Black Magic
(a Captive Fox story)
E-mail: captivefox@yahoo.com
Rated: NC-17
WARNING: This story contains DISCIPLINE - that means Fox
gets his pretty little tush spanked. If this is not your
thing, bail out now. As DiAnn always said, I don't want to
hear from you, and I don't want to hear from your Mama {g}
Summary: Fox encounters a pirate ship.
Archive: Sure, feel free.
Thanks: to Seeker One, my most excellent beta Goddess
Website: http://captivefox.tripod.com/index.htm
"Elizabeth, be a dear and fetch Papa a drink of water, would
you?"
Six-year-old Margaret Elizabeth Scully regarded her father
doubtfully. Normally she would comply with any request he
made immediately and with good humor, for she was a
remarkably mature child for her age, who adored her Papa.
Today, however, she was uncertain--Mother had said Papa was
to remain in the stocks until Aunt Melissa arrived. She
hadn't made mention of unauthorized drinks of water.
Seeing her hesitation, Fox put on his best pouty face, the
one he knew always played havoc with his daughter's tender
heart. "Please, sweetheart. Mother wouldn't want Papa to
faint from heat exhaustion."
"It isn't all that hot, Papa," Elizabeth contradicted,
nonetheless taking the dipper from the nearby bucket and
climbing up on a small platform to hold it to his lips.
"Perhaps not, but I have been standing in this one spot for
a very long time, and I am quite thirsty." He drank the
water gratefully, for in spite of his daughter's
protestations, the day had grown uncomfortably warm. "Thank
you, darling," he told her when the dipper was empty. "I
appreciate you staying with me all afternoon."
"Mother said I was to watch over you, to make certain no
harm befell you," she said primly, and Fox smiled. His
daughter held the Scully spirit in full, and he had no doubt
she would fight to the death to protect him or her twin
brother, Douglas, if necessary. Elizabeth took her
responsibilities as a Lady quite seriously, to Dana's
immense delight.
"Perhaps you could persuade Mother that Papa has spent
enough time in the stocks, and should be released early," he
commented hopefully, and knew when he saw her disapproving
expression that there would be no more mercy forthcoming
from his daughter than from his wife.
"No, Papa," she said firmly. "It was very naughty of you to
lock Mother in her chamber whilst you rode Samantha about
unescorted, like a wild man. You deserve your punishment."
Fox heard the words from his daughter's lips and stared in
amazement; they were precisely the words Dana had used when
castigating him soundly for his escapade. It occurred to
Fox that the girl might well have inherited his own
frightfully accurate memory. It could be at once a curse
and a blessing, and he wasn't certain whether to rejoice in
the discovery, or pity the child. All at once he felt
ashamed-- she may be a female, and a very mature one for her
age, but Elizabeth was still his little girl, and he had
just tried to manipulate emotions with sweet words and a
pathetic expression.
"I apologize, my darling," he told her at once. "I should
not have asked you such a thing."
Elizabeth gave a smile so like his wife's that it made his
heart ache. "It's all right, Papa," she replied cheerfully.
"Mother says you always try to evade your punishments." She
leaned toward him and lowered her voice, as one who was
about to impart a great secret. "I have sometimes done the
same thing myself, but Mother can be very strict."
Fox nodded glumly. "It is only because she loves us so, you
know, and wants to teach us to behave."
"Of course Mother loves us! And she must take special care
of you and Douglas, because you are only men."
Her father sighed--as much as he adored both his wife and
his daughter, it was obvious Dana's autocratic manner had
been passed on to Elizabeth. Oh well, there was nothing to
be done about it, except to try and teach Douglas that males
had great worth as well, both in society and to the Goddess.
He shifted his legs uncomfortably; in addition to his
thirst, he was smitten with the need to relieve himself, but
was not about to ask his daughter to hold a chamber pot for
him. Some things were simply beyond his endurance. Making
a concentrated effort to control himself, he glanced up at
the sun and sighed. It would be at least another three or
four hours until Melissa and Jake arrived.
It was with great relief that he heard his wife's voice in
the next instant as she approached from behind where he
stood, his head and hands trapped between two stout pieces
of oak.
"Well, Elizabeth, has your Papa been behaving himself?" she
called gaily, and Fox winced. His daughter would tattle;
there was no question.
"Yes, Mother, except he asked me to plead with you for his
early release," Elizabeth reported faithfully, jumping down
from the platform and going to hug her mother's legs.
Dana returned the embrace warmly, then glanced up at her
husband with a twinkle in her eye.
"Go and find Sarah, darling. It's time for you and Douglas
to have your baths." She watched as their daughter raced
toward the house, then came over to stand before Fox.
"The girl is a menace," he complained, although with no real
heat. "As a watchdog, she does quite nicely."
"Indeed, Elizabeth is responsible and trustworthy, and for
that I am grateful. They are qualities to be desired in a
Lady. Am I to understand that you truly tried to wheedle
your freedom from our daughter?"
"It was merely a suggestion," he argued. "Indeed, I had no
doubt that it would be refused."
"And well it should have been. Perhaps, rather than
reducing your sentence, I should lengthen it. Not only did
you attempt to endanger yourself after I had specifically
forbidden your actions, you caused me unnecessary delay in
meeting with a very ill patient. I find it vastly unamusing
to be locked in my bedchamber by a mere man, and you know
how I feel about your disobedience."
Fox flushed. "You did screech most angrily," he admitted.
"Indeed I did, and while my initial anger has cooled, my
displeasure with your behavior has not."
Fox swallowed hard as he examined his wife's face. Her
expression was stern. "My lady, I--offer my apologies--"
His eyes, as well as his panicked look, betrayed his fear
that she might carry out her threat, and Dana held up her
hand to silence both his words and his fear. "Remain calm,
Fox. If I were hardened to your masculine wiles, I would
increase your time here, but I fear I remain as weak for
your pleading as ever. Also, I know how you worry for your
cousin. Rest assured, Melissa would not have undertaken the
journey had Jake not been strong enough to endure."
His eyes twinkled in spite of his situation. "My lady has
never been weak," he contradicted.
Dana chuckled. "I must return to my task, for I have
several more cases to write up before suppertime. Do you
require anything?"
He shifted his legs, casting his eyes downward in sudden
embarrassment, and she inclined her head knowingly. Reaching
for the empty chamber bucket, Dana unfastened his breeches
and allowed him to relieve himself. Fox accomplished the
task as quickly as possible, his eyes closed against the
humiliation. Once he had finished and his breeches had been
securely fastened, he felt her soft kiss upon his lips and
opened his eyes.
"Do not fret, sweeting," she said softly, stroking his face
lovingly with her fingers. "In our years together, I have
seen the best and the worst of you, and I love you still the
same."
A warm feeling settled over him at her words, and he smiled
happily, forgetting for a moment that he was being punished
for his foolish actions of the morning. He was reminded of
that fact when she walked away and he turned his head to
follow her with his gaze. His neck was quite sore, as were
his wrists, and he had no doubt he would be ordered to spend
the morrow abed. Dana punished him severely when he
misbehaved, but she had a tendency to coddle him afterwards.
Turning his head slowly from side to side in an attempt to
loosen the muscles in his neck, Fox allowed his thoughts to
drift to the early morning hours, and the situation which
had landed him here.
The family had scarcely risen from their beds when there was
a dreadful pounding at the door, and moments later Roberta
led a woman Dana recognized as one of Melissa's aides into
the breakfast room. Dana had jumped to her feet quickly,
for the entire family feared something had happened to
Melissa, but it was quite another message the woman carried.
"My lady," she bowed. "I have an urgent communication from
your sister, Commanding General Scully."
"Yes, yes, what has happened?" Dana asked brusquely, her
worried eyes scanning over the parchment the woman extended.
After reading the few terse lines written there, she had
turned to Fox with sympathy deepening the blue of her eyes.
"Fox, I am afraid this concerns your cousin, Jake. You know
he took ill with the fever last month--Melissa says he has
been near death's door for longer than she cares to mention.
She chose not to tell us how serious his condition had
become in the fervent hope that he would recover soon. She
did not wish to worry you unnecessarily. Jake is only now
well enough to travel, and she is bringing him here to
recuperate from his sickness. They will arrive late this
afternoon."
Fox, whose heart had momentarily stopped beating, took a
deep breath and sent up a silent prayer of thanks to the
Goddess for preserving Jake's life--one of many he had
offered of late. "I must go to him," he announced, hurrying
from the room. He had gotten halfway up the stairs before
Dana managed to catch up.
"No, Fox, wait," she commanded, and he paused on the steps,
looking down at her, fear coloring his beautiful features
that were so like Jake's.
"Dana, please. I must be with Jake. What if he..." He
didn't finish the awful sentence, only turned and hastened
onward to their chamber with his wife in pursuit.
"Fox, you will listen to reason," she ordered, closing the
door behind them and clutching his hand as he began to reach
for his traveling clothes. "You cannot ride to meet Melissa
alone, and I am unable to accompany you. I have a very
important appointment with a critically ill patient this
morning that will not wait. Besides, your duties as Lord
Scully dictate that you remain here and prepare for our
guests' arrival."
"Walter can do that," he said carelessly, throwing a cloak
over his tunic. "I simply *must* go, my lady!"
"You shall not." The words were said mildly, but there was
no mistaking the steel behind them, and Fox found himself
pausing in spite of his intentions.
"Surely you can spare a few servants to accompany me."
"No."
He took another deep breath, visibly fighting his
exasperation. "Why? Please, Dana, just tell me why you
forbid it so vehemently."
For a moment he thought she might actually explain, but then
her face hardened a bit--Dana did not like to be questioned.
"Only know that I do forbid it, Fox." Her voice softened as
she continued, "And know that I have a very good reason for
doing so, my sweeting."
"I am safe with our servants," he argued. "No one has ever
molested me while accompanied by them."
"And more than likely no one shall, but you are far too
precious for me to take unwarranted risks with your safety,"
she stated firmly. "You shall remain here, where you
belong, and you will see Jake this afternoon."
Fox stood quietly while she removed his cloak from his
shoulders and returned it to its proper place, but inwardly
he was furious. He hated it when Dana treated him like
this--as if his wishes, indeed, his very thoughts, were of
no account.
"You treat me like a child."
"I treat you like a husband," she returned bluntly. "One
who is often wont to disobey his lady wife."
He stalked to the chamber door. Although obviously still
angry, he spoke no words aloud, but Dana turned around to
shoot him a baleful glare. "You shall do nothing of the
sort," she ordered sternly.
"My lady?" He whirled around, startled that she had
apparently read his thoughts.
"You will not be stealing away to ride out and meet your
cousin."
"I would never do such a foolish thing, Dana," Fox declared
stoutly, and she smiled, turning back to her mirror.
"See that you do not. I should most assuredly punish you
severely if you did."
"Will you be home for luncheon?" he inquired quietly.
"I hope I shall, but I must see to Lady Farthing first thing
this morning. I do not know how long our meeting will last,
for she has been quite ill."
"Very well, my lady." Fox crept quietly out the chamber
door, and as he closed it behind him, his hand grazed across
the key in the lock.
A thought crossed his mind suddenly, one so deliciously
naughty as to make him give a small gasp at his own daring.
He shook his head again, determined not to engage in such
foolishness, but was accosted by his wife's voice once
again.
"You shall not disobey me, Fox."
She did not even look at him, he fumed, but she seemed to
know all that was in his mind, and treated him as if he was
no more than another of her servants to be ordered about!
Fox found himself muttering, "No, my lady," even as he was
slipping the key silently from the inside lock. He could not
believe his own actions as he closed the door, inserted the
key into the outer lock, and twisted.
The resulting 'click' was almost inaudible, and yet Fox
stood still for several moments, waiting with bated breath
to see if she had heard the telltale noise. When no sound
came from inside the chamber, he withdrew the key and slid
it into the pocket of his breeches.
He was unable to suppress the wicked smile which crept
across his lips as he left the East Wing, making his way
quickly downstairs.
Fox left the Manor house, his heart racing in his chest as
he considered what he had done. Dana would be furious, and
his bottom would most certainly pay the price later, but he
simply must see Jake as soon as possible. He ducked into
the stables, nodded a pleasant 'good morning' to Beulah, who
tended the horses, and quickly saddled Samantha.
He would show Dana, he vowed, that treating him as a silly
young boy gained her nothing.
------
Dana watched her husband leave their chamber to attend his
duties and smiled. He had come far in the years of their
marriage, and was settling down to be a very docile husband.
There was a time when Fox would have argued with her until
she was forced to punish him, or would have stolen away
while her back was turned to do that which she had
forbidden. She was gratified to see him give in with such
good grace. Perhaps he had finally accepted his man's place
in society, and would eventually cease indulging his
reckless impulses altogether. Gentlemen, she reflected,
simply did not often realize what was for their own good.
She hurriedly completed her morning rituals and prepared to
depart. Moments later, while still congratulating herself on
having done a fine job of training her husband, Dana reached
for the chamber door and noticed the key, which should have
rested inside the lock, was missing. With an inaudible
curse which quickly changed to a quite audible roar, she
rattled the doorknob furiously.
"Roberta! Mother! Elizabeth!" she yelled, banging on the
heavy oak door. Spotting the bell cord used to summon the
servants, Dana yanked it so hard it came down on her head.
She tossed it aside furiously.
Moments later a small voice came from the other side of the
barrier.
"Mother, are you all right?" It was Elizabeth.
Making a concerted effort to regain her temper, Dana spoke
gently to her daughter.
"Elizabeth, go and fetch Roberta at once. Tell her she must
stop your Papa before he rides away. Then bring Grandmother
to me."
Elizabeth, a Scully woman to the core, obeyed her mother's
direction immediately.
Dana ran to the window, which unfortunately faced away from
the stables, but she was able to hear the shouting of the
servants as they pursued her wayward husband.
"Dana, what has happened?" demanded Maggie's voice from
outside the chamber door, as she twisted the door knob.
"Mother, use your skeleton key to release me," Dana answered
deliberately, "so that I may take all the pretty skin off my
husband's back."
"Walter, fetch my key ring," Maggie instructed, and her own
husband, anxious to avoid his wife's ire, ran at once to do
her bidding. Less than five minutes later, Maggie had opened
the chamber door. Not long afterwards, Dana was presented
with her struggling husband. He fought angrily, held by two
large servants and flanked by two more who were ready to
assist should Lord Fox manage to break free, but his efforts
were useless.
"He didn't get far, my Lady," one of them reported to her.
"We managed to catch him just before he reached the main
road."
Dana kept her fury in check still, but Elizabeth stood
forward, her six-year-old eyes flashing blue fire.
"Papa, you disobeyed Mother again, and put yourself in
danger! You should be whipped soundly!"
"Here now, Elizabeth, it is not your place to correct your
Papa," Dana reminded her daughter gently.
"I am sorry, Mother," the little girl replied, her head
bowed in shame. "But Papa does try one's patience."
Dana smiled. "Indeed he does, and someday you will have
your own husband who will no doubt try your patience as
well. However, the punishment of your father is left to
me."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Now kiss your Papa to show him you still love him, even
though you believe he deserves to be whipped soundly," she
directed with no little amusement. Elizabeth obeyed, going
forth to give her Papa a tender, apologetic kiss on the
cheek.
Fox, who found the entire conversation simply too
humiliating, bit his lip to keep back the angry words he
wanted to loose. He accepted Elizabeth's kiss, returning it
in kind, then raised his eyes from his daughter to his wife
and sighed. It may not be Elizabeth's place to suggest he
be whipped, but Dana certainly looked as if she thought the
idea a capital one.
To his great relief, she did not reach into her bureau for
her cane or strap. Instead, she strode out of the chamber,
ordering the servants who held him, "Bring him downstairs."
The women turned and, careful of his footing on the
staircase, escorted him back the way he had come. Fox
complied gracefully, knowing any further attempts to escape
would only compound his punishment. They followed Dana to
the paddock, and Fox blanched when he heard her whistle.
The stocks were bad enough, but surely she was not leaving
him to Thunder's tormenting tongue again! He began to quake
when the horse trotted obediently up to his mistress.
"Dana, please," he begged as Roberta began to wrap a rope
around his wrists. "Not the sugar water again, I beg of
you!"
She turned to him with a smile of wry amusement, holding up
a hand to stop Roberta. "Very well, Fox, I shall give you a
choice. It is either the sugar water now, twenty strokes
of my largest paddle before we retire for the evening.
Either way you shall be spending the afternoon in the
stocks."
His eyes widened in fear, but then he glanced over at
Thunder. The horse was watching him expectantly, for Fox
was one of his favorite treats when covered liberally with
the delicious sugar water concoction. Thunder would run his
rough tongue over any part of his mistress' naughty husband
that was not protected by clothing, hoping for a taste of
his favorite snack. For Fox, whose sensitive skin was
extremely ticklish, it was the worst kind of torture.
Determined not to give that damnable horse any satisfaction,
Fox muttered, "I choose the paddle."
Dana nodded. "Very well. I am sorry to have to punish you
this way, sweeting, but you must have lost your wits, to
risk your safety and behave in such a manner."
"Yes, my lady."
"Now, you shall remain here until Melissa and Jake arrive.
That way I will know you are safely guarded until the
temptation to run away no longer exists."
"But Dana, that will be hours!"
"Indeed. Perhaps you should have considered the possible
consequences before taking such rash action."
"But--"
"Walter will prepare for our guests, as you yourself
suggested," she concluded, the mischievous sparkle in her
eye belying her stern expression.
With that, she had kissed him lightly upon the lips and left
him, and here he had remained throughout the long morning
and afternoon. He had been fed, when the noon hour arrived,
and after her luncheon Elizabeth had arrived to keep him
company. Fox found his embarrassment dwindling away as his
daughter entertained him with her lively chatter, but the
day had nonetheless been barely endurable.
To Lord Scully's great relief, Lady Melissa and her husband
arrived only two hours after luncheon. Fox heard the noise
of their carriage pulling into the front drive and
immediately cast his eyes about the yard--surely someone
would be arriving at any moment to grant him his freedom. He
prayed Melissa would not see him in this position, or even
worse, his cousin Jake. It would simply be too humiliating.
He gave a grateful sigh when Dana herself appeared from the
back entrance to the manor, quickly freeing him from his
prison. She steadied him on his feet while he stood slowly
upright, and rubbed at his sore shoulders for a few moments
before leading him to the house.
"Thank you, my lady," he murmured, and she simply smiled in
response.
They arrived in the entrance hall just as Melissa was
entering the Manor, carrying her normally robust husband,
now so thin and frail, in her arms. Fox flashed a small
grin of relief when he heard his cousin protesting
furiously; Jake's body might still be weak from his illness,
but his spirit was apparently as strong as ever.
"Melissa, put me down!" Jake ordered from deep inside the
blanket in which he was securely bundled. "I am perfectly
able to walk this little distance."
"Where shall I put him?" Melissa asked Roberta, ignoring
Jake's protests, except for a whispered aside of, "Darling,
if you do not remain still, I shall thrash you."
Fox noted with amusement that Jake quieted immediately.
"I see you have your husband well trained to do your
bidding, Sister," Dana greeted. "I congratulate you--I know
from experience it is a task not easily accomplished.
Roberta, Walter has prepared the Green Chamber for our
guests."
"Yes, my lady." Roberta motioned to Melissa's personal
aide, who picked up her mistress' bags and followed the
butler up the stairs.
Melissa, in response to Dana's comment, called over her
shoulder, "He is only well-behaved because he is ill. I
assure you, Sister, he spends most of his time naked at my
side, that I may know his whereabouts at all times."
"Melissa!" Jake's scandalized gasp came from deep within the
blanket, and his wife chuckled warmly.
"Do not fret, my untamable vixen," she whispered loudly, for
the benefit of all listening. "I shall not tell them that
you are rarely allowed to leave our bed-chamber, and are
usually kept chained to our bed."
Any further protest Jake intended was stifled by the kiss
his doting wife then bestowed upon his luscious lips. As
they disappeared up the stairs, Fox saw his cousin's
fingers, which had rested around Melissa's neck, slide up to
thread through her hair.
It was clear, in spite of their frequent public spats, that
Jake and Melissa made a happy couple. Jake was apparently
still not accustomed to having his actions dictated by a
wife, but Fox had no doubt Melissa was capable of handling
him quite firmly. It was a Scully family trait.
Fox entered their chamber, happily taking in the sight of
his wife as she changed into her afternoon clothing. The
view of her unclad body never failed to excite him, and now
was no exception, but unfortunately, he had come to her on a
different, far less pleasurable errand.
"My lady," he said roughly, then cleared his throat.
Dana turned to him curiously. "Yes, Fox? Your voice sounds
odd. Are you quite well?"
He crossed to the large bed and sat upon it, rumpling the
spread that the servants had so carefully smoothed that
morning.
"I am well, my lady, it is simply that I...I wish..."
She gave a fond, knowing smile. "You wish to receive your
punishment now, rather than later, is that it, sweeting?"
"Unless you would choose to forego it altogether," he
replied hopefully, but was unsurprised when she shook her
head.
"You know that I will not," she told him firmly. "However,
I am willing to administer it now, if you prefer. It will
make sitting at tea all the more difficult for you."
Fox ducked his head in embarrassment before answering, "I
understand, my lady, but I should rather be sore this
afternoon than tonight."
Now her small smile turned to a full grin. "Are you
implying that you would engage in other activities at
bedtime, my dear?"
The gaze he turned on her was smoldering. "I should be
delighted to indulge in them now, were there enough time
before tea," he informed her huskily.
She gazed at him with such longing that Fox could not
suppress the urge to cross the room swiftly and take her in
his arms. His lips closed over hers in a hungry kiss, which
she returned with enthusiasm.
When at last they released one another, Dana smoothed a
wayward lock of hair over his forehead and observed, "You
are becoming quite a forward hussy, sweeting. It pleases me
greatly."
He blushed slightly, pleased yet disconcerted at her praise,
for even after seven years of marriage, Fox had not lost all
his virginal shyness. He was completely unaware that his
wife considered it his most endearing quality.
"Back to business," she said, turning away and withdrawing
the promised paddle from her 'punishment drawer.' Fox
cringed slightly whenever she used the term - it was where
she kept all her implements of discipline. Many times he
had fantasized about destroying every single item within,
but such an action would surely be tantamount to suicide.
The paddle she now held, her largest and most painful, was
made of solid oak, and was as long as his arm and half as
thick. He had hefted it a time or two, out of curiosity,
and found it to be every bit as heavy as it appeared. The
fact that his tiny wife had the strength to wield it with
expert skill never failed to amaze him.
"Ten, you said?" he asked innocently, bending himself over
the end of the bed, for his punishment was inevitable, no
matter how much he would prefer to take his wife to bed and
make violent love to her.
"You know quite well that I said twenty, and for that little
attempt at deception, we shall make it twenty-one."
"I was only teasing, Dana!" he protested.
"Indeed. However, I am not. You disobeyed my orders,
delayed my attending to a very ill woman, and worst of all,
placed yourself in what could have been great danger. I
believe you have forgotten something, Fox."
With a dark look, Fox stood, lowered his breeches to his
ankles, then bent over the bed once more.
Carefully, Dana positioned Fox so his bottom would gain the
maximum punishment from the paddle, but his lower back was
safe from harm. She was severe when punishing him, but she
did love him dearly, and would never do him permanent harm.
She rested the paddle on his backside, observing the gentle
curve of his buttocks with admiration. After a moment of
feeling nothing but the heavy wood against his bottom, Fox
turned his head to face her.
"Do hurry, my lady," he pleaded. "I sometimes believe the
waiting is the most difficult part."
She smiled grimly. "Do you, my dear? I shall have to
disabuse you of that notion."
So saying, Dana drew back her arm and landed the first hard
smack on his upturned bottom.
"OW!" he cried, clutching at the thick spread that covered
their bed. "My lady, twenty of that caliber will surely
finish me!"
"Twenty-one," she corrected, bring the paddle down for
another stroke.
Fox held himself still with an effort, knowing that to move
would only invite further ire. Several blows fell before
the inevitable lecture began.
"You know how I feel about you endangering yourself, Fox."
"OH! Yes, my--OW!--my lady!"
"A man of your beauty, on the road to London alone--"
"Please, Dana, enough!"
"--where the seediest of women travel--"
"I won't do it again, I give you my word!"
"You could have ended up the plaything of any number of
unsavory females."
"Yes! Yes, you are right! I'm sorry!" His tears began in
earnest now, no matter how bravely he fought to hold them
back, and Dana smiled with the satisfaction, not of hurting
her husband, but of getting a lesson through his stubborn
head.
"Believe you still that the waiting is the worst part,
sweeting?" she asked, just a touch of humor in her tone, but
his only answer was a stifled sob. "I see," she went on.
"Then let us finish quickly."
So saying, she administered the last strokes in rapid
succession, and once the twenty-first had landed, tossed the
paddle aside and pulled him up and into her arms. Fox
sobbed into her shoulder for several minutes while she
rubbed his bottom soothingly, trying to ease away some of
the sting.
"There, now, my darling, darling Fox," she whispered as his
tears began to subside. "You are the most precious thing in
the world to me. Had some awful fate befallen you, I should
never have been able to go on. Please, sweeting, do think
more of your safety in the future."
"Ye-yes, my lady."
"Now, wash away your tears, Fox, and come downstairs.
Melissa and Jake will be down to tea in a very few moments.
And tonight, sweeting--" and here she placed a tender kiss
on his cheek, and another on the small bit of chest peeking
through his shirt, "--I shall show you again just how much I
treasure you."
Fox nodded, already anticipating her touch upon his
sensitive man's body, then reached for the washing cloth
beside the basin. Nobody downstairs could be in doubt of
what had just happened, he thought ruefully, but there was
no reason for him to go in to tea with traces of his
reaction to the punishment on his face.
"Fox, why are you so restless?" Melissa asked pleasantly as
they seated themselves in the salon for tea. She nodded a
'thank you' to Walter as he poured her a cup. "You are
unable to sit still for even a minute."
Dana grinned while Fox flushed uncomfortably. Melissa
raised an eyebrow in understanding.
"Have you earned yourself a punishment already today, my
dear?" she asked indulgently. "You must be on your best
behavior whilst we are here, Fox. Jake will need your
assistance, and you can be of no help to him if you are
lying abed recovering from a beating. Besides, Jake could
make use of your example of proper husbandly behavior."
"I--"
"Fox is never beaten, Sister, you know that. More often he
is a treat for my horse." Dana's amusement deepened as Fox
gave her a disgusted look. "Today, however, he has spent
his time in the stocks, and has only recently had his
backside soundly warmed with my largest paddle, the one you
sent me last Goddess' Day. It is quite effective."
"What did he do?" Melissa inquired, helping herself to
another teacake. "To look at him, you would never believe
him disobedient. His cousin's rebellious nature is revealed
by the wild look in his eyes, but this one appears so
docile."
"He insisted upon riding out alone to meet you. He had the
audacity to lock me in our chamber while he attempted to
disobey my direct order that he remain at home. I was
delayed in seeing a patient."
Melissa's eyebrow shot up almost to her hairline. "That was
quite daring, if ill advised. And thus, Walter prepared our
chambers and Fox spent the afternoon with his head between
wood?" she guessed.
Fox, who had grown heartily tired of being discussed as if
he were not present, turned to Dana grumpily.
"My lady, may I please be excused? I should like to visit
my cousin, now he has had a chance to rest."
Dana gave Melissa an inquiring look, and her older sister
immediately replied, "Go, Fox. Satisfy your mind that he
will live. I had my doubts for some time, but now I know
Jake is far too mischievous to be done in by a mere fever.
Indeed, I half-suspect he concocted the entire illness just
to earn himself some coddling at my hands."
There was no need to contradict Melissa's words--it was
obvious she was still shaken from the seriousness of Jake's
illness and was merely attempted to lighten the mood with a
joke.
"Ladies, Walter," Fox nodded before hurrying from the salon
and scurrying up the stairs to his cousin.
Walter, silent thus far, held out his hand to Melissa, who
kissed it tenderly. "My lady, my warmest welcome to you and
Jake," he offered. "I believe, if you ladies will excuse me,
that I should look in on the supper preparations. I'm
certain Fox is too preoccupied with his cousin to give it a
thought."
"Thank you, Walter, that is quite thoughtful of you," Dana
told him, and he nodded before leaving the room.
"So tell me honestly, how is Jake?" Maggie demanded as soon
as the door was shut behind her son-in-law. "Is he truly
recovering as nicely as you would wish?"
Melissa shook her head gravely. "I believe he will, here in
the country, but Mother, the fever rages still in London.
It was only because of my husband's delicate condition that
I was allowed to bring him away--Her Majesty needs all her
Generals in service at this time."
"Have none of the other Generals' husbands taken ill?" asked
Dana curiously.
Melissa nodded grimly. "One has died already. This illness
seems to strike the men much worse than the women."
"Men have more delicate constitutions," Maggie observed.
"Indeed, Mother, I believe it is more due to the fact that
the men are the ones who nurse the ill, therefore exposing
themselves to the sickness much more readily than the women.
Jake spent the entire week before he took the fever looking
after Major General Winnington's husband. Lord Winnington
did not recover, I am afraid. We were quite saddened; he
and Jake had become good friends."
"Why did Major Winnington not remove her husband from the
city?"
"It is not considered seemly for the military to retreat
from this battle," Melissa informed them. "Personally, I
believe all but the most essential personnel should leave
London for a time. Her Majesty, most of all, should be
removed from danger, but she refuses to abandon the Palace."
"And yet you were allowed to bring Jake here," Dana
observed.
Melissa's eyes sparkled with her excitement. "Jake's
condition is more...delicate than normal. Mother, Dana, I
am with child again."
Dana gave an excited shout and hugged her sister, but Maggie
looked concerned.
"Have you been well examined by a doctor, Daughter?"
Melissa nodded. "I have. She believes I shall carry this
babe for the full term. You would be impressed, Dana. My
doctor insists I give up spirits for the duration of my
pregnancy."
Dana smiled and Maggie snorted. "And my poor son-in-law is
ill with the effects of your pregnancy, as well as fighting
the fever," she commented. "Poor Jake. He has had a time
of it, has he not?"
"He has, but he shall survive. I am certain of that now. He
is well enough to complain. He constantly bemoans the fact
that it is men who must suffer sickness whilst their wives
are carrying a babe."
It was Dana's turn to snort. "Perhaps you should describe
in great detail the pain of actually birthing a babe," she
pointed out. "Something the Goddess knew men were far too
fragile to endure. If they must suffer a few months of
illness, I find it only fair."
Melissa grinned. "I would describe it to him, Dana, but I
fear he would fall over in a dead faint. It will be
difficult enough for Jake to be present during the
birthing."
Maggie looked aghast. "Daughter, surely you are not
thinking of allowing your husband to be in attendance in the
birthing chamber!"
"I am, Mother. It is an important event in his life as well
as mine. I think it only fair that we share in its magic."
Maggie saw the way her daughter's eyes sparkled, and bit her
tongue. She would never understand the newfangled ways of
pregnancy and childbirth. Dana had refused to taste spirits
for the entire duration of her pregnancy, convinced it might
harm her babe in some way, and now apparently Melissa's
doctor concurred. It was ridiculous. Maggie had birthed
four healthy children, all having been subjected to spirits
whilst in her womb, and she never would have dreamed of
having William present during the births. It was unseemly.
Birthing was a woman's world.
Waving her hand dismissively, as if to change the subject,
Melissa leaned closer to her mother and sister and informed
them almost in a whisper, "There is another reason Her
Majesty sent me to Azure at this time. A suspicious ship
has been spotted lurking just outside your harbor."
They both nodded vigorously. "That ship is the reason I
would not allow Fox to ride out to meet you, even with our
servants' protection," Dana affirmed. "What do you know of
it?"
"We suspect it to be the Black Magic, a well known pirate
ship," Melissa confided. "The captain is a woman I served
with during my first few years in the army. She deserted,
turned to the bad and has been living a life of crime ever
since. She and I...have some history together."
"History?" demanded Maggie. "What kind of history?"
Melissa smiled. "Nothing of which you need be ashamed,
Mother. In reality, it was nothing more than a poker game
gone wrong. She lost one of her prettier slave boys to me in
a late night match, and I freed him rather than taking my
pleasure of him. She was quite livid at the development when
I voiced my intention to send the poor boy back to his
family in India. She asked to play another hand in order to
win him back, and I refused. Later, I discovered she lost
the boy purposefully. She intended him to spy upon me, to
relate military secrets to her.
"Captain Sherrill is a poor loser, I fear, and now considers
me her enemy. Her Majesty found it odd that she would lurk
near Azure, when there are so many richer ports southward.
The Queen and I are both concerned that she may be planning
a strike against the Scully family, as it is well known we
have a large estate here."
Dana's eyes widened. "And yet you brought Jake into this
danger?" she demanded. "Why did you not inform me? I
should have taken Fox and Douglas away at once!"
"And I, Walter!" Maggie put in.
"Had you done so, Captain Sherrill would realize we are on
her trail, and would disappear to sea again. Would you
inflict her evil on the unsuspecting Colonies to the West?
We are much better equipped to deal with her here."
"But our men, Daughter, you have endangered them," Maggie
pointed out gently.
"It is only because of the courage of the Scully men that I
dared do so," Melissa told her staunchly. "Indeed, now that
we are aware, we should be well able to protect them. I am
hoping to lay a trap of sorts for the Captain, in order to
snare her and bring her to justice."
"Using our men as bait?" Dana clarified.
Melissa gave a short nod. "If we are careful, they need not
be in any true danger. You know I love Fox and Walter as my
brother and father, and Jake is my life. As for my
beautiful nephew...I would never willingly put any of them
in harm's way, but this is our duty, both to England and to
Her Majesty."
"I will not allow it," Dana declared firmly. "I'm sorry
Sister. You know I am loyal to the Crown, but that loyalty
does not require me to put my family in danger. I am sworn
to protect them, and protect them I shall."
Maggie said nothing, but her stern expression conveyed to
Melissa exactly what she thought of such a plan.
"Very well," Melissa sighed. "Truly, I had no real hope
that you would agree. You are probably right--it is best
not to take chances. However, that does still leave me with
the matter of Captain Sherrill to deal with."
"Mother and I will help you in any way possible, as long as
it does not involve endangering Douglas, Fox and Walter,"
Dana assured her. "Perhaps together, the three of us may
come up with a viable plan for capturing this woman."
Melissa smiled. "I am certain of it, Dana. Tell me, do you
believe we should warn the men of the potential danger?
Perhaps they will be more careful--"
"No!" exclaimed Maggie and Dana in unison.
"Fox is already quite distraught over his cousin," Maggie
reminded Melissa. "I do not believe additional worry will
be for his benefit."
Melissa gave a most unladylike bark of laughter. "You are
quite right, Mother. More likely my dear husband's cousin
would run off to the docks for a glimpse of such a ship!"
she pointed out, and Dana shook her head slowly from side to
side.
"If he learns of the possible plan to abduct the Scully men,
he will no doubt offer himself up as a sacrifice in order to
protect the others. I cannot allow that. Fox, for all his
bravery, is still quite innocent. I shudder to think of him
in the hands of a band of lusty pirates."
"Or Walter. No, we shall not tell them," Maggie decided.
"They are much better off if they believe you are here only
for Jake's health."
"Cousin," Jake greeted warmly as Fox entered the chamber.
Fox swallowed hard at the sight of his cousin, always so
full of life and strength, lying abed, barely able to raise
his hand in greeting.
"How are you, Jake?" he asked, seating himself in a chair
and pulling it closer to the bed. "Melissa would never tell
me the truth. She would wish to protect me."
"I am recovering, Fox, I swear it," Jake told him soberly,
meeting his cousin's eyes with his own identical hazel ones.
"I was quite ill for a time, but am surely on the mend now.
I am just very weak still."
"It is hard for me to believe you took so ill."
Jake nodded sympathetically. "It is quite difficult for me
to accept as well," he concurred. "I was caring for a sick
friend, and took the illness not even a day after his
death."
"He died!"
"Yes, but Fox, he was much older than I, and not in the best
of health to begin with." He grasped his cousin's hand
warmly. "You mustn't worry. I am not prepared to die quite
yet. I have a child to raise."
Fox gaped at him. "A--you have--"
"Melissa is carrying another babe," Jake confided happily.
"Her healer is certain this one is healthy and will live."
Fox squeezed Jake's hand tightly. "I am very happy for you.
I shall pray to the Goddess for your son's safe delivery."
Jake grinned warmly. "It is to be a daughter," he
contradicted teasingly. "All the Scully women bear a
daughter first. Lady Maggie has decreed it shall be so."
"Indeed," Fox laughed. "Perhaps you shall be blessed with
twins, as was I."
"Do not even mention it!" Jake groaned. "I still have not
forgotten how exhausted you were throughout the first year
of their lives. You should have allowed the servants to
assist you more."
"I wanted to be the one to care for them," Fox argued
stubbornly, for he had had this same conversation many times
before, with many different people. "I did not wish my
children to confuse a servant with their father. Had either
Douglas or Elizabeth referred to anyone else as 'Papa,' it
would have certainly been the death of me."
"How are my niece and nephew?"
"They are in excellent health. Douglas is the joy of my
life, quick to learn the manly arts and eager to please.
Elizabeth is so like her mother it makes my heart swell with
pride to watch her. She is quite the young Lady."
"You are a lucky man, Fox."
"I only wish we could have had more children, but when Dana
took ill after their birth, Lady Maggie told us more babes
are unlikely. She has never been with child since."
Jake nodded his understanding. "Indeed, each time Melissa
would lose a babe after carrying it for only a few months, I
would hear her cry, late at night when she thought I was
asleep. It shook me to my core to see my wife display such
emotion. I sometimes wonder..."
"What?" Fox prompted gently.
"I wonder if my loose behavior before our marriage is to
blame. Perhaps the Goddess does not deem me a fit father."
Fox was aghast. "Jake, do not even think such a thing! You
have proven your worthiness by your devotion to your wife
and Her Majesty. I do not believe our Goddess would be so
cruel."
"I pray you are right, for Melissa's sake," Jake sighed.
"She does so want a daughter to carry on her name.
"And she shall have one, perhaps more than one," Fox told
him firmly. "We shall keep you both here in the country
until the child is safely delivered."
"Melissa would never agree," Jake contradicted sadly. "It
is only because I have been so ill we were allowed to travel
here. The fever has taken many lives in London, and all the
military are needed to maintain order and protect Her
Majesty."
"But surely it could not be good for the babe, should
Melissa take ill!"
"My lady has been assigned duties that have kept her far
from the illness, once it was determined she was with child.
Her Majesty is anxious for her Commanding General to have a
family."
Fox nodded, and Jake grasped his cousin's hand again,
drawing him closer.
"There is another reason we are here," he whispered softly.
"I am not certain what it might be, but my lady dispatched
soldiers in the direction of the waterfront when we had
nearly reached Azure. I fear something else is afoot,
something of which I have not been informed."
"To the waterfront! Perhaps it is something truly exciting,
like smugglers, or pirates!" Fox replied excitedly, his eyes
sparkling at the idea.
Jake grinned weakly. "Pirates, near Azure? This is not a
rich port, Fox."
"But maybe they are here for some other reason. Perhaps
Lady Melissa was sent here to investigate the captain's
purpose. Mayhap it is a spy ship!"
"Perhaps," Jake agreed. "Fox, I know how your mind works.
Mine works the same way, but you must not go near that
harbor."
"What harm could come to me if I was careful and stealthy?
Imagine, Jake, if it really is a pirate ship! Can you tell
me, in all honesty, that you would not attempt to secure a
sight of it, were you not ill?"
"Perhaps I would be tempted," Jake agreed seriously, "but
even I should be hesitant, knowing the large number of
soldiers Melissa sent to the harbor. She fears the danger,
and if my lady is cautious, it is for good reason, I assure
you."
Fox stared at his cousin in surprise. "Why Jake, she has
tamed you!" he exclaimed.
Jake blushed, his embarrassment turning his sickly pale skin
quite scarlet.
"My lady is...quite severe in her punishments," he agreed at
last. "She is a woman of many passions; indeed, she loves
me as enthusiastically as she disciplines me. Never in my
life have I felt such heightened emotions. I manage to find
my share of mischief--'tis in my nature, I fear--but believe
me when I say I would never deliberately bring her to
anger."
"She is that harsh?"
Jake shrugged. "Harsh is perhaps not the correct word. Your
Lady Dana is quite creative in her punishments. Lady
Melissa is not. She is very constant. Therefore, I know
exactly what to expect, should I disobey her, and exactly
how much it will hurt. I have no wish to incur her wrath."
"What Melissa said downstairs...about you being chained to
the bed, naked...that was merely a joke, was it not?" Fox
asked nervously, for even after all these years he had not
forgotten the servant he had released from Lady Fowley's
property, much to his own future detriment.
Jake gave a weak grin. "I am kept naked at her side quite
often, but I assure you I have never been chained to the
bed, my cousin--not for punishment, anyway. Melissa is
quite fond of me in the bare flesh, and often when we are
alone in our chambers, she wishes me to go without
clothing."
"That sounds...rather cold," Fox snorted, a bit disconcerted
at his cousin's revelation.
Jake smiled dreamily, his eyes closing in weariness. "My
lady has many ways of keeping me warm," he corrected. "Fox,
I fear I must sleep now."
"Indeed, I have occupied you for far too long," Fox
apologized. "I shall have your supper sent up to you. Rest
now, Jake."
His cousin nodded once and was asleep.
"Melissa!" Dana called from the large entrance hall of
Scully manor, her voice full of grim determination.
Her sister appeared almost immediately, summoned more by
Dana's tone than her word.
"What is it, Dana?" she asked worriedly. "Has something
happened?"
"Indeed it has," Dana replied, gesturing to the woman
standing at attention beside her, obviously a servant, but
not one employed by the Scully family. "Rebecca, tell my
sister what you told me."
"My lady, my friends and I were at the tavern last night,
and we happened to overhear the conversation of a group of
seedy-looking women, strangers in town."
"Yes?" Melissa demanded brusquely, for strangers in Azure,
while not uncommon due to the proximity of the harbor, were
rarely cause for alarm. Something untoward must have
occurred for this woman to appear, unsummoned, before Lady
Scully.
"I heard them discussing how they were to sneak into town
tonight, my lady, and steal Lord Jake from you!" Her eyes
played over Melissa's imposing figure in awe and fear.
Melissa's hand went immediately to her pistol, secured at
her waist at all times while in uniform.
"You are employed by Diana Fowley," Dana said coldly. "I
recognize the symbol you wear."
"I am debt-bound to the Lady Fowley, my lady."
"Diana Fowley has no love for the Scully family," Melissa
retorted. "For what purpose have you truly come here?"
Rebecca's eyes darted nervously about the hall. "My
mistress didn't send me," she explained. "I have come of my
own accord."
"Out of the goodness of your heart?" Melissa sneered, and
the servant flushed.
"My contract with Lady Fowley expires next week," she
confessed, her head bowed. "I hoped...that is, I
thought...perhaps if Lady Scully had need of a servant...I
would be willing to work in any capacity, my lady," she
informed Dana earnestly.
"Do you bring us the truth?" demanded Dana, glowering
menacingly. "It shall not go well for you, should we
discover you have lied."
"Oh, I promise you, my lady, I speak the truth!" Rebecca
cried. "Lord Jake is in danger. While it is true I hoped
to secure a position for myself, I wish no harm to befall an
innocent gentleman."
"You speak nicely, for a servant," Melissa commented. "Who
taught you?"
Rebecca blushed even more furiously, and shifted
uncomfortably. "My mother is Lady Branden, of Brandenburg,
north of London," she offered at last, her voice quiet. "She
owed a debt to the Lady Fowley which she was unable to pay,
therefore, my mother contracted me to Lady Fowley for the
space of five years in order to meet her obligation."
"Your *mother* contracted you!" Dana repeated, scarcely able
to comprehend such an action.
"Indeed," Rebecca replied, her head held proudly high. "You
see, I am not the daughter of my mother's husband."
"Illegitimate," Melissa murmured. "So she felt it
appropriate to sell you like a slave to pay her debts."
"However, if your five years is ended next week, why do you
not return to your mother?" inquired Dana, her voice more
gentle now.
"I have no wish to ever see that woman again," Rebecca
answered frostily. "I feel my mother had no right to sell
me into servitude, as if I were nothing more than a mere
male, but the law upheld her decision. I come of age in two
months. Until that time, I would ask for your protection,
my lady, and in return I shall be more than happy to sign
the lifetime contract you require of your servants."
"I have no need of more servants at this time," Dana told
her, a twinge of regret in her voice.
Rebecca's face fell, but brightened at Melissa's next words.
"I have," Commanding General Scully remarked. "The military
is always in need of good soldiers, dedicated to the
protection of the Crown. I know of Lady Branden and her
propensity for wagering more than she is able to lose, but I
had no idea she would stoop to this low level. I shall
consider employing you, Rebecca, but first, you must prove
your loyalty to this family."
"I should be happy to do so, my lady, but how?" Rebecca
asked. "Until next week, I am Lady Fowley's."
"Yet Lady Fowley gives you free time to visit the tavern?"
"She is away, on a gaming junket about the countryside,
accompanied only by her personal maid and her...gentleman
companion, Alex. I have my duties still, but once they are
completed, I am free for the evening."
"I assure you, Alex Krycek is no *gentleman* companion,"
Dana put in coldly. "However, that is neither here nor
there."
"Indeed, let us not diverge into that story now," Melissa
agreed. "Rebecca, as a way of proving your devotion to the
Scully family, I will require you to give every available
moment you have to us for the next week. We shall need every
hand in service to protect our men from the pirates."
Rebecca's eyes sparkled. "I am not due back at Lady
Fowley's estate until tomorrow morning, my lady," she said
simply. "Until then, my time is yours."
"Excellent. You may begin by telling me exactly what you
overheard, in as much detail as you are able."
Rebecca began to speak, and before she had even finished her
tale, Dana had ordered all female servants gathered in the
Great Hall of the manor.
"Fox? I was certain I would find you here," Dana said,
poking her head around the door leading to the Green
Chamber.
Her husband looked up with an anxious expression, dipping a
cloth into a basin of water and bathing his cousin's face
with it.
"Jake's fever has returned, Dana," he said hoarsely. "I
fear the traveling took a larger toll on him than expected."
Melissa, right behind her sister, pushed into the room and
made immediately for her husband's side. She examined him
critically, then took his hand gently between her own two
strong ones.
"Jake, my darling, do open your eyes and look at me."
Jake complied wearily, his eyes bloodshot and drooping. He
managed a weak smile. "I shall keep you at my side yet, my
lady."
Melissa gave an exasperated grin. "I have suspected all
along that your supposed illness was merely a way to gain my
sympathy," she informed him.
Dana turned to her husband quietly. "Fox, bring me the brown
bag in my wardrobe that has my potions and medicines in it."
Fox obeyed instantly, and Dana rummaged in the bag, pulling
out several packets of herbs, which she crushed together and
mixed with a small amount of fresh water from the jug. She
gave the cup containing the potion to Melissa, who held it
to Jake's lips.
He frowned. "What vile poison will you force down me this
time, Wife?"
"One guaranteed to have you back to your disagreeable self
in no time," she retorted. "And if you do not moderate your
tone, I shall add some especially ill-tasting leaves, just
to punish you."
Fox was a bit taken aback by their exchange for a moment,
before catching the twinkle in Melissa's eye and the
matching one in Jake's. He at once felt a rush of love both
for his cousin, who he cherished like a brother, and for
Melissa, who had taken Jake and--against all his
protests--made him a respectable husband. And soon-to-be
father, Fox reminded himself quickly.
Catching sight of his face, Melissa assured him, "I know my
sister's skill with herbs, Fox. This wretch should be
dancing a jig by morning. Do not fret overmuch for his
welfare."
"Indeed, my lady, he appears apt to burst into song at any
moment," Fox agreed, relieved and grateful that his wife was
such a talented healer.
"Melissa, you should remain with your husband this evening,"
Dana said, but Melissa shook her head firmly.
"As much as I should prefer to be at Jake's side throughout
his hypochondria, I cannot, Sister. I must conduct the
business we discussed, and it must be tonight. I shall not
rest easily until the threat no longer exists."
"What threat?" asked Fox and Jake at once.
"Nothing about which you should worry, Sweeting," Dana
comforted, stroking the back of her husband's hand softly,
enjoying the way his eyes grew wide and darkened with need.
Due to her heavy case load and a slight stomach ailment
which had temporarily stricken their son--which
circumstances had left them both too exhausted to do more
than drop into bed and fall into immediate slumber--they had
been several days without lovemaking. Now she enjoyed the
feeling of power it gave her to notice the tightening in his
breeches.
Fox shifted position suddenly, and Dana smiled with
satisfaction. Tonight, once those damnable pirates had been
dispatched, she intended to celebrate the victory by taking
her husband quite thoroughly. She vowed she would not allow
him his release until he was screaming for her mercy. Then
she would give him such pleasure that he would hold that
satisfied, contented look in his eyes for days. Oh yes,
tonight...
"Dana and I must go to the village this evening, boys,"
Melissa explained, inwardly chuckling at the tease Dana was
giving poor Fox. "I do not wish to leave you, my sweet, but
it is unavoidable. With any luck, we shall not be terribly
late home. Jake, Fox and Walter will look after you whilst
I am away. Do try not to suffer too pathetically, if you
please."
"I shall save my best theatrics for you alone, my lady," he
whispered, his eyes closed and the ghost of a smile upon his
lips.
"See that you do. The potion makes him sleepy," she told
Fox. "I shouldn't be surprised if he should sleep straight
through until we return."
"Dana, why must you go?" Fox demanded, his voice soft out of
deference to his sleeping cousin. "Jake needs you tonight!"
"Do not question me, Husband," she replied sternly. "Rest
assured I would not be leaving a man as sick as Jake if it
were not a matter of dire necessity."
Fox, knowing his wife spoke the truth, and equally certain
that she would not give further explanations, merely nodded
in acceptance. "Are there any other medicines I should
administer?"
She shook her head. "If all proceeds as I expect, he will
need nothing further before morning."
"Dana."
The three swung around at the sound of Walter's voice in the
doorway.
"My lady has asked me to inform you that she has assembled
the servants, as you requested."
"Thank you, Walter," Dana replied firmly. "We shall be down
momentarily."
Walter bowed and exited the room while Dana addressed Fox's
look of concern.
"You and Walter are to remain in this wing of the house
tonight, Fox. I rely on you to do as you are told."
"But my lady--"
She held up her hand for silence. "I shall explain the
whole of the situation to you on the morrow," she promised.
"For tonight, you will trust me, and endeavor to do as I
command without getting yourself into trouble. Caring for
your cousin should keep you quite occupied enough."
"Yes, my lady," he agreed demurely...perhaps too demurely,
for Dana immediately gripped his chin and forced him to look
deeply into her eyes.
"It is imperative that you obey me without question, Fox.
Should I return and find that you have not, your backside
shall surely suffer as it has never suffered before."
Fox swallowed hard, his eyes huge, and nodded. Dana kissed
him softly on the lips and took her leave, waiting outside
the chamber while Melissa said goodbye to an almost
unconscious Jake.
As the sisters started down the staircase, Melissa asked
curiously, "Do you believe Fox will obey you?"
"Of course not," Dana replied with certainty. "But I shall
have Roberta keep an especial eye on him, to see that he
does not find more mischief than can be safely dealt with."
Melissa linked her arm through her sister's and laughed
heartily.
Dana addressed the assembled crowd--all the female servants
from the highest ranking house worker to the lowliest field
hand had been called forth, and the male servants had been
ordered to remain safely in their quarters for the night.
Melissa's small regime of soldiers also stood at the ready.
"We have received information that a foul pirate, a Captain
Sherrill, will be assembling her crew at the tavern in Azure
tonight. It is believed she will send some of her crew to
Scully Manor, in order to abduct Lord Jake, while she and
the remainder of her women remain at the tavern to create a
diversion.
"Lady Maggie, Lady Melissa and I will be there to greet them
in hopes of spoiling their scheme. However, if we are to do
so, it means leaving our men here under your protection. You
will remember how precious they are to us, and you will
guard them with your lives."
The crowd of servants voiced their agreement, their faces
stern and uncompromising, for all were loyal to the Scully
family, and interlopers were not to be tolerated. Dana
smiled, nodded approvingly, and continued.
"Our intention is to intercept the kidnappers before they
come this way, but Lady Melissa has prepared a plan of
defense, should any of the pirates manage to slip past us
and try to approach Scully manor. She will tell each of you
where you are to be positioned. You are not to leave that
watch until you are relieved by the person to take your
place. You will watch in four hour shifts."
She stood back and Melissa stepped forward, unrolling a
large scroll on the table as she spoke.
"Roberta, the grounds have been divided into four sections.
We shall separate the women into four groups, dispersing the
strongest equally among them and then I will make post
assignments."
While the younger women arranged the defense plan, Maggie
took herself upstairs to Jake's chamber, where she found
Walter and Fox at his bedside.
"How is he?" she queried softly.
Fox shook his head. "He is sleeping now," he replied sadly,
"but I fear the fever is once again overtaking him. He has
not had a good day. Lady Melissa fed him a potion, but I
can see no improvement as yet."
Maggie approached the bed, gave Jake a gentle examination
without waking the young man, and stepped back. "I may be
an aging woman, but I still possess knowledge younger
doctors have yet to learn," she told them. "I shall prepare
my own concoction for him," she told them. "It will not
interfere with what Dana has already given him. You must
administer it once an hour for the next three hours."
She left the room, returning shortly with the potion in a
small glass decanter. After placing it carefully on the
bedside table, she turned to her husband and son-in-law.
"Lady Dana and Lady Melissa are downstairs even now,
instructing the servants upon how you are to be protected
whilst we are away tonight. You will follow their
instructions to the letter. It is vital you both understand
how very important it is that you remain here in the house,
under the watchful eye of the women. Walter, I hold you
responsible for these two rapscallions as well, both as my
husband and as Lord Scully the Elder. Is the gravity of
this situation unclear to you in any way?"
She regarded them both with her deep blue eyes, now stern
and uncompromising, and both men shook their heads
wordlessly.
"Excellent. You have nothing to fear if you obey the orders
you are given. You are both to remain here, in this wing of
the house, although you are not required to stay in this
chamber. Indeed, I would that you both attempt to get some
sleep. Summon Aja to remain with Jake, if necessary. Do
not forget to give him his medicine. You may wake him up
for the first dose now."
"Yes, my lady," Fox replied, reaching toward the decanter
with a trembling hand. He carefully poured a third of the
liquid into a mug and gently roused his cousin.
"Fox, you shall never marry if you do not learn some
coquetry," Jake murmured, his hazel eyes gazing straight up
at the ceiling. "Lady Massey has eyes for you, but you see
only your father telling you ladies wish simply to bed you
for your beauty. What harm can a little flirting do?"
"He is out of his head," observed Maggie.
"Indeed," Fox told her grimly, slipping his arm beneath
Jake's head and raising it slightly. "He remembers a time
when we were but children. Come, Jake, you must drink this
now."
"Is it the wine?" Jake asked, opening his mouth eagerly. "I
did not believe you courageous enough to steal it from Lady
Teena's parlor, Fox. Bravo! I shall teach you mischief
yet, my perfect cousin."
Fox blushed slightly, but held the mug to Jake's lips and
helped him drink the potion down. Maggie watched, to be
certain all the liquid made it safely into her patient. She
touched Jake's face gently, giving Fox a reassuring smile,
and left the room.
"Did you truly steal wine, Fox?" Walter asked with a slight
smile.
"NEVER! I did not," Fox told him firmly. "Jake...imagines
far too much when he is under the influence of fever."
"And yet, knowing your penchant for finding trouble, I must
wonder at your protest," Walter answered teasingly. "I
daresay you did take Lady Teena's wine, and she most likely
blistered your bottom for it."
"Were I to engage in such a foolhardy activity, my mother
would surely have banished me to my chamber for four days,
giving me nothing but wine to drink with my meals until I
grew heartily sick of spirits," Fox replied, his eyes still
on his cousin. "However, as I told you before, I would
never commit such a deed."
"I seem to remember an incident with brandy a few years
ago--"
"I assure you, I have no idea to what you are referring."
Walter snorted delicately but said nothing more.
Melissa, Dana, Maggie and Rebecca sat quietly at an obscure
table in the corner of the tavern, sipping carefully at the
watered-down ale they had requested from the owner, a good
friend of Dana's. The woman had taken one look at their
dress, clearly meant to blend in with the crowd of village
woman peopling the establishment, and complied with their
request immediately. She did not know what the Ladies
Scully were up to, but Lady Dana had always been kind to
her--had, in fact, saved her small daughter's life when the
child had broken her leg--and she would no more betray a
Scully than she'd slit her own wrists.
Looking over the women in the room, Dana asked softly, "Do
you recognize any of them?"
Melissa shook her head. "I shall likely only know Captain
Sherrill; I have never met up with her crew."
"Those two there, my lady," Rebecca answered, nodding
discreetly toward a table in the center of the room where
two women sat, growing drunker by the moment. "They are two
of the ones I overheard discussing the pirates' plan."
"And yet, where are the others?" Maggie worried. "Do you
suppose they have changed their minds? Perhaps they learned
their plans had been leaked."
"I believe they are simply scouts, sent here to report back
if anything appears amiss," Melissa observed. "It is a
time-honored strategy, one with which Captain Sherrill is
well acquainted. When they do not return to the ship soon,
the other pirates will likely come ashore. I daresay we
shall wait no longer than another hour for their arrival."
True to Melissa's prediction, not long afterwards the tavern
began to fill with particularly seedy women, strangers to
most of the clientele, obviously rough and rowdy types. The
gaming, always competitive, became suddenly fierce, and more
than once a dagger was drawn in anger. The serving boys,
accustomed to defusing an occasional rumpus, were able to
divert attention from the quarrel before blood was shed, but
the atmosphere in the room was much more tense than was
common.
Eventually, six of the pirates rose from their chairs and
ambled casually for the door.
"There," Melissa said, nudging Dana's arm, and her sister
nodded.
Doing their best to attract no attention, the Scullys and
Rebecca made their way out the back door of the tavern,
hoping to intercept the pirates.
They expected the women to immediately head their way, for
Scully Manor lay directly behind the tavern less than a mile
from town, but after a few moments, Melissa motioned for
them to follow her. Carefully, keeping close to the
building, hidden in the shadows, they crept around the
corner, moving forward until the front of the tavern was in
full view.
They were surprised to see all six of the women, two of them
already making their way across the street to the low-rent
rooming houses occupied by prostitutes, men of the evening
on their arms.
"Bloody hell!" Dana swore. "They've only come out to find a
man for the hour."
"Shh!" Melissa silenced her. The other four women were
still in sight, sizing up the men that remained available
for their entertainment.
"So, my pretty young lad, how many years have ye gained?"
one of them asked, saucily pinching the bottom of a boy who
could not be more than seventeen.
"Ah, my lady, I've enough years behind me to give ye all the
pleasures ye can stand!" he replied, striking a coquettish
pose. The moonlight on his face revealed the difficult life
he lived, and Dana shook her head sadly at the fate which
befell some young men. Thank the Goddess the Scully family
money and good name would assure Douglas was never faced
with such a horrible situation.
"And how many of us do ye reckon ye can pleasure?" tittered
another of the pirates, crowding up behind the boy and
rubbing herself suggestively against his backside. Her
hands came around his waist to cup his manhood and she
grinned widely. "I daresay there's enough of ye there to go
around!"
"Aye, my fine lady," he assured her laughingly. "Bring on
yer friends and I'll give 'em all their money's worth and
more!"
Another of the pirates, taller and stronger than the two who
were teasing the boy, drew near, leading another prostitute
by his erect rod, which she'd freed from his breeches.
Sizing up the younger boy's firm buttocks, encased in
trousers so tight he could surely scarcely breathe, she ran
her eyes appreciatively over his naked chest. Reaching down
to suddenly twist open the button that held his trousers
closed, she gave a loud guffaw.
"By all the Roman gods!" she exclaimed. "I believe this one
has the longest rod I've seen in quite some time, and this
one here behind me has the thickest. I think I should like
to sample them both!"
So saying, she picked up the boy and tossed him over her
shoulder, still leading the older one by his manhood. "Now,
where be yer crib, my boys?"
"Just across the way, my lady," the boy over her shoulder
giggled. "Joe, my room is the largest. Let's us all go
there."
Joe, quickly following the pirate who had his rod in an iron
grasp, simply nodded agreement, and soon all five
disappeared into one of the rooms. The sound of raucous
laughter could be heard from the window, but as far as the
Scully women could tell, the entire situation was consensual
on all parts.
While they had watched the unsavory scene, the woman left
behind approached a man standing alone on a street corner.
The two held a quiet conversation, and soon disappeared into
another of the rooms.
Dana sighed. "False alarm," she said.
"Unless *they* were the diversion!" Maggie said, suddenly
fearful they'd been tricked.
They moved quickly, but still unobtrusively, back inside,
and heaved a collective sigh of relief when they found the
rest of the pirates still arguing over games or drinking
themselves silly. After several more hours of watching,
during which time all the women who had gone off with the
prostitutes eventually returned, the pirates gathered their
winnings and their drunken sisters and left en masse.
Following quietly, the Scully women were able to see that
they made their way, to a woman, toward the harbor.
"They aren't going toward Scully Manor at all!" whispered
Rebecca. "Do you suppose they had a change of heart?"
"No," Melissa said in a hard voice. "I suppose that you
have lied to us, for what reasons I do not yet know."
Ignoring Rebecca's gasp and protested innocence, she drew
her dagger and held it threateningly. Glancing around,
Rebecca could see that Lady Dana and Lady Maggie had done
the same.
"You will return with us to Scully Manor," Dana ordered. "If
we find our men safe and our home not under attack, we shall
consider believing you are not the vile snake that any
Fowley servant should be regarded."
"And if they have met with danger..." Maggie let her voice
trail off, but the glitter of the knives in the moonlight
left Rebecca with little doubt as to what her fate would be
if the Scully men were not safe and sound, tucked in their
beds.
Putting up no fight, she turned and allowed them to escort
her to the Scully home.
To next part