Sea Change (Closed)

[KiwiD82]

"Anna," he said, sounding out the name. "And you may call me Samuel, but please only do so in private - it must be captain in front of the crew."

It felt odd instructing a woman - Samuel wasn't used to having one on his ship - but it sure felt good to treat her well. He thought it would likely help to keep him civilised despite his choice of lifestyle.

"Tortuga is much like Kingston, I suppose," he continued. "There is a governor, though he is bound by no nation. There is a fort, and there are docks, tobacco plantations, taverns, dance halls, gambling houses, and...other forms of entertainment."

The captain paused awkwardly. Surely Anna knew such places existed.

"But the true beauty of the place is found in its natural features. If we are there during the day, I shall have to show you one of my personal favourite hideaways."

 

[Jupiter0]

"Of course, Samuel." She said, knowing full well the respect required among crew. She listened to his description of Tortuga and it sounded truly amazing. She blushed a little as he mentioned what she assumed to be brothels, not used to having such topics in her normal conversations. She didn't mind though. Anna thought being open to new places and ways of speaking would broaden her lifestyle. If she truly wanted change, she couldn't think of a better way than on a pirate ship, and accompanied by a pirate captain himself.

"I would love that." She said, after he mentioned the hideaways. The one thing she loved about the Caribbean were the glorious landscapes. It was truly a haven.

 

[KiwiD82]

Anna's response brought a smile to Samuel's face. She seemed to like the idea of exploring and experiencing Tortuga with him.

No matter what happened with Kingston, he was sure he'd look back on their upcoming visit with fondness.

"I think I'll show you one of the gambling houses, if that doesn't offend you," he responded. "That and Cornelius Cove."

He grinned at the thought of a small place being named after him, though he didn't specify that this was actually the case.

He stood slowly, then motioned towards the remaining food on her plate.

"I'd best eat my breakfast with the crew, or they'll get jealous," he chuckled, knowing he was indeed in an envious position. "I'll be sure to check on you during the day, but if you need anything at all, have one of the crew fetch me."

He caught another glimpse of the jade pendant - it was hard to ignore - while he waited for her response.

 

[Jupiter0]

"That sounds exciting!" She said truthful, not offended in the least. She was in the company of pirates after all.

Anna was however saddened by the fact that Samuel wasn't going to be eating with her. She had grown too used to his company, and was beginning to like it, truth be told.

She noticed his eyes waver a little bit below the horizon of hers and a blush colored her cheeks as she realized he was looking at the necklace, which was settled comfortably between her breasts.

"That's all right, I can understand why they'd need to see their captain. I should be fine here, but I will let you know if I need anything.

 

[KiwiD82]

Samuel nodded when Anna said she would be fine on her own.

He had felt a bit guilty about letting his gaze linger - it was improper and she was promised to another, after all - but he was only a man and the pendant hung delicately between such perfect...

Samuel left his quarters and spent much of the rest of the day overseeing the salvaging work, as the sailors took every last item of value from what remained of the ship.

The captain did ensure his midday meal was sent to his room, though he didn't return there to eat. Instead, the meal was left for Anna.

By late afternoon, his crew were tired from the long hours of hard labour, and the bosun agreed that they had collected as much as they could.

The sun was just beginning to creep towards the horizon when Samuel returned to his quarters to see what had become of the beautiful stowaway.

 

[Jupiter0]

Anna spent the day, exploring the captain's cabin. Hoping she wasn't being too nosy, she looked through some of the maps on his desk trying to make sense of them, and she even found some interesting books to pass the time.

After eating the lunch that had been brought to her, she decided she would organize her limited wardrobe into things she could wear and things she couldn't. In the former pile she then attempted to make outfits and came up with a total of 3 day wear, 2 sleeping gowns, and a couple evening dresses.

She had asked the cook, who had brought her lunch, if he could procure for her and the captain a fancy meal. He seemed to understand something that she didn't as he winked at her and said he'd make sure the dinner was very special.

Dressing in one of the evening gowns, a deep blue one that bunched at the hips and was a little too low cut for her, Anna picked out a beautiful diamond necklace that fit perfectly for the neckline of the dress. She looked at herself in he mirror and attempted to make something of her hair. She had braided it earlier and it was cascading down her back in deep brown waves. Pinning the sides back with a Barrett she had found in the jewelry chest, she figured that would have to do for now.

The cook entered with the meal and had everything prepared for them at a small dining table that was on one side of the room. He poured blood-red wine in the goblets and announced that dinner would be steak, asparagus, and potatoes. Her mouth watered at the smell, and she sat down, awaiting the Captain.

 

[KiwiD82]

Samuel just about fell over at the sight of Anna when he returned to his quarters.

There she sat, in an almost fitting evening dress, diamonds sparkling along her neckline, her long brunette hair braided and refined. And before her, on the table, sat a meal of steak, vegetables, and wine.

"Milady," he spoke instinctively, before correcting himself. "Anna, you look stunning."

The captain removed his tricorne and placed it on his desk before joining her at the table. He had been caught somewhat off guard and had spoken his mind the instant he'd arrived.

He sat as he tried to regather his composure, his mind racing, distracted as he tried to recall what it was he had intended to say initially.

In the meantime, all he could manage was: "I hope the day hasn't been too dull for you...?"

 

[Jupiter0]

As Samuel entered, she stood up and could see his eyes looking her over. She wasn't sure if the hunger she saw was for the food or for her. Anna blushed at his compliment, happy to feel beautiful again in a dress.

"Thank you." She said as she said down with him at the table. They started eating as the conversation began.

"Oh no not in the slightest. I had plenty to occupy myself with." She said truthfully.

 

[KiwiD82]

"I'm pleased you weren't too bored," Samuel spoke between mouthfuls.

He was still drinking in the sight of the brunette beauty before him. If she wasn't promised to another...or even if she was, but if he wasn't a gentleman...

"The men have retrieved all we can from your previous home," Samuel continued, interrupting his own train of thought. "The anchor will be pulled up shortly and then we'll be on our way to Tortuga."

The captain took a sip of wine, savouring the fine taste. How Anna had persuaded the cook to serve one of their finest drinks was beyond him.

"However, I do have one concern," he added, though his demeanour didn't come across as being concerned in the slightest. "Your suitor in Kingston - no doubt he has noticed you're no longer there. What chance do you think there might be that he will pursue you? I'm very much enjoying our new friendship but would wish to know if I may find myself fighting to retain it."

 

[Jupiter0]

Anna smiled as she sipped some wine, relishing the flavor she had once been accustomed to at meals. Excited to be on their way, she thought about the adventure that lay before her at Tortuga.

However, Samuel's mention of her betrothed caught her off guard. She seriously hadn't given it any thought since she left Kingston. Thinking it over as she cut into her steak, Anna came up with the best solution she could find. Surely she wasn't going to marry him any more. No after this rash decision to travel with pirates. However, she had become fond of him, and didn't realize the worry he must be feeling at her sudden disappearance. Same with her father too.

"I suppose I shall send him a letter. My father as well. Informing them that I'm safe, out of harms way and..." and what? returning home? Never coming back?She couldn't think straight right now. Especially with Samuel's entrancing eyes staring at her from across the table.

"and inform them of my decision, whenever I make it." Anna continued. She was growing warm. As dinner continued, she thought ahead of their sleeping situation. They would be in the same bed again. And after a day of getting to know him, and seeing him mostly undressed, she wondered how their growing comfort around each other would factor in.

 

[KiwiD82]

Samuel listened patiently as Anna responded, clearly taking care to choose her words. A letter might suffice, it was true - however, if the man was of a jealous persuasion, or if he suspected the letter to be a forgery or written under duress, he might pursue them. Even worse, if Anna's suitor didn't love her but merely thought of her as a possession, he might search for her.

The man wouldn't know where to look at first, but Samuel was convinced that her location would never remain truly secret for long; such was her beauty.

However, the pirate captain had no intention of causing his delightful stowaway to fret with such thoughts. Such bridges - should they exist - could be crossed at a later stage.

"A letter seems like a sensible idea," Samuel eventually replied, taking another mouthful of steak. "I should like to know if you receive a response."

He continued to eat his meal for a while in silence, simply enjoying having such refined company.

Then, not knowing where Anna's thoughts were located, he added: "It's possible we may not get to Tortuga before dark. I would prefer to anchor outside the harbour rather than risk hitting a sandbar in the night. If that is the case, I apologise for the continued improper sleeping arrangements."

 

[Jupiter0]

"Of course, you shall know as soon as I do." Anna stated as they continued their meal. As he mentioned their sleeping situation she was shocked, wondering if she had somehow let her thoughts be known. Seeing that he obviously was thinking along similar lines she allowed a smile appear on her lips.

"Oh it wasn't an inconvenience in the least. Hopefully tonight we will both get more sleep now that we know what works best. Although you really don't need to sleep backwards. I'm sure it was disorienting this morning when you awoke."

 

[KiwiD82]

Samuel nodded as Anna confirmed she would let him know if she received a response to her letter. Secretly, the pirate captain hoped she wouldn't for quite some time - her company was intoxicating.

When she responded to his comment about the sleeping arrangements, Samuel couldn't help but imagine lying next to her exquisite body again, and this time sleeping the same way as each other. He'd wake to see her gorgeous eyes, her perfect lips, her extraordinary form next to him.

Samuel could feel his cheeks burn as he blushed.

"I...we can't," he finally managed to reply. "I'm sorry. I...I don't think I could trust myself not to do something we might regret..."

It was a brutally honest response. Samuel was used to taking whatever he liked, but when it came to Anna, he would only take what was given.

 

[Jupiter0]

"Oh." Was all Anna could manage to say. She hadn't thought about the implications of her words. Surely he hadn't misunderstood her meaning, however his thoughts mirrored her own. She had never slept in the same bed as a man before last night. She knew about the things that happened when a man and a woman laid together, she had a maidservant, Lenette, who told her all there was to know about intercourse in light of her impending marriage. Many nights of sharing a bed with her and whispering under the sheets about men and their desires, and the duty of a woman to please him and bear children. Although to be perfectly honest, Lenette seemed to reflect on the act of sex to be a wonderful experience, full of passion and love, making Anna all the more anxious and desperate to be with a man.

As Anna's thoughts wandered a little too far, she realized there had been a slight lull in the conversation. Would she regret being intimate with this pirate? Surely him taking her virginity would soil her for her fiancee, or even get her with child. But did she actually want to return to Kingston? The life at sea and on countless adventures with this man excited her and definitely made her want to reconsider even sending a letter, letting everyone at home think she was lost at sea.

"I appreciate your concern, Samuel, and I respect your chivalry. You seem like quite the gentleman and not at all like the stories of Pirate captains that I've heard about. I believe I can trust you."

 

[KiwiD82]

A pause fell over the conversation after Samuel had admitted his attraction and it suddenly felt awkward. He held his breath when he heard the words seemingly fall to the ground after thy escaped his lips.

For her part, Anna seemed distant and distracted. The captain was worried that he'd offended her but when she finally replied, he couldn't hide a small smile in response.

She trusted him. That made sense - it was his crew that had rescued her from the merciless ocean - but to this extent? Samuel was pleasantly surprised.

"Thank you," he grinned sheepishly. "You flatter me unnecessarily."

As the captain continued to eat, he couldn't help thinking about their newly negotiated sleeping arrangements, and the continued sight of the stunning brunette opposite him was beginning to have an effect...

Samuel shook his head as if to wake himself up from a delicious daydream. She said she trusted him. He didn't want to ruin that.

He looked out the rear window of the cabin as he finished the last of the food on his plate.

"It has fallen dark quickly," he observed, lighting a candle at their table for some limited light. "I must attend to my crew to ensure all is well for the approach to Tortuga in the morning. Perhaps...you would like to find your rest while I'm out of the room. I don't wish to intrude upon your modesty."

 

[Jupiter0]

"Of course." Anna agreed. "Good night, then." She understood that she couldn't keep him to herself, especially since he had so many people looking to him for direction. As he left, she found herself recalling how he had looked at her in the candle-light. She had never seen a man look at her in such a way. There was this hunger in his eyes, that both frightened her and excited her.

Remembering what Lenette had told her about the desires of men, Anna went over to the chest of clothing after Samuel had left. She chose one of the night gowns that tied at the collar, allowing it to be very low cut if left untied. Slipping it over her naked form, she found that it fell to just below her knees. She had never worn something so short, and she had definitely never revealed this much skin in front of a man. According to Lenette, her breasts, legs and hips would be what excites men, getting them ready for intercourse.

Anna swallowed, not sure if she should be doing what she was. She could tell he wanted her, and she was hoping that this would be just what she needed to start new. Surely losing her maidenhead would open up her world to new possibilities.

She nervously crawled into bed. The night was much warmer than before, so she didn't need to use the heavy blankets. Anna planned to wait until the captain returned and declare her intentions to him boldly. But as she waited, the wine from dinner quickly caught up with her and she soon drifted off.

 

[KiwiD82]

The candles were burning low by the time Samuel returned to his quarters. The Vengeful Bounty had stopped two hours' sail from Tortuga before the conditions had become too dark to safely continue. The anchor had been dropped once again, and the journey would continue at dawn the next morning, making for a mid-morning arrival.

Samuel was relieved to be back in his quarters. He blew out the candles then sat down on his side of the bed to remove his boots, tricorne, and tunic.

He stood to remove his leggings, leaving only his underclothes on. As he turned to face the bed with the intention of getting in, his eyes found Anna lying there, covered only by a sheet and who knew what else. The captain hadn't intended to look, but his curiosity was too strong.

True to form, she looked stunning. Peaceful, serene, and even when asleep, he knew of no greater beauty. An all too familiar feeling began to stir in his body even as he tried in vain to banish his lustful thoughts from his mind.

She had said she would trust him, and she was promised to another. Pirate captain or otherwise, it didn't feel right to act upon his feelings against her wishes. He only hoped she wouldn't be woken up by him climbing into the bed.

 

[Jupiter0]

Anna stirred at the movement the bed made. Still heavy with drink, her eyes, gently opened, seeing that it was the captain getting underneath the sheets beside her. Continuing to lay still, she couldn't help but to feel her heart race as she noticed his state of undress. He was magnificently sculpted. His arms strong and his chest and torso toned from his life at sea. The list of reasons to stay was becoming longer.

Anna didn't know what to do. If she continued to feign sleeping, he would soon be asleep and she would've lost her only chance at expressing her interest. However, if she were to wake up, she didn't know what to expect at all. Would he match her advance? Would he turn her down? Fear stirred in her chest. No not fear, anticipation, excitement. Feelings she had never experienced that caused a strange sensation flutter in her stomach and further down between her legs.

Without meaning to move, she squeezed her legs together, unsure of how to rid herself of this feeling. Since the first option of pretending was now off the table, she continued her movements to look as though she was stretching, and waking up, even putting a slight yawn in there at the end.

"Oh, captain, I didn't hear you come in." She said, softly.

 

[KiwiD82]

Samuel's emotions were a confused mixture.

In part, he was angry with himself for having woken Anna. She had had such a rough time at sea that she deserved every moment of rest she could get.

But he was also excited that she was awake. Life on a ship could be dull and dreary when it wasn't deadly - and she was making such moments few and far between.

"Sorry for waking you, Anna," he whispered, the room otherwise quiet apart from the gentle lapping of waves against the hull. "I shall have to be more quiet in future."

At that, the pirate captain turned onto his side to face Anna. His eyes drank her in once again, as though he were a man with an unquenchable thirst.

"If you wish," he added quietly, "I can stay awake until you fall asleep again, lest you find yourself unable to sleep."