Love, Laughter and Happily Ever After: A Short Story Collection

by Daisy Prescott

  “William. William Boarder,” he answered.

  “I’m Scully and this is the fine crew of the Mi’Lady. We’re a motley bunch and we don’t take to strangers easily. You don’t look like a pirate, nor British Navy, and since you survived a morning with the captain, you’ll probably fit in just fine. Mind if you keep out of Robert’s way. He’s the captain’s favorite.”

  At the praise, Robert’s chin tilted up and he stared at William. “Listen to Scully. You may be the new pet, but don’t go thinking you’re special. Most pets last a week, some only a night before walking the plank, but I’ve been aboard this ship for over a year. Learn to keep your mouth shut. Even better, keep your eyes shut, too. The likes of us don’t favor snoops. Or spies.”

  The other crew nodded in agreement, all giving William the once over. Motley didn’t begin to describe this crew. Besides Scully’s glass eye, two other crew members wore eye patches, one had his shirt pinned up to the shoulder indicating a missing arm, and the rest of the lot were a mix of deep ebony skin tones, shabby beards, and a theater troupe’s array of costumes. These were Fiona’s crew members. He wondered who amongst them was worthy of her trust. His eyes wandered back to Robert, who was still staring him down.

  Without breaking eye contact with Robert, he announced, “The captain requested her bath and breakfast. Instruct me how and where to fetch both, and I’ll leave you to your meal.”

  “What a good little pet you are,” Robert sneered. “Best to leave us men to the duties of the ship while you play maid.”

  William’s retort left his mouth before he thought through the consequences. “I believe I was man enough to please the lady more than once this morning.”

  All except Robert chuckled at his declaration. Scully patted him on the back and handed him a tray. Ignoring Robert’s scowl, Scully told him, “Here’s the captain’s meal. I’ll send Tom with the hot water for her bath. She takes it on deck. Something about the fresh air and sun being good for her.” Lowering his voice, he continued, “But I believe our captain is a bit of an exhibitionist, matey.”

  He could feel his body react to the idea of Fiona’s naked flesh exposed to the sun and curious eyes of her crew. He nodded to Scully and bid his leave to the other men. As he exited the galley, he overheard Robert say, “I’ll give him a week. I’m willing to bet a doubloon on it.” Other voices joined in with their bets. Not a single bet was cast that William would last more than a fortnight.

  He wouldn’t need a fortnight to confirm his suspicions. He could sense that his hunt for the Pink Pearl was heating up. His time with the captain only strengthened his convictions.

  The Pink Pearl was aboard the Mi’Lady.

  Chapter 5

  William

  Fiona commanded William to keep her company while she bathed. Scully was correct in his assumption that the captain was an exhibitionist. She had him wash her back as well as shampoo her hair. She evidently had no qualms about William or any of her crew seeing her in all her naked glory as she stood from the bath and awaited her silk robe.

  “The crew bathes once in a new moon, but should you choose to be more civilized, you can use whatever hot water remains after my bath,” she offered him.

  Glancing at the rose scented water in the copper tub, he decided to refuse her offer and declined with a shake of his head.

  “Suit yourself. I’m going to dress and meet with Sebastien. You are free to explore the ship. But remember,” she reached up and pressed against the bruise on his skull, “snoops get marooned. Best to stick to the deck and the crow’s nest. That is, if you don’t have a fear of heights.”

  He glanced far above the deck at the crow’s nest and shook his head again. As a child aboard a much different type of ship, he had been braver. And his left arm had the break in it to remind him.

  When he turned to reply to Fiona, he discovered she had disappeared. For the moment he was alone. Gulls swooped overhead and the bright sunlight bounced off of the Caribbean Sea. Small islands could be seen in the distance, but otherwise the ship was alone on the water. Peering around the deck, he noticed the usual piles of ropes, a few casks with their bungholes sealed tight with corks, carefully coiled rigging as well as a pair of small cannons on both the port and starboard sides of the deck. Heading aft, he spied more ammunition and a few swords at the ready. The Mi’Lady was prepared for a fight. The ship rolled with the waves and he attempted to find his balance as he adjusted to being at sea again. Fiona was right; he had not ventured further than the harbor in more than a year’s time. Before that voyage from Jamaica to Port de Neuf, it had been ten years since his last time aboard a ship. He swore he’d never follow in his father’s footsteps. Nor would he end up in Davy Jones’ locker.

  A loud cough snapped him from his memories and back to the deck of the Mi’Lady. Robert was standing in front of him, idly tossing a dagger from hand to hand. His blond hair was loose and wild. A dangerous glint was in his eye as he stared at William.

  “Ah, I didn’t see you there, Robert. My apologies for disrupting you.” He moved to step around him, but Robert stuck out his dagger and blocked William’s escape.

  “For a spy, you are not very good at being aware of your surroundings,” Robert sneered.

  “Perhaps that is because I am not a spy. I’m a tavern cook, although not a very good one. Not that it matters when the rum is strong and the ale flows.” His attempt at a laugh to lighten the mood was met with silence and another sneer.

  “You don’t look like the typical tavern cook. Nor do you sound like you’re from Port de Neuf. Or the islands. I’d bet a piece of gold that you are not who or what you say.”

  William knew his cover was thin at best. He could disguise his accent fairly well to fool the locals, but his King’s English couldn’t fool a native speaker.

  “Tis true, Robert. I am English born, but I am not a spy for the Royal Navy.”

  Robert flipped his dagger, caught it, and pressed the tip to the center of William’s chest. “I know you followed me to the dock. And for that reason, I think my conversation at the Golden Parrot was overheard as well. What do you know of the Pink Pearl, my friend? Englishman to Englishman, matey”

  “I sense that you and I will never be mates even if we are both sons of England. To answer your question, I know nothing of the gem you speak of other than idle gossip, rumors, and false hopes of those who have drank in the tavern. Pink pearls, hidden treasures—the likes of these things hold no charms for a landlubber tavern cook like me. I leave the adventures to braver men and fools.”

  Robert laughed, but it was a cold, menacing laugh. “I have a blade pointed at your heart and you dare call me a fool? Oh, you are the fool.” He pressed the blade harder against William’s skin, but not to the point of breaking through.

  He had had enough of Robert’s bullying. He’d been in his fair share of brawls and sword fights in the tavern. He was not the brawniest of men, but his speed could disarm the best of swordsmen. He stepped into the blade, causing Robert to relax his arm. This gave him the room to feign to the left before dipping down to pick up one of the swords from the nearby stash. In a flash of movement, the dagger dropped to the deck and he held the sword to Robert’s throat.

  “I am no fool,” he spat the words at Robert. “Nor am I a traitor. Does your captain know of your meeting and the leather pouch?”

  “What’s this? Double sword play without me?” Fiona’s voice asked from somewhere behind him. She stood on the deck dressed in crimson and black, her waist cinched with a corset above her full skirts.

  “Nay, my captain. You’ll see that your new pet has his sword drawn on me, while mine lays at my side. Perhaps he should walk the plank. Or be fed to the sharks?”

  “Now, now Robert. I’ve only begun to have my fun with sweet William. You know the rules of my ship. If there is going to be sword play, I should always be involved. No fair playing amongst yourselves. Where is the delight in that for me?”

  William’s
eyes widened and his heartbeat quickened at the sexual innuendo of the captain’s words. Surely her intentions weren’t to have them both. At the same time. He wasn’t interested in such things. Was he? Could he be? How far was he willing to go to stay aboard the ship and find out the truth of the pearl?

  “Robert, look at his face. I’ve shocked him into being a mute,” Fiona said, with laughter in her voice.

  As he struggled to find his voice, he watched Fiona’s face break into a huge grin and she shook her dark hair.

  “You have nothing to fear, William. You seem to have the advantage over Robert. In both skill and the size of your blade.” She glanced at the sword in his hand and down to the dagger on the deck, but he sensed she was speaking in metaphors again. He smirked and heard Robert grumble.

  “I’ve thought myself average, so the lady’s compliment delights me. I’m happy that I please you.”

  “You do. Very much. Now since you have put Robert in his place, my company for the evening has been determined. William, join me in my cabin for supper. Robert, you can eat with the rest of the crew in the mess.”

  He was thrilled to spend more time with Fiona, but knew better than to show his pleasure in front of Robert, who was proving to be a formidable adversary.

  “But, mi’ lady, I always dine with you—” Robert began to protest.

  “Now, don’t pout. Your lips are better served doing other things.” She touched her finger to Robert’s bottom lip before lightly patting him on the cheek in a dismissive gesture.

  He could sense Robert bristling as he was summarily put in his place.

  “As you wish, Captain. Enjoy your dinner,” Robert said with a bow to Fiona, but his stare was chilling when he looked at William. “May the sun rise another day to greet your eyes.” It was a thinly veiled threat.

  He watched as Fiona glanced between the men before squaring her shoulders. “The same to you, Robert. Tell Scully I’ll be in my quarters with William until supper. No one is to bother me unless war ships are spotted or we encounter a storm.” She turned and began to head down the stairs to her quarters.

  “Come, William,” she said without turning back.

  Under his breath, Robert whispered, “Remember that the dead tell no tales, Mr. Boarder. Your time aboard this ship is limited.”

  Ignoring Robert’s threat, he followed Fiona to her cabin.

  He found her standing at her desk, idly toying with a small compass.

  “What have you done to anger Robert? He has never hated someone new as quickly as he has with you. You were discovered following him down to the docks. Prove your loyalty to me and tell me the truth of that night. If you lie, I will know it.”

  He took a deep breath and held it for a moment. His fate would be sealed with his words. If he lied, she’d probably kill him. If he told her the truth, she could think it was a lie and kill him. Either way, he was facing the plank. Or worse.

  Chapter 6

  William

  William swallowed. “Your Fair Robert met with an officer of the British Navy in the Golden Parrot,” he spoke clearly, hoping she would hear the truth in his words.

  “Ah, yes.” She nodded. “I knew he was up to something after he insisted we stop in Port de Neuf again so soon after my encounter with the Royal Navy last month. Sebastien and Jack were sent ashore to keep an eye on him, but he lost them in an alley.”

  “I saw him enter the tavern through the kitchen. He passed by me and caught my eye. It isn’t every day a buccaneer is in my kitchen.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me this detail when questioned this morning? Does your loyalty lie with Robert or with me?” she asked, setting the compass down on the desk and walking over to her dresser. She picked up a silver comb and used it to pull up her hair, exposing her neck. There at the hairline was a small, round, pink birthmark. No bigger than a large pearl.

  He choked on his breath and coughed before speaking.

  “My loyalty is with you, Captain. Only you. I did not know what favor Robert held with you. I was biding my time to discover his standing with you.”

  “And what have you discovered?” She turned to look at him.

  “The truth?”

  “Only the truth.”

  “He is not to be trusted. I think he has given the Navy information about the Pink Pearl. He seeks his own fortune above all things, mi’ lady.”

  “Why should I believe you? Who are you to me that I should listen to your words above Robert’s? He’s been loyal to me and my pleasure for over a year.” She cocked her head and stared at him.

  “Because I know the secret of the Pink Pearl and why the Admiral Lindsley wants to find it so desperately. I believe Robert has figured out the mystery as well.”

  He heard her sharp intake of breath and watched as she reflexively brought her hand up to the back of her neck.

  “You are the legendary Pink Pearl, Fiona Lindsley, lost niece of Rear Admiral Lindsley. The most valuable gem of the Caribbean. The treasure lesser men have sought and failed to find, despite it being right in front of their faces.”

  In a heartbeat, he felt the coldness of a blade of steel against his neck. He hadn’t even seen her reach for her sword.

  “You must be addled, Mr. Boarder. A pirate such as me has nothing to do with the Rear Admiral Lindsley.”

  “Nay, mi’ lady. It’s not bilgewater. The fair Miss Lindsley had a small birthmark on her neck. You bear the same one. I had my suspicions when I awoke in your quarters, but it wasn’t until you pulled up your hair just now that everything was confirmed. The Rear Admiral seeks not his fortune, but his lost niece. You.”

  Fiona held the blade in place, but did not speak.

  “Mi’ lady?”

  She stared at him, her eyes searching his face for a few moments before she spoke, “I know you. Your face was familiar to me. I assumed it was similar to those illustrations of English boys in children’s books. I’ve tried to recall meeting someone named Boarder prior, but cannot.”

  He slowly walked over and sat beside her on the bed. “You won’t recall a William Boarder. Boarder was not the name I was born with. Perchance you recall a Mountwell? Will Mountwell?”

  At the sound of his real name, her sword clattered to the floor.

  “Mountwell? Will? Of Jamaica Mountwells?” Her voice belayed her shock. Gone was all pretense of pirate cunning. All that remained was the beautiful girl he remembered.

  “Yes, Fiona. I’m Will.” He bowed and then laughed. “I believed you dead for many years.”

  “Yet you are standing here, in front of me, aboard my ship, holding my secrets. How did this come to pass?”

  “It was the legend of the Pink Pearl, mi’ lady. I knew your uncle would not seek treasure of gold and gems for he never put value in such things. I got wind of a pirate captain with hair the color of night and eyes that matched the Sargasso Sea. Legend of her beauty, mystery, and ability to elude the Navy were second only to the legends of the pearl that the Admiral sought to find. I took the cook’s job at the Golden Parrot in hopes of crossing paths with you or your crew.”

  “Will Mountwell. The first boy I ever kissed. And the last.” She gaped at him in awe.

  “The last? But Mi’ lady, Fiona, you couldn’t mean that. Robert made it clear, as did you, that you take lovers at your will, tossing them aside for the next. Surely you have kissed others.”

  “I have not. Not even Robert. Sex is one thing. Matters of the heart and kissing are to be avoided in the life of a pirate.”

  He was stunned with her declaration. The great pirate captain had not kissed a man in ten years.

  “Mi’ lady—”

  “Please, Will, call me Fiona. Heaven is my name falling from your lips.”

  “Fiona, I’m going to kiss you now.”

  Before she could answer, he grabbed her, bent her back, and kissed her. No fumbling school boy, no hesitations. He kissed her thoroughly until they were breathless. She tasted of salt and something sweet, like
a rare chocolate.

  “There is no treachery nor treason greater than letting these lips go unkissed for a moment longer.”

  Her bee-stung lips were swollen from their kiss, their color deepened to a garnet red. As she merely blinked back at him, he thought her never more beautiful. She should be thoroughly kissed. And often.

  “Will?” she asked.

  “Yes?”

  “Fuck me. Now. Please.”

  Wil laughed. “Since you said please, how could I say no?”

  Stripping off her garments, he reveled in her naked flesh. Slowly, he tortured her with his hands, gliding over her skin with the lightest of touches as if she was the most fragile piece of glass. He picked her up and then tossed her on the bed. She sighed and writhed beneath him.

  “Please,” she murmured.

  Feeling heady with his power over her, he smiled and bit her hip, leaving a small mark where he sucked on her flesh.

  “Ow!” Fiona shouted and swiftly reversed their positions on the bed. She held his arms above his head in her hands, her thighs clamped tight around his hips. Glowering down at him, she growled. “Lest you get the wrong idea, I am still the captain. And still a pirate. Not a school girl who swoons over boys.”

  “Aye, aye,” he said, grinning up at her. Her fiery nature thrilled him, but he wasn’t about to give in to her power trip. As quickly as he had found himself on his back, he flipped her over and pinned her with his body. “Lest ye get the wrong idea, I’m a man, not a schoolboy.” He thrust his hips into hers to emphasize his point. “And this is a sword, not a dagger, mi’lady. I’ve heard your sword skills are legendary. Let’s see what you can do with mine.”

  She bit his lip when he bent to kiss her, but he didn’t let that stop his advance. His tongue found hers and her moan told him that as much as she protested, his actions pleased her.