His features were as hard as ever, framed by pitch
black hair and the roguish leather jacket that he always wore. He
licked his lips, a feral growl escaping from them. He'd been bested
by that persistent sailor, forced into selling her, but he hadn't
liked it.
Now it seemed, fate had brought him exactly what he
wanted. The chance to finish what he started. He trailed Kira
stealthily, watching her cross the street and skip up the steps of
a regal mansion. He smiled as he watched her auburn head disappear
inside. It was the perfect Cat-and-Mouse game, and he knew exactly
where the mouse lived.
Danger
Kira retreated to her room as quickly as she could.
Night was just beginning to fall, but she felt certain she would
enjoy herself much better alone in her quarters.
She stood at the large window facing the gardens,
her eyes roving over the dusky landscape. She replayed the
conversation she'd had with Sir Richard there, remembering his
admiring glances and the way he flattered her so sincerely. Marcus
would never do that. He'd never love her, never treat her with a
tender sweetness.
Kira felt the aching bitterness of
her disappointment and tried to convince herself that Sir Richard
was meant for her. He certainly made a wonderful companion and Kira
knew she
had
to
find a way to fill the hole in her heart left by Marcus
O'Hare.
Maybe it was true that she was a silly girl who
fell in love all too easily, but it didn't matter now. All she
could do was try to patch herself together so she never felt this
way ever, ever again.
A movement in the garden caught Kira's eye and she
jumped. Was someone out there? She squinted to make out a form, but
could see nothing in the dwindling light. Suddenly, a chill gripped
her as she remembered the fearful nights she spent on the
ocean.
She laughed nervously, reminding
herself that she was no longer living on the docks and that she'd
long been rescued from the heartless pirates. She was
here
now, in a veritable
fortress, a beautiful mansion in the best part of town.
Kira sighed. It must have been a rabbit rustling
through the garden. No need to be alarmed. Sleepiness overtook her,
reminding her of what a toll upper-class life was taking on her.
She readied for bed, smiling at the freedom she had to curl up
cozily whenever she chose. The soft breeze from her window made her
feel deliriously happy and she let sleep take over.
~~~~~~~~
The strong smell of alcohol permeated the air.
Kira, half-asleep, wondered if she was dreaming. She felt a groggy
heaviness, like her body was being weighed down by an anchor. In
her semi-conscious state, Kira tried to determine why the dream
felt so real. Her eyes blinked open momentarily to pitch
darkness.
Still, the air smelled rank of sweat and whiskey.
Kira told herself to go back to sleep, sure she was imagining it
all.
Her stupor was ripped from her when the feeling of
heaviness on her body started to move. “Not a peep, sweetheart,” a
gravelly voice whispered in her ear, identifying the source of the
pungent air. Kira's eyes flew open in panic at the sound of the
pirate's voice.
She could feel his weight on her now, pinning her
to the bed. His calloused hands were running along her arms, and
she felt her whole body tighten with fear.
“
What do you want?” Kira whispered
in a panic. His hands were roving over her stomach now, triggering
a sick feeling in her gut. “I just want to finish getting to know
you, doll...” His menacing voice came back, just inches from her
face. Suddenly, the feel of whiskers bristled across her cheek and
he kissed her neck tauntingly.
“
Noo..
n
o.”
Desperation oozed from Kira, and she recoiled from
the chilling touch of his mouth on her skin. She tried hard to bend
her legs, hoping she could push him off with her knees. She was no
match for his unfettered strength, however, and her efforts only
made him laugh.
“
There, there, little mouse. Don't
be afraid. I let you go once, don't think a man like me ever makes
that mistake twice. However, I can be a rewarding master, if you
know how to submit.”
He kissed her hard on the mouth then, muffling
Kira's attempts at a scream. She felt as if her body would explode
from the terror. It seemed she was watching the whole thing unfold
from the ceiling, unable to step in and stop the chain of events.
When the pirate's hungry mouth released her and moved down to her
neck, Kira let out the loudest scream she could manage.
He recoiled at the noise, raising up to slap her
hard on the mouth. “Ah!” Kira cried, the pain smarting intensely.
Suddenly, there was a sound at the door and it swung open. Luciana
stood with a lamp in hand, shocked at the sight before her. The
pirate lay atop Kira in what appeared to be a very compromising
position.
“
Get out!” Luciana screamed, angry
and fearful all at once. “Get out of my house!”
The pirate released Kira, slipping off the bed and
heading for the window in a flash. Before Kira could even move, he
had disappeared down the side of the house.
Kira felt relief flood her and she began to sob
uncontrollably. It had taken her so long to recover from her fear,
so long to feel that she could go out into the world without
terror.
Now she was right back where she'd been, paralyzed
by anxiety and dread. She turned to her side and cried into her
pillow, her body racked with deep, guttural sobs.
Luciana moved quietly to the window and closed it.
She felt anger rise in her. This girl was bringing all kinds of
unwanted things into her home.
Threatening her peace, threatening her safety,
threatening her relationship with Marcus. She felt no pity for
Kira's broken tears. Instead, she wished she would just shut
up.
~~~~~~~~
The next day, Kira felt the temptations of
depression, begging her to stay in bed. Her face ached where he'd
hit her while her whole body felt sore and bruised. She felt her
resolve weakening, the wall that she'd built between her and Marcus
one she wished she could erase. Only he could comfort her. Only he
could make her feel safe. That made her sadness cut even deeper.
She was alone in this.
Turning to wrap herself deeper into the covers, she
heard a soft pattering of steps in the room. Maisie slipped onto
the bed quietly. “Miss Kira...Miss Kira...it's awfully late. We've
usually done your hair by now.” Maisie put one hand softly on
Kira's turned shoulder. “Are you feeling alright?”
Kira turned over slowly, not bothering to hide her
bruised cheek. “Oh dear...” Maisie's eyes widened in horror. “What
happened? Who did this to you?” Maisie was a flurry of anger and
motherly concern, softly brushing a tangled strand from Kira's
eyes.
Kira sat up and let her body collapse against
Maisie's shoulder. Maisie wrapped her arms tightly around the other
girl, feeling her body go limp. “It was the pirate.” she whispered
blankly. Her eyes stared straight ahead, glazed over in listless
detachment.
“
The pirate...? You mean the
pirate who kidnapped you?”
Kira barely nodded. “Oh dear....” Maisie hugged her
tighter, trying to soothe her with soft, comforting words.
“
Don't worry, Miss Kira.
Everything's gonna be alright. Captain Marcus will never let
anything happen to you. I know it to be true. Once he finds out
what this bastard has done, it will only be a matter of time before
that pirate leaves this world.”
“
I just wanted him to love
me.”
Maisie stared up at the ceiling for a moment,
trying to blink away the tears that were threatening to overwhelm
her. She felt such a kinship with this girl and now her heart ached
at the brokenness she saw in her.
“
Does he know? Have you ever told
'em?” Kira shook her head and bit her lip hard. How could she tell
him? He'd only laugh in her face. He was engaged and she was merely
the last bit of fun he'd tell his friends about.
“
He doesn't care about me. I'm
just a dock girl. And besides, Luciana made it clear I'm not really
even his type.” Kira cursed herself for sounding so pitiful. Her
body felt broken and all she could think of was lying in Marcus'
arms. Oh, how she longed to be close to him.
“
I've seen him look at you. It's
not the same as how he looks at Lady Luciana. And what other girl
in the world has Captain Marcus O'Hare looking out for her? Why
would he do that if you meant nothing to him?”
“
I don't know... I'm so confused.
I was doing so good at resisting his charm. I finally felt like I
was winning this stupid game that these people play. But now...one
bad night and all I want is to go running to him.”
Maisie smiled a wistful smile. “That's what love
does to people, Miss. Not a-one of us can outwit love.” Squeezing
Kira's hand, Maisie soothed, “Maybe you shouldn't try.”
Kira felt a sudden resolve move through her. She
wiped her tears away and untangled herself from Maisie's arms.
“Thank you, friend,” she said, kissing her on the cheek.
Kira stood up gingerly, feeling an ache in her
muscles and began to get dressed. “Let me help you, Miss.” Maisie
helped her slowly dress for the day, watching Kira's usual spirits
gradually return.
“
You've got to tell
him.”
“
I know,” Kira said with a sigh.
“I will when I see him at the ball.”
Kira silently kicked herself for making such a plan
when Sir Richard was so excited to escort her. Still, she knew
Richard would never have a chance if she didn't make sure that
Marcus felt nothing for her. She'd spend the rest of her life
distracted if she didn't tell him the truth.
“
Oh look, there's that girl I met
just a few weeks ago.” Maisie smiled her eager, honest smile as
Kira smoothed her hair back. Kira smiled back at her.
“
I won't be a chicken. No pirate
can stop me, and neither can some silly sailor.” The two giggled
softly before the mirror, both relieved to be laughing once
again.
The Royal Ball
The entire house was bustling with excitement on a
pleasant Saturday afternoon. The Royal Ball had everyone in London
talking and Luciana demanded only the best preparations for the
evening.
She had dressmakers there for final fittings, ready
to pick one gown out of many for the occasion. The front parlor had
been turned into a fitting room and now it was abuzz with
activity.
“
No,
not
that one,” Luciana insisted,
pointing to a silk chartreuse gown with a look of disgust. She was
standing on a small stage in the middle of the room, while
dressmakers adjusted the fit of an elegant champagne-colored gown.
Still, around her, there were at least half a dozen other options,
waiting to either be disposed of or chosen to shine for the
evening.
Kira snuck down the stairs cautiously, berating
herself for being so curious. Still, she couldn't help it. She'd
never been to a fitting and had certainly never been able to pick
her own dresses down to the finest detail. She watched in awe as
Luciana commanded the room, accepting no excuses from the
eager-to-please minions who surrounded her.
A wave of dread overtook her when she heard
Luciana's voice call her name. “Kira, darling, I see you. Don't be
shy. I'm sure this is all very foreign to you.”
Kira was disgusted with herself for getting caught,
but what could she do now? She was a grown woman, it wouldn't do to
be seen racing up the stairs after Luciana had called to her.
Straightening her dress, Kira tried her best to
walk down the stairs in a carefree manner. But when she reached the
parlor, her wide eyes gave her away. Everything was so stunning, so
incredibly lavish.
Luciana herself looked like a goddess, wrapped in
the silkiest looking creation she'd ever seen. The bodice was
adorned with lace and an intricate panel of maroon applique
flowers. Kira sighed. Would it be obvious to the world that she
didn't belong at the ball tonight? Because she certainly felt her
status in that moment.
“
Oh, goodness, no. That's wrong,
all wrong.”
Kira tightened at the demanding sound of Luciana's
voice. The dresses were beautiful but she wanted an excuse, a
reason to slip away from Luciana's spiteful glare. As if hearing
her silent plea, Maisie appeared from the main hallway with an
excited smile on her face.
“
We must get you ready for the
ball, Miss Kira!” Her enthusiasm was far beyond anything Kira had
been able to conjure up, even though she was admittedly excited to
attend her first ball.
“
You're
going to the ball?,” Luciana reeled, making no efforts to
conceal her look of outrage.
“
Yes, Luciana, I am.” Kira smiled
to herself, enjoying the panicked look in Luciana's eyes. If
Luciana wanted to be the belle of the ball, she could. Kira just
wanted to get through the night without finding herself in knots at
the sight of her with Marcus.
“
Maisie's right, I best get ready
now.” With a spring in her step, Kira whirled towards the massive
staircase with a quiet smile. Maisie had saved her. Kira could have
kissed her!
~~~~~~~~~
“
This is the dress,” Maisie
declared, holding up the glorious purple and emerald gown with a
lavish train. “No one will be able to take their eyes off you!”
Maisie held the dress to her body and whirled around. Her gray eyes
were wide with wonder.