CHAPTER TWO

Natalie was positively petrified.

She held her chin high and walked confidently, but inside all she wanted to do was run back to her little bed and cry. The dagger that the… MAN was pressing into her back made her shiver, and not in a good way. She could feel the cold steel through her thin dress, and it was a sensation that she’d be perfectly content to never experience again.

“Okay, here’s the plan, ladies,” the one who seemed to be in charge, she’d heard him be called “Blades,” said with a sneer. He was pressing his dagger to Gwenyth’s back. “We climb down the trellis – me first, then the ladies, then Milo.” So Milo was his name. She caught a glimpse of him as he inched closer to her. Her nose wrinkled in disgust. He smelled positively wretched. “We will then move quickly and quietly to the boat. Not a sound, you understand?” Natalie scowled at him.

“We will be silent,” Gwenyth assured him. Blades nodded briskly.

“Then let’s go.” He lead them to the window and gracefully jumped out, his dagger still in his hand. They watched as he started climbing down skillfully. He stopped after a few feet and grinned up at them.

“Don’t be shy, ladies,” he whispered. Natalie rolled her eyes.

“I’ll go first,” she volunteered. She hesitantly climbed out the window and shakily began climbing down. She realized the view that Blades was getting below her and her cheeks tinged red. She may just be a maid, but she still had her modesty.

She looked up to see Gwenyth starting to climb down, and by the time she focused on what she was doing again, she had reached the point where Blades had stopped.

“Careful, Missy,” he whispered, practically on top of her. He put one hand on her back to stop her, and Natalie could see the dagger gleaming in the moonlight in his other hand. She pulled away from his hand as if he’d burned her and clung to the trellis, her eyes squeezed shut and her heart pounding once again.

“Enough,” he growled angrily, making her even more frightened. “I may kill you eventually, but now is certainly not the time, so let’s keep moving.” He started to move again, and Natalie followed after a moment.

They reached the ground and Blades promptly placed the dagger to her back once again. They waited until Gwenyth and Milo got down, and Milo took hold of Gwenyth as well. Blades nodded at him and they hurried towards the shore in darkness. They lead the girls to a rowboat tied to a small dock, got in, and started rowing. She looked up, seeing a ship not too far out, and she gulped in fear. She looked over at Gwenyth, who was looking at the ship, her eyes a pool of confusion, fear …and excitement. Natalie sighed silently. Gwenyth didn’t realize just how serious of a situation they were in. The Commodore wouldn’t realize Gwenyth was missing until probably noontime – Gwenyth usually had Natalie bring her breakfast in bed and didn’t see anyone except her governess until lunch. By that time, who knew how far they would be?

Natalie turned, wanting to see if anyone was stirring in the house they had just fled, but she was met by a harsh glare from Blades. She turned back around, tears stinging at her eyes. How were they ever going to get out of this?

Better question, she thought to herself grimly. How can I ever convince Gwenyth that we NEED to get out of this?

---

As soon as they stepped foot onto the ship, John saw the girl’s back stiffen. The men of the crew greeted them with cheers, and John smiled. The girl had a look of sheer terror, while Miss Gwenyth looked absolutely fascinated.

“Well well well,” a familiar voice said. The Captain had stepped into view. “I understand why Miss Gwenyth is here…” He stepped closer to them. “…is this one just for fun, Blades?” he asked, reaching out and touching the girl’s face. She recoiled as if she’d been slapped and the Captain let out a low chuckle.

“She wasn’t part of the plan, Sir, but she’s a loyal governess and refused to let us take Gwenyth without her,” John explained. The Captain sneered at her.

“Felt she needed your protection, eh?” he asked, looking like he was on the brink of laughter. “Well where are my manners? Pardon me, ladies.” He made a big show of straightening up and acting “proper.”

“Welcome to the Dark Horizon! Captain Barret Harrison, at your service,” he introduced himself with an exaggerated bow. The girl scowled. “Madame, please… introduce yourself to me and the rest of the crew.” The men hollered appreciatively. She still didn’t answer. John frowned and took charge of the situation by leaning in close to her.

“Remember what I said… and heed the Captain’s orders,” he growled. She glared at him, and he could once again see the fear behind her eyes.

“Natalie,” she finally said. “My name is Natalie.” Her shoulders slumped as if she’d been defeated.

“Welcome aboard, Miss Natalie and Miss Gwenyth. Now… where shall ye be staying?” John’s smile faded when he heard this. He knew what the Captain was after. Normally he was all for it, but in this case… something just didn’t feel right. John didn’t second guess his intuition. But he saw the evil gleam in the Captain’s eyes and jumped in.

“The girl stays with me,” he said suddenly. The Captain looked surprised.

“What makes ye think you’re so worthy of such a beautiful woman?” John grinned.

“I brought her here, didn’t I?” He walked over to Natalie, who was scowling once again. “If I brought her here, I intend to… enjoy her,” he finished, putting his hand to her cheek. Natalie closed her eyes. The Captain laughed heartily.

“Very well then. Miss Gwenyth, ye’ll be stayin’ in Jeremiah’s quarters. Jeremiah, yer with the crew. Blades, Milo, take the night off. Get some rest. Now.” He bowed once again. “Let’s let the ladies get some rest.” There were more hoots and hollers as John lead them away. He lead them over to two doors.

“Gwenyth, your door is on the right, and I suggest ye lock it once inside,” he said to her. Natalie slid out of the grasp of his arm and looked at him.

“Please… Blades…” He was startled when he heard her use that name. “…may I please stay with Gwenyth?” she pleaded, her blue eyes swimming in confusion, fear, and unshed tears.

“I’m sorry,” he said, surprising himself by saying it genuinely. He shook himself out of it. “And don’t call me Blades,” he finished gruffly. He opened Gwenyth’s door and shoved her in, then opened the door next to it. He replaced his hand on Natalie’s arm and guided her forcefully into the room. She stumbled a bit and then stood there, her arms hanging limply at her sides. He could feel her eyes on him as he took off his hat and pulled off his boots.

“Can we please just get this over with?” she finally choked out. John turned and looked at her. She had tears streaming down her face. He looked away.

“Nothing’s going to happen,” he said in his gruff voice. “I told the Captain that because…” he trailed off. He wasn’t completely positive why he’d done it. He should’ve just let the Captain do what he wanted. What did he care? She meant nothing to him. Less than nothing… just a stupid maid who’d tagged along for the ride. He looked back at her, a new, harsh determination in his eyes. “You’re safe for tonight… but I can’t promise you tomorrow.” Natalie plopped onto the bed behind her.

“What if… what if I can do something for you?” she asked. John looked at her, interested. “That’s what men like you want, right? Something for something?” John scowled.

“Don’t push me, girl,” he growled. He paused. “What did you have in mind?”

“Well… I am a maid… I could be here waiting for you at the end of the day. Imagine it… a long day of work… you could come back to your quarters to find a meal waiting, your bed nice and warm… someone to rub your shoulders…” John smiled wickedly.

“Are ye sure that ain’t the same as what ye’d do for the Captain?” he asked. Natalie sighed.

“Please?” she said. John shook his head. He was becoming far to soft.

“Fine. You do what I tell you and I’ll keep you from the Captain.” Natalie smiled for the first time, but John could tell it wasn’t genuine.

“Thank you, Bla…” she trailed off once she saw the look on John’s face. “I’m sorry,” she apologized, using her servant etiquette that came so naturally. “What shall I call you?” she asked meekly. He didn’t answer. Instead, he climbed into the small bed. Natalie gave him an odd look and John rolled his eyes, exasperated.

“I know a ‘gentleman’ would offer his bed, but I ain’t a gentleman, I’m a pirate. So you either share or take the floor, your choice.”

“I’ll take the floor,” she answered quickly.

“Fine by me.” Natalie curled up on the floor and John blew out the candle beside his bed.

---

Natalie stirred slightly and groaned at the stiffness of her neck, a feeling of déjà vu washing over her. She sat up and looked around. Light was streaming in a porthole near the ceiling, so it was obviously morning. She hadn’t slept well at all the night before, but she was sleeping on the floor of a pirate ship, so it was understandable. She looked over to the bed, seeing that Blades… or whoever… was gone. She stood up and stretched, and then looked at the door, wondering if she dared go out. But her concern for Gwenyth quickly outweighed her fear, and she crept out the door. She seemed to be unnoticed as she went to the room next door.

“Miss?” she asked as she opened the door. She poked her head in and sighed when she realized that it was empty. She should’ve known that the first thing Gwenyth would do is explore. She took a deep breath and turned towards the main deck of the ship. The men were moving around on the deck – some cleaning, others tying ropes, fixing sails and other chores. They seemed not to notice her… until the first catcall.

“Mornin’ pretty lady!” the other man who’d help to kidnap them, Milo she thought, called from across the deck. Several of them looked up from their work and smiled at her appreciatively, yelling over the din of the ship.

“Don’t mind ‘em,” a voice came from her elbow. She whirled around to see a scrawny redhead standing there, grinning cheekily with his two front teeth missing. “Jus’ been too long since a woman’s been on the ship, they’ve forgotten how ta act.” Natalie wasn’t sure to be intimidated because he was a pirate or comforted that he was being so nice to her. She chose the latter and smiled grimly.

“Yes, I suppose,” she managed to say.

“Name’s Mathieus, but everybody ‘round ‘ere calls me Matty,” he introduced himself, extending a grease-stained hand. Natalie took it and managed a slightly more genuine smile.

“Natalie,” she said. He winked.

“I know, Lass. Welcome to Dark Horizon.” She sighed and straightened her shoulders with a bit more confidence. “Anything ye need help with, ye just let me know, I’ll take care of it.”

“How about why he took us and where we’re going?” she asked hopefully. She wasn’t surprised when he shook his head.

“My apologies, Lass, but I can’t help ye with that one,” he said regretfully. “Anything else?” She chewed her lip thoughtfully, thinking of Blades, wondering what happened to him to make him such an interesting pirate. But first she had to find Gwenyth.

“Yes. Where’s Gwenyth?” she asked. Matty smiled.

“Loyal to your mistress, I see. She’s right over there.” He pointed across the boat, where she saw Gwenyth leaning against the rail and talking with Blades. Natalie began to quickly make her way towards them, and Matty followed. Gwenyth caught a glimpse of the two approaching and smiled.

“Good morning, Natalie!” she greeted cheerfully. Natalie shouldn’t’ve been surprised to see how please Gwenyth was to be there, but she was.

“Good morning, Miss,” she greeted quietly. She began to curtsey out of instinct, but caught herself and stopped – but not before Blades saw, an interesting look on his face. “Did you get some breakfast, Miss?” she asked, ignoring him. Gwenyth looked at Blades, then back at her.

“No, Natalie, I…” she trailed off. Natalie summoned her courage and stared Blades straight in the eye.

“Sir, could you please show me where to find breakfast for my Mistress?” she asked coolly. Blades scrutinized her for a moment, then nodded.

“Aye. Come along,” he said, turning around.

“Wait here, Miss,” Natalie said to Gwenyth before hurrying off to follow Blades.