Honour Bright

Honour looked out the porthole to the view of the setting sun. She had not seen any trace of Jack since she did a slice and dice on that lovely silk shirt of his. She ran her fingers through her hair, the salt spray from earlier in the day caked and dried a layer of salt on her tresses. Looking through Briggs' chest of drawers, she found a comb. 'Ow! Ow! Ow!" Her hair was tangled and still crusted. She sighed. 'I don't know how anyone can stand this. It wasn't this bad when I...' Her thoughts drifted off. '....when I sailed here before.' She looked in the pitcher and there seemed to be some fresh water. Pouring it into the basin, she took a bit of the lavender soap from Jack's cabin. 'At least that was mine,' she thought. Washing her hair, she finally managed to get the grime out of it. She used the rest of the water to bathe with. 'I certainly don't feel like putting these clothes back on.' She reached in the pile and brought out a dressing gown she had left behind. 'This is at least comfortable and I won't need to wear stays with it.' She dabbed a bit of jasmine oil behind her ears and on her cleavage. 'May as well smell a bit more like myself,' as she combed her wet hair. She perused through a few books that Briggs had on his shelf. '1001 ways to tie a knot.....' She put the book back. Similar books on navigation filled the meager shelf. 'I seem to remember Jack had infinitely better reading material.' She opened the door to the cabin. She looked right. She looked left. The coast looked clear. Cautiously Honour tiptoed down the hall way and quietly opened Jack's door, backing her way in so she could make sure the hallway was still unoccupied. "Looking for someone?" Honour jumped a mile and put her hand over her heart. There sat Jack, his small table spread out with what was his dinner. Roasted lamb, boiled potatoes, fresh bread, fried apples and assorted fruit. "Lord, you almost gave me a heart attack, Jack!" "Did the cook not bring you anything to eat?" "I wasn't...hungry," her voice trailed off. She looked longingly at the fried apples...where on earth did he find them? He carved another slice of lamb and put it on his plate. 'I'll just bet there is mint jelly to go with that lamb.....' She tried not to look at the food. "I thought I might have left my hairbrush in here......'" Mmmm....boiled potatoes. And is that butter with chives over there? She tried to focus on the porthole to avoid looking at the food. "I see you still have the Connemara marble dishes." "Oh, nothing but the best! I do believe we took that off an Irish ship a year or two before I met you. It holds up so nicely." He took a biscuit and buttered it lavishly. "So...you are here because of a hairbrush?" "Well...that and I was looking to see if you may have a book I could read..." She finished lamely. Jack raised an eyebrow. "I do believe you got the most interesting one I own. Although there is a book over there...illustrations are marvelous." She stood up and said frostily, "Never mind. I see you are busy dining and I won't take up any more of your valuable time." Jack pushed a plate towards her. "Oh, go on. Help yourself." She sighed and finally looked at the marble plates and Spanish cutlery. "Oh, alright. Please pass me some fruit. But nothing more...oh! And maybe some of that lamb....and a slice of bread...and for goodness sake, don't be stingy with that rum!" "I have something better." He reached under his table and brought out a bottle of merlot." She looked at all the food, the wine, the candles that were lit.... "Jack Wolfe, this is one of your little seduction dinners." "Is not! I dine like this all the time." "Oh, you do not! The merlot was a dead giveaway!" She turned to go. As she reached the doorknob to turn it, she heard him say, "Wait. I---apologize. For what, I don't know. But if I upset you in any shape or form, then I am sorry. I was out of line saying whatever I said. I don't quite know what it was...but I know you are hungry and frankly, I would like the company." She tried not to smile at his obvious discomfiture at apologizing. "Well...." She sat down and in a calmer voice she said, "I do believe I shall have a piece of the lamb. But please go easy on the mint sauce. And maybe some bread. But that is all. Oh! And a bit of that merlot as long as you don't expect anything..thank you," she said as Jack handed her a plate. She glanced at him. He still looked really good even after their last argument eighteen months ago when he sailed to Martinique. Hell, he still looked good when he was drunk in the Bilge Pump Pub.' She shook her head out of her reverie. 'Don't fall for the dinner-candlelight-merlot ploy. Remember how it always ends...' A small voice inside her said, 'You know you want to...' She answered aloud, "Certainly not!" Jack looked up. "Did you say something?" "Umm...no." He could almost hear the deep voice of his father,. 'Aye, Jackie boy! What be in yer head, lad? Woo her again? Have ye naught enough woe and heartache over this lass? She bewitched ye, took all yer money and worst of all, she made ye fall in love with her. I raised ye better than that...' He banished the memory. Some ghosts are better left in the past, not carried around like a rude monkey.' He swallowed his ale, and it suddenly tasted bitter. Jack scowled and put it down to the mischief of his long-passed father. He put his cup down and gazed out the window. He felt a soft hand upon his shoulder, and when he turned around, he found Honour's face tantalizingly close to his. She took a step back quickly. "I--I want to thank you, Jack." "For what?" "For not killing me." "For eighteen months I wanted to. Now...I'm not so sure if that is a good idea anymore."

Arriving at Honour's cabin, Jack placed the steaming bowl of brew at the base of the door so it's odour would seep into her quarters. He waited a couple minutes, then rapped on the door with the boarding pike. "Honour! Wake up, darling! We've been boarded by mad Turks, and I know how you love to kill things early in the morning." He sidestepped to the hinge side of the door, and rested the pike where the door met the frame, just above the doorknob. She moaned, "Won't any of you let me SLEEP??" The smell from the coffee wafted from under the door. *Sniff* *Sniff* 'What was it he said about angry turkeys? Who cares? And where are you going to put turkeys on a ship deck anyhow?' She pulled the blankets ever closer to her. Still...the smell of coffee first thing in the morning... 'I suppose he's back on the quarterdeck enjoying his rum-laced java and exchanging jokes with Briggs about how he pulled one over me.' She sighed and tightened a dressing gown around her. She listened at the door to make sure there wasn't a sound or heavy breathing. A broad, victorious grin spread over Jack's face as he heard turn the knob. 'That's it, love, open the door just a bit for Ol' Jack,' he thought. He adjusted his grip on the pike, ready to thrust it into the opening and catch the door chain. As the knob turned, the door opened, and Jack struck. He thrust forward to break the chain before she knew what was happening... except for the simple fact Honour had already unchained the door. The coffee lure had worked too well. The momentum of Jack's thrust carried him stumbling through the door, sending Honour sprawling backward against the bed. The pike wedged itself in the foreward bulkhead of the cabin, and Jack's head rebounded off the wall with a resounding thud, landing him in a precarious position on top of Honour. He shook off the impact and looked up to see his wife staring at him from underneath him. "Um....I seem to remember you preferred to be on top, darling." Honour's mouth worked soundlessly as she tried to process what had just happened. She turned her head to look at the weapon with its business end jammed into the wall planks. "Hey, hey, never mind that little thing," Jack said quickly. "Little? LITTLE? What the hell did you bring a harpoon after me for?" "Honour, I can explain, I promise. First, that's not a harpoon, it's a boarding pike..." His voice trailed off under her withering glare. "... a distinction you clearly don't care about. Anyway, I was carrying it back to the armoury and decided to bring you some coffee. When you wouldn't come to the door, I decided to leave. But when I heard you opening the door, I ran back to greet you. That's when I tripped and fell through the door, and the rest is lodged in the woodwork." "You're lying." "How can you- I mean, what makes you say that?" "Your lips a moving. Now GET OFF ME!" "So soon? I thought we were getting along quite well." Honour put her hands against his chest and shoved as hard as she could, rolling Jack off the bed. "Get out," she said quietly. But clearly she was getting angrier by the moment. "Quite right," replied Jack, trying to play the whole incident off like a housecat that had made a spectacular, public blunder, then sashays off with an air of 'I meant to do that.' "I'll send someone round later to remove the pike from your wall, and -- All right, I'm going!" he yelped as she gave him another shove that propelled him out of the door. He stopped short to try to say something else, only to have the door slam before he could turn around. "Well, that was a disaster,' he muttered as he leaned against Honour's closed door. Dejectedly, he started walking back to the quarterdeck. At least he tried to. His first step was stopped short, and he stumbled back against the door. The tail end of his shirt was caught in the door. He tugged, but apparently Honour had wedged something against the door as a barricade. There was no room to pull the fabric through. Tentatively, he knocked on the door. "Um, Honour?" "Go away, Jack. I meant it!" "I'd love to, dear, but it seems I'm caught by your door. My shirttail is caught and won't pull free. Would you be a love and open the door so I can get loose?" There was a long pause. "Give me a moment," she answered finally. "Thank you, Honour! I appreciate your trusting this isn't another admitted stupid ploy to---" RIIIIIP! Jack leaned forward, and the shirt, or what was left of it, pulled free from the door jamb with ease. Honour had solved the problem by slicing off the trapped fabric. "Um, that works too, I suppose. Though it was silk, and rather expensive." "You're welcome, Jack!" she called back through the closed door. Jack waited for a moment to see if she would say anything else, but only heard a muffled giggle. 'One more thing Josiah will never let me live down,' muttered Jack. But as he passed the companionway, he heard a chuckle. "She does this to you every time, Captain. Have ye learned naught about women?" "Josiah?" "Yeah, Jack?" Jack gave Briggs a gesture for which there were no words exchanged. None were needed. Briggs said softly, "Honour one. Jack zero."

Honour felt herself tremble with indignation and anger. How dare he...how DARE he? Thinking he can buy me off with a dress and everything will be forgotten between us? She felt hot tears well up in her eyes and hastily she wiped them away with her hand. Crossing the room, she opened up the port window to catch a sea breeze. Anything to cool down the heat she felt. Her mind was in such turmoil. She remembered how good it was with Jack. Since she had gone home to Wales and had Zara, she hadn't been with a man until she ran into Cade in town. And she forgot how lonely she was and how much she missed it. The lovemaking. The whispered words of love. Being held afterwards. While Cade was a terrific lover, there was something missing. A connection that came with someone who was your soul mate. But all Jack was interested was the Sun Key and he would use any means possible to ensure that he got it. Even if it meant leading her on. Empty promises. Or half-empty at best. She had seen that look in his eyes. The look that made her knees weak and her heart race... "You're imagining things," she said to herself. Needing some mental distraction, she looked back at the book that lay on the table. She picked up the book and thumbed through it. She felt a sense of jealousy and abandonment. 'Here while I was carrying his child and having the baby alone, he was sleeping with any doxy that crossed his wake. And I will wager I never crossed his mind. How much did the crew know? Did Jack bring his strumpets back to what used to be their bed? Or did he take his nocturnal activities off-ship?' The condition of her dresses led her to believe otherwise. 'I'll bet Josiah had a good laugh at my expense. He was glad to be rid of me.' She occasionally saw a look of--what was it? Pity? Or contempt? Pity was one thing she couldn't bear. The crew had changed since Honour was last on the ship. 'It seems to be a rougher group. Especially the man with the Cornish accent.' She caught him staring at her several times in a way that made her very uncomfortable. All of a sudden, a wave of homesickness came over her. She crossed her arms over her chest to stop the heartache. Honour was overwhelmed with feelings of separation from the most important person in her life. Her daughter. And now Jack Wolfe was delaying her from returning to her child. Once again, he was interfering with her life. She picked up the book, the scribbled names almost taunting her from the dog-eared pages. Honour threw the book with all her might at the wall. "Bastard!" She burst into tears and sobbed. Finally when she was spent and her tears subsided, she crossed over to pick up the book. She slid the Sun Key into the pages of number 44 and 45. Those were the two that weren't dog-eared. 'Probably threw your back out with that one, Jack,' she thought bitterly. She put the book back on the book shelf that was the headboard. Propping a chair under the doorknob, to keep out any intruders, she hastily stripped off her dress and slid under the blanket, asleep before her head hit the pillow.

I love it. I play in it. I like being a smart-arse. Wish more people would play! Jib, you are brilliant!

Honour looked out the door and saw no sign of Jack. 'Alright, Jackie, my love, let me do a bit of snooping to see what you have been up to while I have been away.' She opened up the bottom drawer. Nothing of significance except.... She pulled out a pair of pantalets in white silk. 'Hey, these aren't mine!' Her face burned red. 'What do you care? It's over. Long over. And in a few days, this won't concern you ever again.' She flung the armoire open. 'My gowns! The yellow one...the red one....the blue one from Paris.... She held it up to her nose. 'This isn't jasmine...it's roses. And cheap ones at that! The blue one....gardenias?' Each gown had a distinct perfumed odor. She held the blue dress up. Under the arm was a big rip. The yellow gown had a stain on the front. Merlot? And some sort of sauce was on the sleeve. Just at that moment Jack came in. He quietly locked the door behind him, slipping the key into his pocket. She yelled at Jack, "You let your cut-rate whores wear my clothes?" Honour threw down the gowns and raised her hand to slap Jack. He caught her hand just in time. She whispered vehemently, "You bloody bastard! These gowns were from Paris!" "Let me start by saying those 'whores' you referred to were rather expensive. And why should you be so upset, given that you've been out of the picture for some time, love? I never expected to see you again." "I don't care if you paid them in Aztec gold and you swung on chandeliers! What makes me mad is the fact that they squeezed their sausage bodies into my clothes!The blue one looks like it can't be fixed. What did she have, arms like an ox? To split a dress like that! And she must have had a hand-eye coordination problem because it looks like merlot cascading down the front of my yellow one!" She threw the dress in Jack's face. "If it can't be cleaned, you owe me one yellow dress! From Paris! Buy yourself as many strumpets as you want! I haven't exactly been sitting around a widow's walk knitting and waiting for you to come home! And whatever trinkets you have that you THINK I may be mildly curious about, well, I suggest you pitch any of them into the sea. Because like the Sun key, guaranteed in six months you will want it back!" All of a sudden, she got a curious look on her face. "Wait...what? This ship...it--it's MOVING!" She ran over to the port window, the port of Bridgetown getting smaller in the distance. "We're moving! Oh no you don't, you bastard!" She rushed to the door, shouldering Jack aside in the process. Furiously, she twisted the door knob and tried to rattle the door open. But nothing she did worked. "OPEN THIS DOOR!" she shouted. Jack leaned casually against the large wooden table, pretending to pick dirt from under his nails. "Say please," he said casually. "Go to hell," she replied. "Impolite, but heartfelt. I can respect that. But I'm not opening the door." "Why the hell not? How dare you kidnap me, Jack Wolfe! This wasn't part of our agreement!" "Agreed, this wasn't what we agreed on. But I knew you'd never cooperate if I told you WHERE the chest has to be opened." "Let me guess," said Honour sarcastically. "Somewhere in the middle of the ocean, under a full moon with both of us naked?" "Close," said Jack flatly. "WHAT?! Oh, hell no. Over my dead body!" "How melodramatic of you. There will be no dead bodies, at least not yours or mine. That wouldn't be much fun for either of us. Not to mention certain ethical considerations." "Fine," she fumed. "Just where does this damned thing have to be opened?" "It has to be placed inside an altar, in the middle of a temple on a remote island." "That's a feeble lie, even for you, Jack. You expect me to believe you would kidnap me just to drag me to some island to open a stupid chest? All right, exactly where is this mythical island? What is it near? Show me on a map." "Um, well..." "Well, what?" Her face fell suddenly. "Oh, God, please no. You don't know where it is, do you?" "Not exactly. But I have a pretty good idea...." "Then the island IS real." "Yes, it is. What made you suddenly believe me?" "Because, Jack, only you would come up with some half-baked plan to kidnap me and haul me off to some island you don't know the location of, because you're just that crazy!" "Thank you." "That wasn't a compliment." "Whatever. I'll take it." Jack sat down in one of the chairs. "Honour, you're right. I didn't plan this. Running into you in that tavern was a complete stroke of luck." "Bad luck, if you ask me." "Let me finish, all right? We can split hairs later. I need that key to open the chest, and I knew you'd never just hand it over. That would be too easy, and easy is the last thing I'd call our relationship." "You're right about that," she replied. "I'd call it nonexistent." "Which brings me to why you're my guest aboard El Lobo. That's the only way I could see getting the second key to the island. So let me sweeten the deal." "This I have to hear." "As per our original deal, you get half of whatever is in the chest. But to guarantee your safety, you get to retain possession of the key until we unlock the chest." "And if I decide to say to hell with your deal and chuck the key overboard? What then?" Jack made a pained expression. "That's where the new deal isn't so sweet. You throw the key overboard, and you get to join it."

Honour reached the door to the great cabin and paused. She had half expected Jack to make a lunge for the door to make sure she went inside. As she turned, she saw him walking briskly toward her. "There you are!" she said. "What happened, did you get lost again?" "Miss me, dear?" "Hardly. But I knew something was amiss when I felt neither your breath on my neck or your eyes undressing me." "Really? I can make up for it, I promise." "Save if for someone who's interested," she replied. "The chest, remember? And not mine, in case you're confused at all." Jack reached past her to the doorknob, making the most of the confined space they were sharing. Honour rolled her eyes. The door opened with a satisfying clack. "There you are, my darling. More or less as you remember it." She stepped into the great cabin and looked around. Clothes were tossed haphazardly on the deck and on furniture, books and charts strewn and stacked on the desk and the large table. And in the middle of the mess on the bed lay the ship's cat, Puddin'. "It looked better after the fight with Mendoza," she answered. Jack closed the door behind him. At the sound of the latch, Honour turned back to him abruptly. "Don't you dare lock that, Jack. I'm warning you!" Jack opened the door again to show her it was indeed unlocked, and shut it again quietly. "Satisfied?" She shook her head slowly. "I'm sorry. Trusting you isn't something I find easy anymore." "You and the rest of the world," he said ruefully. "What does that mean?" His eyes took on a faraway look. "Oh....nothing. Nothing at all." But his mind drifted back to the days when he tried to salvage the smuggling operation in Tobago and how it all fell apart. How everything fell apart. Honour stretched out over the bed. "And there is my little man! Have you been a good kitty?" Puddin' rolled over and batted her hand. She petted him under the chin, the grey ship's cat lifting his head up and closing his eyes. Jack poured a glass of merlot and handed it to her. "Never thought I would see you in my bed again, Honour." He handed her the glass. She got up quickly. "I was not IN your bed. I was ON your bed. Get your mind off that, because it won't happen again." He poured himself a glass and took a deep drink. "I stand grammatically corrected. But I do remember how you love merlot. Especially before we---" "Let's get down to business, shall we? Then we can finish this. You get what you want. The key. I get what I want. A divorce." Jack sighed. "Very well." He walked over to a crate marked Print Werks. "There it is. In there." He went to the crate and pulled the lid free. Honour stifled a gasp as filtered sunlight danced on the surface of the golden chest that lay within. Jack lifted the chest free and placed it gently on the deck beside the bed. "Either you've gotten a lot stronger, or that's not solid gold," she observed. "My guess is, it's wood covered in a heavy layer of gold. A bit like the Ark of the Covenant, and every bit as impervious. I've tried everything to get it open, and nothing works." "Except the keys?" asked Honour. "Exactly! The keys." He patted the pockets of his waistcoat. ""The... keys. I could have sworn I put the moon key in my pocket...." "You're kidding me. You put me through all this, and you misplaced your key??" "Not misplaced, mislaid." "They mean the same thing, Oxford boy." "Just... let me concentrate! Ah! I know where it is. Stay here, drink some wine, and play with the cat. I'll be back in a flash." Jack exited the cabin, leaving an astonished Honour there by herself. "At least there's one man aboard this godforsaken ship I've missed. And how is mama's little man, eh?" Puddin' purred loudly and rolled onto his back. Jack walked briskly down the companionway towards the weather deck, trying hard not to let his boot heels make too much noise against the deck planks. The last thing he wanted was for Honour to figure out he was up to something, even though he wasn't quite sure himself what that something was. As he emerged onto the weather deck, he saw Briggs standing next to the main mast, enjoying his pipe. Briggs turned at the sound of Jack's approach. "I didn't expect to see ye up here so soon. Where be the wife mate?" "She's still in my cabin," said Jack. "I told her I needed to check on something." "What about the chest? Did it open like ye hoped?" "We, um, haven't exactly tried to open it quite yet." Briggs took a long pull on his pipe, the smoke swirling about his head like gathering storm clouds. "Why have I got a bad feelin' about this?" he asked rhetorically. "I promise, I'll explain later. But for now, I need you to do something, and very quietly." "And what might that be, even though I'm afraid to ask?" "I know this will sound... unusual..." "That's nothin' new with you." "I want you to cast off." Briggs nearly choked on his pipe. "You WHAT??" "Shhhh! You heard me, Josiah! Cast off. QUIETLY. Like we did when we slipped out of Tortuga with that French battleship tied up next to us." "You're kidnappin' her? Seriously? What are ye thinkin', Jack? She made your life hell when she left. Do ye really think things will be any better when she figures out ye shanghaied her? Ye might as well rub yer arse in bacon grease and call up the Kraken!" "Note for future reference, Josiah: no more metaphors. Now, just do as I ask." Briggs shook his head slowly. "Ye haven't thought this through one bit, have ye?" "Not exactly, no," admitted Jack reluctantly. "But I know this is what needs to be done." "I'd be a bigger fool than you if I agree." "You've made it clear that's impossible. Just do it." With a heavy and resigned sigh, Briggs relented. "Fine, we'll cast off, just as ye want. But have ye given a though how to keep her distracted whilst we make for open water? There's a fair chop near the mouth of the bay, remember. I can make the ship run quiet, but I can't make her ride smooth." "I'll come up with a plan, Josiah. No worries." Jack began walking back to the companionway. "Thank you, my friend. This will work, trust me!" Briggs chewed on the end of his pipe as he watched his friend and captain disappear below decks. "It'll work, all right. It'll work to make her madder than the devil himself!"

Honour waited a half hour to give Jack Wolfe enough time to go...wherever he went. 'Probably to that house with the red door and into the arms of the first doxy that answered it.' She shrugged. 'What do I care what he does anymore? It doesn't concern me....' But that annoying small voice inside her said, 'Like hell it doesn't.' She ran her fingers through her hair and muttered, 'Shut up.' Honour sighed and looked cautiously out the tavern window. No sign of him. She opened the door. The gloam of a November evening cast shadows on the buildings, giving Honour a sense of foreboding. She couldn't help but cast her eyes right and left. No, no familiar tricorn. Still glancing left and right, she headed towards the Castle and Ball inn where she had taken a room with Cade. But it didn't stop her from looking behind her all the way to her room. As she opened the door, there was Cade setting food on the small table. A bottle of madeira was decanting. 'Still no merlot.....he still doesn't remember I like merlot. Jack always...stop it, Honour! Just stop it. It doesn't matter anymore.....' "So there you are! I thought you would have been back before this." She hung her cloak up. "Oh...you know how distracted I get by a great pair of boots. I mean, when I see boots that are in the cobbler's window." "And did you buy any?" "Hmm?" "Boots. Did you buy any boots?" "Oh....no, he didn't have them in white which is what I wanted." "Too bad. So let's sit down and eat before this stew gets cold. I'll set the dishes outside the door so we won't be disturbed." She sat at the edge of the bed and dropped her skirt and bodice, removing her boots. Taking the ribbon out of her hair she shook her braid loose. He grinned. "Now that is the way I like you. Barefoot and at a disadvantage in your chemise." She gave him a small smile and sat down at the table. "Let's just eat and see what the night brings, shall we?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ With the 5:00 AM meeting on the dock in the subconscience of her mind, Honour raised her head and looked at the old clock on the mantle. 'Uhh....time for me to get up, I suppose. I should just forget it. That chest probably holds nothing but a bunch of baubles. Why would whoever have the keys not have unlocked it by now? I should just stay here....' She snuggled closer to her Cade, his arms around her. The only problem was when they were making love it wasn't Cade but Jack Wolfe she fantasized about. Every touch, every kiss, every caress....no matter how much she tried to dispel it, memories of their intimate times together would not go away. The nagging thought of the chest and its possibilities kept her from sleeping. She sighed. 'May as well get this over with. IF I decide to hand over the Sun key.' She extricated herself slowly from Cade. Carefully she took her pillow and placed it where she was. No sense waking him up and having to explain this crazy stunt. She quietly got dressed, putting on breeches instead of a skirt. 'Never know when I may have to make a break for it. I don't need a skirt in the way.' She looked over to where her rapier was, hesitation on her face. 'If the thought even crossed my mind to take it, then take it I shall.' She scabbarded it and put it on. Reaching over to where she had dropped her clothes the night before, she picked up her bodice dagger and put it in place. Lastly she slipped the Sun Key in her bodice. 'What am I doing? That is the first place Captain Jack Wolfe would look. ' She put it in her boot and then inserted her sgian dubh. That should camouflage it. Wrapping herself in her cloak, she started out the door. "Honour? Where the hell are you going, love?" Cade's sleepy voice came from the bed. Oh dear, the Inquisition begins.... "Nowhere, darling. Just go back to sleep. I have to run an errand and I'll be right back." "It's barely daylight, for God's sake." She thought fast. "Well, if you want to get the freshest bread and fruit, you have to hit the docks early. Don't worry. I'll be back within the hour." Before he could give her the third degree, she let herself out, locking the door behind her. The sun was just starting to come up over the town. With a bravado she did not feel, she headed towards the docks. Her fingers nervously tapped the hilt of her rapier. 'What am I doing? I should be back in a nice warm bed. Instead I am meeting the Devil himself.' Within ten minutes she reached the docks. Shading her eyes, she gave a sigh of relief. 'Looks like I have been stood up...'

Honour slipped quietly out of the bed. She shivered even though there was a fire in the small fireplace. She reached to the end of the bed and put her dressing gown on. She glanced over at Cade but he never stirred. Pulling back the curtain, she looked out the window to the port of Bridgetown. It seemed so different from the first time she sailed into it. She laid her head against the frame, watching the ships go in and out of the harbour. Things with Cade were different. Before he was tender and caring. Now it was almost as if he made love like he was getting even with someone. Was it really true what he said about Jack? Was he really destroying his health with women and whiskey? In spite of everything, the thought of it made her sick to her stomach. Was she responsible or at the very least, did she contribute to it? Guilt intruded into her thoughts. Her eyes filled with tears. Cade was the first man she had made love with since Zara was born but it just wasn't the same. "Honour? Come back to bed, sweetheart." Cade said drowsily from the bed. She dropped her dressing gown and slipped back between the covers. "What time is it?" he said. "It will be light in a few hours." Cade gave a long sigh as Honour snuggled up against him. "I'll need to be aboard the ship at first light. There are so many things to attend to when getting ready to put out to sea, and the captain needs to be there make sure it all gets done. You understand, I'm sure." Honour's body stiffened. She didn't know if it was because of him using much the same words Jack did when ship's business took him away at the crack of dawn, or his casual assumption she would 'understand'. Either way, she was left in the familiar position of playing second-fiddle to a ship. And she didn't care for it. "That's fine," she replied nonchalantly. "I have business of my own to see to." "Really?" he asked, as he toyed with her blonde locks. "What kind of business?" "My business." "That's awfully coy of you. Haven't I earned the right to know?" She shook her head. "No, not yet. But you can keep trying." "I think I can manage that," he replied, and began to kiss her. "Ah-ah, not so fast. It's going to be a busy day for us both, and I want to be rested. There will be plenty of time for that tonight." Cade was silent for a moment. He never expected to be rebuffed by Honour. "Well, if you insist..." "I do. Now, get some sleep." Honour turned away from him and pulled the covers close to her. Yes, she had established a little more control over her situation. But things still wrong somehow. She closed her eyes, hopeful that the coming day would bring the closure she hoped for. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Honour settled back in the carriage. Cade said he would meet her back in the room and he would have dinner sent up for them. With a bottle of madeira. He didn't remember she was partial to merlot. Jack remembered. Jack always remembered details. The meeting with the agent went well. He thought there would be no problem getting her asking price for the plantation what with so many English settlers in Barbados. Then she had the carriage take her out to the plantation. She felt the need to explain to the Averys that she had a change of plan. The widow Castlemaine would not be moving to Barbados. Mrs. Avery shed a few tears but felt heartened that Honour was giving them two years' wages. With that they could buy their own cottage. She would give them good references. It was hard to let go of the house that Honour and Jack would have settled in. She sat down at the piano and tinkered a bit on the keys. She had pictured Zara sitting there taking her piano lessons. Another little dream shattered. No view from the balcony of the master bedroom. Instead the highlands of Scotland would be hers and Zara's view from their home. Such a different life she had planned. The carriage pulled up into the side street next to the market. Honour handed the driver a few coins over his fare. "Thank ye, Ma'am. Now ye be careful in this here part of town." Honour smiled. "I'll be fine. I'm used to shopping and I can handle myself amongst the clientele here." She almost said, 'I used to be married to one." But bit back on the words. The morning flew by as Honour did her shopping, picking up silks and fabrics for dresses. The merchants tried to overcharge but Honour was able to get them to agree on the prices she wanted to pay. After a morning of haggling, she felt she deserved a break and looked up at a swinging sign. The Bilge Pump Pub. "Can I get you something, miss?" "An ale, please," she said to the barkeep. The barkeep put the ale down and she slid her coin to him. The tankard was cold and she pressed it to her cheek to take down the heat in her face. Although it was autumn, the humidity was breaking records. She took a deep drink and sighed. Yes, in a few months this will all be settled and I can get on with my life, she thought. Thoughts of Zara filled her mind and she began to get homesick for her little girl. A new life in Scotland where no one knew who she was or what had happened would give her the fresh start she wanted. So engrossed was she in her future plans, she didn't notice the figure who strolled in through the tavern door. He paused a moment to let his eyes grow accustomed to the dark and dingy tavern, but quickly gave up. It's not as if he would stop seeing double any time soon, anyway. Drinking the last tavern dry of rum had seen to that. His fingertips danced on the hilt of his cutlass as he quickly surveyed the room. Spying an empty table that gave him a clear view of the room, he quickly occupied it before anyone else could. As she finished her ale, a pirate sidled up beside her. "Well, well....we don't often see a woman of your caliber in here. Can I buy you another ale?" She turned and looked at him, trying not to show the derision she felt. "No, thank you. I was on my way out. I have to meet my husband." Alright so it was a lie.... She slid out of the chair and headed for the door. But what she saw froze her heart. There, seated by the window was the one person she thought she would never see again. Captain Mad Jack Wolfe.

Late November, 1655--Bridgetown, Barbados Honour sat in the small tavern next to an open window. A sea breeze drifted through the window. She inhaled deeply the scent of the salted air, remembering how much she missed it. She was about to take a bite of her stew when a voice said behind her, "Well, I don't believe it. I finally caught up with you!" Startled, she looked up to see Cade Jennings grinning at her. "Cade! What are you doing here?" He sat down. "I might ask the same question of you. You left without a word to anyone. So where have you been?" Honour thought quickly. "I was visiting my aunt in Barcelona. She married a Spaniard. I needed to put some distance between me and the Caribbean. Find out what I wanted and where I wanted to go." "When did you get back?" "Oh...a few months ago." "Have you made any decisions yet?" She crossed her fingers, weaving her lie. "I think I will settle in St Maarten." "Seems you can go pretty far on ol' Jack's money. Rumour has it quite a bit of his money disappeared around the time you did." "I don't know what you are talking about. I had money saved and it seemed like it was time for me to go since Jack left me no choice since he pulled that gun on me. But enough about me. What have you been up to?" "Oh..this and that...a bit of plundering, a lot of piracy." "The Gryphon." "She's a fine ship. I have a good crew." He took Honour's hand, kissing it. "And I have missed you." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Honour laid in Cade's arms, snuggling closer to him. She had forgotten how much she loved being held after.....and how much she missed making love. She hadn't been with a man since Jack had given her the diamond and emerald necklace. The day he left for Martinique. "Honour?" "Hmmm?" she whispered contentedly. "You don't mind if I stay the night in your room?" She looked up at him. "Of course not." "Good. Because I told the tavern keeper I would be canceling my room," he laughed. She looked up at him."Pretty sure of yourself, weren't you, Cade Jennings?" He held her closer. "Very sure." "What if I had said no?" "I made sure you wouldn't, didn't I?" His lips traveled down her shoulders. "I could get used to this when I am in port." She raised her head up to protest but Cade covered her mouth with a kiss. Not having the attentions of a man since Zara was born, she found herself being swept into the moment. "Oh, Cade...." she whispered. And thoughts of Jack Wolfe momentarily vanished from her mind. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The moonlight shone through the windows. Honour laid her head on Cade's chest, both of them in silence as they recovered from their lovemaking. Cade idly played with one of Honour's blonde curls as her fingers delicately stroked Cade's chest. "Honour?" "Mm hmm?" "I was thinking....you may not have to get that divorce." "What are you talking about? Of course I have to get that divorce." He looked down at her. "I don't think Jack will live that long." She raised herself up. "Wh--what do you mean?" "I mean I've heard from quite a few people that have seen him. Jack Wolfe is in bad shape. He's reckless on the seas and when in port, all he does is wenching and drinking. Almost as if he doesn't care anymore." Honour felt a knot in her stomach. "Are you sure? It may just be tavern talk." He shook his head. "His drinking as escalated to the point that even Briggs can't seem to reach him. Jack won't listen to him. I heard that even Duckie is ready to part company with him. Said he wasn't going to watch him die." Honour felt sick to her stomach. No matter what had gone down between the two of them, he was still the father of her little girl. "But here is the advantage to not getting a divorce. Do you realize that as Jack Wolfe's widow, you can claim all that he owns?" "What?" "Jack Wolfe is not the kind of man who would write a will. He fancies himself as invincible. But as his widow, you would inherit his properties. Any money he has hidden. And one other thing....." She looked at him questionably. "You would inherit El Lobo del Mar." Honour sat up quickly, the sheet wrapped around her. Cade stroked her back as she ran her fingers through her hair. "Now wouldn't that be a reversal of fortune? You marry me. Together we would have the Gryphon and El Lobo del Mar. The start of our own fleet." Honour tried to process all that Cade had suggested. To be the owner of El Lobo del Mar...it was just too absurd. "And Briggs would be working for us. Can you imagine? Good ol' Josiah, having to take orders from me." Cade laughed and then pulled Honour to him. "But enough of that in due time," he said as he kissed her neck. Jack Wolfe....fearless, bold and courageous Jack Wolfe. To die like a common drunk? Once again, Jack Wolfe was breaking her heart. Cade never saw the solitary tear that trailed silently down her cheek as he made love to her.

November, 1655--Antigua Josiah looked up at the delapidated tavern sign swinging in the sultry breeze that blew through the Port St John. 'Yep, bet he is in this one.' He opened the door to John's Folly. There standing by the stairway was his captain. Jack Wolfe stood there, dishevelled and very full of rum. His arm was around the shoulder of a Spanish senorita. She may have been pretty at one time. Hell, she may still be pretty if she had taken the trouble to sober up. But there Jack was, up to his usual routine. Find the lowliest dive in port. Get stinking drunk. Find a willing woman of the Spanish persuasion. Get her stinking drunk. Go upstairs. Josiah didn't need to fill in the blanks. He stood there with his fists planted on his hips, shaking his head. "Ahoy, there, my quartermaster! Looking for me?" Josiah nodded. "Just checking to see where you are." Jack whispered to the woman, "I'll be right back. It seems Mother wants to see me." He walked over to Josiah and patted him on the cheek, trying to focus his eyes. "Well, it seems you found me." Josiah took him by the arm and hauled him off to a corner. "How many times do I have to tell you be careful? For all you know, that woman could be working for Mendoza." Jack looked over at her and then back to Josiah. "Naw. Not Dolores. She's as uninteresting as they come when it comes to conversation but I don't feel like talking." Josiah grabbed his arm. "You can't keep drowning yourself in rum and every woman that crosses your path. Now let's face it. Honour--or whatever her name is---is GONE. And so are the chests and the money. It's time you forget her. And become the captain you once were." Jack's eyes grew flinty. "I'm not going to stop looking for her. Not till I get the key back. And some answers." Josiah said softly, "I just worry about you, Jack." Jack shrugged off Josiah's grasp and walked away. "You know, Josiah, some day you are going to make someone a fine mother." "Too narrow in the pelvis," Briggs muttered. He watched as Jack climbed the stairs to one of the rooms with his senorita flavor of the moment. "Rum, please." Josiah slid his coin down to the end of the bar and a minute later, a rum slid back. He had just taken a drink when a captain he had known in the past had ambled in and sat beside him. "Well, if it isn't the quartermaster of El Lobo del Mar!" Briggs took a drink and nodded. "Haven't seen you in a while, Corwin. Last time I believe your ship was sailing into St Lawrence as we were sailing out. How's it been?" Corwin grimaced. "Yeah. St Lawrence. What a hell of a layover THAT was." He yelled to the barkeep, "Rum!" Briggs nodded to the barkeep, "First one on me." "Well, thank ye kindly, Briggs. And where is your esteemed captain?" Briggs nodded to the stairs. "Occupied with...business." Corwin smirked, "Hope it ends up better for him." Corwin grabbed the drink as it slid by. It was then that Briggs noticed his hands. They were both disfigured and contorted. "Holy Mother of the Sea....what happened to you?" Corwin took a deep drink. "Ready for a story you probably never heard and will never hear the likes of again?" Briggs nodded to an empty table and Corwin followed. "It was in St Lawrence. What was it, about a year ago that I saw you last?" "Thereabouts." "Alright, so we had a good haul and the crew was feeling a bit riled. Just good harmless fun, ya know? Well, there was this little tavern wench. Good looking piece. Big on top, small on bottom. Just the way I like 'em. She seemed friendly enough. Went the extra mile in bringing me ale and I repaid in kind. As the night wore on, the friendlier she got. She had a thing for captains, I heard. So I figured, it had been a few months since I was in port and I was due. Ya know what I mean?" Briggs smiled. "Yeah, I know what you mean. We find ourselves in port more and more often. Except Wolfe is searching for---" "So I make an offer, and paid off her night's wages. May as well make a long night of it, ya know? That barkeep was pretty pissed off but she talked him out of it. Anyways, we go back to her room. All of a sudden, she gets shy, like she isn't quite sure about it." Corwin chuckled and then continued. "So I had to teach her that once a frigate is heading for port, you don't stand in the way, ya know what I mean?" Corwin took a deep drink of his rum. "Yep, she came around to an understanding real quick. Showed her a few things she didn't know. Guess she didn't like the way it turned out. You know what happened?" Briggs shook his head. He had always known Corwin to be ruthless on the high seas but didn't know it extended to port courtesies. Corwin slammed his drink down on the counter. The other patrons jumped and looked over. He focused his eyes on Briggs. "The little b***h took my clothes and threw them out the window where a beggar took off with them. Rolled me out of all the coin I had in my pockets and left me with nothing but my sword and boots." He grimaced in recollection. "Yeah, she made me walk to the dock wrapped in a frilly, lacy, flowery coverlet." Briggs tried to hide his smile behind his rum. "Well, that doesn't explain the---" "I'm not finished. Later that night, as I went back in port to see if I could find her--you know, as long as she rolled me for my money, I intended to take that out in trade. I had something more in mind for the little trick she pulled on the apparel--well, find her I did. She was taking in the night air on a stroll by that stone ballustrade that overlooks the port where the harbor juts out. I drew my sword and kept it at her throat. You know, to make her more....compliant? Damn doxy had a sword of her own! And damn if she didn't know how to use it. But I was taking my marks on her. Then I stepped on a wharf cat and she had the advantage. She kicked me and that was the last I remember. My crew found me under some canvas on the dock. And my hands......" He grew a bit misty and cleared his throat. "She knew what she was doing. She knew how important a seaman's hands are. And she got even. Hell, Briggs--alright, so I got a bit rough that night. She knew what she was getting into when she took me upstairs. Is that just punishment for ruining my hands?" Briggs stood up. "Yeah, it does seem a bit harsh. Here...have another on me." "Thanks. I swear to God, I will find Honour Bright if it takes me the rest of my life." Briggs felt his heart plunge to his stomach but he acted casually. "Unusual name. Any leads?" "I went back to the tavern--think it was the Varlet and Vixen--and her friend said she married a Spaniard and was living in Cadiz." "Oh, well, then..." "She was lying. I checked it out. She is somewhere. And when I find her, she becomes the crew's property and hell, she thought it was bad with me?" He laughed to himself. "Yeah. Fitting justice." Briggs barely got a goodbye out and walked into the night air. "Oh Lord, Honour. What have you done? Jack, you had better find her first. And fast."

October, 1655--Beaumaris, Wales "I've been thinking, Megan....." "About what, dear?" "How having Zara has changed my perspective on alot of things. I need a clean start. Both for her sake and mine. I have no ties to Barbados and for a woman alone, it can be a dangerous place. As much as I don't want to, I am going to sell the plantation and settle back here." "I think that is an excellent idea, Rhiannon. But how can you do that when you are here in Beaumaris?" "That's the problem. I have no agent so I have to handle this myself. I'll take Zara and go down there and---" "You will do no such thing! A ship and a raucous place is no place for a precious baby! If you insist upon this, then I will insist you keep her with me. Is there more to this than just selling the plantation?" Honour got up and looked out the window at the falling leaves. "I want to put this all behind me. When I am in Bridgetown, I will visit the magistrate and quietly get a divorce. With the stipulation that Jack Wolfe will receive the papers six months after it has been final. I will be back in Wales when he finds out and he will think I have been in the Caribbean all that time. I can't go for an annulment. It gets stricken off the record, Zara becomes illegitimate. And I won't have that. I have grounds on abandonment. Jack abandoned me when he went to Martinique." "But he was coming back." "Immaterial. At least to me. He virtually abandoned me that day he left our bed to sleep in Duckie's quarters on the cot. That was the beginning of our end." She turned to Megan. "It wouldn't have worked out, Megan. I see that now. We wanted different things. I wanted a home and stability and Jack wanted the sea and adventure. We didn't think that far ahead." "When do you want to go?" "I want to leave by next week." "Next week? Why so soon?" She sighed. "I talked to Captain Underhill. The Bonnie Glenn is in port. And I didn't mention Zara because I was hoping you would keep her for me. Captain Underhill took a liking to me. We talked alot in the evenings about astronomy and places I want to go and where he has been and gardening and history...all sorts of things. And don't look at me like that!" "Like what?" "I have no interest in Captain Underhill or he with me. He's old enough to be my father. And he thought of me as a little sister. To him I am still James Blake's cousin Mary Carter." "And you kept up the deception?" "I saw no reason to change it." "I know you better than this, Rhiannon, and why the rush---aha! A man is involved!" Rhiannon felt her face blush. "Certainly not. Although Lord Neville did ask if he could call on me. I told him I wasn't ready for that, being newly widowed and all." "And the lack of black mourning garb didn't throw him off? Or the fact that you were at a ball?" "He didn't ask, I didn't tell. Megan, I have no interests in a man...yet. But yes, I want stability for Zara and security for us. The fact that Neville asked made it clear to me that I need to plan for our future. I would like to find love again. I had one man who truly loved me and one that I thought loved me. Maybe I will find it again. But if not, I can settle for companionship." "It sounds like a cold compromise, Honour." "It is the least I can hope for. By the time the new year comes, I will be ready to start my life over again. And there is another thing I want to discuss with you." "What is it?" "I'd like to move from Wales." "Rhiannon, no!' "Oh, I won't go too far. I would like to settle in Scotland." "Scotland? Why Scotland?" "I don't know. I like the sound of it. Did I tell you that Zara is one-quarter Scot?" "What? NO!" "Jack told me about his Scottish grandparents. From his mother's side. I kind of like the idea of Zara reconnecting with her roots. And Wales isn't so far that I can't come to visit." "Oh, Rhiannon, don't talk like that. Maybe you will change your mind." "Maybe. But think of it this way, Megan--Scotland is alot closer than Barbados!"

Wow, ten years? I think it was only five years ago that I walked into that darkened tavern and got an ale! Thanks for providing a place to showcase El Lobo del Mar!

June 3, 1655--Leogane, Hispanola "Jack? Jack! I've been looking all over this port for you." Jack tried to focus his eyes on Briggs' face but unsuccessfully. "Yeah, well, you found me, Josiah. Now what?" Josiah sat down. "Kind of ironic I find you at a tavern called The Lost Honour, isn't it?" Jack shrugged. "Never made the connection, mate." "And you are alone." "What of it?" "You usually end up with company." Jack growled, "So for tonight I don't want any. Present company included." "Jack-----" "Josiah, leave. LEAVE. I want to be alone. No quartermasters, no doxies. Just LEAVE, DAMMIT!" Jack slammed his glass down on the tavern table. Several people looked over. Josiah stood up. "Fine. But promise me you will get a room." "Already have. Second from the left." Jack stood up and swayed in his boots. "You need help getting to bed, Jack?" He shot Josiah a look. "Not since...last night. Evita. That was her name. Sweetest little munequita this side of Havana." "If you're sure...." "Josiah, go mother someone else. Just....go." Jack unsteadily made his way up the stairs, holding onto the railing to steady himself. Josiah stayed downstairs until he heard the door slam. 'Second from the left....at least he made it back to his room.' Jack walked unsteadily to his room and leaned against the door. He pulled the cork out of a fresh bottle of rum and threw it across the room. He raised the bottle. "Here's to you, Honour Bright. Wherever you are.....and by the way, happy anniversary. God, I hope you are as happy as I am tonight." He staggered backwards to the bed and fell back into it. For some reason he felt a sense of abandonment. He covered his eyes with his forearm and tried to forget that he actually was happy--and in love---for that one month of June. The heavens opened up to a torrential downpour. 'Damn it!' Jack exploded as the shutters banged open, slamming repeatedly into the wall. The rain was coming in sideways and saturating the room. He rolled over and ambled over to the window, grabbing the shutter and locking it down. 'Damn storm. Why do I always think of.....her....during a monsoon?' The heavens opened up to a torrential downpour. 'Damn it!' Jack exploded as the shutters banged open, slamming repeatedly into the wall. The rain was coming in sideways and saturating the room. He rolled over and ambled over to the window, grabbing the shutter and locking it down. 'Damn storm. Why do I always think of.....her....during a monsoon?' He wiped the rainwater from his face. He tried to focus his eyes on the dark form sitting at the table. "YOU!" He blurted. "Yeah. Me. Now pour me a drink. You and I have alot to chat about, don't you agree?"

March 1, 1655--Bancroft Hall, Beaumaris, Wales "...and then Lady Waterford said to me.....excuse me." Megan looked up from her water glass and said, "Yes, Maeve?" The serving girl leaned over and whispered in Megan's ear. Her eyes grew wide and she stood up. Turning to her guests, she said with a bright smile, " A family emergency upstairs. Please, go on with your dinner and evening. Daffyd? Please see to our guests' needs." Daffyd quickly stood up and said, "Pardon me for a moment." He followed Megan to the staircase. "Is it what I think it is?" Megan gathered her skirts and said, "Yes. Nesta knows. I'm afraid I won't be here to bid our guests goodbye, dear. Please make my excuses. Tell them...oh, tell them one of the children has the sniffles and is calling for me. And whatever you do, stay away from the east wing and keep the children away too." Megan quickly ran up the stairs, knocked quietly on the door and then opened it. The girl from the bed murmured, "Megan?" "Yes, dear. It's me." "Megan, I am sorry to interrupt your dinner party." "Hush! It is only a few of the local gentry. I was getting a headache anyways and this will be a welcome diversion." To Nesta she asked, "So...what is going on?" Nesta washed her hands in a basin of soapy water and said, "It started yesterday morning but she begged me not to say anything to you. I've been monitoring her." "Rhiannon, you didn't say a word to me! Why not?" The girl said quietly, "You were having a dinner party and I didn't want to interrupt." "Not interrupt? Darling, this is your first baby. You should have told me!" To the midwife, she asked, "How is she?" Nesta dried her hands. "The pains are coming quickly, stronger and closer together. I think within the next two hours, you will be an aunt." There was a knock on the door. "Megan? How are things going?" Megan cracked the door open and then slipped out. "Daffyd, I told you not to come into the east wing! Birthing is NO place for husbands." "But Dylan and Morwenna are asking for their mum and then Aunt Rhiannon. They are worried." "Well, please tell them Mummy will be in to see them for breakfast." "It will be tonight?" "Yes, Daffyd. It will be tonight. The children will have a nice surprise. Now go." Megan closed the door and walked over to her sister. Rhiannon was lying in bed, her face pale and sweaty. "Megan, I'm not going to make it! If I die, take care of the baby." "Hush, darling, you aren't going to die. I won't let you." She started to cry. "I can't do this. I give up. I changed my mind. Ohhhhhh! I want Jack here." Meagan soothed her. "Honey, I'm all you have." The pains kept coming closer together. Honour moaned, "I just want him here so I can tell the bloody bastard what I think of what he did to me!" Megan stroked her brow with a cloth dipped in lavender. "Dear, we all say that. It is always their fault but once it is over, we forget and do it all over again." Rhiannon tried to stop the flow of tears but was unsuccessful as they slid down her face and saturated her pillow. "It's al his fault. It's all Jack Wolfe's fault. If he wasn't so devastatingly charming with his sweet talk and his merlot, I wouldn't be in this situation. And I hate him for it. HATE HIM! Where is he when all this is going on? I have to pay the price for his...lust. He's moved on. And if I have my way, he will never EVER know about this child." Megan held her hand. "Why, Rhiannon? Why so much hate and resentment for a man that is the father of your child?" Rhiannon turned her face into her pillow and sobbed. "Because....because he left me no choice. Megan, he was a absolute bastard to me in Bridgetown. Do you hear me? A BASTARD!" "Hush, dear. This isn't doing you any good. Just focus on getting through delivering this child and then you can speculate on your husband's pedigree." Rhiannon looked up from the pillow and said cynically. "It's only fitting that this child is born by candlelight. She probably got her start on Jack's legendary candlelight wine-dinner-seduction nights. Oh, how I hate him. HATE HIM!" Megan washed her face and said quietly, "Yes, darling. You have already said that. But this is something that started nine months ago. Now we have a situation that we have to see through to the end. No sense pinpointing blame. Between Nesta and me, we will bring this child into the world and then you can tell me how much you hate Jack Wolfe. But until then, you have to buck up and get this child birthed. Can you do this for me like the Conaway I know you are?" Rhiannon gritted her teeth and said, "Yes, I can.....OHHHH!" Megan looked out the turret windows. "The storm is getting fierce. You can hear the rain pound on the window. And that branch...it keeps raking the window." Rhiannon let out a loud moan. Nesta put her hand on Rhiannon's abdomen and nodded to Megan. "It's time." Megan got behind Rhiannon and pushed her up to a semi-sitting position. Gently, Nesta said, "Rhiannon, I delivered all the babies in this family. I delivered you and together we are going to deliver this babe. Don't stress about the father, just get this little baby OUT. Now....PUSH!" Nesta looked up at Megan and said quietly, "I can see the head." Rhiannon grasped her sister's hand and let out another moan. She pushed. "Once more, dear, and...NOW!" Nesta and Megan both looked up startled as a crack of thunder and flash of lightning flashed outside the window. "Dear God!' breathed Nesta as she suddenly felt Rhiannon's child deliver into her hands. Rhiannon laid back on the pillows in exhaustion as the midwife held the child. "Oh my God," said Nesta. Rhiannon could barely catch her breath. "Please, God, I take it all back," she prayed through her tears. Something is wrong. The baby is not crying...something is wrong... The midwife slapped the baby's bottom and Rhiannon heard a wail. She looked at Megan in astonishment.. Her sister had tears in his eyes. "Darling, you have a fine healthy daughter!" Rhiannon felt the tears well up in her eyes. She reached out and touched the baby's hand. "Is--is she alright? Has she all her parts?" she whispered. Megan said softly, "Two eyes, a nose, a tiny little mouth, ten fingers, ten toes. And her eyes are the bluest eyes this side of heaven." "Thank you, God." Honour whispered. Nesta put the baby in Honour's arms. Her tears fell on the baby's downy head. She softly touched the baby's fingers as she marveled at how small her hands were as the baby curled her fingers around her mother's. She said in wonderment, "I can't believe it. She--she's a GIRL!" Megan laughed through her tears, "Rhiannon, they come in both flavors! Did you not entertain the thought that you just might have a girl?" "Not from him. I can't believe that the great Mad Jack Wolfe has produced a GIRL!" She looked at Megan and the tears were shining in her eyes. "A daughter!" Megan washed her sister's face with a warm cloth. "And what are you to name this child? Margaret? Elizabeth? Or are you going to name her after Mother?" Honour shook her head and said, "I have the perfect name." "And that is...?" "Zara." "Rhiannon! Are you...sure? I mean, it is not approved by the Church!" She tilted her head up defiantly. "The Church has done nothing for me except condemn. This is a unique child and she deserves a unique name. 'Zara' is exotic. And this child shall follow in the footsteps of no one! Like her father." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ March 1, 1655--Somewhere in the northern Caribbean "Jack, for the love of God, drop anchor and ride it out!" "Never! NEVER! You think a little wind is going to keep me down?" "Jack, it's a monsoon!" The sea water and wind splashed into Briggs's face, so he could barely stand without holding onto the gunwale. "The rest of the crew are below. Thinking you lost your mind!" Jack stood at the wheel, his face a mixture of madness and drunk with rum. "I'LL SHOW THE WIND WHO IS BOSS!" He raised his fist to the sky as a clap of thunder and a flash of lightning danced across the sky. He muttered, "If I believed in portents, I swear she sent that just to taunt me... just to taunt me...." He picked up his bottle of rum and smashed it against the gunwale. Shaking the broken bottle, he shouted, 'Damn you, Honour Bright or whoever you are,' he raged to the heavens. "I swear, I will find you! You can't hide from me forever. Because that's how long I'll keep looking if I must."

February 28, 1655--Beaumaris, Wales "Rhiannon, you have been staring out that window for the last hour." "Hmm? Oh....well, I just was looking at the sky. With the clouds rolling in, it looks like a storm is brewing." Megan joined her sister at the window. "It looks like it is blowing in from the sea. Once in a while we get a bad storm but don't worry. Bancroft Hall is solidly built." Honour sighed and sat down. "I'm so tired of being cooped up in this room." "Darling, I'm sorry. But you are due to have your baby pretty soon and...well, it just isn't really proper for women in your condition to engage in social situations." Honour looked down at her stomach. "I never thought skin could stretch so much. I haven't seen my feet all month." Megan laughed and touched her sister's abdomen. "You aren't that big, Rhiannon. But I do believe the baby has dropped." "Dropped? Oh no!" "Oh, it's not a bad thing. It just means the baby is getting into a position to be born. The little head is upside down and ready to make its entrance into the world." Honour was quiet. "Megan, does...does it hurt much?" she said in a small voice. Megan walked over and hugged her sister. "I won't lie to you, Rhiannon. There is pain involved. But in the end, when you hold that little life in your arms, it makes it so worth it." Honour bit her lip. "And Daffyd was there?" "Well, not...here. But he was pacing downstairs in the parlour. I swear, I never saw a man so proud when Dylan was born. And Morwenna just melted his heart." Honour went back to looking out the window. "I have no one special waiting for the news of my baby. Poor child," she murmured. She laid her head against the window and looked out towards the sea. "Megan? If...If I don't make it, would you please send a letter to James Blake? In care of Amos at the Varlet and Vixen? Also to my friend Kate. She...she would want to know." "Now, Rhiannon, stop that! Stop it right now! You are young and healthy. Nesta has plenty of experience. You will come through this just fine." "I know....I just kind of wish..." "That Jack would be down in the parlour waiting for news of his child being born?" She nodded. "Do you think he would be interested, Rhiannon? I mean, from what you have told me, he doesn't seem like the kind of man that would want to be tied down to hearth and home. These men--the ones that get the sea in their blood--well, babies and family life are not a priority." "I just feel in a way I cheated him of the knowledge that he has a child. A pirate's life could end at any time and maybe it would be...I don't know....a little something for him to know that a part of him continues on....oh, what am I saying? This is Mad Jack Wolfe! If he hadn't acknowledged a child by now, maybe he wouldn't care." "Rhiannon, these 'could have-should have-would have' thoughts are doing you no good. My best advice is to forget him. Concentrate on having this baby, get your divorce quickly and silently and pass yourself off as a widow. Find love again with a man who will respect and love you." "I can't think of that right now. And look at the time. You had better get ready for your dinner party." Megan gave her a hug. "I'll be in to say goodnight if you are still awake." "I think I will be in bed by then. I have heard how your dinner parties go. People don't want to leave." "Well, if there is anything, don't hesitate to send Maeve for me. I can use an excuse to leave. Sometimes these people give me a headache." Honour laughed. "Go! Enjoy your party! Nothing is going to happen. I'll read a book and then turn in early." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Honour put the book down she was reading. She padded over to the window and peered out. The storm was picking up. Glancing at the clock on the mantel, she saw that it was close to midnight. Sleep eluded her. She opened the top drawer of the chest and pulled out a piece of paper. It had been crumpled and torn. Well, crumpled and smoothed out and then eventually torn. She smoothed it out once more. Hastily scrawled on the paper was the date of June 3rd, 1654. Their names--Honour Bright and John Michael Wolfe. All legal. Honour traced their names across the paper with her finger and tried hard not to weep. 'I can't understand why I feel so melancholy over this. Jack Wolfe is out of my life. I won't ever see him again....' She folded up the paper and a pain suddenly gripped her. "Oh! OH!" She clung to the dresser and it subsided. She made her way to the bed when another pain came. "Nesta! NESTA!" The midwife hurried into the room and took one look at Honour. She placed her hand on her abdomen. "It's time, Rhiannon." "But...but it can't be. I'm not ready." As soon as she said it, she felt a trickle of water down her leg. Nesta looked at her and said firmly, "It doesn't matter whether you are ready or not, Rhiannon. The baby is in charge now. Your water is breaking and your contractions are coming. Like it or not, this babe will be born sometime in the wee hours. I'll get Miss Megan." "Oh, please don't. Let her enjoy her dinner party. Please don't tell her for a while yet." A clap of thunder echoed and the heavens opened up to a torrential rain. Nesta shook her head. "A bad storm. And a baby on the way. It's going to be a long night." She helped Rhiannon to the bed. As she laid back on the pillows, pain gripped her and she began to realize she would have this baby by herself and Jack would never know if she died giving birth to his child. Regrets filled her thoughts. 'Forgive me, Jack. But I did what I had to do.' Another pain, more intense. Yes, a long, long night.

September, 1654--Beaumaris, Wales Honour looked out the window and sighed. "It looks like the leaves are changing a bit early this year." Megan looked up from her mending. "It is the same time as it was last year, sweetheart. You have been away a while." Honour let the drapes fall back in place. "Yes, I know. I'm be twenty in April, Megan, and I feel like I have lived five lifetimes." "Just think of the stories you can tell your children." "Children. More than one. Megan, this may very well be my one and only child." "Nonsense. You will get yourself free from that scoundrel. You should pass yourself off as a widow. Having a dissolved marriage--well, that is just unheard of in Beaumaris. Anywhere in the civilized world, as a matter of fact." Honour sighed. "I suppose so. I feel like I am living one lie on top of another. If I ever am foolish enough to get married, I want a clean slate between my husband and me. I want financial security. I know what to d do, after being married to Madoc." "No passion, Rhiannon? it sounds like a very lonely life." Honour's eyes took on a faraway look as she gazed into the fireplace. "I had the best," she said softly. "He never failed to make me glow. It wasn't even like that with.....never mind." "Rhys?" Rhiannon nodded miserably. Megan put her mending aside. "You miss him." "Yes, I do." "I wish I could say his memory will fade but I am afraid every time you look at your child, you will think of him. Maybe even thank him for the parting 'gift' he left you with." Well, when he is born, I hope I can think of only the happy times." " 'He?' " Honour looked puzzled, "Well, of course! I mean....this is the child of Mad Jack Wolfe. There is no doubt in my mind that this baby is a boy." Megan laughed. "If you insist. I notice you seem to be wearing your clothes a bit looser." "Only because they must have shrunk a bit." Megan shook her head. "No, my precious. Babies take up a bit of room. Stand in profile." Honour turned to the side. Megan walked around her and nodded, "Yes, you are getting a bit of a baby bump." She looked down. "You think so?" "You were married in June. The baby got his start then. So..." Megan counted on her fingers. "June...July...August...September...." She wiggled four fingers. "Four months. That's about right." Honour looked down. "Do you think I should get a few new dresses?" "It won't do much good, Rhiannon. A woman who is enceinte will not have any social engagements. I just wore a dressing gown or my chemise alot." Honour sighed. "I suppose you are right. When you have your little dinner parties, I will stay upstairs. Like the crazy relative you don't bring down for guests. As long as you don't ensconce me in the garret, Megan, I will stay in my room." Megan gave her a hug. "I will be glad when this is.....oooh! OH!" Megan looked up at her, alarmed. "What is it? A twinge of pain? Oh, please don't say that!" Honour shook her head. "It's not that...it...it feels weird. Like I swallowed a butterfly or there are some champagne bubbles here." She rubbed her stomach. "There it goes again!" Megan held her at arm's length and grinned. "That, my darling, is your baby making its presence known!' "You---you think?" "The fluttering is the first little kicks the baby is making. " Honour looked at her sister and felt tears well up in her eyes and a wistful smile on her face. "I can't believe it! It makes me...." her voice trailed off. "Makes you what, dear?" Megan said softly. Honour wiped the tear that trickled down her cheek. "It makes me almost wish Jack was here to share it. Oh, Megan! What if I made a huge mistake?" Megan held her close and said, "Rhiannon, this child is a gift Jack Wolfe gave you. Hold on to that thought and it will get you through this." "I will. I'll cherish this baby and be grateful that for a little while I knew contentment and love." Megan blew her nose on her handkerchief. "Megan, you are so found out!" She laughed through her tears. "Alright, so I am a fool for a silver lining in a thundercloud. Now let's go upstairs and get the Conaway cradle out of the attic!"

Megan anxiously scanned the gangplank of the ship Bonnie Glenn. "I don't see her, Daffyd. What if something happened? What if she died at sea? What if..." Daffyd clutched his wife's hand. "Stop thinking the worst. There has to be a logical explanation as to why she hasn't left yet and....LOOK!" Megan's hand flew to her mouth and her eyes filled with tears. "Thank you, God!" Rhiannon descended the gangplank on the arm of Captain Edmund Underhill. Megan and Daffyd rushed to embrace her. "My God, Rhiannon, I couldn't believe the letter we got that said you were coming home. Cryptic note that it was and now..." Rhiannon clung to her sister for dear life as she began to cry. Captain Underhill smiled as he said, "To be sure, I promised Captain Blake I would return her to her family. But as a formality, I must ask your names." Daffyd shook his hand and said, "I am her brother in law Daffyd Llewellyn. This is my wife and her sister Megan." To Rhiannon, Captain Underhill said, "You can verify their identities, Miss Carter?" She nodded. The captain tipped his hat and said, "That is good enough for me. I'll come around in a few days to call and make sure you are settled in. After all, I promised Captain Blake." ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Megan and Rhiannon were seated in the garden at Bancroft Hall. The leaves were starting to turn but the air was warm to the breeze from summer's last gasp. Megan poured the tea as she asked Rhiannon, "So....I don't know where to begin to ask you anything. Daffyd took the children to the park so we can have some privacy. All they know is that Aunt Rhiannon is here to stay for a while." "They have grown so much in the two years I have been away, Megan." "And no more dancing around the subject. Where have you been? My God, we were beside ourselves when we got that note from Father Simon telling us you decided to relocate to Barbados. Daffyd went down to the docks right away and no one would tell us anything. We were frantic! Dilys threatened to tear the dock master's office apart. Gwyneth tried to be the voice of reason and James took over and tried to find out what he could. Still nothing. Rhiannon, do you have ANY idea what you did to us?" Rhiannon hung her head and tried not to cry. "I'm so sorry. Megan, I was so scared. I was afraid Henry would find me and have me tried for Madoc's murder." She handed her sister a handkerchief. "Even Father's bullying and blustering got him nowhere. It was as if you were taken by the wind. Not a trace. But now you are home!" Rhiannon found it hard to meet Megan's eyes. But her sister cupped her chin so she had to face her. "Rhiannon, I think you owe it to me to tell me what you have been up to these past two years." She nodded. Softly, Megan said, "There is more to this than homesickness." Rhiannon said quietly, "Megan...I--I'm going to have a baby." Megan dropped her hand and put it to her mouth. "Sweet Mother!" Hastily, Rhiannon said, "It's not what you think, Megan. I---I'm married." "Thank God! " she crossed herself. "But where is your husband then? Oh Lord, Rhiannon..I am so sorry!"" Rhiannon looked puzzled at her sister. "You....you think I am a widow?" Her sister looked bewilderedly at her. "But....where is he?" Rhiannon sighed and said, "I guess I should tell you the whole story from the beginning." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "...and then I booked passage back to have the baby here in Wales." "I must say, Captain Wolfe sounds like a right proper bastard. I am sure we can get the certificate of divorce or annulment here on the grounds of abadonment. Even though technically you abandoned him." Rhiannon's eyes took on a faraway look. "He had his heroic, shining moments, Megan. It wasn't....all bad. Just....never mind. I'd like to stay here until the baby is born and then go back to Barbados. I've secured a future for the baby and me. But it won't be for a couple years. Will Daffyd mind?" "Of course he won't! And the children will be delighted with a little one here." Honour hugged Megan and felt the tears of gratitude well up in her eyes. "Megan, I'm so scared." Megan held her sister close and said softly, "I know you are, sweetheart. But I'm here for you." The sisters stood there with a bond known only to sisters. "It's so good to have you home, Rhiannon." She felt the tears slip down her face."It's so good to be home, Megan.

Two weeks later--Port Royal The Dark Vexation pulled into port two weeks later in Port Royal. "Are you packed yet, Honour?" "Yes, everything is in those three chests." "You have enough funds to get to Wales?" She ignored the one chest that was half full of Jack's guilders buried under her petticoats. "Yes, I do. You know I am like a cat. I always land on my feet." James put is arms around her, drawing her close. "I'll miss you." "I'll miss you too, James." She laid her head against his chest and absent-mindedly played with the drawstring's lacings. "I'll always be in your debt." "I wish circumstances could be different, Honour." "So do I, James. So do I." "You will let me know how you are and that the baby is well?" "I will. I will send word to you through Kate at the Varlet and Vixen." She hesitated, "If...If things don't go the way they should...I mean, if I should...you know...what I mean is childbirth is natural but so is dying....well, I will make sure Megan writes to you." James said sternly, "Let's not speak that way. You are young and healthy and before you know it, you will be a mama." She smiled up at him. "I can't thank you enough." "Your passage is arranged on the Bonnie Glenn. Captain Underhill is my friend and he will make sure you arrive safely and are handed over to Megan. "I'm sorry to be such a bother." "No bother at all. As I said, maybe when this situation is behind you, we will talk about that trip around the world." "I would like that." But both of them knew it was an empty promise. I'll get some crewmen and have your trunks delivered to the Bonnie Glenn." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Captain Underhill? May I present Mary Carter--my cousin." Captain Underhill bowed to her. "A pleasure, ma'am. I have arranged for a cabin next to mine. We will tell the crew that you are my cousin so then you will be protected and no one will think the less of your reputation. Blake? A pleasure as always. Don't worry. She will be in good hands." "That is why I asked you, Edmund. I am a friend in your debt." They shook hands. James turned to Honour. "Well, this is it, darling. You take care of yourself and let me know when you become a mama." She nodded. "James, I can't find the words....." "I know." Suddenly they were in each other's arms. He held her close and kissed her neck. "I wish things had been different, Honour. I really do. As I said, I am not the marrying kind. But you came close. Oh, so close!" She looked up at him, her eyes glistening with tears. "I love you, James." "I love you too, Honour." He broke away from her. "Mary Carter is now in your care and keeping, Edmund." Underhill tipped his cap. James gave her hand a squeeze, then turned to go. Honour watched him leave, her heart heavy. "Are you ready, Miss Carter?" "Yes. Yes, I am." Wales never seemed so lonely.

Three days later---aboard the Dark Vexation Honour found it hard to sleep. It wasn't that James Blake's bed was uncomfortable. Her mind wouldn't shut off and drifted back to the last few days. Under the name of Mary Carter, the crew of the Dark Vexation was under the impression that Honour was his woman. And under the rules of the unwritten code, she was untouchable. The only protection she wasn't afforded would be during a mutiny. But Blake's crew thought the world of him so she knew she was safe. So many things had gone wrong. Honour had never felt so alone. So vulnerable. And now she was responsible for another life. Her unborn baby. The enormity of everything came crashing down on her. The familiar sense of panic was rising in her. She buried her face in the pillows, her body wracked with sobs. "Honour?" A quiet voice said from the other side of the room. She lifted her tear-stained face and looked into the deep brown eyes of James Blake. "Oh, James," she sobbed. He sat on the edge of the bed and gathered her into his arms. "Hush, darling. Everything will be alright." "No, it won't. It never will be, James. I am as good as an unwed mother. I'm having mixed feelings about going home to Wales." "Do you want me to send you back to Barbados?" "No, I can't. I have to go home. Megan will take care of me. She always promised she would be there for me." She gently laid her head against James's chest. Blake gently stroked her hair and kissed her gently on the top of her head. "Thank you, James." "For what?" "For....everything. I feel guilty taking your bed while you are sleeping on a pallet." "No problem. I've slept on harder surfaces." "You can at least share this bed. It's not like we haven't shared a bed before." "But for different reasons, Honour. As long as you are Jack Wolfe's wife, I won't do anything to intrude on that relationship. The waters are muddied as it is." She raised her head to him. "It doesn't matter anymore. When I get to Wales I will petition for a divorce on the grounds of abandonment." "But you left him." "Immaterial. He ran off to Martinique and left me to buy a plantation on my own. " "And did you?" "No," she lied. "It was already sold by the time I got there. I won't get an annulment. I won't have aspersions of bastardy thrust upon this child. I will wait till the child is born and then start the legal process. I am sure I can get a divorce with Jack being in absentia." "And for that reason, I will not touch you." "I don't understand." "As long as you are carrying Jack's child, I won't have any shadow of a doubt that the paternity of the child is questioned." She felt a catch in her voice. "I am afraid there may be questions if it ever gets out." Blake raised her chin to meet his eyes. "There is more to this than you are telling me." "Jack listened to rumours when Cade was escorting me around town. My husband was being neglectful to me and Cade offered a shoulder to cry on." Blake grimaced, "And he offered you more than a shoulder." "I swear, James, it only happened once. And when it did, I already had a feeling this child was on the way. And there is no doubt in my mind that the baby is Jack's. I began to get queasy on the way back from Castara. And...I had other clues." Blake laughed softly in the dark. "No need to paint the picture, Honour. I understand." She ran her finger down his chest and he caught her hand. "As much as it is tempting, I am afraid I shall have to decline, Honour. And for another reason. Jack Wolfe is my friend. If and when you are free being known as Mrs. Jack Wolfe, we will revisit the situation. But there is one thing you should know." "What is that?" His voice took on a faraway tone. "I am not the marrying kind, Honour. All I can offer is the carnal comforts. If there is an implied promise or notion of anything more.....I am sorry. I cannot oblige." Honour turned away, embarrassed by the rebuff from James. "I--I'm sorry. It won't happen again." He turned her face towards his. "Honour, it's not that I don't find you attractive. Lord knows, I do. I had a hard time getting you out of my mind. Sometimes I wonder...." "Wonder what, James?" "How our lives would have changed if you had been back in the tavern that night." "You said you are not the marrying kind." "And I am not. But as I told you in Castara, I would have taken you around the world." Honour gently touched his cheek as she put her arms around his neck. "Just get me to Wales, James. Right now that is all I ask."

Yeah, if someone gives you grief at a piratefest, you just slit their throats. At renfaires it is so.....messy.

Too much drama at fests.....and too much real life at the moment.

Leaving the magistrate's office with the new deed, Honour wondered if she were doing the right thing. Jack had been so tender and loving yesterday. And then he casually told her he would be gone and back in four days. No discussion. No...nothing. He just expected her to make a major purchase. And why? 'So he would have a place to stow me. A convenient place to put me so he wouldn't have me getting in the way of his fun. Like the necklace. Try to kill me one day and placate me with jewelry so I would forget all about it. Now he wants a place to hang his hat when he's in port.' She had a feeling that her life was about to change. She had begun to suspect it ever since she came back to Jack from her one-night mistake with Cade. But did Cade want her for himself? Or was it because she was Jack's wife? She felt light-headed and sat down. Too many questions, not enough answers... "Honour?" Her head jerked up. "James Blake!" The privateer grinned at her. "Or should I be formal?" He swept his tricorn from his head and gave her a deep mock bow. "Why, Mrs. Wolfe! What a pleasure to run into you. May I inquire as to your health? And how fares Mr. Wolfe?" She grimaced. "Making fun of me are you, James?" He sat down next to her. "Not at all, Honour. How are you?" She shrugged. "I've been better." "Ah. The life of a pirate's wife not agree with you?" "It's not that...it's just...James, do you believe in Fate?" He looked off to the harbour. "I think we all have a destiny we follow. Things happen for a reason, Honour. Why do you ask?" She looked down and said, "Things have gone terribly wrong. And I wonder if I am being punished for past sins." "That will need some explaining." She looked up at him and tears were beginning to form in her eyes. "Something I did once ended up terribly wrong. I am wondering now if I am paying the price. Is it my destiny to have happiness elude me? It's like trying to hold onto water in your hand. You scoop it up only to have it run through your fingers." He took her hand and said "You are too hard on yourself, Honour. There is no guarantee of happiness in this life. Just...life. We live it the best we can." She finally got up the nerve. "James...where are you going and when are you leaving?" "I'm headed for Port Royal and I'm leaving first thing tomorrow. Why?" Honour became almost desperate in her request. "I need to leave, James. Don't ask me why. Please. Just know that this will save a few lives if I do. I want to book passage with you to Port Royal. I'll give you another name and no one will know it was you who took me out of here." "Honour, I don't know..." "PLEASE, James! I'm begging you! I--I have a few chests in storage I need to take. Only a few. If you have a few of your men meet me at St Michael's Number Eleven..if they can meet me this afternoon, I can be ready to leave at dawn. Take me to Port Royal and I'll book passage out of there to somewhere else." "Honour, I need to know what has happened." "James, I can't tell you. I can't! The less people know the better. Trust me on this." Her voice took an almost hysterical edge to it. "Alright. On two conditions." She nodded. "First, Jack Wolfe must never--NEVER!--know I was the one who spirited you out of here. Second---that you tell me the real reason you are leaving. And I want the truth." "I swear Jack won't know. And I'll tell you the reason as soon as we clear the harbour. I promise." James nodded solemnly. "I know I have your word. I'll send two men to meet you at that warehouse at four bells." She couldn't stop the tears from falling as she took his hand. "Thank you, James. Thank you with all my heart." He sighed."It had better be a good reason, Honour. A damn good reason." She whispered, "It is. It really is." ~~~~~~~~~ She packed her things quickly and quietly. There was a knock on her door. She heard a voice say, "Honour? It's me...Cade. Honour? Are you in there?" She held her breath and didn't answer. After a few minutes she heard his footsteps down the hall. 'It's for your own good, Cade. Godspeed.' Muir sat there watching his mistress empty drawers into a few duffel bags. The necklace Jack bought her was still in the pouch. She held it up to the window and watched the light refract through the diamonds. It was valuable to be sure. She touched it gently and slipped it into her pocket. The last of the drawers was empty. Honour stood up and arched her back. "Packing is hard, Muir." He ran under the bed and came back out with a shirt of Jack's, laying it at her feet and looking expectantly up at her, his tail wagging. This brought a fresh round of tears. She hugged Muir and cried. "Oh, Muir! I wish it didn't end this way. But it has to. I can't think of just myself any longer. And we aren't running away...we are running TO something." She closed the drawer but it caught on something. Something shiny. Reaching in, she pulled out the obstruction. It was the hideous piece of gold that Jack had given her instead of a wedding ring that night they married. She held it up to the candle and said, 'It really was ugly. I should just pitch it....' She threw it into her duffel bag and tied the drawstring. She looked down at her hand and sadly transferred her gold wedding ring with the emeralds from her left hand to her right. To Muir she said, "I'm doing the right thing, Muir. For all of us. But especially for...." She didn't finish her thought. It was too new a notion yet. ~~~~ Dawn saw Honour down at the dock. Captain James Blake was directing his crew when he caught sight of her. He took her hands and said, "Walk with me for a minute." When they were out of earshot of everyone, he said, "I booked your passage under the name of Mary Carter. You can sleep in my cabin. There is room and you will be in comfort there. The crew will think you are my woman and you will be untouchable." She drew her hood closer to her face. "James, I can't thank you enough." "Remember our bargain." "As soon as we clear the harbour." Within the hour, the wind filled the sails of the Dark Vexation. The sun was beginning to rise as Bridgetown was to their rudder. Blake took her by the hand and said, "Time for our little parlay, Mrs. Wolfe. Follow me to the quarterdeck. We shall have privacy there." The two of them stood side by side at the gunwale. The silence was palpable. Finally Blake said, "Alright, Honour. Time to fulfill your promise." She looked over the horizon and began to relate the story she had for James. It was an edited version of what really happened. "James, it has been a very confusing month for me." He smiled slightly and said, "Running into you in Castara was startling enough. But to have you presented as Mrs. Jack Wolfe..well, I couldn't quite believe it. Does Jack know about...us?" She shook her head. "There was no need to tell him. It was before I even met Jack. We were but a moment." James Blake smiled wistfully. "Two weeks, Honour. A very wonderful two weeks. And a memory I shall always treasure." "I told you if you are ever in port again..." "Yes, but I never counted on the infamous Mad Jack Wolfe as being in the picture. Startled the hell out of me." She nodded. "It startled me, too. There I was laying whiskey down at the Varlet and Vixen and in a few hours I was standing before the magistrate exchanging vows. With practically a total stranger." "Were you happy, Honour?" She looked over the horizon and said softly. "For a while, I was happy. Blissfully so. It all started to unravel when we encountered the Mercedes." James nodded. "I heard all the tavern talk. And then some." "What did you hear?" "The usual talk when a ship takes a hit. Who did what and where they went wrong." James didn't have the heart to tell Honour of the malicious talk about Jack and the unsavory speculation about her and Cade. James turned to her and turned his face to his. "Honour, you're peaked and tired. You aren't sick, are you? She shook her head no. "James? You asked me for the truth on why I am leaving. So I am keeping my end of the bargain. But you can never breathe a word of it to anyone. ANYONE! Promise me first." James nodded solemnly. "Honour, you can always trust me. I hope you know that." "I do. James, I am leaving because... because I need to protect myself. And someone else. Jack has such a temper and I don't know if he could ever accept what I am about to tell you." "You are leaving Jack for Cade?" Honour looked shocked. James shrugged and said, "Idle tavern talk." Honour felt sick. She should have known that the loose tongues of the pirates in port would wag. She continued, "At first I didn't think it to be true. But the signs are all there, James. I'm having a hard time grasping it myself." "Jack has another woman?" She shook her head. "No. James, I can scarcely believe this myself. Something wonderful came out of all this chaos. Something very unexpected." "And that is...?" She looked up at James Blake, tears in her eyes but they weren't tears of sadness. A smile trembled on her lips as she said quietly, "I'm going to have a baby."

"Monsieur Picou?" "Oui?" "I'm here to meet you regarding the sale of your plantation." Monsieur Picou looked her up and down and said, "I was expecting both you and your husband, Mrs. Wolfe. Has he been detained?" Honour laughed a bit self-consciously. "Oh, I'm not Mrs. Wolfe! I apologize for not introducing myself. My name is Mrs. Castlemaine. Captain Wolfe was called away and Mrs. Wolfe changed her mind and joined him. But their circumstances have changed. She persuaded him to migrate to the New World. Boston, specifically. She inherited money from her father and convinced the good captain to settle there. I am her cousin twice removed. She told me of the land she was interested in and I decided I may want to invest in Barbadian property so I decided to keep her appointment." He looked doubtful. "You are so young. You have money?" Honour nodded. "My late husband--may he rest in peace--left me well off. We were emigrating to Barbados and he drank the water and died. Typhoid." Monsieur Picou expressed his sympathy. "I'm so sorry." Honour affected an air of resigned grief. "Yes. I was devastated. We were only married a short while. But I know Byron would want me to carry on. And he had dreams of investing in sugar cane. I really would love to fulfill his dying wish." Monsieur Picou wiped a tear from his eye for the young 'widow'. "Then let us go in to see the house." Honour gazed at the grandeur of the manor house. A verandah wrapped around three sides of the house. A second balcony was supported by six Grecian columns. The stairs of brick led to a massive front door in oak. The red brick shone in the sunlight. "Monsieur Picou! This is beautiful!" He beamed with pride. "Oui! But since my wife died, I want to go back to France. That is where I want to spend my last days." He opened the front door. A marble staircase greeted them. It ascended up the middle and then split into two staircases. He led her into the parlor which was furnished with lovely furniture. A piano stood in one corner. "Do you play, Madame?" She ran her finger lightly over the keys. It had been so long since she sat down to play. "A bit." The French doors looked out over a brick patio and onto the ocean. The sheer curtains blew in the breeze. He led her to the formal dining room. A solid mahogany table with sixteen chairs and a glass chandelier hung from a carved plaster ceiling. A cabinet of crystal stood in the corner and a sideboard for platters was against the opposite wall. She peeked out the door and there was a detached kitchen with a pergola covered with grapevines and a brick walkway. Forethought to keep the kitchen separate as fires were not unheard of. Exotic flowers made up the garden. Their perfume filled the air. For a moment, Honour thought of her honeymoon in Castara Bay. It brought up all sorts of feelings but she pushed that thought far away. Jack messed up their relationship. Chasing after a dream and leaving her alone to deal with this. So it was his fault. Whatever happened, it was Jack's fault. Even Cade. That was Jack's fault too. "Let's go upstairs to see the rooms. Take your time and enjoy yourself. I shall be in the office on the left looking at the final accounting my overseer left for me." They mounted the marble staircase and Honour explored the rooms. The master bedroom also had French doors with a balcony that overlooked the ocean. She sat on the four-poster rice bed and bounced on it a bit, her fingers running over the down comforter. An armoire and chest of drawers completed the set along with oil paintings of scenic countryside. She looked into the alcove and there was a small handcarved cradle. Her heart melted a bit at the sight of the nursery. The rest of the rooms were tastefully appointed with furnishings that bespoke of opulence. "What do you think of it, Madame?" "It is beautiful. How much did you say?" He named his price and Honour replied, "That is quite pricey and a bit more than I was willing to pay." "You must remember, Madame, that it is over 500 acres." "I'm prepared to offer you this sum if you reduce it by 15%." She passed him a paper that she had written an amount. Mr. Picou mulled it over. "Since you love it and will take care of it....Deal." The money draft was presented and the new deed was filed. But not under the name of Honour Wolfe. It was deeded to R. C. Castlemaine. Jack would never know that his wife was the legal owner. The sole legal owner. Honour was five hundred acres richer. Jack was 5,000 guilders poorer. And that was Jack's fault, too. It was enough to secure her future and her independence. Never would Rhiannon Conaway Castlemaine be dependent on anyone again. Especially a man.

Honour stayed in their room after Jack had left. Her stomach was tied in knots from the events of the past few days. She had a tray sent up to her room but only picked at the food. The goodbyes were awkward. Jack apologizing for leaving her but the enthusiasm on his face showed that his mind was elsewhere. He hardly noticed the stilted way in which Honour said goodbye. Staying in the room afforded her the opportunity to avoid Cade. She knew he would be in the tavern. And she didn't feel up to facing him or the awkwardness that would follow. She looked down and touched the diamond and emerald necklace that Jack had given her. Just like a man to think that a gift would make things right. The name-calling. The aborted strikes he almost laid on her. And finally pulling a gun on her. She shuddered to think what would happen if she hadn't kicked the gun out of his hand. And she was beginning to realize there was more at stake than just her own life. She pulled the covers back and hugged her pillow. She cried until there were no more tears left and she fell into an exhausted sleep. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The next morning the sun shone through her curtains. Something was knocking...and a whining. 'Muir..stop that scratching...' Then she realized that Muir was still on the ship with Briggs. She sat up suddenly and realized someone was knocking at the door. Hurriedly she put on her dressing gown and opened the door slightly. "Mrs. Wolfe...Honour, ma'am..it's me. Briggs." She opened it fully and a ball of fur came hurtling towards her. She laughed for the first time in days and said, "Muir!" Briggs shifted uneasily from side to side and said, "Yes, well...he was beginning to chew various boots on the ship so we all took a vote and decided instead of becoming chum, the pooch would be better off with you." Muir licked her face as she laughed. "Quite allright. Muir, you are just what I need right now!" Muir ran and got Jack's shirt and dropped it at her feet. "I'm sorry, Muir. He--he went away." Briggs also handed her an envelope. "Captain left this bank draft for ye to purchase the land ye talked about. Made out to ye, Mrs. Wolfe. Just put it over at the moneyhouse and they can handle the transfer for ye. Should be plenty there, Ma'am." She took it and said quietly, "Thank you, Briggs." She hesitated, "Oh, Briggs?" "Yes, ma'am?" "Briggs...would you..would you please give Puddin' a hug for me?" He tipped his hat and said. "Ma'am..." And with that he left. Honour walked out the front door and as she did, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She jumped a mile. "Cade!" He looked at her softly and said, "You were gone when I woke up." She looked down and said, "About last night..." "We need to tell him." "Tell...who?" "Tell Jack. About us." "Cade..." "It's only right, love. We need to tell him so we can make our plans." "Plans...?" "Honour, look over at the harbor. What do you see?" "Ships." "See the one second from the right? Next to the Dark Vexation?" "Dark Vexation? Is Captain James Blake in port?" "Yes, but that is besides the point. The ship next to her is the Gryphon. She was on auction and she is now mine. I'm telling Jack I'm going on my own account now. No more being under Jack's thumb, Honour. We can be free to do what we want. Jack will just have to understand. Now that I am a captain of my own ship, Mad Jack Wolfe and I are equals." She murmured, "He certainly taught you well, Cade. In all respects." He took her hands. "Where is Jack?" She cautiously removed her hands from his. "He's gone." "Gone? Gone where?" "To Martinique. To find someone named Armand LaFork." "Armand LaFourche?" "Yes..I guess that is the name." Cade whistled low. "He's really going to do it He's really going to look for the Ancients' chest." "You know about it?" "He's talked about it long since I can remember. He's going as loony as LaFourche." "He'll be back in four day's time. Cade...." "Darling, I have to go. I have to close the deal on the ship and take care of some business in St Lucia. I'll be back in a week and then we can tell Jack." "But Cade....." He kissed her and said, "Don't worry. It will all work out." And with that he walked down towards the docks. Honour sat down suddenly trying to fight the rising tide of nausea. 'This just keeps escalating.' She touched her silver chain and whispered, 'Mother..please. Help me! Which way am I to go?' She was beginning to suspect her life was about to undergo some changes. But deal with the present now and worry about the future later....

Honour pulled the hood of her cloak closer to her face as she approached the innkeeper of The Horse, Hunter and Stag. In a soft, halting voice she said, "I-I'd like to see Mr. Cade Jennings, if you please." The innkeeper hesitated and said, "Don't rightly know if I should give you his room number, Missy..." She tried to smile and said, "I'll be sure to knock first. Sir, I am not his wife or a jealous female trying to catch him with another woman." The tavern keep saw the emerald ring on her finger and said quietly, "First door on the left at the top of the staircase." She nodded, drew her cloak tighter around her and ascended the stairway. Cade opened the door to her timid knock. "Honour! What are you doing out this time of night?" "May I come in, please?" He looked at the tearstained face and said quickly, "By all means." He took her cloak and saw that she was dressed in a chemise and skirt. No bodice, no corset, no stays. She shivered. He sat her down and opened a bottle of brandy and poured a glass for her. She drank a bit and started coughing. "Careful, Honour." "I'm sorry. I've been feeling a bit under the weather." He sat down on the bed next to her and said quietly, "It has to be a problem for you to come here alone and at night too." Honour nodded miserably. "It's all falling apart, Cade. I'm married almost a month and it's all falling to pieces." He brushed her hair back and said soothingly, "Do you want to talk about it?" She felt the tears well up. "Jack accused me--us--of some vile things. He called me names. I confronted him on the fact that I saw him come out of a brothel the first day he--" "Brothel? You saw him? When?" "When we were walking the first day in port. He came out of that house with the two doors." "Madame Renee's?" "You know her?" "Everyone knows Madame Renee." "Cade, Jack went there for....for....." She felt the tears coming again. He put his arm comfortingly around her. "You don't know that for a fact, Honour. He could have been visiting an old friend. He and Renee go way back." She wiped the tears from her face. "I'm young but I am not a fool, Cade. I know what I saw." "Honour, I can understand why you are upset but--" "There's more. He accused me and you of...well...he accused me of infidelity." "He WHAT?" Honour nodded. "It gets worse, Cade. He..." She leaned against him and began to cry. "He pulled a gun on me and yelled, 'The mistake was in marrying a deceitful little trollop like you! A mistake I intend to remedy here and now.' "Oh...Honour." She could hardly talk. "He pulled the hammer back on the pistol and then said in a deadly calm voice, “ 'Your precious Cade will be along to join you in Hell shortly.' ” "Was he drunk?" "Yes," she said as she felt the tears welling up in her eyes again. "Cade, I kicked the gun out of his hand. He lunged for me but I moved and he ran headlong into the wall and was knocked out. I--I checked and he was still breathing when I left. Oh, Cade, I can't go back! He will kill me! And you!" He held her and rocked her a bit as she cried, "No, he won't kill us. He's crazy with rum, Honour. Or whiskey. Or both." "I can't go back. I--I can get a room here for the night or sleep in the common room here." "Honour, all the rooms here are booked. The Ebony Heart just docked and all the crew have shore leave. A pretty little thing like you in the common room with a port full of drunken pirates who haven't seen a woman in three months? Not even an option." "But I can't go back." "Stay here. I can sleep in the chair." "I can't ask that of you, Cade." "I insist. No arguments." She stood up and looked him in the eyes. "I can't thank you enough, Cade. For all you have done." Cade put his hands on his shoulders and said, "Anything for you, Honour." She looked up into his eyes. Their bodies were touching and Cade softly brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. "Anything..." Before she knew it, their eyes closed and their lips met in a kiss that was anything but casual. They broke apart, each not knowing what the other would do. Honour whispered, "I've been accused, judged and condemned. I may as well be guilty of the crime as well." Cade tilted her face up to meet his and whispered back, "Then we shall pay the price together." ~~~~~~~ With a start, Honour woke up. The moonlight streamed onto the bed, illuminating Cade's face as he slept next to her. His arm was flung around her as he spooned against her. She quietly slid from his arms, placing a pillow in her place. She wrapped her cloak around her body, her chemise and skirt laying on the floor giving clues as to what had taken place. As if the man in the bed wasn't testimony enough to damn them both. Honour stood there, a feeling of despair washing over her. Messing up once in her life was enough. The main attraction was the same, only the key players had changed. Would Cade have the same fate as Rhys? And what of Jack? While he was not Madoc, his fury was unmatched. Twice in one lifetime was too much for a woman to be threatened with death, this time for a crime she hadn't committed. Until after the accusations. She walked over to the window and looked out. A few pirates straggled out of the taverns, spilling onto the lane. So far the only one who knew she was here was the innkeeper. And he didn't even know her name. She leaned her forehead against the mullion of the window and began to cry quietly. Bitterly. To herself, she whispered, 'Rhiannon...how many times are you going to mess up? How many places can you run to?' Honour wondering how she was going to face Cade in the morning. But much more importantly was this--how was she going to face Jack? If he was ready to kill her and Cade over an imagined infidelity, how would he react if he ever knew that his suppositions became actualities? 'Rhiannon', she thought, 'you sure do know how arrange things. Those who don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. When will you learn, girl?...'When will you learn?....when will you learn?....Will I ever learn?' She closed her eyes, knowing she would use all her wits to pull herself out of the funeral pyre. Because Jack was holding the match. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ In a tavern in Castara Bay, the solitary figure drew her shawl around her. The moon shone through the palmettos as she closed the door behind her. She walked towards the beach, the soft sand cushioning her footfall. In a clearing overlooking the bay, she laid her shawl down on the ground and sat upon it. In her leather bag she withdrew what she needed. An urn filled with sea salt, a few bones and a leather box. She very carefully laid what she needed on the flat boulder she used so many times before. Clouds raced across the moon, lending an eerie feel as if shadowy fingers embraced the orb. She stood and sprinkled a circle of the salt around herself and the boulder. Facing east, she took the bones out of the bag and cast them on the boulder. Three bones scattered. Three touching, one touching and then rolling away from the breast bone. She inhaled sharply, a small smile coming to her face. Three times. Three results the same. Withdrawing her cards, she drew three out. The Lovers. The Tower. The Devil. 'It already happen,' she whispered. 'Dey run to de Fate dat be cast for dem. No turning back. De great Jack Wolfe find out how it feel to hurt. Him pretty little bride and he dat he treat like a son. Him have destruction around him head.' She reached once more into her bag and withdrew two small dolls. A male and a female. The one had a ribbon, the other had a lanyard. The poppets were back to back, bound with a black ribbon. Touching but not facing. She held it up to the moonlight and whispered a few words. 'Wit' dese cords, I bind toget'er dey spirits, and hold apart dey hearts. Dey lives, dey be forever entwine, forever connected, but never share as man and woman.' The very words she chanted when she first bound them together. A chuckle escaped her lips which grew into a laugh. 'Sail away, Jack Wolfe! Sail away! Two already betray you. Two, so dear to your dark heart. Dey already cut you to de quick, and cause you such joy and pain. Your heart will break three times." She put her charms back into her bag, still chuckling. She stood and faced the horizon, the dark waves lapping the shore in the moonlight. Softly she said, 'Bones no lie, Jack Wolfe. Bones no lie. Neither do Bonita.'