Usual disclaimers... drat!
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Chapter 48 - Leavings
Jack was relieved that Bessie did not have to return to the Black Pearl that night. The walking around town had clearly exhausted her and he returned from a quiet rum in the bar downstairs to find her already asleep on the bed. He had sent the men and the boat back to where the Black Pearl was hidden with orders to return the following day.
He smiled as he slipped into bed beside her, blowing out the candle before pulling her gently to him. Her head automatically found his chest as she snuggled against him. Sighing, he stroked her hair before settling to sleep himself. Tomorrow he would find a seamstress for her as well, he reminded himself, for her dress would not take much more growth. She would need undergarments too... and shoes... it would be fun to spoil her he mused, reasoning that she had probably never been spoiled in her life. He fell asleep, still smiling to himself.
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After a hearty breakfast Jack led Bessie through the streets in search of a seamstress, eventually finding one a short distance from the main square. "In 'ere luv," he said, guiding her through the doorway. "Let's get yer sorted b'fore th' pots an' pans..."
"Can I help you?" a voice said as they entered. Jack looked up at the plump woman, judging her work from her own clothes.
"I hope so," he smiled. "I am looking fer some new clothes fer m' wife..."
"I can see why," she replied, glancing at Bessie. "Here, sit down love. Take that weight from your feet..." Jack led her to the comfortable padded chair that the woman had indicated, standing next to her. "Now, what exactly is it that you require?"
"Three undershifts, three dresses, an' appropriate undergarments," Jack explained. "One set fancy, th' rest plainer..."
The woman blinked, but regained her composure quickly. "Of course Sir," she smiled. "I have some fabrics that I believe will suit your wife's colouring... such unusual hair!" She bustled off, returning shortly with several bolts of fabric. "Of course, you don't want anything too dark," she explained as she unrolled the fabric for them to look at, "else it will drain the colour from your face..." She held one bolt up. "If I may..." She placed the fabric next to Bessie's face, bringing her hair forward onto the cloth. "See Sir, this green would suit, and I would suggest the blue and lemon colours... that lemon would make such a pretty dress..."
"An' yer best fabrics?" Jack prompted.
For a moment the woman paused, her gaze taking in his eccentric and in places worn clothing. "I..." she began.
"M' gold is good," Jack said, his voice lowering.
"Of course Sir, I meant no disrespect," the woman flustered, rising to her feet. "I'll just get them..."
"An' it's Captain, not Sir," Jack corrected.
"Yes Captain... I'll just..." With a squeak she disappeared to the back of the store, returning eventually with two bales of fabric. "These are my best Captain..." she offered.
"Have you no silk?" Jack queried.
"Silk... silk... of course Captain." Leaving the fabrics on the floor she disappeared again, this time bringing out a rather dusty bale of grey-blue silk, the fabric protected by a cotton wrap. "This is the only silk I have..."
Jack looked at the fabrics before him. "Th' green an' th' lemon," he ordered, "an' th' silk. Th' other items in yer best quality cotton..."
"I'll have to take some measurements..." she said apologetically to Bessie who was already starting to noticeably wilt in the morning heat. Jack helped her rise, watching carefully as the woman took her measurements.
"How fat?" he teased, kissing her briefly on the cheek before turning back to the seamstress. "How much an' when can they be collected?"
"A week for the first two," she offered, "and a further week for the silk... it doesn't do to hurry silk Captain..."
"An' how much?" Jack pressed, nodding at her price. Bessie gasped at the amount, but he handed over the money without question, causing the woman to gulp in surprise. "I can be found at The Sovereign," he said quietly. "Just ask for Captain Sparrow..."
The woman nodded, her hand closing around the coins. "Yes Captain," she assured him. "Within a week..."
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The next few days passed in much the same fashion as Jack helped Bessie order furniture and furnishings for the house. So many deliveries were arriving that he instructed Henry to stay at the house to take charge of things. But before too long the house was habitable, even if some things were still to arrive, and they both realised it was time for Jack to leave.
"Will you stay tonight?" Bessie asked softly. "At least spend my first night in the house with me?"
"Of course," Jack assured her, "but I must be gone with th' dawn luv..."
"I know..." He smiled as her chin trembled.
"Hey, no tears tonight... I'll be back soon!" He kissed her on the nose. "Come on, let's have an early night..." Lighting a candle he led the way upstairs to the master bedroom, pulling the new drapes across the large bay window. Easing back the crisp linen sheets on the large four-poster bed, Jack slid in beside her. "Are yer still alright... yer know..."
Bessie smiled, his concern showing every time he asked that question. Her reply did not change. "As long as you are gentle," she smiled, "as always."
Jack leaned across, placing a kiss on her stomach. "Well come 'ere then..." he slurred, planting kisses slowly up her body until he reached her lips. "Fer th' rest of th' night I'm all yours..."
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Dawn had only just broken when Jack slipped from the bedroom, casting a quick glance back at Bessie who slumbered still in bed. He knew she would cry and he could not bear tears, so he crept quietly away, shutting the door without a sound. Silently he padded down the stairs, grinning as he saw Henry snoring on the comfortable settee - hopefully the bed which had been ordered for him would arrive soon. The men had left the smallest ship's boat tied to the quay the day before and he could easily row the short distance to where the Black Pearl sat at anchor. He closed the front door, wincing as it clunked shut before walking briskly towards the docks.
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Bessie sat up, looking around her wildly, wondering what had woken her. "Jack!" she called out. "Jack!" There was no reply. "No, damn it!" she cursed, struggling from the bed and pulling on her old undershift. "No!" she protested as the seams gave way in with her haste. She reached for her dress, trying to calm herself before putting it on - until the seamstress delivered her clothes she could not afford to split this one. Throwing open the bedroom door she dashed down the stairs, waking Henry with her noise.
"Bessie?" he frowned, but his only answer was the front door slamming. "Bessie!" Frantically he pulled on his shirt, grabbing the key to the front door and ensuring that the house was locked before running after her. "Where the..." A cry of 'Watch it!' was the only clue he needed and he sped after her towards the docks.
By the time that he caught up with her, Bessie was already standing on the quayside, tears streaming down her face without care of who might see. In the distance, nearly out of sight, a small boat bobbed around the headland.
"Bessie!" he cried in relief. "Damn it woman, don't do that again! How can I protect you if you..." He realised with surprise that she was crying. "Bessie? What's the matter?"
"He didn't say goodbye," she sobbed. "He didn't even wake me!"
"Oh Bessie, the Captain's like that..." he comforted. "Big tough pirate that runs from a woman's tears..." He grinned as she smiled briefly. "Come on, let's get you back home. It is too early to be running around barefoot on the docks."
Reluctantly she allowed herself to be guided back to the house, casting one last glance out across the bay to where she had last seen the ships boat. "Safe travels," she whispered after him as she turned the corner and the sight was lost to her.
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Jack frowned. For a moment he thought he had seen Bessie on the docks, but it could not have been. She was safely tucked up in bed and would not wake for hours. Briefly he felt guilty that he had not woken her, but he hated seeing women cry - and it was worse he had discovered when the woman was your wife. "Keep 'er safe," he muttered even though he knew Henry could not hear him. He rounded the headland and the view of the town was gone. He sighed, putting his back to the oars, knowing it would be a good six weeks or more before he returned.