Jack was stunned. Joanna, naked, was the last thing he expected when he opened his cabin door. Firmly, he took her arms and removed himself from her embrace.

“Put … your … clothes … on,” he hissed as he turned to Wiley who was following on his heels. “Miss Wiley, please supervise. Once Miss Bennett is appropriately dressed, please gather the other officers here and notify me.”

Jack quickly stepped up to the quarterdeck, his breathing shallow and fast. What to do … what to do …. He turned the problem over and over in his mind but there was only one solution, one rational outcome. Joanna Bennett must be put off the ship now that he had reason to do so. When he received word from Wiley, he returned to his cabin. Joanna was sitting in his desk chair sobbing, closely guarded by Michaels, the purser.

“Gentlemen, and ladies,” Jack began, nodding to the women officers present. “We have an unfortunate situation at present. Miss Bennett here has been caught in my quarters without permission.” Jack paced the small room. “While normally this is not enough to warrant severe punishment, combined with her lack of attention to her duties and her poor grades, barring mathematics, I strongly feel that such action is necessary. However, since this is a teaching vessel and governed by the university, I wish to hear your thoughts.”

“Captain,” Wiley spoke up, “after our discussion a few days ago, I took it upon myself to bring the matter up with the rest of the officers.” Heads nodded around the cabin. “The general consensus is that Miss Bennett is a detriment to the ship; lazy, argumentative and causes dissention among the other students.”

“Don’t listen to them, Jack. It’s not true!” Joanna cried. She tried to run to him, but Michaels held her down.

“There’s more, Captain,” Wiley continued. “This fell from her clothing as she dressed.” In her hand was a golden locket, open to show the small pictures of Jack’s twin daughters. “I believe it belongs to you?”

Jack took it from her. He’d purchased it for Natalie in Florida before they sailed north.

“That’s mine!” Joanna yelled. “Mine! Jack, tell them. You gave that to me!”

Jack turned, glared at the girl. “Enough of this foolishness! I never gave this to you, Miss Bennett. It is intended for my wife! Why, here is the inscription to her.” He held the locket out to her, For Dearest Natalie clearly visible in flowing script on the back.

He closed the locket tight in his fist. “Take her. She is confined to quarters until we reach Horta tomorrow. At that point, she will be put off ship and sent home.”  The officers shuffled out. Michaels and Wiley, each taking an arm, pulled the crying girl from the cabin.

Jack sat at the large windows at the back of his cabin. He stared at the ship’s wake, the foam glowing on the dark sea. The night sky above was filled with stars, the moon shining brightly. He held the locket, his thumb lightly brushing the engraved surface.

“Ah, Natalie,” he prayed quietly, “I miss you, my love.”

***

In the morning, Joanna was watched as she packed her duffle. Several items were taken from her, items that Jack gave her, whether he admitted it or not. Small things; a gold pen, a small picture of his girls, a model of the Surprise … things of no value to anyone but treasured by her because they were from him. She couldn’t understand him. Yes, he was a professor, but he loved her. She knew it, believed it. She was escorted on deck and Jack stood beside the wheel, watching, his eyes narrowed in the sun.

“Jack” she called out, “Jack, don’t do this!” The Horta police had come aboard to escort her to the airport. “Jack … I love you, Jack!” She reached out to him, but the Captain turned his back.

“Senhorita,” the officer urged, “you must come with us.” He pulled at her arm. “Please come quietly. Do not make a scene.”

Joanna’s heart sank, shoulders slumped. The other students stared as she walked off the ship, some jeering at her under their breath. Her heart was breaking. She couldn’t understand. How could he have let this happen? He didn’t respond to her cries. He loved her but still he turned his back and let the police take her away.

She rode quietly to the small airport. The school had arranged a ticket home, the only flight available at such short notice. Three layovers; Lisbon, Amsterdam, Newark, then Portland. She cried so much during the flight to Lisbon, the stewardess brought her a box of Kleenex to keep. Amsterdam wasn’t much better, but she began to think. Why would he deny their relationship? Why would he use her then throw her away?

It came to her while waiting for the plane in Amsterdam. Jack would never have denied their love. There must be a reason and she finally figured it out. The man was a coward, plain and simple. He was afraid … the man must be afraid of his wife! She could ruin everything for him … take his money, his daughters; maybe even take his ship if she decided to divorce him. She must have discovered their secret and threatened him. And Jack, sweet, loving … weak Jack.

She stood straight, chin high and walked on the plane to Newark. Coward! She gave him everything, would have given her life for him, and this is how he repaid her? Throws her off their ship to save his precious reputation? To save a marriage to a horrible woman who never loved him? What a fool. What a terrible, lovable fool.

***

Two weeks later, Jack stood in his new observatory, his telescope trained to a distant ship on the horizon. A tanker, perhaps. Possibly a cargo ship, he mused. The summer cruise was behind him; time to look ahead. But still, he wondered. Had he done all he could for Miss Bennett? Was his behavior toward her in any way inappropriate? He thought over the many meetings, tutoring her in her studies, encouraging her. Certainly, he might have maintained more of a distance, but there was something about her that charmed him. She seemed at times a helpless waif, perhaps in need of a strong arm to lean on. Yet, maybe he shouldn’t have provided that arm. What a near thing it was … he might have lost everything if any of the officers believed the rumors on ship. Luckily, they did not and now all was well.

He looked down and caught sight of his wife playing with their daughters outside in the sun. Natalie looked up and blew a kiss to him. Jack laughed and caught it, waving to her. Yes, so much could have been lost, but luckily was not.

***

Joanna sat on her bed. Jack never left her thoughts and she worried for him. Sure, he treated her badly; didn’t stand up for her when the first mate accused her and he had her thrown off the ship. But still she loved him. She couldn’t help it. The heart wants what the heart wants … and her heart wanted Jack Aubrey.