Pirates and Prejudice

by Louise, Kara

  As Elizabeth stirred, so did the other ladies in the cabin. The last to waken was Mrs. Joyner.

  They freshened up and then went up on deck, where they found the men anxiously waiting for them.

  “We thought you would never come out of your cabin!” David said, rushing over to Elizabeth. “You slept for hours!”

  “I think we all needed the rest,” Elizabeth said. “You forget that we slept in a cave last night during a storm. We were quite without the normal comforts!”

  “As the men are now!” laughed Mr. Bennet. “Oh, Lizzy, if you could see what we must endure for the night, but I will spare you after what you had to endure! I am grateful the ladies have such pleasant accommodations for the night!”

  “Are you hungry, ladies?” Mr. Keller asked. “You can probably still get some of the refreshments we had earlier.”

  The ladies all declined. It was such a beautiful afternoon, they preferred to enjoy it on deck and would wait for dinner to eat.

  Elizabeth looked up at the sails on the ship. Despite every sail being unfurled, the ship moved slowly through the water. “There is not much wind, is there?” asked Elizabeth of no one in particular.

  “Unfortunately, no.” The captain came up behind her. “The sails are spread to every inch of their canvas to catch every bit o’ wind. We don’t seem to be havin’ any luck wi’ the forces of nature, but at least ’tis not a storm sendin’ us off in the wrong direction again!”

  “It makes me wonder,” said Elizabeth, “that anyone can sail when so many forces can affect it – strong winds, no wind, stormy seas, fog… and pirates.”

  “We jest seem to be encounterin’ ’em all, don’t we?” The captain looked at her with a melancholy smile and then turned to the others. “Let me know if there’s anythin’ I ken do fer ye.” He turned and walked away.

  *~*~*

  At six o’clock Elizabeth walked into the dining room with her father and cousin. She sat across from her father, and David sat down next to her. The other passengers joined them, leaving the chair at the head of the table and the place on the bench next to Elizabeth vacant. Bellows entered and took the place next to Elizabeth. When the captain came in, he took the seat at the head of the table.

  They were served a simple meal of roasted beef and vegetable ragout, bread, and some assorted fruit. Everyone seemed to enjoy it, especially the women, who had not enjoyed a good, hot meal in over a day.

  As the dinner plates were taken away, the guests were pleasantly surprised when lemon custard was brought out.

  Elizabeth turned to Bellows, who had just finished what seemed to be a lively conversation with her father and cousin.

  “Tell me, Mr. Bellows,” Elizabeth began, “Captain Smith informed me that he was impersonating this Lockerly in order to capture him. That it was all a scheme of a River Thames Police official. This seemed quite odd to me.”

  “Indeed, an’ the captain was not ’appy about my part in the whole thing.”

  “I can imagine,” Elizabeth said.

  Bellows took a sip from his cup of coffee and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. “Oh, pardon me manners, Miss Bennet.”

  “It is quite all right, Mr. Bellows. Does the captain have a ship of his own?”

  “No, in fact,” he leaned in to whisper, “he ain’t even a real sea captain!”

  Elizabeth looked at him in surprise. “If he is not a sea captain, what is he? What does he do?” She picked up her tea and took a sip.

  “That’s the thing, miss. He don’t do anything. He’s one of those fancy estate gentlemen who spends ’is whole life bein’ all social and bein’ seen in all the right places wi’ all the right people. No, he didn’t even want to do this, not really.”

  “But his speech, certainly…”

  “All part of ’is disguise.” Bellows let out a laugh. “An’ I know he’s been sufferin’ in all this as he told me once that disguise is an abhorrence to ’im.”

  Elizabeth’s breath caught and her hand began to shake. She put down her cup of tea and slowly looked back up at Bellows. “What did you say?”

  “He tol’ me disguise o’ every sort is ’is abhorrence.”

  Elizabeth’s heart pounded, and she felt almost light-headed. She picked up her napkin and dabbed her mouth, turning her eyes first to her father, and then casting a sly glance at the end of the table. When she saw the eyes of the captain upon her, she wondered why she had not noticed before!

  She quickly looked back to Bellows. “Tell me, Bellows, is Captain Smith… is that his real name?”

  “Oh, no, miss. But ’e made me promise not to tell a single soul what ’is real name is.”

  Elizabeth slowly nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Bellows. I have enjoyed our conversation immensely.”

  *~*~*

  Darcy made an attempt to attend to the conversation between the Kellers and the Dillards at his end of the table, but it became almost impossible.

  He found it increasingly difficult to keep his eyes from Elizabeth and wished he was seated by her, enjoying her liveliness and wit. She seemed very intent on what Bellows was telling her. He hoped his first mate would not divulge anything about his true identity to her.

  He drained his cup of coffee of its last drops. Tomorrow morning this whole charade would finally be over! His heart sank as he realized his time with Elizabeth would be, as well.

  Elizabeth excused herself from the table and walked out. Darcy had to force himself to remain seated and not go after her and confess everything. When he watched David get up and follow her, it helped his resolve to remain where he was.

  After the passengers finished their meal, the rest of the crew came in to eat. It was a much more raucous atmosphere, and Darcy was grateful he had his guests eat with just him and Bellows.

  He and his first mate spent some time with the crew and then went up to the quarterdeck, replacing one of the men who had taken the helm. Bellows took the wheel, and Darcy looked about him with the spyglass pressed to his eye. He scanned the horizon watching for any sign of approaching ships. He then slowly lowered it to the port side of the ship, catching Elizabeth in its scope.

  She was looking out on the horizon while engaged in a conversation with the ladies. The setting sun behind her painted the sky and spattering of clouds an ever-changing array of colours.

  It was a peaceful evening, and as the sun dipped down in the western sky, the passengers gathered at the railing to watch. A warm light breeze made the evening air pleasant enough to remain on deck. But Darcy felt anything but peace within. He wondered whether he would fall back into his former destitute state when he returned to London. He had allowed himself to enjoy Elizabeth’s presence and person too freely. He wondered what had happened to the man he believed was so regulated, who lived sensibly and rationally, and who – he believed – would only behave with the utmost decorum.

  “See anythin’ o’ interest?” Bellows asked, a knowing smile spreading across his face.

  Darcy put the spyglass down and looked at Bellows, a knot forming on his brow. “I know you suspect that Miss Bennet has become an object of my admiration.” He spoke clearly and precisely.

  “I don’t suspect it, man; I know it!”

  Darcy shook his head. “What you do not know is that I have admired her for quite some time. Since autumn of last year, in fact.”

  Bellows looked stunned. “Ye’re acquainted wi’ her? She knows who ye are?”

  “No,” Darcy answered. He took in a breath. “It was a brief acquaintance, and I doubt with my manner of speaking and my appearance that she has recognized me.” Darcy leaned in to Bellows. “You did not reveal my true identity at dinner, did you?”

  Bellows shook his head. “No, I promised I wouldn’t. But why not tell ’er who ye truly are?” Bellows nodded his head towards Elizabeth. “If yer feelings are what ye say they are… It appears as though this Mr. Adams is quite fond o’ her, too. I’d let her know, I would!”

  Darcy narrowed his eyes at D
avid Adams. Shaking his head, he said, “There are some complications to my doing so.” He shook his head. “I cannot tell her who I am.”

  Bellows let out a moan. “I ken’t imagine what that could be when she seems as enamoured wi’ ye as ye are wi’ her.”

  Darcy turned sharply at his first mate. “What?”

  “Ye must be blind as a bat!” he exclaimed. “Here, ye take the helm. I must needs attend to somethin’.”

  “You are not going to go tell her, are you?” Darcy demanded. “I will not deal lightly with you if you do!”

  “No worry, Captain. I jest think the crew and our guests need some lively diversion!”

  Darcy kept an eye on Bellows to make sure he was not going to speak with Elizabeth. Instead, his first mate took the steps down and disappeared.

  A few minutes later Bellows reappeared with Michael Jenkins, who went to the forecastle deck and began playing his flute. A few of the men began dancing a reel together to the lively music. At length, a few couples joined in as Jenkins played his repertoire of music.

  Darcy watched from the helm as Elizabeth clasped the good hand of David Adams, and the two began to dance. Darcy let out a moan and brusquely rubbed his chin in frustration. Bellows returned and stood at his side.

  “It appears as though they are enjoying themselves,” Bellows said, casting a side-long glance at Darcy, who did not answer.

  Darcy continued to watch as the couples danced. As each dance ended, the couples laughingly gave elaborate bows and curtseys and then moved on to different partners. He felt a sense of relief when Elizabeth was no longer dancing with David.

  At length, some of the older couples grew weary and thanked Jenkins for the music. Darcy watched as Elizabeth stood by her father and David. The two men were conversing. Jenkins announced there would be one final dance.

  “Take the helm, Bellows,” Darcy suddenly said.

  “What are you doing?”

  Darcy took in a deep breath. “I am going to ask Miss Bennet for the next dance!”

  Chapter 16

  Darcy determinedly took the steps down and walked towards Elizabeth. He felt the same rush of excitement and silly boyhood anticipation he had felt when he first asked her to dance at the Netherfield Ball. This was quite different, however. That time, he had felt that Elizabeth knowing who he was had been in his favour. This time he had in his favour that she did not.

  He came up to her and gave a quick bow.

  “May I have… ’ave the pleasure of the next dance, Miss Bennet?”

  Elizabeth turned to him with a look of surprise. He half expected a lively retort, but she was silent for a moment.

  “Thank you. I… I should like that very much,” she said.

  Darcy bowed and claimed her hand. His fingers enclosed about hers, giving them a gentle squeeze as they took their places in the set. Jenkins began to play a slow, rhythmic tune, allowing the couples to walk and turn with each other, providing ample time for conversation. Darcy, however, could not conjure up one thing to say. It was enough to enjoy her sparkling eyes, ready smile, and radiant face.

  “Do you not talk as a rule while dancing, Captain?”

  Darcy started, observing her expression as she spoke these words. He searched her face, wondering whether she had any recollection of him asking her a very similar question when they danced at Netherfield. He wondered whether she knew that the man dancing with her now was the one who had danced with her then.

  “’Tis the purpose of the dance, I suppose, to git a little more acquainted wi’ yer partner.”

  “I am quite glad you feel that way, as I must admit I have found you a most perplexing character to sketch.”

  Darcy raised a single brow as they parted for a few movements. When they came back together, he continued, “So ye are a studier of character, are ye? An’ why is mine so perplexin’?”

  “For one, you are a very peculiar pirate! I am hard pressed to know what to make of you!” A smile touched the corners of her mouth.

  “Well, ye know I’m not a pirate,” he said softly.

  Elizabeth laughed. “So you say, but you chose to impersonate one. I find that peculiar, indeed!”

  “I ’ad not planned to do it; it jest ’appened. As there was an apparent similarity in our looks, I agreed to it.”

  “Oh, yes, I noticed the similarity,” Elizabeth said as they parted again. She walked around the couple beside them, and she came back to stand across from Darcy while that couple walked around them. When they stepped closer, she said, “In your appearance, I will concur, but that was the extent of it.”

  “An’ what do ye mean by that?”

  Elizabeth looked up into his face, as if searching for something. “Your manner of speaking, while at times is in the way of the commonest man, at other times hints of refinement and education. You occasionally exhibit mannerisms of a well-bred gentleman, as well. It puzzles me exceedingly!”

  He took her hand as they promenaded down the line. “Per’aps,” he said softly, hoping for more time to keep his identity from her, “I’ve been makin’ an attempt at speakin’ in a more refined manner to impress a young lady.”

  They turned again to face one another and a lovely blush covered Elizabeth’s cheeks, but she did not look away. “At times you behave like the perfect gentleman, and at other times… I do not know whether you are teasing or brazenly flirting.”

  “I rarely flirt,” Darcy said in a grave tone. He shook his head slightly. “An’ if I do, ’tis never brazen.”

  Elizabeth’s brows pinched together, and she tilted her head. “It certainly begs the question of who truly is this Captain Smith.”

  The curls that framed her face bounced; one fell across her face. Darcy was tempted to reach over and gently pull it aside with his fingers.

  They parted again, giving Darcy a moment to collect his thoughts – or perhaps to gather the fortitude to confess all to her. They returned to their place in the set, and he stared across at her. He would take this image of her and burrow it into his heart forever. Once she knew who he was, it would change whatever regard she held for the captain.

  He had to wait a few more movements before he was close enough to speak to her again. They stepped forward and joined their hands. Darcy met Elizabeth’s raised brow with one of his own.

  “Who do ye think Cap’n Smith is?” He held his breath as he awaited her answer.

  She bit her lip and looked up at him intently. “Do you truly wish to hear my thoughts? No, I shall refrain for the moment. But my curiosity impels me to insist you tell me more about him.”

  Darcy drew in a sharp breath, fearing she have guessed his true identity. “I fear it would be of little interest to you.” Darcy winced, realizing he had not spoken with an accent.

  “No,” Elizabeth said softly, “perhaps the life of a ship’s captain would not prove interesting, but tell me, have you had other adventures at sea as exciting as this one?” Elizabeth tilted her head and looked at him with questioning eyes.

  “Nothing at all like this.”

  “No storms, no pirates, no crashing upon the rocks? What about mutinies or dealing with an unruly sailor?”

  Darcy shook his head briefly.

  “Hmm,” Elizabeth murmured. “I would think a sea captain would deal with at least some of those on a regular basis.” She sent him a challenging look. “Another peculiar piece of the puzzle.”

  Darcy felt his heart begin to race, as he contemplated what she might suspect. They parted again and when they came together, there was silence between them for several movements.

  Finally, Darcy asked, “Is there anything else ye find peculiar?”

  Elizabeth glanced down at their hands, and just as they released them to step around the dancers on either side of them, Elizabeth exclaimed, “There most definitely is.”

  It was several movements before they came back together, and as they did, the music came to an end. Michael Jenkins thanked everyone for indulging his playing,
but said he had to report to duty. Everyone thanked him for the lively diversion.

  Elizabeth curtseyed, and Darcy bowed, taking her hand. They walked to the rail of the ship.

  “You were saying?”

  Elizabeth looked down again at their joined hands, lifting them up. She turned his hand over in hers. With her other hand, she ran her fingers softly across his open palm. “Would you say that a ship’s captain does a lot of hard work?”

  “Aye,” he answered, barely able to formulate a coherent thought. His mouth was dry, and he fought every impulse to pull her close. “Do ye flirt brazenly, Miss Bennet? For ye are treadin’ in some deep an’ dangerous waters here.”

  Elizabeth quickly released his hand. “Pray forgive my impertinence. But I fear I cannot come to understand how your hands could be so soft and smooth. It is almost as if you have never done a day’s worth of hard work in your life.” She sent him a challenging look.

  Before he answered, Elizabeth stopped. She looked intently up into his face. “It is not important.” She looked towards the stairs and said, “The men have gone to the dining room. I can go on from here.” Curtseying, she said, “Thank you, again, for the dance, Mr. Darcy.”

  Darcy bowed. “It was my…” He gasped and he widened his eyes. He felt as if his heart had stopped. “You know?”

  “Oh, I was not certain,” she said with a nervous laugh, her eyes reflecting confusion, however, instead of glee. “It was just as we ate dinner that I began to suspect. It was something Mr. Bellows said after the meal that gave me pause.”

  “Bellows? Did he tell you who I was?”

  “No,” Elizabeth reassured him. “He merely recounted to me that you told him disguise is your abhorrence. I recalled you saying that very thing to me when… well…” Elizabeth trailed off, and she cast her eyes down.

  Darcy lowered his brows. He knew exactly when he had uttered those words and felt anew those feelings of despair and awkwardness that had marked their last meeting at Rosings.

  “I am grateful you can laugh about it now. I, unfortunately, cannot.”