Sea Change by Darlene Marshall

Author:Darlene Marshall
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9781611241228
Publisher: Amber Quill Press, LLC
Published: 2011-10-04T02:01:24.625000+00:00

Chapter 12

Charley was enjoying breakfast with Mr. Purcell, who looked fresh and rested, when Captain Fletcher showed up.

"Good Lord, Captain, you look like you've been pulled through a hedge backward!" Purcell said, his normal caution dampened by his own good spirits.

"I didn't get any sleep," Fletcher snarled, looking anything but fresh or rested. "Some of us have to keep the Fancy afloat and out of the hands of the British, and we don't have time for restful evenings in bawdy houses!"

"No wonder you look so out of sorts," Purcell said, reaching for a cup to pass his commander.

Charley winced at this impolitic speech, and took a sip of her own coffee. Captain Fletcher was watching her, frowning, and she couldn't even begin to guess what might be going through his mind.

"You are awfully quiet this morning, Doctor."

"I didn't get any sleep last night either," Charley murmured, then wished she'd bit her tongue. Heaven knows what they'd make of that comment!

Sure enough, Purcell was looking as proud as if he'd been beside the bed offering advice to the novice, while Captain Fletcher was looking at her...oddly.

"Well?"

"Well, what, Captain?"

"How did your evening go?"

Charley cleared her throat. "A gentleman does not discuss such things, Captain."

Captain Fletcher opened his mouth to argue the point, but at that moment their hostess entered the parlor, and the gentlemen--and Charley--rose to their feet.

"Good morning, Captain Fletcher, gentlemen. Captain, will you stay and have breakfast with us?"

"No, thank you, Cornelia. I have to take these two libertines back to the ship and get under weigh."

Charley knew he wouldn't be in a mood to argue, so she grabbed her satchel, took a last sip of her excellent coffee--she'd miss that--and made her farewells.

"Madame Olifiers, I cannot thank you enough. This has been one of the most enjoyable evenings of my life."

Madame Olifiers flashed Charley her warm smile and said, "You are welcome to return anytime, Doctor. The girls said to tell you they would be pleased to have you settle on the island and visit them regularly."

"I will bear that in mind, Madame," Charley said with a wink.

Charley joined her speechless shipmates and headed out into the sunshine. As they were walking away from the house, voices called out from the balcony. The trio stopped and turned around.

Dusk and Dawn were standing there, arms wrapped around each other's waists, their charms barely covered by their diaphanous nightrails.

"Do come and spend the night with us again, Charley," Dusk called out, her sleepy smile dazzling in the sunlight. "Dawn and I would be pleased to entertain you further."

Charley gave the ladies a most elegant bow. "Miss Dawn, Miss Dusk, what I learned last evening will be with me forever. I am a better man for my experience with you!"

The girls laughed and clapped their hands.

"Goodbye, Doctor! Take care of yourself!"

Charley put her hat back on her head and turned to her shipmates. Purcell was staring at her, jaw agape.

Captain Fletcher said nothing, but as they walked back to where their boat waited, he kept looking at Charley with a puzzled expression on his face.

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