Pirates and Prejudice (8 page)

“Do you think
that we can go down to the shore? I would love to walk along the beach.”

“Most
definitely!” Melanie said. “We shall do that tomorrow!”

David spread out
the blanket and set out the food that had been packed for them. He invited the
ladies to sit down first, and then he sat down at Elizabeth’s left.

After they had
finished eating, Melanie looked at Elizabeth. “Do you see why I love it here so
much?” she asked. “And wait until we go up to Star Castle! The view from there
is even more spectacular!  I do not think I could ever live anywhere
else!”

Elizabeth let
out an appreciative sigh. “Oh, it is wonderful.”

“The weather is
milder in the winter, although we do get some pretty strong gales. The summers
are warm, but the air is so clear! Whenever we go across the Channel to London,
it always seems so stifling!”

David looked
down and began picking at the grass. “That is so true! Melanie even gets
restless when her family visits our estate. Even the country with its clean air
and open spaces do not suit her.”

He shot Melanie
a look that did not escape Elizabeth’s notice. She wondered if this was the
reason Melanie would not return his affections. She did not want to live
anywhere but here. 

When they were
walking down the hill, they encountered Mr. Bennet about halfway down. He was
sitting on a bench reading.

“Papa! You have
found a most pleasing spot to read!” Elizabeth turned to look out at the sea.
“Lovely view, is it not?”

Mr. Bennet
closed his book and looked out. “Yes, it is, and now I wish even more that we
had come here before. I think your mother would have enjoyed it when she was
younger.”

Elizabeth looked
at him in surprise. “Truly?”

“Well, she would
probably not have ventured out on a walk up here, but I daresay she would have
enjoyed the weather and a little sea bathing. You know how she always talks
about that!”

Elizabeth
laughed and kissed him on the cheek. “I believe you are correct, Papa.”

*~*~*

The following
morning, when Elizabeth woke up, she gave Melanie a gentle shake to awaken her,
and the two met David just before sunrise. They ascended the hill in silence.
Melanie walked slower than her cousins and bade them go on ahead, assuring them
she would catch up with them at the lookout. Elizabeth knew she was probably
tired, but wondered if part of it was to allow Elizabeth some time alone with
David. As they walked ahead, he did not offer his arm to Elizabeth, but he did
take hers a few times to help her up small inclines.

When they
reached the lookout, the first fragments of light and colour were beginning to
fill the skies. Elizabeth sat down on the bench, and David sat beside her. They
both looked down the trail and could see Melanie slowly making her way up.

 “I was
actually surprised you were able to wake Melanie this morning. She and I came
up here once to see the sunrise.” He let out a laugh. “It was in the autumn so
it was not nearly as early as it is now!”

Elizabeth
laughed softly. “It took me several attempts to waken her. I fear she does not
like the mornings.”

“No. That is the
only thing about us that is different. Except, of course, where we live.”

“You care for
her deeply; I can tell.”

David nodded.
“Since I was very young.” He glanced towards Melanie as she drew a little
closer. “But she has made up her mind.” He clasped his hands together and
turned back at Elizabeth with a pointed look. “I think I have finally realized
we shall always be just friends.”

He called out to
Melanie, “You have almost made it! Come! The show is about to begin!”

*~*~*

Elizabeth and her
father enjoyed touring the island the next few days. They began by going down
to the beach, where Elizabeth bravely removed her shoes and stockings and ran
along the shore in her bare feet.

The following
day Mr. Bennet wished to visit some of the historical sites. They walked across
the ruins of Star Castle, which was built in 1593 during the reign of Queen
Elizabeth. They also went to Harry's Walls, the remains of an unfinished
artillery castle begun in 1551. It was left unfinished because the site was
eventually found to be unsuitable.

Two days before
Elizabeth and her father were to leave, Melanie, David, and his mother, Jenny,
joined Elizabeth as they visited Hugh Town. This was the main town and port on
St. Mary’s which all ships sail in and out of. Now that she was at her leisure,
she was able to take pleasure in the amenities of the small town. They walked
along the winding streets lined with stone houses, pausing to shop at beckoning
stores, and then stopping at an inn near the dock for tea and cake.

At one point in
the outing, Elizabeth found herself alone with David’s mother. She came
alongside Elizabeth and took her arm.

“I hope you know
how much David is enjoying getting to know another cousin,” she said. “He and
Melanie have always had a special bond, but she has made it clear to him that
she only views him as a friend.”

“Yes,” Elizabeth
said. “She informed me of that.”

Jenny patted
Elizabeth’s hand. “I can see that you are a lot like Melanie, and David is
enjoying your company. I hope that our paths will cross again soon. Perhaps you
would consider visiting our estate in Staffordshire? We have wonderful forests
and lakes around us. Melanie was never able to truly appreciate it, and I think
that has affected how she feels about David.” Jenny let out a sigh. “I know
that he cares for her deeply, but she claims her heart belongs to another. I
think he is finally ready for another lady to take hold of his heart, but I
would not wish for him to be hurt again.”

At those words,
Elizabeth’s heart began to pound. Her mouth suddenly felt dry, and no words
would come. After a few moments she was finally able to mutter, “I would… I
would welcome his attentions if he so desired it.”

Jenny smiled.
“That would make me so happy!”

They walked a
little farther and found David eyeing a sign that had been posted in the window
of one of the small shops.

“Now, you ladies
have no need to fear, for I shall protect you with my life!”

Elizabeth
laughed and asked, “From what?”

He pointed to
the sign. “From pirates!”

Elizabeth leaned
in to read the sign.
Ships have been sighted in the vicinity of the Isles of
Scilly engaging in the illegal act of piracy. Whoever can provide information
leading to the capture of these ships or the crew will receive a reward of £500
.

She shuddered.
“The reward would certainly be most welcome, but I think I shall pass on the
opportunity of encountering – let alone capturing – a pirate!”

“You must leave
this sort of gallantry to me, then!” David pushed his chest out proudly in a
display of bravado.

Melanie gave
David a friendly push. “I have lived here all my life and have yet to see even
one
pirate!” Laughingly, she turned to Elizabeth. “We see these signs all the time.
While we hear occasionally that there
are
pirates, they do not come to
the big islands, but hide out in the rocks and caves of the smaller uninhabited
ones.” She directed a wink at Elizabeth. “But if David wishes to be gallant, we
shall not dissuade him.”

Later that day,
Elizabeth and David were enjoying a stroll in the garden. He extended his arm,
and Elizabeth slipped her fingers around it.

“Elizabeth, I
cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed getting to know you, and it grieves me
to think that you and your father will be leaving in just two days.” He looked
up to the sky and let out a puff of air. “Would you mind terribly if I were to
go to London with you on the ship? I need to return to the estate shortly.” He
turned and took Elizabeth’s hands in his. “If I may be so bold to say, I should
very much like to further our acquaintance.”

“Oh!” Elizabeth
said, biting her lip. “I am flattered.” Her heart began to pound, and her
cheeks flooded with warmth. Looking straight ahead, she said, “If it is
acceptable to my father, I should enjoy it very much!”

“I will speak with
him immediately upon our return, and if he is agreeable to it, we shall see if
arrangements can be made to accommodate me on the ship.”

Later that
evening, David approached Elizabeth with a broad smile on his face. “Your
father has agreed! As long as passage can be obtained, I will be sailing back
to London with the two of you!”

Chapter 8

Darcy was a natural leader, having the ability to
inspire loyalty among his crew which readily earned him their good opinion. He
gave orders to the men in a quiet, yet commanding voice that brooked no
opposition, but still treated them with the utmost respect, prompting them to
obey willingly. Darcy was surprised to discover that he enjoyed this role and
almost wished they could take the ship out to sea. He realized, however, that
it might prove too risky.

As first mate,
Lindel knew precisely what needed to be done in regards to the ship, but he
tended to be harsher with the crew when Darcy relinquished control of the men
to him. Not surprisingly, the men did not hold him in as high esteem as they
did their captain.

Darcy watched
him closely not only to learn the ship’s routines, but also to patch up the
many grievances his first mate instigated from within the ranks of the men.

By the end of the
fifth day, six more men came by, bringing the total to twenty crewmen. But
still there was no sign of Lockerly.

Early in the
morning of the sixth day, Foster returned. He gathered Darcy, Evans, and Lindel
in the captain’s quarters and gave them some discouraging news. In the privacy
of the room, the men dropped their accents. “I have come upon information that
Lockerly is not anywhere near here but is across the Channel on the Isles of
Scilly.”

“The Isles of
Scilly?” Darcy asked.

“Do you know of
it?” Foster asked.

“Yes, but only
slightly. I have read a little about it and have seen it on the maps of
England.”

“It is known to
be a haven for pirates and smugglers who often hide out in its rocks and caves,
is it not?” Lindel asked.

Foster nodded
his head slowly. “A perfect place to hide out.” He turned to Darcy. With a
slight laugh he asked, “You would not want to go on a real adventure and set
sail, would you?”

“To Scilly?
Certainly not. If you wish to proceed there on your own, you have my utmost
wish for success, but
I
shall not accompany you!”

Foster let out a
long sigh. “I cannot change your mind?”

Darcy shook his
head.

“I did not think
so.” Foster put out his hand to Darcy. “I appreciate all you have done, Darcy.
Enjoy your last night as Pirate Lockerly. I know the men have a great deal of
respect for you.”

“I am sorry it
did not turn out as you wished.”

Foster nodded.
“As am I.” He clasped his hands together and returned to his common way of
speaking. “Well, I came only to briefly check on things an’ see if ye might
reconsider stayin’ with us a wee bit longer. I need to see if I ken pinpoint
exactly where Lockerly is holdin’ up. I’ll come back ’ere in a day or two.
Darcy, I imagine you’ll be gone when I return, so let me say again, I thank ye
for bein’ willin’ to humour me an’ me scheme.”

“And I am
grateful to you, Foster, for believing in me when I was in that cell.”

“Aye. Once ye
are gone, we’ll tell the men what we ’ad ’oped to accomplish. There’s no need
for ye to do that, and I’ll pay the men their wages.”

“I hope the men
prove useful to you. They are all fine men and lack only some good direction.”

“Which you have
provided well, Darcy.” Foster smiled. “But take care to watch yer tongue fer
the rest o’ the day. Ye still ’ave a bit more time left.”

Darcy chuckled.
“Aye! I will!”

The men talked a
bit more, and then Foster left.

Later that day,
Darcy, Evans, and Lindel watched as a man slowly approached them. His sandy
blond hair brushed his shoulders, and he had a beard just as long. He was
taller and broader than Darcy, and his steely blue eyes peered out from a
grimy, weather-beaten face. He appeared to be in his forties.

Darcy kept a
cautious eye on him as he drew closer.

“Needin’ some
help?” Darcy asked.

The man dropped
the knapsack that he had been carrying. “You Lockerly?”

Darcy tilted his
head as he addressed the man. “Who’s askin’?”

“Name is George
Bellows. Heard Lockerly is hirin’ a new crew for ’is ship. I should like to be
considered.”

Darcy did not
like the looks of the man. He had a bad feeling about him. “Won’t be needin’
ya. We ’ave all we need,” he replied.

Bellows looked
out over the crew and let out a laugh. “From the looks of things, ye only ’ave
a bunch of scrawny kids. None of ’em would fare well if they was in a skirmish.
A trio of old ladies would ’ave no problem bringin’ ’em to their knees.” His
eyes shifted to look at Darcy. “Ye need someone like me.”

“Do ye ’ave any
sailin’ experience?” Lindel asked.

Bellows nodded.
“I ’ave worked on a merchant ship fer a few years.”

“Why are ye no
longer wi’ them?” Darcy asked.

Bellows laughed
and slowly turned his face to Darcy. “Me an’ the cap’n didn’t quite see things
eye to eye. Me thinks this arrangement would suit me much better.”

Darcy shook his
head. “No, we…”

Evans put up his
hand, halting Darcy’s speech.

“Me name is
Ellis, an’ this here is Lansing. As Lockerly says, we do ’ave a full crew, but
if he does not mind, ken I ask ye a question?”

“Go ahead.”

“Ever sail to
the Isles of Scilly?”

“One of our
regular shipments was to St. Mary’s. Did it ’bout every other month fer a few
years.”

Evans and Lindel
looked at each other and then to Darcy, who just realized what they were
thinking. If Foster wanted to take the ship to the Isles of Scilly to search
for the real Lockerly, it would help to have someone on board who had sailed
there before.

Darcy sat with
his hand rubbing his chin and then suddenly said, “Ye’ll do, Bellows. Lansing
will show ye to yer quarters.”

As Lansing took
the man to the ship, Darcy turned to Evans. “I don’t like ’em, but I knew what
ye were thinkin’. I’ll be leavin’ tomorrow, and you, Lindel, and Foster can
deal with ’im if he causes trouble. I shall be long gone.”

*~*~*

That evening
Darcy allowed the men time off from their duties. The young Michael Jenkins pulled
out his flute and entertained the men with lively songs. Occasionally, they
would dance a reel with each other or sing out a favourite song by the light of
a fire. Darcy merely sat and watched. He had grown to care for these men and
hoped that each of them would benefit – even if in only some small way – from
this week spent with him. He hoped that if they did set sail to go after
Lockerly, they all would be kept safe. But most of all, he hoped that their
thirst for a pirate’s adventure would not lead them down a criminal or violent
path.

The men did not
seem to grow tired of their festivities, but soon Darcy excused himself for the
night. He debated whether he should just quietly disappear in the morning or
announce to the men that he was leaving when they gathered for their morning
duties. He determined he would decide in the morning.

He read a little
before going to bed. The music, muted though it was, and the soft rolling of
the ship in the water, wrought an ethereal peace that pervaded Darcy’s soul. He
had done a good thing, even though it had been to no avail. But he felt he had
had an even greater triumph in ridding his thoughts – and hopefully his heart –
of Miss Elizabeth Bennet, at least for a greater part of the past week.

Darcy drifted
into a sound sleep as the music played. It was only in the early hours of the
morning that he awakened with a start. The boat was swaying rather forcefully.
Powerful waves were splashing against the hull. As he scrambled out of bed, the
ship rose suddenly and then crashed back down, flinging him to the floor. The
ship seemed to shake down to its keel. He knew immediately they were no longer
docked, but were out at sea!

Darcy grabbed
his oilskin coat. He struggled to put it on as the ship leaned from one side to
the other. He grasped the bedpost to keep from being hurled down again. When
the ship settled, he cautiously reached for the door and opened it, not
bothering to light a lantern. He felt his way in the dark up the hold to the
deck.

Darcy felt the
sting of rain and sea water against his face. Between booms of thunder, he
could hear Bellows barking orders to the crew. He tightly gripped the top of
the stairway as another wave rocked the ship. When it settled, he made his way
up the quarterdeck.

“Bellows! Why are
we no longer docked? Where are Ellis and Lansing? What is going on?” Despite
shouting at the top of his lungs, the wind practically swallowed up his words.

Bellows did not
answer, but called out to the crew. “Be quick! Furl the main sails or they’ll
be ripped to shreds! Batten down those hatches!” He finally turned to Darcy.
“Got rid of ’em!”

“You did what?”
Darcy asked, his face contorting in a mixture of rage against Bellows and fear
for his friends. His hand gripped the hilt of his sword. “I demand to know what
has become of them and order you to turn this ship around!”

Bellows wiped
the spray of saltwater that splashed over his face. “Ye’ll thank me when I tell
ye what ’as ’appened!” He glared at Darcy defiantly. “Ellis and Lansing – they
wasn’t who they said they was. They was workin’ with Edward Foster – the man ye
know as Forrest – who works wi’ the Thames River Police. I dun’t know what they
was doin’ or plannin’ ta do, but I done took care of ’em an’ figured we best
escape while we could.”

“What did you do
with them?” Darcy demanded, enunciating his words very pointedly. He gripped
the railing of the quarterdeck when the ship rose and then made a sharp drop.

“Oh, no need to
worry. They’ll be found soon enough. Just wanted to get ’em outta the way until
we were out at sea. I didn’t want ta waken ye, Cap’n. I told the men ye had
given me the order to set sail. They was more than happy to finally put her to
the water!”

Darcy felt a
sense of relief that the two men were not harmed, but his anger burned towards
Bellows. He had known from the start the man could not be trusted.

“You should have
consulted with me before doing anything of the kind!” Darcy said. He inhaled
sharply and fisted his hands in frustration. He knew that due to the critical
turn of their situation, he had neglected to speak as the lowly pirate Bellows
believed him to be. “You… ye was completely out of line!” The ship leaned
deeply to one side and then the other, throwing both men off balance for a
moment. When they were steady on their feet again, Darcy asked, “Where are we?”

Bellows looked
up to the sky. “Can’t say fer sure!” he shouted over the noise of the wind.
“Didn’t quite expect the storm. We is pretty much at its mercy.” His hands held
tightly onto the helm, attempting to keep the ship moving straight ahead.
“Judgin’ by the winds, we may just end up close to the Isles of Scilly.”

Darcy lowered
his brows and whispered softly, “The Isles of Scilly…”

Bellows extended
his hand. “Do ye want to take the helm?”

Darcy shook his head.
“No! Continue on, but we’ll talk ’bout this once we are out of harm’s way!”

As the sea
continued to churn, and the storm prevented them from any sort of effective
navigation, Darcy did his best to ensure that his crew and vessel were kept
safe. Throughout the night, Bellows proved his proficiency acting as first
mate, save, of course, for following through on his duty to consult first with
the captain!

Darcy remained
on deck, knowing he would not rest easy until the first light of dawn made an
appearance… and he knew it could not come too soon for his peace of mind.

*~*~*

It was early in
the morning when Elizabeth, Mr. Bennet, and David Adams said their goodbyes to
family and set out to board the ship for their return voyage to London.

Mr. Bennet’s sister
had repeatedly expressed her gratefulness to him and Elizabeth for making the
journey to see her. While each day she had grown weary early in the afternoon,
there had been no noticeable decline in the week they had been there, for which
they
had been grateful. They left her with the hope and prayer that she
would find strength to face each day for many years to come.

Mr. Clower and
Melanie joined them for the carriage ride down to the harbour. Melanie and
Elizabeth talked as they held each other’s hands tightly. They recounted the
events of the past week, how much they had enjoyed each other’s company, and
occasionally laughed at something David had done. He watched in silence, a
twinkle in his eyes and a slight tug at his lips being the only indications
that he was listening.

The two older
gentlemen spoke very little. Elizabeth could see that her father struggled to
keep his composure, knowing this was likely the last time he would see his
sister.

When they
arrived at the harbour, they said their goodbyes, giving hugs all around.
Elizabeth watched David as he took Melanie’s hand, bringing it up and giving it
a slight kiss. He leaned in and whispered something softly to her. Elizabeth
could not hear what he said, but watched as Melanie smiled sweetly.