Tess St. Claire

Trapped

Tess lent back in her seat as the Captain chine her for her poor excuse for lying. As the verbal attack continued she realized that his threats were real enough. “You plan to do what upon the marrow?!” She said trying to focus on the last bit of his conversation. “Who is this woman you plan to marry?! What are you saying…you no longer are interested in that whore? And what of your child? Do you plan to snatch him from that woman and raise it as your own? I cannot believe you, John. Do not insult me for my actions. You are still the laughing stock of London. If you had a brain in your head you’d make the right decision and marry me. I can give you title, power, position! Don’t be the fool, we don’t really have to consumate the marriage, John. We can just have an understanding.”

Tess watched the vain in the Captain’s forehead become bigger as he once again pressed the question to her. “All right then, if you must know, I was seeking out Reggie Killingsworth. I was told that he had left England some time ago and landed here. I must find him and return to London soon. You see, my father doesn’t like me to travel too far from home.

Very well! Tess yelled back at him. She regained her composure and took a seat upon the small bed. "If you must know...tis business that brings me here to Port Royal."

Bedrock

Tess could only shake her head in complete shock. “No…that is not what I meant. You…your face, John; what happened to your eye?”

“That retched man!” Tess said looking for the lamp upon her writing table. “He shattered all our dreams, didn’t he?” Sterling now staying back into the shadows said nothing in return. “Oh, where is my head.” Tess said jokingly. “I’ll have this room illuminated in just a few ticks. Then I we can have a proper conversation.” With that she struck a match and lit the lamp. The room filled with a warm soft glow as Tess adjusted the flame. As she turned around once more to the Captain, it was then she was started by what she saw. She quickly gasped, moving her hand to her mouth to stop her from crying out. “What in God’s name happened?!” She said as the words finally came to her lips.

The warmth of his hands about her waist and the sweet sound of his voice suddenly brought forth all the old emotions that she still felt for Captain Sterling. Tess was no longer frightened to say the least. She moved her hands to his face, as if to cradle it in a loving manner and gave him a kiss in return. The kiss then drew more passionate as she began to stroke his hair and her hand graced his face. That was until the Captain quickly pulled way from her touch. “What is it John? Do you not wish me to greet you like I use to? Do you still hold me accountable for what happened in the past?”

Startled to find a complete stranger in her room she quickly jumped. “Who are you?” She said trying to control her fear. “I left instructions with the barkeep to notify me if I had any guests waiting for me. You, Sir, are not welcome and I strongly advise you to leave my lodgings this instant. If not, I shall scream.”

Lady St. Claire quickly made her way into the streets of Port Royal. As of the moment, her mind quickly dashed back and forth with the feeling of accomplishment and woe. “Who does that whore think she is?” She said to herself dodging the endless flow people walking through the rain soaked street. “The nerve of her saying that I am not suitable to marry Captain Sterling; how dare she!” Down the street she went continuing to converse in her own rantings until she realized she was finally back at The Ships Inn. She quickly made her way to the bar and looked at the barkeep there. “You there!” She barked her command as if she ruled that Inn. “Has anyone sent word for me? Has there been any news as of late?” The started barkeep looked at her and shook his head no. “There be no one looking for you my Lady. If you were, I’d make damn sure that a message would be left.” Tess’ eyes only narrowed and with a huff she continued through the bar and up the stairs to her room. After taking off her hood and cape, she looked about the room for a moment. “Strange?” She said looking at her writing desk. “I don’t remember leaving my unfinished letters out?” A shiver of fear went through her at that moment. “Someone was in my room…but who?”

My word Aurore! You look completely dwarfed by that dragon bench! Oh, but what lovely color choices for your exotic apparel. You did a splendid job…(the long hours were worth it!) "Flintlock Jack" looks wonderful, too! Got any more shots?

Miss St. Claire are ye a vegetarian? Hello Jacky Tar, No, 'stuffies' are just another name for stuff claims on the half shell. It's very popular up here in Rhode Island.

The strike to Lady Tess’ cheek was unexpected. She quickly recovered from the blow and winced from the pain as she touched the now crimson cheek. “You are a fool, Mistress McKinney. Do you think that Captain will ever love a creature such as you?” Lilly’s face suddenly reacted to the words she shouted forth. It was less than a day now that she had fallen out of favor with her beloved Captain, only to be replaced by a younger and more desirable creature. Tess looked back at Lilly and began to speak with heated tones, which were now elevated to a stern shout. "What the Captain sees in you, God only knows! He wastes his time on the likes of you while he could be conversing with a better lot!" “What?! And have him marry the likes of you?” Lilly said shouting back. “Oh yes, I know that the two of you were betroved in your younger years to each other. I also know that it was Lord William Sterling’s idea to marry the both of you off to one another, not Captain Sterling’s. It would have made such a pretty situation of title and property…if you do not mind being treated like chattel!” Tess’s eyes now flared with hate. Lilly continued her bombardment of insults. “Knowing how Captain Sterling felt about his father, he would have done anything to go against his father’s plans. You were just unlucky enough to get in the middle of things, weren’t you?” Tess finally took a deep breath to calm herself and her tone now switched back to the low tone of treachery that she was so well known for. “Yes, it is true that Captain Sterling called off our arrangement, but that doesn’t change how my heart feels now, does it?” Tess walked towards the window and then looked down to the small street below. It was then Tess released the very secret that Mistress Lilly kept so dear. “I have seen your son.” Lilly’s whole body went cold with fear. “My son? What do you..." Lilly muttered in a state of panic. “Do not deny it, Mistress. He is beautiful.” Tess said turning towards Lilly as she stood there in mild shock.” Lilly quickly reclaimed her composure. “He is Captain Sterling’s son, he is bound to beautiful.” It was then Tess stepped forward and narrowed her eyes as she approached Lilly. “He can father a healthy bastard with some easy slut as freely as breathing, yet it is I who should have been his wife and mother to his children…and by fates hand, I cannot give him what he deserves most in life….” Tess’ face soon went soft and if she was giving confession. Lilly still standing on her guard only to reply the obvious. “God’s will be done.” Smiling slightly at the reply plunging the verbal dagger deeper. It was Tess’ next reaction that Mistress Lilly was not expecting. Tess looked back at her and in a soft voice replied. “What did you do to deserve such a sign of grace? The child should have been mine.” It was then the room went silent as the women just looked at each other with contempt.

Tonight it will be a couple of 'stuffies', wild rice pilaf, acorn squash, and pumpkin pie!

Mumbling could be heard from the other side of the door. With the clicking of the lock, the door soon opened and their stood Mistress Lilly McKinney, looking worse the wear from what had probably been a very rough day. Her hair was tossed about in a hectic manner and her eyes were puffy from weeping. She first met Doctor Reiley with her glance. It looked as if she would have done him in, had it not been for his gracious but pitiful look towards Lady Tess. It was then Mistress Lilly turned her head and looked at the fine and elegant figure standing next to the good doctor. “It is a pleasure to see you again, Mistress McKinney. Do you remember me? I am Lady Tess St. Claire.” Tess uttered in her soft sophisticated voice. Lilly face soon drained to a very pale white. “Leave us, Reiley.” She whispered softly, but with a tone of concern. “I wish to speak with Lady St. Claire…alone.”

Cupid's Curse

Tess shook her head. "Oh, I've waited so long and I may not have another chance to speak with her. I am only in Port Royal for a little while longer. Could you please try once more?" Tess smiled sweetly again at the good doctor; using her womanly charms to convince him that it would be worth the it...even though there may be a chance being caught in the cross-fire.

Though Reggie Killingsworth was a ‘good’ character, let us not forget that he was also a self-serving, self-promoting, egotistical, rude, womanizing, diabolical, chastising, cruel, pompous, snobbish, patronizing, condescending, cretin that ever lived….and I can say that those were his good traits. Mind you, I can say such things…we are family, you know. Now with that being said…My God have Mercy on his soul.

Hmm...only 65 years off, but the right location...that's for sure! I don't know how you feel about it, but you were female in your last earthly incarnation. You were born somewhere in the territory of modern Central England around the year 1625. ( ) Your profession was that of a teacher, mathematician or geologist. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your brief psychological profile in your past life: Such people are always involved with all new. You have always loved changes, especially in art, music, cooking. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The lesson that your last past life brought to your present incarnation: The world is full of ill and lonely people. You should help those, who are less fortunate than you are. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Come now, Johnny! You can't play coy with me!

"French Envelope"

"I will be happy to accompany you, Doctor Reiley." She held out her hand to him and he took it in the proper manner. "She will be very pleased to know that her admiring public has followed her here to Port Royal. Have you been in port long?" Asked Reiely as he offered her the small narrow stairwell first. "No, not long. Though I am amazed at the excitment of this place." Her tone struck a cord with Reiley for a moment. Up the back stairwell towards the center of the hall is where the good doctor had lead her. "This is her room. Best to wait here first." He whispered. As he knocked on the door and called for Mistress Lilly in a very happy tone. "Mistress Lilly? It is I, Reiley. I would like you to meet someone. They say that they are a admirer of your work upon the stage back in London." At first there were no reply, then came a great crashing of pottery against the door. Amazed at the outbust, Tess looked at the Doctor. "My, I wonder how she treats the critics of her work?"

Do you have a question, Captain?

Fox Hunt

Lady Tess took the seat that he offered and waved to the servant girl to get her attention. “I am Jacob Reiley, physician.” He said with a flourish and flashy smile. Tess smiled back at the dashing young man that had captured her full attentions. “Forgive my forwardness, good doctor, but I saw you and your Mistress enter this tavern and I am sure that I may have met her before.” With another smile, Reiley puffed out his chest as if he were a peacock dancing proudly about. “Mayhap you have, my Lady, for that is Mistress Lilly McKinney, the famous actress of the King’s Company in London!” “Truly?!” Tess said as if to hide the false expression of excitement from her face. “Well then, she it the very same person whom I have met then! Does she not accompany Captain John Sterling?” Reiley felt a moment of awkwardness and went quiet. “She has been known to do so.” He replied as the servant girl finally arrived. Tess quickly handed the girl a coin or two. “Nye, Let me my kind, Sir. How often can I say that I enjoyed such good company and to meet up with the very famous London Lilly.” Reiley being a bit short on cash did not stop him for attempting to buy the round at first, but with the Lady’s true enthusiasm, he was not going to push the matter further. “I would be most grateful if you would arrange a meeting with her.” said Tess as she raised her glass. Reiley almost gagged on his ale at the very thought, at first. “Come, come.” Tess said placing down her glass. “The actress must rally in this sort of attention all the time.” Tess lent forward over the tabletop and smiled. “And I would be ever so grateful to you if you were able to do so.” It was at that moment Reiley’s eyes darted down to the over-flowing ampleness of the Lady’s bodice. As he tried to clear his throat of ale and nervousness, she looked him straight in the eye. “That is, if I am not interrupting her or her busy schedule. I am sure that she has many important things to do and people to meet…the Governor, or Captain Sterling, perhaps?” Reiley wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, peered at her bosom, quickly made eye contact with her again and smiling like a fool. “I am sure if I were to make the proper introductions she would be very happy to meet with you, my Lady. I am sure that if I told her that an adoring public admirer was asking to meet her acquaintance it would be the very thing to lift her spirits today!” And with that Reiley stood from the table and took a bow. “I shall make the introductions then. Whom may I ask is calling on her?” As Tess looked up at him and smiled. “Tell her…an old friend from court. I will make my name known to her upon the meeting.”