Elizabeth, who had been taking a sip of her wine, nearly spat out her beverage but managed to gulp it down, coughing forcefully. She tried to regain herself while Will gave her a sidelong look. Elizabeth offered a polite smile. "Yes, of course, we've touched on the idea. But really, Jack, it's up to you."

Jack looked from Will to Elizabeth, back to Will, and then at Nerissa. She smiled unsurely at him. "I wouldn't want to be a burden or anything."

"Nonsense, Jack, you're our dear friend and we want desperately to help you recover. Until then, it's best that you stay with someone familiar with you so that no trouble comes your way." Will said, slapping him on the back.

"Trouble?" Jack asked.

But Elizabeth shook his inquiry off. "We're in desperate need of a butler. You don't have to worry about room and board if you take up the position."

"I don't know. I mean, I really like selling ships . . ."

"Please," Nerissa piped in.

Jack couldn't help but cave at Nerissa's plea. "Alright, but only since I'm going to be working for you. I'll not have you take me in as a charity case."

"Certainly not!" Elizabeth frowned.

Will smiled. "I'll send someone to Anguilla Inn to retrieve your effects."

And Will excused himself from the table. With the knowledge that little more than a stranger (a cute stranger at that!) was going to be living with her, Nerissa suddenly became so nervous that she lost her appetite. She quietly excused herself but started clearing the table so that she could remain in Jack's presence. Soon, Jack excused himself and Nerissa was left alone in the room with her mother.

"Is he really a pirate?" Nerissa ventured.

"What? Where is this coming from?" Came Elizabeth's reply while her daughter shrugged, unwilling to admit to her eavesdropping. "Does he look like a pirate?"

"I've never seen one."

"Then, there you are. And you never shall. Now let's leave Mistress Higgins to her job."

Nerissa followed her mother out of the dining room and searched the parlor and other rooms for Jack but to no avail. He had disappeared with Will, who was showing him to his new room.

"It's not much, but you have your own washroom and chest of drawers and a writing table." Will said, lighting a lamp beside the bed.

"It's wonderful," came Jack's reply. "this means a lot to me, Will, to be among people I know or knew. Thank you."

Will smiled and nodded. "Your things should be arriving any moment." Almost simultaneously with the remark, a servant brought in Jack's belongings. "There you are. I'll leave you to get settled in." And Will disappeared downstairs.

Jack unloaded his few possessions and place them in the chest of drawers. Within moments, he had completed the task. He retrieved his journal, inkwell, and quill pen from his bag and placed them on the writing table. He looked quizzically at the first two entries in his journal, wondering what exactly Will and Elizabeth could have done to petition such treatment from him. It didn't matter anymore. He was know among people that at least appeared to want his presence and that was all that mattered. He sat down at the desk and took up the quill.

23 April 1639

It appears that I have found Will and Liz. After having me over to dinner, they entreated that I live with them, taking up the job as their butler. I'm glad that they are good enough to put whatever inspired my second entry behind them and help a man in need. They have the most lovely daughter, I'm almost ashamed to admit for I am probably old enough to be her father. She seems to be quite taken with me as well. But she is the daughter of a governor and I, a man with no solid identity, am surely not fit for such a girl. I speak as if I were considering courting the girl. I must work to keep myself from thinking about her in such a way. I suppose that I am delighted to be among others who are familiar with me by their own right, but I fear something is still amiss. Perhaps it will come to me later.

Jack closed the journal and looked up to see Nerissa standing in his doorway.

Nerissa gulped, attempting to overcome her nervousness. Jack was looking at her. "I hope I'm not interrupting."

"Not at all, love. Come in, what I can I help you with?"

Nerissa crossed the threshold into his room. "I was wondering if you'd like to accompany me for a walk."

Jack arose from his chair and said, "I think I'd quite enjoy that, actually."

Nerissa tried to hide her excitement but feared she was not accomplishing the feat. Jack followed her downstairs, where she left his side for a moment to retrieve his jacket. Thanking her, he slipped it on and the two stepped out into the evening