Disclaimer: I don't own PTOC.
AN: Please review even if it's just to tell me that it sucks. I want feedback.
Chapter 1-
Cutler was due to return home for the first time in five years. Although he is only thirty, he has managed to gain a high official role within the East India Trading Company. This position included him managing the all of the African ports.
As he was walking around his family's estate in London, he saw a young woman fencing with a young man while the instructor was giving her helpful tips. As he watched her he saw her angelic smile and heard her beautiful laugh and he was hypnotized. When she turned her hair whipped around and landed on her left shoulder exposing her right and he felt his breath hitch at the sight. She was truly beautiful. If he was being honest with himself she was a beautiful, carefree spirit. One that he felt this compelling need to tame and control. Eventually, she managed to disarm the young man and she held her cutlass up to the man's neck. "I win." she said with a triumphant smirk before another session started with the man.
Cutler couldn't help but smirk as well and he said to himself, "Yes you did. For now."
"She's beautiful isn't she?" Cutler looked to his left and saw his father standing next to him.
"Yes, she is. Who is she? She looks familiar."
"She should, that's little Veronica York."
"Wait, that's Veronica? She certainly has grown."
"Yes, she has." His father said with a chuckle. "She has many admirers. It won't be long now for marriage proposals start."
"Are you going to accept any of them?"
"I don't know. It depends on a number of factors."
"Such as?"
"Well, I don't want her to be with anyone that makes her unhappy but I also want her to be with someone that will respect and protect and support her."
"You talk about her as if she was your actual daughter."
"Well she's as good as. Your mother always wanted another daughter but we were unable to have one after your sister Jane was born. She's the closest we have ever come to having a daughter. We give her everything that she wants. But she is a sweet girl. She can be wild at times but she is still sweet and very kind. She will make the perfect wife someday."
"Yes, she will. But why teach her fencing? Isn't it improper for a young woman to fight? They should be docile and seen but not heard."
"Yes, but she wanted to learn and when your mother and I didn't let her, she just went to the armory and tried to teach herself. However, she cut her arm and we realized that it would be better if she learned how to handle a sword from a professional if she was so adamant to learn. We didn't want her to get hurt again."
Cutler walked away as his father went forward and embraced Veronica. He looked back at them and saw Veronica looking at him. She gave him a slight smile and we walked away.
"Well done, my dear." Mr. Beckett said to Veronica.
Veronica smiled at him and returned his warm embrace. She saw another man looking at them and she smiled at him but he just walked away. "Sir, who is that?"
"Oh, that is my youngest son, Cutler. He is visiting from Africa."
"Really what does he do there?"
"He works for the East India Trading Company. He is in charge of all of the African ports."
"Oh. Well I cannot wait to meet him."
"Why don't you go and get ready for dinner, my dear."
"Yes, sir."
Veronica went inside and was helped into the tub. Maids helped her wash while two more picked her dress and accessory. If she was being perfectly honest, Veronica hated having people wait on her but every time she voiced her opinion to the Becketts, they laughed and told her that it was a maid's job to do these things. That comment always made her angry because she was the daughter of a maid. When she went to finishing school, no one would let her forget that fact. Everyone looked down on her because she was born out of wedlock to a lowly maid and was only the Beckett's ward out of their duty to responsibility. She never truly felt like she belonged so she made sure to show everyone who she was.
By the time she was finished being prepared, it was time for dinner. She was ushered down to the dining room and was greeted by the Becketts' two oldest sons, Jonathon and Bartholomew along with their wives and their younger brother. "Ah, Veronica, there you are. This is our brother, Cutler. Cutler this is Veronica York." Jonathon said.
"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Beckett."
"Please, Ms. York, the pleasure is all mine." He took her hand and kissed it.
The butler came in and said, "Dinner is served."
Cutler offered Veronica his arm and escorted her to the table and helped her sit by holding her chair out for her. Throughout dinner, Cutler noticed that Veronica was well behaved and only gave her input when it was appropriate. His father was right, she would make the perfect wife.
After dinner, Cutler went to his father's study and said, "I want Veronica."
"What?"
"I want to marry her."
The next morning, Veronica was escorted to Mr. Beckett's study and saw father and son there. "Veronica, you know that I view you as a daughter and I only want the best for you. I want you to always be protected. Veronica, I have something very important to ask you and I want you to answer honestly."
"Of course, sir."
"Would you be interested in marrying my son, Cutler?"
Veronica hesitated before answering, "It would be an honor, sir. But the only problem is that I wouldn't feel entirely comfortable marrying someone who I don't know very well."
"That is understandable. If you were to know him better, would you?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, then I have arranged for you to go to Africa with Cutler. You leave in two weeks."
It took them about two months to reach their destination in Africa and everyday Veronica felt like she was cornered on that ship. Cutler would always try to be nice but it seemed forced to her. She didn't know how much longer she could keep this charade going for but she knew that the more she was getting to know him, the less she liked Cutler.
As soon as they landed, Cutler showed her all of the ships in the main port that he controlled. "I know you are tired, my dear, but I want to show you some of the ships and introduce you to some of the captains. She met so many people but only one of them stood out to her. "Ah, and this is Captain Jack Sparrow and his ship the Misty Lady. Captain Sparrow, this is Veronica York."
"Ms. York, welcome to my ship." He said kissing her hand and she smiled.
"It is my pleasure, Captain Sparrow." The two couldn't help but look at each other the entire time they were in each other's presence. There was something about him that Veronica felt drawn to and it was the same for Jack.
