Charles and I lay in an intimate embrace, gently shifting our hips from time-to-time while he spoke about our new home. My mind drifted with his quiet words as they painted wondrous scenes of two crystal-clear brooks babbling from the forest through a lush meadow. Of deer grazing and pheasants, grouse and partridges foraging and nesting. Of tidal water lapping on broad strands of rocks, pebbles and sand.

I listened for a long while in silent awe, then I asked, "What about the local people? Those who are called savages? I have read they are often violent against settlements."

"They call themselves and their country Lenappy, and they are honourable people, so I am told. Their only violence arises when settlers take their land – or the trees, the game and the fruit from it. And the oysters and clams from their strands."

"Yes, of course, as would anyone treat poachers. So, how can we settle there?"

"It is well safe. The Dutch purchased from the Lenappy the land on which to establish their settlements. Our tract is on a large island named Manhattan, which they acquired half a century ago." Charles shifted his hips again. "I have some maps aboard showing both the general and the specific areas."

"Aboard. We must think about returning aboard." I grimaced at the recollection. "What had you thought when you found me not there?"

"With no answer to my call, I thought you might have fallen asleep, then with no response to my knock on your door, I feared something was amiss. It was only when I found your quarters empty, but for the book and the note..." Charles paused and shuddered. "It was only then I realised I had offended you with my brusque and thoughtless manner. Thoughtless but for my own self."

"Your reaction showed me my ruse had offended you."

Charles shook his head. "No, not in the least, though it was shocking of the instant. As I bathed, I delighted in recollections of your cleverness over the weeks."

"While I wept in anguished grief, rejected."

"Oh, God!" He shuddered again. "How selfish of me, Camille."

"That is now past, Charles. We are here." I shifted my hips. "Here as one. And we need always remember we are one. Our decisions and actions now affect us both."

"You will have to guide me in this. I have no experience of living in such a manner."

"Oh, but you do have great experience of it. Think about how your decisions and orders affect all aboard Zeelandia."

He nodded. "Indeed, always consider the ship and the crew." He paused a few moments before continuing, "And I now have your perceptions to assist me in this. Mother for ever told me women see more than men."

"Maybe not more, but different. What had you told the crew about me?"

"Nothing. Other than you had fled ashore from a misunderstanding, and that I feared for your safety. I dared not mention you are a woman; that would have put you in far greater danger from some of the less restrained among the crew."

I trembled at thoughts of Chris attacking me.

Charles caressed my back to calm me, then he continued, "When I instructed them to search, I –"

"To search?"

"Yes, one watch was sent east, one west, and the third swept through the centre of town, inquiring after you at publick houses and checking the lanes and the mews."

"Oh! I had watched from the window, and I thought they were sent to search for escaped slaves."

"Slaves?"

"The innkeeper had warned me to keep the door locked. There are ships in port and escaped slaves."

Charles chuckled. "The slaves would be a lesser concern; they want only their freedom. But some among the ships' crews are crude, and they might not treat you well if they knew you were a woman. Particularly one so beautiful as you."

"It delights me you find me beautiful."

"Utterly captivating. You have enchanted me since first I saw you. Your exquisite visage, your essence, your gentle manner. So much so, I questioned my growing feelings toward you."

I sighed a quiet hum at this. "That day I first saw you in shirtsleeves, your muscles bulging as you released the window catches. From that moment onward, I had difficulty maintaining control of my feelings for you."

"Why then had you continued your ruse?"

"I had learnt of your belief that women aboard bring a curse upon the ship."

Charles nodded and held me tighter. "I now see the meaning of your note – and the book. An expression of your love, regardless of my misguided belief."

"Do you still think it a curse?"

"No." He shook his head. "No, I now see it as an unfounded myth, and I will work toward having the ship's company believe this as well."

"But you must take care in this lest they sense the reason for your turn of mind."

"True. It must be subtle and gradual."

We lay quiet for a long while, enjoying our gentle caresses and movements, then after shifting my hips again, I said, "We are rather wet and sticky down there, but we have the bathing tub, the soap and towelling."

"Indeed, we should separate, rise and clean. My First Officer will wonder if something is amiss, and he might send a squad to check."

A short while later, after Charles and I had squatted above the bathing tub and washed our nethers, I asked, "Will you allow me to dry you? I have not before handled a man's parts, and I need to learn about them."

"You may. But we should be quick here, that we not cause the crew concern. Once we are aboard, we may take our time and explore each other, if you wish."

"Oh, I do wish."