Revenge of the Fox
Chapter 38
Commodore Norrington sat at his desk frowning at the man standing before it. It was five days after his return to Port Royal. Three days before, he and Antonia had been joined in holy (and legal) matrimony in a simple ceremony in the Fort chapel. Today was his first day back to regular duty, and Captain Gillette had spent the last ten minutes enumerating in great detail all the reasons why Lt. Markson should be demoted and/or transferred to a remote and insignificant post. "Yes, Captain. I've been meaning to ask you why Lt. Markson was denied the use of the Dauntless," Norrington said evenly.
Gillette smirked genteelly. "I did not feel he could be trusted with such a ship, sir. As you must recall, when you were injured in the battle with the Santa Catalina two years ago, he stood idly by why that pirate usurped his command. I would not dream of putting the Dauntless into his hands again."
The Commodore pressed his fingertips together. "At the time he was rather green, and would not have fared as well in the battle as Captain Sparrow did. As irregular as it may sound, I'm not sorry Lt. Markson was aware of his limitations. Since then I've found he has gained considerable experience and knowledge. Do you not agree, Captain?"
Gillette sniffed. "Haring off on a wild goose chase on the strength of a scrap of fabric and the word of an avowed whore. Then to abandon his troop and take ship with a smuggler. Preposterous I call it, sir."
"It did turn out," said Norrington mildly, "that he was correct."
"It was unseemly, sir," Gillette maintained, unswayed.
Norrington shuffled absently through the papers on his desk, his fingers lingering on one of them. If he'd had any doubts about his course of action, this interview had laid them to rest. A slight smile appeared on his lips. "I've a meeting scheduled with several people shortly," he said to Gillette, "to clear up the loose ends from that unfortunate business. Lt. Markson is one of the people I am expecting. I hadn't thought to invite you, since you were not directly involved, but if you wish to stay I have no objection."
"Thank you, Commodore," Gillette replied. "I would like that." At that moment, a young aid appeared in the doorway to announce the first of the Commodore's visitors.
Twenty minutes later, the Commodore's spacious office was crowded. There were only a few chairs, and the ladies occupied these. Elizabeth, Gwen, Antonia and Jeannine sat together at one end of the room. A fifth chair stood empty. The Governor's sense of propriety would not allow him to sit down while a lady was yet standing, but he felt at a loss as to how to qualify Annamaria. She wasn't precisely a lady, but she wasn't a servant either. He didn't know how to behave gallantly to a woman who was wearing breeches and a sword belt. Elizabeth saw her father dithering over the empty chair and understood his dilemma, but she hadn't been able to catch Annamaria's eye. Anna was on the opposite side of the room, talking to Will and Lt. Markson in a low voice. Captain Sparrow and Captain Hale were swapping stories near the door. Ralf stood in a corner, looking as though he wished himself elsewhere. Joseph, as usual, was standing nearby. Captain Gillette stood near the Commodore, a superior look on his face. Antonia, who knew exactly what would be happening with this meeting, smiled to herself. That smug look would be wiped off shortly.
Norrington raised his voice, quieting the chatter. "Good day to you all. Everyone is assembled now, so perhaps we should proceed with our business today." He nodded to the Governor. "Governor Swann, do you wish to begin?"
"Yes," the Governor answered. "Captain Hale," he began, "your intervention was instrumental in rescuing my daughter and my niece as well as the other women. A reward is certainly due you." He picked up a weighty purse from the Commodore's desk. He held it out to Hale, who stepped forward to take it. "I also have for you a letter of pardon for past acts of smuggling. In the future, however, I strongly encourage you to cease such activities." Hale murmured his thanks and took the purse and the letter. He did not for a minute intend to cease smuggling, but it was hardly polite to say so.
"Ralf," the Governor continued, picking up another purse. "Your information was most timely and necessary. I am grateful your conscience compelled you to step forward." He handed Ralf the purse. "Commodore Norrington has also offered to sponsor you into the navy if you choose. If you wish to remain aboard the Black Pearl as a privateer sailor, Captain Sparrow has said he would be more than willing to have you. If you prefer to sign onto a merchant ship, there are several in port at the moment. Commodore Norrington, Captain Sparrow and myself have written a character for you, which should help you find a post to your liking." He handed the papers to the dumbstruck Ralf, who found he could do no more than bow awkwardly, his face beet red. Governor Swann nodded courteously to Jack. "Your business comes next I believe, Captain."
"Aye." Jack stepped forward. "As you know, the ship known as the Vixen was taken as a prize. At this time I would like to turn her over to a new Captain." Jack looked directly at Annamaria. "She now belongs to you, Captain Simone." He held out a leather bound logbook. Anna stood stock still, her mouth wide open. Will put a hand on her back and shoved her toward Jack, who grinned widely, his gold teeth gleaming. He put the logbook into her hands. "She's been refitted and renamed," Jack continued. "I thought you would not object."
Anna traced her fingers over the name embossed on the cover of the book. "The Garnet. You named her the Garnet."
"Suits you, luv." Jack said proudly. "She suits you."
Governor Swann cleared his throat and stepped forward also. "And I have for you, Captain Simone, letters of marque." He held them out. "You will accept them, will you not?"
Annamaria took them almost as if she didn't know what she was doing. "Thank you, sir," she managed to say at last.
Grinning broadly, Joseph caught her arm and pulled her back from the center of the room as Jack stepped back once more.
Commodore Norrington surveyed the crowd. "I believe it is now my turn." He turned toward Markson. "Lieutenant."
Markson stepped forward and saluted smartly. "Sir."
"Lieutenant, your orders are to travel to Baltimore and oversee the work being done on His Majesty's newest ship, the Relentless. I believe she is due for her maiden voyage in less than four weeks time. When she is launched you will bring her back here to Port Royal, where you will receive further orders." Norrington smiled. "She will be under your command, Captain Markson."
It was Markson's turn to stammer in shock. "Y..y..es, sir, th..th..thank you, sir."
Norrington smiled more widely and handed him his written orders. "I have every confidence in your abilities, Captain."
Markson swallowed hard. "Yes, sir. I'm honored, sir."
--
Antonia had organized a small reception in the Commodore's quarters. It wasn't too elaborate, but the wine was excellent and the canapés plentiful. As usual, Jack had attracted a small group of young officers who were hanging on his every word as he told a fantastically embroidered tale of piracy on the high seas. Will was only half listening. Surely he'd heard this particular story before? The last time Jack had told it, there had only been three Spanish ships. Gillette, whose face lacked its usual air of smugness, sipped at his wine and left as soon as it was courteously possible. Joseph and Ralf had also bolted as soon as they could, forsaking the fine wine and good food for the relief of not having to mingle with the gentry. Annamaria, in whose honor this party was jointly being held, could not slip out, but she resolved to warm Joseph's ears to make him pay for his desertion as soon as she next saw him.
Markson reeled from group to group, accepting congratulations on his promotion and new command, his joy and astonishment blurring the room. Suddenly he found himself alone save for a single figure at his elbow. His gaze focused on Jeannine. Elizabeth had taken her shopping, he noticed. The rose colored brocade suited her and he smiled at the string of white pearls at her throat. "Congratulations, Richard," she said softly.
Markson reached out and took her hand, bringing it to his lips. He'd called at the Turner's twice in the last five days, but it felt so ridiculous to sit formally in the parlor drinking tea with her. It seemed like they were pretending that the nights they'd spent together aboard ship either hadn't happened, or hadn't mattered. "I've missed you, Jeannie," he said quietly.
She looked amused. "You saw me yesterday."
He didn't smile. "That's not what I meant. Meet me tonight. On the Garnet."
She looked uncomfortable, and glanced around. "I'm not sure I can."
Markson kissed her hand again, and moved off. "I'll be waiting, my love."
--
Chapter 38
Commodore Norrington sat at his desk frowning at the man standing before it. It was five days after his return to Port Royal. Three days before, he and Antonia had been joined in holy (and legal) matrimony in a simple ceremony in the Fort chapel. Today was his first day back to regular duty, and Captain Gillette had spent the last ten minutes enumerating in great detail all the reasons why Lt. Markson should be demoted and/or transferred to a remote and insignificant post. "Yes, Captain. I've been meaning to ask you why Lt. Markson was denied the use of the Dauntless," Norrington said evenly.
Gillette smirked genteelly. "I did not feel he could be trusted with such a ship, sir. As you must recall, when you were injured in the battle with the Santa Catalina two years ago, he stood idly by why that pirate usurped his command. I would not dream of putting the Dauntless into his hands again."
The Commodore pressed his fingertips together. "At the time he was rather green, and would not have fared as well in the battle as Captain Sparrow did. As irregular as it may sound, I'm not sorry Lt. Markson was aware of his limitations. Since then I've found he has gained considerable experience and knowledge. Do you not agree, Captain?"
Gillette sniffed. "Haring off on a wild goose chase on the strength of a scrap of fabric and the word of an avowed whore. Then to abandon his troop and take ship with a smuggler. Preposterous I call it, sir."
"It did turn out," said Norrington mildly, "that he was correct."
"It was unseemly, sir," Gillette maintained, unswayed.
Norrington shuffled absently through the papers on his desk, his fingers lingering on one of them. If he'd had any doubts about his course of action, this interview had laid them to rest. A slight smile appeared on his lips. "I've a meeting scheduled with several people shortly," he said to Gillette, "to clear up the loose ends from that unfortunate business. Lt. Markson is one of the people I am expecting. I hadn't thought to invite you, since you were not directly involved, but if you wish to stay I have no objection."
"Thank you, Commodore," Gillette replied. "I would like that." At that moment, a young aid appeared in the doorway to announce the first of the Commodore's visitors.
Twenty minutes later, the Commodore's spacious office was crowded. There were only a few chairs, and the ladies occupied these. Elizabeth, Gwen, Antonia and Jeannine sat together at one end of the room. A fifth chair stood empty. The Governor's sense of propriety would not allow him to sit down while a lady was yet standing, but he felt at a loss as to how to qualify Annamaria. She wasn't precisely a lady, but she wasn't a servant either. He didn't know how to behave gallantly to a woman who was wearing breeches and a sword belt. Elizabeth saw her father dithering over the empty chair and understood his dilemma, but she hadn't been able to catch Annamaria's eye. Anna was on the opposite side of the room, talking to Will and Lt. Markson in a low voice. Captain Sparrow and Captain Hale were swapping stories near the door. Ralf stood in a corner, looking as though he wished himself elsewhere. Joseph, as usual, was standing nearby. Captain Gillette stood near the Commodore, a superior look on his face. Antonia, who knew exactly what would be happening with this meeting, smiled to herself. That smug look would be wiped off shortly.
Norrington raised his voice, quieting the chatter. "Good day to you all. Everyone is assembled now, so perhaps we should proceed with our business today." He nodded to the Governor. "Governor Swann, do you wish to begin?"
"Yes," the Governor answered. "Captain Hale," he began, "your intervention was instrumental in rescuing my daughter and my niece as well as the other women. A reward is certainly due you." He picked up a weighty purse from the Commodore's desk. He held it out to Hale, who stepped forward to take it. "I also have for you a letter of pardon for past acts of smuggling. In the future, however, I strongly encourage you to cease such activities." Hale murmured his thanks and took the purse and the letter. He did not for a minute intend to cease smuggling, but it was hardly polite to say so.
"Ralf," the Governor continued, picking up another purse. "Your information was most timely and necessary. I am grateful your conscience compelled you to step forward." He handed Ralf the purse. "Commodore Norrington has also offered to sponsor you into the navy if you choose. If you wish to remain aboard the Black Pearl as a privateer sailor, Captain Sparrow has said he would be more than willing to have you. If you prefer to sign onto a merchant ship, there are several in port at the moment. Commodore Norrington, Captain Sparrow and myself have written a character for you, which should help you find a post to your liking." He handed the papers to the dumbstruck Ralf, who found he could do no more than bow awkwardly, his face beet red. Governor Swann nodded courteously to Jack. "Your business comes next I believe, Captain."
"Aye." Jack stepped forward. "As you know, the ship known as the Vixen was taken as a prize. At this time I would like to turn her over to a new Captain." Jack looked directly at Annamaria. "She now belongs to you, Captain Simone." He held out a leather bound logbook. Anna stood stock still, her mouth wide open. Will put a hand on her back and shoved her toward Jack, who grinned widely, his gold teeth gleaming. He put the logbook into her hands. "She's been refitted and renamed," Jack continued. "I thought you would not object."
Anna traced her fingers over the name embossed on the cover of the book. "The Garnet. You named her the Garnet."
"Suits you, luv." Jack said proudly. "She suits you."
Governor Swann cleared his throat and stepped forward also. "And I have for you, Captain Simone, letters of marque." He held them out. "You will accept them, will you not?"
Annamaria took them almost as if she didn't know what she was doing. "Thank you, sir," she managed to say at last.
Grinning broadly, Joseph caught her arm and pulled her back from the center of the room as Jack stepped back once more.
Commodore Norrington surveyed the crowd. "I believe it is now my turn." He turned toward Markson. "Lieutenant."
Markson stepped forward and saluted smartly. "Sir."
"Lieutenant, your orders are to travel to Baltimore and oversee the work being done on His Majesty's newest ship, the Relentless. I believe she is due for her maiden voyage in less than four weeks time. When she is launched you will bring her back here to Port Royal, where you will receive further orders." Norrington smiled. "She will be under your command, Captain Markson."
It was Markson's turn to stammer in shock. "Y..y..es, sir, th..th..thank you, sir."
Norrington smiled more widely and handed him his written orders. "I have every confidence in your abilities, Captain."
Markson swallowed hard. "Yes, sir. I'm honored, sir."
--
Antonia had organized a small reception in the Commodore's quarters. It wasn't too elaborate, but the wine was excellent and the canapés plentiful. As usual, Jack had attracted a small group of young officers who were hanging on his every word as he told a fantastically embroidered tale of piracy on the high seas. Will was only half listening. Surely he'd heard this particular story before? The last time Jack had told it, there had only been three Spanish ships. Gillette, whose face lacked its usual air of smugness, sipped at his wine and left as soon as it was courteously possible. Joseph and Ralf had also bolted as soon as they could, forsaking the fine wine and good food for the relief of not having to mingle with the gentry. Annamaria, in whose honor this party was jointly being held, could not slip out, but she resolved to warm Joseph's ears to make him pay for his desertion as soon as she next saw him.
Markson reeled from group to group, accepting congratulations on his promotion and new command, his joy and astonishment blurring the room. Suddenly he found himself alone save for a single figure at his elbow. His gaze focused on Jeannine. Elizabeth had taken her shopping, he noticed. The rose colored brocade suited her and he smiled at the string of white pearls at her throat. "Congratulations, Richard," she said softly.
Markson reached out and took her hand, bringing it to his lips. He'd called at the Turner's twice in the last five days, but it felt so ridiculous to sit formally in the parlor drinking tea with her. It seemed like they were pretending that the nights they'd spent together aboard ship either hadn't happened, or hadn't mattered. "I've missed you, Jeannie," he said quietly.
She looked amused. "You saw me yesterday."
He didn't smile. "That's not what I meant. Meet me tonight. On the Garnet."
She looked uncomfortable, and glanced around. "I'm not sure I can."
Markson kissed her hand again, and moved off. "I'll be waiting, my love."
--
