Usual disclaimers. darned Disney!
***
Jack was unsurprised to receive a strongly worded request from the Commodore to meet in his office later that morning. Theodore had rowed out to see him earlier that morning to tell him his plan and how he hoped to persuade the Governor to free Catherine. Jack had warned him that she would not apologise and, given his current summons to the Commodore, he guessed that she had not. He rowed himself ashore, listening angrily to the whispered comments that followed his progress up to the fort. The previous night's escapade was all over the town - including the reasons for it. He stomped up the hill, cursing Mary with every breath and wondering how long the Governor would insist Catherine remained in jail. The usual punishment for fighting was a night in the cells, but when the Governor's daughter was involved, he did not know how long that would be extended.
He shuddered as he entered the fort, hating the place for the bad memories it held of his own imprisonment and near-hanging - at least there was no gallows in the yard today. A marine escorted him to the Commodore's Office. "Commodore, Captain Sparrow to see you..."
James Norrington looked up from his papers, relieved to see Jack had finally arrived. Although he had been at the party and had seen the fight he had no desire to keep Catherine locked up. But the Governor had demanded that she stay there until she apologised - and she had refused to. Somehow he had to find a way around this impasse.
"Captain Sparrow," he smiled. "Come in..."
"I want t' see Kitty first," Jack demanded. "Governor said no visitors last night... an' unless he's extended that I'd like t' see her now!"
James Norrington sighed. It seemed he was cursed to be surrounded by such obstinacy today. He nodded, realising that he would get nowhere until Jack had seen her. "Not that you paid any attention to that particular order last night, did you?" He rose. "This way... although I am sure you can remember it yourself!"
"I'm sure I can," Jack smiled at the subtle dig at his past visits as he followed the Commodore down to the cells.
"Can you persuade her to apologise?" the Commodore asked as they walked across the yard. "If she will apologise I can let her go..."
"That's up to Kitty, isn't it," he shrugged, doubting very much that she would apologise unless he ordered her to - and that would negate any meaning to the apology. James Norrington opened the doorway and Jack slipped past him, jumping down the steps three at a time. He was relieved to find Catherine napping quietly with her head resting on a blanket. "Wakey wakey Missy!" he smiled, watching as she opened her eyes sharply.
"Don't call me..." She stopped on seeing the Commodore standing behind him. Slowly rising she walked across to the bars, hanging her arms through them. "Nice to see you haul your lazy butt in here to pay me a visit dear," she smiled.
"Ole Norrington 'ere says he'll release yer if yer apologise to Mary..." Jack paused, knowing already what her response would be.
She snorted. "Like I told the Governor, when hell freezes over and not before!"
"Well, I thought that'd be yer feelings..." He turned to the Commodore. "Sorry mate, no apology!"
"Sparrow! This is not a game!" James Norrington could not believe their attitude over this when a simple apology, even if not meant, would enable Catherine to be released.
"I never said it was mate," Jack drawled. "But Kitty isn't apologising an' I support her decision." Catherine smiled at his backing of her refusal.
"Do you want her to have to stay here?" the Commodore demanded. "Governor Spense has said she must stay here until she does apologise!"
Jack shrugged. "No, but there's not a lot I can do about that, is there now?" He paused, looking thoughtful. "Can Kitty an' I have some time alone?"
James Norrington frowned, wondering for a moment if this was yet another ploy of Jack's. "If you give me your sword and pistol I don't see why not," he eventually decided, taking the cell keys with him as he left. "You may have five minutes..."
As soon as he had gone Jack reached through the bars embracing Catherine. "How'd yer feel?" he asked, kissing her as best he could.
"Bored, but I'm alright." She shrugged. "Murtogg gave me a blanket last night so it hasn't been too bad..."
"How long d' yer want t' stick this out? If th' Governor won't back down yer could be here fer a while..." Jack spoke quickly, knowing that the Commodore had not given them long and could return any time.
"I know, but I am not apologising to Mary." She paused, looking at him seriously. "I suppose the news is all over town?"
He nodded sadly. "I'm sorry luv. I had t' tell th' crew too so they wouldn't get into any fights over it." He smiled. "An' ban them from getting' themselves locked up t' keep yer company!" He kissed her again, pausing as he heard footsteps behind him. "Keep yerself safe luv! I'll get yer out as quickly as I can..."
"Time's up Captain Sparrow." James Norrington stood at the base of the stairs, watching as Jack kissed Catherine once more.
"I'll be back luv, an' I'll keep that lantern lit!" He smiled as she waved to him as he walked up the steps behind the Commodore.
***
Jack walked down the hill towards the town, deciding to stop at the Governor's Mansion. It was clear that the Governor had already made his mind up, but Jack knew from past experience that it was often more profitable to deal with the lady of the house. The servant paled on seeing him, obviously remembering the previous night's events.
"I'd like to see Mistress Spense please," Jack asked, remembering his manners in an attempt to get through the door. His plan was only a faint hope, but it was worth a try.
"I will see if the Mistress will receive you..." Jack shrugged as the door was shut in his face, although he had expected it, but he was relieved when it opened again. "Follow me..." The servant led the way into one of the smaller reception rooms where he saw Rosamund Spense sitting quietly working on some embroidery.
"Thank you Forester, you may leave us..." The servant bowed to her and left, closing the door behind him. "Well, do sit Captain. We both know why you are here, so we can dispense with all the normal pleasantries - yes?"
"That would be nice Mistress Spense." Jack smiled. "So I'll be blunt - I want m' wife out of jail!"
"Thomas has declared that she will not be freed until she apologises..." She waved her hand expressively, indicating that it was out of her hands.
Jack spoke cautiously, aware that he could be on shaky ground when speaking about her eldest daughter. "But Kitty won't apologise, an' I don't blame her. Yer daughter has been out of line fer a long time, an' since we came back it has been worse."
"And this is to do with Mary's pregnancy?" Rosamund asked, curious to discover more about the argument. Although her husband had spoken with those involved, he had told her very little.
"An' Kitty's lack of one." Jack sighed heavily. "I know Mary's yer daughter, but she's been a bitch t' Kitty. She even gave away Kitty's belongings when we were at sea! Mary's done nothing but taunt her since she discovered Kitty was barren - saying she's not a proper woman, unable to fulfil her duties an' all that. Ask Elizabeth or Will - they saw her last outburst. But b'fore Mary found out, only four living people knew - m'self, Edmund, Theo an' th' Admiral's surgeon. An' now it is all over Port Royal..." He looked at her earnestly. "Kitty wants t' give me a child more than anythin' else in th' world - but she cannot. How do you think she feels? Thanks t' yer daughter her most private an' personal business is now household gossip. Hell, I even heard people talkin' about it on m' way to th' Fort!"
"This is news to me Captain, and I think it may be news to my husband." She sighed, remembering Catherine's outburst at the dinner table the night of the hurricane. "I know my daughter is no angel - indeed, I caught her talking about your wife several times last night. But that does not excuse your wife's response - she broke Mary's nose!"
"Yer should be grateful she wasn't armed," Jack warned. "Or m'self either! I've already had t' threaten m' crew to stop them retaliating." He paused, watching her expression as his words registered. "Look, if yer can get her released I'll sail from here an' not return... but don't expect Kitty t' apologise. She'll sit there for months if need be - an' how d' yer think that would look?"
"What do you mean?" Rosamund puzzled, unsure if she wanted to follow the Captain's reasoning.
"Kitty threw just one punch... even if it was a spectacularly successful one! How d'yer think it would reflect on th' Governor if he keeps her locked up fer a long time... Kitty is thought well of by a lot of people in town..." Jack smiled to himself as he saw her realise the possible implications of this.
"The decision is up to my husband, Captain Sparrow." Rosamund Spense frowned, realising that Jack was not joking about his wife's determination. Even drunks caught brawling were usually released in the morning - but if this went on for months...
Jack grinned. "I've been on th' receiving end of a woman's persuasion Mistress... we both know where th' real power in the household lies." He paused as he rose to leave. "How far would you go if that were somebody you loved in there?"
***
Rosamund Spense sat quietly in bed, waiting for her husband to return home. He had been seeing to some business at the Fort, but should be home soon. Her conversation with Captain Sparrow had prompted her to speak with Mistress Turner and Theodore. She had even taken the unusual step and visited Mistress Sparrow in jail. Captain Sparrow was right when he said his wife would not apologise. She had found some of the things revealed about her daughter disturbing - Mary had not been brought up to behave in such a manner.
Eventually the door opened to reveal her husband. "In bed already my dear?" he asked.
"I've had a busy day Thomas," she began cautiously. "I've been discovering a few things about our daughter..."
"I take it you mean Mary - how is she today?" he asked, for he had been busy at the Fort with Commodore Norrington for most of the day. The pirates were getting bolder in the region and he wanted to get more ships from London to redress the balance.
"I don't know - Theodore was not permitting her to receive visitors," she said.
"Why ever not?" Thomas Spense turned to his wife in surprise.
"I understand he is very upset with her behaviour and even threatened to throw her out of their house. He sides with his sister in the argument I believe." She paused, picking her words carefully. "I have spoken with Mistress Turner though, and Mistress Sparrow. It appears Mary's behaviour has been disgraceful lately."
"But it does not explain why Mistress Sparrow hit her!" he exclaimed.
"It does if you consider that Mary had just told Cordelia that Mistress Sparrow was barren." She paused, sighing heavily as her words registered. "Thomas, you saw her reaction at the party before the hurricane... for Mary to gossip over such a private matter is unforgivable!"
"Then why did Mistress Sparrow not explain this?" he puzzled. Theodore had tried to explain it to him, but neither his daughter nor Mistress Sparrow offered any reason for the scene.
"In jail... before the Commodore? Without even her husband there for support? Even when I went to visit her she found it hard to speak about the matter." She looked at him closely. "Thomas, I couldn't have done it, especially not without you there for moral support."
"She should not have punched Mary!" Thomas argued obstinately.
"Yes, perhaps her reaction was extreme - but she lives onboard a ship full of men so what can you expect. I also heard today that Mary has been goading her over this for more than a week now. Surely we can be gracious about this Thomas - find a way that releases her without losing face? Release her at night or something? Captain Sparrow has given his word that if she is released he will never come back to Port Royal..." she suggested.
"She must apologise first!" Thomas Spense was adamant that he would not release her until she did.
"She will not - however long you keep her there!" Rosamund sighed. "She will not apologise when she feels she was provoked beyond reason..."
"Well then, I just guess we will see!" A few days in jail and she would be begging to be released he assumed - after all, she was just a woman.
Rosamund sighed heavily. Only he could authorise her release and he was being as obstinate as Mistress Sparrow. She wondered who would break first.
***
***
Jack was unsurprised to receive a strongly worded request from the Commodore to meet in his office later that morning. Theodore had rowed out to see him earlier that morning to tell him his plan and how he hoped to persuade the Governor to free Catherine. Jack had warned him that she would not apologise and, given his current summons to the Commodore, he guessed that she had not. He rowed himself ashore, listening angrily to the whispered comments that followed his progress up to the fort. The previous night's escapade was all over the town - including the reasons for it. He stomped up the hill, cursing Mary with every breath and wondering how long the Governor would insist Catherine remained in jail. The usual punishment for fighting was a night in the cells, but when the Governor's daughter was involved, he did not know how long that would be extended.
He shuddered as he entered the fort, hating the place for the bad memories it held of his own imprisonment and near-hanging - at least there was no gallows in the yard today. A marine escorted him to the Commodore's Office. "Commodore, Captain Sparrow to see you..."
James Norrington looked up from his papers, relieved to see Jack had finally arrived. Although he had been at the party and had seen the fight he had no desire to keep Catherine locked up. But the Governor had demanded that she stay there until she apologised - and she had refused to. Somehow he had to find a way around this impasse.
"Captain Sparrow," he smiled. "Come in..."
"I want t' see Kitty first," Jack demanded. "Governor said no visitors last night... an' unless he's extended that I'd like t' see her now!"
James Norrington sighed. It seemed he was cursed to be surrounded by such obstinacy today. He nodded, realising that he would get nowhere until Jack had seen her. "Not that you paid any attention to that particular order last night, did you?" He rose. "This way... although I am sure you can remember it yourself!"
"I'm sure I can," Jack smiled at the subtle dig at his past visits as he followed the Commodore down to the cells.
"Can you persuade her to apologise?" the Commodore asked as they walked across the yard. "If she will apologise I can let her go..."
"That's up to Kitty, isn't it," he shrugged, doubting very much that she would apologise unless he ordered her to - and that would negate any meaning to the apology. James Norrington opened the doorway and Jack slipped past him, jumping down the steps three at a time. He was relieved to find Catherine napping quietly with her head resting on a blanket. "Wakey wakey Missy!" he smiled, watching as she opened her eyes sharply.
"Don't call me..." She stopped on seeing the Commodore standing behind him. Slowly rising she walked across to the bars, hanging her arms through them. "Nice to see you haul your lazy butt in here to pay me a visit dear," she smiled.
"Ole Norrington 'ere says he'll release yer if yer apologise to Mary..." Jack paused, knowing already what her response would be.
She snorted. "Like I told the Governor, when hell freezes over and not before!"
"Well, I thought that'd be yer feelings..." He turned to the Commodore. "Sorry mate, no apology!"
"Sparrow! This is not a game!" James Norrington could not believe their attitude over this when a simple apology, even if not meant, would enable Catherine to be released.
"I never said it was mate," Jack drawled. "But Kitty isn't apologising an' I support her decision." Catherine smiled at his backing of her refusal.
"Do you want her to have to stay here?" the Commodore demanded. "Governor Spense has said she must stay here until she does apologise!"
Jack shrugged. "No, but there's not a lot I can do about that, is there now?" He paused, looking thoughtful. "Can Kitty an' I have some time alone?"
James Norrington frowned, wondering for a moment if this was yet another ploy of Jack's. "If you give me your sword and pistol I don't see why not," he eventually decided, taking the cell keys with him as he left. "You may have five minutes..."
As soon as he had gone Jack reached through the bars embracing Catherine. "How'd yer feel?" he asked, kissing her as best he could.
"Bored, but I'm alright." She shrugged. "Murtogg gave me a blanket last night so it hasn't been too bad..."
"How long d' yer want t' stick this out? If th' Governor won't back down yer could be here fer a while..." Jack spoke quickly, knowing that the Commodore had not given them long and could return any time.
"I know, but I am not apologising to Mary." She paused, looking at him seriously. "I suppose the news is all over town?"
He nodded sadly. "I'm sorry luv. I had t' tell th' crew too so they wouldn't get into any fights over it." He smiled. "An' ban them from getting' themselves locked up t' keep yer company!" He kissed her again, pausing as he heard footsteps behind him. "Keep yerself safe luv! I'll get yer out as quickly as I can..."
"Time's up Captain Sparrow." James Norrington stood at the base of the stairs, watching as Jack kissed Catherine once more.
"I'll be back luv, an' I'll keep that lantern lit!" He smiled as she waved to him as he walked up the steps behind the Commodore.
***
Jack walked down the hill towards the town, deciding to stop at the Governor's Mansion. It was clear that the Governor had already made his mind up, but Jack knew from past experience that it was often more profitable to deal with the lady of the house. The servant paled on seeing him, obviously remembering the previous night's events.
"I'd like to see Mistress Spense please," Jack asked, remembering his manners in an attempt to get through the door. His plan was only a faint hope, but it was worth a try.
"I will see if the Mistress will receive you..." Jack shrugged as the door was shut in his face, although he had expected it, but he was relieved when it opened again. "Follow me..." The servant led the way into one of the smaller reception rooms where he saw Rosamund Spense sitting quietly working on some embroidery.
"Thank you Forester, you may leave us..." The servant bowed to her and left, closing the door behind him. "Well, do sit Captain. We both know why you are here, so we can dispense with all the normal pleasantries - yes?"
"That would be nice Mistress Spense." Jack smiled. "So I'll be blunt - I want m' wife out of jail!"
"Thomas has declared that she will not be freed until she apologises..." She waved her hand expressively, indicating that it was out of her hands.
Jack spoke cautiously, aware that he could be on shaky ground when speaking about her eldest daughter. "But Kitty won't apologise, an' I don't blame her. Yer daughter has been out of line fer a long time, an' since we came back it has been worse."
"And this is to do with Mary's pregnancy?" Rosamund asked, curious to discover more about the argument. Although her husband had spoken with those involved, he had told her very little.
"An' Kitty's lack of one." Jack sighed heavily. "I know Mary's yer daughter, but she's been a bitch t' Kitty. She even gave away Kitty's belongings when we were at sea! Mary's done nothing but taunt her since she discovered Kitty was barren - saying she's not a proper woman, unable to fulfil her duties an' all that. Ask Elizabeth or Will - they saw her last outburst. But b'fore Mary found out, only four living people knew - m'self, Edmund, Theo an' th' Admiral's surgeon. An' now it is all over Port Royal..." He looked at her earnestly. "Kitty wants t' give me a child more than anythin' else in th' world - but she cannot. How do you think she feels? Thanks t' yer daughter her most private an' personal business is now household gossip. Hell, I even heard people talkin' about it on m' way to th' Fort!"
"This is news to me Captain, and I think it may be news to my husband." She sighed, remembering Catherine's outburst at the dinner table the night of the hurricane. "I know my daughter is no angel - indeed, I caught her talking about your wife several times last night. But that does not excuse your wife's response - she broke Mary's nose!"
"Yer should be grateful she wasn't armed," Jack warned. "Or m'self either! I've already had t' threaten m' crew to stop them retaliating." He paused, watching her expression as his words registered. "Look, if yer can get her released I'll sail from here an' not return... but don't expect Kitty t' apologise. She'll sit there for months if need be - an' how d' yer think that would look?"
"What do you mean?" Rosamund puzzled, unsure if she wanted to follow the Captain's reasoning.
"Kitty threw just one punch... even if it was a spectacularly successful one! How d'yer think it would reflect on th' Governor if he keeps her locked up fer a long time... Kitty is thought well of by a lot of people in town..." Jack smiled to himself as he saw her realise the possible implications of this.
"The decision is up to my husband, Captain Sparrow." Rosamund Spense frowned, realising that Jack was not joking about his wife's determination. Even drunks caught brawling were usually released in the morning - but if this went on for months...
Jack grinned. "I've been on th' receiving end of a woman's persuasion Mistress... we both know where th' real power in the household lies." He paused as he rose to leave. "How far would you go if that were somebody you loved in there?"
***
Rosamund Spense sat quietly in bed, waiting for her husband to return home. He had been seeing to some business at the Fort, but should be home soon. Her conversation with Captain Sparrow had prompted her to speak with Mistress Turner and Theodore. She had even taken the unusual step and visited Mistress Sparrow in jail. Captain Sparrow was right when he said his wife would not apologise. She had found some of the things revealed about her daughter disturbing - Mary had not been brought up to behave in such a manner.
Eventually the door opened to reveal her husband. "In bed already my dear?" he asked.
"I've had a busy day Thomas," she began cautiously. "I've been discovering a few things about our daughter..."
"I take it you mean Mary - how is she today?" he asked, for he had been busy at the Fort with Commodore Norrington for most of the day. The pirates were getting bolder in the region and he wanted to get more ships from London to redress the balance.
"I don't know - Theodore was not permitting her to receive visitors," she said.
"Why ever not?" Thomas Spense turned to his wife in surprise.
"I understand he is very upset with her behaviour and even threatened to throw her out of their house. He sides with his sister in the argument I believe." She paused, picking her words carefully. "I have spoken with Mistress Turner though, and Mistress Sparrow. It appears Mary's behaviour has been disgraceful lately."
"But it does not explain why Mistress Sparrow hit her!" he exclaimed.
"It does if you consider that Mary had just told Cordelia that Mistress Sparrow was barren." She paused, sighing heavily as her words registered. "Thomas, you saw her reaction at the party before the hurricane... for Mary to gossip over such a private matter is unforgivable!"
"Then why did Mistress Sparrow not explain this?" he puzzled. Theodore had tried to explain it to him, but neither his daughter nor Mistress Sparrow offered any reason for the scene.
"In jail... before the Commodore? Without even her husband there for support? Even when I went to visit her she found it hard to speak about the matter." She looked at him closely. "Thomas, I couldn't have done it, especially not without you there for moral support."
"She should not have punched Mary!" Thomas argued obstinately.
"Yes, perhaps her reaction was extreme - but she lives onboard a ship full of men so what can you expect. I also heard today that Mary has been goading her over this for more than a week now. Surely we can be gracious about this Thomas - find a way that releases her without losing face? Release her at night or something? Captain Sparrow has given his word that if she is released he will never come back to Port Royal..." she suggested.
"She must apologise first!" Thomas Spense was adamant that he would not release her until she did.
"She will not - however long you keep her there!" Rosamund sighed. "She will not apologise when she feels she was provoked beyond reason..."
"Well then, I just guess we will see!" A few days in jail and she would be begging to be released he assumed - after all, she was just a woman.
Rosamund sighed heavily. Only he could authorise her release and he was being as obstinate as Mistress Sparrow. She wondered who would break first.
***
