Piracy

20. Tasting Him

 "There's no such thing as love."   

I didn't even bother asking Harry what he meant by that last statement. The tone of his voice told me he was done talking. Besides, it was obviously a very silly thing for him to say. Of course love existed. Otherwise people wouldn't get married and have children or even find happiness. I sighed and snuggled up to him, falling asleep quickly.

A few nights later, another knock on the door summoned Harry in the middle of the night. It didn't bother me at all, except the brief awakening. But not long afterward, I heard shouts and gunfire. I sat up, terrified, wondering what to do. I raced to the door and brought down the barricade, but then I immediately began to worry about Hadley and Abigail. I knew Harry would forbid me to leave his quarters, but I felt so helpless. 

Just a bit later, I heard someone at the door. When it wouldn't open, I heard Harry shouting, "Wren, open up!" I hurried to let him in. He rushed in, followed by Hadley and Abigail. 

"Now you three stay together and keep this door locked unless you know it's me," he commanded.

"Or Papa?" Abigail asked.

"Yes, you can open the door for your Papa." He shot a glance at Hadley and smirked. "And for Mr. Horan, but that's it! No one else!"

We all nodded in agreement. "Yes, sir!" Harry left and I hurriedly lowered the latch. 

"Let's play a game," I suggested. We all climbed onto my bed and drew a blanket over us, even though it wasn't particularly cold. "Let's play I went to market. I'll start," I said. "I went to market and bought a fish."

Hadley took her turn and said, "I went to market and bought a loaf of bread and a fish."

"I went to market and bought some turnips and a loaf of bread and a fish," said Abigail, grinning. But then she added, "Even though I hate turnips." She made a face that caused us all to laugh.

We went on with the game for quite some time, trying to block out the sounds of battle while we each silently hoped and prayed for the safety of our beloved men. After that, we played a guessing game where we each pretended to be animals and the others would have to guess what we were. It was a good way to pass a few hours while the clash continued outside.

I was thankful that the ship wasn't being tossed around in a storm like last time. As the sun came up, the sounds of battle died down. We decided to eat a bit of bread and some fruit that were left at the table from dinner the night before. Abigail eventually gave in to her need for sleep and curled up on my bed under a blanket. 

Hadley and I continued eating and talking quietly. She started to blush slightly and then she said, "I think that Niall and I are getting closer."

"Closer to what?" I asked, but then I realized what she meant. "Oh..."

"Do you need any advice?" I asked, and then burst into a fit of giggles, seeing as I hadn't much experience of my own.

"I think I'll figure it out," she said and then her face was overcome with a deeper blush. "I've...um...actually met one of the women in the nearby cabins. Her name is Benedicta. We've been talking, so she's given me some ideas."

Now it was my face flaring red at the idea of talking to a complete stranger about sexual issues. "Wasn't that uncomfortable? Talking to a whore about such things?" 

"Now, now, she's quite a lovely young woman, just like us. She simply happened upon this arrangement when she was practically starving to death after her parents died."

I shook my head in disbelief. Hadley, the snobby, rude girl I practically grew up with, was defending the profession of a harlot.

Then she added, "Besides, someone has to do what she does. Otherwise, all of those filthy men would be after us all the time. I'd rather have my needs satisfied by one man."