It was the feeling of the ship being rammed on either side that woke me. I'd spent the last week avoiding James after the incident in the corridor and was spending more of my time in the brig again. Of course my first concern had been to tell the inhabitants of all that I had seen in the caves and about the sword we had found. I had also related the information that Anamaria and Mai were to be released when we reached port. I knew that something had passed between them all when I wasn't there because the remarkable silence that descended when I entered the brig spoke volumes. I wondered vaguely whether Mr. Hawkins had ventured below again to tell the pirates of what he had seen that night between myself and James. If he had, then they would probably think that I had betrayed them.
Realistically they still were my only friends. I was sure that as soon as I left the ship, James would never think upon me again. Hadn't I bartered to have only Mai and Anamaria released though? I had begun to think that perhaps I could have done more for them but I was also wondering why on earth they hadn't escaped of their own accord yet. I knew Jack Sparrow had a mind for such things and yet here they all still sat as if waiting for something untoward to happen. Or perhaps they were waiting until they reached land to escape. In my mind that seemed the more plausible option but Jack Sparrow didn't think like everyone else.
I'd reached the upper deck before I bumped into an officer. Lieutenant Norris seemed in a great hurry, his hat askew and his cheeks flushed as he almost ran into me on the staircase.
"What's going on?" I demanded of him as he muttered an apology and made to hasten away from me.
"A likely dispute with some pirates!" he called over his shoulder. "Might be best if you stayed below decks Miss."
He might have thought I should stay below, but he made no attempt to stop me as he hurried on down towards the middle deck. I carried on, reaching the main deck in time to witness a ship ram us again on the port side. I could see only midshipmen on the main deck and no officers and wondered where Lieutenant Norris had got his orders from. I headed for the doorway that would lead me in the direction of James's cabin in the hopes of finding someone to speak to. I descended into the gloom and was accosted immediately by Lieutenant Gillette who was laden with implements. When he spotted me he moved swiftly, handing over James's telescope and pistol before he had even started speaking.
"Take these to Commodore Norrington if you please Miss, you'll find him on the quarter deck."
Yet again any answer I might have given was lost as Gillette tore off out onto deck still laden with other implements. I did as I'd been asked and made my way to the quarter deck, sure that I'd glanced that way before and not seen anyone there. I'd been wrong for James was at the helm with Lieutenant Thompson nearby, observing as one of the ships began it's retreat. I didn't quite understand why that was happening at that point, but I clambered up the steps and held out James's pistol for him to take.
Immediately I saw a flash of anger in his eyes when he appraised me before it faded to some other form of emotion that I could not place. He reached out for the pistol and telescope and I thought he was going to snatch them from me but instead he took them with little force and tucked the telescope into a pocket. "Miss O'Connell, I want you below decks, now."
"Give me something to do," I pleaded as he turned away from me. "I can help."
The anger was back in his eyes again but I was not sure whether he wished to direct it at me or not. He grabbed my wrist then firmly, as if he thought his touch might convey the seriousness of his intent. "Miss now is not the time to question my orders. I have a particular reason for wanting you below decks at present. Please oblige me this once and return to your assigned cabin. I'll have someone fetch you when all is right."
I had no idea why he should want me shut away again. I thought for a split second that it might be because he did not trust me as much as he claimed to and wanted to parlay with the captain of the ship still ramming our side without me present. That thought vanished from my mind as quickly as his hand left my wrist and returned to it's placement upon the ship's wheel. I could not dismiss his expression and his plea. There was something heartfelt there hidden beneath the urgency but I thought I'd shown him my worth in such situations. I'd not realised the seriousness of the situation though.
The reality was that it was too late for me to venture elsewhere because as James turned away from me again, we both noticed that the one remaining ship had come alongside our starboard side, and there was a captain at it's helm. As soon as I saw the hat I recognised the man. The Viscount Townshend was a recent favourite of the king of England, and was a commissioned privateer who commanded a fleet of his own ships. I'd not ever met him personally, but I knew him by reputation alone. He was a scoundrel and a danger to all womenfolk, it was said. Mick took pains to avoid such an untrustworthy character who was only enticed by that which could benefit himself. I'd been told not long after I began sailing with Mick of the hat that the Viscount wore and it served as a warning to try to avoid the man if I could. I'd never been entirely sure why it was such a danger for me to be near him because I did not consider myself a point of interest to a man like that. I was too skinny, too pale, too red-headed to be of any interest to an Englishman.
"Commodore Norrington, you must forgive me for I did not recognise you!" The clipped and precise tones were at odds with how the man had always fared in my imagination. It was a swift reminder to me that station or rank in society was no measurement of a man's integrity. "I was not aware that you were no longer captaining The Dauntless! You must forgive my ignorance as we have been out of reach of the latest intrigues from London!"
In my mind I immediately had cause to wonder what would take such a character so far out at sea that he'd not hear of the sinking of The Dauntless so many months ago. The Viscount was notorious upon the seas for short changing people and reneging on deals. He was also well known for returning to England to present treasures and finds to his King whilst keeping the most valuable treasures for himself. The king would not listen to reason though where the Viscount was concerned. He thought him an amusing marvel that must be kept attached to the palace purse strings at all costs.
"Indeed my Lord Townshend," James replied swiftly and I was surprised to hear his tone carefully void of any apprehension for I could feel the tension radiating off his shoulders as I stood behind him. "I now captain The Surgence under commission of Sir Malcolm Sidney."
"Sidney's in on the old treasure trade now is he?" the viscount cried. "I never did think him to be such a risk taker! Although I suppose in times of need we are all considerate of the risks, are we not Commodore?"
I was wondering where the conversation was going. It was all pleasantness whereas a few moments before the Viscount had been ramming his ships into our sides. I did not believe that he was unaware who captained The Surgence any more than it appeared James believed it. Clearly the Viscount had some ulterior motive but I did not think it very likely that I'd ever be privy to it. It would be a miracle if he'd even let James in on his secrets.
"You speak of times of need as if they are common place my lord, but you appear to have fared considerably well in the last few years," James surmised. "You are now an entitled privateer, renowned for enriching the King's coffers. Have you no desire to leave the seas behind and return to court?"
The Viscount chuckled mildly. "You and Sir Sidney will both be aware of the fickleness of court Commodore. I prefer to hedge my bets upon a life at sea where I am just beyond the reach of those who might tire of me."
"Not if we have a say in such matters..." I heard Gillette mutter very quietly from nearby.
"You see my fleet before you," The Viscount continued, having not heard Gillette's remark. He was gesturing behind him to five ships that I was able to discern upon the horizon but I was willing to bet there were more I could not see. "I have all of my men to think of. They are skilled at what they do, and I'd rather have such men working for me than against me."
The Viscount turned then to observe his own fleet and James wasted no time. "Below decks with you Miss O'Connell. Now!" There was a command and a force in his tone like I'd never heard before and it did not even occur to me to argue with him. I turned away from him towards the steps then and moved quickly, sure that James intended me to be out of sight before the Viscount turned back towards The Surgence. I was not quick enough. I've often wondered if I would be far less noticeable if it were not for my shock of red hair that is so contrasting against the dark wood of the ship and the blue of the sea and sky. If my hair were a dull brown for example, perhaps I would not have caught the Viscount's eye at all. Even if I had not, I suspect James would still have been unfortunately situated to continue the unwanted conversation for some time.
"You must dine with me Commodore, and ask your lady friend to join us!"
I stopped just as my foot touched the top step. I did not know whether to carry on and scurry down below decks or to turn back. I imagined I could hear James willing me not to turn around in his mind, but I had very little choice in the matter. In reality, the Viscount was a peer of the realm and James would not be able to refuse him. I turned ever so slowly, catching James's eye as he glanced back at me.
"I am afraid that would not be feasible," James countered warily. "The lady's aid is required aboard currently. I do not think she could be spared."
James had not openly accepted his own invitation to dine with the Viscount and I think I noticed that mistake before he did. I moved back towards him then to try and find a way to warn him, but I could see that the Viscount had also noticed the slight.
"You mean to refuse me then Commodore? I did not think you so discourteous as to refuse a man like myself. Are we both not allies after a fashion? Come, there are matters I wish to discuss with you and I am in no doubt that you will have news from England that I am not privy to."
I didn't see where I rightly fitted into all of that myself, but I was aware of the Viscount's gaze flitting towards me every so often. It was unnerving because I couldn't quite understand why he'd show any interest in me but there was a part of me that was intrigued to find out why. I watched James from where I stood at his side and could not quite work out what he was thinking. He seemed absolutely torn between honouring the invitation of a man of a higher station than him and of keeping his morals and integrity intact. I thought he was worrying about what people might say if they knew he had sat down with such a man, for it would surely harm his reputation.
"Of course I shall accept such an offer for myself, but I cannot speak for Miss O'Connell," James called. "Sadly, as I said she is required aboard The Surgence."
"It seems you are in a vary precarious position Commodore, for I myself have a fleet of ships at my disposal whilst you have only one, albeit a larger one. There are matters I must discuss with you and I desire the company of your friend also. I am afraid I see no way to let you pass until my demands have been met." James opened his mouth to argue but I shushed him. "I ask you both to dine with me for an hour or two, after which you may return to your own ship as it pleases you. It is only dinner Commodore. That is of course, as long as the lady herself has no objections."
I shrugged in an attempt at nonchalance. "What's it to me?"
"Well then, come aboard both of you, and is that the dulcet tones of an Irish accent I hear?"
The sides of the ships were tethered together as we all watched on apprehensively and I could feel James shooting daggers into the side of my head. I no more wanted to board the Viscount's ship than James wanted me to, but I had been realistic. I knew that there was no way I'd be allowed to refuse such an invitation and James had already been rude. If we made attempts at pleasantness from now on we might just manage to suffer dinning with the Viscount before returning to The Surgence.
"Sir?" Gillette had appeared at James's other side to await orders.
"Keep your pistol loaded Gillette. Ready the crew. I do hope there will be no hostility but I shall not have anyone say we were not ready to retaliate should the need arise. Have the cannons loaded but quietly. Await my signal and take the best course of action that you deem fit. You will have charge of the ship in my absence. It may also be wise to keep Mr. Hawkins out of sight. I will endeavour to return Miss O'Connell to you at the earliest opportunity."
Gillette nodded stiffly and headed off to carry out the Commodore's instruction. "What's the signal?" I whispered.
James was still gripping his pistol and he held it out in front of him. "The firing if three shots in succession. In a pistol such as this, the shots will sound different to the muskets those men carry." I squirmed a little as I realised what he meant b y that. He was actively considering the fact that the Viscount's men might have cause to fire their weapons. I suppose his mind always had to take into account the worst case scenario but it didn't help to steady my nerves any. "Do you still carry that knife of yours Miss?"
I turned to look at him again then, quite surprised he had remembered that I always kept Mick's knife tucked into my belt. I nodded as I gripped the small wooden handle that was almost hidden by my belt. The blade was entirely obscured by the folds of my skirts and I'd not thought that anyone would really have noticed it, but then James was quite the observer and very little ever escaped his notice.
~
I was swiftly reminded of The Grace as James and I were led down towards the Viscount's pirate cabin where we were to dine. The proportions were much more cramped than aboard The Surgence, but I was more accustomed to the smaller spaces. James had to lean forwards quite a few times to save hitting his head on the very low ceilings that felt oppressive even to me. There was not the same welcoming and cosy feeling that had always been present aboard The Grace. Although space had been scarce and things had always been a little cramped we had always managed to make things work. Of course part of that had to do with the fact that we had all been so accommodating towards each other. There was no such consideration or generosity here aboard the ship that I had yet to learn the name of.
Whilst the proportions were limited, there was still room enough in the Captain's cabin for a generous dinning table that we seated ourselves at. With the Viscount at the head of the table and bread and cheese and sweetmeats presented by some of the crew, I felt my eyes narrowing. The food was fresh and even I knew that there was no way that the Viscount had not made port within the last few days. His excuse of wanting to know more news of England was going to fall upon deaf ears. I ate in silence as James and the Viscount discussed trivial matters such as how their ships fared during turbulent weather and the current headings that had been set for their respective travels. James was of course very careful to keep the latest storms we had weathered from the conversation and I was not surprised. The Viscount was not a man to discuss such things with. If he came to know of the sword that James had discovered then we'd all be dead in no time and the sword would likely be presented to the King of England, but not before the solid gold had been shortened in length considerably. The Viscount would surely decide for himself the payment he was due for finding such a treasure.
At length the Viscount began to take a keen interest in James's commission from my uncle, and I did not miss the apprehensive glance James threw my way as the cooked meats were placed before us. He was worried, and I was too. I felt as uncomfortable as I had often felt in my uncle's presence because I knew the conversation was eventually going to turn towards me and with each tankard of wine that the Viscount consumed, that conversation came ever closer.
"So you have yet to find any treasure to return to Sir Sidney with;" the Viscount surmised, "Excepting perhaps Miss O'Connell here who graces us with her presence?" I felt my face heating as attentions turned to me and my mouth was suddenly too dry to speak. "I do wonder Commodore at how this young woman came to be sailing with you. I'm sure it is a curious tale."
"Not as curious as you might hope," James supplied thinly. "My Lord I'm afraid the story is a rather common one. It came to light that Miss O'Connell's travel arrangements were no longer prudent. Her travel companions were not of the same inclination in terms of destination so it seemed only right that she make the rest of her journey with us as we are hoping to return to England after a stop or two."
"That's a rather thoughtful offer of you to make Commodore, considering that you are under the command of the East India Company and the Royal Navy. I hope you would not face repercussions for such an offer."
"My Lord you are mistaken, I have no dealings with the East India Company at present, and as for repercussions I do not think there shall be any. I was brought up a gentleman Sir, and as such I felt myself obliged to offer Miss O'Connell a safer and more comfortable voyage home. She is a skilled sailor and has proved herself an asset these last few months."
I think James had tried to end the conversation there, but the Viscount had finally turned his attention to me. "Safer? Good God Miss; you weren't sailing with pirates were you? A young lady such as yourself would not fare well I think aboard such a ship. If so, then the Commodore was right to offer his services. He is a gentleman indeed."
His eyes were appraising every bit of me where I sat and it took everything I had not to squirm in my chair. "Indeed I am indebted to him," I replied as I recalled that perhaps it was best to forgo my usual nature of saying what I really thought. I considered that in my position it was best if I said as little as possible to disturb the peace. James too seemed pleased by my answer.
"There is no debt Miss, for as I said you have been of aid aboard my ship. You have a keen eye with a needle and our sails have never been better repaired. I consider it my duty to ensure you are returned home safely."
The Viscount was watching our conversation with apt attention and it seemed that my presence aboard The Surgence was still something of interest to him. "But you are accustomed to sailing Miss; I think the Commodore said? Are you then the Miss O'Connell that was often said to sail with Captain Mick O'Malley? I never had cause for dealings with the man at all in recent years but I did hear word of a woman sailing with him. I wonder Commodore that this young woman is entirely the right sort of passenger for you to be conveying; what with her not actually being of noble birth. If it were a young woman of society sat before me then it would be a different matter altogether, but are you now picking up any waifs and strays that you come across? It seems a rather rash action when you cannot have had much prior knowledge that the person you were admitting aboard your ship was entirely trustworthy-"
"Is that because I'm a woman or because I'm Irish?" My temper was sparked by the age old discrimination that I faced in my life even at a young age. It was the same attitude I'd been greeted with the world over, especially when I came into contact with rich and powerful Englishmen with the only exception being James and his officers. Even my uncle who was himself undeniably Irish even though he tried to hide it, had been so disgusted by his own heritage that he mocked it at my expense. James shot me a warning glare and the cabin boy who was clearing the platters of food from the table seemed anxious to be gone once he heard me speak. He only got as far as the door though before he had to stand aside to let some of the Viscount's crew enter the cabin.
"Ah...you must forgive my crew." The viscount gestured for the men to take places around the table and I tried to hide how much more uncomfortable that made me. I wondered vaguely if the stories that Anamaria had once told me about the Viscount's crew were true? "We usually have an evening drink of a night whilst we discuss any important matters. Take a seat, take a seat."
They were all looking at me, and I wanted the ground to swallow me up. I didn't show it though, because the tense atmosphere I had created with my outburst of a few seconds ago would not hold if I did. After all, I did not consider that we would stay much longer now that we had dined. I thought James might make some excuse to take us back to The Surgence. Instead I turned my gaze back towards the Viscount and stared him down as if still anticipating an answer to my question. I took in his beady black eyes and slightly wild grey hair that had been tamed with a ribbon at the nape of his neck. There was danger there, and not the same kind of danger that I'd found enticing in Patrick O'Malley. This was real danger, as if the Viscount would cut you up and feed you to his dogs without even looking at you properly. My nerves jangled again as the beady black eyes stared back at me as if in a challenge. I didn't want to hold his gaze but I knew I had to let him know I was not the type of woman to be walked over.
"I'll think you'll find Miss," the Viscount finally acquiesced to answer my question. "That I have a few Irish crew members. Can't understand a damn word they say and they drink ten times as much as anyone else aboard but the're a fiery bunch! I expect the Commodore is well used to such attitudes having sailed with yourself for a time now, for I think I see a feisty little maiden behind those eyes!"
His reply and his accompanying grin repulsed me and I finally shifted my gaze to see what James made of such a statement as I muttered, "So it's because I'm a woman then." James was not in his chair though. I glanced around the table, finally catching sight of him much closer to myself than I expected. I watched as he cut expertly through the aimless crew members who were all scrambling for chairs around the table and placed himself in the way of the man who had been about to take the chair next to me. The man seemed to want to argue the point but a swift jerk of the Viscount's head had him shuffling away. James sank down into the chair next to me as the men all around us called their drink orders to the cabin boy and the Viscount tried to rein in their chaos.
James took the first opportunity of us not being directly observed to gently touch my arm which rested on the armrest of the chair. The lightest touch of his fingers along the underside of my arm sent a strange sort of shiver down my spine but I did not feel the need to shirk away from his touch. "If I touch your arm again in such a way Miss, take that as my signal for you to leave. Do not go far. Go up on deck to take some air. I do not think they shall let you leave the ship without me, so stay upon the main deck and I will follow you there directly."
I didn't feel I needed to prove my understanding. His tone of voice led me to believe there was to be no arguing his plan. "I thought three shots fired from your pistol was the signal," I whispered backs I leaned in a little closer to him. "And I thought he said we were just dining with him? I didn't realise we'd be drinking the night away too!"
"Perhaps Miss O'Connell you might understand me if I said I anticipate more than one kind of disturbance this evening. One of which affects us all, and one which will affect only yourself; being the only woman present." James paused then and I thought he had finished speaking but he grimaced and continued. "Indeed when we are offered in invitation to dine Miss O'Connell, in London society that usually entails evening drinks that can carry on well after the supper remnants have been cleared from the table."
I wanted to roll my eyes at him as if to say 'how droll', but it was not the time or place to playfully mock the society within which he'd been brought up. I had some inkling he'd have found humour in such a response because I was coming to see that he was not so much a product of his upbringing as I'd thought. There was some other strand to him that I was only lately beginning to uncover and it was the one I was finding I liked most of all. He was learning not to make the swift judgements he so often did. Perhaps I was teaching him that the world was not as black and white as he had been brought up believing. There were many different aspects to both good and bad people that could not be judged so harshly.
"I must admit I'm still curious Commodore." The Viscount's attentions had returned towards us as his men finally began to settle down around the table. "How on earth did you come across Miss O'Connell and think it was right for you to escort her home?"
I had the urge to roll my eyes again; which I resisted, again. The Viscount himself must surely have known that he was flogging a dead horse. "Indeed my Lord you make it sound as if I've gone out of my way to ensure that Miss O'Connell returns safely home. I mean to return to England myself and will more than likely make port in Ireland before I do so. If I were not journeying such a way so soon I would have of course directed Miss O'Connell to a more suitable passenger ship. As of yet we have not come across one; which makes no matter as I plan to make such a voyage myself as it is. It would seem rather foolish to remove the lady to yet another ship and upset her comforts when I can convey her home in just the same fashion but in rather a safer environment. Single women alone do not always fare well on passenger or merchant ships as I'm sure you will know, My Lord."
I did not miss the intended affront present in James's last sentence. I suddenly realised how grateful I was in that it had been him to come across The Black Pearl. perhaps it was not so lucky for Sparrow and his crew, but they had been well fed and would only find themselves in real danger when they reached port and James handed them over to the relevant authorities. Another captain with another type of crew would certainly not have treated me so well. I knew my grumblings at the beginning were my true feelings at the time but although I'd been ignored and abandoned to wander the decks as such, I'd been in no danger whatsoever. Not even Mr. Hawkins would really attempt anything for fear of repercussion from James. Even the simple act of him moving to take the seat directly next to me a few moments before had been a mark not just of his respect for me, but for all women.
"That is true, and can be said of papists also," the Viscount added conversationally. "That is what you are is it not, Miss?"
"What did you just call me?" I cried incredulously.
"Catholics and Papists; are they not the same thing?"
"Then I might call you a heretic and a betrayer of the one true religion!" If I'd felt a spark of anger before, I think it was ignited by such a turn of conversation. "I'm well aware I'm in a room full of protestants and take no issue with it. Do you think I have not come up against such obstacles before? The whole world over wants to make their hatred of Catholics known, but you're happy enough to steal all of the gold that belongs to the catholic church aren't you? You can't have it both ways!"
"How like a catholic to be dramatic," he chuckled and his men joined in. "No, I think it must be that hair of yours. You redheads are always the feisty ones, shame about the religion and the accent but the right man would knock that all out of you!"
My jaw dropped as everyone but James and I fell about laughing. "Perhaps we might consider it a reasonable time for Miss O'Connell and myself to retire my lord? I thank you for being such a gracious host but we should-"
"What, is your little friend too sensitive to listen to a few jokes Commodore? If she's that delicate she can't be cut out for life at sea at all!"
"Do you think I haven't heard the jokes?" I cried so loudly that everyone fell silent. "I've spent my life hearing them! Even back in Ireland we heard the slurs and the disgusting remarks from the English army. Your King has sanctioned his armies to beat and bully and rape the Irish people and then laugh at them afterwards, as if we brought it upon ourselves. Do you think I'm sensitive? I'll wager I've tougher skin than all of you here put together!"
They were laughing directly at me then, but I didn't care. It was their way of trying to belittle me and I wasn't of the kind to let it happen so easily. "No, I've heard the jokes as well as any man here. Bog-jumper, coal cracker, donkey, Irish Harp, Fenian... The list goes on. The hate and discrimination we all take on a daily basis only serves to make us stronger." They were all roaring with laughter at the crude names I'd listed and I carried on, not sure why I was suddenly so keen to keep them laughing at my own expense. "Don't strike a match near my hair or we'll all be engulfed in wildfire! Oh but it gets worse, sure on the seventh day didn't God rest; but before that he squatted over the side of England and shat out Ireland!"
There was uproar, they were hitting the table with their tankards and spittle flew everywhere as they chocked on their laughter. James did not laugh but instead turned to look at me as I grimaced. I shrugged at him as if I didn't care. The truth was I did care and was repulsed to be in the room with men who found what I had said funny.
"And to think that I've been calling you a papist Miss!" the Viscount roared. "Indeed you're so much more refreshing than that! I believe our King would find your humour refreshing also!"
"Except that he's not our king though is he?" I added mildly. "He's yours! The Irish people don't want an English King governing us!"
"Well why ever not?" cried the Viscount. "After all, all of the best men are English. There's no one better for the job."
"Aye your king may be English, but Jesus Christ is Irish so stick that in your pipe and smoke it!"
"My goodness, if id known that Catholics could be so humorous I'd have had a bit more time for them! No indeed, I can see all of your attractions now Miss! Those bright cunning eyes and the almost mythical hair combined with your smart wit and self deprecating humour. Say Commodore, wouldn't it be a rare treat for Miss O'Connell here to complete her journey aboard my ship? I too am sailing for England after a fashion."
I was already rising to my feet when I felt the lightest touch of James's fingers against my wrist. I did not need his warning as I turned towards the door. "I think I need some air," I supplied to him thinly before slipping away. Their laughter followed me as I walked briskly back out onto deck and sucked in gulpfuls of air. What I would have given to be in a cabin alone with the Viscount; just me and him and the knife tucked into my belt. Men like him were the epitome of everything I hated. I'd have made quick work of that leering smirk with my knife if I'd been given the chance.
I glanced towards The Surgence and saw nearly all of the crew assembled on deck with weapons resting nearby. I heeded James's words though and made no move to leave the Viscount's ship. I waved to Lieutenant Thompson who was gazing across at me in concern and he seemed satisfied that everything was fine.
"You there lass!"
I turned on my heel as a crew member approached me. "Are you from Kerry?" I asked him suddenly as I replayed the two words he had spoken in my head.
"To be sure! Whereabouts are you from Miss?"
"Cork!" It was almost rejuvinating to hear another Irish accent again after so many months.
"I thought you'd be from Meath, what with you sailing with O'Malley!" he cried as he reached her. "Wasn't that where he was from? I thought you might be from the same place s'all. Rather a stupid thought for me to have now I think on it! T'was the hair that gave you away. They always said there was a lass with flames for hair sailing with Mick."
I chuckled a little. "Say, if you know of Mick; have you heard word lately of his brother Patrick?"
The man shook his head. "Do you think I'd still be sailing with that English arse if I had lass? I had to get out of Ireland, but if you see that Patrick one you tell him there's men wanting to sail with him!"
"I'll be sailing with him myself soon, all being well," I supplied. "As soon as I find him that is!"
"Aye they say he's a slippery one that Patrick! But sure you had the best captain there was! There's many a man and woman from home who wanted to sail with Mick O'Malley. Well respected man he was. T'is a right shame lass." He patted her shoulder gently and she smiled up at him.
"I know, but there will be the like again I can tell you! I don't mean Patrick now before you laugh, but I'll have a ship myself one day of and Irish crew that will be as well respected as any."
"Miss O'Connell!" James was striding across the deck towards me when I turned in the direction of his voice.
I threw one last smile at the Irishman. "Keep a weather eye on the horizon for that ship!"
"That I will lass!"
James was eyeing me suspiciously. "Fraternising with the enemy now are you Miss O'Connell?" I turned towards him to offer a rebuttal, but he was actually smirking. "There was me thinking you'd never converse with an Englishman again after what occurred below."
"That man's not English," I laughed as I realised he was trying to joke with me. "He's Irish."
"I see," James mumbled as he watched the Irishman walking away over his shoulder.
"Oh what now?" I muttered as I saw the Viscount striding towards us from the doorway to his cabin.
"Miss, I wanted to speak with you privately before you took your leave if the Commodore would consent to it."
If the Viscount had expected James to agree to such a thing, it appeared he was wrong. James said absolutely nothing, but stayed resolutely at my side. "I don't see why the Commodore can't stay," I shrugged. I was secretly glad that James was reluctant to leave me. "I doubt that what you have to say can be anything so secretive that he can't hear of it."
The Viscount nodded solemnly. "I suppose it is not. I simply wanted to enquire of O'Malley's ship The Grace. You see, I heard tell that he had quite a few rather expensive and rare maps aboard his ship. I wondered if you might know where they ended up Miss?"
I shook my head. "I had no idea that any of Mick's maps were anything out of the ordinary to be honest."
"But they could be valued Miss, if you could tell me where they might have gone?"
"In any case," James interrupted the conversation. "We found The Grace some weeks ago My Lord. Anything of value had been stripped from it, including any charts or maps. I'm inclined to think you would know much more about that than we would. Goodnight."
James's hand was pressing against the small of my back then, pushing me towards the side of the ship. I climbed up onto the railing and Lieutenant Thompson stepped forward to help me down. I had glanced down as James crossed behind me to glimpse the name upon the side of the Viscount's ship; The King's Inquisitor.
~
I did not feel at ease even after The King's Inquisitor had vanished entirely from sight. It was dark when we returned to the ship, and I could not shake the feeling that we were still being watched. It was so late that some of the officers had retired to bed already, but I knew I'd not get much sleep.
"Miss O'Connell?" James was approaching me across the main deck. "Might you care for refreshment? I was just about to take some myself in my cabin."
There was something in his question that was not quite right, but regardless of my curiosity I knew I had to refuse. "I don't think that's a very good idea Commodore, do you? There's reputation to think of after all."
"Yes of course!" came his stiff reply. "Forgive me Miss, I did not think. Of course you would think upon such things readily. I think you have quite the knack for self-preservation even if you cannot see so yourself."
He was turning to leave again and I really did roll my eyes that time. "Commodore I wasn't talking about my reputation. I was thinking of yours actually! Should a man of your standing be drinking alone with the likes of me? Did you not hear all that?" I jutted my chin out in the direction of which I'd caught my last glimpse of the lamps of The King's Inquisitor before it vanished into the night. "You'd do better to keep your distance."
James smiled grimly. "Miss O'Connell, nothing could be further from the truth. Of course I respect your decline of my offer though. I'll say goodnight then."
I meandered slowly across the deck and watched him as he retreated back towards his cabin. It wasn't until I reached the stairs that I realised what I had said sounded rather foolish. After everything that had occurred that evening, perhaps it was ungrateful to be seen to refuse such an offer. He had been protective of me without my having to ask, and he had also not stepped in to stop my rather wild mouth from running away with me. It was a curious thing really, that he had not tried to quiet me when surely he must have found some of the things I had said offensive. After all he was himself English and a Protestant. Perhaps he knew readily that I did not mean what I had said, but that I'd been driven by the discrimination I met to stand up for myself. It became apparent to me that I needed to know why he had not stepped in. I turned on my heel.
"Have you got any Irish Whiskey?" I asked as I leaned my head around the door of his cabin.
He glanced up from the decanter in his hand and the glass upon the table before him and smiled lightly at me. "Only scotch I'm afraid."
I shrugged as I crossed the room towards him and he glanced back down to pour a second glass. "I suppose they're celts too so it'll do just fine."