Thanks to those of you that have been reading and reviewing!

I have to apologize for the delay in posting this chapter, and the shortness (compared to some of the last few chapters)...however, I've been lacking both time and inspiration lately. This chapter moves along to the ball, at last. Hope you enjoy what I have so far!

Chapter Twelve
Talk Like a Pirate

"Meredith, my love..."

Derek's voice was a little vexed, and she glanced towards the dressing room where the maid had laid out the costumes for the ball. Meredith had assured her that she would be able to manage without her for the evening, knowing that Derek would be able to help her dress. Now she smiled to herself, before moving quietly to join him. She paused at the doorway for a moment, watching him unobserved as he glared at his reflection in the mirror.

"Meredith!"

"Yes, darling..." she murmured, laughing a little at the look on his face as she slipped up behind him.

"Are you sure you want me to wear this?" he sighed, raising one eyebrow at her reflection beside him. He waved his hand over the costume in question.

"Oh, of course you should wear that...I think you look quite dashing..." she commented, resting her hands on his hips. Her admiring gaze slid over him. She and Meggie had worked together to pull together the outfit, along with some help from Miss Hanover who sent extra accessories along with Meredith's own costume.

Now Derek was dressed completely in black, from his polished leather boots leading to black suede breeches, black linen shirt and cape. He had not shaved since early before the race the day before, and the black stubble lent a rakish look to his face. The shirt was unbuttoned just enough to be daring, and a gold chain with a coin gleamed against his skin. A black and indigo patterned silk scarf dangled in his fingers, that she had informed him was to be tied over his hair, and several odd items were strewn over the dressing table. Feathers, bits of glass and even a silver skull and crossbones had been strung together haphazardly. She wasn't sure where that piece had come from and she didn't ask Meggie. There was also a black velvet mask that would add to the mystique.

Meredith slid her hands upwards, feeling his hiss of breath at her touch. "Vixen...you know we do not have much time to prepare..." he warned her.

"I'm just trying to work my feminine wiles on you to convince you how good you look," she teased him. "Is it working?"

"You know better than to ask that," he told her, with a wink. Then he turned quickly and wrapped his arms around her, bringing her against his body. She was still wearing her silk robe, and his hands moved over the delicate material slowly. "And you still have to get dressed, in whatever it is that you are wearing." The maid had done Meredith's hair in loose waves, rather than putting it up, and he could smell the sweet lavender essence on her skin from her bath. "Or perhaps we could send our regrets and stay in our suite instead..." he suggested with a sinful smile.

"We have to attend or the Queen will not be happy with me after all of our preparations. As it is, she is still not convinced Lady Rowena was entirely innocent of anything before her departure, and now her retinue has been reduced." They had talked over morning tea, after Rhys and Rowena had taken their leave. Meredith had watched from the window, as the carriage disappeared down the curved drive, before joining her. The rest of the young ladies had been full of questions at the sudden turn of events. Cordelia in particular had been upset, twisting her hands together, her eyes troubled as they listened to Meredith explain that the Huntingtons had left for home.

"Did you find it necessary to tell her the whole truth?"

"Not exactly. I merely alluded to the fact Rowena was concerned about the outcome of the race, and tried to help her brother."

Derek kissed her forehead. "Well done. Now we can put this all behind us and enjoy the evening. I know you are looking forward to seeing everyone again."

"Yes. Now help me dress, sweetheart." She eased away from his embrace before he could detain her any longer, beckoning him to follow her. As she walked, she let the dressing gown slide down her shoulders, exposing the line of her back.

"You do like to tempt me, don't you, vixen?" he grumbled, watching her saunter away before following her, his boot heels clicking on the polished floor. When she paused at the armoire that contained her gowns, he leaned one shoulder against the doorway and crossed his arms over his chest.

"You do not usually complain," she countered sweetly, as she withdrew the costume and bag of accessories from the armoire.

"I'm not complaining, wench," he grinned. "But as the pirate captain here, I will have my way with you later..."

"Ah, but you are not the only pirate here tonight..." She held up the hat with the feather.

"Very good." He came closer to her, taking it from her hands and sitting on the bed as she started to dress. She drew on her black silk stockings first, smoothing them over her legs before fastening them with dainty indigo silk garters. Next she pulled on the whisper thin chemise, and picked up the corset. After she had it in place, she glanced at Derek who was watching her intently. "You do realize you're playing dangerously now..." he commented, raising his eyebrow.

"You can lace me up?" she teased him, turning her back to him.

"Of course, but unlacing is more my preference," he reminded her, getting to his feet again, and taking the laces in his fingers. He tightened the undergarment around her and secured the laces down her back before dropping a kiss on her shoulder. His lips moved in a lazy caress up her throat, making her shiver. Before she could protest too much, he took advantage of his position to slide his fingers beneath the fabric, and stroke her nipple. He felt her little sigh of surrender, and her legs parted as she relaxed against him. His other hand moved down her body, over her hip and then snaked into the creamy heat of her body. His only thought at the moment was definitely erotic, and he wanted to lose himself in that moment, to hell with all of their obligations. With a little growl, he spun her around and dropped to his knees, gliding one finger into her again, where she was already silky wet and welcoming. Adding his tongue to the damp folds, he teased and tormented every inch of swollen flesh. She shuddered under the sensation as he worked her clit to throbbing attention, just as his own cock throbbed close to bursting in the tight breeches. She shifted and clutched at his shoulders, her nails nearly digging in through the material as she came apart from the pleasure he gave her.

"Derek..." As always, the need for the intimacy was greater than anything else between them. Without another word, he stood and freed himself from confinement, and sheathed himself inside of her in one firm stroke. She spasmed around him, all warm honey, as his fierce passion drove him deeply into her with every thrust. Clinging to him, Meredith felt wild and needy, as the heat danced between them in waves. Derek loved the way she looked at that moment, her hair wild, her skin flushed, and he kissed her hard, his tongue sweeping against hers. He could kiss her forever, it was never enough for him. Her body quivered around him, riding the wave of her orgasm, and she made soft cries between kisses. There was no stopping the rush of his own climax, and he groaned in satisfaction at the sensation. For a moment, they rocked together more slowly, their heartbeats skipping between them, and she lifted her eyes to his.

"Properly tumbled, my Duchess...that is the way I like to see you," he teased, kissing her softly, before easing her back to her feet. "And while I take full responsibility, you have to admit you were teasing me as you put on those stockings..."

"We seem to lose all reason and behave far from rational adults with growing children, " she murmured, her voice sultry and sated.

"And we would not have it any other way, love..."

"Indeed..." She kissed him again quickly. "Now I do have to hurry..."

She moved to freshen up, and put on the frilled white shirt, with lacy cuffs that extended to cover her hands. This was tucked into the long black skirt that she layered over a voluminous petticoat. The burgundy brocade vest added a dash of color, and she pirouetted in front of the mirror with a critical eye. "How do I look so far?" she asked him, before picking up the myriad of glass beads and chains to loop around her neck. They nestled against her chest, over the décolletage displayed where the ruffled shirt opened.

"Very delectable, my pirate lover," he replied, resisting an urge or take her and pull her onto the bed and make love to her again. "At least, I assume that is what you're supposed to be..."

"Absolutely. Izzie suggested it and I thought it would be fitting." She settled at the dressing table, and picked up a pair of gold hoop earrings that she slipped in place. "Now are you putting that scarf on? We need to get to the ballroom soon, Derek."

"If I must." He moved to the long pier glass, and tied it over his hair, feeling rather ridiculous. The wooden sword was in the scabbard at his hip, and he adjusted it, wondering just how long it would be before he could escape the party.

"You look very authentic and dangerous." Meredith could tell by the expression on his face that the scarf was likely not to stay in place for long that evening. She picked up the masks, and went to stand beside him. "Here, put this on, while I put on my boots and get my coat."

"Yes, my beauty..." he grinned. "You are the finest treasure a pirate could ask for. I'm quite sure that no one will be looking at me, thank god..."

"Hmm...do not be so sure of that. The ladies will be quite willing to spend time with you, and your...er...sword..." she smiled, donning the long coat with gold buttons. Her low heeled boots clicked on the flooring as she joined him to help him position the mask. "There." His expressive eyes seemed even more compelling with part of his face obscured, and his mouth looked more sinful beneath the black velvet.

"But we are a matching pair, love. I will be your devoted partner for the night," he told her, before leaning in to kiss her. "My sword is only to be sheathed in you..." he added, winking at her.

"Mmm...that sounds distinctly dirty," she smiled, after he released her.

"Just as sinful as I meant it to be, vixen."

She put her own mask in place, and then the hat. "Shall we go?"

Derek tucked her hand in against his arm. "Aye, aye...sweet lass. Move along smartly, lest we be late and grog is all gone..."

Meredith dissolved into giggles at his attempt at speaking like a pirate. "Lead on, Cap'n Shepherd..."

"No giggling, wench, or you will pay the consequences later," he warned her as they left their suite.

"Will you make me walk the plank, Captain?" she giggled again.

"Oh, I can think much more pleasurable consequences, my lady love..." he replied. "Now, avast me beauty. I need a whisky to keep on with this masquerade."

"This will be a long evening at this rate, me Captain..." she smirked.

I admit, I have an inordinate love for Captain Jack Sparrow as played by Johnny Depp, and I just recently saw the last Pirates of the Caribbean movie...it may be influencing my Captain Derek description here...