A/N I fully intended to not start another story until I finished those already going. But since this is a Sequel to Aboard the Adventurer, I assured myself it would be okay.
This story starts soon after the abovementioned story ends. I would suggest you read it first if you haven't already done so but that is probably not absolutely necessary. As stated in the description, this is NOT a pirate story and it is not a Shenny. Any romance will be between Leonard and Penny. It also contains a major character death right out of the box.
I am once again borrowing these characters.
Dressed in black, Penny took one more look around the house. Her bags were already in the carriage. They had spent mostly happy times here. She sighed and went out to the carriage. As soon as she was seated, the driver spurred the horses and she was off to her new life.
It had been only six months since the visit from Admiral Hofstadter. Even then, it was apparent Sheldon was getting worse. He had never really been healthy since the arduous journey they had taken after escaping from Victoria.
Although they were both strong swimmers, they were exhausted when they reached the shore. But there was no time to rest. They knew the Admiral would have to initiate a search party for them in the morning.
They quickly got dressed and set off into the jungle, making an effort to wipe out their footprints on the beach. Not caring where they were headed, they just wanted to put as much distance between themselves and the beach as possible. Fortunately, the jungle was not extremely dense and they made good time.
Finally, they were just too exhausted to continue. Concealing themselves as best they could, they waited.
In the morning, they heard voices, but they remained some distance away.
Finally, when they had heard nothing for some time, they decided it was safe to move on. Using the sun as a guide, they headed in the opposite direction from the beach.
For the next few days, they were able to make their way. They found water and were able to find enough food to keep going. The sighted a few animals but none approached them.
Penny was beginning to wonder if they would survive when they came upon a small village. Although they were apprehensive about what they would find, the decided they needed to take the risk.
To their surprise, they discovered that several members of the tribe spoke English and welcomed them. It turned out they were only a three-day journey from a Trading Post, where the Villagers often exchanged pots they fashioned for some of the luxuries of life like matches and tobacco.
Sheldon was a little disconcerted at first because the native women were topless, but quickly adapted. Penny thought of emulating them but decided it might be better to refrain.
They stayed a week before accompanying the natives on their next trip to the Trading Post.
In talking to the proprietor of the Post, after he had got over his shock at seeing this beautiful woman accompanying the natives, he told them they were about a two week's journey by land from the town where she had met with Amy Fowler.
There were some local natives that would show them the way. Unfortunately, he would require payment. Informed they hadn't the means to pay him, he suggested Penny and he could work something out.
But when Penny, flourishing a knife the Villagers had given her, said she could make it so he could sing soprano, he decided to waive the payment.
Amy Fowler was stunned when Penny and Sheldon arrived at her brothel, dirty and disheveled. Assuring them that nothing risqué would happen, she had her girls take them to her private bath.
When they were presentable and dressed in clothes she had provided, they all sat down to talk.
After Penny had recounted their adventures leaving out the part where the Admiral was involved, Amy was amazed. Finally, she said, "Well, that is quite a story." She smirked, "I would imagine that the British would pay me a pretty penny if I turned you over to them."
Penny smiled, "We all know that you won't do that, if not only for the fact, you would not live long."
She sat back, "But I do have a proposition for you. If you will provide us with a ship and a crew, we could make it worth your while."
"I see. And what do you think such a favor would be worth?"
"I was thinking 100,000."
Amy eyes widened slightly, "How would I be paid?"
"We will take you to a certain spot where let's say, there will be more than enough to pay you."
"I see. Aren't you worried I might just take it all for myself?"
Penny sighed inwardly. She had discussed this with Sheldon during the weeks journey. He was never happy with it, but had finally agreed. "First of all, you have a reputation to protect." She took a deep breath, "And I will agree to be your lover on the trip there. It would take approximately three days."
Amy's eyes widened even more, "That is tempting. Let me ask you, where are you going with the ship?"
Seeing no reason not to answer, "To America."
Amy leaned forward, "This is what I propose. I will take you to pick up the payment and then take you to America. It will only cost you 60,000 and you will agree to be my lover for the journey."
Penny stared at her, "That would take weeks!"
Amy just shrugged, "Three days, a few weeks, what's the difference?"
She then went on, "Or, you can stay here and earn enough to pay me to take you."
She smirked, "I am sure you would find many men who would be willing to indulge you."
Penny thought to herself. She's right, if I am going to agree to it, what difference will a few weeks make?
She smirked; Amy is actually not bad looking. Maybe it won't be too bad after all. She thought about Sheldon but knew he would have no choice.
Everything went as planned and several weeks later, the Golden Lady dropped anchor in Boston Harbor. Penny felt like she had been on a marathon. The woman was insatiable. All in all, though, she had to admit it was not exactly torture. In fact, …
They kissed goodbye and Amy sailed away with ecstatic memories and 60,000 in payment.
With the rest of the fortune they had put away, Penny and Sheldon became members of Boston Society as the Gordons.
When the carriage arrived at the dock and her luggage had been taken aboard the ship and she had paid off the driver, she was escorted to her quarters. She could not help but think of all that had happened since the last time she had set sail from America.
She was no longer that naïve seventeen-year-old girl. This time she carried a dagger and a loaded derringer to be sure she would not be taken alive again.
She had booked passage for France in spite of the fact that the animosity between France and Britain had grown into a real conflict. She knew it could be a risk but since she was now considered an American, she decided to take a chance.
This time the voyage turned out to be uneventful and when she arrived in Paris, she went to a jeweler recommended by a colleague in America and turned some of the fortune in diamonds she carried with her into bank notes.
She then arranged for transportation to take her to the German border.
