Usual disclaimers. blah!

This chapter is especially to make BlueTrinity and the anti-Mary crowd happy.... savvy?

***

Theodore and Mary stood at the base of the stairs waiting for Jack and Catherine to come down. The carriage was due soon and Theodore was anxious not to keep the Governor waiting. He glanced up on hearing Mary inhale sharply in shock - and inhaled himself. Catherine looked absolutely stunning... he ran out of words to describe his little sister. He had seen her ruby pendant before, but not the earrings or the bracelets. He glanced at Mary, noticing she seemed almost entranced by the jewellery. "Not in your wildest dreams could I afford those my dear," he smiled, gradually realising how the fabric of Catherine's dress matched her hair. Jack looked exceedingly pleased with himself whereas Catherine just looked stunned. Obviously the jewellery had been a surprise to her as well. "Cat, I'm speechless!" he grinned.

Catherine smiled shakily, still in shock from the gift. "I think she's speechless too mate!" Jack grinned, delighted at the effect the jewellery had caused on his wife. He noticed Mary eyeing the jewels covetously until she realised he was watching her. She looked away, blushing.

"I think that is the carriage." Theodore opened the door to reveal the matched bay horses. "Ladies..." One of the coachmen held the door open whilst Theodore assisted Mary and then Catherine inside. Jack climbed in before him, sitting beside Catherine as Theodore shut the door of the house. As soon as Theodore joined them the coachman closed the door and it lurched into movement, winding along the narrow, jolting road. Luckily the journey did not take long and they soon found themselves stopping outside the Governors Mansion.

"Remind me next time t' walk!" Jack winced as he helped Catherine down. "An' I thought horses were bad!" She laughed at him, pulling her shawl closer to her in the chill air as they followed Theodore and Mary through into the building.

Governor Spense looked up as his daughter entered, looking entrancing on Theodore's arm - but his eyes were drawn to Mistress Sparrow all aglitter with a King's ransom of jewels. Piracy must be paying well he realised as he saw that his were not the only eyes drawn to her.

"Father?" Mary questioned his silence, pouting as she saw he was staring at Catherine. "Father!"

He looked to his daughter, coughing with embarrassment when he realised he had ignored her. "Mary, you look delightful. Theodore, good to see you." He nodded to his son-in-law before turning to greet the Sparrows. "Mistress Sparrow, you are entrancing." He smiled. "You are a very lucky man Captain!" Thomas Spense turned to address the four of them. "Now that you are here the party may begin..." He nodded to the musicians and the music started, beautiful drifting melodies floating around the room.

"Dance with me?" Jack whispered to Catherine, fearing that he might have to fight to get another dance with her that evening. All of the men's eyes followed her as she walked down the stairs with him, a fact she was delightfully unaware of and he loved her for it. Eventually after several dances he relinquished her to James Norrington, leaning against the wall as he watched her spin around the floor with the Commodore.

***

The evening drifted in a blur of dancing for Catherine until she eventually got to dance with her brother. She grinned up at him, cheeks flushed. "We should do this more often Theo!" she sighed as the music ended.

"True, perhaps we should try to have some music more often at home too," he suggested, walking her over to the refreshment table. He was surprised to see his wife there with a number of her friends. She seemed unaware of their approach and her conversation became clearer as they drew closer.

***

"I understand Cordelia," Mary sympathised with her friend whose partner had spent the entire party ogling Catherine. "Although I don't understand why he spoils her so... I mean... rubies! I ask you - when she cannot even do her duty to him!"

"What do you mean?" Cordelia frowned.

"Barren - she'll never bear him..."

***

Theodore reached frantically for Catherine, his face aghast as she lunged at Mary. "Bitch!" she shouted, the whole room suddenly silent bar the sound of shattering glass as Jack dropped his rum, forcing his way across the room. "How dare you!" Forcing one arm free of her brother's grasp she threw a wild punch at Mary, catching her in the face. Bones crunched.

"Cat! No!" Theodore grabbed her arm, struggling to restrain her. "Mary - you are out of line! I told you this sniping would stop!" he shouted angrily at his wife, shocked to see blood pouring from her nose. "You will return home now and try to learn some manners since you clearly have none!" He handed Catherine to Jack whose eyes glinted angrily.

"I warned you this would happen Theo if yer didn't control yer wife!" He dodged as Catherine tried to kick him. "Right Missy, we are leaving!" He forced her towards the door.

"Not so fast Captain Sparrow!" The Governor stood before them, blocking their exit. "I think some explanations are due!" Two marines flanked him.

"Just a woman's spat, Governor - nothing to concern yourself with..." Jack tried to ease his way past but the marines raised their weapons.

"Nothing? When my daughter stands before me, assaulted with a broken nose? I think not Captain! Marines, you will take Mistress Sparrow to the cells to consider her actions for the night. She is to have no visitors - we will speak of this in the morning!" He turned his back on them, concernedly addressing his daughter. "Mary, are you alright?" Her answer was unintelligible amongst her bloodied sobs.

Jack opened his mouth to argue but felt a hand on his shoulder - Theodore. "Let her go Jack... there's nothing to be done for now..."

Jack nodded, turning Catherine to face him. "Remember - you are crew!" he whispered. "Do not let me down!" The fight went out of her and she nodded, reaching up to kiss him.

"Mistress Sparrow..." One of the guards touched her arm. "This way..."

She shrugged as she was escorted from the room, walking calmly between the two marines. Unconsciously she mimicked Jack's swagger - he was right and she was unrepentant.

Once she had left Jack turned to Mary, her mother trying vainly to stem the flow of blood. "Mistress Groves," he spat, eyes black with anger. "My wife may be barren, but I've never regretted the day I rescued her from the sea... though after yer behaviour t'night I should have let you burn!" He turned on his heels, slamming the door behind him.

***