Pirates and Prejudice

by Louise, Kara

  Webber shuffled from one foot to the other and seemed unable to meet Darcy’s eyes.

  “Will ye hire me, please? I’ll do anythin’ ye ask!”

  “Anythin’?” Darcy asked and walked over to him. He stood several inches taller than the young man. “Will ye climb the ratlines an’ swab the deck?”

  The young man looked up quickly with hopeful eyes. “I will, Cap’n. I will. I will even kill someone if ye tell me to!”

  Darcy’s heart stopped, but he controlled his response, placing his hand on his sword, patting it a few times. Meeting the young man’s eyes, he said, “But will ye not kill someone if I tell ye not to?”

  Webber’s eyes grew wide. “Like I said, Cap’n, I will do anythin’ ye ask.”

  “You’ll do,” Darcy replied. Before he waved him on, he asked, “How old are ye, lad?”

  Webber paused and bit his lip. “I’m almost sixteen.”

  Darcy nodded, concerned about his age, but appreciating his avowal of loyalty.

  Most of the young men had no source of income or any ability to secure it. They were putting their trust in Lockerly, and while they most likely had great hopes of securing a vast fortune while pirating, he hoped that they would each find a good future someday. Foster would pay them for the few days they were unwitting participants in this scheme, but once the real Lockerly showed up – or the week was up – they would all go their separate ways.

  After Darcy had met – and approved – all the men, Foster told the men to remain where they were while Lockerly had a chance to inspect the ship. The men had been working hard to get it in shipshape condition.

  The four men boarded alone so Foster could actually acquaint Darcy with the ship without arousing suspicion. As they walked around, he showed Darcy where things were stored, the galley, dining hall, hatches, and the cabins on each level.

  He then came to a door and stood there. “Now this, Lockerly, is your cabin, and I must say, it is quite nice.”

  When Darcy walked in, he was amazed. Lockerly certainly had fine and expensive tastes. He would not be uncomfortable here. He noticed first the small paned windows that looked out the back of the ship. Polished wood shelves, a wall mirror, and mounted desk looked as though they came out of the finest home. Shiny brass fixtures, from wall sconces to rivets in the chair and bed to hooks on the wall, reflected the early afternoon light. Plush deep red cushions rested upon a single chair and the bed. An intricate Asian rug lay across the floor.

  Darcy shook his head and let out a long puff of air. “It appears Lockerly ’as an appetite fer expensive things!”

  “That he does! Now, there are a few more cabins on this level, but the crew will sleep down in the berth.” He paused. “There is one more cabin, Dar… Lockerly.” They stepped out and walked down the narrow passageway. Foster slowly opened the door, and the men stepped in. Each gasped.

  “Who in heaven’s name is this cabin for?” Darcy asked, his refined language sneaking back in. “No sailor in his right mind would claim this as his own.”

  The room had the same polished wood and shiny brass, but the cushions were a deep pink. Lace curtains hung across the windows, and a thick rug lay in the centre of the cabin. A small table, secured to one wall, was covered in a pink tablecloth with a lace border. A plush cushioned chair sat in the corner, as well as a wooden chair at the table. A rose-coloured silk counterpane lay over the bed.

  “No,” Foster said. “As you can imagine, this is a cabin for ladies. Lockerly wanted any woman he brought on board to be comfortable, so he fixed this up according to a woman’s taste. The door there connects to your cabin.”

  “I will have no use for this!” Darcy exclaimed. He looked at Evans and Lindel. “And I will not allow any man to bring a woman on board this ship!”

  “We shall make sure the men abide by your wishes,” Foster reassured Darcy.

  Foster left later that evening once he was satisfied everything was under control. He told Darcy, Evans, and Lindel that he was going to see what more, if anything, he could find out about Lockerly. He would return as soon as he had additional information. Or, he would return at the end of seven days when this scheme – and Darcy’s charade – would come to an end.

  Chapter 7

  Melanie took Elizabeth up to her room, which the two ladies were to share, so they could dress for dinner. The room was decorated in soft blues, with lacy pillows piled high on the bed. A few paintings of the ocean lined the walls, and a small bookcase held some novels.

  “You have a very nice room, Melanie,” Elizabeth said as she glanced about. She walked to the bookcase and ran her fingers over the spines of the books. “And I see you are a reader.”

  “Yes,” Melanie replied. “I adore love stories and gothic novels. What about yourself? Do you enjoy reading?”

  Elizabeth nodded. “Indeed, I do, very much. I love historical and adventure novels, and, of course, sweet romantic stories.” She turned to Melanie with a twinkle in her eyes. “You may correct me if I am wrong, but do I see a little romance story being acted out here on the island of St. Mary’s?”

  Melanie lowered her brows and tilted her head. “I fear I know not what you mean.”

  Elizabeth leaned towards her with a sly grin. “Between you and Mr. Adams, of course! I could not help but notice how well you two get along, and he appears to be a fine, young man. Quite handsome, too, which is an uncommon advantage in completing a man’s character!”

  Melanie shook her head, and a blush coloured her cheeks. “Oh, indeed, there is no one finer than David, but there is nothing of that sort between us. We are merely good friends, having known each other all our lives.”

  Elizabeth drew back a little as she murmured, “Hmm. I confess I am surprised. I thought I had seen admiration as he looked at you.”

  Melanie looked down at her hands as she knitted her fingers together. “I think, perhaps, that he has felt more for me than I have for him.”

  Elizabeth pursed her lips as she thought about Alice Whiting and how she regretted turning down an offer of marriage because she only thought of the gentleman as a friend.

  Melanie walked to the window, pulling back the curtain. “To own the truth, Elizabeth, my heart belongs to Robert Mintner, who is currently serving in the Navy. I often come and gaze out at the ocean from my window, longing to see his ship come in.”

  “I hope it is soon.” Elizabeth said as she joined her cousin to look out. “Melanie! You have the most beautiful view from here!”

  “Yes, I do love it. But I would love it more if I knew Robert was home and safe.” She let out a long breathy sigh. “The sea can be so deadly, especially when we are at war with France.”

  “Are the two of you engaged?”

  Melanie slowly shook her head. “Not yet. But I hope to be once he returns.”

  Elizabeth walked to a chair and sat down. She ran her hands along the arm rests. “Do you know if your cousin… our cousin… David, has an affection towards any lady?”

  Melanie reached out for Elizabeth’s hand. “I think not, and you just say the word and I will do everything in my power to help the two of you get to know one another while you are here!”

  Elizabeth smiled. “I think I should like that very much!”

  That night at dinner, Elizabeth was delighted to discover that she had been placed next to David. He seemed as interested in finding out about her as she was about him. True to her promise, Melanie was willing to assist in furthering their acquaintance.

  “Tell me, Elizabeth, what is it like to grow up with four sisters?” Melanie asked. “Having only two brothers, I cannot imagine it.”

  Elizabeth laughed. “Oh, we are all quite different, both in looks and personality. My eldest sister, Jane, however, is five times prettier than any of us and at least three times more agreeable.”

  David smiled. “You make her sound like perfection itself, which I find difficult to believe. Despite having known you for only a few hours, I cannot comprehend t
hat she could be prettier or more agreeable than you.”

  “Well, we shall not argue on that, but my position would be easily proven true if you ever have the opportunity to meet her. I must insist, however, that Jane is the most agreeable in my family and of my whole acquaintance, as she has the ability to see only the good in a person while I tend to be a little more severe in my estimation of one’s character.”

  “Heavens!” David declared with a look of mock distress. “I wish I had known that from the start. I would have taken better care to leave you with only a good impression of me!”

  Elizabeth smiled. “You have nothing to worry about, my good cousin. I have seen nothing in your character that has given rise to any objectionable notions!”

  “I am most relieved!” David picked up his glass of wine and looked at Elizabeth over the top of it. “Most relieved, indeed!”

  *~*~*

  Elizabeth woke the next day to the sun shining through the window. The window faced east, and she quietly slipped out of bed to see something she had never beheld before – the sun was rising up out of the sea on the horizon.

  Wispy clouds were splashed with colours of red, orange, pink, and yellow. The blues of the sky ranged from the softest blue, to a deep azure, to an almost navy darkness as it stretched overhead.

  She sat down and propped her arms on the window sill, lowering her head and resting her chin on them. She watched in amazement as, before her eyes, the colours in the sky and water changed from moment to moment.

  Elizabeth felt that if she lived in such a place, she would sit at the window every morning just to welcome this amazing display of creation. She unwittingly let out a sigh at the awe-inspiring sight before her, which caused Melanie to stir.

  “Elizabeth?” she said yawning, as she stretched her hands up to the ceiling. “Are you awake already? Did you not sleep well?” She slowly sat up in the bed.

  Elizabeth turned to face her. “On the contrary, I slept wonderfully. I normally rise early, and when I looked out the window and saw the sun rising out of the water, I could not take my eyes from it. It is beautiful.”

  Melanie fell back down onto her pillow. “I always wished I could get up early to see the sunrise, but I just find it too… early.”

  Elizabeth laughed and peered out the window again, noticing someone walking. After a moment, she said, “Oh! It appears that David is out for a morning walk.”

  Melanie groaned. “He always does that. You should go join him.”

  “I might just do that, but not today. He will be long gone before I am ready, and chances are good I would not find him, or heaven forbid, get lost!” She turned back to Melanie and smiled when she saw that her cousin had quickly fallen back asleep.

  Elizabeth went downstairs a little later and found her aunt and father visiting in the sitting room.

  “Ah, come in, Elizabeth,” Viola said. “I see that you take after the Bennet side of the family and know the pleasure of rising early.”

  “Of my five daughters, she is the only one that does,” affirmed Mr. Bennet.

  “Good morning, Papa. Good morning, Aunt Viola. How are you feeling this morning?”

  “Tired, as usual. But I am very happy. I have some of my favourite people here, and that gladdens my heart.” She took Mr. Bennet’s hand and gave it a quick, frail squeeze. “If I had more strength, I would take you out on a walk about the grounds and up to the top of the hill. There is a view from there of the ocean on almost all four sides of our little island.” She coughed into her handkerchief, and it took a while to catch her breath.

  An expression of concern flooded Mr. Bennet’s face.

  She waved her other hand through the air. “I am… all right. Just need… a moment.” After a few minutes she said, “I shall ask Melanie to show you both around. She and David know almost every inch of this island.”

  “I should like that very much,” Elizabeth said.

  Mr. Bennet winked at Elizabeth and then turned back to his sister. “I should not wish to intrude on the young people, nor would I be able to keep up with them. I should very much like to just stay here and visit with you.”

  Viola shook her head. “Nonsense! I know you, Brother, and very soon all the people in this household shall compel you to flee from its midst.”

  Elizabeth laughed, knowing her aunt was probably correct.

  “Well, if that proves to be true, I shall be content to take my book and find a spot nearby to read in solitude.”

  Viola nodded her head. “Yes, you always were the reader. There is a bench about half-way up the hill that has a view of the ocean to the east. You shall find it an easy walk and a splendid place to get away from all the folly that goes on here.”

  As they continued to chat, more of the family came downstairs and joined them. The aroma from breakfast being prepared grew stronger, and Elizabeth found herself greatly looking forward to eating.

  David came in after a while, looking refreshed from his walk. “Good morning, everybody! Did anyone see the sunrise this morning?”

  “Yes!” Elizabeth said. “I saw it from Melanie’s window. It was a beautiful sight.”

  “It is one thing I have always enjoyed seeing when we come here. But there is nothing finer than to view it from the top of the hill on a clear, sunny morning with only a slight breeze.”

  Viola waved her handkerchief in the air. “Yes! You and Melanie must take Elizabeth to see the view at the top of the hill.”

  He turned to Elizabeth and grinned. “That is a splendid idea. We can have a picnic up there today, and perhaps we can walk up to see the sunrise tomorrow morning?” He gave his head a toss. “I am not certain Melanie will want to go. She enjoys her morning sleep too much.”

  “I enjoy what?” Melanie said as she came in. “What are you saying about me?” She walked up to David and poked him in the ribs. “I hope it is nothing unkind, for if it is, I shall be forced to tell Elizabeth about all the pranks you used to play on me when we were younger!”

  He abruptly turned to Melanie, bracing his hands on his hips. With a smile he said, “You would not dare!”

  “Tell me what you were saying about me!”

  David gave her a deep bow. “As you wish! I merely said that you enjoy your morning sleep. Do you think you might join Elizabeth and me on a walk tomorrow morning to view the sunrise?”

  “Only if Elizabeth is able to wake me up.” Melanie walked over to her mother and gave her a kiss. “Good morning, Mother.” She then proceeded to greet everyone else in the room. When she came to Elizabeth, she leaned over to whisper in her ear, but spoke loud enough for everyone to hear, “Do not let me forget to tell you about the time David scared me silly when he pretended to have fallen down a short embankment.”

  “He did not!” Elizabeth exclaimed with a look of feigned shock.

  “Yes, well, I was a silly lad of fifteen who was only hoping for a little comfort from Melanie.”

  “Shocking!” said Elizabeth with a laugh. “Did it work?”

  “I suppose it worked if you consider comfort to be Melanie shaking me violently, all the while screaming for help. I only wanted her to think I was hurt, not dead!”

  “Well, you deserved it for scaring me like you did!”

  “All right, you two,” Viola warned. She turned to her brother. “These two behave more like brother and sister than Melanie and either of her two brothers ever have.”

  Elizabeth watched the two of them and felt a slight stab of jealousy, as she had never had a close relationship with a young man close to her own age. Despite Melanie’s insistence that he was only a friend, she saw something between them that she truly wished she had.

  After breakfast, the three young people chatted with the family while food was prepared and packed for their picnic. While Melanie and David had a lifetime of acquaintance that led to a friendly camaraderie, Elizabeth felt a kinship with the two of them. They were both fun, teasing, lively, and intelligent, and she knew that in a week’s ti
me when they returned home, she would miss both of them.

  Once they had the food and supplies for the picnic, they set out for the top of the hill. It was a mildly warm day, the breeze had picked up, and the salty scent in the air tickled Elizabeth’s nose. She had never experienced anything like it.

  The trio stopped for a while at a lookout that gave them a view of the eastern sea down to the south. “This is beautiful!” Elizabeth said.

  “Are you getting tired?” David asked.

  “Not at all! I frequently walk up Oakham Mount, which is not much higher than this.”

  “Good! Shall we continue to the top?” David extended both his arms. Melanie took one as if she did it all the time, and Elizabeth took the other. He looked down at her and smiled.

  When they reached the summit, it was true that they could see at least parts of the sea surrounding the island. Elizabeth wrapped her arms about her and slowly turned, taking in the different views. Looking to the east gave her a full view of the sea, while she could see other islands and rocky outcroppings dotting the horizon in the other directions. Looking down, she could see the waves lapping up onto the shore.

  “Do you think that we can go down to the shore? I would love to walk along the beach.”

  “Most definitely!” Melanie said. “We shall do that tomorrow!”

  David spread out the blanket and set out the food that had been packed for them. He invited the ladies to sit down first, and then he sat down at Elizabeth’s left.

  After they had finished eating, Melanie looked at Elizabeth. “Do you see why I love it here so much?” she asked. “And wait until we go up to Star Castle! The view from there is even more spectacular! I do not think I could ever live anywhere else!”

  Elizabeth let out an appreciative sigh. “Oh, it is wonderful.”

  “The weather is milder in the winter, although we do get some pretty strong gales. The summers are warm, but the air is so clear! Whenever we go across the Channel to London, it always seems so stifling!”