We arrived in Singapore a few days later and said goodbye to the crew. The Captain however called us to his cabin.

"Come, sit down, Mr. and Mrs. Sparrow." He sat down behind his desk and smiled at us. "Now, I don't know if you have any plans, but my wife and I are having a banquet at our home tonight. We would like it very much if you joined us." Jack gave me an approving smile so I turned back to the Captain.

"It sounds very nice, Captain, but I'm afraid that Jack and I do not have any formal clothing."

"Oh, fiddlesticks! My wife would love to let you borrow some of her clothes and I will gladly lend you some of mine, Mr. Sparrow."

"Alright then, we accept!"

The Captain smiled and clasped his hands together. "Very good!"

He led us to his home where we put our things into their guestroom and left Peter and Sarah with their maid. The Captain escorted me to his wife's room and took Jack to his own quarters. His wife greeted me with joy.

"Ah, Mrs. Sparrow! How nice to see you! The Captain tells me that you need some clothes to wear at our dinner." I nodded and she took me to her closet. She selected a red satin dress with a corset. I eyed it warily because I didn't use one. She followed my gaze and began to laugh. "Are you familiar with a corset, my dear?"

"No, I've never used one." She pushed me behind her screen.

"Well, there's a first time for everything." She turned me around and unbuttoned my dress, and then she slipped the corset on and began to tighten the strings. I started to get hot and my throat felt small. I struggled for breath and my ribs felt like they were being broken. "How's that dear?" I fought to get the breath to answer.

"Fine," I said, barely audible. She got the dress and helped me put it on. The neckline was low and decorated with white ruffles. The sleeves were tight on the top but they belled out at the elbow. She squealed.

"Aww! You look adorable, my dear!" I struggled to smile in my pain. I tried to laugh but almost fainted. She curled my hair and put it up in a fashionable hairstyle. She powdered my face and primped me. But she was done soon and we headed out the door.

I struggled down the stairs with her and met the rest of her guests in the dining room. Jack met me in the doorway with bulgy eyes.

"Amanda, you look positively-"

"Breathless," I finished. I leaned against him for support. He laughed but didn't seem to know what was causing my discomfort.

I hurried through my meal and could barely swallow anything, although the food was very delicious. After the meal was over, we were rushed to have tea in their garden. I guided Jack to a quiet place away from everyone else in case I fainted. He seemed to enjoy that I leaned on him and had a smug grin on his face. He sat me down and I furiously fanned myself.

"What's wrong, luv?" I looked up to see his new outfit. I was so absorbed in breathing that I hadn't noticed it. He looked very stylish in a brown suit with his hair combed back and in a ponytail and but he also looked strange because they had taken his bandana off.

"Oh, I guess I'm just tired." Jack understood. He excused us and led me up to our room. I collapsed on the bed and breathed raggedly. "Jack, I can't breathe!" He hovered over me, trying to find out what to do.

"What is it? What do I do?" I just barely ran my fingers over my dress and he understood. He took the dress off and found the corset.

"So this is what's causing all the trouble." He slipped his knife out and in a swift movement, he slit the corset open. I let out a big sigh.

"OOOOH! Thank you, Jack." I took big, deep breaths and slowly raised myself to a sitting position.

"Anytime, luv." He put his arms on each side of the bed around me. I caught his gaze and slinked my arms around his neck.

"I hope that no one walks in." And I meant it because I was in my underwear. Jack didn't seem to care.

"Me too." He lifted his arms and fell on me. He traced the neckline of my camisole with his finger and kissed my collarbone. "You don't need a corset to make yourself beautiful. Or make-up, or curls."

"You're right, Jack. You make me beautiful." He smiled and rolled over until his head rested on the pillows.

"Let us rest, it has been a long day." I smiled and crawled over to lie next to him. He pulled the covers over us and cuddled against me. I fell asleep and woke up the next morning, refreshed and content.

My hand searched the pillow next to me but it was empty. I shot up and searched the room. It was empty. I threw the covers off and put on a robe. I left the room and scurried down the stairs. The Captain and his wife were sitting down to breakfast. They looked up when I entered the room.

"Ah, Mrs. Sparrow. So nice to see you."

"Where's Jack?" The Captain looked at his wife and then back at me with a secretive look on his face.

"He went to town hours ago. He said something about rum."