I've been picking this scene apart and just can't seem to satisfy myself. I thought the best thing to do was just put it up and move on. I have a few points to make. First of all, I don't have any children and don't have any idea what Rose has gone through. Second, sailors are notoriously superstitious. And lastly, sailors have a strong aversion to hearing anything even remotely gynecological (whereas Stephen does not) That's why Jack & Tom can talk lightly together even after what they've heard. tghey're distancing themselves from wha they've heard.

Legrace and Flossy, you wicked girls!
Any erotic encounter between those characters would have to come under the auspices of "Silliness" though, just like the scene with the 'bet'.
If you watch the "Deleted Scenes" on the second disc of the DVD, I think my personal objections to Captain Howard are obvious. My favorite line (when the song of the humpback whales is giving them a fright), Stephen says, "Perhaps it is the mother of the creature that Captain Howard shot." On the other hand, like Miss Flossy, I don't object to his appearance too much!
My absolute favorite scene is when Stephen, Blakeney, and Padeen are eating their lunch surrounded by about 20 tortoises who are munching away on their leaves.

Legrace:
Flint, whom I wish was my original character, is the most famous dead pirate in all literature. I shudder to try and write him!! (but it might be worth it to have the honor of you beta reading!!) About that quotation: he is embarrassed for 2 reasons. First of all, he is a married man (and seemingly happily married) and secondly, such things are not spoken of among officers. Stephen is a keen observer and brilliant man, but he is sometimes as subjective as the rest of us!

Hellcat

Running southeast once they had cleared the west coast of Cuba, they found fair weather again. The hot sun was tempered by the fresh sea breezes, and joy bordering on giddiness settled over the ship. During the afternoon watch one lovely, hot day with a stiff breeze, Stephen sat with Rose as she finished the hem of her gown. Pullings and Mowett were studying the chart of Cuba nearby, but the two of them were more chatting than working, calling witty remarks and trying to make the lady laugh.

"I am afraid I shall not be able to wear it until after Kingston," she sighed dramatically as she worked. "None of the buttons I have will suit. I know a little shop just of the main square that sells such things for ladies. I shall get a score of tiny pearl buttons when we arrive and have it ready to dine the next evening."

"Pearl buttons?" asked Mowett with mock-seriousness. "I'm afraid it just won't suit that chiffon, ma'am. Too much white."

"Too much white?" She stood up, holding the gown in front of her and looking down at it. The whisper light silk chiffon was pure white with violets and ivy twined on it. "Green buttons would ruin the effect, I fear."

"Violet, then," Stephen volunteered. "It could be rather dramatic against all the white."

One of the crew called from the waist, and Mr. Mowett, who was on watch, went to see what it was. He then called back for them to join him, as he had once before, for a pod of dolphins paced the ship. The lady set aside her gown and went with Stephen and Pullings down to join those who were watching the friendly animals. They were easy to see in the clear water of the Caribbean, their sleek gray skins visible just beneath the surface.

Stephen noticed that Tom Pullings put his hand on Rose's shoulder and squeezed gently. With a grateful smile, she glanced at him and reached to pat his hand. Their eyes held for a moment, and then they both turned back.

As Stephen was just registering the unguarded affection in that glance, the loud report of a rifle shot caught the attention of everyone on deck. From the forward rail, feet planted firmly, Captain Howard was aiming for the creatures. Pullings and Mowett shared a distasteful look that spoke volumes but said nothing aloud, and the doctor regarded the marine captain sourly.

"Mr. Howard!"

Mrs. Stirling pushed her way over to him, and startled crewmen stepped out of her way. Pullings muttered a curse and went after her, but it was too late to prevent what was going to happen. She took hold of his rifle and yanked it out of his hands with one swift motion. "What is the matter with you, you whey-faced imbecile?" she bellowed. Enraged, she glared at the man with fury in her eyes.

"A word with you, Mrs. Stirling, if you please," called Pullings sternly as he made his way through the group of stunned men.

Work had stopped. All the men were silent, watching, for the lady had transformed into a Valkyrie, terrible in righteous anger. Captain Howard had not recovered from the shock: he still stood staring at her with his mouth ajar.

Pullings took her firmly by the arm. "Doctor, the lady is ill and requires your attention. Ma'am, put down the rifle, and I shall take you below."

Rose glared at him with a furious, mutinous look and drew in a breath to retort, but he stared back grimly. A moment, they stood there, and then she dropped the rifle and went with him without a word. Stephen followed, unable to comprehend what had provoked such a ferocious reaction in the lady and also questioning why he had ever wondered how the gossip had started.

The captain looked up expectantly as they knocked and entered, and he frowned when he saw the dark expressions on both their faces. "I'm sorry, sir," said Pullings.

"What is it?" he asked cautiously, for he had heard some of the talk, and it was exceedingly rare that Tom was in a temper.

"I am afraid there has been some unpleasantness between Mrs. Stirling and Captain Howard," he said just as Stephen entered.

Free of his restraining hand on her arm, Rose began to pace. "Unpleasantness??" she cried, seething with anger. "That man should be keel-hauled!" She stalked back and forth like a caged wildcat, looking about as dangerous. "What kind of man are you to let him get away with such a crime?"

"I am sure that Captain Flint would have run up his mates from a yardarm or keel-hauled an honorable man for ignorance," Pullings said back to her with a reproving glance and a sharp edge to his voice. "But what Captain Howard did, appalling as it may be to you, is not a crime, and you owe him an apology."

"Apology??" she snapped, looking at him with disbelief. "Not a crime? And you call yourself a mariner!"

His clear eyes flashed to dark blue. "Ma'am, you are on this ship as a guest. I advise you to remember it."

As they faced each other, Stephen felt his heart lurch violently in his chest. It took quite a lot to make Tom Pullings angry, and now that his ire was roused, the situation was getting a bit too precarious. The lady was aflame with violent passion no less dangerous than his. Maybe even more, he thought. The two of them, like a bear and a she-wolf, seemed at that moment capable of tearing each other apart with claws and teeth, and despite Tom's advantage of size and strength, Stephen wasn't at all sure that such a death match would have gone his way. On the other hand, such a heated exchange bespoke volumes about the passions simmering between them.

"Why do you stand by and allow such slaughter?" she cried.

"That is quite enough from the two of you," said Jack at this point. "Mrs. Stirling, Mr. Pullings, you are both to calm down and hold your peace until I say otherwise." After a brief hesitation where they continued to glare at each other, they both turned to him. When he was satisfied that the row would not continue, he turned to Stephen. "I hope you can tell me what is going on in a dispassionate account."

"By all means, though I cannot understand it." He described the scene correctly and quite objectively, and when he had finished speaking, Jack sighed and rubbed his head, but not before Stephen had seen the glint of amusement in his eyes.

"There are few things that sailors are as superstitious about as killing a dolphin or an albatross," Jack told him. "Causes fatal luck."

"But not a crime."

"No." He looked over at Rose, who was calmer but still frowning darkly. Pullings also was taking deep breaths and seemed almost back to himself. "Mr. Pullings, you were certainly right in coming here for this private discussion, but there is no excuse for quarrelling with a lady under any circumstance."

"Aye, sir," he replied dutifully.

Then, he looked at Rose. "Well, my dear, I will not say that I don't understand your feelings in the matter, but you must own that your actions were sadly impetuous. Now, I won't have discord on this ship, not from anyone. If a man aboard behaves with impropriety, you are to tell me privately, not berate him on deck in front of the crew."

She nodded mutely.

He sighed, studying her. "You insulted Captain Howard quite publicly, and thus your apology must be public as well."

A look of disgust passed over her features. "I know it very well and will do what is right in this matter, you may rely upon it."

"Rose," began Stephen carefully. "This impassioned display seems to me inspired by something deeper than mere anger."

At his words, she grew still, cautious, a reaction he had seen several times before when a question had struck home with her.

"There is no question that your life of late has been one ordeal after another; however, there is no clear connection between Captain Howard's actions and your troubles."

Silently she looked at him, debating in her mind how to reply.

"Was it your little girl you were thinking of?" asked Pullings. "Is that what set you off?"

She blanched at his words. It was a terrible look, the one she gave Pullings, like the look of one whose enemy had thrust a cutlass deeply into his chest. What he had said cut her to the quick.

"My dear! You look overcome!" Stephen went to help her to a chair. "A glass of brandy, Jack, before the lady swoons."

Looking from one to the other, Jack paused before calling for Killick to bring the requested brandy. "I should not have said anything," said Pullings.

"No, it's just as well." She managed a bleak smile at him. "It's better that you all know."

"About what Colonel Pitt did to you?" asked Stephen.

Her eyes flew to his in shock. "How… how did you know?"

"Easy, my dear. Drink some brandy. You are to tell us everything. Start at the beginning."

She took a gulp and winced as it burned her throat. Then, she placed one hand over her forehead and eyes and took several deep breaths. "You will not like what you hear, especially those of you who are squeamish."

"As I medical man, I am well acquainted with the horrors of men and nature, my dear," Stephen assured her.

"Very well, doctor. So. The beginning…" She drew in a breath and gripped the glass. "Well, after Richard and I escaped from the Walrus and we were married, he was very poor, having lost almost everything to the pirates, and the Calypso was in need of repairs. We lived on the ship, running little routes among the islands of the Caribbean, and then getting back into the business of shipping to England.

"About that time, I discovered that I was going to have a child. Of course, we were thrilled, and though still very poor, we had enough. Towards the later months, I fell ill with quite a serious fever. The financial situation was dire, though, and he set out without me. Since we had no home apart from the ship, he took me to stay with his sister, Mrs. Pitt, thinking I would be safe and well-taken care of there.

"I did not know then how Colonel Pitt recognized me, but now I know that he knew my father and had seen me before. Well, the first thing he did was to have his servants lock me in the cellar as he sent for the local sheriff. Ill as I was and expecting a child within two months, I struggled and fought them, for I knew very well that it meant the gallows for me."

"You don't say…" began Pullings with a look of horror on his face.

"Yes. It is why the baby came early," she admitted, then looked at Stephen. "Have you helped many women deliver their babies, doctor? Then you can imagine my predicament. I was but eighteen years old and alone in the cold and dark to deliver my first child. No matter how I screamed, Pitt would let no one come to help me."

"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph," he muttered. No wonder she hated the man!

"I shall spare you the details, but she was eventually born alive." Tears slid down her cheeks. "I survived, obviously, but she only lived a few hours." She drew out her handkerchief as she began to sob.

Stephen glanced at Jack, whose expression was stony and then at Pullings, who had turned away and was leaning one arm against the bulwark. He let her cry, and when she had regained control of herself and wiped her face, urged her to take another sip of brandy.

"Then they took me to prison!" She laughed bitterly. "I thought it was the end, and it nearly was, for I was to be tried and hanged before Richard returned. He knew of none of this, you see. Then Admiral Bellows heard something of my case and came to see me. I was half-mad at the time, as you can imagine, but he had known my mother in her youth. He and Mrs. Bellows took me in – he was able to have me released during my convalescence. They were so kind! And they delayed my trial until Richard had returned, for it was only he and some of his men, whom I had rescued, who could testify on my behalf.

"In the end, of course, I was not hanged. I told them the little I knew of some smugglers and pirates that lead them to capture criminals far more dangerous that I. And so, I was granted clemency and became an honest woman. A year later, we had our healthy Silvester, to our joy, and then Christopher." She sighed deeply. "Had it not been for Pitt, I might have my Lily still."

Stephen nodded slowly. "And Captain Howard reminds you very much of Pitt, does he not?"

"Yes!" he declared, the anger dissipating some of her grief. "The same, smug, supercilious attitude as the villain!"

"Of course," said Jack. "I see it now. It is all so simple."

"For you, perhaps," she sighed. "Well, as I told you, I had been estranged from my father for many years. In his letter, he told me that he had only on his deathbed learned what happened, and it was his opinion that Pitt killed his granddaughter. Thus this cruise is his revenge, not mine, for I knew nothing of Pitt's treason before reading it in his letter."

"Have you no motive of revenge?" Stephen asked.

"No. What use is revenge? It cannot bring my child back."

Drawing in a deep breath, he blew the air out in a huge sigh. "There is still one thing. You said that the men tried to murder you after you had received the letter. Who knew of the letter's contents at that point?"

"Well, perhaps the Terayans, for they posted it for him. Other than that, only Admiral Bellows and some other gentlemen at the admiralty."

"Do you know their names?"

"I do not. Why?"

"My dear, you have been compromised." He looked at Jack. "Is the Walrus still following?"

"We have not had sighting since we left Savannah." He frowned at the doctor. "Do you think this involves someone in the admiralty?"

"It seems likely." He turned back to the lady. "Now, Rose, this is very important. Is there any other chart of the island?"

"No," she said without hesitation.

"Does anyone else have the ability to find the island?"

"Well…" She swirled the remaining brandy in the glass, studying the way it caught the light. "I must say yes. These men, if they are my father's crew, are not educated in setting a course the way we are. They learned their craft through trial and error. Of course it limits the ability to navigate in the modern way, but it gives them one advantage: there are probably those among them who can find the island without knowing the longitude and latitude."

"But they can't cross the reef," said Jack.

"No."

He and Stephen shared a look. "What exalted names will this account book reveal, I wonder," Stephen said softly. Then he looked kindly at Rose. "Well! What a trying day this must be for you, my dear! I shall instruct you to get yourself to bed and rest this evening. Tomorrow, after breakfast, we shall deal with whatever unpleasantries remain."

Jack was about to order Mr. Pullings to escort the lady to her cabin when he thought that might not be the wisest move at that precise moment. Instead, he asked Stephen to go with her, and when they were gone, he looked at his first officer, not knowing quite what to say.

"I'm sorry for my behavior earlier, sir," said Tom. "I should– "

"Ah well." Jack waved away his words absentmindedly. "A woman like that would provoke any man. Like one of the hellcats on the old Spanish Main, eh?"

"To be sure, sir." Tom actually grinned. "Almost like old Flint himself roaring at the hands. Whey-faced imbecile, she called him."

Jack had to smile. In truth, he was sorry he had missed it. "But it's a dangerous, crude quality in a woman, we must not forget. And she is to pilot the ship past the reef." He considered it. "What do you think, Tom? Will the men take orders from her?"

"From what we saw today, they had better."