"L-Leave me be!" He growled then she heard him fumbling on the desk.
"Captain, please, it's Beatrice. I jus' came to see how you be!" Her voice tightened and rose but she refused to retreat. "I won't hurt you, sir."
She shivered suddenly as she heard the click of the hammer being drawn back on a pistol. "Beatrice? Who are ye?"
"Your cook, sir," Beatrice fought to keep her voice calm. "Remember the Commodore? James?"
An endless several seconds passed while Beatrice feared she would soil herself. Finally, her eyes had adjusted so that she could see Aaron was just in front of her, the pistol in his hand but he didn't seem to be doing more than holding it. Carefully, she reached for the hand that held the gun and took it in both of hers.
"Captain, let's put the pistol down, aye? And go eat while the food's still warm. What do you say?"
She could feel him tremble but he released the weapon to her. She set it aside and made a mental note to spend the next morning searching for all the weapons Aaron might have hidden around the house and finding a new hiding place for them. She pulled gently on his hand.
"Come on, sir, the food's on the table," She made an effort to smile as she got him to emerge into the light. "I made a lemon pudding for dessert, Captain. You liked that the last time I made it."
"I did?" Aaron seemed confused. "Where's James?"
"Here," The Commodore's voice was the most wonderful sound Beatrice had ever heard.
She turned to see him shut the door as he entered, looking exhausted and somewhat worse for wear. Briefly, Aaron held back, his eyes narrowed skeptically. When James turned and smiled wearily at them, Aaron issued a huge sigh and threw himself into the Commodore's arms. Beatrice watched them embrace, trying not to cry, and finally spoke.
"Sirs, if you would like, your dinner is served."
She wasn't sure either of them heard her so she went into the kitchen and fetched a clean plate to replace the one she had used. She took hers into the kitchen and ate a few more bites. When she stepped back into the dining room, the two men were seated at the dining table, James talking animatedly and Aaron gazing at him.
)O(
James found himself unable to sleep even though he was exhausted. When they had finished their meal, James went to his office to locate some paperwork for the next morning. It startled him to see the pistol that he kept hidden in his desk lying on a side-table, the hammer cocked. It was at that moment that Beatrice knocked at the door.
"Come in, please," James said, uncocking the hammer and setting the gun on his desk.
"Begging your pardon, sir," She said softly. "I just wanted to mention to you that it might be for the best if-if the Captain didn't have any weapons t' hand when you go off on your business."
"What happened?" James asked, looking down at the pistol then back up at Beatrice.
"The Captain seemed to forget where he was and-and who I was, sir. I was afraid for a bit there that he might do me some harm."
At the words, James grew lightheaded. He sat down abruptly. "My God, madame, are you all right?"
Beatrice smiled and nodded amiably enough. "Of course, sir, 'twas nothing, really, but the next time--I couldn't be sure it was me he was intendin' to harm, sir, if you take my meaning?"
James couldn't dredge up anything to say as tears burned his eyes. He had been afraid that he would return to something similar, which was why he asked Chambers to check on Aaron for him. He knuckled his tears away and managed to look up at the cook. "I do take your meaning. I'm terribly sorry about this. I understand if you wish to tender your resignation."
Beatrice's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you askin' me to do so, sir? For I will not. Aaron needs someone he can trust to take care of him, especially if you have to be gone away. Rosemarie told me she'd come t' love him like her own flesh and blood. If I didn't feel the same way, I'd want to see him safe on her behalf."
James sighed. "Thank you. We'll do whatever you think necessary. Aaron's safety, and yours, are of utmost importance. It's late and I know you want to be on your way. I don't know what we would do without you."
Beatrice smiled and curtsied briefly. "And if I have anything t' say about that, sir, ye won't have to know. Good night, Commodore."
"Good night," James said and watched her leave.
James spent several more minutes in his office, half-heartedly looking for the papers. When he had gone into the navy many years ago, his father had guaranteed him a pension if his career went well and he made steady progress. It was to his father's advantage in business to be able to point to "my son the Commodore" or captain or what-have-you in order to impress his associates. The truth was, he loved going to sea, fighting battles with pirates and the like, as well as discovering new places or hidden beauty. But do I love it more than I love Aaron? He had to ask himself. As Commodore, he could send other officers like Captain Hyde and Lieutenant Chambers to accomplish the tasks that were needed but he wasn't always able to ensure they would succeed. If he undertook the tasks himself, he at least would have control over his own fate. The drawback, of course, was that it meant leaving Aaron behind. There was never any guarantee that he would come home from his next mission, either. So many possible dangers from storms to plague to simple food-poisoning could take him from Aaron and then where would he be?
He slid the pistol back in the drawer then drew out the key and locked it. He would have felt unbearably guilty had Aaron done anything to hurt Beatrice or himself. He dowsed the lantern in his office then went upstairs to his bed. Aaron was already asleep, a slight smile on his face as James stripped then joined him. James pulled Aaron against him and realized that Aaron had lost weight since he'd been home last. The notion that his mere absence could be responsible for Aaron growing ill or dying weighed heavily upon him.
"Jamie?" Aaron's voice roused him and he realized he had actually been sleeping.
"Yes?"
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," Aaron said softly, a slight catch in his throat. "I think I might've done somethin' awful tonight. I think I need t' go away from you. I wouldn't want t' hurt anyone."
This from a pirate, James mused. "No, Aaron, the one thing I can be sure of is that this was the best idea I've ever heard. We both knew at the beginning there would be difficulties. If you love me, you will let me have a chance to work them out, hmmm?"
Aaron sighed. Finally, "All right, love, I'll give you the chance."
James hugged Aaron firmly and brushed his lips across Aaron's cheek. Their troubles could go hang for the moment; they had each other.
)O(
Chapter 39:
Notoriety
16 June, 1719 From the logbook of Captain Albert Cordingly - It was reported to this command that a ship bearing the name of the Masked Lady fired upon the fort at Santiago with some success. The pirates were led by a young man of handsome features who was called Red Ike Stern for his ruthlessness. It was said that the streets of Santiago ran with the blood he ordered spilled. It is not known at this time if he is the captain of the ship or merely one of the senior officers but he was observed putting several people, men, women and children, to the sword personally. The Intrepid, which had been assigned to Santiago for a few months to prevent just such a calamity, was seriously damaged and it remains questionable whether she will be seaworthy again.
Commodore Dunbar sighed heavily and tossed the report onto his desk to join the growing pile. Ike Stern was fast becoming the terror of the Caribbean. Aaron must never find out, James realized. There was no telling what Aaron would do if he learned that Ike Stern had turned pirate in such a vicious manner.
"Commodore?" Lieutenant Andrews poked his head in the door. "If you aren't too busy, sir, Captain Hyde made mention earlier that he would appreciate a visit from you aboard the Swift. They're doing some repair work and he'd like your approval."
James sighed and his eye caught on the invitation that he had received from the Hydes for he and Erin to attend a welcome part
y they were holding to honor the Dunbars. I suppose the actual purpose is to pin me down to yes or no on the party, James pinched the bridge of his nose and hoped the headache that was now pounding behind his eyes would go away. After a few seconds, he grew aware that Andrews' face was still floating in his doorway. "Very well, Lieutenant. It seems I have developed a headache so I will stop in to see Captain Hyde on the Swift then I will go home. If anyone needs me, please let them know where I am?"
"Aye, sir," Andrews said brightly then lowered his voice. "I do hope you're feeling better soon, sir."
"Thank you, Andrews," James responded. Somewhere in the back of his mind, a wicked little voice began to whisper about how Aaron might know a way to cure a headache.
)O(
After James boarded the Swift, he spent a few minutes going over various details with the quartermaster. Eventually, however, he ended up in Captain Hyde's clutches. In enquiring with James in regard to the invitation, Edward Hyde had made it quite plain that his wife desperately wanted to meet Mrs. Dunbar. “I’m afeared she’s got some notion in her head that your spouse doesn’t really exist. I’ve tried to explain to her that she’s in poor health but Hildegarde is adamant. The best I can do for you, sir, is to limit the number of couples attending to eight. What say you?”
James, who was watching the men rig a series of new lines on the Swift, finally regarded the older man instead. “What night did you say?”
“Tuesday next. The 21st instant of the month. Well?”
James sighed. It had been almost a year since he’d rescued Aaron from the Maid. Almost a year and Aaron was still not hale or sane. He was, however, better. Aaron had met several new people and was feeling more at ease with them. Still, James felt the need to make excuses. “I will say yes on the condition that you explain to your wife about Erin. Growing up, my dear wife was a wild child. Her parents expected nothing from her, you see. She was injured as a very small girl and rendered mute. Added to that burden, she only understands French for the most part. I love her with all my soul but her manners are seriously in need of remedy.”
Hyde’s eyes were set on him with a bewildered look. He hadn’t anticipated that his commanding officer would be so frank. Finally, he nodded. “Of course, Commodore, of course! Hilde will just have to be made to understand.”
James turned back to watch the work’s progress but could almost hear Hyde say to himself, ‘Oh the wife’s going to love this! The gossip will be good for weeks.’ He sighed quietly and wondered if he was doing the right thing.
)O(
“Ye can’t make me go,” Aaron said, shaking his head firmly. They had been lying in bed, Aaron curled into his arms, but now Aaron stood nearby, the thin linen shirt revealing the sharp angles of his bones. No matter how much they fed Aaron, he couldn’t seem to overcome the starvation he’d suffered. “I don’t b’long there, Jamie.”
“You belong at my side,” James said gently. “’Till death us do part’ and all that? It’s just my subordinate officers and their wives. Well, save Chambers, of course.”
Aaron stepped back another pace from the bed, wrapping his arms around himself as if cold. He didn’t know how to explain to James the difference. One at a time and in the place he’d come to feel was his home, he could at least appreciate the odd guest. A crowd, though, even a small crowd, and he felt his chest tighten until he was nearly unable to breathe. He glanced at the window and cast thanks to the lady of the sea it was light out. He heard McSwain’s laugh and tried to cover his ears to block out the sound. At that second, he felt James take his hands, drawing them down and together so he could hold them in his.
“He’s not here, Aaron. I swear to you, he’ll never come here. Rum Harbor is your home. You have no obligation to let anyone in you don’t want here,” The green eyes were steadfast and serious, the hands warm and solid as they covered his own. For a moment, Aaron couldn’t think of anything, not even the name of this kind, patient soul who tolerated so much of his nonsense. “Aaron?”
Aaron pressed his forehead against their clasped hands and dropped to his knees before James. Despite being grateful earlier that it was light out, he wanted it to be dark and still. There was too much light here, too many chances to be seen and being seen led to being hurt. The ache in his chest was almost unbearable now, only clamping his tongue firmly between his jaws kept him from weeping. He felt someone—James, the name finally came to him—kneel beside him and pull him into his arms. The long-fingered hand gently rubbed his nape then down his spine. He bit down more firmly into his tongue, tasting blood, as he fought to keep control of himself. He tried to swallow and choked on it, the coughing spasm sapping his strength still more. James continued to hold him, stroking his hair tenderly.
“It’s all right, love,” James murmured repeatedly. Aaron wondered if he really believed that because Aaron knew he didn’t. Things would never be all right again.
)O(
As bad as the petticoats were, the fabric the dress was made out of itched ten times worse, particularly where the gold thread rubbed against his skin. When he had come down the stairs dressed in the gown, he thought James was about to faint. For a moment, he had been skeptical at the reaction--James did humor him something fierce at times. But then James had swooped him up and kissed him.
"Damnation, Raven, how is it that just the sight of you does this to me?"
Aaron had smiled, "'Cause I'm 'far lovelier than any other flower of the Caribbean,' Jamie. Ye said so yerself."
At that, James had laughed and set him on the ground. They had departed shortly thereafter for this gathering. The one thing Aaron rather liked about being Erin is that no one expected him to talk to them. That was just as well as far as Aaron was concerned; most of these people weren't worth talking to anyway. But some of them were, most definitely, worth listening to. As long as he smiled and nodded, pretending not to understand a word that was said, most everyone said whatever they wanted in front of him. He knew, for example, that Erin was rumored to be of impure blood. Aaron had to smile at that. If he himself knew for a fact who or what his mother was, it might just be true. He had also heard that James was supposed to have at least one child out of wedlock with Abigail Robbins. That rumor he had asked James directly about, worried that there was a bit of truth to it considering how beautiful the girl was. James had denied it with a laugh, explaining that it would have to have been an immaculate conception since he'd never touched the girl beyond taking her hand or kissing her cheek.
So it was that Aaron happened to wander up behind Hildegarde Hyde and one of the other ladies at the opportune moment. He heard the word "pirate" and his ears perked up.
"My Edward came home from his last voyage just all afire thanks to what he'd heard. Seems there was an attack on Santiago last month and one of the ships of the line was damaged. It was a bad situation, from what I hear," Hilde paused and took a drink of what Aaron suspected was not tea if the odor from her cup was anything to judge by.
"Which ship?" One of the junior officer's companions asked. She glanced back at Aaron, saw who it was, gave him an unwelcoming smile, then returned her attention to Hilde.
"Oh, gracious, don't ask me. All I know is that they said the pirate who led the raid was young and quite good-looking," She glanced up at Aaron, who smiled and nodded at her without meeting her eyes for more than a second or two. "Oh, dear, the poor thing. Mary, give her a cup of tea please."
Captain Hyde's daughter obliged, handing Aaron a cup then yelling at him. "Here you go. Are you all right?"
Aaron took the cup and saucer without looking at Mary then settled himself on the davenport where she had been sitting. The girl looked horrified but gathered her own drink and moved away. Aaron bit his lip to keep from laughing at her expression. He wanted to hear Hildegarde finish her story.
"So tell us about this young, good-looking pirate, Hilde," Another officer's wife asked, her voice revealing some disgust. "All those dreadful stories claim those villains a
re soooo handsome and most of them, well, aren't!"
Aaron busied himself with his tea, wondering if James would be ready to leave soon. He had just taken a healthy swig of the liquid when Hildegarde resumed. "True, but even a broken clock is right twice a day, Hannah. From what I hear, Red Ike Stern is the exception to the rule."
Suddenly, Aaron was no longer able to control his hands and the cup and saucer dropped to the floor, shards of porcelain scattering across the tiled floor and tea soaking into the hem of his dress. Everything seemed to start spinning around him and he tried to speak but he couldn't catch his breath.
He woke with James holding him as he fended off the hostess and several other ladies. "I assure you, madame, that my wife will be fine. I suspected I was overextending our stay but this merely confirms it."
James looked down at Aaron and spoke in French. "Do you want to leave?"
Aaron nodded, praying he had misheard the Hyde woman. She didn't say Ike Stern, she couldn't have. Ike was a good lad; he'd never hurt anyone who didn't deserve it. James helped him rise slowly and spoke to Mrs. Hyde.
"I am terribly sorry about this. Please, send me a bill for the pieces that were broken. Thank you so much for your hospitality."
Before anything more could really be said, James had Aaron on his feet and they were headed out the door. Once out in the fragrant evening air, James loaded them into the coach as quickly as possible.
"My apologies, my Raven," James said, taking Aaron's hand in his. "I should have been paying more attention."
Aaron shook his head. "No, 'twas all my fault, love. I--."
"Don't," James said abruptly and Aaron looked up at him, startled. "Don't blame yourself. I seem to recall that coming to this function was my decision. I should have come alone but I allowed myself to be pressured into forcing you to come along. I will not let you blame yourself for something I knew I shouldn't have allowed."
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