Elise Sails Again
Captain Peanut Butter • Chapter 28
New to Baron Britpop Blastfurnace? You can read Books 1 & 2 starting here:
In the previous chapter Capatin Peanut Butter was given a commission in the Continental Navy and he returned to The Jellyfish to start raiding British supply ships. In this chapter, we return to Elise and Britpop’s story.
I shall resume the telling of the story.
The maiden voyage of The Eternal Horizon was a success. We sailed into Kapri without incident, and the cargo was unloaded under the watchful eye of Snoffduffle. Afterward, Elise and I stopped in the Grand Duke’s office.
“Congratulations, Miss Boissonneau. You did a fine job on your first voyage,” Goatbeard said.
“Thank you, Grand Duke. It was my great pleasure. I thank you again for your confidence in me.”
“It appears well deserved. Now, we have one more bit of business to attend to. A celebration dinner—my treat, of course. Let Andelbert and Maria know they are also invited.”
“That is very kind, Grand Duke. May I go to Britpop’s estate and freshen up first?”
“Certainly. Meet me here when you are finished.”
“It won’t take long. I am not that fancy.”
The Grand Duke chuckled.
“Come on, Britpop. You could use some freshening also.”
I smelled myself and said, “You are correct, as usual, my love.”
I turned to the Grand Duke. “While I am content to dine at The Port Belly Inn, might I suggest that we dine at my estate instead? Amelia loves to have guests to cook for, and I think I can talk Andelbert into baking bread.”
“That is a fine idea. I will stop at the bakery and buy dessert. I noticed a couple of cherry pies when I was in there this morning.”
“Perfect. Shall we plan for seven o’clock?”
“I shall be there.”
“Excellent. Good day, Grand Duke.”
“Good day,” Goatbeard replied.
When we arrived at the estate, Amelia met us all with warm hugs—after wiping flour off her hands on her apron.
“I am so pleased to see you all,” Amelia said.
“Maybe not as much after my news,” I said.
“What now?” She asked and frowned.
“Nothing terrible. I have invited Grand Duke Goatbeard to dinner tonight.”
“Is that all?” she replied. “An extra mouth is never a problem.”
“He is bringing pie.”
“My pies aren’t good enough for him?”
“Of course, but he originally wanted to pay for our dinner. I believe it is his way of contributing.”
“Well, Peel’s pies are good.”
“Not as good as yours,” I replied.
“Enough of your flattery. I have work to do. And you need a bath.”
Everyone laughed. “That I do.”
The Grand Duke arrived precisely on time, and Andelbert showed him to the dining room.
After a delicious dinner and pleasant conversation, the Grand Duke asked if I would fetch Amelia from the kitchen. I was curious but didn’t say anything and did as he requested.
Amelia was apprehensive. “What does he want? It’s not proper.”
“I have no idea. Let’s find out.”
Amelia walked timidly into the dining room.
“Miss Kindly, that was one of the best meals I have ever eaten. Everything was cooked to perfection and full of flavor.”
Amelia blushed a little.
“It was my pleasure, Grand Duke.”
“Will you join us for cherry pie? I am sure Felix’s pies can’t compare to yours, but I would be honored if you would sample one anyway.”
Amelia looked at me nervously.
“Yes, please join us,” I said.
“Very well,” Amelia replied.
As we ate pie, I wondered if the Grand Duke was just being polite or if he had further interests in Amelia. They were of similar age, and neither had ever married.
After we finished the pie, Goatbeard stood and raised his glass.
“My friends,” then turning to Elise, “and colleagues. Tonight, we celebrate the successful maiden voyage of The Eternal Horizon and Captain Boissoneau. I am delighted and honored to have her as an employee.”
“Hear, hear.” Everyone said.
“I am confident that she is eager to sail again.”
“Hear, hear,” Elise said, and everyone laughed.
“You shall not have to wait long. I have arranged a large cargo shipment to La Havre, leaving in four days. I assume this is not a problem, Captain?”
“Not at all. I welcome it.”
“Excellent. Then I shall bid you all good evening. I have an early morning.”
“Good evening, Grand Duke,” we all replied.
After the Grand Duke left, we sat in the parlor.
“Four days is not much time. I had hoped to be home longer,” I said.
“And you shall. I want you to stay home,” Elise replied.
“Was it my smell?”
“Don’t be silly. I loved having you all on The Eternal Horizon’s maiden voyage, but I want to prove myself. I need to do this one alone, with just my crew.”
“Are you sure? I am glad to go.”
“I am sure.”
“Very well.”
The next four days flew by as fast as a hawk. Soon, we were standing on the dock, saying our goodbyes.
“I will miss you dearly,” I said to Elise.
“And I, you. But I must do this trip without you.”
“I understand.”
We kissed, and she boarded the barge that would take her out to The Eternal Horizon.
Elise will take the telling of this part of the tale.
My second voyage went as smoothly as I could have hoped. Only one day of rough seas and weather marred a nearly perfect trip. The crew handled the weather admirably, and my confidence in them grew.
After seeing the cargo unloaded and checking in with the local agent, I gave my crew leave and headed to my father’s office. I noticed Captain Sánchez seated beside my father’s desk as I entered.
“Father, it is so good to see you,” I said and then greeted Captain Sánchez.
“It is good to see you also, my dear,” my father replied. “But I am afraid I have dire news.”
“What is it?”
“It would be better if Captain Sánchez told you.”
I turned and gave him my attention.
“As you are aware, I took Captain Brun on as a sailor. Although his mood was dark, and he didn’t fellowship with the rest of the crew, he performed his duties well enough. One day, we were sailing off the coast of Spain, en route to Santander, when a ship began pursuing us. It was obviously a pirate ship. And a fast one, at that. It was heavily armed. We had no choice but to raise the white flag and hope for the best.
“It turned out to be the Pirate Jennings. Oddly, he didn’t seem interested in our cargo. He only took food and ale. As his crew was plundering our food supplies, Jennings said he was looking for Captain Peanut Butter and would pay gold to anyone who could lead him to Peanut Butter. Brun spoke up. He said he knew Captain Peanut Butter, and he knew someone who might know where he was. Jennings asked him who, and Brun replied, Baron Britpop Blastfurnace in Kapri.”
I gasped.
“Then Brun boarded Jenning’s ship, and they sailed away,” Sánchez added.
“I have to sail for Kapri,” I said in a panic.
“I will go with you,” my father said.
“No. You need to keep the business afloat. You have to stay.”
My thoughts raced. “I just gave my crew leave.”
“We will help you round them up,” Captain Sánchez said, and we headed out the door.
Next Chapter
I know it has been a ridiculously long time since I wrote the last chapter. Unfortunately, being away from home for three weeks during my father’s passing and then catching up on things, put writing Britpop on the back burner.
Plus, I was not sure which way the story was going. My usual method of writing Britpop is a sparse outline that grows as I write and get new ideas. But story ideas were not appearing. Then, recently, I came up with a new direction for the story, and firmed up how it will end. So I should be able to start writing chapters more frequently. Thanks for your long-suffering patience. - Mark
I welcome your thoughts, questions, suggestions, corrections, etc. Thank you.
Mark
Goatbeard! Snoffduffle! Blastfurnace! Peanut Butter! I would read this story only for the names. Welcome back to the whole cast of characters. Don't worry about a schedule here, Mark. We will read your stories whenever they appear in our inbox.
I'm sorry for your loss, Mark.
It seems you have done it again with this new chapter! Congrats!