One: Back to the
Fortune Hunter
“Black Jack” Hutton and the raiding party from the pirate vessel
Fortune Hunter
made their way through the tropical forest as they headed for the beach. Therese du Maurier, the Duchess de Montfort, was being carried over the shoulder of the First Mate, Pete. She had stopped struggling early in the journey; a few good smacks on her bottom through her linen caftan had taken care of that. After about twenty minutes they stopped and put her on her feet. She briefly contemplated running, but with her hands tied behind her and the four pirates so close she knew there was no point.
Instead she yelled, hoping to bring assistance from one of Captain Antoine Renoir’s crew who might be in the area.
“
Aidez-m…,
”she barely got a sound out before Pete clamped his hand over her mouth.
“Nice try, m’lady, but there ain’t a person to hear ya’ within a half-mile,” he said.
“Gag her anyway, Pete,” said Hutton. “Let’s not take any chances.”
Pete stuffed a piece of cloth in her mouth, then tied a twisted kerchief around her lower face to hold it in place. He untied her hands, but held them securely as he retied them in front before attaching a four-foot length of rope to the bonds. Now she could walk the rest of the way without him having to worry about her crying out or making a break for freedom.
The group continued, Therese being pulled along, until they reached the edge of the forest. Here they stopped before emerging from the cover of the woods. Across the sand sat the rowboat they had used to come ashore, but caution dictated that they scout the beach from hiding before revealing themselves. Satisfied that the way was clear, they crossed the distance to the shore, placed Therese on a seat and pushed the boat into the water as they hopped in. Therese sat still, afraid that if she fell overboard with her hands tied she would drown.
Once out in deep water, Pete removed her gag, and with no place for her to go he also removed the bonds from her wrists. As the boat was rowed out of the cove and into open water the sloop
Fortune Hunter
came into view. As they approached, a man on watch threw a rope ladder over the side and they secured the boat.
“Up you go, darling,” Hutton said as he placed his hands on her waist and gave her a boost up the ladder.
Wearing her thin slippers she was a bit unsure of her footing, but she held on and managed to climb up to the deck, with Hutton following right behind her in case she slipped. At the top the crewman offered his hand and pulled her up. Soon the others were on board and the ladder was pulled up.
“Bring up the dinghy. We’ll sail soon,” Hutton ordered.
“This is a fine bit of treasure, Captain,” the man said, looking Therese up and down.
The caftan Bella had given her was intended for sleeping in the warm Caribbean nights and only covered her legs to mid-thigh. The scooped neck revealed the swell of the French girl’s generous bosom.
“And I ain’t never seen eyes that green before,” said another crewman.
“Ay, Davy, she’s a tasty morsel indeed,” the Captain replied. “Let the men know that she’ll be on deck to meet them for an hour until we set sail.”
‘Meet them?’ thought Therese. What did he mean by that?
Noticing a bucket of water with a dipper hanging on the side, Therese asked if she might have a drink.
“Of course, m’lady,” Hutton said as he offered her the dipper. She drank deeply and filled the ladle twice more and drained it. She handed it back to the Captain as she wiped her mouth on the back of her hand.
Hutton took Therese’s arm and led her over to the mainmast. The base of the mast was mounted in the center of a raised platform, onto which he lifted the French aristocrat. He pulled her arms over her head and tied her wrists to a black iron ring attached to the tall timber. Word had traveled fast, and men were already assembling on deck. They were a nasty-looking group, at least as coarse and brutal as the four in the raiding party. The young Duchess was terrified, afraid she would be seriously hurt by these men. Hutton seemed to know what she was thinking, because he leaned close and said to her,
“Don’t worry, m’lady. You’re too valuable to us as a prize for the market in Port Royal for me to let any permanent harm come to you. But you will be trained for service on this journey.”
His words held no comfort for the captive aristocrat. Unsure exactly what he meant by ‘trained for service’ she was trembling as the men gathered around the platform. They were beginning to move closer, staring up at the bound beauty.
“Easy, men. We’re taking her to Port Royal for sale at the slave market. She’ll bring a pretty price, especially after we teach her a trick or two.”
“I could teach her all by myself, Captain!” said one of the brutes as he reached up and placed his hand on her calf. Therese cringed and tried to pull away.
“Me, too. I’ll teach her how to use that mouth like a good slave!” said another.
“Truth be told she already knows how to use that mouth quite well, lads,” laughed Pete.
“True enough, men. She’ll balk at first, but once she really gets started she’s hotter than a cannon after the battle,” said Hutton.
“No, please! Don’t do this, don’t hurt me, please!” begged the frightened girl.
“Let’s just have a good look at her for now, men. We have to get underway before that scum Renoir comes looking for her.”