Capt. Sterling

Can't remember ever not being interested in tall ships and the sea... grew up on Forester, Kent, Northcote Parkingson. Pirates have always fallen in with that as well...

^ skinned knee < Puppy keeps attacking my new waistcoat because he accidently got stuck by one of the pins in it... V favorite childhood game?

If you'll be looking fer ghosts, isn't that sort of what you all want??

hmmm already have earlier today.. no reply as of yet... will try again... Thanks for the heads up.

What about front laced stays? and swaddling clothes for the infants?

There was no ‘ahoy’ shouted in hailing own vessel. Instead, as Sterling neared where the Archangel was moored, he sounded one loud, shrill whistle. Twas enough not to cause notice and yet officers on board knew instantly who was coming and which ship he was heading toward. Gangplank was lowered quickly into place and in a moment’s time, Sterling was once again, aboard. Cabin door was opened and action was made to remove gangplank but he quickly belayed such. Entering quarters, Matthew Hazzards following upon heel and Andrew March running up from below, where provisions were still hastily being stored, Sterling indicated with nod of head for Symms to shut and lock door. “Good to have ye back, Sir,” Hazzards said, voice low. “And in one piece,” March added, tone boarding on angry growl. Sterling eyed first officer briefly then snatched up paper and ink. Quick sketch of port town’s main byways was hastily drawn, Sterling pin pointing Shea house and, what he believed to be the current location of wife. As he continued to scribble, he asked, “Have we been freed to make sail?” Two officers looked to each other, March sighing, Hazzards’ face grimacing slightly, before both faced captain again. “Not yet, Sir,” March replied, waiting for following eruption. None came. Once again glance, this time rapidly, was cast between officers. Sterling laid down quill and sanded paper, before lifting it and bringing it closer for a better inspection of handy work. “Mr. March I want ye to have two men collect Mistress Sterling immediately. She is at a Mistress Shea’s home, here,” he pointed out location on new map. Have her brought here as quickly as possible but have a care… she is with child.” This time lieutenants’ jaws fell silently open.

Welcome! Good to have ye!

Great stuff Chole!!

This will be discussed on the Archangel site, or you may call Mr. March regarding camping etc..

^ nothing really... I always find something imperfect when I am finished that really can't be fixed... < don't wish to talk about me... blah... V what keeps you motivated?

Except for red coated soldiers still on parade about town, Port Royal had pretty much returned to normal. As shops closed up tight for the night and decent folks went above to families or home, the lowlife of Jamaica began to emerge from the shadows. By the time Sterling became one of their number, the taverns were already filling up and others like Nelly Greene, though less successful, began to lay claim to the streets. To Sterling’s right, an elderly woman passed, dressed in well made but slightly outdated fashion. She walked gracefully, still trying to lead with bony chest, which had long ago lost its ability to attract any man. He watched her as she passed others, ignoring the outstretched hand of lame, blind or others forced to beg. He shied quickly away from a small knot of soldiers to his left even though they seemed more intent on two whores already in the midst of haggling. One soldier, hand shoved down front of corset, already sampling the goods that were up for bidding. He shied once more, avoiding a tavern brawl that was ready to erupt out into the streets. As he continued from Greene house to docks, he kept himself distracted by the thoughts that a simple stroll was more like a fencing match. Retreat, advance, advance, cross over then retreat a bit more before lunging forward to avoid actually having to come into contact with any number of souls that crossed his path. Footsteps only slowed and faltered as a group of dirty, ragtag children ran in front of him, giving chase to harassed stray cat. The group included four boys and elder girl, all a giggling save for poor cat. He watched until they raced around tavern corner. Then hand strayed itself to pocket, papers still secured within. He no longer knew what to do where wife was concerned. His heart kept hoping and yet his head told him to continue in foolish match would only cause him more heartbreak. If she truly cared she would be with him, by his side. As he looked about only whores were bold enough to stand close. Pace was increased without looking as if he were in too much of a hurry. That would only draw attention and at the moment, he wished to remain as he was, completely lost in the crowd.

Intimate boudoir table had been laid with best pewter plates and fine knives. Sterling’s eyebrow arched upon noticing forks upon linen napkins. More port was transferred from bottle to goblets and guest of honour took his place. As Sally carried trays of items upward from outdoor kitchen, Nelly served, selecting the prime pieces for captain’s plate. The meal was a feast to eye as well as scent and palate. Nelly’s cook has surely outdone herself. Sterling ate nothing, preferring to rearrange more of it on his plate than any thing else. He finally looked up from contemplating actually tasting something to find Nelly staring at him. Napkin rose to clean untainted mouth, then tossed over remains of meal. “My apologies,” Sterling said. “I am poor company.” Nelly floated from chair and moved around to him. Her hands moved to tense shoulders, her fingers working flesh beneath them. “Perhaps then, you would care for something else to clear your mind?” She suggested as one hand moved down the front of his shirt. Delicate hands were suddenly trapped in his. They were removed gently from Sterling’s person as he pushed back chair and stood. He sighed, saddened grin played upon his face. “I am afraid, Nell, that what ye have in mind, will only make me feel all the more worse. I think it best I take my leave for now. Perhaps tomorrow night, yer charms will not only be needed but appreciated as they should.”

Gentle squeeze of fingers upon shoulder caused Sterling to turn onto back. “The meal is ready if you feel up to something to eat,” Nelly said as hand smoothed along his arm. She watched as bleary eyes opened and recognition on captain’s features rapidly seized ground where confusion had just held sway. He sat up, stretched and nodded understanding. Focus shifted to window, which had been his usual Nelly had noted since her finding him. “The sun has been down only an hour,” she commented without his asking. “Thank you,” he said. Leaving comfort of daybed, he stretched once more. Nelly moved close along his back, her own arms moving about his torso. She leaned her cheek against him. Stronger arms reached behind and pulled her around to face him. “You have some place else you must go,” she stated, knowingly and yet hoping she was wrong. “Aye,” he whispered and allowed her once again to move close. “I must return to my ship. I have need to sail as soon as possible and I must see if our release from the harbor has been granted.” Nelly did not move, save to lay head gently against his chest. This time as his arms moved to encircle her, he paused. How like his wife only scant hours ago. Mind was quickly changed and one arm, moved to rest, bent, at small of his own back. The fingers of right hand moved beneath her chin and lifted it. “What is it?” he asked. “Do you plan to sail as soon as the morning comes?” she asked. “It would be pleasing to do so,” he chuckled. “But I fear that would take a miracle.” He watched as her expression fell. “Come, come,” he continued. “Ye do not know me well enough to look so disappointed. I would like it better if ye were honest with me. Besides, I have already told ye, I have not the means to keep ye in the fashion to which ye seem to have grown accustomed. Yer gentlemen have already established ye in the finer part of the Port. Keeping ye on my shares will soon have ye walking the streets.” “That does not mean that I could not see you as well,” she offered. “Just for us. No costs, no strings.” He suddenly pulled away from her. “What is it I have done?” Nelly asked as he turned his back to her. “Not ye luv,” Sterling answered. “Just me. Ye are not to blame.” Good eye came to fix on her as head was cocked back to look over his shoulder. “It just seems with age, I wish for strings, costs, responsibilities and the like. And sharing is becoming something I find I can no longer do.”

Sterling knew only too well that too much port, glasses filled in hasty succession, was all that he needed for temporary fix. Port haze soon clouded over mind's unwanted activity and eyelids became far too heavy for any extra effort to keep them aloft. Nelly knew enough to allow him to continue on chosen course. Any interference would only discourage further interest in herself. So, after Sally was given instructions for what now must be a simple meal, she returned. As glass emptied, she would help to fill it back up until Sterling finally turned on side away from her and with ungainly wave of hand dismissed her.

Sterling poured third drink then placed rapidly emptying bottle on the floor. He stretched out on Nelly’s daybed and finished half of what was in his glass. Head rested back, glass carefully balanced on chest. The last time things had gone according to plan was far too long ago to remember. “No,” he finally said, word tumbling out on exhaled breath and glass was quickly topped off. He had spent his entire life, all that he could recall, being constantly told how he must act, what he must to do, and why he must do things according to other people’s standards and expectations. When he tried, he was then reprimanded, told that he was not good enough, intelligent enough, was striving above his class, or that he was behaving beneath his position. He was tired of hearing his way was never right and, worse, that he never had anything of value to say or contribute in any given situation. And three years a slave had only added not soothed such feelings by impatient masters who had nearly beaten him to death when they felt occasion needed it. Aye he made mistakes but no more than the next successful man… and he was. Few had accomplished what he had in his short life and even fewer could lay claim to never having to cater to the will of investors because he owned his own ship. And yet where had success or abundant coin ever gotten him? Too many lovers that never noticed him beyond the jingle of a hefty purse or a means to some other end. McKinney had rejected him twice for the glitter of someone else’s gold. And, if he had not stumbled upon her in Jamaica, would he even know he had another child? And now Aurore, to her, he did not even seem to exist, unless he were ill or hurt. All was duty, concerning everyone... but him. With her, he found himself at the far end of a very long line of others. Even when regarding the telling of the news of their child, all that was given had been a distant “oui”, as thoughts turned to someone else other than him. Only to Tess, had he seemed to matter. And she was gone, along with too many sons. Nelly sat down beside him, unbuttoning neck of linen shirt, then refilling glass with more drink. “Not now,” he sighed. “Yes of course,” Nelly said with a compassionate smile. “Perhaps later then. You rest. I shall see to something to eat in an hour or so.”

Sterling sat upward, taking papers and burying them deep within trouser pocket. He stood then and without a sound other than the steps he took, he left the house. Chestnut was neglected and he made his way on foot back to small home of Nelly Greene. True to her word, she had indeed been waiting for him and he was immediately lead upstairs by Nelly’s young maid. When he entered her place of business, he found her sitting within, intent on attracting anyone who found access. “I want no games,” Sterling said, making no effort to conceal how he now felt. It was all too obvious that things had not gone as he had planned and Nelly removed herself from perch and poured him a drink. “Tis a strange thing that,” Nelly said, holding forth wine offering. “What?” Sterling muttered. “How those we hope would truly care about us can never take the time to show us and yet those who only pretend at love, make us truly feel needed, loved and special,” Nelly said. “I said no games!”

"You about to make a bigger mistake den de one you already have." Teeth ground together at Devareaux's tone. Line in sand was drawn and Sterling crossed over it. He had been honest in his response and yet that meant little to brother in law. For him to move about in a pack or even worse followed at a distance by others, would only draw further attention to himself. Not all soldiers were easily bought and disloyal. Many, foolish, would die for King and Country without even asking why. All it took was just one... Hand was held out. "I think it best ye give me those papers afterall," he added quietly.

Eyes opened and narrowed slightly. "I appreciate yer offer, but I have survived this long without ye to help me," he replied. "Yer sister requires more looking after than I do at present. She is with child and one never knows how a woman will fare in such a condition. I am sorry," he sighed. "I am tired of being forcefully molded into something I do not wish to be. And no matter how I explain myself to you, it shall be mistaken and twisted so that I appear as if I was born yesterday. Aye, I am tired and cross, the port is still crawling with soldiers and my wife showed me more consideration when she thought me a ghost!!" He swallowed hard, eyes lowering as he tried to shake off the way he now felt. "I will see to myself. Please see to Aurore's safety and the child's." Eyes closed, further conversation was no longer invited. Instead selfish need to be fawned upon came to foreground. He would leave early, alone, and make one stop before returning to ship.

Good eye opened a moment to look upon Devareaux. Then closed, he knew he was only wasting his breath to discuss matters further. "I shall travel alone. See to yer sister's safety."

Sterling closed eyes again and settled back once more into curve of chair. "Oui évidemment," he said. "I shall make for the 'Angel alone as soon as the sun goes down. If I make it safely, I shall send word here. Do you wish to see your sister to the ship? or should I send someone to collect her, for it may prove too dangerous for her to travel with me? What things has she at the Bookstore? Mayhaps they can be collected as well for her comfort?"

Eyes opened and sigh was exhaled unwillingly. Head turned to give better view to good eye. "Aye?" Sterling asked.

Inside of lower lip was taken between teeth to be gnawed on a moment, before Sterling nodded. "Good then," he bowed slightly and went to far end of room, away from others. Chair was sought and carried along with him until carefully deposited in corner and seat claimed. Head leaned back, tucked into bend of winged back chair and eyes closed. Mind racing with thoughts of mistakes he continued to make. Hand pressed to side, no longer mindful of action and weariness was allowed to overtake him. Thoughts of dissolved marriage, once again put to right, now competed with thoughts of Other, left waiting.

As interior was gained, Sterling moved to wife a moment. “Mayhaps ye should lay down and rest a bit or are ye feeling better?”

Sans coat and other accoutrements, Sterling cut a poor figure. Still cocked hat was removed and bow was offered. "I thank you. You have my word I shall not be a burden to you, tis only until the night that you need put up with me. Again thank you and if it is not a difficulty, perhaps I should retire within."

Second, unnecessary glance was given to horses, not wishing to disturb meeting of others. Already once again feeling very much the outsider, he finally did as wife beckoned.