Chapter 10: Accord
Governor Swann, Will and Elizabeth, and Norrington were standing on the dock when the Black Pearl eased gently into a berth at Port Royal for the first time, expertly guided by its Captain. The Dowager Duchess could be seen standing beside him on the quarterdeck, to the welcoming party's relief. As soon as the lines were set, however, Jack was seen to lightly squeeze her arm as he made some comment, then left her there, descending the steps, crossing the deck, and sauntering down the hastily set gangplank. He greeted Elizabeth with a casual "Hullo, love!" as she rushed up to see her Aunt.
"Hello, Jack! Thank you for bringing her back!" Elizabeth said, as she squeezed past, giving him a quick smile.
He continued down to the dock, a smile on his own face that somehow didn't quite reach his eyes. "Governor. Commodore. I've fetched her as I said I would. And if either of you upset her, I'll take you out and feed you to the damned sharks! Savvy?"
Satisfied with their suitably startled expressions, Jack gave them a nod and went to greet Will, who was standing off to the side, a look of humorous admonition on his face.
"Jack! You really should not!" Will said, keeping his voice low. "Was she that bad?"
"Oh, no!" Jack said, sarcastically, though now his eyes did smile. "I enjoy hysterical females!"
"Hysterical! Harry?" exclaimed Will, shocked.
Jack shrugged slightly. "Not quite, that, but near. Just a quick squall though, and then the sun came out again, so to speak. You know what she is."
"Yes. I do," said Will, thinking that he knew what Jack was as well. "You two have…ah…come to an accord, then?"
Jack's mouth tugged into a crooked grin. "We have at that. Care to stand up for me?"
Will laughed and clapped his friend on the shoulder. "Of course! Wheedled her finely, did you?"
"Aye. I appear to have said the correct things to persuade her. It was a welcome change, I assure you."
"It must have been," Will laughed. "But isn't she coming down?" He looked up at Elizabeth and Lady Henrietta, in smiling converse on the quarterdeck, now surrounded by a number of the Pearl's crew.
"No. I'm to ask you to come up. She don't want to leave the ship." Jack turned to the Governor and Commodore again. "Gentlemen, if you'd be so kind as to step up the gangplank I'll escort you to my cabin and we can begin negotiations."
"Aboard your ship!" the Governor exclaimed. "But the carriages are waiting! We can be back at the house in a quarter hour and discuss the situation in comfort."
"My lady asked me to convey to you that she won't leave the Pearl, if it's all the same to you. Or even if it's not. One must respect the whims of females who find themselves in a delicate condition, Governor."
The Governor rolled his eyes with a sigh of exasperation. "Oh, the devil. Very well," he said in a tone of long suffering.
The Commodore frowned. "My office is close at hand, if the lady does not wish to return to her brother's home."
Jack shook his head. "The sharks are getting hungry, Commodore. And my lady's patience has been tried enough. So if you'll please acquiesce to her little request. You'll find my cabin quite comfortable, I believe, and we can bring matters to a happy conclusion without delay."
Norrington sighed, wondering not for the first time why he was willing to put up with Sparrow. But he said, "As you wish," and followed Jack up the gangplank.
o-o-o
The Governor and the Commodore were indeed surprised by the size and luxury of Captain Sparrow's cabin. Besides the neatly made bed with its fine linens, and the big carved mahogany table around which they all seated themselves, there was a matching sideboard laden with refreshments for the guests, oriental carpets on the floor, a bookcase with a variety of references and literature within, and a nice collection of artwork and artifacts acquired from foreign ports and from the various ships and towns the Pearl had taken over the last few months.
"Drinks, Gentlemen?" offered Captain Sparrow. "I've French brandy, or claret. Or rum, of course, if you prefer."
"I'll try some of that brandy, if you don't mind, Captain Sparrow", said the Governor. "Will, James: will you join me?"
Will said to the Commodore, "Jack's brandy is of really excellent quality."
"Should be," Jack agreed, handing them each a glass. "It was meant for the Governor of Martinique." He poured out two more glasses, this time from a pitcher. "Lemonade for the ladies," he said, handing Elizabeth and Harry each a glass, "and Rum for me." He lifted his mug in a brief salute. "To a successful negotiation, and a swift accord."
The others responded to the toast with varying degrees of enthusiasm.
"Now," continued Jack, "you will be gratified to know you may wish me happy: Lady Fanshawe has agreed to be my wife."
"What!" exclaimed the Governor. "But that is not…I mean to say…Harry! You cannot mean to actually marry this…pirate!"
Harry, who had been looking decidedly mulish since entering the cabin, said tartly, "I certainly wouldn't consider marriage with anyone else, Weatherby, so if are determined to saddle me with a husband for the sake of the baby I suggest you keep your tongue between your teeth!"
"Harry!" Jack said, with quiet menace.
Harry, who had earlier endured a pointed homily from her beloved on the subject of catching more flies with honey than vinegar, gave a sniff and said, "Oh, as you wish," and contented herself with looking daggers at her brother.
Weatherby Swann, although somewhat surprised at his willful sister's even grudging acceptance of Jack's admonition, said with some asperity, "God's teeth! First Elizabeth, and now you!" But then he looked at Will in very evident consternation. "I…so sorry, my boy! You know how I have come to value you, of course."
"I do, sir. But I think you should reconsider your opinion of Jack as well. He may be…unconventional! But he's a good man: clever, resourceful, and very successful at his work."
"You consider piracy to be a valid occupation?" Norrington said, with evident disbelief.
Jack said, "Well there's pirates, and there's pirates, as I think you know, Commodore. And then…there are privateers."
"Privateers? Are you suggesting you'd like to apply for a Letter of Marque, Sparrow?" Norrington demanded.
"Captain. It's Captain Sparrow, lad. And yes, I've been considering it for some time. Since I got the Pearl back, in fact. As much as I enjoy waylaying rich merchant ships and pillagin' the occasional town, I've found I can do without the English ones quite easily. And since you seem to have it in for me, and my crew, I thought it might be prudent to indicate our willingness to aid the Crown. Not to mention the added sheen of respectability it'll give me, that just may allow me to wed the mother of my child without hindrance."
"Your crew members are willing to part with ten percent of their plunder?" the Commodore said, skeptically.
"Most of 'em. I'll maybe lose a few, but I think I can replace those fast enough. Tortuga's full o' fellows who'd like a chance to sail on the Pearl—she's begun to build quite a nice reputation since Barbossa's death."
There was silence around the table for a long moment. Then Elizabeth said, "I think it is the perfect solution! How soon can these papers be drawn up? When can we call in Parson Daniels?"
The Commodore said: "If I give my approval, and I have not yet agreed to that, the papers can be ready in the morning. But before they take effect, the Governor must first persuade the Crown to issue a general pardon for Captain Sparrow and his crew."
"Yes," said Swann. He fixed a look of accusation on Harry, and a little on Elizabeth. He said to Jack, "I have come to understand that the situation you found on first arriving at St. Claire Island was such that you and your crew were put to great trouble and danger, due to the willful and reckless behavior of my sister, and of my daughter who appears to have been her willing accomplice. I cannot express to you how very much I appreciate your efforts on their behalf, and I am willing to use my influence to obtain a pardon for all of you!"
"Aye, well, I won't deny you're right about the trouble and danger," said Jack, with an amused glance at his chagrined betrothed, "and a pardon would certainly be most useful at this juncture."
"However, Sister," the Governor continued, "you do realize that this man would gain control of your fortune on your marriage?"
"We've already discussed this, Governor," Jack said quickly, giving Harry another quelling glance. "I don't want her money. Doin' fine on me own, thank you very much, and we'll have papers drawn up to that effect before we tie the knot."
"Jack!" Harry began, but he cut her off.
"No! We've already gone over this. There's no need for more discussion, savvy?"
Harry gave another sniff of impatience, folded her arms and scowled at him. He raised a brow and scowled right back, then said to Swann. "You ought to be bloody thankful I'm takin' her off your hands, after raisin' her to be a devilish little shrew! Ow!" Jack jerked suddenly away from Harry, but turned to her and pointed an accusing finger. "You pinch me again and you'll catch it hot tonight, my girl!"
She raised a delicate brow and gave him a look that was all feigned innocence. Her lips quivered. "Promise?"
Swann looked quite shocked at this sally, Elizabeth and Will made a valiant effort not to laugh, and even Norrington shook his head, giving a small crooked smile. Jack put his head in his hands and groaned.
Will said, in mock sympathy, "Well, at least you won't be bored, Jack."
"No. Don't suppose I will," he agreed. He turned and eyed his maddening ladylove again, but smiled crookedly, too.
Norrington felt it was time to put in a word. He said, dryly, "This is all very well, Captain Sparrow: Your disinterest in the lady's fortune is indeed commendable, if not entirely believable. But the advantage you will gain by ready access to St. Claire Island and its various amenities cannot be calculated in monetary terms."
"Aye, well. There is that of course," Jack admitted, his smile growing a bit sly.
"You should be glad of that, if he's to become a King's Pirate," Will pointed out.
Norrington considered this, and finally nodded. "You are correct. I should be glad of it. And yet, there is one other thing: I cannot but have grave misgivings regarding the effect this marriage may have on the Swann family name. It will be thought more than odd if the Governor of Port Royal gives his ready consent to his sister's marriage to Captain Sparrow, who is, unfortunately, very well known not only here but all over the Caribbean."
Swann said, blustering a bit, "Yes, well, as to that, there's a dashed convenient rumor circulating in town about the astonishingly noble but heretofore secret ancestry of Captain Sparrow." Swann saw Jack's sharp gaze turn on him, and said quickly, "Didn't start it myself, you know. Likely the servants. But it serves the purpose, don't you think?"
"Just better not come to Wainfleet's ears. Never did acknowledge me, legally speakin', an' he's not like to do it now," Jack said, adding wryly, "In fact, he could have some slight objection to havin' his name associated with mine at all!"
"Well, I doubt the rumor will be circulated in London for some time, and will no doubt have changed out of all recognition when it does cross the water."
"I daresay," agreed Jack.
Harry said, "Have we covered all points, then? Because I, for one, am starving."
Jack said, in surprise, "Starvin'? That's an improvement. You've barely eaten since I took you off the Freya!"
"Aunt! No! You must remember you are eating for two, now," said Elizabeth, sagely.
"I'll remind you of those words when you are increasing," said Harry, "My appetite, of late, has not been what it once was, but Anatole has promised to make me a soufflé since we are in port, and there will be a light soup with shrimp dumplings, and a poulet à la grecque, and an orange pudding. And there will be meats and bread for the rest of you, of course."
"The wedding tomorrow, then?" Elizabeth smiled at her father.
Governor Swann sighed. "Very well. Harry, I'll bring my lawyer here in the morning, so that the appropriate papers can be drawn up."
"Yes, all right. If that must be done," Harry conceded, with a sidelong look at Jack. He picked up her hand and kissed it, and she smiled warmly.
Norrington said, "You can come to my office at noon, Captain Sparrow. I'll have the application ready for you to sign."
"I'll do that," Jack agreed.
"Will and I can help with the preparations for the wedding," said Elizabeth.
"There won't be much to prepare," said Harry. "We have decided on a quiet ceremony here in the cabin, with a small celebration on deck after with the crews of the Pearl and the Bonny Lass."
"And then the honeymoon, as we leave on the evening tide," said Jack airily, smiling suggestively at his betrothed. She smiled back, coloring charmingly.
"Leave?" exclaimed Elizabeth and the Governor at once.
Elizabeth turned to Harry: "But you cannot leave so soon! You only just returned!"
"Nevertheless, I feel I must return to St. Claire. The weather is now clear, and the Bonny Lass can follow us. And, too, the crew of the Black Pearl is more or less confined to the ship while we are here: the townsfolk have not yet learned that they may be trusted, you know."
"Yes. That's true," said Elizabeth sadly.
"Why do not you come with us?" asked Harry, suddenly. "You've not seen the island since it's been cleaned up, and I assure you it is delightful!"
"Oh, I would love that! Can we Will?"
"I appreciate the kind invitation, but I need to work. We are beholden enough to my father-in-law for the house. I'll not have him providing for our other needs as well."
"But there's the smithy at the plantation," said Harry. "All evidence of Cray is cleansed from it now. We need so many things for the island, and Thomas has nowhere near your skill: it would be a great favor to us if you'd combine work with pleasure and stay with us for a few weeks. And I could pay you well."
"That is most kind of you, Aunt Harry," said Will. "And I'd be glad to instruct Thomas in the craft." He turned to Elizabeth. "I'd better get back to the smithy, if you are indeed set on this. I have some few orders to complete before I can leave."
The Governor said sadly, "So I am to lose all of you!"
"Only for a few weeks, Father," said Elizabeth. "But when Jack's application is approved, perhaps you can come to St. Claire with the Commodore to present his official pardon and Letter of Marque."
"Yes, Captain Sparrow," said Norrington. "I suggest you curtail your more questionable activities until then." He turned to the Governor. "So you are indeed willing to see your sister married to this man?"
"I seem to have little choice," the Governor said, "unless her child is to be born without a father."
"Very true," agreed Harry. "And, too, you will neither of you have to worry about me disclosing certain information I have in your regard. For the moment, at least."
The Governor grimaced, and Norrington eyed the Dowager Duchess, shaking his head. "May I say that you and Sparrow are remarkably suited to one another, Lady Fanshawe."
"You may indeed," Harry said, exchanging a smiling look with Jack.