STOWAWAY (Pirate Series - Book 1) (BOOKS 1, 2, 3 COMPLETE)

Stowaway Chapter 1

My great aunt Madeline had pressured my parents into sending me to the party and ensured them of my safe return. She had lied. I arrived to find Andrew waiting for me at a table intimately set for two. I panicked and turned to leave but the door was locked and my exit cut off. He told me it was the only way he could get me to listen to his proposal. He promised that I would be let return home once I heard him out and if I still declined his offer of marriage, he would understand and respect my decision.

He was a very handsome man and many girls had often spoke out loud their fantasy of experiencing just such a scene with him. I did not. Andrew had been known to my family for some fifteen years and I didn't see him in the same way others did. I appreciated that his tousled gold hair, steel blue eyes and handsome features were perfect husband material but not for me.

I understood why he wanted me as his wife as I was constantly being chased these days. My parents were desperate to have me married off before someone thought there was something wrong with me. Plus my friends and my brother were all getting married this year or having babies and my younger sister was fast approaching the age of consent.

I am not unaware of my womanly charms and the affect my appearance has on the opposite sex. I have long chestnut brown hair that falls in ringlets around my shoulders and down my back. My eyes are big, blue/grey like a stormy sky and framed by thick black curly lashes. My wide smile can be inviting, demure and teasing. My humour is witty and some what cheeky but never over the top. I am slender of waist, full in bust and my bottom protrudes well in my dresses. My hands and wrists are small and delicate, as are my feet and ankles. I am 5ft 2" and wish I was taller like some women I know but on the whole I was happy with what god had given to me. I am able bodied and mentally sound.

I graciously sat down with Andrew and accepted a drink as my throat was dry from the panic I had experienced. I felt like a prisoner. I trusted that he would be a man of his word and let me go as soon as I had listened to his proposal.

"We are from similar families, you and I, and it would benefit them both greatly if we were to be married. We are both attractive people, there is no denying that any children born of such a coupling would be both wealthy and beautiful. I promise that I would be an ideal husband and treat you with respect. I will give you everything you need to maintain your status in society and our joining would elevate that greatly. I have already spoken with your father and he has said the decision is yours. He will not stand in the way. He had hoped that you would marry for love and he knows you do not love me but I know that you will learn to love me and I will learn to love you in return. With that In mind, please say you will accept my proposal and give me your hand in marriage," he spoke in earnest.

"I am sorry Andrew but I hold the same hope as my father, that I will marry for love. My parents married for love, as did their parents and I wish to continue that family tradition. I am sure that you will find a bride who will fulfil your needs far greater than I ever could. Please accept this as my final decision," my throat was dry from nerves so I drank again. Only a small glass of sherry but the room started to lose perspective and I felt strange.

"I feared that would be your response and as such I was prepared. Please find it in yourself to forgive me beautiful Ella but I cannot let your decision affect my status and as such I must dispose of you. You refused me. Maybe you think yourself too good for me. Well I have a plan where you will never be good enough for anyone ever again. The life you have and the life you 'could' have had with me is now all gone," he spoke the words calmly and I tried to focus.

"What have you done to me?" I slurred.

"I slipped a little something in your drink and in very short while you will lose the ability to resist my advances and after I am finished with you. You will be put on a boat and set out to sea, with no way to get back, even if you knew it. That is if they don't kill you as soon as they find you. You know how these pirates are with stowaways," he said.