Cheeky Actress

Lilly perched upon Symm’s chest as if she was a hawk waiting to attacking a hare. Symms all the while struggled to take the knife from Lilly’s grasp; still screaming like a girl for his life. “Murder!” Mistress Mitchem cowered in the corner of the room pleading for Lilly to come to her senses. “Mistress McKinney, please do not kill him. It would surely be the gallows for you if you do!” In the heat of all the commotion, the sounds of frantic footsteps charging down the stair well. The door soon flew open with Dr. Reiley standing there with pistols drawn down upon both Lilly and Symms as Captain Sterling stood behind the good doctor with his sword drawn viewing the scene in disbelief. “Mistress McKinney!” Shouted the Captain, “Have you gone mad?! Why are you harassing my help with thoughts of murder!?” It was then the Captain lowered his sword and Dr.Reiley withdrew his pistols and assisted in disarming Mistress McKinney of the knife. She did not resist as the knife fell to the floor and the good doctor pulled her up by her arm and off of Symms. “Look at you!” The Captain said with a tone of shock and disbelief. There she stood in her underpinnings and her hair down and wild. “Where is your gown? Why do you walk about so? A woman of your caliber should show decency and moral stature. Tell me, what has happened to make you do such a thing? ” Lilly eyes narrowed and shot Symms a look of hate, but said nothing. “’Tis my doing, Sir.” Symms muttered under his breath. “She provoked me last night and so…well, I pitched your chamber pot upon her.” A low snicker came from the doctor and the camber maid. The Captain only stood there and shook his head. “…And pray, why did you do such a foul thing, Mr. Symms?” “For you Captain!” The Captain stood amazed by the reply. “Me?” “Aye, she wouldn’t leave ya be and knowing that you are not well and she being the cause of your heartache, and you did say you did not wish to see her any more…. I did what any good man would do to rid his Master of such a she-devil as her!” The Captain could only roll his eyes and shake his head. “It is at moments such as these I wonder if any one is truly thinking of my well being?!” The Captain pulled his banyan closer. “Mr. Symms, I will dictate any future concerns about Mistress McKinney. I did state such a thing for the time being, until my health improved. My concern was not to let her see me in such a state.” He closed his eyes for a moment. Though his words rang with half truth, they still made his mouth run dry. “Mr. Symms, you have an errand to perform for me. Do so and please do not come back until it is completely.” Dr. Reiley stood at looked at Mistress McKinney. “Perhaps I should tend to her, Captain. She has had a most disagreeable evening.” The Captain looked at Lilly for a moment. “Yes, take her upstairs to my room. I will speak with her in private after you give her something for her nerves. Mistress Mitchem, please forgive this mornings disturbances. I shall like my breakfast brought up to my room. If there are any damages due you, please let me know.” With that, the Captain turned from the room. Lilly stood looking at the Doctor for a moment. “He must think me mad.” Dr. Reiley took a look at Lilly’s left arm and hand. “Fools only think fools mad, Mistress. The Captain is just concerned about thee.” Lilly looked up at Dr. Reiley’s face. “How is he? How is he faring this day?” The doctor could see the concern upon her face. “He is a strong hearted, strong minded man. As you can see he is up and about…but there is much to do. May I suggest that if you are concerned about the Captain’s well being, do think twice about drawing down on someone with a knife…unless it is upon the stage, Mistress.” The doctor gave her a wink.

The crest of twilight hovered over the ocean as Lilly walked the docks in search of cover until she thought that it was safe to go back to the tavern. She tightly clutched two gold coins in her hands. It was the last of her money until she could get more from Lord Darnly. “Only two coin left.” She whispered to herself walking about in a daze. In less than six hours, she found herself hailed, prized, cheated and ostracized. Now she felt completely alone. She had confessed her soul and her sins to the man she loves and yet, he cast her away. Her heart ached to be back in London where she was in good company with the Empress and she could visit her child under the guise of a washer woman or maid. Suddenly she saw the reflection of herself in a shoppe window. She surprised herself by the image that stared back at her. The beautiful gown that belonged to the Empress was gone and she stood there in nothing more than her dirty underpinnings. It was time to get back to the inn before she was arrested or accosted. The plain pale blue Mantua which she brought with her still sat in a chest unpacked in her room. She did not care for it much; not befitting a real actress, she thought. Like some lowly creature she kept to the back streets and alley ways until she reached the inn. There, she managed to take the side door next to the kitchen. It was there she saw the article of contempt which drove her to the docks in the first place…Symms, the Captain’s dog’s body. She hovered near the back hall as she watched him in the kitchen through a crack in the doorway. He shuffled from table to stove and back again as he managed the making of his Master’s morning meal. “I says to him I says, ‘Captain she is bane of your existence and yet you continued to let your heart rule you instead of your head.” Then she heard the voice of an old woman interject. “Have you never been in love Mr. Symms?” the woman asked. The old man stopped for a moment and nodded slowly. “Women are like the sea, Mis’ Mitchem. They are a thing of beauty which engulfs the very soul of a man, captures him and he will follow her to the ends of the earth. But if angered, she places the wrath of hell upon him!” “Come now,” the woman said with a bit of a giggle. “What you did to Mistress McKinney was unspeakable!” “Aye,” said Symms, “And I am sure to be turned out on my ear for it once the Captain finds out and if I ever see the likes of Mistress McKinney again….” The door to the kitchen suddenly flies open. “You wretched little…unspeakable cretin!” Lilly said screaming as she ran into the kitchen grabbing a knife from the table where Symms was preparing his meal. She turns the point of the knife at his throat as she pushes him against the wall. “Fool! What do I care for your life anyway? ‘Tis a fleck, a speck upon this earth….pray so God will know your sins and you shall be ready to meet him!” And with that the blade of the knife was drawn back.

Derby

Done In

sad

Suck

Hunger...

With her mind reeling from the heated pitch of anger, Lilly watched Symms enter the kitchen and Hazzard follow Dr. Reiley out of the Tavern. She looked at the old man with contempt. How dare he shame her...and he had been humiliated in front of her lover. She never had a chance to explain the letter or herself... and now stood in the crowded Tavern while Colleen and Sally tried to wipe the excrement from her best gown. She felt her face flush, quickly slapped the girls hands to cease their busy work. “Enough…Enough I say!” This was something she wasn’t going to stand for. As she pressed through the crowd she found her way to the front door and finally to the street. The streets were crowded this time of night and she walked in a quicken paced to avoid being seen is such a condition. The smell made her wretch as the warm night air only added to her moment of torture. Down to the harbor she found herself near one of the ware areas where goods had been stored upon the docks until morning. She broke out in tears and she looked at the ship, The Resurrection. She cursed it under her breath as she looked down at the only best dress she brought with her to Port Royal. In a fit of heated anger, she started to pull and tare at the sleeves, the lace collar and the skirts. Within moments, she stood in her stays and underpinnings and tossed the silk dress into the harbor. As watched the silk dress become engulfed by the water. Suddenly, she heard a sound coming from behind one of the barrels. Then the words, “Pity that…nice dress it was.” She quickly turned around only to find the young man, Bart, she saw earlier from the Tavern lay half asleep and half drunk before her eyes. “Now you have nothing to wear…but I do like the stays, Mistress.” And with that, a leering look came over him which for the first time since she arrived at Port Royal...made her feel dread.

Now Now.."QUEENIE" Let's be nice...or I'll pull out the big guns next...

Greetings Maggie, I live only an hour North of Milwaukee, WI (I live that City with the French Name - Foot of the Lake). Connect me off line and I can give you some nice, cool and exciting places to visit!

The sound of the oak door slamming startled Lilly. "The Letter...'tis myne!" She shouted on the other side of the door. Her heart sank for a moment and for the brief moment at the bar, she had seen the Empress' address scripted on the front of the letter. She knew that it was letter of confession that had been lost. "Captain, Please...a word if you will!" She shouted again on the other side of the door. Suddenly the door flung open and there stood Symms with such an angry scowl upon his face. "ENOUGH!" He shouted and before she could advance herself forward, he doused her with the Captain's chamberpot.

Moon over Burbon Street....Sting.

Lilly smiled and when the letter was presented to her she looks alarmed and surprised. "Oh, Dr. Reiley I am most grateful for the return of this!" She was about to collect the letter from Reiley's hand, but suddenly Hazzard snatched the letter from her. "I'm sorry Mistress, but I am instructed to collect said letter and return it to its' rightful owner...that being one Captain Sterling." She quickly turned towards Hazzard and looked intently into his ruddy tanned face. "That letter is penned by my hand and addressed to the Empress herself." Hazzard flipped the letter over and recognized the silver seal of Captain Sterling. "Aye, your hand, but his seal, Mistress. He requested that it be brought to him the moment it has been found. I am sure I will be awarded greatly!" The Dr. Reiley looked stunned at the both of them. "Rubbish!" He proclaimed as he slammed down his tankard. "I saw the Mistress drop the letter while she was near the docks that...." All of a sudden Hazzard, and Lilly looked at the rouge doctor with surprise. "YOU!" They both shouted. It was then Hazzard quickly pulled his pistol from his belt and placed it in the face of Reiley. "I think the Captain would like to see this and perhaps an explanation would be in order. Come along now!" With that both the Dr. Reiley and Lilly walked towards the stairs as Hazzard followed behind.

Ooo! A voyage...luck you, Charity! Do be careful and enjoy your visit to the Great British Ilse!

Lilly spent the day tending to her Captain. Their world now became few words and hurtful glances. Lilly waited most of the day in hope that the doctor would soon come. "How much longer?" He whispered to her as if his will to live had left him. Lilly gathered up her skirts and sat down next to him upon his bed. "Shall I see what is taking him? Perhaps it would be best that you rest for now. I will let you rest, Captain." And with that she kissed his brow. "Do not leave me..." He whispered again, half asleep from the opium she gave him to easy his troubled mind. "I will be back as soon as I fetch the doctor. Sleep." She pulled the linen over him and left him to sleep. The hour grew close to twilight as she walked down to the tavern. "Has the doctor arrive?" She said looked at the Travern owner. "Does it look like it?" He barked. "Here..." He drew a slip of paper from his pocket. "This be your bill for the Captains lodgings and food. Pay up! We don't take kindly to squelchers here." Lilly collected the piece of paper and look at the amount. She didn't have half of what she needed and no money had arrived from Lord Darnly yet. "Perhaps I can come to an agreement then." The Travern owner looked at her with narrowed eyes. "I don't need another whore...we have Sally and Colleen for that!" Lilly's body shook at the barking tone of the Tavern owner. "No, I was thinking more in the line of 'entertainment'. I could resite a passage from a play mayhap?" The Tavern owner just growled. "Look about you Mistress. These men do not care for culture...they are a men of little means. " Lilly's eyes darted about the crowd. The Tavern owner was right. They were nothing more the a rouge's gallery of fools and theives. "Very well then...a song! I shall sing for my supper?" The Tavern owner nodded in agreement. "Best be in good voice this night, Mistress...If not...I shall through you both out!" "Very well then." Lilly said as she walked to the center part of the tavern. "Good Evening my fellows! I wish you all good blessings this night. Come, let me entertain you with a jolly song, eh?" Then Lilly cleared her voice and started in with a sea shanty.... When I was a fair maid about seventeen I listed in the Navy for to serve the King I listed in the Navy a sailor man to stand For to hear the cannons rattlin’ and the music so grand And the music so grand…and the music so grand For to hear the cannons rattlin’ and the music so grand Well the Officer that listed me was a tall and handsome man He said, “You make a sailor, so come along my man!” My waist being tall and slender…my finger long and thin And very soon the ‘learn’ in me… I soon exceeded them I soon exceeded them…… I soon exceeded them And very soon the ‘learn’ in me… I soon exceeded them Well, they sent me to bed and the sent me to bunk To lie with a sailor I never was afraid But taking off my blue coat you doftn’ young maid may smile For to think I was a sailor and a maiden all the while And a maiden all the while…and a maiden all the while For to think I was a sailor and a maiden all the while Well they sent me off to London for to guard the Tower And I’m sure I might be there to my very dying hour But a Lady fell in love with me and I told her I was a made Oh, she went to the Captain and my secret she betrayed My secret she betrayed…. My secret she betrayed Oh, she went to the Captain and my secret she betrayed (Hornpipe and harpsecord) Well the Captain he came up to me and asked if this was so Oh, I dared not…I dared not…I dared not so no It’s a pity we should loose you, such a sailor man you made It’s a pity we should loose you, such a handsome young maid Such a handsome young maid…such a handsome young maid It’s a pity we should loose you, such a handsome young maid So it’s ‘fair-thee-well”, Captain you’ve been so kind to me And like wise my shipmates, I am sorry to part with thee But every the Navy needs a lad, a sailor I remain I’d open up my up my hat and feathers and run the riggin’ again I’d run the riggin’ again…I’d run the riggin’ again. I’d open up my up my hat and feathers and run the riggin’ again! She then bowed as the tavern crowd took notice of her performance.

Lilly wrenched her hands from his and wept hard. "The boy is safe and that is all I can tell thee. Oh, I feared this so. I am a fool for not telling you about this! I am sorry I kept this from you for the longest time. When I discovered my condition, I was at the end of the theater season. I had to play Desdemona in nothing more than a loose shift to hide my appearence from the world. I knew that your heart would not be able to take such news." She lent forward bowing her head, touching his to console him. "I could not live another day without telling you this. I had to make right with you and God."

Lilly's eyes now filled with bitter-sweet tears. She had difficulty mustering enough courage to look her sweet Captain in the face. "He's in God's Keep." She whispered. The Captain looked back at her with a quick and sudden stare. "God's keep? What is the meaning of your words, Lilly?" She could only shake her head and repeat what she had whispered to him before. Now the words were stronger and the tone more stable. "As I said, He is in God's keep." The Captain looked perplexed. "You make no sense woman!" Again, she could only repeat her words to him. The Captain then fell to his knees in front of his lover. "Pray, tell me...this child that you bore to the world...how do you know that it is mine?! I fear that time and the situation being what it is with you and Lord Darnly makes me judge you. This is something I swore that I would never do, yet...in light of what has happen, I cannot help myself." He quickly grabbed her hands and kissed them in a fury. "Tell me my Sweet Lilly, did you know you were with child before I asked you to be me wife or did you hide this from me out of fear of Lord Darnly's wrath?"

Lilly climbed upon the Captain's bed as if not to wake him. “Not just yet.” She whispered to herself. She nuzzled close to his side taking in his warmth and the smell of Bombay oil. She felt him stir slightly and it is then she leaned over and kissed him a good morning. The Captain’s eyes flutter quickly and he looked upon the very thing he has dreamt about these last eight months. “Morning Sweet Johnny,” She whispers to him. “Symms has brought us breakfast. You must eat to regain your strength.” With a smile the Captain pulled Lilly towards him. “You are all that I need to regain my strength, Lilly. Here, breakfast can wait!” Lilly quickly feels the weight of the Captain upon her. “Oh, there will be time for this later, Johnny. But now you must eat…and we must talk.” The Captain flipped through the sheets and the duvet to find his nightshirt wadded up in a ball at the bottom of the bed. “Oh my, so that is where it ended up?” She said as he pulled it over his head. “Quickly, Sweet…breakfast is getting cold.” She then turned towards him and helped pull the rest of the nightshirt over his head. For a moment she paused and looked down at him. His blonde hair all a mess, his chin scuffed with the morning’s growth, and the smile upon his face. She felt a pang in her heart at that moment. How could she tell him of her news now? Was it a mistake that she came here and gave him such comfort? She knew that soon she would have to tell him her secret and she dreaded the thought of such a cruel thing…yet, it was the only way she could unburden herself and her soul. As they took a seat at the table, the Captain’s playful nature continued. As Lilly poured the coffee she found it difficult to avoid his coaxing. “Shall I feed thee this morning?” He muttered to her softly. “What is your fancy, Sweet? melon or banana?” He said holding each one to her lips to consume. “Please Johnny…a word. It is quite urgent and I…I do not…” She felt herself crumble and began to cry. The Captain quickly took to her side. “There…there, Lilly. There be no need for tears. You are with me now and I shall soon have the Archangel right again. And due to your help with the letters…I hope that my fortune will come forward so I may claim it and then we can go…” “I’ve betrayed you!” She said...almost shouting it over him. Those horrid words rang in her ears as well as his. “I’ve done you wrong Johnny.” Looking a bit perplexed, he lent forward. “What ever in the world have you done to say such a thing?” With a tearful glance up into his loving face she could only whisper her response. “No more than eight months back, I gave birth to a baby boy. He’s your son.” The Captain sat in shock for the moment. His very breath left him and he looked back at Lilly in disbelief. It was then a sudden knocking came at the door.

True to her word Lilly opened the door when the steward rapped on it earlier the next day, only now she was wearing the Captain’s banyan and Sterling, sprawled across the bed, snoring softly, not much other than the bed linen, and barely that . Lilly could only laugh as she helped old Symms to not drop the tray he carried. “And who calls whom silly?” she asked, taking a slice of dry toast from one of the plates. The old man threw her an evil look as he plunked the tray down amidst the remains of the previous night’s meal. “Shhh,” Lilly whispered. “Don’t you wake him. The captain is tired…” she paused then laughed. “Down right exhausted if you ask me. Besides I want to wake him…. I know just how to get him up.” "Beggin yer pardon Mistress," Symms began but Lilly interrupted him. "Do not beg my pardon Mr. Symms for it shall not be forthcoming. I do as I like with John, he is a tender and considerate lover. Far less selfish than the rest of your sex." "Aye Mistress and ye would be the one to know!" the steward whispered under his breath loud enough for the girl to hear. "Do not be painin me captain any further if ye know what's good fer ye. Have yer words with him and be gone with ye. He has no coin to spare to set ye up her in Port Royal." Lilly watched as the older man collected the dirty dishes and made for the door. "Is that why he thinks I am here?" she asked Symms as she walked him to the door again. "What else would the likes of ye be wantin from him? Sell his soul for ye he would ifin he thought it would help ye. Thank God, he be not that much of a fool. Speak yer piece with him. I do not want to be finding ye here come lunch time. The doctor will be coming round to see him then and ye don't need to be here!"

Lilly entered the small but clean room after Mr. Symms held the door for her. Her silk taffeta gown rustled pleasantly as she made her way to her host. She dipped in a curtsey, knowing all too well his gaze would quickly grace the curve of her breast above the low necked bodice gown. It was one of her best and it always kept the men as she liked them…distracted. She lifted her eyes slightly and watched as he bowed in return. He had dressed for comfort, opting not for his usual splendor but for ease…. Simple woolen breeches, a smart but rather plainly embroidered silk waistcoat and his all too familiar Indian cotton banyan. Her eyes rested on his face. Despite his disfigurement, she still found him to be one of the most handsome men she had ever known even though now, he looked tired and pale. She took the hand he offered and allowed him to raise her to feet and greet her with a kiss. Simple and proper, she thought, especially with the all too puritanical Symms still laying the meal upon the table. “Are you feeling up to this?” she asked and could not help giggling to herself. Best to break through his walls as soon as possible she thought. “Ye said ye wished to talk with me,” he said, somewhat confused. Lilly felt a coldness pass over her as he reminded her. She shook herself ever so slightly to make it pass. There was something else she needed far more at this moment than conversation, no matter how it important a matter she wished to discuss. ‘Yes, of course,” she said. But she did not take the seat he offered her next. Instead she went to Mr.Symms, took the little old man by the arm and with a smile that could stop a cannon blast in its path, she ushered the man to the door. “But I be needed to serve ye yer meal!” The steward protested. “I shall take care of the service around here this night,” Lilly said, pressing a coin into the old man’s hand. “Find yourself a lass of your own. We will not be needing you Mr. Symms, at least not until breakfast.” “Mistress McKinney!!” “Oh Mr. Symms, surely I am not the only woman the Captain keeps,” Lilly said, actually annoyed at the thought. “He be in love with ye, ye silly woman!” “And what of the Empress, tell me he does not love her as well, besides what has that to do with anything?” she asked as she blocked his way back into the room. “Only men in foolish stories are truly like that…” “But Mistress….” And then she shut the door of the room in the old man’s face and locked it. She could only giggle all the more at Sterling’s expression when she made her way over to him. “Why oh why, do you insist on wearing this?” Lilly taunted as she plucked the long, curly brown wig from his head and tossed it aside. “Tis proper for a gentleman….” he mumbled really not knowing what to say as she quickly unfastened the ribbon that held his own hair bound . Lilly smiled as she freed the long golden hair and combed it about his shoulders with her fingers. “You really should wear your own,” she giggled, then knitting her fingers into a fistful of the blond locks, she tightened her grip and pulled it hard bringing him down to her level. “Come to bed John, there are other appetites that need tending to other than the want of food.” She kissed him then, hard. “And promise me you will be neither a gentleman nor proper.”

It only took the actress moments to make her way back to the inn. She entered the tavern and wiped her tear stain cheeks with the back of her hand. It was midday and the inn had only a few 'regulars' there. As she continued to walked through the tavern, she noticed a handful of well dressed gents engaged in conversation. There they sat at a large table towards the back of the inn. Their names were unknown, but she had seen the majority of them from the funeral services the other day. She thought about the Archangel and its' condition. "Letters...he talked about a letter being dropped?!" She whispered to herself. It was then a hand was gently placed upon her shoulder. "Here Mistress...why do you cry alone when you can have the help of my company to cry with?" She turned towards the voice to see a pair of dark brown eyes flash back at her. "My name is Bartholomew Treate, Mistress. I see that you are in need of a kind soul. May I have the honor?" He said pointing at a chair next to him. Lilly wiped her face again and shook her head no. "My apologies, Master Treate, but I would be poor company this day." "I assure you Mistress...'tis company alone I wish...nothing more. " She looked up at him again for a moment then took a seat at the table. "You're the one they say is an actress. Are you really from London?" He asked as he poured her a glass. "Yes, I came in upon the Resurrection several days ago." "You mean you sailed in with Lady Barbossa?" "Yes. Her ship was the only one that was leaving London's dock that morning. She took me aboard with some reluctance, but here I am." Bart sat there and smiled to himself. "She is known as a great Captain in these parts...but she has a temper that the Devil himself fears!" Lilly crested a smile. "There...there...do I see a happy face now?" Bart questioned her. She then relaxed a bit and smiled freely. It was then she heard the men in the back begin to picker and shout. "Here, do you know them?" She said looking up at Bart. "Aye, they be mostly the Captains of the ships in port. They claim that there is business here in Port Royal and the Admiral request that they meet him here." "But why? And on a Sunday?" She looked over at the group of them again continuing to shout amongst themselves. It is then Lilly remembers the lost letter. "I am sorry, but I must leave thee. I have an urgent matter to attend to." Lilly quickly stands as Bart follows. "I am in search of a lost letter and I hear that a rouge has it in his possession." Bart leans forward and smiles. "If you saw him, Mistress...would you know of him?" "I am sorry, but I did not see him take the letter sir...I only know that there is a rough with my correspondence in his pocket and it is of the utmost importance that I get it back." Bart stood there for a moment and pondered. "This is Port Royal, Mistress...whatever you wish you can obtain...and if you ask about ...you can obtain what ever you wish...for a price!"

Lilly looked up at the captain. He still did not look well so all she could do for now was nod her consent to his invitation. “Later then,” she said, not masking the disappointment in her voice. She watched as he bowed then turn to take his leave. “Captain?” she called after him. Sterling stopped and made his way back to her. “Aye?” The captain said. Lilly took a deep breath before she looked up at him again. “Is your letter the only reason you came looking for me today?” she asked him. For a moment he appeared only to look confused. And then, suddenly to her surprise, the captain leaned forward and kissed her. As his lips pressed to hers, Lilly moved closer to him and then found her hands upon his chest pushing against him. It took most of her strength before she was able to finally shove him from her. “JOHN!” she cried out, then struck him across the face. “I still love you Lilly,” the stunned man confessed to her. “Oh for God’s sake, Captain,” Lilly sputtered, trying to collect herself. “In the middle of the day, in the middle of the street?!?! Your father is always telling others you have lost your mind! Must you prove him right all of your own accord?!!”

Lilly stood there looking back at the Captain; she pressed a smile to her lips. "Captain Sterling a pleasure as always." Captain Henri looked back at the Captain and bowed at the waist. "My word Sterling, there is not a day that goes by that your name is not mentioned in my travels. You name exceeds you, Sir!" The Captain in turn bowed in kind, but his attentions were drawn back to the actress. “Will you forgive us Captain Henri, a word with you Mistress, if I may?” He quickly took her elbow and led her back towards the direction of the Inn. As they walked the air became thick with the sense of awkwardness between the two of them. “The letters; I see that you have done what I’ve requested.” “Aye,” She whispered back in kind. “I have done what you requested of me. The letters are on their way back to England.” It is then the Captain turned and looked at Lilly. “May I ask why you are here, a thousand miles from your home in London?” She felt herself stagger for breath; a heavy pause was given to the Captain. “I could not stay there any longer. My life had very little meaning there and very little happiness.” The Captain then continued to walk with her close by her side. He nodded his head in understanding, a characteristic which she found very favorable. She always admired his nature not to judge and always had a tender way about him. “You’re Patron, Darnly is it? Does he know you are here?” She staggered another breath. “No, Captain…he does not.” The Captain looked surprised by her reply. “And of the Empress…surely she is worried about you?” “She does not know either, Captain.” Completely puzzled by her actions the Captain pulls her aside. “Mistress, what may I ask is about here? I fear you have placed yourself is a very bad situation.” With a deep sigh, Lilly looks deeply into the Captain’s eyes. “My situation turned bad the moment you left England, Sir. This is why I’ve come to seek you out. Pray, a moment in privacy with you…please.”

“Mistress McKinney!” someone hailed her from the dock. Lilly looked down toward the voice she knew and saw Captain Sterling staring back up at her. “Someone you know?” Captain Henri of the Lucifer asked. “An … acquaintance,” Lilly replied. “Captain Sterling of the Archangel.” “Sir John Sterling?” Henri asked. His impressed tone of voice irked Lilly somewhat. “At one point in time, yes he could claim such a title. But thanks to his father and his taste in low women,” Lilly smiled up at the Lucifer’s captain. “He cannot continue to make such claims.” “Low women, indeed,” the French captain said, obviously not impressed by Lilly’s remark, and yet he continued to escort her safely back down to the street, his fingers gently stroking the actress’s hand upon his sleeve. When the reached the safety of the land, Captain Henri continued with the actress on his arm, only, much to her dismay, he brought her round face to face with the other captain. "Bonjour Captain Sterling, Mademoiselle McKinny has been telling me all about you!"

I do apologize Thane, my intension was not to 'give away' anything...but to give light to something a bunch of people (dear freinds) missed. With that said...enjoy and get lost in the magic of it all!