by Merry Farmer
Her first sight of Santa Laura was across several feet of water, in the gathering dusk. The place looked pleasant enough, idyllic even, bathed in the soft light of a tropical sunset. She shaded her eyes and could pick out a collection of timber structures lining hard-packed earth roads. Lush palms swayed in the gentle Caribbean breeze, and the soft melodic sound of low drumbeats reached her ears.
“What is that music? she asked the tall pirate captain who stood beside her at the ship’s rail.
“That is the buleador,” he explained, “a sort of wooden drum. It is originally from Africa, I believe. You will hear it a lot in these islands.”
“It is beautiful,” she breathed. “So peaceful…”
“Are you ready to go ashore?”
She nodded, able to put it off no longer. “You must be keen to be off again.”
“Not especially. I must wait here for the Marlin to limp in with the freed slaves and my men who I left on board. My crew will expect some time to frequent the bars and taverns and renew their acquaintance with certain ladies, and I have cargo to unload and sell. I expect to remain for a few days, at least.”
“Oh, then we shall see each other, I expect. Before you leave.”
He eyed her, his brow furrowing. “I had thought you might like to stay at my house on the island, Ruby. The accommodations there are comfortable, and you will be able to continue your recuperation.”
“Your house? Why, yes. Yes, thank you. I had no idea where I might go…”
“Did you imagine I would just dump you on the jetty and leave you to your own devices?”
She shrugged. That was it, more or less. Exactly what she had expected would happen.
“Ruby, this is a safe enough island, relatively speaking. Santa Natalia is remote, of little interest to the navies of either the Spanish or English. Even so, it is no place for a lady alone, especially not one as beautiful and unprotected as you are.”
“Then how… I mean, where would I—?”
“It was always my intention to offer you the safety of my house for as long as you require it.”
“Oh. You did not say.”
He took her hand and started to lead her in the direction of the gangplank. Already members of his crew scurried back and forth like rats, taking cargo ashore and bringing supplies on board. “I did not realise you thought otherwise, Ruby. You should have told me if you were concerned about what would happen once we arrived here.”
“You have done so much for me. I did not wish to trouble you further.”
He gave her an exasperated look and assisted her up onto the swaying plank which would provide the bridge back to dry land. “Did you imagine I would bed you, then abandon you?”
Again, she could not produce a ready answer. She had thought that, she supposed.
He sprang up behind her and took her elbow to steady her on the short walk across to the jetty. “Ah, Ruby, I may be a rogue, but I am not heartless. I have come to care for you, and I will see you safe. I think you will like my house.”
Chapter 7
He was right; she did like his house.
Ruby exclaimed in amazement when the small hired buggy rounded the final bend in the long, curving drive and the elegant mansion came into view. Will had purchased the house three years previously, when he determined that this island was to serve as his base. He wanted something more comfortable than his cramped quarters on the Falcon, and a fine house made a statement to his fellow buccaneers. He had wealth; he should proclaim it for all to witness.
The previous owner had made his fortune from sugar but had sadly not managed to sire any offspring to continue his life’s work. He decided that he longed to retire to his European homeland, so his plantation had been put up for sale. Will was able to acquire the property, and immediately sold on the land which came with the deal. He was only interested in the house, a grand structure offering several reception rooms, no less than eleven elegant bedrooms, an orangery, and stabling for a dozen horses.
Will kept just three horses, his own fine hunter and two to pull the carriage he had yet to purchase, so the rest of the equine accommodation was used to store the spoils from his frequent raids on His Britannic Majesty’s shipping until such time as the goods could be brought to the market. It was a convenient arrangement, and it would be Will’s usual habit to inspect his warehouse on first arriving to determine what merchandise was to be sold on next.
He made an exception on this occasion.
“I will show you around,” he offered when he brought the buggy to a halt before his imposing front entrance. He hopped down and turned to assist Ruby. There are servants, too, to attend to your needs. I will introduce you.”
His butler appeared at the top of the front steps, a broad smile on his mahogany-hued features. “Welcome, sir. We saw your sail and readied your room. Refreshments are waiting inside.”
“Thank you, Zeus,” Will replied. “As you can see, I have a guest with me. Ruby will be staying with us. Please make the necessary arrangements.”
“At once, sir. Perhaps, the West room, overlooking the bay?”
“Excellent choice.” Will took Ruby’s hand and led her up the steps. “Ruby, this is Zeus. He is in charge of everything that happens here. He and I first met aboard a slaver, as you might imagine. He had been a household slave in the past and fancied continuing in that vein as a free man. He offered his services when I purchased this house and has worked for me ever since.”
“I am delighted to meet you, Mr Zeus.” Ruby offered her left hand, and the butler took it.
“Just Zeus, Madame.” His smile was beaming as he welcomed her to the house which his employer owned but Zeus considered his domain alone.
Will led Ruby indoors, glad of the cool tiles in his vestibule which offered welcome relief from the unrelenting heat of the sun. “We will have tea in the dining room, Zeus, but first I shall show Ruby her accommodations here.”
The butler bowed and hurried off to issue instructions, and Will gestured to Ruby that she should precede him up the elegant carved staircase which led to the bedrooms.
“This is yours,” he announced, flinging open the door to the best guest room. The chamber faced west, so enjoyed the benefit of the morning sunshine, but was cool later in the day. “There is a veranda through there, which runs the length of the house.”
His own room opened onto the same veranda. Will expected to find the arrangement most convenient.
She surveyed the pretty guest room, her eyes widening when she spied the beautiful four-poster bed. “Oh, it is lovely,” she exclaimed.
“You will be comfortable here.”
“Yes, I will, of course, but…”
“Is there a problem, Ruby?” He could not imagine what might be wrong. There was no finer place on the entire island. He had made it his business to own the best house on Santa Natalia.
“I had thought… I mean, could I not share your room? That is, if you would not find it inconvenient.”
Inconvenient? Hardly.
“Is that what you want, Ruby? On board the Falcon there were no other cabins, and you had to share mine. Here, we have ample space.”
“I know, I can see that. But I rather like sharing. I find your company…pleasant, sir.”
“Pleasant?” He grinned. “Could it be that my mysterious lady is something of a harlot?”
“I would not want you to think that, not exactly. But—”
“My harlot. I find your company equally enjoyable, Ruby. I would be delighted to continue to share a bed.”
Her delicate flush was adorable. He could not resist seeing it deepen. “Of course, sharing is pleasant enough, but what I really prefer is to see you draped across my bed, your legs spread wide, and wearing nothing but a smile.”
“Captain!” Her face was puce. “Someone might hear.”
“There is no one in this house, madame, who will misunderstand the nature of our relationship once you take up residence in my room.” He took her
hand again. “Come, I will show it to you.”
The master chamber was huge. Will valued the spacious accommodations, a sharp contrast to his cabin on board. His bed here alone was almost the size of his entire cabin, and windows lined the whole of one wall. His view was of cliffs to the east of the island and the bustling port below. He insisted upon being able to see the Falcon from his home and observe the various comings and goings.
The ship currently bobbed at anchor, about a mile from where he now stood looking down upon her. He was not entirely certain which of his possessions afforded him most pride, the Falcon or his home.
He thought the ship had it, but only just.
“This is a beautiful room,” Ruby exclaimed. She stood in the centre and turned in a circle, taking in the expensive furnishings, the softness of the duck-egg blue carpet, the curtains in the exact same delicate shade which framed the windows, the elegant French wardrobes and matching dresser. Those had been destined for a fine chateau on the outskirts of Paris before Will intercepted them and decided that he could find a better home for the exquisite walnut furniture.
“I am glad you like it. A seamstress from Don Juan is to attend us later today, and she will bring samples for you to make selections from. First, though, shall we see if Zeus has served that tea yet?”
“I did not realise you enjoyed tea, sir.” She took his outstretched hand. “Or that you knew that I did.”
“A guess,” he murmured. And yet more evidence that she was of gentle stock since tea was expensive, and not usually available to the less affluent classes. “Shall we go down to the dining room?”
Christ, is there any greater pleasure than the hot, tight warmth of a beautiful female body?
Will pondered the question briefly, then let out a grunt of satisfaction when he seated his engorged cock deep within Ruby’s welcoming depths. Her hips rocked from side to side, and her own sighs of delight encouraged him to greater efforts.
She had shared his chamber for the last week, and each morning their ritual had been the same. He would awaken, reach for her, and she would open her body to him. He was fond of bedding her at other times of the day, too, but the first encounter of the morning was, perhaps, his favourite. Ruby was always so warm, so sleepy, and so conveniently naked. He would be a fool not to partake of the opportunity.
She faced away from him, balancing on her knees, her delectable arse up in the air, her thighs wide for his entry. He knelt behind her and watched with fascination as his cock slid in and out of her slick pussy. The pink lips, swollen with arousal, caressed the shaft of his erection as he drove in and out. She grunted, then squeezed her inner muscles around him. Her climax would not be long now. He could slow the proceedings down, make her wait until she pleaded, moaned, begged.
His beautiful Ruby did beg so prettily. Will was tempted.
His balls contracted hard, and his cock jerked. His own lust demanded release, and he could not, would not, take his pleasure before he was quite certain she had had hers. There were few lessons he had taken to heart from his father, an honest merchant who would have been appalled at his son’s chosen career, but that was one of them.
“Never let a lady leave your bed less than satisfied, lad,” the older Mr Falconer had intoned when it first came to his attention that his son had discovered a fondness for the fairer sex. “And do not be overly concerned with your own needs. A woman’s orgasm is the greatest aphrodisiac of all.”
Will had found his father’s advice to be sage. In this regard, at least, he followed it religiously.
He reached around Ruby to find her clit. The little nub was already swollen, plump under his fingers. He rubbed the tip, then circled slowly, gathering speed until she let out a ragged cry and her pussy spasmed around him.
Will could take no more. His own climax surged forth, his semen spurting to flood her tight channel.
After, they lay quiet. He withdrew from her but held her in his arms, her bottom snuggled against his abdomen and his arms wrapped around her. He lifted the tangle of gold-red curls from her neck and kissed her, then nuzzled her ear.
“The Marlin came into port yesterday. The women you shared that hold with have been brought ashore to start new lives here on Santa Natalia.”
“Oh. I did not see it.”
“Would you have recognised the ship? I shall point it out to you from our window.”
“I suppose I would not. Are the women all right?”
“Yes, or they will be once they become accustomed to their new status.”
“That was a good thing you did, though most of polite society would view it as theft.”
“I do not,” he asserted. “No one should own another. Which brings me to something else I must tell you.”
“Oh?” She turned her head to meet his gaze. “What is that?”
“I have received word of another slave ship, Spanish this time, sailing out of Savannah bound for Galveston. As well as a cargo of slaves, she is also carrying gold and other valuables. It is a rare opportunity.”
“You mean to rob this Spanish vessel?”
“I do, yes.”
“When will you leave?”
“Today, on the afternoon tide.”
“So soon?” She rolled over in order to fully face him. “I had thought…”
He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “I shall miss you, my Ruby. But I cannot delay if I mean to intercept the Spaniards.”
“I know. I do realise. Even so… I shall miss you, too.”
“Will you be here when I return?”
“How long do you think you will be away?”
“A few weeks, maybe longer. I cannot say for certain.”
“Please, Captain, do not leave me here. I know no one apart from Zeus and the servants. I am a stranger even to myself.”
“Ruby, you know I must go.” He wished it were not so, but he was a privateer, and this was an opportunity not to be missed. His men expected no less from him.
“Then take me with you.”
“No, it is too dangerous. Pirating is a risky affair. There will be fighting, and I would not see you injured.”
“The risks are mine to take, surely. I want to be with you. And, I can help.”
“Ruby, you are no sailor.”
“No, but I can assist Old Sawbones. I have a gentle touch, or I will have when the surgeon finally agrees to unbind my hand. He can teach me, and I can help with the sick or injured.”
He regarded her with sceptical interest. The truth was, Will was not enthusiastic about leaving Ruby behind, but he would never have insisted that she return to sea with him. The perils were too great. However, if she truly desired to come, even knowing the risk she took… And there was truth in her words about helping to treat his injured men. Despite their raucous bravado and laddish ways, most men when laid low yearned for a woman’s touch. Old Sawbones’ skills were to be respected, but his bedside manner was gruff at best. Perhaps this could work, but only if she absolutely swore to him that she would remain below decks from the moment the Spanish vessel was sighted. Her safety could never be guaranteed aboard a pirate ship, but he would do all in his power to protect her.
“Are you quite certain you wish to do this? You know already the lack of comfort on board, the cramped conditions, the monotonous food.” Not to mention the presence of thirty-odd cutthroat pirates.
“I know what I am letting myself in for. I swear I will not be a nuisance, I will work hard, and—”
“Okay, I am convinced.” Well, near enough. “Can you be ready to sail on the afternoon tide? We must be at sea by four o’clock.”
“I can. Yes, of course I can. Thank you. Thank you!” She crawled on top of him and stopped any further conversation with a kiss.
Will lay back. There was probably more he should say, detailed instructions, conditions, requirements she must swear to adhere to, but those could wait. His cock stirred, and all thoughts of negotiation fled from his head.
“Where do you
expect to intercept the Spanish vessel?” Ruby asked.
They stood together on the wheel deck. His hands were on the spokes of the huge ship’s wheel, holding a steady course, heading west. Above them, the Falcon’s sails billowed in the strong Caribbean breeze, and the ship was making good time across the swell of the waves. Ruby stood before him, leaning on the wheel so he had to reach around her to grasp the handles. His chest pressed against her slender back while his cock nudged her delicious backside. The wind lifted her hair, and he dropped a kiss on the nape of her neck.
“Somewhere west of the Bahamas,” he replied, “before they enter the Gulf of Mexico.”
“How long before we sight her?”
“A couple of days, at this speed.”
“I know now why you love the sea. It is so…exhilarating.” She turned her face into the wind and laughed out loud.
It was the first time, he realised. The first time he had heard her laughing.
“We shall make a sailor of you yet, madame.”
She tilted her head to grin at him over her shoulder. “I want to learn all I can. Could you show me the charts, teach me how to read them? And how to find my way by the stars alone?”
He paused. Her enthusiasm for all things maritime was unexpected, but he found he rather liked it. “Yes, Ruby, I can teach you those things and more besides.”
“Thank you. When can we start?”
“Allow me to summon Hercules to take over the wheel, and we can go below and commence your education at once.”
“Sir! Sir! Captain, sir, a sail is sighted.” The yelling was accompanied by a furious pounding on his cabin door.
Will was awake in an instant.
“What is it?” Ruby mumbled, still half asleep.
“The Spanish ship, I hope,” Will replied, already tugging on his breeches.
“So soon?” They had only been at sea for five days.
“We have made good time, and they may have been slower than I bargained upon. Remember your promise, Ruby. Stay below.”