by Louise, Kara
Elizabeth glanced over at Mrs. Joyner, who had placed one hand over her heart and grabbed her husband’s hand with the other. “Oh, dear! I cannot do either, I fear!”
Elizabeth quickly strode over to her and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I am sure they will take good care of us.”
Mrs. Joyner bit her lips and looked warily at her. “But you are so brave and can do anything. I know I will not be able to hold on to the rope!”
Elizabeth patted her shoulder. “I know the crew will help.”
“Please, ladies, ’ave no fear,” Bellows said. “Ye shall be perfectly safe as ye shall be tied to a gentleman for safety.”
As Elizabeth walked back to her father and cousin, she saw that they were engaged in a fervent conversation with Captain Smith.
She stepped up to them, and Mr. Bennet smiled down at his daughter. “It seems as though you are to be first, Lizzy. Since I cannot be counted on to hold you, and David has an injured arm, it appears as though you shall have to go across with Captain Smith.”
Elizabeth raised her brows at this. “Go over with Captain Smith?”
“I asked ye to trust me,” he replied softly. “Miss Bennet, would ye be so kind as to join me as we take the plank up to the yardarm?”
Elizabeth laughed nervously. “As long as you are not ordering me to walk the plank out into the depths of the sea.”
“Indeed, no.” The captain turned to walk to the mast.
Elizabeth turned to her father and cousin. “So I am to go first to prove to the ladies that all will be well?”
“Elizabeth, I know how dreadful this will be for you, and I would do it if only I were able…” David paused. “It should be no more than a few seconds that you shall have to endure it.”
Elizabeth reached out for David’s good hand and grasped it. “Thank you, David. I appreciate it.”
Elizabeth joined the captain, who now stood at the base of the wooden plank. She cast a sly glance up at him. “Pray, tell me how is it that I am not going to fall?”
Captain Smith swallowed and looked intently at her. He answered slowly and softly, “I’ll be holdin’ ye.”
Elizabeth felt her cheeks warm, and her mouth went dry. “You will be…” Her voice trailed off. She was at a loss to explain the myriad of feelings that surged through her, the strongest of which was something she had never felt before. At least not before encountering Captain Smith.
As she looked up into his face, he slowly nodded. His dark eyes sparkled, while at the same time exuding a beguiling intensity. She unwittingly trembled.
“No need to fear, Miss Bennet. Do ye think ye ken prove to the ladies that there is nothin’ to worry ’bout?”
Despite the tremor that passed through her, Elizabeth nodded and said, “Yes, Captain Smith. I believe I can!”
Captain Smith took her arm as they made their way up the steep wooden plank. The strength of his grip reassured her, and she found herself inexplicably looking forward to being held tightly in his embrace.
Two crewmen stood on the yardarm waiting for them. One held the long rope that Bellows had come across on, and the other held a smaller rope.
As they stepped onto the narrow yardarm, Elizabeth suddenly realized just how precarious their footing was. She looked down at her father and cousin, and then over to the ladies who were watching intently. Not wishing to give them any sense of alarm, she smiled and waved.
The captain helped her over to the edge of the yardarm closest to the Devil’s Seamaiden, steadying her with his hands. She was struck again with how soft and smooth… and strong they were! Someone who regularly swings on a rope from one ship to another certainly would not have such smooth hands!
Her thoughts were interrupted when the captain looked down at her and whispered, “Miss Bennet, we are goin’ to be tied together with this short rope. I’ll hold ye with one arm an’ onto the long rope above this knot up here wi’ me other hand. When we’re in the air, I’ll secure my feet against the rope above the knot down below.” He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Ye’ll be safe, Miss Bennet. I’ll make sure o’ it.”
Elizabeth tilted her head up at him and silently mouthed, “Thank you.”
The crewman with the short rope wrapped it around them snugly. As he cinched it tight and knotted it, the two stood as close as any two people could be. Elizabeth felt her heart pound as she considered she had never been so close to a man before. She felt weak and precariously close to collapsing in a heap at his feet, despite being tied together at their waists. To prevent herself from falling, she quickly reached up and wrapped her arms about his neck, holding on tightly.
The captain responded with a deep moan and quickly brought his one arm around her. She felt him draw her in even closer than she had believed possible. A sensation of euphoria swept over her, and she found herself readily resting her head against his chest. She could hear his thundering heartbeat and wondered if it was beating more vigorously than hers.
“Now hold on tight, Miss Bennet.” His lips brushed the hair by her ear as he huskily whispered these words. She felt her legs begin to tremble and suspected he felt it as well, as he gripped her even more firmly.
“Are ye ready?” he whispered softly; his breath seemed to warm her to her innermost being.
“Yes,” she said, as she lifted her head to look up at him. She saw his dark eyes looking down at her, a single brow raised.
“Ye are not afraid?”
“On the contrary, I believe I shall enjoy this immeasurably!”
He inhaled deeply and whispered, “As will I.”
As he was about to step off, she asked with a nervous laugh, “You have done this before, have you not?”
“Never!” he said, and the next thing she knew, she was lifted off the ground, and they were swinging through the air. She held on tightly, wanting desperately to keep her head snuggled up against his chest, while at the same time wishing to look up, down, and out to see what was happening.
She finally turned her head and opened her eyes, just as they came over the Devil’s Seamaiden’s bow. She felt the rope lower, and the next thing she knew, they had come to a stop. The captain landed squarely on his feet, but he continued to hold her up in his arms. He finally relaxed his grip around her waist slightly, allowing her feet to touch the deck.
Despite standing solidly on the deck, she felt as though she were still flying through the air. Countless other feelings assaulted her, none of which made any sense to her.
The crew rushed over and began untying the rope that bound them together. Elizabeth knew not where to look, as she felt that if she looked up at the captain, he would see the storm of emotions she felt.
Once untied, she released her hands and quickly stepped away. She turned her head back towards the merchant ship to give an encouraging smile and a wave, but more to turn away from the captain.
She walked to the railing of the ship and looked out. Her hands braced the ship’s railing, and she felt unsteady and confused. But more surprising than that, she inexplicably felt bereft of the captain’s arms about her.
She smiled and waved again at the other passengers, a wave of melancholy overwhelming her that soon she and the captain would go their separate ways. It made no sense to her that she would find herself attracted to a man such as Captain Smith. She could not even say that he was handsome, as his beard covered the lower part of his face and the bruise she inflicted upon him distorted one side of it.
“Are you feeling all right, Miss Bennet?” The captain was standing at her side.
“Yes!” she answered abruptly. “I am quite well.” Looking down at her hands, she noticed they were shaking. She clasped them tightly together. To herself she had sounded breathless, and so she took in a deep breath and let it out in a light laugh. “Rest assured, Captain Smith, I was not alarmed in the least.”
The captain nodded. “I’m glad to hear that.” He rocked back and forth on his heels, as if waiting for somethi
ng. He finally said, “You did quite admirably. Hopefully you have assured the other ladies that they will be safe.”
Elizabeth nodded and murmured to the affirmative. She could not bring herself to look at him. She had enjoyed her time on the island with him a little too much and enjoyed their rendezvous through the air a great deal too much.
After a few moments of silence, he returned to assist those coming over.
The next to come across was Mrs. Keller, followed by Mrs. Dillard, who each were held by their husbands. The captain and several other crewmen assisted in making their landings smooth and safe.
When Mrs. Joyner nervously walked up the wooden ramp to the yardarm, it was not her husband that accompanied her, but Bellows. Elizabeth surmised that Mr. Joyner must not have felt strong enough to carry his wife with him. Mrs. Joyner let out a high-pitched scream as she flew through the air, landing with a rather white face. She was shaking from head to toe. Elizabeth stepped up to her and congratulated her for being so brave.
Elizabeth quickly returned to the rail and watched nervously as her father stepped up onto the yardarm. Her heart thundered as she wondered whether he would be able to hang on. She bit her lip and clasped her hands in front of her, offering up a silent prayer for his safety.
When her father flew over the deck of the Devil’s Seamaiden and safely landed on his feet, Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief. As they untied the rope from around his waist, he looked over at Elizabeth.
“That was certainly a memorable feat! What say you, Lizzy? Was it not thrilling? Would you not wish to do it again?”
She could not prevent her cheeks from overspreading in a blush, and her gaze turned unwittingly to Captain Smith, who looked upon her with a laugh in his eyes.
“Come!” her father said. “David is to come across next! Let us watch!”
David was secured with the small rope, and he grabbed the hanging rope tightly above the knot with his good hand. He nodded his head and stepped off the yardarm, his feet struggling to find the knot below to anchor him.
Elizabeth’s eyes widened, and she placed her hand over her mouth as she watched him flounder as he sailed across. Just as he was about to lose his grip, he came across the bow and was caught by the crewmen.
She rushed over to him. “I was so worried about you!”
David waved his hand through the air and said breathily, “Oh, it was nothing. Quite easy, in fact.”
Elizabeth noticed that David’s face had lost all colour, and he rubbed his arm above the elbow.
“Come, David,” Elizabeth said. “Let us sit down and wait for our belongings to be brought over.”
He wholeheartedly agreed, and they walked over to a bench by the ship’s railing.
Once everyone had made it to the Devil’s Seamaiden safely, their belongings were secured to the rope and sent across. The crew from both ships did a proficient job.
When everything was on board, the anchor was brought up and sails were unfurled. The passengers waved to the crew of the merchant ship as they began to sail away. They then turned to Captain Smith to await his direction.
Chapter 15
Darcy gathered the passengers together. He welcomed them aboard the Devil’s Seamaiden, but then added, “This ’ere is actually a pirate ship, previously belongin’ to Lockerly, the pirate who took the ladies, Mr. Joyner, and Timmons captive.”
Everyone’s eyes were upon him and they listened intently. Darcy continued, “Because of that, ’tis not in yer best interest of safety to take ye all the way back to London, so we shall make the shorter journey back to St. Mary’s.”
Several people let out frustrated sighs.
“’Tis not ideal, I know, and the accommodations on this ship are likely not what yer accustomed, but we think it is best.”
David turned to Elizabeth and laughed. “Imagine us sailing on a real pirate ship! I wish I could see Melanie’s face when she finds out!”
Darcy glanced at him, but did not feel that same sense of excitement. He took a deep breath and continued, “Fortunately there is a cabin especially fer the ladies. ’Tis ideally suited for jest one or two ladies at the most, but me thinks you will be pleased for the night.” He looked to Bellows and called him over, asking him to give an account to the group of where they were now and when they would reach their destination.
Bellows gave a quick, nervous bow. He was not used to speaking in front of such fine people. “Because o’ the storm, we didn’t know where we was, not bein’ able to see the stars an’ such. We was blown off course, jest as ye were in the merchant ship. What we ’ave now determined is that we were blown to the north o’ the Isles of Scilly an’ a quick jaunt south will take us to St. Mary’s. We’ll travel as long as we ’ave any bit o’ light tonight, an’ then lay anchor ’til morn. We’ll travel the rest o’ the way at first light. Should pull into the port at St. Mary’s a’fore ye know it.”
“Oh, dear!” exclaimed Mrs. Joyner. “I just know we will get caught in another storm!”
Darcy looked about him. “’Tis clear skies now, Mrs. Joyner. Me thinks it’ll be smooth sailin’ the rest o’ the way.” Darcy clasped his hands together. “Now, if ye’ll follow me. I’ll shew ye to yer cabins.”
They took one short flight of stairs down and walked down a hall. Darcy pointed out the dining area. “I shall have tea and some refreshments ready for you. You may come in at any time this afternoon to eat.” He began walking towards the back of the ship and then stopped in front of a door.
“Gentlemen, I hope ye’ll be reassured as ye see how nice the cabin for the ladies is.” He opened the door and stepped aside.
The ladies rushed in and gasped.
“Oh my!”
“I cannot believe this!”
“I have never seen anything like this!”
Mr. Bennet stepped in and let out a hearty chuckle. “My, my! Who would have guessed? On a pirate ship, no less!”
“I’ll ’ave some extra blankets brought to ye. ’Tis not meant to sleep four, but me thinks ye’ll be comfortable ’ere and ’ave the utmost privacy.”
The ladies looked about, fingering the silk counterpane, the polished wood and brass, and inspecting every nook and cranny. Elizabeth walked over to a door on a side wall and tried to open it. It was locked.
“What does this lead to?” she asked.
Darcy felt his heart begin to race, and his mouth went dry. “That door… will remain locked.” He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “It connects to my cabin.”
Elizabeth quickly pulled her hand away. “Oh!” she said as a delightful blush tinted her cheeks. “I see we have a lock on our side.” She cast a sideways glance at Darcy and in a teasing voice said, “I know we can trust that you do not have a key that would open it.”
“Indeed, I don’t. And the ladies can lock the door that goes out to the hallway from the inside, as well.”
Darcy waved for the men to step out. “Now, gentlemen, if ye’ll follow me, I’ll take ye to the berth below where ye’ll find yer beds. We’ll leave the ladies to themselves fer a bit.”
*~*~*
When the men left, the ladies began to giggle and then laugh.
“Oh, this is exquisite!” exclaimed Mrs. Joyner. “So much lovelier than our accommodations on the merchant ship!”
“Yes, but I fear the men will have poorer accommodations down in the berth!” Mrs. Keller announced. “At least it is only for the night.”
Elizabeth braced her hands on her hips. “I suppose we ought to discuss our sleeping arrangements. The bed can readily hold two ladies, and the chair in the corner looks to be quite comfortable. But if you ladies do not mind, I shall sleep on the floor on the rug. I shall leave it to you to decide who will sleep on the chair and in the bed.”
“I shall sleep in the chair!” announced Mrs. Keller. “It looks perfectly inviting to me. Mrs. Joyner and Mrs. Dillard, the two of you can sleep in the bed.”
Relief spread across Mrs. Joyner’s face.
“Oh, thank you, so much!”
Mrs. Dillard sat down on the bed. “Oh, I believe I shall sleep like a baby!”
“Unless we have another storm!” Mrs. Joyner’s earlier elation about the room gave way to a look of worry lining her forehead.
Elizabeth put her arm about her. “There is no sign whatsoever of a storm, so let us not worry about something now that might not even happen.” Elizabeth wondered whether this lady ever went a complete hour without fretting about something.
Much like Mama, she thought. Then she wondered whether her family at home worried that they had not yet arrived in London. They would have no way to know where they were or if they were even still alive!
A decision by one of the ladies to take a short rest before going out was settled upon by all. They felt it was a greater necessity than eating. Soon the ladies, in their respective sleeping arrangements, closed their eyes for some much needed sleep.
Elizabeth awoke first at the sound of footsteps coming from inside the captain’s quarters. She could see just enough under the door to observe the bottom of Captain Smith’s boots as he walked across the floor. He seemed unsettled, pacing and stopping, and then pacing again. Elizabeth chewed her lip as she surmised that it was likely due to the fact that he was responsible for the safety of the four women in the room next to his.
She slowly sat up and looked around her, admiring the cabin, although she could never admire the pirate who had so painstakingly designed it for obviously dissolute purposes. The captain began moving about again, and she crinkled her brow. How had she come to find herself so enamoured of him?
She let out a soft sigh and heard from the next room a rather deep exasperated sigh.
She brought her legs up and wrapped her arms about them. Tomorrow morning they would each go their separate ways. She imagined her father would want to remain on St. Mary’s before setting off again for London, and then Hertfordshire. The captain would likely go back to his ship – if he even had one – and return to a normal life again. She bit her lip as something inside of her ached at the thought of not seeing him again.