Author's Note: My thanks go to the few reviewers and my good friend Artus Gehn for their support and constructive criticism.
On the side, I'd like to mention that the name Marieke was taken from a Dutch folk-tale and is pronounced "Mary-kah." While I do not "own" the characters of JM Barrie's Peter Pan, this story is meant to be a telling of Captain James Hook's life before encountering Peter and Neverland.
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Chapter 3: To Sit in Solemn Silence
James stepped back, stumbling, in shock.
"Beg your pardon?" he whispered. The girl continues laughing wickedly.
"Oh you poor fool, I do pity you!" she giggled, wiping the hair from her eyes. "Miss Lady Jane Wigner was out that night at a gala celebrating her seventeenth birthday. Here you hoped for the golden egg and got an ugly duckling! Wanted a Lady and you got the Maid Marieke!"
James glared at the girl from where he stood, his mind reeling, trying to conjure a solution. The letter had already been sent just yesterday, Mister and Mrs. Wigner would have already alerted the police. The pardon could save them all… but no, it was too late. The king had offered amnesty to all privateers now that the war was over and their services no longer needed, but James had been among the few to refuse. Though he still flew the king's colours, James was hunted, infamous for numerous crimes and not having accepted forgiveness.
James let a slow, naughty grin steal over his lips. The girl ceased to laugh and began to shake. "That being the case madam, I'm sure the next few months at sea will give you and I plenty of time to become better acquainted!" he said while turning to leave.
The girl whimpered. "You'll not drop me on shore? I'm worth nothing to you! Nothing!"
James laughed and patted her head. "Au contraire, my child. I went to the trouble of hauling your pretty ass this far and I'll not let you go 'til I've gotten me money's worth!"
James violently punched the shut door for a while, pausing at last only to watch a trickle of blood snake between the worn knuckles. His various glittering rings bit into the skin and he could already see bruises blossoming about them. James grinned like a madman while sliding to the floor, his back to the door separating him from the girl's room.
It was a gamble. It had always been a gamble from the start; a hastily thrown-together "get-rich-quick" scheme. James knew all along that it would not be easy, but total defeat due to a stupid blunder on his part was never part of the plan. Now that James had lost the upper hand, he desired nothing more than to hurt her; make her feel just as lost and out of control as he was. The look of defiance and wickedly delightful trickery that lit the girl's face before he ran haunted and angered him.
James sighed, finally calming down while picturing the girl in his mind. She was attractive, of that there was no doubt. Though the illness did nothing for her, neither could it hide her pale complexion, pretty blonde hair, or her sea green eyes.
Marieke…. A Dutch name, if he was not mistaken. She looked to be at least sixteen, if not older. Perhaps eighteen, even. Well, if not returned she'd at least make a good companion for himself. James frowned. No, she could not be returned. Not now, anyway. So there was no other way for it. She'd have to come with.
Lifting himself from the gently rocking floor, James huffed with impatience and frustration and hastily raked one hand through his tousled hair before going above-deck.
"Mr. Lam!" He boomed out, and then winced as the man appeared beside him. "Oh, right, there you are. Didn't see you," he mumbled. "Please inform our guest that she will be dining with me tonight. I believe there are several trunks below-deck leftover from our last conquest of that Spanish armada containing some dresses. Show her to them, please, and have her ready by six o'clock."
Lam nodded obediently. James smiled and gave the pudgy man an affectionate nudge. "Thank you," he whispered. The Bo' sun only smiled back, understandingly, and walked away.
