One Night in Gibraltar by Clonesgirl
Part III: An Audacious Woman
This time the knock came from the connecting door to the room currently occupied by the Duchess. Both men jumped frantically out of bed, Hornblower grabbing for his night shirt and dressing gown as the Captain ordered him to the other room. The Captain found his dressing gown on the floor where it had earlier fallen alongside Hornblower's. This time he remembered the oil and hurriedly concealed it in a drawer as his lover fled into the other room and closed the door behind him.
A second knock sounded as the Captain went to unlock the door. Feeling in the pocket of his dressing gown for the key, he discovered, to his horror, that it was not there. He searched the left-hand pocket as well, to no avail.
A third knock sounded. Shaking his head in exasperation, the Captain went to the door.
"Is that you, Your Grace?"
"It's me - Sir Huw! For God's sake, Edward, let me in!"
"A moment, Sir Huw. The key seems to be missing. It uh... must be somewhere on the floor here. A moment if you please."
"For God's sake hurry up, Edward! My wife's knocking on the other door!"
Wondering if it might have fallen out of the pocket when he had dropped the robe to the floor he glanced quickly around the rug but saw nothing. He strode across the room to the other connecting door and rapped softly. "Horatio! Horatio, quickly! Open the door!"
Hornblower opened the door now once more attired in night clothes and dressing gown. "What is it, sir?"
"I think you may have put on my dressing gown by mistake. They are damned identical. Quickly, search your pockets, lad. I need the key."
Hornblower searched his pockets only to find they were empty.
"But where can it be?" Edward Pellew muttered in desperation.
"Sir, the dressing gowns were on the floor. Perhaps it fell out."
"I looked!"
"Let me look, sir!"
Quickly, Hornblower searched the area next to the bed and under the bedside table and nearby chair. The key was nowhere to be seen. He got down on his hands and knees and groped around under the bed, his most attractive rear high in the air as he did so and presenting a most interesting view to his Captain. His fingers chanced on the cold metal object and he frantically grasped it, rising to his feet once more.
"Sir, I have it!" he whispered. "It must have fallen out of the pocket and got pushed under the bed the last time I had to get under it."
"Good lad! Now off with you!"
Hornblower ran for his room and shut the door as his Captain inserted the key in the connecting door to the Duchess's room. The moment he opened the door he was knocked backward against the wall by Sir Huw bursting into the room.
"Sir Huw!" he exclaimed.
"Shhh! For God's sake keep your voice down, Sir Edward!" was the frantic response as the Major-General entered the room and hurriedly closed and locked the door behind him.
"What is it, Sir Huw?" Captain Pellew queried sotto voce, his keen gaze taking in the man's state of dishabille and the fact that he seemed to be carrying half his uniform.
"My wife, I fear!" was the harried response. "Apologies, Sir Edward, but I'll disturb you no more this night. My word on it!" the man whispered as he fastened his breeches and the Captain helped him into his coat. "I fear I shall have to exit through the other room," he muttered, indicating the room Hornblower was now occupying, which was around the corner of the corridor and therefore out of sight of Lady Dalrymple. The Captain went to the connecting door, Sir Huw trailing behind him.
He knocked softly. "Mr Hornblower? Mr Hornblower?" he called softly. There followed shortly the sound of the door being unlocked as Hornblower opened it.
"Sir?" Hornblower queried. However, at that moment his eyes alighted on Sir Huw standing behind his Captain. "Sir Huw!"
"Sorry to disturb you, Mr Hornblower, but this won't take a moment," his Captain explained as they entered the room.
"Mr Hornblower," Sir Huw queried, "would you be so good as to leave your room and see if the coast is clear?"
Somewhat taken aback at the unusual request, Hornblower nodded. "Uh, yes, sir."
"And if anyone else is there, close the door behind you!" Sir Huw added.
"Yes, sir."
Striding to the outer door, he unlocked it and walked into the corridor, closing the door for good measure before he took the time to glance around him. From around the curve in the corridor he heard soft footsteps walking toward him. As the figure rounded the corner he beheld Lady Dalrymple, who had apparently been knocking on the door of the room now occupied by the Duchess.
"Why it's Mr Hornblower!"
"Your Ladyship," Hornblower greeted.
"Mr Hornblower, have you by chance spied the Duchess of Wharfedale this evening?" Lady Dalrymple queried.
"Why, no, your Ladyship. Uh, that is, not since dinner," he added. "No doubt she is sleeping soundly and has not heard Your Ladyship's knock."
Lady Dalrymple smiled. However, Hornblower noted that it was somewhat strained.
"No doubt. I will bid you a good-night then, Mr Hornblower."
"And I you, your Ladyship," Hornblower responded, bowing slightly.
Inside the room the two men listening closely to the conversation breathed a sigh of relief.
"Oh, your Ladyship, might I trouble you to show me where I might find the head," Hornblower queried. "Uh, that is..."
She turned back to him. "Oh, that's quite all right, Mr Hornblower, I'm used to having sailors in the house. Come this way."
As their footsteps retreated down the corridor, Sir Huw gave a huge sigh of relief while Captain Pellew silently sung his Acting Lieutenant's praises.
Sir Huw opened the door, gazed quickly about, and with a murmured, "Goodnight, Edward! Once again sorry to disturb your rest," made good his escape to his own room.
*
It was as Hornblower was returning to his room that he encountered the Duchess in the corridor. She beckoned him toward her.
"Your Grace," he greeted politely, his heart sinking. "If I may be of assistance?"
"Mr Hornblower, I've been thinking that your Captain's a very handsome man, wouldn't you agree?" she queried, gazing straight at him in a way that left him somewhat disconcerted.
"I... Uh, yes, I... dare say that he is," Hornblower was reluctantly forced to agree.
"A handsome, *lonely* man, would you say?" the Duchess continued, cocking her head to one side as she continued to watch him like a hawk.
"No doubt that he is," he responded, his answer as neutral as he could make it.
"And would you say that I'm an attractive woman, Mr H?" She smiled at little.
"Oh, very much so, madam. I mean Your Grace," he corrected himself.
"And yet your good, handsome and *lonely* Captain is a most reluctant suitor!" she stated with some asperity.
Hornblower was becoming more uncomfortable by the minute with the conversation and the tack it was taking. He drew himself to attention, hands behind his back.
"Your Grace, I hardly think that Captain Pellew's love life is a fit subject of discussion with a lady," he stated with as much conviction and dignity as he could muster in his night clothes.
Far from being affronted the Duchess merely bestowed a knowing smile on him.
"You'd protect him no matter what, wouldn't you, Mr H?"
Hornblower gazed straight back at her, his head lifted proudly. "Your Grace, it is my privilege to serve with Captain Pellew on 'Indefatigable' and my duty as an officer to protect him with my life," he stated emphatically.
She smiled even more. "Me thinks you take your duty to heart, Mr H."
Totally exasperated by the conversation and wanting only to escape with his reputation and that of his Captain intact Hornblower responded, "I would hope, Your Grace, to carry out my duties with due diligence and responsibility to my Captain, my ship and her men at all times."
"Oh, I've no doubt you do, Mr H!" She grinned at him. "At all times!"
"As you say, Your Grace. I will now bid you good-night for tomorrow we sail."
"Aye, Mr Hornblower, and a lonely trip it will be!" she remarked in rather rueful manner.
"Your Grace may be assured that I shall endeavour to make your trip as comfortable as possible."
She gave a small snort of disgust. "Oh, no doubt you will! And you'll spend the whole boring trip longing for your handsome Captain."
Outraged and trying desperately not to show it, Hornblower took a deep breath.
"Your Grace seems to be under the erroneous impression that..."
"Oh, save your protests, Mr H!" she interrupted. "The nose knows," she added by way of explanation, tapping the bridge of her nose twice.
Taken aback by her words and desperately hoping that the woman had not smelt the sandalwood oil while she had been in the Captain's room earlier, Hornblower managed to stammer, "The n-nose, Your Grace?"
She smiled once more. "Aye, Mr H., the nose! Sandalwood lingers you know! So does passion!" She watched the blush rise in his cheeks. "And now I'll bid you good-night, sir!" She turned to walk back to her room.
His heart sinking in mortification that the lady had somehow discerned the truth of his relationship with his Captain, Hornblower took a few paces after her, desperate to defend his Captain's honour, if not his own.
"Your Grace, f-forgive me if I am wrong but you w-would seem to be casting aspersions on the good character of Captain Pellew and I would have you know that he is the f-finest Captain in the fleet. His r-reputation..."
She turned back to him. "... is safe with me, Mr H. So don't go fretting about your good Captain's reputation. Now off you go and take care of him, there's a good lad!"
With those parting words, she winked at him before once more turning in the direction of her room, leaving Hornblower mortified and knowing that he had somehow lost an important battle.
As he entered his room once more he saw the welcome figure of his Captain waiting for him.
"You heard, sir?" His lover nodded. "Oh, sir, I'm so sorry," Hornblower murmured.
His lover placed his arm around his shoulders and together they walked back into Captain Pellew's room.
"Shh. The sheer audacity of the woman is astounding. You acquitted yourself with dignity and responsibility in the face of the enemy's superior knowledge and tactics."
"Perhaps, sir, but..."
"Quiet!" He placed a finger over Hornblower's gentle mouth. "No protests, there's a good lad. The woman is formidable and I would not wish to have her as an enemy under any circumstances." He took a deep breath, gazing intently into his young lover's eyes. "I blame myself for the whole situation. I should not have taken liberties with you tonight." He shook his head. "So much for discretion!" he murmured ruefully.
"Oh, sir, it was my fault. I should have somehow steered the conversation away from you," Hornblower protested, refusing to place any blame on his Captain what so ever.
His lover gave a soft chuckle. "And how might you have accomplished that, sir? Hmm?" He gave a deep sigh. "My dear sir, it is *I* who am privileged to serve with you. You make me... so very proud."
"Oh, Captain! My dearest Captain!" Hornblower whispered, hugging him.
"Shh. Bend your head." As Hornblower complied his slightly shorter Captain placed a soft kiss in the middle of his forehead, offering him his blessing and his love as though he were a son. "So proud," he repeated.
"Oh, sir! Only let me take 'Le Reve' safely to England and return to your arms, then you can say you're proud of me."
"Oh, indeed I shall, Mr Hornblower. Indeed I shall!" His lips were on Hornblower's cheeks and neck.
"I shall count the days, sir, and I promise I shall return to 'Indefatigable' at the earliest possible moment. In the meantime..." with his eyes he indicated the large and very comfortable bed, "let us make the most of this night..."
"... for tomorrow you sail."
"Aye, sir."
"But first... where is the head?"
"Fourth door down on the right, sir."
"Excellent!"
*
On re-entering his room, Edward Pellew noticed a distinct change. The candles, with the exception of one burning on the bedside table, had all been extinguished. As he came closer to the bed the breath caught in his throat as his eyes beheld a sight to gladden the heart, for his lover was lying on top of the thick red quilt wearing only a smile of welcome.
"By God, sir, you would tempt the angels in heaven!" Edward Pellew growled, already removing his dressing gown and night clothes and allowing them to fall where he stood. Climbing onto the bed, he positioned himself on top of his most promising young officer who promptly enveloped him in long, smoothly muscled limbs and covered his face with kisses from the most succulent lips he had ever encountered.
"Sir, do you think it's safe?" Hornblower whispered between kisses.
"Oh, I shouldn't worry about Her Grace for the rest of tonight, Mr Hornblower. I believe she will be... shall we say, preoccupied?" he murmured, using his tongue to trace the sharp line of his lover's jaw and nibble on the strong chin.
"How so, sir? Sir Huw has left, has he not?"
"Yes, but my guess is that the servant did not."
Hornblower grinned, his Captain's once-again hard manhood butting and rubbing delightfully against his own. "Then pray God we are safe, sir!"
"Mmm..." His Captain was now using his tongue along his collarbone.
"Sir?"
His lover had now reached an enticing little nipple and was deliberately using his tongue in long swipes.
"Mmm... Oh, sir!" Hornblower gasped as his Captain now turned to the other one. "My dearest Edward..." he stroked his Captain's long hair, running his fingers through its delightful softness, "... I would like to make a request." His lover gazed up at him. "Whilst your ardent and tender attentions are... more than welcome, tonight I wish you to be bold."
His lover's eyes widened in curiosity and not a little dismay. Did his young and most virile lover then consider him to be inadequate?
"In what way, my love?" he inquired with some trepidation.
"When 'Le Reve' sails on the morrow I wish to still feel your dear member within me and... "
Edward Pellew was much relieved on hearing these words as at least it meant his competence as a lover was not in doubt.
"And?" he queried.
Hornblower ran a wayward finger over his lips. "...and I wish you to bite me."
"Bite you!" his Captain exclaimed.
"Yes! On the inside of my thigh, high up." He parted his legs and indicated the area. "I wish you to mark me as yours."
The Captain appeared doubtful. "My dearest Horatio, I have no wish to hurt you in any way..." His lover's determined gaze met his own. "However, if that is truly your wish...?"
"It is, and I beg you to do it, dearest Edward. You must bite me hard enough to draw blood. Promise me!"
Left with no choice but to capitulate, his Captain came to a decision. "Very well, but on one condition - you must do the same!"
Hornblower immediately went to protest. "Oh, sir, I..." However, the protest died on his lips as he realised that he had already requested exactly the same of his Captain, and who was he to refuse what his gallant Captain had not? "Forgive me. You are right, of course. If it is truly your wish?"
His lover ran a finger along his jaw and tilted the determined chin up towards him. "Mr Hornblower, I hereby request and require you to bite my thigh as hard as you can, or until you draw blood, after which I shall fuck you so hard you may not walk for a week. Oh, and one more thing: I do not intend to satisfy you for I require you to return the favour. Do I make myself clear, sir?"
Hornblower's eyes were glowing as he tried to keep a straight face. "As crystal, sir!"
* * *
