Chapter 7

On the dock, she pulled Harve aside. He agreed to take it as she delivered the others. They met later at the Hogs Head Inn.

She cleaned up as best she could and changed cloths. She made the visit to her father short, just under an hour.

After changing again, she walked in the Silver Pin. She watched each woman, looking for the right one. As the hour grew later, she noticed that Zara, an older woman, was finding it harder to smile and entice. She kept rubbing her back and stayed clear of the rougher sailors.

As Zara passed their table, Ella grabbed her wrist. "How much for the rest of the night?"

Harve looked shocked. He studied them, smiled then, raised his rum in a toast, and took a long drink.

To Zara's credit she looked weary but her voice was strong, "Five silvers."

Ella nodded and stood. When Zara took Elle's hand as they walked between the tables Elle pulled it back and placed it around her. When they made it to Zara's room Elle dropped her arm and surveyed the small space.

There was just a small bed, little more than a cot; it was flanked by wooden crates, a scared armoire, and a low dresser with a chipped pitcher sitting in a large mismatched bowl.

"I've seen you before. What would you like to do?" Zara said enticingly as she undid buttons.

"What's your name?" Elle asked.

Zara smiled, "Zara. Your El." she said with a smile. "Decided what you want?"

"Sleep." Elle said.

Zara lifted an eyebrow, walked over, and rubbed her body against Elle's. "Are you shy? I could help you. I'm very experienced. Is that it? Is this your first time?" She asked rubbing Elle and unbuttoning her own tunic.

"I just want sleep." Elle said. She moved to the bed sat down and started unlacing her boots.

"Are you... Do you...?" Zara began.

Elle looked up and waited. Elle smiled. "No, I'm not that way," she said.

"So just sleep?" Zara asked she seemed unsure.

"What we do or don't do stays in this room." Elle demanded. She pressed her back into the mattress.

Zara nodded. Zara undress and lay on the bed and snuggled close to Elle. Elle didn't sleep until Zara's breathing was deep and even. When she woke, Zara stood at the dresser pouring water in the bowl. She turned and smiled.

"Most of the others are downstairs eating. Wash up and we can go down."

Elle pulled on her boots.

As she laced them, Zara spoke again. "I'll keep your secret. Some of the men wouldn't be happy to find a woman on their ships crew. Bad luck an all."

Elle stared at her unsure what to say. "How'd you know?" she asked.

Zara cleared her throat. "When i woke my hand had wandered. You really needn't worry. I learned long ago to keep a patrons secrets."

Elle left eight pieces of silver on the dresser. Downstairs Zara made a show of touching Elle, whispering in her ear and siting in her lap.

Before Elle could leave, Zara planted a hungry looking kiss on her lips. The crew who saw it told those that didn't. The jokes lasted for weeks at sea. Even the new men on the crew shared the joke. That trip only lasted three months. The hold filled quickly and they headed back to port.

Elle quickly delivered Captain Talbot messages and returned the replies to him at the Silver Pin. Elle slept in Zara's bed once again but didn't stay the next morning to brake the nights fast.