Chapter 3

Jack was led downstairs to a very elaborately decorated office. The walls had built-in shelves full of books of all ages and sizes. It was like a miniature library, and he supposed that there must be every aspect of fine literature all present in that nice sized room.

There was a large wooden desk near the back of the room and lying upon it was a quill, a bottle of ink, and parchment. Behind the desk was a rather large leather chair, and in front of the desk were two additional chairs and a sofa. On the back wall there was a painting of Amelia, her uncle, and her aunt. It must have been old, because Amelia looked like she was about eleven years old.

The butler introduced Jack, and turned to leave again closing the doors behind him. Jack sat down in one of the chairs facing the desk. He looked up and saw the gray-haired uncle, or was that a wig, sitting in the leather chair behind his desk and appeared to be inspecting him.

After his conversation with his young niece, Governor Mort Bridges sent her to go see her aunt in the parlor room and he awaited the arrival of the raggedy looking pirate captain. When the swashbuckler had arrived, he studied him carefully, wondering how someone related to him could actually fall in love with someone so... vile.

Yes, he didn't know Jack as a person, but most people were raised to believe that all pirates were bad and only equaled trouble. So, why should he be lead to believe that this pirate was any different? Mort's gray brows furrowed downward as he stared at the man across from him.

Jack was fully aware of the man's unwavering stare, and so he knew that her uncle must have been thinking about something. What had he called him down there for? 'Most likely to discuss my relationship with his niece' he thought to himself whimsically. "There a problem, mate?" Jack asked, trying to break the awkward silence between them.

The governor, who had hands on his chin as if he had been in deep thought removed his hand and sat up at this interruption. "Indeed. It seems that my niece, Amelia, requests my blessings for you two to be married. Naturally, that would be something that I would not give, especially to the likes of you-"

At that statement Jack's grin turned to a frown as he listened to what the man was telling him. It was understandable, but would the governor rather Amelia marry a boring man who she did not love and be unhappy for the rest of her life or marry an exciting handsome charming pirate and be content with her life? If Jack was Amelia then he would want the latter as well, after all, who couldn't resist the charm of ole Captain Jack Sparrow?

Apparently Governor Mort Bridges.

Mort continued, ignoring the change in Jack's expression. "But, since she seems dead set on marrying you whether I accept it or not. I love my niece, Mr. Sparrow and-"

"Captain Sparrow, savvy?" Jack yet again corrected.

"And, despite what it may seem, I want what is best for her. If that is a marriage to a pirate, then I suppose I must consider it," he explained. "So I wanted to discuss with you your intentions with Amelia. Most pirates don't marry the nieces of governors."

He was right, most pirates never married because there was no point in it. When you are constantly on the move it is hard to have any attachments. Besides, why marry when you can have your pick of any strumpet you want? Although, even that can get boring and somehow Jack managed to find someone who was unlike any of the women he had been with before. That could be because he was used to being with the women of Tortuga, but there was something about Amelia that he had grown to love. Thinking about it, the whole situation seemed crazy, loving someone whom at one point was more trouble then she seemed she was worth.

Jack cleared him throat and then proceeded to respond. "Aye, but I am not like most pirates," he said with a half grin that bared several of his gold and silver teeth.

"Why do you want to marry her? And, more importantly, will you be able to take care of her properly?" Mort asked, not pleased with his answer.

Jack had never said anything about marrying her. She had thought that up all on her own. If he informed the governor of that, though, he was sure that he would not allow her to leave with him again. So, he would definitely have to discuss this with Amelia later on. "Well, ye see, I luv her and I've taken care of her so far, 'avn't I?"

That was true, but Bridges was not about to admit that to him. "And you believe that you will be able to treat her the way she deserves to be treated, and not run around on her with prostitutes and such? I would not be too pleased to hear that she had been mistreated in anyway, shape, or form." He could not rule out the possibilities of what this pirate could do to the girl.

"Aye, the thought of doing that 'as never even crossed me mind." Jack answered. "I assure ye I feel the same way. It that all?"

"Oh, and more thing Captain, have you ever considered being a privateer?" the governor asked as Jack was about to stand up, but instead stayed seated when he heard the question coming to him.

Amelia had been sitting in the parlor room with her aunt. She was sitting in a blue silk velvet armchair and she had a warm cup of tea in her fragile hands as both of the ladies discussed Amelia's adventure. Her aunt was apparently extremely interested in hearing every detail, perhaps due to her own life was not as exhilarating.

The parlor room was relished with decorative pieces. There was an old grandfather clock, carved and painted paneling, a large piano that both Amelia and her aunt could play several melodies on, several silk velvet armchairs, an oak table, pure silver candlestick holders, paintings, an oriental rug, and a couch. If she hadn't been raised there, then Amelia would have probably been gawking at the room.

"So, you met the governor's daughter after all." Mary said, engrossed in the story as if she were a child and Amelia was a storyteller. "What was she like?"

Amelia thought back to when she met Elizabeth. She had been polite, and a bit bossy for a lady. It was Governor Swann to blame for her manner; he seemed to always give in to his only daughter. He was definitely softer then her uncle, who it was a stretch just for him to agree to give Jack a chance. Then Amelia was pulled back to reality and began to think of how to answer.

"Elizabeth was very kind to me, even though she did not know who I was. She was the one who encouraged me to go after Jack. She- she is a strong woman. You should have seen how she bossed her husband William around." she replied, chuckling at the memory.

"Oh really?" her aunt responded. It was rare for a wife to boss her husband around. Even Mary listened to her husband because he was the head of the household. "Dear, are you sure that you love this man? He is a pirate..."

"Yes." Amelia abruptly answered. "And he is not just any pirate, he is infamous." She was getting used to Jack's fondness of his reputation and so without realizing it she was even beginning to defend his standing.

"I see. Well, I am truly happy for you." she said. Mary knew what it was like to fall in love and she couldn't be happier that her niece, who had been more like a daughter to her, would have the chance to be able to feel that way.

Amelia smiled, she knew that her aunt would be able to understand her. If only it could be that easy for her uncle. She took another sip of the steaming liquid. She had missed the taste of tea while aboard the Black Pearl. Jack had kept true to his word when he said all they had was grog and rum, much to her dissatisfaction.

Soon it was time for dinner. Neither Amelia nor Jack had anything for lunch, so they were both starving. The dinner table was filled with a feast fit for, well the family of a governor. After a short prayer and speech by the head of the table, the governor, everyone began to fill their plates with the scrumptious looking meal.

When it came to eating, everyone was eating the way that Jack had seen Amelia eat before, except that they did not cut the food into perfect squares like she did. Jack was not paying attention to the others though; instead he was shoving his mouth with anything he could get his hands on. He was used to his sort of behavior and forgot that they weren't.

When he glanced up he saw that both Amelia's aunt and uncle were staring at Jack with a mortified expression on their faces. Mary was more of the friendly one and when she saw Jack look up she smiled and took a sip of wine. Mort, on the other hand, shot Jack a look of disapproval. Jack shrugged and then continued eating.

"It is lovely having all of us here for dinner." Mary commented, trying to ease the tension in the well-lit room.

After dinner Amelia and Jack went upstairs, both going to their own rooms. Maria was waiting for her in her bedroom. They exchanged hearty welcomes, and Maria helped her out of her dress as she told her about what happened at Port Royal. Then Amelia was in the comfort of her nightclothes and she washed her face as Maria talked to her.

When Amelia was gone her aunt hired a new maid. She was a young girl; about a year younger then her, and her name was Clara Thompson. Her father had just passed away, and since her mother was not able to support the both of them Clara had to find a job that would give her free boarding and food along with the pay. Mary took pity upon the girl and hired her.

Maria explained how Clara was a nice girl, but very shy and didn't talk much. She was also a cautious worker, doing her best to earn her wages. Maria was becoming friends with her, and she suggested that Amelia find the chance to meet the girl when she can.

Later Maria left, and Amelia crept down the hallway to where Jack was sleeping. She wanted to know what he had been discussing with her uncle and how everything turned out. They hadn't been able to talk since they got there, and plus she just wanted to see him.

She entered his room quietly, and shut the door behind him. His lanterns were lit, and she could see that he was lying on his bed holding something in his hand. "Jack?" she whispered, making her way over to the bed.

He looked up from the object in his hand and smiled. "'Ello, luv."

"What is that?" she asked, glancing down at his hand.

"This? Well, I'm not sure exactly meself..." he replied, twirling it with his fingers. "I believe that it is going to lead us to something big. Perhaps it is some sort of key..."

"Whose a what's its?" she asked, confused. What he was holding looked like half of a silver coin, how could that lead to treasure?

"I'll explain later," he said, leaning over and sticking it into the pocket of his coat that was sitting on the floor beside the bed, "Come back fer some more of the cap'ns love?"

Amelia's expression never faltered. "Actually Jack, I came to ask you how everything went." she said and took a seat on the end of the bed.

"Ahh, yes. The conversation with dear old uncle Mort..." No wonder she had come. She was curious of if he had agreed to give them blessings with marriage. Even though Amelia and Jack never discussed it. Was this like some unspoken agreement that he was unaware of? "He seems to be under the impression that we are getting married 'n he thinks I'm going t' be a horrid husband."

Amelia turned her face slightly to the left and the light from the lantern made her face seem as if it had a glow to it. "We are, aren't we?"

"Let's talk about this tomorrow." Jack replied with a yawn and small stretch of his arms. He was exhausted from all of the traveling, where it was just him and AnaMaria taking turns at the helm. He laid down on the bed and looked towards Amelia. If her uncle found her in there with him then Jack would be dead. Premarital relations were most likely against the rules in his book, and this would surely be a reason of why he would not accept their union.

It seemed that Amelia had been reading his mind, because after a couple minutes she stood up and gave Jack a swift kiss on the forehead as if he was a child. "I'll see you in the morning Jack." she said before she walked to the door and tiptoed out into the hallway.

Soon she was back again in her own bedroom, and so she slipped under her covers and laid on one side. Nevado happened to be in there she hadn't noticed him before. She saw him curled up into a ball in a deep sleep against the far wall. He looked so adorable and innocent sleeping, yet she knew that he could be a loud disturbance for such a small thing.

Then she though back to her and Jack. Did he not want to get married? She thought that was the next natural step. Who would go off to be with someone and not marry them? It seemed like the thing to do. Otherwise what would she bet to him? And if she got pregnant with his child then the kid would be born a bastard child. No child of hers was going to be a bastard if she had any say in it!

Besides, Will and Elizabeth got married and their situation was similar. Ok, it was completely different, but can't a girl have a fantasy come true once in a while? And even though she loved Jack, she also loved her family and did not want to be a disgrace to them. Yes, marrying a pirate could be considered a disgrace, but imagine how much worse it would look if she never even married him. How was the town going to take this?

"Oh, who the bloody hell cares what they think anyway" she muttered to herself. She knew that she didn't, but also that her aunt and uncle did. That was what worried her. Amelia yawned, and then let herself drift off to sleep.

As the night bore on, Mort Bridges found that he could not keep his mind from thinking about his niece and the pirate. It could have been worse, Amelia could have died or kidnapped or been raped... Oh dear god, had they had sex already? He would have to have another talk with that pirate captain in the morning...

Then he turned to glance at the wife who was snoring beside him. Maybe that was the real reason why he couldn't sleep.

A/N: What is the real reason why Mort can't sleep? Will Amelia and Jack ever get married? And who is this new maid? Find out by coming back to read more. Mwa-ha-ha-ha!!!!

Ok, enough of my madness, please review!

TriGemini- Yeah, I know if I was the governor I would be suspicious too.

Phoebe- Thankie!