Tides of deception ✺ Outlander/Stephen Bonnet Fanfic

♤7. Climbing the ladder

The morning sun bathed the camp in soft light, the air crisp and quiet, save for the occasional sound of the crew stirring. Maria sat on a small boulder near the fire, her eyes tracing the path Stephen had taken when he stepped away. Last night’s events—the wolf, Stephen’s fierce protection, the dangerous proximity of his words—had shaken something loose inside her. She felt a shift, a quiet understanding that she couldn’t afford to keep her distance any longer.

Stephen had saved her life, and despite his harsh demeanor, there was something more beneath the surface. It was clear that he wasn’t entirely indifferent to her. His unpredictability kept her on edge, but there had been a moment in the firelight, a flicker of something deeper in his eyes, that hinted at attachment. Perhaps he wasn’t fully aware of it himself, but it was there, and if she wanted to survive in his world, she needed to stay close, to play her part.

When Stephen returned, his stride confident and purposeful, Maria stood and walked toward him without hesitation. She met his gaze, uncertain of how he would react, but she could feel the weight of the moment between them. “I’ll stay close,” she said, her voice soft but firm.

Stephen paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his face, quickly masked by his usual unreadable expression. He tilted his head, watching her with those sharp, calculating eyes. “You’d do well to,” he replied gruffly, but his tone had lost some of its earlier bite. He didn’t say more, but the tension between them seemed to settle into something different, something that neither of them fully understood yet.

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The journey to Bath took 8 days days, the landscape passing in a blur of forests and hills as they rode toward the port. Maria stayed close to Stephen, riding just behind him, and over the course of the trip, she began to notice a subtle shift in his behavior. He remained unpredictable, his moods still swinging between dark intensity and vague amusement, but he didn’t snap at her as often, and there were moments when his eyes lingered on her longer than before. It was as if he was vaguely aware of his growing attachment, though he would never admit it. And Maria, now committed to her decision, played her part—speaking when necessary, staying quiet when not, but always staying close.

Once they arrived in Bath, Stephen wasted no time. He sent men back to the mine, and soon enough, word came that they had struck gold—or, more accurately, rubies. The mine was full of them, gleaming like blood against the dark earth. Stephen was ready to sell, ready to step into the next phase of his plan.

Several days passed, and preparations were underway. Stephen had ordered a custom-made suit, one that would allow him to blend into the circles of high society, though his sharp, dangerous edge would never fully disappear. He had some of the finest rubies cut and polished, ready to show them off to potential buyers. This was his moment, his chance to establish himself not just as a pirate but as a man of wealth and influence.

One afternoon, Stephen found Maria in his cabin aboard the ship. He entered without a word, his presence commanding as always, but there was something different in his demeanor. His eyes flicked to her, more lingering than usual, and with a subtle, almost dismissive gesture, he signaled for her to follow him.

He led her to a small chest sitting on the table. “You’ll be coming with me to the event,” he said, his tone aloof, as if it were a matter of little consequence. But Maria caught the faint hint of pride in his voice, that calculated decision to have her by his side, knowing it would add to the image he intended to project.

He flipped open the chest, revealing the contents inside. A dark pink gown lay neatly folded, its fabric shimmering under the light. Next to it, a necklace glittered—a single, bright pink ruby set in silver, its brilliance undeniable.