Free Pirates! by Celia Rees

about you, scented with spices. The Islands are paradise on earth, it seems to me. You could search the world over, and not find their equal anywhere on it.’
    ‘Why do you not live there?’ I asked, ‘if you find it so agreeable. Keep an inn perhaps, or be a planter, or trader.’
    ‘Oh, no, Miss Kington,’ he shook his head vigorously, as if shocked by the very idea. ‘That could not be. I have an affliction beyond the help of physick; even my good friend Graham has no cure for it. No sooner am I ashore, than I wish to be away again. My home is the ship. My country is the sea.’
    He grinned, his teeth white and even against skin tanned from many days sailing. He did not wear a wig; his long dark hair was tied back with a red velvet ribbon. He did not dress like the other ship’s officers. His shoes had silver buckles, lace frothed at his throat. He wore silk beneath his plain sea coat, and his breeches were woven with ribbons.
    I should have guessed his destiny. He was half pirate already.
    He looked up as canvas cracked above us. ‘The wind is freshening, turning east nor’east. You bring us luck, Miss Kington, damn me, if you don’t! With this behind us, we’ll be there in no time.’ He winked at me. ‘If I didn’t know better, I’d say you whistled for it.’ He bowed. ‘Now I regret I must leave you in the company of this ugly fellow,’ he nodded towards Graham. ‘There is work to do!’
    He went off, barking orders that sent sailors scampering up the ropes and the helmsman spinning the wheel.
    ‘Don’t mind Broom.’ Graham smiled, watching his friend with affection. ‘He is an excellent fellow, despite his teasing ways. The men would go to hell and back for him. There’s no better sailor either side of the Atlantic, you have my word upon that. Now you must excuse me. I hope you will join us later in the great cabin. I’ll make sure that Cook prepares something palatable for dinner, and I’m certain that Broom will want you to sample his punch.’
    They left me to wander the deck and I had reason to thank both of them, for their words began to heal me of my melancholy. I leaned at the bow, watching the prow cut through the waves, folding lacy white foam on to the shining deep blue water, and I saw the beauty there. A hint of Broom’s sentiment touched me like the breath of the wind on my cheek. The heat of the sun seemed to melt the coldness that had grown around my heart and my drooping spirits lifted with the steady warm wind blowing over me.
    That evening I joined the company in the grand cabin. The other passengers were merchants, or planters like my brother. They seemed jolly enough fellows and the captain and his officers were charming and gallant, declaring themselves glad to have me there, for a female presence among them would stop their growing rough and grim. After supper, we were entertained by a pair of fiddlers and a boy on the penny whistle. Sailors danced for us, as nimble-footed and agile as any who played the theatres at home. Only my brother seemed unamused. He sat apart, drinking brandy, his face set and sullen, muttering that the other passengers were low, common, rooking fellows who cheated at cards, and cursing the crew equally as surly dogs who refused to do his bidding.
    I spent most days on deck after that, often in the company of First Mate Broom. He told me to look sharp about, for we were approaching the latitudes where pirates lurked in the sea lanes, waiting for fat merchant ships such as ourselves.
    ‘What would happen if they found us?’ I asked, more curious than fearful.
    ‘If a black hoist were to be sighted, we would strike our flag. They would board us and take whatever they wanted.’
    ‘We would not fight back?’ I was a little surprised at that.
    ‘And risk being put to the slaughter? Not likely!’
    ‘What would happen? Once we were boarded?’
    ‘Most of the crew would join them, given half the chance. Not the captain, of course.’ He said