V.
Meg was at Billy's side in an instant, her hands applying firm pressure to the bleeding wound on his leg. Seconds later, she was pushed to the side by a strong, imposing man with copper-colored hair. From his air of authority, she presumed he was none other than the infamous Captain Flint. With intense, almost desperate, energy, he seized the boatswain's shirt, lifting his head off the ground. Billy remained unresponsive, his head lolling to the side.
"Did you see it done?" he hissed.
When no response was forthcoming, the Captain shook Billy roughly, and raised his voice to a near shout. "I said.. did you see it done?!"
"For God's sake, leave him alone!" Meg cried out.
Flint ignored her, his attention completely focused on the man in front him.
"Done," Billy rasped, his eyes still closed. "Cut his throat myself." He went limp, and Flint lowered him to the ground.
"Give the order," he muttered.
"Yes, Captain." Another man left the room, closing the door behind him.
Flint stood up, and Meg looked up at him, struggling to keep her voice even. "If you're quite done, I'll need a clean bandage, and some rum for the wound."
His expression hardened. "Who the hell are you?"
"My name is Margaret Davies." She turned her attention back to the task at hand, determined to remain calm. "I live on Nassau, and work in a bakery in the-more genteel part of town. I knew Billy-in England. Before all this. He was kind and gentle. A good man. He came to me this morning with a rather serious wound in his leg. From a knife, it appears."
"Is that so?" Flint's voice was soft-so soft that Meg might have mistaken it for courtesy, had her ears not picked up the subtle sarcasm.
He picked up a small chest from his desk, and set it down next to her. "This should have everything you need."
As she went to open it, he placed his booted foot on top of the lid. She recoiled, glancing up to see his dark blue eyes examining her.
"And what would you be wanting with our Billy? To redeem his soul? Save him from eternal damnation?"
She flinched at the rancor in his tone. The Captain bent down, his mouth close to her ear.
"Just so you know, he doesn't want saving, Miss Margaret I-knew-Billy-in-England. So keep your damn fantasies to yourself."
Once Flint left the room, Meg was so focused on tending to Billy that it came as a surprise when she looked up to see sunlight streaming into the cabin. She had managed to stop the bleeding, but he remained unconscious, intermittently shivering under the blankets.
Meg stood up, intending to stretch her legs for a moment. She felt off balance almost immediately, and staggered to the side. A memory triggered in the back of her brain, and a sick feeling hit the pit of her stomach.
No. It can't be.
She seized hold of a table that was nailed to the ground, and made her way over to one of the portholes. When she looked outside, she saw nothing but a wide expanse of shining, azure sea.
"God, no," she gasped, suddenly feeling dizzy.
A cheerful voice spoke up from the doorway, increasing her sense of disorientation. "No worries. You'll get used to it after a time."
Meg slowly turned to see a tanned young man with dark, shoulder-length hair. He gave her an affable smile. "John Silver. I'm the cook, and a very good one, I must say."
"Margaret Davies," she murmured, and took in a deep breath. "Am I to understand that we set sail some time ago?"
"It would appear so." His brilliant blue eyes flicked to Billy, then settled on her with obvious curiosity. "You are acquainted with Mr. Bones?"
"I am acquainted with Billy Manderley," she replied evenly, settling next to her patient once again.
"Manderley?" He raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like the name of a country estate. Hardly a name for a pirate."
Meg stared down at Billy. In her mind, she could see him tossing his younger siblings in the air, catching them as they squealed with laughter. A lump formed in her throat, and she closed her eyes for an instant."Perhaps because he wasn't meant to be one."
Billy shifted, and mumbled incoherently. Meg traced the strong line of his jaw with her gentle fingers, and he stilled under her touch.
"Were any of us?" Silver murmured.
She glanced up, surprised by the pensive look on his face.
The man seemed to sense that her attention had turned to him, and gave her a bright smile once again. "Right. I have been charged with escort you and your patient to the the quarters the Captain has assigned to you-at least until Billy recovers. Then he'll be back with the crew."
"Quarters?" Meg echoed. She laughed, and gave him an incredulous look. "I'm not staying. How can I? I have responsibilities-work-a life back in Nassau. I will care for Billy, of course, until he's out of danger, but surely the Captain has just move the ship out of the harbor? A little farther down the coast, perhaps, given the events of last night?"
"I don't quite know how to tell you this," murmured Silver, shifting uncomfortably. "But the fact is, the Walrus on the hunt. We won't be returning to Nassau anytime soon."
xxx
Meg paced the length of the small cabin, becoming more agitated by the minute. A groan came from the bed, and her gaze fell on Billy. The sun filtered through the small porthole, illuminating his pallid skin. His breathing was shallow, and a bit too rapid for her liking. His head tossed restlessly on the pillow, and he began to mumble to himself. With a pang of guilt, she sat down on the stool by the bed, taking his hand in hers.
I need to focus on him, and stop feeling sorry for myself.
"You're going to be just fine," she murmured, smoothing his closely cropped hair with her hand. "I'm staying right here until you are well enough to tire of my constant prattling. I can't help it, though. I talk when I'm nervous-always have. About everything and everyone. Perhaps I should tell you some of what happened after you left. The good things, I mean. Because not all of it was good...in fact, some of it was very bad. That's how I ended up in Nassau. But that can wait for another time. I'll start by telling you about John. You'll never guess what your little brother is up to now."
As she talked, his breathing became more regular, and he seemed to relax. Meg warmed to the task, telling him about his sister's marriage, and the twin boys she had given birth to a year later. One had been named William, but all anyone ever called him was Billy. The little boy, along with George, his twin, had become the terror-and delight- of the household from the moment he had begun to toddle more than a few steps.
"You'd love them," she said softly. "You were always so good with children. So patient-and you always knew how to make them smile." Looking at the tall, lean man stretched out on the bed in front of her, his muscles hardened from hours of toil, she wondered what he had become in the years since he had left England.
Cut his throat myself.
The words flashed into her mind, and she fought back the tears. This is not him. This is what he has had to do in order to survive. This is what Flint has made him.
A knock came at the door, and Silver entered with a tray of food.
"I thought you might like something to eat." He eyed Billy. "How's your patient?"
"The same."
He set the tray on the floor, then squatted down next to her. "He's strong, you know. He'll be fine."
"I want to talk to Flint," she said, the strength of her voice surprising her.
"I'm not sure that's such a good idea right now."
"I don't care."
His expression darkened. "You should. Anyone who has sense-and some who don't-knows enough to stay away from him when he's in one of his moods."
"So I'm just supposed to accept the fact that I've been taken on a voyage against my will? The sole purpose of which is to terrorize and plunder merchant ships? To steal from people who are just trying to make an honest living?"
Silver met her gaze, and held it. "Don't for a second think that they wouldn't do the same to us, given half the chance. At least our crew is here by choice, and no issue, except in the heat of battle, is decided without being put to a vote."
"So you trust your Captain?" she flared.
Silver's eyes narrowed, and he stood up. "I am loyal to him because I swore an oath to do so."
Going to the door, he paused, then spoke in a lower tone. "But do I trust him? That, Miss Davies, is an entirely different question."
As the door closed, Billy coughed."Water," he rasped, his voice barely audible. "So thirsty."
Tears sprang to Meg's eyes, and she smiled. "As it just so happens, I have a cup waiting for you right here." She sat on the edge of the bed, and slipped a hand behind his neck. "Here, let me help you."
She had expected him to resist, but he allowed her to lift him up slightly. She pressed the cup to his lips, and he drank just a bit, then turned his head away. Meg eased him back on the pillow, and he began to push away the blankets that covered him.
"So hot." His eyes were still closed, but his voice became pleading. "And the pain-it burns. Make him stop. Make him see it's just not right. I won't do it!"
"Billy, I think your mind is playing tricks on you." She placed a hand on his chest, trying to calm him. "You've been injured, and-"
"I won't do it," he repeated, his voice roughening as he pushed her away. "I won't fucking do it! He can't make me!" He winced, his hand hovering over the bandage on his leg before it fell to the mattress. "Never again," he whispered.
Meg swallowed, and watched him lapse back into a deep sleep. After several minutes, she began to pace the room again. The small cabin seemed to be closing in on her, and she suddenly felt as if she had to get outside, or she wouldn't be able to breathe. Just for a moment...just long enough to recover her composure. Stepping outside, she closed the door with a soft click, and leaned her forehead against it.
"Miss Davies. A moment, please."
She turned to see Flint striding towards her, and instantly averted her gaze. "Captain. If you'll excuse me, I was just about to check on Billy." As her hand reached for the latch, Flint seized it, twisting her arm behind her back.
"You just came out of the cabin," he observed, his voice low and menacing. "Surely his condition has not changed that quickly. Unless, of course, you are not much of a nursemaid...or you are not who you say you are."
Next time...Meg finds herself under suspicion, while Billy's condition continues to worsen.
Many thanks to those of you who are following along...if you have a moment, let me know what you think!