Revenge of the Fox
Chapter 26
It seemed to take forever for the Sandpiper's crew to make the sloop fast to the side of the Pearl. The ladder was flung down and Elizabeth hiked her skirts up to her knees and climbed as fast as she could, Antonia and Annamaria hot on her heels. Hands gripped her shoulders as she came to the top, and she was half dragged across the Pearl's rail and into the embrace of the man she loved more than anything else. "Oh my God, Elizabeth! I was afraid I'd lost you," Will breathed into her hair as he held her so close she could scarcely breathe.
Other reunions were happening on that deck. Like Will, Norrington had pulled Antonia over the rail and directly into his arms. Joseph stood back and allowed Annamaria to climb over by herself. Those watching had no doubt, however, at the warmth of their affection when she crossed to him and walked into his embrace.
Jack lifted a sardonic eyebrow and sighed. "Don't suppose we'll get anything useful out of them for a while yet," he said to Lt. Markson and Captain Hale, who had followed the women aboard.
Markson just grinned. "I can give you the highlights, sir," he said.
"Come down to my cabin then lad," he said. "Captain Hale, have you time for a drink?"
"I can spare a few minutes, I believe," Hale answered.
"Excellent." He turned to the girl standing near the rail. "You must be Jeannine. Come below, lass. No harm will come to you."
--
Norrington escorted Antonia to the cabin he'd been sleeping in. "If you'll give me a moment to collect my gear, love, I'll bunk below with the men. There's bound to be a spare hammock."
Antonia ignored that comment. "Come in James. Talk to me for a while." There was no place to sit except the narrow bunk, so Norrington settled gingerly on one end of it. Antonia sat on the other. "I've missed you," she said.
Norrington ducked his head. "Oh, Tonia," he said taking her hand. "I was afraid I'd never see you again." He kissed her fingers, then held her hand in both of his. "Are you truly all right, darling? Did anyone hurt you?"
"No, I'm all right." She put her other hand to her bodice. "This dress, you must be wondering ..."
"It certainly isn't your usual style," he interrupted, "Black silk and red lace?"
She smiled a little and looked down. "I know, it's awful." She looked up again. "James.."
He lifted a hand to stop her. "Antonia, I know that Reynard sold you to that brothel. Sparrow and I went there."
"You did?"
"Yes. Tonia, did anything happen to you there? Please don't be afraid to tell me."
Antonia smiled. "No, nothing happened to me. I suppose if we'd been there longer, but as it was Annamaria was the only one in any danger, and Elizabeth and I rescued her before... well, before." Antonia's cheeks went pink.
Norrington smiled in relief. "You rescued Annamaria?"
Antonia smiled impishly. "Anna taught me how to pick locks with a hairpin. I unlocked the door and Elizabeth hit the man over the head with his own pistol."
He pulled her to him and rested her head on his chest. "Thank heavens."
After a moment Antonia spoke again. "James?"
"Hmmmm?"
"James, it isn't necessary for you to bunk with the men. Stay here with me."
"Darling, we aren't married yet."
She pulled back and looked him in the eye. "Does that mean that if I give myself to you without benefit of marriage you'll feel you don't need to marry me after all?"
"Of course I'll still want to marry you!"
"All right then." She pulled his head down and kissed him lingeringly. "Stay."
--
The night was quiet and still as Jack strolled the deck of the Black Pearl. Not wanting to proceed to Reynard's island in the dark, and before they'd come up with a plan, they'd dropped anchor and sails, and remained where they were. A hundred yards off the Pearl's starboard rail lay the Sandpiper, also riding at anchor. Markson and Hale had returned there earlier. Jack expected them again in the morning for consultation on what to do next. What Jack hoped to be able to do was to put Elizabeth and Antonia aboard the Sandpiper and send them post haste to a safe location to await them. He doubted, however, that it would be possible. Sure that it would come up in conversation tomorrow, though, he was quite looking forward to the argument. Norrington and Will would both be fit to be tied.
Hands behind his back, Jack continued his walk, absently noting things that would need attention. One of the sails had a small tear in it. A few ropes needed to be replaced. Whoever swabbed the deck last hadn't done a particularly good job. Jack made a mental note to speak to Gibbs about it. The worn heels of his boots scuffed softly on the planking. It was a bit odd, really. He was alone, when passionate reunions were no doubt going on at this moment in three of the Pearl's cabins. For all Norrington's protestations of Antonia's virginity, he still hadn't come out of there yet. Jack snickered quietly. So much for chastity. He felt very strange. Almost...lonely. Will, Joseph and Norrington were presently with the ladies they adored, and Captain Jack Sparrow was walking the decks alone. He stopped and leaned against the rail, watching the moon glitter on the water. Lonely. For so many years he'd had nothing but the hope of regaining his ship. Now he had her, firm in his hands. Odd now, that it wasn't enough. Oh, he was sure if he had to he'd get used to it again. Or at least he hoped so. He shrugged and continued his walk. Not that it mattered. If he didn't manage to rescue Gwen, it would probably be because he was dead.
"Jack."
He spun around at the sound of his name to see a female figure standing several feet away. "Elizabeth," he said with surprise. "Does your husband know you're wandering around the ship in the middle of the night wearing," he noted her apparel, "his clothes?"
Elizabeth smiled and ran a hand across the waist of the tan breeches that Will had been wearing earlier that day. She walked closer to Jack, her bare feet making no sound on the deck. "He's sleeping."
"So why aren't you?"
Elizabeth leaned on the rail next to Jack. "I was awake, and I knew you would be too, so I came up to talk to you."
"How did you know that?"
Elizabeth smiled. "I'm safe, Antonia's safe, Annamaria's safe. Gwen's not. I knew you'd be awake." After a moment's pause she asked, "Did Richard tell you where we escaped from?"
Jack shrugged. "I already knew. We picked up an escapee from the Vixen, who told us that Reynard had sold the three of you to the Golden Mermaid." He grinned, his gold teeth glinting in the moonlight. "Norrington and I went there and got the whole story from the Madame. Very enterprising of you three. I'm impressed."
Elizabeth didn't smile. "Did he tell you that Gwen wasn't kept locked up with us aboard ship?"
Jack's grin disappeared and he turned to face the sea again. "Aye."
Elizabeth went on, although Jack's body language had suddenly become forbidding. "She told me Reynard was obsessed with you. He kept talking of you, asking her questions. She put him off as best she could. She said he couldn't understand why you would marry her. Couldn't understand why you would marry anyone really, but especially her."
"Because she isn't as beautiful as you or Antonia?" Jack smirked humorlessly. "She is to me." After another pause he asked, "Is she his mistress now?"
Elizabeth sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "I don't know, Jack. She planned to try and convince him that she might become so, but keep him at arms length as long as she could. She hoped she could trade the promise of herself in return for the safety of the three of us."
Jack cocked an eyebrow. "She know that you were sold to that brothel?"
"I have no idea. She came down to see us once, but Reynard had sent a guard with her." Elizabeth told him of the bizarre conversation Gwen had had with Annamaria.
Despite his black mood, Jack had to laugh. "She actually said 'shiver me timbers'?"
Elizabeth laughed as well. "Even if I hadn't known she was quoting the parrot, I'd have known something was up." Elizabeth sobered. "She came down once again, briefly, to give us the hairpins we used to pick the locks at the brothel and to tell us we were headed for Nassau. After that I didn't see her again."
They stood silently for a while, side by side, staring at the water silvered by the moonlight. "Jack," Elizabeth began. "What will you do if Gwen hasn't managed to keep Reynard away from her?"
He sighed. "I haven't the slightest."
"Jack," Elizabeth stepped closer and laid a hand on his arm. "Gwen loves you. Nothing Reynard forces her to do will change that. You know that don't you?" When he said nothing she tried again. "We escaped the brothel before anyone of us were used in any way, though it was a close call for Anna. If we hadn't, would you be advising Will, James and Joseph to put us aside?"
Jack frowned, "No, of course not."
"You see? Gwen will hold him off if she can. If she can't, then don't turn away from her, Jack. You told me once that you admired someone who would do whatever it takes."
Jack turned to look her directly in the face. "Back when you and I were marooned together, if it would have made a difference in whether or not you were able to rescue Will, would you have slept with me?"
Elizabeth regarded him evenly. "Yes."
"Even though you loved Will?"
"Yes," she answered steadily. "He might not have forgiven me, but I'd have done it anyway." She leaned closer. "I'd had slept with Barbossa if necessary."
"Oh Lord, darling! Now you're turning me stomach." Jack shook his head, trying to dislodge the image of the old cursed captain and the young, beautiful girl.
Elizabeth shuddered. "It rather turns my own. I'm very glad it wasn't necessary."
Jack looked at her again. "So you were clever enough to save yourself for your Will."
"I was. Gwen is just as clever, Jack. She'll do her best to find a way. Believe that, but don't blame her if she can't."
"I could stand it if she had no other choice," said Jack slowly, "It's the thought that she might go willingly which is killing me."
Elizabeth was silent for a moment. "You're lucky it's me talking to you instead of Annamaria. She'd slap you silly for that remark. Jack, you know better than that. She loves you. You're letting your fears get the better of you."
Jack leaned over, put an arm around her waist and kissed her on the cheek. "Does your husband know what a treasure he has?"
"He does."
At the sound of Will's voice, Jack and Elizabeth turned in surprise. Like his wife, Will was clad only in breeches and a shirt. He had, Jack saw with approval, slung his swordbelt over his shoulder. They'd make a pirate of the man yet. Will yawned, ambled forward and delivered a light punch on the arm which was still around Elizabeth's waist. "Unhand my wife, you blackguard."
Jack squeezed Elizabeth's waist a last time then dropped the arm. "But of course, sir. Going to call me out?"
Will yawned again and put his arm around Elizabeth's shoulders. "No, too tired. Go to bed, Jack. We've got to go save your wife in the morning."
Elizabeth glanced back over Will's shoulder. "Goodnight, Jack."
Jack folded his arms, leaned back against the rail and watched the Turners disappear below. Aye, time to go to bed.
--
Chapter 26
It seemed to take forever for the Sandpiper's crew to make the sloop fast to the side of the Pearl. The ladder was flung down and Elizabeth hiked her skirts up to her knees and climbed as fast as she could, Antonia and Annamaria hot on her heels. Hands gripped her shoulders as she came to the top, and she was half dragged across the Pearl's rail and into the embrace of the man she loved more than anything else. "Oh my God, Elizabeth! I was afraid I'd lost you," Will breathed into her hair as he held her so close she could scarcely breathe.
Other reunions were happening on that deck. Like Will, Norrington had pulled Antonia over the rail and directly into his arms. Joseph stood back and allowed Annamaria to climb over by herself. Those watching had no doubt, however, at the warmth of their affection when she crossed to him and walked into his embrace.
Jack lifted a sardonic eyebrow and sighed. "Don't suppose we'll get anything useful out of them for a while yet," he said to Lt. Markson and Captain Hale, who had followed the women aboard.
Markson just grinned. "I can give you the highlights, sir," he said.
"Come down to my cabin then lad," he said. "Captain Hale, have you time for a drink?"
"I can spare a few minutes, I believe," Hale answered.
"Excellent." He turned to the girl standing near the rail. "You must be Jeannine. Come below, lass. No harm will come to you."
--
Norrington escorted Antonia to the cabin he'd been sleeping in. "If you'll give me a moment to collect my gear, love, I'll bunk below with the men. There's bound to be a spare hammock."
Antonia ignored that comment. "Come in James. Talk to me for a while." There was no place to sit except the narrow bunk, so Norrington settled gingerly on one end of it. Antonia sat on the other. "I've missed you," she said.
Norrington ducked his head. "Oh, Tonia," he said taking her hand. "I was afraid I'd never see you again." He kissed her fingers, then held her hand in both of his. "Are you truly all right, darling? Did anyone hurt you?"
"No, I'm all right." She put her other hand to her bodice. "This dress, you must be wondering ..."
"It certainly isn't your usual style," he interrupted, "Black silk and red lace?"
She smiled a little and looked down. "I know, it's awful." She looked up again. "James.."
He lifted a hand to stop her. "Antonia, I know that Reynard sold you to that brothel. Sparrow and I went there."
"You did?"
"Yes. Tonia, did anything happen to you there? Please don't be afraid to tell me."
Antonia smiled. "No, nothing happened to me. I suppose if we'd been there longer, but as it was Annamaria was the only one in any danger, and Elizabeth and I rescued her before... well, before." Antonia's cheeks went pink.
Norrington smiled in relief. "You rescued Annamaria?"
Antonia smiled impishly. "Anna taught me how to pick locks with a hairpin. I unlocked the door and Elizabeth hit the man over the head with his own pistol."
He pulled her to him and rested her head on his chest. "Thank heavens."
After a moment Antonia spoke again. "James?"
"Hmmmm?"
"James, it isn't necessary for you to bunk with the men. Stay here with me."
"Darling, we aren't married yet."
She pulled back and looked him in the eye. "Does that mean that if I give myself to you without benefit of marriage you'll feel you don't need to marry me after all?"
"Of course I'll still want to marry you!"
"All right then." She pulled his head down and kissed him lingeringly. "Stay."
--
The night was quiet and still as Jack strolled the deck of the Black Pearl. Not wanting to proceed to Reynard's island in the dark, and before they'd come up with a plan, they'd dropped anchor and sails, and remained where they were. A hundred yards off the Pearl's starboard rail lay the Sandpiper, also riding at anchor. Markson and Hale had returned there earlier. Jack expected them again in the morning for consultation on what to do next. What Jack hoped to be able to do was to put Elizabeth and Antonia aboard the Sandpiper and send them post haste to a safe location to await them. He doubted, however, that it would be possible. Sure that it would come up in conversation tomorrow, though, he was quite looking forward to the argument. Norrington and Will would both be fit to be tied.
Hands behind his back, Jack continued his walk, absently noting things that would need attention. One of the sails had a small tear in it. A few ropes needed to be replaced. Whoever swabbed the deck last hadn't done a particularly good job. Jack made a mental note to speak to Gibbs about it. The worn heels of his boots scuffed softly on the planking. It was a bit odd, really. He was alone, when passionate reunions were no doubt going on at this moment in three of the Pearl's cabins. For all Norrington's protestations of Antonia's virginity, he still hadn't come out of there yet. Jack snickered quietly. So much for chastity. He felt very strange. Almost...lonely. Will, Joseph and Norrington were presently with the ladies they adored, and Captain Jack Sparrow was walking the decks alone. He stopped and leaned against the rail, watching the moon glitter on the water. Lonely. For so many years he'd had nothing but the hope of regaining his ship. Now he had her, firm in his hands. Odd now, that it wasn't enough. Oh, he was sure if he had to he'd get used to it again. Or at least he hoped so. He shrugged and continued his walk. Not that it mattered. If he didn't manage to rescue Gwen, it would probably be because he was dead.
"Jack."
He spun around at the sound of his name to see a female figure standing several feet away. "Elizabeth," he said with surprise. "Does your husband know you're wandering around the ship in the middle of the night wearing," he noted her apparel, "his clothes?"
Elizabeth smiled and ran a hand across the waist of the tan breeches that Will had been wearing earlier that day. She walked closer to Jack, her bare feet making no sound on the deck. "He's sleeping."
"So why aren't you?"
Elizabeth leaned on the rail next to Jack. "I was awake, and I knew you would be too, so I came up to talk to you."
"How did you know that?"
Elizabeth smiled. "I'm safe, Antonia's safe, Annamaria's safe. Gwen's not. I knew you'd be awake." After a moment's pause she asked, "Did Richard tell you where we escaped from?"
Jack shrugged. "I already knew. We picked up an escapee from the Vixen, who told us that Reynard had sold the three of you to the Golden Mermaid." He grinned, his gold teeth glinting in the moonlight. "Norrington and I went there and got the whole story from the Madame. Very enterprising of you three. I'm impressed."
Elizabeth didn't smile. "Did he tell you that Gwen wasn't kept locked up with us aboard ship?"
Jack's grin disappeared and he turned to face the sea again. "Aye."
Elizabeth went on, although Jack's body language had suddenly become forbidding. "She told me Reynard was obsessed with you. He kept talking of you, asking her questions. She put him off as best she could. She said he couldn't understand why you would marry her. Couldn't understand why you would marry anyone really, but especially her."
"Because she isn't as beautiful as you or Antonia?" Jack smirked humorlessly. "She is to me." After another pause he asked, "Is she his mistress now?"
Elizabeth sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "I don't know, Jack. She planned to try and convince him that she might become so, but keep him at arms length as long as she could. She hoped she could trade the promise of herself in return for the safety of the three of us."
Jack cocked an eyebrow. "She know that you were sold to that brothel?"
"I have no idea. She came down to see us once, but Reynard had sent a guard with her." Elizabeth told him of the bizarre conversation Gwen had had with Annamaria.
Despite his black mood, Jack had to laugh. "She actually said 'shiver me timbers'?"
Elizabeth laughed as well. "Even if I hadn't known she was quoting the parrot, I'd have known something was up." Elizabeth sobered. "She came down once again, briefly, to give us the hairpins we used to pick the locks at the brothel and to tell us we were headed for Nassau. After that I didn't see her again."
They stood silently for a while, side by side, staring at the water silvered by the moonlight. "Jack," Elizabeth began. "What will you do if Gwen hasn't managed to keep Reynard away from her?"
He sighed. "I haven't the slightest."
"Jack," Elizabeth stepped closer and laid a hand on his arm. "Gwen loves you. Nothing Reynard forces her to do will change that. You know that don't you?" When he said nothing she tried again. "We escaped the brothel before anyone of us were used in any way, though it was a close call for Anna. If we hadn't, would you be advising Will, James and Joseph to put us aside?"
Jack frowned, "No, of course not."
"You see? Gwen will hold him off if she can. If she can't, then don't turn away from her, Jack. You told me once that you admired someone who would do whatever it takes."
Jack turned to look her directly in the face. "Back when you and I were marooned together, if it would have made a difference in whether or not you were able to rescue Will, would you have slept with me?"
Elizabeth regarded him evenly. "Yes."
"Even though you loved Will?"
"Yes," she answered steadily. "He might not have forgiven me, but I'd have done it anyway." She leaned closer. "I'd had slept with Barbossa if necessary."
"Oh Lord, darling! Now you're turning me stomach." Jack shook his head, trying to dislodge the image of the old cursed captain and the young, beautiful girl.
Elizabeth shuddered. "It rather turns my own. I'm very glad it wasn't necessary."
Jack looked at her again. "So you were clever enough to save yourself for your Will."
"I was. Gwen is just as clever, Jack. She'll do her best to find a way. Believe that, but don't blame her if she can't."
"I could stand it if she had no other choice," said Jack slowly, "It's the thought that she might go willingly which is killing me."
Elizabeth was silent for a moment. "You're lucky it's me talking to you instead of Annamaria. She'd slap you silly for that remark. Jack, you know better than that. She loves you. You're letting your fears get the better of you."
Jack leaned over, put an arm around her waist and kissed her on the cheek. "Does your husband know what a treasure he has?"
"He does."
At the sound of Will's voice, Jack and Elizabeth turned in surprise. Like his wife, Will was clad only in breeches and a shirt. He had, Jack saw with approval, slung his swordbelt over his shoulder. They'd make a pirate of the man yet. Will yawned, ambled forward and delivered a light punch on the arm which was still around Elizabeth's waist. "Unhand my wife, you blackguard."
Jack squeezed Elizabeth's waist a last time then dropped the arm. "But of course, sir. Going to call me out?"
Will yawned again and put his arm around Elizabeth's shoulders. "No, too tired. Go to bed, Jack. We've got to go save your wife in the morning."
Elizabeth glanced back over Will's shoulder. "Goodnight, Jack."
Jack folded his arms, leaned back against the rail and watched the Turners disappear below. Aye, time to go to bed.
--
