Will You Teach Me…?
Remember, last week we left Brianna as she got invited to a mysterious party by Lord Tryon's First counsellor, a "nice" guy named Josiah Martin… and Bonnet didn't seem to like the idea…
I won't yammer on too long: please discover below one of the few businesses that our dear pirate has set up with the Governor of North Carolina. It's a tense chapter, and… yes, a naughty one too, on soooo many levels. Enjoy…. (or not! lololol)
Thanks Rath101, emilou12, Godblesslaci and LykkeF for the reviews, as well as Earweyn, reaganlanger24 and alrichards757 for hitting the fav/follow button!
Answers:
Rath101: Thank you for your review! Knowing you, I think you're gonna love the whole chapter, but especially the ending, hehehehe. It's both sexy and twisted. And Stephen will make interesting revelations…
Emilou12: Thank you so much! I hope you'll enjoy this one too!
Godblesslaci: hehehe you will get the answer to all of your questions in this chapter. Don't forget that Stephen is desperate to win Brianna's heart and trust. He's also very insecure, despite what he might pretend, and jealous… Thanks for your comment!
LykkeF: hmmm it's not illegal…. At least not back then, ahahah. Josiah Martin has a very specific agenda and Brianna might help him achieve it. She just doesn't know it yet… ahah. Enjoy the chapter, dear!
~o~
14. Going Once, Going Twice…
This was the last time you left River Run… The last time…
Bonnet's final words in that dark corridor of Lord Tryon's palace were playing on a loop in Brianna's mind, and she had been on the verge of tears more than once at the mere thought. The evening had not been exactly pleasant but being able to escape her daily life in River Run had felt great. Moreover, she had to meet people from the outside if she wanted to find a charitable soul to help her. That's why she could not let Stephen carry out his threat. The trip back to the inn had been terribly silent, despite Brianna's attempts to communicate. She had tried everything: the teary doe looks, the pleading hand on his thigh, the quavering voice whispering "You didn't mean it, did you, Stephen?"… but the Irishman ignored her completely, his green eyes staring pointedly at the velvet curtain covering the carriage window.
Why was he so mad that she accepted the damn invitation? Because he has obviously something to hide. There was something about that party he did not want her to see or hear. That was why she absolutely had to find a way to get there. But she had already got off to quite a bad start...
Even when they went to bed, Bonnet turned his back on her – departing from his habit of snuggling up against her, one hand resting on her left breast – and Brianna was surprised to find herself panicking. Missing it, even. This now normal gesture could have indicated a positive evolution of the situation. Had she made too many mistakes? Enough to lose Jeremiah's custody? And all this for a stupid party?! Her breast felt strangely naked without the hand that had been covering it every night for months; As her heart and breathing sped up, she was tempted to beg for his forgiveness and give up on the invitation. To press herself against him, cuddle him until he talked to her again, or even give herself to him... That way, she would fall asleep without fear that everything went sideways in the morning. But as her body rolled on the mattress, she came to her senses. She had already done much worse since they were married and still, he had not kicked her out. Why would it be any different today? Was it really necessary to resort to such desperate measures? To this complete submissiveness? No… Then, why was she freaking out over a lack of physical contact when it was precisely this physical contact that once scared her so much? The situation had reversed and she had no idea how or when it had happened. Disgusted by her own sick attention-seeking and need for safety, she turned her back on him again, praying that Stephen would forget the incident after a good night's sleep.
Unfortunately, the next day was not different: Stephen ignored her, spending time with Jeremiah instead – even taking the child for a walk around town, leaving Brianna with Happy and Phaedre. But at least, she had not lost custody of her son and she was still Mrs. Brianna Bonnet. Christ… when did it become good news?
When Stephen came back to get ready at the end of the afternoon, she had almost resigned to spend the evening locked up with Jem and the maid, under close surveillance, when a knock on the door broke the tense silence and last night's Casanova appeared, his eternal smug smile plastered on his lips.
"Mr. Martin?", Brianna asked, getting up from the sofa where she was reading. Behind her, the sound of Stephen's boots told her that he had come running immediately, his waistcoat half-buttoned and a loose neckerchief around his neck.
"I thought we were supposed to meet up there…" Stephen's voice was a threatening growl, and Brianna shivered at the sound. She hated when he used that tone but luckily this time it was not meant for her. Despite his "friend's" aggressiveness, Tryon's counselor remained unfazed and shrugged.
"I live a little higher up in the neighborhood, I thought it would be more entertaining to share a carriage, all three of us together… Mine is far too roomy to be traveling alone." He gave Brianna a beaming smile, and she bit her lip. Did that guy even know what Stephen was capable of when he was angry? Probably not, otherwise, he would not be here… Or maybe he was suicidal. "I am rather surprised to see you haven't changed, my dear. I expected you to be all dressed up for the evening…"
Brianna opened her mouth but Stephen pulled the rug from under her feet. "My wife is tired, she will not join us."
"I feel perfectly fine", she snapped back. A smirk floated for a moment on Josiah's lips, but she did not pay him much attention, as she was too busy watching Stephen's reaction out of the corner of her eye. In case he tried to throw himself on her, tie her up, and lock her in a closet, for example. But he just glared at her. It seemed that refusing anything to Josiah Martin was not an option, so she might as well take advantage of it.
"Excellent!", the man trumpeted before noticing Bonnet's furious face. "Oh, come on, my friend… It would be a shame to deprive us of her delightful presence, we see her so little."
"Shall I prepare a dress for you, Madam?", Phaedre asked from the bedroom door. But although her sentence was meant for Brianna, the maid's dark eyes were questioning Bonnet. Everyone in the room held their breath, including Hennessy standing behind the counselor, until Stephen – his nostrils dilated with anger – nodded briefly and Phaedre scuttled away with a victorious Brianna.
Brianna hurriedly put on the last of the two evening dresses she took with her. As Phaedre tied the laces behind her back, Stephen burst into the room, closing the door behind him. Brianna was doing her best to look perfectly normal when Stephen motioned for Phaedre to leave them alone and took over the lacing, tightening the corset a little more roughly. It was the first time since yesterday that he laid his hand on her, and Brianna could not tell if that was a good or a bad thing.
"Whatever you do, never leave my side...", he breathed into her neck, still tying her dress. His tone was neither threatening nor angry. It was a piece of advice, a plea, whispered in her ear. "And when I tell you it's time to leave, we leave. Do you understand?"
Brianna turned around, her eyes seeking his own and once again finding the fear that was already there last night. A shiver ran down her spine as she wondered what could frighten a man like him and if it would not be better to stay here with Jeremiah. No. If she wanted to make any progress, she had to know more about him, his activities, and his partners. She nodded, smiling reassuringly and even going so far as to caress the scar on her husband's cheek. She had to put her feet on the right path if she wanted to earn his trust. "I'll behave. I promise..."
Stephen's eyebrows rose on his forehead as if he doubted it, and he turned away. "You, maybe, but I'm not sure about the others…"
Brianna wrinkled her nose, waiting for him to elaborate on that cryptic answer, but he immediately left the room, letting Phaedre finish her work. The tension that emanated from him was palpable throughout the trip to a residence away from the city, surrounded by a huge park and whose main driveway was lit by several rows of candlesticks placed on the lawn. The first thing that struck Brianna upon entering the reception hall was the very limited number of women. Most of the men had come unaccompanied. The second thing was that the few women did not seem stuffy like the night before and moved around with ease. Suddenly, Brianna felt like the victim of a gigantic prank. The only person who did not know what was going on between these walls.
The room was huge and divided into two distinct spaces: the first offered a buffet with alcohol and delicacies, as well as several sofas and loveseats randomly arranged. The other half consisted of a small dais in front of several rows of seats. A show? A speech, perhaps?, Brianna wondered, looking around. Her eyes soon landed on William Tryon himself, striding across the room towards them.
"You brought her?", the Governor asked Bonnet, without even saying hello to Brianna who squinted. She did not give a damn about Tryon's greetings, but she hated the way he talked about her like she was not right under his nose. Bonnet rolled his eyes, while Josiah – who had not left their side since they got out of his carriage – smirked.
"I might have forced his hand a little bit. It is so rare that Mr. Bonnet honors us with his wife's presence…"
Tryon arched a mocking eyebrow and after a quick glance at Brianna, raised his glass of liquor to his lips.
"Margaret is not with you?", Brianna asked coldly. She expected him to ignore her or to mumble his answer reluctantly, but instead Tryon nearly choked on his sip, swallowed it with difficulty and burst into a scornful laugh.
"Margaret? Here? Good heavens, no. Can you imagine that?", he chuckled, shaking his head.
His counselor tilted his head to the side and, as he stared into space, a strange smile appeared on his lips. "Quite well, actually…"
This time, Lord Tryon glared at his subordinate. Brianna was getting more and more uncomfortable. Why was this place inappropriate for Margaret? And for me... since I wasn't supposed to be there either. Discreetly, she once again scanned the room as well as its guests. The women's behavior especially bothered her. Far too relaxed for a civilized evening, far too handsy as well. But never vulgar: they were all well-bred, no doubt. Something did not add up...
The men. The way they glanced at her made her want to run away. They were not looking at her, they were ogling her. Plain and simple. Like a piece of meat. Huh, I remember that face…, she thought, recognizing the man who was in River Run on the last day of her pregnancy. Mister... James? No, Joyce. She turned towards Stephen, who seemed determined to sulk, and tightened her stole around her shoulders; it was not cold per se, but she was shivering. From the small group of men near the dais, Joyce reached up and waved at them.
"I think it's time…", Josiah announced lightly, before offering his arm to Brianna. "May I have the pleasure to walk you to our seats?"
Whatever you do, never leave my side… These were Stephen's words just before they left and for once, she had no desire to disobey him. With an apologetic smile, she slipped her arm around her husband's, but Josiah did not seem to mind and clapped his hand to his heart as if apologizing.
"Of course…I forgot how difficult it is to separate two newlyweds…"
"Thank God, it never lasts…", Tryon grumbled, draining his glass in one swig and heading towards a seat at the other end of the room.
Brianna waited until he was a good distance away and rolled her eyes. "It's always a pleasure to speak with him...", she muttered and to her great surprise, Bonnet smiled (the fact that she had deliberately chosen his arm had a lot to do with it) and Josiah chuckled loudly.
"And he's in a good mood, today..."
A few minutes later, Brianna found herself sitting in the back row, wedged between Stephen on her left and Josiah on her right – but far from complaining about it, she had to admit that their presence reassured her. Since the guests had started to take their seats, their looks had become more insistent, and the bodies of the two men on either side of her soon became a most welcome protection. There was a hubbub for a few moments, then Mr. Joyce climbed onto the dais, bringing silence to the audience.
"Good evenin', ladies and gentlemen. My partners and I have got a great night in store for ye. I see a few new faces out there, as well as some familiar ones... So I'll not yammer on too long and before we start the biddin', let's warmly thank our friend Claude Sauthier, whose gardens are not the only aspect of the French way of life that he imported into our colonies, for our greatest pleasure…"
Laughter greeted his last comment, while the said Claude Sauthier rose briefly from his chair and bowed. Brianna blinked a few times at the mention of the auction but before she could wonder what kind of goods would be put up for sale, Joyce had clapped his hands, and a line of beautiful – and scantily clad – young women walked towards the dais. Brianna's eyes widened and she felt her lower jaw drop, making her look like a freshly caught grouper. This could not be real. She was having a nightmare and would wake up in a minute. It had to be a dream: this could not possibly be a human auction. Women, no less. It was unthinkable. Or was it? Slowly, she turned her head towards Stephen, who pointedly avoided her gaze, but his clenched jaw betrayed his nervousness. He knew I wouldn't like that...
On the dais, the first sale was already starting. Joyce had delicately grasped the first young woman's hand and she stepped onto the stage with a shy smile.
"As always, we'll start the evenin' with our most beautiful gems… Lovers of young and innocent girls, it is time for ye to bid!"
Young and in-what?, Brianna screamed internally, her head swiveling back to the stage. Was he suggesting that they were… virgins? Her bewilderment had not gone unnoticed and on her right, Josiah whispered into her ear.
"Rest assured, my dear, we are all here among consenting adults… The auction is just entertainment and a way to help these modest young women to save a little money. Mr. Joyce and your husband only get a… minor commission."
He calls that 'helping'? What does he want? A fucking medal? This time, Stephen turned his head slightly toward her. You wanted to come, now accept the consequences: that's what his cold eyes were screaming at her, and Brianna instantly regretted accepting Josiah's invitation. His insistence could only mean one thing...
"What… what do you do with these women after the auction?", she asked, her voice shaking, as the young virgin had just been sold to one of the few couples in the room for the modest sum of one hundred and fifty pounds sterling. Josiah's smile widened and he leaned closer to her. The sense of security she had briefly felt between the two men was completely gone, and Bonnet now seemed to be the last defense between her and the rest of the world. Oh, the irony...
"That is the whole purpose of the second part of this evening… Claude brought these practices back from France. They call it 'libertinage', don't mind my accent. Don't you think the French have a knack for finding fancy names for the most decadent activities?" He chuckled, while Brianna did her best not to scream, which became increasingly difficult when he whispered, just before pulling away: "I hope you will stay, by the way."
On her left, Bonnet's fist clenched on his thigh and Brianna gave him a look of distress. On the stage, a second young woman was swaying her hips to raise the stakes, and Stephen took advantage of Josiah's bidding to lean over to her and whisper at top speed:
"After the sale, I'll tie up a few loose ends with Joyce and then we leave."
Her throat tightening and heart pounding, Brianna nodded hastily, eager to escape this place. She understood now all the stares that had followed her since their arrival. All these men were getting ready for an orgy… and some of them were probably very keen to have a taste of the mysterious Mrs. Bonnet, who was so rare in society. At that moment, her twisted life as a desperate housewife in River Run no longer seemed so unbearable to her, and had she been able to teleport herself there with a snap of her fingers, she would have done so.
Not only had she learned nothing more – except that Bonnet levied a tax on a pimp's activities, which probably was not even illegal at the time – but even if she had dug up some juicy information, she had no one to pass them on to since most of the officials of this colony… were right here in this room. On the verge of tears, she cursed herself for taking such unnecessary risks. She could have spent the evening with Jeremiah in her arms, humming nursery rhymes by the fire or talking quietly with Phaedre over a cup of tea. Anything would have been better than this...
Brianna almost jumped when she felt Bonnet's warm fingers brush her left hand, probably trying to soothe her. He was still watching the auction — probably mentally calculating how much money he would make once all those girls were sold to the highest bidder — and all of Brianna's anger, disgust, and anxiety was immediately directed at him. The man who was responsible for this and everything else. For all these sick and twisted situations, and for her misfortune. She withdrew her hand quickly.
Brianna watched the whole auction in a state of semi-consciousness. She perceived sounds, bursts of voices, and movement, but without really paying any attention to them. She had quickly realized that the women who appeared on the stage were professionals, whores of high society hoping to become the mistress of a rich man, or pretty young penniless girls selling their virginity for gold. Apparently – as Josiah was quick to let her know – Joyce had tried to sell young women traveling alone whom he had kidnapped, but they had been uncooperative afterward and customers had complained. Everyone this evening was therefore forewarned and/or experienced. Everyone but me… A shiver of disgust ran through Brianna, and she glanced distressfully at Stephen. He would not let anyone touch her, she was sure of that. Not possessive as he was. But at the same time, he does not seem to refuse anything to some of his associates, and especially the one sitting to my right...
Once the last recruit was sold, Stephen got up from his chair and motioned for Brianna to follow him. They made their way through the guests returning towards the sofas – with one or sometimes two girls under their arms – and joined Joyce in a small room. The man was doing his sums in a small notebook, and both men talked for a moment in low voices. Meanwhile, Brianna was leaning against the wall, breathing deeply for the first time since the auction began. In the next room, giggles and grunts could already be heard. She was trying to think of something else, blocking out the voices that reached her ears to imagine herself on a sandy beach – anywhere but here – when the French landscape architect appeared in the doorway.
"Ah Monsieur Joyce, I wantid to congratulate you!", he said, his waistcoat already half unbuttoned on his paunchy stomach. "You really 'ave a good eye! Again today, your selection iz exquizite."
"At yer service, Mr. Claude", Joyce said with a broad smile, before turning back to Bonnet. "As for yer share, do we proceed as usual?"
Stephen nodded, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder, then returned to Brianna to offer her his arm, which she immediately accepted. Nothing mattered more to her now than to leave this damned orgy, curl up under thick blankets and forget everything about the entire evening.
"You're not staying?", Sauthier asked with a hint of disappointment, and Bonnet gave him a fake smile.
"We're goin' home to rest. Brianna isn't feelin' very well…"
That's an understatement…, the young woman gritted inwardly. Sauthier stared at her for a moment and her anguish must have worked in her favor because he seemed immediately convinced that she was indeed sick.
"What a pity… Anozer time per'aps?"
Much to Brianna's delight, neither she nor Stephen answered that question, and with one last polite smile, he ushered her out. Crossing the auction room was one of the most uncomfortable and embarrassing moments of her entire life: everywhere on the sofas, half-naked bodies, people glued to others, some of them just watching or waiting their turn... Brianna tried to keep her eyes on the exit, but could not help but notice Lord Tryon comfortably sitting on a sofa with a topless young woman straddling his lap. A little further in a dark corner, Josiah watched Brianna quicken her pace, his eternal smirk playing on his lips. He did not make a move to hold her back, did not ask why she was leaving, and she suddenly had the unpleasant feeling that he had not wanted to bring her here to take advantage of her. He wanted me to see… He wanted me to know what was happening tonight… Why?
But she did not have time to think of an answer. Stephen pushed her gently towards the gravel driveway where a carriage was waiting for them. The Irishman muttered their destination to the coachman and they rushed inside. Brianna holed up in a corner, biting one of her fingernails as she avoided her husband's gaze. Now that they were out, however, all the emotions she had suppressed during the evening were rushing back up, threatening to boil over. Everything felt suffocating: the narrow carriage, her corset, Stephen's presence on the opposite seat. And when the coachman slowed down his horses at the last intersection before the inn, she threw herself on the small door of their vehicle and opened it. Jumping with both feet together on the ground, she tipped forward but managed to regain her balance so as not to fall. Behind her, she heard Stephen's angry voice calling her name but she had already started to walk away, awkwardly slipping on the muddy ground.
All she cared about right now was walking. Straight ahead, take deep breaths of cold air and calm her anxiety attack. Almost staggering, she began to walk along houses and walls, soon bumping into a wooden crate placed in front of a merchant's shop. The obstacle stopped her in her tracks and she braced herself against it, unable to catch her breath or take another step. A hand landed on her right arm and guessing it was Stephen's — who else, given that the street was deserted on that December night — she pushed it away.
"You shouldn't have come..."
Brianna closed her eyes, still clinging to the crate, and sneered: "I'm sorry for ruining your evening... You would have been happier without me, I'm sure! With a girl on each knee…"
"I don't care about whores. I don't buy, I just sell what Joyce brings back to me…", Stephen answered with a hint of annoyance.
"Oh, what a relief! That's all right, then!"
Brianna knew without looking back that once again he had taken her sarcasm at face value and she rolled her eyes when she heard him ask: "Really?"
"No!" Straightening up, she whirled around to show him how disgusted she was by his business. "This is despicable! How can you do this? Selling these women like cattle?"
"They are here because they want to… and to make money", the Irishman argued. He did not seem to understand the reason for this scandal.
"But I gather that hasn't always been the case!"
His frown told her everything she needed to know. "Whether they want it or not, what's the difference? As long as the customers are satisfied…"
"BECAUSE IT'S WRONG!"
This time, she had actually screamed. Stephen was staring at her in amazement, dumb as a fish, when a second-floor window swung open above their heads, revealing a tall man in a nightgown.
"Oi! Could ye keep it down, down there?"
Brianna shook her head, too exhausted to apologize, and turned around to walk towards their inn. She heard Bonnet follow suit, catching up and planting himself in front of her. "It is not wrong… This business brings in some of the money we live on… you, me, and Jeremiah."
"What about the women you exploit?", she answered angrily but in a more confidential tone, in case the occupant of the second floor decided to go down and shut them up for good.
"What about them? I don't know them, you don't know them… how am I supposed to know if somethin' is right or wrong for them? I can't read minds..."
Brianna stared at him in disbelief. Did he really not understand or was he doing it on purpose? "What do you feel when you send these girls into the clutches of men twice their age?"
"Nothin'! They don't matter to me."
"Then, what do you feel looking at me?"
Stephen raised an eyebrow and smiled seductively. "When I look at you, darlin', my heart gets warmer… As well as other parts of my body. It's been like that since I met y-"
"I meant looking at me now! All upset and angry?!"
The Irishman's smile disappeared and he stared at her quizzically. Or suspiciously? Brianna couldn't tell, he was so hard to read... "Upset about what, exactly?"
"About what you do! About this evening… About what could have happened to me in there!"
"I would never let anyone touch you, Bria-"
"I know but I got scared anyway!" Her voice cracked on the last word and a rageful tear rolled down her cheek. Stephen slowly followed her with his eyes, as if he finally realized the impact that tonight's misadventure had had on her. "You scare me! Your actions, your clients… your whole WORLD scares the hell out of me!" She wiped her tears away angrily and shook her head. "I don't know anything about what you do and every time I find something, it's worse… And I know that you are perfectly aware that what you are doing is wrong, or you wouldn't have tried to lock me up at the inn…"
"You're mistaken, darlin'. I did not want another man layin' a finger on you, that's all... Some men don't mind sharin' their lassies, but I'm not one of them."
Brianna froze and scowled. "Of course… I don't even know how I could think it was anything else than that… I'm dealing with a man with no conscience whatsoever…"
Bonnet did not seem pleased by her comment and grabbed her arm. "Unlike you, I did not have the privilege of growin' up in a lovin' family, where people have the luxury of teachin' wee lads what's right and what's wrong... The things I've learned and done in me life only served one purpose: survival!"
"Don't talk about my family, you don't know anything about me or them", she scolded, looking away. Yes, she had been privileged, she had lived in a modern, less violent era, with an adoptive father who loved her; she had studied at a prestigious university… Of course, he knew none of that: he probably imagined a peaceful childhood in some Scottish castle, with Jamie and Claire… but whatever he thought, she could not let him use that to justify his evil deeds.
"What I am doin' with Joyce is not illegal, it is part of the business I have started to earn a livin' without stealin' or smugglin'. To set an example for Jeremiah!"
"You think whoring women is setting an example?"
"All right, I get it… Women are not a business you approve of, fine! I'll stop then, I have other things to sell."
"Like what? Men?", Brianna spat sarcastically.
"No, but I could if it pleases you…"
"Stop…" She elbowed her way out of his grip. "Just stop talking."
"Remember what I said on the day we arrived at River Run: I did all of this to better meself. To be a good father to Jeremiah…"
"Shut up…" Brianna could not bear to hear the slightest sound coming out of his mouth anymore and she had to resist the urge to cover her ears and sing a stupid song at the top of her lungs, like a child throwing a tantrum. Instead, she took a few steps back, determined to get back to the inn as quickly as possible. Once near Jeremiah – who was surely sleeping at this late hour – Stephen would stop talking so as not to wake him up and she would finally have peace. But that was clearly not Bonnet's plan, as he immediately caught up to her and pressed himself against her.
"It is not only a matter of bein' a good father to our son, now..."
"I don't want to listen to you anymore..." Unable to pull away from his embrace, Brianna turned her head ninety degrees to the left, her jaw clenched and eyes closed.
"… I want to become an honorable man for you..." The pirate's voice was now softer, almost pleading and that annoyed Brianna even more, who struggled harder. To no avail.
"Shut up!"
"...because if I don't, your body will never stop rejectin' our children."
The words came as a bombshell to Brianna, and she froze, unsure how they had gone from a simple argument to him whispering strange words in her ear. Too shocked to free herself, she turned her head just enough to study Stephen's expression. He was frowning, clenching his jaw, and there was a strange glint in his eyes. Guilt? No, it could not be. Despite his apparent smugness, did he have such low self-esteem that he thought he was capable of causing his own wife to miscarry? It was time to change methods, suppress her anger, and try to make the most of this unexpected vulnerability.
"Is it because of what the doctor said?", she asked softly in order to soothe him. "He told you that he didn't believe in that theory. Plus, if my contempt for you could cause a miscarriage, Jeremiah would certainly not be here…"
She saw the corners of Stephen's mouth curl up slightly, then his brow furrowed as if he had first taken her remark as a good thing, only to realize it was not a compliment.
"What happened between us is one thing… and I don't know if I'll ever be able to get over it…", she went on, immediately feeling Stephen's fingers tighten around her waist, "but you are a good father. That I can't deny. And God knows if it pains me to admit it, but Jeremiah adores you." She breathed in and raised a hand to gently stroke the pirate's cheek. If she wanted to soften him, there should be no skimping on compliments. "And there's no reason for our other kids not to love you just as much."
She must have seemed sincere because Bonnet's face suddenly lit up and his usual smug smile reappeared on his lips.
"And yet, I improvise… I never had a father, or a mother, to show me what to do."
"I know."
Silence fell between them, but Brianna still stroked Stephen's cheek, smiling encouragingly. She had to try and go further, worm information out of him before he clammed up again.
"You don't need anyone to show you how to be a good father, but I could be your guide for other things? That way, you would know if your actions are good or bad… What do you do when you're not hosting orgies for the rich and depraved?"
She had spoken in jest, trying to seem disinterested but she knew he had seen through her when he pulled away and shrugged. "I sell all sorts of things… The only difference is that today I do so legally, thanks to a thought-out partnership with Lord Tryon. So you have nothin' to worry about, darlin'."
Shit. She had not been very subtle, but at least she had tried. Any trace of vulnerability was slowly disappearing from Stephen's features, and after adjusting his jacket, he held out his arm to her.
"Come on or you'll end up catching a cold."
Without a word, she slipped her arm around his and they headed for the inn, a few dozen meters away. The closer they got, the more Brianna relaxed, relieved that this nightmarish evening was finally over. She'd rather not imagine what would have happened if Stephen had not been so fiercely possessive. Would she have been forced to have sex with other men, like Joyce's kidnapped girls? Stop thinking about it, Bree, nothing happened and you're safe now…, she chided herself, not even realizing that she had just associated safety with her husband. But one detail still bothered her…
"You know… I think you have changed, after all", she lied with a mischievous smile. "You didn't move a finger when Mr. Martin told me he hoped I would stay. The old Stephen Bonnet would certainly have cut out his tongue…"
A brief laugh escaped the pirate's lips. "I'm just far-sighted… Rumor has it that King George would like to offer Tryon a more important position. In New York. And Josiah would be expected to take over as Governor of North Carolina. That's why I'd rather keep him as a close friend."
Josiah is running for Governor? The information was not crucial, but it could still be useful to her. Changes of assignment from London could take years to be effective in the Colonies. If Josiah exposed Tryon for any shenanigans incompatible with his duties, he might be able to become Governor of North Carolina earlier. Brianna would first have to make sure that he was indeed trustworthy before disclosing any information to him against Tryon and Bonnet. And even before that… she had to find the said information. Brianna was about to push the inn's door open when Stephen grabbed her arm and swung her around, pulling her against him.
"I know you will probably hate to hear this, darlin', but... there's somethin' truly fascinatin' about watchin' you wander around my world, as you call it." He paused briefly, searching the young woman's eyes for a trace of indignation, but she just stared at him expectantly, waiting to know where he was going with this. "The day our paths crossed, I immediately knew you did not belong in that tavern. You were pretty, and pure... and probably too gullible as well. A diamond shinin' bright in a pile of junk. And like all rare diamonds, I felt... an irrepressible need to possess you."
Brianna's expression darkened and he saw her gulp as if trying to process his lewd confession.
"Later, in prison, you did even better. While there is no more miserable place on this Earth, you were radiant in your magnificent dress, delicate jewels, and round belly… My desire came back, even stronger than before."
"Get to the point", Brianna stammered, his monologue triggering her own guilt and feeling of being solely responsible for all of this. Stephen slipped a hand around the back of her neck, bringing their lips closer but never enough to kiss her.
"Tonight, when I saw you walkin' across that room… my beautiful and perfect Brianna amidst all this debauchery… that desire was still there. Nothin' would have made me happier than fuckin' you on one of those sofas... showin' all those men what they'll never have... But the very idea of anyone other than me layin' eyes on your body made me insanely jealous."
Brianna had no idea how to react. But as she opened her mouth to stammer a few words, Stephen's kissed it passionately. And was it the relief of escaping this awful party, the twisted eroticism of her husband's confession, herself pretending to be seduced, or the ardor of this unexpected kiss…? It was impossible to know. But the fact is… she kissed him back.
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Huhuhuhuhuhu, wasn't that the dirtiest and the most romantic declaration one could expect from a man like Bonnet? Lol. Brianna was clearly taken aback, by his brief moment of vulnerability at first, then the feelings he claimed to have for her. Primal feelings, bestial even, but that did not leave her indifferent.
What did you think about this naughty and morally questionable party? About Josiah's behavior? And especially about the final argument between our two lovebirds?
Anyway, if you thought Brianna had hit rock bottom with her abortion, you were wrong! She will hit it very soon, with a story arc that will run over the next three chapters (15-16-17) and believe me… you are not ready. Not ready at all.
Chapter 15 will be released on August 14th, until then I can't wait to read your thoughts about this one!
Xoxo
Xérès