Who: Mary Campbell and Alec McDowell What: Mary and Alec discuss their next score When: August 8 Where: Tavern by the Docks Rating: low
Being raised by a mother who was wealthy, if not a little clueless, and a father who was a pirate and at least kept up the appearance of being faithful made for an interesting combination. It was why he found himself taking a ship to Mary after a while in a way that more pirates often didn’t do, though neither she nor he had ever said anything as crazy as marriage - for that they’d need to have legal documents and the like. The less the law knew of them, the better.
Alec sat down and placed a large mug of ale in front of Mary. “I’m telling you. I heard one of them fancy women talk about wanting to go traveling on a ship. If we find out who's bringing her, we’ll have plenty to steal from. Those types of women never packc light.”
–
Unlike Alec, Mary never knew her father and her mother wouldn’t know wealth if it came up and bit her in the ass. Her mother was a servant and struggled for every dime she ever made. Mary knew from a young age that she didn’t want to end up that way. The blond never wanted to have to struggle for money and, no, she didn’t much like the idea of a mundane existence either. Being a pirate seemed like the perfect solution to both issues. Alec was just the bonus she never saw coming.
It was uncommon for pirates to actually be devoted to one person, but Mary made her mind up the first moment she laid eyes on the other pirate. She wanted to be with him and there was no one in this world that was going to stop her. Especially the law.
Alec’s return to the table, two large mugs of ale in hand, pulled Mary from her thoughts. The blond offered him a small smile as he set one down in front of her. Eagerly, she lifted it to her lips, taking a long swig as Alec went into the details of his latest plan.
“My momma worked for one of them for years. If it’s one thing I’ve known forever it’s that those women don’t pack light,” Mary replied with a smirk. “So, what’s your plan? Should we follow those fancy women you overheard and see if they reveal just who is foolish enough to be taking this woman?”
-
He rubbed his chin. The fact that Mary was on board with things like this is what made him feel strongly for her. He was used to his mother using the word love and he was pretty sure that was what this was too, but he’d never dare say it out loud unless it was in more of an off-handed way.
“Got a couple of options, I reckon. Follow the women, sure. Or we could break into the Quartermaster’s office to see what the logs say…. Or there’s a third option.” Alec’s eyes sparkled just a little, obviously a bit playful. “I got me hands on a nice frock or two. I bet ye can clean up real nice and pretend to be one of ‘em and simply ask.” And maybe Alec just wanted to see her dress up, which he wasn’t hiding the fact too much.
–
Love was something Mary only knew as complicated and painful. Her father’s absence made the consequences of love perfectly clear. Yet, here she was, basically in such a state despite her own rules. Much like Alec, Mary would never admit it unless it came up in a more light hearted fashion, but deep down? Yes, she knew she did love him.
Mary leaned in, eager to listen to his other suggestions, but immediately made a face when he mentioned her dressing up in a nice frock. Mary didn’t do dresses which fit perfectly with how pirates dress. In her mind, dresses were far too confining and the skirts easily tripped you up. Pants were far more comfortable even if they were far more unladylike. The thought of stuffing herself into one of those dresses could be equivalent to jail.
Reaching across the table, she poked his nose with her index finger. “You just want to see me in a dress, don’t you?” The blond sat back and folded her arms across her chest. “All ladylike.” The idea repulsed her, but there was a small part of her that wanted to do it. To prove to herself she could pull it off as well as those high class airheads.
“But, on the other hand, it might make it easier for us. I clean up, wear the dress, and we get information. It’ll make it even sweeter when we rob them.” Mary reached for her mug of ale and took a sip. “I’ll do it. On the condition that you don’t get any ideas in that head of yours it’s going to be a common occurrence.”
–
Alec didn’t even hide the fact that yes, he did just want to see her in a dress. He didn’t need to see her in one often. In reality he preferred her without any clothes at all, but he was also possessive in the sense that he’d kill any man who decided to lay eyes on her naked body. Unless it was something that Mary desired, then he’d suck it up for her.
His grin widened to something much more toothy as she agreed. “Deal. And I’ve got the perfect one to wear too. Nicked it off a friend of me mum’s.” His mother had a lot of wealthy friends which meant the dress itself was expensive. “After you use it, we can even sell it so you can be assured I can’t ask you to wear it again.” See? He could compromise. He even wiggled his eyebrows as if to help his case.
–
His statement made it clear he’d been thinking about this for a while. Stealing from this wealthy woman simply gave him the excuse he needed to bring it up. Whatever. Mary would play along this once because it meant a possible profit for the both of them. And yes, maybe she had something to prove too, but that wasn’t something she was about to divulge to Alec at the moment.
“I bet you’ve been kicking this around in your head a while,” Mary replied bluntly. “So you better enjoy it because we will be selling it as soon as we find out where that wealthy woman is headed. However, if it all works out maybe I’ll let you help me out of it after.” Mary gave him a playful smirk and for a brief moment her blue eyes darkened with lust. She liked seeing him naked as much as he preferred her that way.
“But business before pleasure. Let’s finish this ale and get me into the damn thing.”
–
At the promise of what might come after, Alec polished off his beer and placed it on the table while standing at the same time. He was now not only motivated by money, but also by sex, and really the was the best motivator for the man. “Right this way, M’lady.” He winked at her.
He had the dress stashed away in his cabin back on the ship and he produce the intricate red dress with a bit of a flourish. “Isn’t she a beaut? You could probably just walk down the center of town while I snag every man’s coin pouch, you’ll be so distracting.” Because she was beautiful, not necessarily because the dress was overly revealing.
–
Mary followed suit and finished off her beer. She stood and at his words, along with that wink, she couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips. Shaking her head, she turned and led the way out of the tavern. So, she might be okay with that little aspect of this plan. Though she wasn’t about to admit that to him least he think it was an invitation to use this ploy for more than wealth.
Once they were back at the ship, Mary watched as he produced the dress and eyed the garment curiously. She wasn’t into dresses, but it was beautiful and certainly to the right caliber to trick those ladies into telling her what she wanted to hear. His comment earned him a smirk and she tugged the dress from his grasp.
“This is a one time deal. Don’t try and convince me otherwise with those compliments. Even if they are true.” She leaned in and pressed a kiss to his lips before stepping back. “But I wouldn’t mind hearing some of those compliments later when you’re helping me out of it.” The blond would have to bathe and then slip into it.
“Now get out of here. I have to wash up and brush out my hair so I look like those rich women.”
He looked a little disappointed. “Now here I thought I’d be helping ye undress too.” He grumbled a little, but didn’t actually doddle as he left the chambers. He was also smart enough not to make a comment on bathing or lady-like even if several went through his brain. He’d learned how to thread the needle of obnoxiousness from his father.
He waited outside for what felt like ages. He ended up leaning on the wall, arms crossed, wondering if Mary had gotten lost in the dress or perhaps she had climbed out of the window and left him on his own tonight while she pawned the dress herself
Stripping of her clothes, Mary quickly washed up and then tugged on the red dress. As she expected, it was uncomfortable and immediately the blond wished for her pair of pants again. Instead, she worked to brush the knots out of her hair. A glimpse in the mirror told her that what she saw was as good as it was going to get. Sighing, Mary opened the door and spotted Alec leaning against the wall, arms crossed. Let’s get this over with so he could use those nimble fingers to get her out of this dress.
She reached for his arm, looking up at him with a coy smile on her lips. “I bet you thought I was going to sneak out the window and pawn the dress. Now come on, let’s get this over with so I can get out of this dress and we can get a hell of a lot more wealthier.” Mary took the lead and when they were close enough to the group of giggling buffoons, she released his arm.
“Alright, I’m going to do this. Enjoy the view.” It was Mary’s turn to give him a playful wink before she stalked confidently over to the group. Covering accent flawlessly, Mary started to chatter with them as if she’d always been a member. After a few moments of agonizing, boring chatter about dresses and available lords, the blond finally received the information she needed. Feigning a sudden bout of heat exhaustion, Mary departed and made her way back to Alec, a devilish smirk on her lips.
“She’s setting off tonight on one of those fancy merchant ships. Lucky for us, it is the only one currently docked in the bay.” Mary flipped blond hair over her shoulder. “Now let’s get back to the ship so I can get out of this dress.” She stepped in close and brushed her nose against his own. “Or rather you can help me get out of it.”
Alec definitely enjoyed the view. Thanks to his father’s teaching, he had gotten good at watching a woman without it being outwardly obvious (unless you knew it was happening, of course.). Mary not only looked good in the dress, but she was impressively good with the ladies. When she came back to him, the expression on his face gave away how impressed he actually was.
“Ye continue to amaze me, Mary Campbell.” But her words lit a fire under him in all the important places. “You be saying music to my ears. I’ll make sure to prove to ye just how thankful I am too.” He grinned.
His words of praise earned him an actual, genuine smile. The blond couldn’t help herself; she kissed him. However, she kept the exchange brief. They needed to get a move on before the fancy ladies spotted the two shady strangers and possibly made the connection to the beautiful woman in red they just spoke to.
“I’m looking forward to it, Alec McDowell. I know you know better than to ever disappoint me.” She took his hand firmly in his and easily took the lead back to the ship.