Seacrets

by Adrianna Wingate

  §

  It was midday and the Arabella was now approaching the docks and the crew was preparing to weigh anchor and tie down. Maura was hanging way over the side trying to help Godsey tie down. The dockside was filled with families come to greet the ship's hands. There were women with babies on their hips, young girls awaiting the arrival of their lovers, hawkers, and food vendors. There was a sound of excitement all around her. Maura could not wait to touch down on dry land... solid ground, to not feel the sway of the ship, under feet, any longer.

  "Look gel, Ya made it!" Godsey hugged her around her shoulder.

  “I'll be takin' ya ta the Turlington's, after I finish up and get my wages from the Cap'n. You've got some Money comin' to ya , as well. Do not leave the ship without me. Ya don't know ya way around this town and I don't want ya ta get ya self lost. I'll ne'r find ya if ya get out o’ my sight." He warned her of the dangers of the docks.

  "Alright, I won't set foot off the ship until I see ya. I'll be waitin' for ya in my cabin, Godsey."

  As soon as all of the cargo was off the ship, Daniel had Kilern round up all the hands to come aboard and collect their wages. Maura was the last to collect hers. This was very difficult for the both of them. Daniel wanted to grab onto her but knew there were too many eyes about.

  He begged her to meet him in his cabin, "I have something ta give ya before ya set off, lass." He looked down and then away. He had a lump in his throat. This was definitely an unfamiliar feeling to him. "I have a few more things ta attend to up on deck, but I'll be there shortly.”

  Maura agreed to meet with him one last time. She told him that she'd wait for him in his cabin, and then started below deck. Just before she reached the portal to the cabin she felt a hand come across her mouth and she was being hauled into the cabin across the gangway.

  "Well now I'll bet ya thought ya could escape me, didn't ya, wench, hehe, not likely." Kilern cackled as he tied his neckerchief around her mouth to keep her from screaming. Then he bound her hands and feet, to keep her from escaping him. "You're gonna stay right here until everybody's gone and then I'll be takin’ ya with me." His laugh was pure evil. "I'll never have ta sail these waters again for the rest o' my life.

  Then he slammed the door behind him and left her there in the dark. She struggled to free herself but to no avail. She began to cry and then her sorrow turned to hatred and she became furious with herself that she let her guard down. Oh what would happen to me now, she thought?

  Daniel finally made it back down to the cabin and was surprised to find it empty. Could Maura have left the ship without so much as a good-bye? Impossible, Daniel thought. She agreed to meet with him before she left. He had wanted to give her extra funds to tide her over until she could find suitable labor.

  He called up the stairwell for Godsey to come to his cabin immediately. When Godsey reached the cabin he was surprised not to find Maura there as well. "Where's the lass?" Godsey said with a confused look to him. "I was hopin’ you would be able ta tell me", Daniel said with frustration and some fear to his tone.

  "I haven't a clue, sir. She was supposed ta meet me here and then I'd take her ta the Turlington's"

  "The Turlington's?" Daniel asked quizzically.

  "Yes sir. They're the folks what was supposed ta take Maura in, when we arrived. Maura's father sent on her dowry ahead with a letter, some months ago."

  Godsey sounded just as worried as Daniel.

  Maura could hear them talking and was trying desperately to free her mouth and scream, but she could not. Meanwhile all she could do was wait for Kilern to return and then she'd find out what her fate would be.

  Daniel continued to pace back and forth, then he eyed her satchel over on her bunk. "Look Godsey, she couldn't have gone too far. Her satchel is still here." He searched through the bag to see if it held any clues to her whereabouts, but found none.

  "Why would she leave her belongings here? Oh God, man, what if she's fallen over board and is hurt?" They both left the cabin to return to the deck and search over board for any signs of an accidental fall. There were none.

  Daniel was completely convinced something was awry. Maura would not have just left without saying goodbye. He sent Godsey to the Turlington's to see if she'd showed up there, then to report back to him at his Mother's home in Eastern shore or at Stonehurst Manor.

  Before leaving the ship he returned briefly to his cabin and gathered up his belongings and then grabbed Maura's satchel, off of her bunk. If he did catch up with her she'd be needing her things, he thought. He closed the cabin door behind him, threw the satchel over his shoulder and made his way to the upper deck and then to the docks, where Mallory and Leif were awaiting him.

  "Daniel, my boy, good ta finally have ya home!" Leif shook Daniel's hand with a strong grip and a hearty slap on the back.

  Mallory threw herself into his arms and kissed him lavishly upon his mouth in front of her father and passersby. "Darling, I've dreamed of this moment for months, and now it's finally here! You're as good looking and rugged as ever. I dare say the sea does wonders for your masculinity, for you look more scrumptious to me than ever before!" She pulled on his arm to follow her to the awaiting carriage. She turned back to look at her father and gave him a grin and a wink. "Daddy has his own carriage. You and I have some catching up to do." She laughed and squeezed his upper arm into her full breasts. Mallory continued talking endlessly without missing a beat not even noticing Daniel’s mind was somewhere.

  "I cannot wait to be alone with you, Daniel. I will have Charlotte put a hot bath together for you, as soon as we return to Stonehurst." She cooed in his ear, while flicking it with her tongue, letting him know she was to be very available to his manly urges, this eventide.

  "We have a marvelous gathering planned in your honor, tonight. I bought the most delicious new gown just for the occasion. Daniel, Danny. Are you listening to me?"

  Mallory finally stopped talking to take a breath of air, and just stared at him, staring out of the carriage window, with his chin resting on his thumb and forefinger.

  "Yes, yes, of course I am Mallory. He continued to stare out the window, being jousted back and forth over the cobblestones of the city streets, not even looking in her direction.

  Mallory leaned in a bit closer toward Daniel and then putting on her best pouty expression she said, "Daniel you have not even complimented me on how beautiful I look. One would never know you have just returned from three long months at sea. Did you have a female tucked aboard your ship, to while away your lonely nights and ease your yearnings for bawdy companionship?" Batting her eyes and running her finger tips along his forearm on the outside of his leather duster. Then leaning in closer, still, Mallory turned Daniel’s face to meet hers and kissed his lips in a lustful wanton nature. "Danny we have at least an hour’s ride, before reaching Stonehurst Manor. Is there anything you'd like to partake of in the privacy of this carriage?"

  Mallory pushed aside his leather duster and ran her hand up the length of his inner thigh until she reached the ties on his trousers, then pulled his belt loop free. She trailed the palm of her hand down the front of his trousers and he length of his other thigh.

  It was hard to get Maura out of his thoughts, but he knew he must try. She had left him, he did not leave her. She must have thought it would be too hard to say goodbye so she just left to save them both the heartache. For this he should probably be grateful. He was betrothed to Mallory and he must act the part, now.

  He turned to face Mallory and took her face into his hands and kissed her forcefully. He pulled away briefly, with his hands cupping Mallory's face, took in a deep breath and returned to capture Mallory's equally hungry mouth. He laid Mallory back across the seat of the carriage and with his burgeoning lust for Maura deep inside, he ravaged Mallory's body.

  He tried several times to push Maura out of his thoughts but it was of no use. She would forever burn in his mind as the great potential love of his life. When he had made love to Ma
ura that night, many weeks earlier, he was in love for the first time in his life.

  This was sex. Nothing more than pure and simple lust. He had to do this as part of his bargain, but he was sure he would never, again, feel the way he felt when he was in Maura McCoveny's arms.

  Mallory’s chirpings broke his trance. "Well, that was a nice start, my love." Mallory stated in her best self-aggrandizing voice, while fixing her hair, face and clothes.

  "However I have much more planned for you after your homecoming party, this evening." She snuggled up against his shoulder and talked and talked the entire ride home, as Daniel fell off to sleep, with his face resting up against his hand on the window ledge of the carriage.

  -0-

  Maura could tell by the pink hue outside the cabin's porthole that night time was fast approaching. She heard heavy footsteps falling on the deck above her. Was it Daniel come to rescue her? Her heart sank as the portal door opened and in walked Kilern. "Well missy, how ya holdin' up, eh?" He walked over to where she was tied up and loosened the gag from around her mouth.

  "You vile pig!" and Maura spat in his face.

  "Awe you shouldn't a done that, you bitch!" He slapped her face so hard that it left a welt mark on her cheek. "Now you listen ta me, ya hear? Ya can make this as easy or as hard as ya want it ta be. I'd rather not have ta mark up ya pretty face, but I will, if it means makin' ya mind me." He walked over to the other side of the cabin and wiped the spit off of his face.

  "I'll be takin' ya over ta the brothel later and droppin' ya off. Then I'll be by in the mornin' ta discuss with the owner my cut of ya services. Oh, don't ya be worryin' ya pretty head off about havin' ta be with a lot of different gents, right off. You'll be learnin' ya trade from me first." He bent down to her level and slipped his hand inside her shirt and caressed her breasts, "and I'm gonna make sure that ya be well schooled in the finer arts of servicin' a man proper. As far as ya virginity, well let's just say that I'm gonna make sure that ya are sold to the highest bidder, after that I'll sell ya to the brothel for whatever they'll pay for ya and be on my way a very rich man, Hehehe."

  He untied her legs and dragged her to her feet. He made her step into a burlap sack and tied it up over her head, threw her over his shoulder and carried Maura off the ship as if he were unloading just another piece of cargo. "If ya make a sound I'll throw ya overboard and let ya drown in this here sack, ya get my meanin, girl." He walked right by Godsey on the dock.

  "See ya mate." Maura heard Godsey's voice and could do naught.

  "Yep, see ya around the docks, Godsey, ole man." And Kilern kept walking down the plank and disappeared into the night.

  §

  Maura could hear the loud music of a piano. From a tiny hole in the sack she could see what she thought was the inside of a tavern. She could hear a woman's voice shout out louder than the music.

  "Kilern you old salty sea dog, you. What have ya brought for ya darlin' this year? Pearls from the sea?" A boisterous laughter was heard.

  Kilern then motioned for the woman to follow him into the back room, away from the crowd. Now the music was muffled from behind a closed door. Maura was set down on her feet and the sack was untied to reveal its contents... Dead silence.

  When Maura opened her eyes fully she could see a buxom redheaded woman in very tight clothing and too much paint on her face, staring at her, in disbelief.

  "Katy this is Maura, my treasure from the sea." He slapped Maura on the buttocks and knocked her forward a bit.

  Katy walked around Maura, hands on her hips, looking Maura up and down, before speaking. "Kinda scrawny ain't she for a call girl. Most o' my client's like ‘em a little meatier than that."

  Kilern walked over to Maura and tore her shirt wide open and then Katy's eyes almost popped out if her head, as Maura screamed and tried to cover herself.

  "Where did ya get her from, Kilern? Did she just pop out o' the sea, one fine mornin'?"

  "No, she stowed away on the Arabella. Tried ta pass herself off as a cabin boy." They both continued talking about Maura as if she were not in the room.

  "Katy, I'm all done sailing across the ocean. That damn Richard Hargendon never paid me what I was worth all the years I sailed with him and his bastard son is no better a master, ta my mind. They make hundreds of thousands from their tradin' business and all we hands get is a farthing's worth compared to what they clear. No, I'm all done. I want my due. I want ta sell her through your brothel for a percentage o' what you'll be gettin' for her and then I want ta sell her virginity ta the highest bidder and be gone." He spoke of Maura as though she were some piece of chattel to be bargained in the market place.

  "A Virgin, to boot! Well I'm thinkin' we can work somethin' out between us, my pet." She walked up behind Kilern and grabbed his buttocks with both hands and squeezed tightly. Katy continued her molestation of him as though Maura were not present in the room.

  Maura was shocked at her open wantonness. Maura could only think of Kilern with disgust but this woman was purposefully trying to arouse him. Maura could not imagine that any woman would desire such a man. She turned her face from them, shut her eyes tight, and wished she could awaken from this nightmare she was living.

  Some minutes later she heard the door shut and slowly opened her eyes to find herself alone in the room. She tried with every bit of strength she had, to break her bindings, but was unsuccessful. Just then the door opened and in walked Katy. Alone.

  Katy walked around Maura, eyeing her up and down, not speaking a word.

  Maura stared right back into her eyes. Glaring, actually.

  Katy burst out into laughter. "You're one tough little bugger, I can see it in yer eyes. I'll bet ya gave Kilern a run for his money, eh?”

  Maura stood silent, glaring at her new jailer.

  "Listen honey, I ain't got no love loss for men, myself. I was thrown inta the business of servicin' men, because o' the circumstances of me old miserable life and I knew if I were ta survive in this world, I'd have ta swallow my pride and give up the only thing I had left of value...my virginity. I was no older than ya self, when I was turned out by a heartless Madame." Her eyes were heavy with regret, as she continued with her tale of woe.

  "I've always fancied myself ta have a big heart, so I'll start ya out slowly. Ya can start by waitin' tables and chamber maidin'. Get a feel for the regulars. See if ya take a fancy ta anyone of em' in particular. When ya tell me you've chosen your first, then I'll make a deal with the gent."

  Katy’s back was toward Maura. She stared out the window, while she continued talking.

  She was awakened out of her preoccupation when Maura spoke to her.

  "Thank you ma’am. That is most kind of you." Maura’s voice was a bit shaky, now, and she was on the verge of breaking down. She was hating herself for having to give in to her fate. Yet in her mind she told herself it was just temporary and she would do everything in her power to escape. But for now she'd have to do whatever she had to, so she could survive and get home to her father.

  Katy gave a great sigh and a shrug of her shoulders and stated quite gruffly, "Now don't go out ta makin' me some sort o' pushover. Ya hearin' me missy? You're gonna work ya hind end off 'til ya earn ya keep, mark my words on that score." She pushed past Maura in a huff and slammed the door behind her.

  †

  Chapter Eleven

  There was no mistaking it was spring time in Boston. The snow had receded, the May flowers were in flull bloom and the chamber pots stunk to the high heavens. The sun was warm, and that wasn't necessarily a good thing when emptying chamber pots. Up until now, the cold air would've squelched the stench from the pots, but when the sun was warm they reeked all the more. But still, Maura could somehow find the beauty in the changing of the season. "Hope springs eternal", her father would always remark. "Tis time for new growth in all things." Her father's face quickly vanished with Katy's screeching voice.

  "Get the lead out o’ ya arse, girl. There's plenty of chores ta
be done 'round hear afore nightfall. So quit ya daydreamin'."

  Maura collected all the pots then returned them to their rightful places beneath each bed. She’d then stripped the beds of the night before's reverie and carry them down to the first floor, and outside to the washing buckets, out back.

  Again, Katy’s grating voice continued to hammer away in Maura’s ears, now inside the main hall.

  "Get yer arse movin' missy. I've got ta have this place all lookin' like the bloody King of England was comin' 'ere, tonight. Some big fancy pants is gettin' married and his mates is takin' him for 'is last hoorah, If ya get my meanin'."She screamed down at Maura.

  "I've been waitin' and waitin' for ya ta make up ya mind about which prince charmin’ ya was ta have for ya first, but ya been takin' advantage of my good nature so I'm gonna choose for ya. Kilern's been given me a hard time for bein' so soft on ya and he says I should sell ya soon. So ya make good and certain ya are lookin' the beauty tonight cause your virginity is up for sale and I don't wanna hear any caterwaulin' about it. I'll be up before we open ta'nite, ta make sure you’re ready." Katy strode out of the main hall.

  Maura stood there, stunned, as if she'd just been kicked in the stomach. This is what her father was trying to help her avoid and it was going to happen to her anyway. She should've stayed in Ireland and took her chances. At least she would have been with her father when he died and she'd feel she’d done everything she could do for him. Her eyes began to well up. Just at that moment, she could hear the tinkling of glass hitting glass and turned in the direction of the sound.There was a woman behind the bar washing glasses. Sarah.

  Sarah looked up and Maura could see she had empathy for her situation. She wiped down the counter and called to Maura to come to the bar.