"The Ruby Rose" (A "Black Sails" Adventure)

[aSimpleMan4U]

"And for the beautiful sunset as well, so does this mean you'd like me to stop calling you Jones?" she asked.

"I am unsure as to why I even went that direction," Richards laughed concerning the pseudonym. "It wasn't as if anyone -- even the well connected Henrietta Chavley -- was going to have known that a certain Captain Richards had ... misappropriated an Admiralty vessel before that vessel arrived in your port ... or -- after it had arrived -- that the secret of my identity would remain just that, secret, for long."

Richards told Henri that dinner was still being prepared. He offered to show her about the boat, then offered his elbow. He was pleased when she took it. Together, they began a very slow walk forward, with Richards looking west over the port side toward the distant sunset and nodding her attention that way.

"As far as the sunset goes," he continued, smirking, "That particular shade of orange was a bit difficult to locate. But the crew of the Ruby Rose is ingenious."

He smiled, then laughed, a bit embarrassed at his attempt at humor. They continued onward, ascending a ladder to the forecastle.

"She was originally christened the Elizabeth's Pride on the 100th anniversary of our beloved Queen's death," Richards began explaining as they continued slowly about the boat. He gave Henri a bit of a guilty smile, delving as shortly as possible into a century's worth of politics between the Tudors and Stuarts and the joining of Scotland and England into the United Kingdom. "Not that any of that means terribly much now, of course. She'll be known as the Ruby Rose from now on."

Each of the men stationed about the Ruby Rose removed his hat as the pair neared, showing his respect to the Captain, then to his guest. After each encounter, the man either remained where he was if he was on a scheduled watch or inconspicuously slipped away to go below to change out of his dress uniforms. Each was eager to go ashore for a night on the town with the recently distributed extra coin.

"The Ruby Rose is 67 feet in length, 72 at the waterline ... overall 112," he began, not sure if Henri was actually interested in all this but proud of the boat that he'd at first commanded and now additionally apparently owned. He listed off from memory her draft, beam, mast height, displacement, and more. Grasping one of the hundreds of lines that secured the mechanisms of the vessel's movement, then -- despite not being set -- gesturing up to the sails, Richards continued, "She's got 4,442 square feet of sheet and more than six miles of rigging.

Gesturing down to the main deck, he continued, "She was originally designed with four gun ports on each side, each with an 8 pound gun. But just short of her tenth year in service, she was refitted and the gun deck was restructured to allow an additional gun fore and aft on each side, and the cannons upgraded to 12 pounders."

Richards looked to Henri with a proud expression. "She isn't the largest of ships nor the most heavily fortified. But for her size, she's fast ... and mean."

He laughed at the last word. He finished his long short story about the craft with, "Twelve men can operated her effectively. We have a current crew of 18, though ... and, because we were in a state of conflict when we left Port Royal, we'd had a Marine detachment and additional sailors, for a total of 34."

"Captain," a man called from below. He wore a white apron that was now dirtied by flour, charcoal, and other things splattered that had splattered upon him while cooking. He nodded to Richards, then gave Henri her own nod. "Dinner is ready when you are, Captain ... Madam."

"Thank you, Mister Burrows," Richards said. After the ship's cook was gone and as he was first aiding Henri in descending to the main deck, then navigating the hall to his quarters in the aft of the ship, Richards continued, "When we departed England, a bit more than a year ago now, Mister Tormay was expecting his first child. I had urged him to resign his position and remain in London, perhaps taking a position on the Admirals staff or on one of the vessels patrolling the English shores. But his dedication to me prevented that. I promised his wife that he'd be home inside a year, either returning with the Elizabeth's Pride or one of the other vessels returning home for this reason or that."

He drew a deep, troubled breath. "I feel horrifically guilty about that now, of course. I should have insisted to the Admiral that Mister Tormay remain home. Now ... who knows when he will ever see his child ... if he ever does."

A pair of crew men flanking the doors to Richards' quarters made their respectful acknowledgments to the pair.

"We received word a month after reaching Port Royal," Richards continued after dismissing the two men, who hurried away to change for Nassau, "that his wife had died in child birth ... but that his child, a daughter, had survived and was being cared for by his wife's sister. They'd named her Ruby. Letters that followed told of her very fair skin and fiery red hair, which led to Mister Tormay beginning to refer to her as, of course, Ruby Rose."

Entering Richards' quarters, they found the table that didn't look that much different than what might have been prepared for the couple back on land. It was covered in a sparkling white linen cloth and featured utensils, platters, goblets, and heavy based candle sticks all of silver. Someone familiar with shipboard life might have guessed that, with less fanfare, it was the table around which the officers dined most nights. Someone familiar with sea battles might also have guessed that it was also the table upon which injured crew members had received medical attention.

"Please," Richards said pulling out a chair for Henri. He moved around to his own chair, calling out to the unseen head cook, "Mister Burrows, you may begin."

Rather than the cook entering though, a progression of three young sailors made their way into the room. Each carried a platter, bowl, or pitcher, offering the contents to their guest as Richards introduced them. They included a midshipman, an ensign, and a seaman, and -- as Richards joked -- were the youngest members of the crew, with the oldest being just 19 years old.

After the trio had done their particular jobs and departed, the cook entered carrying a silver platter of what he called herb charred white fish. Richards had no idea what that meant, but that didn't mean anything: the cook could have prepared leather boot sole, and it still would have been one of the most delicious meals Henri ever ate.

"Mister Burrows cooked the first meal ever served aboard the ship," Richards said, nodding his respect to the man who returned the nod. The captain chuckled, asking him, "To the best of my knowledge, he hasn't killed anyone with food poisoning to date, isn't that true, Mister Burrows?"

Burrows laughed loudly. He looked to Henri and said in a quiet voice, "To date, madam ... but that's only because they let me give God his due before each meal." He looked to Richards for permission, bowed his head, and said Grace. After that, he asked each of them if they needed anymore before nodding respectfully and departing, saying, "I'll be in the galley, Captain, should you need anything."

"You may go ashore, Mister Burrows," Richards said quickly. When the cook looked back to him, the Captain gave him a dismissive wave. "Go. Go have some fun. Though, I know how you'll use the time."

Confirming Richard's presumption, Burrows asked Henri, "If a man was in need of some spices ... salt ... would the lady have a merchant she herself would recommend?"

After he got his response, Burrows departed.

When Henri looked back to Richards, he was studying her intently. He glanced past her to the open doors of his quarters and the two men standing there. They weren't looking inside, standing at a right angle to the dining pair. But, there was nothing to keep them from listening in on every thing that was said.

"I have some things I would like to discuss with you," Richards said in a volume just barely high enough for Henri to hear. He again looked past her, hoping that she would understand that he was asking for permission to be with her ... unescorted.

 

[Perplexia]

Henri smiled and nodded politley as he took her upon the tour of his ship. Listening as he talked about her, and gave her history and size and guns and stuff that women don't really know that much about, unless of course they were a pirate. But he was very proud of it and it's ability. So she continued to listen with attentiveness and the politeness a good society required.

Dinner was announced and they went to his cabin. She found it charming that he had made such an effort to make her feel like a proper lady. He even had chaperones outside of the open door.

"This looks delicious Mr. Burrows." she said to the wonderous meal he presented her with.

When asked the question about spices and salt she smiled. "See Melba at my warehouse and tell her I said that you were free to gather whatever you'd like for my price. She'll treat you well."

"Of course" she said to Richards as he asked about speaking with her privately. Giving him permission to dismiss his men and close the door.

 

[aSimpleMan4U]

Even after Henri permitted him to relieve the men just beyond the door, Richards was hesitant. They were his men. But he knew that by morning, all of Nassau would know that Henrietta Chavley had had dinner alone with a renegade English captain in his dining room, just one more set of doors from his stateroom ... and his bed.

"Mister Hooper," he said, getting the attention of one of the escorts. He hesitated again, looking to Henri to see if there was any sort of hesitation in her eyes, then told them, "Mister Hooper, please locate Mister Tormay. Tell him I have confidential business to discuss with Madam Chavley. Please have him put one of the watches at the main door. Then ... you and Mister Elmer are relieved."

"Yes, sir!" the man said with obvious delight, mimicked by the second one.

"And...!" Richards caught him before he could get away. He looked to Henri once again, then back to the anxious sailor. "Please tell Mister Burrows that he and the stewards can go to shore as well. And ... please ... close the doors."

Hooper's lips widened in a knowing smile as he glanced to the back of Henri's head, then back to the Captain. He knew better than to say anything untoward, so he simply acknowledged Richard's orders and closed the doors. The Captain looked to his guest, asked if she needed a refill on her wine, and picked at his food for a moment. He heard the excited steps of the men he'd referred to as stewards also head forward to the ladder. The head cook knocked politely and asked if Richards was certain that he needed no one to stick around. Soon enough, after he'd secured the galley and stored the food that would keep, he, too, would make his way off the ship.

Richards engaged Henri in some chit chat about the island, the harbor, its commerce, and more. It was just polite dinner conversation. He was tiptoeing around the real reason for asking Henri here tonight. Well ... one of the reasons. The other involved them getting naked and filling the ships interior with the sounds of ecstasy. But, he doubted that was something that was going to happen tonight.

"First ... if you don't find it inappropriate ... I would be honored if you would call me Jack," Richards said with a smile. Then he got to the important topic. "I believe that I have gotten myself ... myself, my crew, and my ship ... into a predicament. I should first explain how the Ruby-- How the Elizabeth's Pride came to be here in Nassau."

He explained the troubles in which his father and uncle had found themselves back in London. They'd been using their positions to direct lucrative Admiralty contracts toward companies in which they had investments. It shouldn't have had an impact on Jack, of course: he'd been more than 4,000 miles away for nine months, plus -- because he'd joined the Navy at 12 -- he'd never been a part of his family's business. But his father had dropped Jack's name and his position as an Admiralty Captain -- exaggerating his son's importance even -- to profit even further. And the next thing Jack knew, he was being called into the Carolina governor's office to meet with a Magistrate who'd sailed from the UK specifically to retrieve the Captain.

"My men fled with the Elizabeth's Pride because they have faith in me," Jack continued. "Most of them weren't part of my crew because they wanted to be in Her Majesty's--"

He paused, then chuckled a bit. "Forgive me. I served under Queen Anne for many years. When I left England for the Colonies, she was still my sovereign. It sometimes slips by me that most recently I had been in the service of His Majesty, King George."

Again he laughed. Sipping at this wine, he joked, "Shortest job I had, if you will. I wasn't even yet used to saying His Majesty before I no longer did. Anyway ... what was I talking about ... oh yes ... my men...

"I promised my men that if they followed me, they would not come to regret it," he continued. Again he sipped from his wine. "But I fear that the amount of profit we can earn using a relatively small vessel built for war for commerce more befitting a much larger ship simply isn't going to work."

Jack looked to the table cloth for a moment, then back up. "On the other hand ... I talked to the men prior to your arrival ... and nearly half of them have told me that while they would die for me ... as a military captain or even a merchant one. But ... they will not take part in piracy. And I would never force them to do so, either."

He sipped again, drew a deep breath, then put it out there. "I would be interested in hearing some ideas about ... about a more profitable mission toward which you can point us."

 

[Perplexia]

With the crew dismissed and light dinner conversation proceeding she took the opportunity to study him closer in his own environment. He was very much at home on his ship. She liked the way his eyes danced when he talked of his crew, the way his mouth curled in almost a smile that he was trying to hide when he was thinking something but wasn't going to share it.

"I think for now I would prefer to call you Jack, only in private, and you may call me Henri." she said smiling and hoping he understood that they weren't an official couple and so technically it would be inappropriate. Also there was more then enough speculation that she wanted him buried into her like a freight train. The town would be buzzing by morning that she had been on his ship with him. The last thing she wanted to do was show favoritism because she could potentially be bent over the desk by him.

As dinner was closing and they sat drinking wine and talking he finally revealed his reason for getting her alone. Here she had hoped it would be for pleasure but ultimately being the 'Queen' of Nassau as Charles called her. She was being asked for ideas for him and his crew.

"Well Jack, I know that you have a fondness for your men, and there are those that are simply not willing to embrace the darkness that comes with piracy. But as to the most profitable, that would be it.

That being said, for those that would prefer a simpler life but one that still gives them a good income, and obviously nothing on this Island is technically legal as we deal with stolen goods..

I have opportunities available under my employment for men that like to serve and protect we have the Militia, for those that like labor the warehouse, for those with a more educational background I can always use help with inventory control.

I have use for men that can recover money owed, obviously you tried the cargo route and found it was not that profitable. Now given if you're considering piracy you are wanting to add to those you'd loose to land jobs. There can always be men found in the tavern, brothel, or down on the beach. Some are men that were injured and left behind that are looking for a new leader."

 

[aSimpleMan4U]

"I think for now I would prefer to call you Jack, only in private, and you may call me Henri."

Jack understood fully Henri's reasoning behind this. Something as little as a spoken given name could be easily perceived in a scandalous way. He couldn't help but smile a bit, thinking An island full of pirates, and I'm worrying about scandal.

As she listed off some of the legal and not-quite-legal-but-less-illegal-than-piracy positions that could be found upon the island, the names of specific men dance about in Jack's mind. Of his 18, six had, with great respect, told him that they would never partake of piracy. Ironically, most of them were hardened warriors with blood on their hands. But those fights had been against the French and/or Spanish back in Europe or against pirates in the one fight they'd had out here in the Caribbean.

"Now given if you're considering piracy you are wanting to add to those you'd loose to land jobs. There can always be men found in the tavern, brothel, or down on the beach. Some are men that were injured and left behind that are looking for a new leader."

Jack looked down at his plate for a long moment, contemplating the concept of bringing on new crew members specifically for the purpose of piracy. He hated the idea: the current crew was a well oiled machine, parts that fit together with precision. The thought of bringing on hardened pirates was also a bit frightening. He could wake up in the morning finding his ship taken over by mutineers. Or ... he could simply not wake up in the morning.

But Henri was onto something here: Jack couldn't attack and board resisting merchant ships with a crew of 12 ... if that. He spoke on the topic, "That's something to consider, though ... I'm not there quite yet."

He asked her about her dinner again, offering to refill the decanter with wine again. Whether she wanted any more or not, Jack did. He rose and went to a nearby rack of bottles, popped a cork, and returned to the table. But he hesitated before sitting down, looking to Henri with an expression of deep thought.

"Please forgive me, Mad-- Henri ... if I am delving into areas better left along, but ... your relationship with Mister LaDuke," he began with a tone of hesitation. He tiled the bottle filling his glass, then looking to Henri's. He'd like to see her finish off a couple of bottles on her own before he went farther with the conversation. "In what one of my young midshipmen likes to call sea speak ... I don't think I would be taking a long walk on a short pier to say that that relationship appears as healthy as a keel hauled mutineer, yes?"

He listened to her response, then ventured ahead like a sloop in hurricane force winds. "I find you to be a remarkable woman ... and ... while we have only just recently met ... and while we do not know one another well enough for me to be asking such a question ... I can't stop myself from wondering ... and asking ... whether, perhaps, you would do me the honor of sharing my bed with me tonight."

 

[Perplexia]

"You'll be there one day Jack, it may take time, but one day." she smiled and took another glass of wine.
"My dinner was wonderful thank you. Though you didn't have to feed me to ask about occupations." she smiled then listened as he asked about Charles.

The smile faded from her face and she drank the rest of her glass and motioned for more. "My relationship with Mr. LaDuke has been filled with lying, betrayal, and broken promises. I told you Jack, I don't like to be lied to. It was over before you arrived, and he's the type of man that believes it can never be his fault it must be someone elses. He fancies himself in love with me, but that is only because I resist his charms. You wouldn't guess by meeting him, but he can be quite charming when he's not being a jackass."

She almost spit out her wine when he questioned if she would spend the night with him. "You're absolutly right Jack, you don't know much about me. But I am a daughter of a gentleman. Despite being the head of Nassau, I do have a few morals and desires that have to be met before I will say yes. Despite how much I imagine you taking me over my desk. It will have to wait to see if you're able to provide me with what I want and desire in a man. Before you ask what that is, answering that would be cheating. I don't like cheaters either." she winked at him and finished off her wine.

Rising she smiled "I had a wonderful evening, the meal was wonderful. Perhaps if there's a next time we can do it without talk of work."

 

[aSimpleMan4U]

Jack wasn't sad to hear Henri talk about how her relationship with Charles LaDuke was dead and gone. He was, however, disappointed to hear her say she wouldn't be getting naked with him tonight. He thought he should say something to let her know that he was fine with her decision, but before he could, she stood, thanked him for dinner, and suggested that they do this again but without the shop talk.

"I insist upon it," he said with a smile and a bow. He joked, "Would breakfast at sunrise tomorrow be too soon?"



After Charles' release, the Nassau militia had reluctantly allowed the pirate and his displaced crew back onto the Raven. Charles wasn't at all surprised to find that a great deal of the ship's values and necessities had been pillaged, though whether it had been by men working for Henri or Harker, or possibly on their own, was unknown. Almost half of the powder was gone, as was all of the fresh food, rice, and wheat in the pantry. There were some weapons missing as well, and one of the three secret compartments had been discovered and emptied of the stolen loot filling it.

Surprisingly, Charles cared little about the loss. He'd ordered the Raven away from the dock and out into the bay, its anchors dropped such that its starboard side was to the Ruby Rose. He'd had men watching Jack's ship all day, just to keep up to date on what the man might be doing next. It was obvious to Charles that he could no longer pursue Jack for the bounty: he'd wriggled his way out of charges for that once on what a barrister would call technicalities, but to attempt such an act again would -- as Henri had suggested -- give him a bad reputation amongst his fellow pirates. No, chasing after Jack was no longer an option for Charles.

And Charles might have let the entire enterprise of punishing Jack fall into the deep, never to be contemplated again, if it wasn't for what happened at just past 7 bells. His Quartermaster came to him with a dour expression, saying, "Captain, you need to see this."

Charles was seething as soon as he realized that it was Henri he was seeing through the looking glass, sitting in a long boat as it headed for the Ruby Rose. He watched for the longest moment, his heart pounding with anger. He lowered the glass and looked to his guns, wondering whether his men could release a barrage upon the Ruby Rose without harming his lust interest.



On the quarterdeck of the Raven, Charles sat for almost two hours in an old rocking chair he'd stolen from the front porch of a land owner Nichols Town on the big island of Andros. He had a looking glass in his lap but didn't use it. His attention was firmly on the chair hoist on the side of the Ruby Rose, waiting desperately for Henri to once again put her beautiful, shapely ass in it.

As the jug of rum next to him emptied, his thoughts of sending a broadside of shots into the Ruby Rose increased. Once, he'd even stood and barked out an order to the number one gun to load and prepare to fire, but his Quartermaster had talked him down. Then, finally, he saw that for which he'd been praying. He stood and hurried to the bow, lifting the looking glass and focusing. He breathed a sigh of relief as he watched the men of the Ruby Rose preparing the hoist and long boat. Then, a moment later, he saw Henri move to the railing, where Jack Richards politely kissed her hand and directed the men. A couple of minutes later, Henri was on her way back toward the docks.

The Raven was a good quarter mile closer to shore than was the Ruby Rose. And with his own long boat and his own crew, Charles was not only ashore before Henri but -- using the route through the town and the entrance into the back of the tavern that they'd often used to keep their rendezvous secret -- was in her private quarters after she'd entered and moved to light a candle and bring some illumination to her bedroom.

"Henri," he said in almost a whisper. He held his hands up quickly at her reaction to the surprise visit. "Please! Don't call out. I'm not here to harm you. And I promise ... you say the word, and I will leave the way I came in ... and I will never darken your door again. I'm not here to do anything you don't want me to do."

He began toward her ever so slowly, telling her in a whisper, "I'm only here to do for you what you want me to do. Tell me, Henri ... please ... tell me what do you want me to do for you?"

If she told him to leave, he would. He would do so reluctantly. But Charles would turn and head right back out the way he'd come without another word. But ... if she didn't ... he would continue to her ... and refresh her memory on what it meant to be kissed by Charles LaDuke.

 

[Perplexia]

Henri gasped almost letting out a scream as Charles startled her. She heard what he was saying knowing that if he didn't stop she would end up spending the night fucking him like a wild animal.

"Stop" she said sternly. He stopped in his tracks. She had seen that look in his eyes so many time. That lost look : how did it get to this, where did he go wrong, why is she being so mean to him, and how could he make her stop. His way was always the same screw her till she forgave him, and then start all over again.

"Sit at the table please." she said lightly.

She waited for him to sit down before she walked the long ways around him to ensure he didn't get to reach out for her.

Sitting down she reached for his hands. Holding hands across the table she looked at him in the eyes. Her eyes were glassy and threatened to spill tears. Charles had only been the only man that had ever seen her cry.

"You and I have been on this dance a million times. I get mad at you for breaking my heart, you corner me and remind me why I always end up in your arms But it doesn't ever stop Charles." She squeezed his hands and continued to speak softly keeping his eyes locked with hers so he could see the pain in her eyes.

"You don't ever change your behavior, you react instead of accept. You get this idea in your head that I'm this precious treasure and no one else can have me because I belong to you. But I don't have the right to feel that way about you. How many times have you been with other women because you were mad at me, and instead of talking to me about it, you visit the brothel? How many times have you left me on shore while you go out to sea waiting for you to return, to come back and find out how many woman you've had when you've been gone?."

Tears fell from her eyes as she continued to speak softly to him. "You make me cry Charles. You tell me you love me, and then you go and put Nassau at risk because you 'heard' or 'think' that i'm sleeping with Jones. When before he ever arrived, I told you I was done. The day he arrived, I told you we were done. Yet some how you think it's his fault? Is it his fault that you make me cry Charles? Is it his fault you cheated on me, lied to me, betrayed me, and broke my heart?"

She shook her head keeping her voice low and calm as the tears flowed. "You ask me what I need ..what would it take.. It would take the things I would never ask of you. It would take you not being a pirate, because you thrive on the hunt and the darkness. It would take you never touching another woman, that couldn't do because it's how you release your anger and frustration. It would take you treating me like a woman, but you can't because you view me as a treasure and a trophy."

Charles knew what she was saying was the truth. He wasn't good with emotions, or expressing himself properly. But Henri knew that above everything with her he had always been a good listener when they talked like this.

"What I need for you to do Charles is to let me go. Is to let me go and wish me to be happy. Let me find someone that won't make me cry. Let me hold on to the memories of us that I will always treasure without ruining them with spitefulness and jealousy. Please Charles, the only thing I ask of you is to let me be happy with whomever I choose. Knowing that if he breaks my heart I will give you the go ahead to kill him."

 

[aSimpleMan4U]

Charles stared intently into Henri's eyes as she talked. He listened to every word. More than that, he heard every word. He understood what Henri was telling him. He didn't accept all of it. But he understood it.

"I want you to be happy," he said after a long moment of contemplation. He stood, and as he walked around the table, he told her, "If being happy means that you have to be with another man ... so be it. I'll leave ... but ... not before I get one more kiss."

Standing over her, he leaned down, took hold of her, and pressed his mouth to hers. If she let him kiss her, it was be passionate; or if she resisted, he would try once more and, if again failing, give up.

Either way, he turned and strode away for and out the door without another word...



The next morning at barely past sunrise, one of Henri's tavern workers pounded fiercely at her bedroom door until allowed inside. Sarah flapped a piece of paper at Henri in a panic, saying, "He's gone! He's gone! He took him. To sea. He took my Gabriel to sea!"

The paper the worker thrust at Henri was one of the first Wanted Alive For Trial bill the British had ever circulated specifically seeking the capture of the then-new-but-already-despised pirate, Charles "The Duke" LaDuke. Charles had been carrying this copy of the bill day in, day out since he'd taken it off the body of an Admiralty Lieutenant he'd decapitated in a Kingston tavern.

(Ironically, the heinous act had had nothing to do piracy. The British officer had raped one of Charles' favorite tavern wenches hours earlier right there in the bar before a dozen of his Admiralty shipmates. Charles had casually walked into the bar, slashed his sword through the air to neatly slice skull from body, then calmly told the others, "The first of you rapists who stands gets fed this man's cock'n'balls ... then gets his head chopped off and to be fed to the next rapist rapist to stand ... and so on and so on until every one of you rapists had lost both of his heads." The beheading and threat had been so shocking that Charles had been able to turn his back to the men and walk out casually without being pursued. Within weeks, the Wanted Alive For Trial bills floating around the Caribbean and Western Atlantic had been replaced with ten times as many Wanted Dead bills instead.)

On the backside of this particular bill in charcoal and handwriting Henri would recognize as Charles' was:

Henri,

You will always be my precious treasure. I cannot simply cease my quest to possess you anymore than I can cease my piracy ways.

I can, however, cease my quest for lesser treasures to fill the void when you are not with me. Until the day that you are finally mine, I will no longer find pleasure in other women. And as I know you will not, can not trust my word concerning this, I have invited Juno and Gabe to accompany me on the Raven to serve as witnesses to my faithfulness to you ... my one true precious treasure.​

A second person suddenly burst through the still opened door of Henri's bed chamber.

"They're gone, it's true," the heavily breathing man blurted out. He was a sergeant in Henri's militia, and he'd been the first to learn of Charles' abduction of Sarah's husband and 15 year old son, Gabriel. Hed taken a squad of militia down to the harbor, but it had been too late. "The Raven is gone. Set to sea during the night under cover of fog."

He looked to the now sobbing Sarah, stepping closer. "I'm sure they will be treated well, madam. One of LaDuke's men--"

He looked to Henri, who would understand that he meant the injured pirate that had been left behind once before to monitor the sale of Charles' loot. "This man, Crone--"

As if on cue, two militiamen brought the struggling, grimacing man to but not through the doorway of Henri's quarters. He was pleading that he was in pain ant that they were hurting him. Because of the infection that had been building in his injured leg, slowly spreading throughout his body as it built toward death, he was barely able to stand.

"Please, madam!" he cried out toward Henri. "I am only the messenger. I'm not even sure that I am still on the crew of the Raven. Please! I was only told to give you a message."

His expression shifted, as if his pain addled brain was trying to recall the words. He repeated, "My charity is forever. No! I, um ... I can't remember... my chastity is forever."

He went silent, searching his mind for the rest. He was jostled about, then punched in the face by the Sergeant. Crone groaned out again for leniency, then began again, "My chastity is forever ... these, um ... fuck, what's the word...? Oh! These guards of my faith will-- No! Guardians! Guardians of my faithfulness will stay true to you for long ... for as long ... as I wait for you ... wait for you to be my precise treasure. That's it! I promise. He made me repeat it over and over 'til I had it right."

The militia sergeant ordered the other militiamen to take the man downstairs, then turned to look first at Sarah, then at Henri.

"Forgive me, madam, I am not entirely certain about the situation," he said, treading lightly as he knew that this had to have something to do with the outrage Henri had shown LaDuke concerning their supposedly now dead relationship. "But ... if I am understanding the letter and this man's message ... it would seem as though Mister LaDuke plans on holding the two men until..."

He hesitated, searching for the words. In the end, he didn't go on. How the hell do you clarify to your female boss that two men were abducted specifically to watch over the kidnapper to ensure that he wasn't dipping his quill into another woman's ink well until said female boss allowed her own ink well to be tapped. At least, that was how he interpreted the evidence.

 

[Perplexia]

Henri didn't allow Charles to kiss her passionately, if she had she would have been lost to awaken with him in her bed again. As he tried again she turned her head so that his lips would land on her cheek. She had heard what he said, but knowing Charles he only heard what he wanted to.

After he left she drank her decantor that had started out full until she cried herself to sleep. It was always a fight to say no to Charles, he had been such a large part of her life for so long.

She awoke with a throbbing headache and pounding at her door. "For Fucks Sake what the hell is it?"

Sarah came in bubbling about her husband and song being gone and LaDuke having taken them. She then handed her his note. Henri shook her head and let out a big sigh. Following Sarah one of the Militia came in then dragged a man in to pretty much tell her what she knew.

"Sarah he will not harm them, he will probably treat them like kings. If anything young Gabriel can finally get it out of his mind that he wants to be a Pirate. When they come back, I will manage to get them released. However, for me to arrest him, you will have to testify. Charles doesn't care to be testified and will probably try to influence you to change your mind. So before you file an official complaint please think of what you wish to do with a little bit of time to calm yourself. You will be compensated for the loss of your husband and son financially. So you need not worry."

She looked at the Milita man. "I get your jist. Now would everyone please get the fuck out of my bedroom and close the door." Once they all left and she was alone she fell back on her bed gripping her head. As usual he had only heard part of what she said. At least he had conceded to let her live a somewhat normal life.

Well at least until he returned. Then this would repeat again, and again.

Her mind went to Jack. He was sure to hear of this if he hadn't already. The last thing he would want to get involved in was the drama her life presented in the form of Charles LaDuke.

At some point reluctantly she managed to rise out of bed and get dressed. She headed to her office and called for someone to fetch her breakfast and cold water.
She knew she wasn't going to be able to eat much but she had to try. She had a day full of work to accomplish.

 

[aSimpleMan4U]

Three days later:

A rumor had begun circulating through Nassau that a trio of Admiralty ships had been seen sailing together in the Bahamas. Fearing that the ships were looking after the Elizabeth's Pride, Richards ordered the ship far out into the Atlantic away from the sea lanes. They'd spent three days drilling, preparing for any and all situations from severe storms to gun battles to enemy boarding. Jack was doing all he could to deepen the already existing comradery of the crew. He was also doing all he could to keep the minds of the crew off the topic that was being spoken of in hushed tones any time two or more men were assembled without something else to keep their minds occupied.

When they returned to New Providence, they dropped anchor in South West Bay instead of Nassau. Jack feared that the warships might be hiding just over the horizon, waiting for British spies in Nassau to ascend one of the island's high points to signal them. He assembled the entire crew on the main deck to review their career options. He reminded them of the less than impressive profit from their three month commercial venture, which led to a round of disappointed grunts. He told them of Madam Chavley's generous offer to find work for those who wanted to leave the ship, which led to some contemplative looks and quiet comments, both pro and con.

"There is, of course, the other option," he said, reluctant to use the word piracy. It wasn't necessary: they all knew about what Jack was speaking. "This option ... this is not what you thought you were getting yourself into when you followed me from Carolina. I will not ask you to do this. In fact, I ask you all, each and every one of you not to do this. This will be dangerous. More so than being a simple seaman for Her-- for His Majesty's navy. And once you do this, you will be a marked man. You will never be able to return to England ... to any territory that is part of the United Kingdom ... ever!"



The process of determining who would remain aboard and who would disembark was the best Jack and Mister Tormay could conceive. They put the men in one hold, pulled them out one at a time, gave each the choice, and sent the men two different directions. Those who wished to remain went to a second hold to wait for the process to be completed; and those who wished to disembark, went to the crews quarters to retrieve their possessions, then went over the side to one of the long boat waiting to take them ashore to Adelaide Village, where they could then get a cart to Nassau (or even look for work here in New Providence's only other real town).

Jack stayed away from the process. He spent the entire time sitting in his quarters, looking out onto the sea and the western end of the island. As many scenarios as there were men in the crew went through his head. Some seemed acceptable. Others not so much so. Jack had really only two great fears: the first was that so many of the men would chose to leave the Ruby Rose that he wouldn't be able to operate with the number of men left; and the second was that every single man would decide to stay! Jack needed the men to make their decisions on what they wanted from the future, not on whether leaving would be seen as disloyalty to their Captain.

At a knock on the door, Jack stood and headed out to the quarterdeck. His heart was pounding harder than it had the first time he'd seen a naked woman or the fired a cannon at an enemy. But when he looked down, he was delightfully proud to find that 13 of his 18 crewmen were still here, looking up to their captain with that same pride. He glanced toward the island to see 4 of the 5 departing men facing him, rowing the long boat toward shore.

And that was when Jack's stomach turned over. He looked about the main deck for a specific face and didn't see it, then looked back to the departing craft. The man sitting with his back to the ship, holding the tiller to direct the longboat to the shallow water harbor ... was Mister Tormay. He was shocked, angry, disappointed ... and even relieved, all at once. Jack had been afraid that the men wouldn't have made the choice to leave out of fear of disappointing their captain. Tormay had told him they would make the right decision. Now, Jack smiled a bit as he imagined his Quartermaster beginning each conversation with an explanation that he himself was leaving.

 

[Perplexia]

Henri hadn't seen Jack since the their dinner and three days had past since then. Rumors spread quickly through Nassau, and the rumor was there was a British ship looking for the Elizabeth's Pride. Jack had thought enough to pull away and get out of sight of Nassau. It wasn't that the British didn't know that Nassau was there. They were simply to busy with wars and such to dedicate the troops it would take to seize it.

On the fourth day she received word that some men had come into town looking for jobs from The Ruby Rose. She received them in their office and gave them the employment she had promised Jack would be available. Mr. Tormay was among them. She knew that must have hurt and pleased Jack from the conversation they had. Still he was invaluable to him.

She determined with Tormay's organizational skills and loyalty he would be perfect as a new manager of he warehouse. She was sure to make the salary more then what he made in the navy.

Two more days had passed before the Ruby Rose had been sighted again. She knew from what some of his men said that they would be going the Piracy route. Smiling thoughtfully to herself she gazed out the window remembering how she had told him that he would end up choosing that option.

Other then business she didn't expect that she would see Jack. The drama following Charles latest rash decision still caused whispers. But she refused to be held responsible for his actions. Sure he had given the promise of chasity, but he was still a pirate, and he was still thinking of her as a treasure instead of a woman. She knew that he was hoping this extreme measure of meeting her wishes a partial way would be enough. But it wouldn't.

 

[aSimpleMan4U]

A couple of days ago, who really knows:

"Again."

Gabriel took his stance, hesitating as he studied his target, and thrust his sword forward, directly at the man's middle. Charles easily parried the blade with his own, spinning with the skill of a ballerina to come up to the teen's backside. As he'd been moving round the unbalanced boy, Charles had been pulling a dagger from his belt. He lifted it in a flash, pressing the bull backside to Gabriel's neck with such force that the boy cried out in fear. After a moment, Charles backed away, returned his knife to its former location, and took his own stance.

"Again!"

"Captain...?" a nearby voice asked meekly. When Charles turned to give Juno an annoyed look, the man cowered a bit before asking, "May I have a word with you? Please, sir."

Charles sent the boy off and joined his father. He knew what the issue was yet still asked, "Is there a problem, Mister Juno?"

Juno hesitated, his brain switching gears to yet another issue he had with the Raven's captain. Juno and his family had been surrendered to Madam Chavley by a New Providence land owner who hadn't been able to pay his debts. When the Queen of Nassau subsequently released Juno from his bonds of slavery, he shed his former master's surname. And yet now, 6 years later, he still hadn't chosen a new surname for his family. So, since their first day of their new form of captivity, the Captain had taken to using Juno's given name as his new surname. Juno didn't know how to feel about that. Of course, he had so many other things about which to feel right now.

"As I said before, Captain," Juno began with a tentative, almost fearful tone, "With all due respect, Captain ... I am ... unhappy about you training my son to be a pirate."

Charles laughed loudly, turning to retrieve a flagon of ale. It was so weak in alcohol that it was little more than water, which -- of course -- was the pirates had turned to drinking it after they'd begun running low of fresh water. The Raven hadn't been in port or dropped anchor since they'd left Nassau. They'd spied a merchant ship riding low in the water and had given chase, only to lose it in a thick fog. Charles hoped that the heavy ship would be a pirate's wet dream, and yet -- after spotting it twice more only to again have Mother Nature crap on them -- they were still sailing about with their cargo hold empty.

"I'm not training your son to be a pirate," Charles told the former slave. "I'm training him to protect himself. "I find it disturbing ... and a bit negligent on your part, Mister Juno ... that you have not already taught your son to use a blade."

"My son is a blacksmith's apprentice," Juno responded, still as respectful as possible. They had been treated well during their captivity. But Juno had heard horrific stories about this particular pirate, and if only half of them were true, he was certain that he and his son would never see his wife again. He finished, "My son has no need to know how to kill a man with a sword ... Captain."

Charles waved Juno away dismissively and turned to look out upon the sea. He had more things about which to be concerned. The men had been quietly talking about engaging the Quartermaster in performing one of his primary duties aboard a pirate ship: hold a vote. Many of the men thought that the chase for this ghost ship was a waste of time. They were very near the coast of Puerto Rico, and there were plenty more ships sailing these seas to be set upon.

"Why am I here, Captain?" Juno asked softly. When Charles looked to him, the man clarified, "I understand that I am here to..."

He hesitated, shaking his head at the absurdity of what he was about to say. Tentatively, he repeated what had been explained to him by Charles, "I am here to keep you from ... being with women. From being in the bed of women. I am to be ... what is word ... chaperone?"

Charles only stared at the man with an confirming expression.

"You do this to prove your...?"

"Fidelity," Charles finished when Juno couldn't find the word, using that word in place of the one he'd used with Henri, chastity.

Juno's face filled with confusion. He asked with great hesitation, "But ... how do I ... prove your fidelity ... is no women...?"

He looked about the boat's decks at the pirates doing their work, then looked back to Charles. He shrugged, unsure if he should say any more.

"Good point," Charles said, more to himself than to the man who had pointed out the obvious. Truthfully, part of the reason Charles had insisted on chasing the ghost ship was to keep them out of port. He hadn't honestly convinced himself that he could remain faithful to Henri, regardless of whether it matter to her or not. He turned toward the helmsman and whistled loudly. When the man looked his way, Charles called out, "Set course for La Romana. Full sail."

The Helmsman smiled, repeated the order, and began turning the wheel. Charles looked about the decks and found most of the men reacting with some level of joy. He looked to Juno, saying, "Grab a sword, Mister Juno. Time to teach you to be a pirate I think."



Today:

Jack knocked lightly on the open door of Henri's office, waiting for her to invite him in. She looked incredible, though maybe that was just because the wanna-be-pirate had been fantasizing endlessly about her for more than a week now. No. That wasn't it: Henri was simply ravishing. He let his eyes take a walk over her current clothing and wondered whether she'd had some sort of event or had dressed for him specifically.

"May I?" he asked, indicating with a gesture that he wished to close the door. He'd noticed that there was almost always at least one man -- presumably Nassau militia -- sitting at a table at the end of the hall, giving him (or them) a view of the entrance to Henri's office. He closed it regardless of whether or not Henri gave him permission, saying, "I have business I would prefer was not heard by others."

Jack moved closer. He'd asked for a meeting to talk shop, but as it had to do with piracy he's sent the request without specifics. And yet while he was here for business, he couldn't help but ogle her with a very unprofessional hunger as he neared her. He hadn't been able to forget his evening on the Ruby Rose with the beauty a week earlier. It had been a wonderful evening, capped off by a wonderful disappointment: even though Henri had turned down the invitation to join him in his bed, Jack only remembered that she hadn't cursed him and told him to leap into the sea with pockets full of heavy coin.

They chatted for a moment, with him inquiring vaguely about whether or not Nassau had had some European visitors. He claimed that they'd needed to do some training, as well as decide their future; but Jack knew that Henri knew he'd left to avoid any complications with her being accused of harboring an English mutineer.

"My men are ready," he said, finally ready to broach one of the two topics that had brought him here. "I recall your terms. If they still stand...?"

Jack listened to her response, then followed up with inquiries about what targets might be available to him. He was conflicted about raiding British vessels: he was, of course, still an Englishman, yet it was England that was the reason he was not about to become a pirate.

"Tell me again what the Louisa is carrying," he asked about the Spanish merchant vessel that was currently in port and preparing to leave for Florida. He smiled knowingly.

 

[Perplexia]

Henri smiled as she looked up to the knock and saw Jack. "Please" she said at his hope of shutting the door. She watched as he came and sat and she got up and got the decanter with cups for them and poured them each a drink.

"What brings you to my office today?" she questioned. Alas his response was business as she suspected it might be. Nodding she sat back in her chair and listened. "yes I believe there's a merchant ship from Spain in our port to purchase supplies, and perhaps one from France heading up to New Canada."

He had mentioned his men needing training, but they both knew he left because there were British searching for his ship. "My terms do still stand." she said tapping her finger on her desk.

When he asked what the Spanish were hauling she smiled widely. "Wanting to be a bit ambitious are we for our first outing. No worries. 80/20 and of course anything you want to unload will be bought if its on our lists." She pulled out a list of items and handed it to him. "I'm sure you'll not find an item they're carrying we wouldn't want." she smiled and leaned forward.

"But specifically.." she smiled widely.

"They are said to have 2 chests of gold & silver, spices that mr. Burlow would love, and silks. If you are to do this endeavor i implore you to have have plenty of ropes for securing them. One loose chest of those weights could put a hole in your ship. In the event that you need an extra man that speaks their language, you will find Mr. Sanchez at my warehouse. He doesn't like to pirate full time. But he gets the itch every now and then."

Sitting back up she took a drink and looked at him admiring his features then glanced at the desk and almost blushed. "Was there anything else I can help with Jack?" she questioned.

 

[aSimpleMan4U]

"Wanting to be a bit ambitious are we for our first outing," Henri responded to Jack's choice of the Spanish ship.

He didn't understand what she meant by that until she told him about the two chests that were part of the cargo. All merchant ships carried gold and/or silver, either in coin, ingot, or brick form. They had to pay their crews, buy their supplies and cargo, and sometimes bribe port officials to get a timely and convenient place at the docks. But two chests? Even if they were small, like the one in which the Elizabeth's Pride had carried its own treasury -- mostly silver and copper -- that was still a small fortune.

Henri told him about Mr. Sanchez. Jack responded, "I would be honored by his participation, pirate or not. Please extend my invitation to him ... and be sure to tell him he will get a share equal to that of one of my regular crew."

He contemplated a moment, then admitted, "I could use perhaps six ... maybe even eight additional men ... if you could name some men in whom you have absolutely trust."

Jack was concerned first about having lost 5 of his own men, including -- most devastatingly -- his First Mate, Mister Tormay. After Henri had responded to his question, he asked, "And my men ... those who decided to stay ashore. You were able to find suitable employment for them?"

Henri answered, and Jack thanked her. "They will be sorely missed. And I can assure you, you couldn't find a better man in your warehouse than Mister Tormay."

"Was there anything else I can help with Jack?"

He didn't respond immediately. He'd let his eyes drop to her delicious form once again, and her question didn't immediately get through to his fantasy filled brain. He smiled, embarrassed a bit.

"I very much enjoyed our dinner," he said simply. "If you have no plans for this evening..."

He left the invitation hanging...

 

[Perplexia]

"I don't participate in the pairing of men personally" she said referring to Mr. Sanchez. "But he's working today till six if you wish to address him." she thought for a moment about the suggestion of other men. "Telby he sailed with Captain Horn for a bit but said he didn't like his desire to slay everyone., Jenkins, was a first mate and was injured, he's healed now and looking, Peterson, drunk only when off the ship, McCalister, good at following orders, and Johnson are a few i would recommend. I'm sure they could each recommend someone as well." she said hoping that helped.

She laughed a little. "Oh Yes Mr. Tormay has reorganized the entire system and is aware if a pea is out of place. Very happy to have him."

She looked up at him with a small smile. "Are you sure Jack?" she questioned given her most recent drama with Charles. Knowing he must have heard about it.
"If you're sure i won't say no to another dinner."

 

[aSimpleMan4U]

"Are you sure Jack?" she questioned given her most recent drama with Charles. Knowing he must have heard about it. "If you're sure, I won't say no to another dinner."

In truth, Jack hadn't yet heard. They'd situated the Ruby Rose at what was becoming their regular anchorage and spent a few hours securing the ship, then arranged the watch schedule for the next 48 hours. Jack had no First Mate yet -- a position voted on by the men -- so he'd put his Second Mate in charge of the ship while he himself wasn't aboard.

"I would be honored ... Henri," he said, using her given name as they had agreed to do in private. They made arrangements -- this time on land at the location of her choosing -- and Jack stood to go. "I would like to spend a little time in town ... learning a bit more about the Louisa."

They made their farewells, and Jack went about his new business. He returned to the Ruby Rose, picked out four men he could trust the most, and gave them instructions to go to town and poke around about their Spanish target. Henri had pointed Jack to the taverns more often frequented by the crews of Spanish vessels. And he'd made a visit to Mister Sanchez, who'd been more then excited to participate when he learned that he'd earn a full share of the loot.

Jack, the four spies, Sanchez, and Mister Ortega -- another of Sanchez's Spanish speaking associates -- spent the evening in close proximity to various Louisa crew members. The Ruby Rose's English speaking crew members chatted up the Spanish: the language barrier made conversation difficult and, at some times, hilarious. But that was all part of the plan, of course, because all the while that the English were unable to decipher the Spanish, Sanchez and Ortega were inconspicuously listening to every word from nearby tables.

By the time the last of the men returned to the Ruby Rose just before sunup, they had considerably more information than that for which Jack could have hoped. They knew the departure time of the Louisa: sunrise day after next. They knew the destination: St Augustine, on the west coast of North Florida. And -- while no one spoke specifically about it -- they knew why the ship was carrying so much gold and silver: a large contingent of soldiers that had been secretly shipped into St Augustine to bolster its defenses had become increasingly discontent when the treasury ran out, and the Louisa was carrying the back and future pay of the contingent in the hopes of averting a mutiny.

Jack had ended his part of the surveillance in time to meet Henri. It was late, almost 2200 hours. But Jack had needed to partake in the spying. And besides, the closer to bedtime their date ended ... well...

 

[Perplexia]

Henri agreed being under the assumption that Jack would have heard about her Drama with Charles. She had made arrangements to meet Jack at an isolated cabin SE of the town. It was an area rarely visited, she brought with her desert and made her way there around 22:05. "I hope I haven't kept you long." she said greeting him and handing him the desert.

Entering the cabin their meal was waiting for them on the table with candles everywhere. It appeared very romantic. She wondered if Jack thought he would get lucky. An image flashed in her mind of him taking her over the table. What was it with these thoughts of him bending her over stuff she mused.

As he pulled out her chair she took a seat and watched him sit. "Jack" she said lightly. "You have heard of LaDukes latest escapades have you not? I was sure if you had that this dinner would not be taking place."

After hearing he had not she went about to tell him the story of how he had been waiting for her in her room when she returned from their dinner. How he had agreed to let her go, and conceed to her having relations with other men. She also revealed details of the conversation, how she told him what she needed and he could never provide. However the next morning how she was woken to hear he had kidnapped two citizens to provide him with proof that he had remain chaste to her. "I don't think that he'll ever give up this."

 

[aSimpleMan4U]

"I hope I haven't kept you long."

"You could have kept me as long as you wanted," Jack said suggestively, flashing her a wide smile as he opened the door. Entering the door, they were both hit with the incredible smell of a lamb dinner. There was a full spread already on the table, with all the trimmings and -- beyond the table near the far wall -- the Ruby Rose's Head Cook waiting his two diners. "Incredible, Mister Burrows."

Jack helped Henri into one of the two chairs at the table, which was decorated with much of the same features that had decorated the ship's table. But there were also some decorations made of flowers and plants from the woods about the cabin.

"You've outdone yourself once again," Jack complimented the man. As he moved around to his own seat, he glanced between the two. He wanted to be alone with Henri again as they had been on the Ruby Rose, so he asked, "Mister Burrows, perhaps you could take a walk."

He quickly looked to his guest, asking with a smirk, "Unless Madam would prefer a chaperone."

After she'd given her answer, Henri explained about the situation with Charles. Jack feigned ignorance, despite having learned of the episode after he'd left the tavern this morning.

"I don't think that he'll ever give up this."

"He will," Jack said, hoping it was the answer for which his lust-interest was looking. "Please, don't get me wrong. From what I witnessed in your office, I am sure that Captain LaDuke's love for you is true. But, also from what I witnessed, I conclude that the Captain is an intelligent man. He will eventually come to understand that your relationship is ended. It will be hard. But ... he will move on."

Jack was being sincere as he spoke. Most men did finally give up on the chase when they realized that the prey was simply uncatchable. But beyond that, he hoped deeply that Charles would stay the fuck away from Henri because -- obviously -- Jack wanted her for himself.

"I do wonder, though," he said as he topped off their wine glasses again. "If one of the issues standing between you and Charles ... is his career ... do I need to contemplate cancelling my endeavor concerning the Louisa ... seeing how I am hoping to one day soon become your lover?"

 

[Perplexia]

Henri smiled "I hope you're right" she said about Charles. "As for the piracy, it's not really about that. I mean without them my income would be a lot lower. But it's about the pleasure he takes in ending a mans life. How his darkness consumes him, it makes him rash and unpredictable. I have seen him discard one of his men for disagreeing with him, and the only reason he didn't stab him was because I was there."

She shook her head. "So no Jack, If a relationship with me is something you were seeking. I wouldn't say no because you were a pirate. But what I would say is that I have conditions to such an endeavor. One is when you bed me i will be the only woman you bed. Two i expect the same romance that you've shown you're capable of. Three our work relationship is completely separate, there are no special discounts or favors just because you thrust between my thighs on a regular basis."

Picking up her fork she dipped it into her meal and took a bite. "this is delicious"

 

[aSimpleMan4U]

As Henri talked about Charles' history, Jack began to wonder whether or not the stories he'd heard of The Duke's reputation were true. Was he indeed the barbarous, brutal pirate all said he was? He wasn't as bad as all that, but Jack couldn't know. In fact, Henri's own assessment of Charles was wrong, but she didn't know that either.

Also in fact, if Charles had understood that part of the problem was his reputation with his dagger and not his dick, he would have straightened Henri out. But they'd never been known for their talking. Fucking was where they'd spent most of their energy. Charles had always found things to do with his mouth that Henri enjoyed more than listening to him speak about his job.

Ironic.

Henri laid out the prerequisites for Jack using his mouth in the way that Charles had: monogamy, romance, and a separation of work and play. By the time she got to the phrase thrust between my thighs on a regular basis the soon-to-be-pirate was already hard as a rock down below. He once again topped off their wine glasses as he simply studied Henri for a long moment.

"The Ruby Rose will be leaving port in the morn', at 8 bells," he told her as he stood to begin walking slowly toward the door. He calculated quietly: 11pm now, give or take; leaving port at 8am; hour to get from here to the docks to the ship; perhaps 6 hours sleep; all of which left two hours free to fuck Henri to their hearts' content. "It's getting late, so ... I should either ask Mister Burrows to escort you back home in the wagon he borrowed ... or ... I should send him back to the ship to get some rest for the voyage."

He opened the door and found the bright red cherry of the cook's cigarette glowing in the darkness nearby. He called to the man, who immediately began walking their way. Then Jack turned to Henri and asked quietly, "What order would you prefer I give to my man ... m'lady?"

 

[Perplexia]

"That depends Jack" she said lightly. "Whether you in agreement with my terms or not?"
Standing up she put her foot on the chair and bent over to retie her boot. "For future reference however, if you do agree, I don't like to be asked, i just like to be taken. I answer questions all day. So for that instance i give you permission to just do as you will when you will."

She smiled sweetly at him and awaited his decision.

 

[aSimpleMan4U]

Jack's lips spread in a smile as well. Mister Burrows reached the door and simply waited quietly as his captain studied the woman who ass was now more noticeably on display as she leaned to deal with her boot.

"You're dismissed for the evening, Mister Burrows," Jack said without taking his eyes off Henri. "The the Deck Officer that shore leave is canceled. Have the Master of Arms and his Marines round up those crew members still ashore and bring them back to the ship. And no more rum."

"Yes, Captain," Burrows said. He made no movement toward following those orders, though, and when after realizing this Jack looked to him, Burrows glanced toward Henri and said softly, "I hope all you eat tonight ... I mean ... ate tonight ... is -- was -- satisfying, Captain."

Jack turned to face the man directly and was about to chastise him for his inappropriate and subordinate suggestion ... but then couldn't as he found himself stifling a chuckle at the man's very sharp and quick wit.

"Any other man would be whipped for speaking to me like that, Mister Burrows," Jack said low, hoping Henri didn't pick up on what was happening.

"But you like my rum tarts and sugar glazed ham too much, Captain," Burrows responded in a whisper, removing his hat and making a bit of an over exaggerated bow as he finished, "Enjoy your evening, Captain." He looked past Jack and said louder, "Was nice to see you again, Madam Chavley."

A moment later the gently chuckling man was disappearing into the night. Jack waited until he heard the wagon heading away before he closed the door and walked toward Henri with a determined pace. He moved right up to her -- against her -- taking her body into one arm as the other cupped the back of her head.

And he kissed her deeply, passionately, and without doubt as to what he wanted from her.

 

[Perplexia]

Henri finished with her boot and stood up as he turned again to face Burrows.
She amusingly listened to their exchange and responded to Burrows statement. "Thank you Burrows it was delicious"

With the door closed it was a mere moment before he was pressed against her and kissing her with such a fire she would have never thought him capable of. The man knew how to kiss. She responded to his kiss with just as much passion and desire. Glad that even through everything he chose to be be with her.

Breaking the kiss for a mere moment she looked up to him and said "I've been waiting for that kiss since the moment I first met you" Then her lips were back on his as her tongue delved into his mouth to dance as her hands began to undo his pants.

 

[aSimpleMan4U]

"I've been waiting for that kiss since the moment I first met you"

Jack might have responded with the same had it not been for two things: first, Henri's mouth was almost immediately back upon his as the passion continued; and second, it would have seemed so disingenuous to him ... because any man who had ever laid eyes upon Henri had thought that very same thing, so to repeat it back to her would have seemed like only confirming the given.

As soon as Henri began working at his belt, Jack's hands moved to Henri's back and began working on the strings. Or, at least, they tried to. This wasn't his first time undressing a woman, yet he still found himself fumbling in his attempt to find the bow holding the bosom of her beautiful gown in place, and once he'd done that he found it impossible to work it loose.

His pants fell from his hips slipping down to mid-thigh before Jack had even began to loosen Henri's dress. He spun her around, toward the table, and began feverishly working at the crisscrossed puzzle. But he was getting anxious, and Jack wanted inside her. He grasped lower at her dress with the intent of simply lifting it up to her waist and doing her right here, right now.

The romance Jack had promised her was being quickly overwhelmed by the lust his fully hardened cock demanded...