m glad to see you find this so amusing, but I can assure you I don’t find it funny that a man has offered you to share his bed.” His deep voice scolded, with his blue eyes penetrating into her.

She was still laughing as she joked. “Temper, temper Robert. Isn’t that what you said to me.” Then she whispered in that soft angelic voice. “You are too laughable Major Marsh. I can’t quite decide what you’re hiding. Why am I the object of your protection? That’s a curious question wouldn’t you say? I can see by your expression that possibly you’re not sure either.”

Robert squinted his eyes even further at this wisp of a woman making fun of him. He was only trying to help the silly woman, and that was the only reason he was looking out for her. He assured himself. She better watch what she accused him of, or he’d leave her to protect herself.

She paused before continuing, and then she pointed out. “You know I should be insulted, that you believe me to be such a loose woman that I’d stay with a man without marriage. Captain Drake is very much the gentleman sir. He offered to sleep on the deck with his men, while I took his cabin, but I refused the offer.” She said as she turned and walked to the side rail.

He followed behind her while talking through gritted teeth. “You are quite naive, if you think he would have slept on the deck. He would have found a way to join you on his feather bed. Let me tell you about your gentleman, Captain Drake. I’ve seen his type.” He sucked in a deep breath and narrowed his eyes further. “I would guarantee that if a female is willing he is never too busy to oblige her, mattering not if she is married or unmarried, beautiful or plain. I’m sure he’s left a string of broken hearts along the way.” He insisted, his voice still in a low whisper.