Liz

Adam entered the eatery with a big smile on his face. There was excitement and happiness in his being as he walked up to Elizabeth. "Hi Liz, How are you. I’ve just arranged for off loading that rum we sold to Carroll." "That’s good. I think that’s great Adam." Liz was busy wiping a table and didn’t look up. "Liz, I was wondering if you would like to take a stroll over to Beacon Hill tomorrow and maybe we could have supper at the New England again. I’ve never been to Beacon Hill, and I would like to see it." Elizabeth straightened up and looked at Adam with troubled eyes. "I have been invited out to a girl friends house tomorrow Adam. I promised her I would come." "Oh, I see, well, should I call on you Sunday then?" Liz nodded in the affirmative, "Yes, that should be alright Adam." Her voice was flat and unenthusiastic. "Right then, I’ll see you Sunday. Good bye Liz." "Bye Adam." All day Saturday Adam was busy getting the barrels of rum over to the dock to be loaded onto a waiting wagon and team of horses. It took many trips before they were through. The crew had an early supper, and Adam returned to his cabin and picked up the local newspaper. He looked over the articles only faintly interested in what he was doing then decided to take a turn on deck. As he came around the back of the stern cabin, the setting sun almost blinded him. He looked over to the "Hannah Devida", a young lady in a feathered hat came into view as she walked across the deck and entered the great cabin. Her appearance was brief and in shadow, but Adam thought it looked very much like Liz. For the longest time he watched the stern of the other ship to see if there would be a reappearance. After a while, it became too dark to see clearly. He went inside. Could it have been Liz? She said she was going to visit a friend. Liz didn’t lie; she was honest; she had proven that. What about the hat? It certainly looked like her hat. Hell, there were dozens of hats, and ladies with hats. He was letting his imagination get the better of him. She had told him she was through with Darcy, wasn’t that good enough? What was she supposed to do, shoot Darcy? There was no need to be jealous of a woman like Liz; she was more honest than most men were. With those thoughts in mind, Adam went back in his cabin and to bed. As Elizabeth crossed the side deck of the "Hannah Devida" she looked over to the "Sea Rover" and plainly saw Adam’s sunlit appearance standing by the taffrail. She hastily knocked on the familiar door of the great cabin. Darcy’s voice called to her to come in. She quickly entered; he was standing by the table, which was set for two. "Hello Liz," he said as he came over to help her out of her hat and coat. "Please sit down." He rang a bell and presently a cabin boy of about twelve, in a white coat that was much too large, came in and placed a bottle of wine and glasses on the table. "Thank you Timmy," Darcy said, motioning the lad to go. "How have you been Liz?" he asked as he poured two glasses half full of wine. "I have been alright Darcy." She replied. "Have you been busy looking after Hart’s cargo?" "Yes, we’ve pretty well sold it all." "Have a sip of this wine, it’s the best. You know I have really missed you Liz. Are you hungry?" Darcy had the cabin boy serve dinner. They engaged in a polite but limited conversation as they ate. Liz picked at her food, finally putting down her knife and fork, declining any more. "Come, sit on this settee by the window Liz, it’s much more comfortable." Liz got up from the table and sat down beside him. He looked over at her and asked, "What have you been doing with yourself these days Liz?" "Maybe it should be me asking that question Captain. I heard you have been quite busy mining coal." "Not mining, Liz, shipping, yes we have hauled a lot of coal this last year." "Maybe I should have said mining coal miner’s wives." Darcy gave her an incredulous look. "What do you mean Liz?" "Oh, I’ve heard alright. I heard about you and that miner’s wife last fall." "Liz, whatever you heard is simply not true. I don’t know where you could have heard such an ugly lie." Darcy reached over and took both of her hands in his and his blue eyes beseeched her for forgiveness. Elizabeth looked directly into his steady gaze. Had she made a mistake? Could she have accused him of something he had not done? Was he simply lying to her? Unhappily she looked down at their hands, hands that were aching to hold each other. "Do you mean to say that what I have heard is untrue?" "Liz, so help me, I have not done anything wrong. What about yourself, are you and Hart getting together?" Her fierce look stopped any further query. "Well, I’m glad of that, he seems like a very honest young man, although quite naïve. Certainly not your kind Liz, you’re much too experienced for him. He’ll find a good young woman to marry and live happily ever after." Darcy moved over beside her. She could smell the scented olive oil soap that he used. "We were meant for each other Liz." His hand pressed on her upper thigh. "Liz, I need you. Oh, God Liz, I need you." She could feel the warmth of his hand caressing her thigh...