Hi,
It's been a while I know but please enjoy!
Chapter 8: Past Memories
Later that day in the evening … June 1730
On the deck of HRM Endeavour, Atlantic Sea
Elizabeth leaned on the railings on the ship. Her dark golden hair had dried and curled slightly around her shoulders but the chill of the sea still lingered on her skin. The loose cream summer dress did little to trap her body warmth but she knew a candle warmed room and a thick blanketed bed awaited her in her joint cabin with her husband. She just simply didn't want to go there.
She rubbed her arms and looked up at the star scattered sky. The twinkling lights dancing on the black canvas gave her comfort. No matter where she was the stars were always there. Always guiding her. Showing her a path forward. Just this time it wasn't a path she wanted to follow. England may be where she was born but it was a foreign land to her now.
She heard foot steps behind her and knew there was only two people who would approach her without announcing their presence and her father was slumbering peacefully in his cabin below deck, exhausted by the day's events.
"We need to speak about your little dip into the ocean."
"Must we?" Elizabeth sighed, keeping her focus sky bound.
"I've given you the day to mourn for your freedom but I'm afraid I must insist now."
"Why?" Elizabeth bit back, "You already know why I returned and that I won't try to escape."
"Yes, there is only one thing in this world that would make Elizabeth Swann concede her freedom. Love. A daughter's love. Such a beautiful bond, yet one so delicate and easy to break."
"You should try a different threat. That one is getting stale."
"Yet it is so effective."
The night's breeze swept thought the deck and she tried to supress the shiver that went up her spine. In the next instant she felt a coat being draped over her shoulders and Beckett's presence beside her.
"We need to discuss the future," at Elizabeth's silence he continued, "When you step off this ship you will no longer be the Pirate King Elizabeth Swann but my wife, Lady Beckett. England is not the Caribbean and London is not Port Royal. It is a cold, harsh place, with ridged rules. Step out of line and society will punish you."
Elizabeth gripped the wooden railings tightly. The place of her birth sounded like a terrible place. A cage that stifled all she held dear and had grown to love about the free-flowing ways of the Caribbean.
"Miss Swann?"
Elizabeth snapped out of her thoughts, "You keep calling me that but unless our marriage is a nightmare from which I haven't yet woken up from that isn't my name anymore."
Beckett clasped his hands behind his back but didn't look Elizabeth's way. "We are not truly man and wife. In private we can drop the pretence."
"Ah so in private I can call you a murdering bastard," Elizabeth snarled, pushing her luck, "You said you would never take that which a woman doesn't want to give."
"I stand by that statement as I have demonstrated every night for the past week," Beckett said stiffly ignoring her insult, "But for all intents and purposes we must act like a true married couple while in public."
"Why the facade?" Elizabeth asked, "There are many men who don't consider their wife's opinion in any matters let alone the marital bed."
"And you thought I would be one of them?"
"You've signed the death warrants of hundreds if not thousands of men, women and children. You uphold an order that enslaves and trades in human flesh. So, forgive me for thinking you a man capable of forcing yourself on an unwilling woman."
"We all have our own little codes of honour that we abide by Miss Swann."
Elizabeth turned her head to see Beckett staring out into the dark abyss of never-ending water with an unreadable expression on his face. She wondered what or who he was thinking about.
"It is getting late. We should return to our cabin," Beckett said, offering his arm which Elizabeth reluctantly took.
Six weeks later ..
The Port of London, River Thames, London, Great Britain
Weatherby Swann followed Lord Beckett and his daughter closely as they disembarked the HRM Endeavour and got into a waiting carriage.
"Where are we going?" Elizabeth asked, her face stuck at the window observing the dock men and soldiers alike mulling around the bustling shipyard.
"We are going to my estate," Beckett replied, knocking the roof with his cane as he looked between the father and daughter sitting opposite him.
Throughout the entire journey Elizabeth was transfixed with the outside world. She had never seen so many people, horses and carts traversing the streets. The noise was overwhelming and the smells were pungent.
"You never told her of London?" Beckett asked Weatherby, amused at the various looks of wonder and disgust that were flashing across her face as they trotted through the heart of London.
"She was a young child when she left and I'd hoped never to bring her back here. I promised her mother that she'd lead a different life in a different world."
"You kept your promise then," Beckett replied, shifting his focus to Elizabeth who was no doubt listening but still kept her eyes on the passing bys outside the window, "No other woman alive can boast about the deeds your daughter accomplished. Fighting alongside pirates against the might of the British empire. Taking on the legends of Davy Jones and the Kraken."
"We would have won if Calypso hadn't betrayed us," Elizabeth snapped, finally looking away from the window to fix Beckett with a hard glare.
"Ah there she is, Miss Elizabeth Swann, the Pirate King," Beckett smirked back.
"If the Flying Dutchman had resurfaced you would be at the bottom of the ocean."
"And where do you think you would be?" Beckett grinned back enjoying their verbal jousting, "On the deck of the Flying Dutchman alongside Will Turner or absconding on the Black Pearl with Jack Sparrow?"
The sound of the slap filled the small space quickly. Weatherby immediately leaned forward to block any retaliation from Beckett but the Lord simply raised a hand to his reddening jaw while the other remained firmly on the top of his cane.
"Such a crude reply."
"Did you expect a polite riposte back?" Elizabeth practically growled.
Before Beckett could answer the carriage came to a stop and the door was opened. Weatherby swiftly guided his daughter out before the confrontation could continue.
"What in Gods name?" the older man gasped as his eyes took in the lush garden surrounding them and the enormous mansion that loomed in front of them.
It seemed impossible that this large open space could exist in such a hectic city. It was only the distant sounds of the hustle and bustle that indicated that they were indeed still in London and not in the countryside. A large fence surrounded the area and strategically grown trees provided privacy from the streets.
"I acquired Apsley House from the Duke of Wellington near a decade ago. He was loathed to part with it but he had racked up quite the terrible gambling debt," Beckett revealed as a line of servants awaited their arrival, "Do you like it?"
Elizabeth glowered at Beckett, the earlier insult not forgotten but Beckett simply smiled at her insolence and extended a hand out to Elizabeth. After a moment of stubborn refusal, she placed her hand in his and played her designated role. They gracefully walked towards the stone steps leading up to the main door as servants either side greeted their returned master.
Next day ...
Apsley House, Beckett's Mansion, Borough of Westminster, London, Great Britain
Elizabeth was curled up on the elegant couch with a book balanced on her knees. After rereading the same page countless times, she threw the book down onto the wooden floor capturing the attention of her father on the desk behind her.
"Elizabeth what is the matter?" he said, unseating himself and coming to her side.
"I can't pretend that I'm content here. This …" she gestured to the opulent room, "is wrong. Am I just supposed to be trapped in this house all day long for the rest of my life playing the dutiful wife to the ruthless Lord?"
Weatherby positioned himself directly in front of Elizabeth, "It isn't a life I wished for you but it is one that is better than most."
"It isn't for me. I need to do something!"
"You're wilful and wild just like you mother. She would be so proud of the woman you've become," he said with a beaming smile upon his lips.
"How did she cope with all this when she married you?"
"She hated it just as much as you do. But I like to think her love of me and you kept her sane. When I got the Governor position in Port Royal, she was so excited. Could hardly wait to pack. She even chased you round the house pretending to be a pirate at one point," Weatherby recalled the cherished memory. "We were going to escape the drudgery of London and the exhaustive political landscape but … then she got sick."
Elizabeth placed a hand on her father's cheek and wiped away the single tear that had rolled down.
"She is buried not far from here. We should go see her."
Elizabeth nodded. She could barely remember her mother's face but her touch had always been gentle and her voice warm.
"What are you getting out of this?" Elizabeth accused.
"Do I have to be getting something out of this?" Beckett replied, amused at the suspicious tone, "I'm just escorting my wife and her father to pay their respects to the dead."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes and quicken her pace to catch up with her father.
"Your mother is just up here," Weatherby said over his shoulder, practically jogging through the rows of tombstones until he reached a particularly overgrown and moss covered one.
He knelt down slowly and rubbed away most of the moss to reveal the chiselled writing below.
Here lies Mary Swann nee Seymour
1689 – 1713
Beloved Daughter to Edward Seymour, Cherished Wife to Weatherby Swann, Doting Mother to Elizabeth Swann
"Last time I was here was the day we departed for Port Royal but there hasn't been a day gone by that I haven't thought about her."
Elizabeth rested a gentle hand on her father's shoulder in silent comfort. There were no words she could say to soothe the hole in her father's heart or fill the void of motherless years in her life. Weatherby continued to clean up the tombstone as best he could with his hands alone until he was satisfied with the result.
"I need a few moments alone with your mother," he whispered near inaudible but Elizabeth heard and understood his want of privacy.
She backed away and turned, expecting to be greeted by Beckett's smarmy presence but he wasn't there. The carriage and footmen were still waiting by the open gate but Beckett wasn't. with them. Elizabeth scanned the entire graveyard and located her husband in the distance standing among another row of graves. She quietly made her way to him and approached from behind.
She peered over his shoulder to see his focus was split between two well cared for graves. Her eyes flicked between the two.
Here lies Anne Beckett nee Roberts
1660 – 1705
Wife to Jonathon Beckett Sr., Mother to Jonathan Beckett Jr., Bartholomew Beckett, Jane Beckett and Cutler Becket
Here lies Jane Russell nee Beckett
1682 – 1714
Daughter to Jonathan Beckett Sr., Wife to James Russell
"Your mother and your sister?" Elizabeth asked softly.
Beckett flinched and spun around with his hand disappearing into a pocket before his eyes settled on Elizabeth, "Yes."
"I'm sorry for your loss."
"They died a long time ago."
"Doesn't mean the pain of their passing fades."
The exchange was stilted but the meaning behind the words were genuine. Beckett clasped his hands behind him.
"Do you still feel your mother's death?"
"My father doted on me my entire life."
"Avoiding the question," Beckett said, nodding slightly in approval, "Maybe you will survive the elite society of London."
"I don't just want to survive my new life here shunted to the side to entertain at parties and dance at balls. That isn't me."
"No, it is not," Beckett conceded, "I imagine that life sounds so terribly dull to you."
"It does."
"I don't intend on staying in London long. Once I obtain a new commission we will go overseas again and your unique skill set could be of some use to the East India Trading Company. Pirates don't just plague the Caribbean and there are new lucrative trading routes to the East which need to be secured."
Elizabeth looked wide eyed at Beckett offer, "You think I would fight and kill pirates for you?"
"They wouldn't be the pirates you know or care for and as I understand you have no friends in the South China Sea."
His words reminded Elizabeth of Sao Feng and his dying words. It was through his death that she became a Pirate Lord then a King but his men would gladly kill her to claim the piece of eight back so one of them could become the new Pirate Lord of the South Sea.
"Risk my life for the East India Trading Company," Elizabeth scoffed.
"I know you miss it. The wind in your hair and the gleam of adventure in your eye. The unknown laid bare before you. The excitement of it all. I can give that all back to you if you serve in my interests."
"You would let me hold a pistol and wield a sword?" Elizabeth said skeptically.
"I would have you be useful. I can't make you happy I know this but I can at least ensure you a life away from the tedious boredom of being a lady. Of course, your father would remain in London to ensure your loyalty to me and the Company."
They looked at each other for a few moments. Elizabeth was judging his sincerity while Beckett was patiently waiting for her decision, knowing she couldn't resist the allure of unconventional freedom she had tasted in the past year at Jack Sparrow's side.
Elizabeth raised her hand slowly but steadily, "Deal?"
Beckett smiled in triumph. If there was one thing he hated above all else it was letting an asset depreciate and his wife's knowledge of pirate life and combat skills were too valuable to squander.
He took her hand and placed his lips on her whitening knuckles, "Deal."
Author's Notes:
This was more of a settling in chapter but next chapter Elizabeth discovers that London is just as deadly or even more so than the high seas of the Caribbean.
Reviews:
Supremus85 – She just couldn't leave him or watch him suffer in the life of a pirate so she traded her freedom for his comfort and presence in her life. We will see what her reward was for the little escape attempt/fiasco. I have never watched the Disney Tarzan so I don't know who Archie Porter is but will probs google in a second.
Buckhunter The Race Horse – I thought so. Lol well hopeful she will make up for your disappointment :D
Guest (commented 18/12/2020) – Thanks :) His reaction was explored in this chapter. I think their entire dynamic is interesting, especially in a scenario where Beckett essentially 'won' but don't worry the pirates come back into this story in the future.
Esquinzo – Thanks! I know, there is a definite gap.
Ellen300 – Here is the update :)
Next Up: Beckett reacquaints himself with his colleagues, while Elizabeth bumps into a familiar face, danger lurks on the streets of London.