PRELUDE TO EL LOBO DEL MAR

[Welsh Wench]

She slowly woke up, the twilight fading into shadows on the wall.
"Jack? Jack?" she whispered. He was sound asleep.

Honour rolled over and propped herself up on her elbow and stared at the sleeping man. What was it about him that made her want him so badly?  Was it his rakish good looks? Charisma? The way he made her feel?  She even liked way he smelled.  She leaned close and drank in his scent.  A smile touched her lips as she thought about how he smelled like spices.  Old spices with a hint of leather and sweat.  She had never had anyone set her on fire like this man did. Even Rhys never made her feel like this. So...wanton. So...wicked and with no shame.

Her face coloured at the thought of how much she enjoyed herself, and him.  A giggle escaped her lips.
Then her convent upbringing kicked in and she wondered how hot the flames of hell would be. And if she had a chemise light enough for the heat and what boots she could wear.
And would Jack be there?

She marveled that even when he was sleeping, she could almost read his mind.
It was obvious he was a man of... well, action. If it was something he wanted, then sooner or later it would fall into his hands. And right now, in his hands is just where she wanted to be.
She sighed happily. The rest was pretty great, too.
She wondered how long it would take him to recoup his resources
She began to gently kiss his skin, first across his chest, then to his neck.  Jack stirred, but didn't wake up.  As she continued kissing him, her eyes strayed down his body which was covered only with the thin sheet.  And her eyes went wide.  He had clearly already recovered...

'This man must be automatic' she thought, and hastened over to her own side of the bed.
'Curiosity killed the cat', she thought to herself.  'And if that's true, then it must have been satisfaction that brought her back.' 

Honour laid there staring at the ceiling and wondered how long she should let him sleep. He had a slight smile on his face. What was he thinking? And was she enough woman for him?
She turned to face him. Carefully, she studied his features. Crow's feet from squinting into the Caribbean sun were beginning to form at the corners of his eyes.  Unlike so many sailors she'd seen, his face was not leathery. There was a softness to it she found appealing. Some mischievous something inside her made her take her finger and tickle the end of his nose.
He wrinkled his nose and snorted. She softly giggled, tracing her finger down to his mouth gently.
She traced the outline of his lips with her fingertip. Her thoughts drifted back to how these lips kissed her, caressed her, and made her feel like a woman.

She sighed and reached over for a blanket. Wrapping herself in it, she lit a candle that was on the dresser. The shadows immediately came to life.
She poured herself a glass of wine and sat in the chair, staring at her bed. She could scarcely believe nor comprehend the enormity of what she had done the previous night before.
She was a tavern wench yesterday. Today the bride of a pirate. She shook her head as if to clear it and achieve an understanding.

She drew the blanket around her and tucked her legs up under her. What a shock to wake up and find herself married. She looked over at her new husband sleeping in her bed. A wave of guilt swept over her. She felt disloyal to the memory of the only man she swore she would ever love. She ran her fingers through her hair, deep in thought.
Spying the marriage license that was crumpled on the floor, she bent to pick it up. Smoothing it out, she looked at it. It certainly looked legal. She hardly remembered filling it out. Damn whiskey!
The date was right. That early, early morning.
John Michael Wolfe.
Honour Bright.

She hardly knew the man who was now her husband. The only thing that she knew at this point was his name and his ship. Not where he was from. Not even his age. She did know one thing. He could really hold his whiskey. And he was good in....
She pushed that thought out of her mind. That doesn't count. Not really. All right, it does, but that's for another time.
She sat back and closed her eyes. A thought occurred to her and a smile came to her lips. A loophole in case she should need it.
Because when it all came down to it...
Who was Honour Bright?

It was the name she used when she had come to St. Lawrence. A name that no one would be able to trace back to Rhiannon Conaway Castlemaine. She took a sip of wine and thought back to that night she entered the tavern, eager to find a job. Amos, the tavern keeper, asked her, "And what be yer name, lassie?"
She blurted out the first thought in her head. It was a phrase she heard her father and her husband, who both sat on the House of Lords, utter.
'Honour Bright'.
An assurance of truth or fidelity. A cynical smile crossed her lips. Truth. Her whole existence since she came to St. Lawrence was a lie.
And fidelity?
The very reason she had to lie.
A wave of chill came over her. From the coolness of the room or the pang of her conscience, she couldn't tell. Did it really matter anymore?
Rhiannon Conaway Castlemaine was, in essence, dead.
Honour Bright took her place.

[Welsh Wench]

She could hear Jack stir behind her.
"What a perfect night for staying in bed," he purred.
"Where else would I go in the middle of the night?" Honour rubbed her temples. "If only I could remember how I got here...."
"Does any of that really matter?  I'm a bit fuzzy on where I'm at, but that's not stopping me from having a good time."
She looked at him hopefully. "You think I am a good time?"
"Calling you a 'good time' is damning with faint praise, love!"

She pulled back the blanket and slid back into bed. "If only I could remember where my pantalets got thrown....'
Jack put his arm around her and pulled her close.  "Worry about them in the morning.  You have no need for them right now."

She landed on top of him. He wound his hand in her hair, pulling her so close their lips were only inches apart.
"See?" he whispered.  "Isn't this much better?"
Honour had to remember to keep breathing when she found herself unable to tear her gaze from his eyes.
"I don't know if it is better or not. I only have two times to compare."
"Oh, you do have a very good point, love!  Very good indeed."  He kissed her deeply, but stopped abruptly.  "Let's start the comparison, shall we?"
She gazed into his eyes and said quietly, 'Oh, you mean I should compare you to the other captains I have had?"
"Well, I hadn't planned on anything as ambitions as that," he said with a surprised laugh.  "I don't feel inclined toward sharing you, that's for sure.  You make me feel very greedy.  But as a captain, I am fully confident that I measure up. Although I have heard the quartermasters could give us a run for our money."
"Well, I consort with no one but captains. Not even quartermasters, Rhys."
Jack glanced to either side of the bed with his eyes.  "Who's Rhys?  Your husband?"
She realized the faux pas and covered it quickly. "I think you misunderstood. I have no husband."
She held up her hand. 'There are no lines on my finger to indicate a ring, now, is there, Captain?"

He ran his finger over hers where a wedding ring would have resided, then drew her hand to his lips.  He kissed her ring finger, and gave her a devilish look.  
"It's a good thing, too.  With all the whiskey we had, I'm not sure I could deal with an angry husband tonight!"
She fixed her eyes on his.
"And you certainly aren't dressed for it."
She ran her finger from his lips down to his chest.
"Did anyone ever tell you that you talk to much, Captain?"
"Then, my dear, you're going to have to find a way to shut me up," he said with a wink.
She moved closer to him and whispered, "Any preference?"
He shook his head slowly.  "I play captain enough when my clothes are on.  I'll let you surprise me."
"And can you serve under someone like me?"
"Aye, m'lady.  That I can.  And rigorously! And...I think you found the way to shut me up!"

[Welsh Wench]

Jack reached under the bed and pulled the bottle of merlot he had filched on their way to the room. He pulled the cork out of the bottle wtih his teeth and spit it across the room.
"Wine, my dear?"
"On top of the whiskey? The top of my head hurts. Even my hair."
"Ah, all the more so. It's called '' hair o' the dog that bit ye!'
She frowned.
"If you are sure I will feel better..."
Jack poured her a glass and said, "I never lie about a good vintage. Now drink up like a good little girl."

Honour gently took the wine goblet out of Jack's hand, taking a sip. She gazed at him over the rim. "Mmm....I don't think you need any more wine."
"Rest assured," he said with a sly smile.  "The spirit is willing, and so is the flesh."
She smiled, "In the spirit of the occasion...."
Honour handed the wine back to Jack.
"What's this?  I thought I was cut off for the night.  Although..."  He held it up to the candlelight behind Honour.  "You seem to have gotten your fair share of it!"
"And it is community property, love. But see how it sparkles in the candlelight?"
"Community property," Jack echoed.  "This sounds somewhat ominous, the way it rolled off your tongue."
She laughed as she ran her finger from his lips to his chest, 'It means what's yours is mine...and what is mine is yours....'
A huge, eager grin broke out on his face.  "Well, that's not ominous at all..."  He kissed her lips, teasingly at first, but quickly more insistent.
"And I take it what you want right now is mine..." she whispered.
"I'll be sharing what's mine in the process, so it evens out.  Yes?"
"And if I am the recipient of yours, you had better make it the best you have to offer then."
"Oh, always," he said.  "I'll make certain you get only my best.  Which I'm afraid, unless I get rid of this wine glass, will be less than impressive."

She reached over and gently took the glass out of his hand. "Here..."
She hurled it against the fireplace shattering it into pieces.
"You celebrate an important occasion by drinking only once from a goblet and then smashing it . Because another occasion will never be worthy of it. I'll clean it up in the morning....'
"Oh, I do love the way you think.  See? I appreciate you for your mind as well as your body."
Honour put her arms around Jack and rolled over with him over her.
"I don't mind that you appreciate my body, Jack. I really don't."
"Oh, good!  Because I intend to show my appreciation for your body for the next several hours, at the least..."
"My goodness! Confident in your stamina, are you?"  
"What can I say?  You have me feeling especially... inspired."
She smiled, "And perspired. After all, it releases endorphins."
"Endorphins'? Why do we want to release a lot of bloody great fish?"
She giggled, "It's the chemical that makes you feel good. Like a wrung out towel."
"Oh, I do like that feeling...Let's see how many times we can feel that way!"

Honour pulled herself away from Jack. "You mean lots of little feeling that way or one big one?"
Jack got a very worried look on his face. "Oh, no, no, no, love. Not a lot of little ones. Several BIG ones."
Her face flushed. "I don't know if I can take it..."
"Then we'll spread them out.  No sense being greedy and having them all at once," he said with a wink.

She frowned, "I don't know if we have that kind of time. Amos is expecting me at work tomorrow."
Jack shook his head.  "I'll cover any expense he may be worried about, love.  Plus more."
"Captain Wolfe, have you always been this insatiable? I'm startin to believe the stories really ARE true!"

Jack brought his face close to hers and looked deeply into her eyes.  "Honour, every tavern story, every fable, every myth has at least a grain of truth at its centre."
She smiled seductively at him while she drew him close.
"Well, let's put that element of truth to the test, shall we, Captain Wolfe?"
"Like I said, I love the way you think!" he laughed.
She nibbled on his ear....:  "Just love me..at least for tonight."
"Tonight is a good start. Maybe you'll even leave a few tavern stories behind of your own."
"Oh, I don't kiss and tell."
Honour felt his hand slide down her body and her breath caught in her throat. She could feel the heat of his breath on her neck, his teeth grazing that one spot that never failed to send thrills through her.
'So much for me falling asleep...' she thought.

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

Honour laid in Jack's arms.."Oh... that was incredible...."
And with that she passed out.
Jack laid there with an unconscious Honour in his arms.
"I'm terribly flattered," he said softly.  "But what do I do now?"
A tiny devil appeared in a puff of brimstone and sat on his shoulder.  "You know what to do.  Have your way with her!"
"Um, I just did," said Jack.  "And vice-versa.  Weren't you paying attention?"
A tiny angel appeared and sat on his other shoulder.
"Cover her, and hold her in your arms until morning.  That is the chivalrous thing to do," said the angel.
"Right, I know YOU haven't been paying attention," said Jack.
"Go ahead," said the devil.  "She's all yours!"
"Yeah, ye wee numpty!!  I MARRIED her!  Can you possibly get off script and come up with something original?" groused Jack.
The devil thought for a moment, then hung his tiny scarlet head.  "I got nothin'," he said dolefully.
The angel played loudly on a tiny trumpet.
"Goodness triumphs again!  You are indeed a good man!" he proclaimed.

Jack flicked the little angel off his shoulder disdainfully.
"Stow it, you little twit!  She's passed out!  Now get a grip, both of you! Bloody hell.  Good and evil both on my shoulders, and they still don't get it!"
Jack pointed a finger and the devil and angel.
"You.... and especially YOU with the trumpet--- bugger off!" he hissed.
The diminutive agents looked at each other and shrugged.
"Fool! I'm ashamed to even associate with you!" the little red devil flung at Jack.  Then both the devil and angel vanished with their respective scents.

Jack woke up with a start.
Honour stirred...
"What did you say, Jack?" she murmured.
Jack kissed her cheek.  "Nothing, love.  Just a bad dream featuring two clueless midgets.  Go back to sleep."
Honour snuggled against him and drifted off again.
Honour hiccuped and threw her arm and leg around Jack. "Just love me....." and passed out again.
"You aren't even..."  He kissed her, and realized she passed out again.
"... awake.  Just lovely.  Here I have this beautiful woman wrapped around me..."
Honour snored softly.
"...sexy as she is right now...  Bugger!"
He looked at her face, and found himself marvelling at her features.
"You are so beautiful," he whispered.  Jack kissed her lips gently, and pulled her closer against him.
"But just one thing I have to ask.... please, don't make me fall in love with you."

[Welsh Wench]

The sun was rising as Honour woke up. She lifted her head from the pillow and groaned. Nothing to eat except a few apples she had in the room and the three bottles of wine Jack had grabbed on their way to her room.

Jack heard her stir and woke up. Smiling, he said, "Well, good morning to you too. How did you sleep?"
"For only having a few hours of sleep and the headache from the wine you gave me? I've felt better. Do you realize we have stayed inside this room for two days?"
Jack laughed, "Time flies when you are having fun, yeah?"
She reached out and grabbed her dressing gown..
"Where do you think you are going? Come back here."
"I'm getting some water, do you want some?"
Jack reached down by the bed and pulled out a bottle of whiskey.
"I've got what I need right here. Aqua vitae."
"Water of life."
He grinned. "You know your Latin."
She shrugged. "I AM educated, you know. And your capacity for alot of things amazes me. Have you always been this insatiable?"
"Always."

She brushed her hair and looked at her face in the mirror. Was that a blush? Or a glow? She caught Jack gazing at her in the reflection. Turning to him, she said, "Jack, are you going to tell me about those twenty-four chests of guilders?"
His mind raced. They had both been pretty well on their way to an alcohol nirvana.
How did she remember it? Briggs' words came back to haunt him.
"And don't you let some tavern wench get ye to yappin, neither!"

He scrambled for coolness.
"I think you misunderstood me. The contents of the chests contained various sundry items. Some wine, some spices...a bit of coffee."
"But I thought you said 'guilders.'"
He shook his head. "No, I said, 'spilled dirt.' Someone didn't close the lids tightly."
He affected a cough.
"You know...dust bunnies."
She frowned. He continued, "If I said guilders, would I be in this backwater port of St Lawrence? No. I'd be in Havana or Kingston. Or spending it in Port Royal."
She didn't say anything.
"Alright, come back to bed and I wil tell you a bedtime story."
She pointed out the window.
"It's daylight."
"Aye, but this is a bed and I can tell you a story about a chest."
She sighed and let the dressing gown go.
She got back under the sheet and folded her arms.
"This had better be worth my while."
"Oh, I promise you--hasn't it been so far?"

He reached for her once more, she put her hand on his chest and whispered.
"Not again. Not till you tell me this story about a chest."

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

Jack redirected his hand from the curve of Honour's hip to the tenderness of her face.
"Fair enough, darling. Here's a story of a fabled treasure. A couple of years ago, I heard a fantastic legend about a race that disappeared from these parts hundreds of years ago, possibly longer. Their real name is forgotten. The fellow who told me about them only referred to them in a hushed voice as 'Les Anciens'. The Ancients. The story goes that they abandoned their empire for whatever reason – war, famine, disease, something – and they left behind only a few traces of their existence.  One is a golden chest containing one of their most important treasures.  It's protected by a mechanism that prevents it from being opened unless you have the knowledge and the key to reveal its secrets.

"The thing is, it's no fable. The Ancients existed, I'm certain of it.  And so does that chest.  A naturalist named Armand LaFourche stumbled across one of their ruined cities a few years back.  Studied the whole thing top to bottom, and even managed to crack their language after a fashion.  In a crypt beneath a crumbling temple, he found the chest.  He was going to try and open it himself, only it stolen from him before he could try. Those in the know say he kept meticulous notes should the chest ever turn up again.  I happen have a reliable lead on where the chest is now, and word is LaFourche's journal is on the market. Once I have both, which will be only a matter of time now, I'll be rich beyond my wildest dreams. And trust me, I have some wild dreams.  So, what do you think of that little story?"

Honour bit her lip as she considered his tale.
"You do realise how outlandish it all sounds, don't you?  I mean, if he's already got the information, why doesn't this Armand LaFork--"
"LaFourche."
"Whatever. Why doesn't HE go after the treasure himself?"
"I should have known better than to open this up for questions," Jack laughed as he began to kiss her neck. She took him by the chin and pulled his face up to meet hers before he could get any further.
She repeated, "Why isn't he going after the treasure himself?"
"Because," sighed Jack, "the man is a lunatic.  Stark raving mad, he is. His obsession with the Ancients and having that chest, only to lose it again, drove him over the edge.  He's in no shape to go chasing after it.  Or, more importantly to me, demand a share from whoever opens it. The best he can manage is to sit in his garden on Martinique mumbling  to himself."
"So we're sailing to Martinique?" she said enthusiastically.  "I've always wanted to go there!"
Jack stroked her silky hair.  "I'm afraid not, my darling.  Not right away, at any rate.  I have some business to attend to in Tobago.  After that is wrapped up, we'll be Martinique bound to buy the journal."
He gently caressed her almost alabaster skin. "All that will be left is to procure the golden chest. And speaking of treasured chests..."
Honour jumped out of bed, dragging the sheet with her.
He sighed and propped himself up on his elbow. "You're getting shy now? That sheet does absolutely nothing for you, love."

Jack smiled at her and patted the place in bed next to him. She ignored him.
"Oh, come on, my sweet.  Is this about that wedding ring, or lack of one?  I swear upon my sainted mother's grave that I shall have a gold ring slipped on your finger before the end of the week. I just need to sort through some Spanish treasure on my ship and--"
She drew the sheet around her tighter. "You intend to give me...leftovers? From your ill-gotten gain?"
Jack couldn't help but laugh. "Consider it my salary from my job. Are you ready for a sail upon El Lobo del Mar? As I said, I need to meet with an associate, Cade Jennings, in Tobago.  He's there setting up a fresh enterprise.  He's a good sort, I think you will like him.  Think of it as a honeymoon cruise. Combining business with pleasure, yeah?"

Honour climbed back into bed and wrapped her arms around him.  "I heard Tobago IS lovely this time of year..." she whispered lustily.  But she stopped, and a curious look came over her.  She looked at him and asked, "Just how old are you, Jack?"
"Thirty-four. And you?"
She smiled as seductively as she knew how and said, "I turned nineteen in April."
Jack's head hit the wall with a thud.  He started laughing and couldn't stop.
"What's so funny?" she asked.
He thought of what Briggs would say. 'Cradle robber' would be the kindest thing.
"Nothing, my sweet. Nothing at all. Now...where were we?....."

[Welsh Wench]

Honour rolled over and opened her eyes. She hit Jack in the head with a pillow. "You let me sleep most of the morning away! "
"You had quite the busy night, darling. And morning, too.  I thought you could use your rest."
She stood up, dragging the sheet with her. "I've had nothing to eat for almost two days now except a few apples and a handful of grapes."
Jack's brow knitted.  "Well, that's no good at all!  You need to keep your strength up, as do I.  Fancy a bite to eat?  Even if it means leaving this nice warm bed?"

She scrambled on the floor, muttering, "I know they are here...somewhere."
He leaned over the side of the bed, a look of bemusement on his face as he admired her form.  "What on earth are you looking for?"
Her face flamed with embarrassment. "Oh...nothing."
Jack held up his finger, her pantalets draped on it.
"Is this what you were looking for?"

Honour gasped in surprise and grabbed the garment off his finger.
"Yes, thank you!  Would you afford me a bit of privacy while I put them back on?"
"Not a chance, dove," he smiled wickedly. 
She shrugged, "Then enjoy the show, mate."
Jack settled back on the bed, making a small production of fluffing up his pillow before reclining. 
"You know I will!  But I do prefer you with those trappings on the floor where they belong."
She threw them in his face.
"Fine then. I'll go without. But I need food."
He pulled the pantalets off his head and placed them on the bed. 
"I'm just teasing, darling.  My preferences aside, I'd rather not have to get you out of the gaol for public lewdness and indecency.  If it will make you feel better, I'll turn my back."
"it will make me feel better. Turn your back."
As she grabbed them and let the sheet slip, she caught his gaze in the mirror.
"You cheated!
Well, yeah!" he laughed.  "I'm a pirate, remember?"
"Put the pillow over your head," demanded Honour as she moved out of range of the mirror's reflection.  "And do be quick.  I'm hungry!"
Jack sighed and picked up the pillow.  "As you wish, my dear."

She came out of the alcove of her room wearing her chemise. "The drawstring is missing. And the bodice lacings are cut into little pieces. My skirt is ripped. What the hell happened?"
"Oh, um, that might have been me," he said sheepishly.  "You were hopelessly knotted, and I wasn't in a patient mood..."
He held up his shirt, which was torn up the back.
"And neither were you, from the look of things."
"I think you caught yours on a nail. That's it. You caught it on a nail."
She looked at her hands and held them up."Do you honestly think these hands could rip through your shirt?"
Jack got out of bed and walked to her.  She gave him a wary look as he took her hands in his.
"These look like the hands of a woman capable of doing anything she puts her mind to," he said with a gentle smile.
Honour found herself blushing again.  "You're still naked."
Jack looked down. "So I am !"
"I'm dressed, after a fashion," she said.  "Shouldn't you be, too?  My stomach is rumbling like an oncoming storm."
"Can we get Amos to send up some stew and bread?"
With me looking like this?" she asked.  "Whatever will he think?"
"That you had one hell of a good night?"
Honour frowned and shook her head.  "I may as well send you down naked, then."
"I like that idea less.  Wait!  I've got an idea..."
Jack picked up his belt and untied a thin leather lanyard from it.  "This should work nicely!"
"What is that thing?"
"New lacing for your bodice, love!"
"But, it's too short."
"We improvise."
"You're mad, you know that?"
"Yeah," he grinned.  "Ain't it great?"
"Would you at least put your pants on?" she said in exasperation.  "At least be half dressed and mad."
"Oh, fine.  Prude."
It's just that you are a....umm..uh..."
"Distraction?" he replied.
Her face turned bright red.
He ran his fingers through her golden tresses, and began to pull her into a kiss.
"Oh no, you don't!" she protested, her face flaming from embarrassment and a bit of desire.  "Clothes, laces, food.  In that order.  I won't have you undressing me again without a meal."
"You drive a hard bargain, love."
"And you're a hard man--"
Jack's eyebrows went up.  "Why, thank you!"
"-- TO DEAL WITH!" she yelped, and pushed him away from her.  "Just get dressed, damn it!"

She opened up an armoire and pulled out a summer frock in sky blue. "This IS my room so I do have clothes here. Forget the bodice."
He held up his shirt. "All fine for you. But what about me?"

She opened up a drawer and pulled out a man's shirt. "Here. I sleep in this sometimes."
He sniffed it. "Smells like scotch. Whose is it?"
She grabbed it back. "It's mine. Do you want it or not?"
He grabbed it back and pulled it over his head.
"It fits. I'll take it. Smells familiar...."

Her mind went back to another place and time. She murmured, "What do you expect when you work in a tavern?"
No need to mention that the shirt belonged to James Blake.
And good whiskey was his vice.

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

Honour and Jack emerged from the tavern and headed towards the small inn down the street.
"Do you realize this is the first time I have seen you in broad daylight?" she said.
He laughed and spread his arms. "And dost thou like what thou sees, fair maiden?"
She stood there with her hands on her hips, surveying him up and down. "You look taller in the dark."
"Horizontal or vertical?"
She blushed and slapped his chest. "You are a bad man, Captain Wolfe. But come on--I am starving!"
He turned her around and said, "No. No tavern. I have a better idea."
He marched her towards the dock.
"Where are we going? To the Sea Biscuit? They have wonderful cheesy...."
"You'll see!"
He led her to the dock and proudly pointed. "The best food I can think of is right in my cabin."
She put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes. "Right. Now I see. You don't have to get out of bed to dine."
He laughed and put his arm around her waist, marching her towards the ship.
"There is roast pork there and fresh vegetables. And a wonderful outlaying of wine. And I also get to introduce you to my best friend."
"I met him. The bemused gentleman that was trying to talk some sense into you at the tavern. So it seems I am not your type."
"What do you mean? You are a female and you breathe."
"I caught the words 'not Spanish'. So you like them dusky and exotic."
He put his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes. "Why are you just now mentioning this?"
She started to speak. "Because...never mind."
"Because you were having too much fun to worry about details?"
From above, a voice yelled, " 'Bout time ye got yer arse back to the ship, Jack!"
Jack shielded his eyes. "Aye, Josiah. Permission to come aboard?"
The disembodied voice shouted back, "Since when did ye ask my permission on anything? But since ye did, ye have to say, "Briggs, may I?"
"Briggs, may I?"
The voice yelled back, "No."
"Sorry--coming on board anyways!"

Jack turned to Honour. "That would be Briggs."
"The gentleman I met last night."
"The very one."
"The one who tried to lure you back to the ship?"

"Briggs isn't subtle enough to lure, darling.  He came right out and said keeping company with you wasn't a wise idea."
Honour stayed silent for a couple steps.  "And was he right?"
"Maybe not," he said with a smile.  "Of course, he'd never agree."
Jack and Honour appeared at the top of the deck after crossing the gangplank.
"Aye, I knew you would show up after the customary two days and....oh. Hello."
Briggs looked from Honour to Jack and then said, "Shall I fix the guest room up?"  A crewman yelled, "Or the nursery?"
Briggs turned to the crewman. "Shush, Connors. She's not that young."
 Honour felt her face flame red. Jack threw his head back and laughed, Grabbing her hand he held his and hers up.
"Look!"
"So..what am I supposed to be looking at?"
"Oh. Well....um..uh...there's supposed to be wedding rings there."
The pipe Briggs had been packing with tobacco clattered to the deck.
"Ye...  ye what?"

"Mar-ried," said Jack slowly, emphasizing the syllables.  "You know, when the minister says a lot of vow thingies and the man and woman say 'I do'.  Ring a bell?"
Briggs snapped, "Aye, I've been there...remember?"
"Just making sure.  And yes, I know this is a big surprise for you..."
"Damn straight it is," Briggs muttered.
"... as it was for us.  Isn't that right, dear?"
 Honour looked from Jack to Briggs and could feel the colour rising in her face. "Well...um..yes...especially when you don't remember doing it..I mean the getting married part. The rest...well, um...."

 Briggs shook his head as if to clear away the confusion.  "Married??  How...  When did ye go off and do this?"
"A couple hours after you went back to the ship," said Jack.  "And trust me, the magistrate was just as surprised as anyone when we woke him up."
"I knew I shouldn't have let ye out of my sight," Briggs grumbled.
Honour wasn't sure why the quartermaster was so dismayed, but she was sure of one thing; she didn't care for the gruff man much.

She edged closer to Jack and put her hand on his arm. She suddenly felt self-conscious, like a bug under a microscope.
Jack laughed, "Yeah, you  could have been the best man. As it was...well, I was in a bit of a hurry."
Briggs took a deep breath and exhaled it through clenched teeth.  Honour pressed ever closer to Jack as he fixed her in his gaze.
"If it's all the same to ye, little miss--"
Something sparked within Honour, and she found her voice. "That's MRS, Mister Briggs.  MRS Jack Wolfe.  Please get used to it."
Josiah blinked as if he'd been slapped.  "Aye," he said quietly.  "Aye, Mrs. Wolfe.  I'll be sure to remember that.  But if I might be havin' a word in private with your husband, I'd be right appreciative."

Jack turned to Honour and said,"Why don't you scoot to my cabin, darling? I'll be there shortly. I'll have the cook fix us a delightful lunch."
She looked back at Jack and frowned. "If you are sure..."
"Of course I am sure. Now scoot!" he said as he playfully slapped her bottom.
Honour jumped a little at the swat, and turned back to her husband.  The frown was quickly turning to frustration.  "Fine!  I'll wait for you there.  Just one question?"
"And what is that, my dove?"
"WHERE is your cabin?  I've never been on this ship before."  She folded her arms and looked at him expectantly.  "And I certainly wouldn't know where a captain's cabin would be."  All right, that was a fib.  But he didn't need to know everything.
"You're right," said Jack with a smile.  "That was thoughtless of me.  Josiah, I'll be back after I show Honour to my - our cabin.  You brood and get worked up for when I return in a couple minutes."

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

 Jack guided her down the long, darkened companionway to his cabin, and opened the door. As Honour attempted to walk through the door, Jack grabbed her around the waist and said, "Oh, no you don't! I do believe it is my duty to carry you over the threshold, as it were."
She put her arms around him and gave a slight smile as he lifted her up.
"This, my love, is hallowed ground aboard ship.  None dare enter save those I've given permission.  Now it's our hallowed ground."

He set Honour down and she took in the captain's quarters. The great cabin was spacious, about twenty-five feet wide and twelve feet deep. There was a large four-poster bed to starboard.  The coverlet looked to be of a soft silk.  Her eyebrow raised as she detected a woman's touch in the surroundings.  Could it be that Jack had 'previous company' that had been a little deeper relationship?

A six-foot long oak dining table that could easily double as a meeting table was in the middle of the space.  To the side was a generously wide desk, messy with charts and instruments.   Obviously it was Jack's private space.  On the forward bulkhead there was a massive bookcase, stuffed with all manner of books, maps, and charts.  Two evenly spaced oil lamps hung from the overhead.  Plenty of shuttered windows to provide light most of the time, whatever direction the ship was heading.

Jack took her hand and kissed it, then drew her close and kissed that one spot on her neck that always sent thrills through her body. "I shall not be long. Just long enough to get Briggs straightened."
"You mean straightened out?"
"Either one, love.  I think you could tell he's pretty bent out of shape at the moment."
Honour's face clouded.  "Yes, and I don't understand why he's so cross with me.  He's never met me before!  Is he always so gruff?"
Jack stroked her cheek.  "He's not cross with you, darling.  He's cross with me.  I ran off and did something he thinks is wildly irresponsible, and this is his way of letting me know he doesn't approve."
"But... YOU'RE the captain.  Doesn't your approval matter over his?"
"You tell HIM that, love!" laughed Jack as he blew her a kiss and closed the cabin door behind him.

He headed up to the quarterdeck where Briggs was standing at the rail looking off into the horizon. Jack leaned against the rail and crossed his arms.
"So, Josiah, are you not going to congratulate me on my nuptials?"
Briggs blasted, "Jack, what was in your head? Were ye so full of whiskey that ye weren't thinking?"
Jack's face turned a bit red as he said, "You want to know the truth, Josiah? She... wouldn't!"
"Wouldn't--what?"
Jack said, "She said we had to be married first."
Josiah looked dumbfounded. "A tavern wench that was a VIRGIN?"
At that Jack was a bit uncomfortable.  "Well..um...I guess she wasn't after all.  But she was serious and said she wouldn't until we were properly wed.  So... well, I wed her."
"Ye married her. Ye married a wench just to bed her?  JACK WOLFE?  Just who was doin' the seducing, Captain?  Her?  Or you?  Because what it is looking like, is that ye were roped in."
"Well, I wouldn't exactly say that...."
Josiah said darkly, "I should have stayed with ye, I should have. I saw the looks between ye.  Just how much whiskey did ye drink, Jack?"
"Well, I think I quit counting after the third bottle... or was it the fourth?"
Briggs retorted, "I hope that little bit o' heaven on earth was worth it, Jack."
"What do you mean?"
Josiah said hotly, "I mean to say is she worth all that booty we took from the Dutch merchant ship?  Dangnubbit, Jack!  Twenty-seven chests of guilders..."
"Maybe she just wants the calico.  You know, for dresses..." Jack interjected.
Josiah slammed his fist down on the rail. "If ye were a doxy, would ye want calico or guilders?"

Jack's jaw tightened as he said in a low voice, "Choose your words carefully, Mr. Briggs..."
"Think, Jack!  THINK!  Can ye buy guilders with calico?  Because if ye had guilders, ye can buy all the calico ye want!"
"Well, somehow I can't see Honour wearing calico..."
Josiah added, "And the guilders may be the lesser of your troubles."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean to tell ye, that as yer dearly beloved, she may now be entitled to a share of the booty we take from here on out!  And the ship!  Community property, that's the law of old Mother England!  Commonwealth, protectorate, or empire, it's all the same.  Half be hers."
"She wouldn't do that..."
Josiah walked off but flung over his shoulder, "That's as maybe, but I'd put that relic of a crate under lock and key. And never -- EVER – tell your glowing bride about it."

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

"Josiah, you worry far too much," Jack pandered. "There's more than enough baubles and nonesuch in my cabin to keep her from a crate marked 'Sundries'. I'd wager she's more interested in my desk than some ordinary box.  I've not disclosed one bit of information what would make her wise to the Ancient's treasure.  I even told her I'm still looking for the thing.  Besides, if I can't open the bloody thing, how could she?"
"Aye, Jack.  Maybe so," Briggs sighed. Josiah felt in his bones that Jack was making a grave mistake, but he'd not go against his captain and friend.
Jack drank in the salt air, and felt renewed by it.
"Josiah," he spoke in a low voice. "May I ask a favour?"
"Ask, and I'll grant."
"I'd appreciate it if, in the future, you address Honour with the respect she's due as my wife.  She's convinced you're cross with her, and I know that's not the case.  You're aggravated as hell with me, and she got the brunt of it."
Josiah coloured a bit.  "Well, Jack, I'm just tryin' to look out for what's best for ye.  I mean, seriously!  You married her after what?  Three hours, at best?  What do you really know about her?"

Jack sighed chuckled and turned toward his friend.  "I know she's a hell of a good time, that's sure enough!  Look, Josiah...  I'm not a young man any more.  I'm over thirty, I'm on top of my game as a pirate, but what's next?  If I slow down, I'll get overtaken by some young buck what fancies himself a better pirate.  And he might be right.  Maybe it's time to settle down and make babies rather than take ships and settlements."

Briggs' eyes darkened. "Captain Jack Wolfe," he said solemnly, "ye be the commander of this ship and crew! Aye, we've been friends for round about 15 years. And this is the first time I've heard ye talk of packin' it in.  What's that woman done to ye?"

Jack shot him a wicked grin.  "You really want me to answer that question?  My friend, she can do things with her--"
"All right, that's quite enough!" Briggs laughed.  "I get the idea.  But really, Jack.  How serious are ye about this dalliance?"
"It's just that, my friend.  A dalliance.  I've never been married before.  Now I've got that under my belt.  In more ways than one!"
Briggs snorted at the joke.
"We'll see what happens," continued Jack.  "It all depends on how long she amuses me."
"Seein' ye walk up here, she's amusin' ye quite a bit!  Can't recall the last time I seen a woman put that much steam in your stride."
"I dunno...  you think she's a keeper?"
"Jack, me lad, I know ye too well.  There ain't no such thing as a keeper!  She is a lovely thing, though.  Let her down easy, yeah?"

Jack chuckled, but gave no answer.  "See to the crew, my friend.  We'll set sail for Tobago come first light. I want to know how Jennings is coming along with the smuggling operation there. And let me know should we sight prize sail. I'd like some more swag in El Lobo's belly before we finish the next four day's travel.  Just so people remember who I am.  Oh!  And have supper sent to my cabin.  Have the cook do up something nice.  We've still got a pig or two, right?  Have that sent, and some potatoes."
"Aye, Jack.  Consider it done!"

Jack clapped his friend on the shoulder and went below. He reached the door to his cabin, and hesitated.
"She really is a keeper.  And I do enjoy her company..." he thought. He shook his head hard and shrugged off the thought.
He knocked twice, turned the knob and opened the door. Honour was sitting on the bed with a curious look on her face.
"Is everything all right, Jack?" she asked.
"Everything is wonderful!  We're headed for Tobago, my darling. We'll set sail come the morning. If we're lucky we'll take a prize or two before we make landfall at my nest. For now, settle back. My crew are at your beck and call."
He sat on the bed beside her. "I've sent for food. Roast piglet and potatoes. We should have it within the couple hours or so. May I get you something to drink?"

Honour stood up quickly, just about knocking Jack off the bed. "Set sail? In the morning? I can't! I have to go back to my job as tavern wench. And I have no clothes with me. I left them in my room."
Jack said, "No, you don't. You're Mrs. Jack Wolfe now.  You don't have to do anything about that tavern wench job. And as far as clothes...."
Jack walked over to the armoire and opened it. "There are plenty of clothes in here for you."
Honour's face turned red and she walked over to the armoire.
"Are you out of your mind?"
Jack looked surprised. "Is there a problem?"
"Problem? You want to know if there is a problem?"
She grabbed a dress and threw it on his head. He swatted at the silk that swirled around his shoulders.
Her face flamed. "You expect me to wear a dress that belonged to one of your--your----your--"
Jack ripped the silk away from his face and said, "Friends of the female persuasion?"
"More like one of the strumpets for hire! Look at this dress! Cheap! And the smell! Roses? Really? And cheap ones at that! And there's this one!"
She picked up one in a hideous purple. "She must have been eating without the use of any utensils!"
She shook the dress at him. "Besides her lack of taste, look how she dribbled food on this one!"
"Well, she was a wild one, that..."
Honour shot him a warning look.

Jack sighed heavily. "Hell, it's only clothes..."
She crossed her arms and said, "I refuse to wear any dress that belonged to another woman. Particularly one who..."
"You sound more like a noble woman than a tavern wench, love.  Especially with the high and mighty bit."
She clammed up. No need for him to know what her background really was. It would only lead to questions.
Questions that she did not want to answer.
He put his arms around her and nuzzled her neck.
"Now, what would you REALLY like, my love? We have an hour before the roasted pig and I---"
"I want to go shopping."
"What?"
"Shopping. If I have to go to Tobago, I need new clothes. And there are a few things I want to pick up in my room."
"I'll go with you then."
She kissed him quickly and said, "Now, darling, you would just be bored out of your mind waiting for me to shop. I'll be back within the hour. The shopkeepers know my size."
"Really?  How would they know your size unless you frequented them, you being a tavern maid and all?"
She felt her face getting red. "Well, some of them come into the tavern with their husbands. They have taken a liking to me. And being of a smaller size, they used me for their 'model' to try the dresses on."
She looked at him, hoping he bought the lie.
He sighed and said, "I can see that.  How much do you need?"
She mentioned a modest sum. Jack gave her double and said, "Buy what your heart desires, love. Meanwhile, I shall look through the booty for that ring with three emeralds I promised."
She gave him a deep kiss and then smiled. "I shall be back with an hour. Then I shall be ravenous!"
She gave him a grin but closed the door before he could detain her further.

As she walked through the ship, she felt someone's eyes on her. She turned in time to see Briggs hurriedly looking back over the deck. His face was grim.
"Oh, well. Let Jack deal with him," she thought with a toss of her blonde mane.

[Welsh Wench]

"Hello, Amos!"
He looked up.
"Well, look what the cat dragged in."
She poured herself an ale. Amos snatched it out of her hand and replaced it with a glass of milk.
"Hey!"
"I still think you are too young to drink that stuff. And if you are a good little girl, I'll let you have a chocolate torte."
"Alright. That's better. I'm sorry I didn't come in this morning but I have a good reason."
Amos crossed his arms.
"I'd love to hear YOUR side of the story. I already got a note he sent down."
"What do you mean?"
"How do you think that plate of fruit and cheese got to your room? You think the fruit fairy brought it?"
"Well...."
"Well nothing! He stopped Malcolm in the hall requesting a light repast. Mal peeked in and you were sound asleep."
"Now, wasn't that thoughtful of Jack...."
"He sent a note down telling me you were occupied and with it was a fifty-pound note to cover any 'inconvenience and loss of revenue' by your being 'indisposed.' So when does he ship out so we can get back to what passes for normal around here?"
"Well, that may be a problem..."
"What do you mean, 'a problem'? He's not leaving by the end of the week?"

She held up her hand.
"So what am I looking at?"
"Oh! We keep doing that. There is supposed to be a ring there."
"Come again?"
"We kind of got married Saturday night. Well, technically it was Sunday morning. Do you think it is a sin to...you know...on the Sabbath?"
Amos sat down with a thud.
"I don't believe it."
"What, that I got married or that I may have broken some sort of commandment? Would that be one of the ones that Moses forgot to pick up when he smashed the tablets?"
He shook his head.
"I knew I should have made Kate take that table."
She held her finger up. 'You forget--I wasn't serving, I was dealing. And that brute Donovan slapped me."
"Do you realize what you have done, MIssy? Who you have married?"
"I married Captain Jack Wolfe and----"
"No, you married Captain MAD Jack Wolfe. He's not mad as in angry, he's mad as in crazy.

It was Honour's turn to be surprised. "You know him?"
"Know him? Everyone knows him! He's a legend in the Caribbean. Rumoured to front alot of the smuggling operation and black market trade in these waters from a remote location. Some say St. Maarten, some say Antigua. Trinidad...Tobago..."
Honour cupped her chin in her hand. "You don't say. And now I am Mrs. Captain Jack Wolfe. How about that!"

Amos' face darkened. "Heard he has his hands in a few sporting houses too."
"Amos, you run a sporting house. I was dealing, remember?"
"Not that kind of sporting. I'm talking cathouse."
Honour looked puzzled. "I don't take Jack for a pet type of person...."
Amos exhaled loudly and exploded, "He's a bordello fellow!"
Realization came over Honour.
"You mean....?"
"Yes, I do mean. So you had best get your little rudder back in this tavern, Missy. Just forget about this whole 'till death or whimsy do us part.'
She cut herself a piece of the chocolate torte and licked the knife.
Amos took it away from her and she made a face at him.
"Really, Amos, you think he's going to employ me? I'm his WIFE!"
Amos muttered, "Stranger things have happened. I've heard alot of stories."
"Well, tell me one."
Amos thought and then continued to mop the bar. "Just you never mind there. Before you become a tavern story yourself. But I think you already have. Getting married in less than three hours."

Honour picked up her plate and put it in the basin behind the bar.
"Please don't worry, Amos. I'll come back to visit regular. When we get back from Tobago. And then I can come back to work. Jack won't mind, I know it. Can I borrow Lucas and Samuel to help me with some of my trunks? I don't want to leave them here."
Amos nodded. "Best you pay them a bit extra. I know the size of your chest."
Honour stifled a giggle.
Amos frowned. "You know what I mean."

As Honour turned to walk up the stairs, Amos called out, "Get him to tell you the story of the nuns and the Mother Superior and see how well you sleep at night!"

[Welsh Wench]

 
"Were you going to try to sneak away without saying goodbye to me?"
Honour turned around.
"Kate!"
"Amos told me."
Honour sighed. "I wanted to tell you myself."
Kate crossed her arms.
"Well?"
"Well...what?"
Kate leaned forward. "How is he?"
"He's fine."
"You know what I mean."
"Kate! Do you expect me to kiss and tell?"
"Yes.  I do. You never held back before. You know....girl talk."
"This is different."
Kate brushed back Honour's hair and grinned.
"He's a biter, I see."
"More of a nibbler."
"Better not let Amos see those suckerbites on your neck then. You know how protective he is of us."

Honour opened up the armoire and began pulling out dresses.
"I just couldn't see leaving them behind. Some of them were really quite pricey."
Kate sat on the bed.
"Do you think you will have occasion to wear them? After all, you will be on a ship."
"We have to make port sometime. And I want to look my best. Do you want this lavender one?"
Kate took it. "You know I do. I always liked it."

Honour bent over and started flinging boots out. "Well, there are enough boots here to make a cobbler weep with joy."
She began folding the dresses up and putting them in trunks.
Kate looked over.
"What have we here?"
She picked up the remnants of her lacings.
"And this too?"
Kate held up the chemise with the drawstring out.
"Oooh, here it is. The drawstring. With teeth marks on it. What the heck was going on here anyways?"
Honour snatched it away from Kate.
"Just....alright! So he is a very impatient person!"
Kate laughed. "It sounds like it. And no one had seen you in three days but Malcolm heard your voice when he was in the hallway. You didn't know it but he put a piece of paper in the doorjamb to see when it would fall out."
"He didn't!"
"Yes, he did. He wanted to see how long before you surfaced."

Honour felt her face get red. "What do you expect? It was my wedding night."
"Nights. More than one."
Honour giggled. "Alright so we celebrated a bit longer than necessary. But we are going to Tobago for our honeymoon and then we will be back."
Kate looked out the casement window.
"It's best you are leaving now."
"What?"
"Look."

Honour joined Kate at the bedroom window.
"Is---is that who I think it is?"
Kate nodded. "The Golden Phoenix just pulled into port. And Captain Jonas Corwin will be coming into the town before the night falls."
Honour hastily threw her clothes into a trunk with speed. Her face was pale.
Kate said softly, "You are safe, sweetheart. After all, you married Mad Jack Wolfe."
"You know of him?"
"Honour, every tavern wench in St. Lawrence knows the tales. And you will be out of St. Lawrence by the time the sun reaches noon. I'll keep an eye on things and if Corwin starts asking questions, we will spread the rumour that you married a Spaniard and are now living in Cadiz. That should keep him at bay."
Honour hugged Kate.
"Thank you, Kate."
"'Thank you for...what?"
"For everything. If it wasn't for you, I would be dead by that bastard's sword."
Kate hugged her back. "You would have done the same for me. Keep in touch and visit often. And give that big quartermaster a nice warm kiss from me!"

Honour laughed. "I think he would rather get those regards from you."
Kate put her hand on the doorknob and said over her shoulder, "Find out if the Mother Superior story really did involve a whip, three monkeys and a piece of fruit."
Honour said, "Wait...what?" as Kate closed the door.

Suddenly the door opened again and Kate pointed to the curtain rod.
"You may want to take your pantalets down from there," and closed the door.

[Welsh Wench]

  
Honour took one last look around the room. She had buried the two duffel bags deep in the bottom of one trunk and covered it with a black velvet cloak. Lucas came to the room and said, "Amos said ye be leavin' us, little lassie. I shall sorely miss ye."
She gave him a hug and said, "As I shall miss you, Lucas. But you never know what happens in this life. You never know where life will take you if you don't take chances. And working in this establishment dealing cards, I learned you have to know when to take a chance and lay your money down. Because the turn of the card can mean a fortune lost or found. Even in matters of the heart. "
He grinned and said, " 'eard ye bagged a big one, Missy. Ye be Mrs. Captain Jack Wolfe, ye be!"
She laughed and said, "Honour Wolfe. Now there is a name with a certain panache!"
She looked under the bed one last time and pulled out a pair of boots. 'Wonder who they belong to?'
She shrugged and handed them to Lucas.
"Here, Lucas. Wear them in good health!"

She walked downstairs and Amos stood there with a woebegone look on his face. He faltered a bit as he said, "I am going to be missing you, Honour. A lot of good times here."
She gave him a hug and said, "Don't look so sad, Amos. I shall be back to work before too long. We may even someday buy a sugar plantation here."
"To raise little pirates?"
"Perish the thought, Amos! Perish the thought! But one more friend I need to take with me. He is the real reason I came back."

Amos reached behind the bar and pressed something into her hand.
"What's this?"
"That, little puss, is the fifty-pound note that your husband---Lord, I choke on that word!--gave to me. I want you to have it."
"Amos, no. I couldn't----"
He interrupted her. "You keep that money and you keep it hidden. If you ever get stranded somewhere, I want you to take that money and get passage back here to us."
She looked down at the note.
"Amos, that isn't---"
"Yes, it is. It will give me peace of mind knowing that you can at least come back here to your family."
Honour felt her eyes fill with tears. Whether it was the touching gesture of Amos or the enormity of what she did, she felt like she was going to cry at any minute.
Amos cleared his throat.
"Now you just consider it a little wedding present from me. Something you can use in the future if you need it. Like an annulment."

Honour threw her arms around Amos' neck and whispered, "Have I ever told you how much you mean to me, Amos? All of you?"
He disentangled her from his neck and said softly, "As we feel the same, darlin'. You keep yourself safe and keep your wits about you. And you save that money."
She tucked the note in what she considered the safest bank in the world.
"I'll be leaving now. If I see Kate, I just know I will be weeping."
"You taking the pooch, I assume?"
She smiled through her tears, "Yes. Can you imagine me without Muir? Or him without me?"

She went to the stable and whistled low. Her best friend came bounding out the door.
"Muir! You know I couldn't leave you behind!"
The wolf-dog that had been her constant companion jumped on her, running around her in circles.
"Are you ready for an adventure?"
He barked in affirmation.
She scratched him behind his ears.
"It's a big ship. Just as big as..."
Her voice trailed off as she looked to the harbour. She just couldn't quite bring herself to say the words that always stuck in her throat.
Neptune Rising.

Honour shook her head as if to clear the thought away. She had been so--occupied--that she had pushed the memory of Rhys Morgan down into her heart.
But seeing Muir excited about a sailing adventure brought back the memory of a dream unfulfilled.
She straightened up and said with determination, "Then let's get going!  I'll introduce you to Jack. And you had better be on your best behaviour or I shall leave you with Amos. Not that you would mind. He spoils you rotten anyway."

She opened the door and headed back to the ship.

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

Kate came into the tavern and sighed.
"Don't you be giving me that sad-eyed look, Missy."
She put her tray down.
"I won't. But it won't be the same without Honour here. But it is good she is leaving now and under the protection of Captain Wolfe. Guess who just pulled into port?"
"You're kidding, right?"
"No. You can't mistake that golden masthead. I imagine his crew and himself will be in here before nightfall. And she's gone back to Wales. Right, Amos?"
He nodded.
"Never to be seen again. At least that is the story for him."

"Think she is happy, Amos?"
He shrugged. "For the moment. She's got that glow---you know---it's good for the circulation."
Kate laughed and Amos said hotly, "I've been around, you know!"
He continued to wipe the tavern counter with his towel.
"I took a bit of insurance, you know."
"How so?"
"I gave her Wolfe's fifty-pound note for passage back."
"Amos!"
He looked serious. "There are stories about Wolfe. Short attention span. And then it is on to the next."
"But I don't think he has ever been married before?"
"So?"
"So he won't leave her stranded."
Amos put his hands on the bar. "What makes you so sure?"
"He loves her?"
Amos broke out in bitter laughter. "More like she is an amusing plaything for the moment. A munequita. But I took measures to bring her back. Let's hope she comes back the way she left us."
"What do you mean?"
Amos put his hands on the bar. "Let's hope she doesn't come back standing behind a wee bairn."
Kate looked at him with understanding.
"And if she is?"
Amos replied with determination, "I'll marry her myself."
Kate sighed. "Let's hope it never comes to that. Because hope is about all we can give her."

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

Jack walked out onto the main deck with his arms full of the dresses Honour refused to wear. He was humming a tune as Briggs approached.
"Your wife went ashore a little while ago, in a real hurry. She was wearin' a smile, so I'm guessin' that means she'll be back. Here, what's all this ye be luggin' about?"
"Mrs. Wolfe disapproves of the current wardrobe choices," Jack said with a laugh as he shoved the pile of dresses into Briggs' arms. "She's gone ashore to fetch her belongings and do some last minute shopping."
Briggs spat out some lace that had found its way into his mouth. "What the devil is wrong with these here dresses?" he asked as he stuffed them into an empty barrel. "They look fine to me!"
"They're used, and they aren't hers," smiled Jack.
Briggs thought for a moment. "Aye, that would be a problem, I suppose. So just like that, she's off on a shoppin' spree? You're bein' awfully solicitous of your new lady."
"And why shouldn't I?" asked Jack. "She is my wife, after all."
"It's goin' to take some gettin' used to that notion. For us, and every doxy in any port we drop anchor at!"

"More for the rest of the men, and cheaper for me," chuckled Jack. "By the way, did those plans Cade was supposed to have delivered ever show up?"
"Aye, first thing this mornin'. They're waiting in your cabin. I swear, Jack, settin' up a smugglin' operation of this size right on the Spaniard's doorstep, it's an inspired bit of madness. Mendoza will go on a rampage if he ever finds out."

"Our old friend Mendoza has enough to worry about. Spain has overextended herself in the New World, and every other nation is chipping away at her holdings," Jack explained. "We have a good business arrangement with the governor of Barbados, and this will give us that much more merchandise to supply their needs. It will be even easier for us to hunt the entire passage between Barbados and Tobago now, and we'll have a veritable navy to do it with. I think Jennings is ready to take control of things now. He's a smart one, and loyal, at least to me." He smiled broadly. "This might even free me up to pursue other things now."
Briggs laughed. "Other things? As in that pretty new wife of your'n? What are ye plannin' to do, chase her about your plantation? Or are ye talkin' about all them tots ye're lookin' to raise?"
"Maybe both!" laughed Jack heartily. He clapped his friend on the shoulder. "Come on, let's get a look at those plans.'

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

Honour reached the docks, Lucas in tow with two other men carrying her trunks.
"Missy, which ship is the one?"
She pointed to the largest one. "That one there. El Lobo del Mar."
She reached down and petted her companion since she was a young girl. "Muir, look! It's as grand a ship as the Neptune Rising."
The wolf-dog barked and she laughed.

Honour walked across the gangplank, the three men following her. As she led them down the companionway and towards the captain's cabin, she paused, hearing voices. All of a sudden, Honour felt out of place. Like a guest on her husband's ship. Quietly she knocked on the door.
"Come in."
She opened it and saw Jack and Briggs poring over huge sheets of papers and maps. Briggs looked up, his finger still on the map and pointing to a spit of land.
"..now he's set things up so we can..."
Jack had left Briggs in mid-thought as he crossed over to Honour, put his arms around her and kissed her warmly.
A loud, impatient sigh filled the room.
Jack looked over his shoulder and said, "Hold that thought, Josiah."
To Honour he asked, "Did you get everything you need?"
She smiled and said, "I surely did. I picked up only a few things and the seamstress had some dresses she had used as samples that fit me perfectly, so I struck a good bargain with her."

She did not want to reveal she had the dresses from her previous marriage. And if she had her way, Jack would never know about the past. Or who she really was.
A tavern wench named Honour Bright suited her just fine.

She slipped free from his embrace and said quietly, "I think your Mr. Briggs is eager to get back to whatever you were talking about. I'll just unpack."
She turned to Lucas and paid him in coins. "Thank you, Lucas. And thanks to Sam and Henry for helping."
Lucas gave her a grin and tipped his hat. "Aye, Missy. Barbados just ain't gonna be the same without ye."

After they had left, she opened the trunk and then opened the chest of drawers. Jack's things were already in there. She asked, "Dear, are you using these drawers?"
He smiled up at her and said, "Not at all. Just move my things over there."
The quartermaster couldn't believe what he was hearing. No one was ever allowed to touch anything that belonged to Captain Jack Wolfe.

Briggs said tightly, "Now, as I was sayin', Jack; the harbour will be protected to the east by--"
"Honour, darling, do you have enough space?"
She said, "I think so."
She walked over to the armoire and flung open the doors. Opening up one trunk, she began to shake out the clothes and hang them up. Jack watched her adoringly.
Briggs tapped a ruler loudly on the table. Jack tore his eyes away from his wife.
"Oh! Sorry, Briggs. Where were we?"
"As I was sayin', is that we've got good protection on the harbour from--"
"Honour? Did you get anything to eat in port?"
She shook her head no. "I wanted to eat dinner with you."
He reached over to the wine rack. "I have a nice Madeira here for dinner and---"
Josiah rolled up the maps and gathered them up in his arms. "Tell ye what, Jack. We'll talk about this when ye ain't so... distracted," he said tersely. "I'll take me leave so ye can get the lass settled in."
Briggs let the door close loudly as he walked out. All he heard was Jack whispering and a woman's soft laughter.

Josiah stomped back to his quarters, maps and plans under his arm and him breathing fire.
"Damn! She's done bewitched ye, she has."
Briggs was fit to be tied as he closed the door to his cabin. "Damn it all," he muttered. "Somethin' this big and all his idea, ye think he'd at least have a passin' interest about the bloody details. Bewitched for certain, he is!"

Briggs was used to Jack's exasperating style of playing things fast and loose to the end, but never like this. He looked at the stack of charts on his desk and sighed heavily. Reaching into his sea chest, he pulled out a bottle filled with rum and set about settling his nerves.

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

Jack poured the Madeira as Honour began putting away her things. "Briggs seemed mightily upset with you, Jack. I interrupted an important meeting, didn't I?" she asked.
He smiled and served Honour her drink. "No, darling. I interrupted a briefing Josiah's been sweating. He'll get over it."
"What was it about, if you don't mind my asking?"
"No, not at all! We are in the process of expanding the most elaborate smuggling operation ever seen. And we're going to do it right under the Spanish Empire's nose."

Honour nearly choked on her wine. "You- you're going to what?!"
"It's really quite simple, as I've tried to convince Josiah. The Spanish have spread themselves far too thin to even feed or protect their colonies. Trinidad is a prime example. We established a base on Tobago roughly two years ago since Spain couldn't even be bothered to station a garrison there. There's a bay on the north side called Castara I rather fancied, and made it my own. We advertise our services to the right people, and in turn the good citizens of Trinidad come north and buy our goods at a reduced price. It's their problem as to how to get it back home past all their king's men."

Honour sipped her wine as she listened intently.  "And just how do you obtain the goods to sell to the fine colonists of Trinidad?"
Jack smiled slyly. "It's a big ocean, love. Lots of shipping traffic runs between Tobago and Barbados. We usually find something."
Honour's eyes widened. "Jack, you don't expect to do any piracy when we are on our honeymoon cruise to Tobago, do you?"
"Certainly not!" he lied.
"That's good. I've seen enough of piracy and what it can do to a man to last a lifetime."
"How so?" he asked.

She didn't want to tell him the whole sordid business of what transpired two years previously. It was in the past. Best to leave it there. A memory to take out and wrap yourself around when the nights are long and cold. She hoped that a life with Jack would erase the memory. Or at least dull the pain of a memory pushed far down.
She took a deep breath and forged ahead.

"Working in a tavern in a port town in Barbados, I have seen men in search of fortune and what it can do to them. A fortune found, a fortune lost with the toss of the dice or the turn of a card."
Jack poured her another glass of wine. "Love, I know what I am doing. You might say I've done all right for myself.  Enough that you'll never want for anything."

Before she could ask further, there was a knock at the door. Jack crossed the room to answer. A man named Jameson came in with a tray and set it on the table. On the tray was a roast piglet with potatoes and greens.
"Thank you, and that will be all, Jameson."
Jameson barely glanced at Honour. After all, what was one more doxy? She wasn't the first overnight guest the captain had. And wouldn't be the last. This one was really young, though. Not rode-hard like most of the wharf trollops. He touched his fingers to his cap and backed out.

Honour sat back on the bed. She had changed into a deep crimson silk gown that showed every curve of her body. She was barefoot and her hair was in a braid down her back. Jack kicked off his boots and pulled the table to the edge of the bed. He handed her a plate made of Connemara marble, heaped with food.
She protested, "Jack, I am not one of those dock workers who eats everything in sight!"
He smiled as he took in the sight of his wife. Around her neck was a delicate silver chain. "Been meaning to ask you, love, about the chain on your neck."
He gently touched her neck and lifted the chain. "I know my metals, darling, and that is Brittania silver. A gift from an admirer?"
She took his hand and removed it from her chain. "Maybe. Does it bother you?"
Jack shrugged. "I'm not crazy about you wearing a chain given to you by a former lover but it is becoming to you. In time, I shall replace it."
She blushed. How could she tell him that it belonged to her mother? She told him her mother was a housemaid. There would be no way she would have had a chain like that. Jack must never know what her past really was.

After they sated their appetites, Jack gathered the dishes and put them outside the door to the cabin. He offered Honour some fresh fruit of grapes and apples and poured her another glass of wine.
"Jack, enough of the wine. My head is starting to spin."
She leaned back against the pillows, the goblet of Murano crystal in her hand. The colour of the wine refracted through the crystal and cast a warm glow onto her face. Jack stretched out next to her and produced something from underneath the pillows. He took her left hand in his and gently slipped a ring on her finger. She gasped audibly.

It was a band of the finest Spanish gold. A large emerald was centred, flanked by two smaller ones. The brilliance of the green was spellbinding.
"Oh, Jack! It's so beautiful!"
She extended her hand to admire it. The exquisite jewels were dazzling. He took her hand and kissed it.
"Does that make up for the brass trinket I tried to give you?"
She threw her arms around his neck and drew him to her. "More than makes up for it!"
She then frowned. "But, Jack, I have nothing to give you."
He laughed softly and said, "My dear, you have given me more than you know. Tell you what I will do..." He took the large ruby ring from his right hand and transferred it to his left. "This shall be my wedding ring. Every time I look at it, it will be a reminder of our wedding night."

She blushed. He reached up to her braid and took the ribbon from her hair. The braid fell apart and her hair cascaded down around her shoulders. She caught her breath as he buried his face in the waves of her hair.
And at that moment, all others were far, far from her mind. If they even existed at all.

Save for the memory of one she buried deep in her heart.