The Princess and The Pirate

The pale moon shone a bright light casting an eerie mist above the open sea as Princess Anna Gondor placed her hands among the railing and stared out at the dark blanket covering the sky. The wind blew through her blue dress and lifted her dark hair up. The silent sea was haunting as it stared back at her with pity. A week from now, she would be delivered to her betrothed, a man she had never met. She had dreaded this moment since she was mature enough to understand her position in life. Her father had decided the groom fit her for and he came with a fancy title and a mansion large enough to fit an army of a hundred. Everyone would be happy; her father, the businessman who wanted nothing more than a man who would be able to run his businesses after he died; her mother, the soft spoken woman, who wanted a man who was rich enough to take care of her; her betrothed, the Baron Charles De Hutch. She had no idea if he was old or young; handsome or ugly. All she knew was that he was waiting for her to arrive and the wedding would take place shortly after.

            Anna shut her eyes when the words “wedding night” came into her mind. She dreaded the wedding night. It was the one thing she feared the most. All of her life, she had hoped that she would find someone to fit her life before her father made his decision. But sadly, all the men from her town were either married or too old. She was an outsider to her own village and the man her father found for her was across the sea. In fact, she was sure that her father purposely did this so that she would have no means of escape. Before she was sailed off, her father had put two extra guards outside her door and two extra guards outside the gates.

            Now she was sailing towards an unknown world where a man would claim her. She would have to perform her wifely duties at night and give him sons. She felt tears enter her eyes and she felt her heart slam against her chest. Would she never know love? Would she spend her entire life following a man who might spend his nights wrapped in a mistress’ arms? She tightened her grip on the railing and the calling sea tempted her. It was calling for her to jump in and escape her nightmare.

            “Milady, please step away from the railing,” Captain Ray Norwood said behind her.

            She turned around and met the captain’s gaze. He was holding out his hand to her and she could tell he was frightened. He had read her thoughts and he knew she might fulfill them. She continued to stare without moving as she glanced at him. Captain Ray Norwood was a tall man with broad shoulders, a full black beard, piercing blue eyes, and he was tanned from his life at sea. Her betrothed had sent Captain Norwood, one of his best men, to deliver her to him. It seemed no matter what she chose, she was doomed.

            “Milady,” he said again.

            She stood her ground. “What would you do, Captain, if I were to jump?”

            “I’d swim out and get you. But I’d rather hope you would save us both the trouble.”

            “What would your Baron do if he knew you couldn’t deliver me?”

            He laughed. “Milady, you’re not very familiar with me, are you? When I’ve been assigned an assignment, I deliver. There has never been trouble for me. I don’t want to hurt you, milady. But if you don’t come down on your own, I’ll be forced to get you. You might not like that.”

            She swallowed and turned to stare at the dark waters again.

            “Death is no peace,” he said.

            She swung her head around. “Death would be better than this marriage. But you’re a man; I doubt you’d understand.”

            He didn’t answer her.

            “You were born a man and you have choices. I’ve been born a daughter and I have no rights. I’m to do whatever my father wants of me. Have you ever wondered how tragic that is?”

            He shook his head. “No, milady, I have not.”

            “Tell me, Captain Norwood, have you ever been in love?”
            He smiled and it relaxed her a bit. “Love? My greatest love is the open sea. She calls to me when I’m lonely and answers me when I want her. She’s all I need.”

            “And at night? Do you men not seek pleasure?”

            He took a step toward her. “Pleasure is not what all men want in life, milady. Most men like the call of the sea and the open adventure. I’ll admit it gets a tad bit lonely. But that’s the price you pay.”

            She looked at his outreached hand and placed her hand in his. He helped her down and once she was on the floorboard of the ship, he took a step back from her. Anna cocked her head and stared at the eyes that stared back at her and she was full of curiosity. They had been sailing for three days and tonight was the most he’d spoken to her. He had ordered her to remain in her cabin and he only let her out during the night when the crew was sleeping.

            “Captain, can you tell me about your Baron?” she asked.

            “What would you like to know?”

            She shrugged. “Everything you can share with me.”

            Smiling, he replied, “I can’t share everything with you. It wouldn’t be fair, would it, milady? Most of who he is, I think it would be better, if he told you himself. He’s a good man, if that’s what you’re worrying about. He’s a good man with a good heart.”

            “Will he love me?”

            “He’d be a fool not to, milady. If I were to be handed a wife as beautiful as you, I’d treasure her forever. But then again, I’m not so lucky.”

            She didn’t answer him.

            “A storm is coming. Return to your cabin.”

            Anna knew it was an order and she quickly went to her cabin. She closed and locked the door just as she heard thunder outside. When the rain started pattering against the window, she stood and watched the water trickle down the windowpane. She felt exactly like the rain; destroyed. She knew that she had no other fate in her life, but the journey she was on was one that she hoped would take forever to reach.

            She walked to light a candle as she heard a knocking on the door. She unlocked the door and found her maid, Maddy Cullenger, standing there dressed in her white nightgown. She entered and closed the door as Anna walked to sit on the bed. Maddy had been her maid since birth and was an older woman who loved her more than her own mother. Maddy walked to the chest and pulled out Anna’s nightgown as Anna stood up and started unbuttoning her dress.

            “What were you doing out there, child?” Maddy asked.

            Anna slipped the gown off of her and laid it on the bed. She looked up as Maddy slipped the nightgown over her head. “I was admiring the water.”     

            Maddy scoffed as she took the blue gown Anna had laid on the bed. She began to fold it and placed it back into the chest. “You’ll be wise to avoid the deck, milady. The men here haven’t seen a woman in months. They might harm you.”

            Anna sat on the bed as Maddy grabbed a comb and walked to sit down behind her. She sat as Maddy began combing her long strands. “Maddy, what will happen if the Baron turns out to be an old man? How shall I live forever with him?”

            “You will learn how to, my dear. You’ve been selected as his wife. You must fulfill your duties.”

            Anna looked at her hands and then she suddenly felt very sad. “And if I were to remain an unhappy woman? What then?”

            Maddy stopped brushing and turned her around. “Milady, you must stop these awful thoughts of yours. You’ll find the Baron to be a nice man. I’ve heard that he’s a very gentle man. He’ll love you because of your beauty and your wit.”

            Anna lowered her gaze and felt tears enter her eyes. “Beauty has nothing to do with this, Maddy. I’m tired of being beautiful.”

            Maddy lifted her chin up. “Darling, you must understand that this is a great gift for you. The Baron is a very wealthy man. You’ll never have to worry or readjust your life. He can provide for you, buy you the richest of silks, and take you to exotic lands. I promise you that you’ll be happy.”

            “How can you promise me happiness? I’m not even sure I’ll love him.”

            “Love will come later.”

            “And if it doesn’t?”

            Maddy sighed. “Anna, when will you stop this nonsense?”
            She shook her head. “I’ll never forgive my father for sending me away. I’ll never forgive my mother for not stopping him. I dread the wedding night.”

            Maddy took her hands. “Your wedding night will happen and you must face it. A wife’s duty is to her husband and if you want to bear him sons, you’ll have to do your duties. Every woman is required to perform it.”

            “What if he is rough? What if he doesn’t want me? What if it hurts? What do I do then?”

            Maddy laughed. “My pet, you worry too much. When the time comes, everything will work out perfectly. Don’t you worry. Come, let me finish combing your hair so you can get some rest. You’ll need it if you are to meet your betrothed in good condition.”

            Anna woke the next morning and found the tray of food on the table. Maddy had already laid out a gold gown for her to wear. She got out of bed and slipped the gown on as she detangled the knots from her hair. She twisted her hair up and into a bun. She took the towel from the table and dipped it into the warm water. She wiped her face and had just sat down to eat when she felt the ship move violently forward. It jerked the tray of food and it slipped down onto the ground, crashing. She stood up, frightened as the door to her room opened and Maddy walked in.

            “Maddy, what’s going on?” Anna asked.

            Maddy’s face was pale and the older woman carried fear in her eyes. “Stay down! We’re being attacked!”

            “What?” Anna cried.

            She rushed to the window to see, but Maddy grabbed her and pushed her down as an explosion caused both women to scream. Anna covered her head with her hands and fear entered her as she took deep breaths to calm her pounding heart. When they heard the sound of voices shouting and swords being withdrawn, Anna knew someone had gotten on the ship and was now taking over.

            “Maddy,” Anna whispered. “What do we do?”

            “Be quiet,” Maddy whispered.

            Anna listened as more footsteps were head and then both women held their breath as they heard loud footsteps outside their door. Maddy wrapped her arms around Anna as the footsteps stopped right outside the door. The door was kicked open and Anna screamed as three men entered and they were grabbed.

            “Let me go!” Anna screamed.

            “Milady!” Maddy yelled out.

            Anna was brought kicking and screaming up to the deck where she saw Captain Norwood was standing with swords drawn to her his neck. He stared at her with fearful eyes as the men dragged her to stand before him. Maddy was brought in beside her and it was then that Anna realized the good captain was outnumbered.

            “Don’t hurt her,” Ray said.

            “What do you want?” Maddy asked.

            No one answered and Anna looked from one to the other until her eyes came to rest upon a very tall man who had his back turned to her. He wore black leather boots to his calves, black pants, and white shirt with a black vest over it.

            “What do you want to do with the women, captain?” the man holding her arms asked.

            The man slowly turned around and she gasped with shock. His skin was kissed golden by the sun and his shirt was open in the front revealing thick muscles that lay underneath the shirt. His face was carved by the angels and she found herself staring and slowly being drained of all senses. When he smiled at her, she felt her knees weaken.

            “Well, well, well,” he said as he came to her. “Here she is.”

            “She’s not yours,” Ray said.

            He turned to Ray and laughed. “Really? And who does she belong to?”
            “She belongs to the Baron Charles Hutch. She’s his betrothed. You are not to touch her.”

            He smiled again and lowered to look at Anna. Up close, she could smell a faint masculine smell that made him seem more attractive. But when he pulled a small dagger from his pocket, she lost all desire and fear settled into her. He brought the dagger up and placed it on her skin. The coolness of the knife made her skin tingle and her heart began to beat hard.

            “You’re too beautiful to belong to one man,” he whispered.

            “Don’t touch her!” Maddy cried.

            He turned to Maddy and then he withdrew the dagger. He replaced it and then straightened. “Take the women onboard. Take all the treasures and make sure they can’t follow us. Oh, be sure to take the younger woman to my cabin.”

            Anna was pushed into a big cabin and her hands were bound behind her. She was forced to sit on the bed and a rag was placed inside her mouth. She could hear Maddy being dragged down the hall as the door was locked behind the man who brought her in. Captain Norwood’s ship was left sitting in the middle of the open sea with his men tied to the railings and Captain locked in his own cabin. The key had been placed above the fire place mantel. If the good captain would break free from the ropes that tied him, he would be free.

            If she was fearful of the wedding night, she was wrong. It took her a few moments after arriving on the ship did she realized she had been captured by pirates; pirates were ruthless. She would die at the hands of this pirate when she should be living in a glamorous life with a husband. Would the Baron save her? She felt tears enter her eyes as the door to the room opened and the man before entered. He smiled at her and then kicked the door closed. He walked in and set a chair in front of her. He sat down and stared at her with his black eyes. She noticed that his hair was a bit curly from where it lay on his neck.

            “You’re one beautiful creature. I was looking for something else when you came into view. I knew I had to have you. It was worth risking everything for you,” he said.

            She only stared and wished he would remove the gag so she could spat at him.

            As if reading her mind, he asked, “If I remove the gag, will you play nice?”

            She nodded. He reached over and pulled the gag out of her mouth. Anna swallowed and could still taste the cotton that was in her mouth. She turned sideways and showed him her bound hands.

            “Please?” she asked.

            He sighed and removed his dagger, the same one he’d placed at her neck, and cut the ropes. As soon as he replaced the dagger, she reached for it and brought it down on him. But he had predicted that and caught her wrist. He twisted her arm back and she let out a howl of pain as she dropped the dagger.

            “Why you little wild cat,” he said.

            “I’ll kill you!” Anna cried as he shoved her back.

            He laughed as he picked up the dagger and replaced it. “I must say, you’re quite surprising.”

            “Let me go now. I don’t belong to you. I have a betrothed waiting for me!”

            “No.”

            “He’ll pay for ransom if money is what you desire.”

            His eyes lit up. “Desire? Honey, I would make you blush if I told you what I desired.”

            She took a step backward. “You better not touch me. I’m not yours for the taking.”

            He laughed. “Oh, but you are, little dove. When I caught a whiff of you, I knew I had to have you. Jedidiah Whittaker always gets what he wants.”

            “Jedidiah?”

            He smiled. “Jedidiah is my name, Anna of Henceworth. You won’t be marrying any Baron any time soon. I want you for myself and if I have to force you, so shall be it.”

            She let out a cry. “Are you mad? The Baron won’t want me if you’ve had me! You can’t return me to him damaged! Are you insane? You may take broken women all the time, but in the civilized world, honest men don’t take spoken women! I insist you take me back this moment or I’ll scream!”

            He laughed. “Go ahead and scream, little dove. We’re in the middle of the open sea and the only person who will worry is that maid of yours. If you scream, she might even believe it is me who is making you scream…of pleasure.”

            “You wouldn’t dare!”

            “Don’t test me, little dove. I’ve been known to take great challenges and succeed.”

            She was at an end and so she raised both hands in surrender. “Please, don’t do this. You have to return me to my ship.”

            He smiled. “No. But you definitely look adorable when you beg.”

            Anger shot through her and she picked up a vase and tossed it at him. He ducked and it crashed on the floor. He grabbed her arm and pulled her to him. When she reached him, he crushed his lips on hers. Shock filled her as she tried to push him away. He swung his hand around and grabbed a handful of her hair and destroyed the bun. Then he pushed her away as her hair came spiraling down her back.

            “You devil!” she cried.

            Laughing, he replied, “Devil it may be, but when I make love to you, you’ll be calling me a prince of heaven.”

            He turned to leave and Anna cursed out loud at the slamming of the door. She grabbed the pillows and the blankets on the bed and with one pull, they crashed to the ground. She stepped on them and shouted out in anger and frustration. When she was finished, she fell into the chair that Jedidiah sat in earlier. She let out a deep breath and covered her face with her hands.

            Here she was, bound for marriage, and now she was in the hands of a pirate. Curse him! How dare he kidnap her and hold her against her will? Poor Baron Charles, what would he do if she were not to arrive as promised? Would he come after her? Would the good captain escape and send word for her rescue? Tears filled her eyes and she suddenly started sobbing. This was going to be a long journey ahead of her and it might be one she would wish to end quickly.

            Anna woke to the sound of Maddy’s voice calling out to her. She had fallen asleep in the chair and when she sat up, the soreness from her body told her she had slept in a poor position. She rubbed her eyes as Maddy started pulling the blankets off the floor. She cried out and she stopped.

            “What is it?” Maddy asked.

            “Leave it. Don’t touch them,” she ordered.

            Frowning, Maddy asked, “Why? It’s a mess.”

            “I want him to know that I don’t care for his approval of anything. I’ll make a mess if I wish. I’ll make this stay a horrid one for him, so horrid he’ll have no choice but to release me.”

            Maddy dropped the blankets. “What idea do you have brewing in that mind of yours, milady? Don’t you understand? He’s a pirate! He can kill you with his bare hands. We’re not in the position to be making such attempts. You should do as he says.”

            “And if he should decide he wants to rape me?”

            Maddy swallowed hard and avoided Anna’s gaze.

            “Exactly, Maddy, I won’t allow it. I’ll fight and I’ll win him. No man touches me without my consent. He’ll be dead if he should dare to touch me.”

            Maddy looked up at her again and knelt down on the ground beside her. “Milady, I overheard the crew talking. They say that their captain, this man named Jedidiah, is not only a pirate, but he’s a warrior. He kills without mercy and he’s bound for Spain.”

            “Spain? Is he mad? Baron Charles is in France! How can he do this to me?”

            “Milady, it’s probably best not to upset him. I also overheard the crew say that he left Captain Norwood alive, but he killed the other men on the ship.”

            Anna paled and stared into Maddy’s eyes. “But I assumed they were alive.”

            “You assumed wrong, my dear. He killed those men.”

            Anna felt tears in her eyes and wondered what lay in her fate. The door opened and Jedidiah walked in. Both women looked up and gasped as he kicked the door wider and gestured for Maddy to leave. She stood up, but Anna stood up and grabbed her arm. Jedidiah narrowed his gaze realizing that she was testing him.

            “The older woman leaves,” he ordered.

            “No. She stays.”

            He laughed and was about to answer when he saw the mess of the blankets on the floor. He shifted his eyes back to Anna and his gaze darkened. “What is the meaning of this?”

            Anna turned to look at her work and then back at him. “Do you like it? This is what I think of you and your men.”

            “Really?”

            Maddy pinched Anna’s arm, but she was too far gone now. She wasn’t going to turn back. “You and your men are cowards who kill for no purpose other than sport. Didn’t your mother teach you anything? But then, if you had a mother, you would know.”

            “Milady!” Maddy cried out.

            Jedidiah let out a loud growl, grabbed Maddy by the hand, and shoved her out the door. He locked it and as Maddy continued pounding on the door from outside, Anna’s fear tripled as he shoved her against the wall. He came down real close to her and his fingers pinched her skin. Hurt and fear raced into her body as he tightened his grip.

            “If I were you, I’d be careful on what you say, woman. You’re in my ship, my territory. Remember, my men have been at sea for a long time without a woman. They’re pretty hungry for a taste,” he growled.

            Her eyes widened. “You wouldn’t.”

            “Try me.”

            She bit down on her lips and she hated herself that she was trembling. But he scared her and the thought of the men taking turns with her was scaring her out of her wits. She continued to stare at him as he made no intention of moving. Maddy’s cries outside the door had turned silent. She either had given up or was taken away.

            “Release me,” Anna whispered.

            He laughed. “No.”

            “Release me!” she shouted.

            “If you think raising your voice is going to make you win this situation, you’re dead wrong, girl. I don’t take orders from anyone, especially a woman.”

            “Fine, then don’t blame me.”

            Anna brought up her knee and slammed it against his groin. Immediately, his hands released her and covered his manhood. She ran for the door, but he recovered quicker than she’d expected and grabbed her hair, yanking her back. Anna howled out pain as he pulled her against the wall. His hands came to the front of her dress and tore it open, revealing her undergarments and her naked breasts. She screamed and when her hands went to cover them, he slammed his lips against hers. She felt his tongue forcing its way into her mouth and all she could do was muffle a scream. When he pulled away, he was smiling as he stared at her with desire.

            “You must like it rough,” he said. “If I had known, I would have just taken you the moment you entered my cabin and saved my sweet seduction for someone else.”

            “Don’t you touch me!” she cried.

            “Then you should have remained a good girl.”

            Anna gasped in shock as he hoisted her up on his shoulder and tossed her on the bed. He straddled her and pinned both of her hands on top of her head. When he lowered to kiss her, she spit at him. He laughed and wrenched her legs apart with his knees. She screamed as he removed his belt with one hand and tied her wrists with it.

            “You will remain this way until I’ve finish with you,” he said.

            Tears filled her eyes and she finally came to the conclusion that if she didn’t do something, he would rape her. She took several deep breaths as he started to unbutton his shirt. She shut her eyes and forced herself to give up her pride. When she opened her eyes, he was naked from the torso up and was working on his pants.

            “Stop! Please! I’m sorry!” she cried.

            Jedidiah stopped and Anna continued crying as he bent down and placed both elbows beside her, staring into her eyes. Then he surprised her by gently wiping away her tears from her eyes.

            “Little dove, are you frightened?” he asked softly.

            She nodded. “Yes, I am. I’m frightened. I’m deathly afraid.”

            Then he smiled and sat up. “Good. Remember this when you disobey me again.”

            He removed the belt from her wrists, grabbed his shirt, and left the room. Anna sat up and covered herself with her arms, crying. Her gown was torn in the front and as she tried, she couldn’t push the fact that she had almost lost her innocence to a violent act.

            Jedidiah slammed his hand against the railing and swore at himself for almost doing something he hated. He had no intention of raping her, but when she kicked him, all thoughts vanished from his mind and all he wanted was to have her. It was true, he wanted her, and he was prepared to do anything to get her. When he had caught her in his telescope, saw her standing on the deck, he knew he had to have her. No woman as beautiful as her would be one man’s alone. But now that she was in his hold, the idea of anyone touching her drove him mad with anger and jealousy. This man, this Baron Charles, was not going to have her. He wanted to be the first.

            He smiled at the memory of her kiss and his lips tingled. All of his life, he had had his share of women, but none had ever enticed him as much as this one. Not only did she have a temper, but she was quick to take back her wrong doings. He remembered her look when she realized she had to apologize and he knew she was going to in the end. But he enjoyed testing her and seeing her fight with herself.

            “You enjoying yourself?” Hank Jules asked as he came up behind him.

            Jedidiah turned around to meet his oldest and most trusted friend. Hank Jules was a few years older than he was and he had never once doubted this man’s honesty or words. Hank was a few inches shorter, but just as good to look at as Jedidiah. They had been sailing together since the beginning of time.

            “Quite, actually,” Jedidiah answered.

            Hank smiled and leaned against the railing. “You sure you want this woman on this ship? Women are bad luck, you know.”

            “Only in history, my friend; a woman on deck reminds us what we miss at night.”

            Hank laughed loudly. “Have you already bed her? You bastard.”

            “No, not yet, my friend. She’s a wild one, this one. I don’t know whether to applaud her or to threaten her.”

            “Finally, my friend, you’ve met a woman who has stunned you silent. It is a good day indeed, Jedidiah.”

            Jedidiah rolled his eyes. “It doesn’t stop me from going to where I’m bound to.”

            “And her betrothed? Will you return her to her betrothed when we reach the shores of France?”        

            “We’re not going to France, Hank. We’re headed toward Spain.”

            Hank’s smile disappeared. “I noticed we were heading in a different direction, but I assumed you were doing so in the case of the women. You’re going to search for Pedro Van Jurez?”
            Jedidiah nodded. “Yes, I am. If I find that bastard, I’ll find my mother.”

            Jedidiah left the conversation hanging as he turned to glare out at the sea. Hank knew that when this happened, the conversation was done. Jedidiah tightened his grip on the railings and the memories came back as swiftly as if it had happened yesterday. He was ten years old, happy with his parents. But later that night, Pedro Van Jurez, stormed their house, killed his father and took his mother, a woman as beautiful as a Goddess and a woman Pedro had been in love with since the beginning of time. His mother had made him hide under the bed and he had seen his father’s death right before his eyes. He remembered the name because as this man killed his father, it was the last thing he said. He heard his mother’s screams and cries as he took her away. The man would pay for everything and Jedidiah would make sure of it.

            Anna opened the chest and found a black shirt folded neatly in the corner. She took it out and slipped it over her head and gown, hiding the tear. She walked back to sit down on the edge of the bed. When she stared at the blankets on the ground, she reached down and picked them up. She fixed the bed and afterward, sat in the middle of the bed, looking out at the darkening sky. It had been quiet outside her door and she wished that Maddy would return. She needed to talk to someone and the silence was driving her insane. When she heard the door unlocking, she sat up with excitement, but it died when Jedidiah entered the room with a tray of food. He set it down by the table and stared at her with wide eyes. She remained where she was without moving until he walked to sit down on a chair.

            “The shirt suits you well,” he said.

            She stared at the shirt she was wearing and swallowed down her fear. “I had to find something to cover up the tear.”

            “I’ll bring you some sewing kits tomorrow. You can mend it then.”

            She nodded.

            “You must be famished, milady. Go ahead and eat. I’ve already eaten.”

            She walked to the tray of food and picked up a piece of bread. As she ate, she kept her eyes down, for she knew he was staring at her. She took her time, eating slowly, and accepting all the tastes that came with it. When she finished, she wiped her hands on the towel and finally shifted her gaze up to look at him. She was right; he was staring at her.

            “You torture me while you eat,” Jedidiah said.

            Anna almost choked. “I don’t understand what you mean.”

            “I mean, you torture me with your mouth. Each time you open your mouth, I want a taste.”

            She blushed and turned away. She heard the chair squeak and then his footsteps as he came to kneel behind her. She felt his hands on her shoulders and she shuddered.

            “Don’t,” she warned.

            Laughing, he replied, “You’ve never had much experience with men, have you?”

            She turned around. “What honest man would want a woman with experience? I’m a princess, Jedidiah, and the only man I shall know as my lover will be my husband, the Baron Charles.”

            “You truly believe that? And what will you do when you meet him and find him to be old, ugly, and barely able to perform his husband duties? Who will you turn to then? Your duty as a wife is to deliver him sons. How can you when he can’t even perform his part?”

            Anna remained silent for she hadn’t thought of that. She pondered if she should answer or not, but he stood up and walked away from her. He opened the drawer and shuffled through the chest until he found something. He tossed it at her and she stared at the red gown in her hands. It was made of silk and fabricated with richness.

            “Who did this belong to? A whore of yours?” she asked.

            “No. It belonged to my mother.”

            Anna felt herself blush out of embarrassment for she was the one who cursed him for not having a mother. She watched as he glanced at her once and then walked out, locking the door. She stared at the dress in her hands and removed her torn dress and black shirt of his. She slipped it on and it fit like a glove. She felt ashamed for her outburst earlier and as she stood there staring at the red gown she wore, she suddenly felt saddened by the fact that she had cursed a dead woman.

            The door opened again and Jedidiah walked in admiring her. She picked up her gown and laid it on the bed. He opened the door wider and gestured for her to follow him. She did as he requested because she needed the air and she wasn’t going to give up her chance to be outside in the wind. As she thought, he brought her up to the deck where it was silent. The black sky carried a bright pale moon and twinkling stars. She breathed in the air and sighed deeply. The waves crashing against the side of the ship was music to her ears and she placed her hands on the railing, looking out at the dark sea.

            “The dress suits you,” he said.

            “Where is your mother?” Anna asked.

            “She was taken from me when I was a young boy. I’ve been trying to find her since.”

            Anna looked at him and through the wind and the glowing moon, he actually looked human. He looked like a good man with a good heart, not a pirate with murder and rape on his mind. She turned away and continued staring out at the open sea.

            “Why are you marrying a man you’ve never met?” Jedidiah asked as he stepped closer to her.

            “It’s my duty to fulfill my father’s wishes. You wouldn’t understand; you’re a pirate.”

            “I might surprise you, milady.”

            She turned to glance at him. “I’ve been given a duty. I’m going to fulfill it. That’s all.”

            He walked to her and tilted her chin up. Then he closed the distance between them and she could feel his body press against hers. The trembling in her body returned and she felt on fire as he placed one hand on the small of her back, pushing her toward him.

            “I promise you that you will beg me to take you before your journey is up, milady,” he whispered.

            She brought up her hands to push him back, but he closed both arms around her waist. “You bastard! Here, I was, feeling sorry for you. You had to return and make me think twice. You will never have me, Jedidiah! I’ll kill you before you get that chance.”

            He smiled. “You speak of killing me so often, I’m beginning to doubt my safety around you, little dove.”

            “That’s right, go ahead and worry because I will hurt you should you try to do anything to me. I am to be delivered to the Baron Charles, untouched. If you should do anything to compromise that, I will make sure you don’t see another sea in your life.”

            He raised an eyebrow. “Such threats you make, milady. I shall have to see if you can prove that to me.”

            Before Anna could utter another word, he picked her up, tossed her over his shoulder and carried her to his cabin. Her kicking and screaming didn’t stop him nor did it wake up any of the crew. He dropped her on the bed, locked the door, and this time removed all of his clothes. She screamed in terror as he came to her and pulled her to him. She slammed her fists into his muscled chest and he laughed.

            “That doesn’t do me any harm, little dove,” he said. “Now remove the gown.”

            “No,” Anna challenged.

            “Milady, either you remove it nicely or I will have to bind you again.”’

            Anna felt her hands tremble as she brought up her hands and began to remove the gown. When she was naked, she tossed the gown at him. He smiled and reached for her neck, pulling him in for a kiss. She bit his lip and he growled as he pulled away.

            “You test me,” he said.

            “Go to hell!” she cried.

            He laughed as he grabbed her arms and pinned them against the side of her head. She let out a loud scream as he covered her lips with his. This time he entered his tongue, not allowing her to bite him. When he pushed himself in between her legs, she stilled and realized she would lose to him. She felt tears enter her eyes and he pulled back to look at her.

            “Don’t cry, little dove, I’m preparing you for your wedding night. But I doubt this prince of yours will be able to match my love making,” he said.

            Crying, she said, “You will never be half the man my future husband will be.”

            “Let’s see about that.”

           

            Anna lay quietly on her side staring out at the black sky as Jedidiah lay sleeping beside her. She hated herself for she had given in to him and he didn’t need to rape her. He had slowly tortured her with pleasure until at the end, she begged him to take her. She felt ashamed and she felt she had betrayed Charles. She wiped her eyes and reached up to feel her lips, which still tingled from his kisses. She sat up and pulled the blanket around her body. When she turned to look at him, he was sleeping with one arm over his head. Just a few moments ago, that body had been on top of her, giving her such undeniable pleasure that it sent her on a whirlwind and it made her wonder if Charles could do what he did. Anna walked to the red gown she had removed earlier and slipped it on. She stilled when she heard him moving about the bed. Then when she heard a match strike against carbon, she knew she had woken him.

            “Where do you think you’re going?” Jedidiah asked as he leaned on his elbow.

            Anna ran a hand through her tangled hair. “I was cold.”

            He laughed. “Little dove, if you’re cold, all you’d need was ask me to warm you up. Clothes can’t do what I can do to you.”

            She blushed. “I’m quite fine now.”

            “Come back to bed.”

            She started walking to the bed but he stopped her. “What?”

            “Remove the dress.”

            Anna scoffed. “No.”

            “Darling, you can either remove it or I will remove it for you. But know this, if I’m forced to get up and do it for you, there will be consequences.”

            Anna sighed and removed the gown. She walked back to the bed and slipped in. He chuckled and blew out the candle. He pulled her to him and as he went back to sleep, Anna cursed him and all the pleasures he brought her.

            Anna had just finished sewing the final thread to the torn gown when Maddy walked in holding a tray of food. She set it down on the table and looked up as Anna stared at her work. Maddy walked to sit down beside her on the bed and admired Anna’s work.

            “You’ve done a great job. But I shudder to think of why this gown needed work in the first place,” Maddy said.

            “Don’t remind me, Maddy. Last night,” she started and then sobbed. “Oh, it was horrible, Maddy! He made me betray myself! I promised I wouldn’t give in to him and he did all these things to me and I ended up giving in to him! I hate myself!”

            Maddy gathered her up in her arms. “There, there, child, don’t hate yourself. You’re only human.”

            Anna pulled away. “What should I do if he intends to do this to me every night? I can’t allow that to happen, once was enough.”

            Maddy wiped away her tears. “Don’t worry and don’t fret, my dear. I’m sure he won’t be coming back to visit you any time soon. Now, let’s get you a bath. Come on, get out of those clothes.”

            Anna stood up and shed the red gown off of her body as Maddy left to fetch the water. She had her back turned and was smoothing out the wrinkles in her own gown when she heard footsteps behind her. Assuming it was Maddy, she turned back and was shocked to hell and back when she saw Jedidiah standing there admiring her nakedness. She grabbed the gown she had just mended and wrapped it around her body. She stood there wondering where Maddy was.

            “Get out of here,” she said through clenched teeth.

            He laughed. “Is that any way to speak to your lover? Might I remind you how you begged me to take you last night?”

            “It won’t happen again. You can count on it. If you should come near me again, I’ll escape.”

            “Really? And where would you go? With no one to protect you against cutthroat thieves and spies, where would you go? Who will you pay to help you find your way back to your beloved Charles? Here, in this world, it’s a whole different ball game, princess. You don’t get to order men around and they come groveling to your feet. No, here, men take what they want and if any man should see someone as beautiful as you, you’d become their slave in bed.”

            Anna shuddered at his words and realized he was right. She was not in her own country where the men were civilized and honest. These men were pirates and worse, murderers. She watched as he kicked the door closed and sat down on the chair, getting comfortable.

            “What are you doing?” she asked.

            “I’m going to watch you take a bath.”

            “You certainly will not!”

            “Should I remind you that I’ve already seen you naked, little dove. You’ve no reason to be shy…unless you want me in the tub with you.”

            “Of course not!” she cried.

            The door opened again and Maddy walked in, stopping short to stare at Jedidiah. She set the water down and was about to pour it in when Jedidiah stopped her.

            “You may leave now, Maddy,” Jedidiah said.

            “Sir, I think it be wise if I stayed. I must make sure she’s clean.”

            He smiled. “I can do that job just as good as you can, ma’am.”

            “Maddy!” Anna interrupted. “Stay here with me and help me wash my hair. It’s been a few days and it’s a tangled mess.”

            “S-“

            “No,” Jedidiah barked. “I’ll wash her hair and if you know what is good for you, you won’t interrupt us.”

            Maddy swallowed and Anna knew the woman was going to leave her. When Maddy left, Jedidiah finished pouring the water into the basin and gestured for her to get in. Anna dropped the gown and walked with her head held high to the basin. First of all, she needed a bath and she wasn’t about to let the water get cold. Second, she would hurt him later. As soon as the water touched her skin, she began to relax and when his hands began to massage her hair and head, she melted into a puddle.

            “Your hair is gorgeous as is the rest of you,” he whispered.

            “Make sure you get my hair cleaned very well,” Anna said.

            “Of course, little dove, of course. I’m not without my skills.”

            With that said, she stopped talking and relaxed as his fingers worked down her skull, bringing her senses alive with every touch and stroke. When he finished, he poured water over her head and she took in a deep breath of the jasmine scent soap. She washed her body and then turned to find him standing with a towel for her. She stood up, water dripping, and he wrapped the towel around her body.

            “I’ve ordered all the men off the deck. You can go outside once you’re dressed to dry your hair,” he said as he turned to go.

            The wind was breezy as Anna made it across the deck. The sun was shining at its highest peak and she was thankful for it; her hair would be dry in no time. She ran her hands along the railing and spotted a man standing not too far from her. He wore all black and had a red bandana tied around his head. She could see blonde hair poking out from beneath.

            “Hello?” she called out.

            He turned around and smiled. “You must be sick and tired of that view from the cabin.”

            “I am.”

            He walked to her and took her hand. “I’m Hank Jules, a good friend of Jedidiah’s. How are you?”
            “I’m better now that I’m out. Do you know where we’re going?”
            “We’re headed to Spain, my lady. We should reach shore in another two days. Have you ever been to Spain?”
            She shook her head.

            “It’s the most exotic land you’ll ever visit. It’s where I met my wife.”

            Her eyes lit up. “You’re married?”

            “Yes, I am,” Hank said. “Is that surprising?”

            Anna shrugged her shoulders lightly. “Well, yes and no. I mean, I thought most men at sea don’t get married because of the long travels they have to make.”

            “No, I’m married and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. My wife and I get along very well with the distance between us. She’s a lovely woman.”

            “I’m sure she is.”

            Hank narrowed his eyes. “How is he treating you?”

            Anna’s mood dampened. “I hate him. I’m sorry to say that to you, but I do. He is holding me captive from my future. Why?”

            Hank laughed. “Have you not figured it out yet, girl? He’s a bit moody and a bit blunt, but he’s a good man overall. When we reach the shores, he’ll return you to your betrothed, trust me.”

            Before Anna could reply, Jedidiah joined them and she lost all the joy to talk. Hank patted Jedidiah on the back and then left them alone. When Anna turned to face Jedidiah, he was carrying a dark glare on his face. Anna swallowed and turned away from him as she felt the sea spray against her face.

            “Don’t try to win him into saving you, little dove. Hank is more loyal to me than anyone on earth,” Jedidiah said.

            Anna laughed. “Win him over? Are you listening to yourself? If I was going to escape, why would I ask Hank to help me? I know the first person he’d tell would be you.”

            Jedidiah didn’t find that amusing. “Many have tried. Dry your hair and return to the cabin.”

            “I want to be out here today. I like the fresh air. I need it. My days in your cabin are over, Jedidiah. You’re not forcing me to do anything anymore.”

            He smiled. “I’m not forcing you? That’s what you say now. You just wait until tonight.”

            Anna lit the candle and watched as the candle flickered back and forth, causing a glow across the wall. She stared at her shadow on the wall and sighed deeply. The day was slowly coming to an end and night was creeping upon her. She feared the night for she feared that he would make her forget her senses again. Never in her life had she ever thought she’d feel those senses. She had been wondering what being with a man would feel like and now as she pondered she wondered if the Baron would be able to make her feel as Jedidiah did.

            The door opened and she heard him walk in. She turned to find him wearing nothing but a pair of black pants. His muscled chest was strong and covered in rain and she looked out the window, not realizing how it was that it had passed her that it had rained. When she turned back to look at him, he was sitting in a chair removing his boots. His dark hair was drenched and rain drops were dropping onto the floor causing a puddle. When he had finished removing his boots, he stood up and grabbed a towel to wipe his face and hair. She continued staring at him; the muscles that flexed when he worked his arms; the way he breathed as he dried himself; and the hair that peeked from underneath his pants. Suddenly, she blushed and turned away, ashamed of herself.

            “You’re more than welcome to stare, little dove,” Jedidiah said with amusement.

            She knew he had seen her and her cheeks felt on fire as she turned her attention to the candle flame. When she felt his hand on her neck, she stood up and shoved him away from her. He didn’t even stumble back as he stared at her with dark eyes.

            “You’re not going to make me give in to you tonight,” Anna warned.

            He laughed. “I just wanted a kiss, little dove. It’s been all day since I’ve seen you. But if you have other things on your mind, I’m sure I can oblige.”

            “If you want to get hurt again, you can try. But this time I’ll be sure to kick where you won’t recover so quickly.”

            Jedidiah walked toward her and stopped short of arm length. “Milady, why do you insist on hurting me?”

            “Because you’re a thief! You took what is not yours. You can die a thousand deaths and I won’t be happy.”

            He cocked his head.

            Anna smiled and straightened herself. “You just march out of here and don’t come back or I will hurt you.”

            “You think I’ll let a woman order me about my own ship? You’re wrong, Anna. Where I come from, women speak only when spoken to and they obey.”

            “Why should I obey you? You’ve no right to me.”

            “Enough!” he growled. “Get into bed now.”

            “No.”

            Anna stood her ground as he stared at her with his teeth clenched. She jumped when he reached for her and she grabbed a candle stick holder behind her. She tossed it toward him and it hit him directly above the eyebrow. Jedidiah fell over on the floor and Anna gasped with fear and shock. Did she kill him? Breathing unevenly, she slowly walked over to where he lay and stared at him. He was lying on his face and she could see blood seeping from his head.

            “He’s dead,” she whispered.

            Without waiting, Anna reached for the door and ran out. She made it to the gallery where Maddy was peeling potatoes and grabbed her arms. The older woman, shocked to see her, almost cut herself.

            “What in God’s name? Child, what are you doing out here? Where’s the captain?” Maddy asked.

            “He’s dead! I killed him!” Anna cried in excitement.

            Maddy’s face paled. “What? You killed him? Anna! Are you crazy? Do you know what his crew will do to you if they find out you killed their captain?”

            Anna’s face paled and she realized that thought hadn’t crossed her mind. She slowed her breathing and shifted her eyes to Maddy, who was now biting her lower lip in a frantic. Anna covered her face and her shoulders sank. She hadn’t thought of the consequences that would follow should his men find him lying dead in his cabin. But before she could find a way out, she heard Hank’s loud voice calling her name.

            “Oh, dear lord,” Maddy said as Hank appeared before them.

            “There you are! Do you know what you’ve done? We punish murderers and you’ve murdered our beloved captain. He was like a brother to me. I will make you scream before I kill you myself!” Hank shouted.

            Anna’s eyes filled with fear as she was ripped from Maddy’s hold and brought up to the deck. She saw the crew shouting for punishment and heard Maddy’s cry for mercy. Hank ordered Maddy to be locked up as he pushed Anna to the ground and tore her gown, revealing her back and pushed her to the railing.

            “Hold her!” Hank ordered.

            “No! Please!” Anna pleaded.

            Hank took out the whip and fear drove deep in her as she saw the heaviness of it. Against her skin, it would probably rip it apart. She screamed out loud as she felt the first whip against her skin and then darkness took over her.

            Jedidiah woke to a pounding headache and the first thing he heard was Anna’s scream. He dragged himself to a standing position and stumbled up the stairs to the deck. He saw Hank whipping her and he let out a growl. All his men turned toward him and Hank stopped midair. He dropped the whip as Jedidiah stumbled across the deck.

            “What the devil are you doing?” Jedidiah asked as he stared at an unconscious Anna.

            Hank stared at him with disbelief. “You’re alive?”

            “Of course I’m alive, you beef wit! What, did you think I was dead?”

            “Yes! I thought…we all thought the girl had killed you.”

            Jedidiah walked to him and then his eyes shifted to Anna who was lying on the ground with four whips across her back. The whips had broken her skin and had drawn blood. He swore and turned to Hank. He drew his fist and slammed it against Hank’s jaw. The man stumbled backwards and looked up at Jedidiah with surprise.

            “Why would you whip her?” Jedidiah asked.

            “I thought she had killed you!”

            “Didn’t it occur to you to check first?”

            Hank blinked. “Uh…no, when I walked in and saw you lying there, I thought she had killed you. I was going to torture her for killing you. You were like a brother to me.”

            Jedidiah sighed and walked to Hank, pulling him in for a hug. “I’m sorry I hit you.” He pulled away. “But next time, make sure you check first. You should know by now that I don’t die easy. Damn, those whips will leave scars on her back.”

            “I’m sorry,” Hank said.

            Jedidiah shook his head and picked Anna up in his arms. He looked over his shoulder and shouted orders for the men to continue on with their work. He walked to his cabin and laid her on the belly. He then walked to the gallery where he unlocked the door to find Maddy in a heap of fear.

            “You’re dead!” she cried.

            “So it seems and your lady was whipped for killing me. She failed at her attempt where my first mate succeeded in hurting her.”

            “What did you do to her?!” Maddy cried.

            Without waiting for an answer, she rushed past him and into his cabin. When Jedidiah arrived, Maddy was crying over the mess on Anna’s back. She looked up as Jedidiah entered and gave him a dark glare.       

            “I hope the next time she aims to kill you, she succeeds,” Maddy said.

            Laughing, Jedidiah replied, “Ma’am, the reason why she’s in the state she is, is because she tried to kill me! Be glad I woke when I did and stopped the whipping. Otherwise she’d be worse off.”

            “I suppose you expect me to thank you?”

            “No. I expect you to fetch water for me and I’ll clean her up.”

            “Nonsense! I will do the cleaning myself.”

            Jedidiah sighed. “What is it with you two? Did the two of you go to the Academy of Stubbornness together?”

            Maddy opened her mouth in shock. “How dare you insult my lady!”

            Jedididah ran a hand through his hair and was at a loss of words. “Fine, fine, you take care of her.”

            He walked out of the cabin and into Hank’s cabin where the man was sitting on the edge of the bed staring at his hands. Jedidiah sighed and pointed to his head where the wound was still raw and pounding. Hank laughed and got up to fetch some antibiotics as Jedidiah sat down on a chair.

            “You’ve been beaten…by a girl,” Hank said.

            “So you say. But remember, she’s just a girl who I want for now. You know that I don’t have any room in my life for love.”

            Hank began cleaning the wound. “I’m beginning to doubt that, my friend. You seem to be quite taken with this one. I can see it in your eyes.”

            Jedidiah winced as Hank finished. “You’re wrong, Hank. I have never felt love for any woman except my mother. She’s the only woman who will hold me down.”

            Hank sat back down on the bed. “We’ll reach the shores at dawn. What do you want to do with the women?”

            “I’ll keep her for a while longer. She’ll be good company for me.”

             When Jedidiah returned to his cabin, Maddy had gone and Anna was lying on her belly, still unconscious. He closed the door and walked over to where she lay. Her black hair spilled across the pillows and he groaned softly as he saw how the whips had turned into big welts and was now swollen. It was no longer bleeding, but she would be in pain when she woke. He sat down on the bed and his weight on the bed stirred her, waking her up. She sat up suddenly and then cried out in pain at her back.

            “Be thankful I stopped Hank before he did worse,” Jedidiah said.

            She finally turned toward him and he could see surprise and shock in her eyes. He moved closer to her and tilted her chin up. He saw fear in her eyes and saw tears forming. When one tear trickled down her cheek, he caught it with his finger and wiped it away. Her lower lip began to tremble and he stilled it with his fingers by brushing it across her lips.

            “Now I know what you fear,” he said as he stood up from where he sat.

            “I should have killed you,” Anna said in a low whisper.

            He laughed and turned around to stare at her. “Be careful, little dove. I can whip you too if you should try to kill me again.”

            He saw her eyes widen and he smiled, knowing now what he could use to get his way with her. She swallowed hard and Jedidiah walked to his chest. He pulled out some salve and walked to her.

            “Turn around, Anna, I’ll put this on to keep the pain from being too strong,” he said.

            “No.”

            “No? We’ll be reaching shore at dawn, little dove. If you refuse, you won’t be able to wear a gown at all.”

            He saw how she cursed him with her eyes, but she turned around and pulled her hair back from her wounds. The moment his fingers touched her wounds, he heard her cry out in pain. He tried to be gentle, but his hands were that of a sailor and they were hard. When he saw her shoulders shaking, he knew she was crying. When he finished, he walked around to the other side and sure enough she was wiping her eyes. He pulled her into his arms and held her as she emptied her tears.

            “Please, just release me,” she cried.

            “I can’t, little dove. I still want you.”

            She shoved him back. “So you’ll keep me until you no longer want me?”

            He smiled. “That thought has crossed my mind.”

            “What about the Baron? He’s waiting for me. What about my parents? They sent me off to wed a Baron, not to be held captive by a pirate. You must let me go. I promise you I will ask the Baron to send you money for any trouble it causes you.”

            He leaned forward. “Money is not what I’m interested in, Anna. Despite what you think of a pirate, I am still a man underneath it.”

            “You’re not a man; you’re a coward! You stole me because you knew you couldn’t have me.”

            Laughing, he replied, “Now there you’re wrong, milady. I stole you because you said you couldn’t be stolen. Get some rest. Rest while you can because once you heal, rest will be the last thing on my mind.”

            He smiled as she heard her grunt in frustration. He walked to the chair and sat down, watching her as she slowly settled into a sleeping position on her belly.

            The sun rose with a pink blossom as Anna stepped on sand and stared at the small village before her. It was like a stolen picture from a faraway land. It was filled with small houses built of bricks and orange rooftops. They were built so closely together that you could just walk on the roofs. She heard Maddy panting behind her as the older woman came up to admire the village. Anna took a deep breath and felt the sting of her back. It had been a long night for her and when she stirred from her painful back, she saw Jedidiah at her side asking if she needed anything. As much as she hated the man, she was surprised at how touching he was during her time in need. What surprised her more was that it was him who had ordered the beating to stop. She wasn’t sure confused her more; his charming ways or his teasing looks. But she had no intentions of finding out because once she was healed, she would escape.

            Anna took Maddy’s hand as the two followed Jedidiah and his men toward the village. But confusion struck her once again when he headed toward a thick forest of trees instead of going toward the village. She opened her mouth to speak, but Maddy stopped by her shaking her head. She for once took the older woman’s advice and kept quiet as they walked through a thick forest and then she was surprised once again when the forest opened to a large mansion built on a land surrounded by waterfalls. The water was crystal clear and the house was big enough to hold at least forty people. A few guards were standing outside of the gate and they nodded and bowed as Hank and Jedidiah entered. She assumed it was Hank’s house and smiled at the beauty that revealed itself.

            The front entrance was white with two large lion statues and a large fountain with roses surrounding it. The hall was filled with white curtains and a long table for dining. A spiral staircase led upstairs to the chambers and a large fireplace was burning fire as they entered. Anna was astonished at the beauty of it and she turned around to find Hank.

            “Your home is beautiful,” Anna said.

            Hank laughed. “It is not my home, milady. It is Jedidiah’s.”

            Anna felt her throat close up as she turned to find Jedidiah walking away to a private room. Hank followed and she turned around to stare at the house. How was it that a man like Jedidiah could have a place like this and still keep her captive? She turned around when she heard feet running and she saw a beautiful woman running down the stairs. Her hair was as black as night and her eyes were even darker. She wore a bright red gown that showed off her toned arms and brown skin. Anna felt jealousy bite her as she wondered who this woman was. But her jealousy died down when the woman came running into Hank’s arms and kissed him deeply. She suddenly remembered that Hank was married and this woman was probably his wife. The two walked off in chatter as Jedidiah appeared again.

            “Ma’am, you will find what you need in the chambers downstairs here. My servant, Melanie, is already waiting for you there. She’ll show you around,” Jedidiah said.

            Maddy obeyed and left as Anna stood her ground. He turned to her and took her hand. He led her up the stairs to a long hallway of chambers and then opened the first door to the left. The chamber was large with a fireplace and a large bed in the middle. A large chest was standing off to the side with a large mirror and a basin. Anna smiled and could feel the need to sit in a basin and take a bath.

            “You’ll rest here,” he said.

            “And where will you sleep?” she asked.

            He smiled. “Why here, of course, with you.”

            Anna swung around with shock. “You mean, this is your room?”

            “Of course.”

            She shook her head fiercely. “No, Jedidiah, you can’t share this room with me.”

            “What are you talking about? You’re sharing the room with me. Besides, I don’t trust you by yourself. You might escape.”

            Anna opened her mouth to talk, but he stopped her by holding up his hand. He gestured for her to enter. As soon as she did, he slammed the door and locked it. She let out a cry of anger and pounded on the door. She cursed him and sank to the floor where she covered her face with her hands.

           

            Hours later when Anna woke from her nap, she found Maddy inside her room taking out gowns from the chest to air out. She stood up and stretched as she walked forward and examined the gowns on the bed. They were of magnificent colors and were all in rich silk. She reached out and touched one, smiling at the soft fabric.

            “The captain told me to air these out for you, milady. He also made me head of the kitchen,” Maddy said with pride.

            Anna frowned. “Why are you so happy? Have you forgotten that that man holds us captive? He’s not to be trusted nor liked.”

            “I know, that, dear, but can you blame me?”

            “Just don’t forget it.”

            Maddy continued airing out the gowns and Anna walked to the window where she looked out. The forest trees were thick and she knew that in the springtime, it would bloom beautiful flowers. Fall was the season and the leaves were just about to turn crimson and orange. She turned back around to find Maddy holding up a beautiful blue gown with pearls sewn on the hem. She opened her mouth in awe and walked to hold the gown.

            “This gown is beautiful,” Anna said.

            Maddy smiled. “It is, isn’t it? I’ll bet you’ll look like a queen in this gown. You should wear this to dinner tonight. All eyes will be on you.”

           

            Jedidiah lifted the glass of ale to his lips and took a drink. He shifted his eyes to the stairs, wondering when Anna would come down for dinner. Hank was sitting next to his wife, who was busy eating her plate of strawberries. He reached for a piece of bread and stopped dead in the air when he saw her descending down the stairs. Dressed in his mother’s wedding gown, she looked like an angel coming from heaven to save him. Her hair was pinned up with large curls and she’d stuck the blue feather in the strands of her hair. Dangling on her lobes were the pearls that came with the gown. The blue gown fitted her perfectly, reminding him of how happy his mother had been the day she married his father. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she turned and stared at him with her dark eyes and the bread fell from his hand. It was only when he heard Hank chuckling that he got his emotions under control as Anna began walking toward them.

            “Good of you to join us, Lady Anna. Jedidiah here was starting to have a heart attack as to where you were,” Hank said.

            Anna didn’t smile as she sat down in a chair. “No need of you to wait for me.”

            “I hope that we can push aside our differences. I whipped you because you had hurt my closest friend. You’d do the same thing if it were you.”

            “I suppose you’re right,” Anna whispered.

“This is my wife, Petra,” Hank said.

            Anna smiled at the young woman. “Hello.”

            “You are so beautiful. No wonder Jedidiah keeps you for himself.”

            Both Hank and Petra laughed as Jedidiah stood up and left the table. He walked a few feet away, suddenly no longer hungry. If he was hungry, it wasn’t for food. He watched as she ate and chatted with Petra. He felt a longing in his heart deepen and he forced himself to look away. No woman had ever made him feel this way and he wasn’t about to let it start to delay his goal. But he found himself turning back to look at her, only she was gone. Fear entered his soul as he searched for her and found her walking to the garden outside. The moonlight shone on her and made her look exotic.

            Jedidiah took a few moments to recapture his emotions before he followed her out. When he neared her, she looked up and stared at him with her haunting eyes. He dipped his hands into the water from the fountain and felt its coolness calm his heat.

            “You didn’t eat,” Anna said.

            “I already ate,” he lied.

            She turned away. “Thank you for the gowns. I especially love this one.”

            “That was my mother’s wedding gown.”

            She swiftly turned her head toward him. “What? I must take it off.”

            He stopped her when she tried to leave. “No, don’t. You look radiant.”

            He bent down and kissed her lips gently. When he felt her start to respond, he deepened the kiss and pulled her closer to him. When their bodies melted into one another, he pressed his hands into her back, forgetting about wounds. She cried out and stepped away and he suddenly remembered.

            “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

            She remained quiet.

            “Do you like it here?”

            Anna turned around to face him. “This is like heaven, Jedidiah. How is it possible that a man like you could have a place like this and still want to hold me against my will?”

            “Little dove, you are so naïve. You don’t know the reason I hold you?”

            “I do. You want me…but for how long? You forget that I have someone waiting for me. I’m not one of those women who has many lovers. I only want one.”

            He reached out a finger and traced it along her jawline. “But you do have only one lover…me.”

            “You know what I mean!”

            Laughing, he kissed her cheek. “Anna, there’s nothing wrong with wanting me. I would be honored if you were to want me the way I wanted you. But then again, I am blessed, for if you deny me now, you refuse to deny me when you need me. Your Baron won’t be able to hold his fort against me.”

            She took a few steps back from him. “I’ll make a deal with you.”

            He crossed his arms, interested. “Go on.”

            “I’ll stay here with you if you agree to let me write my parents.”

            He pondered the thought. “No.”

            She scoffed, unbelieving him. “Why not?”

            “Why not? Because you’ll tell them I’m a wicked pirate who has taken you captive and you request to be saved immediately, that’s why not. Don’t think I’ve thought this through, little dove. There’s no chance I’m letting you go, at least not yet.”

            She uttered something he couldn’t hear beneath her breath and marched off inside the house. Jedidiah smiled and shook his head, loving the idea of being able to set her tempers hot and cold.

           

            Anna heard shuffling outside the door and held her breath. She could see a figure standing outside the door blocking light. She pulled the blanket up to her chin and kept quiet. Very slowly the door opened and she saw Jedidiah walk in holding a candle. He set the candle down and began to unbutton his shirt. She got off the bed and ran for the door when he grabbed her hand and pulled her back. Immediately, his lips crushed against hers and she felt his desire for her grow. When he pulled back, she placed her hands on his chest and shook her head.

            “I’m still healing,” she said.

            “I know you are, little dove. But that doesn’t mean I have to sleep alone. Get into bed.”

            “I’m not tired.”

            Laughing, he replied, “You were in bed when I arrived. You’re tired.”

            As she tried to argue, he began to drag her toward the bed. She shut her eyes as he forced her to sit on the edge of the bed. He cupped her face and bent down to kiss her. She turned her face away and he laughed as he shed the rest of his clothes off and slipped in between the sheets. He pulled her in and she lay on her belly, off of her wounds.

            “Jedidiah, where’s your mother?” she asked.

            “That’s for me to know only.”

            She stiffened. “Why won’t you tell me?”

            “What difference does it make?”

            She felt sadness enter her. “I’ve realized I don’t know you at all. You’ve taken everything from me, but I don’t know a thing about you. Is it wrong to ask of your life? You have no intention of letting me go soon so I might as well get comfortable.”

            He didn’t answer her and she thought he had fallen asleep. But when she lifted her head up to look at him, she saw that he was staring off into the darkness. It was then that she realized why he was so quiet. It was because she had said she was comfortable. He had told her he only wanted her, he didn’t love her. So if being comfortable meant forcing him to love, it would make him pause in his actions. A smile spread across her face and knew her plan to escape him. With that thought in mind, she drifted off to sleep and for the first time, slept soundly.  

            When Anna woke the following morning, she was alone and the room had gone cold. She dressed in a green gown and pulled her hair into a bun. She came down the stairs and found it to be completely silent. She wandered through the entrance to the kitchen and then out to the garden. She stared at the fountain where just last night Jedidiah had kissed her. She wasn’t sure why he was on her mind today. She should be happy that he was nowhere to be found.

            “Are you looking for Jedidiah?” Petra asked.

            Anna swung around and found Petra walking toward her with a basket of wild flowers. She was wearing an orange gown with a black shawl around her shoulders. Her black hair was down and it came close to hips.

            “Where is he?” Anna asked.

            Petra smiled. “I’m afraid you just missed him. Hank and Jedidiah have gone again.”

            Anna frowned. “Gone? Where to?”

            “I’m not sure where they go. Hank doesn’t tell me. He only says they won’t be gone for long this time. Are you all right?”        

            Anna nodded and smiled. “Of course, I am. Can I help you with something?”

            Petra nodded. “You can help me decorate this house. It needs a touch of a woman.”

            Anna spent her afternoon making wreaths out of the wild flowers Petra had picked. The two women spent their time talking and Anna learned that Petra was expecting her first child. She was about three months along and Anna finally noticed that the waist line of Petra’s gowns had been redesigned to fit her growing body. Petra glowed when she spoke of Hank and her child. She knew that Petra was very much in love with her husband. Anna wondered if she would be as much in love with the Baron Charles as Petra was with Hank.

            “How did you meet Hank?” Anna asked.

            Petra smiled. “I like to think of it as Hank saving me.”

            “Really?”

            “I come from a very poor family, Anna. I didn’t know the rich life like you. I had to work to get food in my belly. My mother died when I was very young and my father had to raise me and my brothers by himself. No work would hire a half breed. You see, my mother was an American and everyone knew that. They all hated my mother and when she died, they were all grateful. The only place that would hire me was the local saloon where I worked as a waitress.

            “But working there as a waitress was hard enough and if you add drunken men, you’re in serious trouble. One evening, I was working late and I came out to find two men waiting for me. They tried to have their way with me, but Hank came and he saved me.”

            Anna pushed aside the wreath she had finished. “And your family?”

            “My father wasn’t very fond of Hank. He didn’t like that Hank was English and wore the Queen’s colors. When he tried to get me to reconsider, I refused and he disowned me. Hank married me and he’s been taking care of me since. I still send my father money when I can.”

            Anna smiled, touched. “It seems you’ve got yourself a good man.”

            Petra laughed. “Hank is all soft if you get to know him. He told me how he hated himself after he whipped you.”

            “But he had every right! He thought I had killed Jedidiah!”

            Laughing, she replied, “Jedidiah is smitten with you, Anna. If only you’d open your eyes and see.”

            “He’s not smitten with me. He’s told me that he has no room for love in his life. He’s keeping me here because he desires my body. That’s all; beyond that, it’s nothing.”

            Petra put aside her wreath and reached for Anna’s hand. “Listen to me, Anna. I know Jedidiah. I’ve been with him long enough to know when a woman is affecting him. Did you know you’re the first woman he’s brought here? He’s never brought a woman here before. Seeing as how you’re the first, you should be really grateful and blessed. Most women see him at night and then he’s gone before dawn breaks. If you see him lying beside you when morning comes, consider yourself lucky.”

            Anna wasn’t sure how to take in the news. As Petra continued to work on the wreaths, she pondered what Jedidiah was truly feeling toward her. She had to admit that although she hated being trapped here, she was getting accustomed to having Jedidiah beside her at night. There was something safe about having him there with her and it provided her a sense of calm and peace. Shaking her head, she smiled at Petra and continued on with the wreaths; blast Jedidiah.

            When evening came, Anna was surprised to hear Hank’s loud laughter in the dining room. She got up from where she was sitting before the fireplace and walked to find Hank kissing Petra. Embarrassed, she stepped away and her back hit something hard. She turned around to find Jedidiah standing behind her. Before she could utter one word, he grabbed her chin and kissed her deeply. The feeling of fire in her belly escalated and she found her fingers making their way up to hold his neck, not to push him away, but to keep him from pulling away. When the kiss ended, her lips tingled and she saw a burning passion in his eyes. He smiled and touched her cheeks.

            “Did you miss me, little dove?” he asked.

            She wasn’t about to give him the benefit of the doubt. “Of course not, Jedidiah; I was merely entertaining you.”

            He threw back his head and laughed. “My, but you are a good liar.”

            He slammed his lips against hers again and this time she pushed away. When she looked into his eyes, she saw herself and she was beautiful. She had never known that he saw her that way. She stood there, captivated and breathless as his hands made their way up to her bun and destroyed it. When her hair fell down, he grabbed a handful of it and brought it to his nose.

            “I’ve missed you so much, little dove. I ached for you all day long and just knowing that you would be here when I returned, gave me the strength to come home,” he whispered.

            She shuddered as he leaned down and kissed her neck. “Jedidiah, please…not here.”

            He pulled her closer to him until their bodies melted into one another. “Why not here? I can hardly contain myself. I’m dying for you.”

            “Contain yourself, my friend! You’ll burn the house down!” Hank yelled.

            Laughter filled the room as Hank and Petra walked toward them. Jedidiah groaned and pulled away, giving his friend a deathly glare. Hank, pretending to not see the look, slapped Jedidiah on the back.

            “My lady, I hope you give this boy a bone to chew on because all the way home, all he belly ached about was you,” Hank said with a smile.

            Anna blushed and lowered her head.

            “Oh, you big goat! Let’s leave them alone,” Petra said.

            Hank laughed as Petra led him away from them. Once they were out of sight, Anna pulled herself away from his hold and walked a few feet away from her. When she turned around to look at him, he had shed off his thick coat. He stood there wearing a white shirt thin enough to see through and she inhaled a quick breath.

            “Milady, tell me what lingers on your mind,” Jedidiah said closing the distance between them.

            She lifted her tear glimmering eyes to him. “I was just wondering if I would ever see home again.”

            “But this is home to you.”

            “Is it? You’ve yet to tell me how you feel about me. Though you do tell me there’s no room in your life for love. Last night when I said I would get comfortable, you didn’t even answer me. Should I start by telling you how I feel for you? Would that give you a shove toward admitting your feelings for me?” she asked.

            He crossed his arms. “Milady, I’ve told you that I desire you.”

            “Desiring me and loving me are two different things. If you love me, then make me an honorable woman by offering me your last name. If you’ve no intention of doing so, then let me go so I may go face the wrath of my betrothed.”

            “Wrath?” he asked.

            “Yes, wrath; the Baron Charles will not want a tainted woman, I guarantee you that.”

            He let his hands fall to his sides and walked toward her. “Anna, you are anything, but a tainted woman.”

            “I will be if you continue to hold me like this! You can’t hold me like I’m some prisoner and expect me to be well with the situation. Either you tell me the truth or you send me back. I will not be fooled any longer.”

            She stood there and watched as he fought with his feelings. When he didn’t answer her, she knew the truth. She straightened herself and wiped the tears from her eyes. Clearing her throat loudly, she walked to him.

            “I demand you send me back tomorrow or I shall be forced to ask Hank. Don’t doubt that he will not do as I ask,” she whispered.

            He looked at her with a dark glare. “Fine, milady. I’ll do as you so finely ask of me. I shall return you to your Baron Charles.”

            “Are you done brooding, you big fool?” Hank asked as he entered Jedidiah’s chamber.

            It had been two days since Anna had departed and Jedidiah had remained in his chamber since then. He’d not eaten and he’d not made any appearance. Hank sighed and slammed the door loud enough to shatter a few candles. But Jedidiah remained as if he was deaf.

            “My friend, if you’re going to brood as much as you do now, why did you let her leave?” he asked.

            Jedidiah stared at his boot and remained silent.

            “She’s not at the bottom of your boot, Jedidiah. You put her on a ship two days ago. She’s probably already in the arms of her beloved Baron Charles. They’re probably already wedded and he’s probably already bedded what you first broke. Do you think he’ll find her likable? Anna, with her soft skin, her dark hair, her full, firm-“

            Jedidiah stood up. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!”

            Hank laughed. “Boy, if I didn’t know you better, I’d say you were in love.”

            Jedidiah sat down again and let out a long slow breath. “Help me, my friend. What do I do?”

            “Do what you should have done in the first place; fall to the ground and confess your love.”

            Jedidiah stared at the unmade bed and inside his heart hurt. It had been a long three days without her and at night when he ached for her, he had nothing to hold, but his foolishness. He had been a fool to let her go. He was ready to go and claim her back. This time, he wouldn’t let her go again. He had been a fool to let her go the first time. He knew now that what he felt for her wasn’t just desire, it was love. He stood up, grabbed his bag, and walked down the stairs. Hank was waiting for him at the entrance with a smile on his face. He turned to find Petra approaching him.

            “Bring her home, Jedidiah,” she said.

            “I will.”

            Anna dumped the flowers on the table and began to sort them. She wanted to make wreaths like those she had made with Petra to decorate the house. She wasn’t sure if she was doing it out of boredom or because she missed Jedidiah. She was clinging onto every single memory of them together and day by day, those memories were beginning to fade. The day he put her on the boat was the day her heart broke. She felt as if the world had turned its back on her and left her dangling with all the blood rushing to her head. She loved him, she knew it then and she knew it even more now. But when he failed to answer her about his feelings, she knew he would never love her. So she returned to find the Baron Charles already married to a young woman of his choice. With nowhere to go, she returned back home where her parents met her with rage, anger, and shame. But after many heated discussions, they turned their hate and anger to love and took her back.

            It was good that the Baron had married someone else because if he had waited for her and wedded her, he would be disappointed. For within her body, a child was growing…a child of Jedidiah’s. Two months after her return to her parents’, she found out she was carrying his child when her flow failed to return. Her mother had noticed her morning sickness and her fatigue, and had guessed eventually. She didn’t hold Anna against it, but her father pushed for her to reveal who the father was. What could Anna say? The father didn’t want her and would he want her if her slim body was to take form to hold the child?

            Tears filling her eyes, she broke the flower heads off and started to pin them on the wreath when she felt heavy footsteps behind her. She assumed they were of Maddy’s, who had returned with her, and didn’t bother to look. But when the hands came to rest upon her shoulders, she turned around and stared into the eyes of a stranger. The flower heads dropped from her hands as he walked around to face her. He was tall and dark skinned with black hair and brown eyes. He wore a green cloak on top of black clothes; a sword hung by his side.

            “You are Lady Anna?” he asked in a thick Spanish accent.

            “Who are you?”

            He laughed and placed his hands on the table. “I am Pedro Van Jurez and I’m going to be your new husband.”

            She shot to her feet with a gasp on her lips. “What on earth are you talking about? Do my parents know you are here?”

            “It is your father who has given you to me. He owes me a lot of money and he can’t pay. Unless you would like me to break your father bones one by one, you will go quietly.”

            She felt tears in her eyes brewing. She had just been released from one man’s prisoner, only to be tossed into one’s hold. She shook her head fiercely and stood her ground.

            “I will not go with you, my lord Jurez. I am expecting another man’s child. I cannot be your woman.”

            He frowned and then stared at her midsection. “But your body is not showing.”

            “I’m not far along yet, but soon I will be showing.”

            “Well, your beauty will take that part away from you. You will go with me and I will claim the bastard as my own.”

            “No!”

            He started toward her. “Do you refuse me? Do you know what happens to women who refuse me?”

            “They meet the end of your blade violently,” Jedidiah said.

            Both Anna and Van Jurez turned to find Jedidiah standing behind her. Anna couldn’t believe her eyes and she blinked a few times to make sure her vision wasn’t playing tricks on her. But there he stood, tall and handsome as ever he was. He held his sword in front of him and gestured for her to come to him. She did so and when she reached him, he grabbed her hand and pulled her behind him, out of harm’s way.

            Van Jurez frowned and stared at him. “Do I know you?”
            “You should. You were the one who took my parents away from me.”

            He laughed. “I’ve taken a lot of lives. Perhaps it would be better if you had a name?”

            “Sure, you bastard, I’ll give you a name. How about Richard Whittaker? Or better yet, how about Rosa Lee Whittaker?”

            Anna watched as the man’s eyes widened and then he withdrew his sword suddenly. She gasped and Jedidiah pushed her away from him, toward the house. She watched as Jedidiah stepped forward.

            “You killed my father because he had what you couldn’t have, my mother. And then when my mother wouldn’t accept you, you killed her too.”

            Anna felt tears in her eyes when she heard this.

            “Your mother was much too beautiful to be with your father. Just like you; you’re not good enough for Anna. Is it your child she carries?”

            Anna watched as Jedidiah swung his head around to face her. The sting of the truth was in his eyes as he lowered his eyes to her midsection. She placed her hands there and gave him a slight nod.

            Laughing, Van Jurez said, “Fool! You didn’t even know, did you?”

            Jedidiah turned his attention back to him. “I know this, you’re not going anywhere near her or my child.”

            “That’s too bad because her father just sold her to me to clear his debts. She’s mine.”

            “Not if I’m still standing.”

            “Well, that’s something we shall have to remedy then.”

            Anna watched in horror as the two men charged toward each other. Van Jurez was strong, but even then, he was no match for Jedidiah. The first swung of sword belonged to Jedidiah and it connected with Van Jurez’s flesh, drawing blood. It sent Van Jurez to his knees as he stared up at Jedidiah with hatred. But the man would not relent and he was back on his feet again. The two battled long and hard, swinging their swords and punches when necessary until Van Jurez fell to his feet and his sword out of his reach. Jedidiah stood above him with his sword at his neck.

            “I’ve dreamed of killing you a thousand times. Now my dream is here and yet all I can do is pity you,” Jedidiah said.

            He laughed. “You’re a coward just like your father! You don’t have it in you!”

            “Don’t tempt me.”

            “I’ll take Anna and I’ll destroy her for you to see. I’ll raise that bastard of yours to hate you! Even if you do kill me, there will be my men who will take down her father for his debt. You lose either way.”

            Jedidiah screamed and pushed his sword down into his throat. Van Jurez gurgled a few bloody coughs and then his eyes rolled in the back of his head. Anna covered her face with her hands and started crying. When she felt his hands on her, she removed her hands and stared up at his face. He had tears in his eyes and then he lowered himself to his knees. She watched him struggle with his words and when he found no words, he simply laid his head on her belly and held her. She brought her hands to rest on his head and they stayed like that for a long time. When he spoke next, it was filled with emotion.

            “I have searched all of my life for that man. It was why I couldn’t open my heart to anyone. I wasn’t free. I had nowhere in my heart for love because it was filled with hate and revenge.”

            He looked up at her and she saw tears streaming down his face. He stood up and took her hands in his.

            “But when I met you, you stirred something inside of me that had been locked away. I told myself it was nothing, but I couldn’t ignore it. I was a fool that night when you asked me to tell you my feelings; I should have told you the truth. But I was scared and I was afraid of what might come between us if I didn’t come to terms with my anger.”

            Anna felt tears roll down her cheeks as she stared at him. Here, was a man who was coming clean with his emotions. She lifted a hand and wiped his tears away.

            “And what do you feel?” she asked softly.        

            He took her hands and brought them to his lips. “I feel as if the world has been reborn with a gif that is all mine. I can look at the world without hate and I can understand the meaning of the word, forgive. I feel as if I’m one fire when I’m near you and when I’m not, I feel as if I’ve no meaning in my life. You’re my everything; the air, the beat of my heart, my soul. You are the reason why I am here and for all that I am.”

            Anna gulped down her tears as he pulled her closer to him.

            “When you left that day, I died. I should have stopped you and I should have taken you in my arms and never let you go. But you going made me realize I was in love with you and every part of me ached for you. I know now that without you, I’d be nothing but a worthless being, little dove. You are the destiny I’ve been searching for with all of my journeys at sea.”

            “Jedidiah,” she whispered.

            He placed his hand on her belly. “And this is proof that I love you. I never leave something of mine behind if I don’t intend to be there forever.”

            “I love you.”

            “Can I count on that forever?”

            She laughed. “Of course!”

            Two weeks later, Anna woke up with Jedidiah staring at her with love in his eyes. It took some convincing on his part to let her father allow her to return with him. But in the end, her father agreed. And being a man to his words, Jedidiah paid off her father’s debt. She left with Jedidiah a few days later and returned to a glowing Petra who was bearing good news of her own; Hank was going to be a father. The house sang with goodness and happiness for two days straight and it left everyone in a great mood.

Being back at home, in his arms, she realized how much she truly loved him. Every part of her knew that without him, she’d cease to live. Now, Anna, almost three months pregnant, was slightly starting to swell in her belly, and Jedidiah loved every inch of it.

            “You’re staring,” Anna said blushing.

            “I know.”

            “Stop it.”

            “I can’t,” he said with a grin. “I’m too much in love.”

            “What shall we name him?”

            He raised an eyebrow. “Him?”

            “My hopes are showing.”

            He snuggled in closer to her. “I think we should wait to see who he takes after. If he looks like me, he’ll need a good strong name. If he looks anything like you, I’d have a lot of trouble.”

            Anna gasped. “Trouble? What the devil does that mean?”

            He smiled. “He’ll have the ladies flocking after him.”

            “I hope he won’t have his father’s stubbornness when it comes to love.”

            Jedidiah kissed her shoulder. “If he does, I’ll whip him silly.”

            Anna smiled as she met his kiss. She couldn’t have dreamed of a better ending. The best thing in her life had been when she was kidnapped by the pirate Jedidiah. For he brought to her life, an adventure and love that she never thought of.