The Ruthless Redhead's Revenge
Page 7
“Certainly sir, I assume you will be there to protect my virtue?” Roberta couldn't keep a straight face and burst out laughing as she finished the statement.
“Yes, of course I shall. I'm sure that between the two of us we could find it again in order to protect it.” Ethan grinned at his own statement.
Ethan's grin was contagious and, grinning like fools, the two prepared to venture off the ship. Most of the crew was getting a short shore leave, for overnight at least, so they waited until the crew had gone before leaving. The fewer of the crew that saw Roberta as a woman, the more likely her disguise as Robert would succeed. Ethan produced a knitted cap which she could tuck her hair under, it would be a permanent part of her disguise if they could find a way to secure it all times.
When they slipped off the ship they didn't see any of the crew that remained, except for the quartermaster who was guarding the gangplank and waiting for the dockhands to show up and unload the cargo that they were selling.
They made their way to the inn that they needed to be at the next day, and rented a room for two nights. They went down to the common room and had a meal that was not prepared on ship. As they relaxed with ales, a new experience for Roberta, Ethan looked over the men in the room.
He approached the man he considered the most likely candidate to have the information he wanted and spoke to him:
“Want to earn yourself an ale on me friend?”
“Sure, what ya need?”
“I'm guessing that you'd know the location of Master Gutren's estate. I know it is near to the town and I need to escort the person at the table there to Master Gutren tomorrow.”
“Sure, buy me that ale and I'll give you directions. It's easy to find if you know what you're looking for.”
Ethan purchased the man his drink and received directions in return. He returned to the table and told Roberta that he had them but that he'd like to verify them just in case the man was only trying to cadge a drink.
They discussed the matter and decided that Ethan would return to the ship and find a crew member to go and check the directions out. It should only take an hour each way so they would know by dusk if they had received the correct directions. Meanwhile to minimize her possible visibility to the crew, Roberta would wait in the room they had rented.
Ethan escorted her back to the room and reminded her to lock the door, and brace it with something since it was a flimsy lock. Roberta did so and Ethan returned to the ship. When he returned a short while later he told her that the crewman would look for them here after he checked the information.
“Roberta, is there anything you want or need while we are in a town? I know that you lost your clothing, but dresses are out of the question while you're in disguise. Is there anything else you need or want?”
“Well, I noticed that the balance on your cutlass was well off from what I was trained with. Are all the cutlasses on the ship similar?”
“Yes, mostly. Although the balance on mine is better than any of the others there. Do you want a sword, is that what you're saying?”
“Wouldn't it be in character for my disguise? Not to wear all the time, but to actually possess my own?”
“Quite possibly. It wouldn't be out of character at least. What type of sword are you used to?”
“A straight saber, slightly lighter than your cutlass.”
“Well, shall we go out on the town and see what we can find?”
They went out in search of a saber and a means to keep the Monmouth cap she wore secured. Sabers were easily found, but finding one of a size and weight which resembled the one she had trained with took some time. A sword of decent quality was eventually found though and she fastened the scabbard to the belt which held her dagger. A means for securing the cap was eventually found in the form of a colorful ribbon which she would tie around the cap just where a hat band would be on a different style hat. It wasn't perfect but until they found something better it would serve.
When they returned to their inn, the crewman was sitting at a table in the common room, sipping his own ale. He nodded to Ethan as they entered the room. They took seats at the table with him and he proceeded to inform Ethan that there was an estate at the end of those directions. He couldn't be positive it was Master Gutren's as he had never seen the man. But it did fit the description the escort had given them.
The crewman returned to the ship and Ethan led Roberta to their room. Roberta went through a series of exercises with the sword to find its balance and familiarize herself with it. Then she worked a while on finding the best way to secure her cap with the ribbon, until Ethan distracted her in her favorite way. The bed in the captain's cabin was more comfortable than the one in the inn, yet neither noticed in the slightest. Eventually they fell asleep wrapped about one another, having exhausted themselves attempting, once more, to sate their passions.
The morning saw them both up early though. Roberta was nervous about their plan, which involved allowing Master Gutren to take her to his estate in a coach. There would be a raiding party hiding nearby that would storm the estate while the coach was gone and Master Gutren would find his welcome home not to his liking. Ethan would 'escort' both the escort and Roberta as the representative of Roberta's father. So he would, at least, be near to hand throughout the ordeal. Roberta would keep her dagger concealed in the folds of her dress as she had before and Ethan would carry her saber, so she wouldn't be defenseless, but she still felt uneasy with the plan. Possibly this was because for a brief time things would appear to progress much as her father had intended.
* * *
Chapter 11 – The Raid
At mid-morning Ethan went back to the ship once again. When he returned to the inn he was accompanied by Annabelle and carried a wrapped package that contained Roberta's dress. Master Gutren's representatives were due at noon so shortly before then Roberta changed into the dress, leaving the saber and the seaman's clothes in the room for Ethan to transport to the estate.
At noon Ethan was in the common room, carrying a seaman's bag containing Roberta's items. Roberta and Ethan both were keeping an eye on Annabelle who had been warned what would befall her should she let slip that things were not as they seemed.
Two men entered the room, dressed in the clothing typically worn by servants of the upper class. They were both armed with swords on their belts. One leaned his head back outside and said something. A grotesquely fat man, dressed in expensive clothing, entered next. He was holding something in his hand and scanned the room, finally settling his gaze on Roberta.
“So my betrothed has arrived at last. I've been looking forward to seeing you in person. The locket sent by your father does not do you justice.”
Roberta, hating every moment of it, stood and walked to him.
“You must be Master Gutren. I am pleased to meet you.”
“It is good that you are. You shouldn't like to see what would happen if you were not. Let us go.”
“Sir?” Annabelle spoke questioningly, “She does have the temper; you asked me to find out.”
“Ah yes, you've done well. Here is your payment.”
Master Gutren tossed a small pouch of coins in her direction and turned to leave.
“Master Gutren?” Ethan spoke respectfully.
“And you are?”
“Ethan, sir. I was sent by Master Cantas to ensure that Roberta reached your estate. Might I ride the coach with your footman to see to my duty?”
“If you must, but she has already been delivered to me.”
“Yes sir, but Master Cantas was most specific. I would not risk his anger.”
“I see that you are a properly obedient servant to your master's wishes; I wish that I had more of your ilk. You may ride with the coachmen.” Master Gutren's condescending tone angered both Ethan and Roberta but, as of yet, they did nothing about it.
They left the inn, converging on a coach in the road in front of it. Roberta and Master Gutren entered the coach. One footman took the reins
while the other footman and Ethan mounted the back of the coach.
“I apologize sir, but I must ask when my father will be paid the bride price. He bid me ask you as soon as we were private.”
“I have your bride price in a chest at my house. It shall be shipped shortly, within a container of goods with a much lower value so as not to tempt fate, nor man. Now, you shall remain silent woman. I'm sure that your father has trained you to your place among men. If not, then I shall have to do so.”
Roberta spent the ride fuming as Master Gutren pawed her breasts through the dress, once even slipping a hand inside the dress, straining the hasty repairs she had made. She just kept telling herself that the fat man would soon perish. She thought about taking care of that now but they needed him to direct them to the chest and she feared that her dagger might not be long enough to penetrate his heart through all of his fat.
The coach arrived at the estate and the footmen leaped from it, sensing something amiss. There was no-one to be seen and they had obviously expected someone to be waiting for them. Roberta threw open her door and jumped to the ground, oblivious to the indignant cries and threats of Master Gutren. Ethan had loosened the top of the seaman's bag and her sword hilt protruded through the top. Ethan walked over to her, offering the sword hilt to her grasp.
“Shall we take care of the footmen my dear? I hadn't expected two. I could probably take them, but having seen you familiarize yourself with the sword last night, I think that you are more than capable of taking one on your own.”
Ethan thought to himself that she could probably take him as well but didn't voice that thought.
“Why thank you Ethan! You are dear to me as well, so please be careful, and I shall endeavor to do the same.”
They advanced along the side of the coach and when Master Gutren saw them through the open door he shouted:
“I am betrayed! Guards!”
The footmen turned to face the opponents that had been approaching them from behind. Ethan cursed that they had lost the opportunity to surprise them but it made little difference. Evidently Master Gutren thought that giving a man a sword made him a guard. The two were dispatched in moments when it was revealed that they had little to no skill at arms.
Once the two footmen were down, the raiding party exited the house as planned. Roberta and Ethan forced Master Gutren from the coach.
“Now, if you want a chance to see another dawn, you'll lead us to that chest you spoke off.” spat Roberta.
“What viper was Cantas trying to pass of as his virgin daughter?” said Gutren.
“I am his daughter, but no virgin. As to whether I am a viper, would you care to feel my bite?”
Roberta raised her sword to Master Gutren's crotch, poking lightly.
“Now, where is the chest? Lead us to it or I shall apply pressure with my sword arm.”
Master Gutren saw reason quickly and waddled towards the house, Ethan and Roberta following with drawn weapons.
When they entered the house behind Master Gutren, they saw that the staff were all tied up in the grand hall. Gutren led them through that to a storage room in the back of the first floor. The chest of gold was within it and was quickly claimed by two of the crew designated by Ethan. They left the room with the chest, leaving the three alone.
“So, should he get to see another dawn?” asked Ethan of Roberta.
“Do you have a use for him? I will tell you that he insisted on pawing my breasts all the way through the coach ride.”
“Well then, I think he shan't see another sunrise. The only question is quick or slow and painful.”
“Well, I'm sure being married to him would have been a drawn out torture for me. But since he has so kindly provided us with a chest of gold I'm willing to let it be quick, if you prefer that.”
Ethan leaned over and kissed Roberta, who kissed him back fiercely. As he did so he raised his sword to the level of Gutren's heart.
“You never paw a woman without her permission Gutren” said Ethan, “especially not my woman!”
Ethan thrust hard, penetrating through Gutren's blubber to pierce his heart, the following slash opened his throat as well.
Roberta gave only a fleeting glance to the man bleeding to death on the floor. Then she turned to Ethan.
“Is that what I am? Am I your woman?”
“No, you are your own self. I am hoping, though, that a part of that self is willing to be my woman. I am sorry to have said what I did but I wanted to distress him before killing him.”
“No, I am more than happy to be your woman if that is what you want.”
“Not only my woman, I hope, but my partner as well. It seems your idea here has, so far, gone off quite smoothly.”
“Well, that is a step up from simply being your woman, if not as much as I had hoped for. So long as being your partner does not interfere with being your woman as well I accept.”
Ethan wondered what she could be hoping for. He looked at the corpse on the floor and thought for a moment. He quickly went through the pockets of the corpse, retrieving the item he sought, as he continued musing over her words.
What is she hoping for? It can't be that, she is soured on the idea of marriage from the arranged one that she managed to avoid, he thought.
But Ethan could think of nothing else that her words might refer to. Strangely, his heart grew lighter at the thought and with a jaunty step he turned.
“You'll need your disguise now. I shall go and set the crew to pillaging the house while I explain the situation to the servants.” he handed her the seaman's bag as he turned to leave the room.
Roberta grabbed him and drew him back. She leaned up to kiss him firmly. Instantly the kiss turned passionate. Low in her throat she growled:
“I trust that we'll have some uninterrupted time together before long? I have this urgent need for you. I hope it does not abate before you can see to it for me.”
“We need to be out of here quickly anyhow, I'll see what I can do to hasten things more. Perhaps I can leave a trusted crewman to watch over the pillaging and we can escort the chest back to the ship ourselves. Come out as soon as you have changed your clothing.”
Ethan left the room and Roberta heard him dispatching the pirates to thoroughly loot the house. As she was binding her breasts, she heard him instructing the servants that they would be released soon and that once they were they could take anything left in the house that they desired. But that they should leave as soon as they could else they might be held responsible for the death of their master.
Roberta walked out in her disguise as Robert. No-one payed her the slightest bit of attention except for Ethan, who turned and smiled at the sight of her. She walked to his side and took up a position there. Ethan was bracketed by the chest of escudos and Roberta. As he glanced from side to side, his grin grew larger, so large that the servants watching him began to fear that he was mad. It added impetus to his earlier words for most of them and so they were plotting what they could quickly grab before departing as they waited for their release.
“Bosun!” Ethan's voice rang out.
“Aye Captain?” he heard from elsewhere in the house.
“Bosun, to me.”
“Aye sir.”
A few moments later Black Bart strode into the room. He was named for the shade of his skin. It was a deep ebony with a shimmer in the light.
“Black Bart, I need you to take charge here and keep the men in line. Keep my promise to the servants that they will be unharmed. Robert and I are going to take the chest to the ship, I'd rather not have all the loot together as we head back. I'm sure the men are going to attract attention.”
“Robert? I'm not aware of that member of the crew captain.” Bart glared at Roberta.
“Robert was my inside man for this job. He was the one that alerted me to the opportunity to obtain a chest of gold. I promised him a place on the ship in exchange. He is a eunuch, as you can see, and will be living in my cabin with me”
“Aye, that's how it is then” said Bart, “I can do that captain. Sorry to question the order but with this much at stake some of the men, myself included, are a bit tetchy.”
“Yes, that's how it is. I'll let it slide this time but don't make a habit of it.” Ethan spoke loudly.
In a softer voice Ethan continued:
“Bart, you know me. I was quartermaster for two years. Did I ever once short anyone or make an unfair split? I'm a bit nervous myself and will remain so until this chest is stored safely aboard the ship. Plus, Robert has requested my attentions, having been aroused by the violence. I'll admit that I'm aroused myself some as well. So between these two things I thought a rapid return to the ship was in order. I figured that you, of all people, could keep the men under control. I'm sorry to snap at you as I did but I wanted the men to hear that after you questioned me publicly.”
“Aye Captain. I should have known better than to question you.” Bart's bass voice boomed out, “I'll take care of it.”
Roberta and Ethan hefted the chest and carried it out to the coach. It had never been unhitched and the horses were shying away from the two corpses on the ground in front of them. Pools of blood surrounded the corpses and the horses could undoubtedly smell it.
Ethan calmed the horses and got them turned around. Once they realized he was leading them away from the blood they cooperated smoothly. Roberta and Ethan hefted the chest into the passenger area of the coach, then Ethan mounted the driver's seat and Roberta climbed on the back. If the townsfolk were used to seeing the coach with two armed men on the outside, then that is the appearance Roberta and Ethan would give them. With the inner curtains drawn, no-one could tell that the coach was empty of people.
Ethan got the horses into motion. Roberta had assumed that he could drive a coach since he had taken the driver's seat but the motion was very jerky as they started. By the time they had reached the main road it had smoothed out though, as though he were remembering long unused skills. He sped the coach up as quickly as he dared until they reached the outskirts of town. Then they assumed a sedate pace down to the docks. When they reached the docks Ethan dismounted the coach and trotted to the quartermaster. Shortly there was a pair of the crew carrying the chest to the captain's cabin, with Roberta and Ethan escorting them. The chest was locked in the cabin and Roberta and Ethan went back to the coach.