Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“You’re seriously turning us around? Who’s head is going to end up on wife’s vanity if I ever make it back to her?”

“We can’t risk it, Captain. We’re a sitting duck out here.” Kaiser’s co-captain, Aaron, was all business.

“A month back the way we came….” Captain Kaiser sat down with a heavy sigh.

Kaiser was captain of The Evelyn, his ship he’d named after his wife. He and his wife made their money on shipments over seas.

Their main cargo was humans. Specifically prisoners sentenced to transport and indentured servitude for their crimes.

He’d just picked up his latest batch and it was was a large group. They were a month into their year long journey, back to his home in Cherish.

But…

“This damn war! We’re not even aligned with either side…”

“Which is why we’re not safe from either side.” His co-captain explained.

“Someone has marked this length of ocean, we saw their flags at day break. We aren’t welcome and they don’t ask questions before attacking…”

Kaiser cursed under his breath and ran his hand through jet black hair.

His wife would be furious…hurt and furious.

She’d begged him to just send his crew on the particularly long journey. But that simply wasn’t what a captain did.

He hadn’t seen her in a year.

It was meant to be almost an entire second year before he held her once more…but this war was trying to keep him from her.

“No.” He looked up at Aaron.

“No?” Aaron scoffed. He was still young, but he’d never had his recommendations ignored.

“No. I’m not waiting at some stinking port with a boat load of people, just waiting for permission to go home.”

Captain Kaiser stood and grabbed his large hat from it’s place next to his office door.

“We’re going around.” He instructed Aaron as he left the room.

“Around?” Aaron almost yelled.

“Sir, it’s not safe! This is the only sane route…”

“We’ve got a good crew.” Kaiser waved away his concern as he walked upstairs to the deck.

“They’ve gone through worse. Though, I need to notify our guests to brace themselves for a few days.” He grinned.

…….

Kaiser didn’t typically meet any of his cargo. It was much easier to pretend he was shipping potatoes or weapons.

Not humans.

But, he was about to make them all sea sick on choppy waters, just to get home to his wife. The least he could do was be the one to let them know…

“Everyone step back, your captain is here for a visit…”

Co-captain Aaron led Kaiser down to the cells on the lowest level of the ship. The prisoners immediately started yelling at them.

The living conditions they had for these poor souls were pathetic.

Tiny. Hot from all the bodies shoved in one place. Everyone had a blanket and the clothes on their back…nothing else.

Kaiser pretended they were all blood thirsty killers, rather than the more likely scenario of their stealing bread or a horse.

Human trafficking was a ludicrous business. He didn’t have to imagine too hard to lessen his guilt.

“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen!” He called over their shouting.

“I’ve some news! It directly pertains to your well being!”

“Fuck off!” One man shouted and spit in his direction.

Kaiser grimaced and took a step back.

These people were filthy with sweat and aching from the close quarters. They had no patience for their captor’s casual speech.

“Look! I’m just letting you know, we’re sending down more buckets…the water will be quite busy for the next week or so!”

Everyone groaned and one woman started sobbing. Busy water meant sea sickness…sea sickness meant throwing up.

“We’ll also be increasing water and rations, to make up for what you lose and…”

Kaiser was scanning the crowd. His eyes paused on a particular person in the far left corner of the cell.

A shock of auburn hair hanging down in a curtain. The young woman was backed into the corner and hugging herself…

He’d never seen such hair. It stood out amongst the regular blacks and browns, like a campfire on a mountain’s edge in the night.

A male prisoner shifted to the right a bit and blocked the woman from his view.

Kaiser was drawn to that color and moved to look around the man.

The young woman was looking up too. She glanced at the man in fear before turning her brown eyes to the captain.

This prisoner had pale skin and one of the most beautiful faces he’d ever laid eyes on.

Chapter Text

“What do you think she did?” Kaiser asked.

He and Aaron we having breakfast in his office.

“Who, sir?”

“The red head down in the cage.” Kaiser stirred sugar in his tea and looked thoughtful.

“Ah, something despicable, I’m sure.” Aaron reasoned.

“The prettiest ones get away with the most. I’m sure she did a lot before she was finally caught.”

“Hm. Such a shame. Pretty little thing…” Kaiser mused.

“With a face like that, she should have had the world at her feet. Why would she go to a life of crime?”

“Sir, beauty isn’t a measurement of morals.” Aaron scoffed.

“Women like that get bored in their cozy little lives. Probably stole for the thrill of it…”

He sipped his coffee and shrugged.

“Or, she stole a night with a married judge and his wife found out.” He snickered.

“I didn’t realize I’d employed a misogynist, Aaron.” Kaiser rolled his eyes and took a bite of food.

“What if my wife was down there? Or your own wife? They wouldn’t hurt a butterfly…”

“Speak for yourself.” Aaron scoffed.

“Couldn’t wait to take this trip and get away from Diana. Always chatting my ear off…”

“What I’m saying is, she is out of place. If your wife was wrongfully accused, wouldn’t you hope someone would question it?”

“I think you’re bored and thinking too hard on it.” Aaron replied.

“Hm, you’re not wrong. I’m bored out of my mind…” Kaiser admitted.

He stared thoughtfully out of his window. Nothing but sun and sea for miles and miles.

Months and months.

“Bring her up.” He ordered his co-captain.

“Sir?”

“The red head, bring her up for a chat.”

“In here? Sir, she’s a prisoner…”

“She’s cargo.” Kaiser held up his finger and corrected him.

“As captain, it’s my responsibility to check the quality of my cargo.”

……

“You’re lucky they’ve got us heaving.” The brute told Arabella.

The poor woman scooted further back into her corner.

She watched with fearful eyes as the man who ruled over this section of the cargo hold stared at her sleazily…but his complexion was green.

He, and an overwhelming amount of the prisoners, were sick from the tossing sea. Arabella seemed unaffected.

Their cell mates either watched with sympathy or ignored the interaction. No help to be had…

“Of course, you haven’t bathed in a month either, so you’ve got that going for you.” He went on.

Like all the other people here, Arabella’s hair was greasy and frizzy. Still such a lovely color.

“Give it another week and I won’t care though…”

“Shut up!” Arabella snapped. The big man raised a humored eyebrow.

“If you try and rape me, I will make it my mission to insure you don’t leave this boat with your dick still attached!” She slid up the wall to stand and glared down at him sitting on the floor.

“How ya gonna pull that off, babe?” The man snickered.

“You have to sleep some time.” She said cooly.

“So do you.” He quickly countered.

“Dead women don’t chop off dicks…”

“And men who kill women get longer sentences.” She replied.

They were at a stand still for a moment.

The man let his eyes scan up her body. He grinned lewdly.

“Worth it. Besides, no one cares about transport trash, no matter how cute she is.”

Arabella was afraid but she didn’t show it. But…what could she do really? This man was huge and they were stuck in here for almost a year…

This couldn’t be her fate. How she spent her last days…

She didn’t deserve this.

Arabella prepared to beg. To give in willingly to this pig in exchange for protection or just to be left alone otherwise…

“You. The red head.” Came a voice from outside the cell.

Arabella whipped her head to look at who was addressing her.

The co-captain and three large men in their crew. His men had rifles aimed at the other prisoners.

“What? I mean…yes?” Arabella asked in a shaking voice.

“Captain wants a word.” Aaron sneered as he searched through his key ring.

“The rest of you lot, stand back or it’ll be a bullet in your brain.” He threatened as he unlocked the door.

“Where are you taking her?” The wannabe rapist demanded and started to stand.

He slowly sank back down as one of rifles was aimed at his head.

“Are you her husband?” Aaron asked.

“No.”

“Then stay down and shut up.”

Arabella hesitated…what could the captain possibly want from her?

She glanced around at her surroundings. The desperation and stench.

Whatever he wanted was probably bad, he was a man after all. But not as bad as this.

She slowly made her way towards the cell door. One of the sailors grabbed her arm and pulled her to walk faster.

“Up you go miss. Don’t worry, you won’t be away from your friends for long.” Aaron looked disgusted as he locked the cell back.

Chapter Text

Kaiser was shaving his beard when he heard a knock on his bedroom door.

“Who is it?” He called as he ran the blade across his chin.

“Who do you think it is?” Aaron sighed loudly.

“The girl is here, just like you asked.”

“Right, come in then.” Kaiser made quick work of the rest of his beard. He cupped his hands in the warm water in the basin.

After he washed his face and he was drying off with a towel, he turned to welcome his guests.

The sight of this young woman a week later was rough on his psyche. He usually managed to push his cargo’s living conditions from his mind.

She wasn’t too skinny, as he always made sure everyone ate enough, but she was dirty and exhausted.

Her beautiful hair that framed her freckled face had an oily sheen. The circles under her eyes stood out starkly against her pale skin.

And yet, she was pretty. So pretty and so fragile…

So frightened looking.

“Hello there, Miss…?” He draped his towel over his shoulder and offered her his hand.

The woman silently stared at it and didn’t offer her’s in return.

“What’s your name?” Aaron snapped impatiently.

“….Arabella.” The girl said softly.

“Arabella?” Kaiser encouraged her.

He didn’t miss the anger in her eyes. Being forced to introduce yourself would make anyone angry.

But, she had no idea she was perfectly safe with these men.

“Blythe.” She finally stated in a hard voice.

“Arabella Blythe.”

“Hm.”

“A pretty name for a pretty girl.” Kaiser wanted to say, but caught himself.

Inappropriate.

“Well, Miss Blythe. Are you hungry? People tend to converse better with a full stomach, I’ve always noticed.”

Arabella had eaten her rations, but as she stared at the breakfast still spread on the captain’s desk, her body begged her.

Fresh fruit, fresh bread, milk…jam? Sugar…

After months of prison gruel and the unseasoned “nutritional loaves” provided in cargo, her stomach practically wept for it all.

“I…um. What am I agreeing to if I accept it?” She asked, her eyes not leaving the table.

“Just a conversation.” Kaiser answered truthfully.

…….

“I was accused of stealing, but I didn’t do it.” Arabella answered Kaiser’s question.

She’d eaten two plates of food in silence. Kaiser had let her eat while he read a book across the table from her.

But now, a conversation.

“Is this coffee?” She asked hesitantly.

She pointed at his metal coffee pot in the middle of table with hopeful eyes.

“Indeed, have at it.” He waved nonchalantly.

Arabella moved slowly but deliberately. Watching the coffee pour out like it was life blood.

Kaiser smiled a bit as she inhaled from her mug and looked so content momentarily. Then, he felt saddened by what he took for granted.

“A thank you would be appropriate.” Aaron interrupted his thoughts.

He was sitting at the side of the desk, leaning on his hand and looking annoyed at the girl that stole his seat.

“Aaron…” Kaiser started to chastise.

Arabella set her mug down and seemed to come to her senses.

“I expect payment will be expected, so I don’t think a thank you would be appropriate.”

She sat back with her hands in her lap and looked up at Kaiser with hard eyes.

“Captain would never! How dare you?” Aaron stood up.

Arabella’s eyes didn’t leave Kaiser’s. He felt uncomfortable under her gaze.

“I am mortified you’d think that.” He agreed with Aaron.

“But I understand why you would.” He sighed.

“No…no payment. I’m just bored and…you stand out.”

“How flattering.” Arabella said sarcastically and crossed her arms.

“And how nice for you to have found something to pass the time.” She finished.

Kaiser was silent. It was weird he’d plucked a girl out of a cage because he was bored.

Like a pet.

But it wasn’t like he could stick her back in without even more guilt.

“I’m sorry…” he rubbed his face and started to apologize.

“Who did you steal from?” Aaron asked and smirked at the girl.

“No one.” Arabella said firmly.

“You wouldn’t be transported if you were innocent…

“ I was a maid and…wrongfully accused. I’d never steal from anyone.”

“Uh huh.” Aaron obviously didn’t believe her.

“Can I go back now, please?” Arabella stood. She felt she needed to leave before her “smart mouth” got her in trouble.

“Back to the cage? Are we that unpleasant?” Kaiser laughed a little and looked confused.

“I hate being called a liar.” Arabella explained.

“Now, do with me what you will or put me back. I don’t like this…”

“A bath! Would you like to take a bath?” Kaiser leaned forward and asked.

“Sir! This is going too far!” Aaron stood once more and slapped the table.

Arabella’s mouth fell open. A bath…she’d sleep with almost anyone to just have a bath after these long months.

“W…why?” She whispered. “What kind of game are you playing?”

“No game! I just imagine you’re uncomfortable…and Aaron, it’s not your place to question me.” Kaiser went to grab a pajamas for the girl.

“It’s exactly my place…”

“Why?” Arabella demanded again. “What is happening here exactly?”

“I…”

“….am fascinated by you…” Kaiser thought but didn’t say.

Her looks, mostly. What did she look like clean and polished?

He was intrigued by her out of placeness.

“You remind me of my wife.” He lied.

“I’d never want to see her down there…”

Arabella seemed to relax at the mention of his wife.

“Oh…”

“Sir, she looks nothing like your wife…”

“Do you have bubble bath?” Arabella asked cautiously.

Chapter Text

This was better than freedom. Better than love.
Arabella knew she was exaggerating, but barely.

Captain Kaiser had a big, black claw foot bathtub. The hot water was heaven as she sank into it.

She’d overdone the bubble bath and the bubbles towered over the edge of the tub, threatening to spill over.

She’d washed her hair twice and scrub her skin until it was red, and even snuck the captain’s razor to use on her legs and such.

Then she watched all the gray water go down the drain and into the ocean.

Even if the captain ended up making her sleep with him and tossed her back down in that cage, this moment of clean was worth it.

She felt like a woman again, instead of an unloved dog.

As she dried her hair with a towel, she stared at herself in the mirror above the tiny sink.

Pretty. She knew she was and it had caused her more problems than it helped her.

Pretty, but she also looked exhausted.

Arabella stared at a stack of plush towels on a shelf next to the tub. She was pondering spreading them out and sleeping on the floor for just a few minutes.

Her nights on this boat were spent with one eye open since the asshole in her cell started threatening her…

She startled when a cautious knock came at the bathroom door.

“Not rushing you, just checking in…” came the captain’s voice.

Arabella made a face at the door but she put on a sweet voice.

“Almost done, sorry!

…….

“I hope you don’t mind, I started a fire.” Captain Kaiser greeted her as she walked back into his living area.

He was stoking flames in his large, stone hearth. The room was warm and he’d made a pallet of blankets and pillows on the floor in front of it.

Arabella stared at the pallet and back at him. Her guard was up.

But she looked so cute in his sleep shirt and her hair in damp ringlets…Kaiser quickly averted his eyes.

“My wife hates air drying in the cold.” He explained as he stood and wiped his hands off on his pants.

“It’s funny what you don’t realize you remember until it’s helpful…”

Arabella relaxed once more and raised a skeptical eyebrow.

“A fireplace on a wooden boat?”

“That does seem odd, doesn’t it?” He chuckled.

“A bit unsafe.” Arabella hugged herself and longed to lay on those pillows…

“Well, as long as we’re cautious, I’d say the luxury is worth it.” Kaiser shrugged and motioned towards the hearth.

“Warm up, if you like. I have some books if you’re bored…wait…” he paused.

“Can you read?” He asked cautiously.

Arabella fluffed up with anger.

“Of course I can read! What is that supposed to mean?”

“Sorry! So sorry, I just wasn’t sure of your…status…”

Arabella glared at him and crossed her arms.

“Wealth isn’t a measurement of intelligence…or of a desire for knowledge.” She told him.

“Of course not…” Kaiser replied softly.

“In that case, my bookshelf is yours…”

“Why?” Arabella demanded angrily and stomped her bare foot.

“What is your end game? This is…unorthodox! If you’re going to make my life more difficult, just do it now and get it over with!” She huffed and made fists at her sides.

“I don’t know what I’m doing!” Kaiser was taken aback by her raised voice.

His co-captain had gone to his own quarters and he was realizing he was alone with a prisoner he knew nothing about.

He’d have to hide the sharp objects and lock his bedroom door.

“I just…I couldn’t leave you down there…”

“Why? Because of how I look?” Arabella demanded and motioned to herself.

“If that’s all this is, just tell me so I know what to expect!”

“I’m just trying to be kind.” Kaiser ignored her statement. Her looks had too much to do with it.

“You’re so young and the characters you were in there with seemed…unsavory.”

“I was only in there because of people like you.” Arabella spat, then caught herself.

She was out of that cell, even if it was temporary. If she could just get one good nap in…

She sighed deeply and started over.

“S…sorry! Sorry…” she let her face fall in her hands and apologized.

“It’s been a difficult few years. Kindness feels a bit like a trick…”

“I understand.” Kaiser said gently.

She looked up at him.

He was handsome. Very handsome, not that she gave a damn. She never gave men the time of day anymore.

Still, he seemed genuine, and very naive. He was too old to be this naive…

“Soft.” She thought.

“I’m going to the upper deck to do my rounds. I hope you understand if I lock the door behind me…”

“Another cage.” Arabella thought.

At least this one had books.

……

Arabella sat on the soft blankets and let the fire’s warmth dry her hair.

Then, she took captain up on his offer and grabbed a book off the shelf. She was so absorbed in the story that she didn’t feel herself fall asleep.

She’d been dead to the world for a few hours when Kaiser came back in.

He quietly unlocked the door, assuming she’d passed out. When he saw he was right, he paused and watched his guest sleep.

He was right, she was perfection when taken care of properly.

Her long auburn hair spread out on her pillow and glowed in the firelight. The freckles on her pale skin stood out now that she was clean and dry…

One of his books was open on her chest, rising and falling with her deep breaths.

Kaiser shook his head. He’d been staring too long…what a creep.

He’d planned on waking her for dinner but couldn’t bear stealing sleep from her. Instead, he wrote her a note and left it next to her pallet.

“Food is right outside the door. The door to the next room is locked.”

Just in case she had the mind to wander.

“What are you doing?” He asked himself as he got ready for bed.

He made sure to kiss his wife’s portrait on his dresser, like he did every night.

Chapter Text

“Would you rather those beasts in that cage have their way with her?” Captain Kaiser was defending himself again.

It was the next night and his guest had slept the day away.

The only sign of life he’d seen were her breakfast and lunch trays disappearing.

“Sir, you’ve never cared before. You know that type of thing happens with every shipment…” Aaron started.

“No, I wasn’t aware.” Kaiser snapped.

“And if you knew and did nothing about it…”

“I mean, I wasn’t positive.” Aaron his hands up in defense.

“I barely interact with any of them…until now, unfortunately.”

Kaiser glared at him and went on.

“From now on, men and women will be put on opposite sides of the cargo area…”

“There is no way to guarantee enough room for that. Getting picky about such things will cost money…”

“Which we have plenty of.” Kaiser interrupted.

…and time.” Aaron finished.

“Time we don’t have. And no one up the chain will listen to you so…”

“They need my ship.” Kaiser countered.

“There are other ships.” Aaron said and actually sounded apologetic.

“Other ships and other captains. They’d treat their cargo much worse than we do…”

Kaiser took his hat off and angrily smacked it on the railing. He leaned with his hands on the wood and looked out towards the moon peeking behind the ocean.

What would have happened to Arabella if he hadn’t seen her? That man she’d been locked up with obviously belonged behind bars.

Kaiser had learned his name and looked at his record. Serial rapist. Typical scum.

Nothing that girl could have done warranted being placed with such a beast.

“I need to get into a different line of work.”

“Nothing pays this well for so little effort.” Aaron shrugged.

“And it’ll keep happening, regardless of you being involved or not.”

He patted his captain’s shoulder.

“Just remember. They’re heartless criminals….it helps.”

Kaiser thought of that beautiful young woman in his living area and wondered how much he’d forgive her for.

Was she heartless? How would he even find out if she hid the entire time?

“I think I’ll take my dinner in my office again. Have the chef bring two set ups, please.” He turned and started heading that way.

“Sir…” Aaron groaned.

“Extra strong coffee, if you wouldn’t mind.”

She’d probably talk more if she were caffeinated.

…….

“Oh…hello.” Kaiser paused as he walked into his office.

Arabella was sitting on the nook that was tucked in front of his large window.

She looked pretty, perched on the cushions and looking at the ocean, but she startled at his hello.

“I’m sorry! I was looking for you and…the view is nicer up top…” she explained as she stood and dusted off where she’d sat.

“Looking for me?” Kaiser asked as he shut the door and glanced out the window.

The full moon was rising on the horizon. An image so lovely even he wasn’t jaded to it yet.

“Yes. Um…I was looking for something to change into.” Arabella explained.

She motioned to the his night shirt she’d worn for two days now.

“Ah, apologies.” He nodded and took his key ring as from his pocket he walked to his bedroom door.

“There are no women in my crew, so unfortunately we’ll have to make do with what’s in here.”

“Why are there no women?” Arabella asked as she casually stepped up behind him.

Kaiser blushed and almost dropped his keys. Having her this close was unexpected.

Clearly, she wasn’t afraid of him. His soap smelled differently coming off her.

“Superstition. Ridiculous really.” He managed to answer in a steady voice.

“Apparently, according to a surprising amount of seamen, having a woman aboard in bad luck.”

“Hmph.” Arabella huffed and crossed her arms.

“There are almost a dozen of us in cargo, right now.”

“Funny how contradictory superstitious people can be, eh?”

Kaiser put his hand on his bedroom doorknob.

“So um, if you wouldn’t mind not following me…”

“Oh! Sorry…” Arabella backed up to the window.

“It’s just, inappropriate…but I’ll grab you a few options…”

“Right.” Arabella nodded respectfully. He could tell she thought he was being silly.

Kaiser stepped in his sleeping quarters and shut the door. His wife’s portrait was greeted with a quick peck, out of habit.

…….

“It must get pretty boring.” Arabella said thoughtfully.

She sipped her coffee and watched Kaiser across his desk.

He read while he ate, but he was hoping she’d strike up a conversation.

“Boring?” Kaiser asked. He dog eared his book and set it down.

“A boat full of men, on the open ocean. Not a woman in sight…” Arabella shrugged and took a bite of bread.

“I imagine you all lose your minds.”

Kaiser wanted to stare at her, but he restrained himself. Her legs were bare and exposed in his long night shirt.

Women in his life didn’t sit like that. With her feet in the chair, resting her elbow on her knee.

Casually comfortable, instead of poised and proper.

Like his wife…

“It gets lonely, but not for the reasons you’re probably thinking.” He replied.

“Oh, what reasons was I thinking of?” Arabella smirked and leaned forward.

Kaiser’s mouth fell open and his cheeks flushed red.

“That’s…uh…”

Arabella’s face fell when she realized she’d made him uncomfortable.

“Jesus…” she sighed and covered her eyes.

“I’m sorry. That’s a bad habit…”

They sat in silence for a few moments.

“What habit?” Kaiser finally asked.

Arabella chuckled bitterly and poured herself more coffee. She typically drank it black but she’d so missed sugar…

“Flirting with men, regardless of the topic.” She explained.

“Ah…” Kaiser nodded. He slid her the sugar bowl and watched her add too much to her mug.

“It’s a bit of a survival…tactic.” Arabella shrugged.

“Since I was fourteen or so. Men are nice if you’re nice…”

Kaiser felt a stab of sadness. The women in his life didn’t need “survival tactics.”

They were doted upon and spoiled. His mother, all of his sisters and his wife. Loved and taken care of.

“Men should be nice, regardless of the topic.” He replied with a kind smile.

Arabella managed a small smile back and tucked her hair behind her ear.

“What I was going to say...” Kaiser went on as he poured his own coffee.

“…is that a boat without women is lonely, because they tend to make for far more interesting conversations.”

“Is that so?” Arabella giggled.

“In my experience.” He explained.

They talked for hours, until the sun started peeking over the horizon.

They’d both been lonely for a long time now.

Chapter Text

“Anyone see captain?” A crew member quietly asked at lunch in the dining area.

It had been another month since that girl had been pulled from cargo, and whispers had been spreading ever since.

“Would you eat out here with us if you had that waiting in your office?” Another man chuckled.

He looked around at the thirty men of the crew. Not the grossest he’d sailed with, but none compared to the company a beautiful woman.

“Have you seen her?” His friend asked.

“I haven’t…”

“No, he keeps her locked up tighter than a chastity belt. But Dominic was down there when they brought her up.” The other man replied.

“He said she had long red hair and long pale legs. That’s all I needed to hear…”

“Isn’t Kaiser married?” A third man scoffed as he joined them with his tray.

“You don’t know it’s like that.” The first man, the youngest of the three, argued.

“Apparently she’s young. I wouldn’t want to think of what would happen to a poor girl down there with those bastards…”

His comrades shared knowing looks.

“If it ain’t like that, it will be. The man is already skirting his duties as captain.” One said.

“What else could they possibly be doing in there? They ain’t chatting.” The other replied.

“Can’t blame him. The sea is a boring place…it’d be nice if he introduced her or something. We’d be more likely to keep our mouths shut about it…”

“All the fun for himself, eh?” The youngest still looked skeptical.

Kaiser wasn’t that kind of man. His loyalty to his wife and family was stark and obvious.

……

“You’ve never seen live music?” Kaiser asked his guest in a disbelieving tone.

“Nothing organized.” Arabella confessed.

“Street bands and such, but nothing that made me feel anything.”

They’d just finished eating and spoke easily. Like two lost friends who came back to one another after years apart.

“Have you heard something that made you feel something?” Kaiser asked.

Arabella shifted in her window seat and leaned forward.

He wasn’t used to her looks yet. Her long auburn hair draped over her neck as she hugged her knees and looked thoughtful.

He’d given her most of his night shirts and several pairs of long socks to wash in the tub and change into as she pleased. She was so cute in the baggy attire.

Having her wear his clothes made him feel something he refused to explore.

Something told him his wife wouldn’t hesitate to explore it…nor to let her anger be known.

“They played records sometimes, at the home I worked in.” Arabella explained.

“I loved when the lady of the house was in a good mood. She’d put a record on and my sisters and I would dance while we worked…”

She paused. Kaiser caught her sad look.

“How many sisters?” He asked gently.

“Two. Lisa and Avery…” she paused again and swallowed. Tears made her eyes shimmer in the sunlight.

“How long…?” Kaiser started to ask how long she’d been apart from her family, but Arabella interrupted.

“Do you have any brothers or sisters?” She asked in a fake cheerful voice.

He saw her wipe a tear away, even as she smiled.

“Six sisters. No brothers…” he sighed, ready for the usual banter that came with that confession.

He must be soft. How could a man be masculine when he was surrounded by females his entire life?

His father had died when he was very young, so it was an understandable question that was always asked rudely.

“Wow.” Arabella’s eyes widened and she grinned for real this time.

“No wonder you smell so good. You had plenty of ladies to teach you proper hygiene.” She giggled.

That wasn’t what Kaiser expected at all. He blushed darkly at her compliment and stood up to pretend and examine his records.

“They wouldn’t abide by dirt behind my ears, you’re right about that. If it weren’t for them, my wife would have turned her nose up at me…”

Arabella was often close enough to smell his cologne or soap. She’d read over his shoulder and ask questions about his favorite books.

She always stood to the right, like a proper maid knew how, to pour his coffee or water.

He hadn’t asked her for any acts of service, but Arabella used them to show her gratitude towards him.

He got her out of that cage and she was bad with words when it came to such feelings.

So, she washed all his clothes with her own, as well as his bed things every morning.

They smelled like lavender as they dried in the hot sun in his window.

She’d shown him how to she used herbal tea bags for that smell, and he’d think of her as he drifted off at night.

She dusted his entire office and scrubbed his windows until the sun came in crystal clear.

Then, she organized his books in alphabetical order and cleaned his private bathroom until it shined.

His personal quarters hadn’t been this neat or smelled this good in years.

“Does your wife not abide by dirt behind the ears either?” Arabella teased.

“A woman of her status would never.” He explained as he took a few records from his shelf.

“But it keeps me in line, as they say. Men without women are barbaric things.”

“I have to agree.” Arabella tilted her head and smiled at him.

His looks weren’t as easy to ignore the longer she spent time with him.

Kaiser had proven over and over what a decent man he was, if you ignored the human trafficking…which she kept doing without meaning to.

He hadn’t laid a hand on her and spoke to her as an equal. She’d never experienced that with a man in her life.

“Does she let your children get dirty?” She asked.

“Kids need to get earth under their finger nails sometimes. Freedom for children is so important, especially little boys…”

She stopped talking when Kaiser stood up straight. He snapped the record cover he was holding shut and looked up to the ceiling for patience.

“No children.” He answered.

…….

“Oh…” Arabella was surprised.

Rich people like Kaiser didn’t marry to not have kids. They needed someone to pass everything on to…

Kaiser hesitated. He never spoke of this with anyone. It wasn’t appropriate.

But, nothing that was happening with Arabella was appropriate.

“Evelyn…can’t carry babies. We tried…”

He sighed and set the record on his desk before sitting at it once more.

“Miscarriages are dreadful things. And there is no way to comfort a woman in a manner that eases any of the pain…”

His wife had suffered five, three of which were late term, before he refused to put her through it again.

“I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.” Arabella covered her heart and felt terrible.

“No…” Kaiser glanced at her and sighed again.

“No one ever asks. Sometimes, I wish they would, but it’s an uncomfortable subject.”

He’d actually agreed to take this long trip to get away from it all. His home was an emotional minefield when his wife was grieving.

“It’s not uncomfortable.” Arabella argued.

“It’s life. Talking about things helps us get through life…to make sense of it all.”

She stood and took the seat across his desk.

“Otherwise, you’re just stagnated in all the terrible with no clue of how to get out…”

She spoke with her hands, so animated. Casually, like what she was saying was just common sense.

“We need people to ask how we are doing sometimes, just so we can figure it out for ourselves.”

The way she spoke and the things she said were so unlike his wife.

Evelyn was lovely and prim. She’d speak of the most surface level and proper subjects, in a reserved manner.

She’d only been imperfect around him during those terrible nights.

When she’d lost their children. In pain and cursing whatever creator made her too broken to carry life.

Five little graves sat outside their bedroom window on their huge estate in Cherish.

His love for her was real, but their marriage was stifling.

Kaiser hadn’t realized how stifling until his met this kind, understanding young woman who encouraged him to talk about it.

“Have you ever heard French?” He decided to change the subject and held up the record.

The thoughts he was having weren’t ok. His wife would weep if she knew.

Chapter Text

An hour later and they flipped the record over to listen again. Arabella was swept up in the language she didn’t understand.

“I wish I knew what she was saying.” She sighed and laid her head on the window.

The late afternoon sun made the nook the warmest place in his living quarters. Wearing his nightshirts, with nothing underneath, left her susceptible to chills.

“She’s saying a lot of sad stuff.” Kaiser explained.

“She was an incredibly miserable woman and wrote it all down.”

“Hm.” Arabella hummed and listened for a bit longer.

Kaiser was writing his record for the day, one of the more boring aspects of his job.

The wind’s speed in their sails. The condition of the ocean.

Whether any of his crew or those below were ill, what was served at meals, etc etc

He wrote everything down, aside from his interactions with Arabella.

All records showed her still below deck as a prisoner, not curled up like a cat on a sunbeam in his office.

“I wonder if it helped.” Arabella said after a while.

“If what helped who?” Kaiser asked. He lifted his chin off his hand to look at her.

Neither had noticed the spot of black ink he’d smeared on his face by accident.

“Writing all the sadness down. Making it into music, I wonder if it helped her.”

Her gaze fell to the record player across the room.

“Unlikely. She ended her life by her own hand years ago. Or so I’m told…” Kaiser said off handedly.

“Oh…well that’s devastating.” Arabella laughed a bit at his casual way of talking about suicide.

Kaiser looked up again and gave a sheepish chuckle.

“Well, you asked…” he paused when Arabella burst out giggling.

“What?” He asked.

“You’ve got a little…well, a lot…hold on.”

She hurried to his bathroom, still giggling, and came back with a warm wash cloth.

He’d let his chin settle in his hand once more as he wrote. The ink smear had turned into finger prints along his cheek and jaw.

“You must have been very focused.” Arabella teased as she approached him on his right with the rag.

Before he could protest, Arabella was wiping at the ink, holding his chin up so she could see it all better.

Kaiser felt his body heat up like a furnace. Arabella felt the warmth in her palm and assumed he was embarrassed over making a mess.

“It’s ok, even grown men are allowed to to spill ink sometimes…”

Kaiser wasn’t listening. He was too focused on her touching him, finally.

Aside from accidentally brushing his arm as she served him at meals, they hadn’t had any contact.

And he’d managed to convince himself that he didn’t even want it, but that illusion was shattered.

Her hands were soft and cool. She was always a little cold. Probably due to where she was born.

She smelled like clean and the warmth that had collected under his nightshirt she wore.

This close, he saw her freckles ended a little past her cheek bones.

They picked up again at the slightly revealed bit of her pale shoulder he could see, peeking through the over large collar.

His eyes scanned up her neck, past her pink lips, to her soft brown eyes.

Arabella stopped trying to get the ink off his face and was looking at him too.

When they made eye contact, he saw her cheeks flush red and it was too much for him.

Without a thought in his idiot brain, he lifted up a bit in his seat and let his lips meet her’s.

To his utter shock, she kissed him back. Hard and readily.

She held his face and he put his hand on her’s as their mouths moved desperately over one another’s.

Her tongue passed his teeth and he gasped. No one had ever kissed him that way and it woke him up.

“Hey, n…no! No!” He stood and almost tripped over his chair as he backed away from her.

They looked at one another in silence. Kaiser’s body was buzzing. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her again.

He decided to lash out instead.

“Now, ma’am, I…I think you’ve misunderstood what’s happening here!” He snapped and started heading to his room.

Get away from her. Don’t be fool.

“I don’t mind helping you out and getting you out of that cage, but I’m a married man! Of which you’re highly aware…”

He stopped at his bedroom door and grabbed the knob.

Once again, like an idiot, he looked back at Arabella.

Her cheeks were rosy now. She stood, holding the ink stained rag.

With messy hair and that embarrassed look, he’d never been more attracted to someone.

“You kissed me first.” Arabella replied in a soft voice.

Kaiser opened his mouth to protest, but there was nothing he could say.

With a growl Arabella never imagined coming out of him, he yanked his door open, stepped inside, slammed it shut and locked it.

Kaiser pressed his forehead against his door, breathing hard and shaking.

He wasn’t frightened of her, but he was afraid of how she’d made him feel.

He’d never felt anything like that, having only ever kissed his wife.

Evelyn accepted kisses, but never returned them. It wasn’t “proper” of a lady to do such things.

Arabella clearly thought differently.

Captain Kaiser turned to look at his wife’s portrait on the shelf behind him.

She looked bored.

Like she couldn’t believe her time was being wasted on painting she’d requested.

He brushed his lips with his fingers. Arabella’s taste still lingered on them.

She’d wanted to taste him too. She hadn’t stopped his advances, but encouraged him instead.

They have another ten months on this boat. What was he going to do? Put her back in the cage?

Not a single part of him wanted to do that.

Evelyn had never felt so far away.

…….

Arabella heard Kaiser’s door lock behind him.

“You stupid girl! You idiot!” She cursed herself in whispers.

“He’s going to stick you back down there! You know better, what is wrong with you?”

She hurriedly cleaned up their lunch set up and straightened the pillows in his nook.

When he came back out, she’d apologize. Throw herself on his mercy and beg.

No more lavish meals. No more books or bubble baths, she’d stop asking for anything.

Nothing, except to not be returned to cargo.

Her mind would break. Why couldn’t she keep her feelings contained? She’d never had a problem in the past.

But she knew, it was because Kaiser was different.

She was so grateful to him. He’d saved her life.

He was handsome and sad, lonely…and so kind for no reason. They laughed together easily and…she wanted him.

“You’re not a teenager anymore, you moron!” She thought to herself as stopped the record player.

“None of that matters! He’s the captain of a slave ship! One you were being held on!”

And he was married. Very very married to one of those rich hags.

Those kinds of women never needed an excuse to hate Arabella. In fact, that was how she’d ended up on this ship in the first place.

“He kissed me first.” A quiet voice in her head replied.

“I was helping and he kissed me.”

She’d wanted to touch him though. For weeks now, and she’d jumped at the excuse.

Tears had started streaming down her face, when she heard his door click open.

Arabella whipped around to see Kaiser stepping out of his room. His face was apologetic and embarrassed.

……

“Arabella…” he started.

She’d never heard him say her name before.

“Captain, sir! I am so so sorry! I stepped out of line a…and the disrespect I’ve shown you is inexcusable…”

Arabella dropped her dusting cloth and blubbered out her apology.

Kaiser could hear the fear in her voice. He felt more guilt over that than their kiss.

“No…” he shook his head as he approached her.

“Y…yes. But please…please don’t put me back.” Arabella sank her knees and begged him as he got closer.

“I’ll just stay in the sitting room! You can take all the books and I’ll go back to eating prisoner rations…”

“I’m not putting you back.” Kaiser spoke over her.

Arabella looked like she didn’t believe him. She’d fully expected him to grab her wrist and drag her below.

“You’re not?” She asked softly.

Kaiser shook his head again. He stood, looking down at her like he wasn’t sure what to do.

He saw tears run down Arabella’s cheeks and jumped into action.

“You’re safe. I promise it’s ok, please don’t cry…”

He took his handkerchief from his pocket, and rather that give it to her, he knelt to wipe her tears away.

……..

He silently brushed her cheeks with the cloth until they were dry.

As he dabbed gently under her right eye, Arabella let out a shuttering sob.

He heard relief and tension pour out with that sob and the tears he wiped away came back.

“Please don’t cry, I’m sorry I yelled.” He whispered and lifted her chin.

His thumb ran over her lower lip and he tucked her hair behind her ear, almost against his will.

They looked at one another for a long moment, kneeling on his office floor.

“I…don’t know what came over me…” he spoke slowly. Her face was so close once more.

She’d looked as helpless and frightened as the first time he’d seen her.

“I’m sorry…” he whispered again.

Kaiser looked at her lips and he couldn’t help it. He kissed her again.

Arabella didn’t return it this time. He sucked gently on her lower lip and made himself stop.

She looked unsure. Scared still and unsure, but her eyes kept darting to his lips.

“Do you want me to leave you alone?” Kaiser asked gently and leaned back a bit.

“I will. We can pretend. Everything would stay the same…

Arabella took a moment to answer.

She searched his eyes and didn’t see anything in them that frightened her.

“I don’t want you to hate me afterwards.” She finally answered.

“And go back on your word.” She thought.

Kaiser’s breath picked up. After what?

“I don’t think I could ever hate you.” He replied.

And he was right.

Chapter Text

He had to leave her after that intense interaction.

It was time for him to do his rounds and make sure everyone on his ship was doing their jobs.

“Please don’t clean all afternoon.” Kaiser asked as he adjusted his uniform in his mirror.

“I’ll have someone else come take care of our dishes. Just relax. Read in the bath…”

Arabella stood holding her arm and still seemed uncomfortable.

“I don’t mind cleaning.” she replied softly.

Tense and frightened he’d change his mind again. He couldn’t blame her for her distrust.

Arabella’s entire life depended on him to continue being a decent person…and it sounded like she’d met so few of those.

“Arabella, I swear I’m not putting you back in that cage.” He stepped closer, but not too close.

She clasped hands and nodded slightly.

“Ok…”

“Here.” Kaiser walked to the left of his desk and opened a cabinet she’d never seen inside of.

It held various, pretty bottles of alcohol and mixing tools. The only one that had been open was whiskey that Kaiser drank on sleepless nights.

“Feel free to partake. It’ll help you calm down. That and a bubble bath…I’ll return in a few hours and we’ll have supper.” He came closer once more and pleaded with his eyes.

“Everything can stay the same.” He promised again.

He meant it, if that’s what she wanted. But he hoped she didn’t.

Despite herself, Arabella believed him. Except…

“What about…after?” She quietly asked.

“After what?” Kaiser wanted to take her hands and sooth whatever worries she had.

“After…when this ship gets to where it’s headed.” Arabella explained and hugged herself.

“Oh…” Kaiser straightened up at that.

She was worried about what would happen to her in Cherish.

Prison again? Did his kindness end when they were on land once more?

No.

“You will never step foot in another cage.” Kaiser finally took her hands.

“I swear it. We’ll work something out…”

“Like what?” Arabella squeezed his hands in return and looked hopeless.

“And…why would you bother?” She scoffed.

Kaiser shook his head and lifted her chin to look at him.

“Never again.” He swore.

Ideas for how he could help her were already rushing though his brain.

“Ok.” Arabella gave a resigned sigh.

“I’ll be back soon.” Kaiser brought her hands to his lips and kissed them.

Arabella let him and felt warm all over again.

…….

“Sir?” Co-captain Aaron watched Kaiser stare off towards the ocean.

He was meant to be checking life lines, but he’d skipped the past six knots. Lost in thought.

“Sir!” He said a bit louder.

Kaiser jumped and looked at him like he forgot he was there.

“Men are going to fall overboard and die during the next storm because you’re day dreaming.”

Aaron motioned towards the passed ropes along their panel and raised an eyebrow.

“Oh…would you mind finishing this?” Kaiser ignored his harsh tone.

“I’m not feeling well. I may take an early bed time…”

“Captain, you know I always speak my mind…” Aaron started, sounding annoyed.

“Unfortunately.” Kaiser teased.

Aaron huffed and continued.

“You also know that part of my job is to report your efficiency as captain on these excursions.”

Kaiser’s smile fell as Aaron pulled a notebook from his shoulder bag and opened to a dog eared page.

“I feel I should warn you, this past month does not put you in a good light. The men are all making their own judgements as well…”

“Aaron…” Kaiser started to protest.

“I’m telling you as a friend.” His co-captain interrupted.

“You’re not even allowed to see this notebook, so I’m risking my job to save yours.”

The men held eye contact for few moments. Aaron tried to hand Kaiser the notebook, but he refused to take it.

“That bad, huh?” He sighed instead.

“Yes sir. You’ve been all but completely absent. It’s as if this ship has no leader…”

“Well, what have you been doing?” Kaiser leaned on the panel and sounded accusatory.

“My job and most of yours.” Aaron snapped the notebook shut and glared at him.

“Now, as your friend, I suggest you keep your mind on your work instead of whatever you have going on in your quarters…”

“Nothing is going on.” Kaiser snapped and held a finger in front of Aaron’s face.

Aaron stared at it and looked like he wanted to rip it off.

“You will put an end to that line of thinking, immediately.”

“Captain’s orders?” Aaron scoffed and backed away.

“Yes.” Kaiser said simply.

“It doesn’t matter what I think. The men have decided they’ve got you all figured out.”

“You’ll put an end to the rumors too.” Kaiser demanded and made his way to the helm.

“What will you do?” Aaron asked as he walked away.

“I’ll…be more present!” Kaiser promised and waved nonchalantly.

“That’s all I ask!” Aaron called to him in an exasperated tone.

…..

Kaiser did his job throughly this day, and then some.

Aaron was right, he’d lost focus. Talking to Arabella was far more interesting than his monotonous job.

He’d gotten caught up and almost landed himself in trouble. She was dangerous.

No, that wasn’t fair. His lack of self control was dangerous.

Arabella hadn’t done anything wrong. She’d only been her sweet self.

Her sweet, beautiful self. Her lips had been so soft and welcoming. Her kisses so urgent.

Was she as lonely as he was? There was still so much to learn about her and it didn’t feel like they had enough time…

“Stop.” Kaiser told himself out loud.

He’d reached the door to his living quarters. There was music coming from within.

His guest had been brave enough to use his record player while he was gone. He saw that as a good sign.

Wait, why was he here? He’d promised Aaron he’d eat with his men tonight…

Arabella would eat alone for the first time in a month.

“Self control. That’s fine. You need to be present for your men and…self control.”

Kaiser was opening his door and walking inside.

“Hi!” Arabella popped around the corner.

She had drink in her hand and her cheeks were flushed from dancing.

“Have you heard this one?” She gushed, before grabbing his sleeve and pulling him inside the rest of the way.

Kaiser took in her happy face and giggly mood. He barely hesitated before locking the door.

……

“This is so much better than those dreary ballads you were playing.” Arabella spun to the tunes.

Her feet were bare and his night shirt went up her thighs. Kaiser looked away.

Self control.

“You don’t like French?” He teased.

“I do. But I’ll always choose happy music.” Arabella explained.

She finished her drink and set her glass on the desk.

“You really hopped on my offer.” Kaiser walked over to make a drink of his own.

“I needed it. Liquid courage, as they say…” Arabella explained as she came up behind him.

“What do you need courage for?” Kaiser turned with a cup of ice and saw how close she was.

“This…” Arabella hesitated for a moment.

Kaiser had time to take in her nervous brown eyes and the firelight reflecting off her auburn hair.

She jumped on him. Her arms were around his neck as she kissed him deeply.

Kaiser dropped his glass and ice spilled all over his carpet. It would melt and dry before he thought of it again.

His hands were running up her back and into her hair. He gripped her ass and moaned into her mouth.

Those hands ran down her thighs and lifted that nightshirt all the way.

He wrapped her bare legs around his waist and pushed her up against the wall, knocking a few of his framed certificates off their nails.

He’d barely had time to enjoy the feeling of his tongue in her mouth before she was unbuttoning his pants.

“W…wait! Wait? Are you sure?” He asked breathlessly.

Arabella shoved her hand down his pants and grabbed him.

“Yes. Please?” She whimpered and pressed her crotch against his own as she kissed his face.

Kaiser took a moment to take in her lustful expression. All for him…

His wife never looked at him like that.

He didn’t hesitate to pull his pants down just enough, before cupping Arabella between her legs.

She didn’t have any underwear on this ship. So wet and hot. All logic left his mind as he slid into her.

It didn’t last long, but her moans as he pounded her against the wall would echo through his mind an hour from now.

He’d take her again and again until they both fell asleep in his bed in the early hours of the morning.

So much for self control.

Chapter Text

Kaiser couldn’t keep his hands off Arabella for the next few days, and she didn’t try and make him.

She was concerned for his job, however.

“Aren’t you supposed to be somewhere?” She asked with a soft moan.

They were in the captain’s bed, her pallet in front of the fireplace long forgotten.

He was lavishing her naked body with kisses from her neck down, her words a distant, muffled nothing.

Evelyn never wanted anything like this and he’d given up trying.

While his wife never denied him sex, she didn’t actually participate either. Chaste kisses and the occasional sigh was all he received.

Any notion of creativity, or even the most basic ways he could try and pleasure her, were met with scoffs.

Missionary and feeling alone in his bed was what sex meant to him, up to this point.

Arabella opened the door to love making and he’d never be able to shut it.

“Captain…your rounds.” Arabella’s tone was teasing as she stopped him from spreading her legs.

It was early in the morning and he woke up hot and wanting her. He almost felt like he was sick, his brain was so overheated.

But she grabbed his chin and made him look at his side table clock.

Six-twenty am. He was already late to breakfast and announcements.

“Aaron knows how…” his words were silenced as he took one of her nipples in his mouth.

Arabella gasped and arched up against him. Kaiser took that as a welcome and lifted himself over her.

“You need to go.” she giggled and pulled him down to kiss her.

“I don’t want to get you in trouble.” She whispered as she pet his hair and across the back of his neck.

Kaiser groaned and let his weight settle on her. She ran her nails gently up and down his back and kissed his shoulder.

“Tell them you slept in. I’ll be here when…”

She was still convincing him, when they heard a knock at the door of his living quarters.

Arabella jumped in fright and grabbed the blanket to cover up.

“It’s locked…” Kaiser started to comfort her.

“Sir! I’m coming in! This is inexcusable!” Came Aaron’s voice.

They heard the jingle of his key ring.

Shit. Kaiser had forgotten his co-captain had a key, in case of emergencies.

…….

“Aaron!” Kaiser met his co-captain in the middle of his office, wearing nothing but a sheet around his waist.

“What is the meaning of this? I just overslept…!”

“Overslept?!” Aaron shouted.

He looked so angry and disappointed in his friend.

“With all due respect, that is bullshit, Sir! Where is she?” Aaron tried to sideswipe Kaiser and open his bedroom door.

“The prisoner?” Kaiser almost dropped his sheet, rushing over to his bedroom door to block him.

“She’s in the sitting area! That’s where she sleeps…”

“I know she’s in your bedroom! And I know what you’ve been doing!” Aaron clenched his fists and glared at him.

“Frankly, your disrespect for me and my intelligence is the the worst thing about all this!”

“Aaron, there was no one in my room except me!” Kaiser swore.

“Come, I’ll show you! Go check the other room…”

Kaiser tied his sheet tightly around his waist and led his fuming friend over to the sitting room.

“She’s in there, fast asleep. Always sleeps late, poor thing…

…….

Arabella had her ear to the other side of his bedroom door, listening for her cue to move.

“Excuse us, ma’am!” She heard Kaiser knock on the sitting room door and make a show of calling for her.

“Open up, prisoner! If you’re actually in there!”Aaron joined in.

Arabella had pulled a nightshirt back on and quietly turned the doorknob.

Working quickly, and carefully to avoid a squeaky hinge, she opened the door and saw Kaiser and Aaron across the room, with their backs to her.

“Why is there even a lock on this door?” Aaron demanded and started through his keyring once more.

“For privacy. Something you clearly know nothing about…woah, ok!”

Arabella silently shut the bedroom door and tiptoed quickly towards the bathroom.

“Ma’am, please make sure you’re decent! We’re barging in, apparently!”

She heard Kaiser still pretending.

The door to the sitting area clicked open, right as she shut the bathroom door behind her.

She leaned against it, trembling.

That was too close.

She got to work making it sound like she’d been in here entire time.

…….

“I told you!” Aaron hurried over and kicked the empty pallet meant for Arabella.

Of course she wasn’t in here.

“Get out of my way.” Aaron spoke lowly to his captain and stomped towards his bedroom once more.

“You lie to me and risk everything for a piece of transport…trash!” Aaron swallowed the rest of his words as he flung the bedroom door open.

It was empty as well. He missed Kaiser’s sigh of relief.

“Get out, you…!” Aaron flung the blankets up and looked under Kaiser’s bed.

No prisoner there either. He grabbed a pillow and prepared to smack the curtains with it, in case she was hiding behind them.

“Aaron, would you mind not…?” Kaiser started to chastise him, when they heard the bath turn on.

Aaron stepped out of the bedroom, still holding the pillow, and turned to face the bathroom.

He saw a shadow under the crack of the door. Someone was in there.

“Oh, there she is.” Kaiser whispered.

“I’m usually out with you lot by now. I rarely see her, but especially in the early mornings…”

“Sir.” Aaron growled and chunked the pillow at the bed.

“I told you. I’ve been sleeping alone. She’s been sleeping alone.” Kaiser motioned towards his office door, wanting Aaron to leave.

“Then why were you so panicked?” Aaron snapped.

“Why not just open the door?”

“You woke me up from a dead sleep and I’m naked.” Kaiser replied in an angry tone.

“There is a reason locks exist. You’ve overstepped more boundaries than I can even count at the moment…”

He sighed deeply and rubbed his eyes.

“And you’re accusing me of betraying my wife…”

“You’re late for work. You have been for over a month, if you make an appearance at all. You swore to me you’d do better, for both our sakes…”

Aaron sounded less angry and more hurt now.

“Your men are losing respect for your authority, which means they won’t respect mine either…”

“Ok…I just…overslept. I think I’m coming down with something…” Kaiser started to lie.

“You’ve never slept late a day in your life.” Aaron argued.

“And I’ve seen you work with pneumonia and a fever that would put down a horse.”

Kaiser rolled his eyes. He couldn’t defend himself.

“You’ve been a dependable, respectable man and captain until…that.” Aaron pointed at the bathroom door.

Towards Arabella.

Kaiser kept his mouth shut. His anger would look suspicious.

“Now, I’ve got thirty men waiting on their leader out there. Thirty men who aren’t doing their jobs properly.”

“What? Who?” Kaiser wanted names.

He usually ran a tight ship, and was often accused of having a stick up his ass for his strictness.

“Everyone. They have no fear of repercussions because they think they’ve got something to hold over your head…”

“The rumors.” Kaiser groaned and rubbed his eyes.

“They all believe you’re fucking a prisoner, sir. And I haven’t a leg to stand on to defend you….”

Kaiser gripped the sheet around his waist and looked out the office window, at the rising sun.

“We’ll forget this happened.” He told Aaron, referring to his friend barging in on him.

“Your accusations, while inaccurate, are understandable. I forgive you.”

Aaron didn’t ask to be forgiven but he didn’t argue.

“But only you…” Kaiser popped his knuckles.

“Let me get some damn clothes on and we’ll put them all in their place, eh?”

Aaron smirked a little.

“Do you promise, Noah?”

“I swear it. Give me ten minutes.” Kaiser shooed him out.

…….

Aaron left and Kaiser waited a few moments, before locking the door behind him.

He’d have to get a bar lock. That couldn’t happen again.

“None of this should be happening.” He mumbled to himself.

He’d almost been caught.

Naked in bed with a prisoner. Was the risk of losing his job and destroying his reputation worth all this?

Losing his wife?

Kaiser looked towards the bathroom when he heard the water turn off. He saw Arabella’s shadow under the door.

“It’s ok. He’s gone, you can come out.” He addressed her.

Arabella slowly opened the door and stuck her head out.

Beautiful, nervous, brown eyes.

“Your name is Noah?” She asked softly.

His first name on her lips. Yeah, the risk was worth it.

……

“I never introduced myself, properly.” He sounded apologetic as he approached her.

He was still only wearing a sheet. Arabella admired him as he approached, despite her anxiety.

He noticed.

“I’m Noah Kaiser. Captain is all anyone says anymore, but…that’s me.”

He opened her arms to her and she sank into them.

“That was terrifying, Noah.” Arabella whispered as he held her.

“We’ll have to be more careful. Well, I will…” Noah started.

“We should stop.” Arabella shook her head and buried her face in his bare chest.

She was so small compared to him. It made him want to protect her from everything.

“We should.” He agreed and kissed the top of her head.

“But I don’t want to.”

Arabella sniffled and he felt her face scrunch up as she cried.

“No, no no…everything will be ok.” He lifted her chin and kissed her tears away.

“I just have to do my job properly. I’ll see you less, but that’s all that has to change…”

“I’m not worth it.” Arabella shook her head.

Noah paused.

He didn’t know how to respond to that. Not without making way for a deeper conversation he didn’t have time for.

“Don’t think that way.” He replied and kissed her again.

All the adrenaline of almost being discovered was still coursing through him. He wanted to finish where they’d left off.

Self control.

She kissed his chest sweetly and laid against him once more. The sound of his heartbeat thumped in her ear.

“I’ll make it up to you, tonight.” She promised.

“Just please, please go do your job.”

Chapter Text

“I already scrubbed the deck! All on my own!” One of Kaiser’s crewmen argued.

He was sweaty and exhausted, gripping his mop and glaring at his captain.

“Oh, I know.” Kaiser smirked at him.

“Do it again.” He ordered and headed off to order someone else around.

“B…but, why?!” The man demanded angrily.

Cleaning the entire upper level, to Kaiser’s expectations, took three hours for one man.

“Because a little bird told me, that while I was under the weather, things haven’t been cleaned how I like.” Kaiser turned back to him and spoke evenly.

“To make up for it, you’ll do it twice. Every time.”

“Sir…” the man started to argue.

“Until I feel like telling you to stop. Do you, and your continued employment, understand?”

Kaiser finished with his hands behind his back and towered over the shorter man.

This was one of his crew members Aaron pointed out as a rumor spreader.

Kaiser would give him real troubling news to spread.

The man wasn’t afraid, since the work hadn’t become back breaking.

Yet.

“You’ve been under something, but it ain’t the weather.” He sneered lewdly.

“What’s she like?” He asked Kaiser, staring right back at him.

“Is it true what they say about red heads?”

Kaiser didn’t hesitate.

“Whatever you think, you’re wrong. And for your disgusting accusations, you’ll scrub it twice more before you’re allowed to eat.”

“You can’t do that!” The man shouted at his back.

“The kitchen will be notified. You won’t be served until I say so.” Kaiser assured him.

“And if I do let you eat, it’ll be prisoner rations.”

The man’s mouth fell open, but he was too afraid to argue.

His crew had forgotten what Kaiser was like when they all started out. They got comfortable in his kindness.

It took a long time to build trust with him, and prior to that trust, he was almost heartless.

The gossipers were already regretting their whispers and cockiness.

Kaiser stood there in silence, until the other man slapped the deck with his mop and got back to it.

When he was done, Kaiser would have one of his friends scrub everything.

Their hands would be blistered and they’d be too exhausted to talk behind his back.

Aaron was standing by watching it all, and gave Kaiser a secret low five as he passed by him.

That was the captain he’d learned to respect. A hardass who was fair, as long as you did the job you were paid to do.

The girl in his room was a fluke. The captain had a soft heart for weaker individuals, Aaron knew that.

The rumors were just rumors.

…….

“Harder!” Arabella gasped in Noah’s ear that night.

They hadn’t seen one another all day and this was all they’d thought about.

“I don’t want to hurt you.” Noah refused to pummel this poor girl, the way she kept asking.

“You won’t, please…” Arabella arched her back and moved her hips underneath him.

They were in his bed again, grateful for the feisty waters covering the sound of the bed creaking.

Noah groaned and pulled out of her.

“Not like this, I’ll crush you.” He laughed lowly.

“I want to be crushed.” Arabella sat up with him and kissed him deeply.

She gripped his ebony hair and moaned into his neck as he placed his hand between her legs.

He kissed her breasts and gently used his teeth against one. Her nakedness felt like something he’d always been waiting for.

Arabella used her body so enthusiastically to show him how grateful she was to him. He could feel everything she wouldn’t express with words.

Somehow, that would be more intimate than what they were doing. Too much emotion for her.

That frightened, hopeless girl in the cage and the closed off, depressed man felt like strangers to both of them.

They’d saved each other.

“You’re never close enough. I want you closer.” She whispered.

“We can’t both be insatiable. We’ll never fall a sleep.” Noah teased her.

They kissed and touched one another for a few moments.

Arabella started stroking him with her hand and he felt self control on it’s way out.

“Can we do something I’ve always wanted to?” He asked.

“Of course…” Arabella gasped and giggled as she was lifted up in his arms.

He carried her into his office, completely naked and kissing her as he walked. They stopped at his desk.

“Can I bend you over it?” He asked, laughter sitting right under his words.

His fantasies always struck him as a bit silly. Mostly because his wife would have laughed at him if he ever asked…

Arabella didn’t find any humor in it. Instead, her eyes filled with lust and she shoved her tongue down his throat.

Without another word, she put her feet on the floor and leaned over his desk on her hands.

This desk was only ever used for note taking and the occasional impromptu nap.

Noah didn’t feel like laughing anymore as he looked at her round, soft bottom. He rubbed it and up her back as he got closer.

“No…like this.” He said softly and pushed her down gently.

Arabella got off her hands and laid across his desk on her chest.

Noah carefully grabbed her wrists and held them behind her back with one hand. He was shaking a bit as he entered her.

He’d always wanted to try this position, especially in his office. His grip on her wrists got stronger as he started thrusting.

Arabella moaned and pressed up against him. Her hair was such a gorgeous auburn…he wanted to pull it but he resisted.

“Hard?” He breathed out, still afraid to hurt her but he wanted to give her what she’d asked for.

“Harder, yes…” Arabella muffled her shouting against the desk as he slammed into her.

She came fast as let her wrists go and grabbed her hips.

The sound of her orgasm, and the feel of her tightening around him, tipped Noah over the edge.

He growled loudly as he laid over her, cupping one of her breasts from behind as he was overcome with pleasure too.

Hopefully, the ocean masked all those sounds too, but he couldn’t begin to care at the moment.

Once they’d finished, Noah lifted her in his arms again and kissed her passionately.

Arabella was trembling and he loved that he was the one that did that. He loved making her feel good.

“Thank you.” He said softly, afraid he’d been too rough.

“Would you like some wine? I can read to you. Let me just hold you…” he whispered.

Of course she wanted that as well.

Another month of this and Noah had a plan to get Arabella out of prison or indentured servitude.

Then, he started planning how he’d divorce his wife.

Chapter Text

Arabella kept throwing up.

Mostly in the mornings, but she’d felt nauseous most of the day for a week now.

She managed to ignore it when Noah was with her, until today.

“I think the waves are finally getting to me.” She whispered.

They were naked in his bed, as they so often were in the evenings, and she felt ill despite his soft kisses along her nape.

“The water has been calm today…” he murmured and gently rubbed his hand over her stomach.

“Maybe I ate something that doesn’t agree with me.” Arabella replied.

She sat up and gave him an apologetic look.

“Maybe we could take a break? Just for tonight?”

She felt so much sicker than she wanted to admit.

What was going on? She couldn’t remember the last time she’d even had a cold.

Noah was sympathetic and put his hand to her forehead.

“No fever. Poor lovely girl…” he kissed her closed eyes and then her mouth.

“I’ll read to you and we’ll have an early night. Let me make you a gin and ginger. It always helps me when I’m sea sick.”

“You get sea sick?” Arabella giggled as he stood and tucked the blanket around her legs and feet.

“Oh terribly.” He admitted.

“Just don’t tell anyone. I’ve got a reputation to uphold.” He patted his bare stomach and grinned at her.

“It’s difficult imagining you taking ill.” Arabella agreed

She admired his backside as he left for his liquor cabinet. Maybe she didn’t feel too sick…

A wave of nausea took over. Oof, never mind…

“I’m sorry!” She whisper shouted and hopped out of his bed.

“For what…oh.” Noah watched her hurry to the bathroom.

He heard her heaving up her dinner and grimaced. What could possibly have her this sick?

He walked into the bathroom and set their drinks on the sink.

Arabella was naked on the floor with her head over his toilet. Shaking and waiting to see if she’d be sick again.

Noah’s concern and fondness for her didn’t fade at all. Instead, he grabbed his robe from behind the door and knelt down to help her put it on.

“Maybe it’s from being in this cabin for too long. You need some fresh air…”

He grabbed her drink and offered her a sip.

“I get plenty through the…window.” Arabella hesitated when she saw the alcohol he was offering.

She took the glass and stared down at it. Another wave of nausea.

“Don’t drink it.” A voice told her.

“In case you’re pregnant. It’s not good for the…”

“Baby.” She whispered out loud.

“What?” Noah didn’t catch it.

…….

“I’ve been careful.” Noah was beside himself with panic.

His pacing and panicking in his room made Arabella feel even worse.

“I pull out. I always, ALWAYS, pull out! I have for years…”

“Every time?” She whispered.

Arabella thought back on their first few times together. He’d been so overcome with passion…he may have messed up.

“Yes! I mean…I’m pretty sure…”

Noah sat next to her on the bed. His hair was a mess from him pulling at it.

“You’re sure it’s not a stomach bug?” He asked.

“Is anyone else on the boat sick?” Arabella doubted it.

“No.” Noah replied.

“Not that I know of anyway, but word travels fast with that sort of thing…”

Arabella was terrified.

“What if I’m pregnant?” She asked in a trembling voice.

“You’re not…”

“But what if I am?” She snapped.

Her fear turned to panic and Noah saw it in her eyes.

“I…I don’t know. I’ll have to…I need to think…”

“I’m supposed to be cargo and instead I’m in the captain’s quarters…if I’m pregnant and they find out…!” Arabella started getting loud.

“Ok! Ok….” He took her face between her hands and felt the tears running down her face.

“Let me think, ok? Just…let’s stay calm.”

…….

Noah watched her sleeping next to him a few hours later.

Arabella was most beautiful in her sleep. Relaxed and soft, her pink lips slightly parted with each breath.

He pictured waking up to that every morning. Instead of to his wife, who slept with hard curlers in her hair and never stayed in bed with him.

No, she left him to wake up alone while she started her social excursions. She swore they were important, but they sounded so flippant to him.

Evelyn spent his money and her time away from him.

She only sought him out with purpose when she wanted to get pregnant. Each failed pregnancy pulled them even further apart.

But, Arabella made him laugh and feel excited upon waking.

Maybe it wasn’t fair, since she was still so new in his life, but he’d never felt this with Evelyn.

He didn’t feel much with Evelyn. He wasn’t sure if his love for her was ever real…

Once they were on land, he’d planned on purchasing Arabella from cargo.

He’d take her home and she’d live with the other servants for a few months, while he handled his divorce.

The plan was to sell his estate and give half of it all to Evelyn. It was more than enough for her to live her lavish lifestyle and be taken care of.

He doubted she’d even notice he was gone if the legality of it all didn’t need to happen.

Then, he’d take the rest of his money and retire. He’d move Arabella to the country, where she’d always wanted to live.

They’d get a cute little house she could decorate however she wanted. With a garden and small barn for sheep and chickens.

They’d travel on his ship. He’d take her wherever she wanted to go and lavish her with beautiful clothes and books.

Whatever she needed to be happy.

And if she was pregnant…well, he’d always wanted to be a father.

More than he’d admit to himself, since Evelyn made it seem like an impossibility.

He didn’t hold it against her, but he had given up.

“Hey.” He whispered and kissed Arabella gently on her lips.

“Hm?” Arabella murmured, barely awake.

“Would you marry me?”

“What?” Arabella’s eyes flashed open.

“If I had a plan…would you marry me?”

Arabella sat up, her sleepiness was no where to be seen.

“You’re already married…”

“I don’t want to be.” Noah knew it was true the moment he said it out loud.

“I want you to be my wife. I want to take care of you…”

“Why?” Arabella scoffed and slid back a bit on the bed.

She was a servant, and then a prisoner. “Transport trash”…why would someone like him ever…?

“I’m in love with you.” Noah admitted.

Again, when he said it out loud, he knew it was true.

“Noah…” Arabella rubbed her face and said his name like he was stupid.

“I’m not asking you to feel the same.” He interrupted.

“I do hope you will someday. But I want you to know, that either way, I’ll take care of you. You’ll be ok…you and any possible child that may or may not exist…”

“You don’t know what you’re saying.” Arabella shook her head and started to get out of bed.

This was too much. He must be drunk…

“Please, think on it.” He begged and grabbed her hand.

“Regardless, I’ll make sure you’re safe when you get off this boat. But…”

Arabella had never been in love. It was a pointless thing that made people careless.

But Noah Kaiser made her feel something she’d never felt. Was it love, or just intense gratitude?

“Let me think…I…I need to think…” she whispered.

Chapter Text

“Are you hungry, love?” Noah asked gently.

Arabella was very pregnant. Almost nine whole months. Her belly filled out his nightshirts.

She sat in his window nook, looking worried. Always worried.

He thought she was just as beautiful as the day he’d met her, and his guilt for doing this to her was mixed with joy.

He was a father…

“I’m always hungry.” Arabella sighed and tried to stand.

“I know. I’ll have the chef chop up the last of the frozen oranges…” Noah hurried to help her up.

“No. Your crew needs those.” Arabella insisted.

“They’ll be fine, scurvy isn’t going to hit them in a week.” Noah kissed her temple and pulled her into his arms.

They danced to the soft music coming from his record player. Arabella sighed contently and laid her head on his chest.

“A week?” She asked softly.

“Yes. We’ll reach Cherish in week.” Noah replied.

“What?” Arabella asked loudly and backed away from him.

“A week? A WEEK?”

She looked mortified.

“I was going to tell you this afternoon…” he started.

He knew she’d freak out…

“Oh God! No…no, I’m not ready. A week. A week?!” She kept repeating it and paced in a panic.

“Darling, the baby…” Noah reached out to hold her stomach.

“My baby is in danger!” Arabella snapped at him and stepped out of reach.

“What is going to happen to us?” She demanded, her eyes feral.

“I’ll protect you!” Noah assured her.

“Please, please calm down…I was going to explain everything today…”

“Explain what? What could you possibly…ow! Ow ow…” Arabella seized up and held her lower back.

They made eye contact and he saw the anger in her eyes fade to fear.

His eyes wandered down to a puddle of water spreading on his carpet. Dripping down her legs.

He’d been there when his oldest sister went into labor. This was happening now and it would be quick.

“Arabella…come lay down…” he whispered and reached for her.

“No. No! I’m not ready…no!” Arabella started sobbing. She covered her mouth and let out a muffled cry as another contraction hit.

“If they’re that bad already, you’re about to drop the baby!” Noah rushed over and picked her up in his arms.

“No! I’m scared!” Arabella was crying and gripping his shoulders.

“I’m here! I’m here! I’ve got you….” Noah reassured her as he laid her down on his bed.

She was already sweating and gripped his hand as he started to leave.

“I’ll grab towels. I’ll be right back, just breath…breath… I’ve got you…”

He held eye contact as he backed out of the room, the rushed to the bathroom.

The poor woman was terrified and he had to act like he wasn’t also, for her sake.

The guilt he felt was overwhelming. This shouldn’t be happening…

…….

“She accused me of stealing her jewelry.” Arabella said softly.

“She lied.”

It was a few hours later and she was sitting in the chair in his room. Their baby was in her arms, fast asleep.

“Who accused you?” Noah asked as he smoothed the fresh sheet he’d just placed on the bed.

His last set were a bit bloody, but the towels took the worst of it.

Witnessing a birth had humbled him. He’d already had a small phobia, due to his wife’s frightening scenarios…but a full birth was something else.

He’d handled it though, and Arabella was grateful for him once again.

“The lady of the house I worked at…she had me arrested.” Arabella explained.

“Oh…” Noah didn’t know the entire story yet. Arabella had made if obvious she didn’t like discussing it.

“Why did she lie?” He asked and knelt next to her and their daughter.

Arabella gave a false smile. She hated this story, why was she telling it now?

“Because her husband thought I was pretty.” She explained.

“I had no idea, another maid told me to watch out for him though. She’d heard him talking to a friend of his…”

She sniffled and wiped her eye, careful to not jostle the baby.

“Word made it to his wife and…she wanted to get rid of me.”

“Oh, love…” Noah lifted her chin.

“I’m so sorry…why didn’t she just fire you?” He asked.

“Because she hated me.” Arabella explained.

“I’d stolen her husband’s eyes for just a moment, and she had me falsely accused and sentenced to transport.”

“That’s so extreme.” He said softly.

“Well…they were rich and she went to church with the judge over my case.”

She sighed sadly.

“I didn’t stand a chance.”

Arabella looked down at the red headed infant in her arms and changed the subject.

“Can we name her Lily?” She asked.

“That was my best friend’s name, when I was a girl…”

“Whatever you want, that’s a beautiful name…” Noah was still pained over her tale.

She’d gone from one dramatic scenario to something even worse with him. The poor woman couldn’t catch a break.

While they’d both consented to getting physical, and he’d given her every chance to say no…he should have been more careful.

He was still afraid she’d only said yes in hopes of staying out of that cage. He couldn’t stand the thought…

“I love you.” He whispered.

Arabella looked up at him. He didn’t see any doubt in her eyes, just exhaustion.

He gently rubbed her cheek and prayed she could hear the sincerity in his voice.

“No one will ever hurt you again. Either of you.” He promised.

Arabella gave him a serious look. Then, she took a deep breath and finally admitted it.

“I love you too. And I’m trusting you…”

“You love me?” Noah whispered, a big smile covering his face.

“Yes…yes! But stay calm…” Arabella giggled as he kissed the corner over her mouth and then her cheek.

“We have to focus. What is your plan?” She asked.

She looked down at their child and her fear returned.

“Because if that woman was willing to send me away in a cage, just because her husband looked at me…I can’t imagine what your wife would do if she knew…”

Chapter Text

Evelyn Kaiser was not a nice person.

In front of her husband, his family and those in her same tax bracket, she was a delight.

Sweet, soft spoken, proper and prim. She’d make a show of spending Noah’s money on those “below” her…but only if there were enough eyes around to witness it.

Born into wealth, and marrying into even more, she had no need to develop an actual personality.

Nor did she learn how to truly care for anyone other than her self. But she was a good actress.

Spoiled and bored, only her servants knew the real Evelyn.

Her boredom turned her towards dark outlets to relieve it. She was sadistic in the quietest way, and only targeted those who couldn’t speak out.

Or, if they did speak out, no one would believe them.

Her victim this early morning was her personal maid, Vera.

“Ouch!” Evelyn stood up from her vanity chair and whipped around.

Vera, the poor young girl, had been brushing her employer’s long, brown hair and accidentally tugged it a bit.

“I’m…” she started to apologize, but she was met with a hard slap in the face.

She bowed down and held her cheek, trying her best not to cry.

Crying made it worse.

“I’ve told you time and time again, I have a tender scalp!” Evelyn spit venom with her words.

“We can’t all have rugged, thick heads like you people.” She went on as she adjusted her wavy hair in the mirror.

“Now, braid it how Noah likes. He’ll be home this afternoon and I want him to fall in love all over again.”

Evelyn sat back down in a dainty way, as if the slap had never happened.

Vera cautiously put her hands back to her hair, careful to use minimal force as she braided.

“You know, it’s polite to congratulate a lady when her husband is returning from such a long trip.” Evelyn said in a sweet voice.

Vera knew she wasn’t being sweet. She just wanted attention.

The maids and servants also knew that Evelyn’s and Noah’s marriage was a sad thing.

He was generally a kind man, a bit quiet and reserved. Evelyn was vicious behind his back and married him for his money.

Her inability to provide him with children, and heirs to his fortune, had made her even crueler.

“I’m sure he’ll be so relieved to see you.” Vera said soft voice.

“Of course he will.” Evelyn ran a light pink lipstick over her mouth and blotted it with a tissue.

“The idiot has to think I’ve been pining for him this entire time.” She pouted in the mirror.

Her pout turned into a frown.

“I suppose he’ll want sex after being away from me for such long time.” She grimaced.

Physical affection made her skin crawl. She only happily went to bed with her husband in hopes of having a baby.

The workers in the house thanked God above she wasn’t allowed to become a mother.

Any child she’d bring into the world would either be as bad as her, or treated poorly.

Hugs from your mother were so important for growing up happy. Her children would not have received a single one.

“I’ll just tell him I have a headache.” Evelyn stood once her hair was braided prettily down her back.

“Now, prepare my outfit. I’ll need to make an appearance at the docks soon.” She ordered her maid.

“If there is a single wrinkle, you’ll find yourself unemployed. Understand?”

“Yes ma’am!” Vera curtsied and escaped out of her missus’s bedroom.

Evelyn looked out her window, across Noah’s large estate, towards the ocean.

With an annoyed sigh, she made her way downstairs.

She was supposed to go shopping with a friend today and had almost completely forgotten about her husband’s arrival.

……

“It will only be for a day.” Noah was reassuring Arabella for the hundredth time.

“You’re sure you can’t take her with you?” She begged and held their baby out in her arms.

Lily was a week old and neither of them had felt such love.

Their daughter slept between the on Noah’s bed every night. They’d lay awake, staring at her in silence.

Noah had ripped up his softest shirts to use as diapers and Arabella had gotten used to breast feeding fairly quickly.

They were parents and they were in love. They just had one more hump to get over before they were safe.

“I can’t, what excuse could I give?” Noah asked softly.

“I…I don’t know.” She held Lily tightly and looked frightened.

Lily would have to sit in that cage for a day. Just until it was time to unload the prisoners to move them to be sold.

Noah had to break his promise Arabella would never step foot in there again, but he still protect her.

“You’ll stay the night and in the morning, I’ll buy you and Lily from the market.” He explained.

“I’ll stay nearby and you’ll be by my side before you’re ever even shown to anyone else.”

Noah hated how they auctioned off indentured slaves. Selling human lives to the highest bidder like they were animals in the middle of the town.

“Won’t that be suspicious?” Arabella whispered.

“How do we explain…?” she looked down at Lily.

“We’ll say you were assaulted.” Noah explained.

“It’s disgusting men and women are transported together, they’ll have no one to blame but themselves.”

Arabella grimaced and nodded. It was the only other thing that made sense.

“What about your crew?” She asked.

“They suspect you as it is…”

“They have no proof of anything.” Noah explained.

“If they try and say she’s mine, I’ll deny everything. And no one pays as well as I do, if they want to continue working…”

He shrugged.

“No one has seen you since you came to my office. I’ll just tell them they got the dates wrong, if they say anything.”

Noah kissed her forehead.

“It’ll be ok. No one will know anything they don’t need to. Now, we need to get you both down to cargo. But I need to make some preparations first.”

He walked over to a cabinet next to his office door and opened it.

It held his coats, his hats and his hand gun.

Noah took the gun from the highest shelf and started loading it from the box of ammunition next to it.

“Please be careful.” Arabella asked softly.

“I’m an excellent shot and they know it.” Noah promised her.

He kissed her once more, and gently brushed his daughter’s auburn fluff of hair.

“I’ll be right back. Just relax…”

Chapter Text

“We’ll do this quickly and efficiently. Anything other than that, and you’ll find your body has a new hole.”

Noah was aiming his handgun at the largest brute in the cage to the left of cargo. The one that threatened Arabella.

“Any passing ideas of escape, or of attacking me, will also be shot straight out of your brain. Do we understand, gentlemen?” Noah went on.

“What the fuck are you making us do?” The largest prisoner glared at him with his hands up.

“I’m splitting you up.” Noah explained.

“All men will move to the cage on the left. Women, on the right…”

“There are too many of us!” One man argued loudly.

“We’ll be like sardines in here…”

This was true.

Of the prisoners, only eight were women. All the men in one cage would be claustrophobic, at best.

“It will only be for a day.” Noah shrugged.

He felt guilt for the men held on lesser charges, but he had to protect his child and her mother.

“Now, all the men in the right cage, you’ll move to the left. I’m an excellent aim, so do as you’re told.”

Noah managed to look confident as he reached for his key ring.

……

“This ain’t right, man! Why the fuck are you doing this?” The largest prisoner demanded.

All the men had to stand, in order to fit in a single cell.

They were complaining loudly, while the eight female prisoners stretched out in all the space on the right.

“You don’t get an opinion.” Noah spat at the wannabe rapist as he locked the cage behind him.

“And the rest of you, I do apologize. Again, it’s only for a day…”

“But why?” The man shouted at Noah’s back as he hurried back upstairs.

……

“Ok, darling. Everything is ready for you.”

Noah hurried back to quarters and put away his gun as he spoke to Arabella.

“You’re sure she has to go with me?” Arabella begged one more time and clutched Lily.

“I’m so sorry, but yes.” Noah took her hand and led her out onto the ship.

“But I swear, it’ll be less than a day. And none of those men will be able to lay a finger on either of you.”

“I’m trusting you…” Arabella said softly.

Noah kissed her forehead before opening the door.

“I’ve got you. Everything will be ok.” He whispered.

……

“Oh, she’s beautiful.” Whispered one of the female prisoners.

Noah led Arabella back down to cargo without being spotted.

She stood in front of the the women’s cage with their baby, looking terrified.

“Such lovely hair.” Whispered an older woman.

Lily was a sweet bundle, fast asleep in her mother’s arms.

“Will she be staying in here?” The older woman gave Noah a skeptical look.

“Can I trust you lot?” He asked.

“Otherwise, my threat of a bullet in your skull isn’t only for the men.”

“Noah…” Arabella shook her head.

“Noah”, eh?” The asshole in the other cell leaned on the bars and laughed.

“I get it now. Captain wanted a little fun and forgot to pull out…”

Noah calmly turned to the man and stared at him.

“Why bother, hm? It’s just a girl baby. If it were me I’d toss it out to sea…”

The man chuckled. He turned just in time to see Noah’s fist fly between the bars and against his nose with a loud crunch.

“Jesus fuck!” The man shouted and cursed as he clutched his broken and bleeding nose.

“What was that for?” He shouted as blood poured down his front.

“It’ll only be for a day.” Noah turned back to the women in the cage and addressed them as he rubbed his fist.

“Anyone that helps this young mother out can come work on my estate. It’s a far cry better than most places you could be sold to…”

“Oh, sir. We’d do it anyway.” A young woman had barely acknowledged the men’s fighting, she was too busy taking in Lily’s little face.

“But we still expect you to hold up that deal.” The older woman quickly corrected her.

“Of course.” Noah assured them all.

He turned to Arabella and resisted kissing her goodbye.

“You’ll be ok, Miss. It’s just for a day.”

Arabella nodded and held Lily closer.

She was shaking as Noah unlocked the cell and she stepped inside.

Chapter Text

A year.

Arabella would “work for Noah” for a year.

She and Lily would live in the maid’s quarters, safe and sound on his property.

He’d work through his divorce with Evelyn as quickly as possible.

They’d allow some time to pass so nothing looked suspicious, then he’d take his love and their daughter somewhere safe.

He’d marry Arabella and give them both everything their hearts desired.

Noah was standing on the deck, planning it all in his head as land came into view.

Cherish. His home since he was a little boy.

Not for long…

“That’s your baby, isn’t it?” Came a voice from behind him.

…..

Captain Kaiser whipped around at Aaron’s voice.

His co-captain and friend had a tired look on his face.

The boat rocked on the waves as the men stood in silence. Kaiser’s slow response told the other man everything he needed to know.

“Baby?” Kaiser scoffed.

“What baby?”

His acting wasn’t bad, despite the telling pause.

“The prisoners told me.” Aaron replied.

“You took that girl down there with a baby in tow…”

Kaiser took a deep breath. He’d expected this, but not so soon.

“Ok…yes there is a baby. She’d asked me to keep my mouth shut…”

“Noah…” Aaron stepped forward in anger. He knew lies were coming.

“The poor girl was assaulted down there.” Noah explained in a sad tone.

Aaron froze. Was his captain really attempting this?

“I wasn’t aware when I had her brought up, I’ll admit. But she notified me as soon as she suspected a pregnancy…”

He sighed and wrung his hands.

“I let her stay in my quarters where it was safe. She gave birth and…”

“And you stuck her back in that cage.” Aaron sounded disgusted.

“After removing all the male prisoners, yes. I can’t pull up with a woman and baby in my office.” Noah shrugged.

“I’m sympathetic to the poor girl, but what would people think?”

Aaron sneered and looked Noah up and down.

“What indeed?” He asked.

Noah groaned and rubbed his face.

“See? You’re already jumping to conclusions! It was an act of kindness…”

“Kindness?” Aaron snapped angrily.

“There is an infant in cargo!”

Noah nodded and his worried look was authentic.

“It’s an unfortunate scenario for them both. She wouldn’t name the monster that did this out of fear, but I’m hoping she can be convinced…”

Aaron didn’t believe a word out his mouth.

Noah had changed so much in a short time…and he wouldn’t have kept all this a secret, from his co-captain at least.

He played along though.

“So what’s the plan for them? Selling them separately? Together?”

Noah shook his head like it was a ridiculous thought.

“They’ll come live on my estate, with the other maids…”

“You’re buying her?” Aaron laughed a bit in disbelief.

Did his friend really think he was this big of a fool?

“Your kindness knows no bounds, it seems.” He crossed his arms and glared at his captain.

Noah shrugged and rubbed the back of his neck.

“I feel responsible for her.” He explained as he started walking away.

“Arabella is good person. A victim of circumstance if there ever was one…”

“Captain…” Aaron started to argue.

“And that poor child didn’t ask for any of this either. It’s just the right thing to do…” Noah went on.

He was almost to his living quarter’s door. Dismissing his co-captain and this subject.

“I can do math, Noah.” Aaron said to his back.

Noah paused with his hand on the door knob. His heart rate got even faster.

“The months don’t add up. If she was pregnant before you took her in…no. It doesn’t add up…”

“You’re mistaken!” Noah snapped and looked back at him.

The stared one another down.

“I’m not.” Aaron insisted.

Noah steadied himself. There was no proof…

“But you are, Aaron. And if I hear another word of it, you’ll find yourself unemployed.”

With that, Noah opened his door, stepped inside and slammed it behind him.

Chapter Text

Arabella tucked herself and Lily into the furthest corner of their cell.

Noah had provided a pillow and blanket and the female prisoners didn’t fight her for them.

Instead, they were gentle and kept an eye on the two of them, just as they promised.

Arabella had hummed her tiny daughter to sleep.

With a tummy full of milk and peaceful moon beams coming in through the barred window, Lily had no idea about their predicament.

As far as she knew, she was just warm and content in her mother’s arms.

Arabella, on the other hand, didn’t think she’d be able to rest as long as they were in here.

She stared across the way, at the men who were staring back at her.

They were clearly pissed.

They could barely move and were forced to stand, but the situation couldn’t be helped. She refused to feel guilty.

Nothing was more important than keeping her baby safe.

She looked down at her auburn haired angel and dared to daydream of their future.

A little farm, with cute animals and a garden for her and Lily to tend to. Family trips on her husband’s ship….

They were completely dependent on Noah keeping his word. But she trusted him, despite her general distrust of everyone.

He loved her and he loved their daughter. Maybe everything would finally be ok.

Maybe her life would finally have some brightness in it.

That soothing thought, along with Lily’s deep breathing, lulled Arabella to sleep.

Just one night and most of a day, then they’d be free.

They were both still fast asleep as The Evelyn docked in Cherish early in the morning.

…….

“My love! My captain!”

Evelyn Kaiser made a show of running down the dock, past all the dirty sailors and into her husband’s arms.

Noah held his wife and pushed past the sense of home and comfort he felt.

It was always this way when he came back after a long trip. Within days, he’d begin to feel stifled and ignored once more.

Her skin was soft, but blank. His mind was flooded with Arabella’s freckles.

Evelyn smelled of baby powder and an expensive perfume. Arabella smelled like warmth and lavender.

Noah had no doubt in his mind which he preferred…and felt the first wave of terrible guilt for his plans of divorce.

But, he’d need to fake it at least for a month or so, to avoid rousing Evelyn’s suspicions.

Everything was normal. He played the role of a pining man finally back in his love’s embrace well.

“My darling, I thought of nothing but this for the past two years.” He proclaimed and kissed her deeply.

The crowd around them awed and whooped at the couple. Everyone except Captain Kaiser’s crew…and Aaron.

He stood at Noah’s left with a sneer on his face. Watching his friend lie to his wife made him nauseous.

Aaron knew that baby was Noah’s. He knew it…

Evelyn grabbed Noah’s face to stop his kisses.

“My love, we’re in public!” She giggled and looped her arm in his.

“Come, let’s go home. Everyone is so excited to see you…”

Noah allowed himself to be led away.

Each step took him further from Arabella and Lily. It almost physically hurt knowing they were in that cage…

Aaron watched the captain walk away without giving any further orders, leaving his co-captain to do his job once more.

With a frustrated snarl, Aaron whipped around and stomped back onto the ship.

He couldn’t remember ever feeling this angry or disgusted. He had to do something about it.

Captain Kaiser couldn’t just get away with this. All the lies and deceit.

Poor, sweet Evelyn Kaiser.

That woman trusted her husband completely. She had no idea what’d he’d been doing in his office this past year.

Or the child that came from his heinous behavior.

She deserved to know the truth. As soon as possible.

And Kaiser needed to be responsible and claim that baby outright, instead of sending her to live in the maid’s quarters.

Regardless of what this did to their friendship or Noah’s marriage, Aaron couldn’t stand by and watch a child suffer for lies.

But he had to be completely sure before he went to Evelyn about it. He decided to go talk to Arabella himself.

Chapter Text

“I can’t remember the last time I saw you in there.” Evelyn said casually.

She preened in a mirror hanging in the hallway, while Noah tried his best to contain his anger.

He was standing in the doorway of what used to be his office.

Sometime in the past two years, his wife had transformed it into a third large closet for her endless shopping sprees.

His desk, bookshelves, sofa and every single piece of wall art or sentimental trinkets had been moved into the attic.

“I use my office all the time…” he tried to keep his voice calm, while his hand gripped the doorframe.

“Well, when you abandon me for two whole years, I do irrational things.” Evelyn pouted and hugged him from behind.

“There would be no money to spend if I didn’t sail…”

“All the unopened boxes are for you.” She interrupted him in a sweet voice.

“I thought of you constantly.”

No apology. No plans to make this right.

The walls were lined with expensive dresses, furs and new shelves covered in shoes. Most everything still had the tag on it.

Evelyn spent the majority of her time spending Noah’s money. He was typically too checked out to care much.

It was just what wives did. That was what he’d been taught.

”Happy wife, happy life.” Even if it made him unhappy in the process.

But being with Arabella had changed him. She’d never do something so selfish…

“I’ll need this room back.” He said cooly.

Evelyn paused as she started walking away, then slowly turned back to him

Her husband never ordered her to do anything. Nor did he ever use a tone of voice that wasn’t loving or passive.

“What was that, darling?” She asked primly.

“This is my office and I’m going to need it back exactly the way it was.” Noah repeated.

“I can’t believe you’d…” he stopped.

His anger was coming out with his words and he’d never expressed such an emotion towards her.

Arabella had opened his eyes to a lot of wrong doing on Evelyn’s part.

Looking back, it was obvious how little she actually cared for him. How blind he’d been…

What an idiot she must think he was. A welcome mat to trot all over…

Arabella respected him. Loved him…

“Everything had a place and purpose. You knew I was coming home and would need my office for work.” He calmed his tone.

“It can’t stay. Your clothes can go in the attic…”

“Excuse me?” Evelyn put her hands on her hips and stared him down.

Her husband was always spared her rage, because she depended on his money for this lifestyle.

But he’d been under her thumb, easy to control…

What changed?

They held eye contact for a long moment, neither backing down.

Evelyn squeezed her fists and took a deep breath.

“I don’t want to fight. You just got home…” she cooed and tried to change the subject.

“Let’s talk about it later, huh? We need to get you out of that uniform…”

Evelyn rubbed his chest and shoulders, before standing on her tip toes to kiss him.

Outside of trying to bear children, she’d use sex to get her way with him. It always worked.

Men were easy. Stupid…

She tasted like cherry lip stain, his favorite she wore. Her lips were always so soft and delicate.

Noah would usually whisk her away at the slightest hint of intimacy, lest she change her mind.

But his real love was in a cage…

“Actually, I’ve uh…I’ve got a headache.” Noah declined her advances.

He saw them for what they were now anyway. Just manipulation.

“A headache?” Evelyn laughed in disbelief.

That was her line…

“Yes. I think…I think I need a shower and rest. I’ve got to unload the cargo fairly early tomorrow…”

Evelyn wasn’t listening as he kissed her hands in an absentminded way.

“We’ll have an early supper and bed time, how about that?” He asked her as he started walking away.

“But first, please arrange for my office to be returned to normal…”

Evelyn glared at her husband’s back as he headed towards the master bedroom. He didn’t expect her to follow.

She was quietly seething. How dare he grow a back bone out of no where?

As soon as he turned the corner, Evelyn stepped inside his office turned closet and slammed the door

She grabbed a heavy heeled shoe and chunked it towards a mirror across the room. It loudly shattered into pieces.

Then, she shoved her face into some hanging coats and screamed into them to muffle the sound.

Noah had never seen her temper tantrums. He’d never triggered one…

It was frightening to behold.

……

Aaron couldn’t bear to wake Arabella, as rude as he’d been to her before.

He’d caught a glimpse of her child that morning and immediately stormed off to confront Noah.

But now, watching a sleeping mother stuck in a cell, cradling her infant…his empathy was triggered.

They were tucked away in the furthest corner and looked so helpless. The baby had gotten her mother’s hair…

How could Noah do such a thing? How could he father a child and then treat it like a second class citizen?

Aaron clenched his fists and turned towards the men in the other cell.

“Are we getting out of here soon?” The biggest complained.

He still had dried blood down his front.

“What happened to you?” Aaron demanded and looked at him in disgust.

“Your boss decked me for no good reason.” The man snorted as he leaned on the bars.

Aaron stepped back with a grimace and didn’t believe the prisoner.

He knew why this man was in here. Noah had shown Aaron his paperwork when defending himself about Arabella.

She truly had been trapped in a cage with a rapist. He’d helped her.

“Did you do that?” Aaron asked harshly and pointed at the mother and child.

The brute snorted and laughed again.

“Nah, man. Not my handy work…and I’d never father anything that wasn’t a son…”

He patted his groin and smirked.

“What if I don’t believe you?” Aaron snapped.

“I know why you’re in here. Someone had to have done it…”

The man chuckled and looked at Aaron like he was stupid.

“We all know where that girl has been. And with who…” he replied.

“Boss man brought them both down here, just like we told you this morning. You should talk to Kaiser.”

The man poked his own broken nose and winced.

“He gave me this after I insulted the little beast. No man breaks another man’s nose over a child that isn’t his…”

Aaron felt his shoulders slump.

He was already sure the baby was Noah’s, but hearing it confirmed from this monster’s mouth really drove it home.

Everything happened quickly after that.

Chapter Text

Evelyn was having tea in the master bedroom.

She had a small table placed in front of their largest window, so she could make a show of staring at the tiny graves right outside.

She silently refused to do what Noah had instructed.

Instead, she sipped her tea and snapped at her maid…rather than put his office back the way it was.

He’d have to do it himself…or surely he’d change his mind.

And if he didn’t, she’d cry.

She’d bring up their lost babies, as she always did when she needed extra sympathy.

Any time he expressed disdain for her constant shopping and socializing, she’d use her failed pregnancies as an excuse.

“It’s a phase. I’m just trying to fill the void.” She’d claim

Noah would look sorrowful. He’d be an understanding and doting husband once more.

Evelyn took a dainty bite of the cake that had been placed in front of her.

She had fleeting thought of plunging her fork into Vera’s hand, just to see what would happen.

Unbeknownst to Vera, she stepped aside just in time. So, Evelyn continued to ponder about her husband.

Usually, when he came home from a long trip, he wanted to make love immediately.

She’d go along with it for a few days, then gradually push him aside again. Her role as a wife fulfilled and she wouldn’t have to bother for a while.

He hadn’t even asked this time.

Noah had barely kissed her since their initial reunion. He’d typically try to pepper her face with kisses and gush over his love for her all day…

Like a proper puppet.

She hadn’t seen him in over two hours. Where was he?

As if he were summoned, Noah walked into the room.

…….

“There you are…” Evelyn said sweetly and started to stand.

“No no, don’t let me interrupt.” Noah had just come in to grab his bag.

“I had a thought. I completely forgot to file some paperwork on the ship for tomorrow’s sale.” He lied.

In truth, he wanted to check on Arabella and Lily. His mind was wracked with worry.

Evelyn watched him start to change out of his house clothes, that he’d hardly worn, and back into his work attire.

“You’re sure it can’t wait?” She asked, putting on a pitiful voice.

Not having her husband waiting on baited breath for her attention was driving her crazy.

Noah paused and spared her a look. She gave him a hopeful smile.

“It’s been two years, darling. I was hoping you’d tell me about the trip or…”

“Like you say, each trip is always the same. You’d be so bored listening to me rehash it all.” Noah sighed and slid on his jacket.

“No…particularly nice sunsets this time?” Evelyn pushed.

Her husband always insisted the sky was more beautiful over the water. She usually didn’t bother to listen.

”Look, I’ll be quick. Just there and back, then you’ll have me for the rest of the night.”

Noah walked over and gave her a quick peck on the cheek.

Evelyn recoiled and and glared at him as he walked out again. Her fists were so tight that her nails dug in her palms.

What was going on with this man? How dare he?

All her instincts were screaming at her. She was losing his devotion…and quickly. What changed?

It made her desperate.

“Could we…discuss adoption?” She called through the door.

…..

Noah stopped in the hall, just short of shutting the door behind himself.

“What was that?” He called back. Surely he hadn’t heard what he thought he did…

“I was walking in town the other day, making preparations for you return…” Evelyn popped her head around the doorway.

She looked shy and hesitant. Noah believed her act, despite himself.

“As I passed the orphanage, next to the church, I had a thought…”

Noah’s stomach tightened with anxiety and anger.

He’d asked so many times about adoption, specifically after his wife’s third miscarriage.

His desire to be a father and to give her a child had been strong, yet she’d denied him every time he brought it up.

“What are you saying?” He asked.

“I thought…well, you always said…”

Evelyn had always say no “stray” needed to inherit Noah’s wealth. Either her own children, or none.

But it was blatantly obvious she’d never bear a child with each grave planted in the yard, so…maybe she’d come to her senses?

Too little too late. He already had a child…

“I misspoke.” Evelyn admitted.

“I saw the younger ones playing on the orphanage’s playground, all rosy cheeked and adorable. Though, we’d insist on a baby. ”

She walked over and straightened her husband’s collar.

“I sweet little curly hair boy, wouldn’t that be nice? You could teach him everything and wake up to the little patter of his feet…oh, this house feel so empty…”

Evelyn hugged Noah tightly, something she rarely did. She rested her head on his chest and sighed.

“Poor people are always pushing out children, we’d have our choice of little ones. Surely one of them could pass as our own…”

She rubbed his back and really laid it on thick.

“You’d finally be a father. I could finally do that for you…”

Noah hid his grimace and gently pushed his wife away. He put her hands to his lips and kissed them gently.

“That is certainly something to think about.” He said and managed a smile.

“Can we discuss it over dinner?”

“Or, maybe pillow talk?” Evelyn smiled coyly and fiddled with his belt buckle.

She was certain she’d just won her husband’s favor and would seal the deal with sex. But Noah’s mind was the furthest from all that.

“I’ll see you tonight and we can do whatever you want.” He promised and kissed her forehead.

Their conversation was already disappearing from his mind as he left for the docks.

Evelyn smugly went back to her tea and decided she’d actually go through with the adoption.

Why not? It would tether Noah to her even more, and it’s not like she’d actually have to raise the dirty thing.

That’s what servants were for…

Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud knock on the front door.

Evelyn barely registered it. People were always coming to try and sell things.

“Madam?” She heard a call from downstairs.

Evelyn rolled her eyes and took the last bite of cake. She decided to ignore it, no one had made an appointment.

There was a soft knock on her bedroom door.

“What?” She snapped.

One of the head butlers slowly opened the door and looked apologetic.

He didn’t step on the plush, white carpet of the bedroom, for fear of marking it and triggering her wrath.

“Excuse me, Madam, but a Mr. Aaron Orwell is here to speak with you. He said it’s important…”

“Who?” Evenly asked coldly.

That name sounded familiar, but she didn’t care enough to place it.

“Your husband’s co-captain.” Her butler explained.

“He says he needs to discuss a situation on the most recent excursion.”