Call Of The Siren

Chapter 1

“You summoned me, Aunt Sophia?”  Alexandra asked with a tinge of annoyance as she shoved past the surprised middle-aged butler who had just announced her into the parlour of the London house with the needed ceremony.

She could not understand why he seemed surprised every time she came to visit her aunt; it was not like he had not been here for years and ought to know her by now.  But she was irritated and tired and at this moment she was not in the best of moods.

She had come in late last night and had fallen on her bed fully clothed to get some sleep, and then this morning she received the message that her aunt wanted to see her urgently.  That already put her in a bad mood to start with since she had not even had her breakfast.  So she adamantly insisted on eating her breakfast at leisure before she finally called her carriage to bring her over.

Her aunt heaved a heavy beleaguered sigh as she quietly put her embroidery aside and met her exasperated gaze with one of her own.  “Aye, I requested your presence this morning, about two hours ago I believe.  Please have a seat.”  She daintily indicated the chair across from hers; ever the lady, the complete antithesis of Alexandra on the best of days.  “Mathews, please see that we get some tea.”

Alexandra threw herself into the chair without much grace and watched with some amusement when her aunt cringed at her lack of ladylike decorum.  She took great pleasure out of avoiding the traits expected of a lady whenever she came to her aunt’s house for the simple pleasure of annoying her aunt as she had taken great pains in training her in the ways of being a lady of the ton.  “What is the reason for my summons, Aunt Sophia?”

“Really, Alexandra, is there no joy for you in visiting with your aunt when you come to London?”  Aunt Sophia asked with deigned sadness and folded her hands delicately in her lap.

“There would be if there were not always some reason for your visiting that would cause me some discomfort.”   Alexandra answered with a spontaneous shrug.  “So knowing from the past that there is a reason for this request, I would sooner know the reason than obscure the situation with small talk, which we both know is not my forte.”

It was not entirely true; she did enjoy spending time with her aunt as her only surviving relative and in some ways a close friend when she rarely trusted anyone else.  It was when she was summoned like she had been that morning that she did not savour the time spent with her aunt.  Her aunt’s summons usually pre-empted an occasion that she would not enjoy in the least and she was sure this time was no different.

Aunt Sophia sighed heavily.  “I told your father he would do you a great injustice by taking you from London at such a young age.  Now look at what he has done to you!”  She lamented and her hand indicated her niece as if the site of her were some form of embarrassment.  Granted, she had not spent much time on her appearance when she had eventually decided that urgent usually meant of vital importance.  Though what it could be she still did not know, the reason she had no taste for small talk.

Alexandra sighed while she twirled one of her loose black strands around her forefinger.  “Aye, I might have taken time to make myself proper to be seen in your presence, but then the missive stated it was urgent.  So I threw on a dress and hurried over.”

The older woman sighed when she glanced down at her dress.  It was out of season and her sun tinged skin would make her stand out in any crowd.  But despite all that she still was a beauty, true to their bloodlines.  “Aye, well it is urgent now.  I have started planning your season and was worried you would not have returned in time.  Your father’s servants were kind enough to let me know the instant you came home last night, much too late for an unattached lady, I must say.”  She eyed her niece with a stern expression, though she knew full well it would have no influence on her wayward niece.

She knew for a fact that her aunt would have much more to say about it if she had known where she was, but then she would not inform her as to that point.  She had needed information and she had spent most of the night gleaning as much as she could from her sources, which would not be considered adequate company for a lady of her standing.  And her poor aunt already worried too much about her during her frequent absences.  She thought it prudent to keep the true facts of her life from her aunt.

Alexandra ignored her snide remark on the time she had returned to her house in London, she had long since stopped having to answer for her whereabouts, about the time of her father’s death, actually.  Instead her mind focussed on the important information she had just heard.  “My season?”  She demanded with aggravation and she sat forward in her chair with a look of suspicion in her eyes.

Why in the world would her aunt insist on giving her a season, now of all times?  She was on the verge of reaching the culmination of her plan and she had neither the time nor the inclination to attend to the foppish men at court; neither at present or a later time.

“Aye, your season as I had promised I would do for you before your father’s death.  Apparently I had been quite enlightened to have seen to a more updated wardrobe as well.”

Alexandra recalled that her aunt had made such a promise to her father on his death bed when he had requested to see her urgently.  In all their grief at his loss she had all but forgotten it until this very moment and only because her aunt had seen it fit to remind her.  She would have been kinder to have left that specific promise unfulfilled.

“Aunt Sophia, be reasonable!  I have no time for a season; there are things that need my attention more than some insipid men that require a doll to entertain their drunkard friends and their ignominious intentions.”  She answered with exasperation as she fell back against the back of the chair and stretched her legs out in front of her; recalling too late that she had not changed out of her breeches and boots. 

Her aunt clearly noticed it as well when she glanced down at the dirty boots and then gave her a withering look.  Thankfully she made no comment about her choice in ensemble, but continued with her intentions.

“I told your father it was not good for you to be amongst the derelict of the world.  Not all men are like the ones you spend your time with, Alexandra.  And you must have a season if you are to marry.”

“Aunt Sophia, there is not much difference between the men I know and the men at court; apart from honour and perfume; honour being more obtainable amongst the former than the latter; and perhaps that the men at court seem to be more ladylike than myself at times.  But aye, I learnt well the lessons I were given.  Now, about this season – “

Her aunt interrupted her firmly.  “Aye, about this season, you had best return to your father’s house and make yourself pretty, as you will be needed back here by six; when I shall be introducing you to the available bachelors of the ton.”

She could not be serious!  This was short notice even for her.  She did not have a dress or the needed slippers since she had not bothered to update her wardrobe when she was never in London, considering it a monumental waste of money when she would not wear the purchases. 

She could not show up in one of her out-dated gowns; not that she cared personally, but it would be frowned upon by the nobility of the ton since it would appear that they did not have the funds to afford new dresses for her season.  And that would reflect negatively on her family name, something she strove to avoid above all, thus her reasons for her clandestine way of life.

“Aunt Sophia!”

“Do not ‘Aunt Sophia’ me, Alexandra; we all have our duties to uphold, no matter how distasteful we find them to be.”

Alexandra met her aunt’s expressive eyes and realized for the first time that her aunt had had her own share of distasteful duties she had had to endure, and she had done it well.  Even she knew the sins her late uncle had been known for, mostly because she had spotted him at the act a few times since she had been fourteen and she had felt sorry for the fate of her aunt.

In that moment, she understood for the first time that her aunt had not been as uninformed of her late husband’s sins as she had appeared to be.  She had merely ignored their existence and had done her duties that had been expected of her; a raw deal by any standards considering the death of their heir, her cousin, not long before that in the war.

An overwhelming feeling of sorrow leapt into her heart for her aunt and she reached out and embraced her like she had not done in a long time.  Aunt Sophia held her close as she kissed her cheek, tears slipping from her eyes.

The tea was brought in by a servant girl and they both laughed with embarrassment as they glanced at each other’s tear streaked faces.  Finally, after they had had a cup of tea to manage control over their tears once more, Aunt Sophia looked at her once more with the violet eyes they shared in the family.  “I had taken the liberty of sending a gown and slippers for your maid servant to have ready for you for tonight.  Please do remember to wear the slippers that go with them and not those horrid boots and breeches you currently have on.”

Alexandra giggled at her aunt’s expression.  “I shall endeavour to be the lady you had trained me to be, but only for tonight.  We are leaving with the tide again in the morning; I cannot stay longer than that.”

Aunt Sophia sighed.  “Have your coffers not been filled to their capacity already?”

She smiled.  “Not entirely, and the horses and cattle I am breeding at this point still take a little more money than they are bringing in.  But once they are as I want them to be then I shall have restored the name of our family to its former glory.”

“There was never any doubt as to the honour of the family name.  You know that well enough, so why do you insist on continuing with this charade?”

Alexandra sighed.  She knew her aunt had it right, but she just could not let go of this life, not yet.  “Perhaps my passions do not lie with the ton, Aunt Sophia.”  She acknowledged with chagrin, expecting her aunt to chastise her about her choice of life.

But instead her tone was kind.  “Do you know how I worry about you when you leave here, Alexandra?”

Alexandra sighed when she realized her aunt was not only sincere, but also managed to make her feel guilty about her escapades.  “Aye, Aunt Sophia, I understand, but Father had taught me well and the men truly are loyal to a fault.  I shall be fine as I always am.  But for now, you should know that on my return I shall stop in the country first.  You know I have no taste for the city.”

“How long do you intend this trip to be?”  Aunt Sophia asked.  “I would visit you when you return.”

“A couple of months at most, but I would be grateful if you could have a look at the keep when you come in.  I am sure you could bring it all back to ship shape.”

“Ship shape would be your work, Alexandra.”  Aunt Sophia answered teasingly.  Now, you really should be off, I am sure your lady’s maid is beside herself with worry already.  There is a lot that needs to be done for tonight and I shall have to see to the arrangements for the party.”

Alexandra sighed heavily.  “Aye, I shall go and be painted and polished for tonight.”

She stood and kissed her aunt on the cheek.  “See you soon, Aunt Sophia.”

With that she headed to the door.  “Alexandra!”  Aunt Sophia called and when she turned questioningly to her.  “Lady…”  She reminded with a smile and chuckled when she saw her roll her eyes with a dramatic sigh and change her posture and actions into the lady she was expected to be.

Alexandra added a graceful curtsy to her aunt as she snapped the fan open in front of her face and held it coyly before her expression afore she took it away for a moment and pulled a face at her and then walked off like the lady she was meant to be. 

Sophia watched her go with a mirthful shake of her head.  The man that married her niece would have his hands full.  She was quite a character and she was strong willed.  But she would be sure to choose a man that had no such sins as her late husband had had.  She wanted her niece to find happiness in the match, even if it took them some time.  Her case was entirely unique and not just any man would do.

Too kind a man would have her walking over him, and too controlling a man would have her wither away in sorrow.  Her father had done her both a favour and a great injustice in raising her the way he had.  She could feign being a lady for a short while, but her spirit was free and being cloistered up in the city would never do for her.  But in that sense, her husband would have abundant joy, if he knew how to handle her.

In truth, she was a little envious of the joy her niece had in the life she lived.  And though she would love the experiences, she knew well that she had not been equipped in any way for that life, not like her niece had been prepared for it.

With a smile as she considered Alexandra, she stood and went to see to the preparations of the season for her niece.  It was already the talk of the ton since she was thought to be cloistered away in the country instead of out at sea most of the time.  Everyone knew of her parents’ early demise and found the fact that she chose to remain in the country to see to the needed work as a good quality for a future wife who would have many duties to uphold to support her husband.

And her beauty was captivating to the men who had seen her at the odd party she had insisted on bringing her to; all working up to her season that she would now reap the benefits.  She had made sure to mention regularly in the past few months that her niece would have her own season soon.  And the fact that she had not been in London so much had made it a rather auspicious occasion to the bachelors who were bored with the usual ladies at the parties they were invited to.

Alexandra sighed with pleasure when she sank into the bath and allowed her flustered maid to wash her hair.  She would miss the scent of the salty sea that was constantly in her hair, but she could endure it for the night since the scent of the sea was not conducive to her story of being cloistered up in the country estate. 

Poor woman was beside herself with worry since she feared she would not have her ready for her season, but Alexandra had her mind on more important things than trying to impress insipid nobility. 

She had merely come to shore to get provisions and information and now she had to be a lady as well.  She had made sure that her footman and coachman were some of her crew.  She wanted to be sure that if she needed to escape or assistance in any way she had her backup; not that the usual coachmen were not trustworthy, just less equipped in battle. 

She used the rose scented soap to wash herself and then lay back in the bath to rinse and lay tranquil for a while, simply enjoying the feel of the water as she longed for the sea.

She was loathing getting out of the bath but she also knew her lady’s maid would faint if she stalled much longer.  She sat in front of the fire while she brushed her hair dry.  Amelia, her lady’s maid, already had her dress pressed and ready.  She was efficient if somewhat of a worrier, but then she also knew that she was not the easiest lady to work for, whenever she was at home, which was not very often.  At sea she saw to things herself, not that the work being put into dressing were at all comparable.

Once her hair was dry she allowed Amelia to dress her in the gown that was not to her taste.  A lilac frilly thing that she knew would annoy her the whole night, perhaps as much as the company she would be forced to keep.  Amelia then started piling her hair up onto her head, allowing a few tendrils to hang around her face and neck. And then she completed the look with a gold and topaz necklace of her mother’s.

Alexandra looked at herself in the gilded mirror and nodded approval.  She looked as a lady should.  She would just have to remember to move the same way.  There were differences between her walk and act on land and how she moved and acted at sea, which meant she had to concentrate on her actions and movements whenever she had to attend a festivity or appear in public as a lady.  A tiring act since she was more used to free and efficient movements of breeches and boots than the dainty acts of women on land.

“Thank you, Amelia, you may go.  Tell them that I want my carriage in front since I will be leaving shortly.”  She smiled at her maid, who curtsied and left her alone.

The moment she was sure she was alone, she took the knife and sheathe out of her bedside table and raised her voluminous skirts.  She strapped the knife to her thigh and lowered her skirts, glancing down and in the mirror to be sure that it did not show.  She wondered absently how other ladies managed to go about their day unarmed when she felt naked without a weapon.

Taking a deep breath she changed her posture to that of a lady, reminding herself that she would have to be happy with watered wine and boring conversations tonight when she would have many eyes on her and she would have to be the perfect lady so as not to embarrass her aunt.  She knew she had gone to much trouble and that she was right.

Alexandra would have to start seeing to all her duties as a lady, no matter how distasteful she found them to be.  She was nearly past the age for her season, her aunt had been right in planning it now.  She would have to choose a husband, and though she had no need of money or land, she would have to choose for status, however distasteful she found the whole situation to be.

She would have to marry, it was expected and she was the last that could bear heirs for their line, though there was no man to carry on the name, she would have to carry on the bloodline.  The husband she would have to choose would be important. 

It had to be an intelligent man with few compulsions, and though she knew that he would merely bed her for an heir and then find another woman, or several women to entertain him otherwise she found it distasteful.  And perhaps that was the reason she had avoided this one duty expected of her up to this point.

But a love such as her parents had shared was rare, and she had never really held a hope of having that, though she had to admit that she would have loved to have a love match like her parents’ had been.  It had been an arranged marriage, much like all the others but the arrangement had worked in the favour of their love and thus it was a marriage for two, a completely fulfilling experience for everyone involved so unlike what her aunt had had.

She would probably have to do her duty like her aunt had said.  So she took a deep breath, glanced at herself in the mirror once more and then proceeded to glide down the stairs as would be expected of a lady.

She thanked Jennings that was holding the door open for her and told him she would not be too late.  She had no intention of spending the whole night there despite the hard work her aunt had undoubtedly put into her season. 

And she could not think that there would be very many people there since she had been rather recluse according to the nobility of the ton.  The tide was early in the morning and she was not going to be late to leave, there was a ship she wanted to catch and she considered that of more importance than to find a match that would expect her to be ready for breeding almost immediately after marriage.

As she stepped out onto the street where her carriage was waiting she heard a low whistle of appreciation and she glanced up at the coachman.  “My ye’re a sight fer sore eyes, Cap’n.  Any lady would be envious of ye t’night.”

“I am a lady, Smithy, and if you whistle to me again and forget your place, I shall have you keel-hauled in the morning.” 

He grinned at her and he touched the cap of the livery that just did not seem to match his face in acceptance of her warning.  He was a sailor through and through.  And she knew full well that he was not taking her threat seriously, since she was not one to punish without good reason. 

Though the footman, who was holding open the carriage door for her did a much better job of looking his part both in appearance and mannerisms.  He bowed low when he offered her a hand to assist her into the carriage.  “Ye do look like a magnolia in May, Cap’n.”

“Remember, ‘tis milady for this night, if you please sailor, or you will be adding to the entertainment in the morning.”

Gary grinned at her since he knew she was simply annoyed with the situation, she was as much a sailor as the rest of them and having to be the lady for the night had her in a dreadful mood. 

The moment she was seated, he took up the step and mounted on the back of the carriage while he nodded to Smithy to head to her aunt’s house.  They would have something to tell the others on the ship the next morning.  Their Captain was by far the prettiest to sail the seas and they were quite fond of her, despite her threats.

They all had endless loyalty for her, since she had taken over from her father when he had passed two years ago and had been on the ship with them since she had been fourteen, they had all seen her blossom into the beautiful woman and intelligent captain she was today.  Perhaps because of that they had more loyalty to her than she probably understood, since not one of her crew had ever considered mutiny, though she was strict, she had a gentle heart and it showed in the way she led.

She would never expect something from them that she would not do herself, in fact, she was usually in the lead and they could not fault her courage or intelligence.  She merely added intuition to her leading methods that her father had not, and they considered it to be her womanly powers.  They knew full well that not all the captains were as fair as she was and thus they would defend her with their lives.

When they pulled up to her aunt’s house and Gary stooped to place the step and then opened the door with a flourish while he held his hand to her, she took it and all the world thought that she was the lady she showed to all who cared to glance at her now.  “Stay close.”  She whispered to Gary before she took the steps and smiled to the butler that opened the door.

His years of training was all that kept him from staring at her with mouth agape, since this was not the young woman that visited her aunt on occasion and caused her to fret over her niece.  This young woman was a lady, a stunningly beautiful young lady in manner and appearance.

“Good evening, Mathews.  Am I ladylike enough for you?”  She teased him when he glanced her up and down in barely hidden surprise.

“Good evening, milady, I believe your aunt would approve.”

“Oh the highest accolade, I am sure.”  She answered teasingly, knowing well that it was his way of approving of her appearance and reactions after that morning’s greeting.  This was as close as her aunt’s prim butler would get to a teasing conversation with her and she did it regularly with him, if only for her own entertainment.

He stood aside and bowed to her as he allowed her entrance and she smiled her thanks.  Alexandra smiled at her aunt when she came down the stairs at that moment with an outcry of excitement.  “Oh I knew you would look ravishing in that gown!”  She reached the bottom step and hugged her niece with great exuberance.  “You would make your parents proud.”

She gave a sad smile at what her aunt had said she truly hoped she would.  “Well, am I the proper lady you have requested, dear Aunt Sophia?”  She asked teasingly while her aunt held her at arms’ length and looked her over with a critical eye.

“Aye, you shall have most of the men falling at your feet by the end of the night.”  Her aunt smiled with excitement.  “You could have your pick of men if we play our cards right.  The fact that you had not been at the ton so much makes you a mystery and how the men love the adventure of solving a mystery!”

Alexandra raised her eyebrow at her aunt.  “Really, Aunt Sophia, a hopeless romantic at your age?”  She asked teasingly.

“Oh hush, I am allowed my little pleasures!”  She waved her comment aside and Alexandra giggled at the statement.  Indeed, she was allowed her little pleasures and if she could still be a romantic after all she had been through, who was she to stop her?