Black Magic - Part 2
(a Captive Fox story)

by Bluebonnet



"Walter, come quickly. I need your assistance."

Walter looked up from the novel he was reading, setting it quietly aside and waiting while his son-in-law entered the salon. He had grown tired of watching Jake sleep, and as the younger man appeared to be improving from the administration of Maggie's potion, had taken himself off to the salon for some much-desired privacy.

"Jake has quite suddenly taken a turn for the worse," Fox reported, his face white with concern for his cousin. "I must reach Lady Melissa and Dana at once."

"Can you not send a servant for them?" Walter asked, rising and following Fox at once toward the Green Chamber.

"I had Fiona ride to the tavern to retrieve them, but she was unable to locate them there. They must have moved on. All the other servants are occupied in guarding the estate."

They entered Jake's bed chamber and Walter at once went to the ill man's side. Jake lay tangled in the sheets, tossing his head from side to side, deep in the throes of fever. His brow was coated in sweat and his face contorted with pain. While Fox gently disentangled him and straightened the sheets over his cousin, Walter wet a cloth and bathed Jake's face and hands.

"Did you administer all of Lady Maggie's potion?"

Fox nodded, indicating the empty decanter.

"We must have medical assistance," Walter said grimly. "There is nothing we can do for him with our limited knowledge."

"I will summon Fiona again. She must scour Azure to locate Dana!"

Fox hurried to the kitchen where the servant was busy warming her hands before the fire.

"Fiona, you simply must find the ladies," he ordered. "My cousin is much worse."

"My lord, Lady Dana has forbidden any of us to leave the grounds. I directly disobeyed her order to journey to the tavern, although I would no doubt have earned myself a severe punishment had I discovered her there. It will do your cousin no good if you gentlemen are left unprotected whilst I trek across Azure, should danger arrive in my absence."

"There are other servants who can protect us," he insisted. "My cousin will die without a doctor!"

"All the servants are scattered about the Scully lands, hoping to keep away that damnable pirate and her crew. No doubt we are outnumbered, but by our cunning we may still repel them, should they venture an attack."

Fox gaped. "Pirates! So there truly are pirates in the harbor?"

Fiona instantly clapped her hands over her mouth. Roberta entered the kitchen at that moment, her face marked with a grave scowl.

"My lady did not wish the men to know of the pirates, you wretched girl!" she scolded. "Now you've frightened Lord Fox."

"I am sorry, my lord, Roberta, I simply forgot that it was not to be spoken of. My lady will be so angry with me!"

"Indeed she will!"

"Roberta, please tell me of these pirates!" Fox pleaded anxiously. "I'm not frightened, only worried for my cousin. My lady would tell me only that there was danger about. I wish to know the nature of the danger."

Roberta considered for a moment, then shook her head in resignation. "I suppose since Fiona let the cat out of the bag, you'd best know the whole story," she allowed. "The pirate captain is an enemy of Lady Melissa, and she's been lurking around Azure in order to get her hands on the Scully men. She wants Lord Jake, I'm certain, but I've no doubt she'd settle for any of you."

Fox's already pale face whitened further. "I will never allow her to reach Jake!" he whispered hoarsely. "And Douglas, above all, must be protected. It is imperative that I locate Lady Dana!"

"Lord Fox, you're not to leave this house." Roberta commanded. "I'll not face my lady when she returns, only to tell her you managed to slip out and get yourself captured by pirates!"

"But I--"

"No more discussion." Roberta held up her hand sternly. "My lady would wish me to take charge in her absence. You go upstairs to your chamber and wait. I will do what I can toward locating a healer for your cousin."

"Roberta--"

"Go now, my lord, else I shall put your pretty head back in the stocks to keep you in place. My lady would expect no less of me."

Knowing she was right, and heaving a long sigh, Fox made for the stairs dejectedly. He turned toward the West Wing, rather than the East, and when Roberta made a noise from the bottom of the stairs, replied, "I must see to Jake, Roberta. I promise you, I shall remain in his chamber."

"Very well, Lord Fox, see that you do."

Fox, who had no intention of honoring such a promise, ducked into Jake's chamber and sought out Walter. He quickly explained the situation to his father-in-law, and saw Walter's face darken.

"Fox, you are not going out alone to seek a healer."

"I must. Please, do not attempt to stop me. I cannot simply allow Jake to die because I was too cowardly to face danger!" He managed to hide the catch in his voice, but Walter studied him carefully nonetheless.

"Can you not send Aja?"

"Aja has been ordered to remain here by my lady. As devoted as he is to me, he would not dare disobey her, nor would I ask it of him. Dana would certainly banish him back to the servants quarters, and I shudder to think what would become of him there. I took Aja into my service to protect him from that fate."

After a minute of thought, the older man replied, "Very well, but I shall go with you. Fetch Aja and have him sit with Jake."

"Walter, you mustn't--"

"Do as I say, Fox, or I shall restrain you."

The words, spoken calmly and firmly, had the desired effect, although Fox muttered beneath his breath words to the effect that everyone seemed determined to lock him up tonight. Walter ignored his grumbling, and within five minutes Aja was sitting at Jake's side. Moments later, Fox and Walter were climbing carefully down the tree which stood conveniently outside Walter's chamber window.

"Lady Maggie will surely have this tree removed now," Walter observed in a whisper as they reached the ground.

"I do not care, she may have any number of trees removed, if only Jake is saved," Fox replied desperately, already making his way through the darkness toward the village. "We'd best stay off the road."

They managed to slip by the servants guarding the estate without making a sound, and as soon as they were past the boundaries of Scully lands, Fox broke into a run.

"We must hurry!" he panted, doing his best to avoid tripping over the small branches and stones which lay in his path. "Every second is precious!"

"Slow a bit," Walter commanded. "You shall do your cousin no good if you break your leg--or your neck."

Fox reluctantly obeyed, realizing the wisdom of Walter's words, and twenty minutes later they were in sight of the first lights of the village. The tavern lay in the center of town, illuminated with many glowing lanterns, and here and there, lights from other windows sparkled in the darkness.

"We should try the tavern first," Fox commented. "Perhaps Fiona missed them. If they were there and have continued on, Richard, the tavern-keeper's husband, may know where they are to be found."

He was so intent upon his goal that he did not see the shapes moving out of the trees until he and Walter were completely surrounded. When Fox realized what had happened, he tried to run through the ring of raggedly dressed women, but the largest of them captured his arms in her massive hands and held him still.

"Well, of all the luck! We go searching for a treasure, and lo and behold, the treasure finds us," she commented, and the other women laughed.

Walter, who had been similarly detained by two more of the pirates, struggled against their grasp. "Please, release us," he begged. "We must seek a doctor for Lord Scully's cousin--he is quite ill."

"What care we if Fox Scully is ill?" the woman who held Fox asked contemptuously. "It is this one we wanted. Our captain will be quite pleased we've managed to capture you, Lord Jake."

Fox, quickly discerning the situation, begged, "I will go with you, I promise you, if you will only release Lord Walter. He can fetch a healer for my cousin Fox. Please, I beg of you, my lady. My cousin will die!"

"The world will be rid of another wretched Scully man," she replied, shaking him so hard his teeth rattled. "And your friend here comes with us as well. Bring them," she commanded, and moments later, Fox found himself wrestled to the ground, bound, gagged and blindfolded. He was hoisted over the large woman's shoulder and felt himself grow nauseous as his stomach bounced against her while she walked.

He could not see, but he assumed Walter was in the same predicament, and prayed to the Goddess that the elder Lord Scully would not reveal his true identity. He felt certain he could endure whatever these women intended until Dana came to rescue him, but if they were to find Jake, his cousin would surely die from such treatment.

-----

He could not guess how long they had traveled, but after a time, Fox detected the odors of the ocean and knew they were near the waterfront. The smell of salt mingled with the stench of rotting fish, serving to increase his nausea. He swallowed the bile that tried to escape and forced himself to think. There must be some way out of this predicament! If only he had not been so quick to leave the grounds, he thought guiltily, he and Walter would not now be on their way to the ship of a band of ruthless pirates. On the other hand, had he remained at home, Jake might very well have been abducted as well, along with Douglas.

He had no doubt Dana would manage to save them, and he could already feel his bottom tingle in anticipation of the whipping she was certain to deliver upon their return home. No doubt Elizabeth would be quite satisfied with the punishment her mother would mete out to him. He gave an experimental wriggle and felt a heavy hand come down across his buttocks.

"Be still," commanded the large woman gruffly, and Fox obeyed. It wouldn't do to anger her at this point, when he was both blind and helpless. Once they reached their destination, perhaps he would be untied and could then search for an opportunity to escape.

-----

Soon, Fox heard his captors' feet splashing through shallow water, and moments later he was deposited, none-too-gently, in the bottom of a small vessel. The pirates quickly boarded the boat and soon it was gliding silently through the dark harbor, drawing nearer and nearer the pirate ship. Occasionally, Fox heard a peal of ribald laughter from the shore, and wished desperately that he was able to call for help, but the gag in his mouth stifled all but his occasional quiet moans. The rippling sound of the water against the sides of the boat, and the gentle swaying from side to side, did nothing to relieve his nausea--indeed, he felt it growing worse by the minute.

He wondered if Walter was on the same boat, or if the women who'd captured Lord Scully the Elder had made off somewhere else to enjoy their prize. He shivered slightly at the realization that, even should their ladies guess what had become of them, the pirates might set sail immediately, thereby making it extremely difficult for Dana to locate him. Of course, since there was no doubt she would slowly torture him to death for exposing himself into such a situation, he was not certain which end sounded more preferable at the moment.

He had almost decided a life at sea as the slave of a pirate captain might be more welcome than the certain death that would await him when Dana got him back to Scully manor when the boat bumped sharply. He heard one of the women call, "Lower the ladder!"

A few minutes later, a rope was looped about his waist, tied carefully into a makeshift harness, and he felt himself being raised up the side of the ship. He bumped against its rough surface once or twice, and reflected grimly that the bruises he was certain to gain from this treatment might well be the least of his injuries.

When he was within reach of the pirates waiting on deck, Fox was hauled over the side and dumped unceremoniously on his belly. His ill feeling increased until he was certain he was going to vomit behind the gag, choking himself to death. Just as he knew he could not repress the urge one second longer, the gag was ripped from his mouth. Fox weakly retched up the remains of his supper on the deck while the pirates watched unsympathetically.

"'e mucked up me clean deck!" one of them groused. "I oughter make 'im swab it hisself."

"Mitzi, the lad ain't in no condition to be swabbin' decks," another woman contradicted. "I'll take care of it."

Almost immediately, Fox was drenched with a bucket of icy cold seawater. He jerked at his hands, wanting to rub the water off his face, but they were still tied securely behind his back. Still blindfolded, he struggled to his knees.

"I assure you, my lady, I had no intention of 'mucking up' your deck," he retorted. "Had I not been treated so roughly by your associates, I should not have been ill. I am Lord Jake Scully. My wife is the Queen's Commanding General. I suggest you release us at once, or it shall not go well for you."

He was answered by resounding laughter, ceasing only when Captain Sherrill herself appeared on the scene.

"Untie him," she instructed, "and remove his blindfold. I wish Jake Scully to know who has abducted him, and why."

The blindfold was ripped from his face, and Fox tried to get his bearings, staring about the moonlit deck quickly. The captain stood before him arrogantly, surrounded by approximately twenty pirates, rough, seedy-looking women who frightened Fox with the very expressions they wore upon their hardened faces.

Attempting bravery, he faced the woman who was obviously their captain. She towered above the other women, easily matching him in height. Her broad shoulders and muscular arms told him she would probably surpass him in strength as well. Her face was hard, weathered, and though her eyes were a soft shade of brown, there was only cruelty in them now.

"May I ask who you are, my lady, and what you wish with Lord Walter and me?" he inquired politely.

She laughed. "'Tis no lady I be, my fine prize," she sneered, "and as for this one..." She jerked her head toward Walter, still bound, gagged and blindfolded, "'he's nothing but a bonus. You are the man I sought, and now, here you are before me, my prisoner."

"My lady wife will surely put you to a slow and horrible death," Fox replied calmly.

"She must overtake me first," Captain Sherrill answered. "As we leave immediately for the East Indies, I sincerely doubt that possible. Besides, I don't think that strutting pea-hen will threaten me, not while I have you in my power. And so pretty you are," she commented, stepping forward and stroking a fingertip seductively down his face, tracing his jawline until her finger dropped into his open shirt and pinched a nipple.

Fox bit his lips firmly together in order to avoid crying out in pain and embarrassment, but Walter had heard quite enough. He jerked against the women who held him upright, yelling curses behind the gag.

"Untie that one," Captain Sherrill ordered carelessly, her eyes still on her prize.

"Captain, what'll ye do with them?" inquired one crew member, her eyes raking lustfully up and down Walter's body after his bonds had been removed. "Might yer crew have a bit of a nibble?"

Captain Sherrill smiled. "Jake Scully is for me alone. I have an outstanding debt to settle with his wife, and for that reason, none but I shall touch him. This one," she indicated Walter carelessly, "simply had the misfortune to be in the wrong location at the wrong time. However, I have no particular love for the Scully women, nor their men. The crew may do with him as they please."

With a joyous shout, the women surrounded Walter at once, dragging him to a nearby mast and tying him securely to it. His shirt was askew, but as yet his breeches remained safely about his waist. His look of desperation spurred Fox on to action.

"My Captain, I fear I must confess a horribly shameful secret before you proceed."

Captain Sherrill looked Fox up and down suspiciously. "What secret is this of which you speak?"

Fox cast his eyes downward demurely, and his voice grew conspiratorially quiet. "It is a...a pox, my lady. Suffered by all the Scully men. A pox of the...manly parts."

He flushed delicately, and for the first time ever, was grateful at how easily he became embarrassed. Simply speaking of such matters to this woman was enough to bring him to agonizing heights of shame. She took a lamp from a crew member and held it toward him as if to discern his truthfulness. He saw with relief that she had taken note of his discomfiture.

Captain Sherrill looked from Fox to Walter and back again, while the crew watched and waited. "A pox, you say? What type of pox?"

"A terribly contagious one, my lady. Our wives...will not bed us." His voice almost disappeared with the shamefulness of the confession.

"You expect me to believe your ladies never partake of these luscious bodies?" she laughed. "Please, Jake, credit me with some intelligence."

The noise of the women had disappeared as all grew interested in the terrible secret Fox was revealing, and Walter seized the opportunity to assist in saving them.

"I'm afraid it is true, my Captain," he broke in. "Do you not realize, this is the reason neither of us have children?"

She bit her lip speculatively. "And yet Lord Fox has children. Obviously Lady Dana has bedded him."

"But his children are six years old, and he has no others," Walter reminded her. "The pox came upon him later than the rest of us, but I assure you, my Captain, he carries it as well."

She digested the information, raking her eyes over both of the beautiful men at her disposal. Fox prayed she would not realize how improbable it was that all the men who *married* into the Scully family carried the same disease, but apparently the inferiority and weakness of males in her mind outweighed her vaunted intelligence.

"Very well then," she allowed at last. "If I may not bed you, I will take my enjoyment in other ways." She turned to her watchful crew. "Ladies! Remove this one's clothing, then take him to my cabin and secure him at once. The other is still for your entertainment--you may fondle and punish him as you wish, but you shall not bed him. I'll not have my crew infected with some vile pox." At that, Captain Sherrill turned on her heel and strode away.

As the two men were separated, their eyes met in identical expressions of fear--Fox may have saved them from rape with his quick wits, but for how long could they maintain the deception? Sooner or later, the Captain was bound to realize the fallacy of their claims, and at that time there would surely be vengeance extracted. And what horrors would they suffer in between time?

Fox closed his eyes in humiliation as his clothing was stripped from his body, the women ripping it to useless shreds in their haste. They ran their hands lasciviously over his naked flesh, and he stood rigid, refusing to give them the satisfaction of pleading for their mercy. They did not seem to mind. One of them reached for his manhood and he gave an involuntary gasp, but another woman slapped her crew-mate's hand away.

"Ye'd best not touch the goods, Maida," the woman warned. "The Captain is quite determined to have this one to 'erself."

"Aw, I weren't gonna do nothin' to him," Maida protested. "I just wanted to see what that fine rod looks like when it's standing up straight and tall."

"If I know our Captain, ye'll get yer chance to see it," laughed another of the women. "No doubt she'll want to parade this pretty one about on deck."

He said nothing as they led him to the Captain's cabin, gritting his teeth as their roaming hands caressed him eagerly. Inwardly, he vowed to trust his lady--surely Dana would find them before serious harm befell them. She simply must.

Once they reached their destination, he was pushed roughly, face first against the cabin's wall. His wrists were fastened above his head with the manacles that hung there. A steel band was fitted around his waist and firmly attached to a pair of hooks on the wall, and he was helpless. He wondered how many other luckless men had suffered this fate; the Captain's cabin seemed to double as a veritable torture chamber.

"Mayhap the Captain will tire of him quickly, and give him over to her faithful crew," one of them mused, running her hands slowly down his back and cupping his shapely bottom before withdrawing.

"Not bloody likely!" the sailor called Maida retorted. "But we've still the other one at our disposal. Let's get back up topside, before he's all worn out."

Their crude laughter echoed in his ears as they slammed the door and left him alone, with nothing but the single candle for solace.

He closed his eyes and prayed for Walter's safety.

-----

"What the devil do you mean, they're missing?" demanded Dana angrily, her eyes flashing blue fire. She glared at Rebecca, who appeared white-faced and terrified.

Roberta had greeted them, wringing her hands in a most un-Roberta-like manner, to inform them that both Lord Fox and Lord Walter were missing.

"My lady, I swear to ye, I knew nothin' of their plans!" Roberta babbled anxiously. "I'm thinkin' they climbed out the winder in yer chamber, Lady Maggie." Roberta, who prided herself on having finer speech than any other servant on the estate, had slipped back into the gutter-talk with which she'd been raised.

"Climbed out the window?" Dana echoed, puzzled. "Do you mean to tell me the pirates have made no appearance, Roberta?"

"Nay, my lady, ain't nobody been here tonight! Been quiet as a mouse, it has!"

"I shall have that tree cut down immediately," Maggie commented grimly. "Better yet, I shall hang both of them from it by their manly parts, until they have learned not to disobey direct orders." Her voice rose steadily until she was thundering her anger to the rafters.

Melissa, ever the level-headed Scully, put a staying hand upon her mother's arm. "Roberta, why did they leave?" she inquired. "Have you any idea where they might have gone?"

"Oh, aye, my lady!" Roberta answered immediately. "It was Lord Jake wot took ill with the fever again, and Lord Fox was itchin' for a doctor. I told him to wait for his lady, but the foul wretch snuck out instead!"

Melissa was gone before Roberta finished her sentence, up the stairs like a shot toward her chamber. Dimly she heard her sister telling Roberta not to call Lord Fox names, even if he *was* a foul wretch that deserved to be whipped.

"Jake!" She flung open the door of the chamber, coming face to face with her husband who, in spite of being confined to his bed, was attempting to make his way to the chamber pot. Aja sat beside his bed, slumped into a large chair, fast asleep.

"Hush," he whispered, nodding toward Aja. The nod nearly threw him off balance, and he clutched at the counterpane to steady himself.

"I shall beat you until you are black and blue!" Melissa hissed, running to his assistance, yet automatically lowering her voice. "What are you thinking, getting out of bed?"

"I must relieve myself, Melissa," he explained patiently. "Bodily functions do not cease with illness."

"Why did you not wake Aja?"

Jake's face softened. "He has assisted me enough this evening," he told her, glancing sympathetically toward the sleeping youth. "I have vomited much bile, both from the pregnancy and from Lady Maggie's vile potion, and Aja has taken care of me. Indeed, he has changed the sheets three times already. I tried to call for Fox, but my cousin must be a very sound sleeper."

"Your cousin is a reckless idiot who, when located by his adoring wife, will no doubt regret his rash actions of tonight," she answered, supporting Jake as he relieved himself.

When she had him tucked safely back into bed, the covers piled thickly atop his shivering body, Jake raised a curious eyebrow at her. He wanted to ask questions, but seeing the storm clouds on her face, did not quite dare.

"Do you mean to imply you did not know of his foolish plan?" she asked, her arms crossed threateningly over her chest, when she saw his puzzled expression.

Jake sighed. "My lady, I have been quite out of my head this evening. It is only in the last two hours I have regained my senses, and at that time I was severely ill. I assure you, I have no knowledge of any plan, foolish or otherwise. What has my impulsive cousin done now?"

"He and Walter have disappeared, possibly captured by that foul pirate and her crew! I only hope we are able to locate them before..."

She said nothing more, but lay a hand aside his face gently. "Remain abed," she instructed. "And if you need assistance, wake Aja. He can sleep on the morrow. I must go and help Mother and Dana locate their wayward men. If you make any attempt to follow us, I shall kill you very slowly, my dear."

"Please, Melissa, find my cousin," Jake said hoarsely, his eyes wide and frightened at the implications of the situation.

"We shall find them both," she promised, dropping a quick kiss on his forehead before taking her leave.

-----

"Elizabeth? Douglas?" Dana called, entering the nursery where her children slept. Seeing her daughter sitting atop the heavy chest where their toys were stored, she smiled. "Where is your brother, darling?"

"I'm here, Mother," piped a muffled voice from inside the chest.

Dana frowned. "Elizabeth, have you locked Douglas in the chest?"

"No, Mother, he is under the bed." She raised the edge of the coverlet, revealing her brother's dusty face.

"Elizabeth has been protecting me," Douglas reported brightly. "She said she wouldn't let the bad pirates get me."

Dana sighed. A secret certainly spread quickly in the Scully family.

"Your intentions are admirable, Daughter, but I fear your experience as a warrior is still somewhat lacking. Let Douglas come out now."

Elizabeth offered Douglas her hand, and he scowled at her, climbing out from under the bed on his own.

"I raised the coverlet every few minutes, Mother, so he would have air."

"It was fun under there, but Elizabeth has been insufferably bossy, Mother. Please tell her she cannot order me around like one of the field hands."

Elizabeth turned to him, hands on her hips and her face dark. "You are a boy, Douglas," she retorted. "It is my duty to keep you safe from harm."

"I'm as strong as you," Douglas returned, flexing his arm muscles, "and twice as fast. I don't need you to protect me!"

Dana held up her hand for silence. "I haven't time to mediate a spat right now," she told them. "Grandmother Maggie, Aunt Melissa and I must return to town. I wish you both abed immediately. Sarah will remain outside your chamber to ensure your safety."

She kissed them both, tucking them safely into their beds, and extinguished the lamp.

"Sleep well, darlings."

Upon leaving the nursery, Dana immediately sought out Sarah, ordering her to keep watch over the children. "If there is any trouble, hide them, Sarah. I would not put it past that foul pirate to harm the children."

"Aye, my lady, I'll guard them with me life!"

Sarah's eyes shone with devotion, and Dana put a hand upon her faithful servant's shoulder.

"Let us both hope it does not come to that, Sarah."

-----

Walter gritted his teeth as yet another stroke from the pirate's lash fell upon his naked buttocks. He'd been on his hands and knees, scrubbing this damnable deck by moonlight for what seemed like hours, and if he so much as slowed in his efforts, the woman watching him took the opportunity to land several strokes on his unprotected skin.

His legs were tied together at both ankle and thigh, preventing him from running for the side of the ship and jumping overboard--an attractive notion in these circumstances--and he was sore all over. His shoulders and arms ached from having been forced into this unaccustomed manual labor, and his knees hurt where they rested against the hard deck. With every stroke from the lash or probing caress from unwelcome hands, Walter cursed his son-in-law, his family name and his masculinity. Absent any of those variables, he should not be in this position.

"Tha's a lovely sight," a female voice commented from behind him, but Walter ignored her. So far the pirates had obeyed their captain's orders and had not raped him, but he felt that could change at any given moment. He hoped there was not a large amount of ale on board.

"Aye, 'tis a pity we can't take our pleasure of him," replied the woman wielding the lash. "Keep scrubbin', me fine lord." She punctuated her words with another stroke to his back.

"Ye believe that story, then, about the pox?"

"Nay, I think it to be a clever lie, but Captain Sherrill has ordered us not to take him."

"She needn't know everything."

The older pirate lay her lash aside for a moment, turning to the young woman who stood gazing hungrily down at Walter's naked body.

"Ye be new to this crew," she commented. "Mayhap nobody has told ye how Captain Sherrill disposes of pirates who belay her direct orders."

The young woman shook her head, intrigued.

"It be nothing you'd like to witness," Walter's watchdog continued grimly. "The last time a crew member chanced to disobey her, the captain ordered her belly sliced open, her wrists tied together at the end of a long rope, and her body thrown overboard. She hung in the water, not deep enough to drown, but deep enough to attract the sharks. It weren't a pretty death. I've no wish to taste Captain Sherrill's anger, and if ye be smart, ye'll stay out of her way as well. Now, begone with ye, slut! Ye have your duties to attend."

Walter felt his stomach turn over at the description of the hapless pirate's death, and forced himself to breathe slowly until he was able to contain his nausea. This Captain Sherrill was obviously a cruel, evil woman. She needed Jake--or at least the man she believed to be Jake--but she'd stated herself that Walter had been a bonus. How long before the pirates tired of a man they were unable to bed, no matter how pretty his naked flesh, and sent him to the sharks as well?

He risked a glance over his shoulder at the pirate overseeing his task, but her eyes were cold and hard, and she merely swung the lash sharply across his shoulders and told him to get back to work. Walter swallowed hard and obeyed. There would be no help from that quarter, but somehow he must find a way to get himself and Fox off this ship.

-----

Fox tensed when the cabin door swung open. He'd been manacled to this wall for hours, and had begun to despair of ever seeing another human being, but now one was approaching, he found himself longing for the solitude.

Captain Sherrill put her candle on the table, beside the stump which was all that was left of the one he'd been given earlier. She raked her eyes up and down his lovely form, enjoying the blush that crept up his neck and face, visible even in the dim glow of the candle.

"Lovely," she commented, closing the cabin door securely.

"My lady--" he began desperately, but was interrupted when she approached him, grasping his chin between her sea-roughened fingers, turning his head to the side and forcing him to look her in the eye.

"You seem to be laboring under the misguided notion that I *am* a Lady, Jake," she commented mildly. "I used to be, a long time ago, but I have long since forsaken that life. Now I do what suits me, convention be damned."

"The law be damned as well, isn't that right?" he demanded hotly, squirming in an attempt to free himself from her grasp. He was certain he would have bruises on his jaw in the morning.

Rather than taking offense at his words, she laughed loudly. "There is no law at sea, Jake," she informed him amusedly. "The only law aboard this ship is my law." She released him at last, allowing her fingers to wander down his back, caressing his bottom roughly before continuing on to cup his manhood, squeezing his tender sac until he winced.

"Your life is, quite literally, in my hands now, Jake," she went on, dropping his manly parts and turning away. Fox breathed a sigh of relief that was short-lived; craning his neck, he could see when she opened a small chest and withdrew an instrument that made his stomach flip-flop. It looked like a regular switch, but the tip of it was split into three separate parts, all of which appeared lethal.

Captain Sherrill noticed his frightened gaze and smiled. "Do you like it?" she queried, her grin growing feral as she displayed the instrument of torture. "I had it made especially for me. You see how the end is split? Three times the pain. That means I don't have to work as hard."

She approached him once more, probing the tip of the switch against the crease in his buttocks, and Fox held his breath in terror. He feared she would strike him in that most sensitive of areas, but instead, she stroked the switch gently across his skin from head to toe, making no move to hurt him.

"My lady--I mean Captain--I would that you not use that device on me. My lady wife will be quite furious if you injure me." He tried to speak firmly, to keep the quiver out of his voice, but Captain Sherrill guffawed at his words. Fox flushed again, this time in anger. How he hated not being taken seriously!

"Oh, my dear Jake," she gasped, wiping tears of mirth from her eyes. "How amusing you are, beautiful boy. Do you not realize the very reason I brought you here was to lure your wife to my ship? I shall send word to her that you are being tormented, indeed, perhaps I shall tell her I have given you to my crew for their pleasure. That should bring General Scully right into my waiting trap."

"T-trap?"

"Of course, dear boy. Did you believe I wanted only to make away with your pretty flesh? First I shall dispose of the Scully women, from the oldest to the youngest. After that is finished, I shall bring Lord Fox and his son to the ship. I wager Lord Fox, Lord Walter and Lord Douglas would bring a fine measure of gold in the slave markets to the south. You, my dear, will remain as my cabin slave until such time as I tire of you. There are many healers in France and Italy who practice the art differently than here in England. I have no doubt a cure can be obtained for this pox of yours, and then I shall bed you as often as I like."

Fox wanted to kill her with his bare hands when she threatened his son and daughter, but knew he must maintain the deception. Should Captain Sherrill learn that Jake was back at Scully manor, weak with fever, she would storm the estate to gain possession of him.

"What kind of trap will you set?" he asked curiously, blinking his wide hazel eyes slowly, consciously summoning what Dana always called his "achingly innocent" expression.

Captain Sherrill stood back, swinging the switch through the air a time or two, enjoying his involuntary cringe when it sliced close to his shoulder.

"I shall lure her to my ship in the belief that it will be possible to obtain your freedom...for a certain amount of gold coinage. I'm certain Her Ladyship will wish to regain possession of such a lovely husband, even if she is unable to bed him."

"In truth, my lady cares nothing for me," Fox lied desperately. "I have been a disappointment to her from the beginning of our marriage. It is only her sense of honor and duty that prevents her annulling me."

Captain Sherrill stepped closer to him, raising the switch high above her head. "If that is the case," she answered softly, "why would she be angry at your injuries?"

Fox was unable to answer her, because as the switch began to fall again and again, striking every inch of his back, bottom and legs, it was all he could do to breathe in between the screams he was simply unable to suppress.

-----

Walter's head jerked up when he heard the first sounds of agony coming from below deck.

"Keep at it," instructed the pirate with the lash, whose name he had learned was Elsa.

"What is she doing to him?" Walter demanded, turning to look up at Elsa. He was not at all reassured by her wicked grin.

"The Captain likes to play with pretty boys," Elsa replied. "No doubt she is showing Lord Jake all the special toys she keeps in her cabin."

Walter shuddered, turning away from Elsa and trying hard to block out the sound of the pathetic screams of his son-in-law. He knew Fox had great faith in the Goddess, much greater than his own, but with a sinking feeling he realized all the faith in the world might not save them now. Nevertheless, he did his best to pray silently, the words in his head keeping time with the scrubbing motion of his hand.

-----

"My lady, I have an idea," Rebecca said softly, and all eyes turned her way. While it had become clear to the Scully women that she had not lured them to the tavern in order to allow the men to be kidnapped, Rebecca still felt responsible. If only she could prove herself without a doubt to them...

"Speak, Rebecca," Melissa ordered gently.

"I will take some of the Scully servants to the pirate ship to meet with Captain Sherrill. We shall tell her we are fleeing Lady Dana's employ, because she is cruel. We must find a way to incapacitate the crew, and regain Lord Fox and Lord Walter."

"It will never work," Dana argued. "Why would she believe in my supposed cruelty, when the Scully reputation is known far and wide to be benevolent toward servants?"

In answer, Rebecca wordlessly pulled her tunic over her head, turning her back on Dana and Melissa. There was a loud gasp from the assembled crowd, for the soft skin of Rebecca's back was marred with scars left by a vicious whip. On top of the older scars were recent marks, still red and raw in places.

"Goddess above! Who did this to you?" Dana demanded, and when Rebecca shrugged, she nodded grimly, answering herself. "Lady Fowley, of course. I had known the woman to be cruel to her male servants, but Goddess, to beat a *woman* like that..."

"Rebecca, you are very brave. If Captain Sherrill suspects you are lying to her, she will no doubt feed you to the sharks in pieces."

Rebecca swallowed hard, but held Melissa's gaze levelly. Melissa thought quickly, then turned to her sister.

"Dana, have you any servants with marks of displeasure from previous employers?" she asked.

Dana nodded slowly. "I have several," she said thoughtfully. "And the most notable among them is Roberta. Until she came to me, she served a lady in Westchester who beat her regularly. She is also my most skilled servant at gutter fighting, which may be required for this mission."

"Agreed. Let us round up those servants who are to be in the party, and give them instructions."

"I'll not force them, Melissa. This is dangerous. It could result in a horrible death for them all. I shall give them a choice."

Melissa frowned for a moment, then her face softened. "I've no doubt they will all wish to serve you, Dana," she replied. "I must retrieve something from my chamber. I have an idea how we may disable the pirates."

-------

Rebecca and her crew were able to row out to the pirate ship without mishap, and she felt a thrill of excitement when a lantern flashed from above and a harsh woman's voice called out, "Who be ye?"

She shielded her eyes, and peering up through the blackness, was just able to make out a figure holding the lantern, and several others pointing wicked-looking muskets down at them.

"I am Rebecca, a servant of the Lady Dana Scully, from whom we are attempting to escape. We seek shelter and offer our service to your Captain."

There was the momentary sound of women whispering amongst themselves, then another voice, more confident, haughty, called down.

"My women wish me to give the order for them to kill you," she said imperiously. "Can you give me a reason why I should not do so?"

Rebecca stood carefully in the boat.

"My Captain, we are all unarmed, and wish only to join you. I beg of you to hear me out."

"Speak," Captain Sherrill said after a moment.

"The Lady Scully is a cruel mistress," began Rebecca. A chorus of "aye!" and "horrible, she be!" echoed her words from the other servants in the small boat. "Some few of us have managed to escape our quarters this night, and we beg to be taken aboard your crew. We will gladly serve you without compensation, if you will only provide us this means of rescue."

"How many of you are there?"

"Six of us, Captain."

"Very well. You may come aboard. If you are not what you claim to be, I shall allow my crew to dismember you whilst you still live."

Ignoring her shiver of fear, Rebecca climbed the rope ladder that was extended to her, and was greeted at the top of it by two hefty pirates and several swords, pistols and muskets. As each of Lady Dana's servants climbed aboard the pirate ship, their hands were secured behind their backs with stout ropes, and they were searched for weapons.

When Captain Sherrill had at last satisfied herself that the women were unarmed, she ordered a crew member, "Take them to the brig. Keep them there until I call for them. This one will come with me. Garan, Elsa, bring her to my cabin."

The two women holding Rebecca pulled her unceremoniously toward the steps leading to the lower deck as the rest of the servants were marched away.

When they entered Captain Sherrill's cabin, Rebecca was shocked to see Lord Fox there, naked and shackled to the wall. He hung limply in his chains, and his back, legs and buttocks were mottled. He bled in places. His eyes opened blearily when they entered the cabin, but as soon as he decided they meant him no immediate harm, he closed them again.

"As you see, I have already taken Lord Jake," Captain Sherrill said casually. "Soon I will have the rest of the Scully men, and they will be sold into slavery to bring me easily as much gold as a captured ship."

Rebecca was taken aback at first - she was not well acquainted with Jake Scully, but the man hanging wearily in the manacles before her was clearly Lord Fox. She knew him well, by sight if not personally, for Lady Diana never failed to point him out when she chanced to see him in public. As her personal valet, Rebecca had been subjected to the story of how she had nearly gained Fox Scully for her own, but had traded him for Alex, who now graced her bedchamber, his beautiful naked flesh marred with many marks of her ownership. Rebecca had been repulsed by the tale, but dared not voice her displeasure to Lady Fowley. Now, grasping the situation rather quickly, and forcing herself to act the part, she smiled broadly.

"I see you have given Lord Scully a bit of training," she remarked to the Captain. "An undisciplined brat, he is, if I may say so, as are all the Scully men."

"Indeed, he will not remain undisciplined for long," Captain Sherrill replied. "Garan, ale."

When the large pirate plunked a mug of ale down before her, the Captain drank of it deeply, then leaned back in her chair.

"So, you are unhappy with the Lady Scully's employ," she observed, her eyes sharply looking Rebecca up and down.

Rebecca's face darkened instantly. "Indeed we are. She has a reputation for much kindness to her servants, which is why I signed a contract with her, but her methods are insidious. She requires her servants to sign lifetime contracts, and once she has control, she abuses them viciously. All are threatened with death, should they speak of it to others, so the myth she has created continues, and more hapless servants sign with her. It is impossible to break a lifetime contract, therefore our only option is to escape, and leave England."

"That is a lie," came a voice from the wall, and both women stared over at Fox. Apparently he had not been as detached as he had seemed. "Lady Dana is very kind," he insisted. "And if this woman claims to work for her, she is lying. I do not know her."

Captain Sherrill raised an eyebrow at Rebecca, who thought quickly.

"The reason Lord Jake does not know me is because since he has come to Scully Manor, I have been enduring punishment. If you like, I can provide you with ample evidence."

Captain Sherrill nodded, and Rebecca once again removed her tunic. There was no gasp of outrage this time, merely cold scrutiny.

"After having beaten me, Lady Scully locked me in a shed on the estate for several days. I was only released this morning. That is why Lord Jake does not know me. I came to work for Lady Dana since his last visit."

"She is a liar," Fox said again, more weakly this time but still firmly.

"Lord Jake tells me you are a liar." Captain Sherrill stood, and Rebecca swallowed hard at the way the big pirate towered over her.

"My Captain, I--"

"I will allow you to prove your loyalty to me," Captain Sherrill interrupted. She opened a cupboard, and Rebecca noticed Lord Scully began to tremble all over. The Captain withdrew a long leather strap, thick and vicious, and held it out to her.

"Jake is in need of correction for talking out of turn," she said, a wicked smile twisting her features. "If you truly have no love for the Scully family, I am certain you will not mind administering his discipline."

Rebecca blanched when she realized what the captain wanted her to do, thankful that in the dim light, her sudden loss of color was likely unnoticeable.

"With pleasure, Captain," she said, forcing her voice not to tremble. "How many strokes shall I give him?"

"Use your discretion," Captain Sherrill said offhandedly, seating herself again to watch the show.

Praying the Goddess would forgive her for this necessary evil, Rebecca stepped forward and prepared herself. She refused to look at Lord Fox, knowing if she did so, she would never be able to finish.

The first stroke of the strap woke Fox completely from his state of semi-consciousness, and the scream he emitted nearly broke Rebecca's heart. Having felt the punishing lashes on her own back so recently, she felt as if she were suffering along with him, but knowing their lives depended upon making this look convincing, she gritted her teeth and continued.

-----

After indicating that "Jake" had been punished to her satisfaction, Captain Sherrill curtly dismissed Rebecca. "Find yourself some supper, if you are hungry," she offered grudgingly. Rebecca nodded her thanks and left the cabin, ignoring the two women who immediately entered.

"So, Cap'n, do we trust them, or may we throw them to the sharks?" asked one of the women, an eager look in her eye.

"I am not certain, yet, whether they can be trusted. However, I am not quite ready to give them to you as playthings." Her crew member's face fell, but Captain Sherrill ignored her disappointment.

"Take a group of six women ashore, Greta. Remain at the waterfront. Keep an eye on the ship. If you see anything untoward, make immediately for Scully manor. Kill as many of the women as you are able, but bring me the men alive. They are worth much gold in the slave markets."

Fox, barely conscious, heard her threat against his family, and felt such a surge of rage that he had difficulty maintaining his control. He must remain calm, he reminded himself firmly. It would do him no good to antagonize her, not while he remained helpless. But Sweet Goddess, he pleaded desperately, I beg of Thee, send us aid!

* * * * * * * * * *


It was remarkably easy, Rebecca thought smugly, to slip the herb Lady Dana had given her into the stew. Captain Sherrill may have been suspicious of her and her companions, but the cook was simply glad of assistance. Rebecca had pulled the small packet out of the hem of her trousers, where it had been secreted, and when the cook was fussing with something else, dumped the entire contents into the simmering pot of stew. As Dana had promised, the herb had only a very faint aroma, overwhelmed with the scent of cooking meat and vegetables, and in appearance, it could have been any number of herbs which had already been added to the bubbling pot.

"Keep a-stirrin' that pot, my girl," instructed the cook in a gruff voice. "I've a need to go up topside for a few minutes."

Rebecca nodded demurely, wondering with a sudden pang of fear if the cook had seen her slip the herb into the food, but as it turned out, the woman only wanted to take a piss over the stern of the ship. She returned shortly, and taking over the stewpot from Rebecca, began dishing up bowls of the steaming concoction. Shortly thereafter, members of the crew began arriving, grabbing bowls of stew and large hunks of bread and taking their places at the long tables. They ate quickly, many of them only being allowed a short break from their duties, and the rest wishing to return to the deck immediately, in order to continue their torment of the hapless Walter Scully.

Presently, the entire crew had been fed, including Captain Sherrill, who instructed Rebecca to take a bowl of stew for herself and another for Fox and return to her cabin. Rebecca obeyed, coaxing Fox to eat a little of the poisoned mixture in order to avoid suspicion. Her own share she dumped unceremoniously into the Captain's chamber pot, sprinkling fresh lime atop it to hide the odor.

Then she sat down to wait.

It wasn't long before the effects of the herb began to make itself known. Rebecca could hear the cries of violently ill women all over the ship, and moments later, Captain Sherrill appeared in the cabin doorway, clutching at her stomach.

"You!" she screeched, reaching for Rebecca with one trembling hand. "You've poisoned us!"

"Aye," Rebecca agreed grimly, quickly tying the helpless woman to her bunk. "And if I had my way, I'd have murdered you all."

As soon as the captain was secure, Rebecca ran up the steps to the main deck and, using a discarded scrap of clothing from one of the men, raised the white flag which was to be the signal to Melissa that all was well aboard the ship. Then she went back down to release Lord Fox.

"All is well, my lord," she told him gently, helping him to a chair and giving him a dipper full of cool water. "I have raised the white flag of surrender, and soon Lady Melissa and her troops will arrive."

"Nay!" he cried weakly. "You must not, for she has sent a crew ashore to keep watch. If they see a sign of distress from the ship, they shall attack Scully Manor at once! Dana, my children..."

"Dear Goddess!" breathed Rebecca. Racing upstairs again, she lowered the scrap of shirt, praying the pirates ashore had not yet spotted it. Confused, uncertain what she should do next, Rebecca thought quickly. At last deciding, she grabbed a pistol from a nearby suffering pirate and began herding the crew into the hold.

* * * * * * * * * *


As soon as the white flag appeared, Melissa, Dana and their assistants had begun rowing for the ship. Maggie, being less of a warrior than her two daughters, had remained behind at Scully Manor to keep an eye on Jake and the children. They had covered less than half the distance to the pirate vessel when the white flag was once again lowered, and Dana and Melissa stared at one another in confusion.

"Do you suppose our plan is found out?" asked Dana grimly, holding her battle sword with firm hands.

"I fear 'tis so," Melissa replied, "but we've no choice but to push onward. Fox and Walter are still aboard that ship, as are Rebecca and six of your loyal servants." She clasped Dana's hand tightly for a few seconds. "Courage, Sister."

"Indeed," Dana agreed. "A Scully woman goes down fighting."

That decided, they continued rowing nearer the ship until at last they reached its wooden side.

"Ahoy!" called Melissa boldly. "I am Lady Melissa Scully, Commanding General of the Queen's Army, and in the name of Her Majesty, I order you to surrender this vessel!"

A few seconds later, a white face holding a lantern peered over the ship's rail. "Oh, my lady, it *is* you!" Relieved, Rebecca lowered the rope ladder, and Melissa and Dana climbed aboard.

"Rebecca, what has happened?" Melissa demanded at once. "We saw the white flag raised, then lowered, and feared you had been overpowered."

"Nay, my lady, all is well here, but Lord Fox tells me the captain sent a crew ashore earlier this evening. They were to attack Scully Manor if there was any sign all was not right aboard ship. I fear they may have seen the flag I raised, and made for the Manor already!"

"Where is the pirate crew?" asked Dana, staring around at the empty deck.

"Locked in the hold," Rebecca said proudly. "Your herb worked as if like magic, Lady Dana!"

Dana smiled. "Never chide me about my unusual herbs again, Sister," she teased. "Rebecca, where are Lord Fox and Lord Walter? Are they well?"

"Aye, they are alive," Rebecca told them soberly, "but I am afraid Lord Fox has been very badly treated."

"Were they..." Dana was unable to bring herself to say the awful word, but stared in surprise when Rebecca chuckled.

"According to Lord Walter, Lord Fox saved them from rape by inventing a tale of a pox," she replied. "I have not yet had time to get the entire story from him, but it should prove interesting. Now, if you will come with me, Lady Dana, I believe your husband requires your attention at once."

"Rebecca, you stay here and tend the men and the Scully servants. This is an antidote to the illness they are suffering." So saying, Dana pressed another small paper packet into Rebecca's hand. "Mix it with some water and have them swallow it."

"I shall go back ashore and quell any disturbance I might find at Scully Manor," Melissa called.

Dana nodded, already on her way to Fox.

* * * * * * * * * *


Lady Maggie stopped in her constant pacing of the lower floor of Scully Manor. Certain she had heard an unusual noise, she checked once more to make sure the front door was secure. All at once, the large window beside it shattered, and pirates were pouring into the house. Maggie managed to injure one of them, but they outnumbered her. One of them landed a blow to her head with the broad side of a sword, and knocked her unconscious. Her last thought before she slipped into the blackness was a prayer that Walter and Fox would return home safely.

Other servants came running at the sound of breaking glass, and while they engaged in combat with several of the pirates, two of them managed to slip upstairs.

"You go right, I'll go left," one of them ordered, making for the West Wing. She crept stealthily down the corridor until, finding a chamber door ajar, she pushed it open and grinned at the sight with which she was confronted.

A man, so like Lord Fox Scully that he must be his twin, lay abed, obviously quite ill, and beside him, clutching a large sword in shaking hands, a young boy stood bravely defending his master.

"Now, now, ain't ye a pretty one?" she cooed, her eyes raking up and down Aja's slender form. "Mayhap I'll take ye back to the ship with me. I could use a sweet young man to warm my bunk."

"Stay away from us!" Aja insisted, tightening his grip, but the pirate only laughed louder.

"There now, don't be unfriendly-like," she coaxed, her dark eyes glittering cruelly. "I'll not hurt ye...much...if ye behave."

"Leave us alone!"

The woman ignored his cries, striding toward him purposefully, and Aja, terrified, dropped the sword and backed away. She continued cornering him until at last he tripped, losing his balance on the rug. Aja cowered on the floor as the pirate loomed over him until Jake, who had slipped out of bed unnoticed, jerked at the rug beneath her feet.

She went down, landing on top of poor Aja, and there was a loud blast as her pistol discharged. Thinking quickly, Jake snatched up the sword and, as soon as she rolled off Aja, sliced her head from her body.

Closing his eyes for a moment against the grisly site, he dropped down next to Aja. Blood was pouring from the boy's thigh, and Jake ripped off his nightshirt, doing his best to staunch the flow.

"Help!" he yelled, hoping there was someone still alive to assist them. "Help us!"

* * * * * * * * * *


The pirate assigned to the East Wing entered the long corridor and was immediately confronted by Sarah, determined to protect the children with her life, if need be. They were both armed with daggers, and for a few minutes their combat was equally matched. Soon, the children emerged from the nursery, and the pirate swore as they began pelting her with their toys.

"I'll cut off yer head, ye little guttersnipe!" she bellowed when Elizabeth bounced a wooden block off her head.

At that particular moment, a shot rang out from the East Wing, and everyone froze for a moment.

"Leave Sarah alone!" commanded Elizabeth, mustering all the six-year-old authority of which she was capable, but the women ignored her, continuing their battle.

Things drew rapidly to a close when Douglas, inspired, emptied an entire bag of marbles on the floor beneath their feet. Both women slipped and fell, but Sarah immediately grasped the advantage, and soon had the pirate at her mercy, the dagger at her throat. Elizabeth brought her the supplies she requested, and before long the pirate was trussed up, completely helpless.

"Hooray! Hooray!" the children shouted, jumping up and down in joy, but Sarah shushed them.

"There may be more of the evil creatures downstairs," she warned them. "I wish you to go back to the nursery at once, and remain there until someone comes to get you."

Sobered, Elizabeth took her brother by the hand and they obeyed.

Sarah ran to the East Wing, taking in the situation at once. "Go into the next chamber, Lord Jake, and get into bed," she ordered. "You're practically dead on your feet. I'll see to Aja."

"Melissa?" Jake managed weakly, balancing himself against the wall. "Where's Melissa?"

"We haven't received word as yet," she replied grimly. Sarah bundled Aja into her arms and lifted him onto the bed, noting his pale skin and shallow breathing. Rooting through Lady Dana's medical bag, she extracted some bandages which she used to bind his wound, but it was clear if Aja did not have a healer soon, he would die.

"Go, my lord!" she said to Jake, still standing behind her.

"I must find my wife," he told her stubbornly.

"My lord, you are too ill--"

Before Sarah could complete her sentence, Jake had left the room. Shaking her head, certain he would not get far, she turned her attention back to the injured boy in the bed.

* * * * * * * * * *


Jake gripped the banister tightly, forcing himself to put one foot ahead of the other in continuous, if painfully slow progress. He had to stop and rest three times before he was able to reach the bottom of the stairs, but at last the goal was his. Taking several deep breaths, ignoring the dizziness which seemed only to increase with each passing moment, he took a step toward the front entrance. His eyes fell on Lady Maggie, lying still and white upon the floor, and he gasped.

At precisely that moment, the door flew open to admit Melissa and the servants who had accompanied her.

"Mother!" Melissa cried, running to Lady Maggie and feeling for evidence of a heartbeat. "She is alive!" she told the women, gathering Maggie into her strong arms and moving her to a nearby sofa. She had not even noticed her husband until one of the servants called her attention to the stairs. Looking up, Melissa spotted Jake's frail form, wide-eyed and ghostly.

"Goddess above! Jake Scully!"

"Melissa," he whispered, holding out his arms to her before falling into a dead faint.

* * * * * * * * * *


Three Weeks Later
Scully Manor
Early Monday morning

"It's very clever you are, my husband," Dana said drowsily, pulling Fox into her arms. They'd been awake far too late the night before, making love, and both were pleasantly exhausted. "The very idea of a pox--" She shook with silent laughter.

"I was desperate, my lady," he replied, his finger circling her nipple lazily. "I couldn't bear the thought of anyone else touching me. It was simply the first thing that came to mind."

"I am quite relieved that it did, my sweeting. The thought of you at the mercy of ruthless pirates still causes shivers in me."

"I'm very sorry, my lady, that I left the manor against your orders that night, even if I did think it was the right thing to do" Fox told her soberly, for as yet he had not been punished for his actions, and he wondered when the proverbial axe was to fall.

"I'm certain you are, sweeting," she murmured, pushing him onto his back and beginning to plant soft kisses on his face as she straddled him. "Let us not speak of it further just now. I've much nicer things I would rather discuss with you."

"And what might those things be?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Perhaps I should bring my lady her breakfast in bed?" He made as if to rise, and found himself immediately pinned to the bed.

"Perhaps later," she said firmly, one hand tracing the curve of his jawline tenderly. "First, I have need of making you scream with pleasure."

"Indeed," he whispered, surrendering to her touch, "that does sound more pleasant than porridge and ham."

Dana's kisses feathered across his lips until at last he could stand the torment no longer. Sliding his hands through her hair, Fox held her still while he ravaged her mouth, enjoying the small moans of ecstasy she emitted.

At last releasing her, he whispered, "Should you like me to be atop you, my lady?" before taking one pink nipple between his lips and tweaking it lightly.

"Not--not this time, Fox," she gasped, grinding herself against his hardness almost subconsciously. "What I wish is to have you inside me, *now*."

He complied with her demand at once, slipping his shaft into the warmth of her womanhood, yelling his pleasure to the ceiling as she sheathed him tightly and began to slowly ride him.

"I shall make you beg me for your release," she murmured, regaining control of the situation at once, plundering his mouth.

"Mmm," he moaned against her in protest, but she ignored him, continuing to set a maddeningly slow pace, reveling in the way he thrashed desperately beneath her.

"Yes, sweeting, come with me," she whispered into his ear at last, feeling his tension mount, and moments later he exploded into her, taking her with him into that beautiful abyss.



Scully Manor
Monday Luncheon

"So, Mother, Sister, I fear we must away to London soon. Jake is full recovered from the fever, and Her Majesty needs me at my post."

"You will be careful, Melissa, not to endanger the babe." Maggie spoke softly, but her concern for her grandchild was evident.

"Yes, Mother, I will take every precaution. Jake, bless his soul, has been quite ill. I declare, the poor man had scarce recovered from the fever before the sickness of our babe hit him full force." She smiled indulgently at her husband who, his complexion slightly green, sipped unwillingly at a bowl of broth.

"I believe it to be a good sign," Dana interjected, helping herself to more of the roast lamb. "The more ill a husband is during pregnancy, the healthier the babe is likely to be. Fox was terribly unwell whilst I carried the twins, and look at them now!"

"My niece and nephew are beautiful specimens," Melissa praised, raising her cup of wine in toast. "To the Scully family. Long may the name live on!"

"And to your babe, Melissa," Dana added. "May she be as courageous and strong as her mother."

"Mayhap it will be a boy," Jake muttered testily.

"Nonsense, Jake," declared Maggie. "You know my feelings upon the matter. Walter, why are you so quiet, my dear? Is your impending punishment of such concern to you?"

Walter gave a nervous glance around the table, then smiled weakly. "No, indeed, my lady, it is merely the delicious meal which holds my attention," he lied. "Well done, Fox."

"Thank you, Walter. Um...Lady Maggie?"

"Yes, dear?"

"Nothing." He wanted to ask, but was afraid of what the answer might turn out to be - true to her word, Maggie had ordered the tree outside her window cut down the day after he and Walter returned from the pirate vessel. She would say nothing further about her intentions, only that she intended to put the wood to good use. Then, at the beginning of their luncheon, Maggie and Dana had announced that the men were to receive their punishment this afternoon. Fox fully expected to find a new paddle waiting when he went upstairs.

Maggie and Dana shared a secretive smile, and Melissa laughed heartily. "Poor darlings," she sympathized. "Will you ever learn not to disobey your wives?"

"Let us hope not, or half the fun of living would be gone." Dana's eyes twinkled as she sipped from her goblet, and Fox stifled a groan.

"My lady, may I please be excused?"

"What do you think, Mother?" she asked. "Shall we put these hapless men out of their misery?"

"I rather think we shall be putting them *in* their misery, Daughter." Maggie tried to hide her smile behind a napkin.

Walter and Fox stared at each other, their eyes growing wide with fear now that the moment was at hand. Dana rose, offering her arm to Fox, who took it with his own trembling fingers.

"There now, do not fret overmuch, sweeting. You know I will not harm you."

"My lady, harm is not what I fear," he replied softly.

"Then you must face up to the consequences of your foolish actions. This is certainly the most dangerous stunt you have ever contrived, Fox, and it placed many people in peril, not only yourself."

"I believe Jake and I shall retire to our chamber. He appears quite peaked." Melissa helped her husband to his feet, offering her strong arm for support.

"Quite a good idea, Melissa. We shall see you both at tea. Now, Walter." Maggie took her own wayward husband by the arm and led him toward the stairs. He halted, nearly running into Fox, who had stopped cold, when they realized they were being taken *down* rather than up.

"My-my lady?" Fox asked, his voice faltering.

"Follow me, Fox," Dana replied firmly. "I certainly feel an action such as your warrants a stay in the dungeon.

Fox began shaking in earnest now; he well remembered his one cold, lonely night in that dungeon, many years before. It had been dark, and terrifying, and Dana had not been half so angry then as she was now.

The men exchanged worried glances, but fell silent as they followed their wives down the narrow stairs, through the dark passageway that led to what used to be a torture chamber, back when the torture of misbehaved males was sanctioned. Although Fox was well aware that all the implements of torture had long since been removed, the thought of a night--perhaps more than one--spent in its dank depths made him shiver. At least he would have Walter for company this time.

When the door to the dungeon was opened, Fox blinked slowly, not quite believing his eyes. The room had undergone a total transformation since the last time he had been here. It was well lighted now, with lamps gracing all four walls, and it had been thoroughly cleaned. The musty smell was almost gone, masked by the fragrant rushes on the floor.

He barely had time to notice these changes before his gaze fell on the room's new furnishings. A long wooden table, complete with leather manacles at its four corners, stood against one wall. Next to it was what could only be a spanking bench, padded with cushions, ready for its first victim. Adorning the opposite wall were all manner of paddles; large, small, wide and narrow ones hung on convenient hooks. Mixed in among the paddles were switches, straps, and silk scarves, along with Walter's particular terror, a complete assortment of feathers.

"Sweet Goddess!" Walter breathed. "Maggie, where did all this come from?"

"I told you I would put the tree to good use, darling," she replied, leading him over to the table and beginning to remove his clothing. "I certainly consider this--" she indicated the entire room with a sweep of her arm--"to be excellent usage."

"But I--you--Maggie, please!" Walter didn't dare fight against his lady as she lay him, naked, on the table and fasted the leather restraints around his wrists and ankles.

"Walter," Maggie said, her hands on her hips and her expression stern, "I came far too close to losing you this time. Had Fox not dreamed up the ridiculously brilliant idea of the pox, you would have been raped by any number of women. As it is, you were beaten and threatened."

"Is not the fear and pain I suffered a fitting punishment?" pleaded Walter, his eyes never leaving her as she strolled over to the wall of tools, selecting the largest feather. "I assure you, my lady, it was quite a terrifying experience!"

She said nothing more, only began to stroke the feather from his toes to his head, paying special attention to the parts she knew were most sensitive, and soon Walter had lapsed into incoherent screams and moans.

Fox, shaken by how quickly Walter had been brought to tears, turned beseeching eyes to his wife. "Dana, I--"

"Say nothing more, Fox," she commanded, holding up her hand for silence. "There is no plea you can give that will save you from your punishment, for were I to shirk my responsibility, I should have to face our daughter and tell her I allowed you to go unchastened. That I shall not do. Now either you remove your clothing, or I shall do it for you, my dear."

Seeing resistance was utterly useless, Fox slowly removed his tunic and breeches, allowing them to drop to the floor in a heap. Gently, Dana pushed him down on the spanking bench, securing his ankles and wrists to it in order to keep him from struggling overmuch. Then she made her wall to the wall to select the implement most appropriate for her naughty husband's punishment. She passed Walter, beginning to beg desperately now, and smiled, knowing all his pleading would be for naught. Maggie would not stop until any future thoughts of rebellion had been driven firmly from her husband's mind, nor would she, she vowed. Dana took up one of the new switches, slicing it through the air a time or two in order to get the feel of it before returning to the gloriously naked bottom presented to her.

"There are so many things I would rather do with your naked body than punish you, sweeting," she sighed. "I do wish you would make more of an attempt to behave."

With that, she brought the switch down hard on his white flesh, waiting for the first scream of shock and pain that she knew would come. After the first stroke, Fox would attempt to control himself, but she would refuse to let up until she had broken through his defenses. Some days it took longer than others. Today, Dana sensed, it would take quite some time before Fox had truly learned his lesson.

Until the next time he disobeyed, she smiled to herself as she landed another stroke on his writhing bottom.

This particular time, both Dana and Maggie chose to forego their usual lectures, and soon the only sounds in the dungeon were the slap of the switch on Fox's poor bottom, his sniffles and Walter's begging. It was clear Walter would have bruises on his wrists and ankles from his struggles, but Dana had no doubt her mother would administer the appropriate comfort in their chamber that evening. Indeed, it was something she planned to do, as well. After all, comforting a husband afterwards was half the fun of punishing him!



At last, when Fox had finally broken down into sobs, and Walter had long since given up his pleading for one long keening moan, both women stepped back.

"I do believe they have learned the lesson we meant to teach them, Mother," Dana offered, hanging the switch back in its place.

"I do hope so, Daughter. I would hate to have to repeat this performance after supper."

"My lady, I assure you, no repetition is necessary," Walter groaned as Maggie unfastened the manacles and helped him to a sitting position. She brought him a cup of water, which he downed in one gulp.

"Next time, I want to trade places with Walter," Fox groused, rubbing at his flaming backside once Dana had released him. He also drank the water he was offered, holding out his cup in a silent request for more, with which Dana immediately complied.

"Indeed, Fox, you do not," Walter contradicted. "It is akin to Thunder and the sugar water, yet at least when Dana punishes you in that manner, Thunder stops once the sugar water is gone. Lady Maggie can continue forever!"

"Indeed I can, and I beg you to remember that the next time you wish to engage in such dangerous foolishness."

"My lady, I assure you, I shall never engage in dangerous foolishness again. I wish to see this room locked up, never to be used again in my lifetime."

"That is entirely up to you and how you choose to behave," Maggie told him, assisting him to his feet. "Now, let us get you dressed and go upstairs. You could do with a bath and a long rest."

"I've no doubt this dungeon will see usage on a weekly basis, at least as far as Fox is concerned," Dana teased. "He seems unable to stay out of trouble for even a moment."

"I have not disobeyed you since you rescued me from the pirates!" Fox protested, groaning as his aching muscles were forced to move.

Dana laughed aloud. "That is only because you feared compounding your punishment, sweeting. Now, let us follow Mother's lead and make our way to our chamber. I feel the need of a nap, as well."

The glimmer in her eye told Fox that sleeping was the farthest thing from his lady's mind, and in spite of his fatigue, a shiver of excitement ran through him.

Perhaps if he pouted just so...

The End

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