Sea Mistress by Candace McCarthy Read Free Book Online Page B

experiencing the peaceful quiet of the night.
    Three days later, her fear of discovery had dissipated, and she’d become heady with the knowledge that thus far, she’d escaped unscathed. She was feeling bored, daring, and her old healthy self again. Emboldened by her earlier success, Bess was anxious to try again. For a time, she thought of confronting Garret with her true identity, envisioning the meeting as one would savor a tasty treat.
    Why not? Seth couldn’t turn back to Wilmington at this late date. Time was precious to the sea captain, and the Sea Mistress was now more than several days into her journey.
    Bess had been cautious these past three days. But she was tired of playing the coward and being jailed in her cabin like some sentenced criminal. Even as Bess dressed, Reeves’s warnings to stay below came back to haunt her.
    â€œI want to go up,” she’d told him earlier when she’d confessed how restless she felt.
    He nodded, his brown eyes softening in understanding. “I believe the mate has the watch toni—”
    â€œI mean now!” she’d interjected.
    Reeves had looked shocked. His thin face had turned pale and he’d stared at Bess, his mouth gaping with astonishment. Color infused his features as he vehemently shook his head.
    â€œThat would be foolish, Miss, and you know it!” He drew himself up, prepared to do battle.
    Bess defiantly raised her chin. “I’m not afraid of Captain Garret.”
    â€œPerhaps you should be.”
    A frisson of alarm traced Bess’s spine. “Explain yourself.”
    â€œYou are forgetting that Garret is the captain. His word is law on this ship.”
    Bess relaxed. “ You are forgetting that Garret is under contract with the E. Metcalfe Company, and I am E. Metcalfe.”
    â€œAh, but does the captain know that?” Reeves had raised his eyebrows. “He believes the company in the hands of your cousin, George Metcalfe. Will you tell him the truth now?” He shook his head as he sat down on a chair nailed onto the decking. “Miss Metcalfe, for reasons of your own, you wanted to keep your identity a secret. How will Garret react when you confess? I doubt he’ll be happy to learn of your deception.”
    Reeves’s comments gave Bess pause. Did her employee know more than she told him? Did he suspect that this voyage had two purposes—one to expand to the west coast; the second, her quest for vengeance? She bit her lip. How much did her uncle tell this trusty employee of four years?
    â€œAre you implying that Seth Garret would harm me?” she’d asked.
    â€œI don’t know,” Reeves replied. “But I think it’s wise to remember that while we are on his ship, we are virtually at the mercy of Captain Seth Garret. Miles out to sea and on a vessel with a disreputable crew puts us at a distinct disadvantage. I don’t believe you should tell Garret that you’ve deceived him.”
    â€œBut, John—”
    â€œA woman on board ship is considered bad luck by some.”
    Bess had sighed. “Tonight then,” she’d murmured. “We’ll go up tonight.” Reeves had nodded, relieved.
    Now it was early afternoon, and the ship was quiet. Alone in her cabin, longing for the freedom of topside and a cleansing breath of fresh air, Bess decided that captain or no, she would go topside. Reeves tended to worry needlessly; surely she’d be safe for a few short minutes.
    Rain drummed gently on the wood above her, the sound making her more anxious to be free. What she wouldn’t give to turn her face up to that spring rain and feel the cool wetness trickling over her skin! She would capture the raindrops between her lips as she had done so often as a young child.
    Reeves is with the captain, she thought. If she wandered up on deck, there would be no danger of encountering Seth Garret. Besides, who would pay close attention to a lone