- Chapter Five –

The day went on smoothly. Tanya helped Ky in the galley, preparing a heaping pot of stew; using some of the meat they had purchased in port just yesterday, they added several different kinds of vegetables and some of Ky's secret spice he kept hidden from the crew. He had brought it out before Tanya came in, probably so she would not find out where it was hidden.

He was hesitant to say much at first. Tanya listened to his instructions – boil the water, add the vegetables, let it cook, add the meat and spice, wait some more. It was the time waiting that she tried to start a conversation by asking him questions about the ship. Surely someone who had been sailing for as long as she figured might know something interesting about a ship that her father didn't tell her.

Yet he kept silent. For someone who had first introduced himself before the rest of the crew, Ky was very timid. It may have been because she was in the galley with him, a place he was so at home in. Tanya wanted dearly to talk to him and be in the galley, but his comfort was something she respected.

"Am I too much of a nuisance?"

"Oh, no, Miss Harris. Ye don't bother no one."

She nodded slowly. "You don't have to say that to make me feel better. If you don't want me in here, you could ask me to leave. I don't want to invade any personal space you have established—"

"I really meant that. Ye don't bother me or the others. I'm just unsure of what must be going through yer mind to want to take on a task on a ship?"

She gave a short sniff of humor. "I don't know, really. I didn't think to bring something to entertain myself for the voyage. Now that I am actually bored, I need something to take up my time. Since you happen to take on the galley, I figured it would be worth something to try, considering I like the aspect of cooking foods."

Ky tipped his head back and roared with laughter. After a moment, he calmed himself, a tear running down his cheek. "Well then, ye have something to do now. The galley is more than home to me; I can't get away from it."

Tanya nodded on agreement. Kitchens felt like a third appendage to her – they were needed, not wanted.

The stew began to bubble. Ky stood from where they had been sitting and began to stir the meal. As he did so, Tanya sipped at the little tankard of water she had. It was ice cold and felt good on her parching throat. She had not had anything good to pour down her throat in days, or so it seemed.

He sat back down as Captain walked into the galley, a calm expression on his features. Tanya didn't move as he sat near her, looking at her. He looked like he wanted to say something to her, but something held him back. She continued to sip her water and Ky looked from her to Captain.

"Ye don't normally come to my galley unless the food's done. What's with the new change?"

"Oh, I was just making sure Miss Harris doesn't get overworked. It seems, however, that you are doing all the work, Ky. Why not let Miss Harris try her hand at making the food for a bit?"

"Well, Captain, I need to be trusted first. After all, he is letting me in his territory."

Ky let slip a small snort of laughter and immediately corrected himself before Captain had a chance to say anything. Captain gave Ky a look of doubt and gave a quick roll of his eyes. In return, Ky looked at his captain in a way that screamed for the superior to tread lightly on this ground.

"Well, you didn't have to take on a job on the ship. I can see your cabin being expressionless, but what were you expecting to do on the voyage? Try your hand at some gambling and become a seafarer like your father?"

The tankard stopped inches from Tanya's lips and she looked at him. This was a strange attitude from the captain of an esteemed crew. She began to question her father's judgment in having her sail to America. She also began to wonder if she should have gone against her father's will and married Jonathon McFarland.

Tanya knew she had to get out of there. As a lady, she should not have to be put through that kind of harassment. He may have meant no harm, but it was over the line and offensive. To think she would stoop so low as to gamble with a bunch of pirates and her father a seafarer.

Politely, she stood and gave a short curtsy. "I beg my excuse, Captain." She turned to Ky. "Excuse me for now."

She turned, avoiding the captain's gaze, and left the galley, walking with a calm air about her. When she was outside the galley, she sped her walking until she was nearly running from the men. She climbed the steps to the top deck and headed straight for the bow, the sun glaring menacingly into her eyes.

Once at the bow, she stopped and stared into the sunset, swallowing back tears, the wood rail warm and polished under her palms. She knew she had to be strong, even against charms from Captain and hospitality from Ky. The Defender was her transportation to America during a war between the countries. She had a month until she was in the Carolina port and departing from Captain forever.

She hoped it was sooner than it seemed.

"Make an apology."

"For what? I don't think I offended her."

"Captain, it wasn't ye offendin' her; it was the manner in which ye told her."

Captain was confused. He didn't think he meant any harm in saying what he said. It was only stating an almost obvious. Well, what was a young woman going to do on a ship full of men? Surely not teach them to embroider pillows or knit.

He sighed. The woman was a handful. All women were. Captain knew he would never settle down with a woman; sure he would have women in ports around the world, but he would not settle for just one. He pitied those love-sick men who send their wives fancy things to buy their love.

Yet this woman was different. He did not know how, but she had a hidden quality that drew anyone into its trap.

He stood and left the galley, ignoring Ky's call of warning. Captain knew he would be calm with her. He would just go and apologize to her. Realizing it after he said it, he felt ashamed of what he told her, the guilt becoming a rock in the pit of his stomach. He didn't know why he wanted to apologize to her, but he thought it was because he had a strict promise to Thomas that her voyage would be one for her to enjoy, not one for her to wish never to see a ship again.

Knowing she had headed to the top deck, Captain climbed the steps and, peeking his head through the hatch, saw her at the bow, her hair being blown by the strong breeze. A sinking guilt pitted in his stomach and he swallowed against a lump of impatience. Getting a short temper over the girl was pointless and unwanted, and knowing the voyage was to be a longer one, he had to put aside any previous angers and face this new challenge.

He walked steadily to her, keeping distant in case she had a few words for him. She was looking into the sun, or so it seemed, the heat feeling good against the skin. The clunk of his boot made her turn her head a little toward him.

"Captain?"

"I came to apologize. I regret saying those things to you. It was uncalled for and unneeded."

"I forgive you, Captain. It was a spark of the moment thing and you had no control. All is well."

He had come up next to her, keeping a decent distance for propriety's sake. Knowing he had to keep his distance, he did not look at her. Instead, he allowed the sun to heat his face. He had always enjoyed the sun, especially in the summer.

"What do you think I should do, then, since you think the galley is unladylike?"

His neck nearly snapped when he turned to look at her so fast. "What do you mean?"

"Do you think the galley unladylike for me? What do you propose I should do in my spare time during this voyage? I am easily bored and I'm quite confined on this ship."

This made him think. "I never said anything like that—"

"You suggested I should learn to gamble and learn the ways of the sea, just like my father."

Captain shook his head several times. "I meant it in jest, in a way."

"What does that mean?" she looked at him with an expression relative to mockery.

"I get ahead of myself. I say things I don't mean and they spill out like water. I apologize if I offended you in any way."

Tanya gave a small smile. "I do the same thing. If I'm angered enough, I let loose with a thing or two from my proper etiquette. We are quite alike, Captain. You just need to hold your deepest anger away and let it out slowly."

She turned and went back to the companionway hatch, most likely going to go back to the galley and finish making the meal. Captain continued to look at the setting sun, turning over her words again and again. Something similar; they shared anger. He had no idea what she was upset at, nor did he want to pries into it. If he was to live to her morals, he was already deep into his deepest anger.