The Pirate and Penelope (closed for Vixen and JT69)

[VixenEV]

She did not answer him, since he did not seem interested in an answer. Penelope fastened herself into his bunk, thinking she had never met a man so money-hungry and unfeeling. Perhaps the intuition she had about there being more to him was wrong.

It was difficult not to think about him, surrounded by his scent as she was. She would have guessed that a pirate would smell sour or rotten, but Jack's blankets smelled of a spice she could not identify. Rich, almost leathery. She closed her eyes tight, but it was a long time before she could sleep. The ship rolled around her, waves crashing and subsiding.

When she finally fell asleep, she dreamed of herself on the upper deck of the ship. She felt powerful in the dream, a sword at her side.

And to her horror, she stood next to Captain Jack, proud and unafraid.

 

[JayTee69gmx]

He was softly nudging her shoulder. "Mistress, mistress, your breakfast is here. Hard tack and tea. No milk for the tea, the ewe went dry and if fact that is what we ate last night. But we do have sugar if you like."

He turned back to his charts so as to give her a little privacy for her toilet and dress. Then passed the hard tack, and poured tea. "Soon we shall be anchored in Kingston harbor. If you come with me, you can see the town as we approach." And he led her up on deck to see. "There," he pointed, "that large house is Sir Rodney's mansion. Soon you will be ensconced there with a dozen slaves to satisfy your every whim."

He led her back below, "But I must ask you to allow me to tie to to the post there. I fear you will try to escape, may even consider it your duty to escape. I will make it so you are as comfortable as possible. Don't struggle, I can always call my men if you resist."

 

[VixenEV]

Penelope put her wrists up to the post, looking at the Captain but not speaking. She had been keeping her own counsel entirely; he did not deserve to know her thoughts. He treated her like an object, as would Sir Rodney. She didn't like the idea of this ship and she didn't like the idea of marrying a slave owner, either.

She would be used wherever she went. She felt both angry and resigned, at turns.

Jack tied her, making it comfortable just as he had promised. It did not help the sick feeling in her stomach or the nagging thoughts in her head.

 

[JayTee69gmx]

The captain called out the door "Jason". The first mate appeared almost instantly. "Take this envelope ashore, find the priest's servant, and have her deliver the envelope to Sir Rodney. Let him read the contents and let him say if he agrees or not. If he agrees, she may tell him to meet my crew in Pirate's Cove tomorrow morning. If he does not agree she is to make all haste back to you, and you are to return to the ship as fast as you can so we can make our escape. Mayhap she does not return after an hour, assume he has set a search party for you and intends to capture us. Evade them and return here as fast as possible. Under no circumstances tell anyone the disguise of our ship."

"Aye aye sir."

He turned to look at her with almost sadness in his eyes, regret even.

"But we must play the hand we are dealt m'lady."


"Do you play chess, perchance?"

 

[VixenEV]

Penelope's hair had fallen out of her makeshift tie and it swirled around her face, wild and untamed, as she could not locate a brush onboard. She knew she must look like something of a horror, which was fitting. It was how she felt--angry and oppressed. It was only tempered slightly by the conflicted look on the Captain's face.

The sea air was making her feel strong.

"I do play chess, Captain. But chess is a meeting of equal opponents and I can never claim that ground when facing a man. My fate is always sealed by the wants of others. I cannot move my piece freely.

I do not control the board."

 

[JayTee69gmx]

The captain chuckled, and brought out a board with roughly carved pieces. He shook a white and black pawn together. She drew white. They played several games, she called her moves as her wrists were bound to the post. Most of the games ended in a draw, even when it was clear that there would be a draw, she fought to the end each time. Both had expected easy wins, but they proved closely matched.

The ship shuddered, and began to move. Abruptly, Jack abandoned the game, swept the pieces into a bag, and put them and the board away.

Jason appeared at the doorway, and after a short conversation Jack returned to her.

"Sir Rodney has refused to ransom you. He said he could never marry a woman sullied by pirates, and since your dowry was lost with your ship, he has no use for you. Arrogantly, he declared he would have my head, and capture you to be sold as a slave."

"Loose your bonds m'lady, they were never made fast. We are running for our lives."

Distant canon fire could be heard. Jack ran out to lead his men.

 

[VixenEV]

Penelope shook free of the ropes as chaos started swirling around her. The whole time they had played chess...she could have escaped. She cursed herself silently.

Sir Rodney was a blackguard, but she was now effectively a free woman. She ran to the upper deck, searching for a way off the ship, but found that a fight was raging. Panicked and terrified, she pulled a scabbard from the belt a bleeding man who was not long for this world. She could not see Jack in the melee, but if she could make it to the ladder, she might be able to run.

Penny took a deep breath.

 

[JayTee69gmx]

The ship was underway and headed to open water. The crew repelled the last of the boarders. Jack was by the helmsman calling orders for sail setting and trim. And watching the horizon with a small brass leather wrapped telescope. He saw her making for the side of the ship and had a man bring her to him.

"You would have no chance here. Sir Rodney's men would have you, and you would be off in chains to the slave market in New Orleans. In a few minutes we will be too far our to swim, and then you will be allowed freedom of the boat. Mind you are safest beside me, or in my cabin."

Jack called Jason to his side. "There are three dreadnoughts off to weather of us, and by now Sir Rodney will have the two in harbor set on us as well. We have no escape, unless we can run the Devil's Teeth. With this wind we might be able to slip through."

"Hard a-port, run close to those cliffs and make for the white foam."

 

[VixenEV]

Penelope listened as Jack ordered his men to make haste with their escape. And he was right...she likely would have stood no chance even if she had managed to get ashore. She had been thinking only of getting back to England, perhaps stowing away on another vessel.

With ice running through her veins came the realization that she was a ruined woman. Everyone would believe Sir Rodney, even though she was still quite untouched.

She searched Jack's eyes, dark and deep.

"How can I help the crew, Captain?"

 

[JayTee69gmx]

Jack handed her the telescope. "Use this glass, scan the horizon and scan aft of us. Tell me what you see. The dreadnoughts out there will soon realize that we are a target and will make for us. And ships will appear from the harbor giving chase as well."

Boom. Boom. Shore batteries were firing on them, but they were too close and the shots fell harmlessly farther out to sea.

"In particular tell me if you judge anyone gaining on us."

Closer and closer ahead of them was a wall of white surf.

"The Devils Teeth. A line of reef and rock. There is a small gap we can fit through if we are lucky. Once through, no ship of the size chasing can make it, and in any event few skippers are foolhardy enough to attempt."

Jack glanced at her, dismayed at the effect she had on him. An upper class snob, and yet he was drawn to her in a way no woman had affected him for years. Surely to pursue these thoughts was folly.

 

[VixenEV]

Penny swiveled, the telescope to her eye. She closed her left eye to get a better view.

"I see three ships that pursue us, two are much further behind than one of them. The vessel that is gaining does not seem to be flying a flag; I've no idea what it could be."

She turned slowly in a circle, checking every line of vision, the wind ruffling her loose clothes. Jack's clothes.

"I believe that if we make it through that path you mentioned, we can lose them all. Though my knowledge of sailing is admittedly nil."

 

[JayTee69gmx]

Jack wrapped his arm around a line. "Grab something and hold on tight. This will be a rough passage."

As their bow met the foam he called "Hard to starboard, let fly the sheets." The ship headed straight at a huge rock. ”Port,"Jack yelled, "hard to port. Harden those sheets now, make lively or we all sit at Davy Jones table."

Jack wrapped his other arm around her waist as the ship rolled and the foam broke over them. Then, as suddenly as it had begun, they were on the other side, sailing in calm water. Jack laughed, delighted with adrenaline.

"Now that's how you sail a ship lads!"

He realized he was still holding her tight to his side, and could feel the soft curves of her body pressed against him. Embarrassed he let her go. "Begging your pardon m'lady, I feared you could be taken by that wave."

 

[VixenEV]

Penny paid attention to all of the terms that sounded so foreign, all the commands Jack shouted as they navigated the waters. It was so exhilarating that she did not stop to think how inappropriate it was that when she stumbled, he'd gathered her to him, tight. Or that she had willingly wrapped herself around him. She'd never been that close to a man, all hardness where she was soft. It stirred something in her.

He released her, too quickly, and she stumbled again.

Good lord, she thought. I am attracted to this ruffian.

Aloud, she said, "It's quite all right. You saved me an embarrassing slide down the deck and for that, I thank you."

He was still looking at her oddly, and now she could not stop examining the planes of his face, all shadow and light.

 

[JayTee69gmx]

"Jason, make for that cove, and anchor. We are safe enough here for the time being. After the moon sets tonight we will slip through their line. Then we make for Tortuga."

"Come below, m'lady. They can deal with the ship well enough." He led her down to his cabin, then looked her over carefully. "Are you injured at all? No?"

He settled back to study his charts, made some notations. Scratched his beard. Looked at her, puzzled. Finally got up and walked over to her, took her by the chin and stared into her eyes. They were different. The hardness was there, but different. He sighed to himself, "God help me." And walked back to his desk, produced a pistol, and handed it to her, butt first.

"I know not what will happen to us these next few hours and you may well need to protect yourself. This has but two shots. Use the first wisely and you will not need the second. If time permits I may give you some lessons on that sword you have acquired." He then took out two more pistols and stuck them in the waist of his breeches.

 

[VixenEV]

She drew in a breath when he caught her chin. For a few moments, they were trapped in each other's eyes. She felt her heartbeat increase and for a second she thought he might kiss her. Instead, he swore.

And handed her a gun.

She turned it over in her hands, admiring the fine craftsmanship. Penelope could not believe he trusted her enough to let her have it, then he went further by saying he would teach her to use the sword. She licked her lips, dry from anxiety.

"Thank you. Will you...will you call me Penelope? No more of this Mistress nonsense."

 

[JayTee69gmx]

"Penelope? Certainly, m'la . .," he caught himself, then chuckled "old habits die hard."

"Your father will have taught you to shoot, but with long guns I expect. This is similar, just cock the hammer and pull the trigger. Mind, it kicks, use two hands."

"Now, the sword. Cutlass really." He took her hands in his and examined them. Gently. "Your hands are small and look delicate, but they have surprising strength for their size. Use two hands to grip your sword. But first you must learn how to stand."

She posed facing him, sword brandished. He reached, and pushed lightly on her shoulder at a small angle. She stumbled. He laughed.

"M'lady you . . ." He stopped himself and started again. "Penelope, spread your le...," He put his hand to his forehead, frustrated. "Stand with your knees bent, feet planted wider than your shoulders, one ahead of the other. Hold the sword in front of you, straight upright."

This time when he pushed her shoulder, she barely moved.

 

[VixenEV]

He had made her giggle. This man, feared by the world and his crew alike, was being nice to her. Penny could not understand why he had made such a turn, why he seemed willing to trust her now, but it was refreshing.

She felt proud when she did not stumble the second time. She even pushed out her chest a bit, feeling like she was playing pretend in his clothes and a sword they was not hers.

Penelope couldn't help it; she smiled at him.

"Better, Jack?"

 

[JayTee69gmx]

"In front of the men you will address me as Captain. And I address you as M'lady. And they will address you as M'lady, just as they address me as Captain."

"Now sheathe your sword. The next lesson concerns your feet, and that blade may be sharp enough to harm you should you stumble."

He watched as she somewhat clumsily re-sheathed her sword. And could not help but notice how her breasts bobbed as she moved. Then adopted the stance for her to see.

"Watch, as you move forward take a small step forward with you back foot, then plant your front foot a bit forward. It is almost like a dance, but we must move with balance always. And without thinking about it. Knees bent, small fast steps, almost a shuffle, feet never far off the deck. To back up, reverse the motion. Now practice that until you are comfortable. And every day from now on, practice that."

He turned from her and stared at his charts, trying to stop his mind from imagining her soft full breasts, trying to stop the feelings he was having for her.

 

[VixenEV]

She frowned. She'd thought he would like her use of his name, but it had prickled him. Well, she vowed silently, I won't bother using it again. He was only teaching her to help protect the ship, he was not trying to be her friend.

Or more, her stubborn mind insisted. You were secretly hoping for more.

She grunted softly, irritated at herself. At least the noise could be passed off as physical exertion. She followed the movements he taught her, over and over, until she was quite out of breath. She sank into a chair, panting a bit, the color high on her defined cheekbones.

 

[JayTee69gmx]

Two men burst through the cabin door brandishing knives, and attacked Jack. He managed to stab one with his stiletto, wounding him. The other though, a bigger man, had him from behind and was attempting to draw his knife across Jack's throat. Jack was strong but this man was stronger, and the knife crept closer and closer, starting to draw a line across his skin.

"Shoot," Jack yelled, "Penny, shoot."

BANG!

The man slumped to the deck, a ball to his head. He twitched and bucked, then a rattle in his throat and he was still. The other was struggling to get away when five sailors burst in and overwhelmed him.

"Hang them from the yardarm as a warning, leave that one alive to struggle and scream as long as he can."

"Who was on watch?" he bellowed, furious.

"Tom, sir"

"Have him flogged, then into the brig and no rations but water for three days. Damn his eyes, if we were not shorthanded already I'd keel haul him and leave him for the sharks."

He turned to see Penny standing, a look of aggression mixed with horror. Jack went to her, and gently took the smoking pistol from her hands. Then held her close to him, arms wrapped fully, gently holding her.

 

[VixenEV]

Almost as soon as he took the pistol from her, Penny collapsed into tears. She buried her face in his chest, ashamed that she needed comfort from him, adrenaline pumping through her veins. It was a long minute before she could stop sobbing and even then, she shook violently.

She had killed a man.

She pulled back from the Captain, seeing that her tears had soaked his shirt. She swallowed, unsure of what to do. Her voice cracked when she spoke.

"I...I..."

She cleared her throat. Tried again.

"Respectfully, Captain. Please return me to England."

 

[JayTee69gmx]

"You saved my life to see me hanged? I cannot sail to England. There is a price on my neck and my men would be pressed into the navy. On most of the ships that ply these waters you would not be safe. But there are ships that run rum to Canada. There are a few skippers that are trustworthy. We may encounter one of them, and if we do, and it is your wish, I will buy you passage on one."

He extended his arms to her, the feel of her soft body against him had been, delicious.

"I do not know if I could ever have sold you into slavery Penelope, certainly now I am bound by honor to protect you from any harm. I have come to enjoy your company, you show a will and purpose rare in our world."

 

[VixenEV]

She looked at his open arms but did not yet step forward.

"How can I ever feel safe with a man who would consider selling any woman into slavery? Yes, your honor binds you now, but before that you could hardly bear to look at me. Always down at the charts, out at the horizon, focused on the chessboard."

Penelope stepped toward him, running her hands up his chest on a strange, irresistible impulse. She could feel tight muscles under his shirt; he flinched at her touch slightly.

"Why can't you look at me, Captain?"

 

[JayTee69gmx]

"I am looking at you now, and I have been since that knife traced my throat."

Jack stepped forward and took her by the shoulders, looking straight in her eyes. He stood close enough he could feel the heat of her body, even though they were not touching. He could hear her breathing. Her scent rose to his nostrils. It was impossible to describe, but it aroused him. He inhaled deeply to catch it, imprint it on his memory.

He gently massaged her shoulders. "There is a place for you here, on my ship. There is much for you to learn, and even more for you to teach me. I have shown you deep trust, arming you, and you proved more than worthy of my trust. Now it is time for you trust me."

 

[VixenEV]

Penny shivered, involuntarily. Her body reacted to him in ways she did not yet understand. Her nerves felt all afire and she could not break his gaze. She realized, dimly, that her nipples were hard, poking at the rough fabric of the shirt she had borrowed.

"I do trust you. I feel that I shouldn't...yet, I do."

Her blue eyes shone bright and her arms reached up around his neck. Surely she shouldn't be encouraging this touch or drawing him any closer. But he was so warm...

He had almost died and what she felt in that second was terrible.