I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

April and Gabby, thank you for pre-reading, and Fran, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.

Ch. 11

BPOV

I untucked the shirt and then slipped it off over my head. I tugged at the wrap around my chest—it felt tight and restrictive. I was reaching for the shirt again when the door flew open.

I let out a startled shriek and ducked to the ground so I was partially hidden by the wardrobe. I grabbed the shirt and held to my chest as I heard the door slam shut and heavy footsteps come my way. A glimmer of shiny metal caught my eye, and I grabbed the gun and cocked it.

The footsteps froze.

"Put that down before ye hurt yerself," Edward said sternly.

"I won't hurt myself. My father taught me how to shoot. I am actually decent at it." I lowered the gun.

He cocked an eyebrow. "Are ye goin' to shoot me?"

I put the gun back where I found it. "No. How did you get in?"

He dangled a key in his hand and smirked. "Ye can't keep me outta me own cabin."

I stood, ignoring his outstretched hand. "How could you pay that man out there to hurt me?" I was furious with him.

"Will ye calm down so I explain it to ye, before ye do something rash. I can see ye have Cutthroat's temper." Edward eyed me cautiously.

"Who is Cutthroat?" I asked.

"Yer father. He had a wicked temper and was a brutal man. Ye can gather from his name what was his favorite technique with his foes." Edward took a step towards me, and I took one back.

"Good thing for you my father didn't know about you hiring that man out there to hurt me." I huffed.

Edward scowled. "I didn't ask Marcus to hurt ye, he was only to scare ye a bit."

"How is that any different?" I argued. "Why would you do something like that?"

Edward lost his cockiness and sat in a chair at the table. "Honestly?"

"No, I want you to continue to lie and keep things from me." I crossed my arms in front of me.

"So I could swoop in and be yer savior. Ye were so angry with me the last time I saw ye, I wanted ye to think better of me. Pirates are seen as villains, and I wanted ye to see me as different. When I first saw ye on our return, I found ye straight away, although ye didn't see me. Ye had grown into a beauty, and I knew I had to make ye mine," he said softly.

I was taken aback by him showing me his vulnerable side. I went over and sat on his lap then kissed his cheek. "You did not have to do all that for me. I knew there was good in you when you returned my necklace and left me your treasure. I tried to get my father to take me to your ship, so I could return the emerald, but you were already gone."

"I'm a pirate, Isabella. There are things I have done that I cannot change, but I promise to be truthful and fateful from here on out." He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "There is one more thing I haven't told ye."

I stiffened in his arms. "What?"

"About the scallywag, Michael. I threatened him to stay away from ye and told him to marry the wench I caught him foolin' around with when he was supposed to be courtin' ye." His expression darkened.

"Jessica," I said her name, not fond of him calling her a wench. "It is a good thing you did. She was with child, which is why I thought he married her so quickly. To think he almost left her unmarried and with a baby. That would have been devastating to her."

He brushed my cheek with his fingers, spreading a tingling sensation throughout my body. "I promise ye Marcus will not harm ye. I wouldn't allow him on me ship if I thought he would. He has been a member of the crew as long as me memory serves. First for me father and now me. I trust him as much as I trust me brother."

"I believe you, filthy pirate" I leaned my forehead against his.

I wondered if I was the only one who saw the tender side of my filthy pirate. He talked and lied big to appear strong and formidable. But I had witnessed his sweet and caring nature.

He pressed a light kiss to my lips. "Come, love, get dressed, and I'll introduce ye to Marcus meself."

FP

The sun was lower in the sky when Edward led me to the helm of the ship. Marcus looked up in surprise and cast a quick glance at Edward. I noticed Edward's father and Emmett were standing at the rail not far from us.

"Captain," he greeted.

"Isabella, this is me helmsman, Marcus. Marcus, me wife, Isabella." Edward placed his hand over mine that held his arm tightly.

"Please to meet you, Marcus," I said softly.

Marcus tipped his battered hat to me. "Mrs. Captain, tis a pleasure. I apologize for givin' ye a fright earlier. I didn't think ye would remember me."

"You are forgiven," I told him.

"I knew yer father; we sailed the seas for several years. Why Cutthroat once…"

He was cut off by former Captain Cullen clearing his throat loudly.

"Isabella doesn't need to hear any of those tales." He chuckled.

"Would ye like to take the wheel." Marcus took a step back and gestured to it.

"Me? But I don't know how; what if I crashed the ship?" I protested.

Edward chuckled beside me. "Love, we are in the middle of the sea, what could you possibly crash into?"

"A dolphin?" I said nervously.

Edward's brother let out a loud laugh, and a few others muffled their laughter. I felt myself blush. Edward shook his head and led me to the wheel. He placed my hands on the spokes and then rested his hands on my shoulders.

"I promise ye that won't happen. Dolphins are intelligent animals, also quick. They will stay out of the way," Edward explained.

"How do I even know if I am going in the right direction?" I asked.

Edward held out his hand, and Marcus placed a flat circular object in it. He laid it in the palm of his hand and showed it to me.

"This arrow here points to the North. We want to head southwest." He showed me on the compass. "Some night I'll show ye how we use the stars."

"I would like that." I turned the wheel back over to Marcus.

FP

The next few days passed quietly. I had convinced Edward to let me help on the ship. I grew too bored doing nothing at all—I was not cut out to be a woman of leisure. I assisted by mending some sails and the clothes of the crew.

There were multiple bolts of cloth that Edward said were mine to do with as I pleased. I secretly began making a few small gowns and hoped to have a couple before we arrived at our new home. It was too early to tell, but the way Edward and I have spent our nights, and with a few mid-day romps, I figured it might be sooner, rather than later that I would be with child.

An hour before sunset, on the third day, Edward entered the cabin unexpectedly. I quickly tucked the gown out of sight. He approached the chair with a grin and pulled me to my feet and kissed me deeply.

"Put on one of yer pretty dresses. I'll be back for ye in an hour. Tonight we dine on deck; the chef has made a feast." He went to the wardrobe and pulled out a jacket and a clean shirt.

"I thought you did not want me on deck in a dress.?" I asked, feeling confused.

"True, love. But tonight, we celebrate, so I want ye all dolled up." He kissed my forehead then smacked me on the butt.

He snickered when I gasped in shock and winked before heading out the door. I chose a deep green dress with white lace trim. I picked a pair of green satin slippers, then did the best I could to pin my hair without a mirror.

There was a soft knock on the door before Edward stepped through, looking dashing and well dressed. He had shaved his beard and looked younger.

"Are ye ready, love?" he asked, offering me his arm.

"I am. Look at you all cleaned up; I can hardly call you my filthy pirate now," I teased, kissing his smooth cheek—the smell of soap tickled my nose.

"If I am to have a pretty lass on me arm, then I reckon I should look like a gentleman; at least for the night." His eyes sparkled with amusement.

"You never told me what we are celebrating," I asked as he led me out of the cabin.

"We're celebratin' life and good fortune." He brought my hand to lips and kissed it. "Our marriage."

On deck, there were several boards placed together and barrels and stools pushed up to the makeshift table. The top was covered with vegetables and fruit pies. On a platter, were large slabs of what looked like slices of fresh fish.

Edward led me to the table and helped me into a chair at the head. He took the seat next to me. He grabbed two mugs in front of us and gave one a sniff before he handed it to me with a wink.

"Men, and my beautiful Isabella, tonight we eat, drink and be merry." He raised his glass, and the men around the table cheered.

Edward grabbed a large slab of fish then sliced off a smaller portion and placed it on my plate. Other platters circled the table until everyone's dishes were full.

I took a bite and couldn't place the flavor. "What type of fish is this?"

"Tis shark, love. The men caught one late last night. It makes a fine feast for us," Edward explained.

I enjoyed the meal and watched everyone before me. The pirates weren't so scary after getting to know them. They seemed like normal sailors who came into the tavern.

When a few of the men had finished their meals, they pulled out instruments and started to play. Marcus, who was at the helm the ship began to sing in a rich baritone voice.

Sing we now and then

Of Dansekar the Duchman,

whose gallant mind hath won him great re-nown

To live on land he counts it base

But seeks to puochase greater grace,

by Roving on the Ocean up and down.

His heart is so aspiring

That now his chief desiring,

is for to win himself a worthy name

The Land hath far too little ground,

The Sea is of a larger bound,

and of a greater dignity and same.

Now many a worthy Gallant

Of courage now most valiant,

with him hath put their fortunes to the Sea,

All the world about have heard

Of Dansekar and English Ward,

and of their proud adventures every day

There is not a Kingdom

In Turkey or in Christendom,

but by these Pyrates have received loss

Merchant men of every Land,

Do daily in great danger stand

and fear do much the Ocean main to cross. . . .

When Marcus finished singing, the musicians continued to play another unfamiliar tune. Edward stood and pulled me to my feet, catching me before I lost my balance. I could tell by the look in his eyes that he had imbibed in the spirits.

"Dance with me, love." He drew me away from the table.

"I don't know how," I told him.

"Neither do I. But I've seen it done, how hard can it be." He grinned.

"I…"

Before I could finish, he started spinning me in a circle. I hung on tightly and winced when he stepped on my foot.

"Sorry, love. I have an idea." He lifted me and placed me on his feet. "There, now, I cannot step on ye."

He continued to twirl us around the deck under the stars. His crew cheered and laughed in the background. After a few whirls, I started to giggle and relax in his arms.

"Don't worry, love, I won't ravish ye until we are in back our quarters." He placed a kiss on my neck.

"You are drunk, filthy pirate," I whispered.

He pulled back and looked me under his hooded eyes, clouded by lust. "Aye, that I am. Lucky for us ye are not, so I don't have to worry about avenging ye from any pirate cats."

I rolled my eyes and smacked his arms lightly. "You are not funny."

"What I am wanting is me wife in our bed, and I don't think I can wait a moment longer." He swooped me into his arms and carried me off to our cabin.

A/N: Some of you may of wanted her to be angry with Edward longer but she was looking for honesty and she received it. A bit of fun for our pirates on the ship. The song Marcus sang was The Seaman's Song of Dansiker the Duchman, his robberies done at Sea, it first appeared in print in 1609.

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