Page 94 of The Admiral's Daughter

“However…”

Ah, shit!

“I cannot overlook your incredible lack of judgement where Ms Carter is concerned, Dawson. There is a no fraternising rule aboard my ship, as you well know. I grant that it’s a little different with Ms Carter being a civilian, however she is still under my care.”

“May I speak freely, ma’am?” Fuck it, I’m already in the shit. I might as well say what I need to say.

“You may.”

“I understand I broke the rules, and for that I am sorry.”

“I sense a but in there somewhere, Dawson.”

“But.” I grin. “Cleo means a lot to me. This isn’t a fling.”

“As lovely as that is, it’s not really the point, is it?”

“No, it’s not. May I ask for leniency on my bunkies?”

Captain Morley grins. “Dawson, I’m not about to send you to the gallows. Calm down. Your crewmates were being good friends, I won’t punish them for that.”

“Thank you.”

“You realise I will have to report all of this to the admiral, right?”

I sigh. “I figured.”

“Of all the women,” she says, shaking her head. “We are a few days from making port. You will not engage in any kind of relationship with Ms Carter, is that clear?”

I swallow back my disappointment. “I understand.”

“It’s likely we will be in Portsmouth for a prolonged amount of time as the ship is inspected. The crew will be given additional shore leave.Youwill not.”

Cancelled leave isn’t the worst thing. I’ve had it taken off me before. Granted by Benson, and I’m ninety percent sure now it wasn’t sanctioned.

“As for the admiral. I can’t promise you he won’t request the transgression be permanently added to your personnel file.”

That would suck. A serious transgression in your personnel file can affect future promotions.

“I accept the consequences. May I ask for one thing?”

“Go ahead.”

“Can I tell Cleo? Sorry, Ms Carter. She doesn’t know I’m here, and I’d like to be the one to explain.”

“Granted. After that, I don’t want to see you within ten feet of her.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Any other potentially devastating news you’d like to share?”

“No, Captain.”

“Good. Dismissed. Keep your nose clean, Dawson.”

“Yes, Captain.”

My legs feel like jelly when I step out of the captain’s office. My crewmates have no idea the turmoil I’m in as they go about their day. I can take any punishment the admiral wants to tack on when we get to port, that’snot the problem. The problem is knowing I’ve blown the remaining time I had with Cleo clear out of the water. If I want the captain to take my claim seriously, I can’t defy her orders.