We both giggled before Mary confessed, “Honestly, I might enjoy it if Faron would spend the kind of time with me that Sterling spent with you today. Faron only talks to me when he wants to have sex. And though you know I am not one to complain, I feel like nothing more than a helpless cabin whore these days.”
“Oh, stop it, Mary. You are far from helpless and certainly could find another way to make it in the world if you are not happy here. You were an exceptional servant, and couldn’t you work in a bar again if you had to?”
Mary’s face became sullen. Her grey-blue eyes glossed over with a stormy haze as she said, “I would rather die in a ditch than ever again do what I had to do to survive in Ireland. And I refuse to ever submit myself to servitude again. Your father was the only kind man I ever worked for and I won’t risk facing the cruelty I endured before I met your family.”
Regretting my comment, I shut my stupid mouth.
Mary straightened her shoulders. “No matter what that blithering clotpole pirate captain has to say about it, I am a pirate now and I will fight just as hard as these filthy men to keep my last chance of freedom under Captain Flynn’s flag. Just like Grace O’Malley, I will not take no for an answer.”
“Oh, Mary, my brother Isaiah told me all about her.” I leaned with the ship as it climbed a steep swell.
Mary smiled. “My father told me bedtime stories every night, and his tales about Grace were my favorites. You must have thought about her when you cut your hair.”
“I did!”
Running her fingers through my short hair, she chuckled, “Granuaile-she who cropped her hair. That’s what they called her. I used to pretend I was her when we would play by the creek. I wanted to be like her.”
“You are very much like her, Mary. You are as brave as the men, but you also care for them like a mother. It was those very traits that led Granuaile to become captain of her crew. Does Faron know about her?”
“He knows her story as well as I do, but he is too stubborn to remember anything that doesn’t suit his current favor. Speaking of the old oaf, I had something in mind for him…I would like you to show me what Sterling has been teaching you.”
My eyes lit up. “I would love to show you what I have learned.”
“There are also a few things I could teach you.” Mary whipped a knife off of her belt and swiftly chucked it into the bulkhead.
Stunned by her extreme accuracy, I yelped, “Where in the world did you learn to do that?”
“Since I was my father’s only girl, he wanted me to be able to defend myself. He taught me how to throw a punch as well as a knife, and I have put both skills to use more than once. In fact, I was thinking I needed a masculine name like you have, and I just now decided to name my pirate persona after my father. He went by Martin, but I want to be Marty. A mix of both of our names.”
I clapped like a happy child. “Oh, I love it, Marty. And I can’t wait to learn how to throw knives. It’ll be much more fun being trapped in here while we are training.”
“Yes, but we have to be discreet, for if Captain Dominance sees me training, he might grab me by the hair and drag me back to his den.”
Standing up so we could get started, I said, “We just might stand a fighting chance by the time we reach Tortuga.”
PART II
Hopeless
Chapter 5
Delusion
As Told By Charlotte Wetherby
Wind of Glory sailed into Tortuga with only a hint of burning red sunlight remaining in the western sky. While I eyed the beauty of the scene, I heard Faron talking to Oliver, “Look at that one,” he said, pointing at the ship Endless Horizon. Though I dreaded the thought of being anywhere near the ship that had raided and destroyed Royal Anthem, Faron’s eyes lit up as he announced his envy to Oliver, “I’d like to get my hands on a ship like that. This battered old bitch has lost my interest.”
“Why don’t we just repair the ship we already have?” Oliver asked.
“Too much work,” Faron responded. “Plus, she needs a careening and I have no mind for such a chore at the moment. I’d just as soon abandon this bitch in the harbor and seize me a new bride.”
Following behind Captain Flynn, Oliver harped, “Remember how the Lord thy God said thou shalt not steal?”
Faron shook his head. “And what would you call the way we plundered the goods form Vera Rose, eh? You had no complaints about that. Now, quit being such a hypocrite and help me round up these men for a vote.”
Looking lost for words, Oliver did as his captain suggested.
Once the men were gathered on deck, Faron said, “How about we anchor this old maid out here in the distance where she can’t embarrass us?”
The men agreed to row to shore.
As they lowered the anchor into the darkened water and doused the sails for the evening, I stood with Mary at the bow where we shared a bottle of rum. Unsure if the men had planned to take us to shore, we joked about how they had most likely intended to leash us to the mast pole where Kasey would feed us snacks if we behaved.
While giggling over the matter, I spied Kasey heading in our direction. I grabbed Mary’s arm. “Look, Mary, here comes our watchdog, now.”
“Miss Charlie, Miss Mary,” Kasey politely nodded. “The captain and the navigator request your presences at the longboats. They said to grab whatever you wish to bring ashore with you and prepare to be gone for the night.”
They would be taking us ashore! Happy as could be, Mary and I skipped in that direction.
My joy diminished when I saw Lawrence approaching me. Stopping to see what he wanted, I noted the way he eyed the bottle of rum in my hand. I hid the bottle behind my back as he rested his hand on my shoulder and said, “Charlotte, I think it would be terribly dangerous for you to go to shore—especially while you are drunk. I promised your father I would protect you at all cost, and letting you wander about that heathen port would be far from keeping true to my word.”
Remembering how my father had asked this man to care for me, and be sure I went to church, I began to feel shame about being drunk and happy to be on Tortuga. Suddenly thinking this through, my mind rushed with the worrisome possibilities of visiting the forbidden island. Yet, the look of the burning torchlights reflecting on the water and the sight of the silhouetted trees swaying in the breeze enticed me beyond the risk.
I patted his hand. “Lawrence, my friend, I know you have promised to keep me safe, but this dangerous adventure is a path I have freely chosen. I understand that it worries you, but this is my first chance to step on the sand of an unfamiliar land, and I have dreamt of such an opportunity all my life. I will be sure to tell my father you did everything you could to stop me.”
Exhaling the exhaustion of his futile attempts to reason with me, he nodded with a defeated understanding. Admiring his relentless loyalty, I threw myself at him for a hug. “You are one of the best friends I have ever had, Lawrence Braddock.”
Running over to meet Sterling at the gunnel—glad that he had not noticed my time with Lawrence—I patted him on the back. “Ready to row, mate?”
Obviously drunk, he looked me over with his glassy eyes and asked, “Ready for a lot more than that. But for now, hop on my back, beauty.”
Jumping on his back, I giggled with glee as he carried me down the gangway and into the boat. Though I attempted to grab the oars—thinking I would help to row—Sterling took the oars from me. “Nah, you just sit back and look pretty, my sweet. I’ll do the work.”
Sitting there like a dainty lady in a fine dress would, I looked around in wonder. The torchlights of town reflected on the darkened water and stars glistened in the night sky above. I could hear the men in the other boats laughing, cursing, and singing. Taking it all in, I thought of how lucky Sterling was to have lived this free and adventurously for so long. Clapping my hands, like a jolly child, I said, “This is amazing, Sterling. Thank you for making my dream come true.”
He looked at me with a c
urious smirk. “What dream is this you speak of?”
“This is the first piece of land I have experienced outside of Jamaica.”
“Ah, well, you best be drinking some more rum then. It’s far too disgusting a place to be taking it in sober.” He flashed me a saucy smile.
Liking the look of the mustache that had grown over his terribly enticing lips, I leaned in his direction and kissed him. “You are so much fun, my love.”
“You’re fun, too. Even though you’re defiant.”
“Whatever do you mean?” I inquired as I sat back down.
He belched and then slurred, “I saw you hugging on your lawyer.”
“Oh. Well, I am surprised you didn’t intervene with a brazen outburst of sword wielding threats.”
“I still might,” he chuckled in a surprisingly playful tone.
“Well, for now, I say we drink some more to celebrate my first night out on the town.” I pulled out a flask of rum. After taking a shot, I poured some in his mouth.
Finishing off my flask, and starting on his before we reached the dock, we were both drunk as could be as we met up with Faron and Mary. Staggering down the wooden planks alongside our friends, we hung all over each other, laughing and jesting happily.
Once we came upon the shore, Sterling shooed me off of him. “I like you mate, but I don’t want to be taken as the kind of man who likes his mates that much.”
It took me a moment to realize what he meant, but once I remembered how I was wearing men’s clothing, I straightened the collar of my red and gold coat, and took on the posture of a strong, seafaring man. I was feeling good and confident in my disguise until I saw a couple of wenches walking in our direction.
The dark haired one called for Sterling. All the lavish black lace lining her beautiful emerald dress seemed to accent her dark and seductive eyes. Her lips were red, her skin was white, and her breasts were ridiculously large. Feeling horribly small and insignificant compared to her, my heart shriveled up like a dying weed as she purred at my man. He’d probably seen those enormous breasts exposed, and he had most likely kissed on those ruby lips. The devil only knew she had experienced him in ways I had not, and though Mary had insisted that I could fight when such a moment arose, I only felt like hiding as she looked him up and down with her man-eating eyes.
While he attempted to swat her off, the blonde one ogled at Faron. “Oh, and Faron Flynn. It’s been far too long.”
Faron smiled and tipped his hat. “It’s Captain Faron Flynn now.”
As the wenches tittered over Faron’s promotion, Mary whacked Faron across the arm. “Watch your introduction there, Flynn.”
As Faron laughed at Mary, the wench said, “What’s the concern of this angry little whelp at your side, Captain?” She then looked at Mary and attempted to appease the man she thought she was. “You can be next, lad.”
Mary rolled her head back with irritation. I was sure she would feel the same sullen insignificance I was trying to swallow, but Mary had no qualms about defending her territory, or mine for that matter.
Pulling her shirt open, Mary flashed the wenches with her voluptuous breasts. “I am a woman and I don’t want any of your whore trash diseases.” Grabbing Faron by the arm, she hollered, “And if you touch my man you’ll have a lot more than your syphilis to worry about.” Then she pointed at Sterling. “Stay off that one, too.”
After rolling their eyes, the wenches stuck their noses in the air and moved along.
“Well done, Mary.” I patted her back.
Wrapping his arms around Mary, Faron grumbled, “I never knew a jealous woman could be so saucy.”
Mary fussed in his arms, “Put me down, you blundering whoremonger. And that is not a compliment.” Once she got to her feet she said, “I am dressed as a man, and I can fight as well as one, so you’d be wise to take heed of my warning as well as those wenches did.”
Hugging her tight, he bit her neck. “Are you going to bite me, or claw at me, or maybe pull my hair?”
Though I was annoyed by his demeaning response to her threat, she seemed to like it. While she pulled his hair, bit his neck, and playfully batted at his chest like a wildcat, I looked at Sterling. “I think Marty and Faron are perfectly ridiculous for each other.”
Taking a shot of rum, Sterling laughed, “And I reckon she’s just as ferocious as ol’ Flynn. Did you hear she stabbed that man who tried to attack her in the hold? She would have done him in herself if Flynn wouldn’t have come down to take over the fight.”
“Of course she told me that.” I planted my hands on my hips. “So you see, we are not but helpless damsels, Sterling. Marty and Charlie are just as fit to sail and fight as the rest of you blokes.”
“Prettier, though,” Sterling responded as he slapped my arse to get me heading through town.
After getting something to eat, we headed to the tavern. Though I had been excited to see Tortuga, I quickly realized that I hated it here. The air smelled like human excrement, roasted meat, and mold. Walkways were littered with bottles and barrels, random articles of clothing, and an occasional drunkard facedown in the dirt. Not to mention that not once, but twice, I experienced the horrifying sight of harlot sex in the alleyways.
Though I was certainly glad to be drunk as I took in the bawdy surroundings, I didn’t think there was enough rum to entirely dilute my distaste for this awful place called Tortuga.
Among the haphazard shanty shacks, the men chose the tavern called The Polished Pearl. There was nothing polished about it. It was hardly a sound building and the wooden doorway looked as if it would collapse if someone touched it the wrong way. Once inside, the sound of music and rambunctious voices filled the smoky air. The place smelled of tobacco, body odor, and rum, and though everyone looked to be having a jolly good time, even the laughter sounded volatile.
Though I was a bit unnerved by the bawdy atmosphere, Sterling was hardly concerned with any of it. In fact, he tipped his hat at some of the wenches and shook a few of the men’s hands as we made our way towards the bar. His solid assurance helped to ease my weary nerves.
Once we reached the makeshift countertop, I laid eyes on a woman like none I had ever seen before. She was dancing on top of a table behind the bar, wearing a long black skirt and the belt of coins she wore around her seductive hips jingled as she shook them. Her entire midriff was exposed between the eccentric fabrics she wore, and her voluptuous breasts jiggled beneath her coin-covered top. A few dark locks had snuck out of the black rag she had wrapped around her head, and in contrast to her light skin, her red lips were as enticing as the forbidden apple in the Garden of Eden.
The moment she laid her dark eyes on Sterling, she licked those rose red lips, hopped off her tabletop and came to greet him.
Of all the men in the room, the fact that she chose him caused my heart to plummet into my gut.
Rubbing her hand on his arm, she purred through her foreign accent, “Yiá sas, Sterling, thisavré mou. Where have you been?”
Though I couldn’t understand all of her words, her seductive purr was plainly translatable, and the fact that she knew his name upset me greatly.
Bothered as I was, I wanted to see how he would react. Biting on my lip I watched in silence as that dirty rotten whoremonger casually nodded and greeted her by name. “Giovanna.”
Playfully slapping at his cheek, she said, “How dare you have forgotten after all the fun we’ve had in my bed. It’s Gitana. But you can call me whatever you want when you take me to my room tonight.”
Earlier at the dock I had trembled like a coward when that wench was after him, but there was no way in hell I was going to stand there dressed as a man while that exotic bar trollop invited my man to her room.
“He won’t be taking you anywhere,” I growled at her.
Eyeing me as the young man I appeared to be, Gitana said, “And why might the cabin boy care whose bed the navigator ends up in, eh?”
My boiling blood fizzed over. Just like my d
ear friend Mary had done, I pulled my shirt open, but rather than showing it all, I only pushed my cleavage together. “Because I am a woman and he his my man.”
Surveying my breasts, Gitana hummed, “Oreo Visya.”
I didn’t know what she had said, but I didn’t like it. Grabbing Sterling by his coat collar, I snarled, “The navigator belongs to me. So if you want to keep that pretty face looking pretty, I suggest you redirect your attention.”
Gitana rolled her eyes. “Vlakka.”
She winked at Sterling then went right back to dancing as if none of the conversation had taken place.
Watching her dance the way she did, my mind filled with a million curse words to spit at Sterling, but when I turned to face him, the humor in his drunken gaze snapped me out of my outrage. Flashing his sideways smile, he rumbled, “Damn, woman. I loved watching you claim me as your own. Just face me next time, as I missed the important part.”
“The important part is that my point was proven.” I smiled at my wit. “It’ll be impossible for me to play the part of a man if these wenches won’t keep their hands off you.”
“Don’t worry, love. Even dressed as a man, you’re the only woman I see.”
Relieved to know he wanted me when he could be with someone like Gitana, my buzzing body filled with a strong desire to kiss him. I suppose I could have since I made it quite apparent that I was a woman—a jealous one at that—but rather, I simply bumped Sterling with my elbow. “I believe you owe me a drink, Bentley.”
Sterling got our drinks from a male server, then we headed over to meet with our friends.
The moment we joined the group, Faron asked Sterling to keep an eye on Mary while he went to gather some new recruits. Sterling easily agreed and started chatting with Pete while I stood next to Mary. Stunned by the look of her in disguise, I rubbed her shoulder and whispered, “You are far too beautiful to be taken for a man, Mary.”
“I bet that’s what the harlot at the dock thought when I flashed her.” Mary slapped her knee.
Tarnished Persuasion (Justified Treason, Book 2): Endless Horizon Pirate Stories Page 10
