The Charleston Affair
by Atonia
The two women clutched hands, their breath coming in short pants as they looked into each other’s face. They had fled up the stairs and into the front parlor closing the door behind them. Still the raised voices could be heard from the entry way. Tears that would not fall glistened in their eyes as they waited for the outcome. It came suddenly with a sound that reverberated throughout the house and then another shot was fired. More voices raised and the front door slammed. They rushed from the room and leaned against the railing one fainted away the other screamed.
Part one
The sky was hazy over the Port of Charleston when the Surprise moved into her berth. Stephen Mautrin watched the gulls gather on the dock unmindful of the men and their ropes. He was ready when Bonden came to get him and walk with him down the planks to the dock. Stephen stepped over the ropes and turned to tell Bonden thank you but he was already on his way back onto the frigate’s deck. He set off down the street with his oilskin bag tucked tightly under his arm.
Captain Jack Aubrey came on deck with the Mayor of Charleston whom he had received upon docking.
“Indeed I look forward to the evening, please tell Mrs. Ashley thank you for the gracious invitation.”
The mayor nodded and took his leave. Jack turned, “Killick there,” he called out.
“Which I have had bags ready this hour,” He looked up at Aubrey and twisted his mouth.
“Ah so you have then let us be off.” Finding his land legs he set off at a pace with Killick long stepping behind him.
He walked to his rooms at the Rose and Thorne delighting in the bustling city. It had been a long time since he’d walked on North American soil and the city had grown and prospered since the war of independence. He entered the tavern and found Captain Pullings already in his cups.
“You have preceded me I see,” he said joining him.
“Captain it’s good to see you again, you look well sir.”
“And so do you, Landlord another cup if you please. Is that your prize I see docked along side?”
“Yes a dirty pirate ship, she’s being refitted before the voyage home, and you sir?”
“Only to take on provisions and await a passenger. We should be swimming by the Sunday.”
Jack poured out a generous amount of Port in his cup, “I salute you sir on your prize.”
Jack’s best uniform was brushed and laid out for him when he found his room. He however fell into the bed for a nap, without the motion and sounds of the ship he found it hard to immediately fall asleep and his mind worried over the state of his finances at home. Finding no answer for it he drifted off into a sound sleep.
The sound of water pouring into the bowl woke him and Killick set down the ewer, “Tis eight bells…sir” laying a towel alongside the bowl he left the room.
Eight bells, he had less than an hour to get ready and be at the Mayor’s house for dinner. Bathed and dressed he summoned a cab for the ride away from the waterfront. The house was alight when he arrived and was greeted by the Mayor and his lovely wife Priscilla the rooms were filled with people some of whom were taking their leave.
“A meeting that seemed to go on forever, forgive me Captain I believe you require a drink,” Mayor Ashley led him to a table where he was served.
“Oh…look…who is that?” the pale young woman asked.
Lissa Pinckney turned and stared, “I have not had the pleasure,” her lips turning up in a smile, “but Doddy I shall.”
“Lissa you are so forward…he is a handsome Captain and wears his uniform well,” Doddy giggled hiding her mouth.
“Behave Doddy…I claim him.”
“But Lissa I saw him first.”
“That may be…but I claimed him first.” Lissa turned to her friend her blue eyes sparkling.
“There’s Roger full of himself as usual see how he swaggers about?”
“I thought you liked him Doddy.” Lissa said her eyes still on the Captain.
“I do when he’s sober…which is rare these days. Your brother approaches.”
“Lissa my dear how are you this evening?”
“Very well Thomas ,and Mary how does she keep?”
“Well…you know she is heavy with child and it is difficult for her.”
“She is not here?” asked Lissa
“Not in her condition…I am surprised at you Lissa. Ah I see the British are back, will they not go away and leave us alone.” He frowned seeing Aubrey with the Mayor.
“Do you know him brother?”
“I know he commands the Surprise, a man of war lying now in our docks.”
“A man of war…how fitting,” she smiled showing her dimples.
Thomas Pinckney raised a brow, “He is you know, Captain Jack Aubrey, as much a man of war as his ship.”
“Jack Aubrey, I see.” She said sipping her punch and openly looking him over as the Mayor led him over to be introduced.
Her frank appraisal did not go unnoticed by Jack and he smiled appreciating her beauty as he was presented.
The Mayor tapped on the shoulder by his wife turned to greet another guest leaving Jack by Lissa’s side.
“What brings you into Charleston Captain?” she asked in her low breathy voice.
“We are taking on provisions and a passenger.”
“Oh a passenger,” said Thomas sniffing, “would that be the British spy we’ve heard so much about?”
Jack eyed him lifting his chin, “I have not met the passenger and therefore cannot answer your question.”
“Thomas my cup is empty would you mind?” Lissa asked pushing her cup at him. “Please take no notice of him he is only my little brother.”
Jack smiled slightly and dipped his head.
“Is it true you are a man of war?” asked Doddy
“I command a man of war, myself am a sea captain.”
“But you do fight do you not?” asked Lissa
“When called upon…yes I am in His Majesty’s service.”
Dinner was called and Jack escorted Lissa to the table followed by Thomas and Doddy.
“She will take up with him won’t she?” Thomas said under his breath
“Why worry yourself Thomas, he’ll be gone in a week.” Doddy smiled up at him.
Lissa managed to have herself seated to Jack’s right and he found her to be a delightful dinner companion, largely ignoring the hard of hearing elderly woman to his left. Thomas several seats down and across the table was not amused.
“I think your brother is not pleased Miss Pinckney,” Jack observed and picked up his wine glass.
“Oh Thomas is never really pleased Captain Aubrey, he missed the war,” she laughed. “Our father’s brother is in Washington’s cabinet, he was a great hero here in South Carolina, our father was killed in North Carolina.” She looked down the table, “he has never forgiven the British and I should apologize for him as we are now friends,” she tilted her head showing her dimples.
“I’m sorry about your father Miss Pinckney but you should not apologize for your brother, I can quite understand his feelings.”
Later the women gathered in the front parlor and the men enjoyed their Port and cigars around the table.
“You did it Lissa, I believe you have claimed him,” Doddy whispered and giggled.
“He’s rather wonderful Doddy,” Lissa smiled looking toward the door.
“Thomas does not think so…sadly I think he means to provoke him?”
“On what grounds…oh he is a pig…a pig Doddy.”
“He may be a pig sometimes but can also be dear.”
Lissa frowned, “I will not have him provoking the Captain…and I shall tell him so.”
Lissa should not have worried about Jack Aubrey, a young man of one and twenty held no weight for him and his snide remarks went by the wayside but were noticed by the Mayor.
As they were leaving the table he stopped Thomas, “I will not have you speaking to my guest in that manner, your father would have been appalled and your uncle will hear of it.”
“Well Sir, I think I will take my leave,” Thomas replied and called for his hat and cane.
“I think Thomas must have left,” remarked Doddy when the men joined the ladies.
“As well he should if he cannot be civil, ah there’s my Captain,” Lissa smiled in his direction and after a conversation with Mrs. Ashley Jack joined her for a moment.
“I came to say good night to you ladies and to thank you for making a delightful evening.”
“Why thank you Captain, and may I hope to see you again before you sail,” said Doddy
“Yes…I do hope to see you again,” Lissa met his eyes, “I should like to see your ship if it is permitted.”
“I would be happy to show it to you Miss Pinckney; I shall be aboard tomorrow, say about six?”
Lissa was momentarily speechless, “May I really tomorrow, oh how wonderful, yes I shall be there at six.” Now she would have to figure out a way for that to happen. She watched him leave, “Oh Doddy, what are your plans for the morrow?”