Jack worked at Withers' shipyard for several weeks without incident. The old man never suspected Jack to be a fugitive from the Royal Navy or a pirate. Jack didn't suspect this of himself, either. Ever since he had become afflicted by amnesia, he was under the pretense that he was a fine English gentleman. He had felt that Tortuga had denied him his sense of refinement and that was what brought him to leave, that and he suspected the innkeeper was swindling him. Now, on Anguilla, he lived far more comfortably than he had on the island of Tortuga.

Shortly after Jack was starting his second month at the shipyard, a couple approached him about a recreational boat.

"Jack?" It came from a richly decorated attractive woman in her thirties.

"Do I know you?"

"It's us, Jack." A gentleman of the same age and lavished attire offered. "Will and Elizabeth."

Jack's eyes widened in shock. "Boy, am I glad to see you guys!" He grabbed them in a friendly embrace.

"What are you doing here?" Elizabeth asked.

"That's a long story, really. See, I can't remember anything."

"You can't . . ." Will shook his head, "remember anything?"

Jack frowned and shook his head. Will and Elizabeth exchanged concerned looks.

"Where are you staying, Jack?" Will asked.

"Anguilla Inn."

Will looked askingly at Elizabeth and then back at Jack. "Can we have a moment, Jack?"

"Certainly," Jack obliged and left the two to talk amongst themselves.

"Elizabeth, we can't let him wander around the island. He is a fugitive, you know. He may get lost."

"No one's looking for him, Will, remember? The Royal Navy found the Pearl, abandoned. Everyone knows that a pirate simply doesn't abandon his ship, and because of that, everyone thinks he's dead."

"Look at him. He looks simply helpless. We can't leave him alone like this. He should stay with us."

"Harbor a fugitive, Governor Turner?" Elizabeth perched her fists on her hips and heaved an ashamed sigh.

"He's our friend."

Jack watched the two prattle back and forth and gathered by the harsh body language that neither was reaching an agreement with the other. At this point, Will was thrashing his fist in the air and yelling. Lord Withers emerged from his shop and gave Jack a concerned look to which Jack smiled at him reassuringly.

Jack cleared his throat and approached the quarreling couple. Elizabeth feigned a smile and Will turned to face him.

"We'd like to have you over for dinner tonight, Jack. That is, if you think it's feasible."

Jack smiled. "I'd simply be delighted, but I'm afraid I must ask you to come to a decision about a yacht rather quickly. You see, you've petitioned the concern of my boss." Jack nudged his head to indicate his angry boss standing several yards behind him.

"Oh!" Will exclaimed and smiled towards Lord Withers. "We'll take the largest one you have." He said rather loudly.

Lord Withers, obviously impressed, arched an eyebrow. Deciding he was satisfied, he returned to his office.

******************************************************************************

"The largest one you have? Really, Will!" Elizabeth sighed as the maid took her gloves and parasol.

"So, you did buy one?" Came a voice.

Will nodded and watched his daughter trot down the stairs. He kissed her on her forehead as she approached.

She smiled. "The biggest one?"

"Nerissa, your father and I have some important matters to discuss before dinner."

Nerissa frowned and pouted.

"There will be a guest," Will offered.

Nerissa's eyes lit up. "A guest? Who?"

"It's a surprise." A knowing smile came across Will's face.

"I knew you'd say that!" She giggled and ran back upstairs, calling for her maid to help her pick out a dress.

"No! Don't even think of it" Elizabeth said.

Will frowned with confusion. "What?"

"You will not make him out to be a plaything for our daughter."

"She's fifteen now, Elizabeth. What use would she have with a pirate twice her age? Or him with her, for that matter?"

Elizabeth's eyes widened with horror. "He's a pirate, a scalawag! Will, what do you think?!"

"I think you're getting too worked up about this. He doesn't have his Pearl or the crew. He doesn't even look like a rascal anymore."

"Don't you find that odd, Will? That he's suddenly changed to this articulate, well-to-do gentleman. Not only that, but he looks no older than either of us!"

"Which is why I think it's best that he stay with us until things get sorted out."

Nerissa sat on the floor in the second story hallway with her head pressed against the stairs, merely hearing her parents bickering, for her mind had begun to wander since their mention of the word pirate.