Thanks for the reviews- here it is---
Chapter 10
Confessions
Elizabeth could hear her heart in her ears as she walked the short distance home. She had never had to make such a life changing decision before, and she hated causing such distress to those she loved. What will father think when he finds out? She asked herself in horror. The facts presented themselves to her, each more shocking than the last. A broken engagement. Pregnant out of wedlock. Bearing the child of an infamous pirate. She exhaled heavily. To think when she and Will were first together she had thought they would live happily ever after! Ridiculing herself for her naïveté, she pulled her wrap tighter around herself as a chill wind started to blow. The market traders were packing up their wares and counting up their takings ready to go home, and the sky was darkening. Night was upon Port Royal. On reaching the house, Elizabeth straightened her dress and entered, heading straight for Jack in the drawing room. He was sitting alone, stirring the tea leaves in his cup slowly and thoughtfully. She cleared her throat and he looked up. When he saw her, he stood up quickly, almost knocking his cup and saucer off the table, and watched her expectantly. Gesturing for him to sit down again, which he did, she crossed the room and sat next to him.
"I've decided," she told him, her heart fluttering. He nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. "My answer will be… yes. I will come with you."
The smile crept slowly across his face as he comprehended her words. "'Lizabeth… that's wonderful." He grabbed her in a hug, and she let her arms surround his broad shoulders lightly. He was professing his gratitude and happiness, but she found she couldn't smile; she was too sad at what she would be saying goodbye to.
"Jack," she started as he finally released her, "I can't live on the ship."
"Aye, I know that, love. We can live anywhere. Just tell me."
"Well… I'd like to go to England. I have some family there. Besides, I don't want my baby staying here and being kidnapped by a pirate. Or running away with one." She smiled to show she was jesting. "London will be safer, won't it?"
Jack grinned. "Course not love. 'Ow d'you think I got where I am now?" They both smiled at each other, Elizabeth feeling more cheerful. She still didn't want to leave Port Royal, but she would be glad to see London again. Curious, she wondered about Jack's origins.
"Do you have any relatives left there?"
Jack's face clouded over. "None that I remember, love." He pulled her into his arms again, and he was beginning to kiss her, but she stopped him.
"Wait- I have to tell my father."
"Now? It's getting late… why don't we go to bed, then tell him together tommorer?"
"I doubt he'd appreciate that, Jack. I have to tell him tonight. If you're tired, I will ask the maid to make up one of the beds-"
"Am I not staying with you?" Jack was surprised and disappointed.
"Not tonight, Jack. I need some space." She turned away from him to avoid any more questions, and rang the bell for a maid. One came at once.
"Yes Miss Swann?"
"Maria, please make up one of the spare beds tonight- Jack!" Jack had stood up, and was wrapping his arms around Elizabeth's slender waist from behind. Both Elizabeth and Maria were mortified, the maid not knowing where to look, but Jack grinned brazenly, resting his chin on Elizabeth's right shoulder. "As I was saying, please make up one of the guest beds, for Mr. Sparrow here to go to immediately. Thank you."
"Very good, Miss," the maid replied, delighted. This was the best gossip she had ever come across; the polite and respectable Elizabeth Swann was having an affair with a very undignified gentleman! She hurried to complete her task so that she might tell the other servants back in the kitchen.
When the maid came back to inform that the bed was ready, Jack took his leave, kissing Elizabeth on the cheek, and she asked the maid where her father was. The maid told her he was in his private study, and Elizabeth dismissed her. She knocked on the door of his study, and he greeted her kindly.
"Hello, my dear! Are you feeling any better this evening?"
"A little, father." Elizabeth sat down on a brown leather chair that he was proffering to her. Her arms were trembling with nerves, and she felt sick. She was dreading telling him. "I have some news for you."
"Good news, I hope?" remarked the Governor mildly, dipping his quill in the inkwell and beginning to address a letter.
"Well… no, not really. Firstly… Will and I have broken off our engagement." She waited for the news to sink in, and for her father to reply. He hesitated, then turned around to look at her.
"But- but Elizabeth… you were quite sure that you wanted to marry him! Why, breaking off your engagement with the Commodore to marry William, and now announcing to me that you are not going to marry him either? I don't know what to do with you, Elizabeth, I really don't! Sometimes I wonder-"
"Wait!" Elizabeth interrupted, alarmed. "There's more. Jack Sparrow is here. Do you remember him?"
"Of course I remember him." Governor Swann looked at Elizabeth as if she'd gone mad. "I wouldn't forget about such an uncouth fellow like him."
"Yes. Well. Jack will be sailing to England soon, and I will be sailing with him. We're going to go and live in London. Together."
"Elizabeth… what does this mean? Are you and Sparrow engaged?"
"No… I'm just going to live with him." She couldn't bring herself to tell her father about the baby.
"If the Commodore finds out that Captain Sparrow is in the town, I doubt he will be pleased."
"Did I hear you correctly? Am I receiving a threat from my own father?" asked Elizabeth, incredulous.
"I make no threat as such, Elizabeth. But, as the presence of a dangerous fugitive in the town which I am responsible for has been raised to my attention, I feel it is my duty to act sensibly upon the situation."
"I see. So you're going to have him arrested. And you would willingly betray me in this way?"
"I am not betraying you, Elizabeth, I am trying to protect you," sighed Governor Swann. "What were you planning on doing when you arrived in London in the company of a pirate? Sparrow is a wanted man; he will be caught within the confines of land and you will be left on your own. Everything you own will be taken from you when the debt collectors come for him. I urge you; think about what you are proposing to do. You are much safer staying here among your friends."
Elizabeth thought for a few moments. Although she hated to admit it, she knew her father was right. But she had no choice; she wanted a father for their baby, and she did not want to be alone herself. And there was no way a baby could live on the Black Pearl- just thinking about it made her shudder. "I'm going to have a baby," she blurted out. Her father shook his head.
"I knew there was something you weren't telling me before. And is- is Mr. Sparrow the father?"
She nodded. "I've known for a few weeks. That's why Will and I are no longer together. I need Jack with me. And you know we can't live on that boat of his! What will we do, father?"
"This is a difficult situation, Elizabeth. But I advise you most strongly, stay away from Jack Sparrow. You can stay here, arrangements can be made. I'll help you. There will always be somebody there for you, I promise."
Elizabeth considered her father's words. He was right, she couldn't leave with Jack, and she wouldn't be alone even if her baby had no father close by. "Alright, father. I'll stay."
They both rose from their seats, and Governor Swann patted Elizabeth awkwardly on the shoulder. He was not comfortable with showing affection, having been brought up in a strict household, but felt this occasion required some tactility. Holding Elizabeth at arms length and smiling at her fondly, he thanked God that he was able to put some sense into her young head. Elizabeth yawned, and excused herself to go to bed. The Governor turned back to his correspondence, but just before she left, remembered something.
"Elizabeth, dear? I will arrange a suitable man for you to marry as soon as possible."
She stopped, turning to look at him. "Excuse me?"
"Well, I can't have you presenting me with an illegitimate grandchild, can I?" He spoke as if Elizabeth was an imbecile, and she was affronted.
"Oh, so I must marry the first man who comes along, so that you will not have the shame?"
"Of course not Elizabeth; the man will have certain qualities which I would expect of my son-in-law."
"Indeed? And what would these qualities be? Money? Influence? Power?"
"My dear, all I am doing is trying to do is give you a secure home-"
"Nonsense! You couldn't be more delighted that I am no longer marrying Will, in fact, this situation is profitable to you! Now you can marry me to a rich man with prospects, instead of 'just a blacksmith'! All this is to you is a means to an end! How dare you treat me like that?!" Elizabeth's hands were planted on her hips and, her cheeks blazed with so much fury she could not find the words to speak it.
"Elizabeth, I only want what's best for you, can you understand that?"
"You want what's best for you, that's why you tried to marry me off to the Commodore in the first place. I have to go. I'm not listening to anymore of your lies." And with that, Elizabeth left the room and ascended the staircase to her chamber.
Governor Swann shook his head. Elizabeth was a handful; he would never have dreamed of being so rebellious in his youth. Perhaps I am being too liberal with her? He wondered. With her mother's death traumatizing her as a child, he had let her get away with anything. Yes, he decided, it's time to start being more firm with her. He did feel guiltily pleased about the circumstances- maybe he could see whether Commodore Norrington's proposal could be renewed? He wanted him as a husband for Elizabeth, and this time he would make sure Elizabeth accepted. She needed to be taught to recognize an opportunity when she came across one.
*****
Elizabeth was sitting on her bed, rocking back and forth with anger as she tried to work out what to do. She couldn't stay in Port Royal if her father was planning on marrying her to the sort of man she had contempt for, but how could they live in London if it was likely that Jack would be caught?
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Alrighty! Thanks for reading everybody, that chapter was hard to write! And loong… oh well! Please review!