18. Isla #4
Experiences seemed to be the order of the day for Alpia if the brightness in her eyes upon hearing the question was any indication.
“Oh, we got sword practice, fishin’ from th’ dory, an’ we got hazard and scraps fer th’ dicin’ an’ shift th’ shift, that’s where every time ya lose ya drop some piece of yer?—”
Jonto clamped his hand over her mouth. “I’m more than happy to take you out on the dory if you care to fish.
We’ll also row to Leibow Island for an afternoon on the beach.
Exploring the island is a magical experience because of the many unusual varieties of flora and fauna.
It’s deserted, so there’s no worry about running into any inhabitants.
There’s a waterfall and still pool where, if Priscilla accompanies us, I’d like to teach you, Lady Brighton, or any of you who can’t swim, at least how to float so you don’t panic in the water. ”
Despite Priscilla’s unbending enough to allow Jonto to call her by her forename, Isla hadn’t yet permitted him to do so.
Requiring him to call her by her title and last name gave her the sense of being more in control of their interactions, something that felt important given her growing attraction to the man.
The subject of them falling overboard had come up several times now, and Isla felt the need to clarify precisely how often that happened on Jonto’s ships. “Why do you keep implying that one of us will fall overboard? Is that a regular occurrence for guests in your care?”
Before replying, Jonto removed his hand from Alpia’s mouth, “Have Babette include four smocks when she brings the breeches.”
Alpia nodded and remained standing next to her captain.
Hearing the question distracted him from the girl, and he turned to allay Isla’s fears. “Other than my sister and another sailor, Tadeo, who were swept overboard by a rogue wave ten years ago, I’ve never had anyone fall overboard.”
Alpia pipped up. “Not on their own, they don’t, but if they stick their pricks where they don’t belong…well, over they go, huh Cap’n?”
Jonto spun around, jammed his fists onto his hips, and ground out his words through gritted teeth. “I gave you an order, so why are you still here?”
Alpia’s lowered brows and scrunched-up nose had Isla turning slightly to hide her amusement.
The girl mirrored Jonto and shoved her fists onto her hips.
“Ya just said I’m t’ wait ‘till ya dismiss me. Well, ya ain’t dismissed me yet, have ya?
” At her captain’s prolonged silence, she shuffled her feet, waited for another beat, and added, “Soir.”
“Go.”
“Dismissed?”
Both Jonto’s hands rose to cover his face. He rubbed his eyes as he tried to get some control over this impertinent miniature person. Giving up, he said, “Dismissed.”
Not many men would have the patience to tolerate an impertinent child.
Isla watched and wondered how this multidimensional, charismatic man had gone this long without a woman putting a ring on his finger.
She mouthed the word “Oh” when the thought popped into her mind that he might be married but declined to wear his wedding ring when away from his wife.
That was a troubling thought. Now, she wondered whether he was married but carried on as a single man to attract eligible women to his bed.
She crossed her arms and studied him as the scene played out in her head.
Pulling her bangs, Alpia mumbled, “‘Bout time.” In one swift jump, she leapt down the stairs and landed on the main deck with a thud. Without missing a stride, she was off to parts unknown to find Babette and deliver her message.
Priscilla was the one to break the silence. “What did she mean, rapists go over? You throw them into the ocean?”
“I do.”
Priscilla’s appalled intake of breath said it all. “You don’t!” She covered her mouth with her hand and turned to her husband for an explanation.
The subject had come up in the counsel session when Jonto had first presented himself to the King.
Because of that, Robert wasn’t as shocked as his wife over the news.
“A captain is a god when on board his ship, Pris. There are no courts to judge those who commit heinous acts of violence on the high seas. All of Captain Jontoreaux’s sailors are well aware of his policy against rape, and they know the consequences. ”
Priscilla’s eyes were wide as she stared at Jonto, who returned her regard with a steady gaze. The lady glanced around at the other women, who had nothing to add to Robert's explanation. “Well, I suppose that makes sense. It’s just such a brutal punishment.”
With his hands clasped behind his back, Jonto continued to look steadily into the lady’s eyes.
“Being a lady of your standing, I assume you wouldn’t have come into contact with anyone, male or female, who’s been raped.
It’s a brutal act that deserves brutal consequences.
I’m upfront with my people when it comes to discipline.
No one is ever surprised by the punishment I administer.
” He softened his features. “If a disciplinary action becomes necessary while you’re on board, I’ll ask you to retire to your cabins so you won’t be witness to something that would offend your sensibilities. ”
As they all filed back through the door into the wardroom, Isla, who’d boldly declared her independence by saying she’d wear breeches, suddenly felt shy about flouting tradition so brazenly.
As she and Lily entered her room to unpack her things, Isla resolved to talk about her misgivings with both her maid and Celie before the time came for her to walk out on deck wearing nothing but a blouse and a pair of baggy breeches.