Clara stood very still. Wondering at whom this new person could be and what control he had over the giant who now stood panting and striving desperately to reign in his temper.

Commander Redgrave couldn't help but laugh as he took in the sight before him.

"Well you must be either the bravest boy I've ever encountered, or are suffering from a bout of insanity to take on Angus here."

The boy said nothing in response only looked at both of them warily but Redgrave could see the intelligence behind those eyes.

"Even now the boy is assessing. Trying to find the advantage...Hmmm," he wondered.

"Where are my manners? Commander Phineas Redgrave, Captain of the Whispering Wind at your service," Redgrave removed his hat and bowed deeply.

Clara knew she was expected to speak but was afraid to do so.

"That there is Mr. Angus McCree, First Mate and ship's Quarter Master, whom you've had the unfortunate blunder of making angry," Redgrave said with a low throaty chuckle, causing Angus to glare at him ominously.

"Stand down, Mr. McCree. Your wounds are superficial at best. Still such bravery or insanity should be rewarded don't you think? We are down one cabin boy."

Angus and Clara's eyes widened in surprise but for completely different reasons. For Clara this could mean the end of her problems of finding employment and her escape to a new life, and for Angus it was the surprise of what his Captain was actually considering."

"This scrawny little mouse? He won't last a week at sea," Angus laughed at the idea. "Better he finds some Lord to attend to and dress. My vote is nay."

"Well, as Lord Fitton will be traveling with us to the East Indies, I say it is a win-win."

Angus groaned, "The professor? He is traveling with us again?"

"Quit you're belly aching, Mr. McCree. He pays well and we are heading in his direction anyway. So, where is the imposition?"

"Man, doesn't have an ounce of common sense," Angus grumbled. "Several times we had to keep him from falling overboard. His nose forever in his books."

Redgrave chuckled and he turned those smiling eyes on Clara once more. "So, what do you say?"

Clara knew she had to take the leap, and nodded her head yes.

Redgrave looked concerned. "You can hear me but you do not speak? Are you mute?"

Clara took this out, and nodded again.

"Hmmm, that may be a problem," Redgrave wished he did not need to reconsider as they sail with the tide and him finding this boy really did solve both his problems of a cabin boy and valet for the Professor.

Clara pulled out a paper from her journal and her pencil; quickly she jotted a note, tore the page out and handed it to the Captain.

Redgrave was impressed. "Asking about wages... smart lad. Shows your head is in the right place. We divide our take at the end of the voyage. We don't get paid until the delivery is done."

He was happy to see the boy was educated. Most likely he found it difficult to get work due to his infirmity. Clara took the note back and wrote again.

Redgrave laughed heartily this time. "I will need to keep that in mind but I think it is a fair request and I believe both."

"What did he say?" Angus asked.

"He wants to know if he will receive additional wages as the valet, and wanted to know to whom he would be subject to, you or the professor.

Angus laughed. "I'm just happy he can't talk. I find him less annoying already."

Clara glared at him and Angus and Redgrave both chuckled.

"What is your name boy?"

Clara took the paper back...she had not thought of a name. She thought for a second and wrote it down.

"Claremont. Is there a first name that goes with that?"

Clara took back the paper. She needed a boy's name and she needed it quick. She wrote the first name she thought of, a name forever imprinted on her heart.

"Nice to meet you, Benjamin Claremont. Welcome to the crew!"

Clara shook Redgrave's hand and for a moment Redgrave paused looking down at their hands, only briefly, before taking his hand back.

Clara wondered at his reaction.

Redgrave, Angus and Clara all sat down for a meal together. There was something about this boy he couldn't quite put his finger on. He seemed to be shrouded in mystery. His hand was soft, almost dainty. Obviously he was learned. He most definitely was not built for hard labor but Redgrave had a feeling Claremont's willingness would take over from there. He seemed rather eager. All in all, Redgrave felt satisfied in his choice.

Clara followed behind the two men to the dock, to where the merchant vessel, the East Indiamen called The Whispering Wind, was being loaded with cargo and provisions for their voyage. She heard a whistle blow and someone announced that the Captain was coming aboard.

There was a young man in his early thirties who stood at the rail. His spectacles perched on tip of his nose. His sandy colored hair looked a bit tussled by the wind.

He immediately smiled upon seeing Redgrave board the ship.

"So you got my letter?" Redgrave said shaking the man's hand.

"And happy to do so," the man stated, "I have been stuck in London for nearly a week now. Not that I am complaining mind you. Just eager to continue my research."

"Sorry for the delay. We cannot set sail until all the cargo arrives to be loaded. It takes time. We are happy to have you onboard, Professor. The extra time afforded us the ability to find you a valet as well," Redgrave continued.

Clara took this as her cue to come forward.

"Mr. Benjamin Claremont, I would like you to meet Lord Aaron Fitton. Your primary duties will be to him and his comfort, but in your time off, which technically you have none, I expect you to help on the ship."

Clara almost made the mistake of curtseying in front of Lord Fitton, but quickly covered her actions with a slight stumble.

"Ha!" Angus laughed aloud, "Has never been to sea. I knew it! He doesn't have his sea legs under him yet." Shaking his head and laughing all the way, the redheaded Scot walked away, barking out orders to the crew as he did so.

Redgrave gave Clara an encouraging smile. "No, worries. You'll have your bearings soon enough."

"One more thing about Benjamin here," he said to Lord Fitton. "He cannot speak."

This took Fitton by surprise. "He is dumb?"

Redgrave shook his head, "No, he can hear you well enough. He will just be unable to speak to you. So, you will need to remember when you say your requests to him he is unable to respond. If you wish a response, he can write."

Lord Fitton, gave Clara a pitying look but then quickly recovered as a bit of information absorbed into his brain.

"You can write?"

Clara nodded.

"And can read as well?"

Clara thought that would be a given, as what use was writing if you could not read but nodded her head again.

"Brilliant!!!" Lord Fitton exclaimed, obviously excited about something. "You will be able to help me with my research as well. Can you draw?"

Again Clara nodded she could.

"Lord be praised!!!" and then Lord Fitton did something quite unexpected and embraced her. Clara was quite at a loss as to what to do. The only men ever to hold her were her family, Richard, her Father or Benjamin.

The awkwardness of the situation clearly displayed on her face and Fitton quickly let her go.

"Sorry! I tend to be a little over enthusiastic when it comes to my work. You see... I am a scientist. Botany is my field of expertise. I take these long voyages because it allows me to discover flora never seen before by our countrymen. I wish to document as many as I can.

It is my dream to find something exceptionally rare. You would be surprised what treasures some plants hold, be it eatable, medicinal. There are so many wonderful things to learn."

For the first time, since her self-inflicted vow of silence Clara wished she could speak. It all sounded so amazing and she found the Professor's enthusiasm for his work contagious. Instead she could only stand there awkwardly staring at him, smiling.

"I have a devil of a time drawing the flowers I see. I am not the most prolific artiste," he said with a grin. "You Benji are a Godsend."

"Benji?" Clara thought, then shrugged, "why not? " Thanks to all of Juliana's training she will be useful after all. The sudden reminder of Juliana, knowing that she could now pass herself off as Richard's younger brother, made her homesick.

"No worries," Lord Fitton said putting a comforting hand upon her shoulder. "It is not like I am expecting you to be the next Rembrandt," Lord Fitton explained, misunderstanding her expression.

Angus approached, "Mr. Claremont. This is Mr. Sturgess. He will be your bunkmate and can show you the ropes around here."

Sturgess was a boy about sixteen years old at max, sandy blonde hair that was in desperate need of a cut.

"Come with me," he said. "I will show you our room and then take you around to show you what duties you will perform while on the ship."

Clara went to follow him, wondering how if she had a bunkmate that she would keep the fact that she was a woman a secret. She really had not thought this plan through. It was the same impulsiveness that would get her in trouble with Benjamin. She was forever leaping first and asking questions later.

She will just have to take care. She heard tales of women that had dressed as men and boarded ships and kept their gender a well-guarded secret. Of course many of them were eventually discovered, died in prison or came to some terrible end... okay maybe she should stop thinking about this right now.

"Just focus. One problem at a time," Benjamin's coaching had echoed in her mind.

Sturgess had taken her below deck to their cabin.

"So you can't talk, huh?" he said looking at her. "That may be a good thing as I am always being told, I run at the mouth. Together I guess that makes us a perfect pair."

"You can have this bunk," Sturgess patted the bed. "The break head is at very front of the ship, should you need to use the latrines. We use that to wash up," Sturgess said, pointing over to the metal basin and pitcher.

Clara looked around and became more concerned with each word Sturgess had spoken.

How will she ever manage, dressing, undressing, and washing if Sturgess is in the room with her? Thank God the bathrooms were separate. She could not imagine having to use a pot in front of this boy. The very idea made Clara go pale. This was going to be a challenge indeed.

"Feeling a bit homesick?" Sturgess asked missing reading her concerned look for a sad one.

Clara pressed her lips together and nodded.

"I would lie to you and tell you it gets easier with time but it would be a bold face lie. I've been on the seas for three years now and I am forever thinking about home."

Well so much for using this means of escape to forget about Benjamin. It didn't help that she now bore his name, either. Why in the world did she not give this some serious consideration?

Clara wished she could ask Sturgess why he left. She took out her journal and wrote the question down, handing it to him.

Sturgess smiled, then shrugged before handing the note back to her. "Sorry."

Clara realized with utter devastation that he couldn't read. Sadness filled her heart. She would be truly alone here. Unable to communicate to make friends, if most were illiterate, but she should have expected as much.

She bit her lip. An idea occurred to her. She crudely drew a house and stick figure walking out the door. Turning it so he could see it, she tapped the piece of paper.

Sturgess had not a clue but then suddenly the question became clear. "You want to know why I left home?"

Clara nodded.

Sturgess sighed. "I will tell you all about it some other time. Right now we are on duty."

Sturgess motioned for her to sit down and she did so on her bed.

"How do I best describe your job?"

"You and I are cabin boys, which makes you a low man in the ranks here, but the job is not so bad. Your basic duties will be to Lord Fitton and the officers of this vessel, which include Captain Redgrave and Mr. McCree. Running messages and errands for them."

There are two of us because of Lord Fitton. Normally it would just be me. We also help the ship's cook with carrying food to the kitchen from our stores below. We serve the food to the crew. 

You will need to learn the sails, lines and ropes and what they do because we are often sent scrambling up the rigging into the yards, in all sorts of weather. Especially when the sails need to be trimmed.

Clara wished she could ask questions as right now, she felt as if Sturgess was speaking in another language. She was fluent in three, English, French and German but none of those sounded as foreign as what he was saying at this moment.

"My favorite part though is when they let me stand watch, or even better at the helm to keep her steady and on course," Sturgess sighed just thinking about it.

"It does not happen that often but when it does..."

Sturgess's face lit up from within, and Clara could no help but smile at him in response. "Well you'll see. It will be some time before that happens though as it takes a while to earn Mr. McCree's trust and he told me you have never been at sea."

Clara shook her head again.

"I will try and help you wherever I can. You can also rely on the Swabs and Powder Monkeys to help you out. We are all around the same age. I will introduce you to them as we meet them."

Clara thought for a moment and took her note pad and drew a clock and a sun.

Sturgess sighed again. He really wished his bunkmate could talk. "What time do we get up in the morning?"

Sturgess laughed at the excited look upon his bunkmate's face.

"Guess I got it right. Early, we have to help the cook with meals remember? There are a lot of us on board so we are usually the first up and about."

A whistle blew and Sturgess leapt up. "The tour will need to wait. That is the whistle for all hands to be on deck. We must be readying to set sail. Follow me."

Sturgess started out at a sprint that progressed into a full out run and Clara had some difficulties keeping up but despite the sharp pain in her side and her labored breath, she popped up top right after Sturgess.

Angus waited for all hands to be on deck and then took a quick roll call.

"Everyone is present and accounted for, Captain."

Redgrave stepped forward. "We are about to set sail. I want this to be a safe voyage. I need you all to be ever vigilant. There are pirates, our competitors, pressgangs and of course the French that would love to get their hands on you mates, our ship and our cargo. Best way to avoid this is prevention."

As Redgrave spoke she saw how all eyes were on him. He obviously was a good Captain and had the respect of his crew. However, her misgivings grew as she thought of the idea of the ship being boarded.

Would she be expected to fight? Of course she would. She had gotten into this mess by taking a life. What if she had to take another? Could she do it again?

Sturgess looked over and nudged her. Redgrave and McCree were looking at her expectantly.

Damn, what did they say? So caught up in her thoughts she did not hear what was spoken.

"Just raise your hand," Sturgess said under his breath.

And Clara's hand shot up into the air.

"There you are," Redgrave said, "I expect you all to welcome our newest member and show him the ropes. We are only as strong as our weakest link."

All eyes landed on her and Clara wished there was a trap door beneath her feet that would open and allow her to disappear.

She did not want to be a weak link.

That is why she left Benjamin. She was his weak link. Always so concerned about her and her well being she became nothing more then a distraction from his serious work. She would not be able to stand it if something happened to him because of her.

Now unknowingly she had put herself in the same exact situation only on a much grander scale. Instead of one man being at peril because of her actions now over a hundred were at her mercy. What had she been thinking when she thought of doing this? Maybe she should just become a deserter at the first port they stop at. They would all be better off.

Before she realized what was taking place next, Lord Fitton was at her side and the rest of the crew was underway getting the ship ready to pull out of port. She looked around confused as to what she should do.

"Just stay here with me," Lord Fitton said walking them to rail. "I find it is best when you are unable to be helpful to just stay out of the way and therefore out of trouble."

Clara wanted to laugh at his observation but managed to stifle it at the last second.

Lord Fitton's hand ran reverently over the wood rail. "It's teak wood," he said drawing her attention to it. 

"A strong wood to use for building ships. They build them in India now. We used to use English Pine but the soft wood is a delicacy for shipworms who would make easy work of it, leaving large holes in the bottom of the hull. You can see how that would be a detriment to the ships especially merchant ships like these as they spend a lot of time in the ports waiting for their cargo and provisions to arrive," Lord Fitton said with a smile.

Clara smiled back at him, and then stared out at the retreating port. This was it. She knew Benjamin had most likely received her letter by now, if not by tomorrow for certain.

She felt the pangs of guilt for breaking things off this way. She just knew she could not face him. He would never let her go and she would cave. She loved him after all.

This was best for them both. He loved her for certain but she had no place in his life.

Lord Fitton wondered at the immense sadness he'd seen in the boy's features. He could almost swear there were unshed tears in his eyes. What tragedies had one so young faced in his life? He wished he could talk with the boy but instead just watched with him, as London had gotten farther and father away.