Pirates and Prejudice (12 page)

Bellows picked
up the flask and brought it to Elizabeth. 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 on 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.”

“I assure you I
have no more amusing stories!”

“Yes! You
remember! You were going to tell us about that foolish man whose offer of
marriage you simply had to refuse.”

“Now?” Elizabeth
asked.

“Yes! We are all
waiting expectantly.”

Mrs. Keller
grabbed Elizabeth’s arm and began pulling her towards the ladies. She turned
back to excuse herself from the captain but saw that he was no longer standing
there.

*~*~*

Darcy walked
quickly away from the cave… away from Elizabeth… pounding his chin with his fist.
He could only thank the good Lord for not allowing him to say whatever it was
he was about to say to her. He had no idea what that was going to be, but his
feelings at that moment were so strong that he had felt compelled to say
something.

Was he going to
profess his love? Reveal his true identity? He had no idea. He could not
formulate one thought now, save for the fact that the laughter he heard from
the ladies inside the cave was directed at him, even though they were unaware
of that fact. One thing he did know was that the contented glow he had
experienced earlier now felt like a lead weight deep inside, and he could
barely breathe.

Darcy’s stomach
churned as he considered what Elizabeth might be saying about him. He
desperately wanted to flee as far away from her as he could get… or else to go
in and apologize for being the fool he was when he so recklessly declared his
love
and
his misgivings in his offer of marriage.

He slapped his
hand against a rock and cast his gaze to the ground. If only this had happened
before
he had allowed his senses to come fully alive in her presence. He had fooled
himself into thinking she could care for him. He fisted his hand and slammed it
against the rock, this time more forcefully. A small trail of blood trickled out
between his fingers. A small trail of blood trickled down his hand. As he wiped
the blood away, he resolved that he would no longer allow his senses to be
saturated while in her presence.

“Captain!”
Bellows’ voice called out.

“Here!” Darcy
answered.

“The ladies are
gettin’ tired an’ would like to know what should be done ’bout sleepin’
arrangements.”

“Tired?” Darcy
asked, unable to disguise the disgust in his voice. “It sounded like they were…
was havin’ a good laugh in there over somethin’.

Bellows narrowed
his brows at him. “So it would seem. I were not privy to it, other than that it
concerned a rather foolish gentleman an’ a rejected proposal.”

Darcy fisted his
hands again. At least he knew she had not recognized him. She would not dare
talk about him like that to the other ladies if she knew his true identity.

Darcy ran his
hand across his forehead and through his long hair. “I know not what we ken do
’bout the sleepin’ arrangements, but I suppose we ought to station two men to
guard the cave throughout the night.  We ken take shifts, like we do on
the ship.”

“Aye. But the
ladies wondered if there was some way to give them a little privacy.”

“I wish we could
jest git them back to their ship! That would take care of everything!”

“Cap’n? Are you all
right?”

Darcy took in a
deep breath. “It has jest been a rather stressful day an’ I’m ready fer it to
be over with.”

“I would’ve
thought you ’ad been rather enjoyin’ the day.”

Darcy turned
sharply towards him. “Why do ye say that?”

“Why, tis perty
obvious you think fondly of Miss Bennet an’ ’ave been quite enjoyin’ her
company.”

“Well, yer
mistaken! Ken’t imagine why you’d think that!” Darcy turned and began walking
back to the cave. “Come! I supposed we must see what we ken do.”

When the two men
returned to the cave, the ladies had gathered their belongings and blankets in
the far back corner of the cave. The trunk had been conveniently moved in front
of them to afford a little privacy.

Mr. Joyner had
positioned himself on the opposite side of the trunk, away from the ladies, but
between them and the men. As the women made the final preparations for their
sleeping arrangements, Darcy walked over.

“It appears ye
ladies have yer sleeping arrangements set. Is there anythin’ else I ken do?”

He would not allow
himself to look at Elizabeth. She walked over and stood in front of him,
however, making it difficult.

“Yes, Miss
Bennet? Is there somethin’ ye need?” He folded his arms across his chest and
looked beyond her. Her scent, however, was not that easy to ignore.

“Captain, the
ladies were wondering whether you think their husbands… and my father and
cousin… might try to come over again tomorrow.”

Darcy shrugged
and looked down at his feet as he kicked around some of the dirt. “If the seas
are still rough in the mornin’, they likely won’t risk it.”

“They are
wondering… if we have to row out to
your
ship… how we might board it. Do
you have winches that can raise the dinghy up to your ship?”

Darcy furrowed
his brows and ran his hand down his bristly beard. He had not even considered
how the ladies would get onto the ship if they needed to.

“We don’t. We
only ’ave a rope ladder that is thrown over the side. Do ye think the women
would be able to climb it?”

“Oh, dear!” Elizabeth
whispered as she turned to look back at the ladies. “Mrs. Joyner believes she
is going to die at every turn. I doubt she would have the presence of mind to
even take the first step out of the dinghy. I doubt Mrs. Dillard could manage
it either, but perhaps Mrs. Keller could.”

“And you?” he
asked as he unwittingly turned his eyes to her.

Elizabeth smiled
and her eyes sparkled as she looked back at him. “I believe so. I climbed up
and down a rope ladder a great many times when I was younger.”

“Did you? An’
what was this rope ladder used for?” Darcy regretted the moment he asked. His
resolve to distance himself from Elizabeth seemed to have completely
evaporated.

“A magical fort
our father built in a tree for my sisters and me. Although I fear it has been
several years since I last attempted to climb it.”

Darcy lifted a
single brow. “A magical fort? An’ what was magical about it?”

“Oh, you know
how children are. To my elder sister, Jane, it was a castle. To my sister,
Mary, it was a cathedral, and to my two younger sisters, it was a ballroom.”

“And what was it
to you?”

“Whenever I had
the opportunity, I would escape up there by myself to get away from all the
clamour and commotion that has always been a part of life at Longbourn.”

“So it became an
escape for you?”

She leaned in to
him with a smile. “Well, to own the truth, I called it my library.”

“Library? Why a
library?” he laughed.

“I often noticed
how my father would sequester himself away in his library with all his books
and read. I soon realized he did it to get away from the noisy din of a
household of ladies. So I learnt from him and would take a book with me and
spend hours up there reading.”

Darcy could well
imagine having to resort to something of the sort if he was confined with all
the Bennets on a continual basis. Excepting Elizabeth, that is.

He suddenly
thought of Georgiana and chuckled. Without thinking he said, “When my sister
was younger, she loved to entertain herself in the play castle that my father
had built for her.”

Elizabeth looked
at him with a surprised look. “You have a sister, do you? And she has a play
castle?”

Darcy shook his
head. He had to be more careful – both in what he said to Elizabeth and how he
said it!

“It was… ’twas
not a castle, really, that was jest what she called it. And it wasn’t in a
tree.” He drew in a sharp breath. “Miss Bennet, I need to discuss wi’ Bellows
the issue of gettin’ you ladies out to the ship. We’ll come up wi’ somethin’.
If you’ll excuse me.” He gave a short bow and began to walk away.

“Thank you,
Captain.”

Darcy stopped.
“Oh, an’ Miss Bennet,” he said as he looked back at her, “ye may reassure the
ladies that fer their safety we’ll ’ave two men guardin’ the cave throughout
the night in case the pirates return. I doubt they shall, but just as a
precaution.”

“I shall inform
them. Thank you.”

Darcy walked
briskly away. His emotions were as turbulent as the seas had been the night
before. Trying to navigate through them was positively futile, and if he was
not careful, he would end up being battered upon the rocks much like the
merchant ship had been!

*~*~*

Elizabeth
returned to the ladies. It was dark in the back corner of the cave, and they
felt some sense of privacy as they settled quietly into their makeshift beds
behind the trunk. There was little conversation save for what the captain had
told her about the guards. She did not want to worry them tonight by mentioning
the problematic boarding of his ship and what that likely would entail for the
ladies.