Molly came back to herself in unfamiliar surroundings. She was lying in a cot, not a hammock and she was alone. She knew she was below deck and she had a blanket covering her. She was also naked. She took a glance around and tried to sit up. She could see her clothes across the deck on a chair. There was a thick length of frayed rope next to it; then she remembered. She coughed and sparks shot through her vision.
"John tells me that nothing's broken, just bruised," Captain said. She'd not seen him sitting behind the head of her bed. Molly sank back, too aware of her nakedness underneath the thin blanket. Heat rose on her cheeks and she swallowed hard.
"Is she-"
"The ship's fine, that was a brave thing you did," he said, "Foolish and rash, but brave none the less," she could hear him shifting his weight behind her head, the memory of him soaking wet flashed through her head, unwanted yet not unwelcome. She covered it with a small cough and did her best to smile. Lavender drifted over her as she moved and she breathed deep, she pictured her head resting in his lap, his long black curls tickling her as he leaned over. His delicious hands would cup her chin as... "Are you all right?" he asked looking over the top of the cot.
"I think so," she said, dismissing her train of thought, she wished the colour of her cheeks wouldn't betray her so. He raised an eyebrow as she gripped the blanket tight against her, "Who undressed me?"
"It wasn't myself if that's what you're worried about," he said.
"No, no that's not it!" she said
"Oh? So you wouldn't mind me undressing you?"
"That's not what I meant at all!"
"There's a shame," he said with a shrug, "The blush on your cheek says otherwise."
"Maylan's breath! Did you come here to annoy me?" she said thrusting her chin upwards.
"No. I came here to see if you'd still want to join us, that's myself and my officers, for dinner later. I was going to introduce you but if you find me so deplorable I'd happily forego the whole affair," he said. Molly felt blood pour into her cheeks and she swallowed back a retort. Would it be so bad? Getting to know the crew would definitely help her during the coming weeks and pissing off the Captain would do her no favours. She forced a smile onto her face and turned her head to look at him. The cornflower blue eyes twinkled down at her, how could she refuse?
"I'd love to," she said, it sounded false in her ears but it was the best she could manage. He nodded before standing.
"Good, I'll meet you on deck at the sixth bell," he said. She listened as his footsteps receded and climbed the ladder back onto the deck. Then she relaxed back into the cot, name of the God's what was she thinking? There was no way this could go well but then, there was no way she could get out of it either. Maybe she could get away with having a couple of drinks and some food, then claiming she had a headache and leave early. She'd not offend anyone that way and she'd just fallen off the rigging, no one would be able to question her for leaving. That sorted she settled herself and let her eyes close once more.
Molly was unsure how long it was she'd slept for but when she awoke, she felt fresher than she had for a while. She sat up and stretched, her ribs were still sore but not as much as they had been earlier. She wrapped the blanket around her and stood. Her clothing was still on the chair so she made her way there. She was dressed in no time. She replaced the blanket on the cot. "I can get you some soap and water if you like." Molly jumped and spun round.
"Ged's blood!" she said.
"Sorry Molly," another pirate stepped through the hatch and gave her a smile. It was another lady.
"I thought I was the only woman on board," Molly said trying her best to keep her shock from her face.
"Of course not, name's Sasha," she said. Sasha was a short blonde lady somewhere around Molly's age, "I'm the one who tends wounds and helps Cook when needed. I'm no trained doctor but I'm the closest thing this ship has. I was the one who undressed you and made sure you were well," she explained.
"Thank you," Molly said, "What time is it?"
"Just past fifth bell, evening. Did you want some water?" Sasha said.
"Yes, I don't think I should go to dinner smelling of sweat and salt," she said.
"What do you think the rest will do?"
"Lavender scent isn't so bad," Molly said with a shrug.
"Aye, but Captain's different. He's an educated man, not common riff-raff like the rest of us," she said. She turned away for a moment and then turned back with a bucket filled with water, "It's seawater, we ain't going to waste drinking water on washing."
"Of course not," Sasha handed Molly the lump of rye soap and walked passed her. Molly washed as best she could. She had to admit, when she was done, she felt so much better, "Thank you," she said, "Where do you want this?"
"Just stick it through there, I'll deal with it shortly," Sasha said.
"I'll see you soon," Molly said. Sasha nodded and she left, heading back to the forecastle. The usual hive of activity was present on deck, swabbing, adjusting, mending and climbing. Molly smiled as Bart greeted her with a clap on the shoulder. Mahoney called her from the main yard and she waved as she looked up at him. Had she climbed up that far last night? It seemed so much further when she stood down here looking up. She continued back to her own living space and grabbed some clean clothes. They were the new ones she'd purchased in Nass, they were still soft from the makers washing and she sighed as she shrugged into them. The watch bell began to ring, she smiled and made haste, by the time the last bell had rang, she was on the quarter deck waiting for the Captain.
When he strode out the cabin he looked, well, he looked like a pirate. He wore a huge red frock jacket over his black waist coat and white shirt. His black curls were kept out of his rugged face by his large hat and those bright blue eyes flashed when he saw her waiting there. He strode over, polished boots clicking on the pristine deck, "There, I thought you'd change your mind," he said.
"And spent the rest of the voyage avoiding you?" she said.
"There are places," he said.
"Yes but the bilges are hardly a place I want to spend all my time."
"Very true," he conceded, "If you come with me dear Molly, I'll show you around the rest of the ship," he said. He held the crook of his arm out for her and she blinked once before linking hers through it. The red coat was made of soft velvet and she couldn't stop pushing at the fibres with the tips of her fingers. He led her across the quarter deck and onto the poop deck. "This is my favourite part of the ship," he said, "Watching the sun set is something else, on a calm sea after a long day you can lose yourself here," he led her to the rail and she looked back across the sea. The soft breeze picked at her hair and she knew what he meant. She unlinked her arm and leaned over the rail, watching the swell of the waves and white caps as they sailed onwards. He was right; the sun had just caressed the horizon sending washes of red light over the sky. The sea itself was the calmest she'd ever seen it, barely a ripple on the glassy surface below them, "Do you like it?" he asked joining her at the rail.
