This chapter is a bit longer, for there was a lot that needed to be told in this chapter. I hope you're still enjoying the story, now that we have sort of unravelled the mystery. Of course the characters in the story don't know yet.
Chapter 8
A day earlier
Elizabeth woke up to find that it was still raining outside. She discovered Annamaria was not in the cabin anymore. She found her with the rest of the crew below-deck.
The morning was spent there, with some card games, - some of which a gentlewoman would never play – and more stories.
Annamaria had some men on watch to see if the weather would change and also if the Margarita or any other ship would move. For then she would get them ready to get into that place.
In the beginning of the afternoon the storm had subsided, the rain nearly stopped. Elizabeth got on deck and walked around. She had started to feel a bit claustrophobic, being indoors. There was not much space on deck, but it was good to be in the fresh air and see the clouds sail by in the sky.
Then suddenly Annamaria gave the command to get ready to sail.
When all men were busy following her orders, Elizabeth asked her: "I was wondering why you are going to move? I see no ship in the harbour moving yet."
Annamaria laughed a moment. "Look in the other direction. See those two ships coming?"
Elizabeth nodded.
"Well, they have probably stayed out at sea, waiting for the storm to subside so they could get into the harbour. They will want a space as soon as possible. And I don't want to miss out. We are going to move closer, so that as soon as a ship moves, we can take its place."
Elizabeth thought for a moment and then spoke: "I do not want to appear impolite in suggesting it, but what if those ships need the place more than you?"
Now Annamaria laughed fully. "You think me selfish? Well, maybe part of me is selfish, but I have merchants waiting to get their cargo onto my ship. I have already had a delay of a day. They will not want to wait longer, for they will make loss because of it."
"What will be the cargo?" Elizabeth asked.
"Things for British people who live oversea, like British ale, even cattle. It doesn't matter that some Brits decided to live on the other side of the world to enjoy the bounties of exotic places; they must have their own food. They simply can't seem to live without drinking their own ale and eating their own reared beef."
Elizabeth laughed. "I see. And I guess I understand now, why delay is not desirable, for every day extra that they have to look after the cattle, they will have to feed the animals and I guess they take up a lot of space."
"Exactly!" was her friend's answer. "They will want to get rid of their ware as soon as possible, so it won't cost them more money. Now excuse me."
Annamaria walked away and Elizabeth was happy to observe all that was going on around her.
She took the spyglass and looked towards the two ships that moved closer. They both bore the British flag. She wondered where they had been and what they had seen on their voyage.
There was a whole world out there and Elizabeth had only just now started to realise that. Her life so far had been very secluded. Oh yes, she had read books about other parts of the world. She had enjoyed stories about exotic places. But meanwhile her life had always continued as it was, mostly in their own little bubble in Hertfordshire, with visits in the neighbourhood, gossip and balls. She smiled when thinking about her mother's antics. Of course she had seen a little more of the country by visiting her aunt and uncle. But it was still all fairly safe.
There were many people out there, many dangers in life, many sorrows, but also many joys. She looked again at the two British ships. How would those sailors feel? Were they happy to get back to England or were they sad? Had they left someone they loved somewhere behind or would someone be waiting for them here? Had they lost friends on the voyage or had they made new ones?
Elizabeth had always loved to watch people and sketch characters. She remembered a conversation between herself and Mr Bingley at Netherfield about it and her mother's reaction at Mr Darcy's comments.
She now found it even more fascinating to meet people from different cultures. Her new friends all spoke English, yet they were so different from the people she knew in England. Whilst she had sat safely in her father's library, reading books, or had rambled around in the countryside, they had toiled on this ship, keeping it afloat on a raging sea, looking out for dangers. Or they would have looked towards the horizon, seeing the sun sink into the sea yet another time.
She wondered if she would be able to live like them. See new places; having adventures, but also experiencing hardships; discovering the beauties of the world, meeting other people and see other cultures. It sounded amazing, but in the end Elizabeth decided that she was quite happy with her life as it was. She was very grateful though, that she had had this opportunity to have a taste of a different life, to meet the other culture without having to go really far. She was still in England, still in London, but it almost felt as if she had spent these past days in a whole other world.
Tonight or tomorrow she would be back in her own life, worrying about trivial things, seeing with her own eyes how Jane was doing, who in her letters still sounded sad and subdued due to the sudden disappearance of Mr Bingley. Oh, and she would be thinking about Mr Darcy. She would likely never see him again, but still the whole ordeal would be on her mind for a long time yet.
She was interrupted in her musings when the ship started to move. Ever so slowly Annamaria stirred the ship closer towards the quay. Everyone was on the lookout for if there was an obstruction somewhere, it would take time for the ship to be able to avoid it.
Elizabeth's admiration for Annamaria grew with the minute. That lady seemed to know exactly what she was doing and her crew trusted her.
It was one of the things that fascinated Elizabeth the most. In this world at sea, it was possible for a woman to lead men. And not just stay quietly at home, raising children. Women were able to have adventures as much as men could. It was a world where women could make business transactions and could keep a bunch of men in line. One where a woman earned and gained respect through her self-confidence and bravery, as well as wisdom and experience.
Elizabeth was determined to try to live up to that. Even if her own society was different, it must be possible!
Finally, the ship reached the spot in the harbour that was exactly right, according to Annamaria. The only ship that had moved out was a small fishing boat, so they truly had to wait until another space became available.
It had started to rain again. They were now only about fifteen minutes rowing from the quayside, but Annamaria wanted to keep everyone on board, just in case a space would appear. People stayed on watch all the time and others were preparing the cargo hold to receive the cargo once they would be able to start loading.
And so another evening fell. Elizabeth heard many more stories, one of which was about a battle in the middle of a maelstrom. Jim was doing the most of the telling as he was one of very few who had actually been there. He told how they had to fight people who had turned into some sort of sea monsters due to a curse, in pelting rain and where you not only had to be careful to not get killed by swords and pistols, but, due to the position of the ship – all but hanging on the edge of the maelstrom – also try to not fall overboard because of the angle.
Eventually the enemy ship had sunk after its captain had died and the maelstrom was gone. However, very soon after, the ship had resurfaced, now having a different captain under which it had turned into an ally.
The story was so fantastical that Elizabeth had difficulty understanding how someone could be so clever to make up something like that. But Jim was adamant it had really happened as he told. "You know, that new captain of the Flying Dutchman is the man who married your namesake. And I am sure Will Turner will be a much better captain than Davy Jones has ever been."
Later on, Annamaria said to her: "Elizabeth, I know how fantastical these stories sound, but have you ever realised how much is out there that we know nothing about? There are many mysteries in the world and in life. If someone had told me beforehand about a crew of undead skeletons, I would have laughed and dismissed it as nonsense. But I have seen them and it was truly horrific. Don't be so sure to dismiss things, just because they don't fit with our human logic.
We might exaggerate sometimes - don't all people do that now and then? – but the core of the story is true."
Annamaria looked so earnest at her. Elizabeth didn't really know what to say or think and just nodded.
The next morning Elizabeth lay awake for a while, thinking about the conversation she had had with Annamaria before they went to sleep. Elizabeth had told her about Mr Darcy and the proposal.
"Sounds like a very arrogant man!" Annamaria had said. "How can he say things like that to someone? But, are you sure that you would not marry him? After all, he is very rich."
Elizabeth laughed. "Money doesn't entice me. I want to marry for love."
"But would you not learn to love him in time? He does sound like an intelligent man who is not afraid to debate with you and he does seem to value you for your own intelligence."
"That is true, but I cannot. Not after what he did to my sister and also to poor Mr Wickham."
"Elizabeth, could it be that you are a bit biased? By what you told me, he really seemed to believe that your sister held no deep regard for his friend. Of course you know she did, but that is because you know her so well. How can you expect near-strangers to see the same thing when only being in the same company on certain occasions? He may be wrong in his assumption, but I can understand it."
Unwillingly Elizabeth had to admit it sounded logical. Maybe she had to give him the benefit of the doubt on that score. Of course, now that she thought of it, there was also Mr Bingley himself, who seemed to be very easily persuaded by others, without verifying if it was actually true what those other people said. Elizabeth still thought that he and Jane were perfect for each other, but he would have to learn to make his own decisions and become more his own person.
Then Annamaria had said: "As for this Mr Wickham: have you never thought it strange that he told you about his misfortunes having only just met you? Who would tell their life story to a virtual stranger? I find this very odd. I do not know whether his story was true – and no, don't repeat what you said about the honesty and sincerity in his looks when he told you that – but I have met many, many people in my life and not all people who look sincere are it. Some people are just very good liars.
Maybe you should find a way to get the story from both sides; this will give you a better opportunity to form an opinion."
Elizabeth had thanked her for her wise words and they had laughed together, before falling asleep.
Now it was morning once again and Elizabeth could see that the sun was out. She decided to change into her spare dress. The one she had been wearing since she left Hunsford, was far from clean by now. She was fairly sure that later on that day she would be able to finally go to her aunt and uncle's house. This would also mean saying goodbye to her new friends. It gave her mixed feelings. She did look forward to have her life go back to normal, but she had enjoyed having a taste of this other life! And Annamaria had become a dear friend in the past days.
On deck she was greeted cheerfully. The sun shone and it cheered them all up after two days, no three days, of rain.
After some breakfast, Annamaria gave the orders to get ready to move once more. A ship at the quayside was getting ready to sail out, so they would take its place.
It took quite some time before they were finally moored. Elizabeth was fascinated with the way it went, especially how enormous mooring lines were thrown onto the quay and then fastened.
Annamaria was eager to get into contact with the merchants, so, after Elizabeth had said goodbye to all the crew, they both went ashore. They first went to the inn where they had stayed that first night, to ask the landlord where Elizabeth should take the coach. The good man gave the directions minutely (including where Elizabeth would have to change to another coach.). They thanked him and then walked in the direction of the coach stop.
"Thank you so much, Annamaria, for taking me on board and helping me out! I have had a great time and will never forget it."
Annamaria laughed. "The pleasure is all mine, Elizabeth. I enjoyed having you around. As I said before, it is nice to have some female company every now and then. I feel we have really become friends in these past days. Thank you for coming with us!"
Then Elizabeth said: "I promised to pay you back when you paid my stay in the inn. When will you be sailing out?"
"Friday at the earliest and Monday at the latest, weather providing."
"Ah, good. I hope I will find a way to come here again in the coming days, before you leave, to pay you back. If I cannot come myself, I will make sure to send it with a note."
Annamaria nodded and then they hugged.
"Farewell my friend. Until we meet again."
Elizabeth waved after her and then Annamaria was gone. It was strange to say goodbye, but life went on.
She turned around and walked towards the coach stop. When she was nearly there, a stranger addressed her: "Hello Miss, I hope you found your way last Monday."
Elizabeth looked puzzled. Another person thinking he knew her?
Instead of entering a conversation, she just answered: "Thank you, I did," and then walked on.
The coach journey took a good while, especially because she had to wait at the stop where she had to change. But at last her aunt and uncle's house came in sight.
How strange it must be to be back with her family! It truly was as if she came back from another world.
She was a bit afraid that her family must be really concerned about her now. They had not heard from her for three days. She hoped her arrival would not be too great a shock for them.
Walking up the familiar steps, she knocked on the door.
The butler opened and straight away his eyes got big in shock.
"Hello James, will you tell my aunt and uncle that I have arrived? I am very sorry to have been the cause for worry, but I am here now."
Without saying a word, the good man turned around and nearly ran towards the drawing room, leaving the door open.
Elizabeth stepped in and closed the door behind herself. Some commotion was heard from the drawing room. Then her aunt, uncle and sister Jane walked into the hall and looked positively shocked to see her.
A.N. I just wanted to say that this story is all made up, so I have no idea if ships in that time ever took cattle with them to bring to other places overseas.
Another note: I know that the Pirates of the Caribbean story is set around the mid-1700's or a bit before, and that P&P is officially around 1800. But for this story I have used the P&P timeline, which officially would mean that the piracy era is sort of over. But, as I am writing this story, I find I am allowed to take some liberties and mess up with history. ;-) I hope you won't be offended. ;-)
P.S. I hope I can manage to write another chapter today to post tonight (I'm in UK), but if not, I'm sorry and then you'll have to wait until tomorrow.
