A Hidden Queen

Chapter 83

Josephine inhales deeply as she gazes out over the natural harbor. The cool salty air tickles the back of her throat, seeping further into her veins. Her long hair was let down, fluttering in the light afternoon breeze that swept over the ship. She was finally home. She thinks solemnly, trying to ignore the panic clutching at her heart.

A shy smile tugs at the corner of her lips as long arms slink their way around her waist. Charlie's nose nuzzles into her neck, the weeklong stubble scraping against her skin and making her giggle and lower her chin.

"Stop it, please. I don't want to lose my lunch." John comments dryly.

Charlie exasperates, pulling away, "You are no fun captain."

"I don't need to be fun. I do need you, however, to go get the shore boat ready so we can make land." John states bluntly.

"I'm getting to it old man. If you're in such a hurry, how about you help the middies instead."

"Why you little..."

"Boys." Josephine intervenes with John's growl and tentative step. "Let us play nice, shall we?"

"Oh, I love it when you take control." Charlie teases, wiggling his eyebrows. He rolls his eyes heavenwards as John begins to make gagging sounds behind them. "Yeah, keep it up old man. You're merely jealous that you've been at sea for so long you've forgotten what a woman feels like."

"Go get the boat ready before I hang you upside down from the yard arms." John growls, cuffing the back of Charlie's head.

"I'd like to see you try." Charlie scowls deeply, walking off to handle the tedious task.

Joe fondly shakes her head, "How in the world have you two even survived working together?"

"He didn't get like this until he married you." John teases, stepping up beside her. "The port is crowded today." He scoffs in disdain. "Probably has something to do with Albert; he's no doubt blasted of your return all over the island. That crazy old fool. You did inform him of young Mr. Austin, right?"

"Well..."

"Josephine." John calls sternly.

"I wrote him at the last port several weeks ago. He should have gotten the letter yesterday if it didn't get lost or held up within transit."

John groans, "He just got it yesterday, when we are arriving today? You know Pops must have at least a few days to digest life-changing news. He's going to be in a foul mood now."

"I cannot control the mail Uncle John."

"That isn't an excuse, Josephine. Just, please tell me you told him everything. I had merely informed him of us coming to spend a few days. I mentioned nothing about the events revolving around Philips and those scars are a little hard to hide."

"I did. I did. I gave him the highlights of the events with James. The crew's heroism in the rescue, Pierre's saving actions and about Charlie. I told him everything Uncle John; I promise."

"I pray that you did. As I do not want to tell him. He's going to ring my neck out for merely giving you two the opportunity to fall for one another in the first place, let alone marrying you aboard The Mary without him."

"Yes, well, if it makes you feel any better, Pops was going to be unhappy whether I informed him by letter or face-to-face."

"Mhmm." John hums, pinching his lips together. "But you will be the one that embraces his presence first. I have other arrangements to attend to before coming to the cottage."

"Those other arrangements wouldn't happen to do with a Ms. Bradon, would it?"

"How did you..."

"It's ship life, Uncle John. The men talk amongst themselves. And Pittman might have mentioned it over a late-night drink one evening."

"That old gossiping woman."

"Give her my greetings, will you? I'm liable to have a cousin with the way you keep panting after her."

Josephine could not help the bubbling laughter as John's cheeks and ears heated up, turning several different shades of red.

"Austin! What is taking so long!" John howls, evading her statement.

Joe smiles, chuckling with John storming off to the weather deck, barking orders at an utterly confused Mr. Austin. He bullies the rope from Charlie's hand, yanking it with enough force to send the boat banging against the gunwale. Charlie quickly snatches it back, waving him away with a stern look of his own. How those two men have even sustained a friendship for this long she will never know.

Josephine shakes her head, diverting the deep blue eyes back to the looming island. Morga was her home, and yet trepidation crept into her heart as she stared at the beachy shore. She had many fond memories, but she could not shake this remorseful feeling. Maybe it was merely nerves from being gone for so long; or the fact that she had not informed her grandfather about everything that had occurred. Her scars were enough to prove that more happened than she said in her letter, and he was going to question her on such. She just prays that this reunion does not turn into an all-out family brawl because of it.