Waiting. Listening to the ticking of the clock. Waiting. Watching the dark
nothing outside. Waiting. How she hated to wait, without being able to do
anything, just waiting. Waiting for what? For Capt`n Jack Sparrow to come
back? For George and Thomas to return? How long did it take to find a
drunken, noisy pirate?
Kate paced back and forth in front of the window, staring outside, while
the pistol was lying heavy in her hands.
"Kathryn, step back from the window!" her stepmother wailed. "And do you really have to carry this awful weapon?"
"It`s not appropriate for a lady to have a pistol." Emilia`s cool, clinking voice sounded behind her.
Kate slowly turned around and shot her the coldest glance she was capable of, even though it was nothing compared to the arrogance, reflecting from Emilia`s ice-blue eyes.
"If I wasn`t carrying this pistol and willing to use it, you`d be pirate`s food the minute Jack decides to come back. Or do you plan to faint him to death?"
For a moment Kate thought she had seen the corners of Florence`s mouth twitch slightly, but then the moment had passed and her pale face looked as expressionless as always. On the other hand her stepmother`s face wore a very clear expression, the expression of utmost disapproval; an expression that would turn into screaming anger very soon, as Kate could tell from experience. And her experience didn`t betray her.
"Jack?" Jocelyn Sanders said incredulously. "Jack?" She repeated distinctly shriller and planted herself before Kate. "Since when are you and this man such good friends, that you call him by his name?"
Kate rolled her eyes and sighed. "You don`t really expect me to show him reverence by calling him Capt`n, do you?"
Her stepmother opened her mouth and closed it, as she realized, that Kate had a point.
"I only wish, he`d come back." Kate stared dreamingly out in the darkness, while her fingers caressed the cool surface of the pistol.
"Kathryn!" her stepmother gasped and her hand rose to her heart.
"It shouldn`t be such a surprise." Emilia smiled coldly. "Probably her manners are more fitting on a pirate-ship than in the company of civilized people."
Jocelyn Sanders swang round and goggled at Emilia, but was unable to produce a sound. To everyone`s surprise Florence raised her voice. "Emilia!" she said, a warning tone in her voice. "Stop it now."
"What?" Emilia looked innocently at her. "Just look at her! She`s been wearing a truely disgusting scarf, she was having a conversation with a pirate and now she`s even having a pistol." She snorted. "What man would ever appreciate a lady with a pistol?"
"George does." Kate said slowly, gaining grim pleasure from the expression of confused shock, that was painted on Emilia`s pretty face.
"I don`t believe you."
"You should." A male voice said from behind.
Kate whirled round, raising her pistol and let it sink again, when she recognized the two men, who were coming through the window. While Thomas was as handsome and well-groomed as always, George looked tired and worn-out. Twigs stuck in his tousled hair, his clothes were dirty and one sleeve was torn, showing a spot of scratched skin.
Emilia flew towards him, squeezing a tear out of her eyes. "Oh George," she breathed and nestled up at him. "I was so scared."
"But Kate was here with you." He said.
Emilia`s mouth twisted into a pout, when he shoved her away softly, but then she conjured up an enchanting smile. "Thank God, she was; she was so brave. I would never have had so much courgage. But in the end, what could a girl do against such a criminal?" She shuddered. "It`s our nature that we need a man`s protection. Don`t you agree, Florence?"
She looked expectantly at the darkhaired girl, but Florence stared absentminded at George`s torn sleeve. She stepped slowly closer and looked from his arm up into his face. "You`re hurt." Concern sounded in her voice.
He smiled warmly down on her. "It`s nothing, Florence."
"Are you sure?" she bit her upper lip.
"Yes, I`m alright." He confirmed.
Kate looked from one to the other, a little smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. So, that was interesting! She would have to have a little talk with George. But this had to wait until the next morning. Now they had other issues to deal with. She wanted to step forwards, when Thomas approached her.
He put his hand lightly on her arm, an expression of worry in his hazel eyes. "Kathryn, I apologize for my lack of manners."
Kate frowned, trying desperately to remember what he had done, but she couldn`t recall a single moment, when Thomas Winston hadn`t behad like the perfect gentleman.
"I shouldn`t have shouted at you, but you must understand, I was concerned about your safety."
Kate laughed quietly and waved her hand. "Ah don`t worry about that, Thomas."
He bowed towards her. "Thank you for your understanding. I promise I will behave better from now on."
Kate surpressed the question, how on earth he could ever improve his perfect manners and nodded silently, before she stepped towards George, tipping his arm to catch his attention. George interrupted his mute exchange of looks with Florence and turned to Kate.
"Did you find him?" Kate looked questioningly at him, but George shook his head.
"No, unfortunately we didn`t. I think he has gone - at least for now."
"And my scarf?" Kate`s face darkened. "How do I get my scarf back?"
"Will you please forget about this god-damned scarf!" her stepmother suddenly blurted out. "This is really serious."
"But dad gave it to me!" Kate screamed, fighting back the tears.
Her stepmother threw her hands into the air, as if to announce her resignation and turned to Thomas. "Is there still a chance to get a hold of him?"
Thomas shook his head slowly. "I don`t think so. Probably he`s already returned to his ship and set sails. And noone can catch him, when he`s on his ship."
"So he escapes again?" she smiled bitterly.
Thomas nodded. "I fear so."
"I fear, it`s even worse, Mrs Sanders." George said slowly. "I don`t believe it was a coincidence he came here tonight."
Jocelyn Sanders let herself sink down on the coach and hid her face in her hands. When she raised her head again, it looked grey and old. "What do you suggest we should do, Mr. Davington?"
Before George could answer, Kate planted herself before her stepmother, frowning at her. "Don`t you think you`re exaggerating, mother?"
"You don`t have the slightest idea, what you`re talking of, Kate." Jocelyn Sanders` voice was hardly audible.
"What do you mean?" Kate`s confusion grew. "He`s just a simple pirate. I mean, sure, he stole my scarf, and he has to be held responsible for that, but ..."
Two arms sank down on her shoulders, turning her round. "Listen to me, Kate." Thomas said quietly, sinking his eyes into hers. "Whatever you think of him, one thing is for certain: this man is not "a simple pirate". He is Jack Sparrow, Capt`n of the Black Pearl."
When the confusion didn`t vanish from her face, Thomas sighed and took a step back. "You know, it`s rather ironic, that you, who`re so obsessed with pirates, haven`t heard of the infamous Capt`n Sparrow and his Black Pearl." A bitter smile glided over his face. "Sparrow is the one pirate, we never could get hold of. Oh sure, he`s been arrested for at least a thousand times, but somehow he always managed to get out of the tight spot and escape. He continues to board, plunder and sink ships; he steals, kidnaps, blackmails ransom, threatens innocent people, violates the laws, humiliates the government, fights, kills and gets away with it."
Kate glanced unbelievingly over at George, who ran his fingers through his flaming red hair and nodded. "Thomas is right, Kate. Sparrow may look like a weird, drunken madman, but he`s really dangerous."
Kate swallowed, trying to digest this unexpected piece of information. The image Thomas had conjured up didn`t seem to fit in the image in her mind. Sure, Jack Sparrow was a pirate, but he had this certain nonchalance that made it hard to picture him as a plundering, merciless robber, who indulged in slaughtering men and violating women. They all had to be wrong. It couldn`t be. Jack wasn`t dangerous, Kate tried to calm herself. But then a memory flashed through her mind. She remembered herself caught in Jack`s vice-like-grip, a cold blade pressed to her throat, showing her clearly who the upper hand had. A shiver ran down Kate`s spine. He had sounded so serious, absolutely determined.
George stepped closer to her and patted her hand. "You were lucky, Kate."
"But he didn`t hurt me, George. He could have killed me, but he didn`t do." Kate looked up at him, her eyes begging him to assure her, that Jack wasn`t the bastard, Thomas had pictured him.
George sighed wearily. "You`re far more worth to him, when you`re alive."
Sudden fright made her stomach twitch. "What do you mean?"
"You`re the heiress to a considerable heritage." Thomas mingled in. "Now that your father is dead, you`re a rich girl."
"My father is NOT dead!" Kate screamed, unable to hold back the tears anylonger. "He is not dead." She repeated quietly, a lost expression in her eyes.
While George pulled her in his arms and cradled her, until her sobbing slowly died down, Thomas and Mrs Sanders exchanged sorrowful glances. Finally Mrs Sanders broke the silence.
"Listen, Kate," she said, more softly, than she had ever spoken to Kate. "It`s been almost six months now and you must face the truth. Your father won`t come back."
Kate raised her head and swallowed down the last tears, that rose in her throat. "No," she shook her head slowly. "I don`t believe it." Her voice grew loud and shrill. "How can you believe this crap? How could you give up that easily? Did you ever love him?" she glared at her stepmother, her hands curled to fists, her cheeks glowing fevereshly.
Jocelyn jerked back, as if she had been slapped. "How can you say that?" hurt darkened her eyes. "However," she slowly regained control. "You must understand, that you`re in danger. This pirate wanted to kidnap you."
"But he didn`t." Kate detached from George and sat down on the couch, resting her face in her hands. "And now he is gone."
Thomas sat down beside her, taking her hand in his, forcing her to raise her head and look at him. "He won`t give up, Kathryn. He will come back."
Kate shook her head stubbornly. "It was just a coincidence. He could have threatened Emilia or Florence. I was just there at this moment."
George sat down on her other side and shook his head. "No. Just think about it. He broke coincidentally into your house, coincidentally at your birthday party, and he tried coincidentally to kidnap you; you who`re coincidentally a rich girl, as Thomas has pointed out. Do you really believe in such a large number of coincidences?"
Kate turned her head, looked at him for a long time and finally sighed deeply. "I guess not."
Thomas rose to his feet and paced up and down before her, deeply lost in thoughts. Finally he stopped and looked at Mrs Sanders. "Mrs Sanders, Kathryn can`t stay here, it`s too dangerous. Do you have family, where she could stay for a while?"
Mrs Sanders shook her head. "No, we haven`t any relatives left. I don`t know where we could send her."
"I know." Florence said quietly.
All heads turned to her, looking at her curiously, and she started to explain. "I`m having a cousin in Marseille, and I was planning to stay for some months in France. Kate could come with me." She added hesitating, casting a careful glance on Kate. But Kate was like paralysed by the developments of the last minutes and didn`t even try to protest.
Mrs Sanders breathed a sigh of relief. "That`s a good idea. And maybe your cousin can even teach her how to behave like a lady."
George stood up. "Kate, did you hear it? You will go to France."
He held his hands out and Kate took it mechanically, standing up. "Yes, as you wish." She said flatly. "Maybe it`s the best solution."
Thomas stepped towards George. "George, can you take care, that they`ll get there safe? I`m unable to come myself."
George nodded and smiled encouragingly at Kate. "Seems, Florence, you and me will go on a little journey."
Kate straightened up and a little smile lit up her face. "The company could be worse."
"Well, I`m relieved that`s all decided." Mrs Sanders said. "But it`s late and we all should go to bed. I`d be glad if you stayed all here overnight. I really would feel better with two young gentlemen here tonight. We have enough guest-rooms. Mr Winston and Mr Davingtion, you could share one room, and Emilia and Florence the other."
With these words she turned to leave the room and the others followed her silently.
"Kathryn, step back from the window!" her stepmother wailed. "And do you really have to carry this awful weapon?"
"It`s not appropriate for a lady to have a pistol." Emilia`s cool, clinking voice sounded behind her.
Kate slowly turned around and shot her the coldest glance she was capable of, even though it was nothing compared to the arrogance, reflecting from Emilia`s ice-blue eyes.
"If I wasn`t carrying this pistol and willing to use it, you`d be pirate`s food the minute Jack decides to come back. Or do you plan to faint him to death?"
For a moment Kate thought she had seen the corners of Florence`s mouth twitch slightly, but then the moment had passed and her pale face looked as expressionless as always. On the other hand her stepmother`s face wore a very clear expression, the expression of utmost disapproval; an expression that would turn into screaming anger very soon, as Kate could tell from experience. And her experience didn`t betray her.
"Jack?" Jocelyn Sanders said incredulously. "Jack?" She repeated distinctly shriller and planted herself before Kate. "Since when are you and this man such good friends, that you call him by his name?"
Kate rolled her eyes and sighed. "You don`t really expect me to show him reverence by calling him Capt`n, do you?"
Her stepmother opened her mouth and closed it, as she realized, that Kate had a point.
"I only wish, he`d come back." Kate stared dreamingly out in the darkness, while her fingers caressed the cool surface of the pistol.
"Kathryn!" her stepmother gasped and her hand rose to her heart.
"It shouldn`t be such a surprise." Emilia smiled coldly. "Probably her manners are more fitting on a pirate-ship than in the company of civilized people."
Jocelyn Sanders swang round and goggled at Emilia, but was unable to produce a sound. To everyone`s surprise Florence raised her voice. "Emilia!" she said, a warning tone in her voice. "Stop it now."
"What?" Emilia looked innocently at her. "Just look at her! She`s been wearing a truely disgusting scarf, she was having a conversation with a pirate and now she`s even having a pistol." She snorted. "What man would ever appreciate a lady with a pistol?"
"George does." Kate said slowly, gaining grim pleasure from the expression of confused shock, that was painted on Emilia`s pretty face.
"I don`t believe you."
"You should." A male voice said from behind.
Kate whirled round, raising her pistol and let it sink again, when she recognized the two men, who were coming through the window. While Thomas was as handsome and well-groomed as always, George looked tired and worn-out. Twigs stuck in his tousled hair, his clothes were dirty and one sleeve was torn, showing a spot of scratched skin.
Emilia flew towards him, squeezing a tear out of her eyes. "Oh George," she breathed and nestled up at him. "I was so scared."
"But Kate was here with you." He said.
Emilia`s mouth twisted into a pout, when he shoved her away softly, but then she conjured up an enchanting smile. "Thank God, she was; she was so brave. I would never have had so much courgage. But in the end, what could a girl do against such a criminal?" She shuddered. "It`s our nature that we need a man`s protection. Don`t you agree, Florence?"
She looked expectantly at the darkhaired girl, but Florence stared absentminded at George`s torn sleeve. She stepped slowly closer and looked from his arm up into his face. "You`re hurt." Concern sounded in her voice.
He smiled warmly down on her. "It`s nothing, Florence."
"Are you sure?" she bit her upper lip.
"Yes, I`m alright." He confirmed.
Kate looked from one to the other, a little smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. So, that was interesting! She would have to have a little talk with George. But this had to wait until the next morning. Now they had other issues to deal with. She wanted to step forwards, when Thomas approached her.
He put his hand lightly on her arm, an expression of worry in his hazel eyes. "Kathryn, I apologize for my lack of manners."
Kate frowned, trying desperately to remember what he had done, but she couldn`t recall a single moment, when Thomas Winston hadn`t behad like the perfect gentleman.
"I shouldn`t have shouted at you, but you must understand, I was concerned about your safety."
Kate laughed quietly and waved her hand. "Ah don`t worry about that, Thomas."
He bowed towards her. "Thank you for your understanding. I promise I will behave better from now on."
Kate surpressed the question, how on earth he could ever improve his perfect manners and nodded silently, before she stepped towards George, tipping his arm to catch his attention. George interrupted his mute exchange of looks with Florence and turned to Kate.
"Did you find him?" Kate looked questioningly at him, but George shook his head.
"No, unfortunately we didn`t. I think he has gone - at least for now."
"And my scarf?" Kate`s face darkened. "How do I get my scarf back?"
"Will you please forget about this god-damned scarf!" her stepmother suddenly blurted out. "This is really serious."
"But dad gave it to me!" Kate screamed, fighting back the tears.
Her stepmother threw her hands into the air, as if to announce her resignation and turned to Thomas. "Is there still a chance to get a hold of him?"
Thomas shook his head slowly. "I don`t think so. Probably he`s already returned to his ship and set sails. And noone can catch him, when he`s on his ship."
"So he escapes again?" she smiled bitterly.
Thomas nodded. "I fear so."
"I fear, it`s even worse, Mrs Sanders." George said slowly. "I don`t believe it was a coincidence he came here tonight."
Jocelyn Sanders let herself sink down on the coach and hid her face in her hands. When she raised her head again, it looked grey and old. "What do you suggest we should do, Mr. Davington?"
Before George could answer, Kate planted herself before her stepmother, frowning at her. "Don`t you think you`re exaggerating, mother?"
"You don`t have the slightest idea, what you`re talking of, Kate." Jocelyn Sanders` voice was hardly audible.
"What do you mean?" Kate`s confusion grew. "He`s just a simple pirate. I mean, sure, he stole my scarf, and he has to be held responsible for that, but ..."
Two arms sank down on her shoulders, turning her round. "Listen to me, Kate." Thomas said quietly, sinking his eyes into hers. "Whatever you think of him, one thing is for certain: this man is not "a simple pirate". He is Jack Sparrow, Capt`n of the Black Pearl."
When the confusion didn`t vanish from her face, Thomas sighed and took a step back. "You know, it`s rather ironic, that you, who`re so obsessed with pirates, haven`t heard of the infamous Capt`n Sparrow and his Black Pearl." A bitter smile glided over his face. "Sparrow is the one pirate, we never could get hold of. Oh sure, he`s been arrested for at least a thousand times, but somehow he always managed to get out of the tight spot and escape. He continues to board, plunder and sink ships; he steals, kidnaps, blackmails ransom, threatens innocent people, violates the laws, humiliates the government, fights, kills and gets away with it."
Kate glanced unbelievingly over at George, who ran his fingers through his flaming red hair and nodded. "Thomas is right, Kate. Sparrow may look like a weird, drunken madman, but he`s really dangerous."
Kate swallowed, trying to digest this unexpected piece of information. The image Thomas had conjured up didn`t seem to fit in the image in her mind. Sure, Jack Sparrow was a pirate, but he had this certain nonchalance that made it hard to picture him as a plundering, merciless robber, who indulged in slaughtering men and violating women. They all had to be wrong. It couldn`t be. Jack wasn`t dangerous, Kate tried to calm herself. But then a memory flashed through her mind. She remembered herself caught in Jack`s vice-like-grip, a cold blade pressed to her throat, showing her clearly who the upper hand had. A shiver ran down Kate`s spine. He had sounded so serious, absolutely determined.
George stepped closer to her and patted her hand. "You were lucky, Kate."
"But he didn`t hurt me, George. He could have killed me, but he didn`t do." Kate looked up at him, her eyes begging him to assure her, that Jack wasn`t the bastard, Thomas had pictured him.
George sighed wearily. "You`re far more worth to him, when you`re alive."
Sudden fright made her stomach twitch. "What do you mean?"
"You`re the heiress to a considerable heritage." Thomas mingled in. "Now that your father is dead, you`re a rich girl."
"My father is NOT dead!" Kate screamed, unable to hold back the tears anylonger. "He is not dead." She repeated quietly, a lost expression in her eyes.
While George pulled her in his arms and cradled her, until her sobbing slowly died down, Thomas and Mrs Sanders exchanged sorrowful glances. Finally Mrs Sanders broke the silence.
"Listen, Kate," she said, more softly, than she had ever spoken to Kate. "It`s been almost six months now and you must face the truth. Your father won`t come back."
Kate raised her head and swallowed down the last tears, that rose in her throat. "No," she shook her head slowly. "I don`t believe it." Her voice grew loud and shrill. "How can you believe this crap? How could you give up that easily? Did you ever love him?" she glared at her stepmother, her hands curled to fists, her cheeks glowing fevereshly.
Jocelyn jerked back, as if she had been slapped. "How can you say that?" hurt darkened her eyes. "However," she slowly regained control. "You must understand, that you`re in danger. This pirate wanted to kidnap you."
"But he didn`t." Kate detached from George and sat down on the couch, resting her face in her hands. "And now he is gone."
Thomas sat down beside her, taking her hand in his, forcing her to raise her head and look at him. "He won`t give up, Kathryn. He will come back."
Kate shook her head stubbornly. "It was just a coincidence. He could have threatened Emilia or Florence. I was just there at this moment."
George sat down on her other side and shook his head. "No. Just think about it. He broke coincidentally into your house, coincidentally at your birthday party, and he tried coincidentally to kidnap you; you who`re coincidentally a rich girl, as Thomas has pointed out. Do you really believe in such a large number of coincidences?"
Kate turned her head, looked at him for a long time and finally sighed deeply. "I guess not."
Thomas rose to his feet and paced up and down before her, deeply lost in thoughts. Finally he stopped and looked at Mrs Sanders. "Mrs Sanders, Kathryn can`t stay here, it`s too dangerous. Do you have family, where she could stay for a while?"
Mrs Sanders shook her head. "No, we haven`t any relatives left. I don`t know where we could send her."
"I know." Florence said quietly.
All heads turned to her, looking at her curiously, and she started to explain. "I`m having a cousin in Marseille, and I was planning to stay for some months in France. Kate could come with me." She added hesitating, casting a careful glance on Kate. But Kate was like paralysed by the developments of the last minutes and didn`t even try to protest.
Mrs Sanders breathed a sigh of relief. "That`s a good idea. And maybe your cousin can even teach her how to behave like a lady."
George stood up. "Kate, did you hear it? You will go to France."
He held his hands out and Kate took it mechanically, standing up. "Yes, as you wish." She said flatly. "Maybe it`s the best solution."
Thomas stepped towards George. "George, can you take care, that they`ll get there safe? I`m unable to come myself."
George nodded and smiled encouragingly at Kate. "Seems, Florence, you and me will go on a little journey."
Kate straightened up and a little smile lit up her face. "The company could be worse."
"Well, I`m relieved that`s all decided." Mrs Sanders said. "But it`s late and we all should go to bed. I`d be glad if you stayed all here overnight. I really would feel better with two young gentlemen here tonight. We have enough guest-rooms. Mr Winston and Mr Davingtion, you could share one room, and Emilia and Florence the other."
With these words she turned to leave the room and the others followed her silently.
