Read The Sea Hawk for Free Online Page B

handed it to her. She gulped down the entire mug and handed it to the doctor for a refill. She had never tasted anything as sweet. When her thirst was quenched, she cleared her throat. I can do this. After listening to Mother my entire life, surely I can manage the accent. "My name is Julia Blanchard," she said clearly.
    "You are a British subject?" the captain asked skeptically.
    "Indeed," she replied, her eyes downcast. "I am in your debt for saving my life."
    "Not to put too fine a point on it, my dear," the doctor said, "but how did you come to be floating in the virtual middle of the ocean? And what was that unusual undergarment you wore?"
    "My ship was caught in a sudden storm and I was swept overboard. It was unbearably warm in my compartment and I was on deck in an attempt to cool myself. The undergarment is--um--a new fashion I discovered recently while traveling abroad," Julia answered, hoping the men would find it believable. She decided she could get into this charade. Perhaps I have found my way into some kind of elaborate reenactment. Her mother would be proud.
    "That is the biggest line of poppycock I have ever heard," the Captain said smugly.
    "When do we arrive at Jamaica?" she asked. "I am anxious to return to my home and must book passage."
    "That might be somewhat difficult, my dear," the doctor said. "Hostilities between the Royal Navy and the Americans have rather curtailed non-military travel by sea for the moment."
    "What hostilities?" Pausing she said, "You'll have to forgive me, Doctor. I'm afraid my ordeal has affected me more than I thought. What day would this be?"
    "July fifteenth," Cornelius said with a smile. "Considering what you've been through, my dear, some memory loss is perfectly understandable."
    But what's the freakin' year! her brain was screaming. "You have my apologies, Captain Bentham, if my rescue has delayed your mission."
    "No matter, Miss Blanchard. We shall be rendezvousing with the fleet at Jamaica before we continue on to Mobile and New Orleans. One day will not make much of a difference one way or the other. This is nothing more than an annoyance. Now that we have defeated Bonaparte I can assure you we shall make short shrift of these Americans."
    She covered her mouth to suppress a yawn. "Captain, my patient should rest now," Cornelius said. "Perhaps you can speak with her again later this evening."
    "Of course, Doctor." Bowing slightly toward Julia, Bentham set his hat back on his head. "I shall speak with Mrs. Kent. Perhaps either she or her maid will have suitable attire they might lend our guest."
    As Julia shut her eyes and turned onto her side, she tried to remember her history and wished she had paid more attention. Bonaparte? As in Napoleon? Her body ached as she shifted in an attempt to find a more comfortable position. She searched her memory for a date. When was Napoleon defeated? Eighteen-something. She had to be dreaming. The harder she concentrated, the more her mind drifted. She was incredibly tired, but at least she was finally dry.

    A HAND ON her shoulder jerked Julia awake. The sudden movement reminded her immediately of the pounding her body suffered during her wrestling match with the marker buoy. Slowly she brought a hand to her face and rubbed her eyes. Standing over her was a young woman in her early twenties. Her red hair was immaculately tucked under a white cap. Seeing Julia looking up at her, the woman smiled. Her skin was pale white, accented by rosy cheeks. Curtseying slightly, the woman said, "Good day, ma'am. I was asked to provide you with appropriate clothing."
    "Who are you?" Julia asked, pushing up onto her elbows.
    "Oh, my apologies, ma'am. My name is Kitty Longmire. I am the maid to Lady Hortense Kent, wife of the Governor-General." The woman looked at her as if she should know who the Governor-General was and of what. "The Captain has extended an invitation for you to join him and Lord and Lady Kent for supper, if you are feeling well