The Sailor's Inheritance

getting Information

Catherine woke up with yet another pounding headache. when she looked to her left there was a glass of water and a pitcher on a small table next to the bed. After having a few sips from the glass she looked towards the door and saw another small table beside the wall. it had her new dress William had bought on it and a flower set in a vase.

"Oh no" Catherine sighed out loud. She placed her hand over her face as she remembered what she had done the night before. she was utterly embarrassed. She went to get out of bed when she noticed the note by the flower.

It read

Catherine,

Forgive me for not being here when you awoke. I have gone into town to speak with John on business matters. I will return shortly if you'd wait here in my home I would be grateful.

Yours truly,

William

Catherine examined his handwriting and couldn't help but get excited every time she read "yours truly" it made her heart jump. She looked at the exquisite flower one she had never seen before and picked up her dress to put on. The door to the room was slightly ajar and she could see a mirror in the hallway and set to work making herself look some what like the Lady she was. If she was honest she wanted William to think she looked half as beautiful as he was to her.

***Williams POV***

After the exciting incident with Catherine last night I knew I was going to be in over my head with her. She was absolutely stunning from head to toe beautiful. Even with his ridiculously large clothing on her. She was a mystery to him that is for sure. He had to find out what happened to her to have her be stuffed in a barrel and smuggled on board a pirate ship. All he really knew about her besides how beautiful she was, is that her father had recently passed and her real name was Catherine. She was indeed a noble Lady. She had confirmed it last night. One who was indeed proper for how heavenly she could kiss he could tell it was her first time.

She was young but no more than a year or two younger than he was and at 26 he was certain she was well past the age she should have been married. Once his horse had brought him to town he stabled him and began searching for John. He knew John would be near Christina for as much as John tried to hide it she was his love.

He found John at the brothel in Christina's suite.

"one minute!" came John's voice in response to Williams knock.

John exited the suite still tucking his shirt into his pants. His hair was tossed about and William knew he probably didn't sleep at all last night. To be fair after the excitement with Catherine, William himself didn't sleep either. He couldn't stop thinking about how she felt and that was a problem.

"If I didn't know any better id say you look like you had a fun night yourself" John chuckled as they began their walk into town.

"I would never take a woman's virtue when she was intoxicated. Especially Catherine's" William grimaced at the thought of her being alone in life because of him but the promise of her staying with him brightened his mood.

"Catherine you say?" John asked.

"Yes she told me her name was Catherine last night. She also confirmed she was a Lady by title." William stated as he lead John down a more private ally. "which is why I need you to start digging around. you're the best man I know at it."

"well what exactly do I have to go on? Her name is Catherine and she was stuffed in a barrel and sold as gunpowder at a port in Georgia?" John questioned in exasperation.

"and that her father died just a short while ago." William added.

"Yes of course thank you!" John shot back with sarcasm dripping from the words.

"come to my home when you have some answers." William grabbed John by the shoulder and smiled as he looked him in the eye nodded his head and turned back towards the stable.

On his way back out of town the vendors had lined the streets once more. He purchased a book for Catherine to read and some tea for them to share. The ride back was lonely without her and he caught himself daydreaming that Catherine stayed. He was rich enough and his crew was ready to be done pirating.

while in the middle of his fantasy he finally came upon his house. For the first time he was excited about the small bungalow that he had purchased on the island for himself. it was simple with just the basic necessities but the thing that made him stop in his tracks was the woman sitting on the porch.

Catherine had put on the new dress he had purchased for her. It was stunning on her. Her breasts were round and plump and immediately caught his eye as they looked about to spill out. She had put her hair up away from her face and he hadn't noticed before how large her eyes were. She truly did steal his breath away. He had been with his fair share if women but none had ever made him consider leaving his ship and crew behind.

As he walked up to hear with the book and tea in hand he watched her beautiful smile cross her face and the same rose color filled her face that proved to him how innocent she was. Unfortunately it was also a reminder that she may want to go back to her noble life and his fits of fancy would be bad for her. The thought alone caused his own smile to waver and he knew she had seen it.

"ahem" he cleared his throat as he held up the book and tea to her. "I figured you'd like these while you're staying here." it was the best he could do and unfortunately it made the situation more awkward.

He watched her face fall and it hurt him. He couldn't believe this stow away on his ship was going to be the one to get his heart.

"whats wrong Catherine?" he asked as he hesitantly cupped her face in his hand.

"how long do you think I'll be staying here?" she asked and her voice began to crack. He knew she was probably about to start crying. unlike him her choice to leave behind everything she had ever known wasn't a voluntary one. He was foolish to think that a drunken kiss would mean that she'd choose him. He placed his finger under her chin to raise her eyes to his and even though she had tears in them he felt his heart start beating harder for her.

"Not long if you don't want." he sighed the words as they came out. "I have John looking into your disappearance. Word seems to spread quickly with anything that brings a hint of gossip. Sailors always know the news" he smiled at her.

The look she gave him back made him determined to not to fail her in finding out what happened to her and returning her if she chose to go back to her noble life.

"why don't we go inside and make some of this tea? Perhaps we can talk about what you remember and see if any of the information can help when John comes back." William lead her into the house and while she began making tea he began hoping John wouldn't have answers.