The Ship

As I have been revamping the story as I go along I have deleted the original chapter. I felt it did nothing for the story. This chapter 15 is a combination of the two chapter 16s I had before fixing the story.


Chapter 15
Some time after the final deal...
After several more days the Throne reached port. They were a half hours time from a Port called McMillan port. It was clear out and the Port could be seen from where the ship sailed. This was where James and Gitt were from. “Penny I'd like to introduce you to McMillan Port. My home. And..uh.. I was hoping ya might think about sticking around?” James asked.
Penny had not thought much about it in the past few days. A storm had distracted her. “I-” Penny started to say. “Wait before ya say more, can I convince ya for just even a few days? No more than three starting the moment we set foot on land,” James begged. “I don't know James. I don't see what it will do other than hitch me into another deal,” Penny responded.
“Penny I swear to you it will be a three days you will never forget. I just can't drop ya off and never see you again. Where would you go?” he said.
“I'd find somewhere. I can take care of myself. I'll manage just fine,” Penny said trying to sound as if she didn't care when inside she was hoping she would have somewhere to go, somewhere to stay.
“Look Penny, I got a nice house ya can stay in until ya find somewhere better. I ain't have a clue where ya coming from anyhow but I can supply ya with some good food, perhaps some better clothing. Just for three days for sure, and if ya choose to stay around longer, I ain't gona stop you,” he said sincerely.
“And how ya gona treat me once we get off this ship, James? Ya gona treat me like the whore ya started out treating me like?” Penny asked.
“I be treating ya as if you were my wi-” he stopped. “As if ya was a special honored guest in my home,” he said. Penny's heart jumped when she heard what almost sounded like wife. She looked away for a moment.
“Fine. Three days ain't nothing longer,” she agreed. James smiled and gave Penny a peck.
Half an hour later the Throne was pulling into Port McMillan. “Ah yes it be nice to gain some land legs back ain't ya think Captain,” Gitt said. “Sure will be,” the captain responded half distracted with thinking of something nice to do for Penny.
“Alright Penny, welcome. Follow me the men will take care of the ship I'd like to show ya something. They walked off the ship and onto the docks. “Penny before I show ya, would ya like to visit a store or two?” he asked. Penny half shrugged. “Well I want to so let us be off,” he responded. It was mid afternoon and the port town was busy. The day was beautiful, clear, and warm. James took Penny to the best dressmaker he knew.
“Well good day to ya ma'am,” James greeted on friendly terms as they walked in. The woman who was at the back of the building pause for a moment before she turned recognizing the voice. The woman was thin and about average height, about Penny's size. She had brown long curly hair. She had almost a perfect face. “James! Oh James! We've missed you so!” the woman jumped into his arms. “I've missed ya to, my dear Alice.” Penny stood a little behind James and looked a little jealous and confused to what was going on. Why would James take her to some place to some woman of his, she thought to herself. “Alice I'd like to introduce you to a beautiful lady. Alice this is Penny, Penny this is Alice, my little sister.” Penny relaxed some. “Oh it is nice to meet you Miss Mitchell,” Penny replied, hiding her silly assumption embarrassment. “Oh please no need for formality, please call me Alice,” Alice responded. “Okay Alice it is nice to meet you,” Penny said. “It is nice to meet you as well Penny. Now what can I do for you both,” she asked.
“Well we was looking for a nice dress for the lady Alice,”James replied. “Oh James enough with that pirate talk you know how to speak properly,” Alice teased. “Well I am sorry Alice. What would you recommend for this lovely Penny?” Penny was a bit surprised to be called a lady or even that James came from a better place than he appeared. Penny thought it interesting that his sister did not care that her older brother was a pirate.
“Well, before we begin James, the girls and I were planning on having a ball tonight so lets start with that. We will make Penny the most beautiful lady you have ever seen, and get her out of these dreadful pirate clothes,” she said.” Penny felt a little insulted to being called dreadful but she also found it a bit amusing. “Alright then, James you need not be here I'll take care of her, go on home, they will all be so happy to see you,” Alice said. James hesitated but Alice pushed him out the door. Penny laughed.
“My he is so stubborn that man. So Penny what is it your true name is, if you don't mind me asking?”
“Oh well Penny is just fine, but my full name is Penelope Marie Chous.”
“What a beautiful name, why would you want to be called Penny?”
“Oh its just shorter to say is all, I like it better,” Penny replied.
“Oh well then Penny it is then. Wait, Chous you said is your last name? As in the Chous family? The Chous family of Port Loll? You are a daughter of the Duchess of Port Loll?
“Uh.. I uh.. how do you know of such a family?” Penny asked concerned.
“Well many of heard of such a family, for one of the daughters disappeared some months ago. Everyone knows of the family south of here. It is you then? You are the Chous who disappeared?”
“I uh- Please do not tell anyone Alice!”
“Oh... Oh dear he doesn't know does he?” Penny shook her head. “How did you come to be in his company?
“I jumped aboard his ship, dressed as a sailor. Oh no.... I ain't think anyone would care so much I've disappeared. Most of my family is gone anyhow.
“Oh Penny we have a problem. Please tell me he hasn't done anything horrible to you!”
Penny felt as if she could no longer hide anything. “No, well not really, I mean at first he-”
“He did, didn't he! Oh I ought to-”
“Please Alice don't! And don't tell him anything. At first he was a bit cruel to me when I was first discovered but he turned out to be a nice man after all.”
“It ain't surprise me, since the death of his wife and boy they ain't been a happy man inside him!” Alice said losing her proper speech.
“Alice everything is just fine now, he's he's changed. I think- I think I'm in love!” Penny spoke.
Alice stood in what appeared to be shock. After a moment she continued on talking with Penny. Penny made her promise that she would say nothing to James at all about their conversation. Alice agreed and helped to size Penny for several proper dresses. The first was a ball gown.
“Well then Penny I think you are all set. You will look wonderful. James won't even recognize you. But only if we get you bathed and dolled up so that you will look extravagant. We have several hours before dinner and the ball so let me close up here and we will be on our way.
Penny and Alice reached the house twenty minutes later. Penny never imagined what James's house could look like. It was a large mansion, with a tall gate at the front. There were bay windows facing out to the ocean. The house was white with large windows. It was similar to the house she left back in Port Loll.
“Penny welcome to the Mitchell home. I think you will like it hear. Please let us go inside.” Alice responded as the carriage hand opened up the door. Penny walked inside. It was nice seeing something other than the Captain's cabin for once. Almost as soon as Alice and Penny walked in they were headed upstairs. Alice was giving orders to the maids to prepare a warm bath for Penny. At the top of the wide stairs, there was a long hallway. Penny was led to into a large room. Alice slipped away for a moment returning with two other young women, both slightly older than Alice herself. Penny I would like to introduce you to my two older sisters. This here is is Elizabeth and here we have Samantha.” All three women were in there early to mid twenties. The all had brown hair. Elizabeth and Samantha resembled James more than Samantha. Penny herself was in in early twenties. “Ladies this is James's new lady,” said Alice. “Oh well I-” Penny started to say. “Ah well Penny it is nice to meet you, now no more talk let us get you cleaned up said Samantha the older of the three.”
Penny was happy to be around women again and felt a warm relief as she sunk into the bath. It was almost as if everything that had happened just left her mind. The three sisters left her to her bath for about twenty minutes. “Oh Penny, I am quite sure you are very happy to be in that bath but we must begin to get you ready for this evening. The supper has been changed to an hour earlier,” Elizabeth came in. Penny came out of the bath and immediately a maid was by her side giving her a towel and a dressing gown to cover her up. Penny assumed it must have been one of the sister's dressing gowns.
One hour later Penny was dressed to perfection. Her hair was put up and she was ready for the evening. Penny looked into the mirror and barely recognized herself. She felt wonderful. Penny walked down the long hallway to the top of the stairs. The sisters led her to where supper was being served. The dining room had a high ceiling and a long table. The floor was carpeted in red. It was like she was walking up an isle to meet a king. James was turned with his back to her as she entered. Penny paused as James turned to look at her. Penny had never seen James look so handsome. He was clean shaven and wore a dark blue overcoat and breeches. He wore tall black boots. His shirt under his jacket was an off-white color. He stared at Penny in awe and amazement. Penny wore a dark long blue satin gown with a trained skirt. The sleeves ended at her elbows. Lace lined the ends of the sleeves the bodice of the dress and the bottom of the skirt. She and James matched. James came to the entrance of the room and took Penny lightly by the arm and escorted her in to the room. “You look beautiful My Lady,” James complimented as they walked in. “Let me introduce you to the rest of my family. I see you have already met three of my sisters. This here is the youngest of the family, Jessica. Jessica this is Penny. Penny this is my brother Peter,” James introduced. Jessica looked no more than twelve and Peter looked about fourteen. Penny was not introduced to any parents. She wondered if they were living.
By the middle of dinner it was very obvious how James was the eldest in the family. He was quite protective of his family and almost fatherly like to his youngest siblings. Dinner was splendid. Penny had never had a better meal before even back home. There was a large turkey and countless amounts of vegetables and other things. The wine served with supper was quite strong. Penny could not allow herself to have more than one glass for fear she would not be able to dance well at the ball. Shortly after supper was served the house help began to clean it up. Penny was given a tour of the house and guests began to arrive. Everyone seemed so nice and happy to meet the “new Lady” in James's life and happy to see him return. Penny felt slightly out of place not knowing anyone but she adjusted well enough. All the conversations were about James's adventures and where he had been and how Penny came around. Penny was very concerned that her place of origin would be revealed and she did not wish it to be.
Penny excused herself from James and his friends to get herself something to drink. She had been dancing on and off through the evening and was becoming parched. Penny returned to the room where the ball was being held and looked for James.
“Yes I hear that a young woman disappeared some months back. She was the daughter of the poor deceased Duchess and Dutchman of Loll....” some women were talking.
“Yes and her eldest brother has been looking for her since the day she left...”
“I wonder what happened, perhaps the poor soul was kidnapped....”
“It has been heard everywhere south of here about this girl...they even had a portrait sketch drawn of her for anyone who found her. I picked this up on the way here from some man...”
The guests at the ball just kept conversing about the missing girl from Port Loll. Penny overheard as her gut tightened, and she tried to think of something else. “Excuse me ma'am would you mind if I took a look at that,” Penny suddenly heard James's voice say, catching her attention and spotting him. “Oh no!” Penny said to herself. “James she looks an awful lot like that lady of yours,” and older woman said. James's was the last person Penny wanted to reveal her secret too. “No it must be someone else. You mind if I borrow this?”James asked. Penny saw James start to turn her way and she walked quickly the other way. The only place she made it to was where the drinks were being served.
“Ah Penny, there you are, feeling better are you?” James asked trying not to reveal what he just found out.
“Yes James, much better thank you,” Penny replied pretending she heard nothing.
“Glad to hear it, do you mind if I join you?” James asked as he put the drawing in front of her.
“Sure..James, please do...”Penny replied trying not to look at the drawing of her.
“You know I just heard the oddest thing, let us take a walk shall we?”James said.
“Oh I think I am fine without one James,” Penny replied trying to keep calm.
James knew he was being watched so he tried to maintain a low profile. “Come!”James commanded softly, but firmly taking Penny's arm, making it as if they were just going for a stroll. Alice watched as this happened and knew James's mood was nothing good. Alice went off to warn her sister's and brother that James was angry and gave them somewhat of an idea of what was going on in case they had to pull him away from Penny. The Mitchell family knew all too well of James's wrath and short temper. Penny could see and feel his anger and said nothing as he firmly guided her away from the party. James led her to another room in the house.
“You have some explaining to do, Miss Chous!” James snapped.
“Well its not like you gave me any clue to where you came from James!” Penny replied in the same tone.
“Do you realize how big of a deal this is! You are the daughter of a Duchess! There is a large reward up for your return. Do you honestly think anyone will believe you jumped ship? They will try and say you were kidnapped...by me.. a pirate! And that means my head!”
“The only way that will happen is if I tell them I was kidnapped which I have no plan of doing, so relax!” Penny replied.
“Thomas Chous, your brother and I have history. And it ain't good history! He is the one who would be perfectly happy to have my head,” he said.
“History? What are you talking about?” Penny asked.
“I am talking about history, we have a past that does not end well. Thomas Chous hates me. He will be quite happy to have me killed on the spot!”
“What history could you possibly have with my eldest brother James.”
“None of which I care to share with you, since you ain't see it fit to share your history with me!”
“I ain't got a reason to share it with you! It ain't important where I come from!”
“Yes it is!”
“Why!”
“Because...because-oh forget it!”
“You ain't want to share yer life with me so be it, leave if you wish, I don't care!” shouted James.
“You brought me here you bastard!”
James went to slap Penny in the face but stopped himself.
“Oh yer gona hit me are you! Fine go ahead, it ain't like it any different than before!”
James grabbed Penny by the arm and dragged her up the back stairs to the room she was in earlier. Alice and Peter were close behind unnoticed.
James pushed her into the room ready to do something to Penny and didn't know what. Alice and Peter were now right behind him and in view. So James stopped any possibilities of action and instead shouted, “Here's yer stuff, you want out! Fine! Have a nice life!” and stomped out. “Ugh!” Penny shouted and slammed the door behind him closed.
Penny began packing some of her things. Penny didn't want to actually leave. She wondered what the history James was talking about what all about. Penny changed her clothes and decided to take a walk. She found her breeches and tunic and went on her way. Penny left the house without telling anyone. It was evening and Penny was alone but didn't care. She needed to gather her thoughts. She wondered if anyone would actually care to look for her. It was about 9 in the evening and Penny really just had the urge to go into a tavern and drink to her hearts desire. However a woman going into a tavern at all let alone in the late evening would be crazy to be alone. Penny thought for a moment but then remembered that she was currently dressed as a male and she might actually be able to pull it off again, even for a short time. So she decided to be crazy and go into the tavern.
Penny had several drinks before she'd been there for an hour. After about an hour James walked in with Gitt. Apparently he had the same idea. Penny did her best to blend into the crowd of people who were there and go unnoticed. Penny didn't stay unnoticed for long by other men in the bar.
“Ya know little lady ya cant pull of that man look forever ha ha,” said a fairly intoxicated man. Penny pretended not to hear him and continued with her drink. It wasn't until the man attempted to feel her up that she got annoyed. “Hey what ya doing!” Penny snapped. “Git away from me!” Gitt heard a commotion and turned to see what was going on. “Ain't worth the fight Penny,” Gitt said coming up and grabbing Penny's arm right before she slugged the harasser. James fortunately was off talking to some guy not taking any notice about what was going on and he had no idea Penny was even there. For he'd take her over his shoulder and carry her away if he did.
“What you care Gitt,” Penny said with a belch, “It ain't yer problem.”
“I think ya had just enough of them drinks of yers,” he said “Let me take ya back,” he said tugging Penny by the arm a bit.
“N..o.. Git yer hands away!” Penny said nearly falling over.
“Now now girl it ain't wise to start no scene now, ya ain't want James to know yer here now do ya?” Gitt said tugging her a little more.
Penny intoxicated as she was still decided it be best not to let James know. “Hang on Penny don't ya move,” Gitt ordered. Penny would probably fall if she did try to move so she just stood there leaning on the bar counter.
“Hey James I'm beat I think I'll be heading back to yer place now,” Gitt said to James. “Alright then see ya Brent, James replied. Once Gitt returned, Penny stumbled out with him guiding her and steering her away from anything that she could run into. Penny could barely walk she was so drunk.