A Truelove of Turtle Doves

Chpt 12 - Engrave Your Heart

My laughter reverberated off of the trees that surrounded us.

"Francis, you can't say things like that!" I scolded, but a grin stayed plastered on my face as I attempted to contain my amusement.

He was grinning too, and he snickered. "Why not, mon chéri? I don't see a problem with it."

"Some people might find it rude."

"Well, do you find it rude?"

"No, but-"

"Then what is the problem, mon chéri? There is no one else here except us!"

He held his arms out wide and spun in a circle, as if to prove a point.

I chuckled. "I suppose so."

His grin grew, if that was even possible, and a mischievous glint had settled in his eyes.

After yesterday, I had met him on the docks again this morning and we had decided to go for a walk. Preferably where no one could find us, which is what led to me suggesting the forest. No one really wandered around there - people were either at work on the docks or in the town, and those who didn't work usually stuck to the beach or the fields, places where they could easily be seen. He'd agreed to the suggestion, and that led to our current situation, which was following a barely visible path through a thick clump of trees, with only minimal sunlight filtering through the overhead branches. Apart from our footsteps, the rustle of the undergrowth, and the occasional chirping of Bluebirds and Magpies, the only sound that rang out amongst nature was our laughter.

"Do you know where we are going, mon chéri, or are you just wandering aimlessly through this forest and hoping that I don't notice?"

Shrugging, I responded with, "A bit of both."

He raised an eyebrow at me. "I hope you know that I do not consider that comforting."

"What, you think that I'm going to lead you into the middle of the forest and kill you, or something? Is Captain Francis scared?" I teased, nudging his side gently.

Rolling his eyes, he nudged me back, a bit harder than what I had done, and responded with, "Oui, I am scared of the nobleman who is currently carrying no weapon and who has probably never handled a pistol or a rapier in his life."

I pretended to look offended. "Um, excuse you, I have handled a pistol before, actually."

"Oh really, mon chéri? When?"

"I was about 15, I think. My father took me shooting with several of his friends. I shot one wood pigeon and felt slightly nauseous, so I haven't been since. Guess I'd make a pretty awful pirate."

"Killing in order to protect your life and your crew is very different from killing for sport," he began, "Death is also considered a last resort, at least on my ship. We tend to go with 'restrain and detain' before murder."

"Restrain and detain, huh? It even rhymes."

Francis laughed lightly, "Oui, oui. Although that is unintentional, I suppose it helps people remember it better."

I hesitated for a moment before I said, "I was always told that pirates kill in cold blood. People, my father especially, always gave me the impression that pirates were murderers and thieves."

His smile dimmed slightly, as did the sparkle in his eyes, and I immediately regretted saying it. Before I could open my mouth and apologise, however, he replied.

"And I always get the impression that your father is wrong about a lot of things, mon chéri."

My eyes widened a bit, and he looked slightly surprised at his own words, but I laughed slightly before another word could leave his mouth.