Usual blasted disclaimers – where's the sun gone??
All right you lovely ladies, I have a favour to ask. I need an amusing story about Singapore when Jack was younger and it has to involve corsets. I have wracked my brain and asked Linnie and Hils for ideas, but they can't come up with one either, so it's over to you. If anyone has an idea, could you please email it to me and if I like it, I'll put it in a later chapter – thanks XXX
Thanks for your reviews, alas, no time for individual one's today, I promise I will next time......
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Chapter 48
'Where the bleedin' hell is he, Cotton?' Jack scanned the horizon for the umpteenth time, impatience and fear gnawing at him. He had all eyes on the ship and on the island, searching for any sign of Will's ship, but there was none. 'Something's happened, we're goin' back.' Jack ignored the gasp of surprise from the crew and ordered Freddie Snow to go over to the island and collect the men that were there.
'Cap'n....' Eb looked worriedly at Jack.
'I know, I know Eb, but I can't just sit here and do nothin.'
Eb Tucker sighed and nodded, knowing exactly how his captain felt. 'Aye sir, I know, we'll head back.' Eb bellowed orders to make ready to sail and The Pearl became a hive of activity as the men hurried about their duties, glad to be doing something after being idle for a couple of days. 'Cap'n, how are we goin' to get her back?'
'Dunno yet Eb, I'll think o'something, savvy?' Jack had a plan in mind, but he wanted to fine tune it before running it past his first mate.
The Black Pearl set sail almost as soon as the men climbed aboard and turned back in the direction of Nassau and Maddy, with all hands, Rebecca included, on watch, looking now for the port frigates that had dogged them.
**********
'Oh dear God, this just gets better.' Will ran his hand through his hair and looked at Esme in desperation. 'What are they going to do with her? Not hang her, surely to God?'
'I don't know Will, I really don't.' Esme Davies wrung her hands together in an effort to stop them from shaking. 'I will consult with my solicitor and see what he can do.' Glad of something positive to do, Esme strode back into town, to the house of her legal representative, leaving Will standing helplessly on the quayside, scanning the horizon for The Pearl, which he knew would surely come.
'Cap'n, is everything all right?'
Will turned to look at David Masterton, who stood hesitantly behind him. 'No it bloody well isn't. Where is Brown? I want to see him, NOW!'
'He's in The Galloping Pony. Why, what has happened Captain?' David decided it might be worth going with Will, if only to prevent the young man going up on a murder charge.
'Maddy's been arrested and thrown in gaol, that's what's happened and it's all thanks to Matthew Brown.'
David groaned, gladder than ever of his decision to accompany Will. 'I'm sure they'll release her soon.' He knew the words sounded trite, but wasn't sure what else to say.
'Release her? Are you bloody stupid man? She's married to Jack Sparrow – they're more likely to hang her.' Will burst through the door of the tavern, eyes seeking his target, then lighting up when he spied Brown sitting in a corner, nursing a mug of ale. The tavern fell silent as Will strode across the floor then yanked Matthew Brown off his seat.
'Wha....?' Brown's words were cut off by Will's head connecting with his nose, breaking it and flattening it across his face.
'You bastard, you betrayed them and you betrayed me.' Will threw Brown against the wall, then rained punches and kicks on the hapless man cowering away from him, until he was dragged off by David Masterton.
'Will, he's not worth you getting thrown in gaol as well. Come on lad.' David tried to pull Will away from the prone, bleeding figure slumped on the floor, but Will shrugged him off and dragged Brown to his feet.
'Why? Why do you have such a problem with Jack? He's never done anything to you.' Will pushed his face into Brown's, so that he could smell the blood and the fear radiating from the man.
'He's a pirate,' Brown spat defiantly, then doubled up as Will's fist cannoned into his groin.
Will struggled against the many hands pulling him away. 'I'll have your effects sent to your house, you're not setting foot on my ships again.' Will finally freed himself of the restraining hands and marched out of the tavern, David Masterton not far behind him.
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Jack strode around the deck like a caged animal, virtually wearing the decking out, impatient to reach Nassau. He'd intended going ashore himself, to rescue Maddy and he wanted to go alone, much to Eb's horror.
'But Cap'n, you'll be recognised in Nassau, let Moyles or even Freddie go instead. Besides, how will you get back out of there?' The big man rolled his eyes, wondering if Jack had finally gone insane.
Jack sighed ironically, 'Eb, Eb, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow, savvy? I'll get us out of Nassau an' back here before ya can turn around.' Jack glanced towards the approaching island of New Providence, on which Nassau was situated, hoping the frigates weren't on patrol. 'I'll go an' get meself ready.'
Eb watched Jack as he disappeared down the stairs to his cabin, with a strong sense of trepidation. 'Shall I try an' talk him out Cotton?' He asked the mute, frowning when Mr. Cotton shook his head. 'Bugger!' Eb turned his attention to steering the ship into a small cove, about five miles around the coast from Nassau. That was where Jack intended to row around to the port then make his way, with Maddy in tow, across country and back to the cove. Rebecca Bowne appeared beside Eb and watched as he steered the ship skilfully.
'You're a good helmsman, my father would be impressed with you.'
'Why thank you Madame, your words are too kind,' Eb replied sarcastically, immediately feeling remorseful when her face fell 'P'raps you'd like to help me steer sometime, get a feel o'the ship,' he said, more kindly. Eb had to admit, since Maddy was arrested and they had fled Nassau, Rebecca had behaved impeccably.
'Thank you Ebenezer, I shall take you up on that kind offer.' Rebecca batted her eyelashes, then went and leaned over the ship's side, watching the fish in the water.
Eb's eyes grew wide and he swore out loud. 'Bleedin' 'ell! Jack? Is that you?' He looked the figure standing before him up and down several times, his eyes growing wider each time.
'Aye Eb, it is me.' Jack smiled lazily, showing about the only recognisable thing left, his gold teeth. Gone were the braids and beads, gone were the dreadlocks that framed his face, gone were the two beard braids, and even gone was the kohl that always lined his eyes. In place of the dreads and braids were a thick plait that hung down Jack's back and a neatly trimmed beard. He was dressed in a heavy brocade maroon coloured coat, and black, close fitting trousers and long black boots that almost reached his knees. His sword belt had been polished until it shone, and from it hung the golden cutlass that Maddy had given him, which was enclosed in a sheath studded with gems. In Jack's hand was a large, wide brimmed hat, with an ostrich feather sticking out from it. 'Dunno 'bout this though, reminds me too much o'Barbossa.' Jack stuck it on his head and looked at Eb, 'Well?'
'I think you look very smart Jack,' Rebecca appeared from behind him, smiling mischievously. Eb merely nodded mutely.
'Right, off I go then, ya know t'rules by now.' Jack climbed down to the waiting boat, glad to be doing something at last.
'Aye Cap'n,' Eb muttered to thin air.
All right you lovely ladies, I have a favour to ask. I need an amusing story about Singapore when Jack was younger and it has to involve corsets. I have wracked my brain and asked Linnie and Hils for ideas, but they can't come up with one either, so it's over to you. If anyone has an idea, could you please email it to me and if I like it, I'll put it in a later chapter – thanks XXX
Thanks for your reviews, alas, no time for individual one's today, I promise I will next time......
*********
Chapter 48
'Where the bleedin' hell is he, Cotton?' Jack scanned the horizon for the umpteenth time, impatience and fear gnawing at him. He had all eyes on the ship and on the island, searching for any sign of Will's ship, but there was none. 'Something's happened, we're goin' back.' Jack ignored the gasp of surprise from the crew and ordered Freddie Snow to go over to the island and collect the men that were there.
'Cap'n....' Eb looked worriedly at Jack.
'I know, I know Eb, but I can't just sit here and do nothin.'
Eb Tucker sighed and nodded, knowing exactly how his captain felt. 'Aye sir, I know, we'll head back.' Eb bellowed orders to make ready to sail and The Pearl became a hive of activity as the men hurried about their duties, glad to be doing something after being idle for a couple of days. 'Cap'n, how are we goin' to get her back?'
'Dunno yet Eb, I'll think o'something, savvy?' Jack had a plan in mind, but he wanted to fine tune it before running it past his first mate.
The Black Pearl set sail almost as soon as the men climbed aboard and turned back in the direction of Nassau and Maddy, with all hands, Rebecca included, on watch, looking now for the port frigates that had dogged them.
**********
'Oh dear God, this just gets better.' Will ran his hand through his hair and looked at Esme in desperation. 'What are they going to do with her? Not hang her, surely to God?'
'I don't know Will, I really don't.' Esme Davies wrung her hands together in an effort to stop them from shaking. 'I will consult with my solicitor and see what he can do.' Glad of something positive to do, Esme strode back into town, to the house of her legal representative, leaving Will standing helplessly on the quayside, scanning the horizon for The Pearl, which he knew would surely come.
'Cap'n, is everything all right?'
Will turned to look at David Masterton, who stood hesitantly behind him. 'No it bloody well isn't. Where is Brown? I want to see him, NOW!'
'He's in The Galloping Pony. Why, what has happened Captain?' David decided it might be worth going with Will, if only to prevent the young man going up on a murder charge.
'Maddy's been arrested and thrown in gaol, that's what's happened and it's all thanks to Matthew Brown.'
David groaned, gladder than ever of his decision to accompany Will. 'I'm sure they'll release her soon.' He knew the words sounded trite, but wasn't sure what else to say.
'Release her? Are you bloody stupid man? She's married to Jack Sparrow – they're more likely to hang her.' Will burst through the door of the tavern, eyes seeking his target, then lighting up when he spied Brown sitting in a corner, nursing a mug of ale. The tavern fell silent as Will strode across the floor then yanked Matthew Brown off his seat.
'Wha....?' Brown's words were cut off by Will's head connecting with his nose, breaking it and flattening it across his face.
'You bastard, you betrayed them and you betrayed me.' Will threw Brown against the wall, then rained punches and kicks on the hapless man cowering away from him, until he was dragged off by David Masterton.
'Will, he's not worth you getting thrown in gaol as well. Come on lad.' David tried to pull Will away from the prone, bleeding figure slumped on the floor, but Will shrugged him off and dragged Brown to his feet.
'Why? Why do you have such a problem with Jack? He's never done anything to you.' Will pushed his face into Brown's, so that he could smell the blood and the fear radiating from the man.
'He's a pirate,' Brown spat defiantly, then doubled up as Will's fist cannoned into his groin.
Will struggled against the many hands pulling him away. 'I'll have your effects sent to your house, you're not setting foot on my ships again.' Will finally freed himself of the restraining hands and marched out of the tavern, David Masterton not far behind him.
**********
Jack strode around the deck like a caged animal, virtually wearing the decking out, impatient to reach Nassau. He'd intended going ashore himself, to rescue Maddy and he wanted to go alone, much to Eb's horror.
'But Cap'n, you'll be recognised in Nassau, let Moyles or even Freddie go instead. Besides, how will you get back out of there?' The big man rolled his eyes, wondering if Jack had finally gone insane.
Jack sighed ironically, 'Eb, Eb, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow, savvy? I'll get us out of Nassau an' back here before ya can turn around.' Jack glanced towards the approaching island of New Providence, on which Nassau was situated, hoping the frigates weren't on patrol. 'I'll go an' get meself ready.'
Eb watched Jack as he disappeared down the stairs to his cabin, with a strong sense of trepidation. 'Shall I try an' talk him out Cotton?' He asked the mute, frowning when Mr. Cotton shook his head. 'Bugger!' Eb turned his attention to steering the ship into a small cove, about five miles around the coast from Nassau. That was where Jack intended to row around to the port then make his way, with Maddy in tow, across country and back to the cove. Rebecca Bowne appeared beside Eb and watched as he steered the ship skilfully.
'You're a good helmsman, my father would be impressed with you.'
'Why thank you Madame, your words are too kind,' Eb replied sarcastically, immediately feeling remorseful when her face fell 'P'raps you'd like to help me steer sometime, get a feel o'the ship,' he said, more kindly. Eb had to admit, since Maddy was arrested and they had fled Nassau, Rebecca had behaved impeccably.
'Thank you Ebenezer, I shall take you up on that kind offer.' Rebecca batted her eyelashes, then went and leaned over the ship's side, watching the fish in the water.
Eb's eyes grew wide and he swore out loud. 'Bleedin' 'ell! Jack? Is that you?' He looked the figure standing before him up and down several times, his eyes growing wider each time.
'Aye Eb, it is me.' Jack smiled lazily, showing about the only recognisable thing left, his gold teeth. Gone were the braids and beads, gone were the dreadlocks that framed his face, gone were the two beard braids, and even gone was the kohl that always lined his eyes. In place of the dreads and braids were a thick plait that hung down Jack's back and a neatly trimmed beard. He was dressed in a heavy brocade maroon coloured coat, and black, close fitting trousers and long black boots that almost reached his knees. His sword belt had been polished until it shone, and from it hung the golden cutlass that Maddy had given him, which was enclosed in a sheath studded with gems. In Jack's hand was a large, wide brimmed hat, with an ostrich feather sticking out from it. 'Dunno 'bout this though, reminds me too much o'Barbossa.' Jack stuck it on his head and looked at Eb, 'Well?'
'I think you look very smart Jack,' Rebecca appeared from behind him, smiling mischievously. Eb merely nodded mutely.
'Right, off I go then, ya know t'rules by now.' Jack climbed down to the waiting boat, glad to be doing something at last.
'Aye Cap'n,' Eb muttered to thin air.