Nicholas and Bess, part 2

Author's note: Dogstar, your wish is my command!

The muster-master had been glad enough to take Nicholas' proffered bribe from Lord Southampton's purse.  He surprised himself feeling a great sigh of relief when he left the ship that last time.  He had enjoyed sailing well enough, revelling for a time in the roll of the ocean and the sight of foreign shores.  There had been adventure enough to satisfy his youthful curiosity for danger.  He had not minded the hard work, though he would be glad enough not to sleep in a hammock again or to eat the mouldy ship's biscuit and stale water.  But, he realised, he had been able to enjoy it only because he had known it would end. 

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The Voyage: Chapter 6

Two weeks later she set sail with Roger Clayton for the fjords of Norway.  Lawrie and Ann came to wave her off.

'Yes, Ann, I have plenty of clean handkerchiefs.  Though I think you'd be better off making sure Lal has one.  It's only three months, Lawrie.  And you'll be up in London, meeting lots of new people and spending all day acting.  You'll hardly notice I'm away.'

'Don't want to meet new people.  It's going to be perfectly miserable.  Oh, well.'  She visibly resigned herself, gave her twin a hug and helped her lug her gear on board ship.

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