Seacrets (9 page)

"He taught me to hunt, shoot, ride a horse, cook, he was the cook on the ships he sailed with. In the last few years he has become more ill and unable to work. He managed to send me to one of the finest schools in all of Ireland, once I was of age. But as you may know King George III, hath carried over King Henry the VIII’s ruling. You see during his tyrannical reign, King Henry VIII made it a crime for any woman of Ireland to seek to educate herself.” Maura continued on her with historical dissertation. “This would put women at the mercy of the English lords and soldiers, to force us ta marry and forge together our cultures and to obtain our lands as part of our dowry brought ta any union between the English and the Irish.” Maura shuddered a bit at that notion, and then continued. “So ya see if an Irish woman refuses, well, then she must take her chances on the streets or in the brothels ta support herself because, as I said, she would not be allowed ta work ta support herself.”

Daniel sat quietly sipping his coffee and intently watching her mouth as she formed each word and was daydreaming about taking that mouth and…He shook himself back to the conversation to avoid ceasing her right then and there in midsentence.

“My father knew Mr. Godsey from their sailin’ days together. He begged him ta take me to America, so that I might meet up with another friend of his, Mary Turlington and her son Thomas, in Boston. My father has sent my dowry monies on ahead, in the hopes they will take me in when I get there and provide me with work until I can support myself. And that's the whole of it Captain.” Maura paused briefly then she continued on.

“My father is dying, Captain Hargendon, and he did not want me ta be at the mer
cy o’ the English, for fear they would abuse me or that I would be in a loveless marriage o’ convenience just to survive. I cried and begged him not ta send me away.
I
wanted ta be the one tendin’ ta him in his last days.” Maura rubbed her hands over the whole of her face and breathed in deep. “When I finally do reach America, I am goin’ ta write and send money when I can and if my father has survived, I'll send for him. I just pray it is not too late by then." She went quiet, now.

Daniel sat forward in his chair, elbows leaning on the table, captivated by her tale.
Then just as sudden, he became suspicious of Maura's motives. She sounded most sincere. But females have a way of deception he has had the poor fortune to have experienced in the past, just to gain what they want from a man, like marriage, for instance.

Mayhap she
believes me ta   be an eligible, single, wealthy tradesman that could support her and give her an honest name for her brats
, as he so often thought was the goal of all women.

Mayhap she wanted to be found out, to entice
me into bedding her
. He further thought,
she must have known she would be taking a chance, I would not come back to the cabin and catch her in a state of undress, thus her secret would be known. I must be careful not to fall for any trap she may be setting for me. Yes
, he thought,
she will be a pleasure to teach the passions
of lovemaking, but I will have to be very careful not to let my heart become ensnared by her charms.

Without saying another word, Daniel rose from his chair, donned a clean shirt, grabbed his woolen mantle off of the hook next to the chamber door and left the cabin.

Maura was stunned. Her mouth, left agape.

She
spoke aloud to herself, "What on earth did I do now! He asked me ta tell him of myself, I do and he gets up and leaves without saying a word! Ugh! I am so thoroughly frustrated with that man!" She sat for a few moments, tapping her fingers upon the table, in utter exasperation, then decided she'd better get started with her daily chores.

“God knows what his mood will be like when he returns!"

§

When she was through with her chores she donned her
cabinboy attire and went up on deck to begin her duties there. She met with Godsey, who usually had a long list for her. It was always good to be with Godsey. He was her only true friend she could trust aboard the ship. In some ways it was like having her father near by.

"What be the matter, lass? The Captain givin' ya a hard time, is he? He said in his most fatherly tone.

"Godsey, I don't know about that man. One minute he's as nice as can be and then the next he's bitin' my head clean off." She explained the gist of the conversation she had with him, earlier, in his cabin and that she had made this surprise breakfast for him and he just left without a word. “I don't know how to behave around him.”

Godsey tried to comfort her as best he could. "Look, lass, ya goal here is ta get ta America in one piece, unharmed. Try ta stay out o' his way is all ya can do."

"That's a little hard ta do, Godsey, considerin' we're only feet away from one another each day and night. The frightenin’ part is I am beginin’ ta have these feelings I don't understand. Maura search
ed Godsey’s face for some fatherly advice.

"My heart beats so fast whenever I'm near him, Albert. I get a flushing in my face and I tell ya I canna hardly sleep at night for wantin' him near me. What is that, Godsey? What?" She began to
sob.

"Oh, gel, I ain't no father. Never had a daughter o' my own, but what ya be describin' ta me sounds a lot like love, lass. Ya are fallin' for the Captain." He tried his best to console Maura.

"
Love
,
Godsey, I never so much as had one suitor in my whole life.” Maura exclaimed. “What do I know of love?" She gasped.

"What does anybody know of love, gel? Godsey continued.
“Look Maura, mayhap I'm talkin' out o' my arse here, gel. Excuse my language, lass, I'm not used ta talkin' ta young women, but this could be a good thing for ya. The Captain, he is a good man. He wouldna treat ya mean, and he could take good care o' ya." Godsey reasoned.

"Oh no Godsey, he'd never love me. He thinks I am a liar and he hates liars, he told it me, honest, Godsey.  Besides, he is betrothed to another. I saw her painting in his desk drawer." Maura’s tone s
macked of defeat and Godsey would have none of that.

"Oh I know who ya be talkin' 'bout. That be Missy Gilmore. That ain't no real love o' his
,” Waving his hand in the air, as if swatting flies. "He's got some deal with her pa that was set up a long time ago. He's been puttin' that union off for many a year and she's not exactly waitin' 'round pinin' for him, if ya know what I mean, lass."  He stated with a wink.

"I don't know Godsey, I'd feel bad, drawin' him ta me and makin' him be unfaithful ta his betrothed."

Godsey, in his frustration, lost his temper, just a tad. "Wake up and smell the salty sea air, fer Christ sakes, gel. The Captain's a rogue. He's not been faithful ta her, ever. Why ya couldn't do any more harm ta that union, if ya tried!" Then seeing the hurt look on her face, for his sharp tone, he apologized. "I'm sorry for speakin' ta ya so sharp, Maura, but ya've got ta start lookin' out for ya self, now, lass. Do whatever ya have ta do ta survive the rest of this voyage safely. That may mean cozyin' up ta the Captain. He ain't such a bad sort ta have ta get used ta. And your already halfway there, gel. At least ya like him, and the outcome could, in turn, save my old hide as well.  If he fancied ya enough, by the time we hit land, why, he might want ta marry ya, lass." He was just about begging Maura to save his old hide from the lash.

"Oh I don't know, Godsey. Ya see I’m wantin’ more from a marriage than just some man ta give me his name. I
want love, romance, friendship… I want it all!" Maura’s head was up in the clouds, at this moment, and Godsey was trying to bring her back to the reality of her fate.

"Girl, you're naive. That does naught exist between a man and a woman.” He explained.

“Marriage is usually for material gain. What ya think I'm not married for? I never had nothin' ta offer to a lady so I just never bothered." Godsey dropped his eyes to the water and went silent.

"Were ya never in love, Godsey?" Maura asked.

"Yes, once, a very long time ago. Her pa wouldna allow the union o’ cause I didna have anythin’ ta bring ta the marriage. He gave her dowry to a well ta do gent in the city o'Dublin. I never saw her again.” The regret was evident in Godsey’s eyes, as he spoke. “Never wanted ta set myself up for that kind o' hurt again. So I started sailin’ the seas and have me a woman every now and then for physical reasons only, if ya get my meanin'." He chuckled and elbowed her in her side.

They both shared a laugh. It took her mind off Daniel, for the moment.

If this was to be the closest thing to having a daughter, then Godsey was glad to have her in his life. He put his arm around her and gave her a fatherly hug that reminded her of her own father and for a few minutes she stopped to wonder how he was doing and if he was worried about her.

Those solmn thoughts
jolted her memory. She had written a letter to her father, last eventide, in the hopes Daniel would slip it to his friend and upon his return to Ireland, mayhap he could get the letter to her father, so he would know she was faring well. Maura excused herself and started to make her way to the helm.

Daniel had been watching Maura and Godsey the
entire time they were on deck. He was glad she had him to comfort her and that she thought of him as a father figure.

Maura looked up to see Daniel had his eye on her. This
, hopefully, would be a better time to speak with him about the letter, especially since the flagship had not set off as yet.

Maura
cautiously walked towards Daniel, and waited for him to be alone at the helm, then approached him. She was beginning to feel those feelings again, as she gained closeness to him. "Permission ta have a word with ya Captain." Standing as tall as any of his men, and respecting him with a sharp salute.

With a smirk on his face,
he could hardly contain himself. He turned to face her, and said in a gruff tone, "At ease mate, permission granted."

She stood with her legs apart and her hands clasped
tight behind her back.

Daniel was impressed at how well she had adapted to the life of a seaman. Why, she hadn't thrown up in weeks, and was keeping up with her duties no matter what. "Well, speak, if you
’re goin' ta." His tone was rough.

"Captain, I was hopin’ that ya might ask ya friend ta take a letter back ta my father so he knows I am well, sir." Looking about to make certain no one was listening in.

He looked into her eyes and for once he decided not to rake her over, and would just grant her this one small request. "Aye, I will ask Captain Robertson ta hand deliver the letter as a personal favor. Not ta worry, lad. It will get ta ya father.” After a few seconds pause Daniel dismissed her.

As she turned to walk away Maura heard him softly say, "And Maura, thank you for the breakfast, this morn. ‘Tis been ages since I had a real home cooked meal."

Maura turned to face Daniel and did return his compliment with a civility, as well, and quietly replied, "Your welcome Captain."  She handed him the letter, their hands touched, and again those now all too familiar sparks ran through both of them every time they were near each other.

She smiled. He smiled. Then they both turned from each other and went on with their day, but with a much happier feeling than how they first started out.

§

Later that day Daniel called for Godsey to meet him up on the quarterdeck.

"Yes, sir Captain, Ya wanted ta see me, sir?" Nervous this was the hour of his reckoning.

"Yes, yes, Mr. Godsey. At ease, man." He stated in a stern and ag
itated tone.

"I would like ya ta take Miss McCoveny down ta the cargo holds and let her pick out a few articles o’ clothing and any other womanly articles she feels will make her more comfortable.” Daniel continued with his instruction.

“When she's on deck she'll have ta don her usual boy's attire, but when in the cabin for the evening, she may look forward ta feelin’ a bit more feminine. That'll be all Mr. Godsey." And Daniel strode, back to the helm.

Dumbfounded
, but relieved, Godsey replied, "Yes sir Cap’n. I'll see ta it straight away, sir." Cap in hand, scratching his head.

Godsey found Maura in the galley, cleaning up after the cook. He told the cook
,

“T
he Captain is needin’ his boy for more
important
duties, down in the cargo area.”

Grabbing Maura by her forearm, he pulled her towards the passageway, leading to the steps down to the cargo holds.

Stumbling over her own feet, trying to keep up with him, she screeched, “Slow down Albert, lest we’ll fall and break our necks! Where are ya takin' me?" She asked.

"The Cap'n wants ya ta pick out some womanly garb, that ya might be a little more comfy at night, when off deck!"

Maura could see Godsey was excited and happy about this turn of events.

“This be ya chance ta win him over, lass. This will help the both of us, Maura." He said, pleading with her to comply.
"If he falls for ya, gel, we'll both be better off. Get my meanin'?"