Norrington

Chapter 10

"Oh Jack, thank you, thank you, thank you!" Elizabeth said jumping up and heading for him with the intentions of making her gratefulness known through more than words. As Jack wasn't sure just what this might entail he scrambled out of his chair and retreated behind it putting it between him and her. After all no sense in perturbing young William if Elizabeth decided to allow her enthusiasm to include any manner of overly done hugs and kisses.

He had a feeling that no matter how much Lizzie appeared to be in control of the relationship there were certain boundaries not to be crossed, at least not in front of a husband unless it had been agreed upon in some manner beforehand.

"Now Lizzie," Jack said his hands waving about in front of him almost as a warning for her not to try and breech the chair-blockade between them, which she appeared about to do, "Even though I am Captain Jack Sparrow and all intents and purposes point to the fact that I can have this Rose person eating out of my hand in a matter of moments of meeting her, I'd appreciate it if you held your exuberant manner of thanks for a later time."

"You're right of course Jack." Elizabeth said as she settled down a bit and started to pace the room instead, "We need to spend the time planning our assault. What do you have in mind Jack?"

"At the present time luv…….not a thing, this being rather abruptly thrown my way as it were." Jack said with a shadow of a smile.

"Well you'll come up with something I'm sure. Tomorrow we will introduce you to Rose and then………" Elizabeth said, her expression showing the wheels were turning fiercely inside her head. "Of course James must know nothing of this. We will have to come up with something that will attract Rose to you."

Jack gave her a hurt look and said, "I've never had any trouble attractin females of the opposite sex afore now Lizzie."

"We will say you are a rich owner of your own fleet of merchant vessels," Elizabeth continued, not paying any attention to what Jack had just said. "Yes, that should work, she will be attracted to your wealth and power. That should do it!" she finished with a clap of her hands in glee still pacing the room.

"Elizabeth?" Will said as he exchanged looks with Jack.

"Lizzie?" Jack said when she didn't respond to William.

"Elizabeth." Will tried again with the same results, and then a little louder as he got up and stood in her path causing her to look up at him. "Elizabeth, the Commodore will no doubt have a problem with that lie."

"Aye Lizzie, can't imagine that stuffy, stiff, shiny uniform wearin bit o Navy goin along with that." Jack added.

"Well we just won't tell him." She said with an expression as if that solved the problem.

"We won't tell him?" Will said incredulously.

"Aye, we won't tell him." Jack said in a high-pitched aggravated tone, accompanied by a flurry of hands and a look at Will that said 'Your wife is daft as a June bug'. "And just how may I ask are you going to manage that?"

"I'll think of something." Elizabeth said as if it were no concern.

"Aye, there ya go William, she'll think of something." Jack said sarcastically, rocking back on his heels as he rolled his eyes at Will who was standing there nonplus.

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Rose entered the dining room to find her Father in the middle of his breakfast.

"Good morning Father." She said as she gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Good morning Rose, you are up rather early this morning for as late a night as you had, the party at the Governors and all. I didn't expect to see you until sometime this afternoon."

"I thought maybe we could go on that tour of Fort Charles this morning, before you get carried off by some other matter." She replied casually.

"I hadn't planned on it Rose." And then after a pause in which she gave him her 'please, for me' look he went on. "Well I suppose this morning is just as good as any. I don't have any pressing business until lunchtime. The tour shouldn't take nearly that long. Very well, get yourself ready and we will be off."

She gave him a sugary sweet smile and went to change into something that would catch the attention of the Commodore that had been taken from her the night before by the interference of that bloody Elizabeth…..what ever her last name was now!"

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James, who for each passing minute, was wishing he'd have enforced his two drinks of brandy rule the night before. He was sitting in his office at Fort Charles trying to concentrate on the mountain of paperwork lying in stacks on his desk. He sighed, laid down his quill, pinched the bridge of his nose, and leaned back in his chair. His head was throbbing. He was about to call for some tea when there was a knock on his door. "Enter." He called out wondering if Gillette or Groves had somehow sensed his need.

It was Lt. Groves, he did have some tea, but the message he brought along with it was anything but welcome at this particular time.

"Lord Davenport and his daughter are here for the tour you promised them Commodore." Theodore said, smiling a little as the Commodore's expression dropped. "Shall I tell them you will be right down?"

"You will do nothing of the sort Mr. Groves." James snapped back, and then in a tempered tone added, "You will tell them I am unable to join them right at this moment but will join them in………ten…….no make that fifteen minutes." As Groves turned to leave, the smile still on his face James called out, "And Theodore, I will expect you to keep them enjoyably entertained until I do put in my appearance." James added a smile of his own as Theodore's expression fell. Theodore made no bones about his loathing of dealing with anybody that held a title above Captain, the Commodore being one of the few exceptions, and that was mainly because he'd known James since James had been a lowly lieutenant.

He turned back towards James, snapped a salute, and in military fashion, turned and marched out the door followed by a laugh from the Commodore.

To Be Continued

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