Chapter Six Part One

Violet and Betsy walked the path through the lush growth of the jungle. He knew at some point the path would lead to water. The problem being, they had to cart it back out once they found it, so he hoped it was not too far until they reached it. He noted the path was wider than most, making him wonder what kind of animals had created it. He had a pistol tucked in his waistband, and he had a machete that hung from his hip. The blade would make a formidable weapon, yet, knowing what exactly was out there beating the bush would be helpful.

Betsy held Violet's hand as he lead her up the jungle path. 'Twas but a short walk, just beyond where Pete had found his tree, when they reached a running stream.

"This must empty out into the ocean eventually. If we could find where it does, it may be easier to fill the casks from there." Violet squinted the way the stream flowed, trying to see if the path ran along it. The vegetation was thick, and the stream twisted, rounding a bend which further obstructed his view.

They started following the stream, Violet wanted to see if it wound back to the beach, and so far, the narrow trail had taken up beside it.

They followed the path, then rounded the bend the stream had cut through the jungle, eventually coming upon a small clearing. Violet stopped, he held up the sack he carried that contained their meal, as he looked to Betsy, "Shall we?"

She smiled and nodded. They had not come too far, yet, already the boots she wore were rubbing a blister on the back of her foot. The boots were a titch loose, and they slipped against her heel with almost every step she took.

Violet picked a spot next to the flowing stream, where a grass cushioned area looked inviting. Betsy sat and removed her boots, she sucked in a breath between her teeth as she lowered her feet into the water.

Violet sat next to her, his long legs stretched out in front of him, crossing his ankles. Upon hearing her response to the pain of the blister, he set the food to the side and leaned forward, pulling her foot up a little so he could see the damage wrought on her poor heel.

"Kitten, why did you not say you were in pain? I would not have made you walk so quickly had I known."

Betsy winced as he allowed her foot to slide back into the water. "I did not realize I was wearing a hole in my foot until we stopped, Violet. The water helps take the sting away, I am sure 'twill be fine in a bit."

Violet leaned over and kissed her temple, "Still, 'tis sorry I am, we will have to be careful going back, we would not want to make it worse." Knowing she hungered, Violet picked up and untied the napkin, spreading it out between them on the grassy bank.

Betsy leaned over forward, rinsing her hands in the stream, she then shook them as dry as she could, before reaching over and picking up the salted pork. She ripped it into several pieces which she placed back onto the cloth, then she broke the cheese up into chunks.

They both sat and chewed their victuals for a few moments, in silence, until Violet spoke, "You told me how you came to be a maid, but I would know where a maid learns to shoot like that." Looking to his side at her, curiosity burned in his eyes.

"I really could not say, Violet." She spoke after swallowing, shrugging her shoulders. "I only learned I had the skill a few days past, when my lady thought it a good idea for me to learn. I had never shot anything before that. Arianna thought it best that we knew how, in case we needed to defend ourselves. From pirates mostly, I do believe." She grinned at him and the irony of her statement.

He laughed at her, he was very glad she had not been armed on the beach that early morning when he had tried to take their camp. "Truly, you just found that you could hit anything you wanted to?" Violet shook his head in disbelief. " 'Tis amazing, I have never heard the like before. Most who have the talent have practiced for years to have the accuracy you display...............So Harp wants lessons, hmmm?" He saw her looking down to her lap as she shredded a piece of pork between her fingers.

"Aye, I am sorry, I realize I should have asked you first, they are your cabin boys after all, and mayhap you think them too young to learn." She glanced at him sidelong through her lashes, as she wondered if he was angry about that. Had she overstepped her bounds?

"As I said before, they are our boys now, as long as they are taught responsibly, I see no reason why you could not teach them." His violet eyes shined with amusement, "They may as well learn from the best." He admitted, as he smiled stunningly at her.

Betsy blushed, and looked to the stream, she had never been the best at anything before in her life. She did have a small bean of pride, that sat in her chest, and grew with his words.

"I do not fool myself, Violet, 'tis a gift from God, and should be used wisely. I look forward to the time spent with the boys, and I appreciate that you are not angry at my assumptions."

"I trust your judgement, kitten, you have not given me reason not to. If I have a problem with anything, 'tis that you shoot better than I." He chuckled again, realizing his foolish pride had shifted. He did not need to be better than she at the skill, as he had many of his own skills he excelled at. He found his pride had shifted and found itself in her. That she could do it, and she was his, was good enough for him.

"I was wondering if you would teach me swordplay, Violet? The rapiers caught my eye and I would love to learn......if it pleases you." She turned mischievous, sparkling eyes to his, he could see she was teasing him, using his own words against him.

He chuckled softly, " 'Twould be my pleasure, kitten, indeed, it would please me much, to teach you many things." He growled and buried his face in her neck, kissing the point where her pulse raced under her skin, rasping that soft skin with his beard stubble.

Betsy giggled and swatted at his chest. "Stop that, Violet, it tickles." She laughed, as he slid the napkin up, out of the way, before pulling her atop him. He then set to tickling her in earnest. He worked his fingers at both her sides as she twisted and turned, trying to get away from his torturous attentions. She grabbed both of his wrists in her hands and tried pulling them away from her midsection, to no avail, his arms were strong as iron. "Please, Violet, stop that, stop that right now!" She laughed while he tortured her, then she had an idea.

She let go of his wrists and threw her arms around him and kissed him. She could feel his smile under her lips, as he stopped tickling, his hands sliding over her ribs, one hand settling upon her lower back, his other upon her shoulder, pressing her to him.

A few moments of languorous fencing, then he drew back to look into her sparkling eyes, his own crinkled up in smiling violet crescents, telling her she pleased him very much.

He stroked her silken hair, and let it sift through his fingers as he placed her gently beside him, sitting up and tucking her under his arm. "I have a confession, and I would have you know what I am thinking so as not to mislead you, and have you think I do not want you." Violet turned to look down upon Elizabeth, and her confused visage, smiling at her with his eyes, to assure her all was well.

"I do not think that, Violet, I think I can tell that you do, after all, you asked me to be your bride. I know I want you for my husband." She said innocently.

"Yes, well, 'twas not exactly what I meant, Kitten. Has anyone ever explained to you what happens in the marriage bed?" He looked into her eyes, as she blushed the prettiest shade of rose.

"Yes, I am aware of the basic principles involved." She knew she blushed, but felt this was an important discussion, as his face was quite serious. So she made the effort to continue looking at him, even at the expense of her own embarrassment.

"Well.......I feel I should not burden you with the possibility of a child, until we decide a few things." He admitted.

Betsy's heart dropped. "No more kissing?" She asked. No more of touching his magnificent body? Not fair!

"I never said no kissing, kitten, you are aware of what has to happen for you to conceive a child?"

"I am," I think, "However, I also know it involves kissing and the like." She looked into his eyes, with those huge, fawn colored eyes of her own, he could tell she did not want to give up the kissing and the learning of each other.

"You could not pay me enough coin not to keep kissing you and learning about what pleases you. However, I fear for you, if you were to be carrying my babe out here on the sea."

It was just going to be hard. Very hard, he admitted to himself. "I think we shall discuss this more later. We have found water, have had our picnic, now let us see where this water comes out to the beach."

"As you say, husband, so it shall be." She smiled, at least there would be more kissing, and that was good enough for her. She raised her feet out of the stream and winced as the air hit the tender skin. She bent over and blew on the spot, hoping to dry it off quickly, without having to rub on it.

Violet rose and stepped into the water in front of her. He bent and took up the empty napkin, wetting it down, he then tied it around her foot.

"But how shall I......." She stopped speaking, as he put his hands under her arms and lifted her, turning her at the same time. He then bent, raising her over his head and settling her on his shoulders, just as Sam had done with Davey. He grabbed her boots and started walking down the middle of the stream, one of his hands holding the boots, the other resting on her thigh to steady her.

Betsy's skin warmed considerably where their bodies touched, and her midsection fluttered in pleasure as his hand settled upon her thigh. It made her wonder if she really did know all that was involved in making a child, as that was one subject her Bible was not crystal clear about.

It was also one subject Papa had never taught. She was too young when he passed, and she had never thought to ask Lady Eleanor. Mayhap, she should ask Violet for specifics, as he seemed to expect her to know. She would ask him later, as he had started singing a swashbuckling tune, and she could not stop the grinning, and wincing, his singing brought about.

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

Brutus saw the sails when they were still a mile away. He was pretty sure the other ship had sighted them floating in the bay. He was glad he had lowered the skull and crossbones, raising the English flag........just in case.

He was also glad the other ship was approaching from the west, and would not have sighted the Lady on the other side of the island as he hoped all remained well within their camp.

Brutus had met a sweet, pretty girl named Margaret on the beach a couple of days ago, and they had become friends, of a sort. He had held her infant baby for her as she had dished them both out some supper. The little boy had smiled and cooed at him, grabbing his finger, at the same time he grabbed his heart. Brutus wondered if he would see them again one day.

Margaret had been a very sweet girl, that Brutus had been able to tell, had been through hell and back. It had broken his heart to see the light bruises upon her skin, to hear the pain in her voice, as she had told him about her life as a slave on Bailey's island, and the rescue by Trent. He could respect the Earl much for the rescue, and he was glad they had saved such a sweet soul as he had found Margaret to be.

He raised his eyeglass, seeing the Jolly Roger flying as bold as can be. He recognised the ship, 'twas Redbeard, upon the Grieving Widow.

Damn. Brutus felt he should warn Violet as soon as possible, as Vi would probably want to hide Betsy away quickly somewhere, where Redbeard would not see her.

Redbeard also, sailed under the Pelican Crew. They paid their taxes to Bailey the same as Violet had.

Brutus despised men like Redbeard, men who found pleasure in taking a man's life, men who were known for taking captives. Brutus would have to talk to Vi about keeping Redbeard from sailing around the isle. He knew the Earl of Trent had no plans to depart today, as they still had to reload their ship's cargo. They would more than likely need to fill their water barrels also.

"Bart, I needs a warning shot fired, man, Redbeard approaches." Brutus hollered down the deck at their gunner, Bartholomew, who looked up to see the white sails in the distance.

"Aye, aye, right to it, sir!" Bart scrambled away as Brutus turned to Michaels.

"Let us get this cargo belowdecks, Michaels, before he gets here. Leave one barrel of rum, but let us take the rest out of sight and secure it within the hold." There was no honor among Redbeard's crew, he would rob them as soon as another, if they gave him the opportunity.

The single cannon blast from the Wench served as a hello to the oncoming ship. They did not have to know that it also signaled Violet to make his way back as soon as possible.

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

Betsy jumped on her perch atop Violet's shoulders, as his song ended abruptly, and his head snapped up.

"We have company." He dropped her down, so that her legs were now around his midsection, supported by his arms. Her arms wound tighter around his shoulders, as he started jogging down the stream. He could see the open sky up in front of them a little way ahead, so the beach was not far either.

"What do you mean company?" Betsy asked curiously. Her heart was racing due to the cannon, but Violet did not seem too worried, so she would not worry either until they knew what they faced.

Violet handed her boots to her, then he quickened his pace even more, tightening his hold on her. Alright, maybe she was a little worried after all, as her heart continued to race, and her husband grabbed onto her thighs and started running.

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