❝ — WE'RE LOADED WITH SUGAR AND RUM, MY BOYS ! ❞

[nothingmustbe]

Clowance might be different, but she was not that different. And, once he had taken her, marriage would have swiftly followed. And, once they were married, quarrels took place within the marriage. They might shout at each other, even come to blows; but they would have been bound then, living together; her mettlesome independence would have been forfeit.

The Miller’s Dance.

[stranger-from-the-sea]

[stranger-from-the-sea]

The young man flushed as he turned to stare the way she was pointing. “Well, yes, ma’am, in a manner of speaking - though not for some years, like. You see, I’m his son.”

[stranger-from-the-sea]

THE LASCAR SAILOR HAD LASTED ALMOST AS LONG AS CARRINGTON, BUT NOT QUITE.

[stranger-from-the-sea]

nothing-must-be:

“I could talk to Andrew.” She offered a slight, faintly sad smile. “I don’t think he does what I tell him, but I believe he would at least listen.”

          His eyebrows lifted------but in spite of everything, his features had softened.

          “I’d rather ye didn’t trouble yerself. But seeing as how he’s liable to speak on it in any case, I reckon there’s no harm. God d’know------ye can’t have worse luck with him than me.”

[stranger-from-the-sea]

nothing-must-be:

She looked at him, her expression sympathetic.

“I know, I understand, but—Jason and Andrew aren’t just men who work for you, they’re family, and it might only need to be for a little while. I don’t think there’s anything about their personalities that should prevent them from ever getting along—Andrew may just need some more time to adjust.”

          He heaved a long sigh; rubbed his face, finding her eyes again after a moment, shoulders falling somewhat slacker.

          “Aye------don’t doubt if yer right, dear heart. I’ll give it some thought, I s’pose. Maybe talk to Jason. He does what I tell him, even if he don’t always stick by it all the way.”

[stranger-from-the-sea]

nothing-must-be:

She grimaced a little, looking at the floor. “—no, I’m glad you didn’t.”

“It might be easier for Andrew if he just—didn’t have to be around it so directly, at least maybe not for a while. Could you split them up more  often? Put them on different vessels—?”

          “I’d thought of that.” He straightened------raised his head at last, brows furrowing, glancing back at her.

          “Wouldn’t do too badly for now. Don’t like having to put men here or there on account of some pretty argument, though------may be as it benefits me to have the both of ‘em in the same place in future, and what then?”

[stranger-from-the-sea]

nothing-must-be:

She lowered her eyes, exhaling quietly. “—I see.” She was silent for a moment, looking troubled, appearing to consider. “—of course, if that’s why—it’s unfair of Andrew, but—I think it’s all part of a bigger problem for him.” She paused, glancing up. “He’s mentioned similar things to me every now and then, about Jason, and I know—” She held up her hand, for fear that he might interject.

“—I know he appreciates that you’re trying to do right by Jason, but—he’s worked for you longer, and he knows other people who’ve worked for you longer, and I think it’s hard for him, and easy to feel as though Jason’s getting some sort of preference—even if nothing unfair’s going on.”

          His hands fisted, and he swallowed thickly; clamped teeth over his tongue, but by the time he’d got to speaking, there wasn’t much left to bite back, and he felt the warmth beneath his stock begin to fade.

          “------aye.” He raised a hand to his brow, head ducking, fingers coming to pinch the bridge of his nose. “Reckon it’s me own fault in part------this time around, I mean. I should’ve never given Jason the money like I did. Thought about telling Andrew it’d come from somewhere else------saying it had nothing to do with any profits we’d turned, that is. But I had no way of knowing what he’d heard already. Couldn’t very well count on that working out favorably.”

[stranger-from-the-sea]

[stranger-from-the-sea]

nothing-must-be:

Her expression fell a little, lips pressing together.

“What did he say?”

          He blew out another breath; shook his head again, looking off, the lines of his frown setting deeper. “Not the last time we set out------but the time before that------I gave Jason more than his share of the profit. Not much more, mind ye------just a little something to help him get by.” He didn’t look up------stood stiffly, arms folded across his chest, staring into the fire.

          “I took it out of me own cut, o’course. It had no bearing on Andrew. But I knew he’d not like it, so I tried to keep it quiet just the same. Anyway------he must’ve found out about it somehow. Don’t reckon he’ll be minded to let it lie easy.”

[stranger-from-the-sea]

nothing-must-be:

She took a small breath, swallowing faintly. “Yes, but—have you spoken with them alone—individually? Not when there’s just been a fight?”

          He stiffened, swallowing; then exhaled, shaking his head, looking back at her after a moment.

          “Nay------not recent. But I doubt if it’d count for much. I know what’s got ‘em like this------I asked Jason about it when I broke ‘em apart before.”

[stranger-from-the-sea]

nothing-must-be:

“Have you tried talking to them?”

          He made a hard scoffing noise. “Oh, aye------I’ve tried talking. All manner of it, for the lot o’good it’s done me.” He blew out a loud breath------looked off, features darkening as he spoke.

          “For the lot o’good it’s done them. Damn near tore each other to pieces the last time we set out.”

[stranger-from-the-sea]

nothing-must-be:

“Does it matter?”

“I told you, it was by accident.”

          “It matters to me.” He spoke stiffly------darkly, clenching his teeth. “Or maybe it don’t. I should see the both of ‘em flogged from here to Bristol------reckon Andrew’s not too big for it, neither.”

[stranger-from-the-sea]

          “Which of ‘em was it that caught ye across the eye?”

[stranger-from-the-sea]

Andrew and Jason appeared to be arguing on deck.

          “Here, now——here, now! I’ll have no more of that.” He approached, boots hammering across the planks——forced his way between the two of them, fingers closing roughly around Jason’s shoulder, jerking the boy back several inches.

          “Keep this up and I’ll have the both of you put ashore——you hear?” He looked between them, features darkening, eyes falling finally to Jason as he began again.

          “Now——what happened?”

[aliceleeeee]

[nothingmustbe]