The Lady and the Gunner
Chapter 3 – Tabula Rosa
It was three weeks later.
Lady Elizabeth was up bright an early. The bells of the watch had made her very aware of the time while aboard the Renown. She had been a rough day. She had finally gotten up the nerve to go do the visits she needed to. For more than one reason. She was again cash poor and she needed news.
She had gone to Gregor's partner to inform him of his death and to reveal herself to not be his daughter. However, Gregor had amended his will and had given his shares in the company to his daughter June and adopted daughter, Elizabeth. Harry would not challenge it and Elizabeth informed him that though a partner, she would expect everything to be done by him. He agreed heartily and paid her the earnings from the quarter.
Next to the bank where she could gain credits for dress shops and the like. They were always happy to help a member of the Wellesley family, but it was revealed that Andrew Wellesley's accounts had been suspended until his daughter and heir had been found or ten years had run. His daughter had been found, but it required the signature of one of her uncles, Lord Edward Pellew or Lord Arthur Wellesley. She also would need to marry to gain full access to her inheritance.
She nodded accepting this, but then was given the copies of the death notices of her mother and her father. Two years. In two short years she had become an orphan. A VERY wealthy orphan, but an orphan all the same. She still was under the age of majority if not wed and so Lord Pellew, who had just arrived would be told she lived.
She, however, left before he could find out where she lived, but she was allowed a small amount of funds that the bank would expect payment returned for. She had left with those. She could not face her uncle or the idea of him shipping her back to England to marry the Major.
She winced and then returned to her hotel to absorb the fact her parents were dead. She had loved them so much and was their only child. Now she was sole heiress to one of the largest fortunes of the state of Ireland.
Z+Z
Lord Edward Pellew sat at his desk reading over the various papers. He looked at one and realized it was from the bank. He looked at it and cocked his head.
Lord Commodore Pellew,
We would like to inform you, sir that we have found your long lost niece. All her papers are in order and it would appear she had been taken in by a local merchant family. She was kidnapped by pirates and returned by the good men of the ship Renown. She speaks highly of the crew and officers and appears to wish to see you in short order as to her inheritance and other matters. She is in good health and spirits and was looking to gain some funding. Naturally we made her some funding for her stay here. We are currently looking for her whereabouts.
Regards
Mr. Templeton.
"God in heaven!" Pellew muttered.
"Yes, sir?" His staff captain asked as he poured him some tea.
"My niece. My lady niece has been returned to us." Sir Edward said. He looked up. "She would be…seventeen now, the poor dear." He sighed. "The Renown brought her here. That is a touch ironic."
"Shall I make inquiries as to where she is staying?"
"Yes. Please. I must greet her and then when this trial business is over, take her back to England where she belongs and make her marry Major Brand." He sighed. "She will not be too keen on that idea, to be sure, but by God the little hoyden will marry the man, even if I have to truss her up for the wedding."
The captain nodded slightly amused at the thought.
Z+Z
It was raining the next morning and Elizabeth sighed. She had made good use of a couple of coins with some ship boys and found that the man she sought was in a tavern down the main row. She pulled on an over cloak and collected the washed and cleaned shirt and walked out into the drizzle.
She walked to the bar unescorted and noted all the stares as she walked straight in and looked about. Many of the enlisted were there, drinking, playing cards, and other such activities. She the saw her aim two tables over and made her way there.
She pulled down her hood and cocked her head as she looked at the back of the head of Gunner Hobbs. Seated her was nearly her height and his gold hair was tied at the nap of his neck with a ribbon. She leaned close and smiled. "I should have known you would be in a place like this, Mr. Hobbs."
He turned his head and his eyes widened. "What the hell are you doing here, Miss Eliza?" He asked. He was more than a little tipsy and looked at her up and down. He has been dreaming of her for days. The taste of her, the feel of her skin, her hair…
"I am returning your shirt to you." She said.
He blinked. "You came into a tavern for that? This is no place for the likes of you." He said looking at the men looking at her, leering.
"Indeed, but one does what they must." She shrugged.
"Aye. Join us in a round, my dear?"
"Sure. Who are your mates?" She asked.
"They are not my mates, only shipmates." He said.
She nodded and leaned to the young bartending woman. "Five pints my dear."
She smiled. "Of course, love."
Elizabeth looked about for a place to sit and it was a younger man who stood. "Have my place miss."
"No, I won't put you out." She said.
Just then she was knocked into by a wench who was avoiding having someone grab her ass. She fell forward and into Hobbs' arms as he caught her. He coughed as she shifted a little and then sighed realizing it was hopeless to stand there so she settled on his lap. If nothing else it made her look less like a girl lost there and more like a woman who belonged there. Hobbs was not about to object to her there, but it did make her a whore to some.
The girl came back and Elizabeth leaned to her and kissed her cheek and pressed a note between her breasts. The woman was startled and Elizabeth winked. "Get yourself something nice, honey."
The girl nodded and moved off. Hobbs looked at her. "How much did you give her?"
"A pound." Elizabeth shrugged.
Hobbs looked at her and blinked. "You could have all the drinks and half the whores for that, Miss Eliza."
She smirked back at him. "Perhaps that is the idea."
Hobbs fell silent, his eyes widened at her as she turned to her pint. The other men were sipping and talking, but then realized the woman was chugging her beer down. She dropped it on the table and wiped her mouth looking at the startled looks about her. "What? Just because I am a woman, you think I can't drink?"
Hobbs shook his head. He downed his own and leaned close. "Shall we go somewhere quieter?"
"Certainly." She said.
They walked outside and he pulled his jacket about him and put his hat on. She smiled at him as she took his offered arm. "You could be an officer with your chin so high."
He laughed. "Perhaps." He smiled. "Thank you for the return of my shirt. I was beginning to wonder if I needed more." He held it. It smelled of fresh soap and looked like it had been taken care of well.
Her hand went to her head and he looked at her. "Oh, I should not have drunk that that fast. I am tipsy." She muttered.
"Where are you berthed at?"
"Down the way." She smiled.
They arrived and she giggled and led him to her room. Once inside she shut the door and he turned as she giggled and turned her hand holding the key to lock it. His proximity was unsettling, but she instead turned her face up and pulled off her cloak. He pulled off his blue wool jacket and hat. They both were chilled and he touched her cheek with the backs of his fingers.
"Do you have any idea how lovely you are?" He asked looking at her.
She smiled. "I have heard sir."
He sighed, losing the battle with his control. The rain pelted outside, but he leaned down and kissed the girl, arms wrapping about her and lifting her against him. Letting her feel his appreciation for her. She was startled by the feel, but tried to move up him to kiss him more deeply.
He walked them backwards to the bedroom where he was making quick work of her empire dress and the undergarments beneath. She stepped out of her clothing and was completely naked as his warm large hands wandered her body. Her skin was soft on his thick calloused hands. She was not an experienced working girl, she was a girl who was willingly going to bed with him.
Her knees hit the bed and she tumbled backwards landing on the blanket. She looked up at him as he looked at her hungrily.
Lord help him. She was younger than any whore he had ever been with and clearly unused to the feelings coursing through her body. She was flushed and watching him as he began to pull off his vest, shoes, shirt, stock, cravat, and trousers. He then climbed over her as she watched him, shaking a little with nerves, cold, and excitement.
He kissed her. "Miss Eliza…"
"Jamison…please…" She begged. Her legs were spread to either side of him. He caressed them as he kissed her again and then entered her. She was relaxed enough from the alcohol that she did not notice what happened until she looked up at him, braced above her. She could feel his hot length within her, stretching her. Her legs shifted so she could have more contact with him. He rocked against her for a moment and then shifted, bringing her up with him onto his lap. He thrust into her as he reached between them and caressed her skin above their joined bodies.
His head dropped to her pert, beautiful, and decent sized breasts. He suckled on a nipple as she writhed under him. After a few moments, she peaked, crying out and her eyes widening in shock at the feel. He continued, his own crest hitting him hard as her body flexed around him.
He panted and dropped against her as the gravity of what he had done hit him. He had just made love to a girl who was both virgin and the daughter of a merchant. She could become with child and then where would he be? He was at sea most of the year….
Her arms reached around and caressed his back as they panted against each other. He lifted his head, looking boyish as he looked at her. He stole a kiss and then nuzzled her. "Are you well?" He asked.
"Yes. Of course."
He nodded and moved off her and onto the bed. He gathered her to him, pulling the blankets about them. He brushed her hair back gently and then his hands caressed her body, her back, hips, and buttocks.
They fell asleep together when they had calmed.
Z+Z
Jamison Hobbs woke.
He had a headache. He looked up at the bed posts and canopy. Clearly this bed was nothing like he should be in. The feathers of the mattress were too soft for the likes of him. He gasped and realized her could see the ships from where he was.
He could not remember last night well. His hand encountered something as he lifted it to his face. He opened his eyes and turned his head. The red head that had plagued his dreams was there. He sighed. Dreaming again until she stirred and snuggled against his side.
He gasped. She was real. Dear Lord, he thought as the night came back to him. Five rounds. He had never gone five rounds. Even in his youth with experienced whores had he done that, but this girl… She ignited passions in him her had not felt in years.
She woke and looked at him. Her face was soft and so young. "Jami." She whispered.
God, he loved his name on her lips. She had moaned it several times as the made love and he had felt amazing. He leaned an arm behind his head and sighed, the other going to her back. She lifted her head and kissed him softly.
"What are you doing today?" She asked.
"I am going to the trial." He sighed and looked about as he sat up. His hair was in disarray and at some point she had pulled his hair out from the ribbon. It hung about his shoulders as he looked and found his vest. He bent and found his pocket watch. He sighed less than an hour.
"Whose side are you on?"
"It is more complicated than that. There are not so much sides as points of view." He corrected.
She nodded. "I hope no one hangs."
He looked back at her as she sat up, the sheet falling from her. He felt his breath hitch at the sight of her. "What about you?"
"I am waiting on my uncle so I should be here or shopping." She smiled a little and rose from the bed.
He watched her as he dressed himself. He looked about for the ribbon for his hair.
She also dressed rather quickly and then nodded to him. "Come here."
He blinked. He looked up at her and saw she had it between her teeth watching him playfully. He sighed. If she had any idea how much she could drive a man wild with that look alone. She nodded to him to sit on the bed. He cocked his head and did so. She moved behind him and gently combed his long hair back and gathered it into a ponytail. From there she put the ribbon on it.
He reached back. "Nicely done. Thank you, love."
She smiled and kissed his powerful shoulder. "I think I am really starting to like you, Jami."
He turned and pulled her into his lap. "I am having the same feelings." He muttered.
He sighed and set her from him and rose to his feet. "I will return in the afternoon."
"I look forward to it."
He nodded and walked out, leaving her as she looked at the bed. The small drops of blood on the bed sheet. She had allowed this man to take her virginity. The pirate captain had tried and failed and beaten her for resisting him. So instead as punishment he turned June to his crew. When Eliza tried to offer herself to save the young girl from the merciless men, it was too late and he bound her and made she could hear the cries of her sister. It was enough to almost drive a not so driven soul mad.
She sighed and looked about. She opened the window and looked out just as Maybelle entered. "Good day Miss."
"Hello."
The maid walked in and looked about. She could see the rumbled bed and smell the man's cologne and the smell of sweat and sex in the room. "You were not alone last night."
"No." Elizabeth nodded.
"Who was he?"
"Mr. Hobbs."
"He was not an officer?"
"No, thank God."
"But Miss. They are rough men. When drunk I have heard…"
"That they beat women? Yes. I have heard that as well, but Jamison is different. He has tolerance."
The maid nodded. "Shall I get you some breakfast?"
"Yes. That would be lovely."
Once the maid had left, the girl went to the window and looked out a hand going to her belly. She was between her cycles and well enough could conceive. She dearly hoped so, partly because she longed for something of her own, a baby, but also out of spite. A gunner's child in her womb would nail the coffin on her marrying the uptight, strong, and potentially wife beating major.
Z+Z
Hobbs was out of the trial by three. The proceedings had been slow, the introduction of the charges and each of the officers making their case to the tribunal of Commodore Pellew, Captain Hammond, and Sir Gregory.
He left and walked down to find the young woman who haunted his dreams and daydreams. He stopped and found some flowers and bought them and walked back to the hotel. He looked all the world like a courting gentleman and he walked to the desk.
"I am calling on Miss Eliza. Is she in?"
"Miss Eliza? Do you mean Miss Elizabeth?"
"Yes. Room 15?"
"Indeed. She just returned."
"Thank you."
"You are not the sort that should call on her, sir."
"We shall let the lady decide that shall we?"
"Indeed." The desk man said. He nodded to the bellhop. "Go with him and remove him if he is not welcomed."
The man nodded and they walked up to the room. Hobbs knocked and the door opened to reveal a young quadroon maid. "Can I help you, sir?"
"I am here to see Miss Eliza."
"She is resting."
"Could you tell her it is Jamison Hobbs?"
She looked at him a moment and then nodded. "Come in." She said.
The man stepped in. "Thank you Miss." He said. He was taller by nearly a foot from the man and woman behind him. He walked in and saw her lying in the bedroom. Not about to wake her just yet we went and dropped into a comfortable chair.
The maid smiled. "Can I fetch you some tea, sir?"
"Yes, thank you." He said politely. He was unused to having someone wait on him, but it was pleasant. When she left he moved to the bedchamber and smiled at the sleeping form of his lover. He sat beside her and gently pressed her hair back from her face. She looked like an angel. Tenderly he bent and pressed his lips to hers gently.
She woke and gasped a little, but then smelled his familiar scent and felt the now familiar form of his lips. She pulled back and looked at him. "You came back."
"Were you expecting me not to?" He asked smiling a little.
She smiled up at him.
"Your maid is bringing tea. Would you like some or would you rather rest?" He asked his large hand going to her cheek. He caressed her lightly around her eye.
"I will get up." She said sitting up. He smiled as she came close to his face. He leaned down and kissed her pulling her torso to him tenderly.
"I love you, Eliza." He then looked at her, eyes serious. "What is your name? They call you Elizabeth as well."
"Elizabeth is my Christian name, but I rarely use it. I prefer Eliza or Bess." She said.
"Lizzy?" He asked playfully. His brow leaned against hers.
"I would accept that as your name for me."
He smiled and kissed her nose. He heard the door open and he rose, taking her hand, and leading her into the sitting room. Maybelle brought tea and some scones. She poured them tea and left them.
They spoke about everything and nothing as they ate and drank the tea.
Hobbs then rose to his feet and pulled her to him and kissed her. She smiled and led them to her bed where they fell onto it in a tangle of limbs. They quickly stripped each other. This time he pressed her back and kissed down her body watching her writhe beneath his attentions.
She then gasped feeling him brace between her legs and she felt his breath against her lower curls which were fiery red. She gasped as she reached down. He caught her hand and kissed her palm. "Trust me, my love." He said looking up at her. "You will enjoy it."
"It is sinful." She said.
"According to who?"
"The church, my mother, my aunts, my…"
He chuckled and dipped his head pressing his tongue to her. She gasped startled and she reached to try to stop him, but he was intent on his aim. His persistence had her whimpering and weakly trying to have him stop, but her hands locked in his hair, keeping him there.
She cried out and stiffened and he continued to lick and caress until she knew she could take no more. She lay there, body open, breath coming in pants as he kissed her hip and belly tenderly watching her come down from her plateau. He was hard and had become harder, if that were possible watching her face contort. Whores were paid and likely faked much of what they showed, but this girl was open and honest in love.
He kissed up her body and finally hovered over her watching her as she calmed. Her eyes opened and she looked at him startled. "What did you do to me?" She asked breath still short.
"Showed you tricks I have learned over the years, my sweet."
She looked up at him as he entered her, sliding easily into her depths. Her previous orgasm had left her wet and supple, and now he would claim his prize for his own. He rocked against her and it was not long before she whimpered again and he followed her kissing her to drawn his grunt of satisfaction.
After they panted against each other and he smiled moving and pulling her against him. "Rest now, my love."
She nodded.
Z+Z
He heard Maybelle come in and he caught her eye as he looked up at her with a smile. She smiled back, a soft knowing smile, and nodded as he settled back against Eliza's sleeping form. His hand arm wrapped about her.
When she woke he looked at her. She cocked her head at him. He seemed deep in thought.
"What is it, Jami? You are brooding."
"Your uncles will come to find you a well bedded young woman. They will not like it."
She looked at him. "I do not really care what they think."
"You should." He said. He took her hand. "You should care."
She sighed.
He took her hand. "Marry me." He whispered.
"What?"
"Marry me. I have little to offer, but all that I have is yours. Being a gunner's wife is not that of a lady, but you will be looked after and if I am killed…" She pressed a hand to his lips at that. He kissed then and removed them looking at her seriously. "I have been very lucky, my love, but I could run afoul of something. My pension would help you and whatever children we may have."
"You are serious."
"Yes." He said.
She nodded. "Very well, Gunner Jamison Hobbs. I will be your wife."
He kissed her then. "Come."
"Now?" She asked.
"Yes!"
"All right." She smiled.
Z+Z
The pastor seemed surprised to see them and it was clear from his look that he suspect she was carrying Hobbs' child. She very well could be, but they had no way of knowing that yet. All the same, he took their coin and married them to each other. A couple of his shipmates, Stiles and Matthews, who were both fairly drunk, stood in as witnesses to the wedding and signed the certificate. Hobbs signed with a flourish and then Elizabeth signed her own.
They took the paper and she bought a round for Stiles and Matthews and then they walked back home. It started to rain and she laughed a little. She moved ahead and she pranced in puddles and smiled back at her husband who was watching her in amusement.
Once back to their room, the pair were soaked to the bone and she called for tea while he built a fire for them. They sat before it, wrapped in blankets, watching each other. She picked up a book and began to read. She saw his look and she smiled and began to read to him. It was the bible naturally. He pulled her between his legs as he leaned back against the chair, listening to her reading.
After a time he gently laid his chin on her shoulder and wrapped his arms about her, surrounding her with his warmth. "Could you teach me?" He asked.
She looked at him as he touched the page.
"To read?"
"Yes." He said. "You make it sound so beautiful."
"You can't read?"
"I never went to school." He said honestly. "I ran away from the house so my father, if he was my father, wouldn't beat me." He swallowed. "Was on the streets until I was caught stealing. The was put on a ship as a powder boy. I worked my way to gunner."
"That is terrible."
He nodded. "I do not even know my own name." He looked away embarrassed.
She cupped his cheek as she turned in his arms. "I will teach you to read Jami. I will teach you to write. You will be just as good as a milord before I am done with you."
He laughed.
She got up and found some paper. He looked up and then followed her as she turned up a lamp on the table. She dipped a quill into an ink well and wrote out. J-A-M-I-S-O-N H-O-B-B-S. He came to her and wrapped his arms around her, leaning over her, kissing her shoulder before looking down at the letters.
"What does it say?"
"Your name."
"That is my name?" He made a face. He touched it. "I never realized it was so long."
She smiled and then wrote out the alphabet. She nodded to him to sit down. He did so. She then handed him the quill and then showed him how to hold it. "Trace them." She said.
He cocked his head and she covered his large hand with her own and then traced the letter A for him. He blinked. "What is that?"
"A." She said. He traced the next. "B" They continued until she had said and he had traced every one of them. She then dipped the quill in ink and nodded. "Now write them."
He blinked and then nodded. He was up to the challenge.
He stuck his tongue out as he slowly tried to make the letters. They were not bad for a first attempt and were no worse than a child learning. She smiled proudly at him. "You are a fast study." She said.
He wrapped his arm around her and then looked at her, pulling her down for a kiss. "Thank you."
"Well you are."
"No, for not making fun of the fact I can't read and write."
"Why would I?" She asked. "You are my husband. I want to help you learn."
He nodded and then pulled her into his lap. "God, I love you."
They sipped tea and talked long into the night and eventually fell into the bed merging once more before they fell asleep. She woke in the night. She was on her side, her husband's body against her own, his hand resting on her belly. He was softly snoring against her hair. She looked back at him. He looked so young when he slept.
She smiled. She was now Elizabeth Hobbs, Gunner wife.
And she was happy.