Elizabeth tried to look as normal as possible as she headed down to the docks in her finery. She uncomfortably squeezed through the crowds of people, apologizing as her heavy skirts collided with them. Elizabeth finally spotted the man who could solve the mystery of Lucille and all the other ladies in Port Royal.
"Mr. Sparrow!" she called out. As she turned around to wave to Jack, her wide skirts knocked into the water a guard who was a few seconds away from noticing a pirate in his midst. "Oh! Terribly sorry," said Elizabeth. The guard plucked the seaweed from his uniform and waded back to shore, out of earshot.
"Ah, Miss Swann. What circumstances bring you to me?" Good. He seemed sober enough to help her make a good decision. "Is it Will? Did you find out about—"
"No, and I don't have the slightest idea what I would find out, Jack," Jack made a snipping motion. "For the last time, Jack. Will is not a…" Elizabeth trailed off, afraid that Lucille might hear her say something so uncouth.
"Keep telling yourself that," said Jack. "Anyway, on to business. Do you have any idea why so many ladies are suddenly showing up around here?" Elizabeth asked. I hope he hurries with this answer, Elizabeth thought. I can hardly breathe in this bloody corset. I bet Lucille can breathe in hers. I bet she sleeps in hers so that she can't get fat during the night.
"You've stumped me there," Jack finally replied. Blast! Elizabeth could barely retain her frustration. Even still, she knew that all she had to do was buy him a bottle of rum, open it for him, and wait. Two bottles might be better.
"Well, then. I'll just have to find out for myself," said Elizabeth. With that, she turned to leave, nearly knocking Sparrow into the water with her huge skirts. Lucille would never do anything like that. Elizabeth sidestepped and apologized her way back to the main road. Suddenly, a speeding carriage emerged from a side road. The coachman wildly tugged the reins, further enraging the horses. And who was in the carriage but Lucille, who was in the process of delicately fainting.
Elizabeth froze in her tracks. It was coming right towards her! Quickly, she jumped out of the way as the carriage came to a dusty, jolting stop right where Elizabeth had just been standing. "Thank God," Elizabeth sighed in relief. Her dress was ruined, but at least she was alive. Lucille emerged from the wrecked carriage.
"Oh dear, Miss Swann! Are you hurt?" Lucille's bright blue eyes were filled with concern. She knelt down in her enormous skirts and obscenely tight corset with aplomb, without knocking anyone over, toppling over, or getting a speck of dust on the ice-blue silk of her gown. Elizabeth subconsciously wiped some dirt off her now filthy dress.
"I'm quite all right, Miss Worthington," said Elizabeth, still breathing heavily from the shock of nearly getting run over.
"You could have been killed! You're very lucky to be alive!" Elizabeth's eyes widened in surprise as Lucille enveloped her in a corset-tight hug. "Thank you for your concern, but I'm quite all right," reiterated Elizabeth. She stood up and headed back home. This was interesting. Very interesting.