The bitter taste of sugar
The island of St Johns. The smallest of the three main Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. To come into port by ship was a journey through sapphire seas into turquoise, crystal clear waters fringed by white sands. St Johns, tiny emerald jewel of an island, only seven miles long by three miles wide. 1802. . The Virgin Islands were owned by Denmark, an ally of Napoleon.
So the Brits were blockading and had been here now for almost a year. The British had arrived at St Johns to fight for Britain's survival against the French enemy. Two thirds of French trade was with the Caribbean...sugar, molasses, cotton,indigo and rum.The British aim ? To hit the French economy hard and to possess what Napoleon and Denmark valued so much. The British had kept up the blockade for almost a year.
Ports are often described as 'bustling' but the port of Charlotte Amelie was all that and more. A feast, for the senses. Sellers keen to find customers were shouting to promote their goods and the variety of what was for sale was overwhelming." You want fruit ? We got fruit, master ! Vegetables here ! " Jewels from a jewel.
Passionfruit, bananas,lemons, limes, okra and pumpkins. There were piles of yams, sweet potatoes,herbs, plantains, cassava, beans, peas and a fish stall had a mass of lobsters, crab, tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo and shrimp "..and it's all, fresh today !" . The temperature that morning was about 28 C and the hot sun brought out the scents of spices ; nutmeg, cocoa, cinnamon and calabash. The sellers and buyers, the soldiers and sailors thronging the area were speaking in many languages. There was excitement and anticipation in the air.
Only one person was standing looking isolated as if he wasn't sure what to do next. Gunner William Hobbs. Over six feet tall in his boots,uniformed and broad shouldered like a man who could indeed command a gun crew. His face too, was manly. Strong features and the skin had pock marks. His attractive mouth was slightly pouting at the moment and his thick hair, which was probably usually dark blond was sun bleached lighter now and tousled. His eyes, scanning around him, were extraordinary. They were large and expressive with sweepingly, long lashes. The colour seemed at first glance to be a turquoise. At second glance, they were pale blue. Look again and they were a silvery greyish, blue. They seemed to change colour if you kept, looking ( as many women did ) as the sea, changes colour. His physical appeal wasn't the only attraction however.
He would have money. It was usually not difficult to part sailors from their money. Hobbs had been noticed. Mariette, was the pocket Venus honey skinned result of a dalliance between a French sailor and a slave girl. She knew that her beautiful brown eyes, abundant waist length black hair and her smile could enchant any man who looked at her. Her off the shoulder white blouse showed off her smooth skinned arms and plump breasts. Her bright red long skirt swished as she walked confidently towards Hobbs. The first thing he was aware of was the sudden scent of vanilla, warm and sweet.
Then he saw Mariette and her smile. Hobbs reacted as any man would have but his mind quickly countered his arousal. He wasn't a man who dishonoured himself and his country by behaving disgracefully. He'd never caught a disease. He'd never been robbed of his money or his uniform. He knew that many men had.
Mariette put a hand on his sleeve. " Madam, I am not interested in what you are trying to sell me", said Hobbs firmly. " Kindly let me alone". Mariette giggled, deliciously. " Then you won't need the guide sent by my master to take you to his plantation house ? ". " Guide?", echoed Hobbs.
" Your captain who died. Captain Sawyer. His cousin, my master, has sent me to bring you to stay with him. He sent a message". Hobbs's expression relaxed a little. He wasn't being propositoned.
" Master told me to look for a beautiful blond man who looked lost. I find you ! Now follow me, please ". She turned and sashayed away, her hips swinging. Hobbs's eyebrows raised involuntarily then he gathered himself, picked up his bag and followed Mariette into the crowd.