Chapter IV: Catching a Glance

When Alexander arrived home, he found his father expecting him in the study.

"Father, you wished to see me?"

"Ah, yes, Alexander. I just wanted to speak to you about dinner tonight. The Shelton's are joining us for dinner tonight, Isabel as well. I expect you to spend time with her, as usual."

Alexander frowned inside, but he couldn't let his father know what he really felt of the matter. "Of course, father.

"Now, as you know, Mr. Shelton and I are investing in a new company in the Americas. We will need to go over some of the business matters while you are to entertain Ms. Shelton."

"Yes, father." He paused as his mind went racing. "Father?"

"Yes, son?"

"Is Mr. Darling helping you with these investments?"

"Of course, son. George Darling was head of investments before his most recent promotion. I wouldn't trust matters to anyone else."

This made Alexander smile. "Are they coming to the ball?"

His father shook his head. "Not that I am aware of. You know how things are."

That night…

"Alexander, I hear you have finished your midterms this week." Isabel said to him once they were left alone.

"Yes, I have. And how have you been fairing?"

She laughed in her aristocratic way. "Oh, I have been quite busy. Helping mother with her charities, and of course, having my dress made for the ball next week. You are taking me, are you not?"

Alexander frowned. He hadn't expected to. "Actually, I was planning on going with Julian and Oliver. The Barnes have invited us over for dinner first."

"Oh, well, then I suppose I can make due on my own. But we will have the first dance, shall we not?"

Alexander nodded. It would be expected, of course. "As usual, Isabel."

She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "I'll be wearing something special." She whispered into his ear. Suddenly a flash of a woman wearing a beautiful gown came to mind, but it wasn't Isabel's face he saw. It was Wendy's. He smiled falsely. "I can hardly wait," He told her.

Alexander groaned as he made his way to his private bedroom that night. His parents seemed to be making it more clear they wanted a match with him and Isabel, but all he could think of was Wendy. He wanted to dance with her, not Isabel. He wanted Wendy in his arms as they danced. But would she ever be invited to such an affair? Surely she was accustomed to formal events, but his family's circle was rather exclusive, and he'd never seen her at a ball before. How would he go about seeing the lovely Miss Darling again?

As he prepared for bed he remembered the adventure that awaited him the next day. He and his friends were going to go take a look at the Jolly Roger. At least that was something to look forward to.

A few houses down…

Julian had been out late with his father. It had all started earlier, when Julian found his father going out after dinner. His mother had already gone to bed (remember, she likes to drink on weekends starting at lunch on Fridays) and he found his father in the foyer with his coat on.

"Father, where are you going?"

"Out, son. I have some business to attend to."

Julian pondered the thought. He knew his father had some rather unsavory business deals, but had never questioned them much.

"Father, let me go with you."

His father turned to him. Although more than twice his son's age, he was still quite the handsome man with a touch of gray at the sides (think recent Count of Monte Cristo movie). "No, it might be…"

"Dangerous? Or are you just trying to keep me from knowing all of your business dealings. If I am to join you some day in running some of the family business, shouldn't I get a taste of what I shall be learning in the future?"

His father sighed. "Very well, but do not speak of this to your mother."

Julian's fathers private carriage was waiting for them at the side of the house. They hopped inside and rode for quite awhile. When they were finally at their destination, Julian was surprised to find they were at the docks. The very place he would be going tomorrow with his friends.

They left the carriage and walked over to a shadowed corner. Julian could see someone waiting for them there.

"You brought someone." A low voice whispered dangerously.

"My son. He can be trusted." Julian's father replied. He then turned to him. "Julian, this is Captain Hawkins."

Saturday came and Wendy was excited. She had finished over thirty pages and was quite pleased with what she had written about the Captain and the beginning of his journeys. She had also included the tale of Red-Handed Jill, making it a dream as the Captain suggested. She wasn't sure how the dream story came to mind, it was as if the words magically appeared. She hadn't needed to think about them at all, creating a place called Neverland where children battled pirates to save their youth. She never imaged that it had actually been real, her own memories finally coming out through her favorite quill.

At the moment Wendy was getting ready for what others assumed to be another day at the library or at the gardens with her friends. They had become so used to her ventures that no one really questioned her anymore, except her father once in a while. After all, he had to remind Wendy her position in society, even if they weren't the wealthiest of families.

As she entered the breakfast room she found everyone already seated and eating.

"Wendy," Her father spoke as she took her seat. "I wanted to make sure you are available tomorrow, Aunt Millicent is coming for another visit."

Wendy groaned inside, but did not let it show. "On a Sunday? That is rather out of character for her. But father, you know I always stay with the family on Sunday."

"I know dear, I just wanted to let you know. Are you going out today? I hope you don't exhaust yourself. Your aunt is rather particular in making sure you are the young lady whose education she insisted upon paying for herself."

"Of course, father. I shall be home by supper."

"Then it is settled. Your mother and I are having dinner out tonight, and I need you to make sure everything is prepared for her arrival."

"That's enough, George." Mrs. Darling interrupted. "Wendy has her own life. It is hardly fair that we are never home to take care of matters ourselves."

George Darling didn't utter a word. Unlike many men, he never got upset when his wife talked back to him.

"Thank you mother, I hope you two have a lovely time tonight." With that said Wendy took her first bite of the morning and remained quiet the rest of the time. Her brothers were too busy chatting amongst themselves to pay attention to the adults ramblings.

When Wendy finally stepped out for the day she found the Captain's new driver waiting for her as he had promised. She carefully got into the carriage and patted her new hidden pocket, making sure the written upon pages were there.

She boarded the ship sometime later, finding the Captain waiting for her on the deck. Never did she notice that another pair of eyes were watching her form.

However, an uneasiness was felt as she walked up the plank toward the deck. She ignored it, as she was too excited for her newest venture: writing the Captain's story. But she hadn't forgotten that familiar feeling she'd gotten when she first read the ship's announcement.

Alexander and his friends were laughing as they strolled down the docks, looking at each ship as they passed by. They didn't want to ask anyone about the Jolly Roger, as they didn't want anyone to 'sound the alarms', so to speak.

After Alexander had met Oliver and Robert in the park they had waited for Julian, but he never showed. After waiting nearly an hour, they trio finally left.

After an exhausting search for the Jolly Roger, the three boys had nearly given up. Just then Oliver had spotted another ship, further down the docks.

"There's hardly a soul down there." Robert mused.

"It must be the ship. Hurry on, we can walk over there." Alexander said pointing a shadowed alleyway. "It might lead us there." He wasn't sure, of course, just had a hunch.

The walked through the winding alley in silence; Oliver hardly breathed at all. They were now alone with only a wandering character who only eyes them suspiciously but thankfully left them alone, and the sudden loneliness was rather eerie compared to the bustling activity on the main streets along the docks. The buildings were only two stories high, but they were so closely build together that the view of the sky was nearly hidden from them.

They saw light up ahead, and crept forward.

"Psst!" A sound was heard by all three. Oliver nearly jumped, but Alexander grabbed his friend's arm. They all looked over to see Julian smirking at them.

"When did you get here?" Robert asked. "We waited for you!"

"Keep your voices down!" Julian said. "I was late, trying to find out which dock the Jolly Roger is at. When I got to the park, you three had left." He lied. "I figured you'd come by eventually, and have been waiting. No sense trying to find you in the crowd." He paused an motioned to the building behind him. "Come over here, the building's abandoned and has a good view of the ship."

The three boys followed their friend inside the damp, smelly building. It was dark inside, but the windows (although many had been broken) let in enough light for them to see where they were going. Julian led them over to a room, telling them to mind their step over discarded junk.

Robert let out a low whistle when they finally got a good look outside. They were in perfect view of the ship and could clearly see the men taking goods off while apparent business men waiting for their newly purchased goods.

"Have you seen much?" Alexander asked.

"Just a few dealings, they seemed legitimate enough. Oh, there was a woman who arrived earlier. I think the Captain was waiting for her."

Robert snickered, as did Alexander. Oliver stared blankedly.

"Likely a prostitute." Alexander laughed. "I'm sure the Captain has a lot of those coming by."

Julian shook his head. "No, this one was a lady. But she had her hood up, so I couldn't see her face."

The three boys looked at their friend in surprise.

"A lady?" Oliver asked. "How could you tell?"

Julian smirked again. "The way she handled herself. And the way the Captain greeted her."

"So what did he look like?" Alexander asked. "The Captain?"

Julian shrugged. "Like any other Captain, I suppose. The type that could easily sweep a lady off her feet."

"Well, I guess we'll just have to see for ourselves. We should wait for her to leave, at least. How long has she been there?" Robert asked.

"She arrived shortly after I found this place. An hour?"

"Well, how long would a lady stay on a supposed pirate ship?" Alexander mused. Little did he know how long they would have to wait. They'd never had this kind of adventure, and hadn't realized how long they'd be there without seeing anything of interest.

On board the ship Wendy waited as the Captain finished reading her trial draft. He hadn't let any sign of his approval, or disapproval, show on his face and she had no idea what he thought of her writing.

Finally he turned over the final page. They were seated at his desk, Captain Hawking on one side, Wendy on the other. He paused. "It is brilliant. I could not hope for a better writer." He lifted his head and smiled wickedly at her. "Considered yourself hired for the job…that is, if you still want it."

Wendy was so thrilled she jumped out of her chair and nearly reached over to hug him, but held back. After all, she was a lady, as Julian had expertly noticed when she had arrived. Embarrassed, she sat back down.

"Well, I say we should celebrate…I'll go have Smee fetch us some refreshment."

He left Wendy alone as he went to settle things, and the young woman looked around again at the richly decorated room. She hadn't really noticed some of the décor on her visit three days before, and realized that the Captain had excellent taste. Some books were shelved in one corner, and she got up to see what works he kept aboard. She had just picked up one when the Captain returned with his first-mate, Smee, who was carrying a tray with two covered plates and a bottle of wine.

Smee set the tray down on the dining table then quickly left the room.

"Shall we?" The Captain asked as he lifted the covers. "Ah, chicken and potatoes in a delicate cream sauce. Perfect." He then opened the bottle of wine and poured two glass which he had fetched from a cabinet.

Wendy sat down at the table and waited for the Captain. He handed her a glass of the wine and lifted his own toward her. "A toast…to an excellent writer and a sensational story to be told."

The four young men waited for hours for any sign of the Captain, all the while watching the activity on the ship.

"Anything happen?" Oliver asked, who had just returned with snacks from a local stand near the docks. All were hungry, and sent out the youngest for food.

The boys hastily ate their food while chatting about what they'd seen thus far.

"I don't see anything that makes it look like a pirate ship. Perhaps you father was wrong," Robert mused.

Julian smiled, of course he had warned the Captain about his friends. However the man had said nothing about his expected visitor.

"I think waiting to see the Lady, as you described her, Julian, is worth waiting to see."

"True," Alexander said. "What kind of lady goes aboard a ship? She had no chaperone, you said?"

"I didn't, but she was alone."

"She's been on board an awful long time." Oliver commented. "What if…what if they've taken her captive!"

The others laughed. "Taken her in broad daylight?" Julian scoffed.

"She came willingly. Maybe he fancies her, or she him." Alexander said.

Just then a hooded figure was seen departing the ship, the Captain right next to her, holding her arm as a gentleman. All four were silent as they watched in interest.

He took her down the plank, where she then turned to exchange words with the Captain. She turned again, and then left.

As she turned toward the main street, they caught a slight glimpse of her face.

"Wendy?" Alexander whispered in shock.

AN: To my reviewer who thinks Wendy is a bit naive...yes, you're right. I think so, too...but she's still independent and I couldn't make her a duplicate like the Wendy from my other story. Plus, I had to get her on that ship willingly. ;)