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Anna had noticed that Captain Drake seemed preoccupied all evening, and had made some chess moves that a man of his gaming skills would not have made if he had been paying attention. It wasn’t that she minded winning, she loved that, but not in a halfhearted game, it made it too easy. Now she wondered if this talk had anything to do with this afternoon’s activities on the rigging and in the water with Major Marsh.

Captain Drake opened his cabin door for her, as Anna went inside. They both found a seat at his table and she turned to question him. “I hope this isn’t about Major Marsh and myself, Captain. That kiss…” but before she could finish her sentence he started laughing, for the first time this evening.

“Anna, you are something else. Yes, I almost forgot about our morning, quite delightful it was.” His eyes were smiling as he continued. “The reason I asked you here has nothing to do with you or Major Marsh, although you two rank number one for entertainment on this voyage.” Captain Drake said while trying to hold back the chuckle that was forcing its way to the surface, and then when he could hold it no longer, his deep voice vibrated with laughter. “You know when I’m around you two I don’t know what to expect next.”

“Your move.” Anna reminded Captain Drake, as she took her fingers off her bishop on the chessboard.

“Well, I think we’ll going to have to stop for tonight, and pick up our game tomorrow. I’m afraid it’s getting too dark and at my old age I can’t see as well as I used to, so you have an unfair advantage over me.” Captain Drake declared with an unreadable look on his face.

“Sorry I didn’t know I was keeping you past your bedtime grandpa.” She threw back trying to lighten the mood that had hung over them throughout the chess game tonight.

He hesitated, and then explained in a low voice. “There is something I need to discuss with you in my cabin, if you don’t mind.” Captain Drake didn’t want to talk in front of his crew who were standing around watching the game.

She glanced at him. “Okay, but you sound so serious, that you’re making me think something awful is wrong.” She whispered back, in a low voice as they walked along to his cabin.

Anna looked back toward the ladder just as she saw Robert climb aboard with Edward and Henry by his side. Robert’s eyes met hers as she gave him a triumphant smile, and he threw her back a frown. She busted out laughing then she turned back to the crowd and continued talking.

“Well, old man, looks like she got the best of you.” Henry laughed, as he patted his friend on the back.

“Enough.” Robert mumbled, in a grumpy voice. He had about all he could take of this woman for one day or people chatting her up to him. “Miss Pemberton, will get her due one day, you just mark my words.” He said as he marched away, thinking he was finding it damn hard to protect this woman.

Edward and Henry stood chuckling to themselves. “He looks a frightful mess, doesn’t he?” Edward remarked. He looked at Robert with his clothes soaked from the ocean, his black shiny hair plastered to his head, neck and shoulders, and face darkened from stubble, which he had neglected to shave in the morning.

“I think we’re in for another week of sulking from the Major.” Henry laughed and shook his head, and then pointing to Anna he said. “I think she’s the only one that can handle Major Marsh and his ill temper.” They both laughed again and walked in her direction.

Now, it was Robert that waved to the crowd in victory, but to his horror it was his downfall once more. The minute he released his grip to wave, she brought up both feet and kicked him so hard in the chest, it knocked the breath out of him. He coughed and sputtered, trying to regain his breath, just as he saw her climbing the rope ladder to the ship, and again she blew him a kiss as Captain Drake helped her onto the deck. Damn woman, was there nothing she couldn’t do? She had won this round but darn if he’d let her win the next one, he thought as he swam for the ladder.

“You are quite a swimmer Anna. Wherever did you learn to dive like that? You could be a natural born sailor.” Captain Drake told her, with a big grin.

“Why thank you Captain. Does that mean you’ll hire me?” Anna joked and continued. “Actually I’ve been swimming since I was young. My family lived in the country and we had several ponds, which to swim in. Now if you remember I told you earlier I was a good climber, well that’s because I used to climb up the huge old English Oaks, and dive off them into the ponds.”

Robert saw everyone laughing and talking with Anna, when he climbed back onto the main deck of the ship, and no one came to greet him except Edward and Henry.

He surprised her, she figured he couldn’t swim and she’d be safe out here, but she miscalculated. She started swimming toward the ship’s ladder with great speed, but to her dismay it wasn’t fast enough.

He came up under her and pulled her under the water by her leg, just as he felt her fists hitting him. He quickly let go and they both popped to the surface. She tried to escape again, but he dragged her to his chest and kissed her full on the lips in front of everyone on the ships. Robert heard the shouts and cheers, even as she beat on his chest and kicked at him to free herself from his grip. Holding her was like trying to hold onto a fighting wildcat.

“Get your lousy hands off me you overbearing bossy man!” She demanded fiercely. Her temper lit with fire from her green eyes. How could he kiss her in front of everyone? He’d kissed her out of anger to teach her some stupid lesson. Isn’t that what he hollered to someone on the ship, that he was going to teach her a lesson? She knew he was deliberately trying to embarrass her in front of everyone, since he had as much threatened her earlier he would.

Robert’s grip on her tightened and he was thinking maybe he should teach her another lesson, since the first one was so enjoyable. His amusement deepened as she continued to struggle in her arms. He was unable to resist teasing her a little more. He whispered in a deep sexy voice into her hair, “If you don’t stop struggling, the crowd will demand that I teach you another lesson.”

She gasped then responded to his threat and didn’t move. Anna’s emerald green eyes leveled onto blue eyes, as she shot daggers into his.