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“You little winch!” Robert muttered then swore under his breath, and when the shock wore off, he pulled himself up. She had pulled her last trick with him; this was it, if he had to teach her a lesson that’s exactly what he’d do. He took off running after her, but she seemed to have disappeared. “Miss Pemberton where are you!” He demanded in an impatient tone.

“Major Marsh, why don’t we forget about this for the night sir and you go get into some dry clothes.” Captain Drake said, as he winked.

Major Marsh caught on to the game and said. “Sounds like a good idea to me Captain.” As he pretended to walk away, only to crouch down in a dark spot and wait for his assailant to reappear. He noticed how quiet everyone had become as they all waited for act two of this whole affair. Then he saw movement coming from under a piece of canvas at the far end of the ship, and her head popped up and looked around. He knew she was unaware that everyone was watching for her reappearance.

It all happened at lightening speed, as Major Marsh jumped to his feet and tackled the bundle under the canvas. Then he was hauling her out, with his arm wrapped around her waist and lifting her. Anna’s feet and arms swinging in a fighting fit, as he stopped in front of the crowd. “I’ve cautioned Miss Pemberton that she would be punished for foolish behavior, but she has refused to take heed to my warnings.” He told the crowd as she continued to fight like a wildcat, and the crowd laughed. “So I have no other option to control these bad behaviors spells than by taking actions into my own hands.” And with that, he pulled her mouth to his roughly and kissed her with a punishing kiss, while she continued to beat on his chest.

Captain Drake watched the whole thing unfold with amusement, as Anna and Major Marsh, continued to argue with each other. He was sure they had forgotten there were other people even standing around watching, since the crowd was as quiet as a mouse listening to these two and not knowing what to anticipate next out of them. He fought to urge to chuckle at them as they argued with each other.

“Are you accusing me again of some improper behavior Major Marsh, that seems to be a daily thing with you. I can tell you this, I’m sick of it! Do you hear me? Just sick of it, and sick of the stupid accusations you throw my way. If you continue to threaten me you’ll be sorry.” Anna hollered. Her temper was so overcooked that she shook her head in madness, and her hair ribbon fell out and her hair fell about her face and down her back.

Damn she was beautiful in that peach colored gown, with her silky red hair loose and her delicate skin just begging for his touch. He could look at those magnificent green eyes, which were as green as any emerald he had ever seen, all night long. Then there were those perfect luscious lips, which he loved to kiss. Damn, Damn, Damn. Keep you mind off the little troublemaker he told himself, just as he saw her jump up.

There was a bucket of water close by and when she jumped to her feet, Anna grabbed it and flung the water in his direction, taking off in a trot. She kept running to the other end of the ship, not looking behind her, and the cheers from the crowd pushed her forward. Anna quickly found a safe hiding spot under some canvas at the far end of the ship.

As the music started Anna, Captain Drake and Robert started around the crate and stool, which were left. Anna counted to beats of the music as she had for each and every time so she could figure out when the song would stop and make sure she was in front of a seat to sit on. Once again as the song stopped, she plopped down onto the stool, while Captain Drake and Robert had a shoving match and finally Robert won the honor of sitting on the crate. The music started again as the stool was removed. Anna and Robert started moving around as the music played and the tension on the deck was visible everywhere.

The music stopped. Robert rushed the crate at the same time Anna did, they shoved and pushed, first both on the crate, then one then the other. Then the crowd watched as one big crack sounded and the crate broke into pieces against the deck floor. Anna tumbled to the deck floor along with Robert, with a hard thump. There were sounds of gasps, over the deck, as they both lay in a heap on the deck floor. Anna complained as she rose to her elbows. “This is your fault you pushy overbearing insect. Shoving is not part of the game, that’s called cheating.”

“And what is it called when you do it, Miss Pemberton, just sport?” Robert argued back, pulling himself to a sitting up position. “You shoved the lady who was my dance partner earlier out of her chair a few minutes ago. Now, what do you have to say about that, Miss Proper?”

Anna hesitated, and then smiled. “Okay, but don’t cheat. I don’t want you to have an unfair advantage over me.” She teased back at Captain Drake.

Anna thought it would be fun to play a game and laugh like everyone else. She had purposely paired Robert up with someone else to keep him busy and away from her, but it still didn’t help to keep her mind off him. A little distraction would be great, she thought.

When Anna walked with Captain Drake and Joan she noticed that the crewmembers had already brought all the chairs, stools, and crates over and had formed a circle with them. Everyone was watching as thought they had been waiting on the three to come before they started the game.

They all gathered round the circle as the flutists started to play, then in a minute the music stopped and Robert watched as Anna rushed to find a spot. He was determined to win just as much as Anna, because it would be nice to beat this woman in one event. Robert shoved and pushed and continued along till the next to the last round, when all who were left was Captain Drake, Anna and himself.

“Okay kids, say good bye, this is the end of the line for one of you two.” Captain Drake proudly announced as the music started to play again, but he should have guessed the determination of the other two.

“Count your blessings you lasted this long grandpa.” Anna flung back, as she laughed.

“Ah, that hurt.” Captain Drake pretended to be offended.

Once the dance games were over, Anna went over to the far end of the ship away from the crowd to sit alone for a bit and write in her diary. About half an hour pasted before Captain Drake and Joan came looking for her, walking arm in arm. Captain Drake spoke. “Anna what are you doing sitting over here in this corner by yourself, while we are all over there having the time of our life.” Then he looked at Joan. “I would also like to thank you for pairing me up with such a lovely lady too.” He commended, with a tinge of joy in his voice.

“You look nice together.” She said smiling sweetly at both Joan and Captain Drake.

“Now, you still didn’t tell us what you’re doing over here in this corner by yourself.” He persisted, studying her face.

“I can still hear the music from where I’m sitting and I’m writing my notes for today.” Anna said simply.

“This is silly, you organized this whole thing, so you get yourself back over there with the rest of us. We’re fixing to play a new game called musical chairs. I’m sure to beat you at this game.” Captain Drake teased as he squeezed Joan’s hand.

It was Joan that had mentioned that Anna had disappeared. Captain Drake was too busy enjoying Joan’s company at the time to notice anything except for her. She had even suggested the game, knowing how competitive Anna was and thinking it might lure her back over.