A Pirate's Tale

Kate remerged just as Philip arrived. She had purposefully chosen to wear the man's least favourite colour, royal blue. Then again, he didn't like many colours, but he didn't like royal blue for it reminded him of a sea captain. Kate thought it was appropriate now that Nathan was home to make use of what Philip dubbed her "Captain Blue" dress. She opened the door herself, waving away the servant boy that rushed to do it, "I will do it, John. Run off to see that girl of yours in the kitchen." John grinned and darted away, and Kate opened the door to see the dreaded Philip standing on the stoop. "You are not a servant, Kate. Has Jane not yet taught you better than to open the door like one?" Philip gave Kate a severe frown, "That dress is ugly. I've told you that many times, Kate." He paused and caught sight of Nathan standing in a doorway not too far away. Philip gave a disproving wave in Nathan's direction, "This is the Captain?"

Kate had just let him have his little rant, knowing that Philip would do so right over top of anything she said. But now she answered him politely, so as not to be slapped in front of Nathan, "Yes, Lord Philip. Father," She addressed Nathan with a smile and quickly retreated a step behind him, "This is Lord Philip Collins, my betrothed." Kate added only to the captain, "Whatever you do, do not ask about his age." Philip's hearing was not the best, and his attention was not on Kate at the moment, so he missed her aside. With a bit of anger in his tone, he noted the pause in what he could hear of the conversation and snapped, "Finish the introductions, Kate. Jane and I shall have to have a word about your lack of proper training."
Kate frowned and from her safe position behind Nathan snapped back, "Sorry, milord, but I fear I had to breath... This is my Father, the Captain."
"And his name?" The lord waved impatiently.
"No need for you to hear it again from me, Lord Philip for you will be addressing him as Captain." Kate ducked to the side and completely behind Nathan as she finished, noting that Philip was on the edge of swinging at her.

Just then was when Jane arrived a rare and rather fond smile lighting her face at the sight of Philip, "Philip! How good of you to come... dinner will be served shortly. I trust you shall join us?" Philip cracked what passed for a smile on him, "Of course, Jane. I would be honoured." He took her hand and kissed it. Kate grumbled under her breath, "10 years older than my mother, and she expects me to marry him! Not my fault SHE couldn't do so!!" Nathan was pleased to see Michael approaching down the stairs, the lad looked well in the clothes he had gathered as they had left the ship. "Michael! Come and met our guest. This is Lord Philip, Michael is a lad I hired to work aboard ship with me and my guest." Nathan made it obvious by his tone that any rudeness about Michael would not be taken lightly. "Oh, how charming." Philip replied. "Jane, I am glad that you are so prepared at short notice, my ship arrived early this morning and I could not stay away from your charming company and of course see my betrothed." Jane smiled at Philip flattery. A servant coughed politely. "Dinner is ready gentleman and ladies."

The first course was simple fare but pleasant, Michael enjoyed the company of Kate well enough to be friendly toward her, they discussed life aboard ship for a time, it seemed that Kate knew a little of what went on a ship but had been surprised when her father had said of the deaths that had happened. Michael chose not to reveal the fact that he had been going to be one of the captives had not Nathan found him. Philip looked ill at ease to see his betrothed talking happily to a mere cabin boy but had kept his fast burning temper so far as Jane talked to him of the wedding and other matters. Nathan sat stiffly and drank the wine that seemed so tempting when he was in the company of Jane, He knew it was unwise to drink so but he had other matters in his heart that made him wish to be drunk. Kate looked over to her father and waved the servant away that was going to fill his glass again. pitching her voice so only herself, Michael and Nathan would hear, she ordered, "That's enough for you being drunk will do none of us any good, father."
"Then what good is it for me to be sober, when I cannot stop your mother from marrying you to a unsuitable match and I cannot admit..." He trailed off as if he had said a little too much and realised.
"Stay sober, and I may survive this night without that bastard worming his way past mother and into my room.” Kate turned her face away from the men, and the glint of a gold chain could be seen at her neck. Jane chattered away at Philip over all the wonderful things she had planned for the wedding, and the older man just sat and nodded, keeping one eye on Kate's every move. He didn't like her talking to the others, "Kate, have you not a word to say to your own betrothed.” Kate kept her face pleasant with great effort,
"A word, sir? I have many words to say to you, but most of them would make a navy man blush." She looked over at Nathan and grimaced as if trying to apologise Nathan took the silent apology and offered one of his own. Philip nodded, "You are indeed as Jane has said. I can see why Kate lacks proper manners."
"She has manners enough for the likes of you! Ye silver tongued son of Jezebel." Without another word, Kate rose from the table, leaned over it with her hands planted firmly upon the surface and said quite evenly, "My manners may be lacking, but they seem to match your ugly face well enough." Michael tried to distract the Captain from the argument that was surely going to be resolved with fists before too long if he could not do anything. Kate shot a look to Michael and nodded toward the Captain. Then pointedly kept Philips boiling anger directed toward her, "Father bares no fault for my manners. I've cultivated them myself in the last 3 months I've been betrothed to you, Philip." Jane looked horrified,
"Kate! Still your tongue, child! Such words are not fitting of a lady!" Michael pointedly put a hand on Nathan's knee, "Sir I think you should calm down a little, it would not do for you to hit a man the first day on land." For a moment all Nathan could think of was the hand touching his knee and the words seemed to bypass his ears and smooth his temper without him noticing. Philip rose from where he had been seated, "Kate. Outside, now." Kate gave Nathan a sad little smile and a nod, then left as Philip bid, "Of course, milord I would not dream of allowing you witnesses." Nathan made as if to rise but Michael said. "Let me Sir." and followed the couple quickly. Jane glared in the direction the couple went, "I warned her"
"Aye, and you forced her hand."
"No more than my father did to me."
Nathan sighed. "Ye did not seem so unhappy then, excited yes, not to be a old maid left when all others had flown." Jane did not answer Nathan.

As soon as they were in the hall, Kate turned to face Philip, "Hit me, if it will sate that temper of yours. But hear this now, I do not take back one word I have said, and if I marry you, one of us will not survive the wedding night." Michael poised ready to grab the mans hand if he made ready to hit Kate, it was unseemly to say the least to be so violent to a woman not yet his wife. Philip but glared for a moment, "You little bitch. I WILL teach you manners when we are wed. How Jane tolerates your ill tongue, I will never understand."
Marry my mother then I am sure the Captain would be happy to cast her aside if you want her so badly." She met his glare, "But do NOT compare me to her." The lord's hand went up to strike. Michael grasped it from the shadows, "Nay Sir, My Captain and I will not allow you to strike this young lady whilst in company." Michael quickly twisted it and made Philip squirm uncomfortably "Let him do what he always does, boy." Kate did not turn away from Philip, "One more bruise to hide will be a small price to pay." Philip fought to escape the boy's grasp but he had never been much of a fighter. "Nay Kate, It'd make me too much of a coward to be let you hit, you have been a friend to me tonight which is more than others have." He threw the man forward as he released him, Philip stumbled and fell to the floor unhurt except for his pride. Kate laughed, actually laughed at the boy's words, "You are quite adorable, Michael. Go back to the Captain just now I'm sure Philip will be leaving soon." Philip rose with a glare to both teens and stormed out of the house. "And now I shall disappear. Tell the Captain that I am sorry, he and I did not become acquainted." The girl fled to her room.

Nathan sunk back into the wine, it hadn't been his choice to marry Jane but the family had pushed him into it for the money to buy a new ship and crew it besides. The money had been well worth the loveless marriage but to deny himself hadn't been. Jane tapped her fingers on the table, "He never takes so long."
"Usually Jane, how many times has he beaten her in this household? She isn't his wife yet."
"Three just recently your daughter has decided to try the lord's good will. If he were any lesser man, he would have accused her of witchcraft and washed his hands of her by now."
Nathan laughed, "Aye, she is my daughter indeed, I doubt many would put up with my temper too."
"Your temper is better suited to the sea than this house. But that brat of yours, seems to worship her absent father rather than keep her mother company!" Jane looked to her hands and frowned guiltily. She hoped Nathan had not heard the rumours. It was to keep the truth quite that Jane had arranged the marriage. Philip could not possibly be believed her lover, if he was married to her daughter. "I know the rumours woman and you are well to keep his company, mine you are not suited to."
"Can you blame me? What little comfort I would have married to a man loving pirate, was robbed from me the first time you came home to see your daughter"
"I was indeed surprised that she came out of our brief engagement in bed but I truly love her as much as any father could." Michael stood hidden at the door amazed at the conversation. "Then take her to sea" Jane glared at her husband, "For you have already stolen her from me."
I wish I could Jane, I really do but it wouldn't do well for her to go to sea and you know that. Many days have passed when I wished she were a son and not a daughter."
"She's twice the hellion of any son you could produce, Nathan. She has good luck in finding ANY match." Jane looked up as a servant girl entered the room. "Mayhap she is but someone will take her and love her for those faults" The girl looked quite worried, but darted over to her mistress' side with only an apologetic look to the captain, "Mistress..." Jane frowned at Nathan and nodded for the girl to continue. They whispered for a moment and then Jane rose, "We may not have to worry over her anymore, Nathan." The servant ran out of the room and chaos quickly ensued as servants exited the house in a rush. Jane paused at the door, turned to face Nathan once more, and informed him, "Your daughter was seen leaving the grounds."

The search took place as soon as men could be found and no trace could be found in the area of Kate. Nathan stood firm at the household looking after the weeping Jane. Although she was hard-hearted she did love the child. Michael came into the room looking worn out. "Have you found her yet?" Nathan asked, Michael shook his head too weary to speak and fell into a chair. The lad was soon asleep there, Jane reached over to a small stool, lifted the lid and pulled a blanket from it, and passed it to Nathan to put over him. She smiled tightly and dried her eyes again, "Nothing? I questioned the servants but only one saw her leave and he refuses to say much." Nathan nodded as he tucked the blanket round Michael. "Look, the poor lad has worn himself out looking for our girl."
"He is standing outside, if you wish to speak to him maybe you will fare better than I, Nathan." Jane looked almost hopeless. "I'll deal with him Jane, go to the kitchen and ask them to brew some broth for the searchers, they'll be along soon." He has earned his rest and a fair bit more this night to be sure." Jane couldn't keep a weak smile from coming to her lips, "As you wish, Captain."

In town, Kate stood in the Widow Grayson’s kitchen, sipping tea and chatting in low tones. They had but a single candle lit in the room and the shutters closed and drapes over the windows to keep any light from spilling to the street. The girl ran her fingers through her hair, "I hate worrying them like this but what else can I do? You have taught me so much but Philip is a very big threat as long as I am present. Either I marry him or disappear, or I give away my mother's secret." The widow nodded, "It is a heavy burden to bare another's secrets, child. I fear you will not find peace from your family. The talent you have is runs deep in your family." She sat down and motioned for Kate to do so as well, "It matters not where you hide, eventually, Nathan shall find you."

John, a servant boy of Kate's age came reluctantly into the room as Jane left. He looked a good bit nervous as his eyes landed on the Captain. "Boy, ye know me well enough to know I won't take lying from you."
"Yes sir." John took a deep breath and swallowed hard. Nathan paced the room a little.
"I know you only wish to protect Kate but I want to see her back here safe and sound before too long and you are still young enough to go over my knee and get a thrashing."
"Yes sir, but a'thrashin' is worth n'breakin' m'word." John stood a little straighter. Nathan smiled a little, "I see Kate has charmed you a little too, she does that to us all but I'd rather you break her word than see her buried in the local graveyard." A worried look passed his face. "Port Royale is a dangerous place for a young woman and there are too many men ready to prey on such a child."
"Kitty is well protected, sir." The boy smiled fondly. Kate was the reason he had won the favour of his lover. He couldn't betray the promise he made to her, but there were other ways to let the Captain know his daughter was safe, "The children of the gods of old look after their own."
"Aye lad, so she with someone in town then, it's well enough I don't know who for I would be at the door even at this hour."
John laughed, "Yee would find them alert at this hour, sir but it is not wise to disturb the widow when she works."
"Lad, ye have told me more than I needed to know for I reckon Jane will know who you mean even if I do not." Nathan sighed, the lad had meant well but a little pirate trickery had pulled a few clues from him. John shook his head, "I have n' broken m'word if ye found what ye wished in what I said, so be it"
"It's as much as it should be lad, go about your work."