That evening, Rose and Ben had returned to see if the Pearl had magically appeared in the harbor, despite the two of them having spent the entire afternoon by the docks already. Ben reminded Rose to not get discouraged, and they returned back to the tavern to get ready in order to serve thirsty customers that were surely already awaiting service.

Rose had braided her long hair, tying the rest off with a bun, donned an apron and picked up a tray, then rushed off to serve the rambunctious pirates within the tavern, all while being screeched at by Mrs. McHenry. Rose, Veronica and Marie did all the heavy lifting around the tavern during service hours. It was Mr. and Mrs. McHenry's jobs to keep order around the building as the wild and rowdy pirates became even more wild with the added element of alcohol as the night went on. Rose had become an expert in avoiding shattered glass and any sort of various scuffles that inevitably broke out in the loud, uncontrollable facility.

Tonight, Rose made her way first to a calm-looking trio of sailors, who politely ordered three bottles of rum from her. She returned to the kitchen, fetched the order, and promptly delivered it to her waiting customers, collecting their money in exchange. She would then return two-thirds of that money to Mrs. McHenry's sweaty palm, pocketing the other third for herself. Rose should have been handing over all of the sum to Mrs. McHenry, as her payment was food and a roof over her head, but Rose had begun to collect some of the sales she made for herself beginning about a half a year ago just in case Jack's plan fell through. Rose was determined to get off the island, no matter the cost. She had already collected a considerable amount of money, and at the very least could afford passage to another island. She only kept collecting for the sake of ensuring Ben's passage as well...

Rose turned from Mrs. McHenry to make another sale, when the woman called after her, "Just a moment!"

Rose's heart dropped at the notion that perhaps the woman had discovered the money she had pawned. "Yes?" Rose squeaked.

"Did't you charge those men for three bottles of rum?"

So she had discovered the cost discrepancy. "No," Rose lied. "Only two."

Mrs. McHenry narrowed her eyes. "I thought I saw you carrying three bottles."

Rose had no idea how to answer, but thankfully Marie came rushing to her aid accidentally.

"Mrs. McHenry!" she said breathlessly. "Some very loud gentlemen in the back are trying to pay for their drinks in treasure maps!"

Mrs. McHenry groaned, pocketing the money Rose had given her and angrily stomping off with Marie in tow to resolve the dispute.

Rose tried to slow her heart's pounding, quickly returning to her service and vowing to stay as far away from Mrs. McHenry as possible for the rest of the night.

As she walked through the crowd, she heard a voice cry out, "Rosie! C'mere!"

Rose followed the voice, seeing that it led to Reynolds, a middle-aged redheaded pirate with horrible halitosis who was a regular at the tavern. Tonight, he was entertaining a group of equally haggard friends around a large table.

"Mates," he announced to his company, "I'd like to introduce ye to Rosie!"

Rose politely smiled to his dirty brethren, then readied herself for their orders, though no orders ever came.

"I knew Rosie since she was this tall," said Reynolds, holding his hand to about Rose's waist. "She's been serving here fer years now, and what a pretty lass she's developed into." He grabbed her cheek and pinched it, though Rose pulled away. Noticing this, he grabbed her waist and pulled her to him so that she was sitting on his lap. "Come now, don't be shy, dearie!"

"Oi!" a shrill voice cried out behind him. Reynolds's face fell as Veronica peered around him. "Let the girl go!" she ordered, helping to pull the bewildered Rose to her feet. "She's only a child, Reynolds!" she scolded. "And is this body not young enough for ye?"

The men with Reynolds hooted and hollered, while Rose only cringed. Veronica and Reynolds? Jack wasn't kidding when he said she wasn't picky...

Veronica turned back to Rose and whispered, "Move to another group. I'll take care of these knaves!"

"Thank you!" Rose said with deep gratitude.

"Nonsense! We ladies must stick together!" she replied with a wink.

Rose needed a moment to recover from what had just happened, and quickly dove into the deserted kitchen for some time alone. But refuge had she none for long, for Ben ducked into the kitchen after her, leaning up against the opposite wall.

"You just missed a very awkward situation," he said.

Rose snorted. "So did you," she said, referring to the Reynolds debacle.

Ben cocked his head, "What?"

"Nothing important," Rose said. "What with you?"

"My father called me into his room," Ben began. "And he told me not to marry you."

Rose's eyes went wide. "What?!"

"That's what I said!" said he, joining Rose on her side of the room, leaning on a spot of the wall next to hers. "He said that he knew how close we've been, but recently he's noticed that we've been closer than usual." Ben and Rose exchanged a knowing glance. He might be growing suspicious about our plan of escape, the look read, though neither of them dared speak their fear aloud.

"He thinks it's a...budding romance!" continued Ben with a shudder. "He said that I might someday want to wed you, but I shouldn't because you don't have any prospects. No parents, no land, no dowry. He said it wasn't worth it."

Rose gulped, staring straight ahead. "What did you say?"

"I told him the truth! We're only friends! I wouldn't dream of marrying you!"

Rose joined in his laughter, though inside she was crushed. No parents, no land, no dowry...not worth it...I wouldn't dream of marrying you.

Even though she felt as though she had been punched in the stomach, she had to stay stoic. Ben had no way of knowing that deep inside, she dreamed of the two of them someday owning their own ship, sailing away together, doing as they pleased and completely in love. It was a secret hope, but yet another one that had come crashing down around her. While he wouldn't dream of marrying her, she dreamed the opposite every day.