Usual disclaimers. blah!
This chapter is especially for Mulberry... who I now know knows a friend of mine even if we are across the other side of the world from each other and have never met ourselves and didn't know any of this before she started reviewing my story. As the great Captain would say... funny ole world innit!
***
Catherine wore one of the pretty dresses that Jean Claude Lact had bought her in New Orleans, checking the contents of a small purse at her waist. Carefully she strapped a small dagger to her inner arm... at least she would have some defence against attack.
Her face hardened as she saw Olivier Besoe standing beside a horse that he had readied for her to ride - the same bay gelding that Oran had ridden on the fateful trip. She met his eyes defiantly, mounting easily and without any need of assistance from his cupped hand. He smiled, resting his hand firmly on her calf, his fingers walking upwards. "Ride carefully Madame," he warned. "The Indians have become bold lately."
She whirled the gelding around, forcing Besoe to step back quickly to avoid being trampled as she followed her guide through the gateway. Her guide was wary, forcing a brisk canter in the hope of avoiding any attack - but they reached the mine safely.
Catherine pulled her mount to a trot and then to a walk as she approached, staring at the ugly dark buildings. A huge grey mound caught her eye, a roar emanating from it with a cloud of black dust pouring through broken windows.
"Monsieur... what is that?" she gasped.
"That is the breaker and the culm pile Madame," her guide informed her. "The coal is hoisted to the top and is crushed between big toothed rollers before being sorted..."
"Oh," she sighed. "It is awfully noisy!"
"Mines tend to be noisy Madame... it is a fact of life here."
He dismounted, indicating that she should do the same and led her across to a small brick building. Isaac Blanche walked towards her, greeting her warmly. "Ah, Madame Catherine, I am so pleased you were able to come. Please, come in and take some wine..." Offering her his arm he guided her into his office where she saw two dainty crystal wine glasses waiting with a cooling bottle of wine. "I trust the ride was not too strenuous..."
"It was a pleasure Monsieur, I haven't had the opportunity to ride for a few years now..."
"Please Madame Catherine, call me Isaac..."
"Then you must call me Catherine..."
He smiled at her permitting the intimacy. "I would be delighted, Catherine." He poured a generous glass of wine. "And then perhaps when you are refreshed you would like to see the mine..."
"Perhaps we could have a brief look now before returning for our drinks Mon... Isaac?" she smiled, daintily sipping the wine that he offered.
He shrugged, rising and offering her his arm again. "I do not see why not Catherine..." he smiled as he led her outside. Quietly she reached inside her small purse, concealing a small, round object in her hand. "This building contains the hoisting and pumping machinery and leads to the shaft below. It is there that we mine the coal..."
"How deep is it?"
"Oh, the deepest level is some 500ft below ground..."
"Is it not very dangerous to work so deep?" she gasped.
"It can be Catherine, but we tend to make captives work down there - Indians and the like."
"Oh!" She pretended to pick up a small pebble, leaning over the rail and dropping the small object that she had taken from her purse. She smiled, cupping her ear as she listened for it to hit. "It is very deep! Could I see?"
"I do not know if it is safe - there are dangerous men down there..."
"Surely I would be safe with you and your guards Isaac?" She smiled innocently. "It looks so exciting..."
Against his better judgement but determined to impress her, he ordered ten guards to go with them. They crowded into the cage as it was slowly lowered, Catherine safely in the middle. Rifles and lanterns ready the cage disappeared into the darkness.
***
Red Cloud jumped as a small stone fell from above, missing his head by inches. He frowned, staring at the small stone shocked to see it was a creamy white. "Crazy Bird... what do you make of this?" he asked, handing him the stone.
Jack nearly dropped it in shock. "It's a pearl!" he gasped, looking upwards as if he could actually see to the top of the shaft. "She is here!"
"Who is here?" Red Cloud asked, confused by the delight with which he had received the stone.
"My wife! She is here!" He held the pearl up for the others to see. "My ship is called The Black Pearl. It is a signal for us... with this and Little Feather free then we have twice the chance of escaping..." They muttered excitedly between themselves. "Back to work... we must behave as normal or they will suspect!" He heard the cage starting to descend. "Quick - look busy!"
***
The cage reached the bottom of the mine and he was surprised to see that it was full of guards. Jack could hear voices speaking in French - one of which was female.
"Oui Catherine, it is very deep..."
The guards ordered those nearby to line up on the opposite side of the gangway. Jack's heart missed a beat as he heard her name but then frowned. He didn't know she could speak French! He flinched as the guard unshuttered their lanterns, temporarily blinding the men before them. Jack threw his arm across his face, gradually lowering it to squint into the bright light, wishing again that he could understand them.
"Isaac! These men are injured!" she gasped, stepping forward in shock!
"They are just animals Catherine - do not bother yourself with them."
She stood in front of Jack, her eyes speaking volumes that she was glad could not be seen by any but him. "But this man is not a savage, surely!"
"Oh him - he's the worst animal of all - an English pirate!"
"But surely the good Lord teaches that even animals should be cared for..."
A strong hand on her shoulder stopped her walking closer. "He is not to be trusted."
"But I am English too Isaac - do you not trust me?"
"You're English!"
"My husband Oran was French, but I have never hidden my nationality Isaac..." She paused, eyes wide in the dark gloom. "For pity's sake, at least let me bind the wound properly..." She put her hand gently on his arm. "Please..."
He nodded reluctantly and she turned back to Jack. "Monsieur?"
Jack shook his head. "I don't know what you're saying Missy, but you're sure brightenin' up the scenery down here!" He grinned insolently.
Catherine switched to English, careful in case any of the others understood. "I am told you are a dreaded pirate captain..." Her eyes danced with mischief. "I'd have thought you'd be taller..."
"I'm tall enough Missy, tall enough!"
"But you are injured... here..." She took a soft white scarf from about her shoulders walking forwards. The guards cocked their rifles, ready in case he tried anything. "Please, show me your arm..."
Jack rolled up his sleeve, revealing a nasty cut that he had received earlier in the day. She moved close, wrapping the white cloth around it, tying it tightly to stop the bleeding. She glanced urgently at him, revealing the hidden dagger. He reached out, touching her arm whist his other hand discretely palmed the weapon. "Thank you Missy!"
A rifle butt slammed into his stomach. "How dare you touch Madame Duras!" Isaac Blanche stormed forwards. "A respectable widow should not have to endure your touch..."
Jacks eyes widened in surprise. "You are widowed Missy? My sympathies..."
"Thank you." Tears welled in her eyes and Jack was surprised to realise they were for real. "My husband Oran was killed a week ago by Indians, leaving me alone..."
"Well Missy, if you ever feel like a proper English conversation I'm not going anywhere..."
She jumped as Isaac placed a hand on her arm. "Catherine, we should go now..." He did not like the way that the man was flirting with her, even months down the mine had not broken him. He was relieved when she nodded.
"I don't think so Captain... goodbye!" She allowed Isaac to escort her back to the cage, eyes holding his as he disappeared into the darkness.
***
Jack stood at the base of the cage looking upwards for a while after she had disappeared from sight. Dejectedly he turned, taking the bandage from his arm and sniffing it, inhaling deeply. It smelled of roses, the scent nearly bringing tears to his eyes.
"Crazy Bird?" Red Cloud frowned at him.
"That was my wife..." Jack whispered, "My beautiful, beautiful wife..." He sighed heavily before turning, smiling at those clustered around him. "And the scarf wasn't the only present she left..." He showed them the small dagger, grinning in the darkness.
"Your wife has the spirit of a warrior!" Red Cloud gasped.
"Aye, but she is alone up there..." He stared up at the dim speck of light at the top of the shaft. "Somehow I have to get out!"
***
That is all I have ready at the moment... have started the next chapter but need to tidy it up and finish it off so to speak. Might be updating early next week - time permitting... but it is my father's birthday today and my time is not my own!
Thanks to everyone for the great reviews... you girls are the best!
This chapter is especially for Mulberry... who I now know knows a friend of mine even if we are across the other side of the world from each other and have never met ourselves and didn't know any of this before she started reviewing my story. As the great Captain would say... funny ole world innit!
***
Catherine wore one of the pretty dresses that Jean Claude Lact had bought her in New Orleans, checking the contents of a small purse at her waist. Carefully she strapped a small dagger to her inner arm... at least she would have some defence against attack.
Her face hardened as she saw Olivier Besoe standing beside a horse that he had readied for her to ride - the same bay gelding that Oran had ridden on the fateful trip. She met his eyes defiantly, mounting easily and without any need of assistance from his cupped hand. He smiled, resting his hand firmly on her calf, his fingers walking upwards. "Ride carefully Madame," he warned. "The Indians have become bold lately."
She whirled the gelding around, forcing Besoe to step back quickly to avoid being trampled as she followed her guide through the gateway. Her guide was wary, forcing a brisk canter in the hope of avoiding any attack - but they reached the mine safely.
Catherine pulled her mount to a trot and then to a walk as she approached, staring at the ugly dark buildings. A huge grey mound caught her eye, a roar emanating from it with a cloud of black dust pouring through broken windows.
"Monsieur... what is that?" she gasped.
"That is the breaker and the culm pile Madame," her guide informed her. "The coal is hoisted to the top and is crushed between big toothed rollers before being sorted..."
"Oh," she sighed. "It is awfully noisy!"
"Mines tend to be noisy Madame... it is a fact of life here."
He dismounted, indicating that she should do the same and led her across to a small brick building. Isaac Blanche walked towards her, greeting her warmly. "Ah, Madame Catherine, I am so pleased you were able to come. Please, come in and take some wine..." Offering her his arm he guided her into his office where she saw two dainty crystal wine glasses waiting with a cooling bottle of wine. "I trust the ride was not too strenuous..."
"It was a pleasure Monsieur, I haven't had the opportunity to ride for a few years now..."
"Please Madame Catherine, call me Isaac..."
"Then you must call me Catherine..."
He smiled at her permitting the intimacy. "I would be delighted, Catherine." He poured a generous glass of wine. "And then perhaps when you are refreshed you would like to see the mine..."
"Perhaps we could have a brief look now before returning for our drinks Mon... Isaac?" she smiled, daintily sipping the wine that he offered.
He shrugged, rising and offering her his arm again. "I do not see why not Catherine..." he smiled as he led her outside. Quietly she reached inside her small purse, concealing a small, round object in her hand. "This building contains the hoisting and pumping machinery and leads to the shaft below. It is there that we mine the coal..."
"How deep is it?"
"Oh, the deepest level is some 500ft below ground..."
"Is it not very dangerous to work so deep?" she gasped.
"It can be Catherine, but we tend to make captives work down there - Indians and the like."
"Oh!" She pretended to pick up a small pebble, leaning over the rail and dropping the small object that she had taken from her purse. She smiled, cupping her ear as she listened for it to hit. "It is very deep! Could I see?"
"I do not know if it is safe - there are dangerous men down there..."
"Surely I would be safe with you and your guards Isaac?" She smiled innocently. "It looks so exciting..."
Against his better judgement but determined to impress her, he ordered ten guards to go with them. They crowded into the cage as it was slowly lowered, Catherine safely in the middle. Rifles and lanterns ready the cage disappeared into the darkness.
***
Red Cloud jumped as a small stone fell from above, missing his head by inches. He frowned, staring at the small stone shocked to see it was a creamy white. "Crazy Bird... what do you make of this?" he asked, handing him the stone.
Jack nearly dropped it in shock. "It's a pearl!" he gasped, looking upwards as if he could actually see to the top of the shaft. "She is here!"
"Who is here?" Red Cloud asked, confused by the delight with which he had received the stone.
"My wife! She is here!" He held the pearl up for the others to see. "My ship is called The Black Pearl. It is a signal for us... with this and Little Feather free then we have twice the chance of escaping..." They muttered excitedly between themselves. "Back to work... we must behave as normal or they will suspect!" He heard the cage starting to descend. "Quick - look busy!"
***
The cage reached the bottom of the mine and he was surprised to see that it was full of guards. Jack could hear voices speaking in French - one of which was female.
"Oui Catherine, it is very deep..."
The guards ordered those nearby to line up on the opposite side of the gangway. Jack's heart missed a beat as he heard her name but then frowned. He didn't know she could speak French! He flinched as the guard unshuttered their lanterns, temporarily blinding the men before them. Jack threw his arm across his face, gradually lowering it to squint into the bright light, wishing again that he could understand them.
"Isaac! These men are injured!" she gasped, stepping forward in shock!
"They are just animals Catherine - do not bother yourself with them."
She stood in front of Jack, her eyes speaking volumes that she was glad could not be seen by any but him. "But this man is not a savage, surely!"
"Oh him - he's the worst animal of all - an English pirate!"
"But surely the good Lord teaches that even animals should be cared for..."
A strong hand on her shoulder stopped her walking closer. "He is not to be trusted."
"But I am English too Isaac - do you not trust me?"
"You're English!"
"My husband Oran was French, but I have never hidden my nationality Isaac..." She paused, eyes wide in the dark gloom. "For pity's sake, at least let me bind the wound properly..." She put her hand gently on his arm. "Please..."
He nodded reluctantly and she turned back to Jack. "Monsieur?"
Jack shook his head. "I don't know what you're saying Missy, but you're sure brightenin' up the scenery down here!" He grinned insolently.
Catherine switched to English, careful in case any of the others understood. "I am told you are a dreaded pirate captain..." Her eyes danced with mischief. "I'd have thought you'd be taller..."
"I'm tall enough Missy, tall enough!"
"But you are injured... here..." She took a soft white scarf from about her shoulders walking forwards. The guards cocked their rifles, ready in case he tried anything. "Please, show me your arm..."
Jack rolled up his sleeve, revealing a nasty cut that he had received earlier in the day. She moved close, wrapping the white cloth around it, tying it tightly to stop the bleeding. She glanced urgently at him, revealing the hidden dagger. He reached out, touching her arm whist his other hand discretely palmed the weapon. "Thank you Missy!"
A rifle butt slammed into his stomach. "How dare you touch Madame Duras!" Isaac Blanche stormed forwards. "A respectable widow should not have to endure your touch..."
Jacks eyes widened in surprise. "You are widowed Missy? My sympathies..."
"Thank you." Tears welled in her eyes and Jack was surprised to realise they were for real. "My husband Oran was killed a week ago by Indians, leaving me alone..."
"Well Missy, if you ever feel like a proper English conversation I'm not going anywhere..."
She jumped as Isaac placed a hand on her arm. "Catherine, we should go now..." He did not like the way that the man was flirting with her, even months down the mine had not broken him. He was relieved when she nodded.
"I don't think so Captain... goodbye!" She allowed Isaac to escort her back to the cage, eyes holding his as he disappeared into the darkness.
***
Jack stood at the base of the cage looking upwards for a while after she had disappeared from sight. Dejectedly he turned, taking the bandage from his arm and sniffing it, inhaling deeply. It smelled of roses, the scent nearly bringing tears to his eyes.
"Crazy Bird?" Red Cloud frowned at him.
"That was my wife..." Jack whispered, "My beautiful, beautiful wife..." He sighed heavily before turning, smiling at those clustered around him. "And the scarf wasn't the only present she left..." He showed them the small dagger, grinning in the darkness.
"Your wife has the spirit of a warrior!" Red Cloud gasped.
"Aye, but she is alone up there..." He stared up at the dim speck of light at the top of the shaft. "Somehow I have to get out!"
***
That is all I have ready at the moment... have started the next chapter but need to tidy it up and finish it off so to speak. Might be updating early next week - time permitting... but it is my father's birthday today and my time is not my own!
Thanks to everyone for the great reviews... you girls are the best!