Forgotten Fragrance Read Online Free PDF Page B

company and away from the pompous idiot languishing below decks.
    â€˜No, I think I shall stay here. I like the motion of the ship and the fresh air.’
    He nodded, relieved she preferred to stay on deck where he could keep an eye on her. ‘I have work to do. Zephyrus is a fine ship but she doesn’t sail herself.’ Begrudgingly Christian left her and made his way to the foredeck where Henk was waving his stubby finger at Catz while paying little or no attention to the course they were meant to be steering.
    â€˜Captain Charity!’ Her surprisingly strong voice stopped Christian in his tracks and he turned back. Gazing directly into the setting sun he could make out only her silhouette; she had released her hair and it blew around her face like a halo.
    â€˜Those are not men below decks. They are women!’ She stood with her hands on her hips glaring at him.
    He retraced his steps, gritting his teeth against his irritation. ‘They are men. We only carry men. Men from Hobart Gaol assigned to Port Albert. There’s a couple of dozen of them, I told you.’ As fetching as he found Charlotte no one dictated the terms and conditions under which he ran his ship; not Wainwright or some chit of a girl, no matter how attractive. It was plain she was revisiting some former experience, her voyage out to Van Diemen’s Land. Whatever her previous life her behaviour infuriated him. She made a perfect match for the God-bothering fool below decks.
    â€˜Listen!’
    Rubbing the back of his neck he slowed and cocked his head to one side, close to the hatch. ‘Nothing. I hear nothing.’ She was turning him into a fool.
    As he spoke a wail, almost a song, swelled and floated up through the lattice hatch cover. Either Jonas’ old stories about dugongs and mermaids had tainted his mind or his passengers had sent him mad. Another stronger and more melodic chorus drifted up into the fresh air.
    â€˜Now do you believe me?’ Charlotte’s foot tapped on the deck.
    He nodded. He believed she could hear voices; he could too, although they didn’t belong to women. ‘It’s the timbers straining now we are in open waters distorting the voices of the men.’ His words had a hollow ring and judging by the disparaging look on Charlotte’s face he’d failed to convince her. ‘Let me look and we’ll put this matter to rest once and for all.’
    Stepping past her he rattled the cover of the hatch. Jammed so tight it refused to budge. ‘Henk! Send Windy over with the mallet to release these wedges.’
    While Christian waited he peered into the darkness. The wailing ceased. ‘What’s going on down there? You’ll get your chance at some fresh air when the sun goes down.’
    Charlotte hovered behind him, her impatience scoring his back. ‘Please hurry up and open the hatch, Captain Charity. They sound so miserable and I am certain there are women below.’
    â€˜I’m sure there are not. It’s simply your imagination fuelled by your previous experiences.’ He tried to cover his growing annoyance. If he intended making a go of a trading and passenger service he would have to learn how to deal with his customer’s foibles. Maybe Henk was right and he wasn’t cut out to captain a hen frigate. How much experience did he have of women? None, other than those who’d lain on their back with their legs open for a small fee in some of the more dubious ports he’d visited.
    â€˜Right! We’ll open the hatch and the matter will be resolved.’ He peered through the lattice down into the black hold, his impatience building. ‘Windy, get a move on. Come and open this hatch!’
    Henk’s voice sounded in his ear. ‘What do you want to do that for? I’ll do it tonight once the sun sets, before they get their rations.’
    â€˜I want it done now. Open it up.’
    â€˜Haven’t got the