Owned by Pirates

Standing up slowly, I tried to find my voice. “Davy, go watch the jail so that you can tell us when the night guard starts. I’ll get dressed.”

I’d never heard five boisterous men cheer for me before, and I was shocked at how much I enjoyed it. It felt good to have a team with me. They felt like brothers, of a sort.

***

Two hours later, I was shocked at how much I enjoyed this. Putting a plan together, working as a crew, and trying to be brave. It was more adventurous than I would have ever believed.

Davy had casually walked around the town until the jail’s shift change, strolling back near the ship to signal O’Doule. Then he meandered back to hide under the jailor’s window to listen in.

Larry left the ship first, casually strolling down the dock to the shore. Although I’d never seen him smoke before, he lit a cigar, walking around as if he were simply enjoying the night air.

I waited for several minutes before leaving the ship, glancing around as if I were simply admiring the boats in the light of the nearly full moon. I almost panicked when a dockhand from a much smaller ship jumped down onto the boards near me.

“Begging your pardon, Miss,” he said. Then he took a good look at me, and the ship I obviously came from.

He was a plain fellow, but he had kind eyes as he leaned in to say, “Miss, a proper lady such as yourself might not belong with those ruffians. If you need to get clear of them, there’s a ship leaving for Glenbert at noon tomorrow. I’ve heard there are nice, sensible people there.”

My smile couldn’t be contained. I knew in my heart of hearts that I would never return there again. Whether the Captain owned me, or some other strange circumstance befell me, there was no way that I’d ever go to my old home.

“I appreciate your concern,” I said as smoothly as possible, “But kindly mind your own.” I raised an eyebrow, practicing a haughty glare.

To my surprise, he jumped back as if he’d been slapped. “So sorry, Miss, 'twas not my place.” He disappeared into the shadows as I walked away with my head held high.

My home was on The Fortune’s Favor, and I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. Still, it was rather nice knowing that my decision was completely final.

I followed the path down toward the jail, then as it grew more narrow, I slipped into the darkness beside a stable. Creeping in the shadows, tiptoeing down a smaller path so the townsfolk wouldn’t see me, I felt like a thief. Like a scoundrel. I felt, dare I even think it, like a pirate.

~ Chapter 20 ~ The Captain ~

* Son of a… *

“Where the hell is my

no-good drunk husband?”

The shriek from the front of the jail made me jump to my feet. Sitting in the near dark, I’d been thinking for hours of how to escape. The building was the sturdiest I’d ever seen, so it would take an act of great cunning.

Perhaps now that there was a hysterical woman for the guard to deal with, it might be my chance. I’d heard bits of conversation as the guards switched shifts. Clancy told Thomas that there was only one prisoner overnight, but that he should ignore me. He hadn’t bothered saying why I was there, as he seemed in a rush to leave.

Thomas hadn’t seen me yet. I wondered if there was any way I could finagle my way out.

“Where is he?” the woman yelled. Her loud, shrill voice echoed off the stone walls, creating an eerie vibration. She sounded like she was filled with rage.

“Hold up there, Ma’am,” the guard said. I stared up the hallway, wishing I could see what was going on around the corner.

“No, you hold up,” she snapped. This woman sounded angry enough to throw a punch. But then she made a sob that nearly broke my heart. “Please, sir,” she wailed. “His mother is going to kill us both if I don’t have him on time to church tomorrow morning. It’s his niece’s christening, and if he’s not there, she’ll think it’s my fault again.”

Son of a… Was that Flora?

My mind raced. I’d never heard the shy lass speak above a ladylike murmur. I must have been mistaken.

“Please,” she cried dramatically, “I know he’s a drunken lout, but he’s never done anything truly terrible.”

“You know I can’t do that, ma’am.”

“Just let me take him home to sleep it off,” she loudly begged. I heard a jangling noise. “Perhaps this will help you make up your mind?”

“Holy mother of…” The guard gasped. I couldn’t hear anything for a moment. “Er, I suppose accidents happen, Ma’am. I guess this will cover the trouble of me erasing his name from the record.”