Chapter Two

Half an hour later, Violet surmised the ship was adequately named. His sweet, adorable, innocent bride was definitely what he would consider a saucy, little wench.

After rowing out to his ship, Violet tried to assist Betsy in climbing the Jacob's ladder, to the deck. Her skirts got caught under her boots on almost every rung. Having had enough, Vi finally swung Betsy over his shoulder, scaled the ladder and lifted her over the rail. Then, much to his surprise, when they were both finally standing on solid wood, she proceeded to climb him as a monkey would a banana tree.

He had completely forgotten the state of his ship. They were all men aboard, and not exactly the highest caliber of men made up his motley crew. A thick layer of greasy dirt covered the whole of the ship, rats scurried here and there, and Vi knew that to Betsy, it must seem a sty after having been aboard the Lady. Vi's crew was not fond of cleaning. Most of them managed to keep themselves halfway clean, but their clothes were usually worn for a week at a time, if not longer. Bathing and clothes washing, for the most part, only occurred when they made land.

Violet kept his own cabin and person spotless. However, he let the rest of the men be their own masters, and they, for the most part, were a lazy bunch. He had inherited most of the crew along with the ship and their habits were lacking and long standing.

Betsy had taken one look at the filthy, dismal ship, then she had screamed. Before he knew what was happening, she grabbed onto Violet's arm and scrambled up him, using him as a stepladder to hop up onto a barrel, as a huge rat went scurrying past them.

"Rrrraaaattttt!" She screamed, as she teetered off balance on top of the barrel of rum. She gripped Violet's shirt in one of her hands as she pointed with her other hand in the direction the rat had gone.

"Yes, well......, I am not quite sure how to go about getting rid of them." Violet told her, as he steadied her on the barrel. "They multiply faster than we can kill them." He explained.

Betsy glared at him.

Violet was taken aback for a few seconds, as she had never looked at him in any other way before, except adoringly. He did not know exactly what he was supposed to do.

"Um, yes, well...." Vi was at a loss, maybe he should have thought of what the ship would seem like to her, forewarning her or something....He strolled a safe distance away from her, and away from her wrath, now that she was seated firmly on her perch. He turned back to her, hoping he could think of something to say that might appease her....And froze.

Vi sucked in a breath and stood completely still, in shock, as his previously sweet, timid, little Kitten, pulled a pistol on him.

Quick as can be, she had reached in her pocket and was, at this very moment, sighting her shot.

"Now K-K-Kitten....." He stammered, as she started from his left side, drawing her bead across him as she finally aimed the pistol to the right of his left arm, and took her shot.

Vi jerked his head around to see exactly what it was she was shooting at. He turned, just in time, to see a rat fly off the opposite deck railing and fall into the sea.

Ol' Chauncey hit the deck as soon as the shot was fired. "Violet! ....'Elp me! ....The lil she cat is tryin' ta kill me!" He screeched.

Violet turned back, stunned, to look at his bride. She was sitting cross legged on the barrel, an intense look of concentration on her face. He could see her tongue was peeking out the corner of her mouth, and she was reloading. Violet shook his head a little to clear his brain of the shock.

She then plopped the bag of shot into her lap and looked around for her next victim. It wasn't but a moment after the first shot, she fired another.

Vi saw her aim and he turned his head that direction to see a rat quickly scurrying up a rope line, he looked back at Betsy, there was no way.....

Sure enough, there was a way. The saucy, little wench plunked the rat right off the line. It dropped to the deck, dead, next to Chauncey's head. Vi burst out laughing, he had not even noticed he had been holding his breath. He laughed so very hard, he was bent over double, and tears started running down his cheeks.

Chauncey had risen to his hands and knees, only to hit the deck once more, as he was convinced Betsy was shooting at him.

"Violet!?! Why is this funny?! Are ye jus goin' to let 'er kill me?!?" Chauncey hollered, from his spot facedown on the deck.

Vi was grinning and still chuckling, wiping tears from his eyes as he walked over and picked up the dead rat by it's tail, " 'Tis the critters she is after, Chauncey, not you." His voice revealed his mirth, " I have the feeling if she wanted to kill any of us, it would be done by now." Vi assured the old man jovially, as he tossed the vermin overboard.

She was doing that adorable thing with her nose, Vi noticed, as he looked lovingly at his new treasure.

She, in turn, was looking for more rats.

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Betsy kept up her vigil as Brutus Marks, Vi's first mate, readied the ship for their departure.

"Cap'n?" Brutus called.

"Northeast, if you please, Mr. Marks." Violet called out.

The ship sat in the water, waiting for the sails to fill with wind, rocking from side to side, instead of pulling forward. It was rather defeating the way his ship was so slow to respond. His hour aboard the Lady had been Vi's biggest thrill to date. She had grabbed the wind and fairly flew through the water. Vi had reveled in the exhilaration that had coursed through his body as he directed the crew to man the sails through their turns and straight runs. Tacking to take full advantage of the ocean winds, he had felt the Lady leap to the challenge, before sluicing smoothly through the swells.

His own ship was a downright sluggard after experiencing that. She should be called the Lazy Wench instead. Vi smiled ruefully. He now knew exactly what kind of ship he aspired to, he wanted one that rode the wind such as the Lady did.

"Violet?" He heard Betsy call to him, and he turned towards her.

"Yes, Kitten?" He asked, as he walked over to stand in front of her perch.

"I was just wondering, when you stole the Earl's ship...." She started.

"Borrowed." He stated.

"When you 'borrowed,'' Betsy rolled her eyes, "The Earl's ship, did you happen to see any calm water where we could anchor safely, close to a beach perhaps." She asked.

He was mildly confused, they had just left a beach, and he had planned to embark for a visit to his mother. He knew a tavern owner there also, who would buy the barrels of rum they had just acquired. They could make quite a tidy profit from those. It would go far for the folks back home. Not to mention the funds to be had if you added the booty they had taken recently from a Spanish ship.

He, however, was also encouraged, it was the first time Betsy had asked him for anything. Mayhap, she was not as timid as she had previously seemed.

"Why would we want to do that, Kitten?" He asked.

"Well, for a beginning, I believe I have an idea about how we can rid ourselves of our unwanted guests," To make her point, she took aim and shot another rat from the rigging. It fell to the deck in front of Violet, as he cringed, he then bent to pick it up and tossed it overboard. "Also, it would be nice to gather some fruit before we are out in the middle of the ocean again." She said sweetly.

"I suppose we could...." He could not believe what he was saying, he was actually going to do this for her. Well, why not? Mayhap they could even have a bit of an island honeymoon before resuming their journey. He smiled at this thought, liking the idea more and more.

"Now that you mention it, I did see a beach I thought looked worthy of exploring, I will give Brutus the change in plans." He smiled at her, and she smiled back so sweetly, that he leaned forward and kissed her quickly before he went to join Brutus at the helm.

Betsy touched her lips and sighed. The small, sweet smile stayed on her face, as she watched her husband stroll across the deck and climb up to the top deck. Her husband. She sighed another small, romantic sigh before she went right back to hunting the flea ridden rats.

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Vi joined his first mate, Brutus, at the helm. Brutus was in the same boat Vi was. Literally, and figuratively.

Brutus' family had not been well off, by any means. His parents had made ends meet on a day by day basis. His father had fished the seas, while Brutus's mother took in washing and sewing. They lived a happy, fulfilling, but meager life.

Brutus, also wanting a commission, as Violet had, had known there were no funds for that luxury. He would have to make his own way if he wanted to sail the seas. He had only planned on pirating a year or two, to learn the ropes of sailing, and earn enough to purchase the commission he wanted.

He had been at it ten years now though. Brutus shook his head at the thought that the years had just flown by. His family had been taken care of through his efforts, he also had quite a bit of funds stashed away, as he was saving for his own ship, something better than the Wench, a faster, sleeker ship. He still needed a bit more, however, if he were going to make his dream a reality.

It was one thing he and Vi had in common, they had dreams, whereas most of the other men on the ship were happy with their lot. Clothes on their backs, food in their bellies, coins to jingle in their pockets, and they were content. Some of the men had a woman on land, others were confirmed bachelors.

None had ever brought a woman aboard ship, as some of the men were superstitious, and women on a ship were rumored to be bad luck.

Brutus was not at all superstitious, he was just realistic. What woman would want to be aboard the Wench? A brave one, that was for sure. He had not put Betsy in that category previously, however, he was now changing his mind. She was a spunky lass as far as he could tell so far. Also, they were already light a few critters, thanks to her, and that was greatly appreciated.

"We shall be sailing around the isle Brutus, please make the adjustments." Vi informed him. "I believe my bride wants a bit of a honeymoon before I am too busy sailing the ocean to give her one." A satisfied smile resided on Vi's face, and a warmth had infused his voice as he looked to Betsy on the lower deck, where she sat upon her barrel.

Brutus thought it may be more likely, that she wanted the hell off this ship. He had wondered what Violet could be thinking to marry her and bring her aboard. It was not as if they had a ladies drawing room, or a parlor aboard ship, where she might be comfortable. He looked around the decks and shook his head, he did not see anywhere topside where she might be happy residing. Except where she already was, that is. No woman alive would be happy to live on a barrel forever, as far as Brutus could imagine, anyway.

Brutus felt the wind picking up and knew the Wench would fill her sails, start off sluggish, then begin sluicing her way through the water. He turned the wheel a bit, and as soon as he felt the ship lift, the sails catching the wind at just the right angle, he headed north, to go west around the island to the other side.

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Betsy continued to pick off rats. She was being very diligent to shoot only those that would not cause her to put a hole in the ship at the same time.

A young cabin boy, around nine years, Betsy guessed, had come up to stand behind, and a little to the side of her.

"How do ye do it, Miss?" He asked her. "How do ye hit 'em ever time w'fout missin?" He was in awe of the new mistress' ability to pick the rats off one by one.

"I am not really sure myself," She paused, hoping he would supply his name, "I am Betsy," She said, and held out her hand.

He started to raise his own hand, then looked down at it, he decided to spit on it and rub it up and down on his dirty pants a few times first. Then he stuck it out to her. "I'm Davey, Miss, bu' all o' the crew calls me Harpy."

She shook his small hand, "Why is that, Davey? Do you happen to play a harp?" Hopeful that he did, as she loved music. If he played well, that is.

"Nay Miss, 'tis jus' the name they calls me." He grinned, his smile had a few gaps as he had lost quite a few of his baby teeth. She could see the new ones growing in, but the boy could definitely use to care for his teeth better. She resolved to help him do that. He was still young enough to save them if he took better care.

A person's smile was very important. Betsy cared for her teeth religiously, her Papa had insisted, and she was glad. She had a bright, healthy smile, and her teeth did not pain her. She knew that Violet's smile was dazzling, her Papa said good teeth ran in a family, hopefully that meant their children would be blessed with the same.

The sudden thought of she and Violet having children, brought a blush to Betsy's face, she looked down to her lap. She could feel her face flushing and she did not want the boy to see.

She went back to their original conversation, hoping the blush would fade. "I have this luck with shooting, I cannot explain it, I am just able to do it. Have you fired a pistol before, Davey?" She glanced at him through her lashes, before she turned her head to look at him more fully.

He had cinnamon colored hair and a long face that fit his body. He was lean and muscled from working aboard ship, but he was still such a young boy. The light in his green eyes dimmed a bit. "Naw, Miss, I'm only allowed a knife. I don' git a gun till I'm older." He said sadly, shaking his head.

" Well, I can understand that, I could teach you to shoot my pistol, though, if it is all right with the Captain." She offered.

A huge grin appeared on his face and he felt the need to make sure she meant it, "Really Miss? Ye would? Would ye teach me brothers too?" He looked back along the ship, she saw a few boys standing in a group, looking at her and Harpy, they were having their own discussion, about who knew what.

She nodded at Harpy, "If they would like to learn, I will teach you all."

Davey whooped, and was about to run over to his 'brothers' to tell them about the new mistress, when she grabbed his sleeve, holding him there for a moment first.

"How many boys are aboard this ship, Davey?" She asked of him.

"There be five of us, Miss, what's younger than ten and two. Ever' one an orphan, an me too. Cap'n picked us up off'n the docks, an we stay wi' him. He takes care o' us." Harpy told her, with his big, gap toothed smile. "Can I go an tell them now, Miss?"

She let go of his sleeve and nodded, smiling at the youth, with his bright eyes and ready enthusiasm, as he ran to tell the other boys.

Her heart melted, towards this boy, and towards her husband. The boy was clothed and fed, he had older men for guidance; albeit they were pirates, but the boy looked well enough. A lot better than he would look begging for his next meal on a quay somewhere.

She thought of her Papa, and his soft spot for orphans, she could not say how many homes Papa had arranged for foundlings. Sometimes her Papa would bring orphaned children home with him, he and Betsy had cared for the children, until the right loving home could be found for them. Betsy had always wanted them to stay a bit longer, it had been nice to have other children to play with. Her favorite game had been 'tutor', if the other children were willing to play.

Her Papa had made sure that Betsy was well learned. He had taught her the fundamentals; reading, writing, and figuring. He had sent her to Lady Eleanor on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for her additional lessons. There she learned needlepoint, etiquette, deportment and dance.

Betsy smiled to herself, as Lady Arianna's brother, Will, came back to mind. He had been visiting his aunt Eleanor one afternoon, when he volunteered to pair with Betsy in her dance lesson. She had previously done the steps following Lady Eleanor's directions, she had never actually had a partner before, except Lady Eleanore. And Lady Eleanore had just demonstrated the ladies parts of the dance. Betsy was only ten years at the time, but her Papa had wanted her to be able to attend the local country dances when she was older. Usually they were held in someone's barn, or above the tea room, where there was a large banquet hall. Papa had tried to make sure Betsy was prepared for later in life, when she would be glad of the education she was receiving from himself, and Lady Eleanor.

Will had seemed so much older, and she had been so shy, that she had tried to tell him it was not necessary.

"But you cannot truly learn the dance, unless you learn to respond to a partner." He had insisted.

It had been so fun. She had curtsied to his bow and they had laughed and danced for the next hour. Lady Eleanor had played the harpsichord, laughing along with them, giving Betsy pointers. And he had been right, she did have a finer appreciation for the art of dancing following that afternoon.

Betsy was still smiling at the memory as she glanced up and her eyes found her husband. She shivered a little, and lost her train of thought completely. My Lord, but he was so beautiful. How in the world had she become married to him? She thought back to their night on the beach, she knew he had felt drawn to her, she just never imagined he would be willing to give up all others, to have only her.

She was encouraged by the fact that Violet took in the orphan boys, they all looked happy, well fed, and cared for. Other than the messy hair and dirty hands, they were a healthy looking bunch.

It looked as if she would once again have opportunities to do God's work, even while being married to a pirate. Whether Vi knew he was doing the Lord's work or not, he was helping these boys, and that did not go unnoticed in heaven.

What she was certain Violet did not know, was that they were not going anywhere, not until this ship was put to rights.

Rats, my goodness, Betsy thought, as she looked around for more of the vermin to dispose of. If there were rats, there were fleas, and there was no way Betsy would put up with that nonsense. Not when it could be avoided with a bit of elbow grease. These men were going to help her clean this ship. She just had to figure out a way to get them to think they wanted to, without actually ordering them about. Betsy thought of the Duchess, Lady Arianna's mother, she would have jumped overboard and demanded something be done, before ever setting foot on the deck. Betsy had been too shocked at first to even take in how bad the ship really was. She did know rats carried disease, and fleas did also, so they simply had to go. One way or another, Betsy would do her best to make this a home she could live with. She just needed her plan to work.

So far, so good, She thought, Vi had agreed to put off their departure, and that was the first step. Now she had to figure out the rest of her plan, before the men wanted to sail on, leaving the only land she could see behind them.

***************************************************

Vi watched as Harpy approached his wife. He was glad she was so friendly to the boy. All of the boys could use a woman around them. They were learning bad habits from the crewmen, and Vi was not sure how to mentor them, other than doing what he had been doing. He realized that was a pitiful amount, compared to what they needed. Schooling would be a good start, as Vi knew their grammar was atrocious. They were sounding more and more like the pirates they were around constantly. Next thing he knew, they would be cursing like them too, if he did not do something about it pretty soon here.

Hopefully, Betsy could help him with the boys, and Ol' Chauncey, too.

For the moment, however, he had an idea about how they could help her.

"Harpy! Have the boys go belowdecks and scare out some more rats, you try to scare 'em up the lines, so that Betsy can send 'em ta Davy Jones' locker." Vi then turned to where Chauncey was tiptoeing across deck, staying low, still convinced he was the she cat's target.

"Chauncey, Brutus could use some help up here, ol' man!" Vi called to him.

Chauncey's head whipped up and he fairly flew to the steps leading up to the helm. When he crested the landing, Vi put a hand on his shoulder, "We are just going a bit around the isle, Captain, if you would please make sure that Brutus does not run us aground, I have some things I need to do belowdecks." Vi told him.

Ol' Chauncey puffed himself up, he stood to the side, in front of the wheel, attempting to navigate for Brutus what he could barely see.

Vi grinned at Brutus, who glared at him and mouthed 'thanks' silently, yet sarcastically. Vi laughed as he stepped down to the main deck. That should keep Chauncey from getting hit on the head with dead critters.

He was not in any way worried Chauncey would get shot. The accuracy with which his Kitten aimed a firearm was impressive. He had never seen a man who could shoot as well as she. He, himself, was a fairly good shot, he managed to hit what he was aiming at, most of the time. But she was a phenomenon. He would have to ask her about this skill of her's later. There were many things he would like to find out about her, he just needed to get her alone, so they could spend some time getting to know each other better.

He liked her idea of putting off their departure by a bit, it would allow them to fill their water casks with freshwater, before they were back out to sea. They had not made the time to do so before Trent had asked them to leave.

Violet ran down the steps that led belowdecks, he could hear the boys squealing and hollering, so he kept it quick. He washed his hands with lye soap in the basin on his dresser, then he got what he needed from his outer cabin and ran back up, hoping he would beat the boys, and not end up with vermin running up his legs.

It had happened once before. It was one thing if he had seen it coming, but the critter had ran up his pant leg, he unawares, until he felt it crawling up his thigh, and then he had lost it, screaming and jumping around like a girl. He physically shivered at the remembrance. At least he had not wet down his breeches. It had been a close one, though.

He wondered what Betsy would have thought of him then. He was glad she had not been there to witness that. It was for that reason he had his mother commission his tall boots from the boot maker. The rats could not climb up his pant leg if there was no access.

Violet made his way over to Betsy and her barrel. He noticed the boys had tied the barrel off tight along with the others, as he had not had time to check the cargo, due to their hasty departure. He had not had the time before Betsy had claimed it as her perch, that is. He was glad the boys had minded their responsibilities.

They were a good group of boys. He wondered if his mother would have any more waiting for him when he went back. Three of the boys, he had found in alleyways, or on the docks. Two of them had been with his mother the last time he had sojourned home. Katherine had a habit of picking up strays.

He reached out and put a hand on Betsy's pistol, pointing it up to the sky, as he crossed in front of her. He stood to the side of Betsy, a little bit behind her, as she was holding a gun after all, then he waited mayhap one full moment, until he heard the screams and clapping coming up the steps from belowdecks.

A handful of rats came running out of the passageway and as some ducked behind barrels, others climbed the lines. Betsy shot one and then as she went to reload, Vi handed her another pistol, preloaded, and took hers to do the honors for her. As she shot, he reloaded, and soon they had a substantial pile of carcasses on the deck.

They worked together, and when their hands touched, their eyes would fly to one another's, as the current would run through them both. Once in a while, he was done first, and he placed the pistol on her lap, at the ready. She felt the warmth of his hand, just for a fleeting second on her thigh, but it took her at least a moment to steady herself enough to shoot. His touch burned, in a good way, a way she had never felt before. Like little strikes of lightning, felt only where he made contact with her, but well and truly shocking in spite of the quickness of his touch.

He saw her jump a little bit every time he touched her and a small smirk touched his lips. He decided to see if she was still as accurate with her gun if he were to touch her and not take his hand away this time.

After he loaded his pistol, he rested it on her leg, right above her knee, while he was still holding it. He reached one finger forward, lightly ran it back and forth, just barely, on the inside of her thigh. He glanced to the side to see her reaction, and he was pleased. She closed her eyes, gasped and rested her hand atop his, then she turned to look at him bewildered, with those big, beautiful, brown eyes.

The boys had returned below to scare up another round, so Vi leaned over and set his lips on hers. She let him kiss her, and even parted her lips on a sigh, which gave him access she had not meant to give, but that she was enthralled with, nonetheless.

She could not understand how his kisses could affect the other parts of her body, though. She could feel her breasts tingling under their bindings, and her midsection warmed, even as her stomach flipped over.

He ended the kiss, and looked at her seriously, "Here they come." He said, as the rats and boys came pouring out the stairway door together.

She looked lost, for just the second or two that it took her, to remember who, and where she was, and what she was supposed to be doing. Violet was suitably impressed when her flustered state affected her shooting none at all. He looked at her proudly, there was much to learn about this little vixen, and he was going to enjoy the study of her very much.

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Violet saw the beach he had been thinking of, as they came around a point of rocks, staying far enough away to not hit any that were submerged below the sea. The waves were calmer here, as it was the sheltered side of the island. The winds blew in from the East, making the sea rougher on the other side of the island.

The Lady's crew had not had a choice, as far as where to land.

Given a choice, they would have swept around, Vi thought. The water was so calm, barely a wave hit the shore, just a gentle wash of water, for the most part. He had not even noticed the deep, clear bay before, when he had sailed the Lady around, he had been so taken with the beauty of the beach, and with the thrill of the ship he had been sailing. He noted the beach again now, as he nodded in reply to Brutus' questioning look and gestures.

Vi touched Betsy's arm, and pointed down behind her, over the side of the ship. He could see the bottom way below, and there were a few porpoises with their young, swimming in closer to them out of curiosity.

She turned and smiled at Violet, her eyes alight with pleasure, before looking back at the creatures. They raced and played tag, spearing through the water, launching up into the air before making a graceful dive back into the sea, while the smaller ones tried to keep up. Betsy laughed, and it made Vi happy to hear it.

"Captaiiiiiiin!" A very screechy voice came from the side of them.

Vi closed his eyes, as if in pain, t'was like nails on a chalkboard when that boy got to hollering. "Yes, Harpy?" Vi asked patiently.

"We gots us some sharks Cap'n, theys right aside us!" Harpy screeched.

"Good Lord!" Betsy said, as she and Vi winced at each other. Not only because of his voice, which was like a cat in heat when he yelled, but his grammar was equally atrocious.

"Yes, well, I have not quite figured out how to mend that either." Vi admitted to his lack of knowledge in certain departments.

"Well, we will definitely be doing something about it now. Did he say sharks, Violet?" She suddenly realized what the boy had been screeching about, and she did not like the idea of sharks!

"Yes, Kitten, we are on the ocean, lovey." He smiled at her, and her breath caught.

It must be the idea of sharks that made her breathless, she just had to be used to his loveliness by now, one would at least hope.

"Not to mention the fact, that you have been providing them with dinner for the last hour or more." He grinned, as she looked around, realizing they had flushed many of the rats out of hiding. However, she was aware there were still many more.

"I do hope you have more shot Violet, as my own supply is quickly becoming depleted." She raised her eyebrow at him in question, and he saw a new facet to her personality, she was teasing him, and he liked it.

"I can supply you with all the balls you need, my lady." He threw back at her. Laughing as he held his hand out to her, knowing that his smart remark had flown over her head, he asked her to join him. "Come with me Kitten, and see the sharks, they are just as entertaining as the porpoise, in their own way."

She looked around once more, and seeing no rats, she hopped off her perch. Holding her skirts tight to her legs with one hand, she allowed him to hold the other, as he lead her over to the starboard rail. The boys were dropping the rats, one by one to the sharks, that were devouring them below.

"Oh my, they are somewhat prehistoric, are they not?" She asked Violet.

She was looking at the sharks and he was looking at her. She wrinkled her nose as the boys threw another carcass over the rail. God, but she was sweet. He could not wait to kiss her again, and hopefully with a little more privacy next time, he thought, as he settled for kissing her on her pert, wrinkled up little nose.

She laughed and rubbed at where he kissed her, her eyes sparkling up into his, as she smirked a saucy smile at him. She then raised up on her toes and kissed him for five whole seconds. He rejoiced that she had taken the initiative, however he tried not to laugh, as her eyes were scrunched up tight the entire time.

She leaned back and gave him the saucy smile again, slapping at his shirt front lightly, before she leaned up against him, her body now fully against his. "I think I need to lose my skirts." She confided to him quietly.

From the moment she attached herself to him, he was in total agreement.

Wait, he thought, there is no way she means what I want her to mean. Vi closed his eyes for a moment, then taking a deep breath, he asked, "Whatever do you mean, Kitten?" He prided himself on his intuitiveness to realize she did not know what she said.

"I am standing here, afraid a rat will crawl up my skirts, Violet. My Lady wore breeches, do you think perhaps we could find something I could use to make some for myself? I can sew a neat stitch." She told him.

He was glad he had stopped to think, and not just dragged her off to his cabin and relieved her of her pinafores. Well, not really glad, but relieved, anyway. He wanted her to trust him, he felt that so far, she might a little bit. He wanted her to feel safe with him. It seemed she did, in spite of the state of his ship and the vermin, she was actually holding up very well. He was proud of her. "I can see your point, also when we are out on the ocean, the winds can be strong and very cold." He smiled and then he raised his eyebrow at her, the thought of her in breeches.... Well, he would just have to think about that later, as they had pulled as far into the cove, as he wanted to be. The water was calm, Brutus had ordered the sails dropped a bit ago, as their momentum, along with the incoming tide, carried them the rest of the way into the bay.

The beach was not far off, fifteen meters or so, a short rowboat ride to the sand. The shore dropped off quicker here, than on the other side of the island, where a person could walk out into the waves a good distance. Here, after five meters, no man could still stand with his head above the water. It was deep enough that the Wench would have no trouble getting back out.

"Drop the anchor me hearties, let's take a keg 'o rum and venture ashore." He called to his crew, as Betsy giggled at his 'pirate talk', and lightly slapped his chest again.

"What do ye think yer doin' ye impertinent wench?" He said, as he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.

Betsy squeaked, and then she laughed, until she realized he was taking her down into the bowels of the ship. "Nooooo!" Betsy started hitting his lower back in earnest, as she was afraid to go down there, she had just barely gotten over her fear of the deck.

He stopped and set her down. He took her in his arms and held her for a moment. Then he leaned back to look at her, "Do you trust me?" He looked her straight in the eyes and waited patiently for her answer.

Betsy closed her eyes and swallowed her fear, reminding herself, that wives should be submissive to their husbands. Also, she did trust him. It was her own fear, and the unknown, she did not trust. She opened her eyes and answered him truthfully, "I do." She said to him, for the second time this day.

He picked her up and carried her, just in case of vermin, and swept down the hallway to his cabin. He opened the door, and set her down, closing the door behind him.

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Thank you for commenting, and for all the votes. I love the comments and please feel free to point out any corrections needed. I welcome the help!

I truly appreciate all the follows and reads. I'm thrilled by each and every one of you giving this story a chance to grace your libraries, and I hope you continue to read, and hopefully, enjoy!

Until next time :)