Some time passes before Demetrius comes in to fetch me. “Cap’n, ye should come before the men get to her.”
“Get to her?” Slamming me mug on the table, I hop up from me chair and follow him below deck. How did a wench stow away on me ship without notice? Most of me men are standing and looking at the woman lying on the deck. “What is going on here?”
“When we brought her on deck she started to mumble, but she has not awakened yet,” Patrick, a member of me crew, explains.
“Bring her to me quarters.” I watch as Demetrius picks her up and tosses her over his shoulder. “As for the rest of ye, all hands on deck. I want to be moving to Port Royal by sun up.”
“Aye, aye, Cap’n,” me crew calls.
The men scurry off as I lead Demetrius to me quarters. “Lay her on me bed. I will find out what be going on when she wakes.”
“Aye.” He leaves.
* * *
Captain’s Log 17th May
Me crew found a wench floating on a plank. She has yet to wake. Repairs to the ship are done and we have set sail again for Port Royal. I hope for no more interruptions on our journey. As soon as the wench awakens, I will find out how she came to be floating on the plank.
I’m sitting at me desk examining the map and the doubloon that were in the wench’s britches in secret pockets. I’m not sure how she came about this map, but I plan to find out if I have to torture her for the information I seek. Setting the items back on me desk, I walk over to look at her. She has long, curly, hair that feels like silk. Her cream colored skin is windblown and red. I have yet to see her eyes as she has not yet opened them. I feel drawn to her for reasons unknown to me. I sit in me chair close by and watch her sleep.
I hear a moan escape her lips and it stirs something in me. “Mom!” she cries.
“Shhh. Can ye open yer eyes, Lass?” I ask.
She jumps to a sitting position when she hears me voice. Her eyes look wild. They are the most beautiful shade of blue I have ever seen in me life.
“Who are you and where am I?” She looks about the room like a frightened child. Then she looks down at her clothing, pulls the blanket up under her chin, hiding herself from me, and asks, “Where are my clothes?”
“Where did ye come from, Lass?” I ask.
“Boston. Where are my clothes and who changed me?”
“We found ye on a plank in the ocean. And I changed ye. Ye were wearing strange clothing and ye were soaked to the bone. Ye could have caught yer death.”
“Who are you?”
“Me name is Cap’n William Jones and this is me ship, the Rum Runner.”
Her eyes widened. “Are you a pirate?”
“Aye.”
“Where are my things?” She looks around the room again, stopping on me desk. Springing from the bed, she rushes to me desk and snatches the map. “How dare you take this.”
“Where did ye get me map?” I demand as I stand to join her at the desk.
She looks at me stumped. “I brought these items with me. They are mine.” I notice her breathing changing and her skin turns pale.
“Are ye well?” I ask.
She shakes her head “I need a drink.” She sits on the chair.
I walk behind me desk and pour rum into a mug and take it to her. She takes it. When the liquid hits her mouth, her eyes widen and tear up as she swallows a large gulp.
“Are you trying to kill me?” She brushes at her tongue with her hand.
“What be wrong with ye, Lass?” I ask sternly, losing me patience with this wench.
“I wanted water, not rum. Where are we?”
“We be on our way to Port Royal. How did ye end up on a plank in the middle of the ocean?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Where did ye get the map and doubloon?” I snap.
“I got them from my parents’ house. Why do you think they are yours?”
I walk around me desk and open the secret drawer, pulling out me copy of the map. “This be why.” I hand the map over to her. She stands slowly then leans over me desk.
“How is this possible?” she says under her breath after examining both maps. “Did you buy it from a store or museum gift shop? I thought mine was the real deal.” She looks disappointed.
I stand next to her, breathing in her sweet flower sent. I’ve never smelled anything so wonderful in me life. She smells like a field of wild flowers. I lean in closer to her, close me eyes, and take a deep breath. As I do, I feel me erection grow.
“What are you doing?”
When I open me eyes, she’s looking at me with startled eyes.
“Excuse me.” I walk out onto the deck, closing the door behind me, and take a deep breath, forcing meself to think of things unpleasant to stop me shaft from growing more. I need to be away from her. Her scent does something to me; stirs feelings that I’ve never felt toward any wench before.
I keep me men to the code. We do not rape and pillage. But I can’t always watch them, so I must keep a close eye on her while she’s on board. I will need to keep me hands to meself if I shall honor me own code. It’s bad luck to have a wench on the ship, but I can’t leave her in the middle of the ocean.
Locating Demetrius at the helm, I ask, “Any sign of land?”
“Not yet, Cap’n. Has the wench awakened yet?”
“Aye, and does not seem to remember how she ended up in the ocean. Keep the men away from her.”
“Aye, Cap’n.” He goes off to guard the door to me quarters while I take over the helm to clear me mind, and to calm me hormones. How did she come across me map that I have drawn meself? Where did she come from? And why does she make me want her so badly?
Chapter 4
The Battle
Captain’s Log 17th May
The wench we rescued has finally awakened. She does not remember how she came to be in the ocean. I shall keep her in me quarters until we reach Port Royal, then I shall decide what’s to be done. There is something about this wench that is different from any others I have met before. I feel the need to protect her at all costs.
In me quarters, I find the wench in me bed, asleep. Most of the men have gone below deck for the night. I set a tray of food on the table before I stand over her. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever set eyes on; long slender muscular body, breasts that make ye want to use them as pillows, and lips that crave to be kissed. Her hair is as black as midnight. I’m finding it hard to keep me hands to meself while she sleeps. How will I keep to me own code? I lean over, breathing in her scent and whisper, “I brought some food.”
Her eyes flutter open, revealing those startling blue eyes. They look like the sky on a clear winter day. I lean a bit closer and give her a chaste kiss on her lips. I feel a zap, like a bolt of lightning run through me body.
I jump back from the sensation and look at her. Her brow’s knit.
“Why did you kiss me?” she whispers as she lifts her fingers to her lips.
“I’m not sure.” I straighten and shake me head. I feel pulled toward this woman. “Are ye a sea witch?”
“No! Why would you ask me that?” She bolts out of bed.
“Because I feel as if a spell has been cast on me. Ye make me want to do things that I would punish any man in me crew for doing on this ship. Come, eat.” I point to the table with the food on it. I take me seat and she joins me on the opposite side of the table. I want this woman like I have never wanted another.
“Thank you for the food. You’re not like the pirates I’ve read about in books.” She takes a roll and places it and some fruit on her plate.
An educated wench that can read, that is rare. “I’m not sure what ye mean?”
“I thought pirates raped and pillaged. No one has attempted anything other than that kiss that you gave me, although I’ve not been anywhere but your cabin. I assume there are others on the ship?” She takes a bite of her bread and stares at me with those astonishing blue eyes. I pour her a mug of rum and pass it to her t
hen take up me own to take a drink. I must distract meself from taking her here and now.
“I keep me men to the code. Women in port are easy enough to get. There is no reason to take what we can so easily get.”
“Hmm.” Looking over her mug at me she takes a sip of rum and coughs after she swallows.
“Are ye all right, Lass?”
“Cassy. My name is Cassy. May I please have some water?” she chokes out.
“The grog on board is not good to drink. Cassy, that is a beautiful name.”
“Thank you, I was named after my Grandmother. My full name is Cassandra.”
She pushes her plate aside. “I’m very tired and confused. Where may I sleep tonight? Maybe if I get a good night’s sleep, this nightmare will be just that.”
“Ye may take me bed. Might I get ye anything else, Cassy?” I’m not sure why I’m being so nice to this strange woman, but I feel that me life may depend on her safe passage. And her name rolls off me tongue as if it were made for me to say.
“No, thank you…” She hesitates. “Actually, would you mind sitting with me until I fall asleep?”
“Aye.” She lay down on her side facing me while I pour meself another drink before taking a seat at me desk.
“William, why do you think I’m here?”
“I wish I knew, Cassy.”
It doesn’t take long for Cassy to fall asleep. I find meself just watching her sleep. Watching her breasts rise and fall with every breath she takes. The longer I watch her, the harder me erection becomes. The need to have her grows with each breath she takes. I drag my hand down the side of me erection and adjust meself, trying to relieve some of the pressure.
An urgent knock at the door calls me attention away from me sleeping beauty. I adjust me cock again as I open the door and step out. “What is it?”
“Cap’n, I see a ship off the port side,” Demetrius announces.
We march to the port side where he hands me the spyglass so I can see the ship. I need to be careful what I wish for. I knew it was too quiet; it was just a matter of time before trouble would come our way.
“What would ye like to do, Cap’n?”
“All hands on deck. Have the crew take their positions. I’d rather not get into a skirmish if we can avoid it. Watch to see if they change directions and report back to me.”
He nods and heads off to give me orders. Running me hand through me hair, I look through the spyglass again. “Damn it.” Setting the spyglass down, I go to the helm and take over. We be windward tonight, which will make us slower than normal. The moon is high and bright in the sky, and the chances of us not fighting are slim to none.
“Cap’n, they have changed course and are heading this way,” Demetrius calls.
“Man the helm,” I call to me Coxswain.
I race to me quarters; I can’t have Cassy asleep during the fight. I feel as if I must protect her if it’s the last thing I do. “Lass, ye must wake up.” I nudge Cassy until she wakes completely.
“What is it?” she asks in a sexy sleepy voice.
“We are about to be under attack and ye need to be prepared.”
Her breathing hitches. “Under attack? Like with cannons and swords?” She bolts up in bed.
“I’m afraid so.” I see the terror in her eyes.
“What do I do? Where do I go?” She jumps up and begins to pace.
I take her by the shoulders and turn her to face me. Before I can say anything, me door swings open.
“Cap’n, they be gaining,” Demetrius announces.
“Prepare the cannons.” He turns and races off. “Can ye fight?” I ask Cassy, but I know her answer will be no.
“No, I’ve never been in any kind of fight. I try to stay away from confrontation.”
“I was afraid ye’d say that. Well, ye have no choice.” I squeeze her shoulders then head off to find her some appropriate clothing. Finding what I want, I shove them in her arms. “Change into these. They will be easier to fight in. I’ll do me best to keep the fight away from ye as long as I can.” Turning, I grab me pistol, and cutlass and sleeve them on me body. Grabbing me spare set, I place them on the bed. “Once yer dressed, grab the weapons and meet me on deck.”
“I don’t know how to use those, William.” I hear the terror in her voice.
I take her in me arms and kiss her roughly. That same bolt of lightning zaps through me body and I revel in the feeling. I pull away and rest me head on hers. “Hurry and change. I’ll do everything in me power to keep ye safe. Quickly.” With that I leave her, fighting me feelings to stay and keep her safe.
As I step out on the deck, I see the men preparing the ship for battle. Demetrius is at the wheel. “Run a shot across the bow!” I call out as I make me way to the wheel. I watch as we send the first cannon fire over.
* * *
When William leaves the room I just want to curl into a ball and cry. I don’t know one thing about fighting pirates. It’s one thing to read about it in a book, it’s another thing to actually participate in a sword fight. I take a deep breath and hope like hell that I don’t have an anxiety attack. I strip out of the white night dress I’m wearing and start pulling on the outfit William has given me. The brown trousers are a bit snug but they will do. The cream peasant blouse reminds me of my costume for the Renaissance Faire and the corset is made of soft brown leather with ribbing for support. Thank God it has hooks in the front to fasten it together. It’s a tight fit, like most corsets are, and it boosts my breasts up way higher than my corset for the Ren Faire does. I strap the items on that will hold the pistol and sleeve the cutlass, both of which I have no idea how to hold properly. I’m not even sure I have sleeved them the right way. Pulling on the brown leather knee high boots, I lace them and make a double knot so I don’t trip over the leather laces. I grab the long coat hoping it will add protection from not only the elements, but the battle as well.
In the corner of the room I spot a tall mirror. Stepping in front of it, I’m not sure who I’m looking at. I know it’s me but this outfit makes me look as if I’m someone else. I pull my long hair back and twist it into a long braid, tying it with the hair tie that was thankfully still on my wrist from this morning. The noise outside gets louder and, out of nowhere, the ship tilts on its side. I let out a scream as I grab for the desk to keep from falling over. Grabbing the tricorn hat, I run out the door. The last place I want to be is inside the cabin. If this ship goes down, I could get stuck and drown.
On deck, it looks as if I’m on a movie set. I see men scattering about, messing with sails and keeping the other ship’s pirates from gaining passage onto ours. I’m waiting for someone to yell “Cut!” This is too surreal. Looking frantically around the ship trying to locate William, I spot the man that came in earlier to announce the trouble and run to him. “Where’s William?” I ask with a heavy breath.
The tall, burly man at the wheel of the ship looks at me and his eyes just about pop out of his head. He’s a handsome black man with broad shoulders, a bald head, and eyes as dark as night. When he doesn’t answer, I repeat my question, snapping my fingers in his face to get his attention. “Where’s William?”
Not saying anything, he points with his chin toward the left side of the ship, where I see William with his sword out, hacking away at another pirate that has climbed on-board.
“What do I do?” I ask, because I have no clue what to do in a situation like this.
“Stay out of the way or fight. Yer choice,” he says in a deep voice, then adds under his breath, “A wench on the ship be bad luck.” We watch as a cannon ball whizzes over our head and blows through part of the ship’s sail to our right. “Fire!” he yells. Our cannon fires a shot at the main sail of the other ship and splits the main mast in two.
The ships volley cannon balls back and forth. The shots that are sent our way seem to miss their target while ours make direct hits. As their ship begins to sink, I see William stumble back. Something in me snaps and I feel the need
to protect him. I pull my cutlass from its sleeve. The weight of the cutlass feels nice in my hands. Racing to where William is, I stand in front of him and raise my cutlass to the throat of the man from the other ship. “Stop or I’ll slit your throat.” Where did that come from? I swear I’ve read too many pirate books. Well, it’s been said and I can’t show fear now.
The man laughs. “Wench, put that cutlass down and I shall take care of ye when I take over this ship.” I watch him as he looks at me lustfully. As he sweeps his eyes down to my feet and back, stopping at my breasts, he’s distracted just long enough for one of William’s men to come up behind him and slit his throat. His blood sprays across my body. His eyes swoop up to mine before they go lifeless as he crumbles to the ground. Seeing the man murdered in front of me makes me sick to my stomach, and I bolt to the side of the ship to vomit. I’ve never seen anyone killed outside of movies and TV. The blood doesn’t bother me since I see that daily at the hospital. It was the act itself that turned my stomach.
I hear a ruckus behind me as some of the crew helps William to sit down on a crate. I drag the back of my hand across my mouth and take charge as I snap out of my illness. “Don’t sit him out here. Take him to his quarters.” I lead the way, throwing the doors open. Looks as if the room that I had vacated not long ago has suffered minimal damage. Good. “Help him to the bed.” The two guys guide William to the bed and he sits down. I point to someone that’s watching from the door. “You, get me a bucket of water and some cloth. Hot water if you can.”
“Sorry, love, but I think I may need some help getting me coat off.” William winces as he tries to remove the clothing himself. “Someone pour me some rum!” I watch as one of the crew pours a healthy mug of rum and rushes it over to him. He takes the mug and pours it down his throat. “More.” After draining his second mug, his eyes are a bit glossy. “Okay, Lass, give me a hand.”
I begin to undress him, starting with his coat, which has a slice through the left arm. When I get it off, I see that the blood has soaked through his shirt. I take the tear in his shirt and rip down the middle to see a huge gash running from his strong shoulder to his elbow. I’m hoping it’s not as bad as it looks. I pull his ruined shirt the rest of the way off, revealing tight washboard abs. He is flawless except for a small tattoo of a map on his right pectoral muscle. I shake my head to clear my thoughts of lust. It’s been way too long; I really need to get laid. “How do you feel? Do you hurt anywhere else?”
Raise The Jolly Roger: Somewhere In Time Page 3
