Usual disclaimers... sob!
And yes, before you ask... I have soooooo been looking forward to typing this chapter...
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Jean Claude led the way through the narrow streets to wider streets, up to the imposing house that Louis had bought a short distance from the docks. He eyed the upper level windows appreciatively. "A fine view of the harbour," he smiled. "Perhaps I should move here?" He knocked smartly on the door to find it opened by a maid. "Please inform Mistress Groves that Captain Jean Claude Lact is here to see her... immediately!"
"Yes Captain," she bobbed, unsure of his commanding attitude and of the three people ranged behind him.
He stopped her as she turned to dash away. "Is there a parlour where we may wait?" he asked.
"Through this door Captain," she replied, bobbing again before walking quickly up the stairs.
He turned the key and walked through the door indicated, closely followed by Catherine and the others. "Her taste has not improved I see," she said dryly, sitting on one of the large settees. Oran positioned himself beside the door whilst Theodore paced in front the fireplace. Jean Claude sighed at her and pointed for her to stand beside Oran.
"Oran, as soon as Mary is here I want you to gather any staff in the kitchen and explain the facts to them. They can collect any due wages tomorrow morning..." Jean Claude ordered. "I will pay an extra week for the inconvenience..." Oran nodded and soon footsteps could be heard approaching.
"Jean Claude Lact... are you sure?" Mary asked in English.
"Oui Madame," the maid replied, her reply heavily accented. "He is waiting in the parlour with a woman and some sailors from the look of them..."
Mary was puzzled. She had known Louis had a brother, but he had never spoken of him. She had been under the impression he was dead, but clearly this was not the case. She stepped through the door. "What the..." she gasped, recognising Theodore immediately. Before she could react, Oran was through the door, turning the key in the lock behind him. She realised she was trapped.
"Did you not think I would come for you Mary?" Theodore asked, slipping into English for her sake.
"How..." She stared in disbelief, spotting Catherine grinning insolently next to the door behind her. "Get out of my house, pirate!" Angrily she stepped forwards, raising her hand, only to be brought to a sudden stop by Jean Claude before her blow could land.
"I am afraid Madame that this house is now mine... and it is you that will be leaving," Jean Claude interrupted her tirade. "And I would not hold out any hope for my dear brother to return... the last I saw of Louis he was heading to Port Royal in the delightful company of Commodore Norrington..."
"Com... Commodore..." Mary stuttered as she turned to face him. "But he..."
"Louis has been hanged," Theodore said. "For his crimes whilst Captain of the Catalyntie, the Teide and as the false Black Pearl."
"And for the murder of Papa!" Catherine snarled behind her. Mary jumped at the unmasked hatred in her voice.
"You will return to Port Royal and your family," Jean Claude advised her.
Mary whirled as she tried to face all three of them at once. "But I can't..." she protested, turning and reaching for the door handle, forgetting that it was locked from the other side. Desperation on her face, she tearfully realised that her life with Louis was over, that she would never see him again.
Catherine stepped before her. "You will stay and listen to Theodore," she threatened.
"If you are referring to your child... your son..." Theodore sighed, sadly realising that the tearful, shocked woman before him gave him scant feelings of satisfaction. "The two of you will be returned to your father where you will stay until I can formalise a divorce. After that I care little what you do, but I would assume your father would send you back to England..."
"Divorce?" she gasped. "Surely not..." She approached Theodore, her eyes pleading.
"Can it be anything else?" he reasoned. "Do you really expect me to forgive you, to raise Louis' son as if he were my own..."
"I could leave the child..." she protested. "Nobody would know... please Theodore!"
The two men stared at her in stunned silence, but it was Catherine that spoke. "You'd leave you own child?" she accused. "A babe barely two days old? Have you no heart at all Mary or does it come easier after leaving Charlotte!"
"What would you know?" Mary snorted. "What does a barren bitch like you..."
Mary never got to finish her sentence. Catherine launched herself at Mary, slapping her hard across the face. "You whore!" she screamed, falling on top of the taller women as she stumbled backwards, crashing to the floor with the force of the attack.
Theodore moved to intervene but Jean Claude stopped him. "Let them settle it," he said quietly in French. He could see that Catherine was not putting her full strength into the fight, guarding her side from any harm. She clearly did not want to be hurt there again for a long time.
Oran unlocked the door, cautiously poking his head around blinking as he saw the fight. Briefly Catherine gained the upper hand as Mary looked up, hoping for rescue, but horrified to see her staff standing behind the Irishman. Catherine's size may have counted against her, but her determination did not. Lifting her skirt with one hand she tugged at the pistol.
"Cat!" Theodore cried, for a moment fearing she would use the weapon. He was relieved when she pulled it free, sliding the weapon across the floor to Jean Claude.
For a while they tussled, rolling and fighting, Mary's nails raking Catherine's face, earning her a black eye in response as Catherine finally released all of her anger, forgetting that she was fighting another woman as her fists rained down.
"Stop!" Mary cried desperately. "Stop!" She realised that her pleas would have no effect on her assailant. "Theodore please..." she begged.
Jean Claude nodded to Oran who pulled Catherine off as Theodore offered his battered wife a hand. For a moment she struggled in Oran's arms, still trying to reach Mary. "Hold!" Jean Claude ordered, his tone broking no argument.
Scowling she nodded, shrugging Oran's arms off as she glowered at Mary. "This isn't over yet bitch!" she hissed. "Perhaps I should break your nose again for good measure!"
"Kitty!" Jean Claude shouted, causing her to stand as stiff-backed as if Jack himself had shouted. "Enough!" He was aware of the staff at the door even if she had not noticed them. He spotted the maid that had shown them into the house. "Mademoiselle," he smiled. "If you would be so kind as to arrange a trunk for Madame Groves. She and the baby will be leaving today."
"Oui Captain Lact," she said as she bobbed a curtsey and turned to leave.
"I would also be grateful if you would bring my nephew to me..." he said quietly. "Does the child have a wet nurse?"
"He does Captain," she confirmed.
"Please send the woman to me as well," he ordered. "I would speak with her."
"Of course Captain." Again she bobbed a curtsey, this time managing to leave the room before he gave her further instruction.
He turned to Mary. "I give you one last chance to care for your child..." he offered, unsurprised when she did not answer. "If that is how you want it Madame," he sighed, turning to Theodore. "I suggest you escort your wife to her room and assist her to pack what she will need. She may take only one small trunk plus any jewellery that she has. Oran will ensure her compliance."
Theodore nodded. "Mary..." He offered her his arm and walked her out of the room.
"Behave," Oran winked to Catherine as he left, shutting the door and following Theodore and Mary up the stairs. He was not sure who he was meant to protect - Mary from Theodore or the other way around but at least he could ensure blood was not spilled.
Jean Claude waited until their footsteps faded before he handed Catherine her pistol. "I am glad you had the sense not to use this," he said quietly. "But I should have seen that coming with the two of you in the same room - it was remiss of me." He looked at her closely, considering his words. "Does it still hurt that much?" he asked.
She shrugged, flopping down on one of the settees. "She has two children and abandons them, I have none and would give my life for one... what do you think?" She looked up at him bitterly. "It fades but never goes away..."
A soft knock sounded at the door. "Enter!" Jean Claude ordered, watching as a young brunette haired woman of moderate height entered carrying two babies.
"You wished to see me Captain?" she asked, awkwardly trying to bob a curtsey.
"Please stand," he said, looking closely at the children in her arms. Both were boys, although one was clearly a little younger. "I take it this is my nephew?"
"Oui Captain, this is Nicolas..." She indicated the child on her left arm, relieved when he reached to take the baby.
"And you are..." he asked.
"Claire d'Avenell, Captain. I am Nicolas' wet-nurse."
"And the other child... yours?" he asked, wondering if the woman was married. She nodded.
He frowned, torn between studying her and looking at Nicolas. "You have family here... a husband..." If Mary was refusing to have anything to do with the baby then they would have to take a wet-nurse with them. He knew that Catherine would care for him if necessary, but he did not want to ask her for he knew how cruel it would be.
"My husband was killed in the storms six months ago Captain," she said sadly. "I have been living with his parents since then... and that is why I am working here."
"Would you be prepared to travel with Nicolas?" Jean Claude ventured. "To another island..."
"Exactly where?" she asked cautiously.
"Off Hispaniola," he evaded, unwilling to scare her with the name Tortuga. "I will pay well for the care of my nephew..."
"Will Madame Groves not be arranging the care for her child?" Claire asked in surprise, looking in shock as Catherine snorted derisively. "Or Captain Lact... the other Captain Lact I mean..."
"My brother is dead and Madame Groves has no intention of caring for her child - which is why I am in need of a wet-nurse to travel with us."
Claire frowned in surprise, the reason for the reaction of the other woman in the room becoming clearer. "May I have time to think on this?" she said.
"We leave tonight," Jean Claude apologised. "I really must have your answer as soon as possible for I will not have much time to search for somebody else..."
She turned, looking out of the window. "I am from Martinique," she said quietly. "I guess there is nothing for me here... I will go with you and care for Nicolas."
"Thank you," he smiled. "If you wish to take Nicolas with you when you say goodbye to your husband's family I will arrange a man to go with you."
"Oran's busy..." Catherine reminded him.
"True..." he nodded. "In that case, I will go with you whilst you gather your things." He turned to Catherine. "Ensure the house is secure when Mary is ready and I will meet you back at Paul's when I am done."
"Oui Captain," she smiled, insolently putting her feet up on the settee. "Guess I'll just wait for them to finish upstairs..."
Jean Claude rolled his eyes at her, handing Nicolas back to Claire. "Try to behave..." He sighed as she threw him a lazy salute before he followed the wet-nurse from the house. Now if he could only get back to the Black Pearl with three women, two babies and a boy then he would be happy... and if he could keep Mary and Catherine from coming to blows he would be even happier.
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Okay... if you want more Mary bashing then you'd better start reviewing! Teehee!
And yes, before you ask... I have soooooo been looking forward to typing this chapter...
###
Jean Claude led the way through the narrow streets to wider streets, up to the imposing house that Louis had bought a short distance from the docks. He eyed the upper level windows appreciatively. "A fine view of the harbour," he smiled. "Perhaps I should move here?" He knocked smartly on the door to find it opened by a maid. "Please inform Mistress Groves that Captain Jean Claude Lact is here to see her... immediately!"
"Yes Captain," she bobbed, unsure of his commanding attitude and of the three people ranged behind him.
He stopped her as she turned to dash away. "Is there a parlour where we may wait?" he asked.
"Through this door Captain," she replied, bobbing again before walking quickly up the stairs.
He turned the key and walked through the door indicated, closely followed by Catherine and the others. "Her taste has not improved I see," she said dryly, sitting on one of the large settees. Oran positioned himself beside the door whilst Theodore paced in front the fireplace. Jean Claude sighed at her and pointed for her to stand beside Oran.
"Oran, as soon as Mary is here I want you to gather any staff in the kitchen and explain the facts to them. They can collect any due wages tomorrow morning..." Jean Claude ordered. "I will pay an extra week for the inconvenience..." Oran nodded and soon footsteps could be heard approaching.
"Jean Claude Lact... are you sure?" Mary asked in English.
"Oui Madame," the maid replied, her reply heavily accented. "He is waiting in the parlour with a woman and some sailors from the look of them..."
Mary was puzzled. She had known Louis had a brother, but he had never spoken of him. She had been under the impression he was dead, but clearly this was not the case. She stepped through the door. "What the..." she gasped, recognising Theodore immediately. Before she could react, Oran was through the door, turning the key in the lock behind him. She realised she was trapped.
"Did you not think I would come for you Mary?" Theodore asked, slipping into English for her sake.
"How..." She stared in disbelief, spotting Catherine grinning insolently next to the door behind her. "Get out of my house, pirate!" Angrily she stepped forwards, raising her hand, only to be brought to a sudden stop by Jean Claude before her blow could land.
"I am afraid Madame that this house is now mine... and it is you that will be leaving," Jean Claude interrupted her tirade. "And I would not hold out any hope for my dear brother to return... the last I saw of Louis he was heading to Port Royal in the delightful company of Commodore Norrington..."
"Com... Commodore..." Mary stuttered as she turned to face him. "But he..."
"Louis has been hanged," Theodore said. "For his crimes whilst Captain of the Catalyntie, the Teide and as the false Black Pearl."
"And for the murder of Papa!" Catherine snarled behind her. Mary jumped at the unmasked hatred in her voice.
"You will return to Port Royal and your family," Jean Claude advised her.
Mary whirled as she tried to face all three of them at once. "But I can't..." she protested, turning and reaching for the door handle, forgetting that it was locked from the other side. Desperation on her face, she tearfully realised that her life with Louis was over, that she would never see him again.
Catherine stepped before her. "You will stay and listen to Theodore," she threatened.
"If you are referring to your child... your son..." Theodore sighed, sadly realising that the tearful, shocked woman before him gave him scant feelings of satisfaction. "The two of you will be returned to your father where you will stay until I can formalise a divorce. After that I care little what you do, but I would assume your father would send you back to England..."
"Divorce?" she gasped. "Surely not..." She approached Theodore, her eyes pleading.
"Can it be anything else?" he reasoned. "Do you really expect me to forgive you, to raise Louis' son as if he were my own..."
"I could leave the child..." she protested. "Nobody would know... please Theodore!"
The two men stared at her in stunned silence, but it was Catherine that spoke. "You'd leave you own child?" she accused. "A babe barely two days old? Have you no heart at all Mary or does it come easier after leaving Charlotte!"
"What would you know?" Mary snorted. "What does a barren bitch like you..."
Mary never got to finish her sentence. Catherine launched herself at Mary, slapping her hard across the face. "You whore!" she screamed, falling on top of the taller women as she stumbled backwards, crashing to the floor with the force of the attack.
Theodore moved to intervene but Jean Claude stopped him. "Let them settle it," he said quietly in French. He could see that Catherine was not putting her full strength into the fight, guarding her side from any harm. She clearly did not want to be hurt there again for a long time.
Oran unlocked the door, cautiously poking his head around blinking as he saw the fight. Briefly Catherine gained the upper hand as Mary looked up, hoping for rescue, but horrified to see her staff standing behind the Irishman. Catherine's size may have counted against her, but her determination did not. Lifting her skirt with one hand she tugged at the pistol.
"Cat!" Theodore cried, for a moment fearing she would use the weapon. He was relieved when she pulled it free, sliding the weapon across the floor to Jean Claude.
For a while they tussled, rolling and fighting, Mary's nails raking Catherine's face, earning her a black eye in response as Catherine finally released all of her anger, forgetting that she was fighting another woman as her fists rained down.
"Stop!" Mary cried desperately. "Stop!" She realised that her pleas would have no effect on her assailant. "Theodore please..." she begged.
Jean Claude nodded to Oran who pulled Catherine off as Theodore offered his battered wife a hand. For a moment she struggled in Oran's arms, still trying to reach Mary. "Hold!" Jean Claude ordered, his tone broking no argument.
Scowling she nodded, shrugging Oran's arms off as she glowered at Mary. "This isn't over yet bitch!" she hissed. "Perhaps I should break your nose again for good measure!"
"Kitty!" Jean Claude shouted, causing her to stand as stiff-backed as if Jack himself had shouted. "Enough!" He was aware of the staff at the door even if she had not noticed them. He spotted the maid that had shown them into the house. "Mademoiselle," he smiled. "If you would be so kind as to arrange a trunk for Madame Groves. She and the baby will be leaving today."
"Oui Captain Lact," she said as she bobbed a curtsey and turned to leave.
"I would also be grateful if you would bring my nephew to me..." he said quietly. "Does the child have a wet nurse?"
"He does Captain," she confirmed.
"Please send the woman to me as well," he ordered. "I would speak with her."
"Of course Captain." Again she bobbed a curtsey, this time managing to leave the room before he gave her further instruction.
He turned to Mary. "I give you one last chance to care for your child..." he offered, unsurprised when she did not answer. "If that is how you want it Madame," he sighed, turning to Theodore. "I suggest you escort your wife to her room and assist her to pack what she will need. She may take only one small trunk plus any jewellery that she has. Oran will ensure her compliance."
Theodore nodded. "Mary..." He offered her his arm and walked her out of the room.
"Behave," Oran winked to Catherine as he left, shutting the door and following Theodore and Mary up the stairs. He was not sure who he was meant to protect - Mary from Theodore or the other way around but at least he could ensure blood was not spilled.
Jean Claude waited until their footsteps faded before he handed Catherine her pistol. "I am glad you had the sense not to use this," he said quietly. "But I should have seen that coming with the two of you in the same room - it was remiss of me." He looked at her closely, considering his words. "Does it still hurt that much?" he asked.
She shrugged, flopping down on one of the settees. "She has two children and abandons them, I have none and would give my life for one... what do you think?" She looked up at him bitterly. "It fades but never goes away..."
A soft knock sounded at the door. "Enter!" Jean Claude ordered, watching as a young brunette haired woman of moderate height entered carrying two babies.
"You wished to see me Captain?" she asked, awkwardly trying to bob a curtsey.
"Please stand," he said, looking closely at the children in her arms. Both were boys, although one was clearly a little younger. "I take it this is my nephew?"
"Oui Captain, this is Nicolas..." She indicated the child on her left arm, relieved when he reached to take the baby.
"And you are..." he asked.
"Claire d'Avenell, Captain. I am Nicolas' wet-nurse."
"And the other child... yours?" he asked, wondering if the woman was married. She nodded.
He frowned, torn between studying her and looking at Nicolas. "You have family here... a husband..." If Mary was refusing to have anything to do with the baby then they would have to take a wet-nurse with them. He knew that Catherine would care for him if necessary, but he did not want to ask her for he knew how cruel it would be.
"My husband was killed in the storms six months ago Captain," she said sadly. "I have been living with his parents since then... and that is why I am working here."
"Would you be prepared to travel with Nicolas?" Jean Claude ventured. "To another island..."
"Exactly where?" she asked cautiously.
"Off Hispaniola," he evaded, unwilling to scare her with the name Tortuga. "I will pay well for the care of my nephew..."
"Will Madame Groves not be arranging the care for her child?" Claire asked in surprise, looking in shock as Catherine snorted derisively. "Or Captain Lact... the other Captain Lact I mean..."
"My brother is dead and Madame Groves has no intention of caring for her child - which is why I am in need of a wet-nurse to travel with us."
Claire frowned in surprise, the reason for the reaction of the other woman in the room becoming clearer. "May I have time to think on this?" she said.
"We leave tonight," Jean Claude apologised. "I really must have your answer as soon as possible for I will not have much time to search for somebody else..."
She turned, looking out of the window. "I am from Martinique," she said quietly. "I guess there is nothing for me here... I will go with you and care for Nicolas."
"Thank you," he smiled. "If you wish to take Nicolas with you when you say goodbye to your husband's family I will arrange a man to go with you."
"Oran's busy..." Catherine reminded him.
"True..." he nodded. "In that case, I will go with you whilst you gather your things." He turned to Catherine. "Ensure the house is secure when Mary is ready and I will meet you back at Paul's when I am done."
"Oui Captain," she smiled, insolently putting her feet up on the settee. "Guess I'll just wait for them to finish upstairs..."
Jean Claude rolled his eyes at her, handing Nicolas back to Claire. "Try to behave..." He sighed as she threw him a lazy salute before he followed the wet-nurse from the house. Now if he could only get back to the Black Pearl with three women, two babies and a boy then he would be happy... and if he could keep Mary and Catherine from coming to blows he would be even happier.
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Okay... if you want more Mary bashing then you'd better start reviewing! Teehee!