Plundering of the Heart

Commodore Mornington comes across a woman lost at sea and despite the fact that she doesn't know who she is, finds he is very intrigued by her. He's always been a man of honor but how much can the straight-laced Commodore take from this beguiling mystery woman.

Excerpt:

He made his way to the galley to grab a plate, foregoing the dining table in his quarters and heading to the stern of the Defender to watch the sunset. He mindlessly munched on an apple as his eyes roved over the peaceful horizon. Mornington was lost in thought when his gaze raked across a large brown object bobbing in the distance. Wondering what sort of sea creature it was he set his tin plate down and pulled his spyglass from the pocket of his blue coat, trying to focus on the shape in the blazing setting sun.

When his eyes became accustomed to the bright light he saw what seemed to be the figure of a man floating on a flotsam. He tossed the forgotten apple over his shoulder as his adrenaline began pumping.

He ran to galley and yelled "All hands on deck! Man overboard!"

His officers hesitated not a second before abandoning their supper and jumping to their posts and he could not help but feel thankful for having such well trained men. He ran after them, calling out random orders.

"Starboard side at the stern. Less than a kilometer away."

"Prepare to lower a lifeboat."

"Get me a canteen filled with fresh water."

"Jones! You are the lookout. Did you not see him? I told you not to get remiss. You must keep a sharp eye at all times."

"Commander Ollinger, Mr. Morgan. You are with me."

"Commodore Mornington, it is not necessary for you go. Captain Carter would not have bothered. Let me take one of the other men." Commander Ollinger said.

Mornington gave him a look that plainly said what he thought of that idea before saying "I am going Commander and that is final. To the boat."

Five minutes later Morgan was rowing toward the driftwood as Mornington held his spyglass to his eye trying to determine if the man was even alive, he thought he could see movement in the chest but they were still too far away to be certain. However, the closer they got Mornington began to realize he was incorrect in his assumption.

What appeared to be a man's broad chest in the distance was actually the swell of a woman's full bosom. Her arms were folded over her eyes, her deep lapis blue dress was whipping in the wind and her precarious position had him wondering if she was about to go tumbling off her makeshift raft.

He looked back at Ollinger who was squinting into the sun and had apparently come to the same realization he had.

"It is a woman." Mornington said unnecessarily as he turned back around and pocketed the spyglass.

"Ahoy there miss." Ollinger shouted to the limp form. "I say, can you hear me?"
"Is she dead?" Morgan asked.

"I do not think so. I am sure I saw her breathing. She must be unconscious. Who knows how long she has been out here. There was no sign of wreckage behind us so it must be something that we are going to come up on. Morgan, get as close as you can to her. Ollinger, help me lift her in."

Mornington grabbed her arm and Ollinger grabbed her leg before lifting her on three into the safety of their boat. Her eyes fluttered open for just a couple of seconds revealing confused blue eyes that were red rimmed from the salt water before drifting back closed again as she whispered something inaudible.

"Her skin is very cold." Mornington said.

He removed his coat quickly and wrapped it around her before briskly rubbing his hands up and down her arms to heat her chilled flesh. He could not but compare her to an urchin. Her dress and gloves were torn; her brown hair was damp and matted to her head from all the exposure to the sea water that had lapped at the flotsam but Mornington pulled her head into his lap anyway so he could force fresh water from the canteen through her slightly parted lips.

She did not swallow and it spilled down her chin. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and brushed softly just under her lip to wipe away the water and was surprised at her loud groan. He leaned over her and saw that she had a light purple bruise where he had touched and several small cuts. He felt an irrational stab of protectiveness surge through him and tamped it down quickly.