The events that follow are based on a true diary found. Honest. With a little bit o'poetic license. Let me know if you want more of our illustrious hero, and I'll read around the diary... ;o)
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The ship slipped steadily, stealthily, into dock. Midnight, perfect. Just how he always arrived, when no-one would see. That was his trademark.
The sun arose the next morning, gently warming the faces of the sailors sleeping on the decks. Each awoke, rubbed his eyes and began to his task. In his cabin, their Captain washed β splashing ice-cold water over his face, the perfect start to every morning β and dressed. Black leather trousers, black shirt, slightly open at the top, black leather jacket, high boots. And a little black ribbon to keep his flowing ginger hair back with style. Well, he did have an image to keep up.
Waving to his men he left the ship and wandered into market. He wandered between the rows of stalls, sampling an apple here, an oyster there. He was engrossed in the relative merits of a peach and a plum, trying to decide which he would devour for breakfast, when an alternative crossed the corner of his field of vision. He whipped round, and stood agog. There, on the other side of the market buying bread, she stood. He could make out the blue ribbon keeping the long auburn plait in place, the gentle curves that indicated her breasts, her tiny waist, her hips. Her torso was confined by a white shirt, her legs by a blue skirt, down to her delicate ankles disguised in small boots. As she turned round, she revealed her shirt to be quite low-cut, and he felt himself draw in breath, quite involuntarily, as she showed the tiniest hint of cleavage. And he looked up, and saw her face.
"You buying that, guv'?"
Snapping back round, he glared at the fruit-seller and left, still clutching the fruits. He turned back to follow her, but she was gone. Growling, he threw the fruit at the seller, with perfect aim.
It was mid-afternoon when he next got chance to leave his ship. Having dined elegantly, as was the custom, he supervised his men gathering in supplies, but his mind wasn't there. As soon as he could, he departed, angrily determined to find the woman who was preying on his mind so much. He was going to have her, hell or high water. And he usually got what he wanted.
It had been some time since he last landed on these shores. He seemed to recall a fight which had resulted in his men being ordered to leave the island. He didn't, of course. Men such as he didn't tale orders from mere councillors. Still, he was annoyed, and left the woman currently receiving the pleasure of his favours mid-groan, although not without throwing a few extra coins on the bedside. It wouldn't do to get that kind of bad name, now, would it?
As he wandered through the town he remembered the different women he had bedded there. Some half-recognised him in the street, scurrying along as they met his gaze and averted their eyes. They knew the anger that lived inside him, they knew how he could be. They knew him, alright.
Usually he would menace them, perhaps a glare, perhaps a sneer. He found it amusing. But today he didn't, he continued along his way, whistling under his breath. He soon found himself at one of his most frequent haunts β the aptly named "Gentleman's Pleasure." Swinging open the door, the receptionist greeted him with a coy smile. He briefly asked her where Janine was, his favourite. She gave him the key, and went upstairs.
Janine was ready for him. She lay seductively on the bed, draped in a silk cloth barely covering her modesty. She smiled, and her eyes fixed on him. He sauntered, trying to restrain the bulge he knew was becoming prevalent in his trousers. She stood to greet him, and the chemise fell off, revealing her tight, pert breasts and her perfectly smooth stomach. He shuddered as she placed her hands on his trouser-band and began to undo the buttons. He slapped her, hard, across the face, and she fell to the floor.
"I need information."
So that was who she was. No wonder she had been so stunning. Daughter of the Duke. Could be tricky. Still, could be fun.
That night, as the moon rose in the sky, he found himself at the foot of a large mansion. Stealthily, he opened the large door, sword drawn ready to kill anyone who stood in his way. Thankfully, no-one was there. The house appeared deserted. As his eyes adjusted to the semi-gloom, he could just make out the shadow of a sleeping doorman. Just to be sure, he knocked him on the head with the hilt of his sword. Not enough to kill him, just enough to ensure he'd have a raging headache in the morning.
The Captain made his way up the flights of stairs, age-old and covered in thick, red carpet that seemed to melt underfoot. He knew, from experience, exactly which room she would be in. For a start, it would probably have her name on the door. Girls' rooms frequently did. As he approached it, he grinned.
"Told ya."
He placed his hand on the doorknob, and turned, gently pushing against the door to make it open slowly. It did, but with a loud creak. He swore under his breath and paused. Nothing. Relaxing slightly, he pushed the door a bit more forcefully and it opened more easily. He stepped inside the room, and looked around.
He could see quite clearly, thanks to the open window that was letting in the moon's rays, and no doubt the sun would follow suit and she'd wake n a few hours. He saw her form, and knew instinctively that she was sleeping sound, and was unlikely to wake anytime soon. As quietly as he could possibly manage, he made his way over to her.
Her hair, even longer than he remembered, spread loosely along the pillow, a slight tendril falling over her face. Softly, he lifted it with the tip of his sword so he could behold her face. She was absolutely stunning, absolutely flawless skin. He followed the elegant neck down to her shoulders, her chest, the rise of the sheet across her breasts, the folds of the sheet indicating the slender body beneath. He felt his heart rate quicken, his manhood begin to stiffen, and quenched the urge to wake her and force himself upon her. No, this time that would not do. He plucked a single rose from his pocket, and leaving it on her pillow, made his escape.
This continued for another three nights, awaking to find a treat by her luscious mane. She began to expect this, and plotted to find out the identity of her secret admirer. On the fourth night she waited. As he approached the door, he knew something was wrong. Grimacing, he turned and left. After a while, she came to the door. She knew he was there, he had to be. She looked along the corridor, but nothing. Sighing, she returned to bed. And the rose was there, waiting for her. Now she was really curious.
It was at market the next day that she began to have suspicions about the identity of her benevolent visitor. She overheard some women in the market talking about a Captain, a Pirate no less, who they had seen but dared not acknowledge. And whilst buying her bread, she noticed a man standing apart, playing with a rose between his fingers. He caught her gaze and held it until she looked away. On her return home, she sent a handmaiden to the village to uncover more information.