From the Sea (closed)

[Lie_in_Truth]

They had finally run their last trap. The bounty from the British ship was so vast, she even got more than she had hoped when the treasures were split among her crew and herself. Now, it was time to end it.

Standing on the bow, she watched her men at work, keeping a firm grip on her sword, showing her authority. Her short, ebony hair flicked in the wind, held away from her face with a tight band. The loose, cotton shirt and leggings looked no different from the other sailors', save the ties on her blouse were closed even on the hot day and the quality of the fabric was better. Sharp, green eyes roved the deck and sails to make sure everything was running properly.

From far away, it would seem that nothing was amiss. But today was different for her. Today was the day she gathered her riches and belongings and left the ship, her home, for good. Her leadership position would be given down to her second in command, her most loyal sailor.

In a few moments, they would pull into port, and she, with her hidden baggage already set to go, would leave all she had known behind. So, with her head held high, she took in everything, preparing herself to depart to a world she had never known, to instigate herself into society. All was ready, and she would not back down. It was time to take the right path.

The shore came all too soon, and she went slowly down from the deck to land. Within minutes, a carriage was hailed and her luggage stowed above. To make traveling easier, she had donned a coat and scarf, pretending to be a man as she had done before on numerous occassions.

As she turned to give her ship one last look, all her men lined up to say farewell, shaking her hand and wishing her luck on her journey. She had been a tough captain, but they would miss her. The words made the ache in her chest lessen as she only nodded and climbed into the carriage. Waving out the window, she forced her body to remain forward, willing herself away from the only life she had ever known...the sea.

~~~~~

The land was beautiful. With her bounty, she had purchased the title of 'Duchess' and owned a practical mountain of green grasses, stretching far into the distance. It even held barns for horses and housed a few cattle for her use. Over all, it was a very pleasant place.

She had already sized up the estate, her research done. Her accounts were in order and set perfectly in her grand new desk within the study. She had even furnished her own room perfectly to her liking.

But, now came the hard part. To win the heart of 'Society.' Now, she had to learn to become a lady, to dress as a woman, and to put down her sword in place of needle and thread....fat chance of that.

Earlier, she had placed an add for a teacher in the papers, searched out governesses. But, all of them were female! And, yes, she was female as well, but living with sailors for so long, she was certain she would offend even the sternest sensibilities. So, all she could do was wait.

Hopefully, her teacher would come a'knockin' soon, because she had no clue as to what to do next.

 

[chevymn]

The nobleman came to the estate. "How could it have come down to this?", he thought to himself. Wasn't he Count Rathbone? Didn't he dine at the King's right hand? He sighed as he approached the door. Wine, and women, yes, that was his downfall. He enjoyed the drink, but not nearly as much as he had enjoyed the women. Scores of them, sometimes 4 or 5 a night all lined up outside his bedroom. He straighted himself and walked with a powerful gait. He had given away way too many bullions to skanks that didn't deserve a second glance. From now on, he would concentrate on one thing-reclaiming his status. He looked at the massive estate. How could someone who had no social class afford anything like this? Probably some old hag who got the money from a husband and now had to learn her way in the world. No matter-money was money. He knocked on the door.

 

[Lie_in_Truth]

Oh, hell... I forgot a door man. But, at least, I have a cook! Thinking fast, she donned her best pirate gear. Shining knee-high boots, fashionable black leggings that accentuated her legs, and a ruffled shirt, covered with a blood-red vest that smushed her breasts down completed her apparell. For her finishing touch, she added her scarves, hoping that he would think her an excentric lord if anything else.

She ran to the door, slid into the hallway, and took a deep breath before approaching. As she opened the door, she leaned imposingly on the doorframe.

"What's yer service?" Inwardly, she winced at her slang, knowing he would see straight through her voice to her pirate nature. But, thankfully, he didn't know she was a girl yet. That gave her time to convince whoever it was that she was the 'man in charge.'

 

[chevymn]

"What's yer service?" By God in heaven, this person was totally daft. He had his work cut out for him, he saw. First and foremost, he had to get him out of that silly costume.
"My service?" he said with authority he had not found in a long time. "My good fellow, I am Count Rathbone. I have taken upon a mission from my king to educate the lower class in our ways as a way of reaching out to the..." he paused looking for the right words "less fortunate of our empire." I will be spending the next week here with you showing you how the nobles conduct themselves." He stepped into the massive foyer. "First of all, sir " he used the word with a bit of sarcasm, hoping to get the daft man's attention. "You need to have someone answer your door for you." He dropped his bags on the floor and looked at his new student.

 

[Lie_in_Truth]

"First of all, sir," she returned, mimicking his tone, "I'm not daft. And, since I'm yer employer, I 'spect to be treated with respect. Oi've got plenty of other men out there willin' to help. Oi could kick you oit right now!"

She glared at him, her hands immediately going to her hips in her 'I'm the Captain' pose she had perfected so many years ago. "And Oim jus' gettin' in here. Me staff is'na full yet."

And, from the looks of things, neither was her home. Her office and her room were the only things furnished. The rest was stripped to the bare minimum.

 

[chevymn]

This person had a knack of getting right down to the point. He got a small smile on his face. There was some hope for this lackey yet. "Fair enough. First, we need to have you talk like a noble. You are acting like some narfarious pirate." He sighed as he looked around the estate. "My my," he said, shaking his head. "You need to have a proper reception area. First impressions, my good sir, are most important."The first one I have on you certainly wasn't very fond he thought as he removed his overcoat. He handed it to the gentleman still with his hands on his hips.

 

[Lie_in_Truth]

She, in turn, dropped the jacket onto the table. If he wasn't as good as his word, she would surely kill him for his arrogance. Kicking back her foot, she shut the door, arms crossed over her chest.

"None've the rooms er set up yet. There's only one extra room wit' a bed, so you'll make do on that until Oi get more settin's. Get yer bags an' come this way."

With a little huff, she led him up a flight of stairs, down a hall, and stopped close to her own quarters, opening up a small, recently aired room. "This'll be it fer now. Set yer things up an' meet me down so we c'n get the roit settin's for me house. THEN, we'll start lessons."

With that, she marched back down the stairs to wait.

 

[chevymn]

In another life, this looney would be emptying his Lord's bedpans for a year. He could not believe the crassness, the roughness, and the pure lewdness of this creature. He sighed as he laid his clothes out. He thought back to his manor. How he would wake up in the fresh morning light. Most times with a woman (or 2) in his arms. He would get up and dress in his riding clothes and ride Thunder for an hour, getting both of them in a good sweat. He would then go back to his quarters, have one of his housemaids bathe him, then maybe go into the city proper for tea and politcing with his chaps. Well, he thought, this was the first step in a million kilometer journey and all that nonsense. As he walked out back into the drab surroundings, he saw that his charge's door was open slightly. Even though he was of noble blood, he was still curious. He peeked in slightly. Maybe a glance into this person's private quarters could give him an idea of where to st-What? NO. Impossible. That was not a corset hanging on the bedpost? He blinked twice and decided he had better get a move on.

 

[Lie_in_Truth]

She sighed and tapped her foot. Englishmen took too long. As soon as they got back from their shopping expidition, she'd make sure he was loyal before revealing she was a woman. Hopefully, this would not be so bad...if she could endure his arrogance.

As she saw him come down the steps, she moved forward, her coat draped elegantly over her shoulders. It fit very well to her form, showing off the slenderness of her shoulders and neck, and a little of the tautness of her built muscles from years of pirating.

"Take me to the best places. Oi want this place to look grand. I's been cleaned oit well before Oi moved in. Now, Oi just need staff. So, le's go."

With that, she led them out, back to her carriage, and trusted him to tell her driver where to go.

 

[chevymn]

Well this person definately had the confidence of a noble. Now if he could just work on that language. He got in the carriage next to his new student.
He decided the lessons started now.

"One thing you need to realize, and that is that I am the teacher, you are the student. You might be footing the bill, but you shall respect those whose station in life is higher than yours."

He couldn't stop looking at the neck. He had met people in all walks of life before, rich, poor, kings and paupers. But never before had he met a man with such a smooth neck.

"From now on, you will address me as 'Count' or 'Sir'." There, that should put this ruffian in his place. "Now, I will take you to Kengsitons. They have the finest furniture this side of the coast."

He ordered the driver on and sat back in his seat, satisified. He hadn't lost his old gusto. He would break this person down so he could make a proper gentleman of him.

 

[Lie_in_Truth]

She snorted at him. "The best you'll get is 'Teacher.' Yer station means not a'wit to me. Besides, some'un like you shouldn' be teachin' in the first place, if yer so high an' mighty."

Crossing her legs in the 'manly' fashion, she leaned back comfortably. "Oi hope yer good at yer job, Teacher, cus I'm gonna need all the help Oi can get."

They came to Kengistons soon enough, and she hoped out without reserve. "Let's do this together so's Oi can make sure Oi loik yer picks. Make it go faster."

 

[chevymn]

He sighed as he stepped from the coach. This would be much worse than he thought. His student has spent WAY too much times in the pub listening to those horrible pirates. All he needed was an eyepatch and the Jolly Roger on his hat. He walked into Kenginstons.

"Well hello, Alfred." he said with a big smile and arms opened. Alfred Hayes, the owner of the store came to Count Rathbone and quickly knelt.

"Hello, my lord. Such a pleasure to see you after all this time."

"Well, I never forget such fine service." he said as he lead his student around the showroom. "My...friend...here just moved into the countryside and needs proper furnishings to get started."

Alfred put on his best boot kissing smile and took in the sight. "And what are we in the market for particularly...um...your name please"

 

[Lie_in_Truth]

Oh, hell.... Didn't think about that. "Call me Lord Salvidore," she said in her best immitation of Count Rathbone's tone and diction. Honestly, her voice was exceptionally close, though it sounded a bit more high pitch, almost feminine.

With a nod to Count Rathbone, she hoped he would understand her want of him to be the medium. It would not do for people to hear her before she had been given the proper instruction of voice.

 

[chevymn]

Not bad he thought. Salvidore had gotten rid of that stupid pirate accent and actually talked like a person. He nodded to his student, there was hope after all.

They spent the next two hours picking out furniture and he had decided that this Salvidore had good taste. After receiving the promise that all would be delivered in one week, they got back into the carriage.

"I must say, Salvidore, I am highly impressed. You seem to have a good knowledge of foreign tastes. Almost like you have been there."

What was it about Salvidore's walk? There was almost a...feminie quality. And the smile. The way the lips turned. The eyes, there was almost a light...Wait a minute, he thought. I have been without women too long. I am dreaming. Back to the estate, Lord?"

 

[Lie_in_Truth]

"Oi have." She looked away, out the window for a moment. After a pause, she looks back at him. "If you could give me an....estimate, how much toime would it take yer to teach me all I need ter know?"

Her green eyes were intense, and trained on him like a hawk to prey. This would be the telling of the whole situation. If he backed out after what she planned to ask, and bargain for, she would once again be on her own.

 

[chevymn]

He replied. "Lord, I do not leave anything unfinished. I will not leave thee until my work here is done. However long that might take." His blue eyes met Salvidore's green ones. What was it about those eyes?

 

[Lie_in_Truth]

She stared at him for a moment, ensuring his honesty. "Then we've got thing t'clear up when we get back to the manor. Oi've paid half already for the comp'ny yer in. Oi'll pay the rest when it's over. So, Oi'll need yer trust and honesty. Can yeh give me that, Teacher?"

With her arms crossed and posture straight, her questions brooked no room for argument. This was a deal. And from the look of things, if he took it and went back on his word, she was ready to cut him through.

 

[chevymn]

"It is a deal, Lord." He was taken aback somewhat. Doesn't everyone know that a Count's word was his bond. For someone who seemed to be able to get plenty of other men.. he seemed...desparate. He must know more about this strange person. Something must have happened to him to make him offer a harsh exterior. He was very good at reading people. He could tell when someone was lying to him. He knew that not one word Lord Salvidore said was a lie. However, there was something he was hiding. Count Rathbone offered his hand.

 

[Lie_in_Truth]

When her hand closed around his, her grip was firm, her palms calloused, just as any other man's. She shook with resolve. With a nod, she let go.

As they pulled in front of the manor, she got out quickly. "Come inside, Teacher. There's someth'n I need ta tell yeh." More like shock, really...

Waving off the carriage to the barn, she stepped inside, removing her coat. This was going to be tough. She just hoped the Count was a man of honor when it came to women. Or....her type of woman.

 

[chevymn]

The count was confused. What on earth could be so important? He saw him shaking in the carriage. As he walked into the reception area, he saw him looking out the window in the direction of the sea. He seemed to be in a far away place. "Um...my lord?" he said with a little hesitancy in his voice."Are you all right?"

 

[Lie_in_Truth]

Stealing her eyes from the window, she took a deep breath. She straightened out, pulling on the sleeves of her shirt, rearranging her vest. With one more look at herself, she took her stance of 'I'm the Captain' once again.

"Oi hoired you teh teach me to be a lady, Count. Yeh see, Oi'm a gel." She blushed a little, but remained stern-faced. "And Oi want to walk the roight path, yeh see? But, teh do tha', Oi need help. Oi know 'ow teh read and wroit, 'ow teh count, but.... Oi don't know 'ow to be a lady. Can yeh teach me tha', Count? Or are yeh goin' teh walk out now?"

 

[chevymn]

A what? Did he say a lady? The count laughed heartily. "My good sir. You threw me for a good loop. I appreciate a good joke like the next man. You got me good."He clasped Salivdore on the shoulder. "This is just a ploy to rope me in right?" he said as the smile faltered some on his face. "Your stance and demeanor is not like any woman I have ever met, and I have met several."

 

[Lie_in_Truth]

Growling in frustration, she pushed his hand off her shoulder. "Look 'ere, Count, Oi don't loi (lie). Oi'm tellin' yeh the truth! Would yeh rather me take me shirt off?"

Getting angry, she unbuttoned the vest, shrugging it off of her shoulders. She tossed it to the side, letting it hit the wall and slide to the floor. Without the vest, there was a definite plumpness to her chest that was not visible before. She began working on the buttons, her face flushing. The buttons, however, don't seem to want to cooperate. She curses the buttons furiously, her cheeks becoming warmer.

"No one calls Cap'n S a loier!"

 

[chevymn]

For the first time in his life, the count was speechless. With the vest off, he could clearly see the outline of Salivodre's breasts. They were full and ripe, like none he had ever seen. His confusion was overtaken by his old nature. He stepped foward clasping her trembling hands. All of the sudden, everything fell into place. The corset, the neck, the walk, everything.
"My lady." he said in a soft, soothing voice. "No need to do that. I believe you. I didn't mean to call you a liar, however, I was lead to believe you were a man, and I thought you were joking. Please forgive me." He held her hands a moment longer and looked in her deep green eyes.

 

[Lie_in_Truth]

He was too close. She was too close. It was too much. She stepped back a little, willing her hands to stop shaking. She'd never taken her shirt off in front of a man. Never! She may have been a sailor, but, by God, she was untouched! And any of the men on the ship who caught a sailor trying to look at her, well....let's just say the loyal ones had a bit of fun that night.

Clearing her throat, she said, "Well, Oi had to tell yeh, and yeh wouldn' listen." Her barely trembling fingers worked the buttons she had gotten loose back into place as she continued, "Will yeh stay? Oi can't trust a lady. They'd prolly tuck tail an' run. Yeh see? Oi can't go back...."