Roland escorted her onto the dance floor shortly after their arrival, leaving Jack confused and alone in their wake. Despite her best efforts, Alinnya found her eyes darting spasmodically, seeking him in the crowd as they waltzed around the dance floor.
"He's probably found a respectible woman by now," Roland smirked at her turned face.
She could have gotten whiplash, so quickly did she face him. "How do you mean?"
"A woman of relative standing, not some brazen hussy as yourself. Honestly dear, do you think yourself worthy of being so much as a common whore?"
"He thinks me more," she resisted the urge to spit in his face, to push away from him in revulsion.
"Does he? Jack runs through women like water. I doubt, given his surroundings, something so vile as yourself will last much longer." He laughed. "Jack will find himself a high born girl to whisk away and stay on the atlantic coast, and keep my business profitable. Not follow some pirate whore into the bloody caribbean."
"We shall see. He and I will discuss this later."
"Don't be so sure, dear. Blood runs thicker than water- or a man's seed. And you have nothing of greater worth to offer him."
Alinnya bit her tongue and gripped his arm as hard as she could, resisting every urge to beat him senseless.
"Of course, he murmered, his lips dipping dangerously close to her ear, "you could always stay with me. I could put you in a proper room as my mistress, and keep you well. An Irish atrocity such as yourself could not ask for more."
"Tell me," she smiled demurely at him as the song finished. "Which bothers you more- that I am Irish or that I am his."
"Neither," he smiled, his eyes traveling over her possessively. "That you dare to fight me is my only trouble. I shall break you thoroughly, girl." He lifted her chin, almost lovingly. "Don't forget that."
"Pardon me, sir," she hurried away as quickly as she could as the dance ended, racing for the balcony.
She practically threw herself over the low railing, gasping for breath as the corset seemed to cinch tighter around her waist, and the world spun perilously. She felt she'd loose the contents her stomach no longer had around the world.
"End it," she whispered. "Why must I live life fighting those who'd only master me?"
"Madam!" she felt a strong arm grip her shoulder, pulling her upright. "You mustn't fall. Are you ill?"
"I'm all right," she smiled weakly at the young man. "Just faint. The dancing must have tired me."
"Yes, it is disorienting," he smiled at her, a flash of beautiful teeth and vivacious blue eyes. "Would you like to sit down?"
"No, she smiled back, shaking her head for emphasis. "I must find my husband. We were parted in the festivities."
"Of course." He extended his arm. The disappointment registered in his eyes, but he was considerate nonetheless. "I shall help you, Mrs..."
"Sparrow," she replied, taking his arm gratefully. "Captain Jack Sparrow."
"Well Mrs. Sparrow," he led her down the stairwell. "You must have a knack for finding sea-faring men."
"How so, sirrah?"
"Because I am a captain myself, in the royal fleet. Captain Adam Norrington, of the i>Compass /I>."
"My, that must be exciting. Have you been sailing long?"
With that, Alinnya found herself in conversation with the only friend she'd made since they'd dropped anchor.

"Ah, there you are!" Jack's step did not falter noticably at notice of her escort, but she could read the mistrust in his eyes easily enough.
"Captain Sparrow, I presume?" Adam chuckled happily. "I am here, in hopes of your good graces, to return your wayward wife." He loosed her arm and pushed her gently toward him.
"Captain Norrington was kind enough to escort me," she smiled, she hoped reassuringly, at Jack as she placed herself at his side. "I thank you kindly," she added to Adam.
"Quite my pleasure," he tipped his hat. "Captain Sparrow, I hope we meet again, perhaps to exchange a tale or two. But the hour is late, and my family awaits me. Good night to you both." He bowed low, and departed.
"What was that, my dear?" Jack asked quietly, unmoving.
"Exactly what I told you, love, nothing more." She swollowed. "We do need to talk."
"On?"
"I'm afraid... that... our current lifestyle might seperate us."
"You mean, you, running off with little boys, will not cause that?"
"Jack, I would not betray you. Would you me?"
"You accuse me?" he turned to face her. "After... that, you accuse me?"
"I know you." She whispered. "Pirate."
"Aye," he chuckled, stepping away from her a little. The silent confession stung. "Perhaps this was a mistake."
"Well, we're stuck in this i>mistake /i> for a good while, Jack." She turned, fighting the desire of her face to tense in hurt and anger, fighting the tears that threatened. "Your mistake. Perhaps you should fix it before we i>drown /i> in it?"
"Ah, there are my two lovebirds," Roland gripped them both, seemingly oblivious to their argument. "It is time to return to the nest, wouldn't you say?"

Roland had arranged for them to sleep in seperate rooms. To Alinnya, the insult was... insulting. Jack, in his current state, didn't seem to mind.
Watching him slam the door on her had been more painful than she liked to admit.
She'd sent the maids away, undressing herself and standing, in her pirate's shirt and the simple white slip, in front of the mirror.
i>Is it that obvious? /i>
Maybe her waist was too wide. Her voice too loud. Her words too rash. Maybe... what...
what do they want?
What do i>I /i> want?
Standing there, she made her decision. She didn't know how. She didn't know what good it would do.
But she wouldn't give him up without a fight.