Thanks to all the readers who have put up with the dry, despite all the water involved, introductory chapters. Now with almost half of the cast on board, we can start the juicy parts of the story. As always, all characters are fictional and over eighteen.
*****
James Wheatley had an excuse for making a pig of himself during Tea. He was hungry. It wasn't hunger as experienced by someone who has skipped lunch, or even dinner, no indeed. His appetite had built over days of missed meals. He was ravenous.
He endeavored to be stealthy as he gobbled slices of cake and chocolate biscuits, but Mary had him under strict observation. She noticed he had an excessive appetite. It confirmed her suspensions he'd been on a diet of bread and water. He must be a criminal of the worst sort.
In between huge bites, he kept his big eyes on her face. They had that look which she'd seen in the eyes of her friend's various suitors ever since they'd come of age. Only one had ever stared at her with that look. He was her friend's brother, Arthur.
Recall that on first sight of James, love didn't come rushing into Mary's heart. It was otherwise for James' first sight of Mary. True, he thought she was an angel at the time, but even now, when she seemed mortal, love-filled his entire being. Her billowy golden-red hair and her cute nose were enough to make love come in. Not to mention her lovely green eyes and pearly white teeth. A muslin frock wrapped the whole package up nicely, even heavenly. All-in-all, she was pretty as a picture. A picture painted by someone other than himself that is.
After Captain Murphy made an introduction of the two ladies present, Mary Carpenter and Mrs. Waters, it became clear to James that he'd made a mistake as to some identities. He was relieved the Captain was no Devil but was slightly disappointed when he found that the Whore of Babylon, went by the name of Mrs. Waters. It sounded so ordinary and didn't do her sensuality justice. Even fully and modestly dressed, Mrs. Waters displayed curves in all the places the W. of B. would.
James and Captain Murphy looked to Mary to be father and son. Though not as wild and bushy as the Captain's, James had a beard as well. It was a youthful beard, more of a patchy lawn than the real deal. It looked as if a cub pirate was trying his best to be like his papa. It lent the youth a sinister aspect as far as Mary was concerned.
It was otherwise for Mrs. Waters, it gave the lad a devil-may-care charm. Add to this the lad's long hair, and the picture of one unbound by the chains of conventions was complete. In her younger days as a dancer, she'd found the type irresistible. So James stirred up passions in both women. For Mary, it was dread, for Mrs. Waters, it was stimulation or even lust.
The four of them sat around a small table in what passed as the dining room of the yacht. There was room for as many as eight persons if none of them were obese and were not actual enemies. One person at either end and three sitting along each long side was the usual way. But let's not get ahead of ourselves, there were now only four at the table, one to an edge.
The conversation was of the most stilted nature. The only beverage was Tea, which has none of the attributes associated with those that come in bottles. It is because they lubricate and make smoother such situations that the bottled varieties are so necessary for social gatherings, even for groups as small as one.
"It's fine weather today," said Mrs. Waters.
"Yes, Ma'am, quite!" replied the Captain wittily.
"No signs of rain in the offing," Mrs. Waters ventured.
"None at all, Ma'am. It is generally clement at this time of year," Captain Murphy informed one and all.
"Fine enough for a swim, I dare say?" Mrs. Waters hazarded in an attempt to draw out the new guest's thoughts.
James was not ready to respond at that moment, having just taken a large bite of cake. This gave the Captain a chance to begin one of his set-pieces, usually saved for unsuccessful dinner parties.
"It was just such a day as this in the year '07, or was it '08? Well, no matter, we were five days out of Singapore when ..." He was getting into the flow when there was a bang against the side of the boat. A rather loud bang.
"What the devil!" he shouted as he sprang out of his seat and disappeared up the companionway. A moment, later they heard him string together the fruitiest collection of oaths ever heard by the non-naval Tea drinkers. It was quite educating for James, but even more so for the two ladies. Even Mrs. Waters, a former chorus girl, heard a few new things and tucked them away in her heart to use when back at home on careless servants.
"Careful with the paint you lubbers!" was one of the least juicy bits.
"That must be the others, Darling," Mrs. Waters said, addressing her Stepdaughter's friend, Mary. "I can't wait to hear the good news," she added excitedly.
For Mary, who was sure the news would not delight the other, silently smiled to herself. She was more concerned with the return of the cad, Arthur, than of the quite unlikely engagement of her friend to the latest of a long list of suitors. And as for Mrs. Waters's use of the endearment, Darling, she didn't return the sentiment one bit.
"If you'll excuse me," Mary said as she rose from the table. She would wait for her friend, Karen, in the small cabin they shared towards the bow.
This left James alone with Mrs. Waters for the time being. He sat across from her, and the way she was looking at him, he thought it possible he had cake crumbs on his map. It made no difference to her when he had thoroughly wiped his face with his fancy napkin, she stared still. But her eyelids were drooping as if she were tired or very relaxed.