The Duchess out of Time

V

"I'm surprised she didn't sink with a jewel like that on her finger. Wonder how much it's worth" One snickered as she squirmed furious. Stepping on both their feet she turned and kicked them swiftly in the groin. It was a go to spot to attack men, as they groaned in agony falling to the ground. Turning around Liz's smile dropped at the sight of a pistol pointed towards her as she growled.

"Cheat" She grumbled as the man before her smirked.

"Pirate" His velvet voice sent a shudder down her spine. He had raven black hair that fell just above his shoulder. He kept himself well groomed from what she could see. His blue eyes stared straight through her as she couldn't help but get lost in them as he was a good six inches taller, tanned, broad shouldered and muscular.

"Now who would you be?" He questioned, a devilish smirk threatening on his lips. It wasn't a flirty smirk that you would see girls swoon over, instead it made her blood chill as she realised that she was in serious trouble.

"The Duchess of Devonshire" She replied sternly straightening her back and raising her chin. She remembered that Charlotte had introduced her to Thomas as her mother's title; she figured that throwing a title around could maybe save her life. Even if it only buys her time to figure out a plan to get away. Her confession made the Captain raise his eyebrow in interest as a few of the men erupted in laughter. She gulped slowly as she looked around to see if she could figure out a way out of this current situation. Even without the gun pointed at her face she knew she couldn't get to Henry with this large brute of a man before her.

"Did you hear that men? We have royalty in our presence" The Captain teased, as the men roared louder making Liz feel incredibly uncomfortable. Glancing over at the Georgiana, Liz was desperate for help but she knew she wouldn't get any help. Majority of the men were either unconscious or dead and those who were alive where kneeled on the main deck with their hands on their heads. She could see a few of the pirates strolling along the deck as others were carrying goods from the Georgiana onto the pirate ship. She didn't see Charlotte on the deck and prayed that her friend had been able to remain hidden from sight.

The Captain forgot about his important guest for a moment as he went over to his first mate who was the last to return to the Golden Empress. The men were quick to set sail and leave any sign of the Georgiana behind them before the Captain smirked and returned his attention to his new guest. Liz was slowly getting woozy as the adrenaline was leaving her body. She could feel her hair slowly growing sticky before the Captain and his first mate stood before Liz and Henry who she now had hiding behind her leg.

"Lizzie?" A voice whispered as Liz's eyes snapped off the Captain to his first mate beside him. She watched the colour drain from his face as her eyes widened. Her body began to shake before she quickly stepped forward and ripped the mask from his face. The crew all went silent as the Captain looked at his friend with interest as neither said a word.

"Edward" She struggled to let his name leave her lips before he smiled at the sight of his sister. She looked at him in horror as she gazed upon the reality that her brother had been alive all this time, just like Charlotte. Charlotte had thought he was dead but instead he was off playing pirate. Edward froze as his eyes trailed down to the boy that clung onto Liz's leg. It was like looking at a replica of him when he was that age. His mouth open and closed like a goldfish as he tried to comprehend who he was. Was he Liz's son? Was he his son? But how would that be possible, he had only loved one woman and she hadn't survive the journey to the past.

Ignoring all the questions that were running through his head a million miles and hour he let out a joyful laugh and smile before pulling her in tightly for a hug. Everyone watched in confusion, before looking between the boy, the woman and their first mate. It didn't take a genius to realise the boy was Edward's son, but what they all thought was that Liz was his mother. Spinning her around Edward held her too tight as she let out a pained cry, desperately ripping herself from her brothers grip.

She staggered and felt one of her legs wobbly as the Captain who was the closest to her managed to catch her before her body gave way under her. His tight grip to catch up pushed against her ribs as she let out another pained groan. She squirmed to push his hand away from her ribs as the Captain realised what she was doing.

"Lizzie!" Edward cried as he knelt beside his sister, realising the Stay was in the way of seeing her ribs the Captain worked quickly to unknot and loosen the string that held it together. Throwing the soaked fabric from her body Edward carefully rolled her shirt up to see the yellow bruises across her ribs. The Captain beside him noticed as he held the fragile girl that she was actually toned and athletic under the baggy shirt she was wearing. His shoulder began to get sticky as he realised that blood was staining his black shirt. Placing a hand to the back of her head he pulled it away to see his bloodied hand before looking back to Edward who had grown paler.

"Get Pablo!"