Yet again, usual disclaimers apply throughout this tale. If you recognise it, it probably belongs to the Mouse – else it is mine!
Chapter 19 – Gillette and Mister Wells
Year 2 - Early October
Jill and Catherine were in the kitchen baking when Lieutenant Gillette next called. She had been expecting his visit, having seen the HMS Dauntless anchored in the harbour, and had carefully prepared for him. She smiled as she looked at the surprise on the chair… even he could not mistake her after this. "Show Lieutenant Gillette in please, Jill," she said, making sure she was composed as she sat. The heels of his boots clicked upon the stone floor.
"Mistress Reyes," he purred, presenting her with a beautiful bowl of fresh fruit, "I am so glad that I caught you at home today."
"Lieutenant, won't you join us for tea? Jill, will you pour?" She sat, ensuring the table was between them and that Jill had an excuse to remain.
"Please, Mistress Reyes, may we not address each other by our Christian names?" he asked politely.
"Lieutenant," she stressed his rank. "Lieutenant, I cannot accept your gift, as I could not accept your previous gifts, for if I did then I would be giving you the wrong impression." She took a deep breath. "I believe on several occasions I have spoken with you that I do not wish to be courted, indeed by anyone, but still you visit with gifts. I am a widow and happy to remain one. Please can this cease now," she demanded.
Lieutenant Gillette sucked his lips in. "I see," he calmly said, studying her intently. "You were happy enough to be seen kissing pirates on your arrival, but will not accept an honest offer of marriage from me?"
"I do not seek an offer of marriage from anyone, Lieutenant, but especially not from someone who would throw my friendship with the late Captain Sparrow so callously in my face!" Her voice hardened. "Kindly leave!"
88888
Theodore and his guest, Thomas Wells, ascended the small flight of steps to the front door. It was ajar and the sound of raised voices echoed from within.
"Get out! Get out Lieutenant or I swear I will shoot you!" Theodore could hear his sister shouting. "I told you I was not interested before. I am still not interested. What part of 'no' can you not understand! If you were the last eligible man in the Caribbean I'd happily die alone!"
A hand stalled Theodore from entering the kitchen and the two men listened from the hallway.
"But…" a man's voice quavered.
Catherine continued shouting. "Oh so holy are we! Well Lieutenant, let me tell you, Captain Jack Sparrow may be dead but I have no regrets about the time I spent aboard the Black Pearl – unless it be the fact that I ever left!" Her voice dropped ominously, "Indeed, if I truly had to marry then I'd marry any man but you, even a bloody pirate! Now get out!"
A shot rang out and Theodore was treated to the sight of a white-faced Robert Gillette fleeing past them, through the hallway, and out the open front door without stopping. Sounds of crying came from the kitchen.
Theodore cautiously opened the kitchen door. "Am I safe to come in, or will you shoot me too?" His sister was sitting at the table, tears streaming down her face, the spent pistol before her. Catherine tried to dry her eyes, weakly smiling.
"Theo! When did the Resolute get in?" she sniffed.
"About half an hour ago. Although I didn't expect to find the house in such uproar…" He paused. "We also have a house guest."
Theodore stood to one side and she could see a slim, dark-haired man inspecting the shot-hole in the doorframe. "Did you mean to miss?" he asked, his voice tinged with amusement.
His accent was cultured, American colonial, his dress rich but sombre. Catherine looked mortified at her brother. "I am sorry, sir. This household is usually more decorous than you have seen. Jill, put the kettle on, Theo and Mister..." She paused as she waited for him to reply.
He turned slowly. "Mister Wells, Thomas Wells. At your service, Mistress Reyes."
Catherine blanched, looking at her brother in confusion. Biting her lip hard, she fought to regain her composure. She knew the face, and although he had changed dramatically, she could never forget his eyes, those haunting, captivating, chocolate-brown eyes. Fearing she would faint, she grasped the chair back, knuckles whitening. "Theo, perhaps you could help Mister... Mister Wells with his baggage whilst I ready the spare room." She hurriedly brushed past them. "This way Mister... Wells," she murmured.
She ascended the stairs in front of their guest, who followed closely behind. "Could you sway a bit more, Kitty..." he slurred.
She held her composure until they reached the room, shutting the door and turning on him. "They told me you were dead! Zeke came here and told me you were bloody dead! How can you act so damned normal?" She burst into tears again, furious with him and with herself.
"Ah, Kitty. So you do care," he smiled. He reached out to touch her but he was surprised when she threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly. He had not considered that the crew would tell her of his loss, or that she cared enough for him to grieve – which she clearly had been doing if her reaction to his arrival was any indication.
"What if the Commodore sees you?" she sniffed, tilting her head to kiss him desperately, still unbelieving that he was actually there.
"Would it shock you t' learn I've been in 'is company for the last two months and 'e hasn't suspected a thing. I'm Thomas Wells, a spy for His Majesty's government... not Captain Jack Spar..." Jack mumbled between kisses, cursing as he could feel his body respond to her – this was neither the time nor place.
He stopped kissing her as Theodore entered the room. "You can hear more after dinner Cat, when there are less ears in the house. All you need to know that he is Thomas Wells, and a spy, but that is all!" He glared at Jack as he held Catherine. "And our previous conversation stands!"
"Sure thing, matey!" he slurred, kissing Catherine deeply before the cultured American façade returned. He took a deep breath. "Do I remember somebody mentioning tea?" Disengaging from their hug, he held his arm out to Catherine. "Perhaps you would be so kind Mistress to show me the way..."
She wiped her eyes, still shaking with shock. They descended the stairs together, her arm resting gently on his. "Steady, Kitty. If I can do this then so can you."
"Mistress Catherine, the tea is in the lounge. Would you be requiring anything else?" Jill asked from the bottom of the stairwell.
At the sound of Jill's voice, he could see her pulling herself together. Taking a deep breath, she willed her voice to be calm. "Perhaps some cake or biscuits would be nice, Jill. Whatever we have at such short notice." The maid curtseyed and returned to the kitchen. "I don't know Ja... Mister Wells," she corrected herself. "I don't know if I can".
"I'll only be here for a few weeks, until I can contact the Pearl to pick me up... you can do it!" He escorted her to one of the settees in the lounge, taking one opposite. Theodore sat in the one remaining settee as Jill returned with a large plate of sliced cake.
"That is all there was, Mistress, but I can pop out to see if I can get anything..." she suggested.
"That is a good idea Jill," Theodore interrupted, trying to distract attention from his red-eyed sister. He watched as she curtseyed and left. "And then my dear sister can explain just why she is shooting holes into doorframes?" He looked at her expectantly. "Yes?"
"But what about..." She glanced at Jack, eyes full of confusion and questions.
"Our guest's story can wait. I want to know what you have been up to..." he demanded.
Tearing her eyes from Jack, Catherine sighed heavily, realising she would have to explain. "Not a lot. Dodging Gillette, comforting sobbing pirates in the kitchen..."
"And exactly what has the lieutenant been doing in my absence?" He studiously avoided her comment about sobbing pirates and their presence in his kitchen.
"Oh, it's nothing much, Theo." She sipped her tea, but he frowned, forcing her to continue. "He's been trying to court me for the last two months and wouldn't take no for an answer?" She sighed. "I wouldn't have really shot him... honest! But I was tempted..."
"Cat!" Theodore gasped in shock.
"He's revolting Theo. A slimy, puerile, arrogant..."
Theodore held up his hands, pacifying her. "We get the idea!" he sighed.
"I'd have shot him..." Jack smiled innocently. Theodore glowered at him.
88888