Noble Duty

3. Revelations

When we rejoined the officers and mates, the cookery hands were laying dinner, the plunder-covered towels having been pulled to the other end of the table to make room. All stopped and turned to stare at Gillian's necklace as we approached, though most eyes settled lower down.

I sensed an odd dichotomy – my pride in having others admire her was fighting my wish to protect what is mine. But, is she mine? No! In the same way that I am not hers. And unlike the crew, I cannot command her – only advise and guide – and cherish.

She graciously accepted the compliments, her manner easy and natural. Of course, it would be – a lifetime of tutoring and polishing for her role.

During dinner, when our intercourse turned to the route onward, and the question arose of the advisability of putting into Williamsburg, I said, "It is a bit beyond eight hundred miles, and with the current, we have four or five days to allow the sails and the crew to prove themselves. Allow us to determine whether we need to stop for more of one or the other – or of both."

Jenson nodded. "Aye, after we finish the additions, we can assess. But before we sail much further north, we need the new fore-and-aft sails to assist us in making eastings."

I paused a bite of ham short of my mouth. "Aye, to clear Cape Hatterask."

"Well before that, sir. We need to avoid the hunting grounds of the Charles Town pirates."

"Indeed. Perhaps I should reverse my decision to allow the hands their ease. Set them again to stitching and fitting."

Gillian shook her head. "No, Jarvis. As I said a while ago, I wager there will be more wanting to stitch after dinner than we have needles."

I chuckled. "And what is your wager's prize?"

"Satisfaction in my ability to assess people."

"And if you lose?"

"I will not lose."

"Oh, my! Where have you gained such confidence?"

"Father instilled it in me – as well as my ability to assess."

I nodded. "When you became heir apparent."

"No, before that. He guided all three of us in this manner."

I nodded while I took the ham to my mouth. Hmmm, seems I misunderstood. Thought she had more siblings. Likely some of them passed when young. Whatever, not a topic to open.

After dinner, we sorted through the contents of the plunder bags and compiled a list of the contents, writing detailed descriptions when needed to differentiate between similar items. When this was complete, the mates left to gather lists from their watches.

Gillian picked up her combs, and handing them to me, she said, "Crafted in India from elephant tusk." Examining the intricate carvings of leaves and flowers, painted to highlight their forms, I was lost in the exquisiteness when she said. "One in here to free a hand, Jarvis. Not yet learnt how to do this by myself."

"Hunh?" I looked up from the combs to see her hair gathered, twisted and coiled atop her head, both hands holding it as she wagged a finger. "Oh!" I inserted a comb where she indicated.

Judith chuckled. "So fast to learn navigation, My Lady. But so slow with the simple things, such as this."

"Simple? Hah! Navigation needs only the eyes, the mind and two hands. This is blind and mindless, but it needs three hands – or more."

After I assisted her with her hair, she spun slowly around. "This allows the entire necklace to show, and Father said it was designed to be worn with my hair up."