Chapter 8: Morning At Sea

Lady Henrietta drifted up from the depths of slumber, slowly becoming aware of the gentle motion of the ship and the early sun, warm and golden, peeking through the drapes on the window behind her. The air in the cabin was a little cool, but the covers were warm, and beside her Elizabeth lay, still sleeping, breathing softly. The nebulous sense of happiness gradually gave way to more definite feelings of relief, and excited anticipation as she began to recall the events of the night before.

Captain Jack Sparrow.

She opened her eyes, a little crooked smile playing about her lips.

Elizabeth's beautiful face lay on the pillow beside her, and Harry's heart swelled with love for her niece. If she had been a darling eight years ago, she was now quite stunning, and with the same daring spirit she'd had back then. Though twelve years lay between them, Harry had always felt a connection with Elizabeth, right from the girl's birth, that had nothing to do with family ties. It had been a cause of great distress to her when her brother had been appointed Governor of Jamaica, effectively removing Elizabeth from her life.

Elizabeth woke then, and smiled sleepily. "Auntie!" the girl murmured. "How lovely. Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, indeed. It is so very good to be with you again, my dear. I've missed you so much."

"And I you," said Elizabeth. "Are you sure you are all right? You seemed quite exhausted last night—we couldn't wake you when they brought dinner."

"Well, I hadn't slept much for several nights, you know. But I am quite rested now, and I daresay I shall be ravenous soon. What a delightful adventure this has turned out to be after all. Rescued in the nick of time by my favorite niece and her pirate friends!"

Elizabeth laughed. "I'm so glad you think so. I was afraid, last night, that you were more than a little upset. Jack—Captain Sparrow—was behaving so…so oddly!"

"Was he?" The Dowager Duchess's eyes twinkled.

"Well, yes! I mean…I know he has an odd manner and appearance, even under ordinary circumstances, but he's usually quite patient and level-headed, too. But last night he actually seemed angry with you, at least at first. And you, with him! It was a little distressing, as I so much wanted you to like him. He has been a very good friend to us."

"I know he has. Don't be concerned, my dear. It was…well, a sort of game between us. And very likely it will continue somewhat, for the time being. But you must not worry about it. Tell me about your first adventure with him."

Elizabeth told her, beginning with her first meeting with Will, rescued long ago from the debris of Barbossa's attack, and ending with Jack sailing away from Port Royal with his beloved ship and new crew. It was a long tale, her Aunt interrupting to demand more detail at some points, and exclaiming in horror or laughing delightedly at others. By the end, they were both sitting up in the bed, Harry propped up with pillows, Elizabeth sitting cross-legged like Scheharazade.

"What a story!" Harry finally exclaimed. "My love, you should write it all down—what a sensation it would make if it could be published! But no one would ever believe it. I wouldn't myself if I didn't know you for a truthful girl."

"Indeed, it is all true, Aunt. Barbossa and his crew were quite dreadful, and cursed as I have told you." She shuddered dramatically, then smiled and added, "But it all ended so happily. Will and I are to be married in a month! I am so very glad you came over for the wedding!"

"I am glad too. The wedding gave me the push I needed to take action at last. I had been thinking of coming over for some time. All is not well on St. Claire, you see."

"The Fanshawes' island?"

"My island! Charles left it to me on his death. Charles's nephew was sent over to run the plantation after Charles died, but it is actually my property. As far as we knew Monty was doing an adequate job, and we've been receiving shipments of gold every six months or so for years—my share of the profits. But then the shipments stopped—the last was two years ago—though Montgomery wrote to us that there had been setbacks of various sorts. But Monty isn't known for his veracity, and we began to hear disturbing rumors regarding conditions on St. Claire. One sea captain told the Duke he'd never stop there again!"

"But why?" Elizabeth asked, disturbed at this news.

"We don't know exactly—the captain wouldn't tell us anything specific—but we think there may be abuse of the island's folk. I didn't think Monty would indulge in such behavior, but it's possible he's changed considerably since coming to live here. Power can corrupt even the mildest of men, after all."

There came some noise of heavy footsteps in the outside passage. Both ladies turned, suddenly alert. The steps grew louder, and ended with a smart rap on the door.

"Are you decent?" Jack's voice called.

"Yes!" both ladies cried, enthusiastically if somewhat inaccurately. Harry added, "Have you brought our morning chocolate?"

The door opened. "No, something better!" Jack replied, smiling at the picture the ladies made, particularly the Dowager Duchess who was sitting up expectantly, quite heedless of her thin chemise and disheveled hair.

Jack and Will entered the cabin, each carrying one end of a large, heavy trunk. It barely fit through the door.

"Oh, what is it?" Harry exclaimed excitedly.

"And good morning to you, too, your ladyship," Jack said, his laughing eyes belying the admonition in his voice. "Miss Swann," he added politely. The two men set the trunk against a wall and Jack bent to unlock it while Will nodded a rather shy greeting to the ladies. Then both men stood aside and Jack threw open the trunk, saying, "It's this!"

The two ladies gasped at the array of gorgeous fabrics revealed. Jack picked up some gold brocade and held it up.

"A dress!" Harry gasped. "How lovely!"

"And a dozen more where that came from. And stockings, shifts—I don't know what all. You can go through 'em. Got them off a Spanish wench a little over a week ago. Thought you might be able to use some of them since your own things are lost and that frock you were wearing has seen been better days."

"Oh, you darling man!" exclaimed Lady Henrietta, bounding out of bed.

"Auntie!" said Elizabeth, a little dismayed, for her aunt's chemise was far more revealing that the one she herself wore, the material a nearly transparent lawn, the cut of it low across her bosom. Will's eyes sought the ceiling and an embarrassed flush colored his cheek, but Jack only chuckled appreciatively. He handed Harry the dress as she came to him.

"Oh, it's beautiful!" she said happily. She knelt to take a closer look at the trunk's other contents, saying, "I vow, I am quite in charity with you this morning!"

"I'm so relieved to hear you say so, Lady Fanshawe," Jack said facetiously.

"I am sure you are," agreed Harry, glancing up at him, her eyes twinkling. "But really, you are too good, thinking of such a thing, and I do thank you!" She picked up a dress of teal-coloured silk. "My favorite color! Oh, I must try it on!" She set down the dress, stood abruptly and took each of the men by an arm, saying, as she turned them toward the door, "And now you really must go away, for Elizabeth has already been shocked enough. But come back with breakfast in half an hour: I'm starving!"

The two men found themselves in the passageway and the door summarily shut. They looked at each other.

"My God!" Will said, not at all certain he approved of Dear Auntie.

But Jack only grinned. "Come on then, lad," he said, "We have our orders: breakfast in half an hour."