by Louise, Kara
Lockerly’s men fumbled about as they attempted to pull their pistols and swords out of their belts. When they found themselves surrounded by Bellows and the other two men, one of Lockerly’s men grabbed his pistol. The air suddenly exploded with a loud crack as it was fired. Whether he was aiming at someone, Elizabeth could not determine, for his aim was neither accurate nor did his countenance reflect someone who truly wished to kill another person. He almost appeared more frightened than threatening.
Shooting his pistol did give him a little advantage, as Bellows and his men drew back. He shot it once more, a little more confidently, and he and the other man who had been sitting next to him were able to manoeuvre past the group of men and escape out of the cave. Bellows sent Jenkins and Webber after them and then turned to Torch, raising his cutlass as Torch raised his.
Captain Smith sidestepped Lockerly’s swinging blade, spinning around and thrusting his sword towards him. Lockerly quickly brought his sword up, meeting the captain’s with a loud clank, preventing it from piercing him through. The pirate’s face reddened with even more anger as he deftly swung back and forth.
Reacting with lightning speed, the captain met each thrust with one of his own. Elizabeth could see that the two men were fairly equal in their parries, but realized that Bellows was concerned for the captain by the way he frequently glanced over at him as he duelled with Torch. They fought with shorter cutlasses, and Torch, while not as proficient at wielding it, seemed better skilled at the footwork required to avoid being hit.
When their two blades clashed in the air between them, Bellows gave a twisting swing and brought his opponent down next to the fire. He stood over Torch, pointing his cutlass at him. “I’d surrender now, if I was ye!”
Torch looked at him as if he were weighing his options. But with a cunning laugh, he suddenly grabbed a burning log from the fire and hurled it at his unsuspecting adversary. As flames began licking Bellows’ shirt, Torch scrambled to his feet and ran out of the cave. Bellows brushed down the small area where his shirt had begun burning and took off after the man.
The ladies looked at each other with wide eyes, knowing that the captain had to be victorious, as he was the only one left in the cave to protect them. Elizabeth wished she could just get over to Timmons and Mr. Joyner and untie them, but in all truth, she was not certain either one could stand up against the likes of Lockerly.
Elizabeth reached into her pockets and felt for the rocks. She found a rather large one and gripped it tightly in her hand. She dared not throw it; she would likely miss. She watched as the captain and Lockerly seemed intent on battling to the death! Mrs. Joyner was crying with heaving sobs, Mrs. Keller was standing as rigid as stone, save for the shaking of her hands, and Mrs. Dillard seemed to be praying, again.
Lockerly unexpectedly swung wide, and the captain’s sword flew out of his hand. Elizabeth gasped as she watched the pirate inch his way towards him, extending the blade of his sword towards the captain’s heart.
“So now ye leave me with no choice but to display to these ladies my superior strength an’ ability. Me thinks no one will challenge me now!”
Elizabeth gripped the rock tightly. Very quietly, she came up behind Lockerly and swung with all her strength, hitting him on the back of his head.
Lockerly’s hand went to the back of his head, and he spun around, his face twisted with fury. He came at Elizabeth, clear in his intention to make her pay dearly for her action. The captain took full advantage of Lockerly’s distraction and reclaimed his sword, swinging it through the air. The blade sliced across Lockerly’s right arm, sending a gush of blood that spread across his shirt, then dripped to the ground.
Lockerly seemed almost undaunted by his injury, and with rough, coarse hands grabbed Elizabeth, positioning her between him and the captain. Backing up out of the cave with Elizabeth in a tight grip, he threatened anyone who might come after him.
“If you harm her, I shall find you,” the captain declared in clear, precise speech. “I shall hunt you down for all eternity! You shall pay for it!”
Lockerly pulled Elizabeth outside the cave, and she winced at the foul odour of his breath and his abrasive hands. Rather than fear, however, she had a rather odd thought. Despite their similar appearance, the captain’s hands, unlike Lockerly’s, had been soft and smooth.
Lockerly turned, as if to run off with Elizabeth in his grasp, but instead, he pushed her down to the ground and dashed away. Elizabeth braced herself as she went down by putting out her hands, scraping them on some rocks.
The captain rushed over to her. “Are you all right? Are you hurt?”
“Only some minor scratches, thank you.”
“I am… I’m goin’ after him. Will ye see if ye ken release the men?” He pulled out a dagger and handed it to her. “Do ye think ye ken cut through the rope that binds them?”
Elizabeth nodded. “I can certainly try. Now go! But please, be careful!”
The captain nodded, but did not immediately leave. He stood staring at her. “I… I…” Rather than finish his sentence, his shook his head. “Use the dagger on any of those vile men if they return!”
Elizabeth tilted her head slightly. “Do you not think my supply of rocks sufficient?”
She pulled out a few rocks to show him, prompting a smile.
“Ye do quite well with those.”
“Too well, perchance. Your wound is bleeding again.”
“I’ll worry ’bout that when I return.”
“Please do,” Elizabeth looked at him pleadingly.
“Do what?” the captain asked.
“Return,” she said softly.
He nodded, turned, and was gone.
Mrs. Joyner joined Elizabeth at her husband’s side as she worked to cut through their restraints. The two other ladies hurried to stand by the fire, eager to warm themselves.
Once the two men were free, they jumped up, zealous to join the men as they pursued those wicked pirates.
Mrs. Joyner held tightly on to her husband. “Pray, do not go! You will be killed!”
Timmons put up a hand. “You stay here, Mr. Joyner. The ladies will need ye if one of ’em comes back!”
Elizabeth was not certain that Mr. Joyner would be of any assistance, but at least that seemed to appease Mrs. Joyner.
It seemed an eternity before any of the men returned. The women sat quietly huddled together around the fire as Mr. Joyner stood alert at the cave’s entrance. With each passing minute, Elizabeth could see the concern deepen on everyone’s faces as they could only imagine what may have happened to the men.
At length, they heard the sound of men’s voices approaching. They sat frozen; all eyes set to see who it was. Mr. Joyner raised the dagger, ready for whatever might be expected of him.
A collective sigh of relief could be heard as the captain and Bellows appeared. The captain, however, was leaning on Bellows’ arm.
“What happened?” Elizabeth asked. “Has he been hurt?”
The captain gave her a weak smile. At least Elizabeth thought he smiled. She did not have a clear view of his expression with the fullness of his beard and the mud smeared across his features.
“Tis muddy out there. I merely fell.”
“Come, sit by the fire,” Elizabeth suggested. “I cannot help but think this is partly my fault. I know you were dizzy after I hit you with the rock, and you likely overexerted yourself fighting Lockerly and going after him.”
Bellows helped him over to the fire where he sat down with the others.
Elizabeth sat down alongside the captain. He removed his hat, and his hair, dark and wavy, had stains of blood along the length of it. She looked closely at the wound, which in addition to bleeding was now a bluish colour. She lightly touched it with her fingers and could feel a prominent lump. She looked over to where Lockerly’s two pirates had been sitting. “Mr. Bellows, would you be so kind as to hand me that flask?”
Bellows picked up the flask and brought it to Eli
zabeth. She opened it and sniffed, making a face as she did. She shook her head but said with a smile, “This will do splendidly!”
The captain gazed up into her face. “I didn’t think ye’d be the drinkin’ sort, Miss...”
“I am Elizabeth Bennet, and you have no need to worry, Captain. This is for you!” Looking about her, she asked, “Has anyone a clean handkerchief that I may borrow?” Elizabeth suddenly laughed. “Well, perhaps borrow is not the most fitting word. I doubt that after I am through with it, anyone will want it back!”
Mrs. Dillard pulled one out of her pocket. “It is clean, Miss Bennet.”
“Not for long,” Elizabeth said as she poured some of the vile smelling liquid onto it and gently dabbed the alcohol into the wound.
The captain winced, but kept his eyes on Elizabeth.
“I am terribly sorry, Captain, to pain you again, but this will help clean it out. Now,” she said looking up to Bellows, “please tell us what happened out there.”
Bellows relayed the story to them. They believed the pirates had been on the island quite a long time as they seemed to know it well. The two men that had been sent to the beach confronted the pirates there and then were led on a wild chase through the brush. They ended up back on the beach where they had started, but the pirates had disappeared.
The same thing happened to Jenkins and Webber, who had chased their pirates around in circles and then down to the beach on the other side of the island. When they got there, they saw them getting into their small boat, quite a distance away. Torch and Lockerly did the same, leading the men away from their ship, and then losing them, at which point they made their way to join the others.
By the time Captain Smith and his crew got there, the ship had already set out from shore. Fortunately they were headed north, away from the Devil’s Seamaiden.
“I am glad none of you were hurt,” Elizabeth said. “We were so worried!”
“Where are the other men?” asked Mr. Joyner.
Bellows answered. “Well, two of ’em are keeping a lookout to make sure those jackanapes don’t return. They’ll stay there ’til dusk. Lockerly don’t dare return to the island at night with all the rocks surroundin’ it, but they’ll make sure he don’t. The other two went back to the beach ye all arrived at to light a fire as a signal to the merchant ship. Their crew will be watchin’ fer some sort o’ sign that yer safe, and I know there’ll be some celebratin’ when they see it. Then they’ll return to our small boat to git a trunk that we brought over containin’ food an’ supplies. The sea is getting rough again an’ another storm might be ’eadin’ our way.” Bellows shook his head. “Looks as if we won’t be gettin’ back to our ship anytime soon.”
Elizabeth turned her attention back to her patient. “How does your head feel, Captain Smith?”
He looked intently at her and said, “Tis still a bit painful. Perhaps it needs more of the alcohol. I ken bear it.”
“If you insist, Captain Smith.” She poured more alcohol onto the handkerchief and dabbed it again to the wound. He winced, but there was a trace of a smile in his eyes. “There! Now, we must keep it clean. I fear I must ask you to remove the sash that is around your waist.”
“Me sash?”
“Yes, the red sash. It is long enough to tie around your head and cover your eye to offer it more protection.” Elizabeth smiled. “If you do not mind.”
“I’m sure he don’t,” laughed Bellows.
Elizabeth saw the captain shoot his first mate a warning glance as he untied the sash and then handed it to her.
She took the sash and positioned it over the wound, which ended up covering that whole eye. She reached behind him to tie it. “I hope you do not mind, Captain.”
“Oh, again, he don’t!” Bellows answered for him.
“Bellows! Would ye please show some manners around this lady?”
Elizabeth tied it tight enough to be snug and leaned back to look at him. “Now you look more the part of a pirate!” she said with a glimmer in her eyes.
Jenkins and Webber walked in after a while carrying the trunk. They opened it and pulled out blankets, food, and water, distributing it to everyone. As they did, they explained how they had been successful in getting a rather large fire going on the beach to signal the merchant ship that all were safe. They had been rewarded with a cannon being shot off from the ship when those on board spotted it.
Elizabeth took a blanket, but instead of using it herself, she placed it over the captain.
“I don’t need this, Miss Bennet; tis fer ye.”
“Oh, but you must rest and keep warm. Please.”
“Trust me, Miss Bennet, I’m feelin’ quite warm enough without a blanket.” His uncovered eye locked onto hers.
Elizabeth felt a warmth course through her from her toes to her cheeks. She met the captain’s penetrating gaze and then turned away. A fleeting memory teased her thoughts.
Bellows stood by them with his arms folded across his chest, and he let out a hearty laugh. “Now it’s yer turn to mind yer manners, Cap’n. Ye aren’t above the rest of us an’ need to act like a gentleman, yourself!”
Elizabeth was stirred from her thoughts and noticed that the captain’s eyes had softened and almost looked sad.
“Forgive me, Miss Bennet, if I behaved in an ungentleman-like manner.”
Elizabeth laughed nervously. Her mouth suddenly felt dry, and she licked her lips. “I assure, you, Captain, I took you to mean you were perfectly comfortable and required no blanket.”
The captain smiled up at her. “I believe, Miss Bennet, that yer me guardian angel!”
She smiled softly and shook her head. “I am no such thing! I am the very one who caused this dreadful thing!”
“You are perfectly right, but I hold no grudge.”
There was something in his words that left her feeling somewhat disconcerted, but she stood up, swiped her hands together, and said, “Now, Captain Smith, I beseech you to rest. I am going to go sit with the ladies and see how they are all faring.”
The captain lifted his hand to stay her. “Thank ye, Miss Bennet, for all ye ’ave done.”
“I have done nothing but cause you distress from our very first encounter, Captain Smith. You are too gracious.”
He shook his head. “No, no, ye ’ave done so much more.”
Chapter 12
As Elizabeth joined the other ladies, Darcy closed his eyes. He had never, in the whole of their acquaintance, had the fortune to gaze upon her at such close proximity and for such a long time. Twice in one day! He could barely contain himself.
Even with his eyes closed, he could readily see the dark curls framing her lovely face and her smooth bisque skin, a hint of rose tinting her cheeks, deepening when she blushed. Her lips were full and flawless. When she licked them, they glistened, and it took every bit of self-control not to lift his head to meet her lips with his. He could see her fine eyes looking down at him. Fine was how he had described them to Miss Bingley, but they were much more than that. They danced and sparkled and laughed and mocked beneath long, dark lashes. Yet her eyes exuded intelligence and compassion and strength.
Her laughter rang out, and he longed to observe her, so he sat up slowly and leaned against the wall of the cave. He felt helpless, not so much because of his injury, but because all he wanted to do was watch and listen to her.
He had forgotten how enchanting she was when she laughed. Their last two encounters had been under inimical circumstances, which had later driven him to despair. Whereas her anger towards him had propelled him to try to forget her, her laughter now seemed to erase any memory of what had transpired, and all he wished to do was remain in her presence. How much easier and enjoyable it was, however, being someone other than the man she so despised.
*~*~*
Later that evening, the remaining two crewmen returned to the cave. They had climbed to the top of a rocky hill, and with hawk-like eyes had watched the ship until it disappeared as the sun set o
n the horizon.
They eagerly ate some of the food that had been brought ashore. There was just enough remaining for morning. If they were not able get back to the ship, however, the men could do some hunting and fishing.
After hearing the men’s story, the four ladies decided they would take advantage of the last remaining light of day to take care of their personal matters outside the cave.
“If you will be so kind as to allow us some privacy,” Elizabeth said, looking at the captain. “We shall return directly.”
The captain, with an air of authority, ordered all the men to remain in the cave until the ladies returned. Elizabeth thanked him, saying she was certain they would all comply.
When they returned, Elizabeth expressed surprised to see the captain up and walking around. The ladies returned to the place in the cave they had come to call their own, but Elizabeth walked over to him.
“Are you feeling well enough to be up and about?” she asked.
He nodded. “I am much improved… thanks to your… yer care. Is there anythin’ I ken do to make you an’ the ladies more comfortable?”
“You have already done so much. But do you think you can you provide us with nice, plump pillows on which to rest our heads?” She tilted her head with a smile.
The captain met her teasing gaze. He was tempted to offer the use of his arm to serve as her pillow, but he refrained. “I’m sorry, but we brought no pillows. I wish we ’ad thought of it.”
Elizabeth laughed. “We shall manage. We can roll up some of our belongings. But thank you for providing us with blankets.” She put her arms about her and shivered. “It is getting cooler.”
“Aye, it is.” The captain chewed on his bottom lip and then looked out into the darkness. He wanted to pull her into his arms and take away any chill she might feel with the warmth he now felt.
When he turned back, the flames from the fire flickered in her eyes. “Miss Bennet…” He took a deep breath. “I…”
Elizabeth waited for him to continue, but Mrs. Keller came up and interrupted any further discourse. “Come, Elizabeth, we need something to cheer us up and want to hear more of your amusing stories.”