Rescued By the Captain
Page 2
“You have been sick with a fever,” Thorn told Ivy.
Ivy looked up into Thorn’s eyes with confusion and asked, “How?”
“Well that is what I was hoping you would tell me. We found you drifting in a lifeboat out in the sea. How did you come to be there Ivy?” Thorn asked.
Ivy closed her eyes bringing her hand to her forehead and rubbing her temples. Her head and body ached so badly. The thing was she really didn’t know how she had ended up on the lifeboat. She did know what had happened to her before that, but she wasn’t ready to tell anybody it yet, especially Thorn. He would think her so naïve, like he always has.
She opened her eyes and saw how concerned Thorn was for her. Ivy didn’t want to, but she lied to him.
“I don’t know. I’m trying to remember, but I just don’t know.”
Ivy moaned as she tried to get comfortable. She avoided making eye contact with Thorn. He would know that she was lying because he always knew when she was telling the truth or not.
“It is all right Ivy, don’t worry yourself. We will get the answers in time. The most important thing now is for you to get well.”
Thorn wet a towel and laid it across her forehead.
“Close your eyes and get some rest. I am going to go get you some broth and fresh water.”
Ivy laid back on the bed, closing her eyes while listening to Thorn move around the cabin, picking up items and putting them away. She peeked out from the wash cloth and watched him make his way to the door. He still looked as good as he did seven years ago, even with a full grown beard and looking like he hadn’t changed his clothes in a week. Ivy watched as Thorn left the cabin.
She slowly slid her body up the bed and started to slide her legs over the bed when it dawned on her that she was naked underneath the blanket. Looking under the blanket, she was indeed naked; she could feel her blush spread slowly over her entire body. Ivy gasped as she grabbed the blanket tighter around her herself. Where had her clothes gone? Who had taken her clothes off her body? Did Thorn see her naked? She felt so embarrassed and didn’t know how to bring this up. There was no way she could stay this way. She needed some clothes and wanted to freshen up but didn’t want Thorn to walk in on her. Ivy was trapped in his bed with nowhere to go but to wait for him to return. Then it was going to be awkward.
Thorn walked in and saw Ivy sitting on the edge of the bed with a charming blush that had spread across her cheeks and if he was not mistaken it had also spread across the rest of her body. What he wouldn’t do, to see that. He could only imagine the soft red blush coloring the paleness of her soft skin; the color highlighting her softness into a warm glow. He could feel himself harden at the thought of touching that softness and being entranced into the glow. Thorn knew he needed to get his thoughts under control and see to her comfort but seeing her sitting there all innocent and insecure only seemed to make his desire stronger. Closing his eyes for a moment helped him to refocus on her comfort. By the time he reopened his eyes he had his mind and body under control.
“I’ve got some broth for you to drink.”
“Um, Thorn, where are my clothes?”
“I’m sorry Ivy but they had to be cut off you.”
“Why?” Ivy asked.
“Because you were soaked through when we found you in the lifeboat. Your clothes were stuck so tightly to you, I had to get them off you quickly and start too warm you up. The only way for me to do that was to cut them off with my knife,” Thorn explained.
Ivy stared at Thorn with her mouth slightly open. She was so embarrassed and didn’t know what to say. Thorn had seen her naked. Ivy looked away; she could never look him in the eyes again. Not knowing how to respond she lowered her eyes to stare at her fingers nervously picking at the blanket. Her fingers became more agitated as her embarrassment overcame her.
Thorn could she how embarrassed Ivy was, so he decided to take pity on her. He went to his chest and dug out a shirt. Taking the shirt over to her, he laid it down across her hands. Ivy gripped the soft fabric of his shirt, her fingers sinking into the softness. Thorn then turned his back to her. As he turned around, Ivy brought the shirt up to her nose and smelled it. She closed her eyes. It smelled like Thorn; which was like heaven to her senses.
“Do you need any help putting that on?”
“No, I can manage on my own,” Ivy choked out.
Ivy slipped Thorn’s shirt over her head and slid it down her body. It hung down to her knees. Having his shirt on felt like having his warm arms wrapped around her. She wrapped her arms around herself and starred at the back of Thorn. Ivy’s eyes roamed over his body, taking in every detail. He still looked as gorgeous as ever. His black hair was longer since the last she had set eyes on him. It went past his shoulders and he kept running his fingers through it, waiting on her before he could turn around. Her eyes slowly roamed down his body, taking in how he had filled out with more muscles. Thorn was always in shape, but he looked even more dangerous. The years at war on his ship made fill out from the young man at leisure to grown man with a purpose. He still made her heart beat fast, as it was now, and this was only the back of him. The front of Thorn was even more dangerous to look at.
As Ivy’s eyes roamed back up his body, she noticed that Thorn had looked over his shoulder at her and seen her admiring him. When Ivy’s eyes met his, he quickly turned his head around and cleared his throat.
“Are you finished getting dressed?”
“Yes, Thorn, you can turn around.”
Ivy bent her head straightening the shirt around her knees, not wanting to meet his eyes. How embarrassing it was to be caught looking at him. She slid the blanket over her legs, for something to keep her distracted. First him seeing her naked, then to get caught looking his body over as if she was starved for him.
Thorn watched Ivy, smiling to himself. He wanted to comment on her sightseeing, but didn’t want to embarrass her any more than she already was. So he reached for the broth and sat down next to her, holding the cup out to her.
“Drink a little of this, it will help to get you stronger.”
Ivy reached for the cup, her hand brushing against his. The touch of his hand was warm against her skin. His fingers lingered against hers as she lifted the cup up to her mouth. She slowly sipped the warm broth, feeling her insides warm up. Whether it was from the touch of Thorn’s hand or the broth she didn’t know. She finished the broth and handed the cup back to Thorn. Ivy tucked her hair back behind her ears and slid back down against the pillows. She brought her hand up to her mouth and yawned. Her eyelids slowing started to lower and she tried to open them wider.
“I’m sorry Thorn, I am so tired.”
“Close your eyes Ivy, you need to rest.”
Thorn watched as Ivy drifted back to sleep. He slid the blankets back over her and tucked her into his bed. Bending down he softly kissed her on the forehead. As he watched her sleep, he thought how grateful he was that she was going to be well. With enough rest she would be back too normal soon and they could find the answers they needed.
Thorn knew that she was lying to him. She might not have known how she came to be on that lifeboat, but she knew more than she was letting on. Why was she keeping it a secret from him? Doesn’t she know that he would do anything for her? I know that she thinks I don’t care, but I know that she and Charles are in trouble somehow.
Whatever it takes he is going to find out and fix it for them. Charles is his best friend and like a brother to him. They have been in many jams together and always helped each other out. It has something to do with that mysterious letter he sent me. He was asking for help and I ignored it because it involved Ivy and I didn’t want to see her. It’s not that he didn’t want to see Ivy, he did. He just didn’t know how much longer he could go on in life and pretend that she doesn’t exist. Even though he hasn’t seen her in seven years, his love for her has only grown stronger. He didn’t think it was possible, but when he pulled her out of that lifeboat the feelings he had
for her about knocked him over. The anger and grief he felt at that moment overwhelmed him. Remembering her pale, lifeless body lying in a puddle of water at the bottom of that boat and her head laying on the seat, with her long, blond, hair clinging wetly to her still overpowered his thoughts. Who would do this to her and why?
Questions he was going to get answered by Ivy as soon as she started feeling better. He had to regain her trust. Knowing that he hurt her years ago, he was going to do everything in his power to make it up to her. He knows that she was once in love with him, but the question he needs answered the most is; does she still love him today and will she love him forever. Now it was it up to him to show her how much he loves her and that he will love her forever.
Chapter 4
When Ivy awoke, she realized that she was alone in the cabin. Slowly sliding out of bed, her body shook as she tried to stand up. She walked alongside the bed, holding onto the edges until she was steady on her feet. Ivy let go of the bed and made her way to the desk, her balance off as the ship swayed up and down with the waves. Clutching the desk, she slid into the chair, her legs buckling underneath her from her brief task. Her hands were shaking as she ran the tips of her fingers across the desk. When she closed her eyes, she could picture Thorn sitting in the chair working at his desk, plotting over his maps for the best course to take with his ship.
She knew that Thorn worked for the government during the war and that he was still sent on special missions. Overhearing their fathers talk about him late one night, Ivy began to understand why he left her the way that he did. They didn’t know that she listened to their conversations about the dangerous missions he was sent on. Everybody tried to keep it a secret from her, thinking that she was too young and wouldn’t understand. They all pushed her into the London Seasons over the years, trying to marry her off countless times. Ivy didn’t want anybody but Thorn and she was going to wait for him; even if it took forever. His mother was the only one that understood. Ivy never told her about the kiss, but Katherine seemed to know that something had happened between them.
Ivy put her fingers against her lips, sighing softly. She could still feel the touch of his lips against hers after all these years. She also remembered the way that he held her in his arms and whispered her name. Ivy has never felt that passion with anybody but Thorn. She has never wanted too. Numerous gentlemen courted her, but nobody could make her feel the way that Thorn made her feel. To feel his lips against hers’ again would be magical. But I must stay strong; I can’t let him hurt me again. These last few years without him near have been so lonely and I don’t want to feel that way again.
There was a knock on the cabin door. Ivy bid who was ever at the door to enter. Sammy walked in carrying a tray of food for Ivy.
“Well lass, don’t you look like a beautiful summer flower. It is so good to see you up and about. I’ve brought you something to eat.”
“Thank you sir, what is your name?” Ivy asked.
“My name is Samuel but everybody calls me Sammy.” he said as he took off his hat and bowed.
Ivy smiled,” Well Sammy thank you for the food. Do you know where Thorn is?”
“Well miss, the Captain is tending to the ship’s business. He said to let you know that he will be in later to check in on you and that I was to get you whatever you needed in the meantime.”
“I just need some fresh water to clean up with.”
Sammy laid the tray of food on the desk for Ivy. He set the plates on the desk for her, talking to her as he worked.
“You get eatin this, the Captain wants you stronger.”
As Ivy sat and ate the tray of bread and cheese, Sammy went to get her some fresh water. He came limping into the room with the water and started to clean the cabin.
“I’ve never seen the Captain so happy, since you woke up lass. He was might worried about you. Took care of you all by himself and wouldn’t let me help him at all. Gave me the task of steering the ship to safer waters, don’t know who had the rougher job.” Sammy laughed.
Ivy smiled at Sammy listening to him talk about Thorn.
“How did you get hurt Sammy? Did you slip on deck during the storm? I see that you are limping.”
“Oh no miss that’s just an old injury acting up. Got that limp a few years back, if it weren’t for the Capt’n I would have been a whole lot worse off. It acts up in the rain it does.”
“What happened?”
“The captain saved my life that is what happened. I’m in his debt lass, not a better man around. You see it was like this….”
“That’s enough Sammy.” Thorn said from the door.
Thorn stopped Sammy from telling Ivy how he had saved his life. He didn’t need Ivy thinking him a hero. While he was the one that saved Sammy’s life, he was also the one that had risked Sammy’s life too. His first mate had the story all wrong; he was in the sailor’s debt, not the other way around.
“Yes Captain,” Sammy mumbled as he walked out the door. “I was just trying to sing your praises, guess I won’t make that mistake again.”
Thorn smiled as he shut the door to the cabin. He leaned back against it as he gazed a crossed the cabin at Ivy curled up in his chair at the desk. She looked so much healthier. Her face wasn’t as pale anymore and her eyes looked refreshed as she gazed back at him. Thorn crossed his arms across his chest.
“Well you are looking a lot more rested up,” Thorn said.
“I hope you don’t mind my sitting at your desk,” Ivy said as she ran her fingers across the top of the desk.
Thorn watched her fingers sliding back and forth across the grain of the desk. As he watched how her fingers slid over the grooves in the desk, he imagined her fingers sliding over the grooves of his body. Her soft fingers would dip and sway along his arms, chest, along his whole entire body marking him with her touch as she was marking the desk with her touch now.
“You are welcome anywhere on this ship Ivy. How are you feeling?”
“I am still a little tired, but I felt so stiff lying in bed. I wanted to move around a bit and ended up here.”
Ivy looked up and noticed that Thorn wasn’t looking at her but watching her fingers move across the desk. She stopped moving her fingers and slid them onto her lap. Thorn looked up quickly. Clearing his throat, he moved away from the door and came over to the desk, sitting on the corner.
“Are you ready to talk yet about your ordeal?” Thorn asked.
“Aren’t you needed on deck? I know that I have kept you from your duties, Sammy told me how much work you had to do.” Ivy tried to distract Thorn. She needed time to think and to put her thoughts in order. Also, she needed to stall Thorn from all his questions that he wanted answered.
Thorn could see the panic look in Ivy’s eyes. She was scared and was hiding something. Not wanting to frighten her, he decided to give her time to work out her thoughts and feelings. He stepped back from the desk and walked over to his chest, digging around for a coat to wear. Sammy had steered them off course during the storm, so it was going to be a few days before they could dock the ship. He had plenty of time to earn her trust. As he shrugged his coat on, he then turned towards Ivy.
“Yes my lady, I am needed elsewhere for the moment. If you would excuse me, I must attend to the duties of my ship. If you have need of anything Sammy is at your disposal.” Thorn walked towards Ivy and bent down to place a kiss on her head.
“I am so relieved that you are alive and well Ivy.” He turned and walked out of the cabin.
Ivy remembered the last time Thorn had placed a kiss on her forehead like it was yesterday.
She had been in the garden picking some flowers for Thorn’s mother, Katherine. Ivy had been staying at Thornhill Manor for the last two weeks, taking care of Thorn’s mother who was ill. She had been like a mother to Ivy all these years. Ivy’s mother had passed away when she five. She had practically grown up at Thornhill it seemed like. Their fathers were best friends and so were Ivy’s brother Charles and Thorn.
The boys were always together, sometimes for good but most of the time for bad. Ivy was always trying to tag along after them, but the six-year age difference sometimes made it too difficult to keep up. That would be when Katherine and her spent time together. So when she became so ill; Ivy had rushed to Thornhill to care for her.
That is where Thorn had found her on that glorious summer day, picking flowers. As she was talking to the flowers, she heard the soft crunch of somebody walking on the gravel behind her. She turned around and saw Thorn leaning against one of the statues in the garden watching her. Ivy remembers blushing when she saw him. Thorn always flustered Ivy when she was around him anymore. She didn’t understand why she would get so tongue tied, why her palms would sweat, and why she always seemed to wear a permanent blush around him. Not to mention why if felt like her heart was going to beat right out of her chest.
Ivy had always loved Thorn, but her feelings for him had changed over the last year. The times when their fingers would brush against each other as they were passing things, there would be a spark in their touch. When their eyes would meet and they would have their own unspoken conversation. They seemed to have grown stronger and there were times when she had seen the same longing in Thorn’s eyes when he watched her, like he was doing now.
Ivy doesn’t recall the exact words that were spoken; she was in awe of Thorn flirting with her. Thorn never flirted with her; he always just treated her like a kid sister. He was always flirting with the sophisticated women of the aristocracy and the maidens down in the village, but never with her. The thing she does remember is when Thorn ran his thumb across her lip and pulled her into his arms as he gently kissed her.
His kiss was so soft against her lips. Ivy remembers sliding her hands around his neck and running her fingers through his hair. Standing on her tiptoes she brought his mouth down to her lips to deepen the kiss. She could feel the slide of his tongue across her lips guiding her mouth to open for him. His tongue slid inside her mouth softly stroking against her tongue. Touching her. Tasting her.