Writester.net

Anna’s was already making her own plans in her head, as she twisted her lips into a wide smile. He lunged for one of her legs, just as she dived off the rigging and into the ocean, but not before she blew him a kiss.

“What the hell!” He hollered after her, and then he struggled to get his grip back on the rigging, figuring out his next move.

“You know what Captain?” Henry admitted. “I believe you’re right, she’s quite a woman and I believe he’s met his match alright.” He shook his head, still chuckling.

“Major, you’re not going to let her get away with that are you?” Edward hollered up to him, his voice tinged with laughter, trying to prompt his friend to act.

When Robert looked down he saw to his displeasure that not only were his friends and the Captain watching below but everyone on the ship was now standing by the side rail, cheering and clapping at Anna as she waved to the crowd. She was enjoying her temporary victory way too much.

“No you’re right Edward, someone needs to teach her a lesson.” He yelled back and the crowd roared in laughter again. The little spitfire thinks she’s won, and he’d teach her a lesson not to underestimate her competition. He took aim at his target and dived into the ocean.

“Who me? Whatever for? I’m working up here.” She gestured toward the ripped sail she was mending. Anna knew she was playing with fire, but her devilish side got the best of her. Robert looked like an adorable child with that messy dark black hair blowing across his face, and those gorgeous blue eyes peering through, just like a mad child whose toy had been stolen. She couldn’t help herself and she started giggling.

The laughter only further flamed the fire of his anger. “You find this funny madam. I can tell you I don’t find it funny that you are up there on some ropes, risking your life once more. I’m afraid you leave me no option but to teach you a lesson.” He tossed back to Anna.

“Ha! What type of lesson do you suppose to teach me sir?” Anna flung back at him with haste. “It is I that is teaching you a lesson sir. Showing you that women are capable of everything a man is.” She mocked from her perch in the air.

“Oh, is that right. Well, let me tell you about the lesson you are fixing to get madam. For every misdeed you will be punished with a kiss in front of the whole ship and I know how you hate attention.” Squaring his darting blue eyes on her green ones.

“You wouldn’t dare!” Anna stared at him in astonishment, taking in his words.

“Oh, wouldn’t I?” Robert echoed sarcastically, with a sexy grin on his lips and he speeded up his ascent toward her.

“He won’t win this one Henry. This time I believe it’s different, because he’s met his match. I would also venture to say there’s more going on than a battle of wits, possibly a battle of the heart.” And with that all three men roared with laughter, as they continued to watch the two with amusement.

Robert was halfway to Anna when she looked down and saw him. She flashed a smile in his direction as she hollered down to him, in a mocking tone. “So the privileged upper class has decided he isn’t too good to do a day’s labor?” She teased, trying to push him further.

She knew he would follow her with his protector attitude, and it actually gave her a thrill to see him chasing after her. What she couldn’t decide was if she was more amused watching the man struggling to control his temper or aggravating him, but both served the same purpose, sheer gratifying entertainment. Then to further insight his temper, she waved down to Captain Drake, Edward and Henry, wishing them a good morning, and they all three waved back, while they roared with laughter.

Robert sputtered and swore something under his breath, as his irritation with this wildcat intensified. He looked up at her as he snarled; his voice and eyes were cold. “Get down from there right now. Do you hear me?”

He looked up. Anna looked like a ravishing beauty, with her long wavy red mane hanging to her waist and blowing in the wind wildly and those tight fitting clothes hugging her curves. He had heard stories of female pirates and he would imagine this is exactly what one would look like, wild and untamed, mocking the world as she stood on her perch in the sky. She was a true revolutionist, and he could see her leading men unto the battlefield, each one following without question. Damn, what was he thinking? He took off his shoes and started to climb.

Edward and Henry had followed Major Marsh over to Captain Drake’s side and they were quite amused as they watched Anna, and then their friend Major Marsh struggling with his emotions over this little redhead.

“Hey, should we take bets on who wins this round?” Edward asked the Captain, as he chuckled.

I’d put my money on the lady, she’s sharp. I haven’t been able to beat her once in chess, and I believe she could outsmart any of us, including your Major Marsh.” Captain Drake admitted feeling quite entertained watching the whole scene unfold.

Captain Drake had been suspicious from the beginning about Robert Marsh and his intentions toward Anna. He had watched the man with her and it seemed like Major Marsh had an undeniable attraction toward her. Well, it seemed obvious to everyone except Major Marsh, Captain Drake thought as he laughed to himself.

“Don’t know Captain, I’ve seen the Major and he never loses either. You should have seen him when he was in the Queen’s service, he wasn’t a man to be argued with.” Henry offered, with a flicker of a smile on his face.

“Major Marsh, just the man I wanted to see. Anna told me how you saved her life last night and I wanted to thank you.” Captain Drake grinned while extending his hand, purposely ignoring Major Marsh’s outburst.

“It was nothing.” He insisted, gruffly as he shook the Captain’s hand. Then turning his attention back to his reason for coming to see the Captain, he pointed again in Anna’s direction. “It looks like once again I will have to save her, with her latest stupidity. Don’t you know the damn woman could break her pretty little neck up there!” Major Marsh barked in a rough voice. A pretty little neck it was too, Robert thought.

“What are you talking about Major, that’s one of my volunteer sailors mending the main sail?” He responded, struggling hard to hold back his amusement at the Major’s anger.

Robert wondered how she had managed to carry on in this inappropriate behavior, wherever she came from, without getting into hot water. The troublesome woman was a hazard to herself, and sooner or later it was going to get her into big trouble. Maybe that’s what she was doing on the ship, escaping trial for misconduct of some mischievous nature, he considered as he watched her on the rigging.