Capt. Sterling

Hey Rats, If this is concerning your impression, being a doctor you could read, so checking things out for yourself by actually reading the bible could have made a very big difference in your life... remember during the time frame many folks could NOT read, so they had to depend on the honesty of the word coming over the pulpit... i.e, to really understand the religion of the times, you need to know the preachers of the times and what they were spouting, what were their adgendas and if they really believed what they were teaching/preaching or just using their "job" as a means to power and influence. Then study their effects on their congregations... did the folks get what was being told them and did they practice it, or were they just sitting there shaking their heads... Tons of people claimed to be "Christian, Protestant, Catholic, Muslim" and didn't have any clue what it was even all about... even today just because a person says they are, doesn't mean they truly are...

And you know, now that brain is engaged and actually thinking, during this time frame, Port Royal was considered the wickedest place in the world... so I honestly don't think too many folks would be concerned about another pirate ship pulling into the harbour... actually, I think my character is really the oddball... though technically, I do a slightly later than 1660s impression....

success

He smiled. "Well then," he said, placing his own hand over the tiny one upon his chest. "Tis with sorrow that I must now find myself away to town, but now tis with hope and expectancy abounding regarding my return. My ship will still be in the yards a time longer...but I shall come to call upon ye. I still wish to aide your brother regarding Killingsworth for I will not let that monster touch a hair upon Mistress McKinney's head. I cannot say it would be safe for you to travel to see me, but we shall leave that up to Sabastian's judgement."

Well we have two possible other pyrate ships in Port, with captains of dubious nature... so if you bring yer vessel in you can actually handle it as you please. So far we have no one actually playing the harbour master...

"Come," he said, holding out his hand to her and then leading her back to the room he had occupied. He closed the door behind her once they had entered, separating them both from the rest of the world. He offered her a chair by the table, still laden with fruit and drink, then began to pace back and forth. "I have... " he shook his head again. "Tis early and perchance I have no right to discuss such matters but..." he stopped, looked at her, then began to pace again. "I have seen Christophe.... the way he... he looks at you...there is more there than meets the eye. Do you not see it? See how much he cares for you? Again, perhaps the timing is not proper, I have been such a person as he, regarding another that I care deeply about... for a moment I thought I could not bare to be placed in such a position yet again...so soon... The time since you were so kind as to come to my assistance has flown by, tis almost a blur, but I meant what I said earlier to you...and yet I find I know not which tack to take regarding you... this is not a bad thing, mind you," he quickly added. "But I fear I am sailing in uncharted waters..." He halted his step and looked at her, meeting her gaze. "I have matters that I must attend to in Port Royal, and hopefully soon with Morgan, so I must indeed take my leave, but I must know, before I do, that I am wanted back, even if not by the brother at least by the sister."

Sterling looked first to her hand upon his arm then at her, clearly confused by her choice of words. "Lady?" he whispered. "Trinket? Forgive me I do not understand...how could," he stopped, his mind slowly closing upon her meaning. "Mayhaps then I be not merely a shadow?" he asked, turning to face her.

gluttony

He could not help but rub his hands over his forearms, trying hard to remove the chill that had raised goosebumps there. Had he been right about her just now, his mind puzzled. Was he to be the next, like Christophe, to stand, without hope, in her shadow? To be constantly pushed aside when he no longer mattered, when he was no longer...convenient... "You cut me Madame," he said, his head suddenly hanging. He could have allowed his pride to over take him, to lay claim to the situation, and bring forth words of anger, spite, revenge,... hurt... Sterling turned and began his way back to the hall. "I had thought differently... earlier today... I ..." he could only shake his head. "I seem to have been mistaken. I am glad to see that no harm has come of the things that have just past. Thank you for your aide regarding my illness... As you wish, I shall take my leave now. I see I do not belong."

thirsty

He listened for any form of response from within. As sounds of objects breaking greeted him, his assault upon the door became frantic. As the barrier was finally removed and door opened, it was all he could do to control himself, he moved inside toward her, taking her face into his hands. "What is it? Did anyone harm ye?" he whispered, his gaze moving over her face, taking her in, and finally settling upon her eyes.

25 year old Tawny Port....

Sterling did not know well the lay out of the cottage. Twas small enough and yet not so little as to provide him with simpler movement. He halted, catching himself as he entered, listening for her. "Aurore!" he called out but she did not answer him. He made his way down the hall and found the familiar staircase. There were other rooms about, a startled Megan coming from dining area. It was the door above, opening with protest that made him bolt up the steps. "Aurore!" He called as he began down the unknown hall just in time to see one door close. He quickened his pace once more and found the door locked. With one hand he shook the latch, the other he pounded upon the heavy wooden surface. "Open the damn door... " he shouted then caught himself. "Please Lady do not shut me out!"

Sterling had not been checked in any way. Sabastain had, with nothing more than a nod of the head, dismissed him and had returned to setting home to peace. The captain wondered if he had been forgiven as well, as he collected saddle and assorted tack and carried it over to the paddock. He watched as Reiley moved about the ring, trying to collect the carriage horses as Lilly paced anxiously along the fence line, knowing all too well to keep her distance from Sterling. He was upset and she knew from past experiences to wait until he came to her to speak. She had meant well and her one consolation was that she knew he would see it that way. Sterling placed saddle upon the fence rail and removed his coat in order to attend to the Chestnut, who seemed unwilling to leave his comfortable place. As he moved to place the garment on the railing next to the tack, he saw Aurore turn and run back to the cottage. He as well as Christophe and Sabastian wheeled about to watch her retreat. He looked to brother and then Shadow and before Christophe took his first step, it was Sterling commanding the dark man to belay his actions. Sterling looked to Lilly then, his mind and feelings so mixed that he could no longer know where to turn. His's first steps toward where Aurore had just disappeared, were slow and precise, but as his heart raced within him, his pace quickened until he was running toward closed door.

WHAT?!?! I have to be Fabio now too??? Not on yer life!!!!!!!!!!! You girls go play with yer own hair!!!

Sterling watched as the cottage doors swung wide once more and Aurore exited, this time free of the good doctor’s necessary but treacherous embrace. For a moment he felt a twinge of panic, but Lilly and Rieley, escorted by the compound's guards soon followed behind. Strangely his gaze fell upon the brute, Christophe. It was all too clearly etched in his features his concern for his mistress. All too clearly indeed. Sterling looked to the stunning creature in blue and then the equally stunning woman following, then back to Christophe and he felt sorry for him as well as suddenly for himself. They were all too much alike. What was it with men like him, falling at the ground of the feet of such ladies, women who were always adored and free to fix their sights on which ever male ventured their way, while the men forced themselves to be content to accept whatever scraps of affection were carelessly tossed from dainty fingers? For a moment he felt himself bristle at his lack of self control. He turned to Sabastian. “I owe you an apology Monsieur. I am certain that these two are only here because of me. I fear I have brought too much unrest to your household and, although I am truly grateful for you and yours for saving my life, I think it best I take my leave and see those two safely back to town.” As was proper, he added, “Please tell Mistress Deverux, on my behalf, that I am, forever, grateful to her for her time and care,” the words stuck all too hard in his throat, so that he could barely whisper them. Sterling uncovered and bowed to Sabastian, "My condolences as well for yer loss," then turned and made his way back to Reiley. “I am glad to see thee safe and thee as well Mistress McKinney,” he said trying to smile and yet all too embarrassed by the grief given to his host. “Doctor if thee would be so kind as to help me with the horses. It is time we headed back to town and the rest of the crew. Word was sent as to my finding and assistance, but tis obvious thee did not get news of such. My apologies for causing so much concern. “ Without allowing the time for words to pass, Sterling turned away to find the tack for his rented mount. He would ride back, following the carriage. He wished for quiet now. He cast a glance at Aurore, Christophe hovering closer than her shadow… my God, how women played men for the fools they were. He would sail now as soon as the ‘Angel was finished with her refit, whether or not Morgan was ready as well. Damn the letters he needed, he would now take his chances….

Interesting really... especially since dragoon is a cavalry term... could she have been serving more like a marine?? Perhaps she was "discovered" to be a woman at a later date... say from wound or illness?

uncontrollable

oui merci!

pout, sly glances, bare shoulders...

"I can only hope where Dr. Reiley is concerned, but if you were to call off Christophe, perhaps I can call off the others as well," Sterling suggested.

primative urges

Sterling stood his ground a moment, waiting until Sabastian finished giving his instructions to the other man who made off with some haste. Honestly there was no easy way to say what he had to say, so he just leapt forward. "I believe Mistress McKinney and the good doctor are here on my behalf. How on earth they have managed to get this far is really quite beyond my realm of comprehension, especially knowing Lilly as well as I do... tis a miracle really..." he added, his eyes wide with amazement at the mere thought.

ah... big head vs little head

the bloody fish tank again... if I don't turn the TV on soon, I think its going to make me bonkers..