Wendy had never seen a pirate town...so she did not know what to expect. She didn't know what to expect of an imaginary town either. This was a good thing, because, if she had been expecting it to look anything as London did, she would have been disappointed.
This town, was a patchwork of ideas, and dreams and the fancies of hundreds of different minds. It had fountains with colored water, Christmas shops, even though it was warm and summery, candy shops, and taverns, blacksmiths and tailors shops.
Everywhere she looked there were pirates, and gypsies, and highwaymen. . .also there were scores of bawdy women who called out to the men. On the corners, miniature people did acrobatics, men walked on stilts, and girls sold flowers and handkerchiefs. There were strange animals, and birds, such as flamingoes and peacocks, strutting in the streets.
Occasionally, a fancy coach or carriage pulled by a team of snow white horses, would dodge the animals, and it's driver would shout, or whistle.
All of the drivers wore red livery, and had ivory masquerade masks on, and hats decorated with long ostrich plumes that waved in the breeze.
Wendy was delighted. She tried to stop and look at each thing that caught her fancy, from the Oriental carpets, to the crooked gingerbread houses. . .but the Captain impatiently pulled her along.
They weren't simply there for the pleasure. . .he had told her. They needed a new cook, and of course a few new hands to replace the ones that had been victims of his bursts of temper.
Wendy wondered how, with his reputation, anyone would purposely hire on. Then she blushed, remembering that she was hired on to his crew. . .and she had done it rather willingly. But she doubted any of the unshaven, burly pirates had done so for the same reasons.
They halted by a fountain that was spraying pink water. . .and Wendy trailed her hands in the basin while Hook and Smee discussed something in low tones.
Under the water, gold and silver coins glimmered, and small gold fish swam lazily about, ignoring Wendy.
"Wendy!" Hook called to her. She turned to face him, and he pointed toward one of the candy colored shops. " Would you be so kind as to wait for us in there? We must go in here for a moment. " he gestured to a shabby, noisy building. " and it is no place for ladies."
With a nod and a smile, Wendy entered the shop. It was a type of curiosity shop, filled with enough trinkets to keep her mesmerized for hours, let alone the few minutes it took for Smee and Hook to recruit new pirates for the ship. When they returned, they found her and the shopkeepers wife in deep conversation about some sort of hair pins that had pearlized mermaid figures at one end. They were very gaudy.
" Aren't these delightful?" she asked, in a voice more teasing than serious.
He looked down at them with a look of distaste.
" What is delightful about wearing a cold, dead fish in one's hair?" he asked, raising a brow.
Wendy laughed. Spoken that way, it did seem absurd.
" Have you found a cook?" she asked.
" It appears there are no more. " he shrugged.
" No more cooks, in all the world?" she asked skeptically.
" Apparently not. I suppose our present arrangements will just have to suffice."
" Poor Mr. Smee!" sighed Wendy.
" Poor Mr Smee! No doubt he considers himself safer in the ships gullet, than in my presence!" Hook snorted.
Wendy began to comment on this, but he quickly lay two coins on the counter, and spoke to the woman.
" As many as that will buy." he said, pointing to the mermaid pins. " On second thought, " he said, seeing her begin to protest. "They might be very fetching."
The woman wrapped several in of the pins into a parcel, and handed them to Wendy, who was blushing.
" Now. . .perhaps you can keep that dreadful hair out of your face. . ." he whispered in a tone she was now beginning to think of as his ' reluctant good nature ' voice.
He seemed to use it anytime he said or did anything kind, and had to have a cruel excuse for having shown he was human. This amused her and she would inevitably smile or shake her head in a manner that suggested that she didn't believe in the least that he was as evil as he thought he was.
( It was actually very trying for him to have to devote extra time to being wicked, just to convince her. Every time he was able to please himself with a new stroke of genius wickedness, he found himself tempted to also do something else to make up for it.)
Wendy smiled graciously, a merry twinkle in her own eyes.
" And I imagine that they would also suffice as weapons, if I needed a swift way to defend myself against unwanted advances. " she said.
He blinked a moment, not certain if she were teasing or threatening. Seeing her expecting a reply, he recovered some of his suavity.
"Well, I hear that pirates can be very uncouth beings. It would be a shame for a lady to join their ranks, unarmed." he said, with a wave of his hand. He gave her just a moment to appear pleased.
" And if a lady ever joins our ranks. . .she will have plenty of hair pins." he delivered.
Wendy glowered a moment.
" She will need all of them too! " she said.
" Oh, I do not think a true lady would ever resort to extreme violence." he said, leading the way across the street towards a confection shop.
" Perhaps you might be surprised." she teased.
He hesitated a moment, both in his step, and his words.
" Perhaps I already have been." he muttered.
Wendy didn't know what he meant, so she allowed it to pass without comment.
They were both easily distracted anyhow, by the colorful and delicious looking display of sweets in the shop window.
Hook held the door open for her, and said:
" Now let us explore the more delightful attractions this town has to offer us!"
It was late evening before they returned to the ship. The town. . .which had seemed small from the shore, seemed to swell as they explored it, and it was impossible to visit every nook and cranny of it's maze-like streets.
The Captain reassured her that they would be visiting again, there was no need to over-expend themselves all in one day.
Once they were back on the ship, Hook insisted that Wendy join him for dinner, as usual. It was the crew's turn to go ashore, and except for three or four men, who would go ashore the next night, Hook and Wendy had the ship to themselves.
Neither of them was very hungry...having practically gorged themselves on many odd and exotic types of candies and pastries. At the third pastry shop, Hook had winked at her as she watched him eating yet another cake.
" Forgive me, but I have a taste for all things sweet." he had said.
As for Wendy, she was thankful for the sensible soup that Smee had served them. She was certain she would never want another sweet.
As they ate, they talked idly .
" What is beyond the island?" Wendy asked, abruptly.
" Beyond the island? I am not sure I know." he said thoughtfully as he swirled the soup around idly in the bowl.
" Has no one ever ventured beyond this one place?" she asked, curiously.
" If they did, they haven't returned. " he said.
" Perhaps they found someplace out there worth remaining at." she suggested.
" Or perhaps they were eaten by cannibals, or swallowed by whales. " he said, mocking her voice.
" Or perhaps they found a continent with villages and farms. " she said, ignoring his tone.
" Not much of a reason for discovering it, now is it? Besides, if there are farms there...then it has already been discovered." he said.
She shook her head, as if amazed that he wouldn't have the same sense of adventure.
" I am quite satisfied here! " he said, in self defense. " I always have been!"
" Well, then there is no reason to leave, is there?" she asked, smiling.
She lay her napkin on the table, and began to rise.
" If you'll excuse me, Captain. I must thank you, I have had a very enjoyable day. . .is there anything you require before I leave you?"
She helped him out of the leather harness, and brought him his brandy and cigars. She tried not to look at him as he lounged shirtless in the great chair, and her manner was very obvious and not lost on him. He held back a smile as he took in her shy downcast eyes and high color.
" If that will be all, I'll retire now." she said, after her chores were completed.
" There is one last favor you could do for me. . ." he said. There was a smoothness in his voice that she did not trust.
" What is that, Captain?" she asked, almost in a whisper. She felt him watching her, but could not, for once, bring herself to meet his gaze.
" James." he said. " I told you. . .call me James." he said.
" James." she said. The word sounded warm and round coming from her lips. " What is it. . .I need to do?"
He held out a piece of paper, folded, into a neat square.
" Take this to Smee. He should be on watch. He will need to be instructing our new men, and telling our new cook that he will begin work tomorrow morning." he said.
Wendy gasped.
" You did find a new cook? " she asked. She was not certain she was relieved or disappointed.
" Yes. I am afraid so."
" But you said that- "
" I lied." he interrupted, with no shame. " Now. Take that to Smee."
" But. . .what about me?" she asked shyly.
"What about you?" he asked, in a somewhat bored tone.
" Well. . .what am I to do?"
" The same as always. I haven't relieved you from your position."
" Oh." was all she could say. And she exited in a thoughtful daze.
As she walked to Smee's post, with Hook's note, she tried to organize her thoughts. She was confused as to why she should have been upset to find out that the cook had been hired. She had thought that Smee would be returning as Hook' valet. But he wasn't. . .which meant she would still be attending to the Captain. ( James. . .she mentally corrected herself. )
Now she was questioning herself as to whether she was happy or upset that she was to remain. The great part of her that was proper, and mature was adamantly insisting that she was, or , at least, should be, both unhappy and appalled. However. . .her other Wendy voice. . .the one that had brought her here in the first place. . .was not so sure.
This second voice was also brutally honest, and blunt, as well as being adventuresome. As she walked, this voice nudged the other voice, ( which sounded very much like a combination of her mother's and Aunt Millicent's voices.) out of the way.
' But isn't this an exciting life?' asked this Wendy voice. ' Much more than dreary London!'
Sensible Wendy did not have time to argue, therefore, adventuresome Wendy had the last word. It was the first triumph Wendy had over her conscience. And some small part of her was convinced that this wouldn't be the last argument with herself. . .nor the last triumph.
After her last duty of the day was over, Wendy returned to her cabin. She was suddenly struck with some artistic inspiration, and was toying with the idea of writing some new stories. She had the beginnings of one already worked out by the time she reached her door.
Her cabin was pitch-black, and as she fumbled for the lantern, she thought to herself that she could write down one or two of her ideas before she went to sleep. She waved the match out, after the golden glow had filled the room, and turned to rummage for her carpet bag.
What she saw made her stop dead still, not even her heart dared to beat.
For there, lounging arrogantly on her bed, still shirtless, was Captain James Hook.
" Captain. . .James, I mean,. . .what are you doing?" she asked.
He took a sip of brandy from his glass.
" I had something I wanted to give to you." he said.
" I don't think this is the appropriate place to exchange gifts!" she exclaimed.
" Did I say anything about gifts?" he asked, raising a brow.
When Wendy looked successfully panicked, he went on.
" Oh. . .but that reminds me. I do have a sort of gift for you. " he lifted it from beside himself on the bed. She took it cautiously and opened it, still watching him.
A suit of clothes fell out of the package drawing her attention. They were to replace the ill-fitting and dirty ones she had first been given. She had to admit, they were stunning clothes.
" They are beautiful. . ." she said " Thank you. But. . . you need to leave."
He grinned, and rose from the bed. Again Wendy realized she had been trapped by him.
" So soon? " he asked
" Yes. As much as I enjoy your company, I don't find it proper."
" My company isn't proper?" he asked, surprised.
" No. I mean, your company isn't proper here. In my room." she said.
" Not even if I just wanted to see that you were safely abed?" he teased.
" Definitely not. I can get into bed alone." She didn't like the way that sounded, so she added: " Besides, I wasn't going to bed just yet."
" Really? Found some other object to occupy your thoughts?"
" Yes. . .Yes. I was planning on writing. I had a wonderful idea for a new story."
He had risen from the bed and approached her. He really did look splendid.
" How about a little repayment then. . .for the suit of clothes." he said. He was for once in his life innocent in this request. He was going to ask her to tell him one of her stories, but out of habit, he had made it sound as wicked as possible. . . Wendy did not give him time to explain himself.
She moved before either of them could think. Her palm connected with his face.
" I will not be expected to repay anyone in that manner!" she said, vehemently.
He seized both of her wrists, and glared down at her. She felt a small tremor of apprehension course through her.
" I warned you to never strike me!" he hissed.
" Then you shouldn't be so. . .so. . .rude!" she cried.
He pulled her up closer. " You are an ungrateful brat! Do you realize I have never spared anyones life before?"
" I am grateful for my life, but that does not mean I should... be seduced.'
She thought he would be angrier for her argument, but suddenly he threw back his head and laughed.
" I don't have to seduce you. I could have had you at any time." he said
Wendy paled.
" But this is ridiculous. I wasn't even seducing you, silly girl. I only wanted to hear a story." he said.
" I would gladly tell you a story, but you have to release me!" she was still speaking hotly.
" I'm not going to release you. . .you need a spanking!"
She began struggling.
" You let me go! You wouldn't dare!" she was having no success in escaping. Actually he was watching her exhaust herself with amusement.
" I also told you never to dare me!" he said.
Suddenly Wendy found herself upside down over his lap. He had sat on her bed, and flipped her over before she could make a noise.
He delivered three light slaps to her rounded bottom before she could even catch her breath. She was so surprised, she had forgotten to fight. She had never been spanked, not even as a child. She was both upset and embarrassed, but determined not to let him see.
She struggled to her feet after he was finished and straightened her clothes.
" Have you satisfied your barbaric impulses?" she asked, but her voice had no temper in it now. She didn't want to think about the feeling that she had felt in that pose.
She looked back at him. He was still seated on her bed looking up at her.They stared at each other. . .neither of them moving , for several moments. Suddenly, she was aware of the same feeling she had felt the night before when she had impulsively kissed him. She felt the two voices begin arguing in her head. . .but this time he sensed her weakness.
When he pulled her hand she simply came to him. He pulled her down onto his lap, and found himself suddenly whispering something like an apology to her, before he kissed her.
Wendy felt so warm and comfortable this time that she didn't even protest. Her arms came of their own accord around his neck, and his locked around her waist. This kiss was causing her to feel a little faint. . .perhaps because she was tired.
She jumped, startled, when he prodded her lips apart. She tried to make a noise of protest, but suddenly his tongue was in her mouth, and the noise turned to a murmur of pleasure.
" I told you. . .I have a taste for all things sweet." he said, when he pulled away. He thought she would open her arms and ask him to leave, but she merely sat, hands locked behind him, her eyes closed as she continued to taste his kiss.
He took this as an invitation, and supplied another kiss.
" You really are a woman, aren't you?" he mused as she attempted to return the kiss. He ran his hand up her back, to her hair. He found the mermaid hair pin she had placed in her hair, before she had come to dinner, and pulled it slowly out. With a grin he tossed it onto the floor.
" Just in case." he said, winding his hand into her hair as it began uncoiling down her back.
Wendy realized she was being seduced, and found it to be too much of a struggle to resist. She was weak, she thought, to be so easily caught.
But any thoughts she might have had about resisting were lost as he kissed her for the third time. She was only vaguely aware of him sweeping the articles of clothing off of the bed.
He then lowered her to the bed and lay over her placing them very much in the position they had been that morning, except that she was clothed, and they were in no danger of being interrupted by anyone.
" You shouldn't be here. . ." she murmured.
" I know. . ." he said. " But I can't think of anywhere else I would want to be."