" Allison nodded and took a shaky breath, the fear from yesterday returning. She shot a glance out the window and Morgan caught her chin and turned her eyes."They have me terrified, Morgan," she said softly, despising the tremor she could hear in her voice.
"I know, I know. But I won’t let them hurt you, I promise." Morgan pulled her back into her arms and Allison abandoned herself to the comfort she was offered. After a long moment Morgan straightened up and loosened her grip. "I’ll be back at lunch,’ she said, then stepped away. Allison wrapped her arms around herself and moved away from the window, distracting herself by watching Morgan get dressed. Morgan cocked an eyebrow at her and chuckled softly, causing a blush to creep up her cheeks. Allison boldly kept her eyes on the captain though, feeling the warmth her dream had caused return as she admired the sensual curves of Morgan’s body. As Morgan lifted her shirt over her head Allison cocked her head in curiosity.
"Did that hurt?" she asked, giggling as Morgan got tangled in her shirt.
"Did what hurt?" Morgan replied, as she pulled the shirt back off and fixed the sleeve, then lifted it back up.
"That." Allison said, nodding at the ring piercing Morgan’s right nipple. Morgan coughed slightly and pulled her shirt down over her head, settling it around her.
"Well…uh…yes, it did, actually." Allison pursed her lips thoughtfully.
"So…why did you do it?" Morgan shook her head and laughed.
"Well, I thought it was a good idea at the time," she answered, shrugging. Allison laughed.
"So why did you keep it, then?" Morgan quirked a grin at her and shook her head.
"Let me just say that I don’t regret getting it." Allison cocked her head at Morgan as she shook her head, refusing to go into detail. Allison sighed softly and sat on the edge of the bed as Morgan pulled her boots on. The captain walked over and knelt in front of her, taking her hands in hers.
"I wish you didn’t have to go," Allison said softly, hoping that Morgan wouldn’t see all of the emotion building inside her. Morgan reached up and tenderly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I know, but I’ll be back soon. Just keep the door locked and don’t open it for anyone but me," Morgan answered. Allison followed the captain to the door and held it as she picked up their dishes from the evening before and passed through, her stomach twisting again as she waved back at the departing woman. Shutting it firmly she slid the bolt and tested it, then moved across the room to the window. She watched Morgan start across the street and turn to look up at the window. Allison waved and received a reassuring smile before the captain made her way down the docks to her ship. The redhead heaved a deep sigh and stepped back from the window, turning to look around the room. Taking a deep breath she set about cleaning up their quarters, making the bed and piling their laundry next to the door.
"I’ll have to ask Morgan if we can get these to a laundress," she said to the empty room. Allison finally ran out of busy work and sat down in her chair, pulling it away from the window as she glimpsed the whittler squatting across the street. Resolutely she turned her attention to her journal, turning past her drawing from that morning.
Day 10
I used to think that my life in Charleston was exciting. Now, I realize that I could not have led a more sedate and safe life. I guess Daddy did a good job of protecting me from the side of society that I’m now encountering. I couldn’t bring myself to write yesterday, I was so upset, though I imagine it may have taken my mind off of things a bit. I’m being watched, by Carolyn’s goons I’m sure. It started the day before last but I couldn’t be sure that I wasn’t just imagining it. Now I’m positive, and they’re trying to scare me. I hate to admit it, but they’re succeeding. Yesterday was terrible. Morgan left before I woke up, and then sent Jacob to check on me instead of coming herself at lunch. When he left I forgot to lock the door behind him and one of the thugs stopped in front of the door. Luckily I remembered when I heard the footsteps outside and locked it, but I think I wanted to just fall to pieces. They did it again later on, making sure that I knew who was doing it by waving at me from down on the street when they returned to their spot. So far they haven’t been there when Morgan is around so I can’t show her who they are….of course, what could she do if she did know who they are…Carolyn would just find other people to do her dirty work.
I have the feeling that Daddy’s answer came yesterday, too. It would explain Morgan avoiding me, and I found part of a wax seal on the floor next to her trunk when I was cleaning up. Only part of the impression was there, but it looked like it could have been Daddy’s. I wonder when he’s due to arrive….
Allison’s hand stilled and she sighed softly, acknowledging the tightness that gripped her chest.
I don’t want to go. Is that terrible of me? To want to deny my family’s wishes and not marry Joseph but stay here….stay with Morgan. Just thinking about her makes my heart race, and last night…I was so upset, she just let all the walls down and held me. I fell asleep curled up in her arms, and she fell asleep with me there. I couldn’t not touch her the rest of the night….something’s changed. Before she left this morning she pulled me into her arms and held me, trying to reassure me about being alone today. She reaches out and touches me now, and I can’t help but ache for more. I couldn’t believe how bold I was last night, kissing her on the cheek, asking her to come to bed, then asking if I could sleep in her arms again. I think the only thing that shocked me more was her reaction. The stunned look in her eyes when my lips brushed her cheeks and the willingness she showed when she pulled me into her embrace. I thought my skin was going to catch fire from the look on her face when I asked her to come to bed…I think her mind immediately started thinking of something more than sleep…of course my body was thinking the same thing. I can’t believe that I can have these feelings for her. I’ve never felt so strongly attracted to anyone before.
Allison set her pen down and looked out the window, trying to slow the thoughts that were trying to tumble out onto the page.
I don’t want to go. I just don’t. But how am I going to be able to tell Daddy that?
She set the book down on the table and wiped her quill off, leaning forward to stretch her back out. The sun was approaching high noon and Allison was grateful the rain from the day before wasn’t repeating itself. She looked out at the harbor, startled to see that Morgan’s ship was gone from it’s mooring. She squinted against the sun trying to figure out which of the ships in the yard was the right one, but the reflection off the water was too much. Unthinkingly she glanced down at the street, her heart jumping into her throat as the whittler stood up and looked right at her. Her hands shook as he held up his project - he had given the wood a distinctively female shape, and as she watched he ran the tip of the blade down the torso. Allison gulped and stumbled away from the chair, backing away from the laughing man in horror. A noise in the hallway made her spin around and she paled as the door handle was rattled up and down. Allison moved over to the bed and crawled into the corner, wrapping her arms around a pillow. She waited for footsteps to signal her other watcher returning to his post, trying to resist the panic that threatened to overwhelm her as they never came. Please come soon, Morgan! Her mind screamed, as the handle was jiggled again.
Morgan shook hands with the shipyard’s foreman and smiled as the tide came in, allowing her ship to be pulled into its cradle. Jacob clapped her on the back and they both nodded in approval.
"First time in dry dock, Jacob, and it’s going fairly smooth," Morgan said cheerfully. Jacob nodded and folded his arms across his chest.
"’Tis a good day’s work, Mor, a good day’s work.
