Chapter Eleven
A Viggo/Orlando RPS A/U of no determined time period other than ‘puffy shirt era’.
Rated NC17 for the series.
Warnings for violence of the sword kind and male/male sexual situations in the series.
I mean no disrespect to the fine folks portrayed herein.
Thank you, Jean.
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Sean, Cillian and Johnny looked up in dread and resolve as Captain Rush’s bosun hailed them. It was dark in the canyon formed by the hulls of two great ships, but not as dark as it would be in Rush’s cargo hold. Without a word spoken, the Courser’s survivors prepared once more to die in battle rather than be taken by slavers.
“Well now,” Rush said, as his face appeared at the railing. “A fine catch indeed. Haul ‘em in, lads, and we’ll have ‘em on His Lordship’s table by dinnertime.”
“Be sure you cook me a good long time,” Sean shouted. “I’ve a habit of biting back.”
“You’re tough as an old boot,” Rush conceded. “But that bit o’ fluff hidin’ behind your back looks tender enough.”
“Cillian is not hiding,” Major Depp spoke up. “He is guarding Captain Bean’s back. You would do well to have someone do the same for you, though I doubt there is any man of your crew that you can trust at your back, you filthy whore’s-get slaver.”
“Easy, mate,” Cillian smiled. “Me mum was a whore.”
“I most humbly beg your pardon,” Johnny bowed in the Irishman’s direction.
“Freely given,” Cillian replied.
“What the devil is going on down there?” Rush broke in.
“An accord between men of honor,” the major answered crisply. “Nothing that could possibly interest you, you pandering cur.”
A grin stole over Sean’s face. “Some of my best friends are panders and curs,” he informed Major Depp.
Johnny glanced at Sean and caught the reckless gleam of hell-bent humor in the other man’s green eyes. “I regret that I have once again given offense. Pray tell me, gentlemen, have either of you a fondness for octopi, mice, or the offspring of flies?”
“Not to excess.” Sean’s grin broadened, as Cillian shook his head in a perplexed reply.
“Excellent,” Johnny raised his voice. “Captain Rush, allow me to observe that you are a black-hearted smuggler of human cattle with the loyalty and courage of the average wharf rat, all the backbone of a squid, and as much charm as a mouthful of maggots. You have caused the death of one I hold in the greatest regard and though I may fail, I shall do my damnedest to kill you before I die.”
“Well spoke… for a prancing prig what likes to play soldier,” Rush said. “Do I take it our darlin’ governor is havin’ tea with Davy Jones? I don’t see him on your little boat.”
“Orlando may be gone…” Johnny paused to steady his voice. “But his spirit will trouble you, I promise you. I, or someone like me, will harry you until it is no longer profitable to trade in human flesh, and on that day, my Orlando will have his victory.”
Rush laughed and his crew joined him. “You will die crushed between these ships and no word of you will ever come back to shore. Your graves will lie unmarked. All of you.”
“No,” Cillian said, at Johnny’s shoulder. “Governor Bloom touched a lot of lives, and those folk that he helped and those that love him will not be forgetting him. So long as they remember, and speak of him, he will never die.”
“That was beautifully put, Cilly,” Sean said.
“Very touching,” Rush sneered. “But naught more than pretty words and words will not save you. Barring a thunderbolt from Jove, there is nothing that can help you now.”
As Rush turned to give the order to close the gap between the ships, Johnny drew breath to address his companions for the last time, and Sean reached out for Cillian’s hand. All words were lost in the roar that shivered the air like a clap of thunder. All heads turned as the mainmast of the leeward smugglers’ ship toppled to the deck, creating a havoc of flying rigging and canvas. Rush opened his mouth to shout as a second explosion blew a hole just above the waterline of the vessel he stood on. The slaver captain’s eyes bulged as a large frigate hove into sight around the fouled boat and bore down on his flagship.
“Move! Move!” Rush sprang to life spouting orders. “That’s a man-o-war! Get us out of here, ya lubbers!”
The newcomer’s cannon continued to fire as it slewed clumsily to broadside and raked Captain Rush’s pride and joy with ball after ball. The other two slaver ships ran for it, but the chief gunner of the mystery frigate was a deadeye marksman. Before Rush’s small fleet could get out of range, all four vessels were holed, burning, and likely to sink. Men leapt from the rigging and the rails to take their chances in the sea and Sean, Cillian and Johnny had a lively time fending off would be boarders as they rowed away from the battle. They didn’t get far before the battleship pulled alongside, barely avoiding swamping them.
“Damme,” Sean spat. “Is one thunderbolt all that Jove can spare us?”
“I think these men are on our side,” Cillian said.
“What makes you say that?” Johnny wanted to know.
“Because I can see Karl up in the crow’s nest.”
“Ahoy the dinghy,” Commander Crowe called down.
Major Depp came to attention and saluted the mercenary leader. “Well met,” he replied. “Not that we aren’t devilish glad to see you again, but did you not say you would trust us in the matter of your fee? Following us would seem to imply a lack of faith.”
“I am not a trusting man by nature,” Crowe said. “And it never hurts to protect your investments. Will you come aboard?”
“With pleasure,” Cillian answered for all, as a rope ladder was lowered.
A sling was contrived to lift Viggo to the ship where he was hustled off to the sick bay. Crowe accepted thanks for his timely arrival and then he asked about Orlando. When the commander heard the tale, he praised Orlando’s courage, but cursed his idealism.
“I was looking forward to deepening our acquaintance,” Crowe said. “If only I had arrived sooner, maybe…”
“Sir,” Karl called down from his perch. “Respectfully remind the commander that there are a lot of rats in the water.”
“Eric,” Crowe shouted at the helmsman. “Take us out of here.”
With the eager, loving touch of a bridegroom, Eric steered the frigate from the scene of carnage. From his perch, Karl saw the sharks begin to arrive, but the mercenary felt no sympathy for the slavers in the water. Putting the sinking ships to their stern, Crowe’s men bore their charges away.
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“Oh, uncle! Please say we may go!” Katherine Bosworth wheedled shamelessly, fanning herself with the invitation to the Governor’s Ball. “Are you not afire to see the new governor? I have heard so little about him that I am as curious as a cat.”
“I am curious, naturally, but I am the master of my whims and desires,” Sir Jason sniffed, casting a glance at his niece’s companion.
Mademoiselle Angelina interpreted the look as flirtation and batted her eyes at Kate’s guardian out of sheer habit. What a lark it would be to call Kate daughter and insist she wear more modest garments! Angelina had not considered it before, but Sir Jason would be quite a catch. Idly, she wondered what he looked like unclothed, and her thoughts strayed to the handsome Norsk slave that had run away.
“A farthing for your thoughts,” Kate nudged her friend.
Mlle. Jolie whispered in Kate’s ear and both young women giggled.
“Thunderation,” Sir Jason exclaimed. “Is it possible that I might have a few moments uninterrupted by female foolishness in which to finish my work? It is this dull and dreary accounting that allows you to live in the style you currently enjoy, miss.”
“Please do not be cross, dear uncle,” Kate smiled fulsomely. “Come, it would be insulting not to attend the gala greeting our new governor and my seamstress has nearly completed my new gown. I am sure if she works all night she can finish it in time.”
“If I say yes, will you give me some peace?”
“Come, Angelina,” Kate said. “Let us leave the poor man to his work. Help me choose which jewels I will wear to the ball.”
Jason Isaacs breathed a sigh of relief when the twittering creatures were gone. He supposed it would not be a bad idea to meet the new governor, who was, by the early reports, the polar opposite of the last one. Bloom had been far too young for such a position and lacked the objective outlook necessary for the management of a large number of people. Bloom had not understood that most people are cattle to be used at the discretion of a superior few. Bloom had the great good fortune to be born into the elite class, but he had thrown away his birthright for some absurd notion of noblesse oblige.
With an irritated gesture, Isaacs scattered pounce to fix the fresh ink of his signature and banished the late, unlamented Governor Bloom from his thoughts. But in Bloom’s place came the figure of Captain Rush, missing for almost two weeks with four ships that Isaacs had paid for. The possibility of Geoffrey going renegade had always been in the air, but Sir Jason thought he had a firm enough grip on the pirate’s privates. Apparently, Rush had run across an opportunity too good to pass up and Isaacs had a vivid mental picture of his sleek vessels plying Eastern waters under the banner of Sharif Fehr.
“Confound the honorless dog,” Sir Jason cursed under his breath, clearing his mind of yet another troublesome subject as he folded the letter. He pressed his signet ring into the hot wax of the seal and called a servant to deliver his acceptance to the new governor’s first gala. Until Sir Jason found a new go-between, he would have to make his own deals, and the new representative of the Crown should be made aware who wielded the real power here. Isaacs was not pleased to pay court, preferring that others come to him, but perhaps this Governor Bean would be cognizant of the honor being done him.
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“See here, niece,” Sir Jason said, as their carriage came to a stop in the drive of the Governor’s palace. “If this man Bean should show an interest, see that you speak him fair and, if he is so inclined, give him a foretaste of the delights of marriage. Do you take my meaning, miss?”
Lady Katherine pretended shock at her uncle’s suggestion. “Surely you do not mean I am to allow this stranger to make free with my person?”
“You have done it often even enough for naught but a moment’s pleasure. Surely,” Isaacs emphasized the word. “Surely you can do it once more in the cause of gaining influence over the man that can whistle for the Royal Navy like a pack of hounds.”
Angelina stifled a giggle at Kate’s discomfiture as a footman helped her descend to the ground. This evening promised to be most entertaining. Perhaps she would engage the new governor as well, if he proved to be handsome enough. It would be amusing to spar with Kate again over a man, and it was sure to spark Sir Jason’s jealousy. She hurried ahead to be announced first, and to get the first sight of the quarry. By the time Sir Jason and Lady Katherine entered the ballroom, Angelina had decided that the new governor was the most handsome man she’d seen since that marvelously fit Norsk slave, and she wasn’t going to let Kate have him without a fight.
“Lord Governor,” she said in her seductive French accent as she curtsied low, giving the man a spectacular view down her bodice.
Not to be outdone, Katherine pretended to slip on the polished marble and the governor leaped forward to bear her up in brawny arms. The young lady simpered at her rescuer and cooed. “Heavens! How strong you are!”
Sean Bean set the doll-like girl on her feet and backed away with a short bow. “It was nothing, Lady Katherine,” he said. “I hope you are quite undamaged?”
“Indeed, sir,” Katherine gazed coyly into the governor’s eyes. “I would venture to say that I am well enough to dance.”
Angelina’s celadon eyes narrowed at her friend’s blatant ploy, but wished she’d thought of it first. Once on the ballroom floor, it was an easy matter to arouse a man with little touches that appeared accidental while maintaining a wholly demure demeanor. Just as Angelina was thinking that the game might be over before it started, a striking redhead arrived at the governor’s side and took his arm.
“Please say you will forgive me for my lateness,” the flame-haired beauty said. “Or I shall be ever so devastated.”
“Ladies,” Sean said. “Allow me to introduce my wife, Lady Cecilia.”
The governor’s wife turned big blue eyes on the pair of minxes. “How sweet,” she crooned, in a voice as sweet as clover honey. “And your ensembles are so… lighthearted. How amusing of you to wear gowns of an antique style to honor the years of my husband’s youth.”
Sean did his best not to grin as Cecilia scored a hit on the hussies. He had no idea if their clothing was out of date or not, but it was pleasant to watch their faces curdle. “I am not so old as all that,” Sean joined the conversation.
“Darling man,” Cecilia laughed, delicately pointing out the cleavage on display. “Do you not remember? Those low cut décolletages were all the rage in London last year, which means they were the rage of Paris the year before.” The governor’s wife touched lace-gloved fingertips to the high collar of her exquisitely modest petal pink gown.
“I do remember that London seemed especially… scenic last season,” Sean answered. “However, you know that when you are in the room, I only have eyes for you.”
“Is he not the sweetest, most darling and handsome man?” Cecilia chirped.
Angelina and Katherine were quick to agree and moved along to let someone else greet Governor Bean. As they walked away, their rapid exchange of words concerned one another’s lack of morals, the insipidness of the governor’s wife, and the horrifying possibility that they were out of touch with fashion. Still hissing like geese, they sought out Sir Jason to make their report.
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“Right this way, my lord,” the strapping servant said deferentially, inviting Sir Jason to follow him.
Quickly, the sounds of the ball faded behind them as they entered the living quarters of the large mansion. Sir Jason stepped through the door the footman held open for him and entered Governor Bean’s study. As the door closed, Isaacs stopped in surprise and voiced his displeasure. “Forgive me, sir, but I did not know there would be a female present.”
“This is my beloved wife,” Sean said, smiling fondly at the woman perched on the corner of his desk facing him. “And I miss no opportunity to be alone with her.” Pointedly, he smoothed down the skirts of the pink gown.
“Are you trying to insult me, sir?” Isaacs took immediate offense.
“Why should you be slighted by a man’s dalliance with his woman?”
“I am offended, sir, by the notion that you have a woman here when I have come to discuss matters of business with you, as I believe my letter to you made clear.”
“Do business with you, sir?” Sean mimicked the other man’s tone to perfection. “Pray tell me, have I missed the news that Hades has become unseasonably chilly?”
Isaacs’ supercilious sneer drew down into a scowl. “Are you mad that you speak to me this way? Do you not know who I am?”
“I know you well enough.” Sean stood and Cecilia hopped down from the desk to face their visitor with him. “However, you do not know me.”
“I do not care for your tone, sir.”
“And I do not care for you at all,” Sean replied. “It will be a great pleasure to end your criminal career.”
“You are threatening the wrong man.”
“Make him shut his mouth, Sean,” Cecilia said. “He’s making my head ache.”
“Be silent, woman!” Sir Jason said.
“Don’t be giving orders to my husband,” Sean barked back.
It was possibly the first time in Sir Jason’s life that he’d been at a loss for words. The best he could manage was to echo Sean. “Husband?”
“Now you’ve gone and opened the bag good and proper, Sean Bean, and the cat is not likely to climb back inside,” the red-haired beauty pouted.
“Ah well,” Sean sighed. “It was going to happen sooner or later.”
“But I was having fun.”
“Cilly, you know my mission in this life is to make you happy, but our purpose here is to…”
“Cease this nonsense immediately,” Sir Jason ordered. “What sort of idiot has the Crown sent us? You are the governor of Bedlam, sir, and obviously much enamored of the scent of your wife’s nethers. I serve notice that Their Majesties shall hear of your buffoonery.”
“Buffoonery?” Sean ceased gazing into his mate’s eyes and turned a fierce glower on Isaacs.
“Aye. I came here tonight to offer you a golden opportunity, but after observing your behavior, I am convinced that I would be a greater fool than you if I extended my proposal. Instead, I will take my leave being assured that you are no threat to me.”
“You may try,” Sean answered.
Sir Jason’s sneer made a reappearance. “Your ignorance is staggering. I am the most powerful man in the Median Maritimes and I can destroy you with a word. Take a lesson from the fate of your predecessor and keep your head buried in your wife’s skirts.”
Governor Bean looked wounded when his wife giggled. “Do you expect me to believe you are powerful enough to make an agent of the Crown disappear?”
Isaacs smiled like a well-fed shark. “You are here in his place, are you not?”
“Very well,” Sean said. “I believe you. Major?”
Isaacs started in surprise when the door behind the desk opened and Major Depp entered the study. “What the devil?” he exclaimed.
“Not I,” Johnny said, as he gestured to the doorway. “But I can produce one.”
Sir Jason’s glacial gaze narrowed as the Danish slave that had given Rush so much trouble came into the room. “What is he doing here?”
Viggo’s voice was deceptively mild as he answered. “There was some talk of turning you over to the courts for justice, but in the end it was decided to leave your fate in my hands. You see, my friends feel that I have suffered the greatest loss because of your greed. You have done evil in the name of profit and now you will answer to me.”
tbc