"It almost proved your unlucky piece," the governor growled, reaching out to clasp the coin. "You are either very brave or very foolhardy."
He looked down at her and shook his head, his anger fading. "What do they call you, lass? And where are you headed in America?"
She dipped a rather wobbly curtsey. "My name's Fiona Prescott, Sir William. My mother and I are bound for Salem."
The two men exchanged uneasy glances.
"Salem, is it? Have you nowhere else to go?" the governor asked her gravely.
Fiona shook her head. "Oh, first we'll pay a visit to my mother's cousin in Boston, but my uncle, Matthew Prescott, has offered us a sorely needed home."
"Matthew Prescott," Giles said slowly.
"You know him?" Fiona asked.
"Yes. And his family. Matthew Prescott is a good man. Honest and hardworking."
The governor clapped Giles on the shoulder. "And you also will be in Salem, doctor, and can keep an eye on little Miss Fiona. I doubt that should be a hardship, eh?" He gave a booming laugh.
Giles didn't smile. "I am afraid Fiona cares naught for caution, sir. It may be difficult to keep her out of harm."
Why must he sound so exasperated? Fiona tossed her head, her curls, loosened and blew about her face. "That should not concern you, doctor. I do not expect to need a nursemaid. I assure you, I can take care of myself. Now, gentlemen, I will say goodnight."
"Wait, lass, keep this as a souvenir of the voyage." The governor handed back the coin. " 'Tis one of the Spanish doubloons I discovered in the West Indies."
Speechless for a moment, Fiona found her voice. "Oh, I have heard of the huge sunken treasure you found." She stared at the coin. "Before we reached rough weather, there was constant talk of it among the passengers. But Your Excellency, I would not deprive you of your luck."
"Nay, lass, that you will not do. I believe you make your own luck. That's what I've done all my life. Why, when I came to Boston as a lad, I could not read or write. I only had one pair of shoes tied around my neck to keep them clean."
He leaned back on the rail, evidently anticipating the retelling of his astounding story to a new audience. "I grew up on a sheep farm with twenty-one brothers and four sisters and I knew I had to get away and make a life beside the sea, a place that appealed to me much more than a farm. So I went to Boston and found work building ships, and all the while I listened to tales of sunken treasure in the southern seas. The one that thrilled me most concerned sixteen Spanish galleons sunk in 1643 during a fierce hurricane and never found. My mind reeled imagining all that gold just waiting on some coral reef. Night and day I dreamed of finding it and then I married a young woman whose dowry enabled me to get my own ship and gather up a crew. People vowed my wits were addled when we set sail."
"But then you found the treasure!" Fiona interjected, oblivious to the swaying deck and sharp wind that blew her red locks wildly and whipped her shawl about her neck.
"Nay, lass." Sir William chuckled. " 'Twas not to be that easy. For weeks we searched but got nary a glimpse of treasure. I realized that I needed a larger vessel, better equipped and an experienced crew. My money was nearly gone, so I sailed to England to see if the king would finance me."
"Gad!" Giles exclaimed. "You were exceedingly optimistic."
"Others might say crazy." Sir William grinned. "At first I couldn't even get an audience with King Charles, but I made friends. Christopher Monch, the Duke of Albermarle, noticed my constant vigil at the castle gates and asked what business brought me there. When I told him, he became as excited as I. He arranged an audience for me with the king, who liked the idea of a huge treasure for the Crown and gave me a new ship, albeit not so large or new as I had wished. After that, I waged a long battle with rough seas, unsuccessfully hunting for the treasure and finally enduring a mutiny among the men which I had to quell single-handedly. But my luck had not run out. A new king came to the throne in England and my friend the duke organized a group called the Gentlemen Adventurers who helped King James to finance another expedition." Sir William smiled complacently. "The rest is common history."
"Yes, indeed." Giles's eyes glowed. "From the wreck you brought up jewels, coins, and gold bars and plate valued at two million pounds. I wish I could have seen it!"
" 'Tis the most thrilling story I've ever heard," Fiona breathed. "And now you're a royal governor, knighted by King James." Suddenly, she felt awed and shy. She had forgotten for a moment how important this easy-mannered, rough-hewn man had actually become.
But then he flung out his arms, crying, "Behold Sir William Phips, the former barefoot boy!" And they all laughed when the ship's listing had them clutching at each other. Soon after that Sir William left, but he turned around before he reached his cabin. "So, my dear, Miss Fiona, if I can ever help you—"
A booming wave cut him off and Giles swept Fiona into an alcove to escape the spray. There he stopped, hands braced on each arm, staring down at her with half-shut eyes.
Thrilled by his closeness, their bodies brushing with each motion of the ship, Fiona looked down, fingering the coin pierced by a black cord, and spoke a little breathlessly. "I think I'll wear this around my neck. Wasn't it kind of the governor to give it to me?"
"He meant well." Giles's voice sounded rough. "But if any trouble should assail you in your new life, he probably will be too busy, since he faces a big problem with the Indians up north. That 'lucky piece' won't help you, either." Hard and strong, his fingers closed her own around the coin. "When you reach Salem, you may need me. How or when I cannot say, but just remember this: I 'stand ready to serve you if I can."
"Why, thank you." Fiona gazed up at his solemn, frowning face and gave a teasing laugh. "There you go again, worrying. There will be no trouble for me in Salem—nor anywhere else."
He ground his teeth. "By God, you are a willful, exasperating… extraordinary lovely woman!"
The next instant, his mouth came down against her own. His cold lips moved back and forth, gradually heating to a hot, demanding pressure that took Fiona's breath away and blanked out all the world. All she knew was that Giles was kissing her. This was what she had yearned for these past long days and nights at sea. And it more than fulfilled her expectations. Eagerly she kissed him back, leaning with an odd feeling of abandonment against his male strength, longing for this joy to never end.
When Giles suddenly jerked his head up with a gasp and stepped back, she clutched his coat to keep from falling, about to ask him not to go. His next words smote her like an icy wave.
"Forgive me, Fiona," he said harshly. "I don't know what came over me. I guess this long voyage is driving us all insane with fear and weariness." He turned away. "You are so young and innocent. I shall watch myself in the future, never fear."
Bewilderment and disappointment swept Fiona. Hadn't he felt the excitement, the surging sweetness of that kiss? She could have stayed wrapped in his arms for hours enjoying the exploration of this thrilling new sensation. But evidently Giles had not shared her feelings. He put the kissing down to the long voyage and nothing more, saying it wouldn't happen again.
Well, indeed it wouldn't. From now on, she would only call him "doctor" and speak to him as little as possible, and then with frigid courtesy. She knew now that she could expect nothing more of an intimate nature from the dedicated, upright doctor.
She would never again think of Giles as anything more than a mistake she had made in giving her first blossoming affection to such an unresponsive man. Better things awaited her, a whole new world. She could hardly wait to savor everything and everyone. It would be wonderful!
Why, then, were tears trickling down her cheeks?
Chapter 2
The storm ran itself out next morning and Fiona brewed an herbal tea of angelica, tansy, and briony, which her mother could keep down. This concoction, combined with the easing of the ship's tossing, was of great help, and by late afternoon people ventured out on deck, including Fiona and her mother
.
Everyone moved carefully, calling to each other and breathing deeply of the clean, fresh air in lungs that had been starved for it. The sky now arched high and blue, with only a few remaining clouds. Sailors swarmed up the rigging, propelled by shouted orders from below. The big white sails belled triumphantly until suddenly a cry erupted from the crow's nest high above: "La-a-and ahoy!"
Excitement sent everyone crowding to the rails, laughing, shouting, sobbing, pointing eagerly across the silvery blue sea.
"Are we nearly there?"
"Yes, yes, there it is!"
"America!"
"Praise be to God!"
Fiona strained her eyes, senses whirling. Now she saw it, too. A long shadow on the horizon, only a gray outline at this distance, but unmistakably their destination. A lump rose in her throat as she and her mother clasped hands, murmuring and exclaiming with the rest.
"Oh, if only your dear father could have seen this day!" Ellen Prescott caught back a sob. "Such dreams and plans he had. Salem Harbor would be filled with splendid ships and eager seamen like himself. Soon we would leave his brother's house and get a wee place of our own with a garden for my herbs, a cow, some fowl. Sure and David said America was called the 'land of milk and honey,' just like Paradise."
"Mother, wipe your tears." Fiona hugged her tenderly. "I believe Father is aware we are here, and he would want us to be brave and happy."
"Aye, 'tis right you are. I promise, no more tears. Oh, look, there comes the ship's chaplain on the bridge. Hark, now, he's signaling for silence."
"My brethren," the gray-haired clergyman called out strongly, "this is a day for great rejoicing. Though many of you ailed mightily and worried desperately, there was no panic, no despair, no undue grumbling. All did the best they could to help themselves as well as each other. Let us pray and give thanksgiving to the Lord."
At once, everyone knelt on the rough wooden planks of the swaying ship and bowed their heads as the chaplain intoned: "We thank thee, Lord, for delivering us from the perils of the vast and furious ocean and for bringing us safely to shore in this new land. Please guide out future ventures and keep each one of us from harm. May we all prove worthy of Your trust."
A fervent "Amen" rose from every throat.
Afterwards, Ellen went below to rest, and soon Fiona became aware that Giles had pushed through the throng to reach her side. To her annoyance, he still could make her pulses quicken.
"Well, doctor," she said coolly, "soon these days on shipboard will be just a memory. I imagine you can hardly wait to reach your home."
He nodded. "I long to see how my family fares, but these days at sea will never be forgotten. How about you, Fiona? Can you forget all this? I would not think so."
She raised her chin defiantly. "I intend to push this voyage completely from my memory. Why recall an interval that was so painful?"
He gave her a little grin. "There were a few times not unpleasant. Our talks on the deck before the weather worsened. And the night we gazed silently at a moonlit sea, finding it too beautiful for speech. You were beautiful, too," he added, almost to himself.
Fiona couldn't answer, and he continued. "You are a very remarkable voyager, strong and courageous and never ill for a single day."
"My father taught me many things," she said shortly, "before he died at sea last year."
"Oh, I am sorry. I know how you must miss him." Giles pressed her hand upon the railing with his own.
"I must go in." She jerked away as though his fingers burned her and pushed off through the crowd. However, Giles still followed, throwing her several glances which she ignored.
Before they reached the companionway, he took her arm in a firm clasp, causing her to halt against her will. "Fiona, what is the matter? Where is the merry, optimistic lass I've admired all these past weeks at sea? Now that the worst is over, where is that sunny smile?"
When she didn't answer or look at him, he said in a low, deep voice, "You must be angry with me because I kissed you. I guess I frightened you, but I said it wouldn't be repeated, and I apologized."
She tried to jerk her arm away, but his hold tightened and Fiona was forced to meet his steady gray-eyed gaze. She hardened her heart and answered flippantly, "The kiss? Oh, what nonsense! I had forgotten all about it. I have other things to think about, Doctor Harmon. A whole new life awaits me and I doubt you will play any part in it. Now, pray release me. I wish to help my mother pack."
"Fiona, listen for a moment. When you reach Salem there might be troubling times. You may need help. We will meet—"
She forced a laugh. "Do you think I would remain insulted because of a kiss in a moment's madness? You were correct, it was the wretched voyage."
"Fiona—" His fingers tightened on her arm. "It wasn't just the voyage—"
But she succeeded in loosening his hold and turned to the decks below. "I am grateful for your kindness to my mother, Doctor Harmon, and that I won't forget." To her dismay, her voice wobbled at the end and she flung open the door to the companionway, fighting off the threat of tears.
Oh, yes, she would be glad to leave his attractive, disturbing presence that had caused her pulse to pound and her heartbeat to quicken. The reserve and seriousness that were part of him had made her long to make him lose his head and respond to her, but when he had, how quickly he'd pulled back. Afraid she'd get the wrong impression, he had apologized, finding an excuse for his behavior.
At least it had taught her a valuable lesson about men.
Perhaps she had been on the brink of falling in love with Giles. It would not have been unnatural. He was strong, handsome, good-natured and a skillful and important doctor. Even Sir William and the captain were among his friends.
Angrily Fiona brushed the moisture from her eyes. Why hadn't she realized sooner what was happening? They had been thrown together for long periods in a close confinement. They both were young, experiencing a thrilling new adventure. He thought she was pretty. He enjoyed her company and sought her out, excluding other misses who smiled and flirted with him.
Then at last he kissed her. And she had been so willing! Not a speck of indignation had she shown, no righteous slap upon his cheek. Instead, she had clung weakly, giving her lips to the searching, demanding power of his touch, pressing her own mouth hotly to his own. Not just once, but several times. Oh, what must he have thought of her! Fiona's face burned at the memory.
Of course, with him it was just a passing fancy. He wasn't serious about her. She was penniless. "Willful and exasperating," he had said. Back home in Salem, he doubtless already had—or soon would have—a talented housewife with a fine dowry to ease his new practice on its way.
She clenched her hands. Well, Giles Harmon would never have to be bothered by her again.
The next morning, when the ship docked in Boston Harbor, Fiona felt a surprising pang of regret that the voyage was over and knew her words to Giles about dismissing it from her mind had not been true.
She looked back at the Seawynd bobbing gently at anchor, sails hanging meekly furled against the sunny sky. "Eight weeks at sea," she said to her mother with a sigh as they stood on the dock. "We all became good friends. Will we ever see any of them again, I wonder?"
Especially a certain royal governor who had given her a lucky piece? The day before they'd landed, Sir William had sought her out to say goodbye.
Dressed in a fine broadcloth coat trimmed with gilt lace and embroidery, and wearing a white wig tied at the back of his head with a velvet ribbon, he now looked like the famous, important man he really was. "If you ever come to Boston, lass, be sure to look me up," he said in his frank, easy way. "I wish the best of luck to you and your mother." Fiona could only murmur shyly and thank him. She had not seen him after that. He had left in a special launch before the others.
All farewells had been exchanged with their friends who were now hurrying away about their own affairs. Seeing Fiona's downcast face, her mother said, "My dear, soon our time on
shipboard will be just a memory and in the years to come, happily, we'll only remember the comradeship and the adventure of it all. The discomfort, worry, and illness we will be forgetting."
"You are over your own sickness, are you not, Mrs. Prescott?" Giles asked, suddenly appearing at their side.
Fiona vouchsafed him the coolest nod, but her mother, unaware of any undercurrents, was her usual friendly self. She patted her chest with a deep breath. "Indeed, yes, doctor. Almost as good as new, I am."
"I presume you and Fiona are going to take the sloop to Salem?" he asked. " 'Tis by far the easiest and quickest way to travel there."
"Whisht, no more boats for me just yet." Mrs. Prescott laughed. She looked down at the swaying dock. " 'Tis stable ground I want."
"First, we are going to visit our cousin in Boston," Fiona said briskly, not looking at Giles. "I think we best hire a carter without delay, and I see one over there. Wait here, Mother."
"We will meet in Salem," Giles called after her, but Fiona, head held high, cloak billowing in the breeze, didn't favor him with look or answer. Determinedly, she marched up to a swarthy, thick-set man in a leather jacket holding up a grubby sign: For Hire. Carting Anywhere.
When Fiona returned to her mother with the carter, named Thomas, there was no sign of Giles. She saw the Boston sloop thronged with passengers pull slowly away from shore. After one quick, painful glance, Fiona turned away.
While her mother spoke to Thomas, pointing out their baggage and giving him instructions to her cousin's home, Fiona stared around the wharf. She realized she was hungry as she eyed the kegs of pickled oysters, salt cod, pork, and beef, the colorful crates of lemons, oranges, and other fruits glowing in the sun. Bags of spices, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves sent up pungent aromas. Above these tempting items, white gulls wheeled, uttering harsh cries as they smelled the piles of fresh-caught fish. And in among the stalls and shops, dogs, cats, chickens, and even pigs, excited and noisy, scurried around, getting under everybody's feet.
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