Chapter 37 – The Offer
Around noon the next day, Cole became stir crazy. She had done her best to avoid all human interaction that morning by locking herself in the lobby and ignoring everyone who came to the door. She did not read but sat by the window watching the snow pile up wishing she were back in the Caribbean where it wasn't so cold and miserable.
"If only I could find someone to go riding with me." The words were muffled by the thick library doors, but Cole still knew who said them.
Before she could stop herself, Cole was throwing the heavy wood doors open. "I will go with you, but I'm not speaking to you right now, Will Turner."
"While immature, that's fair enough. Get yourself something to eat, and I will meet you in the stable in half an hour." With that, Will turned on his heel and walked away.
Cole held her tongue as she marched to her room to bundle up for the cold. Once she was properly dressed, she rummaged through the kitchen for a cold lunch then headed outside.
It was quite cold out, but the sun was shining and the fresh clean snow glittered as Cole's boots crunched into its crispness. Before she reached the stable door, Cole dropped to the ground. Will was watching her and thought she'd fainted, but before he reached her side, Cole began flailing her arms and legs, a huge grin splitting her face.
"An angel," Will murmured to himself with a secretive smile. He slipped back into the stable, unnoticed.
Will was saddling Sparrow when a cold gust of air announced Cole's entrance. Her eyes sparkled above her flushed cheeks, and Will was glad to see her looking so alive. She had scared him the evening before when she spoke of Jack because she seemed so vacant.
Cole turned her nose up in the air when she saw Will, pretending he didn't exist. She tugged on Sparrow's reins so she could mount him. Once she was atop her horse, Cole used the guise of checking her fingernails for damages as she waited for Will to mount up. Eventually, Sparrow trotted out of the stable with Will's mount close behind.
Outside in the snow, Cole pressed her heels into Sparrow's flanks until he was galloping across her father's land. Will was left in a wake of churned snow and Cole's laughter. He encouraged his own steed into a gallop but he did not have a prayer of catching up to the speedy black horse.
Eventually Cole stopped to give Sparrow a rest and dismounted to pat his cheeks and feed him the carrots she'd taken from the kitchen. "It's about time," Cole grinned when Will arrived.
"You're speaking to me now, are you?" Will asked as he slid off his horse.
"There's no reason not to speak to you, I've realized. You're not the one I'm angry with," she explained simply.
"What is it that you plan on doing Princess?"
"What do you mean?"
"If you've got it in your head that Jonathan is in fact Jack, I would think you would have some sort of plan for getting back at him," Will said.
"There's no plan. I just won't speak to him. Ever. Once the baby is born, I will leave Britain behind me once again. There's nothing for me here."
Will gave her a wounded look. "You have your father, Elizabeth, me…"
"Oh Will I didn't mean that. I love my father and Elizabeth, and you. But I'm not cut out to be a princess, and I can't stand this weather. C'mon." Cole mounted Sparrow, and Will followed suit. They cantered slowly, side by side.
"I miss the Caribbean as well. Perhaps after the babies are born, we can go visit your Uncle Christopher at least for a spell. I suppose it isn't entirely necessary to tie ourselves down to any one place."
"That would be really lovely," Cole replied. "I'm sure our children will grow to be great friends, and I suppose I will take the name of Sparrow for my child."
"Someone approaches," Will said suddenly as he spotted a figure in the distance.
"I can't believe someone else is crazy enough to be out on this cold white day. There are two of them," she realized, and they were on horseback.
"It looks like Mr. Gibbs."
"Great," Cole groaned. "That means Ja – I mean, the prince won't be far behind."
Will didn't comment and their horses stood still as they awaited the couple's arrival. "Good day, Mr. Turner, Miss Cole," Prince Jonathan greeted.
"Good day, My Lord, Mr. Gibbs," Cole said, staring into the prince's eyes.
"Good day, Your Majesty, Mr. Gibbs," Will echoed as he secretively inspected the prince for any trace of resemblance to Jack.
"What brings you out on such a frigid day?" Cole asked the prince.
The prince swallowed hard. Cole's gaze was unnerving. "We came to see you, and the good king told us we might find you out here."
"I'll bet he did. So, what can I do for you?"
"Might I speak with you alone for a moment?" Jonathan requested.
"I'm sorry but that's impossible," Will cut in. He didn't like the look Jonathan was giving Cole. He was almost certain that the prince's intentions were somewhat less than honorable.
"Impossible? Why do you deny the lass freedom? She is not in any danger."
"The king has asked me to keep an eye on Cole while Adrian is ill for she is nearly as precious to him as his own daughter. I'm sorry Your Highness, but I will not allow Cole out of my sight."
"I see. Well, then perhaps we will speak over by that tree there. You will still be able to see us, will you not?"
"It's okay, Will. I'll be fine," Cole assured him. She was curious to see what the prince wanted, and she had Will's sword hidden beneath her cloak if she needed any protection.
Cole dismounted and handed Sparrow's reins to Will. The prince gave his reins to Gibbs then followed Cole to the tree he'd pointed out to Will.
"What can I do for you, Your Highness?" Cole asked, pulling her cloak tighter around her shivering frame. "Oh, your coat. I've forgotten I'm sorry."
"Tis alright. I have many more. That is not what I wish to speak to you about."
"Is everything alright, My Lord?" Cole's heart hammered in her chest. Was he going to reveal his true identity?
"Please, do not worry yourself." The prince took Cole's gloved hand in his own. "I wish to speak to you about Jack."
"Go-go on," Cole prompted, finding it difficult to breathe properly.
"I realize that Jack must have been a little less than…well…honorable with you. Were you of royal blood, perhaps I would be able to marry you, but since you are not and I'm quite sure that since you're broken, you will find it quite impossible to find a man to marry you, I thought you might wish to be my mistress."
Cole gaped at the prince, her face paling. "Your mistress?" she whispered, pressing a hand to her heart. Her eyes filled with tears. "Nothing that Jack and I did was dishonorable. You think all I care about is finding a man to make love to me? Worry not, My Lord. Even if I grow into a dried up old maid, I will still have friends." She turned her back on him. Over her shoulder, she said, "Oh, and I will have my child as well. So worry not."
Cole's feet betrayed her and she fled to Sparrow. She mounted him and they ran towards home, Will following in their wake.
Jonathan watched her go, guilt weighing heavily in his heart even more so than usual. "She is with child," he said to Gibbs. "You knew didn't you?"
"I did, My Lord." Gibbs bowed his head in something akin to shame.
"Well, this certainly complicates things, doesn't it?"