Chapter Sixteen #2
“Stop. Stop right now. That’s not fair,” I protested.
“I told you I would do it.”
I stared at Domingo. Then I grabbed the pastry off my plate and bit off a chunk, chewing and swallowing before I realized how good the treat tasted.
“Oh. This is all right,” I said, words garbled. “I suppose I am hungry. Are there any more?”
Guthrie looked between me and Domingo with wide eyes and an expression of distaste. As Domingo went past him to get more pastries, he put a hand on Guthrie’s shoulder.
“I’m so sorry. I was only fooling. We only had a rather vigorous game of chess, you see.”
Guthrie looked doubtful, but he lowered his hands and cleared his throat.
“Good to see you eating, my lad,” he told me.
“What are these?” I asked.
“It’s a Dutch oil cake. Tasty, hmm?”
“Aye. Very.”
Domingo came out of the back room carrying a plate on which four or five were piled.
“Really?” Guthrie exclaimed. “I just finished frying those. For pity’s sake!”
“Well, fry some more. Rooster likes them, and he needs them after yesterday.”
“Fine. I’ll keep on. I reckon the others’ll like ’em as much.”
“No doubt,” Domingo said, with a wave of his hand and a grin at me, and then he made a silly face, and I actually smiled.
“There you are. You know that’s part of how you fight this thing, right?”
“What do you mean?”
“Whatever this creature is, it’s trying to scare the bollocks off of you, make you miserable, and keep you down. So don’t let it.”
I sighed and had troubling swallowing. “The blackguard’s tried to murder my dog.”
Domingo’s expression softened. “I know. And I’m sure you’re frightened. But don’t bury your joy, Simon. Your joy is your weapon right now. Wield happiness and pleasure with strength and persistence, and fight that way as well as you can.”
“I shall try, Domingo. I shall try.”
***
Ispent the rest of the day wandering the ship, aimless and ill at ease. It seemed as if the supernatural creature we were dealing with was gaining strength or else focusing its intention. I wondered what would happen next.
The captain found me later that afternoon.
“How are you fairing, my love?”
“Not well, I’m afraid. I’m keeping Pearl near me because I’m frightened something else will happen to her.”
“Yes, that’s sensible. And being near to you is no hardship for her, I’m sure.” He took my hand. “I’ve told Guthrie to send Domingo to our rooms with some supper, if you’d like to return there with me now.”
“Thank you.”
I swiped at my face, overcome with the instability of my situation.
“Blast. Why am I such a priss, eh? Why can’t I keep from…from…”
“Never mind. I love the softness in you, Rooster. The way you allow your feelings to show.”
“They don’t particularly ask my leave.”
“Come on.” Dinesh nodded to Squid, who had gone before us to position himself outside our rooms.
I offered Squid a small smile, and he gestured for me to proceed.
The captain opened the door and ushered me through. I stepped into the room and stopped as Pearl trotted inside to examine the room that had changed in my absence.
A round table had been brought from somewhere and placed in the centre of the room.
The surface was covered with a fine white cloth, and there were china plates and silver utensils arranged for two people, with two unfamiliar chairs at either side, with red velvet cushions on their seats.
A silver candelabra sat in the centre of the table with the candles lit.
“What in heaven’s name?” I asked, gazing at the captain.
“I know you’ve been feeling down. I wanted to do something to make you feel better. I hope I haven’t been presumptuous. We need to eat, at any rate, so why not enjoy something different?”
I blinked and gazed at the scene before me. “This is…so thoughtful. You are a very kind man when you want to be.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Slander. Don’t tell anyone.”
I laughed and he grinned.
“Anyway, we’re lucky Pearl’s all right. And that you’ve come out of whatever…possessed you,” Dinesh said, then sighed.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, shut up about the fucking dog,” I stated, perhaps a bit harshly, as I didn’t want to think about the incident any further.
The fucking dog in question plopped onto her blanket and yawned, making a sweet sound, before resting her chin and closing her eyes.
“I’m sorry, my dear. Of course,” he said, a little bit taken aback, and for that I felt regret. He was only trying to be kind.
“No, I’m sorry. This…” I gestured to the table. “This is lovely.”
“Have a seat. Domingo should be here soon.”
“Domingo!” I exclaimed.
There was a knock on the door.
“Come!” Dinesh said.
The door creaked open and Squid gestured for Domingo to enter, which he did, carrying a tray laden with silver serving dishes.
“Squid, could you help me, please?” Domingo asked, and Squid came into the room behind him.
“Of course. Only tell me what to do,” Squid replied.
Domingo smiled at me and winked. “Dinner is served, gentlemen!”
I thought back to Domingo’s suggestion that we cultivate joy in the face of fear, uncertainty, and grief, and I supposed this was his way, and the captain’s way, of doing so.
“Oh, thank you so very much,” I said, on my best behaviour. “I don’t think I’ve ever been treated to such a luxury.”
“Well, that is a fucking travesty,” Domingo muttered.
Domingo, having worked in the fanciest bordello I’d ever set foot inside, would have enjoyed dinners such as this, given him by men who were interested in his affections and might—
A thought occurred and I glanced between him and Captain Martin.
“Hold on a moment,” I said as Domingo placed his tray on the nearby chest of drawers.
He stilled and Dinesh blinked innocently at me.
I thought about how to put my question into words.
“Did you,” I asked Dinesh, “set a fancy table for Domingo at one time, when you hoped he would be available for your attentions? Perhaps at a somewhat—” I leaned forward and rested my elbows rakishly on the table and raised my eyebrows. “—reduced rate?”
Dinesh opened his mouth as if to deny the accusation but remained silent and looked at his fancy soup bowl. Domingo gave me a long-suffering look, as if I were the most tiresome fellow of his acquaintance, but didn’t say a word.
I straightened, the realization less of a shock than I expected.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I said.
“I—” Dinesh began. “Look, I—”
I lifted my hands. “Never mind. Doesn’t matter.”
I glanced at Domingo, who appeared subdued.
“I’m glad you treated my friend with the respect and honour he deserved, even whilst he was forced to bed men such as yourself.” I gave Dinesh a purposeful look, so he’d know I was intentionally maligning him.
Domingo put a hand to his chest. “I was never forced to bed anyone. I was popular enough to choose my clients, I’ll have you know. At least whilst I worked at the Turnkey.”
“Well, I’m glad. Are you going to stand there, or will you bring me some soup?” I asked, having put the sobering events of the past few days behind me and preparing to enjoy my dinner.
The meal was superb. Mr Guthrie had gone out of his way to provide us with the most high-class victuals he could provide.
Domingo and Squid retreated and left us to enjoy our dinner in private. We were silent as we ate, since the day had been melancholy and the food was hearty and a testament to Guthrie’s talent.
I cleared my throat and fondled the end of my spoon.
“And will there be any dessert on offer?” I asked boldly.
Dinesh stared at me with astonishment. Perhaps he supposed the strange events of the day to have eradicated all romantic intentions. Which they absolutely had, but the special dinner in the privacy of our rooms had revived them.
“Would you like some?” Dinesh asked, his gaze running up and down my torso, which was all he could see above the edge of the table. “I didn’t prepare anything. However, I could certainly use a tasty finish…”
I gave a nod and lifted my arms wide, as if encompassing the whole of myself and everything else.
“You may do anything you’d like with me. Distraction, remember? And Domingo told me we must wield joy as if it’s a weapon.”
Dinesh pushed his chair away from the table and stood. “Seems as good an idea as any.”
“I agree,” I said, lowering my arms.
“Help me clear these dishes, will you?”
That…was not what I’d expected him to say. However, I obliged, wondering if he was buying time to come up with a dastardly plan. When the table had been emptied of everything but the fancy cloth, he told me to strip.
“Now?” I asked.
“Yes. And then I want you to lay yourself out upon that table. If you want to be my dessert, then, by hell, you shall be.”
“Oh,” I squeaked, my bollocks tightening and my cock going full mast in a moment. Then a basic human need made itself felt.
“Wait, wait.”
“Whatever for?”
“I think… I think I’d better…you know…” I gestured toward the door. “The privy? If you don’t want a special surprise with your dessert?”
He rolled his eyes. “If you must. For God’s sake, take the cloth napkin with you and make sure you’re squeaky clean afterwards.”
I stood straight and gave a salute. “Aye, aye, Captain.”
“Get away with you. Bloody rascal. Have a good shit.”
I grinned. “Oh, I aim to. Got to clear the way, you see.”
He huffed a laugh and waved me off, trying not to grin.
The privy was a luxury I’d be loath to give up.
The regular members of the crew were forced to use a utilitarian spot on the bow that had no cover or comforts.
As a favourite of the captain at first and then as an officer of the Arrow, it was a benefit that I’d received and that I thanked my stars for every damn day.
The effects of a substantial meal did their work and I cleaned myself up with thoroughness as the captain had requested. Dinesh was not squeamish in the least, and he would have laughed over any accident in the course of our lovemaking. I myself would much rather avoid an unsavoury incident.