Battling Destiny

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Chapter 4

“Miss Overland?” A low voice called from the deck of the Valiant.

Leaving her uncle on the dock, Destiny looked curiously at the young Captain as she reached the top of the gang plank. “Yes?”

“I’m Captain Grover Netherland. Admiral Norrington sent me to see to your things and settle you in your quarters.” He said.

She thought of the argument of three days past and suddenly she was afraid that the admiral had decided to forgo the trip and avoid her altogether. “Oh?” She finally managed.

“Seems he’s been struck with a violent cold.” Captain Netherland informed her.

Her fear strengthened. If the high and mighty admiral would have just listened to me instead of being stubborn, she thought as she remembered her warning to him.

“Since we’re just starting on our voyage all the men will be immersed in their duties so I’m afraid the task of caring for him will fall to you.” He continued.

Relief flooded her as she realized he was already aboard. She had not foreseen this but that wasn’t to say it was not an unwelcome surprise. She could show him the side of her that he seemed to prefer, her soft openness. Warm him up to her.

The captain seemed to take her silence as hesitance and broke into her rapidly flowing thoughts.

“Do you have any experience tending to the ill?” He asked worriedly.

“Oh yes, I’ve cared for all the men in family many times at one point or another. It won’t be a problem Captain Netherland. I’ll check on him as soon as my uncle gets all my belongings loaded up.”

“I’ll go help Admiral Overland.” He said with a smile as he left her on the deck to watch the bustling activity.

She supervised as three more men followed their captain down the plank and began pulling her various trunks back to the top and walking them to her room. In less than twenty minutes they had everything loaded onto the Valiant and she was forced to say goodbye to her uncle.

She hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek before saying, “Good bye Uncle Overland. Thank you so much for having me. Take care of yourself.”

“It was a pleasure Destiny. You’ve grown into a fine and beautiful woman.” He said fondly. “Behave. Take care of yourself and see that James makes a full recovery. Give my regards to my brother and nephews.”

“I will. Farewell.” She said giving him a last hug and watching as Captain Netherland led her uncle back to the dock.

She blew him a kiss and waived while the captain came to stand by her side.

“It’s so hard to leave family behind.” He said as he observed a single tear on her cheek.

“Very.” Destiny agreed as she sized him up.

He was quite good looking. Tall, blonde, blue eyes and incredibly tan from all his time outside. And obviously not afraid of crying woman. She liked him already.

“Is your wife down there?” She asked, though she already knew the answer.

“Yes.” He said with a little amazement in his tone. “And my little boy. He’s not but fourteen months old. It gets harder and harder to leave them each time. Shall I show you to your quarters?”

“Thank you.”

She followed him to the middle of the ship and down a short flight of stairs where she was presented with three separate cabins. He led her to the far left side and opened the door for her to allow her in her home for the next three months.

It was a surprisingly pleasant room. Most of the time her accommodations were overtly masculine but someone had the kind thought and had taken the time of changing the typically navy comforter to one of soft butter yellow. Instead of one flat pillow there were four extremely fluffy ones. And the table that was next to the bed was covered in a lacy white table cloth.

“The admiral had fresh linens brought in for you.” Netherland said, answering her unasked question.

“How kind of him. It’s lovely.” She replied.

“I’ll let you settle in and unpack a bit while I get us underway. Please see to Admiral Norrington soon. He was a little…..disoriented earlier.” He said as he turned.

“I’ll see to him. He’ll be fine in a few days. Don’t worry Captain Netherland.” She said as she followed him.

“Call me Captain Rover, or just Rover if you like, everyone does.”

“Rover it is then.” She smiled. “Which cabin is he in?”

He pointed to the one directly across from hers and excused himself to the deck. Destiny pulled her own door shut and crossed the hall to knock on Norrington’s door.

“Come in.” Came his faint voice.

She poked her head in to make sure he was in a decent state. Eyeing his pile of clothing in the floor she guessed he must have just finished changing into his nightdress.

“Miss Overland?” Admiral Norrington asked uncertainly as he swayed unsteadily on his feet.

Destiny noted his flushed cheeks and his shivers and quickly assessed he had a fever. The poor man looked miserable. His normally brilliant green eyes were empty and disengaged and his shaggy brown locks were unkempt and damp with sweat.

“Yes admiral.” She assured him as she rushed to his side. The sea was moving gently beneath the large ship but apparently it was enough to send his equilibrium off balance. “Let’s get you into the bed. You’ll feel much better lying down.”

Much to her relief, he did as he was instructed. He was too big of a man to try and force him into it.

“Thank you.” She said as she pulled his sheets up and sat next to him on the mattress. She moved to put her hand to his forehead but he evaded her as he sat bolt upright.

“What are you doing?” He demanded as he seized her wrist.

“It’s ok.” She soothed. “I’m checking for fever.”

He was weak enough she could have easily pulled away from him but Destiny waited patiently for him to release her, his touch leaving a tingling in its wake.

James lay back down and allowed her to gently press her small hand to his head. Even in his delirious state her fingers seemed to be spreading fire through his forehead to the tips of his toes and the smell of lilac seemed to engulf him. It was comforting yet oddly and, much to his dismay, enticing.

He caught her wrist again but didn’t pull her hand away as he met those probing violet blue eyes. “Destiny.” He whispered, his eyes fluttering with fatigue.

She quivered as her name washed over her, loving the way he said it. Three syllables seemed to convey every apology in his head and was more than enough for her.

“I know. Me too.” She replied.

He pulled her hand down and brushed his lips on the inside of her wrist then breathing hotly on the same spot and she inhaled sharply, feeling dizzy and lightheaded.

“You are so beautiful.” He continued in his hushed tone. “Truly.”

Destiny tried not to be too pleased with his unexpected admission as she tugged her hand free and pulled herself from his bed. “Admiral, you have a very high fever and don’t know what you’re saying or doing. Why don’t you take a nap and I’ll make some hot soup and my miracle cure. Guaranteed to shorten your illness by at least a day.”

“Alright.” He said agreeably as she floated to the door. “And I do know what I’m saying.”

“Destiny. Destiny. Destiny.”

She smiled, her blood still humming, as she shut the door, leaving him quietly testing out her name and knowing this wasn’t the worst of his delirium. This was the early stages, the worst of it would probably hit tonight. Tomorrow would be retching and the following day would be recovery. She had seen her brothers and father through all sorts of flues and she knew what to expect.

You could tell a lot from a person from their behavior when they were sick and she would find out just what kind of man Admiral James Norrington was….and what he could do to her.