Jon Smithie
Tribune
Yes, that was one of the first places I visited when I found this site, and a main reason I joined. I'll be glad to contribute to the collection.
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Mina Berkeley's Voyage
- Thread starter Jon Smithie
- Start date
Yes, that was one of the first places I visited when I found this site, and a main reason I joined. I'll be glad to contribute to the collection.
windar
Teller of Tales
If I'm not made to care about the person being whipped, I tend to find their punishment can quickly become yawn inducing. That's why establishing them as a character is to my mind essential to a good, rather than a ho-hum story.
I will say, this story must be the most discussed story yet to appear on CF (or to have only 1 chapter appear), topping my "Pirettes of Ocracoke" which had 60 odd posts before the story started. By the way, Jon, if you are a devotee of nautical stories, I think you would enjoy that one a lot. http://www.cruxforums.com/xf/threads/the-pirettes-of-ocracoke.5689/
Jon Smithie
Tribune
I absolutely agree. I get so tired of the generic hot (48-22-36) cheerleader, milf, ex-girlfriend or stuck up babe getting kidnapped, raped, and abused, only to discover that she really loves it!
Unless of course, it's well written, lol.
I will say, this story must be the most discussed story yet to appear on CF (or to have only 1 chapter appear), topping my "Pirettes of Ocracoke" which had 60 odd posts before the story started. By the way, Jon, if you are a devotee of nautical stories, I think you would enjoy that one a lot. http://www.cruxforums.com/xf/threads/the-pirettes-of-ocracoke.5689/[/QUOTE]
I read a little of "Pirettes of Ocracoke," and was impressed as always with the historical detail and the quality of the writing, but including the names of members as characters in the story felt a little too much like an inside joke for me. Also too much scrolling to get to the story. Is there a pdf version? My fav is still "Trabbian Justice." I return to the caning scenes in that from time to time. Are you currently working on anything? I'd love to read more like TJ.
As far as getting more discussion; well, that's cool. When I've submitted stories to other sites in years past I never got much buzz. I found that very discouraging, because I didn't know if I wasn't writing the kind of story people wanted to read, or I wasn't writing it well enough, or people just didn't want to comment. Fortunately people seem more willing to comment on this website, so if the discussion dies down after a few more chapters I guess I'll have to look at the first two options.
windar
Teller of Tales
Jon: There are pdfs of all the stories here if you click up at the top on "Forum Archives". The link for Pirettes is http://www.cruxforums.com/xf/resources/the-pirettes-of-ocracoke-by-windar.512/
The question of board characters in stories is one that people have different opinions on. Some people enjoy it a lot, others not so much. I have written a few stories with board characters and many without, though many of the latter are collaborations with Barbaria and have Barbara Moore, her alter ego, in them.
I'm not currently working on any stories, having written several in the last few months. I'm guessing the one that would appeal most to you is probably "Plantation Plight" http://www.cruxforums.com/xf/resour...-by-barbaria-and-windar.510/update?update=573 a story of a mother and daughter who become enslaved in a post-apocalyptic society. There is a sequel called "Mine Misery".
The story I'm most proud of is a recent one , "The Bronx Crux Murders", which is a mainstream crime/police story with a BDSM/crux twist http://www.cruxforums.com/xf/resources/the-bronx-crux-murders-by-windar-barbaria.583/
As far as comments, that's what makes this site what it is. I've posted stories on an ebook site and you get maybe 1 or 2 reviews, which are often a sentence or two.
I do appreciate your positive comments on TJ and the critiques you made as well.
The question of board characters in stories is one that people have different opinions on. Some people enjoy it a lot, others not so much. I have written a few stories with board characters and many without, though many of the latter are collaborations with Barbaria and have Barbara Moore, her alter ego, in them.
I'm not currently working on any stories, having written several in the last few months. I'm guessing the one that would appeal most to you is probably "Plantation Plight" http://www.cruxforums.com/xf/resour...-by-barbaria-and-windar.510/update?update=573 a story of a mother and daughter who become enslaved in a post-apocalyptic society. There is a sequel called "Mine Misery".
The story I'm most proud of is a recent one , "The Bronx Crux Murders", which is a mainstream crime/police story with a BDSM/crux twist http://www.cruxforums.com/xf/resources/the-bronx-crux-murders-by-windar-barbaria.583/
As far as comments, that's what makes this site what it is. I've posted stories on an ebook site and you get maybe 1 or 2 reviews, which are often a sentence or two.
I do appreciate your positive comments on TJ and the critiques you made as well.
Jon Smithie
Tribune
I have finished Chapter Two of "Mina Berkeley's Voyage" and will post it as a pdf file. As always, comments are welcome, whether concerning writing mechanics, historical points, inconsistencies or personal preferences.
Thanks for reading.
Thanks for reading.
windar
Teller of Tales
To paraphrase Artemus Ward, the fictional 19th century American wag (though the quote is often attributed to Abraham Lincoln) "For people who like that kind of thing, that is the kind of thing they like". I am that sort of person and I did like this a lot. As for historical accuracy, I think we have flogged that horse more than Mina Berkeley. I really think the 18th century style of writing adds greatly to the story.
Jon Smithie
Tribune
BTW, I believe I mentioned the whipping scene in the mini-series "Mary Bryant" on this thread. Coincidentally it has been recently added to Amazon Prime. The full title is "The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant." Based on a true story, it's about a woman who was sentenced to transportation to New South Wales. Here's a couple of stills of the whipping scene:
The lady on the wrong end of the whip grabbed at the crotch of the officer in the foreground. She is learning what happens when your reach exceeds your grasp. And who, you may ask is the man under that tricorn hat?
It's Norrington, of "Pirates of the Caribbean!" (Jack Davenport). No doubt he's thinking, "If I had only done this to Elizabeth Swan, she would never have left me for that blacksmith."
The lady on the wrong end of the whip grabbed at the crotch of the officer in the foreground. She is learning what happens when your reach exceeds your grasp. And who, you may ask is the man under that tricorn hat? It's Norrington, of "Pirates of the Caribbean!" (Jack Davenport). No doubt he's thinking, "If I had only done this to Elizabeth Swan, she would never have left me for that blacksmith."
King Diocletian
Magistrate
Excellent. Really enjoying this.
Jon Smithie
Tribune
Great! Glad you like it, K.D.
Jon Smithie
Tribune
I'm really bummed out. You know what happens when you assume? Well, it's happened to me. I was planning that Mina and her sister Laura from "Miss Berkeley's Voyage" would be reunited in chapter three. I was looking forward to the emotional meeting between them, when Mina discovers what has happened to Laura. So I went back through that story to find out exactly where Laura was, and discovered it was Cape Coast. Fair enough. So I googled "Cape Coast." I assumed it was in Australia. It is in Ghana. That's where K.D.'s fleet stops, as one of the ports sailing vessels would have to stop at during such a long voyage. Laura never reaches Australia. Ships also stopped at Cape Colony, on the Cape of Good Hope, based on my limited research, but no matter. I think it highly unlikely that Mina would not have heard of Laura's fate when the convoy stopped anywhere on the African coast, and certainly not if they'd stopped at Cape Coast. In fact, Laura would still be there. Also, even if Mina somehow hadn't heard of Laura's fate, obviously it is now impossible for them to meet in Sydney, where Mina is about to land. I guess I'll carry on but I have to admit it's taken the wind out of my sails.
King Diocletian
Magistrate
Sorry.
elephas
Senator
I think there are two possibilities to reunite Mina and Laura in your story.
1. The Mina's fleet stops at Cape Coast, where Mina visits Laura, recovering from her punishment.
2. The Mina's fleet does not stop on the African coast and goes straight to Australia. Laura, being in England after returning from Ghana, decides again to go to Australia to meet her sister. So, at the end two sisters could rejoin in Sydney.
1. The Mina's fleet stops at Cape Coast, where Mina visits Laura, recovering from her punishment.
2. The Mina's fleet does not stop on the African coast and goes straight to Australia. Laura, being in England after returning from Ghana, decides again to go to Australia to meet her sister. So, at the end two sisters could rejoin in Sydney.
Jon Smithie
Tribune
Thanks for the suggestions. I think no. 1 will work just great. I think it was only in the chapter I'm currently working on that I suggested that the fleet was nearing Australia, and that's a simple matter of changing the location. So there shouldn't be any glaring inconsistencies. I want Mina and Laura to have an emotional reunion, to be overjoyed in each other's company, and then have Mina arrested and put on trial while Laura can do nothing but look on with horror. 'Cause I'm sadistic like that.
I've been doing some research on Cape Coast. I get a little too caught up with the actual history, but I find it interesting for its own sake. I'm just a little embarrassed at my carelessness in not catching, or not remembering, where the action takes place in K.D's story. I'll get back on track. It's helpful for me to set goals, so my goal will be to have the next chapter up on Monday.
Jon Smithie
Tribune
My bad (obviously.) But next time, could you check with me before deciding on a location for a story? lol.
Jon Smithie
Tribune
Here is Chapter Three of Mina Berkeley's Voyage. Enjoy! Comments welcome!
King Diocletian
Magistrate
Excellent. I look forward to finding out how Laura is getting on.
Jon Smithie
Tribune
Thanks for the kind comments. I've been revising chapter three, but I need to stop dicking around with that and get to work on chapter four. I'll post it on Sunday at the latest. There: deadline. Now I can get to work on it. I may or may not get to Mina's punishment with the next chapter, she still has to be arrested and tried; but we are getting close.
One quite understands how so many of HM's officers feel the need to punish her in some way. 
Jon Smithie
Tribune
Author's note: I didn't get as far as I hoped to with this latest chapter, but at least we're a little further along. One minor discrepancy--Mina is actually two months behind Laura. I forgot that it took Mina a month to secure passage to Australia for herself. Although I doubt any reader is really that picky, but since I'm writing it, I'm a little more anal. So Laura's had a little more time to heal, and is therefore fit enough to work. I've pasted this instead of posting it as a pdf., since it was suggested that pdf might be off-putting for some readers. As always, I hope you enjoy, and feel free to comment. That's what keeps me going.
CHAPTER FOUR: PRINCESS LORETTA
It was as though Mina had been struck deaf, dumb, and blind. She was not aware of Mr. Jenkins helping her down from the carriage, did not hear the expressions of sympathy and dismay from her companions. Insensible to both the exotic and mundane sights, sounds, and smells surrounding her, she was driven by an overwhelming need to go to her sister.
She followed Mr. Jenkins through the streets without saying a word, without thinking a thought, and it was not until they stood before the steps of a wide veranda, and Jenkins told her that this was the house of Madame Louisa, did Mina begin to return to herself.
As they walked up the steps she began to pant. A heaviness and lassitude seemed to attack her muscles and her very spirit. The sun was suddenly far too bright, the heat and humidity of the place, unbearable.
“Mr. Jenkins, please sir, a moment. I must catch my breath.” Mina gasped.
Stepping onto the wide veranda, Jenkins took her arm and pulled her aside. He had seen this before from his days as a soldier. It was a delayed reaction in some men after they had undergone the stress of combat. The mind was simply unable to immediately comprehend the dreadful experience.
“Put your hands on your knees and breathe deeply, Miss Berkeley. Breathe, slowly, Catch your breath. That’s right. You’ve had a terrible shock.”
A couple of visitors either arriving at the house, or leaving, eyed the distressed young woman with interest. One asked if he could be of service. Mr. Jenkins waved him on without a word.
Mina felt herself returning to something approaching normal.
“Mr. Jenkins, I must know, before I go in to my sister, you must tell me, I must know all. What was Laura . . . what was my sister convicted of? What crime was she punished so cruelly for?”
“Insubordination, Miss Berkeley.” Jenkins replied quietly. “Gross insubordination and sedition.”
“I don’t understand, Mr. Jenkins! It is incomprehensible! It is unconscionable!”
Mr. Jenkins was glad to see the fire returning to the young woman.
“She had objected too strenuously, and in too insulting a manner, to a flogging aboard the ship she had signed on.” Jenkins said. “And she had kept a diary while on board, in which she detailed punishments, and other matters of shipboard life. Such a record is expressly forbidden. Hence the charge of sedition.”
“But surely passengers may keep diaries! I have kept one myself! I know other passengers who have! Are we all to be mercilessly flogged?”
“But your sister had signed on as a crew member, not as a passenger. Therefore she fell under the jurisdiction of naval law.”
“Tell me the particulars of her punishment, Mr. Jenkins.”
“Miss, Berkeley, please . . .”
“Tell me, Mr. Jenkins. I must know.”
“Very well, then. As is naval custom, your sister was stripped to her waist and escorted by guard to a ship’s boat, upon which a frame had been constructed. She was rowed beside each of the six ships in the fleet in turn and given a dozen strokes of the cat beside each vessel. Then the round was repeated. In all she received one hundred and forty four strokes of the lash. And she bore it as well as any man could have done, and better than most.”
Mina covered her face with her hands and wept silently.
“I do not wish Laura to see my tears. She has no patience for pity directed at herself.”
“I understand.” Jenkins said, offering Mina a handkerchief.
“Your sister was taken back to the jail, where she was cared for by my wife and myself. As I said, it was touch and go for a time. A surgeon saw her, dressed her wounds, and bled her. But she weakened and took a fever, and we thought we might lose her. When the surgeon refused to treat her further, an Ashanti witch woman took over her care. I would never have permitted such a thing but one of the bailiffs on duty allowed her in. Despite the fact that she was not being bled she almost immediately became stronger. Whether it was the witch woman’s poultices, her herbs or her chants that were effective I know not. I do know that for such a slender, apparently frail thing, your sister has a strong constitution.”
“And how, Mr. Jenkins, did my sister come to be here, in this house?”
Jenkins looked down, unable to meet Mina’s eyes.
“I was told by my superiors that it was inappropriate for a government official to favor a convicted felon with care and comfort. That if I persisted in this course I could lose my position. I am ashamed to say I knuckled under to their pressure.”
It was a burden that weighed heavily on Jenkins.
“I attempted to find suitable lodging for her, but none of the respectable lodging houses would have her, in addition she still required care and attention. The bank would not honor her promissory note or cheque, and her traveling funds had been confiscated. I couldn’t very well bear the expense myself, could I, especially since it could cost me my position. So. . .” Jenkins concluded, shamefaced, “Arrangements were made. By others. It was out of my hands. When I discovered what those arrangements were I came to Madame Louisa myself and made her promise that your sister would not be . . . put to work here.”
Mina wanted to rage at him, wanted nothing more than to beat her fists against his chest and face, to demand of him how he could abandon a woman in desperate straits to such a fate.
But she gathered herself. The man had some decency after all. He had done more than others to care for Laura, and to bring her, Mina, here. But Mina found she could not forgive, nor excuse.
She had nothing further to say to Jenkins, but turned away from him and walked into Madame Louisa’s.
“How may I help you young lady? Ah! Warden Jenkins! How do you do?”
The woman who met them was slender, with a face that looked both brittle and hard edged. Her cheeks were well rouged to make up for her lack of youth. Her gown was daringly open, revealing pale bulging breast flesh at the top of her overly tight stays. In the sitting room off the foyer several young women were lounging, also dressed en deshabille. They regarded the two visitors with idle curiosity.
“Louisa,” Jenkins said. “This is Mina Berkeley, Laura’s sister. Where is Laura?”
“Laura’s sister?” Louisa said, casting a speculative, assessing eye over Mina’s figure. “We call her Loretta, or Princess. So, Mina, is it? Do you wish to work here too?”
“None of that, Louisa!” Jenkins said. “Where is she?”
Louisa fluttered her eyes at Jenkins in what may have passed for coquettishness twenty years earlier.
“Well, Warden, now may not be an opportune time to disturb her. She is entertaining a gentleman.”
Jenkins stepped up to Louisa and bent his face close to hers
“Louisa, you promised,” he growled.
“Her expenses were more than I anticipated. It is only right that she pay her way.”
“Where is she, you lying jade?” Jenkins demanded. “Take us to her now!”
Mina’s alarm and fear for her sister had crescendoed from the moment they entered the house. Now she lost all patience.
“Where is my sister?” she shouted. “Where is she? Laura! Laura!”
A large, unkempt man approached from the hall.
“Louisa?” he grunted.
“Tell your man to stand down,” Jenkins said, “Else I make a good deal of trouble for you. You don’t want to find yourself at the whipping post, do you?”
“Everything’s fine, Gregory.” Madame Louisa said, waving away the doorman. “No need to disturb yourself”
She regarded Jenkins coolly.
“Let us understand each other, Warden.” Madame Louisa said, emphasizing Jenkin’s title. “I have nothing to fear from you. We are both employed by the same people.”
“Yes,” Jenkins whispered, “And one of them favors Miss Mina Berkeley.”
It was a complete bluff, but Jenkins thought it was plausible enough.
“Laura!” Mina shouted again.
“Silence, girl!” Louisa said. “All right then, as you wish to see her, I will take you to her. Follow me.”
Louisa turned to a wide staircase and climbed the stairs. “Your sister is a very popular young lady, Miss Mina,” Louisa said. “She has had made many friends in the short time she has been with us! She has become quite the favorite!”
“Don’t try my patience, Louisa!” Jenkins said.
Madame Louisa laughed.
“And here we are.”
Many rooms led off of the landing on the second floor. Most of the doors stood open, for the house was not busy at this time of the day, but a few were closed, and behind them came the sounds of bed springs creaking, and various gasps and groans, both deep throated and high pitched.
Madame Louisa tapped at the closed door she had stopped in front of.
“Sir, Loretta? Sorry to disturb you lovers, but . . .”
Mina did not let her finish but pushed past Louisa, twisted the door knob and shouldered open the door.
Mina took two steps into the room and stopped short, her advance arrested by the sight of a pair of naked male buttocks. As she entered, their owner looked over his shoulder at the intruders and cursed.
“What the bloody hell is the meaning . . .” the man said. His words stopped in mid sentence.
His breeches and stockings were pooled at his ankles. A long naval coat had been thrown carelessly on the bed. His eyes and face betrayed the sweaty slackness of a man in the throes of drink and pleasure, now turning to annoyance. In front of him knelt a woman, though as Mina’s attention was riveted on the man she had only the impression of long dark hair and pale torso.
He and Mina stared at each other in stunned silence. The man was the first to break it.
“Miss Berkeley!” he said. “What a pleasure to see you again! Though I suppose I must apologize for not being in court or in prison! Personally, I much prefer this place to renew our acquaintance!” His speech was a bit slurred, but clear enough.
“Captain Writhby!” Mina cried.
“Excuse me just one moment, my dear. I will attend you as soon as I finish here!”
Captain Writhby grabbed the woman behind the neck and thrust deeply into her mouth.
“Ah! Yes! Yes! My little princess, Yes!”
With a cry of disgust Mina turned away. Then remembering her purpose she shouted at Louisa, “Where is my sister?”
Louisa stepped by her, bustling up to the Captain.
“Captain Writhby, please forgive the intrusion, I pray you. A thousand apologies, sir.”
“What the bloody devil do you want with me? I came here to be screwed and blewed and I’m only half way there!”
“It’s not you they’re wanting, Captain. It’s Loretta. You see, she’s Miss Mina’s sister!”
With an expert hand, Louisa reached to Writhby’s crotch and cleaned him as he uncoupled from the kneeling woman’s mouth.
“Come, Captain, I’ll fetch you more rum, and we’ll find you another girl, on the house!”
“Come, come, I’ll fetch you more rum!” The Captain sang. He pushed Louisa away, shamelessly exposing himself. “Well, I’ve certainly come!”
Captain Writhby barked an unpleasant, harsh laugh.
“So this is your sister, is it?” he asked.
The woman had not gotten to her feet. She was naked to the waist, her bare breasts small but firm and well shaped. Listlessly she pulled her hair away from her face, spit the results of the Captain’s pleasure into her hand, and wiped her hand on her shift. She looked up with dull eyes.
It was Laura.
With a cry, Mina fell to her knees beside her sister and hugged her.
“Oh, Laura, Laura, what have they done to you?” Mina sobbed.
Laura grunted with pain. Mina realized that she was hugging her sister so tightly that she had hurt her by scraping her arm across Laura’s back. Lightly she touched her there, and was shocked at the knotted mass of still weeping scar tissue her delicate back had been turned into.
“Mina?” Laura whispered.
“Yes, Laura, it’s me, it’s Mina!”
“I had a sister named Mina. A long time ago.”
Mina held Laura’s face in her hands and stared into her eyes.
“Laura, it’s me. It really is me! I have found you! Look at me Laura, it’s your sister Mina!”
A flicker of recognition passed through Laura, and she shuddered.
“Oh, this is too rich, this is too good!” Captain Writhby laughed. “So this truly is your long lost sister! I’ll be damned, that I will! I count myself a most fortunate man. I have whipped one and fucked the other! I must say, you Berkeley girls provide a man with fine sport!”
“You evil, odious, despicable wretch!” Mina shouted. “Go away! All of you, go away! I will take my sister from this place, and may you all burn in hell!”
“Not so fast, Missy!” Madame Louisa said. “I have spent a good sum on your sister, what with medicines, and caring for her, and providing bed and board. She owes me for that! In addition, there is the matter of anticipated future earnings.”
“You may present me with a bill of particulars, madam,” Mina said bitterly. “As to the rest of it, my sister is not your slave, and has no further obligations to you. I will leave with my sister now. You may submit your bill at some future date.”
“She is a convict woman, she has no rights!” Madame Louisa said. “Jenkins, I don’t care who favors this Miss Berkeley. They would not permit you to take one of my girls. You will not take her anywhere. She belongs to me!”
“And I’m not finished with her yet!” Writhby said. “She stays! You, Miss Mina, you are welcome to stay, and I’ll warm your arse for you again!”
His first bluff having failed, Jenkins tried another tack.
“I am an officer of the court,” Jenkins said, “And I was there when Laura Berkeley was punished. And after her punishment was concluded, the officer in charge released her and told her she was free to go. Meaning that her penalty had been discharged fully. . .”
“Another lawyer!” Writhby cried. “A plague on them all, by sea and by land!”
“. . .Meaning that she is a free woman and cannot be held against her will!”
Jenkins drew a small pistol from under his coat. It was loaded, but not primed. He only hoped that neither Writhby nor Louisa recognized the fact.
“And if you interfere with her free passage, you are guilty of kidnapping, and I will use force against you.”
It was his second bluff. He hoped this one held.
“And I am Captain of Defiance!” Writhby said, “And you sir, are full of shit!”
“Pick up your breeches, sir,” Jenkins said.
The Captain looked down at himself as though startled that he was naked from the waist down. He leaned over to pull up his clothing, and fell. He sprawled on the floor, cursing, and kicking at his breeches.
Jenkins waved Mina to hurry.
Mina helped Laura to her feet, pulled her shift up to cover her, and snatched a gown from a wardrobe.
“I’ll make a complaint, Jenkins,” Louisa said. “You have exceeded your authority. I shall make trouble for you sir, make no mistake. It will be your back to the whip!”
Jenkins brandished the pistol.
“Do not call Gregory, or you shall be looking for a new doorman!”
As they hustled out the bedchamber and down the stairs, Mina heard the loud, drunken voice of Captain Writhby call to Madame Louisa, “Oh, let them go, you greedy, stupid whore! You’ll have her back, you’ll see! You’ll have them both back!”
Writhby’s laughter followed them out the door and into the sunlight.
CHAPTER FOUR: PRINCESS LORETTA
It was as though Mina had been struck deaf, dumb, and blind. She was not aware of Mr. Jenkins helping her down from the carriage, did not hear the expressions of sympathy and dismay from her companions. Insensible to both the exotic and mundane sights, sounds, and smells surrounding her, she was driven by an overwhelming need to go to her sister.
She followed Mr. Jenkins through the streets without saying a word, without thinking a thought, and it was not until they stood before the steps of a wide veranda, and Jenkins told her that this was the house of Madame Louisa, did Mina begin to return to herself.
As they walked up the steps she began to pant. A heaviness and lassitude seemed to attack her muscles and her very spirit. The sun was suddenly far too bright, the heat and humidity of the place, unbearable.
“Mr. Jenkins, please sir, a moment. I must catch my breath.” Mina gasped.
Stepping onto the wide veranda, Jenkins took her arm and pulled her aside. He had seen this before from his days as a soldier. It was a delayed reaction in some men after they had undergone the stress of combat. The mind was simply unable to immediately comprehend the dreadful experience.
“Put your hands on your knees and breathe deeply, Miss Berkeley. Breathe, slowly, Catch your breath. That’s right. You’ve had a terrible shock.”
A couple of visitors either arriving at the house, or leaving, eyed the distressed young woman with interest. One asked if he could be of service. Mr. Jenkins waved him on without a word.
Mina felt herself returning to something approaching normal.
“Mr. Jenkins, I must know, before I go in to my sister, you must tell me, I must know all. What was Laura . . . what was my sister convicted of? What crime was she punished so cruelly for?”
“Insubordination, Miss Berkeley.” Jenkins replied quietly. “Gross insubordination and sedition.”
“I don’t understand, Mr. Jenkins! It is incomprehensible! It is unconscionable!”
Mr. Jenkins was glad to see the fire returning to the young woman.
“She had objected too strenuously, and in too insulting a manner, to a flogging aboard the ship she had signed on.” Jenkins said. “And she had kept a diary while on board, in which she detailed punishments, and other matters of shipboard life. Such a record is expressly forbidden. Hence the charge of sedition.”
“But surely passengers may keep diaries! I have kept one myself! I know other passengers who have! Are we all to be mercilessly flogged?”
“But your sister had signed on as a crew member, not as a passenger. Therefore she fell under the jurisdiction of naval law.”
“Tell me the particulars of her punishment, Mr. Jenkins.”
“Miss, Berkeley, please . . .”
“Tell me, Mr. Jenkins. I must know.”
“Very well, then. As is naval custom, your sister was stripped to her waist and escorted by guard to a ship’s boat, upon which a frame had been constructed. She was rowed beside each of the six ships in the fleet in turn and given a dozen strokes of the cat beside each vessel. Then the round was repeated. In all she received one hundred and forty four strokes of the lash. And she bore it as well as any man could have done, and better than most.”
Mina covered her face with her hands and wept silently.
“I do not wish Laura to see my tears. She has no patience for pity directed at herself.”
“I understand.” Jenkins said, offering Mina a handkerchief.
“Your sister was taken back to the jail, where she was cared for by my wife and myself. As I said, it was touch and go for a time. A surgeon saw her, dressed her wounds, and bled her. But she weakened and took a fever, and we thought we might lose her. When the surgeon refused to treat her further, an Ashanti witch woman took over her care. I would never have permitted such a thing but one of the bailiffs on duty allowed her in. Despite the fact that she was not being bled she almost immediately became stronger. Whether it was the witch woman’s poultices, her herbs or her chants that were effective I know not. I do know that for such a slender, apparently frail thing, your sister has a strong constitution.”
“And how, Mr. Jenkins, did my sister come to be here, in this house?”
Jenkins looked down, unable to meet Mina’s eyes.
“I was told by my superiors that it was inappropriate for a government official to favor a convicted felon with care and comfort. That if I persisted in this course I could lose my position. I am ashamed to say I knuckled under to their pressure.”
It was a burden that weighed heavily on Jenkins.
“I attempted to find suitable lodging for her, but none of the respectable lodging houses would have her, in addition she still required care and attention. The bank would not honor her promissory note or cheque, and her traveling funds had been confiscated. I couldn’t very well bear the expense myself, could I, especially since it could cost me my position. So. . .” Jenkins concluded, shamefaced, “Arrangements were made. By others. It was out of my hands. When I discovered what those arrangements were I came to Madame Louisa myself and made her promise that your sister would not be . . . put to work here.”
Mina wanted to rage at him, wanted nothing more than to beat her fists against his chest and face, to demand of him how he could abandon a woman in desperate straits to such a fate.
But she gathered herself. The man had some decency after all. He had done more than others to care for Laura, and to bring her, Mina, here. But Mina found she could not forgive, nor excuse.
She had nothing further to say to Jenkins, but turned away from him and walked into Madame Louisa’s.
“How may I help you young lady? Ah! Warden Jenkins! How do you do?”
The woman who met them was slender, with a face that looked both brittle and hard edged. Her cheeks were well rouged to make up for her lack of youth. Her gown was daringly open, revealing pale bulging breast flesh at the top of her overly tight stays. In the sitting room off the foyer several young women were lounging, also dressed en deshabille. They regarded the two visitors with idle curiosity.
“Louisa,” Jenkins said. “This is Mina Berkeley, Laura’s sister. Where is Laura?”
“Laura’s sister?” Louisa said, casting a speculative, assessing eye over Mina’s figure. “We call her Loretta, or Princess. So, Mina, is it? Do you wish to work here too?”
“None of that, Louisa!” Jenkins said. “Where is she?”
Louisa fluttered her eyes at Jenkins in what may have passed for coquettishness twenty years earlier.
“Well, Warden, now may not be an opportune time to disturb her. She is entertaining a gentleman.”
Jenkins stepped up to Louisa and bent his face close to hers
“Louisa, you promised,” he growled.
“Her expenses were more than I anticipated. It is only right that she pay her way.”
“Where is she, you lying jade?” Jenkins demanded. “Take us to her now!”
Mina’s alarm and fear for her sister had crescendoed from the moment they entered the house. Now she lost all patience.
“Where is my sister?” she shouted. “Where is she? Laura! Laura!”
A large, unkempt man approached from the hall.
“Louisa?” he grunted.
“Tell your man to stand down,” Jenkins said, “Else I make a good deal of trouble for you. You don’t want to find yourself at the whipping post, do you?”
“Everything’s fine, Gregory.” Madame Louisa said, waving away the doorman. “No need to disturb yourself”
She regarded Jenkins coolly.
“Let us understand each other, Warden.” Madame Louisa said, emphasizing Jenkin’s title. “I have nothing to fear from you. We are both employed by the same people.”
“Yes,” Jenkins whispered, “And one of them favors Miss Mina Berkeley.”
It was a complete bluff, but Jenkins thought it was plausible enough.
“Laura!” Mina shouted again.
“Silence, girl!” Louisa said. “All right then, as you wish to see her, I will take you to her. Follow me.”
Louisa turned to a wide staircase and climbed the stairs. “Your sister is a very popular young lady, Miss Mina,” Louisa said. “She has had made many friends in the short time she has been with us! She has become quite the favorite!”
“Don’t try my patience, Louisa!” Jenkins said.
Madame Louisa laughed.
“And here we are.”
Many rooms led off of the landing on the second floor. Most of the doors stood open, for the house was not busy at this time of the day, but a few were closed, and behind them came the sounds of bed springs creaking, and various gasps and groans, both deep throated and high pitched.
Madame Louisa tapped at the closed door she had stopped in front of.
“Sir, Loretta? Sorry to disturb you lovers, but . . .”
Mina did not let her finish but pushed past Louisa, twisted the door knob and shouldered open the door.
Mina took two steps into the room and stopped short, her advance arrested by the sight of a pair of naked male buttocks. As she entered, their owner looked over his shoulder at the intruders and cursed.
“What the bloody hell is the meaning . . .” the man said. His words stopped in mid sentence.
His breeches and stockings were pooled at his ankles. A long naval coat had been thrown carelessly on the bed. His eyes and face betrayed the sweaty slackness of a man in the throes of drink and pleasure, now turning to annoyance. In front of him knelt a woman, though as Mina’s attention was riveted on the man she had only the impression of long dark hair and pale torso.
He and Mina stared at each other in stunned silence. The man was the first to break it.
“Miss Berkeley!” he said. “What a pleasure to see you again! Though I suppose I must apologize for not being in court or in prison! Personally, I much prefer this place to renew our acquaintance!” His speech was a bit slurred, but clear enough.
“Captain Writhby!” Mina cried.
“Excuse me just one moment, my dear. I will attend you as soon as I finish here!”
Captain Writhby grabbed the woman behind the neck and thrust deeply into her mouth.
“Ah! Yes! Yes! My little princess, Yes!”
With a cry of disgust Mina turned away. Then remembering her purpose she shouted at Louisa, “Where is my sister?”
Louisa stepped by her, bustling up to the Captain.
“Captain Writhby, please forgive the intrusion, I pray you. A thousand apologies, sir.”
“What the bloody devil do you want with me? I came here to be screwed and blewed and I’m only half way there!”
“It’s not you they’re wanting, Captain. It’s Loretta. You see, she’s Miss Mina’s sister!”
With an expert hand, Louisa reached to Writhby’s crotch and cleaned him as he uncoupled from the kneeling woman’s mouth.
“Come, Captain, I’ll fetch you more rum, and we’ll find you another girl, on the house!”
“Come, come, I’ll fetch you more rum!” The Captain sang. He pushed Louisa away, shamelessly exposing himself. “Well, I’ve certainly come!”
Captain Writhby barked an unpleasant, harsh laugh.
“So this is your sister, is it?” he asked.
The woman had not gotten to her feet. She was naked to the waist, her bare breasts small but firm and well shaped. Listlessly she pulled her hair away from her face, spit the results of the Captain’s pleasure into her hand, and wiped her hand on her shift. She looked up with dull eyes.
It was Laura.
With a cry, Mina fell to her knees beside her sister and hugged her.
“Oh, Laura, Laura, what have they done to you?” Mina sobbed.
Laura grunted with pain. Mina realized that she was hugging her sister so tightly that she had hurt her by scraping her arm across Laura’s back. Lightly she touched her there, and was shocked at the knotted mass of still weeping scar tissue her delicate back had been turned into.
“Mina?” Laura whispered.
“Yes, Laura, it’s me, it’s Mina!”
“I had a sister named Mina. A long time ago.”
Mina held Laura’s face in her hands and stared into her eyes.
“Laura, it’s me. It really is me! I have found you! Look at me Laura, it’s your sister Mina!”
A flicker of recognition passed through Laura, and she shuddered.
“Oh, this is too rich, this is too good!” Captain Writhby laughed. “So this truly is your long lost sister! I’ll be damned, that I will! I count myself a most fortunate man. I have whipped one and fucked the other! I must say, you Berkeley girls provide a man with fine sport!”
“You evil, odious, despicable wretch!” Mina shouted. “Go away! All of you, go away! I will take my sister from this place, and may you all burn in hell!”
“Not so fast, Missy!” Madame Louisa said. “I have spent a good sum on your sister, what with medicines, and caring for her, and providing bed and board. She owes me for that! In addition, there is the matter of anticipated future earnings.”
“You may present me with a bill of particulars, madam,” Mina said bitterly. “As to the rest of it, my sister is not your slave, and has no further obligations to you. I will leave with my sister now. You may submit your bill at some future date.”
“She is a convict woman, she has no rights!” Madame Louisa said. “Jenkins, I don’t care who favors this Miss Berkeley. They would not permit you to take one of my girls. You will not take her anywhere. She belongs to me!”
“And I’m not finished with her yet!” Writhby said. “She stays! You, Miss Mina, you are welcome to stay, and I’ll warm your arse for you again!”
His first bluff having failed, Jenkins tried another tack.
“I am an officer of the court,” Jenkins said, “And I was there when Laura Berkeley was punished. And after her punishment was concluded, the officer in charge released her and told her she was free to go. Meaning that her penalty had been discharged fully. . .”
“Another lawyer!” Writhby cried. “A plague on them all, by sea and by land!”
“. . .Meaning that she is a free woman and cannot be held against her will!”
Jenkins drew a small pistol from under his coat. It was loaded, but not primed. He only hoped that neither Writhby nor Louisa recognized the fact.
“And if you interfere with her free passage, you are guilty of kidnapping, and I will use force against you.”
It was his second bluff. He hoped this one held.
“And I am Captain of Defiance!” Writhby said, “And you sir, are full of shit!”
“Pick up your breeches, sir,” Jenkins said.
The Captain looked down at himself as though startled that he was naked from the waist down. He leaned over to pull up his clothing, and fell. He sprawled on the floor, cursing, and kicking at his breeches.
Jenkins waved Mina to hurry.
Mina helped Laura to her feet, pulled her shift up to cover her, and snatched a gown from a wardrobe.
“I’ll make a complaint, Jenkins,” Louisa said. “You have exceeded your authority. I shall make trouble for you sir, make no mistake. It will be your back to the whip!”
Jenkins brandished the pistol.
“Do not call Gregory, or you shall be looking for a new doorman!”
As they hustled out the bedchamber and down the stairs, Mina heard the loud, drunken voice of Captain Writhby call to Madame Louisa, “Oh, let them go, you greedy, stupid whore! You’ll have her back, you’ll see! You’ll have them both back!”
Writhby’s laughter followed them out the door and into the sunlight.
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