Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen- Day Two at Sea, the Morning

Last night, after the cook, Bartie, had roasted the fish, the men had had a big celebratory dinner to welcome Dianna and to thank her for catching all that fish. Dianna had enjoyed herself immensely, eating lots of deliciously spiced fish and even a little bit of pickles. One crew member had played his accordion and everyone danced and sang along. Dianna spent most of the night with Mack, dancing and chatting. Josey ate his share of fish, then retired to his captain's cabin for the night.

Dianna woke up feeling happy and rested. She had been able to sleep through the night without waking up and vomiting. As she washed for the day, she thought about her conversation with Mack about Josey. She couldn't believe that a boy who had suffered so much in his childhood could grow up to be such a rude person. She didn't see the soft, innocent boy Mack had described to her.

Then again, maybe she hadn't given him enough of a chance. She hadn't exactly been very nice to him herself, why should she expect anything but rudeness from him? She decided to give him a chance.

Dianna wrapped herself tightly in her robe and slightly opened the door to her cabin. She stuck her head out and waited for one of the crew members to walk by. When one did, she called out to him. She remembered from last night that his name was Luca.

"Luca!" She quietly called out. The man stopped what he was doing and approached her door.

"Yes, Miss Dianna?"

"Could you please fetch your captain for me?"

"Straightaway, miss." Luca bobbed his cap at her, then went off to find Josey. Dianna closed her door and went to her luggage. She undressed out of her robe and nightgown and put on her petticoats. When she was trying to fit on her corset, she heard the door open behind her.

"You called?" Josey asked. Dianna quickly grabbed her robe from her bed and covered her front with it as much as possible. Josey looked her up and down and raised his eyebrows. "Yes?"

"I meant to take you up on your offer. I do need help with my corset." Dianna said, blushing a deep scarlet and looking at the floor. Josey nodded and stepped closer to her. She smelled his sweat and the sun on his skin as she turned around so her back was facing him. Josey gently moved her long, loose hair off her back and threw it over one of her shoulders. She shivered slightly at his cold touch, but thankfully he didn't notice. Josey grabbed the strings and began to artfully tie her corset. Dianna breathed deeply as she felt his cool fingers touch her back every now and again, and as her corset became tighter and tighter against her stomach and breasts. Josey finished tying the last knot and stepped back. Dianna put on her robe and turned to face him.

"Thank you. You are skilled. It feels just like it used to when I used to do it at home." She told him, wrapping her robe and her arms around herself.

"What changed your mind?" Josey asked quietly, his husky voice rumbling like thunder.

"Mack told me about you. And how you met. I'm sorry, I didn't know." Dianna sympathized with him.

"Mack should keep his mouth shut if he knows what's good for him." Josey replied, looking slightly annoyed. He felt very exposed now, standing in front of her, even though she was the half naked one in the room.

"He just worries about you--"

"Well, I don't want anyone's pity. Especially yours."

"I just meant to say--"

"That you're sorry? Yeah, well that doesn't change anything. I'm still a pirate captain who had a slutty mother, and you're still a pampered princess. Even on my ship."

"I'm not pampered, nor a princess! Why do you have to be so rude? I'm just trying to get along with you."

"I don't need to get along with you, you're just a job for me. I'll be done with you in less than a week."

"You don't have to fight me, you know! It won't kill you to be friends with me!"

"I don't make friends with princesses."

"Stop calling me that!" Just as the argument was beginning, Mack opened the door and interrupted.

"Excuse me, but Josey we need you on board. It looks like there is a storm brewing."

"Yes, it does." Josey said, glancing angrily one last time at Dianna before leaving her cabin and shoving Mack along with him. They left Dianna fuming and her eyes as filled with storm-clouds as the morning sky outside.

~