The Gypsy Witch

by The Gypsy Witch (EReads) (lit)

  She laughed back at him, it was a little too late for that thought. She picked up her coat and threw it over her arm. There was no reason to hide her obvious feminine attributes any longer, her breasts obvious beneath the material of her shirt.

  "Why don’t you let your first mate sail your ship and you can stay over here with me. That way I can keep an eye on you."

  "You know I can’t. I owe it to the crew to be with them, I am their captain, after all. We will get to see each other at night." She smiled provocatively at him.

  "All right, but I will lead the way and if we run into a skirmish with another ship you stay far back out of danger. Is that understood?"

  She wrapped her arms around his waist. "And who will keep you out of danger, Captain Scott Dominion?"

  "I can take care of myself, just do as your told, woman."

  When the two exited the cabin, Ricardo stepped forward from the wall he had been leaning against waiting. Scott raised his eyebrow at his first mate.

  Ricardo saw the look. "I was just watching your back, captain. Who knows what went through the minds of her crew last eve."

  Scott laughed. "You are becoming an old woman, my friend."

  Ricardo ignored him and handed Danielle her hat that he had rescued from the deck the previous night. She took it and reached up to kiss him on the cheek. "It’s good to see you again, Ricardo. Thanks for keeping this lusty pirate safe." She looked at Scott’s face, then turned back to the Spaniard. "I’m sure it keeps your hands full."

  "Aye, Danielle. He is most trying. And when he has in mind a certain little gypsy witch and can’t find her, he becomes a roaring bull that makes the crew shake in their boots."

  Scott rolled his eyes to the heavens. "Why am I so put upon that I must have two beasts gnawing at my bones?"

  The camaraderie was such that the good-byes between them was made much easier. Once Danielle was aboard her ship she jumped to the rail and stood with one arm hanging onto the rigging. The wind blew against her, her shirt showing her perfect figure. She waved at him across the water.

  He waved back and turned to his men.

  "Man the anchor! Raise the mainsail!" He shouted at the men scurrying to do his bidding. He knew that if any ship crossed his path this day, the victory would surely be his. His spirits soared like the sails before the wind.

  As the ships moved apart, both captains kept the other in view until they were only specks on the open sea.

  Scott climbed the ladder to the quarterdeck and held his spy glass to his eye, searching the empty horizon. He lowered it and glanced at Ricardo holding onto the oaken helm as the wind caught the canvas and moved them across the water.

  The sun was warm against his face and a gentle sea breeze ruffled through his dark wavy hair. He positioned himself so he could watch Danielle’s ship follow in his wake. What other woman could take over as captain of a sailing ship? He smiled thinking about her and felt his groin tighten remembering their night of thorough joy.

  He raised his eyes, shielding them with his hand from the stark sunlight. Young Walker was in the crow’s nest keeping a lookout. Scott didn’t have to worry. His crew was so well trained that they wouldn’t let their share of booty go unseen.

  "Steady as she goes!" He yelled across at Ricardo who nodded in return.

  Scott sailed a little ahead and to starboard of Danielle’s small vessel so she could float smoothly on the glassy surface of the water.

  The crew aboard The Gypsy Witch gave their captain strange looks off and on all day. Finally when she heard one of the crew speak loud enough for her to hear she blew her top. She stormed to stand in front of the two men working on a sail at the bow of the ship.

  "Hawkins! Do you have something you want to say to my face?" she glared at the offender.

  The man in question turned shocked. He had not realized the close proximity of the captain. "A wench aboard ship is bad luck!" he repeated. The man beside him gasped in shock. No one was allowed to talk to the captain that way.

  "Have I brought you bad luck, Hawkins?" Her blood was boiling just below the surface.

  "Nay, not yet. But yesterday was close."

  "If you look at it that way, I would say I brought you very good luck. For I brought you Scott Dominion!" The man had the sense to cower at her rage.

  "Aye, Captain, ma’am." he replied.

  "Just ‘Captain’ will do, Hawkins! I am no different from the captain you had last week. Can you remember that?"

  "Aye, captain."

  The news spread swiftly and the crew began to jump to do her bidding as they had always done.

  David, however, was a different matter. He stood as far away from her as possible and when she did catch his eye he scowled murderously. Finally, when Danielle could stand his attitude no longer, she called him to her cabin.

  "David! I’d like a word with you." She watched as he continued on his way to the bow of the ship. "Now, David!" He stopped in his tracks and turned arrogantly to face her. She led the way below, waiting for him to enter her small cabin before closing the door for privacy.

  "David, this silence between us has got to stop. We must present a united front to the crew and passengers if we are to succeed. What have I done to deserve this… this antagonism? You’ve been upset since the moment we left The Scarlet Eagle.

  "Ricardo said you paced the deck all night in a fit of temper. And you’ve been growing more irate since I came on board this morning. It’s quite obvious David, that you are unhappy with the latest turn of events concerning Captain Dominion and myself. Did Ricardo not tell you I was in no danger?"

  "Did you honestly expect me to believe that Spanish devil whose captain is known as the most blood thirsty hunter on the high seas?" David paced back and forth across the floor, waving his arms dramatically. His scar showed startling white against his tanned skin. It twitched nervously above his left eyebrow. "And you," he turned on her with an accusing finger. "You, I expected better of."

  Danielle stood before him a firebrand of angry indignation. "And just what gives you the right to examine my actions, David? By your staid and narrow-minded moral standards?" Danielle strode toward him. "I will not hear one word against him, David Fitzwater." She jabbed him sharply in the chest with her finger. "For to do so casts aspersion on me and as I stand before you now, take heed. I will not allow it," she hissed threateningly. "I will flay the hide from any man who dares to slander the name of Danielle Rochette." She held her stance, her fiery black eyes burning her words indelibly on his mind.

  Abruptly he stopped, blue eyes looking squarely into brown.

  "You’re right, of course. I have allowed my pride to interfere in my thinking, a dangerous combination. I suppose if I was honest, you could say my ego was wounded by your complete lack of interest in me. Indeed, you rejected my advances without the slightest hesitation. Then, to see you carried away, quite literally by that… that…"

  "Privateer," she interjected calmly.

  "That privateer, Scott Dominion! Why didn’t you tell me you knew him? He’s the one, isn’t he? No… don’t answer that, Danielle. I don’t want to know and I apologize for interfering in what I know is your own affair." He spoke with emphasis on the last word.

  Danielle raised her eyebrows at the snide remark. "You are quite right, David. It is none of your business, and I would appreciate it if you could remember that. If we are to act as strangers on the same mission, then so be it."

  As he reached the door, she stopped him with her words.

  "For the record, David. Yes, Scott is ‘the one’ as you call him. I know he is a rogue, and much more… but it doesn’t matter, because I love him." She felt relieved to say the words out loud. "We can’t always choose the one we fall in love with. Are you satisfied? Because I want never to speak of this again. As far as I am concerned the matter is closed. My life is my own, do I make myself clear, Mr. Fitzwater?" She dismissed the first mate from her presence.

  She followed him to the upper dec
k seething that the men of the world thought they had to domineer and dictate to any woman. She would not be dictated to, not even by Scott. Now she only had to straighten out her crew and maybe the rest of the way would be smooth sailing. As soon as she was on the bridge she yelled out for all to hear.

  "All hands on deck!" David looked at her surprised but echoed her order across the ship. Men came from every corner of the vessel. The men on the masts and crow’s nest slid down from the rigging. Men came from below deck. Even the cook came out drying his hands on a rag.

  Danielle stood straight and determined before them. When all were gathered around her she started speaking in a loud and clear voice.

  "Men, I feel I have to give you some sort of explanation for misleading you about my identity all those months. You and I both know that had you known I was a woman you would have never sailed on The Gypsy Witch. At the time I took over as captain of this ship, if you will remember your captain, Sir Francis Dolphin, was wounded and unable to command." Her voice had started out kindly but as she became more involved in her explanation, it grew in resonance with the heartfelt meaning in her words.

  The crew stood stock still, in awe of the brave woman who with soul-binding commitment, had led them through many perils in the past.

  "The mission of this ship is not for booty, nor does it have anything to do with our likes and dislikes. You all know when you joined this ship that its missions would be dangerous. Yet all of you came willingly for the sake of fellow human beings who could die a cruel and meaningless death if they were not saved from their king’s tyranny." She spread her feet apart and stood much like Scott would stand were it he commanding these men. Hands on hips she faced them squarely, binding them to her with her unflinching determination.

  "So listen and listen well, you blackguards! If you think you are now going to shrug off my orders like a pesky fly, think again! I was a hard taskmaster before and just because you now know that I’m a woman under this broadcloth, I have not changed. You all saw what I did to the captain of The Scarlet Eagle yesterday and you all know what I could have done to him were I willing. As a woman I learned to use my weapons and as a woman and captain of this ship I shall continue to exhibit the same deadly skill on any who dare turn against me. When I shout an order, I want it obeyed, immediately, understand? Now, we have a ship to sail. Do you want the men on The Scarlet Eagle to think we have a slovenly crew?" Some of the men looked sheepishly toward the other vessel from the corner of their eyes half expecting to see the other ship to be waiting in judgment.

  The two old seamen stood close together as usual. Angus nudged Jacob in the ribs. "I think the wee lassie is back in charge."

  Jacob smiled. "Aye, she makes me proud she does."

  "Resume your posts and get this ship in trim." She ordered.

  All hands jumped to do her bidding. She stood on the bridge, a grin spreading over her face. The men would be all right from here on.

  The two ships sailed calm seas the entire day with no enemy vessels crossing their view. Scott headed west toward the English shores.

  Danielle followed Scott’s lead as he moved into the Channel. Through her spy-glass she could see Scott clearly and watched him most of the day as he walked to the quarterdeck. Even without the glass she would have known it was him. No one else could claim the wide expanse of shoulder and lean hips that he braced against the wind. He towered over most of his men in height and his stature made him seem a bigger man than those that could look at him straight in the eye.

  As the sun settled into the western horizon they still had not sighted another ship. Danielle sighed with relief that no battle had been fought and gave a silent prayer of thanks as Scott’s sails were furled for the night. When they dropped anchors in a small cove Danielle quickly transferred to the other ship.

  Scott lifted her easily over the railing bestowing a hearty kiss upon her lips before standing her on her feet. He took her by the hand and led her straight to his cabin.

  Danielle was surprised at what awaited her. Cook had already been busy for the table was loaded down with hot food and an open flagon of wine stood beside their plates.

  Scott went directly to his wardrobe and pulled out a familiar piece of blue satin. He turned to face her a broad smile splitting his countenance.

  "Oh, Scott!" She rushed to take the dress from him, holding against her. Her eyes sparkled, showing her happiness. "You kept the gown."

  "Well," he walked over to the table and poured himself a healthy portion of wine. He looked over his shoulder and grinned. "No other woman could do it justice and I had hoped I might see you in it again."

  Danielle watched him. No wonder she loved the man. At times like these he melted her with his charm.

  He faced her. "Put it on," he motioned with his tankard.

  "Right now?" Her hands smoothed the skirt of the turquoise gown.

  "Now."

  Danielle ran to sit on the edge of the bunk to take off her boots.

  Scott crossed the room and clasped the heel and toe of her boots slipping them easily from her feet. Her exuberance was catching and Scott reveled in her happiness. He dropped the boots by the side of the bunk, forgotten, and stepped back to watch the disrobing.

  Danielle hopped up and grabbed the hem of the shirt. She just started to pull it over her head when she looked up and saw Scott eyeing her every movement. She blushed suddenly, embarrassed by his intense regard.

  "Turn around, please." She waited, still holding onto the material, refusing to raise it any higher.

  "I’ve seen your body before, Danielle."

  "Scott!" She stood her ground until he chuckled, shrugging, and turned his back to her.

  Danielle quickly stripped off her clothes and picked up the gown.

  Scott moved quietly out of her line of vision careful lest she would know that he watched her. A man was only so strong and the temptation had been too great.

  Her skin was perfection and the color of pure cream. Her back slimmed gracefully to a tiny waist that rounded over firm buttocks. She turned sideways a little giving him full view of her breasts as she raised her arms to lift the dress over her head, the full skirt settling in soft swirls about her shapely legs and trim ankles. Scot could not prevent the stirring in his loins and took a deep swallow of wine.

  Danielle glanced up and met his eyes over the rim of his tankard. A flush came to her cheeks and she looked down at the tiny pearl buttons, her fingers shaking. How long had he watched her, she wondered? She was as nervous as a virgin. She was fumbling, trying to get the gown fastened when strong tanned hands brushed aside her attempt.

  "Let me, my love."

  She watched as he made short work of the buttons, then stepped back admiring the form-fitting gown molding itself to her ample curves. The neckline plunged dangerously low. Danielle’s breasts threatened to spill forth as she leaned forward to examine the drape of the skirt.

  Scott’s breath caught in his throat as a rosy tip peeked through the lace.

  Danielle straightened and looked at Scott for approval, only to find him drinking deeply from his mug.

  "Well?" She drew his attention and twirled about before him. "Isn’t it the most beautiful thing in the world?’

  "Yes, you are," his gaze held her warmly, his voice struggling for control.

  "Really, sir," she curtsied coquettishly. "You do turn a woman’s head with your charm."

  "‘Tis the simple truth, fair damsel." He crossed to the wooden table and pulled out a chair. "My Lady," he bowed low, offering her a seat like an English dandy. It lightened the situation just enough to make the atmosphere light.

  Danielle giggled delightedly. "Why thank you, captain." She came forward and sat down, flaring her skirt around her.

  "I hope the food is still warm." Scott sat down and filled both their cups with wine before he filled her pewter plate with the fine meal before them.

  "I’m sure it will be excellent. Cook would not do otherwise."

/>   Scott held his tankard in the air for a toast. "To the most beautiful woman on the seven seas."

  Danielle raised her mug and touched his before taking a sip of the sparkling white wine.

  Scott set down his goblet and reached across the table, lifting a strand of hair from her shoulder. "One thing I do miss is the length of your hair," he let the tendril fall back into place.

  Danielle smiled at him. "It will grow again."

  Scott turned his attention to the meal in front of him. "How is your crew handling the news that their captain is a woman?" He took a bite of food.

  Danielle laughed. "Better since I threatened them with the lash."

  Scott threw back his head and roared. "I can well believe that!"

  Dinner continued to be lighthearted and Danielle felt engulfed in the warm glow of comfort by the time dinner had been cleared away by one of the crew. Dreamily she leaned back in her chair, watching Scott move about the cabin. Was this how it felt to be secure and in love? This must be the ultimate feeling, nothing better could ever possibly happen to her.

  Scott dimmed the flame in the oil lamps and came to her, easing her gently from her chair and leading her across the room. His warm hands moved over her with unhurried movements, tracing the edge of her neckline as it plunged over her full ripe bosom to the tiny buttons below her breast. A shiver of pleasure traversed her body at his touch and she waited patiently, her hands resting on his shoulders as he loosed the buttons one by one. Slowly and in total silence, he undressed her and lay her down on the bunk, her gown left where it had fallen upon the floor.

  In a blissful state of relaxed anticipation, Danielle watched while Scott doused the rest of the lamps, stripping off his clothes in the same languid manner as he had removed hers and came to her.

  He pulled her against him in a tender caress. She opened herself to him, wanting him now without the normal preliminaries to lovemaking.