Confessions of a Pirate's Heart

Chapter Four

Master and Commander Hughes stood tall in his uniform. His deep blue waistcoat lined his cream undercoat in a smart fashion, edged with a gold thread to match that of the brim on his tricorn hat. The Royal Navy frequented the bay of Scarlett's hometown and Commander Hughes and his ship were no exception. Many times he and Scarlett would see each other, whether on the docks or in the town as he made his way to the tavern for a drink. Despite Scarlett's lowly position as a baker's daughter, this didn't prevent the Commander's wandering eye from often landing on her.

He approached Scarlett and the merchant, receiving a spirited, respectful bow from the tradesman. Must be a Royalist's son, Scarlett thought as she resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"Good day, Commander," she said.

"It's been quite a while since I have seen you out and about," he said, nodding politely to the man at their side before turning his attention back to Scarlett.

"Yes, I was just making an accord with this man," she said, avoiding his inquiry hinting at her recent absence.

"What kind of accord, may I ask?"

"My brother and I will be making a journey to Plymouth. We're in search of our sister."

"Oh, Plymouth! A beautiful, bustling town but such a far travel. You will have to get by on much more than that, I'm afraid." He pointed to the purse in her hand.

"Well, this will get us through part of our journey but then we'll have to find another ship."

"And with what will you pay them? My dear girl, would you care to walk with me?" The Commander offered his arm to Scarlett.

"Do we still have a deal, miss?" the merchant spoke up.

Scarlett began to respond but Commander Hughes intervened. "My good man, you seem like a respectable tradesman. I warrant you wouldn't mind me taking this one from you?"

"Oh," he said, fumbled by the presence of the Commander's authority as he towered over him. "I suppose not. Certainly--as you wish."

"The King's Navy thanks you for your loyalty."

"Thank you, sir," the merchant replied with a wide grin. "Long live the King."

"Yes, long live the King and all that," Commander Hughes said, a smirk appearing on his face. He turned back to Scarlett and took her hand upon his arm, leading her away from the merchant and back down the dock towards town.

"What's the meaning of this?" she said.

"That was the breaking of your accord with a lowly merchant only looking out for his own interests."

"Commander, I beg your pardon but I was very close to making a deal with that man--my only means of reaching my sister. You've no clue how many others I've talked to today. You had no right to break it off."

"Miss Scarlett, I am only helping you."

"How?" she said, stopping them in their tracks.

He gazed down at the frustration in her beautiful green eyes. He had never been so close to her. "Scarlett, I am a master and commander for His Majesty's Royal Navy. I can take you on your journey."

Her eyes lit up at the prospect of his offer but he made it seem too simple. "You can take passengers?"

"Absolutely. We carry governors or soldiers and the like to and fro all the time. A couple of respectable citizens making an honest journey is no trouble at all. And, I might add, it will be at no cost to you."

Every apprehension Scarlett had about the Commander washed away in that single moment. "Oh, thank you. Commander, you have no idea what this means to me."