EL LOBO DEL MAR

[Welsh Wench]

"So why did Madame Renee want me to get new clothes?"
Phillip shifted a bundle from one arm to the other. Cade helped him before it dropped to the ground.
"I guess she, being a woman, wanted a presentable boarder."
"But what is wrong with these clothes?"
Cade looked at Phillip. "Nothing really. They are just a bit...crusty, that's all."
"These clothes aren't too much of dandy clothes, are they?"
Cade laughed. "No...trust me, lad. You can't go wrong with silk shirts for dress. On board the ship, muslin will do. Dries faster."

The captain looked at him and ruffled his hair.
"A haircut may not be a bad idea. In fact, you seem to be sprouting a bit of hair on your chin. Let's go see a barber and tidy you up some. Renee will be pleased."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Madame, what ARE you up to?"
Renee hummed as she gathered the sheets off the bed.
"Just changing the linens...why?"
"Well, you usually have the housekeeper do that."
Angelique leaned against the doorframe.
"Are you planning on moving Mr. Briggs in?"
Renee looked up sharply.
"Where would you get a notion like that?"
Angelique ran her finger down the doorjamb absentmindedly.
"Oh.....just a thought."
Renee tried to stifle her smile.
"Well, get that thought out of your head, Angelique. I'm taking in a young lad for a bit. He's going through a rough time."
"Really! And who is he? How old is he? Is he handsome?"
Renee laid the coverlet on the bed.
"He's a lad who needs a helping hand. Cade Jennings--get that moony look off your face!--took him on and I have agreed to let him stay for a few days. And yes, he is handsome. But he is only about fifteen."
Angelique shrugged. "A little youth might be nice for a change, oui?"
"Non! You are to keep your little French mitts off this one, understand?"
Angelique pouted. "Mais oui. Je comprends."
Renee squeezed Angelique's hand. "Thank you! You will understand, that I can promise you! Now...to see about a picnic supper!"

Renee went down to the kitchen.
"Hermione, I would like you to fix a special supper for me and Monsieur Briggs. Can you make the chicken croquettes you are famous for?"
Hermione looked down over her spectacles.
"I have not seen you this enthused about a man since Captain Wolfe was here in October."
Renee popped a strawberry in her mouth. "Well, Captain Wolfe has reconciled with his wife."
"Non! Tres bien!"
"What do you mean?"
Hermione turned to take biscuits out of the oven. "Oh...he was down here one morning. We were talking over coffee. Just before he set sail the last time. Gaston and I were wondering why he didn't show up again until the other day when he was waiting for you in the study. He told me back then how he was going to tear the Caribbean apart till he found her."
"Well, he did."
"And we are pleased he did not exact revenge on her like he swore he would."
Renee laughed. "Far from it."
The cook nodded. "Gaston said, 'A man with that much hatred for a woman surely loves her.' And I agree."
"I am pleased to report he is as happy as can be. The current Mrs Wolfe is young and charming and the little one is definitely his child."
"And Monsieur Briggs is coming to call?"
"You could say that. I have a favor to ask. When Cade Jennings comes by with a young man, please feed them supper and keep them here until I come for them. It's for a good reason."
Hermione shrugged. "Eh bien! I shall double my chicken croquette recipe then."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hello, Gaston! Madame Renee is expecting me."
"Eight o'clock right on the dot, Monsieur Briggs! Madame Renee is in the garden. You know the way?"
Josiah nodded. "Yes, I do." In his hands was a small box. "I do hope she likes light chocolates. Jack said...."
He cut himself off in mid-sentence. Time to stop standing in Mad Jack's shadow and come into his own.

Josiah entered the garden. Renee was sitting at a table that had a wonderful dinner laid out.
"I hope you brought your appetite, Josiah."
Renee sat there with her hair tied back in a white ribbon and cascading down to her shoulders. She wore a light green voile dress and she was barefoot.
He handed her the box.
"I--I hope this is what you like."
She opened it and a broad smile graced her face. "Oh..I love chocolates!"
"They are from Switzerland, Renee, and----"
She held up her finger. "Where are we, Josie?"
"In your garden and---"
She arched her eyebrow and he said, "Pip!"
Renee laughed and motioned for Josiah to sit down.  She took the silver cover off the serving bowl and closed her eyes, taking a deep whiff.
"Mmm...Hermione makes the best croquettes! And we have a special surprise later."
"Strawberry parfait?"
Renee grinned. "But of course. Claret, Josiah?"
"Don't mind if I do....Pip!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Do I look alright?"
Phillip stood there in the lamplight by the door as Cade knocked his special knock.
"You look dashing, kid. The new clothes suit you."
Phillip brushed his hair back and straightened the collar of his shirt.
Gaston opened the door.
"Ah, Captain Jennings! And the young man. Madame is indisposed at the moment but she wants me to tell you that Hermione has a supper for you in the kitchen. She will be down in a while."

Cade and Phillip headed towards the kitchen.
"Hermione! It seems like only this morning that I had your glorious cooking!"
Hermione blushed and bustled about. "Go on with you, Cade Jennings!"
He laughed. "Sit down, lad, and help yourself to the best croquettes this side of heaven."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gaston entered the garden as Josiah and Renee were finishing their meal. As on cue, Gaston cleared his throat.
"Madame, there is a bit of a problem in the kitchen. Nothing major but Hermione burned her finger and we cannot find the salve."
Renee put her napkin down.
"I'll be right there, Gaston."
She turned to Josiah. "Just have another glass of claret, dove. I'll be back in a minute."

She walked down the corridor with Gaston,. "Perfectly played, Gaston! This will be a night to remember."
Gaston smiled broadly. "And thank you for including me in the details.  Monsieur Briggs has always been a gentleman and it does my heart good to know his life will soon be complete!"

Renee entered the kitchen.
"I'm so sorry to be detained. Did you get something to eat?"
Cade and Phillip both lifted up their empty plates and laughed. "Best meal we had in a while, Renee."
Renee said, "I was deadheading some flowers and was a bit grubby. So I had to freshen up. Cade, would you excuse me and Phillip for a minute? Phillip, I want to show you a proper English garden."
Cade nodded. "I owe Hermione something for her biscuits."
Hermione smacked his shoulder and blushed. "Get on with you, Mr. Cade!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Come this way, Phillip. This may be the only authentic English garden in Barbados and I wanted you to see it."
She opened the French doors and Phillip followed behind her.
Inexplicably, Renee felt her eyes welling up with tears.
"Josiah? I have something for you."
She stepped aside and there Phillip stood in the lamplight.
Softly, she said, "Josiah Briggs....I'd like you to meet your son."

Josiah stood up quickly, a quizzical look on his face. A dozen emotions crossed his features starting with incredulous and ending with a look of amazement.
Philip quickly looked to Renee.
"You knew....he was in port and....you arranged this and....."
Renee said in a quiet voice, "You have to land softly, Philip."
Josiah just stared at his son.
Phillip awkwardly took a letter out of his pocket. The letter was smudged and frayed and had been folded and refolded dozens of times. He cleared his throat to speak but the words felt like they were stuck there.
"Sir...Father....sir....I have this letter that I found in Aunt Lydia's things and it was written by you....I found it after she died.....I never knew...I never...knew..."

With that, Josiah held his arms out and Phillip rushed into his arms.
Josiah held on to him for all he was worth. He looked over Phillip's head to Renee and could hardly find his voice.
"You...you knew and arranged...?"
Renee nodded, unable to speak.
Josiah could hardly get the words out. "Thank you, Renee...."

Cade Jennings stood in the doorway, trying to keep his emotions in check.
"Well.....I'll be damned!"

[Welsh Wench]

Renee motioned for Cade to follow her as they left Josiah and Phillip to what was a very emotional moment. They went into Renee's private parlour. "I think they would like a moment to themselves, Cade. Help yourself to a glass of merlot."
"Don't mind if I do, Renee."
He poured a wineglass for himself.
"One for you, Renee?"
"Lord, yes, I can use one!"
She sat down in her chair and let out a big sigh of relief.
"I'm not used to such split-second timing."
"Well, I must say, it worked out. But why didn't you tell me you had Josiah here all along?"
"Because this had to be handled just right. Phillip needed a day to relax and get used to land under his feet and Josiah got to unwind with a good meal and a bottle of wine."

She leaned towards Cade.
"Josiah told me the whole story last night. His love for Ane, his presumed rejection from his son. The man had been carrying this pain around like a cross, Cade. Only no one really knew the depths of it. Not Jack, not Duckie. So when Phillip showed up with you, I knew they both had to land softly."
Cade raised his glass to her.
"Well, you planned it perfectly."
"And how did you come into the company of said young man?"
"The said young man was in the port of Bristol trying to book passage to the Caribbean to search for his father. I knew he was in over his head so I offered to take him there. Then I found out who he was and who he was looking for. Renee, do you believe in divine providence?"
She nodded slowly. "I've seen it happen too often to doubt it. There was a reason Phillip was on that dock at that precise moment you came along, Cade. And you knew right where to bring him."

Cade took a deep drink and looked Renee in the eyes.
"So---you were in love with Jack Wolfe, weren't you?"
Startled, Renee almost dropped her wine glass.
"Where is THIS coming from?"
"Oh...I was just thinking. When Jack was brought here after he had been rescued from Mendoza, I saw you. I watched you."
"...and?"
"And you took charge. You never left his side. And I saw the fear in your eyes that night that Duckie sent for the priest to give Jack last rites."
Renee looked far away.
"It was a night I will never forget. Jack took such a turn. He survived Mendoza's tortures and he made it through the rescue. I was damned if I was going to let him die in one of my beds. But then the fever broke and he was on the mend."
"....so?"
"So...what?"
"You were in love with Jack."
"So what if I was?"
"How did you feel when you found out he was married?"
Renee shook her head and sighed.
"I really wish I knew why you were bringing this up, Cade."
"Am I opening up old wounds, Renee?"
Renee set her glass down and clasped her arms around her knees.
"Alright, so I was---WAS---in love with Jack. As you know, Cade, Jack and I go way back. Back to the days when he was just John Michael Wolfe."
"Yes, but weren't you back with Jack when Honour left him?"
"Cade, haven't you ever heard of 'friends with benefits'?"
"Well, sure--I have lots of friends, some of them even without benefits. So what is your point?"
"When Honour disappeared, Jack was beside himself. Add to that your betrayal--"
she held her hand up as he opened his mouth to speak--"I don't care what you call it, that is what Jack perceived it as. A weaker man would have given up right then and there. But Jack was relentless where his wife was concerned. But El Lobo was inoperable and he stayed with me the better part of two months."

"So why didn't he end up with you? Obviously you have something between the two of you."
"Because he was never in love with me. Not in the sense you think. Aside from that shipwreck of a woman named Rose, Honour is the only woman Jack allowed himself to fall in love with. And he was willing to go to the ends of the earth for her.  Hell, he did. So you would best stay out of his way. And away from her.
"But--"
"No 'buts' about it, Cade. I like you. I like you alot. You are charming and amusing not to mention devastatingly handsome. I don't want to see you on the wrong side of Jack's sword."
"He still holds a grudge over the fact I struck out on my own account?"
"No...over the fact that you slept with his wife. "
"It wasn't a casual thing, I want you to know."
"I know. That is what makes it worse."

She patted Cade's hand. "I met her. And now I understand. She's beautiful and vibrant. And then there is the child."
"Who could be mine."
She shook her head. "No, Cade. She's Jack's daughter. She has his curling chestnut hair."
"My mother did too. What colour are her eyes?"
"Brilliant blue."
"So did Mum."

Renee stared at Cade. Lighting a cigar, he leaned back and smirked, the smoke wreathing his face.
"And that, dear Madame Renee, is one you possibility you never even considered."

[Welsh Wench]

Before Renee could answer, Josiah walked into the parlor, his hand firmly clasped on Phillip's shoulder. How alike those two are, Renee noted. Both had shaggy light brown hair and a strong build.
'Now I know what Josiah looked like at that age,' she thought.
Josiah's eyes were red-rimmed. He had been crying with a dozen emotions running through him. Phillip looked the same but tired.
Renee rose to go over to them.

"Josiah, are you alright?'
He nodded. "More than alright, Renee. Thank you both from the bottom of my heart. And Cade---I am indebted to you for life. Phillip told me how you saved him from the wharf ruffians in Bristol. You took him under your wing when you didn't have to."
Cade cleared his throat, touched by Josiah's heartfelt praise.
"Yes..well---when I found out he was your son, I couldn't very well let him go off on his own now, could I?"

Phillip stepped forward.
"I'll never forget you and all you taught me, Captain Jennings."
Cade laughed. "I think I lost a potentially good powder monkey, didn't I?"
Josiah laughed. "Powder monkey, huh?"
"Well, I intended to make him one but he showed a great aptitude for keeping a captain's log and reading maps. But no mind, I can manage again."
Phillip extended his hand but Cade laughed, "I don't think a handshake is enough, lad."
They clasped each other in a bear hug.
"Keep the wind at your back. Stay light on your feet and never lose track of your surroundings."
Phillips held his finger up. "...and?"
"Always keep your blade sharp."
They both laughed. "I'll remember all that you taught me, Captain."

Renee brushed Phillip's hair out of his eyes.
"And now, young man, I think you should go to bed. You have had a very emotional evening and a good night's sleep is in order. Oh, don't worry. Your father will be here when you wake up in the morning."
Phillip gave Renee a hug. "Thank you."
Josiah looked at his son like he never wanted to let him out of his sight.
She laid a hand on Josiah's arm and said softly, "I think you could use a good night's sleep too, Josiah. I'll show Phillip to his room to make sure he gets to the right one. No sense in embarrassing one of the girls and the lad gets a surprise."
As they walked out the door, from a distance they heard, "So, Phillip...do you like your eggs scrambled like your father?"

Josiah turned to Cade.
"Again, I can't thank you enough, Cade."
Cade poured a brandy.
"One for you too, Josiah? My treat."
"You know Renee never charges us for the brandy.  Lord knows you do enough business here anyways."
Cade took a deep sip, "A diversion."
Josiah took a deep breath. "Cade, they are together again."
"Only for business. To find that damn treasure. She loves me. I know it. We were in Glenlivet before Jack kidnapped her. We were making plans. She was going to get an annulment on the grounds of desertion."
"Desertion, Cade? Who deserted whom? From what I recall, Honour was the one who left Jack. I was with him when he came back from Martinique and found her gone. Not a trace of her, not even a hair ribbon. It was a close to a broken man as Jack would ever get and he vowed he would never stop tearing the Caribbean apart looking for her."
Josiah rubbed his chin. "Of course, he never thought to look in Wales...."
Cade set his glass down.
"Do you know who spirited her away?"
"Not a clue. I think Dark Vexation was in port. So was the Black Rock. She was friends with Bacardi. Also Deadbishop was in port."
"Could have been any one of them."
"No matter. He found her. You'd best let go, Cade. For your own health."
Cade picked up his cavalier hat.
"I'll take that under advisement, Josiah. I'd best get back to the ship.  Tell Angelique I'll catch up with her later."

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

Jack walked over to the bedroom's French doors and quietly opened them, inhaling the sea breeze and looked towards the water. The moon shone down on the still waters, the horizon barely visible.  He turned to lean on the door jamb, glancing back at Honour's sleeping form. He sighed deeply and went out to the balcony. Carefully he took out a pouch of tobacco and tamped it down, then lit it.
He knew how Honour hated the smell of tobacco but nights like this, it seemed only right. After all, HE smoked it.

How different his life turned out than he planned it. A student at Oxford and then in the course of years, a wanted criminal. A PARDONED criminal. Funny how you could never predict what will be.

A soft movement in back of him and a pair of soft arms slipped around his waist.
"I could feel you leave but I was too sleepy to get out of bed. But you know I could never sleep without you next to me anymore. Are you alright?"
He nodded, his eyes never leaving the scene before him.
"I was just....thinking. About how we never know what life will hand us."
Honour laid her cheek against his back.
"Tell me about him."
"About who?"
"About who you brood about when you get like this. Tell me about your father."

Jack chuckled at how well Honour knew him.  "I can't get anything past you, can I?"
"Let's put it this way; you've trained me well for when Zara becomes a teenager."
"I don't even want to think about that.  Not yet."  He drew on the pipe and slowly exhaled the smoke.  "He's the one who got me started smoking this thing, did you know that?"
"He taught you to smoke?  I hope he waited until you were a teenager at least."
"Oh, no.  Nothing like that.  It wasn't until after he died that I started.  It reminds me of him.  Helps me keep him close in a way."
"Would I have liked him?" asked Honour.
"You would have loved him," Jack smiled.  "He was a bear of a man.  Charming and eloquent, with a ready smile and a laugh like rolling thunder.  Always ready to forgive, but he was the last person you wanted to disappoint.  Imposing and gruff to those who didn't know him for the absolute softy he really was.  Though when one of us kids won his ire, the imposing and gruff got very real."
"I take it that happened often with you?"
"Me?  Heavens no.  I was the angelic one, me, if you can believe it.  Thomas, he was the hellion.  Somewhere along the line he and I traded places in that regard.  Father was happy when Thomas joined the Navy.  Said it would give him 'the structure and discipline that was lacking in his nature'.  Still - and he'd deny it as rubbish - Mum and I were certain we saw him mist up a bit when Thomas left to report for duty. For the next month, the only time we'd see him was for meals and bedtime.  He buried himself in work.  That was his way of dealing with anything bothering him."
"Like father, like son," said Honour.
"Oh, I'm much more talkative than he ever was in that regard, love."
"Only because I won't stop pestering you until you tell me.  But back to your father."

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

"Yes, well, his brooding stopped when we got Thomas' first letter home, telling us how much he was enjoying his training and thanking Father for recommending the Navy to him.  Back to his old smiling self, Father was."
"How did he react when you went off to university?"
Jack took another draw on the pipe.  "He seemed proud.  I was doing something he never got the chance to.  But somehow I feel he would have been happier if I'd stayed in apprenticeship with him.  And in many ways it would have made things easier if I had."
"How so?" asked Honour.
"When Father died, all his work had to be parcelled out to other shipwrights.  That meant no money for Mum to live on except whatever savings she had.  I was of no use to come back and take on his work, because I'd have to start all over as an apprentice anyway.  If I'd stayed on with Father, I would have been able to hold on to most if not all his contracts and kept the business going."
"Yes, but would you have been happy doing that?  By going to university, you were following your heart."
"Fat lot of good that did me. As it stands, I ended up about as far away from a professorship as you can get.  Life had other plans for me."

"Yes, life did have other plans for you," said Honour.  "Instead of a professor or a shipwright, you're a respected businessman, a loving husband, and a doting father."
"Ignoring all the messy bits along the way, of course."
"Jack, does it honestly matter now?  What's really bothering you?"
He went to take another draw on the pipe, but the embers had gone out.  He reached for the matches when Honour snatched them up.
"Stop hiding behind that pipe, please.  Tell me what's wrong."
Jack looked at his pipe, then put it down on a small table just outside the door.  "Honour, I'm the luckiest man in the world to have you and Zara as my own.  We have a beautiful home on an island that's as close to paradise as I can imagine.  But then I can't help but think of how I got here.  The things I did in the interest of amassing wealth.  And yeah, to gain a measure of fame.  And I wonder: if my Father knew how I'd lived my life before this, would he be able to forgive me?"

Honour looked her husband in the eyes and took him by the hands.  "Jack, one of the first things you told me about your father was how ready he always was to forgive.  So yes, I believe he would have forgiven you.  Just as your brother forgave you, and Lord Cromwell himself forgave you.  Then it begs the question..."
"Which is?"
"When are you going to forgive yourself?"
Jack's face coloured in embarrassment.  "Mrs. Wolfe, you are raining on my pity party."
"Damned right I am," she said sternly.  "You are a wonderful husband and father, Jack.  And our life together from this point forward is far more important than what lies behind us.  We cannot change the past, but we can make the best future we possibly can.  For us and for Zara."
Jack drew Honour close and hugged her.  "Once again, you know just what to say to get me back on the right course.  You're better than any compass, my love."
"I'm glad what I said helped," she said cheerily.  "Because I was a hair's breadth from giving you a swift kick in the pants."
"I'll take silky words over shiny boots any day!" laughed Jack.
"I'll keep my boots shined just in case.  Now then," she kissed him, then stepped back into the bedroom.  "Come to bed.  It's late and I think we could both use a good night's rest."
"I'll be right in," replied Jack. 

He watched Honour go behind her dressing screen before turning to retrieve his pipe. 
A peaceful smile came over his face as he tapped the ashes and unburned tobacco from the pipe's bowl.  The scent of the sea came to him on a gentle tropical breeze.  He drank it in, and let it go with a sigh, feeling the last of his doubts and apprehension go with it.  Slipping the pipe into his pocket, he stepped back inside.

[Welsh Wench]

St Lawrence, Barbados

The sun glinted off the golden bird on the bow of the ship, its wings spreading upwards to the sky. The captain stood on the quarterdeck, his eyes never leaving the approaching port. Quietly, the quartermaster came up to him.
"We shall be in port in the next hour."
He snapped the spyglass closed and said tersely, 'Good. I have unfinished business there."

The ship ported on time just as the quartermaster had said. The captain rubbed his hands, the twisted fingers swollen. Every day, the stiffness and numbness were a reminder of a night he would never forget. And swore to make that doxy pay.

"Captain, all the men are ashore save for the watch. You want some company?"
He shook his head and sheathed his sword, picking up his hat.
"No. I'll be fine. Just need to pay a visit to a woman I won't soon forget."

The quartermaster watched him go down the gangplank.
"Where's Captain up to?" the helmsman asked.
The quartermaster shrugged, "Guess he has a woman in this port. Didn't look too happy though."
"Maybe he's giving her the heave ho!"
The men laughed and went about their business.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The tavern door swung open and the captain strode in.  Amos looked up from pouring ale.
"Well, I'll be damned!" he muttered.
Kate came up to the bar with her tray and put the tankards on them.
"I swear, this town is overrun with pirates. Pretty soon we will rival Port Royal and...what?"
Amos discreetly pointed over to the captain who stood there scanning the crowd.
"Look."
Kate drew a sudden intake of breath.
"Oh, Lord have mercy! It's Captain Jonas Corwin!"
"You want to handle this one, Kate?"
She narrowed her eyes. "I surely do. He almost killed my best friend."
As she walked over to the table Corwin took, Amos said under his breath, "Go get him, cobra!"

Kate put on her best smile. "Something I can get for you, sir?"
"An ale...for starters."
"Be back in a few minutes."
She walked back to Amos. "He's still looking around."
"And you remember the story you were going to give?"
She winked. "I surely do. By the time I get done, Jonas Corwin will be looking to the Spanish Main for his little assassin!"

Kate put the ale in front of Jonas Corwin. His eyes were still darting around the room. She took a good look at him and could see why Honour had taken him up to her room. A handsome man but there was something....something about him....a look of sheer animal magnetism that masked what lay beneath.  Must tread carefully, she thought.
"Can I get you anything else?
"Yes. Information."
'Oh, here it comes...' Kate thought.
She leaned forward, affording him a good look at her cleaveage.
"And what would that be?"
He motioned for her to sit down.
"I'm sorry. I can't. I have tables waiting."
He slid a gold coin across the table.
Se sat down. "What do you want to know?"

"I'm looking for a woman."
She slid the coin back.
"I'm not that kind of woman."
He slid it back to her.
"A specific woman."
She slid it back.
"Brunette, blonde or redhead. Doesn't matter. Amos doesn't run that kind of a place. Might I suggest the Red Parrot over by---"
He slammed his fist down on the table, making the ale tankards jump.
"Shut up a damn minute! I'm looking for a wench who used to wait tables here about two years ago."
"And does this wench have a name?"
As if I didn't know, Kate thought.

"Honour was her name. Never caught the last name. Petite blonde with a nice rack.  Blue eyes, and a sharp tongue. Heart shaped freckle on her left hip."
He rubbed his hand. "And a skewed idea of practical jokes."
Kate pretended to think.
"Honour....Honour..."
Corwin leaned towards her.
"Can't be too hard to remember. Not a name like Betsy or Sally."

Kate treaded carefully. She remembered what had happened to Honour when she was foolish enough to let Corwin into her room.
And into her bed.

She snapped her fingers.
"I remember her! She just came here from Scotland. Only stayed a few months. Think this was around...oh...."
"April. April two years ago."
"Really? Was it that long ago? I wasn't here around that time. My mother was ill and I had to take care of her. She had a----"
"I don't care WHAT your mother had. What I want to know is where this Honour person went."
"She was gone by the time I got back. Think that was in June because my mother had a----oh, that's right. You don't want to hear about it."
"That's right. You catch on quick."
"Well, if you want to know what happened to her, you need to slide two of those gold coins in this direction."
"As long as you throw another ale in."
"Be right back."

She walked over to Amos.
"Another ale for Captain Charming over there."
Amos drew it up. "How is it going?"
"Well, he has a mind that is meticulous for dates. But I think I can get rid of him once and for all."

"Here's your ale."
Corwin slid the coins to her and Kate pocketed them.
"She left. When I got back, she had met a Spaniard and within a week, she left. Didn't give Amos any notice either. Was he ever pissed off about that!"
"So where is she?"
"How should I know?"

Corwin slid one more coin towards Kate.
She motioned him closer. "She left a note that she was going to Cadiz."
"Cadiz? To do what?"
"To raise Andalusian horses with her new husband."
"This husband have a name?"
Kate nodded. "Esteban de Camacho. Also plays the flamenco guitar."

Corwin downed his ale.
"Thanks for the information. I guess it is useless looking for her."
"Hey, anytime. Next time you come in here, the ale is on me."
He bowed and tipped his hat to her.
"You've been charming company, Miss....?"
"Sally."
"Miss Sally. Have a good day."

She walked over to Amos.
"Well?"
Kate winked. "Piece of cake. He bought the story hook, line and sinker!"

Corwin walked outside,  meeting up with his quartermaster.
"Any luck in finding the woman you were looking for?"
"No. Tavern wench told me she married a Spaniard and moved to Cadiz."
"Oh, well, in that case----"
"She's lying."
"Excuse me?"
"She's lying. The wench never married and went to Spain. It was well known she never took up with Spaniards."
"But I don't  understand---"
"Her friend is covering for her. She was forthcoming with too many details for it to be true. But no mind. I'll find her. And when I do..."
"What do you intend to do?"
"Gift wrap her, tie a big bow around her and make a gift of her to the crew."
The quartermaster grinned. "Well...Merry Christmas to you too, Captain!"

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

Phillip Briggs plodded down the back stairs toward the kitchen, sleepily wiping his eyes.  The smell of eggs and biscuits had teased him out of his sleep.  As he wandered into the kitchen, he found Renee making tea.
"Well, look who finally rolled out of the rack!" she said cheerfully.  "Had a good night's sleep, Sunshine?"
"Um, yeah, I did," replied Phillip.  "Is breakfast done?  I'm starving."
Renee chuckled.  "You've got a hollow leg, just like your father.  Sorry, dove.  Breakfast was well over an hour ago.  Hermione and Gaston are off to market for the day's shopping.  Best I can do is some day old bread, but the butter is fresh."
"I'll take it, thanks.  Is there any more tea?"
"Plenty of water in the kettle.  I'll make you a cup."

Renee chuckled to herself.  She was falling into the domestic role of mother to a teenaged boy far too easily.  But strangely enough, it felt good.  It felt... right, somehow.
Phillip broke off a piece of bread and dipped it into the butter crock.  "Speaking of my father," he said between chews, "where's he at?"
"Oi!  Use a spoon if you please!  Nobody wants your crumbs on their scones this afternoon."  She stopped, and her face coloured.  "I'm sorry, Phillip.  I shouldn't have snapped at you that way."  She took a spoon from the drawer and put it on the table for him.
"No, it's all right," he said.  "I'm on dry land now, I should trot my manners out.  It's not like I'm still aboard a ship, where the slow man gets his food torn out of his hand."
"Looks like there's plenty of adjustments to be made, all the way round," Renee smiled.  "Or maybe I'm ahead of myself?  How long do you intend to stay on in Barbados?"
"I don't know.  I... I think I'd like to stay on with my father, aboard his ship.  If he'll have me, that is."
"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that," she said, trying to keep tears of happiness from welling in her eyes.  "I'm certain he'll have a place for you, if you ask."
"Where is he, again?"
"He went back to the ship, right after breakfast.  He wanted to get a nicer shift of clothes for today."
"Why?  What's so special about today?"
"He wants to introduce you to his best friend in the world," she beamed.  "A gentlman by the name of Jack Wolfe."

Phillips mouth fell open.  "Jack Wolfe?  THE Jack Wolfe?  The one they call Mad Jack?"
"The one and only!  Obviously you've heard of him."
"I've heard plenty," said Phillip, his face clouding.  "Enough to know he's an underhanded man, not to be trusted."
Renee winced.  "I can only imagine who filled your head with that notion.  Sweetheart, you can't base your opinion of Jack solely off what Cade has told you."
"Why not?  He told me you were a kind and generous soul.  Beautiful too, if I may say so.  And he was right."
"Flattering as that is, his opinion of Jack is, well, distorted."
"Because Jack stole Cade's woman from him."
"Oh, bugger," Renee sighed.  "He's got it completely backwards, and now so do you.  Phillip, it's not like that at all.  How can I put this delicately?  Sod it, I can't. Here's re truth. Cade tried to take Jack's wife from him.  Thankfully it didn't work, and Jack and his wife, and their daughter, are living happily together."
Phillip's brow furrowed.  "You mean, Cade lied to me?"
"Cade...  Cade is confused, Phillip.  He probably believes things are as he told you, but it's not that way at all."
"I don't understand."
Renee took his hand.  "I know it's difficult.  But I'd like you to do something for me.  Do you think you can?"
"Of course.  What is it?"
"I need, really need you to keep an open mind about Jack.  He's a good man.  He's a good husband and a good father to his daughter.  And he's a good friend to your father.  I need you to listen to your father and trust in what he has to say."
Phillip nodded.  "If it's that important to you, I will."
"Oh yes, it's that important to me. And to your father, too."

'Good God, Cade,' she thought.  'You've deluded yourself, now you've gone and muddled up this child's head?  You're a disaster waiting to happen...'

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

Briggs tugged at the green silk waistcoat as he looked into the mirror and frowned.
"Damn and blast," he muttered.  "Keep eatin' the way ye have been, Josiah, and they'll be usin' ye for ballast.  Her vittles are almost as good as her lovin'."
He smiled to himself.  "Almost."
A knock came at the door, interrupting his pleasant memory of the previous night.  "Aye?" he called.
The cabin door opened slowly, and Elijah Meredith poked his head in.  "Begging your pardon, Master Briggs, but... lawks a-lordy!  Have a look at you!"
"Quit yer gawkin' and step inside, would ye?" growled Briggs.
Eli stepped into the room and shut the door behind him.  "Spending time with Madame Renee has made you a happier man, but I never expected to see you all dandified! Taking her to the orchestra tonight?" he teased.
Briggs stood there in his clean white shirt and green silk waistcoat, brand new trousers, and brass buckled shoes, glowering at the younger man.  "This ain't for Renee, ye wise arse.  I'll have ye know I'm payin' a visit to the Wolfes this afternoon and I want to be presentable."
"Cap'n Wolfe and the missus will fall over when they see you all cleaned up like this.  As will half the men when you go topside."
"No, he won't," smiled Briggs, "but they may after I introduce them to my son."

Eli's eyes went wide, and he steadied himself with one of the high-backed chairs.  "D-did you say 'son'?"
"Aye," said Briggs proudly.  "Phillip, me own flesh and blood, restored to me after too many years cut off from one another."
"I don't understand.  Did you have him brought to Barbados?  I should think you would have been crowing, instead of keeping it a secret."
Briggs went to the table and poured himself some rum.  "Nothin' like that, and I surely wouldn't have kept quiet if I'd known he was on his way.  No, the good lord saw fit to deliver him here.  We've got a lot of catchin' up to do, him and me.  And I don't care to waste a moment apart from him."
"I'm right happy for you, Master Briggs.  Right and properly happy!" grinned Eli.  "Which ship did he come in on?"

Briggs' face clouded.  Gravely, he said, "First, ye need to swear ye won't tell a livin' soul."
Eli's shoulders dropped.  "The Gryphon," he said flatly.
"How did ye guess?"
"That's what I was coming here to tell you.  Yesterday the men and I spotted that scoundrel Jennings' ship berthed at  one of the outlying quays.  We were going to send word to Cap'n Wolfe, but decided it best we wait for you.  You'll let him know the treasonous dog is here, right?"
"Nobody's tellin' Jack or Honour one blessed thing about it," Briggs answered sternly.
"WHAT?!" cried Eli.  "You can't be serious.  Jack Wolfe is your best friend, and you're not going to tell him something this important?"
"You're damned right I'm not, and neither are you, Mister Meredith!"  Briggs drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly.  "Eli, I talked with Cade last night.  He agreed to lay low and set his rudder to this island the moment his business here is done.  He agreed, and I'm holding him to his word."

"His word doesn't mean spit," Eli said angrily.  "I can't believe you're protecting him like this, behind your best friend's back.  And Honour's."
"I ain't protectin' him, so get that notion out of yer head, lad.  I'm repayin' a kindness.  Cade brought my son back to me as soon as he found out who Phillip was.  And I put a condition on that kindness, that he stay away from Jack and especially Honour, and leave port straight away."
"And you're willing to believe his word?  After what he did?"
Briggs nodded slowly.  "He was good enough to bring my boy to me without anyone askin'.  I have to trust he'll have sense enough to honour my request of him."
"Trust Jennings?  There's a laugh."
"What would ye have me do, Eli?  Tell Jack and Honour Cade is here, and wreck the peace they've come to know by draggin' up old ghosts?  I can't.  I can't because they're my friends.  And if ye have any respect for them, ye will let this pass."

Eli looked hard at Josiah, his jaw clenched as he wrestled with the request that had been made of him and his desire to let Jack decide whether or not to take revenge.  Slowly he relaxed and his eyes softened.  "All right.  All right, I see your point.  I swear I won't say anything, and I'll see to it the men don't go running their mouths either."
"Thank ye, Eli," Briggs said with a slight smile.  "This ain't an easy call for me, neither.  Part of me would love to see him get what's coming to him for what he put Jack and Honour through.  But that day will have to wait."
"And when it finally comes?"

"I'll be the one handin' Jack an extra brace of pistols."

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

Briggs opened the gate to Renee's private garden. He spied her sitting alone on the shaded bench. There was a book in her lap. Her hands were folded on top of it, and she was staring off into the distance. "Pip?" he called. "There ye are! I've been lookin' high and low for ye."
Renee smiled and scooted over a little to make room for Josiah. "I just came out to think a bit. My, aren't you looking handsome!"
"This old thing?" he said, running his hand over the rich fabric of the waistcoat. "Somethin' I threw on, is all."
"Well, you can throw that over the end of my bed whenever you feel like it! Jack and Honour may not recognise you."
Briggs sat down beside her and slipped his arm around her shoulder. "Pip, I'm excited to introduce Phillip to them. I want him to meet everyone important in my life."
Renee smiled and put her hand on Josiah's knee. "I think that's a splendid idea, Josie. But..." she paused, her smile faltering. "Phillip is the reason I came out here to think."
"What? Has he done somethin'? I know some of the girls have their eye on him."
"No, no, it's not that. He and I were talking earlier, over his breakfast." She gave Josiah a concerned look. "Have you talked to him at all about Jack? Specifically, Jack and Honour?"
"No, not at all. I thought we'd talk on the way to the plantation. Why? What's worryin' ye so?"

"Josie, Phillip is a good boy. But he's had his head filled with all manner of poison against Jack."
Briggs sighed heavily. "I should have figured as much. Just how muddled up does Cade have him?"
"It's classic Cade. Jack stole Honour away from him, like he's always going on about. Never mind he went chasing after a married woman, and his own captain's wife at that. A lesser man than Jack Wolfe would have had his head on a pike, along with other bits of his anatomy."
"Don't count yourself so sure on that," said Briggs. "I expect Jack still wants his pound of flesh what's due him from that tomcat." He looked Renee in the eyes. "That's why I've ordered all the men not to breath word one about Cade bein' in port. He done me a favour bringin' Phillip to me, so there's some good left in his heart. I'll protect him this once. But if he chooses to press his luck, then it's on his head."
"Do you think Jack would forgive you if he found out?"

"Forgive? That's probably askin' too much. But I expect he'd understand. But God willin', it won't come to that. Cade will keep his end of the bargain and be out of port come tomorrow mornin'."
"All the same," said Renee gently, "maybe you should hold off taking Phillip to meet Jack and Honour until Cade is gone. Just to give you a chance to straighten his head out about all this."
Josiah shook his head. "He's my boy, Pip. I can reason with him. We'll have a good half an hour to talk on the ride there."
"I hope that's enough. Cade has had ages to work on him. You're only just getting reacquainted."
Briggs took Renee's hand in his. "If Phillip gets all stiff-necked and foolish, then we'll keep goin' past the plantation and come back here. I promise."
"I hope you're right about this, Josie," she said, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Aye, lass. He's my son and I'm his da. What could go wrong?"
Renee closed her eyes and said a silent prayer.

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

Briggs opened the door to Renee's carriage and let Phillip get in first.  He smiled and blew Renee a kiss.
"We'll be back in time for supper!" he said with a cheery wave.
Renee waved back, hoping her smile wasn't obviously as half-hearted as it felt.
The carriage door banged shut, and the driver clucked the horses onward.

"So, how's your day been so far?" asked Briggs as he fiddled with the cuffs of his shirt.  He was used to rolling up his sleeves no matter the occasion, and the fabric around his wrists felt odd.
Phillip shrugged.  "All right, I suppose.  I slept in late, and Renee helped me find some thing for breakfast.  Other than that, I read in the garden a bit.  It's such a lovely place she has.  And the ladies are so nice to me."
"I'm sure they are," Josiah chuckled.  "Just remember, their kindness comes with a price"
"I know," sighed Phillip.  "I don't let on that I have more than a farthing to my name."
"Sound thinkin', that is!"
"How are things at the ship?"
"Good, good," nodded Josiah.  "All the minor repairs are complete, and the men are layin' in for the next cruise.  We'll be bound for Antigua next.  And I'd like it if ye were among the crew when we set sail."
Phillip's eyes lit up.  "I'd like that too!"  But a frown quickly came over his face.  "Can I though, if I'm still a member of Captain Jenning's crew?  I should ask his permission..."
"You're free of any obligation to Cade, lad.  I've seen to that."
"You- you did?"
"Aye.  Seein' as he'll be weighin' anchor on tomorrow's dawn, I didn't want ye frettin' over this very thing.  You're part of the crew of El Lobo del Mar now."
"That's grand!" Phillip grinned.  "I didn't know Cade was leaving so soon, though.  He said he would be in port a week at least, to clear up some business."
"He came to figure that business weren't as important as he first thought," said Josiah.  "Not more important than word of a fat Spaniard prize, least ways."  Yes, it was a little white lie, but an important one.
"That sounds like Captain Jennings," laughed Phillip.

"Phillip, I'm glad ye brought up Cade.  There's a few things we need to talk about before we meet Captain Wolfe and his family."
"Renee told you what I said, didn't she."
"Aye, lad, she did.  I had a feelin' Cade made certain ye had his side of the story in every detail, preached as if it were the gospel truth."
The frown came back to the young man's face.  "He told me what a scoundrel Jack Wolfe is, and how he stole Honour away from Cade.  She and Cade were in love, and Jack tricked her away from him to show Cade who's boss."
Josiah closed his eyes and shook his head.  "Oh, sweet Aunt Fannie's bloomers.  He's really got it all twisted about."
"That's what Renee said."
"And she's right!  Phillip, Cade was the one who tried to take Honour away from Jack, not the other way round."  He sighed heavily.  "Let me ask ye this; did Cade mention that Jack and Honour were already married before Cade ever met her?"
Phillip's mouth fell open.  "They were??"
"Failed to mention that key bit of information, did he?  Married, and carryin' on like the proverbial love birds they were.  Nigh on inseparable, too, if ye catch my meanin'.  Honour reckons their daughter got her start on the way to this world on their honeymoon.  And she oughta know, as she carried the wee bairn."
"But, Cade said that he and Honour were together.  And in, you know, together."

"Yeah, that...  Phillip, I'd be lyin' if I didn't tell ye Jack and Honour hit a rough patch early on.  Right after we left Castara for Barbados, we ran afoul of an old enemy of Jack's.  A wicked Spaniard, hell bent on blowin' us out of the water.  And hell is what we gave him right back, and more.  But the ship was damaged badly, and Jack was shot through the shoulder.  Took it hard, he did.  And it caused some trouble between him and Honour.  That's where Cade comes in."

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

"I'm not sure I know what you mean," said Phillip.

"Honour was just a girl then, really.  A girl thrown into a world she didn't know, a world that was changing faster than she could keep pace.  She was scared and mixed up.  Cade Jennings took advantage of her state."
The puzzlement on Phillip's face said more than words ever could.  So Josiah continued.
"Cade was just beginnin' to get himself established, as it were.  He'd been Jack's apprentice for years, and Jack had just let him off the leash.  And Cade is the kind of man what would want to do his old master one better as fast and grand as he could.  In this case, he, like any pirate, saw a weakness and went after it.  Figured he could steal away Jack's wife from under his nose, and prove himself a better man.  Even got grandiose ideas in his head that Honour loved him.  But let me ask ye this?  If Honour loved him, how come she up and disappeared, and went straight back home to Wales?"
"Cade said Jack kept her in hiding from him all that time."
"No, lad.  Honour went back home to her family, and that's where she had little Zara.  Not even Jack knew where she'd gone.  It wasn't til she came back to the Caribbean that he found her, and they got things sorted out.  Hell, Jack's even been to Wales with her and met the in-laws!"

"So Cade lied to me about everything?"  Phillip looked lost.  Once again, another adult he trusted had deceived him.
"Phillip, I'm sorry.  I'm so very sorry.  But yes.  Cade lied to ye.  And the hell of it is, he believes those lies himself.  He's held on to them and repeated them so often, they're as good as truth in his head.  And I'm sorry to have to tell ye like this, so abrupt like.  But I had to after findin' out what Cade had filled your head with.  I'm excited for ye to meet Jack and Honour.  They're the closest people to me.  What passes as family, I'd guess ye'd say.  And I couldn't have ye meetin' them without knowin' the God's honest truth of things, condemnin' Jack on false testimony."

"I'm beginning to think I don't know half of what's real in this world any more," Phillip said dejectedly.
"I know, lad.  And it grieve me you've had people ye look up to steer ye wrong.  I swear, that's somethin' I'll never do to ye, ever.  A promise like that probably doesn't carry much water with ye right now..."
Phillip looked out the carriage window at the countryside for several seconds.  "No, it does," he finally replied. "If anyone in this entire world has been honest with me, it's you.  It's just... this is so much to take in."

Josiah sat back and thought a moment.  "Ye know, it has been.  And I've been selfish, rushin' in to havin' ye meet Jack and Honour when we should have sorted this out at Renee's.  I'll have the driver turn around and take us back."
"No!" Phillip said quickly.  "No, it's fine.  If they mean that much to you, then I want to meet them.  And I promise, I won't judge Jack - I mean, Captain Wolfe - off what Cade told me.  If you say he's a good man, then I trust you."
Josiah smiled happily.  "Thank ye, Phillip.  All I'm askin' is ye keep an open mind.  All things bein' equal, ye many not like him anyway.  Lord knows there's been days I could have wrung his neck.  But it's like that with friends.  Ye may not always like one another every hour of the day, but ye be friends nonetheless because ye have trust.  Now, are ye sure of this?  We can do this another day if ye want."
"I'll be fine," Phillip said, mustering a smile.  "Anyone my father cares about this much, I have to meet them!"

[Welsh Wench]

Honour poured a cup of tea for herself and one for Jack as they ate their breakfast of ham and eggs.  The summer sun shone through the French doors opened to let in the sea breeze.
"A glorious summer day, don't  you think, darling?" she asked Jack. "What do you intend to do today?"
He slipped his arms around her waist and whispered, "Relive a fond memory of a grotto in Castara?"
She laughed and disentangled herself from his embrace. He reached over and added a splash of brandy into his tea.
Honour frowned. Jack protested, "It's the only way I can drink this stuff. Otherwise it tastes like burnt leaves."
She laughed. "Well, habits are hard to break and--oh, dear, what have we here?"

Zara came into the room, her stuffed rabbit in one hand and her kitten Evie in the other. Puddin trailed behind. Muir gave a bark from under the table.
She unceremoniously let Evie go with a protesting mew from the kitten.
Honour scolded, "No, no, Zara--gently! Poor Evie."
Jack scooped his little daughter up in his arms.
"No harm done. Cats do land on their feet. Here, Zara--blueberry scones!"
Honour dipped a napkin in water and handed it to Jack.
"What's this for?"
"She's going to get blueberry juice all over herself and your white silk shirt. That is a foregone conclusion. I know blueberries and the effect they can have on clothes and fingers. Remember?"
"How could I forget? You with that tangle of long blonde hair and blue stains on your clothes and fingers."
"So, as I asked, what do you intend to do today?"
"I want to take one of the horses and ride around the perimeter. See  how we are set up for some additionall livestock. I'd like to make this plantation self-sufficient and I need to inspect the cabins. See what needs to be repaired."
Honour held up her finger. "Hired labor, not slaves, Jack. We agreed on that."
"By the time we get the cabins fixed, laborers will be begging to work here."

Mrs. Avery bustled in. "Miss Honour, there is a man here with something to deliver.
But it needs someone to sign for it."
She turned to Jack. "It must be that peau de soie that I ordered from Paris."
"Honour, darling, isn't there enough bolts of fabric from that one ship I took?"
"What fabric?"
"Oh---well, alright. There goes my surprise."
She gave him a wink.
"Watch Zara while I sign for it."

She followed Mrs. Avery to the back door. There stood a seaman with three crates.
"Oh, my! I didn't know they packaged fabric this way!"
The seaman tipped his cap.
"Beggin' yer pardon, Madame, but this here chest was loaded on the dock at Liverpool."
"Liverpool? I didn't buy anything from there."
"Well, Mum, it did and it was sent on our ship Rock Bottom. Captured by Captain Bennett. He took the crates and it was to be delivered to Captain John Wolfe."
Honour frowned. No one called her husband 'John' except for.....
Hastily she signed the bill of laden and gave the man three pounds for his trouble.
"Please put them in the parlor."

She walked back to the kitchen as Jack was washing  a protesting Zara's face.
"You were right about the blueberries."
From behind the cloth was a resounding 'Bollx!'
Honour rolled her eyes. "I give up. I'll deal with it when she gets older."
"So was it the fabric?"

No. I need you to check this out, Jack. Three crates addressed to you."
Jack handed Zara back to Honour.
"Alright, let's see what it is."
He came into the parlor with a prybar
"Now to see what it is. At least it didn't say 'Printworks.' "
"Printworks? Why would it say that?"
"Oh...nothing."
He inserted the pry bar and pulled up on the nails.
Inside were blankets and cloth. Jack reached in and unwrapped.
"Crystal? Who would send us crystal?"
Honour took it in her hands.
"I recognize this goblet...and the candlesticks...and the serving bowl...."
"What do you mean?"
She bit her lip. "They belong to Megan."
"Megan? Why would she be sending them to you?"
"I have no idea. Pry open the other crates."

Within fifteen minutes, Jack had the other crates pried open.  Carefully they unwrapped all the contents.
"Jack, this is the candlesticks from the ballroom at Megan's....this old box was Daffyd's grandfather's....and the family Bible?"
Jack frowned. "I don't like the looks of this."
Honour held up  a little gown.
"My christening gown. Generations of Conaway babies wore this."
She lifted out item after item.
"Some of the children's little furniture...."
She turned to Jack."What does this all mean?"
He searched through the padding of blankets and straw.
"I don't know. There is no letter or note. And look at this..."
Jack lifted up a book.
"It's a copy of Daffyd's land deed and the records from his horse breeding."
Honour could scarcely keep the despair out of her voice.
"Do...do you think they are alright?"
"I'm sure they are. "
"But why would Daffyd send all these personal items?"

Jack sighed. "Things are changing in England so fast, love. Rumours are Cromwell is on his way out and that Charles I's son will be on the throne soon. It's a dangerous time to be a Roundhead or a Cavalier one way or the other.  But you know how prudent Daffyd is. He is doing everything to protect his family."
"But....why no note?"
"He probably didn't want it traced to him or Megan. Only I know whose horse breeding book this is. The land deed was a bit of a gamble though."
"But...why?"
"He's moving his valuables and important papers to a safe place."
He held his wife close.
"Please don't worry, Honour. They will be safe and I am sure a letter of explanation will come soon. They will be alright."
To himself he prayed, 'God willing....'

Honour looked out the window.
"There's a carriage pulling up and....oh my goodness! Will you look at this?"
Jack pulled the curtain back.
"I don't believe it!  Josiah Briggs in a new waistcoat and breeches? What is he doing all dressed up to come to call on US?"
She peered over her husband's shoulder.  "He's not alone. He has a young lad with him."
Jack turned to the sideboard.
"I'd better get the brandy out. Either this is very good news.....or very bad."

[Welsh Wench]

Josiah stood at the front door of Jack's home, fiddling with his buttons. He looked over to the lad that was his son and straightened his collar and smoothed his hair back.
Philip smiled back. Josiah couldn't help but notice how his eyes were just like his beloved Anne's. But his features were unmistakenly the Briggs side of the family.
Sandy, light brown hair and broad shoulders. If only Anne could see him now....
Josiah felt his eyes begin to water and he mentally shook off his reminiscences.
Time for that later...

Before he could reach up to knock on the door, it was flung open by a man who Philip could sense commanded respect and was a force to be reckoned with.
"Josiah, how many times have I told you that you need not stand on formality and you are back door people. Not back door in the sense of a servant but family?"
Before Josiah could make an introduction, Jack blurted out, "Sweet mother, I know who this is!"
Before Phillip could open his mouth and Briggs could make an introduction, Phillip found himself enveloped in a  bear hug.

Briggs could only open his mouth as Jack grinned over Phillip's head.
"Didn't take a genius to figure it out, Josiah. He looks like you. He's the same age as your son. And you look like your buttons are going to pop and not from eating well at Renee's. But come on.....as women are, curiousity killed the cat but satisfaction sure brought her back. And she's in the drawing room just waiting to---"
"No, she couldn't stand it any longer, you two!" Honour came bouncing into the entranceway and her arms were wide. But she went right to Briggs.
"I can't get over how handsome you look, Josiah!" And she looked over at Phillip, her eyes grew wide.
"Oh, good Lord! Don't tell me you found him!"
"He found me."
Jack grinned, "Well, this is a tale best told over brandy. Come! Let's go out to the veranda in the back, take our boots off and get acquainted. And for God's sake, Josiah---as much as you look quite the dandy, take that coat off! You look as uncomfortable as you did that day we had to exit Havana!'
Josiah laughed. "Dressing up as a lady and running for the ship wasn't exactly the most efficient way!'
Phillip looked from one to the other and Jack replied, "A story for another time, lad. Your father and I go way back!"

The gathering found its way to the back veranda where a warm ocean breeze wafted up from the sea. Boots were taken off, shirtsleeves were rolled up and brandy and fine rum were opened.
Phillip was treated like an adult, being given a glass of brandy but Jack caught Honour's warning glance. One glass for Phillip and then it was on to tropical fruits and cheese. After all, the lad was only fifteen.
Josiah and Jack tamped their pipes and lit them, settling back in their chaises.
"Now, then, Josiah...Phillip. Suppose someone start telling us the tale of how your son made his way to the Caribbean and into his father's life! And spare nothing....because I have a feeling this tale will be told for generations!"

~~~~~~~~~

"....and imagine my surprise--no, surprise doesn't even begin to cover it--when Renee stepped aside and introduced my son to me!"
Phillip added, "I didn't want Father to think that I was a pretender so I managed to keep the last letter he sent intact."

Jack inexplicably could feel a lump in his throat as he looked at his best friend. To finally find the son that he thought he had lost forever. He glanced over at Honour who was wiping the tears from her eyes with the corner of her skirt.
"Oh, Josiah.....my heart is just bursting for you!"

Phillip looked over at the demon that had been described to him by Cade Jennings. And he knew in his heart that a man who loved his father this much and his wife who was so welcoming and obviously loved her husband could not be the
man that Cade had described. He took a sip of his mango juice and immediately felt a sense of belonging and, yes....love. Instant love conveyed upon him without seeking the approval of Aunt Lydia or being smothered.

"Well, if that isn't like Pip--her real name from the days we knew her in Cornwall, Phillip--if that isn't like her to arrange the surprise. I swear, that woman keeps her angel wings tucked in her gown pretty well!"

Just then, Honour heard a cry from the kitchen.
"Excuse me....but it seems I am needed."
She went to the kitchen and there was Zara, trying to feed Evie strawberries and managing to mush it in the cat's face. Puddin sat there as if he were laughing at his companion and Muir tried to lick the strawberry from Evie's face.
"Mrs. Avery, really! You shouldn't allow Zara to get away with this!" she laughed.
Mrs. Avery looked over her glasses. "Land's sake! So that was why she was so quiet over there. I thought she was playing with the pots and pans. No wonder the banging stopped!"

Honour picked up Zara and dipped her napkin in a glass of water.
"Just look at you! You remind me of...."
She went silent remembering all the times she went hunting for blueberries and blackberries in the woods by the manor. She sighed. 'History is repeating itself.'

Phillip appeared inside the doorway. "Excuse me, Mrs. Wolfe....Mr. Wolfe asked me to get a plate of cheeses and breads from you."
She stood up and smiled. "You certainly are the spitting image of your father. I can't begin to tell you how much you are welcome, Phillip. But please...call me Honour. And that is not Mr. Wolfe. Just call him Jack. After all, you are family now."
Phillp grinned. "And who might this be?"

Zara peeked shyly from behind her mother's skirts.
"This might be Zara.  Zara, please say hello to Master Phillip Briggs."
Zara gave him a demure smile but then hid back behind Honour's dress.
"Pleased to meet you, Miss Zara."
He turned to Honour. "And she is a wee bonny lass, too! Just like her mother."
Honour tried to hide her smile. He certainly learned that from someone...and he hadn't been around port that long.
"How is he?"
"How is...who?"
"Cade Jennings."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Captain Jennings. He was the one who brought you here."
"I'm sure I don't know what...."
Quietly she said, "I know he was in port. I saw his ship docked when I was in town shopping on the marketplace over on the far side of the port.  Phillip, it didn't take much for me to figure out who brought you here. Not many men would care. But Cade would. Jack would too."
"They love my father that much?"
"They love your father that much. And Cade was with Jack and Josiah before...well, before things happened. Few knew of Josiah's son. Even fewer knew of his pain on the perceived rejection."
Phillip looked down.
"I promised my father I wouldn't  tell who brought me here."
"You didn't. I guessed. Phillip, a lot of things happened. As many wrong things that Cade has done, he did a few things right. He was a friend to me when I needed one. Things did get out of hand and notions were perceived. But he does have a heart. And he proved it by getting you here safely. And by leaving when he did."
Honour handed Phillip the tray of cheese and breads and scooped Zara up.
"Now....shall we rejoin the party?"
Zara gave Phillip a smile and then buried her face in her mother's shoulder.
"She will warm up to you, Phillip. After all...you are family now!"

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

"He's a fine lad, Josiah," Jack said warmly. "Quite the blessing on your head to have him come back into your life. First Pip, now your son. Quite the blessing indeed."
Briggs was looking thoughtfully out the window, watching a young foal kick and buck playfully near its mother. "Ain't it though?" he said as he took a long draw on his pipe. "Seems we're both seein' our share of blessin's as of late. And I can't help but wonder why. We ain't exactly been what ye'd call saints over the years, eh? Me skipper of the ship, and you landed gentry. I still can't get me head around that one. Don't seem natural somehow..."
"Don't question it, my friend," Jack interrupted. "Many's the morning I wake up expecting all this to have been a just dream. Enjoy it, be thankful, and don't question."
"Aye, I suppose ye be right." Briggs took another draw on the pipe, the smoke forming lazy ringlets in the air. "I'm thinkin' of asking Phillip to sign aboard the Lobo. If that's all right by ye, I mean."
Jack gave a surprised laugh. "Why on earth would I object? You're the captain now, it's your decision. But I'd think you had lost your mind if you didn't ask him."
"Best to keep the owner happy, I say."
"You're a wise man. It might be good to pair him up with Eli, especially for getting him used to the feel of the sheets and shrouds."
Briggs chuckled. "What, ye don't think I can manage the ratlines any more?"
"Josiah, I know you can handle yourself on the ratlines just as well as any man, if not better. But as captain, your attention is already divided. Besides, it would be good experience for Eli to play the mentor."
"He's another what proved to be a diamond in the rough. Aye! He's earned the chance," Briggs smiled. But the former quartermaster's smile soon faded, and he began to gaze out the window again.

"Spill it, Josiah," said Jack. He took a drink of rum and fixed his gaze on his friend.
"Eh? Spill what?"
Jack sighed loudly. "You always stare out into the distance when there is something you need to talk about but don't want to. Sit down and tell me what it is. I'm tired of looking at the back of your head."
Briggs set his pipe back into the holder on Jack's desk, and refilled his glass before finally settling into one of the high-backed chairs. He fiddled with the rim of the glass, then took a drink.
"I'm waiting..." prompted Jack.
"It's... well, it's... It's about the Lobo," he said finally.
"No, really?" replied Jack with exaggerated sarcasm. "And here I thought you were going to ask me for Pip's hand in marriage."
An amber spray of rum erupted from Briggs' mouth. "Marriage?!" he blurted. "Hell, we just started... um..." His voiced trailed off in embarrassment.
"That smile you've been wearing tells me enough about what you've started. And I couldn't be happier for the both of you. Now, tell me about my ship!"
"To be right honest, Jack, it ain't so much the ship. It's her reputation."
"Her reputation? What, is she too fast for people's liking?"
"She's spent the best part of her life as a pirate ship. That's the reputation what's got people nervous. Nervous about usin' her for their cargo."
"But we quit the account," said Jack. "We're pardoned men, one and all, by Ironsides Cromwell himself. I don't see the problem."
"Jack... let me ask ye. Think of the typical merchantman. Its look and its lines. Now think of the Lobo. Does she look like any merchantman ye've ever seen?"

Jack frowned as he thought of his treasured ship. Her black hull, with red and gold trim outlining her many gun ports. And the snarling wolf, frozen in mid-leap, at her prow. Her role in the world had changed, but she still carried the unmistakable bearing of a pirate's ship. Mad Jack Wolfe's ship.
He managed to unclench his jaw and take a sip of rum. "What's your recommendation, Josiah. Be honest."
"As much as it wounds me deep to say it, we need to soften her look. And not just a little, if ye follow."
"We will not change so much as one plank's worth of her hull. Her lines are good. I'll not have her mutilated."
"Oh, hell, Jack! Remember who ye be talkin' to! All I'm sayin' is we change her look with some paint and brass. And I hate to say it, but the masthead should find a new home. Like here, maybe. That's between Honour and ye."

After several moments, Jack realised he had been holding his breath as he considered Josiah's words. He gave a long exhale before speaking.
"Tart the old girl up so the men with fat purses will feel better about hiring her services?"
"Aye, ye could put it that way," Briggs chuckled. "Still, she can't be bristlin' like a man-o-war, neither. I figure if we draw down her guns by just over half--"
"A third. No more than that."
"But, Jack!"
"Eliminating a third will open up the lowest gun deck for cargo. But I'll not have her fall prey just to curry the favour of a few rich toads. With a bit of creativity, we can disguise the gunports to even a trained eye. While I understand making her more attractive as a ship of commerce, Josiah, she will not leave port toothless. She sails well-heeled or not at all."
Briggs smiled and sat back in his chair. "I knew ye'd come up with a right solid solution to this, if I rattled yer cage just right."
Jack looked at him in astonishment. "You... Josiah Briggs, you bastard!" he laughed. "You could have just asked my opinion!"
"I could have, and ye never would have given much serious thought. But I knew if I could wake up the old Jack, sleepin' somewhere under all that gentrified window-dressin', the Lobo would get her due."
Jack gave him a puzzled look. "What? 'Window-dressing'...?"

"I do believe I hear the sounds of business talk!" said Honour cheerily as she came into the room with Phillip in tow. Zara was still peeking over her mother's shoulder at Phillip, and would hide her face with a squeal when the young man would make a silly face at her.
"We were just discussing a new look for the ship," said Jack, his voice still uneasy from Josiah's comments.
"Oh! Is everything all right, or should we give you a bit more time?" asked Honour.
"No! No, everything is fine," replied Jack. "Better than fine, in fact. Good enough for a toast!"
He raised his glass. "To new paint, new enterprises, and new horizons!"
Briggs and Honour raised their glasses, and Phillip, caught up in the moment, raised his fist in celebration. Zara happily waved the wooden spoon she had been using to bang on the pots.

Honour watched her husband's eyes as she sipped her drink. Something was bothering him. Something deep down.

And she knew just what it was.

[Welsh Wench]

"Phillip is a fine young man, don't you think, darling?"
From behind the dressing screen, Honour replied, "He certainly is. I couldn't be happier for Josiah. His life is complete."

She emerged from behind the screen, tightening up the sash on her dressing gown.
"I don't know why you feel you have to dress and undress behind that screen, Honour. It is not like there are any mysteries anymore."
She laughed and picked up her hairbrush.
"It's not so much the package as it is the presentation. How would you like it if I gave you a gift and just handed it to you? It is so much better to look at a pretty package and then take the ribbon off....and then the wrapping paper...."

Jack smiled and said, "Give me that hair brush, you brazen wench!"
She handed it over and sat on the edge of the bed.
"I love it when you brush my hair. Much better than when I do it myself. One hundred times, give or take a few."
He brushed her hair and held the shank of it in his hands.
"Why one hundred?"
"Because..." she laughed. "I don't know."
"Traditions of women, I guess. A mystery to us all!"

He put the brush down and pulled the blankets down.
Honour opened the door.
"I'm going to check on Zara. I'll be right back."
Jack got into bed and fluffed his pillow up. Off to the side of the bedroom was a small alcove with windows on all three sides. Perfect enough for a.....

Honour came back in the room and said, "She is sound asleep. I think she was quite taken with young Master Briggs, don't you?"
Jack chuckled. "Plenty enough time for that, don't you think?"
Honour got into bed and Jack put his arm around her.  "You hate the thoughts of sharing your little girl  with any other man eventually, don't you?"
Jack sighed. "Let's worry about that later. I have maybe thirty or forty years with her before I can agree to her being courted."
Honour smacked Jack playfully on the chest. "Thirty or forty years?"
He laughed, "Alright, I guess we will never let it be said that Zara Wolfe is a spinster!"

Honour laid in the crook of Jack's arm.
"Zara can be anything she wants to be. I don't believe a child should not have an education just because she is of the female persuasion."
"Agreed. Whatever Zara wants, Zara gets."
"Even the moon?"
"If she wants it."

Jack laid there, looking pensively up at the ceiling.
"I know that look, Jack Wolfe. Like you want to talk about something and don't know how to broach the subject."
He smiled. "You know me well. Too well."
She folded her arms across her chest.
"Alright...out with it. I'll not have you brooding in bed."

Jack sighed, "Honour, I'm not a young man...."
"You could have fooled me."
"..and I think it is time we fill that alcove with a cradle."
"I can do that."
"You are willing?"
"Yes. You are in the market for furniture. I know a great carpenter and...."
"That is not what I meant."
"I know," she said quietly.
"So....?"
"Jack, it isn't that I don't want more children. But we just found each other again. So much has happened to us what with the scrolls and the maze and finding out that you had a daughter and now you have a plantation and a pardon and are a member in good standing of Barbadian society and...."
"Honour, that is the longest run-on sentence I ever heard you say. "
She reached over and turned down the gas lamp.
"Then find a way to shut me up."
He laughed.
She giggled.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Honour crept out of bed quietly while her husband lay sleeping soundly. She gently turned the lamp up so it cast a dim glow on the room.
Honour put on her dressing gown and stood before the full-length mirror. From Paris, no doubt. Where it was destined was anyone's guess. But for sure it was plundered.
'Don't ask, don't tell.'
A mantra she had learned to live with.

She stood before the mirror and arched her back, gazing at her reflection and rubbing her stomach gently. She turned to look at her pooched-out stomach and sighed.
It wasn't that she didn't want more children. It was just that there was so much she wanted to do and a baby would be...inconvenient.
At least right now.
Maybe by next year....
Unless you already started something, Jack Wolfe.

She crawled back in to bed.
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow I will look at the scrolls.The key just has to be there.....somewhere.
Somewhere in all the scribblings and ancient hieroglyphics.
After all....if Bonita can read them, so can I.
And with that she curled up next to Jack and went to sleep.