Chapter Three
Fifes played merrily. The soldiers marched smartly, their buttons and muskets gleaming in the sun. Jessie and Elizabeth stood amongst a small crowd atop Fort Edward, watching the naval officers. As they stood in their two, rigid lines, they listened to their commanding official as he called out orders. Norrington walked around a corner and stopped at the head of the two lines. The officers drew their rapiers and held them aloft, creating a tunnel of silver. Norrington strode through, his head held high and hands clasped behind his back, to the other side where Governor Swan waited.
Jessie suppressed a groan and shifted her weight to her other foot. The sun beat down unbearably and the corset gripped her middle, cutting off her breath. She fanned herself and wished the ceremony was over.
Elizabeth watched the soon-to-be commodore with adoring eyes.
"He looks very handsome, doesn't he?" Elizabeth sighed. "See the way he holds himself so proudly!"
Jessie smiled. "Yes, Lizzie, he is very handsome."
Governor Swan presented Norrington with the sword Will had made. James drew it and looked down the blade, then gave it a few experimental swings. Jessie wanted to scream at the men to hurry up so she could leave. For the thousandth time, she attempted to readjust the corset.
As soon as the ceremony ended, Elizabeth dragged Jessie to another part of the fort that looked over the sea.
"Lizzie! Slow down!" Jessie panted. She felt hot all over and lightheaded, though Elizabeth didn't notice. Much to Jessie's relief, her sister stopped under a shaded section, allowing her to lean against a stone post.
"Jessie, let's go over there and look at the ships at the harbor!" Elizabeth pleaded.
"No, let me catch my breath."
Elizabeth turned to Jessie, suddenly noticing how faint she was. "You are quite pale. Are you alright? Would you like some water?"
Jessie forced a laugh. "No, no, Lizzie, I'm fine. Just a little tight under this piece of whalebone."
Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak.
"Miss Elizabeth."
Norrington stood behind her. "Might I speak with you?"
"Of course, Commodore, but I must make sure—"
"I have something of great importance to say, Miss Elizabeth."
Jessie read his expression. Elizabeth glanced at her. "Come with me, Jessie," she whispered.
"Lizzie, I…"
Elizabeth linked her arm into Jessie's and pulled her forward. Norrington gave Elizabeth his elbow and led her to the edge of the tower where, in the distance, the fleet could be seen. The sea glittered like a jewel under the cloudless sky, and a light breeze blew towards the water.
The trio came to the end of the tower. Jessie nearly fell onto the column of a decorative structure built into the rock. She fanned herself furiously.
"Now, Miss Elizabeth," she heard Norrington say, "I must ask you in advance to forgive me for seeming forward, but I must speak my mind. This honor bestowed upon me has brought to my attention that there is, and had been, something missing that would make me complete. A wife." He took her hands in his. "You are the most beautiful woman I have the pleasure of knowing, Elizabeth, and I have come to love you very much. Would you make this day complete by agreeing to marry me?"
Elizabeth had stared at him with wide eyes as he spoke, and when he took her hands, a radiant smile had crept over her lips. After he finished, a little gasp escaped her.
"Yes, James, yes!" she cried breathlessly.
Norrington beamed. He wrapped his arms around her and spun her around, making her laugh. The small crowd that had gathered cheered and clapped.
Elizabeth turned to where Jessie stood. "Oh, Jessie," she began.
Her joy changed to alarm as she watched Jessie topple backwards over the ledge, down to the shallow, rocky shore. She screamed and rushed over, followed by Norrington and a few other guests.
Norrington quickly took off his jacket. "The rocks!" another officer cried, grabbing the commodore's arm. "Sir," he explained when Norrington didn't listen, "Sir, it's a miracle she missed them!"
Down Jessie sank, her heavy dress weighing more in the murky water. The medallion around her neck floated up, sending a pulse through the waves. Onshore, sailors wondered at the strange ripple that passed over the top of the water. The wind shifted, blowing in dark clouds and a biting cold.
Jessie came to the bottom and lay still. Another form, a man, came to her side and scooped her up. He pushed off the sandy floor and swam for the surface, her limp form draped over his shoulder. As his head broke through, he sputtered and gasped as he struggled to stay afloat. The two sank again. The man drew a knife and cut the lacings on the dress, ripping it off. Then he swam for shore.
When he reached the docks, two red-coated soldiers met him. One, named Murtogg, had piercing dark eyes and a craggy face; the other, Mullroy, had a double chin and a good-natured smile. Both men reached for the slumped form and lay her on the dock, letting the stranger climb up by himself.
"She's not breathing!" Murtogg called out. Worry and alarm spread over the soldiers' faces. Jessie was a great favorite amongst them because of her wit and sharp tongue.
"Move!" The stranger shoved him out of the way and threw his knife on the ground. His nimble fingers ripped off the corset and pushed it into Murtogg's hands. Immediately, Jessie gagged and coughed up sea water.
"I never would've thought of that," Murtogg mumbled.
"Apparently, you've never been to Singapore," the stranger replied.
Jessie stared hard at him, feeling that she recognized his voice. His face was tanned and dirty, and dreadlocks hung down his back, held out of his face by a bandana. Several random objects were attached to the material. He had at least four gold teeth that glittered when he spoke. Her eyes widened.
"Jack?" she gasped.
He frowned for a second and cocked his head, then grinned. "Ello, Jess."
Footsteps pounded on the docks, and Norrington, the governor, and a dozen soldiers ran up. Jessie couldn't take her eyes off of Jack. He looked at the angry glares of the men.
"On your feet!" commanded Norrington, his sword an inch away from Jack's throat.
"Jessie!" the governor called, crouching beside her. "Jessie, are you alright?" He wrapped his coat around her dripping shoulders.
"Yes. Yes, I'm fine," she muttered, tucking the medallion back into her underdress. She watched apprehensively, trying to keep Governor Swan from fawning over her.
Norrington had cast his cutting glare at Murtogg, who still held the torn corset. He dropped it guiltily and pointed at Jack.
"Hang him," Governor Swan demanded.
"Right away, sir," Norrington answered. "Gillette, fetch me some irons."
Jessie held Norrington's coat beseechingly. "James, this man saved my life."
He pressed his lips together, then stuck his hand out. "I believe thanks are in order."
Jack hesitated before shaking with Norrington. Instantly, James turned Jack's wrist out and ripped back his filthy sleeve. A brand shaped like a 'P' stood out white on his brown skin.
"Had a little run-in with the East India Trading Company, did we? Pirate?" Norrington asked smugly. He pulled the sleeve up farther, revealing a tattoo of a dove, a branch in its mouth, flying over a sea lit by a sunset.
"Well, well. Jack Sparrow, isn't it?"
"It's captain, actually. Captain Jack Sparrow."
Norrington looked around. "I don't see your ship, Captain," he mocked.
"I'm in the market, as it were."
"He said he'd come to commandeer one," Mullroy interjected. "These are his, sir." He bent over and picked up a bundle of rag-tag items. Norrington disdainfully went through them one by one.
"A pistol with only one shot. A compass that doesn't point north." He drew a sword from its scabbard and smirked. "And I half expected it to be made of wood. You are without a doubt the worst pirate I've ever heard of."
"But you have heard of me," Jack sneered.
Norrington led Jack away and handed him to Gillette, who put his wrists in manacles. Jessie shook off Governor Swan's coat and hands and followed.
"James, I really must protest! Pirate or not, this man saved me from drowning." She came between him and Jack and glared. "He does not deserve to—"
"One good deed, Miss Jessie, does not excuse a man from a life of wickedness." His gaze was as hard as hers.
"Though it does seem enough to condemn him," she replied vehemently.
Norrington's jaw clenched. "Indeed."
Jack muttered something Jessie didn't catch as his chains rattled. Norrington reached for her just as she felt cold metal around her throat and a pistol on her jaw. Jack pressed Jessie against his body, his mouth by her ear.
"No, No! Don't shoot!" Governor Swan cried as the soldiers raised their muskets to their shoulders.
"I really should thank you for what you said in my defense, darling." His breath tickled. "Quite touching. Don't take another step forward, Commodore, or she dies."
Norrington stopped, his gaze flickering between jack and Jessie.
"Now, Commodore, you will hand my effects and my hat to this entrancing young lady. And, Miss Jessie, if you'd be so kind." He smiled smoothly.
Norrington slowly took the bundle, then hesitated.
"Commodore," Jack said threateningly, drawing the chains tighter around Jessie's neck.
Resigned, James gave Jessie the bundle. Jack whirled her around to face him.
"Now, darling, if you would please replace my things, I'd be much obliged," he said quietly, keeping an eye on the wary men.
"Jack, it's really you!" Jessie's voice trembled. "After all this time, you're here."
"I am indeed, love, but if you want to keep up your little charade, you'd better not act so excited."
Jessie shook as she strapped his belt around his waist and shoulders, missing the look Jack gave to Norrington. She pulled the buckle tightly, making him grunt, "Easy on the goods, there."
She tried to jam the hat on his head, making his grin widen. "What do you want me to do?" she asked.
"It's simple. I've saved your life, you save mine, we'll be square."
He whirled her around and slowly stepped backwards.
"Gentlemen, my lady," he called. Norrington and the soldiers crept forward with every step the pirate took. "This is the day that you will always remember as the day that you almost caught… Captain Jack Sparrow!"
With those words he shoved Jessie into Norrington and the governor. Jessie purposefully crashed into the men by throwing her weight forward, knocking them over.
"Now will you shoot him?" Governor Swan yelled.
"Open fire!" Norrington shouted.
Jessie looked up as the soldiers fired their muskets. To her astonishment, Jack was swinging above their heads, his chains attached to a crane. She heard his shout as the bullets whizzed him.
The governor dragged her away from the docks, saying, "Come now, Jessie, we must get you home. You are soaked through."
Jessie realized she was shaking, though from what, she couldn't say. She allowed him to take her to the carriage, but she continued to watch over her shoulder as Jack landed on the cobbled street and ran in the direction of Port Royal with the commodore and soldiers still following.
"Jessie!"
Elizabeth reached for her arm to help her into the carriage. "Jessie, darling, I'm so glad you are alright! I was so scared when you fell off, and then James wanted to go after you, and that pirate! Oh, Jessie, what did he do to you?"
"Nothing. He didn't do anything to me, Lizzie; he saved me from drowning and asphyxiation is all he did."
Jessie missed the hurt expression on Elizabeth's face. The drenched girl wrapped her arms around herself and tried to control her shivering.
Governor Swan had sat himself next to Jessie and placed his coat around her again. He cupped her chin with his hand and looked intently at her.
"Are you sure you're well, Jessie?" he asked, concern in his voice.
Irritation seeped into her words as she spoke. "I believe this is the third time I've been asked that question, Governor, and I've said yes every time. I'm not a helpless child anymore."
The Swans fell silent, and Jessie was thankful when they arrived at the mansion and the maid servants whisked her away from the tense atmosphere.
