Chapter 14
Hook waited outside Madame Pearl’s, staring at the light of the fairies flitting about, mixing with the first stars of night until they were indistinguishable from each other.
Neverland. His home for the past… he wasn’t even sure how long. The realm tended to eat time. But enough for his daughter and wife to be long dead. He ran a hand over his chest where their names were tattooed forever into his skin. Sometimes, despite his eternal youth, he felt old, wrung out, like a ship taking on water, tilting into the sea’s depths.
If this plan was unsuccessful, he didn’t know what he’d do. No, that wasn’t true. He did. He’d give in. Become the black-souled villain Pan had always forced him to play. He didn’t have it in him to fight any more if he failed. The darkness inside would claim him. Either that, or he’d find a way to end it all.
That cursed Wendy Darling was both holding him back and driving him forward. One moment, she was winding him into a rage and the next all he desired was her flippant soft mouth pressed against his.
Except, this time, he’d make sure she wanted it. That she’d enjoy it.
He felt bad about the kiss on the ship. Forcing himself on women wasn’t his normal way of doing things.
He both liked and loathed how she got under his skin. For years, he’d been content just enjoying the physical side of lovemaking. With Wendy, he still definitely desired that, but when he was with her, he found himself wishing for more. He wanted the fullness of a relationship that he hadn’t experienced since Arabella. Someone to stay alongside him in the dull, lonely hours. To share the pains and trials and joys of life with.
A dark laugh ground out of him. That was the last thing he deserved.
The doors to Madame Pearl’s opened and Wendy stepped out. “Here I am, wearing—I’ve no idea what I’m wearing. Beautiful yet intimidating. I think those were the descriptors?”
Cora and the ladies had insisted on changing Wendy’s clothes again for the evening’s festivities.
Her hair gathered loosely behind her, blowing in the wind. Her burgundy top pulled tight through the bodice and then opened into a wide skirt that swung around her in a stiff fabric that flowed with just the right swing of her hips. The front of her skirts split in two, revealing legs clad in form-fitting black pants. She was gorgeous. She was deadly.
Cora had outdone herself.
“Wendy, you look…” Words escaped him. He swallowed, trying to think of something to say. “Where are your knives?”
A sly smile crossed her face. “You’ll never find out.”
Hell, that only drove his imagination wild. She looked out over Swindler’s Cove, the city fires beginning to glow, her grin fading.
“Are you sure this is necessary?” she asked.
Hook tried to gather his composure. He cleared his throat. “Yes. You’ve proven you have the skill, but the people need to know you. They need to believe that you will fight for them.”
She bit her lip. “I’m not good with people.”
He held out his arm. “That’s why you have me, lass.”
Her eyes flicked to his and away, but he read the annoyance mixed with nerves.
“Relax. Be yourself,” he said. “The Wendy I remember had Peter Pan, the Lost Boys, and half of Neverland eating out of her palm.”
“That Wendy was younger, much more optimistic, and terribly na?ve,” she said, but she took his arm, and they began their trek down from Madame Pearl’s into the heart of Swindler’s Cove, where a courtyard lay with grassy patches, tables and roaring fires blazing in large-open pits.
Madame Pearl’s girls trailed behind them dressed in their most lovely and enticing gowns.
“May I offer you some advice?” he asked.
She blew out a breath. “Might as well.”
“The inhabitants of Neverland aren’t looking for a high-class woman who knows her manners. They spend so much of their lives playing whatever part Pan assigns them that they only respond to those who are genuine.”
“That is exactly the opposite of everything I have ever been told, I…” She chuckled, shaking her head.
Hook smiled. “You be around pirates, now, lass. Niceties be damned.”
They approached the main courtyard. A few men had gathered with a fiddle, concertina, lyre, and penny whistle. The musicians of Neverland. They bickered over what to play first until they noticed Madame Pearl’s ladies and got down to business. Cora’s girls drifted into the sea of pirates, some sitting at tables, or in the laps of their favorite customers, though others grabbed partners and began dancing a jig. Easy smiles and laughter floated up to the stars, along with the sparks of the flickering flames. Pitchers of ale sat on the tables, ready to fill the glasses set for drinking. The smell of smoke surrounded them, mixing with the carefree spirit. The kind Wendy would thrive on. Hook took a deep breath, enjoying the taste of freedom in the air.
Smee approached her. He bowed, holding out his hand. “Care to take a turn with me, Wendy Lady?”
Her grip tightened on Hook’s arm. “I don’t know the steps.”
“Neither does he,” Hook said.
His first mate winked at her. “Ah, not to worry. If old Smee can pretend to learn the steps, then you’ll pick it up in no time.”
Wendy agreed and Hook watched as they careened around the courtyard in what could be called a jig in only the loosest of terms. But she was laughing, joy sparking in her eyes. He’d asked Smee to do the honors. She still didn’t fully trust Hook, so he only added to her nerves. If anyone could bring her out of her inhibitions, it was his eternally cheery first mate.
Hook stood at the edge of the festivities, part of him always on edge. Any moment, Pan could take over any person and attack. But tonight was necessary to ensure the loyalty of Neverland’s inhabitants. It was worth the risk.
When the song wound down, Smee escorted Wendy over to a table of pirates. A few words were exchanged, and then those sitting about were roaring with laughter. Bodies shifted and Wendy and Smee joined them. Hook relaxed a little. Tonight was important. Not just so Wendy impressed the inhabitants of Neverland, but so she might hopefully begin to believe that they were worth saving as well.
He allowed himself a few dances. As the evening wore on, he kept careful tabs on her progress as Smee led her from table to table.
“She isn’t going to disappear if you take your eyes off her, you know,” Ivy, his dancing partner, said. “Everyone is smitten with her. Especially one captain of the Jolly Roger.” She gazed up at him with delicately arched eyebrows.
“Who?”
“Wendy. If you wanted her to steal everyone”s attention for the evening, then the night is a resounding success.” She glanced around at the boisterous revelry. “Although, gauging from the drunkenness level and lateness of the hour, things are about to get a little wild, even for her.”
She was right. It was time for Hook to strike up the last dance. He led Ivy to the side and left her. After signaling to the musicians, he stepped up to the table where Wendy and Smee engaged a group of pirates in lighthearted banter.
He had held himself off this entire evening. He’d allow himself this one moment. “Miss Darling, would you do me the honor of joining me in a dance?”
He extended his hand. She stared at him, her lips parting in surprise. The others at the table had gone silent, all eyes on the two of them. She didn’t move, and he worried he’d put her on the spot, that she’d turn away from him.
Her cool palm slid into his, and she allowed him to guide her out onto the open cobblestone.
He rested her hand just above his hook before pressing his fingers under her shoulder blades. The soft melody of the waltz swirled around them.
Wendy’s expression lighted with recognition. “Fur Elise. I know this dance.”
“Contrary to appearances, we do try to maintain some semblance of fashion and culture here in Neverland.”
He felt her relax as they moved into the familiar steps. Her skirts flowed with her movements and her eyes were dark, reflecting the firelight.
“You’ve been superb tonight,” he said. “I expect to receive my own challenge as co-savior before the night is out.”
A small smile played on her lips as he took her through a turn. “It’s Smee who has been superb.”
“That’s a given.”
She released a laugh before giving him a considering look. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“I’m sure it wasn’t Smee’s idea to attach himself to me for the evening. He has a fiancé.”
“He’s a willing martyr for the cause,” he said, feeling affection for his first mate. Smee had been in Neverland almost as long as Hook. The man was always jolly and exceedingly loyal. He’d found happiness and wanted to move forward with his life, despite everything.
Hook wished he could do the same.
They glided around the other couples. Wendy had become solemn. “I want to help. After we find my brothers and make sure they are safe, I want to assist you in freeing Neverland.”
When they came back together, he pulled her a little closer. He studied the sincerity in her gaze. Perhaps he wouldn’t have to use her brothers to ensure her cooperation. Maybe Hook could simply trust her to follow through. “I would like that, Wendy Darling.”
The music died and he, ever the purveyor of good form, bowed over Wendy’s hand. When he straightened, he realized she was focused on something behind him. He turned at the sound of moaning. A couple sitting at a table were moving, she in his lap, he holding her hips as she thrust up and down, her skirts hiding their most compromised state but their movements and the ecstasy on their faces as clear as hell.
The night”s debauchery had begun.
“I believe it is time to call it an evening, love. Come, I’ll escort you back to Madame Pearl’s.”
But Wendy didn’t take her eyes off the couple. Something akin to hunger lingered on her face. Shit. He needed to leave. He’d sworn he wouldn’t engage in such events. He had more important things to attend to, but the look on Wendy’s face tempted him to stay.
The couple was working into a frenzy; him degrading into swearing and her crying out with each thrust. Those around took little note as they were getting into their own tête-à-tête. Madame Pearl’s women, seeking their favorite partners. Some were already beginning to entwine on the grassy knoll, skirts being pushed aside, trousers split open.
“Wendy.” Hook touched her arm, and she gazed at him at last, but she didn’t look the least bit embarrassed. Her cheeks were flushed, her pupils dilated.
Hell. His own body roused. What would she let him do if he stayed? Would she let him touch her? Make love to her? No, he really needed to leave.
“Trust me. You don’t want to stay for this next part,” he said, his voice gruff.
Her chin rose. “Maybe I do.”
He couldn’t remain but he also didn’t want her there, and he wasn’t sure if it was because he was worried when his men came for her in their drunken aroused state, if she’d gut them with a knife or if he was worried he’d gut the first bastard that laid a hand on her.
His jaw clenched. Definitely the first.
Glancing up the path, he saw the women who’d decided not to join in the night’s festivities making their way up the hill from the gathering. He had a responsibility to them, and he forced himself to calm. “Fine. But you keep those knives stashed. And when you’ve had enough, come up to Madame Pearl’s.”
Music played, but it was nothing like the melodies that had played earlier that evening. Hook turned and made his way up the path, leaving Wendy frozen at the bottom.
Then, she suddenly was by his side. The tension in his body released a little. She didn’t say anything at first as they walked.
“Does that happen every night?” she finally asked, her voice low.
Hook nodded. “Something like. Every night Pan isn’t holding us captive.”
She cast him a side glance. “But you don’t take part?”
An annoyance stirred in his chest. “I’m their captain. I don’t need to expose myself before everyone. Besides…” He tilted his head toward the women ahead of them on the trail. “Someone needs to make sure no drunken idiots bother those who choose not to engage in the night’s endeavors.”
She stared at those entering Madame Pearl’s house, her lips pressing tight in thought.
“I want to go with you tomorrow, to get the pickleweed,” she said.
They’d reached the entrance. Hook opened the door for Wendy to enter. He’d stand outside, on guard until everyone had calmed for the evening. “I’ve asked Cora to put together the other ingredients of the potion tomorrow so that all we will need to do is add the pickleweed to it.”
“So?”
“So someone needs to stay to ensure that it’s done right and Pan doesn’t sabotage us.”
Her shoulders fell. “And I can’t breathe underwater.”
“Yes, well, I’d much rather spend a day with the ladies and send you to face a sea full of possibly murderous mermaids.”
“I’m sure you would,” she grumbled, causing him to grin, only partially because he realized she might very well prefer facing the mermaids. “Yes, fine.” She planted her hands on her hips. “You go rest, and I’ll keep watch.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You stayed up all last night keeping watch and now you’ve stayed up half the night already and plan on going into a potentially perilous situation tomorrow. Go to sleep, James Hook. I’ll make sure nobody bothers Madame Pearl’s ladies.”
An uncommon sense of gratitude filled him. He did feel exhausted. It was nice that she noticed. “All right, I shall take your prescription. If you need me, I shall be in the third upstairs room on the north side of the building. The door will be locked, so you’ll have to fly to my window and rap four times to enter.” He took her hand in his and bent over it. “Goodnight, Wendy Darling.”
He thought he saw something almost tender flash in her eyes as she drew her hand away.
“Sleep well, Hook.”