Usual disclaimers... pfft!
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Stephen Waike's step faltered as he caught the hatred shining from Catherine's eyes as they passed in the corridor. He smiled, reassuring himself that his friend Patrick had her fully under control and that she was a biddable servant. Biddable? Broken was more like it. He shook his head, amazed at how easy it had been once she had believed his brother was dead. He wondered what his brother saw in her, too short, too slim to be attractive to him. For a moment he thought what she would be like, knowing that Patrick would force her to come to him... but no! He shuddered at the thought. He was not so needy that he would take his brother's whore. He would see that Patrick sent him a nice biddable slave to his bed... perhaps two even. If only Francesca would agree to move to the Carolinas – life could be so pleasant!
###
The Black Pearl slipped through the North Channel at dusk, as close to Sullivan's Island as they dared. If they were lucky they would be able to slip past Charles Town and drop anchor somewhere up the Cooper River. Jack double-checked his charts, praying that the depth soundings that they gave were true. If they could get only a few miles north of the town then they should be near to the plantation... and to Catherine. He hoped that they would be in time, for if she was dead then no promise in the world would keep Stephen Waike from a very painful death.
Spotting a likely anchorage, Jack ordered them to stop, sending a few men to scout out the location of the house. Only when they returned would they move – and move en-force. Nothing would stand before them.
###
Catherine curled up in a ball, sleeping how she always slept, hugging her left hand to her tightly chest. She no longer cried at night, her time onboard the ship had caused her to shed all her tears... she did not think there were any left. Her ankle hurt. Benjamin had fastened the chain tightly tonight out of spite and not for the first time. She knew that she would be limping for most of the day tomorrow, resigning herself the fact that it would not be for the last time either.
She smiled to herself, thinking of Alice and her little baby. She had become friends with the black girl over the months she had been at the plantation, and had even suggested the name of Tobias for the child. Alice had been taken with the idea that there was a free black man somewhere that bore that name. They had smiled, a secret smile, but Catherine feared she was already with child again. Benjamin had been at her only a few days after she had given birth. She sighed, fidgeting as she drifted off to sleep.
###
Oran crouched in the bushes, secure in his hiding place, but wanting to dash forwards, sword in hand, murder in mind. He had seen Catherine and he shook with anger at what he had seen. Nodding to Abel and Lonan, they melted back to lead the others.
###
Jack waited, cursing every moment as he waited for the lights to go out in the luxurious home. He had tucked Catherine's pistol into his sash with his own, her sheathed sword in his hand. As soon as he could get to her she would be safe – he would see to that. He smiled, sensing Jean Claude at his shoulder.
"Do we go yet?" the Frenchman asked, as eager to strike as the rest of the crew.
"We just wait fer that light t' go out..." Jack pointed to an upstairs light where a man's shadow could be seen through the curtains. As if he had willed it, the room darkened. "Now we go!"
Jean Claude grinned in the darkness, waving his hand to send the men filtering through the night. They had not come for violence, only to reclaim Catherine... and maybe a bit of looting if they were entirely honest, but they would kill anyone that stood against them. With no more words needing saying, Jean Claude slipped through the night behind Jack, watching his back for he knew his mind was totally blinkered to finding his wife.
Quietly Jack opened the door of the kitchen, looking around cautiously in the dim light. He knew Catherine was somewhere inside the main house and not kept with the slaves, but where? He hugged the shadows, sensing somebody nearby and he lunged at them, grabbing what was revealed to be a maid. His dagger was at her throat. "Not a sound!" he hissed. "The red- haired woman... where is she?"
Timidly she pointed down a corridor. "In the old store," she said, shaking in fright.
"Show me!" Jack demanded, forcing her to lead him. Eventually she pointed to a door. "In here?" he asked. She nodded and he handed her to Jean Claude, a pistol to her head ensuring her silence.
"I will not hurt you," Jean Claude assured her, "if you keep quiet!"
Hand trembling, Jack opened the door. "Kitty," he whispered. "Jesus, Kitty!"
Catherine opened her eyes, sensing somebody near her. Her eyes opened wide in shock, her face went white. "Jack?" she whispered... and promptly fainted.
Jack blinked, surprised by her reaction. He dropped to his knees, cradling her head where it had crashed against the stone floor. He turned to where Jean Claude stood outside the door. "She bloody fainted!" he hissed.
"Well she thought you dead," Jean Claude reminded him. "She probably thought you were a ghost!"
Jack smiled, cradling her as he brushed her short hair from her eyes. It would be years before it regrew to its previous luxuriant length. He leaned down, kissing her. "Kitty! Please wake up... we need t' get out of here!" Slowly her eyes opened.
"How?" she gasped. "You were dead... the guards... the notice... how?"
"We'll figure it out later!" Jack helped her to her feet, surprised to hear the chain clanking as she rose. "What the..." he puzzled, looking downwards. "They chain yer?"
"Don't you know, I'm a dangerous pirate," she smiled, bursting into tears and throwing her arms around his neck. "I thought you were dead...oh my God... I thought you were..." She kissed him as if her life depended on it.
"Captain," Jean Claude whispered. "There is a key outside... we should be going..."
Jack disentangled himself from her, reaching for the key and releasing her foot. "Come on, we're leaving!" A scream sounded from upstairs, clearly they had been discovered. He handed her the pistol and her sword, reaching down to slit her dress so she could fight more easily if needed. "Let's get you out of here!"
Taking her hand, Jack led her from the store, but she balked, turning the other direction. "No!" she said sniffing. "I'm not leaving... not yet!"
"Kitty!" Jack protested as Jean Claude shut the maid in the store for her own safety.
"He's here! And he is mine!" she insisted.
"Who? Stephen?" Jack puzzled.
She nodded. "He arrived two days ago. Seems somebody kept sinking his ships..." She reached to kiss him again. "Was it you?"
"Guilty!" Jack shrugged unapologetically. "Let's go get him then," he said, "and then can we please get you back to the Pearl?"
"You gave your word to your mother Jack," Jean Claude reminded him. "You cannot kill Stephen!"
"He can't, but I can!" Catherine said darkly. "And I will!" Letting go of Jack's hand she stalked through the house. "And I have a few debts to settle before I will leave!"
Jack looked at Jean Claude. "Guess we'd best go with her," he grinned, automatically moving to protect her. Having just found his wife there was no way he was going to lose her now.
Catherine led the way up the stairs to where the fighting was the thickest. The pirates grinned in delight on seeing her, making way for her as she headed towards Stephen's room. Oran was there already, matching Stephen blow for blow, their swords clanging loudly. "Stand back!" she ordered, smiling as Oran automatically obeyed. "He's mine."
"You're no match for me woman!" Stephen sneered, raising his sword.
"I don't need to be," she said quietly, raising her loaded pistol. Stephen took a step backwards as she cocked it. "You sent me to hell and back, knowing it was a lie!" she hissed. "So now you can discover hell for yourself!"
Jack watched as his brother fell, Catherine's shot taking him cleanly through the heart. Despite the provocation, she was not a cruel killer. He turned, his pistol drawn as he heard a noise on the bed.
Catherine turned too, reaching for her sword. "Alice!" she cried, stepping over Stephen's body and embracing her. She had clearly been on the receiving end of Stephen's attentions, her lip was split and she feared what she would see if the light were better. Taking a breath she made her decision. "Where is Tobias?"
"In the long house," she stuttered, still staring at the dead body of Stephen on the floor.
"Get dressed," Catherine smiled to her. "We are leaving!"
"What do you mean?" Alice frowned. "I cannot leave... Master Waltham will..."
"Master Waltham will probably be dead, if he isn't already," Catherine replied. "Now come, quickly! Let us fetch Tobias and we can leave!"
Alice pulled her clothes on, eyeing the three men in the room warily. Catherine turned, embracing first Oran and then Jean Claude. "It is good to see you both," she smiled.
"Not half as good as you look to us," Oran teased.
Catherine turned, smiling as Alice came to stand timidly next to her. Catherine took her hand in her own. "I've never played you false," she assured her. "Trust me and you will never be beaten again!"
Alice nodded and Catherine led her and the men back through the house, leaving the business of clearing their route to Jack, Oran and Jean Claude. She smiled as she saw the body of Joshua sprawled dead at the base of the stairs. She kicked his head as she passed... but carried on to the long house. Most of the slaves had fled to the fields, but Benjamin was trying to lead a defence of the plantation, most of his accomplices too terrified of him to refuse. Catherine reached for Jack's pistol. "Another friend?" he whispered.
"May he go straight to hell!" she cursed, her shot taking him in the head, spraying blood over those nearest him. The slaves took one last glance at him as he tumbled to the ground before fleeing.
The crew cheered on seeing her and Oran cautiously opened the door. Frightened faces of the women looked up at them. Catherine stepped inside as Alice dashed to get Tobias, returning quickly with him in her arms. "Benjamin is dead," Catherine called, ensuring her voice carried to those at the back. "Joshua is dead, and I think Master Waltham is too! Now you can either stay or come with me – I cannot promise a better life, but I can promise freedom!"
For a moment shocked mutters abounded, and then gradually one, and then another woman rose. Most remained sitting, having either menfolk or being too scared to leave. Catherine looked at those before her, twelve in all including Alice. "Kitty!" Jack protested, alarmed at the number of women.
She ignored him. "If you have children like Alice, then fetch them," she urged. The number of women increased to fifteen and their children. Catherine turned to Jack. "I would not leave a dog here if it wanted to leave!"
"Alright... let's go then!" he said, sighing in realisation that she would not leave them behind. "Oran, get enough men t' protect th' women and get them safely back to the ship!" He leaned close to Catherine. "What are we going t' do with fifteen women an' their children?" he whispered.
"Not rape them for a start," she hissed vehemently, startling Jack with her reply.
He waved his hands before him. "Alright, alright, can we leave now?" he asked. "Please?"
Catherine nodded, allowing him to lead her from the long house. The women within had made their choice, she could not make it for them. If Patrick Waltham had been killed then his family would claim the slaves that remained. Some would undoubtedly try to run, many would stay, too afraid of the consequences of being caught. She followed Jack through the undergrowth until she saw the Black Pearl at anchor. Tears welled in her eyes at a view she never thought she would see again.
Jack smiled at her, wrapping his arms about her as the men guarding the boats prepared to row the women across. "I forgot t' say," he smiled. "Happy birthday luv!"
"Has it been that long?" she gasped for she had lost track of the days as the months passed.
"It is th' sixteenth day of February..." He paused to kiss her, ignoring the ribald cheers of the crew. "An' that makes it yer birthday by m' reckoning..."
"Thank you," she smiled, kissing him back as tears streamed down her face. "You're the only present I would wish for..."
###
###
Stephen Waike's step faltered as he caught the hatred shining from Catherine's eyes as they passed in the corridor. He smiled, reassuring himself that his friend Patrick had her fully under control and that she was a biddable servant. Biddable? Broken was more like it. He shook his head, amazed at how easy it had been once she had believed his brother was dead. He wondered what his brother saw in her, too short, too slim to be attractive to him. For a moment he thought what she would be like, knowing that Patrick would force her to come to him... but no! He shuddered at the thought. He was not so needy that he would take his brother's whore. He would see that Patrick sent him a nice biddable slave to his bed... perhaps two even. If only Francesca would agree to move to the Carolinas – life could be so pleasant!
###
The Black Pearl slipped through the North Channel at dusk, as close to Sullivan's Island as they dared. If they were lucky they would be able to slip past Charles Town and drop anchor somewhere up the Cooper River. Jack double-checked his charts, praying that the depth soundings that they gave were true. If they could get only a few miles north of the town then they should be near to the plantation... and to Catherine. He hoped that they would be in time, for if she was dead then no promise in the world would keep Stephen Waike from a very painful death.
Spotting a likely anchorage, Jack ordered them to stop, sending a few men to scout out the location of the house. Only when they returned would they move – and move en-force. Nothing would stand before them.
###
Catherine curled up in a ball, sleeping how she always slept, hugging her left hand to her tightly chest. She no longer cried at night, her time onboard the ship had caused her to shed all her tears... she did not think there were any left. Her ankle hurt. Benjamin had fastened the chain tightly tonight out of spite and not for the first time. She knew that she would be limping for most of the day tomorrow, resigning herself the fact that it would not be for the last time either.
She smiled to herself, thinking of Alice and her little baby. She had become friends with the black girl over the months she had been at the plantation, and had even suggested the name of Tobias for the child. Alice had been taken with the idea that there was a free black man somewhere that bore that name. They had smiled, a secret smile, but Catherine feared she was already with child again. Benjamin had been at her only a few days after she had given birth. She sighed, fidgeting as she drifted off to sleep.
###
Oran crouched in the bushes, secure in his hiding place, but wanting to dash forwards, sword in hand, murder in mind. He had seen Catherine and he shook with anger at what he had seen. Nodding to Abel and Lonan, they melted back to lead the others.
###
Jack waited, cursing every moment as he waited for the lights to go out in the luxurious home. He had tucked Catherine's pistol into his sash with his own, her sheathed sword in his hand. As soon as he could get to her she would be safe – he would see to that. He smiled, sensing Jean Claude at his shoulder.
"Do we go yet?" the Frenchman asked, as eager to strike as the rest of the crew.
"We just wait fer that light t' go out..." Jack pointed to an upstairs light where a man's shadow could be seen through the curtains. As if he had willed it, the room darkened. "Now we go!"
Jean Claude grinned in the darkness, waving his hand to send the men filtering through the night. They had not come for violence, only to reclaim Catherine... and maybe a bit of looting if they were entirely honest, but they would kill anyone that stood against them. With no more words needing saying, Jean Claude slipped through the night behind Jack, watching his back for he knew his mind was totally blinkered to finding his wife.
Quietly Jack opened the door of the kitchen, looking around cautiously in the dim light. He knew Catherine was somewhere inside the main house and not kept with the slaves, but where? He hugged the shadows, sensing somebody nearby and he lunged at them, grabbing what was revealed to be a maid. His dagger was at her throat. "Not a sound!" he hissed. "The red- haired woman... where is she?"
Timidly she pointed down a corridor. "In the old store," she said, shaking in fright.
"Show me!" Jack demanded, forcing her to lead him. Eventually she pointed to a door. "In here?" he asked. She nodded and he handed her to Jean Claude, a pistol to her head ensuring her silence.
"I will not hurt you," Jean Claude assured her, "if you keep quiet!"
Hand trembling, Jack opened the door. "Kitty," he whispered. "Jesus, Kitty!"
Catherine opened her eyes, sensing somebody near her. Her eyes opened wide in shock, her face went white. "Jack?" she whispered... and promptly fainted.
Jack blinked, surprised by her reaction. He dropped to his knees, cradling her head where it had crashed against the stone floor. He turned to where Jean Claude stood outside the door. "She bloody fainted!" he hissed.
"Well she thought you dead," Jean Claude reminded him. "She probably thought you were a ghost!"
Jack smiled, cradling her as he brushed her short hair from her eyes. It would be years before it regrew to its previous luxuriant length. He leaned down, kissing her. "Kitty! Please wake up... we need t' get out of here!" Slowly her eyes opened.
"How?" she gasped. "You were dead... the guards... the notice... how?"
"We'll figure it out later!" Jack helped her to her feet, surprised to hear the chain clanking as she rose. "What the..." he puzzled, looking downwards. "They chain yer?"
"Don't you know, I'm a dangerous pirate," she smiled, bursting into tears and throwing her arms around his neck. "I thought you were dead...oh my God... I thought you were..." She kissed him as if her life depended on it.
"Captain," Jean Claude whispered. "There is a key outside... we should be going..."
Jack disentangled himself from her, reaching for the key and releasing her foot. "Come on, we're leaving!" A scream sounded from upstairs, clearly they had been discovered. He handed her the pistol and her sword, reaching down to slit her dress so she could fight more easily if needed. "Let's get you out of here!"
Taking her hand, Jack led her from the store, but she balked, turning the other direction. "No!" she said sniffing. "I'm not leaving... not yet!"
"Kitty!" Jack protested as Jean Claude shut the maid in the store for her own safety.
"He's here! And he is mine!" she insisted.
"Who? Stephen?" Jack puzzled.
She nodded. "He arrived two days ago. Seems somebody kept sinking his ships..." She reached to kiss him again. "Was it you?"
"Guilty!" Jack shrugged unapologetically. "Let's go get him then," he said, "and then can we please get you back to the Pearl?"
"You gave your word to your mother Jack," Jean Claude reminded him. "You cannot kill Stephen!"
"He can't, but I can!" Catherine said darkly. "And I will!" Letting go of Jack's hand she stalked through the house. "And I have a few debts to settle before I will leave!"
Jack looked at Jean Claude. "Guess we'd best go with her," he grinned, automatically moving to protect her. Having just found his wife there was no way he was going to lose her now.
Catherine led the way up the stairs to where the fighting was the thickest. The pirates grinned in delight on seeing her, making way for her as she headed towards Stephen's room. Oran was there already, matching Stephen blow for blow, their swords clanging loudly. "Stand back!" she ordered, smiling as Oran automatically obeyed. "He's mine."
"You're no match for me woman!" Stephen sneered, raising his sword.
"I don't need to be," she said quietly, raising her loaded pistol. Stephen took a step backwards as she cocked it. "You sent me to hell and back, knowing it was a lie!" she hissed. "So now you can discover hell for yourself!"
Jack watched as his brother fell, Catherine's shot taking him cleanly through the heart. Despite the provocation, she was not a cruel killer. He turned, his pistol drawn as he heard a noise on the bed.
Catherine turned too, reaching for her sword. "Alice!" she cried, stepping over Stephen's body and embracing her. She had clearly been on the receiving end of Stephen's attentions, her lip was split and she feared what she would see if the light were better. Taking a breath she made her decision. "Where is Tobias?"
"In the long house," she stuttered, still staring at the dead body of Stephen on the floor.
"Get dressed," Catherine smiled to her. "We are leaving!"
"What do you mean?" Alice frowned. "I cannot leave... Master Waltham will..."
"Master Waltham will probably be dead, if he isn't already," Catherine replied. "Now come, quickly! Let us fetch Tobias and we can leave!"
Alice pulled her clothes on, eyeing the three men in the room warily. Catherine turned, embracing first Oran and then Jean Claude. "It is good to see you both," she smiled.
"Not half as good as you look to us," Oran teased.
Catherine turned, smiling as Alice came to stand timidly next to her. Catherine took her hand in her own. "I've never played you false," she assured her. "Trust me and you will never be beaten again!"
Alice nodded and Catherine led her and the men back through the house, leaving the business of clearing their route to Jack, Oran and Jean Claude. She smiled as she saw the body of Joshua sprawled dead at the base of the stairs. She kicked his head as she passed... but carried on to the long house. Most of the slaves had fled to the fields, but Benjamin was trying to lead a defence of the plantation, most of his accomplices too terrified of him to refuse. Catherine reached for Jack's pistol. "Another friend?" he whispered.
"May he go straight to hell!" she cursed, her shot taking him in the head, spraying blood over those nearest him. The slaves took one last glance at him as he tumbled to the ground before fleeing.
The crew cheered on seeing her and Oran cautiously opened the door. Frightened faces of the women looked up at them. Catherine stepped inside as Alice dashed to get Tobias, returning quickly with him in her arms. "Benjamin is dead," Catherine called, ensuring her voice carried to those at the back. "Joshua is dead, and I think Master Waltham is too! Now you can either stay or come with me – I cannot promise a better life, but I can promise freedom!"
For a moment shocked mutters abounded, and then gradually one, and then another woman rose. Most remained sitting, having either menfolk or being too scared to leave. Catherine looked at those before her, twelve in all including Alice. "Kitty!" Jack protested, alarmed at the number of women.
She ignored him. "If you have children like Alice, then fetch them," she urged. The number of women increased to fifteen and their children. Catherine turned to Jack. "I would not leave a dog here if it wanted to leave!"
"Alright... let's go then!" he said, sighing in realisation that she would not leave them behind. "Oran, get enough men t' protect th' women and get them safely back to the ship!" He leaned close to Catherine. "What are we going t' do with fifteen women an' their children?" he whispered.
"Not rape them for a start," she hissed vehemently, startling Jack with her reply.
He waved his hands before him. "Alright, alright, can we leave now?" he asked. "Please?"
Catherine nodded, allowing him to lead her from the long house. The women within had made their choice, she could not make it for them. If Patrick Waltham had been killed then his family would claim the slaves that remained. Some would undoubtedly try to run, many would stay, too afraid of the consequences of being caught. She followed Jack through the undergrowth until she saw the Black Pearl at anchor. Tears welled in her eyes at a view she never thought she would see again.
Jack smiled at her, wrapping his arms about her as the men guarding the boats prepared to row the women across. "I forgot t' say," he smiled. "Happy birthday luv!"
"Has it been that long?" she gasped for she had lost track of the days as the months passed.
"It is th' sixteenth day of February..." He paused to kiss her, ignoring the ribald cheers of the crew. "An' that makes it yer birthday by m' reckoning..."
"Thank you," she smiled, kissing him back as tears streamed down her face. "You're the only present I would wish for..."
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