Usual disclaimers... nevermind!

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Chapter 60 – Negotiations

Laura nodded as she handed Will his ale. "I have such a basket," she assured him. "I will walk out to the bay later and leave a note." She reached out to take his money. "As soon as I hear I will let you know," she smiled, turning to serve another customer.

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But at that moment in time, Jack and the Black Pearl were nowhere near Port Royal. They had easily lost the HMS Dauntless and had returned to Tortuga. Jack knew that Bessie was not due to give birth for another few weeks and that she would need time to recover from the birth. He realised sadly that she would not be able to return to Môle Saint Nicholas now that the navy had found her there once, and that the only place he knew she would be safe was the very place she would not want to be – Tortuga. He had found a house which, although needing some work, would be suitable for her and had plenty of space for a family to grow... all he needed to do now was ensure her safety. He walked up the hill towards the big house, home to the man that now controlled Tortuga... Edmund Morgan, son of the infamous William Morgan who was responsible for making the town of Tortuga the pirate haven it had become. Jack sighed, knowing it would cost him and cost him a lot... possibly his entire share of her father's gold or more. He knocked on the door listening as footsteps echoed from within. A bolt shot back and the door slowly opened.

"Yes?" A liveried servant stood before him.

"Captain Sparrow," Jack introduced. "I wish t' see Morgan..."

The man looked at him, sneering slightly. "Wait here," he said, shutting the door firmly in his face. The footsteps faded and Jack was relieved to hear them return shortly, the door opening again. "This way," he said.

Jack followed the servant along a long corridor to a plush room lit by an ornate chandelier, the walls covered with tapestries and bookcases that stretched from the floor to the ceiling. "Captain Sparrow?" He turned to see Edmund Morgan sitting in a high-backed chair near the fire. "I understand you wish to see me?"

Jack nodded cautiously, knowing that he would not be able to conceal anything from him. He was surprised to see how much he had aged since he had last seen him, but he supposed giving up the sea did that to a man – well, that and losing an arm. Edmund now hoarded secrets and knowledge the way that most men hoarded gold... but that did not mean he was not partial to the latter. "I do," he admitted. "I am movin' m' wife t' Tortuga an' wish t' buy her safety... an' fer m' family..."

"Your wife? Is she not living in Port Royal at the moment?" Edmund smiled, knowing that he had Jack exactly where he wanted him – and that Jack knew it. He coughed, wheezing.

"Not fer much longer," Jack retorted. "But I'll not risk th' navy snatching her or m' child..." He held Edmund's gaze. "Let's just cut th' crap an' yer tell me yer price..." he said, wincing in anticipation at the amount. He was not disappointed but slowly nodded. "I'll see th' chests delivered t' yer today," he acknowledged, realising he would have to take most of Bessie's share as well as all of his own to meet the demands.

"No protests?" Edmund enjoyed seeing the eccentric Captain agree so easily.

"Yer know I cannot," Jack admitted holding out his hand. "We have an accord."

Edmund shook his hand firmly. "You have a property in mind?" he asked.

"Th' derelict place with th' garden at th' junction with th' north trail," Jack admitted. "Or are yer going t' charge me fer that too?"

Edmund shrugged. "No," he replied. "The last owner of that property met an unfortunate end and..." He paused as a middle-aged woman entered the room, bustling about as she searched for something. She looked up in shock on seeing Jack.

"Oh, I'm sorry Edmund!" she exclaimed. "I didn't realise you had company..."

Edmund groaned. "My wife Constance," he introduced. "Constance, this is Captain Sparrow..."

"Oh!" she smiled in delight. "You are the one that is married? Are you bringing your wife to Tortuga? It would be lovely to have another woman in town..."

"That is what Captain Sparrow and I were just negotiating dear," Edmund sighed, not missing Jack's smirk at his predicament.

"You are bringing her here then!" she smiled in delight. "Have you found a house?"

"Th' derelict place with th' garden..." Jack began, wondering how he could use Constance to his advantage.

"Oh that would be a delightful family home!" she declared in delight. "Don't you think so Edmund?"

"Indeed," he smiled, wishing she would go away. "Was there something you were looking for dear?"

"Oh yes... I forgot! I was looking for my gardening gloves... have you seen them?" She continued to look around the room before spotting them on the seat by the window. "Ah! There they are!" She picked them up, tucking them into the waist of her skirt. "You must get your wife to come and visit when she arrives," she smiled at Jack as she headed for the door.

"She'd be delighted to," Jack assured her, chuckling as Edmund sighed in relief as his wife shut the door.

"They get worse!" Edmund said dryly. He stared at Jack for a moment, as if deciding something. "Do the house up and I'll make sure people know it is yours," he said, realising he would have to sweeten the deal with Jack if he did not want tales of his own wife spreading. She was as sweet as the day he had married her, even if she did drive him to distraction with her absent-mindedness.

"Papers?" Jack pressed, sensing an opening.

Edmund sighed. "I'll have them drawn up by the time you return with the money," he conceded.

"I'd best be sortin' it then," Jack acknowledged, turning towards the door. "Until this afternoon then..."

"Until then," Edmund agreed, ringing the bell pull for the servant to show Jack the way out. "I will be expecting you."

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"How much?" Joshamee gasped when Jack ordered him to arrange a cart to take the chests to Edmund Morgan.

Jack shrugged. Joshamee understood how losing that amount hurt. "I'd have paid more," Jack admitted. "But we've a house t' sort as well b'fore we can rescue Bessie. As soon as th' money is delivered I want yer t' take th' Pearl an' bring everything from Môle Saint Nicholas t' here."

"And what will you be doing?" Joshamee frowned.

"I'll be sortin' things this end," Jack grinned. "I can use some of th' crew t' make th' place sound, an' employ some of th' craftsmen in town t' fix it too. By th' time Bessie is ready t' leave it should be habitable!"

"Aye, it will be good to get the lass back," Joshamee agreed. "So let's get that money up to Morgan and I'll sail with the tide..."