I Am Jessamine

The Dublin harbor came into view and every one of the crew was on deck and Jess was standing with Gem, who was clinging on to her skirts. Within a short while they had to drop anchor and Gray, Mr. Tora and one of the rescued crew got into one of the longboats with crews at the oars and headed off to make arrangements to berth the O’Murchadha where repairs could begin. Everyone else started getting their gear together and packing up trunks.

Jess asked Tad to help her get little Gem’s things together and she headed off to sort out her own trunk that she had taken ownership of. She began to remove everything from within the chest and was most surprised to find at the bottom, beneath everything else, leather trousers, a long leather coat and several shirts and vests as well as knee-high riding boots. Jess stared at these items for a while and realized they were of a suitable size for herself. She called Willy and showed him the clothing and he seemed just as surprised. They agreed Jess should put them back and place all the dresses and other ladies’ garments on top. “You never know, Jessie, they may just come in handy when you need them the most.”

Little did either of them know how prophetic these words would be in the not-too-distant future.

Jess was not sure what to do with Grays’ clothing so she simply made sure everything was clean and folded neatly and placed back into the drawers where he had originally had them. The nerves and fear of leaving Gray began again and Jess knew that their parting was an inevitability and she felt as though she was already mourning what started to feel like a loss. Would he understand her need to find Nick? That was why they had chosen to travel through time in the first place and Jess would be damned if she did not let Nick know, without any guilt, at how his actions had caused the death of Ben.

The lamps had already been lit on deck when Gray returned and he stepped through the opening on the railing with a very grim expression on his face. It was clear that he was concerned and Jess worried about what it could be.

Seeing everyone moving back on deck Gray waited patiently until he felt he could speak to the crew.

“Firstly, welcome to Dublin to those of you who are arriving for the first time. For those of my crew who were meant to sail with me to the Greater Antilles Islands to trade, your contracts are still valid and you shall all receive your wages accordingly.” This brought about a murmuring of thanks and appreciation. Gray continued, “The attack from the pirates has been reported and an officer will be arriving with his entourage tomorrow for witness accounts and statements so I shall expect you all to make yourselves available and give your accounts of what you witnessed. After which we will be sailing into the west side of the harbor where I have booked and paid for a docking area and repairs will begin. I do not know how long the repairs will take, but as soon as my ship has been assessed we will have a more accurate time period. For those of you wishing to go home to families and loved ones, you will be informed of when I want you to return before we set sail again. The usual rules apply and if you are not on board by the time we set sail your contract gets canceled and you forfeit your wages.” The crew looked around at each other and nodded and a few words of agreement were muttered. “While docked if any of you wish to stay on board voluntarily please see me after dinner. Thank you for your hard work and loyalty to the O’Murchadha. It is noted and appreciated. Thank you.” And with that Gray turned on his heel and strode off to the captain’s quarters.

Jess sought out Willy and they decided to speak to Gray about their apparent rescue from the ocean after their ‘boat got caught in a storm’. They had their story and they knew to save themselves a lot of heartache they would have to stick to it.

Knocking on the door to the cabin Jess heard Gray gruffly call to enter and she looked quizzically at Willy and they entered. Gray was striding up and down the cabin with a thunderous expression on his face and Jess felt concern welling in her chest.

Willy began, “We just wanted to ask whether you mentioned that you fished us out of the ocean?” and Gray looked up at them as though surprised to see them standing before him.

“What? Oh, yes, that. Yes, we will have to report that too. I can give my version of fishing you out of the ocean after experiencing a storm at sea and you will have to state your reasons and efforts and whatever details you feel you need to furnish the authorities with. There is no other way because they will want to check my journal and I have my crew listed, those who died when we were attacked, including Ben. Then I have to report all who were rescued and those who died, afterward from that attack. I did note that I rescued two adult males and one young male, but I have not yet made a notation that an error was made and that, in fact, the young lad was a lass.” And he looked at Jess and gave a weak smile.

Nodding his understanding Willy offered his thanks and then said it was his shift on deck and left. Jess walked up to Gray and wrapped her arms around him and he held her close and they stood like that for several minutes before Jess asked, “Do you want to tell me what is bothering you, mo cuishle?’ and Gray pulled away and looked down at Jess with the most beautiful smile on his face.

“And just where did you learn that mo gra?” he said pressing his lips against her forehead and holding her just that little bit tighter.

“I asked Willy what words I could use to let you know that you are my every heartbeat and that is what he said I could say. Is it wrong?” Jess asked a little nervously thinking she had messed that one up.

“That is perfect, my precious Jess.” And he pulled her between his legs as he leaned on the edge of the desk and she put her arms around his neck and drew him closer for a long, passionate and breath taking kiss.

When they got their breathing under control Gray said, “The officer coming on board tomorrow to take the statements is none other than a colonel Daniels,” Gray said grimly, “And if your brother has anything at all to do with Rancliff and La Rue, he will definitely recognize the name and I am certain it will create a problem for you. Especially since you have already said that you think Rancliff time travels as well and you know La Rue Brossard does.”

Jessie stood dead still staring at him and her brain started running scenarios that all seemed to end quite badly. She moved away from Gray and started chewing her bottom lip as she pondered and thought and finally she looked at Gray and said, “McNally and McKellie sound similar, don’t they? Or am I grabbing at straws here?”

“I don’t know what ‘grabbing at straws means’, Jess, but yes, they do sound similar.” Gray frowned at Jess.

“It means grasping at farfetched ideas. Would you be able to make changes in your journal, if that is even a nautically ethical thing to do?” And she continued worrying her bottom lip with her teeth.

“I never entered your surnames in the ship’s journal, Jessie. Don’t ask me why, but I simply left a blank space.” He said and stopped her from chewing her bottom lip by running his thumb gently over her mouth.

“You are a man in a million, Grayson Iain Murphy, and I adore you more than chocolate.” And Jess laughed hard when he smacked her backside and threatened all sorts of unrepeatable raunchy things he wanted to do to her.

“We will need to talk to the crew and especially Tad and Gem to remind them that you came aboard dressed as a lad and they must still think of you as such just to make your transition from the ship onto land easier. If the authorities find out you’re a woman they will provide you with an escort of their choosing to assist in finding your brother.” Gray said while he was laying little kisses along the tops of her breasts and it was distracting Jessie.

“Why would they want me to have an escort? That seems a little ridiculous if you ask me.” Jess felt annoyed at the presumption that because she was a woman she couldn’t find her brother with her godfather.

“It is not what you may be thinking, my love. You clearly have not looked in a mirror in a long while, so you do not see your beauty. From your radiant sun-kissed skin to your beautiful body displayed in a beautiful dress, you are any man’s dream and Daniels has a reputation of taking a beautiful woman by force if need be.” Grays’ voice grew hard and harsh so Jess hugged him close and lifted his face to hers. “Alright, I will not give him any reason to look twice or question whether I am male or female, will the crew go along with the charade just to protect me?”

“The crew loves you, Jessie. They will protect you with all they have if need be. No doubt.” He kissed her soundly on the mouth and stood up. “I will make the rounds and speak to the crew, old and new, and ask them to please keep your secret. I will tell them that it is Daniels coming aboard and all of my crew will know him and his reputation.”

“I will go and find Willy and tell him.” Jessie walked with Gray to the door and hand in hand they walked out.

Willy obviously understood and Jess knew that nothing would prevent him from having her back and vice versa. After Gray had spoken to the crew he reported that they would all keep the pretense going that Jess was a lad named Jessiah who they had pulled out of the ocean. Mr. Tora came up on deck with a baggy jacket in need of stitching and a floppy hat with a grubby-looking bandanna and handed it to Jess. “Dis will do de work of hidin’ dat pretty head o’ hair, lad, an’ dis jacket will be de bag o’er de beauty.” He grinned and patted her shoulder. Jess laughed and gratefully accepted the items saying, “Mr. Tora, you’re a man of many layers. I had no idea you were such a poet.” He flashed his toothy grin and winked at her with a secretive look on his face.

Jess went into the cabin and stripped off her dress and all feminine accouterments, stashed them neatly in the trunk and collected her boys clothing, and lay them out on the bed. Gray walked in to find Jess standing naked with the sun silhouetting her body. His breath caught in his throat as she turned around and smiled at him, “Would you believe that I feel a bit odd having to change into my original costume?” she asked with a sad smile on her face.

Walking to her he put his arms around her waist and bent his head to whisper in her ear, “That’s because you know the third reason for wearing dresses.” His laugh rumbled in his chest and Jess went all weak at the knees again. Will she ever tire of this feeling, she wondered?

“Will you help me get it right this time?” she asked as she leaned her head back on his chest.

“Yes, let me show you how it is done, my little lad.” He grinned at her as she turned to face him.

He picked up the binding bandage and carefully bound her breasts, kissing each as he bound them closed. Jess handed him her boy leg underpants and he scowled and pulled a face at these, but leaned down and she stepped into them and thought she would die when he kissed every inch of where the underpants covered. Jess nearly called a halt to her costume change as her passion grew to an insane high. Gray pushed her hands gently aside as she groped for him and he lifted her tight cotton vest and pulled it over her head and scattered kisses along her shoulders, back of her neck and chest.

“Gray,” she whispered hoarsely through a tightened throat, “If you continue on this path it will end with your efforts landing on the ground again!”

“Oh no, Jessie, I will make you burn for me and remind you of what I have waiting for you each time you come to me.” And he kissed her deeply and left her breathless and her head spinning.

He pulled a baggy shirt over her head and did up the buttons, leaving the last two open, and then rolled up the sleeves to her elbows. Scratching in the drawer of his desk he brought out a thick strip of leather and wrapped it and buckled it around her wrist. He lifted her hand with the thick ring on her finger and looked up at her with a cocked eyebrow. “It is hiding a small tattoo,” Jess told him and nodding silently he put her finger in his mouth and wet it to slide the ring off with ease and Jess just about fainted. Looking at the tattoo Gray nodded and placed the ring on the same finger but on the other hand. Making her sit on the side of the bed he eased her stockings on her feet and legs running his hands up her calves to behind her knees he jerked her forward and kissed her inner thighs and ran his tongue along the edge of her underpants. For the first time ever Jess hated wearing underwear.

Smiling wickedly he lifted her britches and slid them over her legs and making her stand he pulled them up and tucked her shirt in, leaving his hands to touch, fondle and linger maddeningly. Seeing her squirm and hearing her breath catch Gray laughed and kissed her nose. Bastard, thought Jess lovingly! He tied her belt around her little waist and knotted it once over her hip and pulled her shirt tails up a little and then pulled the waistband of her pants up a little to appear baggy to disguise how small her waist was. Taking the waist coat he fitted it over her arms and then showed her how to leave it open in front to continue with the baggy look to hide her femininity. He was, however, careful when hiding hr dagger in the inside pocket of the waist coat. Picking up the tatty bandanna he placed it over her hair and forehead and tied it at the back of her head just above her hair tie. Finally, he took the floppy hat and placed it on her head and leaned down to place the boots on her feet and button them up the side and then finally buckle the top three buckles. Fetching something small from his desk he bent back down to her boots and then she saw it, a dagger the length of her index finger and as thin. He placed it inside her boot, but within reach.

Stepping back he checked her over from head to foot and nodded. “It will do, but I know exactly what lies beneath that façade.” He said huskily with lust-glazed eyes and Jess felt overdressed. She stepped up close to him and he bent his head and placed a perfunctory kiss on her lips and turned her towards the door and smacked her backside and said, “Your shift awaits you on the rigging, lad.”

Looking at him through narrowed eyes Jessie started mentally conjuring up ways she could torment him and make him suffer. Laughingly she whipped off her hat and bowed and spun on her heel and headed out to share in crew duties and leave Gray to his journal and his thoughts.

Jessie had her dinner on deck and sat with the rest of the crew while Tad and the crew sang songs and played a few tunes on his fiddle. Both he and Gem felt honored that they were included in the big secret that Jess had to pretend to be a lad and soon let their hair down around her. Gem burped and did not excuse himself, but simply giggled and continued to eat and Tad sang bawdy songs of a caliber Jess had not heard before, but she laughed and clapped her hands and sang the chorus lines with the rest of the crew and spent her hours on deck with them and they all showed no indication that she was anything but a lad. Jessie felt a great deal of fondness and appreciation for them.

A while later a shout came from outside the ship and the rowdy laughter and bantering subsided as everyone looked around at one another. Then the voice shouted out again, “O’Murchadha prepare to be boarded.”

Gray moved swiftly to the side of the ship and looked down, “Who wishes to board my vessel?”

“Colonel Daniels, duly appointed emissary of His Royal Highness, King George IV, long may he live.” Came the reply.

“I was informed that we had an appointment for tomorrow and that you would get affidavits from my crew,” Gray said with some annoyance.

“Yes, yes Captain Murphy.” Came an exasperated, bored sounding voice. “I am aware of our appointment for tomorrow, but I received word that you helped rescue passengers and crew from another vessel which had been attacked and Brigadier General Rancliff requested I get a list of survivors’ names from this vessel.”

Gray looked around and tried to find Gem, but instead saw the little boys’ feet hiding behind Jess and he looked up and into Jessie’s face and saw the same concern etched across her features. The rest of the crew looked about and stared at the people who were rescued not knowing why the Colonel wanted to know who had been rescued. Jess and Gray stared at each other and silently shared their decision and with one flick of his hand, something happened.

The O’Murchadha crew silently moved in front of Jess and Gem and allowed the survivors to stand in front of them, pushing her and the boy further back and into the shadows just as men in bright red coats with shiny buttons and bright yellow-gold piping ropes clambered up and over onto the deck of the ship.

Jessie very quietly took the boy’s hand and looked around her to see where they could make their presence scarce. Seeing nothing in the immediate vicinity Jessie worried and bit her lip. Looking around again she remembered the little boats hanging over the side of the ship and she edged closer to peep over the side. Right there, just below where she was, in all its glory was one of the life boats. Quickly climbing over the railing she held her arms out to the child who, unhesitatingly, went to her. Sliding him between herself and the ship’s rail she pressed against him and used the ropes that were holding the little boats to steady herself. Whispering in his ear the little guy turned and moved like a monkey as he climbed up her side and then around onto her back and Jess held on to him as best she could. With his arms wrapped around her neck, she began to slide down the ropes and felt utter relief when she felt her booted feet touch the canvas covering. Stepping on the canvas Jess knelt down and felt for a loose section where she could slip the child beneath and then follow. Finally, she found what she was looking for and at that moment she heard a voice close to the railing and she hurriedly pushed Gem under the cover and told him to be as quiet as a mouse, but she did not have enough time for herself and she slipped over the side of the little boat and hung on to the side ropes for all she was worth.

Hanging above the lapping ocean Jess felt her fingers burning and her forearms start cramping and she ground her teeth together as sweat broke out on her forehead. Panting slightly Jess pulled up a little, but the person was still standing near the railing, although with his back to her so Jess decided to take the chance and pull herself into the boat or she knew she would end up in the water with a loud splash and Gray would end up in a shit load of trouble and that was the last thing she wanted.

Panting slightly and as quietly as she could Jess swung one leg to hook on the side of the boat and then the other. She balanced half on and half off the boat and then a small hand grabbed at her wrist and pulled and Jess worked her way under the canvas and lay flat on her back beside little Gem and puffed and panted like a steam train, knowing she would have some nasty bruises in the morning.

On deck, Colonel Daniels, standing with one hand on his sword and the other behind his back, was going through the list of names his scribe had written down, and mumbling something or other he turned to Gray, “Those who perished after you rescued them, did you get their names?”

“No.” was his curt response.

“Why ever not?” Daniels asked exasperatedly.

“They were dying and in no condition to speak, let alone think on any questions I might have had.” Grays’ response made Daniels appear to be an insensitive idiot and the crew looked away and slightly shook their heads.

“And you say the survivors mentioned that the pirates took the women onto their ship? Yes, is this correct?” Gray held out his arm to the survivors giving them the floor to answer the question. A chorus of ‘Aye, sir’ was heard clearly by Jess.

“No children then?” asked Daniels.

“If there is someone in particular that you are looking for, Colonel, all you need do is simply ask. As you have the names on your list and the survivors standing before you I would think an educated man such as yourself would be able to put each name to a survivor. But please, should you require further assistance, I will happily oblige.” Gray easily circumvented the question though the sarcasm was literally hanging off each uttered word from Gray and even the deaf wouldn’t be able to miss it.

“Alright then, I will be back tomorrow for the affidavits. Just make sure everyone is here, Murphy.” Daniels said rudely and then muttered brief orders to those soldiers he had brought with him.

“Yes, good night.” Said Gray and he waked back to his cabin before Daniels had left the ship and returned the disrespectful gaff by not addressing Daniels as colonel.

Jess heard the splashing of the oars and the men dispersing from the deck and lay for a while longer hugging Gem to her side and while they were there she asked him, “Gem, I have done a bad thing by not giving you over to the man that came on board and the captain and I can get into a lot of trouble for it. But I need to know that you would prefer to go and live with your aunt Felicity rather than go back to your father?”

“That was Colonel Daniels, my father’s best friend. He is not nice to me. He pinches me and sometimes he will stand on my foot and when I cry he says it was a mistake, but I know he does it on purpose. Papa does not stop him when he hurts me and calls me names.” Gem said sadly, “I only met my aunty Felicity one time and she was nice to me. She looks like my mama and if I have to then I would rather stay with her. Is she coming to get me?”

Hugging him closer to her Jessie felt utter rage at Colonel Daniels for hurting such a lovely child. ’No, darling. I will do my best to get you to your aunt Felicity.”

“Jess! Are you down there? Where the hell are you?” It was Willy calling to her and Jess crawled out from under the canvass with Gem hot on her heels.

Dropping the ladder over the side Jess pushed the little guy up first and as she reached the top Gray leaned over and grabbed her arms and lifted her over the railing. They looked at each other and knew that they had reached a point of no return with Gem.

Sweat was pouring down her back and sides of her face. It had been hot and stuffy under the canvas and Jess dragged her soggy butt back to the cabin with every intention of simply collapsing and sleeping for a full twelve hours. But Mr. Tora brought in two large buckets of hot water and tossed them into the tub and Jessie thanked him gratefully.

Stripping off her clothing and boots Jess stepped into the tub and settled back slowly as her bruised body was rebelling slightly. No jojoba oil this time thought Jess. Can’t have a lad smelling like a lass now, can we? Sliding down she dunked her head under the water and stayed there for a little while. Pulling herself back up she saw Gray had come in and was sitting on the chair watching her and she smiled, “Tonight was a surprise, but tomorrow we know he is coming in the morning so we will be able to hide Gem a little better.”

“What then, Jess? What do we do with little Germaine?” Gray asked with a sigh.

“We get him to his aunt Felicity who lives in Barbados and who treats him better than his own father or Colonel Daniels, apparently.” She spoke as she began washing her hair.

Gray stood up and handed her the jug to use to rinse the suds from her hair. “My other ship should be on its way back from France and it will stop in Guernsey, but from there it should make a direct route back here, and if I remember correctly it has another month or so before it arrives.” He ran his hands over his face and stood up. “I feel the same as you about little Gem, but we are going to have to be careful Jess. Rancliff is a bastard and he rules as though he were the king himself. I actually believe he thinks he is the king.”

Sitting up and leaning on her knees Jess looked at Gray and asked, “I know you are putting yourself in grave danger here Gray, as well as your crew and it will only take one person slipping up and we will have to do damage control. I am sincerely praying that it won’t come to that, but should anything go sideways I will take Gem with me and disappear for a while. It is because of me that we have become kidnappers of a child and I will take responsibility for that. I am not saying it will happen, but should push comes to shove I will make my way across the land to the west coast. I know Willy and he will most definitely come with me. He’s sworn to protect me and that will include Gem.”

Gray stood up and walked up and down the cabin and Jess could see how much he did not like the situation or the idea of them separating she said, “Willy and I will use the time to find out what we can about Nick.”

Turning and looking at her Gray raised his eyebrows, ’He’s a pirate, Jessie. He won’t be land lubbing if he is a pirate.”

“I know that, but I know he arrived on the west coast and he may just have made his way to Dublin overland instead of by sea.” She tried to sound reasonable.

“Fair enough, but it may not come to any of that if there are no problems and the Flying Fox comes in on time. We will be on our way again in about two months and get Gem to his aunt in Barbados.

“Let us just get through tomorrow and then take it from there, alright?” Jess said as she stood up and wrapped herself in the towel sheet.

Without responding, Gray walked over to the tub and got naked and stood in Jess’s bath water and washed himself down and Jess could see his mind was working. After throwing on a long shirt she opened the window and began drying her hair and got lost in her own thoughts. Feeling an arm snaking around her waist Jess leaned back and the two of them sat together by the open window both wanting to say so much but not finding the right words, so they let their bodies speak for them. The language that would not lie and would bring them together in a way nothing else ever could. They would always have this connection and it would always be honest and true.

Waking the next morning Jess and Gray stacked the barrels and trunks in such a way that Gems’ little box bed was safely hidden and the child would feel safe and secure. Jessie told him what they were doing and he understood and he knew that if anyone found out about him he would go back to his father so he had to be as quiet as a little mouse.

Gray spoke to Tad and the boy understood what they were doing and he wanted to help so Gray asked him to fetch Gem a mug of water, some bread and cheese and a little salted pork as they did not know how long Colonel Daniels would be on board. The boy happily provided the necessary and had a smug expression on his face that made Jess smile from ear to ear.

Jess was a lad once more and she was assisting the crew when Daniels arrived with his men and they all clambered aboard as Gray came out of the cabin with his journal. A little earlier Gray had got some of the crew to set up a table and two chairs on deck for the scribe and Daniels remarked, “Don’t want us sullying your cabin eh, Murphy?”

“No, I have a lot to do before getting my ship in for repairs, Daniels” And turned on his heel and headed back into the captain’s cabin.

“Right then, the first witness to the alleged attack from the pirate ship come forward,” Daniels said loudly and nobody moved.

Mr. Tora stepped forward and pointed to the sheet of paper sticking out of the ship’s journal and said, “Dem names be listed for ye an’ ye can be callin’ den de crew be steppin’ forward, suh.”

“You presume to tell me my job, you border ruffian?” Daniels asked with a sniff and a lift of his nose in the air.

Smiling Mr. Tora shook his head, “No suh, I be sharin’ wit ye what de Cap’n says I be sharin’, suh.” And turned and walked away as the scribe opened the journal and Daniels yanked the page out of his fingers. Reading quickly through the names he finally instructed the scribe to call the names as listed.

“William James Marshall MacLeod.” Called Daniels, “Come forward.” Willy stepped forward and looked at Daniels from beneath his eyebrows. “Aye, tis me ye be callin’.” Jessie grinned at his thick Irish accent.

“State your story as brief as possible, thank you, and then be on your way,” Daniels said dismissively and held a handkerchief to his nose and Jess frowned and wondered what Willy had done.

The scribe scribbled really fast as Willy gave his affidavit of the storm, the ship being torn apart, being fished out of the ocean by Captain Murphy, and then the pirate attack.

With a quick nod and a perfunctory thank you and wave of the hand Willy was sent on his way. Jess waited a little while and went to where Willy was and nearly keeled over from the stench. Blocking her nose she whispered, “Willy, what the fuck did you do?” and she gagged.

With a grin that nearly split his face in two, he pulled a rotting fish head out of his pocket that was wrapped in cloth. “Throw that away! Christ, it stinks man!” Jess could hardly breathe, but she giggled.

“Take the kerchief and hang it out of your back pocket, Jess. They won’t fuss too much with you.” And Jess shook her head and turned around and pointed to the pocket and felt Willy push a corner in and when Jess looked around she saw the rest of the foul-smelling kerchief hanging out.

“Jessiah McNally, come forward if you will?” Daniels called out and Jess felt her spine stiffen.

“Game face, Jessie,” Willy whispered.

Jess pulled the curtain down and her hat and sauntered sullenly to where Colonel Daniels and his scribe were on the deck. She stood and looked up at Daniels from beneath her hat and raised an eyebrow.

“Well, what is your story?” And in a soft deep voice, Jess related the same story she had rehearsed with Willy. When she finished she turned to go, but Daniels stopped her. “Have we me before?” he asked her curiously holding his kerchief to his nose.

“Been to the Americas?” she asked rudely. “If not, then no, I don’t believe we have crossed paths.” And as an afterthought, she added, “Sir,”

“No, I have not been to the American colonies, but I never forget a face and yours is very familiar.” And he eyed her suspiciously and Jess sighed and stared back at him as his eyes narrowed and he stepped forward and told her to remove her hat. “What?” Jess asked with a frown.

“I said remove your hat.” Knowing she had no choice, Jessie removed her hat and knew that she had a bandanna on beneath. She tilted her head sideways and stared at Daniels with a cocky grin. “Who are your relatives here in Ireland? Where do they live? Do they know you are coming?”

“Whoa there buster!” Jess laughed good-naturedly and held up her hand, “One question at a time, but the answer to the first will moot the other two. I have no relatives in Ireland that I am aware of.” She stood looking very bored.

Again Daniels narrowed his eyes and then his piggy blue eyes widened as though in recognition and he gasped, “Does the name O’Cleirigh ring a bell?”

Game face Jessie, she reminded herself, “No.” was all she said and again raised her eyebrows.

Narrowing his eyes he turned and muttered something to the scribe who looked up quickly at Jess and frowned. Without batting an eye or letting them know she was shaken up, Jessie turned around and walked away. Jock tugged the kerchief from her back pocket and shoved it in his vest pocket and walked to the table as he was next and again those in the vicinity blocked their noses.

Willy used his head to indicate that he and Jess move to the ropes further along the deck and as they set about doing their duty she felt and saw Daniels glaring at her. Hardly moving his mouth Willy whispered, “What the hell was that all about then?” and Jess whispered back and told him about the questioning.

“Christ almighty, Jessie, he can see the unbelievable resemblance between you and Rourke, your father. I told you ages ago when you put boys clothes on that you were his double in female form. Ben saw it too. Daniels is not going to leave this alone, I just know it. He will go back like a good lapdog and tell Rancliff everything and I will lay my cock on a block and guarantee Rancliff will want a ‘word’ with you to see for himself.” Willy moved away from Jess so that they did not look too suspicious together.

Jess moved down the railing and in behind the main mast and sat down with her back to the mast. Do I look that much like my father that others will naturally assume, albeit correctly, that I am his offspring? She thought angrily to herself while still keeping her game face firmly in place.

While Jess was sitting there Daniels was searching along the deck for her and had a smug look on his face.

Willy was keeping an eye on Daniels and his smug look did not get past him and Willy knew he was right. Daniels was ready to cause grief and he would have Rancliff backing him. Shit! Dammit! Willy fumed angrily.

Gray came out of his cabin to collect his journal just as Daniels was wrapping things up and his men were clambering down the ladder and into their longboat. “Thank you for your time and trouble, Captain Murphy.” Daniels clicked his heels together and gave an informal slight bow.

Gray was taken aback by the politeness of the thanks, but simply bowed in turn and watched as Daniels turned away, but then he stopped and turned around as if he had forgotten something, “One more thing, I’m afraid. Please make sure no one leaves this ship until I give the go-ahead.” He gave a positively evil smile and Gray frowned at him and said, “For what reason am I to keep my crew aboard, Daniels?”

“I’m not finished with them.” He said nastily.

“Yes, you are. Only a Warrant will make me enforce the rule to stay on board and seeing as I have not seen one, my crew may do as they please.” Gray stood directly in front of Daniels and he stared at him with flashing green eyes.

Daniels’ face went puce and he stuttered, but he knew that, legally, Gray was quite right. “I will have a Warrant drawn up and on this ship within the hour.” Turned on his heel and stalked to the ladder and went down without another word.

Looking around for Jess Grays’ eyes finally met hers and he knew that Daniels had recognized the similarities in her features that he too had seen and their shared pain was as palpable as the air everyone was breathing.