Usual disclaimers. oh well!
***
Jack was much happier walking away from the Hallam household, holding hands with Catherine as they passed through the town. "That went better than I'd hoped..."
"What do you mean better?" Jean Claude laughed incredulously. "You have made it! An accord and invitation to a party too!" He shook his head in disbelief. "Nobody argues with the Old Man... nobody!"
"I won't have Kitty treated like that just because she's a woman!" Jack countered. "She's first mate on th' Black Pearl an' she's earned it. I'll have her treated accordingly!" Jack frowned quietly, uncomfortable in the realisation that Jeremiah Hallam knew exactly how to make him do whatever he wanted - threaten Catherine and you had both the man and his ship. Jack prayed that Jeremiah was enough of a gentleman not to act on that information.
He stopped dead in his tracks as they passed a seamstress. Well, perhaps seamstress was too grand a title for she did not usually make things from scratch but specialised in altering pirated clothes to fit their new owners.
"Captain?" Jean Claude turned, realising Jack was no longer beside him.
"Yer'll need some proper clothes fer th' party - I'll not have a member of m' crew letting me down in old clothes..." He pushed open the door to the dimly lit shop. "An' yer will need a cloak Kitty!"
"A cloak?" she queried, unsure what Jack was taking about.
"Yer really want t' walk through th' town all aglitter with jewels?" Jack smiled. "Best cover up until yer get there luv... trust me!"
"I always do Jack," she smiled softly. "I always do." She stood on tiptoe to kiss him, until interrupted by a racking cough.
"Yes?" a woman's voice asked, coughing again. "What do you want?" Catherine smiled. Service in a Tortuga shop was interesting at the best of times.
"I want a ladies cloak, dark if possible an' proper gentleman's clothes fer m' crewman here..." Jack nodded to Jean Claude. "Fer t'morrow night!"
"Ah, you'll be going to Old Hallam's then!" the old woman wheezed as she shuffled towards them. She looked closely at Jean Claude. "Here, aren't you that Frenchie Captain? Ah, never mind... I think I've something that will fit you..." She disappeared into the back of the shop, rummaging in a number of chests until she discovered what she was looking for. Muttering happily to herself she returned. "Try these on over there..." She pointed towards a small area shielded by a curtain. "And while you do I'll see to the lady here... cloak did you say?" she asked Jack.
"The best yer've got," Jack reminded her as she turned and shuffled back to the pile of chests.
"Oh, I think I've something that will suit your lady, Captain - never fear..." She returned carrying a bundle of darkest black velvet. "It's not too thick..." she offered, "so shouldn't be too hot for the evening..." She unrolled the cloak to reveal a clasp decorated with small bead pearls. Carefully she placed it around Catherine. "You'll have to manage the clasp Captain," she told Jack. "My fingers are too stiff to cope with it..." Jack obliged as she fussed around the cloak ensuring that it hung properly. "There, you look lovely!"
"Indeed you do dear," Jack smiled for the cloak not only suited her but would conceal her dress and jewellery during the walk through Tortuga.
She gave him a twirl, stopping to stare at Jean Claude as he emerged from behind the curtain. Gone were the clothes that Jack had scrounged for him from the crew in favour of dark trousers, a pale blue cotton shirt, a golden coloured waistcoat and a dark overcoat that matched his trousers. "Magnifique Jean Claude!" she smiled.
"Merci Madame," he grinned, bowing to her. "Well Captain, what do you think?"
"Yer'll do," Jack shrugged. "Now get changed b'fore yer get it dirty." He turned to the seamstress. "How much?" He haggled briefly before paying and they carried the purchases back to the ship.
"Merci Captain... thank you." Jean Claude knew that until the Black Pearl returned to taking ships he would be living on Jack's generosity.
"Yer'll be there as a member of m' crew - an' I won't have yer disgracing m' ship," Jack explained. "An' neither of us can afford t' let Kitty down..." He linked his arm in hers. "Not that anyone will notice us Jean Claude..."
***
The following evening Jean Claude gasped with the rest of the crew when Catherine emerged from the cabin. She wore her copper brocade dress, sleeveless, with the matching shoes. Her hair was curled and pinned and a faint trace of Jack's kohl outlined her eyes. The matching ruby and pearl bracelets that Jack had given her adorned her wrists, heavy ruby drop earrings at her ears. But Jean Claude's eyes were drawn to the ruby pendant hanging from her pearl necklace.
"I'd appreciate it if yer stopped starin' at m' wife's breasts Jean Claude," Jack smiled, taking the sting from his rebuke.
"Oui... yes... sure... err I wasn't" Jean Claude replied. Jack had not been joking when he said his wife had a dress suitable. From the reaction of a large number of the crew too, they had obviously forgotten she was, in fact, a woman, being used to treating her simply as a fellow crew member. Jean Claude gulped - a woman on a pirate ship wearing a small fortune of gems.
Jack gently fastened the clasp on the velvet cloak, pulling the hood up to conceal her more. "If yer've finished gawping we'd better go..." He climbed down into the waiting boat where Mallory, Fearnan, Gibson and Hawker waited at the oars. Oran sat quietly in the boat too for he was going ashore to visit Sanchia. Catherine slipped her shoes off before carefully climbing down, a pale slim leg visible to those below.
"Nice view Kitty!" he smiled.
"Why thank you Oran," she blushed. "Perhaps spending tomorrow swabbing the decks will teach you to keep your eyes where they belong!" She accepted Jack's hand as he helped her sit in the rocking boat. The other four crewmen hastily averted their eyes.
"Probably not," Oran grinned. "The view is worth the punishment!"
"Booth!" Jack barked sharply as Jean Claude climbed down behind Catherine.
"Sorry Captain," Oran apologised, but the grin did not leave his face. Jack rolled his eyes, sighing as the rest of the boat burst into laughter. Oran was still smiling as Jack helped her from the boat at the docks.
Catherine steadied herself as she leaned on Jack, finally putting on her shoes properly. For a moment she wished she could have worn her boots or gone barefoot, but that was not possible and she knew it. Oran disappeared into the blackness, heading towards the Faithful Bride. "Just be back b'fore we sail!" Jack shouted after him, knowing that they would indeed not see him again until then. He offered Catherine his arm and they walked carefully through the town, Jean Claude assisting the more curious drunkards from their path.
At last they reached the Hallam house and gratefully entered the lobby where one of the servants came to take their coats and cloaks before ushering them through into the large hall. For a moment their arrival went unnoticed, until Jeremiah Hallam spotted them. "Sparrow! Lact! Nice to see you made it!" He pushed his way through the crowd to greet them. "Mistress Sparrow," he smiled. "You look delightful! Come, let me introduce you..."
Jeremiah took her arm, leaving Jack and Jean Claude no option but to follow as he wove back through the crowd. "This is my wife Clara," he smiled as he introduce a plump woman with grey hair. "Clara, this is Mistress Sparrow, Captain Sparrow's wife..."
"Please, everyone calls me Kitty," she smiled.
"Kitty then. You must call me Clara... us pirate wives must stick together..." she winked conspiratorially.
"Excuse me my dear..." Jeremiah Hallam interrupted. "I must leave you a moment Mistress Sparrow..." He nodded to Jack and Jean Claude to follow him. Catherine frowned, but Jack quietly shook his head. Sighing she turned back to Clara Hallam - perhaps she would get to smell the roses after all.
"Have you met Isaac yet?" Clara asked, startling Catherine from her thoughts. "No? Isaac? Where is that boy when I need him?" She turned to find a young man standing behind her, brown curly hair failing to be restrained by a plain black ribbon.
"Mother?" he questioned.
"Isaac! I'm glad you are here - this is Mistress Sparrow. Her husband is Captain on the Black Pearl that you will be sailing on..."
"The term is serving Mother, serving on," he sighed. Clara had never gotten nautical terminology correct. He eyed the small woman before him, taking in with a glance the dress and the jewellery - even if the jewellery did make him gasp. But his eye was drawn to a tattoo on her arm and a small round scar on her shoulder. He smiled noticing that she had another scar on her cheek, about an inch long and looking recent. He took her hand, kissing it politely as he bowed. "Enchanted Mistress Sparrow," he smiled, noticing the rose scent of her perfume. He straightened, eyeing her appreciatively. "And in what capacity do you serve onboard Mistress?" the hint of a suggestion creeping into his voice.
"First mate," she smiled, "as more than one new crewman has discovered to his cost..." Isaac's eyes widened as he grasped her implied threat, relieved that her smile took the sting from her words.
"You serve on your husband's ship?" Clara gasped in shock. "Women can't go on ships... it isn't proper!"
Catherine smiled for she looked truly horrified. "So some say," she laughed. "But I have never found it a problem." She spotted Anamaria walking towards them, scowling. "Neither has Ana..." She smiled at her warmly. "Ana!" They embraced, careful not to crush Edan between them. "You look lovely Ana," she grinned.
"Bloody dress!" Anamaria cursed. "Why the hell do I have to wear a dress?"
"Because you are a woman," Clara sighed - obviously this argument had been going on some time.
"And because men would look silly in them!" Catherine added.
Anamaria looked at her in amazement before bursting with laughter. Clara Hallam spotted a friend in the crowd and waved. "Excuse me..." she said quietly before leaving the three of them. Sounds of music began to drift from another room - obviously the dancing was starting.
Catherine smiled as she looked at Edan. "How is he settling?" she asked.
"He's settling well," Anamaria sighed. "It's me that's missing the sea..."
"You'll be back soon enough," Catherine assured her. "But we both know children don't belong on a fighting ship..."
"Do you want..." Anamaria offered Edan to her to hold, but Catherine held her hands up.
"No!" she laughed. "If you give him to me I'll never give him back!"
Isaac frowned, unsure what to say in their company - somehow he felt this was going to be an unusual trip. He looked up, watching as a dark haired man walked up behind Catherine and rested his hand on her shoulder. He noticed she did not jump, almost as if she recognised the touch before he spoke.
"An' what's so funny Kitty?" he asked, handing her a glass of wine. No pewter goblets here - but proper crystal glasses.
"Nothing dear," she smiled, causing Anamaria to laugh even more.
"Ana," he nodded, refraining from commenting on her wearing a dress. "And..." Jack turned to face Isaac.
"Jack, this is Isaac Hallam who will be sailing with us," she introduced. "Isaac - my husband Captain Jack Sparrow."
"Captain," he nodded unsure what to make of the man. He had heard many strange tales about the Captain of the Black Pearl, but none seemed to fit with the soberly dressed man before him.
Jack nodded back. "I understand yer'll be serving on m' ship when we sail..."
"Yes Captain. My father informed me earlier today. Can I ask when we sail?"
Jack shrugged. "When I'm ready... p'raps a few days time." He turned his attention back to Catherine. "They've started th' music," he smiled. "Dance with me luv?"
"Always," she smiled. "Excuse us Ana, Isaac..."
"You? Dance?" Anamaria snorted in disbelief.
"Jack is a very good dancer Ana," Catherine defended her husband as they walked towards the music.
"This I've got to see!" Anamaria followed them, noticing the glances that Catherine received - admiring and covetous from the men and surprise and envy from the woman.
The dance area was busy when they reached it, but Jack and Catherine soon found some space. As usual his hands wandered, but his footwork and poise were precise. By the end of their second dance a larger space had cleared around them, surprise clear on their observers faces. Pirates could not dance. Well, apart from energetic drunken dances that is, which did not count. Jeremiah Hallam frowned as he realised for the second time in as many days Sparrow surprised him.
When they finally stopped, Jean Claude stepped forward. "May I, Captain?" he smiled, gently taking Catherine's hand and leading her back onto the dance floor for another couple of dances. His privileged upbringing showed as his footwork was smooth, his dancing automatically mirroring Catherine.
Although she did not speak as they danced, Catherine smiled with delight when they stopped and headed back towards Jack who had found a pillar to lean against, talking with Jeremiah Hallam as he watched them.. "Merci Jean Claude," she sighed as he handed her back to Jack.
"You dance well Mistress Sparrow," Jeremiah complimented. "Although I would have suspected such from Edmund Groves' daughter..."
"You knew my father?" she gasped, looking at him in shock. Jack's eyes widened slightly, but he otherwise hid his surprise. He felt he should have suspected since he had known Edmund once served in the Caribbean before he had been injured.
Jeremiah smiled, missing her use of the past tense in referring to him. "Aye, your father was a wily adversary in the old days... how is he?"
Her face clouded and Jack put his arm around her. "My father died recently," she explained sadly. "He was killed in the fire at Port Royal..."
Jeremiah shut his eyes sadly before replying. "My condolences... he was a worthy foe indeed." Jeremiah clicked his fingers at one of the servants carrying drinks around on a large tray. He took two glasses, handing one to Catherine. "A toast... to old times and to Edmund Groves." Catherine smiled softly as she drank. "And to his charming daughter for choosing the wrong side of the law!"
"Amen to that!" Jack smiled, squeezing her waist gently as he took a swig from the bottle of rum he was nursing. He noticed the curious glances from people nearby who had obviously witnessed the toast. "Excuse us Jeremiah, I think we'll go inspect those roses of yours!"
They slipped from the room, finding a quiet corner in the garden to sit. "You alright?" He smiled when she nodded and started nibbling her neck. He hated these parties for as soon as he saw her all dressed up and fancy all he wanted to do was get her to his bunk. "How soon d'yer think we can leave?" he suggested, his lips working towards her ear.
"Not quite yet..." She turned to kiss him. "Patience..."
"But I don't want t' be patient..." he argued, returning to nibbling her neck.
"Jack! You are the one that said how important Hallam is..." She sighed, leaning against him as she responded to his nibbles. "Another half an hour and I'm sure we can sneak away..."
He grinned in delight. "Well let's make our way gradually t' th' door!"
***
Barely forty-five minutes later he slid her dress from her shoulders, carefully replacing her rubies in her small wooden jewellery box. "Now, where were we..."
***
***
Jack was much happier walking away from the Hallam household, holding hands with Catherine as they passed through the town. "That went better than I'd hoped..."
"What do you mean better?" Jean Claude laughed incredulously. "You have made it! An accord and invitation to a party too!" He shook his head in disbelief. "Nobody argues with the Old Man... nobody!"
"I won't have Kitty treated like that just because she's a woman!" Jack countered. "She's first mate on th' Black Pearl an' she's earned it. I'll have her treated accordingly!" Jack frowned quietly, uncomfortable in the realisation that Jeremiah Hallam knew exactly how to make him do whatever he wanted - threaten Catherine and you had both the man and his ship. Jack prayed that Jeremiah was enough of a gentleman not to act on that information.
He stopped dead in his tracks as they passed a seamstress. Well, perhaps seamstress was too grand a title for she did not usually make things from scratch but specialised in altering pirated clothes to fit their new owners.
"Captain?" Jean Claude turned, realising Jack was no longer beside him.
"Yer'll need some proper clothes fer th' party - I'll not have a member of m' crew letting me down in old clothes..." He pushed open the door to the dimly lit shop. "An' yer will need a cloak Kitty!"
"A cloak?" she queried, unsure what Jack was taking about.
"Yer really want t' walk through th' town all aglitter with jewels?" Jack smiled. "Best cover up until yer get there luv... trust me!"
"I always do Jack," she smiled softly. "I always do." She stood on tiptoe to kiss him, until interrupted by a racking cough.
"Yes?" a woman's voice asked, coughing again. "What do you want?" Catherine smiled. Service in a Tortuga shop was interesting at the best of times.
"I want a ladies cloak, dark if possible an' proper gentleman's clothes fer m' crewman here..." Jack nodded to Jean Claude. "Fer t'morrow night!"
"Ah, you'll be going to Old Hallam's then!" the old woman wheezed as she shuffled towards them. She looked closely at Jean Claude. "Here, aren't you that Frenchie Captain? Ah, never mind... I think I've something that will fit you..." She disappeared into the back of the shop, rummaging in a number of chests until she discovered what she was looking for. Muttering happily to herself she returned. "Try these on over there..." She pointed towards a small area shielded by a curtain. "And while you do I'll see to the lady here... cloak did you say?" she asked Jack.
"The best yer've got," Jack reminded her as she turned and shuffled back to the pile of chests.
"Oh, I think I've something that will suit your lady, Captain - never fear..." She returned carrying a bundle of darkest black velvet. "It's not too thick..." she offered, "so shouldn't be too hot for the evening..." She unrolled the cloak to reveal a clasp decorated with small bead pearls. Carefully she placed it around Catherine. "You'll have to manage the clasp Captain," she told Jack. "My fingers are too stiff to cope with it..." Jack obliged as she fussed around the cloak ensuring that it hung properly. "There, you look lovely!"
"Indeed you do dear," Jack smiled for the cloak not only suited her but would conceal her dress and jewellery during the walk through Tortuga.
She gave him a twirl, stopping to stare at Jean Claude as he emerged from behind the curtain. Gone were the clothes that Jack had scrounged for him from the crew in favour of dark trousers, a pale blue cotton shirt, a golden coloured waistcoat and a dark overcoat that matched his trousers. "Magnifique Jean Claude!" she smiled.
"Merci Madame," he grinned, bowing to her. "Well Captain, what do you think?"
"Yer'll do," Jack shrugged. "Now get changed b'fore yer get it dirty." He turned to the seamstress. "How much?" He haggled briefly before paying and they carried the purchases back to the ship.
"Merci Captain... thank you." Jean Claude knew that until the Black Pearl returned to taking ships he would be living on Jack's generosity.
"Yer'll be there as a member of m' crew - an' I won't have yer disgracing m' ship," Jack explained. "An' neither of us can afford t' let Kitty down..." He linked his arm in hers. "Not that anyone will notice us Jean Claude..."
***
The following evening Jean Claude gasped with the rest of the crew when Catherine emerged from the cabin. She wore her copper brocade dress, sleeveless, with the matching shoes. Her hair was curled and pinned and a faint trace of Jack's kohl outlined her eyes. The matching ruby and pearl bracelets that Jack had given her adorned her wrists, heavy ruby drop earrings at her ears. But Jean Claude's eyes were drawn to the ruby pendant hanging from her pearl necklace.
"I'd appreciate it if yer stopped starin' at m' wife's breasts Jean Claude," Jack smiled, taking the sting from his rebuke.
"Oui... yes... sure... err I wasn't" Jean Claude replied. Jack had not been joking when he said his wife had a dress suitable. From the reaction of a large number of the crew too, they had obviously forgotten she was, in fact, a woman, being used to treating her simply as a fellow crew member. Jean Claude gulped - a woman on a pirate ship wearing a small fortune of gems.
Jack gently fastened the clasp on the velvet cloak, pulling the hood up to conceal her more. "If yer've finished gawping we'd better go..." He climbed down into the waiting boat where Mallory, Fearnan, Gibson and Hawker waited at the oars. Oran sat quietly in the boat too for he was going ashore to visit Sanchia. Catherine slipped her shoes off before carefully climbing down, a pale slim leg visible to those below.
"Nice view Kitty!" he smiled.
"Why thank you Oran," she blushed. "Perhaps spending tomorrow swabbing the decks will teach you to keep your eyes where they belong!" She accepted Jack's hand as he helped her sit in the rocking boat. The other four crewmen hastily averted their eyes.
"Probably not," Oran grinned. "The view is worth the punishment!"
"Booth!" Jack barked sharply as Jean Claude climbed down behind Catherine.
"Sorry Captain," Oran apologised, but the grin did not leave his face. Jack rolled his eyes, sighing as the rest of the boat burst into laughter. Oran was still smiling as Jack helped her from the boat at the docks.
Catherine steadied herself as she leaned on Jack, finally putting on her shoes properly. For a moment she wished she could have worn her boots or gone barefoot, but that was not possible and she knew it. Oran disappeared into the blackness, heading towards the Faithful Bride. "Just be back b'fore we sail!" Jack shouted after him, knowing that they would indeed not see him again until then. He offered Catherine his arm and they walked carefully through the town, Jean Claude assisting the more curious drunkards from their path.
At last they reached the Hallam house and gratefully entered the lobby where one of the servants came to take their coats and cloaks before ushering them through into the large hall. For a moment their arrival went unnoticed, until Jeremiah Hallam spotted them. "Sparrow! Lact! Nice to see you made it!" He pushed his way through the crowd to greet them. "Mistress Sparrow," he smiled. "You look delightful! Come, let me introduce you..."
Jeremiah took her arm, leaving Jack and Jean Claude no option but to follow as he wove back through the crowd. "This is my wife Clara," he smiled as he introduce a plump woman with grey hair. "Clara, this is Mistress Sparrow, Captain Sparrow's wife..."
"Please, everyone calls me Kitty," she smiled.
"Kitty then. You must call me Clara... us pirate wives must stick together..." she winked conspiratorially.
"Excuse me my dear..." Jeremiah Hallam interrupted. "I must leave you a moment Mistress Sparrow..." He nodded to Jack and Jean Claude to follow him. Catherine frowned, but Jack quietly shook his head. Sighing she turned back to Clara Hallam - perhaps she would get to smell the roses after all.
"Have you met Isaac yet?" Clara asked, startling Catherine from her thoughts. "No? Isaac? Where is that boy when I need him?" She turned to find a young man standing behind her, brown curly hair failing to be restrained by a plain black ribbon.
"Mother?" he questioned.
"Isaac! I'm glad you are here - this is Mistress Sparrow. Her husband is Captain on the Black Pearl that you will be sailing on..."
"The term is serving Mother, serving on," he sighed. Clara had never gotten nautical terminology correct. He eyed the small woman before him, taking in with a glance the dress and the jewellery - even if the jewellery did make him gasp. But his eye was drawn to a tattoo on her arm and a small round scar on her shoulder. He smiled noticing that she had another scar on her cheek, about an inch long and looking recent. He took her hand, kissing it politely as he bowed. "Enchanted Mistress Sparrow," he smiled, noticing the rose scent of her perfume. He straightened, eyeing her appreciatively. "And in what capacity do you serve onboard Mistress?" the hint of a suggestion creeping into his voice.
"First mate," she smiled, "as more than one new crewman has discovered to his cost..." Isaac's eyes widened as he grasped her implied threat, relieved that her smile took the sting from her words.
"You serve on your husband's ship?" Clara gasped in shock. "Women can't go on ships... it isn't proper!"
Catherine smiled for she looked truly horrified. "So some say," she laughed. "But I have never found it a problem." She spotted Anamaria walking towards them, scowling. "Neither has Ana..." She smiled at her warmly. "Ana!" They embraced, careful not to crush Edan between them. "You look lovely Ana," she grinned.
"Bloody dress!" Anamaria cursed. "Why the hell do I have to wear a dress?"
"Because you are a woman," Clara sighed - obviously this argument had been going on some time.
"And because men would look silly in them!" Catherine added.
Anamaria looked at her in amazement before bursting with laughter. Clara Hallam spotted a friend in the crowd and waved. "Excuse me..." she said quietly before leaving the three of them. Sounds of music began to drift from another room - obviously the dancing was starting.
Catherine smiled as she looked at Edan. "How is he settling?" she asked.
"He's settling well," Anamaria sighed. "It's me that's missing the sea..."
"You'll be back soon enough," Catherine assured her. "But we both know children don't belong on a fighting ship..."
"Do you want..." Anamaria offered Edan to her to hold, but Catherine held her hands up.
"No!" she laughed. "If you give him to me I'll never give him back!"
Isaac frowned, unsure what to say in their company - somehow he felt this was going to be an unusual trip. He looked up, watching as a dark haired man walked up behind Catherine and rested his hand on her shoulder. He noticed she did not jump, almost as if she recognised the touch before he spoke.
"An' what's so funny Kitty?" he asked, handing her a glass of wine. No pewter goblets here - but proper crystal glasses.
"Nothing dear," she smiled, causing Anamaria to laugh even more.
"Ana," he nodded, refraining from commenting on her wearing a dress. "And..." Jack turned to face Isaac.
"Jack, this is Isaac Hallam who will be sailing with us," she introduced. "Isaac - my husband Captain Jack Sparrow."
"Captain," he nodded unsure what to make of the man. He had heard many strange tales about the Captain of the Black Pearl, but none seemed to fit with the soberly dressed man before him.
Jack nodded back. "I understand yer'll be serving on m' ship when we sail..."
"Yes Captain. My father informed me earlier today. Can I ask when we sail?"
Jack shrugged. "When I'm ready... p'raps a few days time." He turned his attention back to Catherine. "They've started th' music," he smiled. "Dance with me luv?"
"Always," she smiled. "Excuse us Ana, Isaac..."
"You? Dance?" Anamaria snorted in disbelief.
"Jack is a very good dancer Ana," Catherine defended her husband as they walked towards the music.
"This I've got to see!" Anamaria followed them, noticing the glances that Catherine received - admiring and covetous from the men and surprise and envy from the woman.
The dance area was busy when they reached it, but Jack and Catherine soon found some space. As usual his hands wandered, but his footwork and poise were precise. By the end of their second dance a larger space had cleared around them, surprise clear on their observers faces. Pirates could not dance. Well, apart from energetic drunken dances that is, which did not count. Jeremiah Hallam frowned as he realised for the second time in as many days Sparrow surprised him.
When they finally stopped, Jean Claude stepped forward. "May I, Captain?" he smiled, gently taking Catherine's hand and leading her back onto the dance floor for another couple of dances. His privileged upbringing showed as his footwork was smooth, his dancing automatically mirroring Catherine.
Although she did not speak as they danced, Catherine smiled with delight when they stopped and headed back towards Jack who had found a pillar to lean against, talking with Jeremiah Hallam as he watched them.. "Merci Jean Claude," she sighed as he handed her back to Jack.
"You dance well Mistress Sparrow," Jeremiah complimented. "Although I would have suspected such from Edmund Groves' daughter..."
"You knew my father?" she gasped, looking at him in shock. Jack's eyes widened slightly, but he otherwise hid his surprise. He felt he should have suspected since he had known Edmund once served in the Caribbean before he had been injured.
Jeremiah smiled, missing her use of the past tense in referring to him. "Aye, your father was a wily adversary in the old days... how is he?"
Her face clouded and Jack put his arm around her. "My father died recently," she explained sadly. "He was killed in the fire at Port Royal..."
Jeremiah shut his eyes sadly before replying. "My condolences... he was a worthy foe indeed." Jeremiah clicked his fingers at one of the servants carrying drinks around on a large tray. He took two glasses, handing one to Catherine. "A toast... to old times and to Edmund Groves." Catherine smiled softly as she drank. "And to his charming daughter for choosing the wrong side of the law!"
"Amen to that!" Jack smiled, squeezing her waist gently as he took a swig from the bottle of rum he was nursing. He noticed the curious glances from people nearby who had obviously witnessed the toast. "Excuse us Jeremiah, I think we'll go inspect those roses of yours!"
They slipped from the room, finding a quiet corner in the garden to sit. "You alright?" He smiled when she nodded and started nibbling her neck. He hated these parties for as soon as he saw her all dressed up and fancy all he wanted to do was get her to his bunk. "How soon d'yer think we can leave?" he suggested, his lips working towards her ear.
"Not quite yet..." She turned to kiss him. "Patience..."
"But I don't want t' be patient..." he argued, returning to nibbling her neck.
"Jack! You are the one that said how important Hallam is..." She sighed, leaning against him as she responded to his nibbles. "Another half an hour and I'm sure we can sneak away..."
He grinned in delight. "Well let's make our way gradually t' th' door!"
***
Barely forty-five minutes later he slid her dress from her shoulders, carefully replacing her rubies in her small wooden jewellery box. "Now, where were we..."
***
