Usual disclaimers... sob!

Apologies for the delay in updating. I have been ill then real life has gotten in the way of both myself and Mul – which is damned inconsiderate of it really!

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Chapter 47 - Môle Saint Nicholas

Jack and the crew stayed and celebrated at Tortuga for the following week, laughing, waving and making obscene gestures when The Crow sailed earlier than had been expected. There had been disbelief at first when news that they had found Masters' treasure, but the amount of money that the crew were spending and Bessie's presence on the ship gradually persuaded even the most cynical. Bessie though did not return to the pirate town, preferring to spend her time quietly in the cabin. She did not have to cook for anyone but herself and occasionally Jack, and was surprised to admit to herself that she was lonely onboard.

"Stupid fool!" she chided herself, sitting in the darkness by the stern windows stroking Daffodil on her lap. She was dressed in just her undershift, trying to catch a breeze from the open windows. "How alone will I be ashore..." She paused her mutterings on hearing a boat bump against the hull, Jack's voice drifting upwards as he climbed onboard. His boots echoed on the deck as he approached, the doors opening.

"Evenin' luv," he drawled, frowning on seeing her looking so serious. "Yer alright?"

"Just hot, tired and pregnant," Bessie sighed, evicting Daffodil from her lap as she rose to greet him. "But at least there is only another three months to go..."

"Well soon yer'll be ashore. It'll be cooler with th' breeze from th' Windward Passage fer yer..." He shut the cabin doors behind him, conscious of her state of undress. "We'll be leavin' t'morrow..."

"Tomorrow?" Bessie gasped, surprised at it being so soon.

Jack smiled at the surprise on her face. "Aye, an' if we find yer somewhere t' live on th' first day, this'll be yer last day having t' climb into th' bunk..."

"It's strange," she admitted, "but now that I am going I realise I would rather stay..."

Jack grinned ruefully. "Yer know yer can't," he sighed. "A pirate ship is no place t' raise babes, even with such bloodlines as..." He rested his hand on her stomach. "But yer won't be alone - Henry has volunteered t' stay with yer fer th' first month or so... an' the men'll rotate each time we visit..." Jack decided that she did not need to know that the crew had drawn straws to see who would be chosen - although he had never seen such crowing from the recipient of the short straw.

"Well since you are here now, perhaps you could help me into the bunk then?" Bessie smiled softly.

"M' pleasure," he smiled, blowing out the single candle before slipping her undershift from her shoulders. He would have to make sure that Bessie had a good supply of candles each time he left, her fear of the dark still preventing her from sleeping when alone. Archibald Hughes had a lot to answer for.

Bessie watched his shadowy form as he undressed before guiding her across to the bunk, helping her climb up. Jack was right that she could not stay, already she was awkward onboard and her pregnancy increased the danger to her with every storm. Sighing, she kissed his chest, resting her head as usual upon it as his heartbeat lulled her to sleep. She could feel him stroking her hair as she drifted, sadly realising that she would miss him once she lived ashore. She had become used to his presence, even fond of his eccentric ways and wondered how long he would stay with her before the Black Pearl sailed again.

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Bessie stood beside Jack at the helm as he guided the Black Pearl into the small bay a short distance from Môle Saint Nicholas before being helped into the largest of the ship's boat. Four crewmen took up the oars and rowed the short distance around the coast to the natural harbour, the town spread before them. Fishing boats bobbed at anchor and a number of small trading ships ignored them as they went about their business.

Jack paid the modest fee for mooring the boat at the dockside before helping Bessie ashore. "Well," he slurred, "this is it."

Bessie looked around her cautiously at the bustling dockside and imposing façade of the buildings. "We must find th' Arbiter an' see if there are any homes fer sale," Jack said, snaring a dockworker and pressing his question. "This way..." He set off through the town towards the main square, guiding Bessie through the crowds.

"And if there are not?" Bessie asked.

"Well I'll put yer up in an inn until we can get yer one built," Jack smiled. "An' we must get yer checked by th' local midwife too... yer'll need t' know who will be with yer..."

Bessie thought she would rather Elizabeth were there but held her tongue, knowing it was not possible for her to make the journey. She knew that Jack was only trying to reassure her but his words did not, only serving to increase her misery at the thought of being alone. She sat silently as he spoke with the Arbiter, trailing dejectedly as they toured a number of houses before Jack found one he was happy with.

She wandered around the rooms whilst Jack finalised arrangements with the Arbiter, standing in the large bay window of the empty master bedroom as she looked down on the overgrown garden. Hands sneaked around her waist, braids tickling her neck. "Well Mistress Sparrow," he teased. "D' yer think yer'll be happy here?"

"I'll try..." Bessie said quietly, biting back tears

"Hey, none of that..." Jack turned her to face him, wiping the tears from her face with his thumb. "Yer'll be safe here, far safer than on th' Pearl..."

"But alone again..." she whispered miserably, burying her face in his shirt.

"Bessie, Bessie," Jack comforted. "I'll be here so often yer'll be glad t' send m' to sea!" He tilted her face, kissing her lovingly. "An' d' yer think yer'll be th' only one doing the missing?" He looked around the room. "We'll have t' get yer some furniture made, an' drapes an' all that stuff..." he sighed. "Guess yer'll be in an inn until we can get th' place habitable fer yer - but it'll give yer a chance t' spend yer money."

"What money?" Bessie frowned. "I don't have any money!"

"Didn't I tell yer?" Jack teased.

"Tell me what?" she demanded, drying her eyes on his shirt and looking up at him. "Jack!"

Jack smirked, feeling very pleased with himself at his surprise. "Well th' crew voted for yer t' receive a full share of yer father's treasure..." he laughed. "So yer'll have enough money of yer own fer a maid if yer want an' a silk dress fer every day of th' week!"

"But I don't need a maid, or silk dresses!" she protested. "I have simple tastes..." She looked up at him, a smile twitching across her face.

"Yer callin' m' simple..." he accused, laughing in delight at her teasing as he pulled her to him, kissing her again. "M' mouse is maturing..."

"I am not a mouse!" Bessie countered, crossing her arms over her chest.

Jack held her at arms length, looking at her closely. "Nah, too fat fer a mouse..." he teased. For a moment she stared at him indignantly before bursting into laughter. "Come on luv, let's get this place sorted fer yer both..." He offered her his arm, but she slipped her hand into his and he led her from the house back towards the docks, looking for an inn for the night before walking around in search of the various trades' people that would be needed.