In time of Fog and Spies
by Atonia
Chapter 1
“Ah Captain, so you’ve come yourself then?”
“Where is Betrand?”
“Betrand, and what do you know of Betrand, Captain Aubrey?”
“How do you know my name?”
“How should I not know you? You have been recently in battle I see.”
“Questions, questions! I need answers and I need them now…Betrand?”
“Yes, that was the question was it not?”
“Enough of this, I am here to see the man.”
“Ah well then you will not see…the man.”
“What foolishness is this? I have it on good authority that he should be here at this spot at this time. I have not time to play your games.”
“I assure you Captain, I do not play games…I am as you see now Betrand.” She stepped from the fog and the trees so that he might see her.
“But…you’re a woman?”
“Yes, I dare say I have been female all my life.”
“Betrand is a man! My surgeon has met with him.”
“Then perhaps your surgeon should see to his eyes Captain Aubrey, though I may change my appearance from time to time, you have seen through my disguise.”
“But…but”
“What is it you wish to know Captain?”
He hesitated for he did not know if she was Betrand or not, how could Stephen have been so mistaken he was after all a surgeon. Disguised as she was in breeches he had not for a moment taken her for a man.
“What proof have you that you are who you say?”
“Was it the Caroline that spilled your blood Captain?”
“No the Cacafuego.”
“In these waters? How I wonder…did she get here?”
“Yes I should like to know the same; your information, if you are Betrand, was entirely at fault. I lost three good men and countless hours now to reship.”
“Hm I understand your anger Captain…and you have come ashore to meet with me and show your displeasure with my information. I have not the answer you seek. My sources…”
“Are lying.”
“If that be true then I am revealed. I cannot go back.” She leaned against a tree and looked out toward the fog which obliterated the sea beyond. “I should not like to die on this soil Captain.”
“Have you been followed…here to this spot?”
“I don’t believe so…but then I was so wrong wasn’t I about the Caroline?”
“How have you come?”
“On foot…yes it is a long way…and for naught.”
He dropped his hand from the tree trunk which had been supporting him in his weakness. Anger had drained away and he felt faint once again reaching for the trunk to steady himself.
“Where will you go?” he asked shaking his head trying to clear the fog that threatened to take him.
“I shall have to go with you Captain Aubrey, I beg passage.”
“I will not have a woman on my ship.”
“Ah but Captain you yourself said…Betrand is a man.” She thought she saw him sway, “you are injured, have your wounds not been tended to?”
He only saw briefly the single golden leaf as he fell upon it and then the fog took him.
She ran over to him rolling him onto his back and laid her head upon his chest listening for a heartbeat. He was alive. She checked his shirt inside his coat, the one spot of blood on his chest and the wound on his neck did not seem to be serious and they had been tended to, no doubt by Stephen himself. She looked further into his jacket and saw his right sleeve was soaked in blood that would account for his bloody hand. Carefully she pulled his arm from the coat sleeve, it was a deep wound and although the blood had now clotted around it, he had lost a great deal. She wondered how Stephen could have missed such a wound.
Surely he had not come alone there would be a boat on shore with his men. But where in the dense fog could it be? She was reluctant to leave him there, her only hope of safe passage, perhaps to be found. He should be moved from the clearing. Celine Betrand was not a petite woman, her height had worked well in disguise but the Captain was dead weight and she could not move him. She called his name and slapped his cheeks trying to bring him around; he only turned his head sideways. She scooped up leaves to cover him as best she could and turned toward the way she had seen him approach and walked quickly into the fog.
Chapter 2
“You there,” she said deeply with authority, “Your Captain awaits come with me for he has taken ill” Celine stood back straight and tall while the men moved from the boat onto the sand.
“Might we ask what’s taken him sir?” asked a slightly built young man
“I should think loss of blood from an untended wound, look lively there or he’ll be a corpse soon.” She led them through the fog to the tree and brushed the leaves from his face. The men went about clearing the leaves and hoisted him on their shoulders and carried him back to the boat. Celine stepped into the boat.
“Ye be goin’ with us Sir?”
“Aye, I have obtained passage from your Captain. Careful there how you place him there is a great wound on his right arm.”
She followed them as they carried him down to his cabin and placed him on his bed, touching their foreheads they left the room. A few moments later Stephen Maturin arrived. Celine had drifted back into the shadows and stood very still until Stephen finished and his assistant had left.
“I am very surprised Stephen that such a wound would go unnoticed by a surgeon as your self.”
She moved from the shadows still not in direct light.
Stephen’s head came around recognizing the voice, “Betrand what are you doing here?” he whispered
“Saving your Captain’s life from your inept hands; how do you think you missed it Stephen?”
“He never mentioned it and sat still only for me to see to the obvious. How is it you’re here?”
“Captain Aubrey came ashore to meet me, came himself full of anger that the Cacafuego should be found in these waters.”
“I should think so Betrand, it was you who told us the Caroline would see us through, give safe passage.”
“I only told you what I heard Stephen, surely you of all people understand how it’s done. Does he know about you?”
“No he does not. You cannot be found aboard this ship Betrand.”
“Ha Stephen I cannot be found anywhere, do you realize I have been exposed?”
“Perhaps not, you cannot be sure of this, take no chances Betrand. You will have to stay here out of sight.”
“I’ve already been seen by your boatmen. I leave that to you.” She turned her back to him and looked out the windows.
“I must go there are men below that need my attention, remember Betrand do not leave this cabin and hide yourself there may be spies among us yet. The Captain’s steward, Killick will have to be told there is a man staying in here, I’ll alert him.”
“I think Doctor you should tell your Captain of the services to His Majesty that you perform other than your saws and picks.”
“The Captain is a very intelligent man, some things do not have to be spoken Betrand. You might remember that while you are with us.”
Stephen left closing the door and Celine sat down on the lockers removed her hat and unbuttoned the greatcoat she wore. The door opened with Killick bringing a tray of drinks and some broth for the Captain. Celine did not speak to him but nodded her head when he sat the tray down he looked in at his Captain and quietly closed the door.
Removing the coat she loosened the stock around her neck and poured a cup of tea. She smiled thinking about Captain Aubrey seeing a woman when his ships doctor and others only saw a man. She wore her light brown hair long and tied at the base of her neck. Tall and slender with a boyish figure, long fingers, and her face lightly tanned from time in the sun she resembled her younger brother Charles and often sat for him in school when he was otherwise engaged. A trick their father never suspected when he graduated with honors.
She carried her tea over to the Captain’s bed and touched his face. He seemed cold and she pulled his blankets up around his neck. He was quite impressive in person and quite handsome. She thought of his bellowing voice by the tree, what would he think of her sharing his cabin? She moved a lock of his hair from his forehead and wondered if she might be permitted to tend his wounds. That of course would be up to Stephen who thought she was Charles Betrand a ships doctor and in His Majesty’s Service.
The Captain slept for most of the day, Stephen had been in to check on him earlier and left some supplies for her to change his bandage in the morning. Celine managed to stay mostly in shadow when Stephen was in the room, he knew Charles and while the resemblance was remarkable she had not the masculine jaw and chin of her brother. His speech and mannerisms she could match perfectly. The dress she adopted consisted of dark blue breeches worn low on her hips to disguise her waist and tucked into black boots, a loose fitting white shirt under which she wore a tightly knitted vest to cover her feminine chest the greatcoat and hat completed her disguise.
Killick brought in another tray as night closed around the cabin and lit the lanterns, “he’s not eaten today.” He commented
“Aye, I shall try and interest him in the tray, thank you Killick, does he have a particular drink? Then perhaps I might interest him in that also.” Killick returned with a bottle of Port and two tumblers.
Jack moaned in his fog and she went to his bedside touching his arm, “will you wake now you need some nourishment for your body to heal.”
He began swimming up from the fog toward the voice, his eyes fluttered and opened. Comprehension not quite with him he stared into her face.
“You are safe within your own bed Captain, Stephen has tended you and left you in my care until morning.”
His brow furrowed as his eyes cleared, “you…what are you doing here?”
“Captain you have given me passage.”
“I did no such thing…”
“But you would have had you not fallen, I am sure of it.”
“Fallen?” he laid his head back on his pillow with no memory of falling.
“You have a wound on your right arm that bled, a wound you did not report to your doctor when he tended these minor nicks here and there, it left you faint from loss of blood. You are to remain quiet and rest until your strength returns.” She brought the cup of broth to his bed.
“Try this and if it stays down then there is a meal here for you.” He took the cup from her drinking the broth and observing her above the rim.
He wasn’t sure he trusted her; a woman dressed as a man, a woman that had given Stephen false information that led to an unnecessary battle and loss. He was interested in her how had she come to this he wondered. There was much he wanted to know…but it was impossible she could not remain here.
“I will have you escorted off the ship at first light.” He handed her the empty cup.
“I’m afraid Captain that will not be possible as much as this is your ship, your bit of England that you command, I Sir, am not under your command; I answer only to His Majesty.”
“You’re a spy…His Majesty would not employ one such as yourself…a woman on a ship.”
“I’m curious, how was it you saw through my disguise, for you are the only one to have done so.”
Jack fussed with his blankets, “it was your face, your eyes the way you looked at me, your stance.”
Celine straightened up and looked away it had been him that caused her to drop her persona. A reaction to his presence she had forgotten herself. “I see,” she turned to him, “a momentary lapse. Thank you for telling me. Would you like your tray now?”
She set the tray across his lap, pushing his pillows behind his back so he could rest comfortably and turned picked up a cup of coffee and went to the lockers to sit while he ate.
“How did you come to this…spy business?”
“Quiet by accident,” she smiled a tight little smile.
A knock on the door and she was up and into the shadows again. “Yes, bellowed Jack.”
“Ah you’re awake at last, how do you feel?” asked Stephen closing the door and coming to his bedside.
“Much better, put this tray away there.” Jack handed Stephen the tray and Stephen noticed Betrand by the windows, his head in the shadows.
“There was nothing else I could do Jack but put him in with you, I think it best if he is not seen. I believe he may have saved your life by getting you back on the ship when he did.”
Jacks eyes rounded, “In here in my cabin…”
“Only until we can drop him off somewhere away from here.”
“I shan’t be a problem for you Captain, I can sleep here,” she said indicating the lockers or where ever you might think appropriate.” She moved across the room.
Jack noticed the change, the way she walked, carried herself and spoke, a small smile played at the corners of his mouth.
“Charles,” Stephen nodded his head toward Celine, “is in His Majesty’s service as he may have told you. We were at school together and were inducted into service on the same day. I have known him for some years now, he may be in some danger right now and as you well know there are spies everywhere one cannot be too careful.”
An odd look on Jack’s face, “you were at school with…Charles?”
“Oh yes and spent many a holiday, he has a sister I believe and…”
“I don’t think this information will be of any use to your Captain, Stephen.” She spoke with a sharp authority that brought Jack’s head around. “I should think the less known about me the better, is that not so Doctor?”
“Yes, sorry Charles…it’s just that Jack and I have become friends…”
“Well I am happy for you Stephen…that you’ve found a friend in the Captain but my life is not for conversation is that clear.”
“Certainly,” Stephen stood up, “I leave you in competent hands for Charles is a fine surgeon.” He nodded his head in both directions and left.
Jack met her eyes, “you’re very good, whoever you are…Charles indeed!”
“My name is Celine Betrand, Charles is my brother a year younger than me, and we could be twins…except for the obvious…or maybe not so obvious differences.” Instantly gone was the male persona.
Jack was fascinated, “where is your brother…Celine?”
“Somewhere in the South Seas I believe, a letter came to the house we share and I opened it; an urgent mission for him, apparently they were unaware of his deployment elsewhere, so I took it upon myself to complete it. This was over a year ago, since then I have completed many missions in his name.” she smiled, “he has quite a reputation in certain circles.”
“Is he aware of your masquerade?”
“Oh yes, we’ve been doing this since we were children.”
Jack sat back and laughed, “I cannot believe Stephen has not seen that you are not Charles.”
“He has not looked closely and sees only what he expects to see. I do try to keep my face from direct sight.”
“Will you tell him who you are?”
“No…not unless he figures it out for himself.”
A knock at the door and it opened again, Celine turning her back to Killick as he entered carrying bedding for Celine and picked up the tray, “ah, I see you’ve eaten, better are we?”
“Much better Killick thank you that will be all for the night, oh leave the Port.”
Chapter 3
“Would you mind?” Jack indicated the Port, “have one yourself, I think you’ve earned it if only for your performance. I should thank you for getting me aboard.”
“I assume I now have passage?”
“It would seem so…I hope I do not live to regret it.”
“I will do all I can to make sure you do not.”
Jack threw his legs down on the side of his bed intending to get up, dressed only in his small clothes and naked from the waist up he started to rise and sat back down feeling light headed.
“What do you need Captain?” asked Celine
“Ah to go to the…ah port there.”
“Let me help you.” She steadied him around his waist and he draped an arm over her shoulders. Celine waited leaning against the wall for him to come out and again helped him to his bed. He ran his hands down her arms as she sat him down.
“Just checking to make sure,” he smiled
“No bulging muscles will you find on me, though I can wield a sword and shoot straight as a man. Are you not sure what I am…still?”
“I find you very intriguing,” he said and reached behind her untying her hair and pulling it over her shoulders. He handed her back the leather tie and lay back on his pillows.”
“You should rest now so that you may get up some tomorrow.”
“I shall be up tomorrow…make yourself comfortable as you can wherever you wish.”
Celine turned out the lantern in his sleeping quarters and left him. She made a bed on the lockers and removed her boots and breeches. She fingered the tie he’d handed her back and smiled to herself. He wasn’t sure if she was male or female…this should be interesting she thought and put out her lantern.
The first shaft of sunlight woke her on the lockers and she sat up. There seemed to be a commotion up on deck and she looked toward his sleeping quarters seeing the curtain aside, the room was empty. She frowned he had no business getting up yet. She pulled her clothes on and tied back her hair. A visit to the Captain’s ‘port’ and she was ready for whatever the day brought.
Killick brought her breakfast on a tray. Stephen brought the Captain followed by two other men helping him back to a chair. He refused to go back to bed.
“I must tell you Captain, your body has to replenish the blood you lost, give yourself another day at least.” Pleaded Stephen
“I will not be hauled around and treated like a sack of grain. It was only a moment, only a moment Stephen, I’m fine now. Leave me.
Stephen turned to Celine, “Betrand, you were to keep an eye on him what happened.”
She shrugged, “he was up and left before the sun woke me. His bandage has not been changed this morning.”
“Will you attend to that? Jack the ship will be ready by morning, do not concern yourself today. Please it needs its Captain well.”
“The fog has lifted we should be out of here, we sail today. Get Mr. Wilson if you will.”
“I will pass the word to Mr. Wilson; you get your arm bandaged up first.” Stephen left closing the door.
“I will not be confined to my cabin,” he said to Celine
“Nor should you be, let’s look at that arm.” He pulled his arm carefully from the sleeve of his coat. “It’s tender isn’t it?” Pushing up his sleeve she unwrapped the bandage and cleaned the wound applying the medicine Stephen had provided she began to wrap it up again. She felt his eyes on her and looked up.
“You have a gentle touch.” He said quietly
“You need to take care of yourself Captain and give your self time to heal. I would hate to see anything happen to you.”
“Would you Celine or Charles, who are you today?”
“I am your doctor right now, you should take my advice.”
She had long dark lashes that surrounded her brown eyes and straight brows. He looked closely at her for a moment and sighed. “I find it very difficult to lay by on this ship even for a moment. We are in a precarious spot…thanks to you I might add.”
She stood up, “you do not need to add Captain I am fully aware.”
A tap on the door and Celine went into Jack’s sleeping quarters and closed the curtain. Mr. Wilson and several others were in and out, a course had been set and at last the ship began to move. He longed to be on deck but stood looking of out the windows watching the land fade behind them. Killick brought in a tray of coffee and Jack looked toward his quarters and opened the curtain. She lay in his bed asleep.
Turning at the sound Celine rolled over on her back and opened her eyes to see Jack standing above her. “Have they all gone?” she asked.
“Yes at last we’re moving, would you like some coffee?”
“Please,” she stood up their bodies nearly touching.”
“You’re very tall for a woman.”
Celine smiled, “that I am quite tall, but then my father was tall. My brother is also tall; I’m only just a bit shorter than he is.”
He moved aside and let her out of his sleeping quarters. She moved to the windows and looked back at him, “how are you?”
“I’m fine of course as I should be. Stephen is becoming an old woman.” He fussed with the coffee cups bringing her a cup.
“Where are we headed?”
“To Malta, a day’s good wind should get us there. Where will you go from there?”
“Back to London, when I can find passage of course. And you?”
He smiled, “where ever my orders may take me. What ship were you on…before you found yourself afoot?”
“Pardon?”
“You didn’t walk to the island did you?”
“Oh…The Carpasia”
Jack smiled and dipped his head, “and they left you on the island?”
“Am…not exactly.”
“It’s a very dangerous game you play Celine.”
“It is but it’s exciting,” her eyes were bright
“I’m going up…do not say a thing if I feel faint I shall return shortly.” He donned his coat and went up on deck.
He was gone for most of the day and in the afternoon a great clatter began. Celine stood still, they were beating the quarters. He came in buckling on his cutlass his eyes bright and shinning.
“You were right the Carpasia is in sight. Stay here.” He turned and was gone again.
It seemed to go on for hours; the great guns sending a shudder through her bones, the screams, and yells from the deck. She retreated to his bed waiting to see who would come for her. At last the guns were silent. The door burst open to his cabin and several men came in laughing and talking, she heard his voice and closed her eyes, he was safe. After a while they left and he opened the curtain.
“We’ve taken her a prize Celine.” His face was red and glowing.
“The blood…” her eyes were wide looking at his shirt.
“Not mine, not this time.”
“Well then…huzzah for you Captain Aubrey.” She smiled
His door burst open again one of the boys, “Doctor needs a Betrand to please come and help!”
Killick was behind him, “yer supposed to knock,” he gave the boy a cuff on the side of his head
Celine tied her stock and straightened up, “lead the way,” she said to the boy.
Captain Aubrey at last made his way down to check on the wounded, going from bed to bench he saw Celine working quickly and quietly cleaning wounds, stitching, and bandaging. He watched her for a moment and moved on. He stopped and spoke to Stephen about the injuries.
“I thought our visitor was to be kept hidden what made you change your mind?” he asked
Stephen indicated with his hands, “all this, he is a doctor and I can use his help.”
Jack eyed him for a moment and went back up on deck making sure the repairs were underway and returned to his cabin. Later Celine came in, bloodied and dirty wiping her forehead with her sleeve.
“There will be a Captains dinner tonight.”
“Here…in this room?” asked Celine
“Yes I’m afraid so…will you sit with us?”
“No…I cannot but thank you. I need to clean up if I may.”
“Of course, I’ll send Killick with some hot water and towels.”
He left and after Killick had been and gone Celine peeled off the filthy shirt and bathed. She washed out her shirt and hung it in his sleeping quarters to dry and pulled the tight vest over her head and her breeches wondering where she might go for the evening. A knock at the door and he announced himself before entering.
His eyes went immediately to the tight vest her cleavage leaving no doubt as to its purpose. “Would you like a shirt?” he asked quietly
“Mine is wet, if you have one to spare I should like to borrow it.” He pulled a shirt out of one of the lockers and handed it to her.
“I have many shirts they seem to be the first to go…” He couldn’t get the sight of her cleavage or the slim waist from his mind.
“Where am I supposed to go tonight? Do you think Stephen might…?”
“Stay here….I would like you to stay here in my chamber.”
“Are you sure…someone might…”
“No one will come…except me.” He said softly
“I will wait for you.” She answered meeting his dark blue eyes.
Chapter 4
The dinner seemed to go on forever, through all the toasts and oft repeated stories Jack’s mind was elsewhere in his chambers. He would take her a prize tonight he thought as the last toast went up.
Killick had very kindly slipped a tray under the curtains for Celine and after dining she climbed in the Captain’s bed wearing only his shirt and fell asleep.
Jack turned down the lanterns and opened the curtains only to stumble over the tray left on the floor and fall clumsily onto the bed. Celine was sitting up immediately, “Aubrey?” she whispered
“Yes who else would make such an entry into his bedchamber.” He climbed into the bed and lay next to her feeling her length along him his hands explored every female part of her before he took her face in his hands and kissed her. “Forgive me you play the part so well I had to make sure.”
“But you knew.”
“Yes I did from the first time I saw you,” Her body was lean and taunt and he took his fill of her.
Dawn found her riding him with the waves as they neared Malta. Collapsing on his chest she kissed him deeply and then moved away. “I must get up and get dressed,” she kissed him again; “you are too long in bed Killick will be in.”
“Damn Killick, I will have the last of you.”
They were finishing up their breakfast when Stephen came in.
“Betrand I wanted to thank you for the assistance, excellent work as always.” He poured a cup of coffee and sat down at the table. Was it something about the light in the cabin…something wrong…“Charles?”
Celine smiled, “you looked for Betrand and found Betrand…”
“CELINE! It is you…”
“Yes and has been.”
“You and Charles are doing it again…” his hand went to his forehead. “I cannot believe he lets you do this.”
“Lets? Come now Stephen when have I ever asked his permission to be him…never?”
“Where is Charles?”
“He should be somewhere in the South Seas in His Majesty’s service.”
“Jack, I am sorry had I any idea it was Celine I would never have suggested he…she stay in your cabin.”
“Don’t worry yourself Stephen, it worked out…quite well.” He smiled
Stephen looked one to the other and excused himself and left. He met Killick in the galley.
“I knew t’were a woman all along,” Killick muttered, “The Capt’n wouldh’ve never stood for it otherwise.” Stephen glared at him and continued on.
“You will be careful Celine?” Jack touched her face
“Yes of course,” she buttoned up her coat, “and you Captain Jack Aubrey make sure you take care of yourself.
He held her in his arms kissing her once more and stepped back. She set her hat giving him a wink and walked out of the cabin and up the ladder to the deck striding around until she could disembark. Jack was amazed at the transformation in her. He noticed his men touching their foreheads as she walked by them. She turned once and saluted him before leaving.
Stephen joined him on the railing as they sailed away.
“She sure had me fooled, I know of course about their games from school. She’s much better at it now.” Said Stephen
Jack turned his face toward the open sea, “I agree she is very good…I would think she would have to be out in the fog, the fog of spies.”
The End
