The Pirate Ship

 by Maureen O. Betita

A bright young woman settles a skirt around her legs, lifting a pair of glasses to her eyes. She peers through them to a sheet of paper.

- Welcome to Tortuga Talks! I’m your on the street reporter, Beverly Bylaw. Now, don’t let the name disturb you, I know how the law works in Tortuga… He with the biggest ship, makes the law! I’m here talking to one of the newest citizens, Benjamin Silvestri!Wecome, Ben!

The plainly clad man, sits upright, holding himself stiffly. His feet are planted firmly on the plank floor. He takes a deep breath…

* That’s Benjamin, please, Miss Bylaw.

- Oh, please, call me Beverly! Certainly, Mr. Benjamin. I understand besides being the nephew of one of our most notorious pirates, you are also a master brewer! So, can we expect something wonderful from that big warehouse your uncle set you up in?

He shifts on the bench, clearing his throat. His light brown eyes dart about nervously.

* Brewing, me? Of course not. Well, maybe ale. Why? What have you heard?

Smiling archly, Beverly leans closer…

– Nothing to worry about, Benjamin! I know, as does all of Tortuga, that you apprenticed with the British Isles Whisky Board. But of course, that doesn’t mean you’ll be attempting to break their monopoly on the stuff…even if your uncle does have the biggest ship in Tortuga. I’m sure your skills will be employed finding something uniquely Tortugan to brew… Now, I understand you brought a few relatives with you. A son and niece?

Ben leans back, relief showing on his face…

*Yes, my son, Charles, who has fallen in love with fishing and my niece, Lee… Both are doing well.

- I’ve met Lee, interesting young woman. A bit…androgynous but that just makes her more fascinating. While your son is seldom seen without the company of Bosun Janey, of the Cursed Quill. Seems Janey found something of interest to keep her occupied while the Quill is being repaired. Or is her interest more in little Charlie’s father?

She holds her pen expectantly, preparing to take notes, Ben smiles slightly, then quickly looks away….

*Miss Janey has been a godsend and Charles is quite fond of her. I don’t know what else you’re implying, but I hope you are careful with spreading gossip.

- Oh, how gallant of you! Trust me, Tortuga runs on gossip. You’ll learn that in time.

She turns away from Benjamin and gathers her satchel. A flyer drifts from the top and Benjamin picks it up, shooting to his feet as if the restrain her.

She takes it from him…

 – Thank you! Yes, I must remember to include the imminent arrival of the pirate circus to our port. I hope you intend to go, Mr. Benjamin. It’s quite a sight, with balancing acts on the yardarm, juggling of axes and a knife throwing skills…

He shakes his head...

*Perhaps, I don’t know. Wait, what are you going to say about Janey? I mean, Miss Janey?

Beverly chuckled – You’ll just have to trust me, sir!

*****

Sure, trust a reporter. And one from Tortuga, to boot! But she is right, The Pirate Circus is coming to Tortuga and the trouble it will bring to Benjamin and Janey… Well, I don’t want to give anything away!

Blurb:

Bosun Janey knows who and what she is. A pirate.And a damned good one at that. Living a life of excitement, adventure, and sailing the seas of the Kraken’s Caribbean is enough for her. But when the Quill is stuck in dry dock, Janey is left to search for distraction along Tortuga’s waterfront. How does a pirate occupy herself? Certainly not by making friends with a six-year-old boy or mooning after the boy’s father. That’s not how a pirate behaves!

Widower Benjamin Silvestri arrived in Tortuga seeking a fresh start. At first, the pirate haven doesn’t seem like a safe sanctuary for second chances, but life is full of surprises. The sun breathes life into his little boy, and new freedoms help his errant niece embrace her true nature. And then there's Janey. A pirate and most unconventional woman, she stirs feelings in Benjamin that are far from proper.

But who’s to say what is proper in Tortuga? Before he and Janey can explore the possibilities, Benjamin's son and niece disappear onto the high seas. Together, the couple set out to rescue them—because only a loving father and a cut-throat pirate stand a chance against the dangers of The Pirate Circus. 

What death defying acts would you imagine the pirate circus will bring to town?

One comment will win a copy of the The Pirate Circus, out tomorrow! I’m Maureen O. Betita and I write adventure for the experienced individual. Seasoning everything I write with life and pushing it to the edge. I can be contacted through my website, www.maureenobetita.com, where you can sign up for my newsletter. 

I also blog regularly at www.romancewritersrevenge as 2^nd Chance and. Come find me on Facebook as Maureen O. Betita Author or on Twitter.