The Sea's Rough Magic Read online

He opened the scrap and had to catch his breath. On the paper, someone had drawn Aaron Johnson then signed the picture: “With my compliments, Captain. Chambers.” It was not the best portrait he’d ever seen but there was something about the way he’d captured the tilt of the head, the look in the eyes and those ripe lips that made James yearn to see Aaron again. Please, Lord, at least once more, he prayed. He was afraid it was already too late. If Stern had recovered enough and Aaron felt safe enough with the boy, they might have already left his home to find their own way in the world. And that thought was almost more than James could stand to consider.

  He carefully folded the picture again then tucked it into a hidden pocket he had sewn in the lining of his greatcoat. If he never saw Aaron again, at least he would have something to remember him by.

  )O(

  “I find it appalling, Captain, that you have suffered such a relapse yet continue to refuse to take your medicine!” Dr. Hudson huffed. “And now you’ve caused difficulties with my other patient. Really, Johnson, think of the boy’s welfare if not your own.”

  Aaron rolled his eyes but had to restrain his tongue. The irritation of the spicy rum on his throat had caused it to swell up on him, making breathing much more difficult and talking nearly impossible. The doctor had ordered all of the rum tossed out but Aaron had given Rodney a pleading look. The manservant’s response had been a crooked grin and a wink, which comforted Aaron more than he thought possible. In the weeks since his throat had closed up on him, he had avoided drinking rum entirely. He would start drinking rum again, though, as soon as he got the damned physician out of his life.

  “Mr. Stern has worried himself into such a state of nervous affection that I have ordered him to bed again. The boy needs exercise and fresh air but in his present condition, there is no way I can prescribe such remedies in all good conscience. Now, will you take your medicine, sir, or will you not?” Hudson glowered at him with the bottle of the valerian and pennyroyal infusion in hand.

  For a moment, Aaron considered smacking the bottle out of Hudson’s hand then punching him hard in the gut. Instead, he sighed and nodded. If it would help him stop worrying Ike, perhaps it was best to take it. Hudson picked up the spoon from Aaron’s lunch-tray and poured the infusion into it. Aaron pinched his nose shut to avoid the odor and opened his mouth. As the stuff slid down the back of his throat, the taste like mint but soured and gritty, he couldn’t fight the disgust that washed over his face. When he looked up at Hudson, the doctor was pouring him a second spoonful. Dismayed, Aaron pinched his nose shut again. The taste of the first spoonful had numbed him for the second spoonful, which was the only consolation. It didn’t seem to do anything for Aaron but Hudson looked pleased.

  “There, Captain, much better. I will stop in to see Mr. Stern briefly to let him know you are finally cooperating and on the road to recovery. I hope that will ease his mind enough to let him regain the ground he’s lost. Don’t forget to take the infusion again this evening just before bed. It’s important you take it twice a day, do you understand?” Hudson looked insufferably pleased with himself.

  Aaron nodded and made a shooing motion with both hands. Dr. Hudson snapped his bag closed with a sound so loud, it made the room echo. With a final nod of his head to Aaron, he turned and walked out of the room. Aaron watched him go then turned on his right side so that he could look out the window at the sky. In the distance, he could see the mouth of the bay and the clouds as they rolled in from the south. The influence of the valerian caused him to drift off after just a few minutes.

  )O(

  James answered the knock on his door blinking owlishly. When he pulled the door a few inches open, Aaron hooked his fingers around the edge and gave a slight shove. Wedging himself into the room, Aaron placed his hands flat against James’s chest and buried his face between them. He let his hands slide over James’s ribs down to rest on his hip-bones, the pressure causing James’s shirt to open slightly. James drew a breath sharply when he felt Aaron’s lips against his flesh.

  “Johnson,” James said and gave him a tiny shake so that he glanced up into those green eyes. “What are you doing?”

  “I,” He began to say then cleared his throat. “I had a nightmare. Need someone t’ hold me, mate.”

  James stumbled back toward the bed as Aaron shoved himself harder into his embrace. James closed his arms around Aaron more out of a need for balance than any other reason except that Aaron pushed harder at the sensation. James felt the bed against the backs of his knees and twisted so that he and Aaron landed on the bed together. Aaron’s hot breath against his throat produced a shiver down James’s spine. He felt Johnson’s hands pull his hips more tightly against his own torso. The sensation of Aaron’s cock nudging against his own through the linen of their nightshirts took James’s breath away briefly.

  When he could speak, he rasped out the words. “Why are you here?”

  “Told ye,” Aaron answered when his lips and tongue weren’t busy on James’s throat. “Need somebody t’ hold me. Ain’t ye glad ye’re the somebody?”

  “Are you absolutely certain about this?” James bit his lip as Aaron’s teeth found his Adam’s apple.

  Aaron raised up a bit and his eyes flashed. “Never been more certain, love. ‘Tis time fer me t’ be a pirate again.”

  The sensations were almost too much to bear as their lips met. Cool dignity fell away under the hot onslaught of the pirate’s lips and tongue. James writhed when the delicate hand pushed the hem of his nightshirt up, across his thigh then higher, allowing him access to James’s privity. When the pale flesh of Dunbar’s hand followed suit moments later, the pirate wriggled himself free of the cloth, unashamed of the well-charted golden skin that was revealed. Elegant fingers with well-manicured nails flicked over the scars and Aaron groaned.

  “Ye taste so good, darlin’. Like rum an’ the sea,” Aaron’s words were breathed into James’s ear and caused the Navy man to begin licking then sucking at the exposed flesh of the pirate’s neck.

  Then it was too difficult to tell who was doing what to whom. For Aaron seemed to be everywhere at once, entering the rigorously-disciplined body beneath him at the same time as he stroked and suckled other parts. James tossed his head helplessly and gasped his lover’s name. As his body slicked with sweat, he abandoned all pretense of dignity, his hands seizing the palings at the head of his bed to shake them hard with every thrust of Aaron’s cock.

  And then they were settling in, Aaron atop James, face pressed into James’s throat, James’s arms wrapped about Aaron’s shoulders. And when the amber eyes appeared, Aaron was finally able to banish them.

  )O(

  Aaron opened his eyes to see the sky through his window was painted in hues of gold, crimson and indigo. He moved under the sheets and realized that the dream had stirred to life his desire. He held very still while he watched the sky grow dark and the stars appear. He knew now that he had a request to make. He only hoped it was something that his host was willing to grant.

  When Rodney brought him his dinner, Aaron was sitting up in bed. In the month that they had been together, Aaron had grown to trust Rodney some. As the servant set the tray across Aaron’s lap, he drew up the chair.

  “Are you feeling better, Captain?” He poured Aaron a cup of water then, with a wink, added a bit of rum to flavor it.

  Aaron nodded and smiled when the cup was placed into his hand. With an effort, he spoke. “Word from the Captain?”

  Rodney sat back. “None yet. You know how the trip to Havana is. There was talk of a storm brewing yesterday so they may not even have sailed yet. Ike is fretting about you, sir. Might you feel up to visiting him tomorrow? If he could see you up and about it might cheer him some.”

  The words made Aaron sick inside. At his look of discomfort, Rodney grew concerned. “What is it? I thought you and Ike were very close, sir. You went through quite an ordeal together from what I understand.”

  “Boy should forget about me,” Aaro
n managed to say though it made him pant like a winded horse. “I’m useless t’ him.”

  “He doesn’t think so,” Rodney answered with a shrug. “He does nothing but speak about how you two are going to find a ship and sail off together. He says a pirate like him needs a good captain. I’ve cautioned him about labeling himself a pirate, particularly in front of Captain Dunbar or the other officers, but he really doesn’t care. He mentioned taking you home to Hispaniola earlier today. He has great expectations, Captain.”

  Aaron glanced down at the food on the tray and realized he had no stomach for it. Oh, it smelled wonderful and he was certain it tasted just as good but the idea that Ike wanted to throw his life away on some impossible fantasy, especially since Aaron knew he could never have a part in it, made it out of the question.

  “He’s a boy,” Rodney finally said, taking the fork from Aaron’s tray and lifting a bite of the crumbled beef to Aaron’s mouth. “Give him a few weeks. He’ll forget all about it, won’t he? Now, eat.”

  Aaron glowered at the grey-eyed man for a few seconds then shook his head and took the fork away from him. He ate as much as he could—which was still barely half of what he’d been served—then pushed the tray away. When Rodney left, he was staring at the storm-clouds gathering through his window and sipping slowly at the cup of rum-water.

  )O(

  Chapter 18: Late October 1718

  Aaron woke to the sound of rain on the window, the banging of the shutters telling him the wind was much stronger than it had been the night before. He rose after a particularly loud collision and went to close the shutters. As he did, he caught sight of the Venture as she huddled in the harbor, her sheets neatly furled. Aaron swallowed hard and shivered, partially from the wind and rain he’d been exposed to but mostly because the sight of the man o’ war reminded him of those green eyes that were now in his dreams every night.

  He returned to his bed to dutifully take his medicine. He saved the peppermint powder for very last as it helped chase away the other tastes. He didn’t know if it was merely time or the actual medicines he was taking that were making him feel better, his breathing freer, but nothing seemed to help his voice. He mourned that a bit. He’d always loved to sing but it bothered him so much to speak, he couldn’t imagine trying a tune.

  He drifted into a doze and imagined the return of Captain Dunbar. It was pleasant enough though it never brought his desires out like some of the other dreams had. What was truly remarkable about the dream was how stiff and formal they both behaved. It was almost as if they were strangers again and Aaron found himself awake with tears in his eyes, dreading what was to come.

  He dressed himself finally and went to visit Ike. He entered the room without knocking and found the young man asleep, his hair obscuring his face, one strong arm exposed. Aaron sat down beside him and drew the blankets back carefully to check on the injuries Ike had suffered from the keelhauling then flogging that McSwain had put him through. Ike was a healthy lad for the most part. His concern for Aaron had distressed him enough that what should have taken a fortnight or a bit more to recover had actually taken him almost the entire month. He’ll be ready to leave soon, Aaron found himself smiling a little at the idea. He could see Ike returning to Tortuga and joining up with a pirate crew but, again, the very idea of doing so himself shook him to his very core. When Ike left James Dunbar’s home, Aaron realized his own welcome would be over.

  “Aaron?” Ike sat up groggily. “How are you this morning?”

  He shrugged. “Better than I was. The Venture has returned, love. Cap’n Dunbar’s back.”

  Aaron watched Ike’s golden eyes, so much like his father’s, harden at the mention of the Navy man. He shuddered without thinking then looked up to see Ike’s eyes grow worried.

  “Are you cold?” He asked, reaching for Aaron’s shoulders. “You can join me, if ye like. My bed’s nice and warm.”

  Aaron evaded Ike’s touch and moved to sit on the chair. “No, love, ‘tis not the time. ‘Ave ye thought about what ye want t’ do when ye leave here?”

  Ike grinned. “Every day, Captain. We’ll capture us a nice little ship from th’ harbor here an’ do a bit of pirating. Won’t take long before we have enough swag t’ provision for a crew and take a boat like the Maid again, eh?”

  Aaron felt the tears rise in his throat and he swallowed hard. “Ain’t no boats like the Maid, love. I been tellin’ ye fer the last two weeks that I can’t be a pirate again. My apologies, Ike, but ye’ll have t’ go alone.”

  Ike’s grin faded and he sat up cautiously. He took Aaron’s hand in his own. “But you’re the best pirate t’ ever sail the West Indies. If ye can’t be a pirate, what will ye do?”

  Aaron lowered his eyes to the schooner tattooed onto his forearm. “Don’t know, mate, but it don’t matter. ‘Scuse me, but I think I need t’ lie down fer a bit.”

  “Cap’n,” Ike said, the edge of a plea threatening to break Aaron’s resolve.

  Instead, Aaron shook his head. He broke free of Ike’s hand then left the room. He stumbled into his own bedroom and turned the key in the lock. His knees gave out as he reached the chair. Breathing hard, he began to paw through the medicine bottles until he found the laudanum. The brown glass bottle was nearly full. He was pulling the cork from the bottle when he heard the sound of hooves on the drive. He sniffed at the concoction then stoppered the bottle before returning it to the table. By the sounds, he understood that James Dunbar had arrived.

  )O(

  “And how are our guests?” James asked Rodney as the manservant hoisted the Captain’s grip from the carriage.

  “There’s good news and bad to report, sir,” Rodney replied as he led Dunbar into the house. “Both are recovering well now but Captain Johnson had a serious setback a fortnight or so ago. Hudson blamed it on the rum as being too spicy. That, in turn, caused Master Isaac to fret so that it made him unwell again. I think they are both on the road to recovery finally.”

  James did his level best to hide the way his heart clutched at the thought of something bad happening to Aaron. Deep down, though, he wanted to cry “Hosanna!” at the news that Aaron was still here. It may well be that he couldn’t keep Aaron here but at least he would see him once more before he left. “Interesting. Anything else I should be aware of?”

  “Captain Johnson wishes to speak with you. I suggested he join you for dinner. Is that all right with you, sir?” Rodney gave James a look that told the officer there was more to this situation than just a request.

  “What is it?” James waited until Rodney put the grip down on the foyer floor by the stairs then handed him his hat and oilskin cloak. “Your evasiveness is disturbing, Rodney. A man’s home is supposed to be his refuge.”

  At that, Rodney smiled grimly. “My apologies, sir. The truth is I’ve been speaking with both Master Stern and the Captain. Ike is fully intent upon leaving here and returning to Tortuga to resume his sailoring. He desperately wants the Captain to join him. The Captain, however, wants no part of it. I believe he’s also a bit at a loss as to what he wants to do when the time comes. It seems a rather sad situation, sir.”

  James didn’t reply right away. Too many thoughts were crowding into his mind with no clear resolution. Had this been the deck of the Venture, cannons firing to the starboard, a reef threatening to the larboard, enemy sailors pouring over the rail, James had no doubt he would know exactly what to do. He was no romantic but pragmatism held precious little sway over his heart. God help me, He thought, I want him to stay here.

  “Dinner was an excellent suggestion,” James finally managed. “Please ask Captain Johnson to join me. I-Refrain from asking Mr. Stern, however. I believe Captain Johnson and I need to discuss the situation—alone. That means you and Rosemarie are dismissed for the evening.”

  Rodney nodded and gave James a sly smile. “Yes, sir. I believe the Captain will be very pleased to hear that, sir. Thank you.”

  )O(

  It was just after
sunset when Rosemarie announced dinner. James emerged from his study to find Aaron standing in the foyer. Again, the sight of the former pirate made him ache. The irony of James Dunbar, pirate hunter, lusting after a pirate was not lost upon him. Aaron was dressed in a new linen shirt and brown trousers that James had ordered for him before he left. On the table in the dining room was a pitcher of freshly-drawn water, a bottle of rum and his own favorite claret for dinner. James smiled.

  “Good evening, Captain,” He wanted to rush forward but knew that might startle his guest. Instead, he drew close at a natural pace, hands behind his back. “I trust you are doing better?”

  Aaron nodded. “Better, sir-uh, James.”

  Briefly, James was taken aback at the sound of Aaron’s voice. It had worsened while he was gone and Aaron was obviously in pain when he spoke. “If you’d like, we can discuss important matters after we’ve eaten. I brought back an especially fine cognac for us to share, all right?”

  Again the nod, only this time there was no attempt on Aaron’s part to speak. James had the improper urge to offer Aaron his arm. Instead, he placed a hand on Aaron’s shoulder as he swept the other hand toward the dining table.

  “Shall we?”

  He noticed that Aaron didn’t flinch away from him and that made him smile. They settled into the same chairs as they had last time and James sliced two thick pieces from the beef roast. He served Aaron one while Aaron helped himself to some of the turnips and leeks on the serving platter. When James had his own plate full, they began to eat in silence. After a few minutes, James spoke.

  “How is Mr. Stern?”

  “Good,” Aaron muttered. “Think he’ll be ready t’ leave soon.”

  “Very good,” James answered. He launched into the next sentence without waiting for Aaron to talk. “The trip to Havana was quite uneventful. In fact, we had a good south-easterly breeze, about 6 knots, for most all the way.”