Disclaimer: See previous chapter, ye lazy swabs!
Note: Port Smithson (see previous chapter) was a fictional place. I don't even know where it was. Don't bother trying to look it up, hehe. If there was a real place called Port Smithson, I didn't know about it before I wrote this fic. Carry on.
The Most Beautiful Sight
Esther gratefully took Peter's hand and stepped off the ship that had taken them from Port Smithson. She had enjoyed being out on the open sea, away from civilization, but she knew that her presence made the men nervous—not only was she a woman, and therefore bad luck, but every time she turned her head toward someone, they ran off. It had begun to get on her nerves after a while. Surely her eyes shouldn't have been all that frightening to hardened sailors?
Esther waited while Peter arranged for a dockhand to take their luggage to the inn where they would be staying. "My goodness, it's good to be back on dry land again," she murmured to him. He patted her shoulder distractedly and led her after the man carrying their luggage. Not many people seemed to take notice of them in such a busy port, for which Esther was grateful. She was looking forward to meeting Elizabeth again, but right now all she wanted was her bed and a nap.
Elizabeth was just sitting down to luncheon when a knock on the door forced her up again. "Drat," she muttered to herself. Her angry words died on her tongue as she pulled the door open and saw who was waiting there. "Esther!" She cried, embracing her friend. "Is this your husband? Come in, come in!" Elizabeth smiled pleasantly at Peter as she ushered them inside.
"You seem to be doing well for yourself, Bethie," Esther remarked playfully, running sensitive fingers over a table cloth and through a small vase of ornamental flowers. "Oh! I'm sorry, I've been rude. This is my husband, Peter Jacobs." Esther smiled affectionately at him. "He was, until recently, a sailor in the navy."
"I'm very pleased to meet you, Mr. Jacobs. I'd introduce you to my husband, but unfortunately he's at work at the smithy." Elizabeth grinned mischievously.
"The smithy? You married a blacksmith?" Esther's eyebrows shot up in surprise as Peter chuckled. "How did that happen?"
"It's a long story…"
"Well, we don't have to be anywhere until tomorrow," Esther pointed out. Elizabeth laughed.
"Come have lunch with me, and I'll tell you all about it."
"Well, Mr. Gibbs, I estima'e that we'll make berf in Port Royal in about an hour," said Captain Sparrow to his first mate, Joshamee Gibbs.
"Aye, Cap'n, I'll inform the crew. Any special orders?"
"Just see to it they don't stir up too much trouble," said the captain with a grin. "Don't want anyone snatched by the Commodore, aye?" Gibbs laughed.
"Ye best be careful yerself, Cap'n. Heaven knows that ole coot woulda loved dearly to get 'is 'ands on ye."
Jack Sparrow grinned again. "I'll make sure he's not to 'ave the pleasure of me company, never you fear, mate."
A/N: All right, I know it was rather evil of me to end the chapter there, but you'll get more Jack next chapter. Also some Commodore Norrington, hopefully, for all you Jack Davenport fans out there. (there must be some of you somewhere!) Hehe. Until next time, ciao!