WENTWORTH'S REVENGE

By Maril Swan

RATING: G (sorry, folks)

DISCLAIMERS: Fireworks, et al

TRIO: knife, rope, bedpost (you'll have to look real hard to find them though.;)

~~~~~

As the ship disappeared over the horizon, Montoya turned in anger from the English captain, and began to trudge his way through the damp sand back to his horse. Suddenly, his arm was pulled around and he stumbled. He whirled with his hand already going to his sword hilt. No one manhandles Montoya! His face was livid with fury as he glared at Wentworth, his pale eyes brilliant with malice as if he dared the man to continue holding his sleeve.

Wentworth dropped his hand but met Montoya with an equally malicious stare. "You've caused me lose my wife and my ship," he bellowed. "You owe me, Montoya, and by God, you'll pay!"

"I owe you nothing," Montoya said scathingly. "And if you touch me again, one of my soldiers will shoot you. Now, get out of my town!"

"How?" Wentworth said, a note of pleading entering his voice. "I have only a few reales in my purse. Thanks to you." More boldly, he added, "I will avail myself of the hospitality of your villa until such time as another British ship arrives to take me away from this accursed place. You owe me that much."

Many thoughts tumbled through Montoya's mind as he studied Capitan Wentworth. The Englishman was very tall and strong, and had a streak of viciousness that amazed even Montoya. And he is penniless, therefore desperate. The man is a thorough bounder, without scruples or morals. I can use such a man, Montoya mused, someone who is not hampered by a squeamish conscience. Grisham seems to be getting soft these days.

To Wentworth's surprise, the colonel said, "Never let it be said that a Spaniard is lacking in hospitality. Indeed, I would be remiss if I did not aid you in your time of need. Please accept my invitation to be my guest for as long as you wish." Montoya bowed curtly and continued toward his horse. He didn't look back, but assumed that Wentworth would follow as soon as he got over his shock. Yes, he thought as he climbed onto Salan, his Andalusian stallion, the capitan has some scores to settle here, especially with the Queen. I think we can work something out. He kneed his mount gently and cantered down the beach toward the pueblo.

***********

Montoya strode into his salon and found Wentworth, reclining on a chaise, and reading his favourite work on Napoleon. The idiot had bent the book nearly in half and the spine was now lined with visible cracks. The colonel took several deep breaths to control his rage before he spoke. It had been nearly a week since the sea captain had taken up residence in his villa and the complaints had been piling up daily. His servants complained of harsh and abusive treatment, the cook of his looting the larder at all hours. Even Montoya's stock of fine sherries and ports were badly depleted. It was time to set matters straight.

"Capitan Wentworth. We must talk. Your presence here has caused a severe disruption in my household. It is time for you to make some plans to leave, perhaps go to Monterrey."

"Listen, Montoya. Do you think I would stay in this flea-bitten excuse for a town if I had a choice?" Wentworth stood up, and moved near the colonel, towering over the smaller man. His imposing height always had a salutary effect on anyone who challenged him. But Montoya held his ground without batting an eye. Wentworth added, "Maybe if you lent me some money, I could take the next coach to Monterrey."

"Hardly, Capitan. That would be a very poor investment as I would likely never see my money again." Montoya stroked his beard and gave Wentworth a sly look. "However, there are other ways to get large sums of money."

The captain raised his eyebrows with interest. "What other ways, Colonel?"

"Capture the Queen of Swords. Dead or alive, she is worth five hundred reales."

Wentworth burst out laughing. He walked over the sideboard and helped himself to a liberal serving of Montoya's best sherry. He could almost feel the heat of the colonel's gaze on his back. He would love to plunge a dagger into me, but he's afraid. Afraid of the political consequences if anyone found out.

"You expect me to risk my life to do your dirty work for you? Come, come, colonel. There are much easier ways to get back a fortune. Marry it, for instance." Wentworth turned quickly to catch the colonel's expression. Montoya was taken aback. The captain enjoyed his small victory as he sipped the warm liquor appreciatively.

"And whom would you marry, senor? Putting aside the fact that you are already married."

Montoya's eyes mocked the captain, and Wentworth bristled under that uncompromising stare. He answered with studied insouciance, "How about that Alvarado girl? She's got a large property and no man to manage it. And she's getting on in years. She'd be grateful for a proposal, I'm sure."

It was Montoya's turn to laugh. "Capitan Wentworth. You would not be the first to have that thought. And you will not be the last. She has had offers and turned them down. The woman is strong-willed and independent. Even I considered courting her, but I believe she has cast her eye upon our doctor. It would seem a futile effort to try to win her affections when they are already given to another."

Wentworth brushed the colonel's words aside with an impatient gesture. "It's obvious you know nothing about women. They want to be dominated by a strong man, swept off their feet by a man's passion. No wonder she turned them all down if they're all as faint-hearted as you." He swallowed a large gulp of sherry and returned to the sideboard to refill his glass. "Could I offer you some sherry, Colonel," he said with mock hospitality. With unbridled enjoyment, he watched the colonel's face suffuse with colour.

It took a supreme effort of will, but Montoya kept his temper in check. He would not be goaded into an argument with this barbarian. It was beneath his dignity. He smiled benignly. "By all means, Capitan, court her and win her if you can. There is, of course, the minor impediment of the current Mrs. Wentworth. How do you plan to overcome that obstacle to your future marital bliss?"

"Divorce. I'll file for divorce in Monterrey at the British High Commission. Shouldn't take long, especially considering the circumstances. Abandonment, adultery. Yes, I'll be free to marry again in no time," he said blithely.

"Personally, Capitan Wentworth, I think you will have a much better chance of catching the Queen of Swords than winning the affections of Senorita Alvarado. She doesn't like you. How will you convince her - put a knife to her throat, tie her with a rope to the bedpost?" Montoya paused as he considered that titillating image, then shook his head and laughed. "I would advise you to take my offer." Montoya left the salon and returned to his office, chuckling to himself. The arrogant fool.

************

Tessa was about to climb into her wagon when she suddenly felt a firm hand on her elbow. Turning quickly, she was disappointed, then annoyed to see Captain Wentworth smiling at her and squeezing her arm much too familiarly. She pulled out of his grasp and ascended without his help.

"Capitan, I thought you had returned to England. I am surprised to see you still gracing our humble pueblo." Tessa kept her tone light and her face bland.

"My ship has been stolen by pirates, Se�orita Alvarado. You see before you the most pitiful of creatures -- a marooned sailor," he said ruefully.

Wentworth smiled into her eyes with an intensity that Tessa found disturbing. He leaned on her wagon with his arms very near her leg, and seemed to be intent on restraining her from going anywhere until he was ready to allow it. She found his imposition was beginning to vex her, and searched for an escape from his company that would not seem rude.

She tapped his hand lightly with her fan. "I am very sorry about your loss, capitan. I hope your fortunes improve in the near future. Now, if you will excuse me, I have some supplies to take back to my hacienda. Buenos tardes." Tessa took up the reins, but Wentworth continued to lean against her wagon.

He drew himself up suddenly, making Tessa aware of his unusual height. "Senorita Alvarado, may I call upon you at your hacienda?" He smiled ingratiatingly with an assured look in his eyes.

Tessa's brow creased in perplexity. "Why?" she asked.

"Why does any man call upon a beautiful woman?" He smiled again.

Her eyebrows drew down and her eyes narrowed as she realized what he meant. Her chin came up and she glared at him with a look that would freeze the sun. "You are asking to call upon me to give me your attentions? Are you not a married man?" she asked angrily. He touched her hand and stroked it gently. She pulled her hand away sharply.

"I will be divorced soon, and free to marry again. I have become quite smitten with you, my dear Maria Theresa. Why wait for the divorce? I can court you now, and then when the decree is final, we can marry."

Tessa was nearly speechless with indignation. From the corner of her eye, she could see Montoya standing only a few yards away, smirking in a self-satisfied way. "Capitan Wentworth. This is a Catholic country. We do not believe in divorce, nor can we marry those who are divorced! I find your brazenness both impertinent and insulting! Do not trouble me again!" With that, she slapped the reins over the horses and pulled away quickly, causing Wentworth to stumble. The dust from the wagon wheels spattered his clothes and made him cough.

From behind, Wentworth could hear Montoya laughing heartily. In a fury, he whirled on the colonel. "You knew about the divorce laws, didn't you? You could have warned me. Instead, you let me make a fool of myself!"

"Oh no, Capitan. You did that all by yourself." Montoya wiped his eyes delicately with his hands and smiled at the captain. "Now perhaps, you would reconsider my offer. You do have a score to settle with the Queen. After all, it was the Queen who helped your wife to escape and steal your ship."

-- Maril

RR me buckos??? Anyone want to add to this?

By Rodlox

Wentworth stormed off with as much outward dignity as he could muster...and found himself face to face with Doctor Robert Helm.

TWO MINUTES EARLIER

Robert Helm and Marcus Grisham were walking along the street, arguing the merits of American vs British - and other places' - forms of rugby.

They'd already passed by Marta Alvarado, searching for Tessa; also passed was Vera and Gaspar Hidalgo walking arm-in-arm down the sidewalk.

"Oh come on now," Helm remarked. "You're going to stand there and tell me that south Ireland's got better teams than Britain?" An appeal to whatever nationalism the other man had: "...better even than New York or Philly?"

A nod. "Yep," Grisham replied. "Though the Irish members of the Philly rugby team are great too."

And then they ran into Wentworth. Both Brits stiffened.

Figuring that the third man had doubtlessly heard at least part of the conversation, "Captain," Grisham said, "perhaps you can give us your opinion on this matter?"

By Dea

Wentworth's eyes narrowed into angry slits as he stared at Helm. Without facing Grisham he said tightly, "My apologies, Captain, but I'm not prepared to stand here and discuss sports--or anything else--with the man who stole my wife from me."

"Camilla ran away from you, Wentworth," Helm replied casually. "I had no need to steal her away."

"But it was still your fault Helm!" the other man went on, shoving an accusatory finger in the doctor's chest. "She ran to you!"

Helm grabbed him wrist and shoved it away from him. "And why do you think that is?" he asked sarcastically. "I think she got tired of being a piece of your property. What she wanted was a man who'd take care of her, which is something you obviously never did."

Wentworth's balled-up fist swung out in Helm's direction. The doctor lunged at the last moment and the captain's uppercut landed in Grisham's face.

Helm briefly put a steadying hand on Grisham's shoulder as both men looked at Wentworth--Helm with contempt in his eyes, Grisham looking ready to attack.

"Nice shot," Grisham mumbled. "Think you missed your target though."

"I apologize yet again, captain," Wentworth gritted out between clenched teeth, "but as you can see, the doctor here brings out the worst in me."

"I guess everyone brings out the worst in you then," Helm accused as he pushed past Wentworth.

"It's not all a loss, you know Helm," Wentworth called after him tauntingly. "I'll just have to seek solace with another woman. Perhaps Senorita Alvarado."

Helm stopped without turning around. He considered Maria Teresa Alvarado a bit of a spoiled brat who had a really good knack of coming into his office uninvited, but still, she didn't deserve Wentworth.

"Senorita Alvarado has more sense than that," he called over his shoulder and began walking again.

"We'll see about that," Wentworth went on, now following behind Helm. True, the senorita had refused him flat, but he wasn't about to let the doctor know that. "Besides I have to amuse myself somehow. And it's either wooing the senorita or killing the Queen of Swords."

Tag? :) A meeting between these two always ends in fisticuffs.

By Lisa

Now Wentworth had gone too far. Defending Senorita Alvarado's honor was a instinct arising from the doctor's well-bred heart; protecting the Queen--eventhough he knew she hardly needed his help with such an arrogant fool--was an impulse roooted in quite a different part of his anatomy.

Helm turned slowly and deliberately. He looked the Wentworth up and down, pausing meaningful at the man's lower abdomen before meeting his gaze. "I doubt," he began slowly, "that you've the equipment for either."

Grisham watched the two of them circle each other. And he was hardly alone, he noted: half the town seemed to be gathering around.They scented blood, and a scuffle between two Englishmen was almost as good as a cockfight on an otherwise slow afternoon. Even the Colonel was standing by, leaning against the wall, arms crossed in front of his chest, smiling in that genial yet evil way of his. Grisham walked over to him.

"Let me guess. I should do something about this."

"Oh, indeed you should, Capitan. I see Sergeant Sanchez is taking bets. Put 3 reales on the doctor for me."

An impressed "ahhh" arose from the crowd, and Grisham turned back to see what had caused such admiration. Wentworth had evidently made a grab for the doctor, and Helm had responded with the sharp and accurate application of a bony knee to the mariner's unprotected groin.

"Pity," Montoya sighed. "I'll never get decent odds now. But you will remark, Grisham," he continued, "the usefulness of medical training."

TAG

By Maril

Wentworth dropped with a heavy thud and moaned pitifully. Grisham asked, "Should I start to count him out yet?"

"Might as well, Grisham. He's not that badly hurt, just playing to the gallery. The coward!" Montoya snarled as he turned away disgustedly and began to cross the square.

"All right, folks, show's over!" Grisham shouted and immediately the crowd began to disperse. Helm had already wandered away toward his own quarters so Grisham was left with Wentworth who was still writhing on the ground. Grisham nudged him with his foot. "You can get up now. He's gone." He reached down to help the tall Englishman to his feet.

Wentworth's face was red and contorted with pain. "He caught me off guard, or I'd have had him." He groaned as he tried to straighten up. His eyes narrowed as he followed Helm's progress to his office. "I've a few more scores to settle with the doctor now. Before I leave here, all debts will be paid. As God is my witness, I'll have my revenge!" he ground out between clenched teeth. With a haughty glare at Grisham, he turned on his heel and marched across the square.

Grisham watched in contempt, as the sea captain went through the gate into Montoya's rose courtyard. Wentworth embodied everything he hated about the British - the arrogance, the posturing, but mostly the assumption that they were better than everyone else. I could take him, Grisham thought with a smile. A few rounds with me and he'd be pulp. With that delicious image in his mind, he began to whistle as he went to his quarters.

*************

Tessa awoke suddenly to find Marta shaking her arm. "Tessa," she whispered in alarm, "there's someone in the house!"

In an instant, Tessa was out of bed searching for her sword. "Where are they, Marta?" She unsheathed the sword and began to open her bedroom door cautiously.

"I don't know. I just had a terrible feeling of danger and it woke me up." The dim moonlight glinted on the dagger in Marta's hand as she followed Tessa out of the bedroom toward the main part of the villa.

Tessa stopped and listened intently. There was no sound but her own anxious breathing, and Marta's, close behind her. "Are you sure there was someone? I hear nothing," she whispered. At that moment, a noise like something being dragged sounded below them. "In the wine cellar," Tessa said shakily. Their eyes met with the same thought. The hidden room. Was someone looking for it?

"Stay here, Marta and I'll go down to see. Go for help if I do not return."

"We'll both go. Two have a better chance than one." Marta took a firm grip on Tessa's sleeve and held on though the younger woman tried to free herself. "I won't let you go down there alone."

"All right, but I'll go first." Warily, they opened the door to the cellar and its dank moist air wafted up to them. The inky blackness made every step a danger as Tessa felt carefully for the stairs. She had only gone down a few steps when something burst up at them and knocked her down the staircase. She heard Marta scream and tried to find her way back up to the pale light at the doorway. Stumbling almost blindly, she regained the top step and tripped over a body. Marta! From another part of the house, she heard a bellow of laughter then the sound of a horse galloping away.

"Marta, are you all right?" There was no answer. Tessa rushed into the main room to find a candle. She lit it and brought it back. In horror, she stared at the reddening patch on Marta's gown where the cloth had been sliced by a sharp weapon. Marta's bloodied dagger lay near her hand. "Madre de dios! I've got to get her to Dr. Helm!"

***********

"Colonel Montoya, I have come to purchase some guns for my hacienda."

The colonel arose abruptly and came to stand near her. He noted a faint purplish area on her shoulder where her shawl had slipped. He almost reached out to touch it, fascinated, then recovered himself. "And what do you want with weapons, Senorita Alvarado?" he asked smoothly.

"My hacienda was attacked last night. Marta sustained a blow to the head and a knife wound. Fortunately, neither were life-threatening, but they could have been. This is the second time my home has been invaded. From now on, I will have armed men guarding my hacienda as the other dons do."

"Come, come, my dear. You are over-reacting. Was anything taken?" Montoya's brilliant grey eyes flickered with interest as he studied the young woman. She was icily calm, so unlike the flighty se�orita who usually disturbed him in his office. Almost frighteningly under control. The suspicion arose once more in his mind, and he hoped it was not true. In spite of her annoying nosiness, he rather liked the girl.

"If you will not sell me the guns, I will find another source," Tessa said flatly. On the surface she seemed calm, but inside she burned with the desire for vengeance. Someone had nearly killed Marta. She was still at the doctor's office, resting, but was not in danger. Tessa almost smiled at the memory of her sudden entrance into Dr. Helm's office in the early hours that morning. She had burst in, followed by two of her men carrying Marta.

At first, the doctor had looked extremely annoyed as he rushed out of his bedroom, wrapped only in his sheet. Then, when he saw Marta, he became all business as he directed the men to take her into the examining room. He shoved the men out of the room, but Tessa insisted on staying and helping. Her mind shied away from the memory of all that blood. She shivered at the thought of how close it had been. What was the intruder looking for? Was he trying to kill them, or just scare them? She had to admit it; she was scared.

TAG :)

By Julie

Maria Theresa's fear would not allow her to sleep, so it was time for the Queen to ride. The night was cool, clear and quiet as she patrolled the grounds of the hacienda. Tessa had almost let herself believe that nothing would occur this evening when she spied the tall, lone rider heading for the house.

"Captain Wentworth. What a surprised to find you here."

The man jerked around in his saddle, startled. He recovered quickly, though, and drew his pistol.

"So you are the fiend threatening the Alvarado household."

The Queen stared warily at the weapon. "Funny, I thought that was my line."

"You suspect me?" The Captain revealed his teeth in a joyless, oily smile. "That is funny."

"So why are you skulking around this night?"

"Why do you think you are in a position to ask questions? In fact, why are we even speaking. The reward is the same whether you are alive or dead."

Before he could cock his pistol, the Queen's whip cracked through the air. Wentworth whelped with pain as his gun flew to the ground. A moment later, he followed the gun as his horse reared in fear.

Before he knew what was happening, the Queen was standing over him, her sword at his throat.

"Interesting question, Captain. Why are we having this conversation.

In one smooth motion, the Queen raised her sword and brought the hilt down hard on Wentworth's skull.

*****

Colonel Luis Montoya heard strange sounds below his window, muffled grunts and curses. The voice was familiar. And grating.

He reached the window in time to see the Queen of Swords tightening a gag on the English Captain, who was tied across his horse in a most undignified manner.

Montoya smiled a slow and wicked smile as he watched the Queen pat Wentworth's cheek after silencing his cries with the gag. "Oh how that must prick at the man's pride."

The Colonel debated the merits of calling for the guard, but the Queen was already back on her horse. The soldiers would never catch her this night, but they would discover the Captain and release him.

No, better to let the Queen ride free evening and let Wentworth enjoy his well-deserved night under the stars. Montoya returned to his comfortable bed and slept soundly until dawn.

--Julie

By Dea

Just after the sun peeked from behind the mountains Luis Montoya descended the stairs from his office and was met by a very amusing sight. There, right where the Queen had left him, was a furious Charles Wentworth. He was struggling futilely against his bonds, trying to ignore the small crowd he had attracted.

To Montoya's delight, a circle of townsfolk had gathered around the man who had been so inelegantly bound to his horse. Men and women alike pointed and spoke low under their breaths while children laughed unabashedly. There was even a curious goat sniffing at the Captain's face.

Hiding his grin Montoya approached the group of spectators and said, "As you can see, ladies and gentlemen, the Queen of Swords has been at work here. I suggest you all return to your homes and pray that we catch this menace before she can inflict this same indignity on anyone else."

As the people dispersed, the smile returned to Montoya's face.

"I trust you had a pleasant night's sleep, Capitan?" he asked politely, hands clasped behind his back. "It is indeed a shame no one found you until morning. Perhaps you could have avoided such extreme... scrutiny from our pueblo."

Wentworth let loose with a violent-sounding series of grunts which Montoya was certain did not translate as "Please untie me."

With a nod to one of his soldiers, Montoya signaled for Wentworth's release. Chencho came forward and dutifully cut the captain loose.

Cursing a blue streak, Wentworth slid down gracelessly from the back of the horse, who seemed glad to be rid of his burden as well.

"Colonel Montoya!" Wentworth bellowed, nearly stumbling as he tried to wake his sleeping limbs. "I find it an outrageous miscarriage of justice that you left me here all night to be humiliated!"

At that, the goat, the captain's erstwhile companion from the night before, let out a resentful "baaahh!"

Unable to control his laughter any further, Montoya turned on his heel and began to move away from the captain. Calling over his shoulder he replied, "I am shocked that you think I would stoop so low, Capitan Wentworth."

"Oh I've no doubt you've stooped lower, colonel!" Wentworth hissed at his back.

Montoya stopped and turned to face him. "Did you not ever stop to think that perhaps you deserved last night's plight?"

Wentworth stared at him, a mix of apprehension and offense clouding his features.

"It has come to my attention that last night the Alvarado Hacienda was visited by a prowler," Montoya continued, his gaze unwavering. "I sincerely hope that it was not you, Capitan."

Wentworth's face split in an unholy grin. "Oh Colonel, you have my word on it. It was not I who invaded the Alvarado home last night."

"Well now that I have your word, Capitan, all my fears have been put to rest," Montoya replied, sarcasm edging his voice. "Perhaps it is time you gave more thought to leaving our humble pueblo. We have enough excitement around here with the Queen of Swords. We do not need you to add to the mix."

Fixing him with a final glance, Montoya took his leave. Wentworth looked down and practically growled at the goat who was now trying to have his pant leg for breakfast.

Shooing the animal away, he caught sight of a man lurking behind one of the buildings. He nervously scanned the square and his eyes widened when he spotted Wentworth. Looking around him, the Capitan made his way over to the other man.

"I suppose you still want me to pay you even though you bungled the job!" Wentworth said under his breath.

"You promised me payment," the Spaniard replied.

"I didn't tell you to alert the whole house to your presence!"

"You can do it yourself next time then."

Reluctantly Wentworth fished out a few coins--those that hadn't fallen out of his pockets overnight--and threw them at the other man's feet. Leaving him to pick up his earnings, the captain seethed.

"Perhaps I will do it myself next time! There is something suspicious going on between the Queen of Swords and Maria Theresa Alvarado...and I intend to find out what it is!"

----

duh duh duh DUH!

Next? :)

By Neil Burns
[email protected]

COMMENTS - response to Liz W's kidnaping challenge and continuation of Charles "Bloody" Wentworth's escapades.

~~~~~

Charles Wentworth walked through the town trying to regain his dignity lost by an ignominious encounter with the Queen of Swords the previous evening. He heard chuckling, but people averted their eyes to avoid any confrontation. His eyes fell on Dr. Robert Helm walking from the bar to his office.

"Perfect." Wentworth's lips curled into a demonic smile. "That bastard help cost me my wife. He shall pay for this."

As he walked by the cantina, he saw Maria Teresa Alvarado sitting on the porch drinking wine with a lovely blonde woman approximately her age. I suppose I could pay my respects. Helm can wait.

"Good morning, ladies," Wentworth greeted the two women. "Senorita Alvarado. You look ravishing this morning."

"Gracias, Capitan Wentworth," Tessa smiled coolly. "May I present my friend Vera Alexia Hilda go."

Wentworth planted a gentle (for him) kiss on Vera hands.

"I am honored, madam. You are two lovely reasons this miserable dungheap laughingly called a 'town' is barely tolerable."

"Thank you," Vera smiled. "I think. How do you like Santa Helena's hospitality?"

"Not bad. Senorita Alvarado. I wish to apologize if my proposal seemed indecent the other day. I didn't know Spain had different marriage laws."

"An understandable mistake," Tessa replied unconvinced. What are you really after? "The offense is forgotten."

Nodding in polite dismissal, the slave trader walked toward Helm's office when one of the Spaniards from the other night met him. He looked around to make sure nobody was listening.

"We have the Alvarado woman's witch," he smiled. "Caught her waking up."

"Did anyone see you?" Wentworth queried, thinking something good may come finally.

"No, we made sure the Gypsy was sufficiently gagged as to not cry out."

"Good, where is she?"

"Cabin twenty miles outside town."

"Excellent. I'll be with you shortly. The Gypsy witch will have company."

Wentworth gave the Spaniard a few coins then entered the office. Nobody was in. He heard a man's voice humming and water splashing. He entered and saw Helm taking a bath. Helm started at seeing the captain in his quarters.

"Hello, Robert," Wentworth smiled in mock geniality. "Are we enjoying ourselves?"

"Hello, Charles," Helm replied dryly. Bloody hell. Prince Charmless himself.

"Quite a novel way of riding a horse."

"That trollop will pay. Tell me." Wentworth sat down next to the tub and helped himself to a glass of brandy. "You were going to marry Camilla, I hear."

"I was."

"So why didn't you?"

"I left the army to become a doctor. That didn't sit too well with her father so he broke off the engagement, luckily for you."

"Of course," the slave trader snorted. "Then the little strumpet runs away with those ungrateful savages. In fact, that Queen of Swords trollop costs me Camilla, the savages, my ship and my other cargo. With assistance from a certain nameless person."

Wentworth drained his glass and got up. Before Helm knew what happened he was clubbed into unconsciousness. Wentworth lifted him from the tub and wrapped a sheet around the prone doctor before carrying him out the back door over his shoulder. As he left town, he was unaware that Tessa was on her way to Helm's office.

Helm awoke, his head feeling that a whole regiment was marching all over it, seeing a sparsely furnished cabin. He discovered that he was tied to the bed completely nude. Muffled protests caught his attention as he saw Marta sitting across the cabin tied to a chair still wearing her nightslip, her mouth gagged. Wentworth entered.

"Hello, Robert," he grinned. "Sleep well?"

"For the love of God, Wentworth!" Helm snapped. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Senorita Alvarado knows something about the Queen of Swords, dear boy. I also need money to leave this poor excuse of a town. So, given that I have two people she cares about, I can get a good ransom."

"Did you have to kidnap me nude?!"

"Oh, calm down. You don't have anything I haven't seen before and the sight of another man nude does not interest me in the slightest." He glanced at Marta, who despite her predicament, seemed to enjoy Helm's more. "However, I think the witch like what she sees."

Colonel Montoya was enjoying his lunch in the courtyard when a distraught Tessa Alvarado entered.

"Colonel Montoya!" Tessa exclaimed. "I need your help!"

"Senorita," Montoya greeted, ordering a glass of water. "What can I do for you?"

"My duena Marta is missing!"

"How dreadful!" Montoya affected concern. "When did this happen?"

"This morning. I went to visit Dr. Helm and he is not in his office either."

"They are both missing? That is indeed awful."

"I am sorry to spoil your lunch, but Marta is like a second mother to me. I do not know what I would do if anything had happened to her."

"Worry not, Maria Teresa Alvarado," Montoya rose and kissed Tessa's hand. "I am almost finished with my lunch. I shall look into it straight away."

Tessa left Montoya's courtyard and was walking down the street when she caught sight of two Spaniards sitting on the balcony drinking and talking about abducting Helm and Marta. Hiding her rage, she went home only to be greeted with a note on the door: WE HAVE YOUR WITCH AND YOUR LOVER HELM. IF YOU WANT TO SEE BOTH ALIVE BRING 5000 GOLD REALES TONIGHT. The note gave directions to the rendezvous and instructions not to bring anyone. Wentworth! He must be behind this! She entered the hacienda and immediately put the Queen of Swords attire on the bed. You wish to dance, as Figaro says, you will dance to my tune, Charles Wentworth.

Wentworth was eating a late dinner with satisfaction knowing that he would have money to leave and Helm and the Gypsy would be no longer necessary. Marta spat in his face when he offered her some. Helm merely turned up his nose.

"I forgot how poor military cooking is," Helm stated. "And I do not miss it."

Wentworth merely shrugged as he continued eating when he heard a commotion outside the cabin. There were voices, horses neighing and other sounds. Wentworth stepped outside and saw the Queen standing over several unconscious men. A grim smile played on her lips.

"Senorita Alvarado sends her regrets, Capitan," the Queen purred. "I am here in her place. Release the hostages."

"Did you bring the 5000 reales?" Wentworth asked. "That is the price."

"Here." the Queen threw the bag in front of Wentworth. "Let them go."

"Not quite." the slave trader picked up the bag. "You cost me quite a bit, my dear Queen. My wife, my ship, my slaves. You are going to pay for that."

Wentworth drew his sword. The Queen's smile widened as she drew hers.

"Your cruelty caused their loss. I was merely helping."

"Well, your help is for naught. The savages are property. They will simply become the property of somebody else."

The two touched blades and the duel was on. Parry. Counter parry. Counter-counter parry. The duel was furious and almost evenly matched, although Wentworth was a bigger and more powerful adversary than Grisham. The Queen was able to knock the sword out of the slave trader's hand and kicked him furiously in the nether region, dropping him to his knees.

"That is for Camilla." she gave another boot.

"That is for Marta." Another boot.

"That is for Dr. Helm." Another boot and a right hook.

"That is for Senorita Alvarado." Another right hook.

"This is for me and being an overbearing, inhuman monster." An uppercut dropped the slave trader into unconsciousness.

The Queen entered the cabin and saw Marta and Helm. A wicked smile graced her lovely visage seeing the nude doctor so helpless.

"Well, here comes the calvary," Helm quipped acidly. "You took your bloody time getting here, Tessa."

"Buenos tardes, Roberto. In a bind I see." A girlish giggle.

"Knock off the jokes and untie me please!"

The Queen walked over to Marta and released her. The two women embraced warmly as Helm watched unamused.

"Hate to interrupt the reunion, but could somebody untie me please?"

The two women turned to the trussed-up nude doctor and their lovely features twisted into demonic grins at seeing him helpless as wicked possibilities danced in their imaginations. Suddenly, a gunshot rang through the night and Wentworth staggered into the cabin, collapsing to the floor clutching his shoulder. Colonel Montoya and Captain Grisham entered followed by a few soldiers. Their eyebrows arched ceilingward seeing Helm.

"I'm not even going to ask," Grisham smirked. "Untie him."

"Wait," Montoya interjected, putting his hand up. A slight fire of desire rose in his loins. How lovely he looks there. "You seem to be in a compromising position, my dear doctor."

"You have a blazing talent for the obvious," Helm snapped acidly. "Now get me the hell out of here!"

"Grisham, I think our work here is done. We have recovered Senorita Alvarado's money. We have caught the kidnappers, including Senor Wentworth who will face a court-martial for his actions and the hostages are unharmed, thanks to our lovely and irritating vigilante."

"What about Helm? Are we gonna just leave him like that?"

"The Queen is entitled to a little relaxation and she may enjoy this type of diversion. Besides, you and Senora Hidalgo play similar games, do you not?"

Grisham smiled as he walked over to the bed and patted Grisham on the head.

"Have fun, Robbie," he chirped. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"Enjoy yourself, Dr. Helm," Montoya smiled. Did he just wink at me?

Montoya dismissed the troops and turned to the Queen and kissed her gloved hand. A dry smile creased the Queen's lips.

"Another time, my dear Queen."

"Buenos noches, mi carino Colonel."

Montoya walked out and Helm immediately exploded into a blue streak of vile language that would make Charles Wentworth proud. With mock affront, Marta gagged Helm as the Queen sat on the bed, her finger gliding down the chest almost reaching the groin.

"Such language, Robert," she chided gently. "And in the presence of ladies as well."

"He needs to be taught a lesson," Marta chuckled wickedly.

The two women began kissing and stroking Helm's chest, face and hair as he struggled, his gagged mouth groaning muffled and vile protests.

"So what shall we do with him?" Marta grinned.

"I may have a few ideas." the Queen/Tessa smirked.

~~~~~

this is for all you horny little devils who fantasize about seeing Helm tied to a bed nude. enjoy and anyone who wants to continue/finish Wentworth's escapades, jump right in.

as Bill Goldberg would say, "WHO'S NEXT?"