A Hidden Queen

Chapter 74

John grunts as he lifts the ships manifest up towards the light. They had made port merely a few days ago, restocking vital supplies. However, it was right before Josephine's kidnapping causing John to be rather distracted and neglecting the examination of the inventory list. Now though, he wished he had never lifted the infernal paper from his desk. The deep green eyes scrutinize it, trying to make sense of the scribbling marks. He furrows down his brow with a soft wrap on the door.

"Enter!" He barks.

John ignores the creaking wood, not caring to look at who exactly was bothering him. He growls under his breath, shaking the paper violently before slamming it down on the surface.

"I cannot decipher any of this! Do I have all my cargo or not?" John scowls deeply.

"You know O'Brian wouldn't miss a thing. I'm sure it's all there, you just need to learn to read his handwriting." Joe corrects softly.

John snaps his eyes on the young woman. She stands at the edge of his desk, a hand resting on her hip as she stares at him with bright blue eyes.

"Joe. I'm sorry, I thought..."

"You were expecting Pittman or Burnt, weren't you?"

"In truth, I do not know who I was expecting, but it certainly wasn't you. Please have a seat. Lafayette informed me that he has released you and you've been about the deck. And what is this I've heard of you being in the maintop, young lady." John questions sternly, raising a brow.

"Wipe that look off your face, Uncle John. You would not have known I was up there if Burnt hadn't blabbed to you."

"Burnt didn't blab." John smirks. "I saw you climb up there with my own eyes, little one."

John chuckles lightly as Joe's mouth falls open, snapping quickly shut. He rearranged the manifest far more gently, leaning across the desk and examining his niece. Joe had been back aboard for about a week, and she had gained much of her color and strength. It warmed John's heart to see her make such a comeback.

"How are you feeling Joe?" He asks seriously.

"I feel..." Joe pauses, a soft smile pulling on her lips. "I feel whole, Uncle John."

"Having a certain young Mr. Austin glued to your hip wouldn't have anything to do with that would it?" John teases, leaning back in his chair.

"Shut up." Joe groans, flopping down in a chair across from him. "He has been a menace with being obsessed over my care. I had to kick him out and tell him to be useful somewhere else."

"No, please make yourself comfortable." John snorts as she flings her leg over the arm. "Now, what has you gracing me with your presence?"

"Must I have a purpose? Can I not simply come to visit my uncle?"

"Please, you have not simply come to spend time with me since you were very small. Now what do you want my queen?"

"Well, there is something of importance I must discuss with you. That is if you can spare a moment from killing O'Brian for his atrocious handwriting."

"For you my queen, of course." John grins. "What do you wish to discuss?"

"Well, you see..."

"This doesn't have anything to do with the rumors about Austin asking for your hand, does it?"

Joe's mouth falls in disbelief, "How. What. Who told you?"

"No one. I know a loved struck man when I see one. And a loved struck woman." John pauses, sighing heavily. "Joey, are you sure about this? Charlie is a good man, and he would stand by you forever. But don't you feel you deserve..."