A Hidden Queen

chapter 17

Josephine raises her bag a little higher up on her shoulder. She picks up her pace, weaving through the crowded streets. She had only a short amount time before The Governor left for the neighboring port. Joe had been excited when James had allowed her to accompany him, but she was wondering if her pleading was wise. The conversation between her grandfather and James troubles her deeply. She had a hard time sleeping because her mind would not stop reciting the words. It had made her question everything she knew to be her life on land. The sudden change was disorienting, even for her.

She sighs heavily. She steps over to the side, dropping her travel bag from her shoulder. The painful truth was that James had no love for her, despite her feelings towards him. He cared about what his relationship with her could get him and that was it. Joe shakes her head. There was no reason to continue this cat and mouse game inside her own head.

Josephine glances about the bustling little town. Many different men and woman whizzed by her, none of them standing out amongst the blurs. She sighs, running a hand through her hair while placing another against her back. The blue eyes wonder down the street landing on a pair of men standing under a tree. Josephine's breath catches in her throat. They were the same men from yesterday. She inches a step closer narrowing her eyes. The taller and younger of the two men leaned his frame against the tree. He had a head full of brunette hair that was shaven on the sides. And he was tall, may goodness. Even from his slouched position, Joe could tell that he was a good nine inches over her five-foot-three stature. He was not lanky by any means, but he was fit; his uncovered arms displaying the lines of the muscles. His body was evenly portioned, his shoulders being wider than his hips. It was like it went from his broad shoulders, slowly curing to a straight line as you went down. The older man on the other hand was not cut in the same way. He was tall, but not as tall as the younger, standing more at an average five-eleven. This man was bulked with muscle and boy was he broad. Someone could display a flattened map out on his back alone. His features were turned down into a constant scowl as if he was always mad and the line upon his face told stories of things, he has seen too much of in his life.

Josephine takes a step closer, licking her lips. The older man, though, something was strangely familiar about him. It was like she should know him but could not place a name to the face. Joe freezes as the younger's eyes land squarely on her. Her chest rises and falls rapidly as panic grips tightly at her. The bigger man leans against the tree, seeming to be uncaring as he spoke to his companion. He lightly smacks him on the chest, getting the younger to break eye contact. Joe backs away from the sight, her hands shaking uncontrollably. She rubs her hands down her face digging at her eyes. Her fingers spread apart allowing her to peek through the digits. The men were gone. Josephine drops her hands, spinning herself in a tight circle. They were no where to be seen.

She backs up a step, touching a hand to her head. Get it together! She berates herself. You're becoming paranoid. She gives one last uneasy glance down the street. The little patch of grass and tree remained empty. She shakes her head picking up her case and slinging it over her shoulder. She moves through the streets at a quicker pace. Something was wrong. She has been followed and watched before; she knows what that feels like, and she cannot shake the feeling that those two men were doing exactly that. First, they showed up at her home and now they were on the exact route that Joe would take to The Governor. It was more than just happenstance. No, this was something way more.

"Don't panic. Don't panic. You don't have all the fact." She mutters under her breath.

She raises her eyes as she steps onto the docks. The Governor was just ahead of her. Her heart leaps for joy, some of the anxiety fading. She must get herself aboard the ship and then she will be safe. She pauses at the gangway, scanning the busy docks. She cannot see any sign of the men. Her body relaxes with relief.

"Josephine." James calls out.

Joe turns around her eyes landing on James at the top of the gangway. He smiles brightly, gracefully making his way down to her. She returns the smile, relief washing over her, despite her confusion on how James felt about her. He reaches out for her, bringing her into a tight embrace. Josephine melts into the man wrapping her arms around his waist. The pair pull apart, James giving her a quick peck on the lips. He talks animatedly to her as he slings her bag over his shoulder. He places a gentle hand on her lower back, guiding her up to the upper deck.

Josephine visibly relaxes as her feet touch the planks of the upper deck. She spins herself around gazing at the ship in all her three-mast rigging was huge and littered with men as they climbed the ratlines. She closes her eyes feeling the ship rock beneath her feet. Oh, it was glorious. Joe approaches the railing, gliding her hand over the freshly polished surface. It was smooth and smelled of fresh stain. She smiles, twirling herself around, a joyous laughter bubbling out of her chest.

She pauses, glancing down at the docks that were crowded with the working men. She watches as some of them begin to carry large crates up onto the gangway. Her joy sways as her eyes land on two men standing just outside of the worker. The tension builds in her chest as she stares at the two men from earlier. Josephine creeps towards the rail, unbelieving of what her own two eyes are witnessing.

The brute of a man stood in the shadow of the ship with his arms crossed over his wide chest. He keeps harden eyes upon the men that bustled around them. Joe's breath catches in her throat as the younger glances up at her. He gives her an infectious smile, the same smile from yesterday afternoon. Joe grabs at the railing. Her legs feel as if they're going to give out on her.

"Josephine?" James calls, wonderment dripping from his tone. "What has you so captivated love?"

Josephine startles as James touches her arm. She spins herself around gasping as she places a hand on her chest. The blue eyes focus on James, his smile faltering. He takes a step closer to her, placing a hand on her bicep.

"Josephine darling is everything alright? You look distressed, as if you've laid your eyes upon a ghost."

Joe quickly turns herself back around. She brings shaking hands up to cover her mouth. The two men, they're gone. Her eyes dart from side to side, looking for any sign of the two men that seem to disappear on a whim. The young woman shakes her head, massaging her brow. She truly feels as if she has seen ghastly ghosts that are intent on haunting her.

"Jose?" James questions, not being able to hide the worry in his voice.

"It's nothing." She states.

"Are you sure? You seemed very shaken up and alarmed."

"Yes. I am fine." Joe plasters a fake smile, gentle smoothing out the front of James' jacket. "How about you show me where I'll be staying so you can set that travel bag down."

"Well," He beamed happily, placing her hand in his elbow. "You my dear will be staying with me in the captain's quarters."

James leads her away from the railing, talking about the spacious room that sat just below on the second deck. Josephine glances back at the docks one last time. She wearily sees nothing but the men loading crates upon the deck of The Governor. She bites at her bottom lip, shoving her fears aside and allowing James to show her where she'll be staying for the next couple of days.