Confessions of a Pirate's Heart

Chapter Fourteen

Scarlett didn't know what time it was when her brother entered the crew's sleeping quarters but it didn't feel like long enough. She wiped the tear stains from her cheeks and blinked her blurry eyes, pulling her legs closer as she waited for his condemning words. But he didn't speak and instead, sat silently beside her. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, prompting Scarlett to choke back the fresh set of tears flooding to her eyes.

"Well, you might as well say it," she said.

"No," he said, shaking his head. "I just came to tell you that we're getting close to docking in Southampton if you want to come. Unless you want to be alone, then that's fine, too."

"No, I will go. I need some fresh air. Besides, why should I hide from that man? I'm not the one who should be ashamed." Scarlett stood up from the cot and walked towards the door.

William raised his eyebrows, wary of his sister's infamous temper and unsure of how to respond. She didn't wait for one, however, and led the way out. He jumped up and followed quickly behind her through the gun room.

Above deck, Scarlett determined it was nearing high noon. She squinted in the bright light as the sun shone overhead through the white overcast clouds. It did little to warm the air, however, as it was still cold and a brisk wind blew through her skirts. Having lost her cloak in Swansea, Scarlett could only do to wrap her arms around herself. She met eyes with the Captain at the helm, who watched her with a brooding expression before turning back to the approaching town. Quickly, she lowered her hands to the bulwark and straightened her posture, vainly attempting to hide any signs of discomfort.

Following his gaze, she observed the town before them as they entered the bay. It was a small harbor, dotted with stone-front buildings along the docks. Several large vessels were housed here and telling by the flags they flew, they were from all walks of life: merchants, the Royal Navy and some with no identifying flags at all. The Captain's ship remained void of a flag.

Steering far away from the Royal Navy, the crew navigated their way into the shipyard. They drifted through the canal, sails furled, and docked along the pier. Several men on land appeared, waving at the crew with familiarity, as rigging was tossed down to them to tie around the large dock pilings. Once the ship was secured, a plank was quickly lowered down and the Captain disembarked with Leslie fast upon his heels.

"Well, if it isn't Captain Jones," said a man who approached, a wide grin on his face. "It's always a good day when your pretty face walks in."

"It's good to see you, too, Percy," the Captain replied.

Scarlett and William descended the plank as well and watched the interaction before them. Percy was of a stout figure and stood attired in dirty ragged clothing, his hair nearly reaching his shoulders in stringy, grey curls. He placed his hands on his hips and clicked his tongue as he glanced over the Captain's ship.

"What kind of trouble have ye gotten yourself into now?" he said.

"Nothing much this time. Just wayward cannon fire, I suspect."

Scarlett let out a scoff and rolled her eyes off to their side, unable to hold back her reaction. Hearing the Captain dismiss Percy's question with a blatant lie only added to her anger that still fumed underneath her cool facade. Percy peered at her with curiosity for a brief moment but the Captain ignored her.

"Well, let's look 'er over and see what we can do," Percy said, ready to climb aboard.

Meanwhile, the crew were disembarking from their ship, jovial at the prospect of some time away from their duties. They threaded past Scarlett and William to venture into the town, likely making a straight line for the nearest tavern. Scarlett turned on her heel to leave as well but was stopped by the Captain's grasp on her arm.