Redemption: Chapter Six
It was well past sundown, and the rain still hadn't ceased it relentless downpour. Sally McCoy wouldn't have had a problem with this, if it wasn't for the fact that the droplets were freezing cold as they pelted her back, and that she would be stuck out in the bad weather for heavens knew how long.
This in itself was a horrible thing for a person to experience- being completely doused in freezing water, but being unable to return indoors to change clothes or warm up. But apparently, the serving maid was more afraid of her Masters' wrath than of catching a cold. For here she was, sitting on the driver's seat of a carriage in the middle of a miniature monsoon, with a nearly four hour trip to London ahead of her.
The woman shakily shouldered her already soaked overcoat and shawl and cursed herself for her weakness. If she had had the guts to say no to Captain Gray she wouldn't be outside freezing to death on the muddy country road!
"Next time Master James wants an errand run at night when there's a gale a-blowin', yer gonna hold yer ground and refuse. Otherwise, I'm gonna give ya the right whoppin' of the year, Sally (bloody-worthless) McCoy!"
Sally laughed bitterly at own her inner voice and grumbled something along the lines of, that's easy for you to say, when the maid noticed that the person who currently sat beside her was staring.
"Wha' was that, Sally?"
The woman shook her head in embarrassment. "Nothing, Mr. Smee. . . It was nothing."
The stout older man chuckled kindly, as he snapped the reigns and forced the horses to stay their course. "It didn't sound like nothin'."
The maid sighed heavily- not that she could be heard above the rain or rushing winds- and graced her companion with a small smile.
"I was just wondering why- in heaven's name- we came out here in this wretched weather, when we easily could have made the journey in the morning when the rain had stopped."
Smee chuckled again, and despite the cold his voice was warm when he answered the bitter maid.
"Ah, don't you worry, Sally. We'll be to London soon enough, and then we'll both get dry clothes and a strong sip of some scrumpy for the chills."
Some strong bevy did sound glorious at this point, as did the prospect of being dry and warmly bundled away from the elements. And Sally found that she couldn't help but smile at Mr. Smee.
In the handful of months that the serving maid had known the old man, she had never heard him raise his voice in anger, or let loose a complaint about his lot in life. And this deserved the utmost respect in Sally's eyes, seeing as the poor little man was the personal assistant to Master James Gray- the rudest, scariest sod the woman had ever met to date.
"Where are we going, anyways?" Sally asked after a moment. "When Captain Gray told me to help you, he didn't say anything 'bout going to London."
Mr. Smee lifted his twinkling eyes from the road and glanced at the woman with a wistful smile.
"The Cap'n wanted me ta come ta London to fix up his townhous' so that when he arrives in the great city in a week or two, everythin' will be to his likin'."
"He's coming to stay in London," Sally repeated quizzically, honestly puzzled by the strange information.
"Yes."
"But why would he do a thing like that, when he just returned from London only three bloody days ago? I know the Master likes some spectacle now and again, but I thought he enjoyed Willow Wood Lodge better?"
Here Mr. Smee's face grew serious, and Sally instantly felt a wave of dread. If the happy little man wasn't smiling, something abnormal was most definitely going on.
"Oh, 'ee does, Sally. The Cap'n loves his ancestral home- despite its somewhat dark histr'y, and 'ee usually hates ta leave it. . . But he says that his bride will want ta stay somewhere familiar after the wedding. . . And tha' it would take some time ta win 'er over, so 'ee's had ta change the playin' field around a bit."
Sally's eyes bugged out of her head, and her glasses slowly slid down her button nose as her face went slack. It took the maid several minutes to recover, but when she did her voice came out in a choked screech.
"What- . . . What in God's green earth are you talking about?"
Mr. Smee gazed at her patiently. "I wasn't supposed ta say a word abouts it, but seein' as yer coming with me, I don't see how I'd keep it a secret from yeh very long."
"Cap-Captain Gray's getting m-m-married!?"
To Sally the news was just as ridiculous as the thought of pigs learning to fly, and dairy cows learning to speak! . . . But if Mr. Smee said that Captain James Gray was getting hitched and tied, there was no sense in disbelieving him. The kind codger didn't have the heart to lie, and the maid doubted that he could have- nor would have- been able to concoct such an outlandish scheme. So, Sally McCoy took a deep breath as she stuttered her gnawing question aloud.
"Mr. Smee, who would take the likes of Captain Gray as a husband?"
Mr. Smee looked straight ahead as he replied, "One of his old crew mates that he was separated from several years back: one Red Handed Jill."
"Are you hungry, my dear?"
The inquiry was completely random, and thus took Wendy- who had finally taken one of the crimson seats in the parlor - completely by surprise. Though the young woman had silently tried to prepare herself for whatever her old rival would say next, she completely failed in hiding her confusion.
"Pardon?"
The pirate captain's blue eyes sparkled with amusement, as he clicked his tongue in reprimand.
"My, my, Miss Darling, you astound me! It seems your hearing isn't what it used to be."
At this, Wendy frowned, but Hook didn't give her time to snap at him.
"I asked," here he scoffed. "If you were ready for the evening meal."
Wendy lifted her chin ever so slightly at his blatant rudeness, and her eyes were fiery as she answered. "I wouldn't so readily eat something that's been poisoned, Captain."
Hook chuckled as he rose from his own chair and came to stand before Wendy's with a smirk. "But why would I go to the trouble of poisoning dinner, when I could have just as easily stabbed you? It hardly seems practical."
Here Wendy smiled- though it was tight lipped and held very little humor. "No it doesn't, sir. But you've already proved that such easy- and obvious- exploits are beyond you. You were always one to impress, despite it usually meaning you have to go about a task in a more difficult way. Our first meeting was a prime example, as was your plan at the Dark Castle."
Here Wendy shook her head with a mirthless laugh that lasted no longer than a moment. , and finished her thought without further delay.
"Nothing gives you more pleasure than the element of surprise when you play your final chess piece. And I refuse to be your pawn."
The man seemed interested by this declaration, and his own lips quirked into a smirk. Finally, after a long pause Captain Hook made an answer.
"It appears you know my game-play like the back of your hand, Miss Darling. An altogether endearing and challenging feat, though I wonder . . . are you holding up a looking glass to me, or to yourself?"
Wendy stiffened. What was he implying? Hook was truly scrambling for something to throw back at her if he had stooped to such an absurd comparison. So, the young woman bit back with bile.
"If I saw such traits in myself, I'd willingly accept your poison."
Both woman and man were silent for several long moments, before Hook chuckled deeply and held out his good hand to Wendy. From the way his blue eyes searched her face, it was obvious that he disagreed with her. But instead of saying so aloud- as Wendy had predicted he would- James Gray voted for the tactful approach, and let her belief stand unchallenged.
"Poison is a good choice, my dear. But I'm sure such lovely frivolities can wait until after we've eaten dinner."
Wendy gazed at his hand, noting that he had precious gemstone rings on two of his fingers, and instantly felt her stomach drop.
Agreeing to stay at Willow Wood Lodge (temporarily) had been one thing, but having dinner with her old enemy was something else entirely. . . It was the greatest and easiest recipe for disaster that Wendy had ever heard of. And she was immediately desperate to get herself out of it.
"I wouldn't want to disrupt your meal, sir," Wendy said quickly, backpedaling fiercely. But when Hook continued to hold out his hand to her, the young woman knew-despairingly so- that she couldn't refuse the challenge.
"Nonsense, Miss Darling," the pirate chided calmly, beckoning with his fingers for her to hurry and take his hand. "You can hardly be a disruption when you're the guest of honor and the meal was prepared specifically for you."
Wendy- although miffed slightly- couldn't argue with this, and thus ended up -hesitantly- placing her hand within the man's.
When the pirate's flesh met with her own it wasn't anything like Wendy had expected- though in fact the woman didn't know what she had anticipated. His hand was obviously strong- though he was barely touching her- and was well-worn. And they were . . . warm.
Nothing at all, like she had expected.
James' helped his guest from her seat, and then positioned her hand upon his forearm- the action of a gentleman- and he patted her hand with his. It was meant to be an encouraging gesture, but it only served to make Wendy more nervous.
After a moment more of silence, the elegant man nodded towards the doorway of the parlor.
"Shall we, my dear?"
Wendy internally cringed, but outwardly gave a feminine nod of assent. "I suppose so, Captain. Though I'm not very hungry."
James Gray looked amused. "I wouldn't force you to consume anything you didn't want to, Miss Darling. Think of it this way: if for nothing else, you can keep me company while I partake of the nightly meal, and perhaps regale me with one of your stories."
Wendy sighed- disliking her newest predicament- but it was too late to turn back now. So she tried to give a careless shrug.
"Perhaps, Captain. . . . Perhaps."
Captain James Hook chuckled as he led the young woman out of the parlor towards the dining room. Secretly pleased that despite her discomfort, Wendy Darling had once more, willingly accepted the arm that housed his hook.
A/N:Another chapter where I feel like it's completely forced. *facepalms* Geez! This story's blockage is kicking my arse royally! I've rewritten this chapter four times and would have gone for a fifth, if it hadn't been for several touching reviews and faves asking that I update asap. After that I couldn't make you guys wait any longer. So here you are! I hope it isn't too bad. lols ;p
Anyway love you guys, hope you enjoyed the chapter! (Is James in-character? He's giving me more grief than I can say. XD Sexy, arrogant bugger!)
~Lyn Harkeran
