Paid to the Pirate by Una Rohr

Chapter 4

Charlotte

“I won’t be some prize for this pirate,” I whisper-shouted, hands curled into fists, tears threatening to spill. More calmly, I continued, “If I had some association with the scoundrel in the past, I’m sure it was unwilling on my part. And I don’t care to know it, in any case. If my past involves any contact with these horrible men, I won’t stand to hear of it.”

Even as I hurled the declaration, I knew I lied. I was dying to know anything at all about who I was before I lost my memory. I just didn’t want it to be anything less than perfect. Less than my fantasies.

My mother and father were supposed to show up and claim me. Noble, respected, gentle. Or – or  – a well-to-do aunt, at least. That was the way it was meant to happen. Not some swarthy pirate captain thinking he knew anything about me.

“Shh… my beautiful, sweet, Charlotte,” Daniel soothed, though he seemed even more rattled himself. “It’s obvious you escaped this black-hearted captain sometime in the past. Most likely he kidnapped you. What passes by a woman’s attention is observed, man-to-man,” Daniel intoned, and I frowned at the casual slight. “I caught the look in his eyes and I could see right through to the vulgar images in his mind.”

“You don’t mean… you don’t think…” I couldn’t finish the shameful sentence. Was Daniel implying I’d known Colt, as a wife knew a husband?

“Shh, my sweet Charlotte, I would never suggest that,” Daniel replied, gently squeezing my shoulders. I was too distressed to shake him off. “Put that thought from your mind. I know in my heart you’re pure as the lilies by Isaac’s farm. But I’m saying that I know when a man’s eyes darken with desire, and I could see that monster wants you for himself.”

No. I was untouched. I knew it. Felt it.

Wasn’t I?

I was saved from having to say more by Mrs. Penningham bursting into my small room above the inn. Daniel and I turned to her in unison, holding our breath.

“The captain knows you,” she announced, frowning. “I don’t know how that filthy pirate knows you, but he is undoubtedly from your past.”

Impossible. My head resumed its maniacal shaking.

“Child, you know I can tell when a man is lying,” Mrs. Penningham insisted.

I did know; it was her talent. She’d honed the skill over pitchers of ale throughout the years, conversing with all sorts of men who sat a stool, seeking a sympathetic ear or a regaling chat.

“That man knows you from before your accident, as sure as I’m standing here today.”

I whimpered and she quickly added, “But I can tell you that he doesn’t intend to kill you and I don’t think he means to… violate you. He seems to want… something else.”

Mrs. Penningham’s assurances sent mixed feelings shooting through me, almost too fast to process.

Captain Colt doesn’t mean to rape me, and her words implied he hadn’t, in the past. It was some relief, at least, to know I remained unspoilt. But she hadn’t negotiated my release and he intended something with me.

“I don’t understand,” I cried. “Why does he want me?”

“I’m not sure, exactly. He’s hiding something and I couldn’t sort it out without giving away that you lost your memory, child. And I don’t think that’s a secret he should know.” Mrs. Penningham’s eyes held mine. “He could easily use it to manipulate you. Make you believe falsehoods about your history. Far better you should find out everything you can about your past, while pretending you never forgot.”

“But… how am I supposed to act when I don’t know anything?”

“He thinks you’ve been putting on an act here in your pretty gown. Pretending to be something you’re not, some kind of highborn lady.”

I am, my mind insisted. At least, I might be.

“Keep with it,” Mrs. Penningham advised. “As if you refuse to stop pretending.”

My only reply was to drop my jaw. She truly wanted me to go with him?

“I’ve negotiated a sort of check-point, a confirmation that you’re unharmed on his ship. Captain Colt plans to return to these parts in a few weeks time, ferrying sugar and coffee from Nassau up the coast. The man’s got a dizzying mix of piracy, extortion, and legitimate trade, I’ll tell you that.”

Mrs. Penningham fixed me with what I knew to be her “encouraging” smile. “Captain Colt will return here, we’ll see each other again, and he promises you will be able to confirm to us that you haven’t been…” she trailed off.

“Raped or killed!” I finished for her.

Both Daniel and Mrs. Penningham fell uncomfortably silent.

What other options had I, than to trust Mrs. Penningham’s words? If I didn’t agree to go peacefully, nothing stopped the bloody pirate from taking me by force. And God only knew what else he’d steal along with me.

I covered my face with my hands. “I have to go,” I whispered, collapsing into bed. “You’ve been so kind to me, I can’t risk all your lives to save mine.”

I felt the weight of Mrs. Penningham sink into the mattress beside me. She wrapped one comforting arm around my shoulders as I struggled not to weep. The helplessness of my situation enraged me more than anything else. It should have been fear -- and that was unmistakably crawling up my spine -- but the idea that I was at Colt’s whim, that I had no power over –

Suddenly, a thought occurred to me. I raised my head from my hands.

“We’ve lived under the thumb of these criminals for too long. Extorting us, tormenting us, killing us. Why do we allow them to shape this new world the way they want when we can take back the power to shape it another way? What if I used this opportunity? For us?” I shot to my feet and before they could stop me -- before I could stop myself -- and a plan came tumbling out.

“What if I feign cooperation whilst I learn their ways? In a few weeks’ time, I could report back to you everything I learn about the inner workings of their piracy. When I return, I might know enough so that we can take them down. Why, I could do it myself,” I said, jutting my chin. “If I’m close to this Captain Colt, I could easily slip poison into his drink one night. Into the whole crew’s.”

My heart beat terribly fast by the time I’d finished, but my eyes shone, feeling like I’d wrested some control over my plight. Not that I know where to find poison, I thought. But I pushed the objection from my mind. Mrs. Penningham’s mouth turned down at the corners, but to my surprise, Daniel stared with rapt attention.

“Yes…” he said, eyes bright, and my heart gave a small leap to see that he respected my scheming. Using his palm, he smoothed back a loose strand of sandy hair that had fallen free from its ribbon. “Yes, my sweet Charlotte, this is a wonderous plan. We shall rendezvous at the agreed-upon time, and you can report back to us everything we need to know about these scoundrels. We’ll use the information to entrap Captain Colt, putting an end to his piracy, and hopefully, his life.”

Grateful for an ally, when Daniel clasped my hands and met my eyes, I saw him in a new light.

“And then, once you’re safely returned to us, perhaps you’ll do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Daniel’s blue eyes glittered with hope. He was handsome. He was newly-rich and growing richer every day. And he respected my idea.

I couldn’t see a reason to deny him any longer.

I stammered but replied with sincerity, “I – I shall consider your offer.”