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Captain,” the Quartermaster called out, weaving his way through the crowd.
    “Take Mister Taylor to the brig.”
    “The brig, but, but I thought ye said ...” Mister Taylor stammered, scrambling to his feet.
    “Yes, the brig and that’s where you shall remain until you learn that my orders are to be followed. I will not tolerate insubordination. Is that clear?”
    The air grew thick with tension. A low grumble passed through the crew like a wave.
    Mister Smith grabbed Taylor by the scruff of the neck and shoved him along the deck ahead him. “Off ye go, Taylor. Ye knows the way.”
    “Aye,” Taylor muttered and the scruffy pirate slithered away with Mister Smith following close behind him.
    When the Captain turned to me, his eyes still dark and dangerous, my breath caught in my throat.
    “Countess, need I remind you of my warning not to venture away from my side. There is danger in wandering about this ship unaccompanied.” A muscle twitched in his lean cheek.
    “And what of the danger in staying by your side, Captain?”
    “I apologize for my behavior of last night, my dear Countess, and trust me when I say I shall endeavor to do my best to see that it does not happen again.” He abruptly turned and stormed away, nearly bumping into Mary who ran toward me.
    “Miss, wot on earth has ye up at such an early hour? Come now, breakfast be waitin’.”
    I found I couldn’t speak. I watched Edmund’s retreated back. We shall see, my good Captain ... we shall see.

Chapter 9
    The ship was huge, with three masts all boasting great square white sails. It had become a favorite pastime of mine to watch the men sing as they worked together to raise and lower those beautiful sails. The chanteys they sang were quite funny and some I admit a bit saucy. The grand ship was taller than any building I had ever seen, and I was certain anyone who should happen to fall overboard would surely meet his death. Yet men would climb the rigging with no fear. The cabin boy, Jake, was particularly nimble at it, and could climb more quickly than the others, even with a bucket and brush in hand. Often times I watched him walk across the mast beam with the ease of a man walking upon the deck, and once I saw him swing on a rope all the way down to the deck.
    Having been aboard the ship for some time now, I was becoming bored and longed for the freedom of being up there like Jake, to be able to scan the horizon for miles. One day I asked him if he would teach me to climb the rigging.
    “Oh, me Lady, I would have to seek the permission of the Captain. Aside from that, ye cannot be climbin’ up them ropes in no fancy gown.”
    “Jake, we look to be about the same size. If you were to loan me a pair of britches and a shirt, then we could climb together.”
    “I don’t be thinkin’ that to be such a good idea, me Lady. The Captain, he be sure to disapprove.”
    “You let me worry about the Captain.”
    “I suppose then, if it be okay with the Captain, I could.”
    “When?”
    “Whenever ye like.”
    “Now. I want to do it today. Hurry, Jake, and get me something appropriate to wear. I shall meet you outside my cabin.”
    “Aye, me Lady. You speak on it with the Captain, and I’ll get ye some britches,” he said. I smiled as he rushed off toward the crews’ quarters.
    Before long, I stood upon the deck wearing britches and a man’s shirt, with my hair in a long braid.
    “Now, me Lady, first I be tyin’ this here line around ye,” he began.
    “Why? Why do I need one when you do not wear one?”
    “I been climbin’ the riggin’ all me life. This line will save ye from death should ye fall.”
    “All right then, I suppose it is necessary.”
    “Now, me Lady, I’ll be right beside ye. Watch what I be doin’ and do the like.”
    It was harder than I expected, but since I was fit from caring for the horses and stables, it wasn’t long before I had climbed halfway to the top. The thick ropes of the rigging were rough under my