There be a Pirate off the Starboard Bow!

For this month’s flash fiction, I’ve used an excerpt from the second book in my Men of Trade series, The Daring Dowager. As 19th September was Talk Like a Pirate Day, I thought this would be perfect. Enjoy!

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“Roll out the cannons!” Beth shouted.

“Yaar!” Her pirate crew agreed.

“Are we going to let them steal our booty, men?”

“Nay!” the pirates roared.

“Fire!” Beth raised her stick cutlass towards the group of sailors in the navy flagship who were about to board their pirate vessel and steal their treasure. Her stout crew of sea-faring rogues, her sister’s elder children, fired their cannons when the navy ship drew alongside them, manned by the children of neighbouring families.

Their nannies observed the action from the safety of a bench at the edge of the lawn that now substituted for the Caribbean Sea.

The first lieutenant, Daniel, continued to load and fire the cannons with great emphasis on the booming sounds.

“Argh! I am hit!” Her second lieutenant, Jane, grasped her hand to her chest, then collapsed to the floor with painful wailing and writhing while their youngest crew member, the cabin boy, toddled around at the rear, oblivious to the action.

“Do not let them take you al—”

“Elizabeth!”

Beth lowered her stick cutlass and turned. Mama strode towards them across the lawn. She blew out a huff of frustration. Someone had noted her absence sooner than expected.

“Why do I continue to find you playing games with the children instead of entertaining your guests?” Mama asked, aghast.

“They are not my guests. Sophia invited them.”

“They have come here to celebrate your birthday, yet you continue to neglect them.”

“In truth, they have come for the free food and board. I hear most of them are drowning in debt.”

Mama’s eyes widened. “Beth, do not be so vulgar, especially in front of the children.”

“It will do them no harm to understand the need to ensure one’s financial security instead of spending their time drinking champagne and nibbling delicacies at someone else’s expense.”

Mama’s jaw dropped.

“Aunt Beth told us she plans to invest in shipbuilding.” Jane chirped; her wounds long forgotten.

A shade of puce spread across her mother’s face. “I think your aunt has spent more than enough time entertaining you. Her guests miss her.”

Beth harrumphed while the children groaned in disappointment. The guests did not give a fig about her.

Her parent glowered.

Beth looked heavenward, then held out her makeshift cutlass to Daniel. “I hand over the captaincy to you, sir.”

He bowed. “Can we play again tomorrow?”

She grinned. “Of —”

“I am afraid your aunt will be busy tomorrow.” Mama interrupted.

Daniel’s bottom lip rolled out.

Beth leaned down and whispered in his ear, “Do not worry, I am sure I can sneak away again.” She dropped a kiss on his dimpled cheek. He grimaced and swiped it away before he resumed his role.