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Catherine's hand stretched across the sheets, searching for him. She opened her eyes and saw that he wasn't there. She sat up in the bed and looked about. The light was dim as the sun was low in the sky and she heard the front door close. She tensed wondering what was happening when he approached the room carrying a large tray with a bottle of wine tucked under his arm.
He smiled seeing her awake and stopped in the doorway, again struck with how beautiful she was. She sat amongst the rumpled sheets of the bed, her hair about her shoulders in a messy tumble, half covering her bare breasts. He stared at her hungrily for a moment before continuing into the room.
She sighed with relief at his smile. She had been afraid that there was going to be another ugly scene which ended with her storming out of the room boiling with anger.
He sat on the edge of the bed with the tray brimming with an assortment of cold meats, breads, cheeses and fruits. "How do you manage to keep such a large supply of succulent food here, Miss Veleslav?" he teased, feeding her a strawberry.
"I have my ways, Mr. Kincaid," she replied.
He poured them each a large glass of wine and they enjoyed a very pleasant dinner, feeding each other and emptying the bottle. After they had finished, he removed the tray from the bed, and fell on top of her, both of them again swept up in a flurry of passion.
Later that night she silently slipped from his rooms, leaving him sleeping as she crept down the hallway towards the other side of the large house. She entered her rooms and strode to the window. Hers was the only room, other than the lookout tower, that had a view of the ocean. She stared at the black water, wondering what was happening to her.
She recalled the other men she had had affairs with but none of them had stirred in her the emotions that Nathan did. Perhaps because he did not come to her willingly? It had been pure lust that had caused him to wind up in her arms, but today had been different, hadn't it? She had felt so safe and so happy dozing by his side, wrapped in his arms. She felt a sudden shiver and looked deep inside her heart with awe.
She shook her head and strode away from the window, shaking her arms out at her side as if to ward something off. She wasn't in love with him, it was impossible. They came from entirely different worlds, it would never work and besides he didn't even like her, he had said so himself. Yet, today, yes it was different. She sat down in her sitting room and opened the humidor, pulling out a thin cigar. She puffed on it thoughtfully, trying to sort out the jumble of emotions in her head and in her heart.
She awoke late the next morning to find that Nathan had requested to see her. She had a bath, and a leisurely breakfast before dressing and leaving her apartments. She was nervous about seeing him, so delayed it. She went in search of her first mate who's rooms were on a lower floor and confirmed that the Themis had not yet been spotted. She knew it would be a few more days, but sometimes favorable winds caused ships to arrive earlier than expected.
She left the house and walked down the winding drive to the pier. She stood at the end and looked at her ship, bobbing out in the deeper water. The damage caused by the recent raids had not yet been repaired and it would be a few more weeks before she was again ready for adventure. Her gaze shifted over to the Veles, a ship she had captured a few months ago. She had been undergoing considerable repairs and renovations and was almost ready to head back out to sea.
Sitting on the edge of the dock, her legs hanging above the water, she thought back to Daniel, the man who had made her who she was today. He had made her a woman and a pirate. She closed her eyes and his green eyes, blond hair and heart melting smile danced behind her closed lids. She thought she had loved him, but later realized that it was only the infatuation of an impressionable seventeen year old. But what was this she was feeling for Nathan? She thought about him leaving and never seeing him again and she felt a cold and sudden stab in her stomach. Her eyes flew open and she jumped to her feet, running back to the house.
"I am not in love with him, I am not in love with him, I am not in love with him..." she repeated under her breath as she ran up the drive. Her heart had broken when her father was killed and she broke her promise of never letting another person near to her heart when she met Daniel. His death had almost destroyed her and she had renewed her vow and she wasn't going to break it again. She quickly located Simpson and inquired hastily as to the seaworthiness of the Veles.
"She's pretty much ready Catherine. She can go any time," he replied.
"Good. Inform the crew, we sail tomorrow," she replied.
"Tomorrow? When I said anytime, I meant allowing adequate time to stock her with food, ammunition...furniture. She's bare inside," he said with alarm.
"Than I suggest you get busy!" she snarled, turning on her heel and leaving him. It was imperative that she get away from Nathan as soon as possible.
Nathan paced his rooms, again sweltering from the heat, wondering where she was. For the last few hours he had distantly heard a great deal of commotion and wondered what was happening. Perhaps his ship had returned. He felt a stab of dread in the pit of his stomach. He should be elated but the thought of leaving only saddened him.
By nightfall she still hadn't come to him and he ate his dinner alone. Hours later he crept beneath his sheets, falling into an uneasy slumber, filled with dreams of her.
He awoke with a start, sunlight streaming in through the windows. The noise in the house continued and he knocked at the door. The guard opened it and Nathan inquired as to the noise. The man stared at him.
