The Sailor's Inheritance

Captain William

The man that entered the door before Catherine was a beautiful specimen of a man. He had long shaggy light brown hair that was halfway pulled behind his head revealing a jawline that would make any woman blush. His white cotton shirt was clinging to his sweat covered tan body. His sternum revealed by the low V in the shirt. The shirt was rolled up to his elbows and his forearms showed his strong veins.

Catherine felt her breath hitch in her chest the minute he fully stood in the room. On top of everything else that was beautiful about this man his piercing steel grey eyes held her soul in them.

The sound of the door shutting to the cabin brought Catherine back to the atrocity of reality. She was on an unknown ship in nothing but her underwear gawking at an stranger and now she was blushing.

The heat that licked her cheeks was enough she was sure to make her pale complexion look tomato red.

"I am so sorry for the startle. John didn't mean anything when he looked into the cabin I had posted him outside the door to tell me when you awoke."

His voice was gruff but had a smooth undertone like that of a gentleman that had to work hard labor.

Catherine sat frozen in the chair. Her hands started to loosen around the metal tool she had grabbed.

The man took a few steps forward and must've understood the hint when Catherine's body tensed. He stopped near the bed post and positioned himself with his arm above him leaning against the frame.

"so the Golden question huh?" he said casually bringing his arms acrossed his chest.

"I beg your pardon?" Catherine was beyond unsure how to feel about his familiarity he was showing with her.

"What are you doing on my ship?" He asked staring at her.

She was so confused and honestly didn't have an answer for him. She sat there at the desk staring at this stranger. She wished she could give him an answer but she had none. She couldn't even remember anything past her finding out her father had passed.

"oh no." Catherine whispered. covering her mouth with her hand she did her best to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall.

"Are you alright?" the man asked her with sincere concern upon his face.

Catherine would not let this stranger see her falling apart like she was about too.

"Your ship?" She all but shouted causing the man to startle. "exactly who's ship is this and what is your cargo?" She tried to resume her business character facade.

The man chuckled and came closer to the desk she was sitting at. He sat on the edge and towered over her.

"This my lady" he said leaning closer to her "is The Lady Rose." he spread is arms out gesturing to all around them. "I am Captain William and the cargo we carry is never young noble women. Now that you know who I am and who's ship this is. Who are you?" He relaxed his posture but his eyes never left hers.

"My name is..C" she paused realizing that if this man is the reason she is on this ship in her underwear perhaps not giving him her actual name would be best. After all if he isn't an honorable man he may hold her for a ransom from her father's company. "C-C-Cat!" she stammered out.

William stared at her and she watched as his eyes deciphered whether or not he would accept her lie. It wasn't entirely a lie she had to remind herself. Sarah always called her Cat.

"very well." he said standing up. He went to the chest at the foot of the bed and pulled out another white shirt like the one he was wearing. A pair of light tan pants that were rather worn and a black sash. He set the articles on the bed and turned back to her. "I am afraid we don't have womens clothing on board. Nor do we allow women on board so if you would please." he gestured to the clothing. "the sash is to cover your chest as most men on board would be inclined to stare at a woman in a white blouse. The shirt and the pants may be large on you but I'll fetch some rope while you change. I am afraid I don't have any mirrors but please try to make your hair less like a noble woman's and more like a sailors. I'll be back momentarily so if you could be quick about the change that would spare us some unconventional embarrassment." he had made his way to the door at this point and looked back at Catherine. He winked at her and just like that slipped out the door.

Catherine sat at the desk a few moments longer trying to catch her breath staring at the clothes. He couldn't have been serious could he? The noise of rustling and footsteps spurred her into action and she rushed to put on clothing.