Revenge of the Fox

Chapter 30

"Well, it's been a pleasure chatting with you, Jack," said Reynard getting to his feet. "But I think it's time for you and your mates here to settle down in our brig for a while. I have to think about what to do with you."

Jack amicably swung his legs off the table and stood. "If ye say so, mate"

Gwen stood and smoothed a loose tendril of hair, tucking it beneath the coil on the back of her head. "Captain Reynard? May I be allowed to say goodnight to my husband?" At his amused nod she moved toward Jack and put her hands on his shoulders. "Jack, I'm so sorry."

Jack shook his head. "Tisn't for you to feel sorry, lass. None of this is your doing." He lowered his head and kissed her. Gwen pressed against him, one hand winding around his neck, the other stroking his hair.

Reynard watched for a moment, and then rolled his eyes. Reaching out, he grasped Gwen's arm and yanked her away from her husband. "Very touching, to be sure," he sneered. He shoved Jack toward one of the crewmen. "Take them below."

--

Reynard's first mate, Ned MacKenzie, had the unenviable task of rounding up a crew of drunken sailors and herding them back toward the ship. With the Black Pearl awaiting them just outside the cove, the Vixen was in a difficult position. With Captain Sparrow, Commodore Norrington and Will Turner aboard, the crew of the Pearl might hesitate to fire on them, but it was too big a risk to leave the ship defended by no more than a half dozen men. He was yanking some of those who had already succumbed to drink to their feet when he saw two people stumble out of the trees into the beach area.

"Oh, thank heaven!"

The voice was feminine. MacKenzie looked incredulously at the couple coming toward them. The man was fairly tall, with brown hair tied in a careless ponytail. The girl, however, was lovely. Dark brown hair flowed loose around her shoulders and her eyes looked pleadingly into MacKenzie's. Bemused he just stared at them. The man put out his hand. "Richard Martin, sir, at your service. We were shipwrecked here about a week ago. Just saw your fire this evening. Can't say how glad I am to lay eyes on another human being."

MacKenzie shook the offered hand. "You were shipwrecked?"

"Yes," answered the girl. "On the other side of the island. We've been walking around looking for signs of life."

The man smiled fondly and put a hand on the girl's shoulder. "My wife," he introduced. "Are you the captain of that ship?"

"No, I'm the first mate. MacKenzie's the name."

"May we speak to the captain?" The girl smiled winningly up at him. "Perhaps there is some way we can earn our passage."

A variety of thoughts went through MacKenzie's mind, but they went unsaid. He's let the Fox deal with this one.

--

Jack, Will and Norrington were ushered into cells, and the ropes binding their hands were cut. Jack rolled his shoulders to loosen them up again and regarded his companions. "This must be where they kept the ladies." He nodded toward the cots. "Most brigs don't have furniture."

Norrington was obviously seething. "You seem very cavalier about this situation, Sparrow," he spat, rubbing his wrists. "Now what are we going to do!"

"Relax, mate," Jack said, reaching up and fingering the top of one of his braids. He drew a hairpin out of it and showed it to the others. "Gwen jabbed this into my head so hard I nearly yelped out loud," he said humorously. Fingering a different braid he drew out a sturdier lockpick. "It wouldn't have mattered if she hadn't, but it's nice to know she cares." With ease of long practice, he inserted it into the lock. Barely five seconds later there was a quiet click and the lock sprang open. "The question now becomes, exactly when is the opportune moment?"

--

Gwen watched as Jack, Will and Norrington were ushered from the room. Reynard shut the door behind them and turned to her. "So, cherie, you see that I've your husband at my mercy." He put a hand under her chin and tilted her face up to look at him. "From the looks of that kiss, it seems you're not indifferent to him."

Gwen raised her brows. "I've never claimed to be indifferent to him." She jerked her chin out of his hand and stepped back. "May I go to my cabin? It's very late."

Reynard smiled chillingly. "Not tonight, Gwen. I'm tired of waiting." From outside the door, however, came a number of voices, some drunken, some not. "I've some things to take care of yet, though." He scanned the cabin, noting the weapons lying on the desk. "Can't have you getting into anything while I'm busy." Grasping her by the arm, he pulled her over to the bunk in the corner. Taking out a piece of rope, he looped it around her right wrist, passed it through a hole in the carving at the head of the bed, and back, tying the knots tight. "There, that should keep you out of trouble." He kissed her mockingly, then left.

Alone, Gwen examined the rope. What it was, essentially, was a leash about three feet long, attaching her wrist to the wall above the bunk. The loop around her wrist wasn't so tight that she was loosing circulation, but she doubted she'd be able to wiggle out of it. A quick search of the area around the bed she was able to reach didn't turn up anything she'd be able to use to cut the rope. The trio of swords and knives on the desk across the room remained mockingly out of reach. She took a closer look at the knots. She couldn't reach any of them with her right hand, so she'd have to try untying them with her left hand only. She sank down on the bunk and started picking at them.

--

Norrington crouched just out of sight of the Vixen's deck, Will and Jack just behind him. The deck was crowded with pirates returning from the beach. Jack peered over his shoulder. "This doesn't appear to be the opportune moment," Norrington muttered.

"No, can't say that it is. We'd best go back and try again later. It's bound to settle down in a bit," Jack agreed.

--

Reynard strode through the crowd of crewmen on the deck, searching for MacKenzie. He found him with two strangers, a man and a woman. "Ah, Captain," said MacKenzie. "This is Mr. and Mrs. Martin. They were shipwrecked near a week ago and are seeking help from us."

Reynard stared in surprise, "Is that so?" He extended his hand to the man. "I'm Captain Reynard of the Vixen. What can I do for you?"

Markson took the hand and shook it heartily. "I hope we can arrange passage off this island, Captain." He smiled genially. "My wife and I were on our way to St. Augustine."

Jeannine pushed forward and held out her own hand. "Very pleased to make your acquaintance, Captain," she simpered. "I can't tell you how glad I am to see other people again!"

Reynard took her hand and kissed it. "Well, Mr. and Mrs. Martin, perhaps you'd like to step down to my cabin and we can see what sort of arrangement we can work out."

Jeannine smiled vacantly, "Oh, but could I take a look around your lovely ship instead? I'm sure Richard," she sent a glowing smile at Markson, "can take care of whatever business is necessary. You'll give me a tour, won't you Mr. MacKenzie?" She clutched his arm to her bosom and fluttered her lashes.

Reynard looked amused. "By all means. MacKenzie, bring Mrs. Martin with you when you set the watch. No doubt she'd be interested."

Jeannine squealed with delight and hugged MacKenzie's arm even tighter. "Oh, Mr. MacKenzie, that would be delightful!"

Markson allowed a hint of uneasiness to show in his expression. "Of course, my love. I'll see you in a short while then."

Reynard ushered him toward the Captain's cabin, and opened the door for him. Markson walked through the doorway and glanced around the cabin. He saw Gwen sitting on the bunk, her eyes shocked at the sight of him. He nodded distantly at her. "Ma'am." Reynard glanced at him. "Your wife, Captain?"

Reynard walked to the table and pulled out a chair. "No, my woman."

"Of course," said Markson. He pulled out another chair and sat down, showing no further interest in Gwen.

She dropped her eyes to her lap, breathing deeply to regain composure. What was Lt Markson doing here? He must be playing some sort of game, since he pretended not to recognize her. Had he been on the Pearl? Was he here to try and rescue the men? And her? Keeping her eyes downcast, she listened intently to the conversation.

"Where are you headed, Captain?"

"From here we'll be headed to Nassau."

Markson grinned widely. "Can I arrange passage for myself and my wife to Nassau then?"

Reynard smiled slowly. "Tell me, Mr. Martin, what ship were you sailing on when you were shipwrecked?"

Markson smiled. "The Dolphin."

"The Dolphin? What happened to the rest of the crew?"

"I don't really know. Jeannine and I were in one boat, and became separated from the rest of the survivors. I have no idea what happened to them."

Reynard studied Markson's face. "You seem very clean shaven for a man who has been shipwrecked for a week."

"No, not at all," said Markson, indicating a small case attached to his belt. "I have a razor in here." He smiled fatuously. "My Jeannine has sensitive skin. Mustn't rub her skin raw, you know!"

"What is your business in St. Augustine?"

"Visiting relatives. My wife is French, you know. Her sister lives in Florida, and we're going to visit for a bit."

"What do you do for your living?"

Markson looked puzzled. "Why do you want to know?"

"Well, to be perfectly blunt, sir," said Reynard lazily, "this is a pirate ship. I'm trying to decide how much ransom to ask of you and your wife."

"A pirate ship!" Markson was pleased at how well he simulated that shock. "But what does that mean?"

"It means, Mr. Martin, that you and your wife are my captives, and I will require a substantial ransom before you are released to go your way."

"Where's my wife!"

"Taking a tour of the ship with Mr. MacKenzie, no doubt."

"You'll not harm her!"

Reynard smiled with amusement. "Not if I'm well enough paid, I won't."

Markson didn't need to feign fear. He hoped to God above that Jeannine wasn't in any danger, but they'd both known when they began this charade that there was no being sure of that. "I haven't much money with me."

Reynard shrugged. "Not surprising. You'll have relatives or business associates who can come up with a sum for you, eh? When we reach Nassau I'll have a letter sent on your behalf. Between now and then you can decide whom you'll write to."

"What will you do with us?"

"For you, I've space in the brig at the moment. Your lady will do well enough in one of the cabins."

"I insist that you keep us together!"

Reynard laughed aloud. "Martin, you are in no position to insist on anything."

--