"I…", he started but she had already released him. "Go," she said and he did, but not before placing another quick kiss on her lips.

Abigail took a few minutes to compose herself. The kiss, well kisses really, were so exquisite. She was disappointed that they had been interrupted. There was a fire burning in her belly and she did not know what to do about it. But maybe later, Charles could… At that thought, a small moan escaped her lips. "No," she chided herself, "pull yourself together." She pinched herself and that seemed to help a little.

She turned around and her eyes once again looked for him. He was conversing with his quartermaster and the bosun, holding a spyglass in his hands. She saw all of them nod in agreement and then Charles motioned for her to come over.

"What is it? What's happening?", she asked as soon as she reached him. Surprisingly, he handed her the spyglass and pointed in the direction of the sails they had spotted. She looked through the spyglass. It took her a few moments to find the ship. It seemed fairly small. It also did not seem to be going very fast. "A prize for the taking," Charles said, standing behind her. Abigail lowered the spyglass and twisted around, still trapped between Charles and the railing. She did not say anything but instead smiled at him.

It took several hours for the Ranger to catch up with the other ship. The fight she had been waiting for never occurred. She obviously was not ready to jump into the fray but she had been looking forward to watching and learning, but instead the merchant surrendered before even one shot had been fired. All it took, was raising the black.

By evening, they had transferred all valuable cargo onto their ship along with two men who had willingly joined their crew. They had been read the articles of agreement and were taken on the account. Within an hour they were on their way again, sailing ever closer to Nassau.

Charles and Abigail joined the crew in the mess for a late dinner. Spirits were high and the rum was flowing freely. The prize they had taken was mostly rum and the merchant's trading profits of the past few weeks. Several of the crew members had taken out their instruments and were leading the men in the merry making. Abigail looked around her and realized that she was happy. Charles was sitting next to her deep in conversation with a crew member. She took a sip of her drink and leaned closer to him. A content sigh escaped her lips.

She looked up at him when his arm came to rest around her shoulders. His steely blue eyes were looking directly into her soul. Wordlessly she stood up and began leading him up to the captain's cabin. His crew jeered at the sight of them but he only had eyes for her.

Her courage left her after he closed the door behind them. What had she been thinking? She had no idea how to proceed. She let go of his hand and nervously wrought her hands. Charles was confused for a moment before he realized what was going on. "Abigail," he said, taking her hands in his, "Abigail." He pulled her into a hug, slowly stroking her back, careful to avoid her wound. "Don't be afraid," he murmured into her ear. "I won't hurt you." "I'm not afraid, not really. I just don't know what to do," she replied, glad that he was still cradling her against his chest. She was certain she was blushing from head to toe.

He had forgotten for a while that she had been a Lord's daughter. Even though she had only been with him for a few days, it felt as if she had been by his side forever. "They didn't tell you? What happens between a man and a woman," he asked her, already knowing the answer. Of course, they hadn't. Fucking pricks. Abigail could only shake her head.

He gripped her tighter, angry at the people who had not prepared her for the world. "Don't be embarrassed. I'll show you." Just like before Abigail could not find words so she only nodded. Her face still buried in his chest.

Charles felt desire coursing through him. He would show her but she would call the shots. He held her for a long time, waiting for her breathing to slow and giving her enough time to put her embarrassment behind her. He would not bed her tonight even though he desired it, but that did not mean that they could not do something.

Finally, Abigail lifted her head and looked at him, "I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking. I shouldn't have..." His reaction was to silence her with a kiss. Abigail was surprised but within seconds that fire in her belly was back and she found her arms wrapped around him tightly. Charles walked her back slowly until her legs hit the bed. He gently sat her down and started to remove his boots, making a mental note to procure some clothes and shoes for her once they had landed in Nassau.

Before Abigail knew what she was doing, she was crawling to her side of the bed. Once there, she looked up at him. Charles was unable to resist her. The look in her eyes full of desire. Oh, what carnal pleasures he would show her. Normally he was not one for bedding virgins but this was his Abigail. He would gladly make an exception for her.

He joined her on the bed. He gently took her in his arms again and in the end, both came to rest on their side, facing each other. He leaned in to kiss her again and Abigail gladly accepted. They spent much of the night just by being together. No clothes were shed but it was still the most intimate night Charles had ever spent with somebody.