Master of my fate - The Governors daughter Sequel

Chapter 5

"You have to be pulling my leg about these prizes." Nora stood with her hands on her hips, eyeing the sail maker up and down. "Last time I had the jib fixed; it was almost half as much."

"Well, sweetheart, that was some while ago. Times change." The sailmaker looked unbothered, examining the dirt under his nails as Nora furiously tapped her foot against the wooden floor.

"Is this how you treat faithful customers? Murray kept you in business for years." It hurt to me reminded of her former captain, the lack of his presence painfully clear.

"True", the sailmaker muttered. "But you're not Murray." His words hit her like a sucker punch, almost making her take a step back by the mere chock. Nora was well aware that she had big shoes to fill, that she was a bleak shadow of the captain Murray had been. But still, she'd been by his side for years, learning from him, sharing in his secrets. She'd inherited the title, not but blood, but by faith. Faith in her, in what he'd taught her. Nora had fought to earn her place on Lady in Red. She deserved the respect.

"No, I'm not", she spat. "But everything I am, Murray made me. And I'll be damned if I'd let you insult me by even considering paying the prize that not even your new customers have to pay. I might not be Murray, but I'm not dumb, nor am I naïve. There are plenty of sail makers in this city. I chose you out of respect for my late captain, my mentor. But I have no problem taking my business elsewhere." She'd leaned over, both hands on the counter, her green eyes glaring at the sail makers brown ones. He had a look of faint chock on his face, his eyebrows raised high, his lips slightly parted, as if he'd thought of speaking but changed his mind. If she'd been worse tempered, Nora might've hit him. Or spat in his face. But she knew it wouldn't make a difference, and it wouldn't earn her his respect. And that was what she needed. Respect.

"Driving a hard bargain?" The voice that was heard behind her made her body relax, the anger slightly subdued as she turned around. Jonathan stood in the doorway, smiling at her, amusement painted in his face. She wondered how much he'd heard.

"Not hard enough, apparently." She scoffed and glared back at the sail maker. "People seem to be too busy to fix my jib." The sail maker pretended not to listen, his face turned away from her, his expression less stern now; the chock of her outburst had rendered him quite stunned. Perhaps he'd never had a woman speak to him like that. If that was the case, Nora thought it was about time.

"I know a great sail maker", Jonathan said, taking a few steps into the store. "If this one doesn't work out." Smiling at him, Nora turned her back to the counter and the sail maker behind it, her long, brown braid whipping around her shoulder.

"Great!" She grabbed his arm on her way out, hooking her hand around his elbow. Ignoring the mumbles of the sail maker behind them, she guided Jonathan out on the busy street. "How did you know where I was?"

"Kasper told me. Though he was very reluctant. I don't think he likes me."

"Kasper doesn't like anyone", Nora countered. "Don't be offended." Returning her smile, Jonathan looked down at her, his fair hair falling in light curls on his forehead as he did so.

"I'm not", he assured. With Nora's grip around his arm, he steered her towards another part of the city, where there would hopefully be a sail maker that wouldn't scrape her treasure bare to fix the jib. It felt good to walk with Jonathan, the warmth of his skin radiating from his shirt and onto her fingers. He felt safe. Nora still couldn't believe he was actually alive. Now and then she half expected him to disappear, as if he'd only been a ghost summoned by too much rum.

"How long will you stay in London?" He asked as they turned a corner. The foul smell of the city more pungent in these parts, where the sea was further away and the relieving breezes rare.