"You were, madam," said Barney. "There is one more matter I wish to speak of. Tonight. On Stasia I told you there was one other man to whom I had given a warning. That man was Landais; I shan't give him the courtesy of calling him a captain. I'm sorry I spoke roughly to you in his presence; but that's the only language he understands. Please accept my apologies."
"I see," said Douglass, unconsciously imitating his way.
"He did not harm you, did he, Douglass?"
There was urgency in the question.
"No," she answered. Then repeated it. "No!"
Their eyes met. Then Douglass said, "I would like to retire now."
He nodded. "My cabin should be ready at any minute, madam."
"Your cabin?" She hesitated. "That is most kind of you."
"A courtesy I am glad to extend."
"Thank you," she said.
There was silence again. Then Barney said, "You'll excuse me if I smoke?" He picked up his pipe after her polite reply, and began to fill it. Macgregor knocked on the door.
"Come in," Barney said.
Macgregor said, eyes on Douglass, "Sir, your gear has been stowed in our cabin, Scull's and mine, sir."
"Tm aware whose cabin I'm using now, Mr. Macgregor!" Barney's voice snapped out at him. Then he said, "Allow me, Madam Harris, to present Mr. Macgregor."
"It's a pleasure, I vow, madam," Macgregor said, bowing, but this time keeping one eye on his captain, whose temper seemed very uncertain.
"I'm a nuisance, sir, I know," said Douglass. "You are being moved from your cabin. How can I thank you?"
"We couldn't ask for more than to have you aboard, ma'am."
She smiled and said, "And now, gentlemen, I think I shall retire. Goodnight, Mr. Macgregor. Goodnight, Captain."
Chapter 40
THE NEXT MORNING WHEN DOUGLASS CAME OUT ON DECK, SHE SAW that amidships a knot of men were gathered around the carriage of one of the heavy guns. Douglass let her eyes rove over the "Athena."
"You have doubled the lookouts," she said. "Why?"
"Captain's orders, ma'am. We seem to have doubled our crew, too."
"Every man jack aboard's on deck, ma'am," Jerrell said, his blue eyes crinkled with laughter.
"They were never so interested in those guns before, the bastards," Macgregor said. "Excuse me, ma'am."
Jerrell's mind went ahead rapidly. She couldn't stand here long. "Couldn't we get you a chair, ma'am?" he asked eagerly.
Macgregor walked to the gangway, and ten men ran forward toward him.
The chair was brought and Douglass sat down in it.
Barney had heard her light unmistakable step on the companion. He had put his pen down, and filled and lighted his pipe. After fifteen minutes had passed, for that was the amount of time he had allotted—after those minutes had passed, he followed her. He came out on deck.
Lang, who had been leaning over the back of Douglass' chair, straightened up. Jerrell cast a hasty look at the helm and stepped away from the chair, and Macgregor moved backward because it was obvious Barney was coming to stand in front of the chair. The first realization Douglass had of his presence was Macgregor moving from in front of her and Barney standing there instead. "Good morning, madam," he said.
"Good morning, sir," she answered.
He paid no more attention to the other officers than as if they were not visible at all. He said, "That's a pretty thing on your head, English."
She was wearing a dress copied from the costume of the milkmaids in Covent Garden, and a little cap made of filmy material that was tied around at the back of her head with a bow. Barney
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went right on. "But it doesn't protect you from the sun, madam."
"I had not thought of that," Douglass said. "It matches the dress."
Barney noticed Lang. "Mr. Lang, have a fresh piece of canvas rigged over this chair."
"Aye aye, sir," Lang said. He disappeared.
Douglass was looking up at Barney's face. "The 'Triton'—the 'Athena,' " she corrected hastily, "is a beautiful ship, sir." She asked then, "How is the wind?"
''Holding fair, ma'am." He smiled a little.
"What are those things?" asked Douglass, pointing.
"Carronades, madam. I hope we don't have to use them with you aboard."
Macgregor said, "I had the morning watch, ma'am, so as the captain says, I'm a bit sleepy." He patted a yawn, apologized and left them. Scull hurried after him. Mr. Jerrell stood over by the helmsman.
Douglass said, "What are the names of the topsails?''
Barney, standing beside her, answered, "The tops'ls take their names from the mast on which they stand. Now, these questions—
"You don't need to be so formal with me, Douglass, do you?" His dark eyes met hers.
"I thought, aboardship, it was courtesy to the captain." Her lashes fell; she glanced to each side; there was no one near.
He said next, "Is my presence disturbing to you?"
She made a little gesture; the wind blew the tiny lace apron on her milkmaid gown, and she smoothed it back into place. Then she looked up at him again. "Why, no, indeed, sir. Why should it be?"
"It is largely my fault the others left."
"Indeed, sir?" Douglass repeated. "Well, I have never sailed aboard a ship of war before, except for the Frenchman."
She was looking up at him. In the background rose the mizzen-mast; she heard the singing of the rigging; the voices of the men fore; the sky was clear blue and the sails white against them as they bellied out with wind. Barney's eyes were crinkled against the sun and wind as they looked down at her; he bent toward her a little; at the mention of the Frenchman he had muttered an oath, for which he said abruptly he was sorry.
"You're safe now, English. I'll explain about my officers. They want me to have a clear field. That is, they may not want me to, but
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they think they had best offer it. But I'm not going to stay here 133 ong.
"It's your ship?" said Douglass.
"I want to give you a chance to get accustomed to me." He smiled suddenly. "And besides, I have duties to perform. I'm writing my reports. I'll leave you now, and they'll be flocking back, to entertain you. Only be careful, madam, and remember their susceptibilities."
Douglass smiled. Then she remembered. She had no reason to trust him. "I shan't play any havoc with your officers, sir. And it will only be a few days—only one more day after this."
"True," said Barney; he raised an eyebrow and looked undaunted. "I'll have to work fast."
She said clearly, "You don't have to work at all, Captain."
"It's a matter of choice, Douglass," he said. He bowed and turned and left her.
She had dinner alone, in her cabin. She picked up a book at random ; it was a hot day, and she lay on her cot reading. At six there was a rap on the door.
Eagerly Esther, who had been given quarters near Douglass' cabin, flew to open it. She smiled widely when she saw Absolom.
"The captain's compliments to Mrs. Harris," Absolom said, "and he requests the pleasure of madam's company at supper tonight."
Douglass spoke quickly. "Please convey my regrets to the captain. I am not feeling well."
The door closed. Douglass lay on the cot, waiting. Her refusal would not be the end of the matter, she was sure.
She tried to read. Outside, on guard, Wolf waited, ears pricked to see what would happen next. Absolom was back in less than two minutes.
"The captain says to tell madam that she will be ill if she shuts herself in her cabin. The captain says he will call for madam at eight."
Absolom, Esther and Wolf listened for the answer. Finally Douglass laid the book down on the cot. "Perhaps the captain is right, Absolom," she said coolly. "I shall expect him at eight, then."