Mistress Below Deck

by Helen Dickson

  ‘What is happening to me?’ she murmured in some wonder. ‘I am like a woman waiting for her man, seizing upon one of his garments to relive past moments.’ She sighed, bemused by her mood. She had never felt his presence as much as she missed his absence. But I will not be drawn, she assured herself, draping the jerkin back over the chair. She sighed again to ease the lonely ache that sprang up in her heart. He will come back. He will come back soon.

  Restlessly she went on deck. It was almost dark and the moon lit up the shining surface of the sea. Suddenly her heart leapt when she saw Tobias being rowed back to the ship.

  Coming to stand beside her, Mark smiled kindly at her anxious features. ‘I told you he would come back safely.’

  ‘Thank God,’ she uttered, smothering a cry of joy as Tobias hauled himself on board.

  ‘How did it go?’ Mark asked.

  ‘Better than I expected. I was treated with the greatest courtesy by the divan and they were most attentive. Being my usual charming self, I enjoyed three hours of their hospitality before bidding them farewell.’

  Mark chuckled low in his chest. ‘You always did have the devil’s own, Tobias. I know of no other as adept at flattery and disarming his enemies with a flow of smooth obsequies as yourself. And the mission to Meknes? What had they to say about that?’

  ‘They saw nothing wrong with it—which is not uncommon, for many European ambassadors come to petition and negotiate ransoms for fellow countrymen. Some are successful, others who do not have sufficient funds are not so successful. You will be relieved to know I have been assured that the Cymbeline will be in safe harbour during my absence.’

  ‘They know who you are?’

  He nodded. ‘My vessels are often seen plying their trade in Portugal and the Mediterranean. The divan may be religious fanatics, but they are also pragmatists and are willing to adhere to anything within reason if they stand to benefit.’

  ‘So what is it they want—to trade?’

  ‘Precisely. I told them I would consider it—but I have no intention of sending any of my vessels to Sale in the present climate.’

  ‘And Jane?’ Rowena asked, her face dark against the starlit sky.

  ‘Providing I have the means with which to pay the ransom for your sister—and she has not converted to Islam—then they can see no reason why Moulay Ismail will not set her free.’

  Rowena’s heart soared with relief, only to be brought back down to earth by Tobias’s next words.

  ‘It is early days,’ he told her gravely, hating to be the one to dampen her enthusiasm. ‘The trek to Meknes, for which I have everything arranged, will be long and arduous, and despite what the divan said, the sultan is a cruel despot and not noted for his good humour. He holds most visiting envoys in contempt, and deception and betrayal are second nature to him—and anyone who refuses to defer to him is in danger of losing his head.’

  ‘Then we shall have to be careful. See, the moon has risen. You must be hungry. I’ll go below and prepare you a meal.’

  She slipped past him and went down to the cabin, and Tobias let her go without making any attempt to follow her. Instead he went to stand at the wheel, looking at the thin line of light on the horizon before coming to rest on the dark silhouette of a ship some considerable distance away. Unable to discern either its name or see the colour of its flag, he turned away.

  * * *

  Rowena lay down in pursuit of sleep she sorely wanted, but it was a long time coming. Dreadful thoughts and images haunted her mind, and every time she closed her eyes and fell to sleep she was thrown into the grip of a nightmare and tormented by terrible dreams of Jane.

  * * *

  A cry woke Tobias. His first thought was of Rowena. Going to her cabin, by the silvery light of the moon shining in through the small porthole, he could see her lying on the bunk with her arms crossed over her face, as though to blot out some intolerable sight, and she was breathing rapidly. Gently pulling her arms away, he took her hand.

  Her eyes flew open. ‘Tobias!’

  ‘I didn’t want to wake you but I heard you cry out.’

  ‘Did I? I didn’t know. I’ll be all right.’

  ‘If you’re sure.’

  ‘Yes—thank you, Tobias.’

  He went out, but, unable to get back to sleep without falling back into the shocking nightmare and not wanting to be alone, half in panic she got up and found her way to Tobias’s cabin, needing the reassurance of his strength to see her through the night. Knocking softly, she pushed the door open. Tobias got up from the bed and went to her. She looked defenceless, like he’d never seen her.

  ‘I hope you don’t mind,’ she whispered, ‘but I don’t want to be by myself.’

  She’d only meant to seek his company, taking strength from being in his presence, but somehow she found herself moving wordlessly toward his still figure. His hard fingers folded securely around hers, squeezing gently as he drew her towards him, and suddenly his arms went round her. The monstrous fears, which crowded and closed about her, reluctantly retreated. She sagged thankfully in the protective circle of Tobias’s arms.

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘I didn’t want to be alone. It will be a long night and I’m so…’

  ‘Anxious?’

  ‘Frightened.’

  ‘About the journey?’

  She nodded, her cheek against his shirt. ‘I’m afraid something will happen—something dreadful. This is a terrible place, Tobias. I hate it.’

  ‘I know you do.’

  ‘Today, when I saw those captives that had just arrived in Sale, I thought I saw Jack Mason. Oh, he was dressed like everyone else in Sale, and his face was covered, but I am certain I saw recognition in his eyes when he looked at me. But—it can’t have been him—can it?’

  Taking her upper arms and pushing her away slightly, Tobias cupped her face in his hands, his gaze intent. ‘Rowena, listen to me. I don’t know if it was Jack Mason. If it was, then you need not be afraid while you are with me. He won’t hurt you—but you don’t have to go with me tomorrow. You will be safe here on board with Mark.’

  ‘I’m going with you, Tobias. Please don’t try to stop me. I want to be there when Jane is released. It’s important to me.’

  He nodded, understanding. ‘Then come. You must rest. We have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow.’ Taking her hand, he drew her down beside him on the bed, taking her in his arms and holding her shuddering body close. ‘Go to sleep.’

  He held her as he would a child that needed comforting. She was content to curl against him and rest her cheek against his chest. He was disturbed by what she had told him about Jack Mason. More than likely she had been mistaken, but if Mason was here in Sale, there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it until he returned from Meknes, and by then he would have flown.

  ‘Tobias.’

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘Do you think we’ll get Jane back?’

  His arms tightened and he rested his lips on the top of her head. ‘I hope so, Rowena. Now go to sleep.’

  She snuggled closer and sighed through the drowsiness that engulfed her before she slept.

  Tobias stared down at her in the silvery light. Her body was so soft curled against him, and he could feel her unrestrained breasts were hard buds again his chest. Despite the insulating barrier of his trousers and shirt his mind instantly began reminding him of all the delectable female attributes he held within his arms. In slumber her face was naked within the heavy cap of her dark hair. She had the ability to be at one moment a very young, innocent, vulnerable and defenceless girl, and the next a termagant who could snap her temper as easily as he could snap his fingers.

  For a moment physical desire that was like a living flame between them blazed in him so fiercely that at that moment he would have done almost anything to take possession of her body and lose himself in forgetfulness of all the problems that pressed down on him. But there was no answering urge in Rowena’s body as she slept, her sof
t breath fanning his chest. He wanted her, all of her, in a way that went beyond lust and desire. He had never felt like this about a woman, which made Rowena all the more special.

  One way or another he could not take advantage of her now. If he were to give way to his own desires and rouse a willing response in Rowena, once the barrier had been breached, all his carefully laid plans for the future would be put in jeopardy. Besides, it would bode ill for the journey facing them and complicate matters between them. There would be plenty of time for such things as loving once this nightmare was over.

  * * *

  As Rowena slept, so did Tobias, and he did not wake until she stirred in his arms, aroused by the loud chorus of sea birds greeting the dawn. Looking down at her features softened by sleep, he could not help but wonder at her thoughts. He shifted his head on the pillow to whisper a question. ‘Are you comfortable?’

  Rowena nodded shyly, remembering where she was, but strangely reluctant to move. ‘Are you?’ A long sigh escaped her lips.

  ‘Never more so.’

  ‘Thank you for letting me stay,’ she murmured, closing her eyes to go back to sleep. She nestled against the warm, hard body beside her, seemingly unaware of what lay ahead of them, and her slumber deepened. Then there was warm breath in her ear, a whisper so soft she could not distinguish it from her dreams.

  ‘Rowena, are you asleep?’

  ‘Mmm, Tobias,’ she sighed in a soft, drowsing breath, unable to break the lingering essence of sleep. She snuggled closer, soothed in the security of his presence.

  Half-rolling on his side, Tobias rose above her slightly and nuzzled his nose in the soft fragrance of her hair. Her eyes flickered open and her smile was sublime. Gazing down into her slumberous eyes, he saw a kind of gentle beauty and unquenchable spirit that took his breath away.

  ‘Has anyone ever told you,’ he murmured, ‘that you have the smile of an angel?’

  ‘Don’t you think that remark is a little sacrilegious,’ she teased, ‘when I have just spent the night in your bed?’

  He stifled a laugh that rose in his throat. ‘No, but it probably is when you consider what we might do if you remain. Unless you wish to fall victim to circumstance, Rowena—which could rapidly get out of control—I suggest you remove yourself from my bed.’

  Her eyes flew open as she realised full well his meaning. The heat of his hard, semi-naked body and lust-filled eyes were graphic proof. ‘Oh!’ Scarlet cheeked, she moved away from him, and, swinging her legs over the side of the bed, stood up, shoving her hair out of her eyes. Now she was fully awake her nerves were stretched taut.

  She felt crippled with the knowledge of what faced them. How could it have slipped her mind? Of course, there was the fact that Tobias was a practised seducer and he had taken liberties with her in the past, but when she had sought him out in his bed, wanting nothing more than to feel his arms around her, to banish the nightmares tormenting her, it had been her doing.

  But deep inside her she knew it had been more than that. Tobias had become so special to her in every way. He was her strength. She stood greatly in the debt of this man and was glad he had been there at a time when she was in need of help. She could not envisage her life without him at this time. She had never felt like this, not ever. It was as if her body were awash with feeling, alive with need, and despite her determination to keep her heart intact, she was afraid that she might do something wild and completely against her nature.

  Looking at him now, she tried unsuccessfully to maintain an expression of cool disdain, for how could she when he looked so outrageously handsome and dissolute, lounging nonchalantly on the bed with his dark ruffled hair and lopsided grin? And with his shirt sagging open to his waist, revealing a mat of dark fussy hair, he was the personification of a rake.

  Tobias rolled off the bed, amused by her obvious embarrassment and chuckling softly. An almost lecherous smile tempted his lips as he watched the emotions flitting across her face. Rowena had never been able to hide her feelings—she had never had to.

  ‘I see I have your attention now. I cannot think of anything I would rather do right now than linger with you in my bed, Rowena, but if we are to leave for Meknes it will have to wait for another time.’

  She had the grace to look a little ashamed as she backed away to the door, unable to tear her eyes away from his towering presence. ‘I’m sorry, Tobias. I really should have known better than to come to you last night. What if…what if someone had come in…?’

  ‘They didn’t,’ he stated flatly, moving towards her. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he looked down into her intriguing eyes—his so blue, hers an indeterminate shade between blue and green, touching her in hidden places. ‘My sweet Rowena, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Nothing happened. Last night you were in the grip of a very unpleasant nightmare and you needed someone. I’m glad I was available. Everything is the same as it was before. Now, go and get ready to leave. The sooner we are on the road to Meknes the better.’

  * * *

  By mid-morning a party of four horsemen took to the main highway that runs between Sale and Meknes, more than one hundred miles inland. To deflect the curious, woollen scarves covered their heads, which partially covered their faces from prying eyes and the dust kicked up by the horses. Dressed in simple white Moorish robes, which concealed their weapons of defence, they looked no different to any other Muslim traveller.

  Following other travellers familiar with the terrain, they journeyed through the ancient timbered forest of Sale. Having been told by the merchant who had seen them on their way to beware of dangerous animals—lions, wild hogs and many others—they rode close together, constantly peering into the trees, so dense that those who entered and were unfamiliar with the tracks became lost and were never seen again.

  Tobias had seen to it that they had enough food to see them through to Meknes. Being fluent in Arabic and almost as dark as a Moor, Tobias could pass as one of them, but he preferred not to draw unnecessary attention. They had goatskins of water fastened to the horses, for springs and waterholes were few and far between.

  There were many travellers going both ways, and the occasional column of European slaves heading for Meknes. The sight of these unfortunates wrenched Rowena’s heart, and in helpless frustration, because she could do nothing to ease their torment, she would avert her eyes.

  Fortunately the journey was uneventful and despite the sun being hotter than she had every known, it was often tempered by a strong wind. They passed impoverished villages where the inhabitants lived miserably in makeshift dwellings. It was hot and dusty during the day and the nights, when the sun vanished and withdrew its warm rays, were extremely cold. They were thankful for the shelter of the tents they had brought with them.

  They pushed on as quickly as possible, stopping around noon during the hottest part of the day to find shelter and to eat and rest the horses. The two men Tobias had chosen to accompany them, were both around thirty years of age and splendidly built, Henry, with a shock of short curly black hair, and Sam, with receding fair hair.

  Tobias had chosen well in their protectors because both men were strong, trusted, hard-bitten, sharp-eyed sailors, much superior to the average seamen, who also fell to their tasks with a minimum of talk and efficiency. Tobias had told them the purpose of their mission, and that the young lady he was to offer a ransom for was Master Rowan’s sister. Having developed a respect and trust for the man on whose ship they had served and often fought for the best part of ten years, they accepted this without demur.

  Rowena went to great pains to give Sam and Henry no cause to suspect her true gender, taking great care to attend to her personal needs when she was sure of absolute privacy, and relying on Tobias to make sure they were otherwise occupied.

  Every now and then Tobias would glance at Rowena. She would meet his gaze and smile and her beautiful eyes would shine in her unveiled face, which was flushed and so very young. She was the girl he had met when he had sought h
er out above Falmouth, the wild girl who would do anything she wanted to. And he had loved her for it and made plans, until Mason had attacked the Petrel and forced him to take another direction.

  * * *

  After three nights on the road, as the sun sank towards the horizon in a glory of crimson and gold, they had their first glimpse of Meknes. Silently they paused and contemplated the city overlooking the River Fakran. It was like a fantastic jewel, concocted in the last century by Moulay Ismail, the very sultan who still ruled his massive domain by fear.

  The cultivated valley of fields and orchards rose to low houses built in mud and clay. Behind them crenellations like lace festooned the high white wall, glowing pink in the sunset like some delicious sugary confection, which gave an aura of enchantment to the scene. It stretched for miles, curving away out of sight. Beyond could be glimpsed a forest of gleaming, glittering turrets and minarets and gilded domes of the sultan’s imperial palace. It was built on a grand scale—an impregnable fortress to withstand the mightiest army on earth.

  Rowena could not believe her eyes. Silently she contemplated this gorgeous pink jewel. ‘What manner of man could build a place like this?’ she breathed, complete awestruck.

  ‘An emperor,’ Tobias answered. ‘The building never stops. Everything you see—the wall, every column and battlement—has been built by an army of Christian slaves, and they are kept in the most wretched state. Too many have succumbed to the rigors of hard labour. The sultan orders a new building to be built almost every day, and just as quickly has it pulled down if it doesn’t suit his taste. What you see is just one of his palaces. In fact, the complex is huge. There are a further fifty palaces at least, where scheming viziers and eunuchs keep their courts. It is all interconnecting, with stables, pleasure gardens, orchards and harems, all housing the sultan’s concubines, which runs into hundreds—possibly more. No one knows exactly.’

  ‘But—the children?’ Rowena asked, completely overwhelmed by the sheer scale of everything.