Chapter 6 - Late that night

"Marie...You look lovely tonight." The cool, collected voice came from the chamber doorway. She felt herself tense slightly, and forced herself to relax. Raising her golden eyes from her reflection to his, she warily watched the man who spoke stroll into her room, his eyes fastened to hers.

"Your Grace..." She turned, and smiled up at him. He didn't respond, just dropped his gaze to take in the neckline of her dress. His lips thinned slightly, jaw tightening, and she felt her heart clench.

"Where did you get this...lovely gown, my dear?" The coldness in his voice...She licked her suddenly dry lips.

"...Tis was a gift, Your Grace. From Lady Rowan...She begged me to wear it tonight. It is her party we will be attending..." His brown eyes, nearly black in his anger, met hers. Once, she would have thought this man beautiful. Now she merely wished everyone could see how ugly he was.

"Yes...It is her party we will be attending. We shouldn't disappoint her." He reached a glove hand up and stroked her cheek gently. It took all her will power not to flinch. "When the night is over, you will burn it." With that, the man, her Duke and husband, turned to leave the room.

"No.." The word was out before she could stop it. He stilled, stopping dead in his tracks. "Ah...I mean...it is...a very expensive...gown...maybe...we can..."

Turning, he strolled back to her, and without hesitation, yanked her up off her stool roughly. Marie tried to pull away, but he tightened his grip, pressing her to his side. She whimpered as he grabbed her chin with his other hand, forcing to look up at him.

"I didn't realize I had married a whore." He growled at her.

"Please...I didn't mean that...I'm not a a whore..Richard..." Scowling at her, he released her chin.

"Oh, obviously not. You are still in the gown." He snapped, and grabbed the edge of the neckline, ignoring her protests as she tried to push away from him. Richard yanked, ripping the front of the beautiful blue dress down to her waist. "Now you're a whore." He shoved her roughly away, and she tripped, falling to her knees with a gasp. Marie sat there a minute, willing the pain in her legs to fade. She felt him draw closer, and flinched as he crouched down next to her. His breath wafted over her ear.

"I suggest you hold your tongue next time. I'd hate to have to strike you." He stood then, and turned towards the door. She looked after him, and noticed her maid in the doorway, frozen. Richard didn't react, just strolled towards the door. The girl jumped aside, quickly curtsying, with a mumbled 'yer grace'.

"Make sure the Duchess has suitable attire within the hour." He stopped just beyond the doorway, and looked back at Marie. He opened his mouth to say something, but blood came out instead. And then he was choking, a knife in his belly, and they were surrounded by darkness.

It was Marie's hands on the handle of the blade, stained red with blood.

She jumped back, but he grabbed her, and they fell, his hands closing around her throat. She struggled, gasping for hair, watching the flesh melt away from him.

"I'll see you in Hell...!" He rasped at her.

Marie sat bolt upright in her cot, gasping for air, one hand clenched over her heart. Damnit!

"Even in death...Why can't you leave me be?!" She hissed to herself, and fell backwards onto the pillow. She didn't sleep the rest of the night.

The next day, Marie stood on the deck of Ranger, staring out at their target. It was still a long ways off, but the lookout swore it was the ship they were after. Leaning against the railing, she wondered how well this would go. She sighed softly, and glanced up at the sky.

How many would be injured? Not many, she was guessing. The goal was to get them to surrender, then take their cargo. But there would be injuries, she was sure.

She mentally started listing all the medical supplies they currently had. There had been a few injuries due to fights since they left New Providence Island, but nothing too serious. The sound of footsteps broke through her thoughts, and turning her head, she saw Charles approaching. Marie looked back towards their prey as he slowed to a stop next to her. She could feel his eyes on her, and she wished he'd leave. She'd be avoiding him for the past couple days as, frankly, she was pissed.

The silence seemed to stretch on forever before he finally spoke.

"Does it hurt?" She blinked, and glanced up at him. He was leaning against the railing, regarding the bruise on her cheek with a furrowed brow.

"...Not as much as it did, but yes, it does." Charles just barely nodded, the lines on his forehead easing slightly. She felt her anger stir, the urge to lash out at him increasing. He turned to gaze out at the other ship. She could push him over, right here, right now. She'd be caught, sure, but she could do it...End this whole thing...

I hit him first. He's an arrogant ass, but pushing him over will solve nothing.

"If that ship doesn't surrender, stay out of it." She looked at him sharply, but he just turned and walked away.

Bastard!

With a growl, she shoved herself away from the railing and headed below decks.

Vane gazed at the other ship, watching it draw was tense, excitement thrumming through him.

"Raise the black!" He called out, and watched his flag slowly raise into the air. Then he looked back at the ship.

The air was filled with tension, wondering what would happen.

The white flag of surrender didn't raise, and the ship was turning to face them.

Vane couldn't help it, he felt himself smiling slightly. Yes, its easier for them to just surrender, however, this way was more dangerous, and funner.

Author's Note: Great to read all the reviews. This one is kinda short compared to the last one, haha. Anyways, we got a glimpse into the past. But I think the question is...Did Marie kill Richard or does she merely blame herself for his untimely demise? :P XD Hahaha. See ya'll next chapter! Sorry about the short, tense filled part about the ship and flag and all. (b-.-)b