Forgotten Fragrance Read Online Free

shoulders. A man could ask for little more than this.
    â€˜Who’s Old Jonas? He sounds like something out of the bible.’ Her laugh flew away on the breeze and added to his enjoyment.
    Jonas had been a bit of a biblical figure with his flowing beard and weathered face, and he’d certainly given him a second chance. ‘Jonas used to own the Zephyrus. I inherited it from him.’
    Charlotte reached out to the smooth polished timber of the wheel, and traced her long fingers over the spokes. With her hair streaming free behind her she might have been the inspiration for the carving on the Zephyrus’ bow. Covering her hand with his he turned the wheel hard to starboard, relishing the movement of the ship as it responded and threw Charlotte closer. ‘By the time we reach Sydney you’ll be vying for the position of first mate. Zephyrus responds to a woman’s touch.’ And so it seemed did he.
    Laughing, Charlotte withdrew her hand and folded her arms, balancing easily as the deck swayed with the motion of the open sea. ‘There’s Mr Wainwright.’
    Christian eyed Wainwright as he strode along the deck, his hands behind his back, pacing with a measured, proprietorial step. Obviously the man possessed a sharp intelligence, he’d picked it in his hawk-like gaze; however, something less savoury lurked beneath the surface. The lecherous gleam when he eyed Charlotte spoke of long-awaited desires. Maybe Marcus wasn’t the paragon of virtue he’d have the good people of Hobart Town believe. Possibly it accounted for his need to start life anew in Sydney — why else would a man give up what must have been a comfortable existence?
    Shaking his head Christian pushed aside his thoughts. If he intended to operate the Zephyrus as a passenger and cargo ship he’d have to learn to pay less attention to his customers. Six years of dubious characters and shady ports had taught him to read men and he’d learnt the hard way. It was safer not to delve into complex relationships. He had enough to keep him occupied managing the combustible nature of the crew. Seamen had a reputation for fighting change and with Henk stirring up trouble he’d have his hands full until he proved to them Jonas’ decisions were the right ones.
    â€˜Finding your sea legs, Mr Wainwright?’ he asked as the crow of a man clambered up the three timber steps to the wheel.
    Wainwright rearranged his cloak and pulled it tighter to his chest. ‘Thank you, Captain. I am, though the breeze is very brisk.’ He turned to Charlotte and frowned. ‘I don’t think this is the spot for you. Apart from the suitability of mixing with the crew it is far too cold up on deck.’
    â€˜But Mr Wainwright, I…’
    â€˜Go to your cabin. I am certain you have matters to attend to and if you haven’t my papers are in an appalling state of disarray.’
    Christian caught the discreet flash of irritation crossing Charlotte’s face and the tiny sigh escaping her reddened lips. He kept his peace while she nodded her head in submission and made her way back along the deck.
    â€˜So, Captain, we’re your only passengers?’ Marcus asked.
    â€˜Correct. We are not carrying any other passengers.’
    â€˜And the cargo?’
    Christian resisted the temptation to tell the fool to mind his own business. He irritated him and he regretted his impulse to tell him of his plans for the Zephyrus . If he hadn’t been so taken with Charlotte he might have been more circumspect. Swallowing his displeasure he made an effort to be civil. ‘At the moment, potatoes, some timber and whale oil, and a dozen or so convicts. We were hoping to carry one of the first shipments of beer to Sydney, unfortunately it didn’t eventuate.’
    â€˜Beer? Do you not think the colony has seen sufficient problems with a surfeit of alcohol? Encouraging its use is hardly a responsible way to