Emerald Seas

Chapter 4

It was the next morning and as Cutler awoke he was glad he caught at least some sleep. His back felt tolerable even though still very painful and stiff. The nightmares were one of the reasons he wasn't able to sleep. Every time when closing his eyes he relived everything and felt the pain once again, waking up several times soaked in sweat. When awake he was thankful for being saved and he caught his thoughts slipping toward Kate, making it even harder for him to fall back asleep.

He lifted his body from his bed and tried to make way to the dresser slowly. There laid one of the spare uniforms that were brought to him the night before, waiting for him on a chair. He lifted the white blouse over his shoulders which made his back burn, but he was happy to feel the touch of clean, and above all, dry clothes again. The sun peeked through the small windows inside the cabin, it was early in the morning but upon deck, was already a lot of activity. When he was fully dressed in the uniform he tried to get up from the chair. It took a lot of strength to do so but he managed to get up and felt well enough to go up to deck.

When he arrived the bright sunlight made him squeeze his eyes, but once his sight returned he noticed the ship was sailing full speed. He guessed London would be the destination. He saw a few men standing near the helm and noticed Lord Florence enjoying his morning tea at a small fully served table. He and a few of his Lieutenants were discussing the direction they were going and next to the small table was a higher one with a large map placed upon it. Cutler made way to the men and when arriving it was obvious Lord Florence didn't acknowledge his presence on purpose. Cutler coughed to get his attention and Lord Florence slowly looked up from sipping his tea while holding a smaller map.

'I'm sorry to interrupt Milord, but I wanted to show my gratitude for saving me yesterday' Cutler stood tall and tried to make an impression. Lord Florence's mouth curled into a modest smile.

'Don't thank me. It's my daughter you have to thank' his voice spoke and Cutler swore he saw some Lieutenants laughing behind him. Lord Florence nodded his head in the direction behind Cutler and as he turned around he saw Kate in the distance making her way from the back of the ship. She looked much different from last night, all clean and neat, she must feel just as glad as himself to be in normal conditions again. Her hair was tight up with a few curls which made their way down to her shoulder. The gold of her dress fluttering in the wind shone within the light of the first morning rays of the sun. She managed to look beautiful in a simple way, not overdressed as some women in England would. Cutler figured it probably made life at sea for her a lot easier in somewhat more simple dresses, as women didn't have naval uniforms.

Cutler caught himself staring at her as she slowly strolled across the large deck into their direction, greeting everyone with her always warm smile. As she reached the stairs to get to the men Cutler quickly walked a few steps down to gently reach for her hand and help her upstairs like a gentleman, not letting his sight go off her. Kate whispered a thank you greeting him with a kind smile.

'Ah my dear' Lord Florence pointed at a seat next to him for Kate to sit while he moved back the chair.

'Goodmorning gentlemen' Kate nodded and her eyes went from all of them to Cutler and ended there.

'Goodmorning Miss Florence. I hope you are feeling well?' Cutler greeted her forgetting the fact that he was still holding her hand even though she long ago reached the top of the stairs.

'Cutler, even now you can call me Kate' she whispered softly in Cutler's direction so only the two of them could hear. After spending so much time together and growing so close they, of course, had let go of appropriate manners and etiquettes, but Cutler released it all was different now as he felt the eyes of Lord Florence burning in his back. Kate seemed to understand what he was doing and softly coughing while lowering her eyes she smoothly pulled her hand back and Cutler quickly released it. Kate's face looked more serious in his direction.