A/N: Thank you readers for the feedback! I like that there are questions about what happened between Jack and Angelica, and they will be answered in later chapters ;)


Chapter III – Of how grateful love can be

Pirates of the Caribbean

The man from apartment 512


The following day was a late morning at the Lancasters. Around noon the trio was gathered around the dining table. A servant each attended with a position against the wall, so did a maid that stood still with clasped hands. Christian ate his breakfast calmly while the two females, an elder and a version of the elder, watched him finish the meal. After wiping his mouth, he made a nod in confirmation.

"After breakfast, Angelica, we shall head to the Lanlord," he informed her.

Angelica looked up. "Yes, Christian."

He left the room followed by a servant. When Angelica turned back to the table, Diana looked at her with glistening eyes.

"Can I eat?"

"Yes, mi'ja."

Immediately Diana began heaving the croissants with butter. Angelica was just about to begin eating when she paused. Snapping her fingers to a nursemaid, Maria placed her herself at once right by the child.

"Make sure she doesn't stain on her gown," Angelica said and kept an eye over Diana watchfully. The dress was a white one which Christian had paid a seamstress to sew for his beloved baby-girl. Angelica had no desire of her daughter ruining the expensive dress first time she wore it. Thereby a white bib was tied around her neck by another maid as the nursemaid helped Diana eat.

"Mommy, when are we seeing Liza?" she asked with a mouth filled with croissants. Crumbs fell down to the bib but were removed by maids.

Angelica swallowed the last piece of a croissant herself before responding. "This evening I believe I will see Gretel. Do you want to come and see Liza?"

Diana nodded eagerly. Then Angelica stood up and rounded the table, causing the maids to take a step back. She put her hand around Diana's shoulder to pull her in an embrace from behind.

"I'm leaving with your father."

"Where?" she asked unhappily.

Angelica kissed her cheek. "To an event," before Diana had time to ask if she could join, Angelica already answered her question. "It's grown-up talking." Well, that was something boring. Diana made a face.

"Good bye, Mommy."

Angelica caressed her cheek before leaving the room. Diana finished her plate and reached out her hand for more. A nursemaid handed her another croissant and buttered it.

"What do you want to do today, Diana?" the nursemaid asked.

As if thinking of it musingly, Diana took some time on her answer. "I don't know."

After finishing the plate, she pushed it away from her. Servants began taking the dishes away from the table.

"How about going to the market?" Maria asked cheerfully. By Diana's lightening face, she figured the little girl approved of that idea. "There are pan and fruits that we have to buy."

A mere moment later, Diana together with her nursemaid piled into the cart. A servant drove them to the market place that was closer to the harbor. It was cloudy but the feeling in the town was the opposite of dull. People seemed happy and cheerful from the view from the passing cart. Diana bumped a bit in her seat in the cart and excitedly looked out through the window. She loved going to the market, or frankly, she just loved London over all. Strolling around the town was something she found enjoyable, as long as it wasn't a walk in the direction of the seamstress. She hated the hours spent there, standing still while the elder lady took measurements and tried on fabrics. Then her mother would always find something that she wanted to try on and it was the most boring time possible for Diana.

But this day, she was satisfied with the noon spent in between stalls where people sold vegetables and other groceries. She had even managed talking Maria into buying her a caramel. First when Maria was handing coins to a seller, Diana's eyes travelled around the market to find something else she could pursue her nursemaid to buy her. Her dark brown eyes caught on a man that appeared familiar. Wasn't it that man who had told her the beginning of a love story? He was nice. Yes, he had been nice to her.

He hadn't seen her, and turned to a seller to buy something. Diana lit up and ran over there. She crashed onto his leg and hugged it, causing the poor man to jump slightly in surprise.

"Mr Jarrow!" she squealed happily. When the funny-looking man looked down at her with raised eyebrows, he faced the sight of a little missy grinning from ear to ear. She pulled in his coat impatiently for him to pick her up. He still looked oddly at her, not grasping her intention until she spoke it.

"Pick me up!"

What a demanding child. Jack scooped the girl up who giggled. "Hello, Mr Jarrow!"

"Hello there, missy."

Her tiny hands found his dreadlocks that were tied in a ponytail behind his head. She played with them and giggled louder. "Hair is funny."

He grinned wryly. "What are ye doing here?" he asked suspiciously. "Where are your parents?"

Ignoring that question, she went on. "You never finished the story."

Still seeing it odd a young and fine girl like her was there by herself, he frowned. "Does your parents or nursemaids know you be here, Diana?"

Her acting skills were equal her mother's. She put on an innocent face and a pout. "Um..."

"How about no?"

With his right arm around the little missy, Jack turned around to see a very angered nursemaid. She had her hands resting on her hips, a frown and she didn't seem content at all.

"Diana Lancaster! You know you aren't supposed to run off like that!" she told her off. Rather harshly, she snatched Diana from Jack's embrace while the girl babbled excuses of why she had disappeared.

"It be alright, m'lady," Jack winked at the nursemaid. "She found me."

The nursemaid stopped tracks after putting down Diana and peered. Then she curtsied in an instant. She recognized that man. He was a guest of Lord Christian.

"Forgive me Mr Jarrow, but Diana is not allowed to do that," she explained.

Examining her carefully, Jack found this woman very attractive. He grinned. "You be more appealing in daylight, Maria." For once he wanted to salute himself for recalling the correct name. He even managed see a smile slip from her. She blushed ashamed but eventually smiled.

"Thank you, Mr Jarrow for the compliment. I must say it was nice, but very inappropriate."

Diana shone up again. "It's a secret?!" Maria covered her mouth distantly with her hand but kept her eyes on the handsome man.

"Nah, call me Ja-Zack. No need of Mistering me."

Maria chuckled by his way of coming up with new words. She watched him below her long lashes. "Well, Diana and I shall go. Maybe I will see you around, Zack."

Once turning around and letting go of Diana's mouth, Jack joined by her side. Her eyes widened dramatically by his way of placing his hand softly on her lower back.

"Let me join you."

The man was well dressed, simple clothing but the fabrics revealed his wealth. Yet, Maria found him different from other rich men. This Mr Jarrow was actually talking to her as if she was a one of those rich people, not like how Lord Christian spoke to her. She felt human. Carefully, she glanced at him.

"Isn't there a Missis that will miss you?" she questioned and examined him in the corner of her eyes. She saw how he turned to her and chuckled.

"No, m'lady. There be no Missis in me life," Jack said, a certain someone playing in his mind. Only one potential Mrs had there been and she would never be able to join his side ever again. Kicking that thought out of his head, he put on a charming smile and a flirtatious look to the maid. "Although it's unwillingly there be no woman in me life." No wife was needed for his part, but mistresses were completely alright. His hand crept to her shoulder where he hugged her a bit to his side. Maria blushed further and tightened her hand slightly around Diana's.

"Mr Jarrow?" Diana said and released her hand from Maria's. She placed herself in front of him and raised her arms. By then, he took the gesture right away and lifted her. "Finish the story!" she requested impatiently.

He sighed. Apparently there was no way out of it. "You be a demanding little lassy," he stated sincerely. The girl looked at him blankly. "Well then, where were we?"

"Where the rich woman fell in love with the servant," she said. Unnoticed, Maria had raised eyebrows and gave Jack an odd look. What in the world?! "How did they fall in love, Mr Jarrow?"

Taking a deep breath, Jack though about it. "How did they fall in love?" he repeated whilst thinking of the answer. Was there really an answer? He didn't know, because he wasn't sure himself. "Ye see, missy, this servant probably always saw this young woman as a special one," he admitted. Diana listened immediately intently to him.

"And that young woman truly saw that servant differently as well, but she denied it. She died it until the first time they kissed. She had followed him downtown because she saw him stealing her cutlery and jewels. Therefore with a want of capturing him, she was led into trouble herself. Men tried to attack her and who saved her life?"

"The servant!" Diana replied.

"Aye, the servant. After that they kissed, and they slowly…," Jack made a discreet face. "Fell in love."

When he didn't continue, Diana frowned. "More!"

"End of story," Jack said.

Diana still didn't look pleased. "They married and lived happily ever after?"

Jack gulped. A wave of emotions went through him. If he'd end the story the way it truly did end, Diana would probably become traumatized and hate him. He had no wish in that, thus deciding to change the fact. "Aye."

That was all it took for a content expression to appear.

"Can you tell-."

"No!" Maria intervened. Jack gave her an appreciate look and Diana looked something between startled and disappointed. "No more stories for today, Diana. Leave the poor man alone."

"But-."

"I must go anyhow," Jack said and put Diana down. "I am meeting your father at the Lanlord," he confirmed.

"The Lanlord?" Maria asked. "It so happens that we are heading there as well. Lady Lancaster is waiting for her daughter there," she indicated to Diana.


The couches had been imported from Africa only months ago. Smelling the odor of fresh linen, it was a great addition to the new lobby that had been built. Angelica had personally decorated it due lack of hobbies. While her friends had joined their husbands on trips, she had been left alone in London for a month and remodelled the hotel. Much to the Lord's approval though. He loved the hotel and no parties the first months afterwards hadn't been without a proud compliment coming from him. Bragging about his wife was quite something. She was useful, much that couldn't be said of other's.

Being Angelica's personal favorite furniture, it wasn't strange at all that her husband's meetings meant her and the guests' wives remaining in the group of couches. Gracefully they had a tea party and gossiped. Always gossip. She had to admit it wasn't fun and interesting anymore. Everything had fallen the day she lost Jack. Nothing truly was enjoyable anymore. It was a joy to see her daughter improve, raise her and try to not make her into a complete spoiled young lady like she had been herself. But it was hard. She had obligations. Being married to a Lord required certain ways of living, particular ways of acting.

Gretel Adler, Mary York and Gabriella Parker were there. So was Liza, impatiently waiting for Diana.

"When will Diana be here, Mrs Lancaster?" Liza asked politely, yet dieing inside of impatience.

Her mother gave her a look. "Liza, you have been asking Angelica too many times already."

Angelica smiled warmly though and shook her head. "Diana should be here by now. Our nursemaid will bring her here anytime."

It was all it took before the familiar sound of her daughter shouting 'Mommy' all over the place was heard from behind her. She didn't even turn around in the couch, but awaited her running daughter to round the couch and hug her.

"Mommy! Maria took me to the market. And we met Mr Jarrow there. First I saw a man but then I looked and he was Mr Jarrow! And we-."

"Diana!" Liza interrupted. The miniature of Gretel had slid down from the coach to approach her best friend.

Diana had stopped rambling and turned around from Angelica. "Liza!" she lit up. "Want to play?!"

Nodding eagerly, Liza revealed her approval. Turning to her mother again, Diana grinned sweetly. "Mommy, can I go playing?"

Angelica nodded. "Yes, mi'ja."

She was just about to run off when Angelica grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. Diana whined but let her mother adjust the rosette in her hair. She had a tendency of being too active for it to stay perfect. Then she felt how a big wet kiss was placed on her cheek. Remembering Mr Jarrow, she spun around to her mother in the couch.

"But Mommy, you must meet Mr Jarrow."

Angelica rolled her eyes.


As soon as Jack had entered the lobby of the Lanlord, Diana had fortunately run off. A bit of alone time with the maid had been made. At first, he had said a couple of charming compliments to her. Then, he had seen Diana in his vision and the woman he assumed was her mother. She had her back against him – but Lord she reminded him of Angelica. Even if he deep inside knew it wasn't her.

At last, Maria had fixed his suit a bit, prepared him for the appointment the Lord would hold and he snapped back into reality.

"Call him by the title," she helped him. "It's very likely that he will fancy you and you get better paid."

Jack grinned. "Who'd know you'd be to this much of a help?"

Maria smiled. "It's my job. It's what I am devoted to, forever and only will be – the help."

Trying to cheer her up a bit, Jack put his fingertips below her chin to cause her to look up. "Have faith, m'lady. Once I was a servant."

How nice wasn't he? Really, he felt as a true gentleman. He sure did progress, but that Maria was still way too attractive to not have in bed. He winked at her and crossed the room to enter the dining room. Again, missing the face of Diana's mother.


A/N: Okay, that was chapter 3. What's your opinion? What do you want to see in this fic? Really, tell me. If there is a wish or opinion, I usually do that scene or add more romance/less romance or whatever you want! Is there anything? - Tell me! I am writing this for You to read. ;)