Chapter 1

Sir Beckett's arrival

It was early summer morning. Jane Beckett had woken up before the sun began to rise. Her husband is going to arrive today and stay at home for a month. "It'll be the greatest holiday for us. Even one day without him is like a year. And why did he decide to continue working at Port-Royal? It's so dangerous, and those pirates, who don't fear anything! It's better to be family of modest means that to risk everyday." – The woman has being told it to her devoted maid for the whole week. But the old maid could only shake her head. What must they do? Should they dissuade Sir Beckett from his rather paying work? Jane Beckett understood that he worked not for his wealth, but for her and Cutler's. Cedric Beckett wanted his son to get high-grade education.

"Cutler wants to see his father at least once a month. Do you think that he's going to study forever? Cedric, you must understand that boy needs your attention, to get only mine-it's not enough for him. Why can't you be transferred to work at least in England, not to mention London?"

"Jane, I know all that perfectly well. And for me it's not easy to work far from my family. But what can I do? There's nothing free in this world. I want us to live normally, needlessly. I'll try to…"

"I don't care! Do you find it easy to live in empty house waiting for husband? And do you know how it is- to be afraid of everything, to be afraid to stay alone? I don't want to become a widow, your…"

"Enough, Jane."

Mrs. Beckett felt regret for that quarrel. She even didn't see him off. But she kept it a secret, her son shouldn't know about it.

"Mama!"

"Oh, dear. Also can't get to sleep?"- She embraced him firmly – "Well, then let's have a light breakfast. Father is arriving in the afternoon"

After breakfast Cutler went for a walk in the garden. Jane didn't prevent him, but she knew that for him it's rather difficult to be always alone, he couldn't find any friends. "And is it possible to dislike such little angel? And he really looks like an angel – curly short hair; bright grey-blue eyes; lovely face with mischievous smile. Of course, he looks a bit younger for his age: while he's ten, nobody gives him more than eight. Well, it's not a problem to communicate with others; I heard he met with some neighbours sometimes"

At that moment young Beckett was walking around the garden, thinking about his father. Cutler wanted to be closer to him, he even tried to persuade parents to live in Port-Royal together, but they both disagreed, just quoted pirates as an authority.

Cutler Beckett was a dreamer. He wanted to visit every part of the world, first as a Navy officer, but later his father convinced him to aspire to become even East India Company chairman. Young Beckett didn't think much about his future, though he was rather well-read and interested in his father's affairs. "Well, at least I began to drink tea. To look like a supreme person is, maybe, more importaint than to be" – When Cutler told his mother such things, she laughed a lot, and her sad look became a bit merrily.

Later two boys came to visit him. They were his neighbours, Smith brothers, John and Richard. They were a bit younger than him, but "no matter, at least I have somebody to associate with" – often said young Beckett. He disliked even to greet most of his other neighbours, they only joked stupidly about his height:

"Oh, have a look, who is going! Mite Becky! You know, his father once told my one that Becky is going to be a chairman, pretend, of East India Company! Nice baby, maybe one day, but company will be as tiny as he is!"

Cutler could only give them no answer. He wanted his father not to be so outspoken, but how could he explain it to him? "Don't believe to aristocrats" or "They always tease me"?

"Father! He's arriving and I've forgotten!" – He rushed to the house, maybe he's already at home.

Cedric and Jane Beckett were waiting for Cutler sitting on the bench.

"Cedric, are you sure about it? Is it really importaint? You know, I think we should wait at least two years. It can be too dangerous"

"Don't worry, it won't be long. Just a few month, then you'll come back with Cutler. You both need to have some rest, new impressions."

"New impressions? Drunk pirates and dissolute wenches?"

"Dear, don't be so stubborn. Port-Royal is not as awful as you pretend. And don't you dream about journey, to live together at last?"

"I agree. Sorry for that quarrel, I had been too rude with you; though understand how difficult it is…"

"Never mind, Jane, it's all right. And about journey - of course, it won't be tomorrow. But don't tell Cutler, it'll be a surprise for him"