Author's Note: I don't own Pirates of the Caribbean or any of the characters. I only own the plot to the story and a few characters of my own
Summary: Western Au. Wild Spirited Elizabeth Swann leaves behind her family in Philadelphia heading to the small Texas border town of Sliverston for a teaching job.
Will Turner was a man not looking for trouble but trouble had always found him. He had a reputation as a gunhand who was rumoured to have killed thirty men. A nonsense Bounty Hunter who rode with questionable characters. Dark Will.
Chapter 13
Sliverston, Texas 1890
Father and daughter continued to stare at one another. Neither Elizabeth or her father said a word. The staring contest last about ten minutes. Before either one of them blinked or moved.
"Father what are you doing here" Elizabeth spoke first as her father stepped off the porch. He eyed me uneasily. Mostly my Schofields holstered on either side of hips.
"I was coming to Texas on business."
"It was Philip who brought your out here wasn't it" Elizabeth didn't believe a word her father had just said.
"It was. He was concerned about you taking up with that young man" Weatherby Swann nodded in my direction.
"That son of a bitch. What lies has been sniping you father" Elizabeth short fuse flaring.
"Elizabeth Language" Weatherby chastened her for cursing.
"I've heard you use worse language Father. Where is that" Elizabeth was madder then cut snake understandably.
"Easy Sasannach. Leave murdering your cousin till later" I whispered her ear as I wrapped my arms around her to stop her from killing Phillip.
"Philip will keep till later."Elizabeth started to calm down. "Father this is Will Turner. Will this is my father Weatherby Swann" Elizabeth introduced us.
"Mr Swann" I remove my hat before extending my hand to his.
"William was it" Weatherby shook my hand with firm grip.
"Yes sir" I answer standing back beside Elizabeth.
"How are mother and my brothers."
"They are all fine and in good health."Weatherby answered. "Perhaps we can talk further inside away from prying eyes and ears"
The three of us headed towards the house. I removed my gun belt, hat, coat and bandoleer as we entered the house.
"Where were you this afternoon."Philip questioned when Elizabeth and Weatherby entered the sitting room.
"I went for a ride cousin" Elizabeth smiled sickly sweet before. WACK. Philip was knocked back into his chair from a right hook to the jaw.
"What in Lord's name was that for" Philip asked rubbing his now tender jaw from where Elizabeth had punched him.
"Oh I don't know. Webbing lies of deceit to my father about Will. So what did you tell him" Elizabeth seethed.
"I was only concerned for you. Your reputation. Perhaps Uncle could talk some sense into you before" Philip began.
"Before what" Elizabeth prompted. "The church ladies started gossiping. About Will and I. How we sinning outside the sanctity of marriage"
I don't know who was more red in the face. Weatherby or Phillip.
"Perhaps we can discuss this civil like over dinner. Will will join us for dinner" Syrena stepped in.
"Sure" I answered.
"Right. Phillip could go and get cleaned up. Will can you take Elizabeth outside to cool down."
I steered Elizabeth outside so she could cool that temper of hers before dinner.
"I cannot believe him" Elizabeth fumed as she paced back and forth wearing a path in front of the porch where I sat.
I said nothing and let her vent. I rolled myself a cigarette before lighting it.
"Aren't you going to say anything" I looked up at Elizabeth.
"You did more then enough yelling for the both of us. I must just as pissed as you Darlin. For what he's done. Though I can I see where he is coming from"
"Your taking his side" Elizabeth cut in.
"I'm not. I'm just saying. I can see where Phillip's coming from. Your his cousin. In his own stupid bible thumping rose coloured glasses. He believes he's doing the right thing trying to keep us apart. You're the only family he's got here beside Syrena."I answered.
"Just because we're family doesn't give him the right to try and run my life"
"No it doesn't" I agreed wrapping my arms around her.
Weatherby quietly watched the pair of them silently from half opened front door. Elizabeth had always had a temper. Weatherby had lost count of the number of Governesses he'd hired over the years to try teach Elizabeth.
But she had always been stubborn. She had inherited from both his side and Katherine's as well. Elizabeth took a lot after his mother Charlotte. Especially that fiery temper of hers.
Weatherby was unsure what to make of William Turner at first. He had heard to different stories about the man. There was the godless blood thirsty bounty hunter then there was the man Elizabeth had written about in her letters and the man Weatherby had met.
"Dinner's ready you two."Syrena called from the kitchen window.
We came back into the house. Phillip sat sulking at the table. A bruise was starting to form where Elizabeth had hit him. Elizabeth and I sat next to each other. We all bowed our heads saying grace before we started to eat.
Phillip's jaw must have hurt quite a bit. He flinched in pain from time to time as he ate his dinner.
"What is you do Will" Weatherby broke the silence that fallen around the table.
"I'm a Bounty Hunter. When I'm chasing down bounties I work with my father and brothers on our ranch Broken Arrow. It's half way between Sliverston and Dry's Gate." I paused cutting up my steak.
"Your not originally from Texas. I can hear a hint of European when you speak"
"We came out from Scotland about twenty four years ago. After our mother died."I answered.
"Do you raise horse or cattle"
"We raise both horses and cattle"I took a sip of my coffee.
"How many acres if you mind me asking"
"Our spread's about five thousands acres. We're not the smallest holding in the county nor the state. We anit the biggest ever. The biggest at least around here is East India. The Beckett spread" I replied.
"Cutler Beckett"
"That's him. He runs the spread now. He's daddy died about fifteen years back" I had a feeling there was history between Beckett and Weatherby.
The topics of conversations changed to various subjects over the rest of dinner. I helped clear up the dirty plates, cups and various over dishes.
"Thanks for dinner Syrena. I'd loved to stay longer but I best being getting back. I got an early start in the morning" I got up from the excusing myself.
"I'll walk you out"
"Mr Swann it was good to meet you" I nodded to Weatherby as Elizabeth and I headed for the front door.
"You as well Will" Weatherby replied.
I put my gun belt back on. Along with my coat and bandoleer. I grabbed my hat on the way out the door.
We made our way down the front steps of the porch. Headed towards where Dutchmen was tied to the hitching rail. Half asleep it seemed.
"I'm sorry for Phillip did. I want to tear him limb from limb for those lies he's been telling my father about you"
"It anit your fault. Your cousin has a long filled hatred for me. It wouldn't matter what I did nothing would change that. Phillip's Phillip you can't change him. I anit exactly happy with what he did.
What can I do about it. I could thump him one. But what would it prove. Other then he's right about those things he's been telling your father about me. I anit going give him the satisfaction of that" I answered.
Weatherby tired in vain not eavesdrop on the argument going on in the next room. Weatherby stood from his chair. He decided to go sit out on the porch for a time.
William was still here it seemed. Weatherby smiled quietly to himself as he watched the pair as he sat down on the front porch. It seemed that two of them shared a deep love and unbreakable bound between the pair. Nothing nor no one would come between them.
Weatherby was to far away to hear what Will and Elizabeth where saying to one another. He didn't need to. He had a fair idea. He was not blind nor had he come down in the last shower of rain. He knew love when he saw it.
Elizabeth it seemed had found her life long partner and the love of her life. William as well seemed to be just in love with Elizabeth as she was with him. It reminded him of he and Katherine in a way.
William only stayed for a few more moments before he mounted his horse. Turning around and riding towards Sliverston. Once William was out of site. Elizabeth turned around to come back up to the house.
"Father how long have you been sitting there" Elizabeth asked as she came to sit beside her father.
"Not long" Weatherby trying to ignore the arguing still going on in the house.
"What do you think about Will" Elizabeth broke the silence that fallen between them.
"He's good man from what I can gather. How much older is he then you"
"Eight years. It's not a big of gap between us age wise" Elizabeth answered.
"Not it's not. Have you seen James, Theo or Michael since they've come out here" Weatherby spoke again after a few minutes.
"Yes I have. Will and I ran into them the day they arrived on the afternoon stage."
It was just after nine I walked up the front porch steps. I quietly as possibly opened the front door. I toed off my boots. I hung my hat and coat near the door.
I slipped quietly down the hallway to my room. As to not wake anyone.
"William what time do you call this" I stopped dead in my tracks at the sound of Nan's voice
"It anit that late."I turned around.
"I know. You missed dinner. I take it you've been in town with Elizabeth"
"I was. Her father's in town. So I had dinner with them along with Phillip and Syrena" I answered.
"Her father's town. William you haven't gotten her into trouble."
"No I haven't gotten her into anything. It was just dinner."I answered.
"Speaking of dinner. When are you going to bring her out to the ranch for dinner so we can properly meet her"
"Ah. When I get around to it" I lamely answered.
"William by that time. I will be a great grandmother again no doubt. Wipe the stupid grin off your face. At least marry the girl before you take her to bed"
"Bit late for that" I mumbled under my breath.
"William. Please tell me you haven't laid with girl" It seemed Nan had hear me.
"We may have done"
"William" Nan gasped at me with a slacked jaw expression.
"What. Is it that much of a sin. To be with the one you love. Even in the biblical seen" I asked.
"Well no. William don't change the subject."
"I'm not. So we've had sex. Is it that big of deal" I wasn't all bothered what the townsfolk thought.
"No. But the church ladies might die of shock at the news"
"Give you something to gossip to them about" I quipped.
"William. You're cheeky bugger. Off to bed with you piss taker" Nan smacked me on the shoulder.
"Night Nan" I kissed her on the cheek before I headed off to bed. I was out like a light as soon as my head hit the pillow. My dreams filled with my firecracker from Philadelphia.