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“What a wonderful idea ladies! David get the flutists on the main deck right away. Is there anything else I can do?” Captain Drake asked as he walked to the main deck with them.

“Well, actually there is Captain. I would like to turn a few of the dances into games I learned in England if that’s okay with you, which will mean I’ll be pairing up a few couples. If you’re agreeable with this.” Anna asked knowing the answer already.

“Great idea. Can’t wait to see who you’ll pair me up with.” Captain Drake said through a half smile. “Alright everyone gather round, we’re fixing to have some more music and dancing tonight. Anna is also going to lead us in a few dance games first.” Looking at Anna he gestured with his hands. “Go ahead, instruct us.” Captain Drake commanded, his lips twitching in amusement.

Anna told them about the two dance games they would be playing first, one was called The Hunt and the other was The Poaching Game. She paired up Captain Drake with Joan and Henry with Barbara and continued to pick eight other couples to play the first round of each dance game. Robert and Edward were also matched up with dance partners. Anna paired herself up with one of the crewmembers since she thought that would be safer for the chasing games.

They all continued to play the dance games for the next hour. She thought that the games made everyone laugh and forgot they were in the ocean thousands of miles from nowhere, for a while, which at times was depressing. Anna was glad that everyone seemed to be having fun, but it disturbed her that Major Marsh seemed to be having so much fun with his dance partner.

Joan grinned. “Anna, what are you up to now? I’ve seen that expression on your face more than once in the last weeks and always before you do something devilish.”

“Why Joan, how can you say that?” Then Anna laughed. “Okay you caught me. Well, of course I’m up to something.” She grinned. “Tell me what you think of our handsome captain?”

“He’s gorgeous of course, but beyond my reach Anna. The man commands a ship and a crew, and wouldn’t think twice about a mousy woman like myself.” Joan explained.

“Well, I have an inspiration. Why don’t we test the water’s and asked the Captain if we can have a dance tonight. Let’s see where it goes from there.” Anna remarked in a voice tinged with excitement. “I have some dance games I know and I’ll do a little pairing up and we’ll see what happens after that. Let’s go talk with Captain Drake.”

Anna saw Captain Drake as she climbed up onto the main deck, and walked toward his table up on the half deck with her followers in toe behind. They stopped in front of Captain Drake’s table and all three women curtseyed and then Anna spoke. “Good evening Captain Drake.”

Captain Drake stood up and bowed in their direction. “Well, good evening to you too, ladies. What do I owe for this honor of your visit?” Captain Drake asked with a bright smile on his face, pretending not to know why Anna had brought the group over.

Anna winked at him. “Captain Drake we’d like to know if we could have another dance on the main deck, and possibly a few sing along songs, since it was so much fun the other night?”

Following me again Major Marsh?” Anna whispered next to his ear. “I forgive you.” She winked and walked away.

Robert swore under his breath again, and turned to leave, but not before he heard Captain Drake roaring with laughter once again. Anna had managed once again to throw him off his feet, in a manner of speaking.

**

Anna was already down in the between-decks with Barbara and Joan. “Barbara, what do you think of Henry Hilliard?” She quizzed and waited for an answer.

“Anna, I hope you’re not thinking of going after him, I am rather fond of him myself.” Barbara replied, with questioning eyes.

“Heavens no Barbara, I meant for you. I think he’s rather sweet on you and you seem to be too, am I correct?” Anna suggested, in her usual helpful voice.

“It’s true I do like him. Henry’s so sweet and I believe we’ve gotten to know each other pretty well. What makes you think he’s sweet on me?” Barbara questioned, anxious to know.

“I can tell these things and don’t worry about Henry, he’s just a little shy.” Anna told Barbara, but didn’t explain further.

Then Anna focused on Joan. “Now, what about you Joan, anyone special that’s caught your eye?”

He leaned forward. “I see. Do you think that she could ever be possibly be interested in an old guy like me?”

“Stop that! You’re not old.” She went on. “I think the world of you Captain, and it would give me no greater pleasure than if two of my friends fancied each other.” She paused while she thought, and then her eyes danced mischievously. “Here’s my plan, if I show up on the deck later with a couple of women, Joan being one, and ask if we can sing a few songs and dance, you’ll know she’s interested. What do you think?” She inquired, with a grin on her face.

“Can’t wait Miss Pemberton. Maybe you should open a matchmaking company when you get to Jamestown, since you seem to be enjoying this so much.” Captain Drake teased, with that same old grin.

**

Robert’s eyes scoured the small window to Captain Drake’s cabin for the hundredth time, since Anna had went in. He had watched her play her usual chess game with Captain Drake then they had retired to his cabin. Hadn’t he warned her about that? What was she doing in there with him? They had been in there for a while but he couldn’t see a bloody thing through that porthole window, it was so dark. He should just knock on the door and see for himself, well, that’s exactly what he’d do. Just as he raised his hand to knock, she burst through the door.

“Well, I’m happy to see I could provide so much entertainment on what could have otherwise been a boring voyage.” She teased back. Anna was actually glad to see Captain Drake laughing again, and in his usual jovial state.

Captain Drake’s face sobered. “Now, to the real reason that I’ve asked you here. I’d like to know what you know about your friend Joan.”

“Why? Is something wrong? I am more than willing to stand up for her character Captain.” Anna pleaded softly looking concerned for her friend. Heavens she thought, this young woman can’t be in any trouble.

“Why heavens no, nothing’s wrong. I just… well I mean… I just thought… if you don’t mind…” Captain Drake muttered not making any sense.

Now it was her turn to laugh and Anna was laughing so hard, she had tears streaming down her cheeks. “Now who did you say was amusing everyone?” She shook her head and grinned widely.

“Well, I never should have brought up the subject to you. You can go.” Captain Drake mumbled, looking frustrated, and finding the subject too hard to talk about.

Men, she thought. “It’s okay Captain.” Anna waited till she got his attention, and then added. “Joan’s full name is Joan Bancroft and she is a wonderful young woman.” She smiled at her friend, and then added. “Joan’s told me a little bit about herself and I’ll tell you what I know. She ran away from home at eleven to live with an aunt when her father tried to marry her off to man four times her age. Recently though, her aunt died, and she only had two options open to her. One option was going home and allowing her father to marry her off, or going to Jamestown and choosing her own husband. She picked Jamestown.”