Chapter One - Eyes like the sea
Knock knock "Miss, Miss, Governor Webster has sent me to wake you." I heard the door open and my chamber maid Gretchen step in. I slowly opened my eyes it was still dark and then I quickly shut them again as I saw Gretchen walk over to the drapes and open them. I opened my eyes slowly to adjust to the light and I pushed myself to sit up, Gretchen and are the best best of friends she is like a big sister to me. I have no siblings since my mother died giving birth to me. I put on my slippers and walked behind the dressing screen so that Gretchen could help me to undress she and I then started to talk as she untied the back of my nightgown "Annie" she said Gretchen only calls me Annie when we are alone in fear of getting into trouble, "As I was walking this morning I saw this really big black ship with black sails" Gretchen and I have an interest in pirates and we talk about them every chance we get "Really Robin? Where did you see it?" I asked excitedly. "I saw it in Waterston's cave" Just as I was finished undressing there was a knock at the door "Annabelle, dear are you awake and dressed?" "I am behind my dressing screen father you may enter." the door opened and Rose and Pamela stepped behind the screen to help me put on something I couldn't identify "Father," I said "what is this device it looks dangerous." Father softly chuckled "It's called a corset" I gasped as rose pulled the string tighter. "I'm sorry father did you say a corpse, that's very appropriate." Father laughed heartily and said something. "I'm sorry dear I almost forgot to tell you, the commodore's daughter, Pricilla, has proposed that you come to her garden party this afternoon." I scoffed "Father must I really go I don't find it appropriate what with our age difference and all." Father said something else I couldn't identify. "Annabelle dear you are 17 and she is 18 there is not much of an age gap." I sighed in defeat I hated garden parties."Father what will you be doing today?" he shifted his weight to his other foot. "I will be meeting with the Commodore." he looked nervous "He has a proposition for me." I was finally done dressing and came from behind the screen Stared at me in the corset. "How do I look" I said sarcastically I knew father didn't have to say anything he disliked the thing as much as I did. "I'm sorry dear but you must have your hair done, eat breakfast and start your journey to the commodore's house on the other side of town I'm afraid you won't have time to change." Father then turned to leave and left me alone with Gretchen again "So Annie how would you like your hair today?" she said. "In a curled Ponies tail please." A half hour later when I was prepared to go and had my breakfast the carriage arrived. On the ride to commodore Lexingtons' house I glanced out toward the cave Gretchen spoke of and saw nothing I was actually disappointed I was looking forward to seeing a real live pirate ship.
I was escorted to the garden where there were several other females looking just as prissy as I was. A few I recognized as Dianna Waterston, Pricilla Lexingtons, Laura Daniels, Alice Grace, and Elizabeth Cranberry The 'party' was dreadful and boring but one discussion caught my attention. "Have you heard ladies that the infamous Jack Sparrow has been spotted here in Port Royale?" Pricilla said. "Ah, yes father speaks of him to the commodore with obvious distaste," said Elizabeth Captain Cranberry's daughter. "what is he here for I wonder?" she then turned to me and said "Miss Webster has the governor said anything about him?" all of the women turned to look at me "oh I don't know father doesn't speak business at the dinner table, and dinner time is the only time we have to talk considering he is usually handling important issues so I've never heard of this supposedly infamous Captain Jack Sparrow." I lied I knew all about captain sparrow and I was squealing with excitement on the inside. I once sent Gretchen to the local book shop to purchase a book on the infamous captain. Well ladies believe it is getting late and I must admit I am strangely rather tired." We all politely said our goodbyes. I told Richard the coachman I wanted to take a stroll along the beach before we returned home. It took 15 minutes for me to try and persuade him but then I finally gave up.
Later that evening, dinner Time
Father, Thomas, the Commodore, Pricilla and I sat at the dinner table eating lamb and potatoes for dinner it was quite a surprise when father announced that the Lexington family would join us for Supper. We sat eating in an awkward silence. I noticed Thomas kept glancing at me and smiling like an idiot. And Father kept giving me nervous glances.
After a while my mind started to drift to the Black pearl. That's what I believe it is called. Yes the black pearl what a unique name, I like it. I hadn't even noticed that father was speaking to me. "I'm sorry father what was it that you just said?" he sighed and repeated "I said it is a beautiful night you and Thomas should take a walk." he winked at me uh-oh. I smiled politely at Thomas as he stood and walked over to my chair. I stood and father did also. Father Escorted Commodore Lexington and Pricilla to the sitting room.
Thomas took my hand and led me towards the gardens in the back of the estate. "Miss Webster," he began he looked nervous I could see worry in his blue eyes. I thought it rather unusual considering his usual cockiness; he along with all the other young women loved his sandy blonde curly hair, and muscular figure. I honestly could care less about his appearance to me he wasn't considered all that beautiful. I often found myself fancying men with darker hair and darker eyes. Like Captain Sparrow was described in the books I've read and stories I've heard. "I noticed how quiet you were during dinner, and it suddenly dawned on me that your father must have told you about the marriage" my mouth opened slightly and I tried to speak but he didn't see I needed to speak and unfortunately continued, "I am assuming you are not satisfied with your groom?" he turned to me and chuckled at last realizing the confusion on her pretty face. "Annabelle I…," he was cut off by my sobbing and then I turned to run away. I ran as fast as my legs would take me to where I didn't know but I needed to get away. Thomas chased me for a good mile and gave up I didn't though I kept running I ran to the cave where the pearl was. after about six miles I was exhausted and needed to lay down and when I did I couldn't control the sleep that over came me.
I went for a walk through the woods quietly looking for any houses that looked plunder-worthy. I saw a girl running a young beautiful girl with skin the color of milked coffee, she had black wavy hair but the way the sunset hit it made it look red. She was a small but fit girl, no older than 17. Chasing her was a man, calling her Annabelle he was older than her a lot older maybe 45. The girl kept running never looking over her shoulder. Then the man stopped and turned back towards the other direction. "Bloody women, so complicated." he muttered. After walking about 5 more minutes it was dark now and I saw that girl again lying in the sand….sleeping. In my mind I debated over whether or not I should wake her. I knelt down beside her and gently shook her "wakey-wakey, luv," the girls eyes slowly fluttered open revealing two aqua-green eyes. They reminded me of the sea.
The girl stared at me with confusion and then fear in her beautiful eyes what are ye thinking mate don't fall fer tha girl She asked me a question that was just above a whisper "Who are you, and what do you want with me." he sighed and gave me a half smile "I found ye sleepin on tha beach ere luv." she stood up nervously and I finally saw based on her attire how rich she is. she was wearing a light blue dress with ruffles at the top and bottom with an emerald ring on her right middle finger she also had pearls around her neck and in her ears.
"Wha's yer name luv?" she just stood for a minute staring at me up and down and apparently liking what she saw, What woman would'nt like what she sees, yer Captain Jack Sparrow mate I saw a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. I smirked, "Luv, wha's yer name?" she finally snapped back to reality "Oh, why should I tell you, you look like a pirate."she remarked in a child-like tone, I sighed apparently annoyed. "Never mind then luv." I started to walk away.