Chapter Nine: And They Lived…

"Your beautiful back," India sniffed as she slathered salve on Barrett's wounds.

"No tears now," Barrett told her, trying to hold back a few of his own. He laid across the doctor's operating table on his stomach as India tended to him. Doctor Maturin had very kindly left the two of them alone, knowing she was fully capable of dressing his wounds. At first the ointment stung like the devil on his raw flesh, but after a moment a pleasant numbness set in. "I missed you, India. I'm so sorry."

India helped him to sit up and started wrapping clean bandages around his trunk. "I missed you too, Barrett, but it won't be long before I'll be missing you forever."

"Don't talk like that," he said chucking her under her chin. "I've made plans for youa job, enough money to manage for a while…"

"I don't want your money."

"But you'll take itno arguments." Barrett stroked her hair and stole a kiss. "I want you to take my name as well."

She smiled, but looked as if she were about to cry. "Are you sure? After all I've put you through?"

"It was worth it," he said sincerely. "Say you'll marry me."

"Of course, I will!" India almost threw her arms around his neck, but stopped herself just in time. "You must ask the captain to marry us before I have to go."

Barrett kissed her again softly. "I'll ask him, my lovethough not today, of course."

India gently ran her hand through his hair. "I want a lock of your hair to keep with me…the sound of your voice, the sparkle in your eyes I'll keep in my heart."

Barrett nuzzled her neck. "And I'll take the scent of you, which is almost as sweet as the taste of you." He pulled her shirt off her shoulder and placed his lips on her freckled skin.

She giggled. "You're hardly in a condition for such talk."

"Just as well," he said in a throaty whisper, "I'm tired of talking." Despite the stinging itch of his back, Barrett found he couldn't resist her nearness and their relative privacy any longer. He covered her mouth with his and pulled her to him. India placed her hands gingerly on his shoulders.

Barrett was grateful for India's gentleness, but didn't respond in kind. He had yearned for the feel of her body against his for weeks and had difficulty controlling himself. He couldn't help but notice there was far less meat on her bones than there had been when they made love in the temple. Her breasts were still lusciously full and even in his present state he desperately wanted to feel her bare skin against his. Her beguiling moans in his ear further fueled his passion when she suddenly shrieked and pushed him away.

"Captain!" India jumped from the table and saluted; Barrett followed.

"At ease, Bonden," the captain said wryly. "Miss Sheppard, you needn't salute me."

"Sorry, sir," she said quietly. "Force of habit."

Aubrey put his hands behind his back and looked the couple up and down, seemingly taking their measure. "Though many captains of the Fleet carry women aboard their ships regularly, the wives of officers and such, I have shunned the practice. In my experience, women are a distraction a man-of-war can ill afford. I imagine there are a handful of ladies who have proved themselves useful, but I understand that in large part, they are more trouble than they're worth."

Barrett and India glanced at each other, disheartened as well as confused by Captain Aubrey's speech.

"Miss Sheppard," he continued. "Doctor Maturin has made a great point of informing me of your singular worth and he would have me keep you on as his nurse."

India's eyes brightened and she grinned from ear to ear. The captain stayed her excitement with a stern look. "There is problem."

Barrett took India's hand. "What's that, sir?"

"As skilled a healer as you are," Aubrey told her, "there is no way I can allow an unmarried woman to remain aboard the Surprise."

"Is that all, sir?" Barrett asked with a smile. "Not a moment before you came in I asked her to marry me."

"Did you now?" Aubrey teased. "Well, problem solvedassuming Miss Sheppard has accepted."

India started to weep. "Of course I did!" She embraced her beloved carefully, then the captain, though only briefly, somehow sensing Aubrey's discomfiture at her show of emotion.

"Miss Sheppard, help Mr. Bonden below so he can have his supper, then come to the wardroom." When Barrett raised an eyebrow, Aubrey added. "If you're going to marry on my ship there are a few details that require attention."

India did as Aubrey ordered and helped Barrett below. The other crewmen tried to tend to their own business, but Barrett saw their curious glances and decided to break the news of his impending marriage in the morning. Right now, he wanted to dream of his India in peace.

India had been reluctant to part with Barrett, but there was no way she could stay below with him until they were married. Then they would have a curtained-off corner to themselves, still sharing their quarters with the rest of the crewsomething that would take no getting used to at all, India thought happily. She rushed to the wardroom, both eager and apprehensive to hear whatever it was the captain had to say.

She was a little relived that Doctor Maturin was there as well. He smiled, but didn't say a word. On top of the great oak table was a large package tied with twine. "Well, open it," Aubrey said without preamble.

She suppressed a giggle as she untied the string and folded back the thick brown paper. India gasped. Inside was gown of fine blue silk, a gossamer white underdress, white silk stockings, and matching garters. When she looked up at the two officers, she blushed and covered the underpinnings with the paper. "I don't understand."

Aubrey nodded. "You can hardly be properly married wearing tarry trousers."

"These fine things can't be for me," she said, wiping a tear from her eye.

The captain put a fatherly hand on her shoulder. "They were made for my wife, but if she were here I have no doubt she would present them to you herself."

India shook her head. "I couldn't."

"Of course you can," Aubrey bellowed. "No arguments, is that understood?"

"Yes, sir." She saluted again then regarded Aubrey sheepishly. "Not to be contrary sir, but you might as well get used to it. Until you put me off this ship, you're my captain and you will have my obedience whether you want it or not."

She then went up to Doctor Maturin and took his hands in hers. "A greater friend I could never hope for. I would be honored if you would give me away."

Overcome, Stephen took her hand and kissed it lightly in the courtliest manner. "The honor would be mine."

On the occasion of their wedding a fortnight later, a clean and pressed Barrett Bonden was enthralled by the sight of his bride in pale blue. India walked up the gangway on the arm of Doctor Maturin in his dress uniform. India's shoulder-length brown hair was done up with ribbons and she was holding a bouquet of what looked like strips of stiff sail tied cleverly to look like flowers.

Captain Jack Aubrey attempted to keep the tone of the ceremony solemn, but failed, breaking out into an infectious grin halfway through. Barrett kissed India with the captain's leave, though more amorously than perhaps he should have in public. The crew hooped and hollered; Captain Aubrey cleared his throat loudly. "Save something for later, Mr. Bonden."

After the wedding, there was dancing and singing; the drinking goes without saying. An extra ration of rum was given to the crew, not that they needed spirits to make them quite merry.

Barrett entertained the crew, but delighted his bride with his own version of the old broadside ballad, The Female Smuggler, "Which I call The Female Surgeon!"

O come list a while, and you shall hear,
By the rolling sea lived a maiden fair.
Her father had followed the surgeon's trade,
Like a warlike hero.
Like a warlike hero that never was afraid.

Now, in sailor's clothing young India did go,
Dressed like a sailor from top to toe
Her aged father was the only care
Of this female surgeon.
Of this female surgeon who never did despair.

With her bandages wrapped she went aboard.
And by her side hung a surgeon's sword,
In her belt two bone saws; well armed for war
Was this female surgeon,
Was this female surgeon, who never feared a scar.

Roaring laughs and applause followed, while India bestowed an ardent kiss on her husband's lips in payment for his fine song.

Nagle pulled out his pipe for a rousing chorus of Gay Spanish Ladies. As the rum disappeared the songs became bawdier and the happy couple was anxious to be alone. Noting their restlessness, Dr. Maturin took the opportunity to lead them away. "I think it's high time I give you my wedding present."

As they entered sick-bay, Barrett and India saw that it had been cleared of all supplies and instruments. In their place was a sort of boweran extra-wide hammock tied with bits of colorful fabric and ribbon.

"It would be a shame for you to spend your wedding night in a corner down below," the doctor said looking quite pleased with himself.

India rushed to Dr. Maturin and kissed him on the cheek.

Barrett inclined his head in thanks, but seemed unsure. "Thank you for thinking of us, Doctor, but I don't rightly know if it would be proper for us to stay here. Newlyweds being what they are, if you take my meaning, sir."

Dr. Maturin raised his hand. "Not another word, Barrett. I insist. After all I am a doctor as well as a naturalist." He broke out in a sly grin. "Feel free to do whatever comes naturally. Just don't break anything," he added with a wink as he closed the door after him.

As soon as the doctor was gone, India threw her arms around her husband and kissed him violently, all the while stripping off his jacket, kerchief and shirt. She explored his bare chest first with the tips of her fingers, then her mouth.

Barrett caught India's hands and held them behind her back. "We have all night, love." She lifted her head and allowed him to kiss her moist, pink lips. He probed her mouth with his tongue, tempted to tarry there, but there was so much more of her body to explore. The dress Mrs. Aubrey had unwittingly donated showed India's bosom to great effect. The latest style had the waistline just below the breasts which cinched them up more alluringly than the tightest corset could have. He kissed the exposed flesh, then released her hands. He cupped her breasts through the blue silk; India moaned and arched her back. Barrett wrapped his arms around her waist, running his strong hands over her back and buttocks. "Time for bed."

"I thought you just said we had all night." India pushed him away with a smile and told him to sit down in the doctor's chair. She laid a blanket on the floor in front of him and sat at his feet, trailing her fingertips lightly over his thighs. Barrett's cock was already straining against his trousers. "You're driving me mad, lass. Don't tease me any longer."

India put her hands on his thighs and arched her back like a cat, her breasts brushed his cock. "When I was being bathed and dressed at the temple, Paro and Chandra whispered a thing or two in my ear."

"Don't keep me waiting," he groaned.

She untied his trousers and released his hardening cock She spit in her hand and stroked him until he swore. India wet her lips and covered the head of his cock, encircling the head with her tongue. Barrett grunted with satisfaction as he put his hand lightly on the back of her head.

The Devadasi courtesans had taught her well. Seconds before he reached climax, India stopped, stood up and pulled her gown up above her waist. Silk stockings covered her legs to her milky thighs, her pretty cunt peeked out from under the light blue silk.

"Turn around," he breathed. With a coy smile, she obliged, but turned her head and watched him over her shoulder. He put his hands on the soft globes of her ass, then rubbed his fingers between her legs. He gently pushed down on her back so that she would lean forward, giving him full access to her cunt. He began licking her and probing her with his tongue from behind. India shriek out his name, not caring who might hear it.

Barrett grinned triumphantly and redoubled his efforts. India began thrashing about and moving her hips, trying to increase the contact. "Barrett please, put your cock inside me! I need you inside me!"

His cock ached for her. As he stood, his trousers fell to the floor and he kicked them away. Barrett put his cock against her dripping entrance; India reached behind her and grabbed Barrett's backside and pulled him inside her. Barrett put his hands on her hips and began to thrust inside her. India took a tight hold of their bower; her body moved back and forth with the swinging of the hammock, aiding his thrusts. Barrett reached one hand around and began rubbing her clit.

He was so close, as was India. As exquisite as their present position felt, he wanted to see her face as they both came. Reluctantly he withdrew. India whimpered as her knees buckled. Barrett caught her, turned her around and embraced her. "Please don't stop," she begged.

"Never," Barrett whispered. He put his strong hands on her buttocks and lifted her onto his cock. India gasped and put her arms around his neck, then wrapped her legs around his waist. He thrust up inside her as she leaned back slightly, giving him a fine view of her beautiful face and delicious breasts peeking out of the neckline of her gown. India cries became louder and she ground her pelvis against his as she came.

With a final, deep thrust and a guttural cry of "India" Barrett buried his cock inside her and shot his seed.

They climbed exhausted into their cozy hammock, peacefully wrapped in each other's embrace. In two days, sick-bay would be filled with wounded. India would be toiling at Dr. Maturin's side while Barrett would be at the helm keeping the Surprise steady.

For now at least, Mr. and Mrs. Bonden were happy and content.

The End