Usual disclaimers... drat, drat and drat again!

88888

Chapter 33 - Homecoming

Laura led the way along the dark path, the lights of Port Royal glimmering before them. Only another half-mile and they would reach the outskirts of the town - and safety! The pirates had put them ashore a few miles from the town, just as dusk was falling, but had given them a lantern so that they could see safely. She wished Victoria would stop moaning - they were all barefoot and she was not the only person to stand on a sharp stone.

"Oh will you shut up!" she finally snapped. "We will soon be home!"

"But my feet hurt!" Victoria wailed.

"All of our feet hurt!" Laura retorted. "At least you haven't cut yourself like Bethany did!" She swung the lantern ahead, relieved when she heard a voice call out.

"Halt, who goes there?" a man's voice shouted.

"Laura Bristow and six others..." she said. "Charlotte Dayton, Bethany..."

"Bethany?" A second man's voice interrupted, dashing forward into the light.

"Father!" she cried, hobbling the last few yards into his arms.

He hugged her tightly before turning to the other man on duty with him. "Rouse the Sergeant," he ordered, "and bring some blankets!" He turned to Bethany, delighted disbelief on his face. "How..."

"The Black Pearl rescued us," Laura said. "They put us ashore a few miles from here..."

"The Black Pearl?" he gasped. "But they're pirates!"

"Pirates who had a feud with Hughes it seems," Laura smiled, looking up as more troops arrived, gratefully accepting the offered blanket around her shoulders.

"Back to your post McCulloch!" the Sergeant ordered. "You can see your daughter later - they are wanted up at the fort for questioning." He turned to the young women. "Marines will be sent to your parents to inform them of your return," he smiled. "If you would follow me..."

The seven girls followed the Sergeant through the town to the fort, surprised on arrival to find the Commodore himself waiting for them. They were clearly expected, eight chairs had been found and placed before his desk. "Please, sit," he beckoned, waiting until they were all seated before continuing. "I am delighted that you have returned unharmed," he began. "Sergeant Bell tells me that you claim to have been rescued and returned by the Black Pearl?" Seven voices tried to talk at once. "One at a time!"

"It was the Black Pearl," Laura explained. "Captain Sparrow rescued us from Captain Hughes and sank his ship. The Black Pearl then brought us back..."

"And why exactly would..." James Norrington frowned.

"Because Bessie was his woman!" Matilda interrupted.

He frowned, looking at the empty seat, suddenly realising that there were only seven women before him. "Bessie Smith... the maid?"

"The disgraced maid," Maeve sniped. "And who do you think did the disgracing?" Several of the women sniggered.

"Except her name wasn't Smith," Laura explained. "It was Masters, I think, and Captain Hughes wanted her for a map..."

"Hughes..." the Commodore muttered to himself, "and a map..." Things were starting to make sense to him, including the numerous sightings of Jack Sparrow within Port Royal. "So Hughes snatches Sparrow's woman and the Black Pearl goes after Hughes..." He frowned. "But why did Hughes take you?"

"He was going to sell us," Bethany said quietly. "I overheard one of the pirates talking..."

"So it seems we have to be thankful to Sparrow for your lives..." James Norrington said, the words sticking in his throat.

"And our honour," Laura added.

"And your honour," he acknowledged. He realised he would have to speak with Elizabeth Turner as soon as possible. She and her husband would know what Jack Sparrow was up to - they were bound to!

88888

The news of the return of the seven women spread around the town quickly and Jacob Bones realised it was time to leave... and fast! Seven returning meant that one had remained and he guessed that one was Bessie. Wincing he dressed and put on his weapons, walking gingerly to the door. He paused, hearing footsteps on the stairs, drawing his pistol. The door flew open - it was Will.

"Time to go!" Will gasped. "Elizabeth has been summoned to the Commodore!" He stopped, staring at the pistol.

"I was just leaving," Jacob winced, his chest hurting as he walked. "I'll slip quietly out of town and make for the bay... I'm sure the Black Pearl will be there."

"Tell Jack not to come into town," Will warned. "If the Commodore has made the connection to Elizabeth then our house is sure to be watched..."

"And were you?" Jacob asked worriedly.

"I'm pretty sure not," Will assured him, "but go carefully just in case..."

Jacob nodded, carefully following Will from Bessie's home. He pulled the door shut behind him, locking it and handing Will the key. "Look after this," he said. "I get the feeling Bessie won't be back..."

"Just warn Jack, and make sure he stays out of town!" Will urged as they parted, each walking in different directions and carefully checking if they were being followed.

88888

"Bones!" Jack stopped on the path as he saw Jacob tiredly walking towards him.

"Captain," he acknowledged. "Will says not to go to town - Elizabeth has been summoned to the Commodore and he fears they are expecting you."

"Damn!" Jack cursed. He had wanted to talk to Elizabeth about Bessie, but now it was clear that it was too dangerous. "Well let's at least get yer back to th' ship," he smiled, turning and walking back westwards towards the bay. He shrugged to himself, figuring that he would have to figure out how to handle Bessie himself. Even the gift of his best cotton shirt had not pacified her and he realised he would have to do some serious thinking.

88888

"Mistress Turner... Elizabeth..." James Norrington sighed. "May I ask why you attended Bessie Masters when she was attacked? You summoned the midwife, yes?"

"Masters?" Elizabeth evaded. "Bessie's name is Smith..."

James Norrington looked at her, raising one eyebrow. "We both know her name is Masters. Bessie Masters, only daughter of Horace Masters - a magnet for every pirate in the Caribbean." He watched her expression carefully. "And your friend Sparrow found her... didn't he. He was the father of her child, wasn't he?"

"I don't know," Elizabeth lied. "Bessie never said." At least the last bit was the truth - it was Jack who had said the babies were his.

"So why did you attend her?" he pressed.

Elizabeth smiled, looking at him innocently. "She used to work for my father... I felt sorry for her and nobody else in the town was helping her..."

"So you are claiming it was your Christian duty?" James Norrington frowned.

"Indeed," Elizabeth said, reminding herself to volunteer nothing and keep her explanations simple.

"So perhaps you can explain why Sparrow has kept her aboard his ship... in his cabin..." he asked.

Elizabeth frowned. This was news to her. "I have no idea," she admitted. "Bessie did not return with the other women?"

"No." James Norrington did not elaborate but stared expectantly at Elizabeth.

"I honestly do not know why," Elizabeth finally said. "Bessie is frightened of pirates... I can offer no explanation."

"Can not or will not?" James ventured.

Elizabeth smiled sweetly. "Can not," she replied.

The Commodore looked at her knowingly, but did not press further. "Well, if you do happen to see either of them, let them know not to return to Port Royal..." He smiled. "Take care Elizabeth."

"I will," she nodded, rising to leave. "Thank you for letting me know Bessie is safe."

"Safe?" James Norrington snorted.

Elizabeth shrugged. "Safer than with Hughes at least," she smiled. "Good day James."

"Elizabeth." He rose politely as she left before sitting back at his desk. He pulled the sheet of paper he had been reading before she arrived, pondering the name at the head of the page... Horace Masters - deceased.