EL LOBO DEL MAR

[Welsh Wench]

Josiah and Eli rode in silence back to the Wolfe house.
"Josiah, do you think Ridley will try to look for Marilla?"
"No. He probably forgot about her until you landed that punch clear on his smacker."
"I hope Bonnie keeps us informed if there is any more trouble with him."
"She will. That girl is a feisty one. And I think she would take delight in bringing that valet down a peg or two."
Eli patted the duffel. "I am sure Marilla—I mean Miss Thompson—will be glad to get her personal effects back."
"As meager as they probably are. But Megan will see that she has decent clothes. And now she has a room of her own."
Eli's face coloured. "She's a fine-looking woman."
Josiah glanced sideways at Eli. "That she is. Eli, let me give you some advice. If you fancy the girl, don't rush into anything. She's a squirrel."
"What? A squirrel?"
Josiah explained, "If you want a squirrel to come to you, you don't rush over to it. And you don't throw peanuts at it. You extend your hand gently and get down on its level. You talk softly and let it gain trust in you."
"Oh. Like you did with Miss Renee?" Eli laughed.
Josiah smiled. "Yes. Except I was the squirrel!"

Josiah and Eli stabled the horses and headed up to the main house. Marilla was watching outside and rushed out to meet them.
"Did you have any problems? Were you able to get my things?"
Eli handed her the duffel and she opened it.
"Oh! My hairbrush and the box with my necklace are in there! Wonderful!"
She glanced down at the dress she was wearing. "This is probably the finest dress I have ever had."
Behind Marilla, Megan came outside. "Well, we can't have an understudy cook who only has a couple dresses and an apron. Tomorrow I will take Marilla out to the market and we can look to see she has fabric for a few dresses."
Marilla's eyes were shining. "Oh, Mrs Llewellyn! You are too kind to me!"
Megan's eyes took on a faraway look. "Yes, well, I know of a young girl who ran away with just the clothes on her back practically. Someone looked out for her and kept her safe. It is the least we can do for you."
Josiah added, "Miss Marilla, you are under the protection of Captain Jack Wolfe and no one will be allowed to touch you. This household takes care of what is their own. Why, look at Eli!"

Eli smiled shyly. "I'll tell you all about it some day, Miss Marilla. But here!'
Eli produced a bouquet of wildflowers and handed them to her.
"Oh, Eli! I've never had anyone bring me flowers before!" She sniffed them appreciatively and touched his arm gently.
"Thank you!"
She turned to go into the house with Megan, Eli's eyes following her.
Josiah shook his head. "I figured right. He's smitten!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"No, poppet, you roll out the dough like THIS! If you overwork the dough, it will be flattened and won't rise."
Marilla stood there with the rolling pin in her hand, her hair up in a bun and tendrils coming down around her face. There were streaks of flour on her face and down her apron.
"You mean like this?"
"Yes! Now you are getting it!"
Megan entered the kitchen.
"How's it going?"
Mrs. Avery shook her head. "Aye, we have a lot to learn but she's a willing student."
Marilla pushed her hair back with the heel of her hand and sighed.
"I'm so sorry for being a slow learner."
"Hush, girl! You are only fifteen. It takes time and I am the best teacher you can have."
Megan poured herself a cup of coffee.
"Did you sleep well, Marilla?"
"Oh, yes! Probably the best night's sleep I ever had and in a room of my own!" Her eyes were shining.
Mrs. Avery poured a cup of coffee for herself and got Marilla a glass of milk.
"Time we took a break. That dough needs to rise and these feet of mine need to rest!"
The three sat down at the table.
Marilla said quietly to Megan, "Mrs. Llewellyn, do you believe in fate?"
"How do you mean, dear?"
"Well, maybe I was meant to be near the woodpile at Mr Meredith's and maybe his dog was meant to growl at me. If he hadn't found me, I don't know where I would have ended up. I am too young to work in a tavern except to clean dishes. And another household may have even been worse than the Governor's. Lots of times I would have to pick up after that son of his—Tristan—who would always lthrow things if he didn't get his way. A right nasty man—oh! I probably shouldn't have said anything!"
Megan patted her hand. "Your secret is safe with us."

Just then, Eli walked in. In his hands were a bunch of flowers, lilies of the valley mixed in with a few roses.

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

Jack tied up the pony he had borrowed from Flannery to a post just outside the harbour master's office. He cast his gaze around the wharf, pausing to admire El Lobo tied up there. Then it struck him. How very quiet it was.

In the Caribbean, the wharves, docks, and quays would have been teeming with activity. A melange of languages being shouted or joined in work shanties, music, hammering, a whole host of lively sounds. But here... it suddenly felt alien. As much as he enjoyed reconnecting with his Scottish family, Jack knew that Honour was right. It was time to go home to Barbados. Besides, they have another baby on the way!

He paused at the harbour master's door.
"Bollocks. The last thing I feel like dealing with is some jumped-up clerk. I'll let Davis sort out any fees. I'm still on holiday. Captain's prerogative, eh?"

He walked briskly towards the gangplank of El Lobo, happy that she looked ready to sail. His approach caught Davis' eye.
"And who might that be approaching my ship with obvious intent to board?" Davis shouted.
"Captain Jack Wolfe, master of this vessel and your employer, if memory serves!"
"Well, why didn't you say so? Welcome aboard, Second Cook's Mate Wolfe! It's high time you showed your scurvy face!"

Jack jogged up the gangplank and greeted his second officer warmly.
"Welcome aboard, Captain! I'm sure you'll want to inspect her straight away."
"No need, my friend. I know you've taken good care of her. That said, is there anything unusual to report?"
"Naught but a disturbance in the surgery. I was just about to look into it."
Jack straightened his waistcoat. "No, That's fine. I'll handle this myself. Thank you, Davis. I'll shout if I need help."
"I'll be here if you need me," said Davis with a mischievous smile.

Jack cautiously worked his way below deck. As he moved down the companionway, he heard rustling in the surgery. Muttering, the clinking of bottles, the soft creak of cupboard hinges. He paused outside the doorway, pulled back his frock coat and moved his hand to his pistol. After a deep breath, he rounded the door to confront the intruder.

"Stop what you're -"
"Heavens, me. Jack!"
"Duckie?!"
"You were expecting Charles II? Of course, it's me. Who else would be trying to set your infirmary aright?"
"Sod the infirmary, what are you doing here? I'm so happy to see you!"

Duckie bought out two glasses and a bottle of his finest brandy. "It's a rather long story."
"It usually is with you. Do, tell away."
Duckie poured the drinks. "You know how I maddened you with my collecting plant specimens on nearly every expedition?"
"How can I forget? Even with enraged Spaniards or natives bearing down on us, you had to get your cuttings. But, to be fair, your medicines saved our men far more often than not."
"And that's why the Royal College at Edinburgh invited me!" said Duckie. "Rose sent copies of my letters to her to the university--"
"Wait, Rose?"
"It'll get to that later. She sent copies to the university, and they were intrigued enough to have me come and give seminars on alternative ways of healing. I jumped at the chance, naturally."
"As well you should. So then, you came here, how?"
"Oh, not so straightforward as that. Included was an invitation to visit Rose, which I did to pay thanks."
"I'll assume she's well, then?"
"Much more than that, my friend," said Duckie. "Let me freshen up your drink."

Duckie went on to tell Jack about how Rose found love and, more importantly, fulfilment with a sheep farmer.
"You're telling me that your sister, Rose, is happy tending sheep?"
"Tending, shearing. Deliriously so. I've never seen her so happy."
"Blimey. Now I've heard everything. Well, good for her! Honestly, I'm glad to hear she's found her joy. Honour will be glad, I'm sure."
Duckie polished off his third glass. "Jack, what's bothering you?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"You've gone posh. You only go posh when something is eating at you."
"It's that obvious, is it?"

Jack took a long sip of his drink. "First off, I'm so glad you're here! But we need to set sail, and soon."
"Not the usual trouble, is it?"
"Not as much. Let me boil it all down for you... "

Jack relayed the failed quest for the Stone of Scone, the uneasy truce with the Campbells bolstered by the Armstrongs, and Thomas' impending marriage.
"Your Thomas, the Admiral himself, marrying something other than a three-masted warship. Now there's something worth celebrating! I'm delighted I'll be able to witness it for myself."
"There's one more thing, Ducks."
"There always is. Come on, out with it."
"I'm happiest of all to see you because Honour is pregnant. Knowing you're aboard for the voyage home eases my mind."
Duckie chuckled. "Now that is truly worth celebrating! Rest assured, I'll watch over her like the Archangel Michael himself. But assure me there will be no rows this time? I was denied the privilege of bringing Zara into this world. I shan't be deprived again."
"Not a chance, my friend," said Jack as they clinked glasses.
"Right!" said Duckie before knocking back the rest of his drink. "Give me a few minutes to finish tidying up around here, and then I can meet this delightful family of yours."

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

Roughly an hour - and a few more drinks - later, Jack and Duckie arrived at Aggie's house, with the pony in tow. The doctor paused to admire the varied stonework of the house, with its thatched roof and lovingly tended gardens. Smoke curled from the big chimney, perfumed with the scent of cooking.

"What a grand house! But tell me; why did you ride a pony to the shipyard when it's a relatively short walk?" said Duckie.
"Speed, for the most part," said Jack. "I wanted to see that the ship was being made ready."
"And the other?"
"Worry was getting the better of me. It's not always a good idea to be alone with one's thoughts for too long."
Duckie nodded. "Well, we'll have plenty of time to talk about that. Shall we?"

Jack opened the door to find the usual preparatory bustle of a MacGregor family meal in full swing.
"There ye be!" said Maura. "Laura was ready to send a search party."
"That was your idea!" protested Laura. "Or was it both of us?" she added with a mischievous laugh.
"You must be Maura and Laura," said Duckie. "I've heard so many good things about you. My name is Drake, but you may call me Duckie. Everyone does. It's a pleasure to meet you both."
"Jack, ye dinna tell us he was so handsome!" said Laura.
"I saw him first!" said Maura.
"Ladies, please!" interrupted Jack. "Duckie, may I introduce Rafferty and Flannery, Maura's and Laura's husbands. Not necessarily in that order."

"A pleasure!" said Raftery, offering a strong handshake. "We've heard great things about ye as well. If not for ye and Honour, Jack wouldna be among us."
"High praise, indeed," said Duckie. "But Jack is a hard one to kill."
"I'm Flannery. A pleasure to meet ye, Duckie. Jack couldna offer higher praise of any man." He turned to his brother. "There goes our leftovers, eh what!"
"Flannery MacGregor, haud yer wheesht! I taught ye better manners, don't make me pound 'em back into ye in front of company!"

Jack intervened. "And this, my friend, is our matriarch and constant star, Aggie MacGregor."
Aggie wiped her hands on her apron and took Duckie's hands in hers. "Doctor Gander! Welcome to my simple home. Ye are always welcome at this table as family."
"Please, call me Duckie! And I appreciate the sentiment, but --"
"Nonsense! Anyone who has saved my Jackie from himself is an honoured guest in my house."
"Well, I'm flattered! But..."

Honour hugged Duckie and kissed him on the cheek. "We're an exclusive club, you and I. How good it is to see you again!"
"And me! Unca Duckie!" shouted Zara.
"Zara!" cried Duckie as he swept her up in his arms. "My little angel, how good to see you!"
"I know about kelpies," she whispered loudly into his ear.
"Then you must tell me absolutely everything about them," he whispered at equal volume.