A/N: I blame Bollywood and the many hours I've spent watching Hindi music videos for the next two chapters. My interpretation of the Devadasi, a system of religious prostitution in India, is completely romanticized and bears little resemblance to the actual practice.

Chapter Four: India's Treasures

The Surprise managed to make a full recovery, though it took several weeks to refit the ship; they were forced to make port in Madagascar to replace the damaged mizzenmast. In the meantime, La Pucelle was sold and the prize money was distributed among the crew, just in time for shore leave in the magical city of Bombay.

Since their first romantic encounter, Barrett had been very careful not to be seen alone with India too often. It pained him, but they couldn't afford to attract any more unwanted attention. At first, Barrett was afraid that India would give him grief for it, as any woman might; but he soon realized that she was still the same clever, steadfast person she always had been. She understood as well as he the heavy price they would pay if their relationship was discovered.

At least they could still enjoy each other's company in the presence of their fellow mates. India sat next to Doudle with her back against her sea chest, as she darned her best shirt and laughed at the rough jokes of the other seamen. Barrett had to remind himself that she had been at sea, disguised as a boy, since she was a child and was used to such talk. Barrett was jealous of Doudle's nearness and angered by his vulgarity. He stopped himself from draining his cup too quickly, lest he get drunk and say something dangerously stupid.

"Just think, Will" said Doudle. "A day and a half from now we'll be in the arms of some gorgeous Indian whore. And they're no regular ones, neither. They're game for anything all on account of this whore goddess what makes 'em. What do they call themselves"

"Devadasi" Barrett replied"but most of the whores in Bombay aren't like that."

"But they're still game for anything" laughed Nagle. "I suppose you'll be keeping your special place to yourself, Barrett."

"I told you, I'll not be welcome there again. I just got" he risked a glance at India. "-lucky."

Nagle nudged India's shoulder. "Last time the Surprise sailed to Bombay, we all was on leave just strolling through the marketplace, on the lookout for a nice place to invest our wages, when this old woman comes our way. All the Indian men stopped what they were doing and started bowing to her. One geezer threw himself on the ground and kissed her feet. Then she walks up to Barrett, the lucky bastard. She put her hands together and bows, muttering some Hindi gibberish"

"Namaste" said Barrett. "Means 'hello'."

Nagle shrugged. "Whatever. Then she says, 'One awaits you who would teach you the art of love. Are you willing to learn?' He stares at her for a second and says, 'Yes, please.' And then he goes off with her."

India met his eyes. "You went with her, just like that" Barrett had to strain to hear the ring of jealousy in her voice, but it was there.

Barrett grinned. "There was something about her. I got the feeling I'd regret in more ways than one if I'd refused."

"There was something spooky about the old witch" Doudle agreed. "We found a merchant who spoke English and he told us that the old bat runs some fancy whorehouse that only princes and admirals get invited to. But to make their goddess happy, they have to invite a poor man once every full moon. Barrett's kept what happened very close, but he came back a changed man."

"For the better, I hope" India smirked.

"Strictly a matter of opinion. To this day he's not told a soul what he saw" He flashed India a leering smile. "Or did."

"Or had done to him"

Barrett's mates laughed heartily, but he felt himself simmering to a boil. "That's enough in front of the lad."

Doudle clapped India on the back. "You won't be a lad much longer, eh Will? You can come along with us. We'll make sure you have a grand time."

India must have sensed Barrett was about to blow and excused herself with an awkward smile. "I need to use the head."

"Don't break anything now, William" called Nagle. "You'll be needing it later"

India actually did have to use the head, but was grateful to escape the closeness of below deck. It was so hard to be near Barrett, but not to be near him. She ached for the chance to feel his arms around her again. She touched her lips recalling the feel of his mouth on hers and his calloused hand between her legs. India brushed her own hand against her sex and groaned.

She took some pleasure in Barrett's jealousy and protectiveness toward her, but it just wasn't enough. They had hardly spoken privately since the night she revealed herself as a woman and they had not touched at all. She was looking forward to shore leave and the promise of time alone with him; she was also anxious and afraid that she would be a terrible disappointment to him. He deserved a 'real' woman who actually knew what to do with herself. India had been so awkward with him. She had even bitten him for pity's sake!

Her fears were somewhat allayed when during a quiet dogwatch the next night, she managed to take him aside. "What did happen at this secret place of yours? Why did the old woman choose you" They weren't alone for long. Slade and Doudle overheard India's question and joined in on their conversation.

"Go on, Barrett, answer the lad" said Slade, rubbing his filthy hands together with anticipation. "He's got to learn sometime."

Barrett sighed. "All right, sit down and shut your gob. This place was more of a temple than a brothel"

"But they still got whores there, right" Slade asked.

"Aye" Barrett told him"but they call themselves 'courtesans'."

"What's a courtesan" India asked, unable to keep the worry out her voice. Fortunately, her mates didn't notice, except Barrett, of course.

"A whore who charges double" answered Doudle.

"You wish" Barrett replied. "You'll not make enough in a lifetime to get one of them to choose you."

Slade scowled. "So what made you so bloody special"

Barrett looked at India and shrugged. "Hindus don't believe in heaven or hell like a proper Christian. They think a person lives over and over again until they become perfect. The old woman, Vidya Devi's her name, she told me that as a man's soul get older, he also gets poorer. Anyway, their goddess thinks it's only fair to give pleasure to poor old souls every so often while they make their money pleasuring rich young ones."

"And you're a poor old soul if I ever saw one, Barrett" Doudle laughed. "I'll not argue with that"

"Well, tell us" urged Slade. "What'd they do to ya"

Barrett leaned forward as his mates did the same. He regarded each of them in turn before he fixed his green eyes on India. "They taught me how to pleasure a woman."

India felt a sharp, delightful pang shoot from her sex to the top of her head and back again. Slade and Doudle glowered at Barrett in annoyance.

"Is that all" Slade said with disgust.

"There's nothing to it, Will" added Doudle. "You tell her you love her before you roll over and go to sleep. Even if you don't, they like to hear it anyhow."

Barrett shook his head as they two men left them. Slade and Doudle joined the other men in a song; Barrett took the opportunity to whisper in India's ear. "I want to show you everything they showed me, the first chance I get."

India kept her expression even as she whispered back. "I'm afraid I'll be a disappointment to you."

"Codswallop" he replied with a smile. "You couldn't disappoint me if you tried."

India grinned back, then joined her mates in the chorus:

A sailor from Dover, from Dover he came
He courted lovely Sally and Sally was her name;
But still she walked so lofty and her fortune was so high,
That she on a sailor would scarce cast an eye.

To be continued…

Proud Sally is a traditional sea shanty.