The French Merchant’s Daughter
Baron Britpop Blastfurnace • Chapter 37
“How is it you are dining here alone? Is it safe?” I asked.
“As safe as anywhere I go. I grew up on ships and spent my life in port towns. I have learned where not to go and how to defend myself if necessary. Plus, I have a knife safely tucked in my garments and am experienced in its use. I often explore port towns while my father handles business. I find the business side of shipping quite tedious. The real question is, do you feel safe? A pirate in port, recognized by a French shipping merchant’s daughter.”
“I am not a pirate. As I told you, I truly am a Baron.”
“Of course you are. A Baron who sails with pirates. How perfectly reasonable.”
“Tell me your name so I may one day find you again and provide proof of my standing.”
“For what purpose? I care not.”
“Why do you sail?” I asked.
“I sail because I love the sea, I love adventure, I want to see the whole world, and I won’t be some man’s galley slave or baby factory,” she replied fervently.
“I also seek adventure. I am a blacksmith’s son. The only reason I am a Baron is because I invented silent horseshoes and won favor with Emperor Joseph. It was a reward I was not anticipating or ready for. I felt too young to settle into a life of Barony. So, I decided to embark on an adventure first. I initially planned to visit France, but due to a lack of sound judgment on my part, I ended up on a pirate ship. It turned out to be the greatest adventure of my life.
“Captain Peanut Butter is unlike any other pirate. As you witnessed, when he did not kill your crew or take you as a prize. He also returned to my home at significant personal risk to enact a plan to capture a man who wanted me dead. I am loyal to him. But one day, I will return to my home as a Baron.
“I readily admit, when I first saw your beauty, it caused me to act the fool. But I now see that you are more than just fair. You are intelligent and have a will of steel.
“If your aim was simply to mock me, you have succeeded, and I deserved it. But I shall take my leave now. I am a Baron. I travel with pirates, and I believe I prefer their company. I wish you a good day. I will bother you no more.”
I rose to return to my crew.
“Wait, I believe you. And you must leave. I did not come here alone. I was with one of the crew from my father’s ship. We recognized you, and I told him I would keep you here while he went to get soldiers. They may arrive at any moment. Go now.”
I stared at her for a moment, absorbing what she had told me.
“Thank you… I do not know your name.”
“My name is Elise. Like the ship. Now go!”
We quickly left the inn and headed back toward The Jellyfish. To our surprise, we encountered Captain Peanut Butter walking with two soldiers. They each had a whole cherry pie and were laughing at whatever tale the Captain was telling.
The Captain noticed us and said, “Ah, lads. Good to see you. I have a task for you. My good friends here need a couple of barrels of rum to go with their pie. See that they are delivered to their post immediately.”
With that, he returned to telling his tale. Apparently, the French soldiers in New Orleans had little desire to arrest pirates, especially pirates who were generous with their rum.
