Pirate Chronicles

As the footsteps came closer, she lifted the heavy object above her head, high into the air. Just bring it down quickly and it would be over, she reassured herself. These men are not men but pirates, which made killing perfectly okay, or so she tried to reason.

What was taking them so long? Her arms were becoming sore. If they took any longer, she wouldn’t be able to lift the thing to defend herself. Madeleine shifted her feet, wincing as the wooden shelves she was wedged in between creaked.
“I heard something in there,” one of the men out in the main kitchen whispered.

If only Madeleine could somehow melt into the wall. Closing her eyes, she willed it with all her might but it was no use. Footsteps and the physical presence of a male body were so near she wouldn’t be able to hit them if they came any closer. Steadying her nerve, Madeleine aimed for the man’s oncoming head with all her strength.
“What the devil are you doing with that Madeleine, trying to bloody well take my head off?”

Thanks to his peripheral vision, Nicholas noticed the heavy cast iron frying pan flying murderously towards his head. He didn’t need the warning from one of the officers to catch it in time, deflecting the brunt of the blow from his head to his forearm.
“Nicholas, oh thank God it’s you.” Madeleine dropped the pan to the floor and threw herself into her brother’s arms. Even though his voice was firm and harsh, his embrace was warm and strong, enveloping her completely.
“So this is little Miss Madeleine,” one of the men commented. His mischievous grin reminded her of a very naughty tomcat.
“Yes, Tom. This is she. We have been looking all over for you.”

This time she had no qualms as he ruffled her hair. Her ringlets were hanging limp and the lovely bun was drooping to the side with chucks of hair sticking out.

“Nicholas, you’re hurt.” Madeleine pressed her hands against his chest and he grunted.

“Yes, but I’m ok.”

“What happened?”

If she was in her right mind, Madeleine would’ve blushed for her appearance. At that very moment, the young man she had met earlier by the docks was looking worriedly in her direction.

“Second Lieutenant Miller,” Madeleine breathed. She attempted to straighten her hair and gown but gave up when saw how torn it was. Thankfully, he beamed.

“You two have met?” Nicholas asked, looking from one to the other.

“Yes,” Charles Miller put in quickly. “I had the pleasure of escorting her home from her walk. I had no idea she was your sister until tonight. Guess I never put the two together.”

Nicholas put his arm around Madeleine and led her from the pantry as Charles reappeared holding a thick blanket.

“Thought you might need this.” He shook it out and wrapped it tightly around her shoulders as his thumbgently brushed across her exposed skin.

“That was very gallant of you, Charles,” Tomas said.

“Yes, you should take lessons, Tom.” Tavin smiled.