And Ye Shall Walk In Silk Attire
Elizabeth listened intently at the door, her heart pounding with the trepidation and excitement that this cat and mouse game always provoked in her. Down the hall, she could hear whores screaming, customers grumbling, and doors slamming. "Hurry up, they're getting closer!"
Will fumbled with the laces on the dress he was wearing and swore quietly. "How the devil does this come together anyway?"
Razor poised in his hand, Jack wordlessly yanked Will to him and tied the bodice neatly. He adjusted Will's wig, used his thumb to wipe a bit of inexpertly applied rouge from beneath Will's carmine lips, and said, "You make a pretty girl, love."
"I wish I could say the same of you, but the beard rather spoils the effect."
"Workin' on it!"
But before Jack could shave, the marines' footsteps grew louder -- they were in the next room. Through the thin walls, Elizabeth could hear Sally stalling them, but there was no time to lose. Jack and Will tumbled onto the bed in a confusion of lacy petticoats, and Jack hurriedly thrust his head beneath Will's skirts.
There was an insistent knock, and someone called, "Open up in there!"
Elizabeth took one last glance in the mirror, hastily disordered her cravat, and opened the door. At that moment, Will moaned. Loudly, and in a manner that did not seem entirely feigned.
The marine at the door blanched and then turned as red as his coat, determinedly averting his eyes from the scene. "My apologies. . .I. . .I'm. . ."
Will writhed and whimpered again, pitching his voice to a more feminine range.
The marine's head swiveled toward the bed, and his eyes widened. Jack, still kneeling between Will's knees, wiggled his beskirted bottom provocatively. The marine swallowed and stammered out, "That is. . .we, uh, we're looking for a pirate - well, two pirates really, and a young lady. . ."
Elizabeth gave a passable imitation of Jack's smirk and raised an eyebrow expressively.
"Just the two, er, ladies and yourself, then? No need to trouble you further, sir!" He retreated ignominiously, still blushing.
Elizabeth leaned against the door and laughed. A few moments later, Jack emerged from the tangle of skirts and bedclothes, already tugging at his dress. Will sat up, looking dazed, and started to loosen the laces on his bodice. Elizabeth shook her head and grinned wickedly. "Leave them on. . ."
