Pirates of the Caribbean: Barbossa and the King's Messenger (Book 1)

And We Yield To Love

Chapter Twenty One -- And We Yield to Love (Et Cedamus Amori)

A/N - Rating Bump: A small part of this chapter is "R" for adult content. If you wish, you can count paragraphs, and skip 30 through 42. All other content is rated PG-13.

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Despite the sweetness of our first happy dalliance, it was not until the middle of the following day that I sat with Barbossa once more. We kept an awkward silence at table until Pintel and Ragetti had finished setting out the victuals, for it was always Barbossa's habit to show me no favour in the presence of any of his crew. The two deckhands took some time to arrange the table, until at last Barbossa became impatient and, with the salty epithets and rough voice of an old mariner, exhorted them to depart.

I ate most of my meal without speaking, trying to keep my emotions in check. I kept my eyes on my plate, although I was aware that Barbossa was watching me with an amused stare. At last he remarked off-handedly, "I intended no offense comparin' ye t' King Swann, the other day. As it happens, she had hard choices t' make. I asked her t' show a bit o' leniency towards ye."

"Did she write to me at your behest?" I asked, realising that he, not Jack, must be the "friend" Miss Swann had mentioned in her letter. I recalled the phrase, "spoke of you highly and with affection", and found myself gazing at Barbossa very lovingly.

"Aye, she did," he replied, finishing his plate and reaching for one of his beloved green apples. "There still be time, Nina – let me put ye ashore," he urged. I watched him bite into the fruit as I considered his offer anew.

My wilful resistance had abated since the previous night, for it had occurred to me that I needed to go ashore unaccompanied in order to petition King George for assistance. Taking Barbossa up on his offer would provide the least suspicious occasion for slipping away to Plymouth. I nodded a reluctant agreement, which seemed to please him.

"Take me ashore at Pencarren, then," I told him, "Tomorrow, after dark. Leave me at the quay that the fishing boats use. I give you my word I shall depart the town immediately." I smiled and extended my hand. "Do we have an accord?"

He narrowed his eyes and looked at me rather sceptically, but could not find an objection. "Aye, we have an accord," he replied slowly, shaking my hand and adding, "See that ye keep to it. Yer t' leave Pencarren, soon as ye set foot ashore. Understood?"

"Upon my honour, Captain," I promised, pleased to have settled matters so easily. "I shall show my heels to Pencarren at once." I calculated that I would just have time to ride to Plymouth and back before the sun rose.

He smiled at my respectful acquiescence, and remarked, "Don't fret yerself. Ye can leave the old devil t' me, lass. Go an' keep yerself safe, somewhere far away."

We finished our meal, and rose from the table. I was silent and preoccupied, working out what I would say to the King, but my demeanour must have seemed troubled, for all at once I felt Barbossa's hand on the back of my head, caressing my hair.

"Ye haven't seen the last o' me," he assured me. "Ye have me word that we'll meet again when 'tis all concluded."

I did not believe this for one moment. A pleasing lie, I thought, told to placate me and ensure that I depart without a fuss; and I felt quite low. Imaginary Jack's words sounded in my ears, reminding me that I was likely a mere diversion for Barbossa, a way to pass the time on a long voyage. If my former fiancé had been so quick to desert me, what could I expect from Barbossa? I had no doubt that when matters were settled, I would be once more cast upon the world alone. Everything that I desired would have been accomplished, except that my heart would never be free again.