CHAPTER SIX.

Someone New.

Jack awoke quietly that morning. He stretched his arms out to reach the back of the four-poster bed. He had slept rather soundly considering the news he had just received the night before. Elizabeth had come up to his room to inform him of the plans of the remainder of Barbossas' crew. Jack wasn't in the slightest bit worried about the possible invasion. He had beaten the very same pirates many times before. He could do again. Elizabeth had also told Jack of how Norrington blamed it all on Jack. Jack did agree. It was mostly his fault. But, it was also Wills'. If Will hadn't agreed to go with him then he probably wouldn't have gotten as far as he did. But, in fact the pirates should be thanking Jack, if it wasn't for him then they would still be cursed forever. Strange how the world works really.

The pirate walked slowly over to the mahogany dresser. Ever since he had arrived at the Swann Manor he had been rather unimpressed with lavish furnishings. True, it was nice enough, but Jack preferred simple things. He was a simple man after all.

Over the past few days, Jack had seemed to have gotten over his unrequited love for Elizabeth, but still, whenever he saw her his heart seemed to skip or his stomach turn in on itself.

Jack had no idea what he would do with himself today. Perhaps he would take a walk around the city. He would not, however, venture back into Joseph's Inn. There were too many temptations in that place. No, he maybe would just walk and look at shops or something. Jack threw his shirt back over his bare chest and smiled to himself. He was rather looking forward to today, just walking around on his own, looking at locals, checking out shops and perhaps the occasional woman. Jack walked out the room and bumped into a neatly-dressed maid. She looked down. Jack hated it when they did that, it was as if they were inferior to everyone else. Jack rolled his eyes.

"Good Mornin' Miss" he said politely as he walked down the marble staircase. Jacks' eyes lingered on the maid for a moment. He noticed she had a pretty face and long blonde hair. Her skin was fair but she had a certain bold quality about her. When she looked back at him he stared straight ahead and continued to walk down to the dining room.

Jack noticed Will and Elizabeth both were enjoying French toast and fruit for breakfast when Jack walked in. He sat down opposite the two and smiled. He reached for an apple and took a bite out of it. The Captain hoisted one leg up on the chair next to him and rested his braided head on his hand.

"Good morning Jack" the two said in perfect unison. Jack just knew they were made for each other. They were constantly finishing each others sentences and saying things at exactly the same time.

"Mornin'." Jack said through a mouthful of apple.

Jack recalled his run-in with the maid and smiled. Once he realised he had an absolutely stupid grin on his face he relaxed his face into a plain look and stared absently into space.

"What are you so happy about?" Will inquired, picking up his cup of tea.

"Elizabeth," Jack began. "There's a lass who works 'ere. Long blonde 'air, fair skin. Who is she?" Jack asked.

"Oh," Elizabeth tried to think who it might be. "That would be Lucinda"

Elizabeth suddenly realised what a strange question this really was. Why would Jack want to know the name of one of her maids? "Why do you want to know anyway, Jack?"

Jack realised Elizabeth wouldn't take kindly to Jack having a fling with one of her maids. She had said it herself once already this week. He thought of something quickly. "Oh, she jus' did a wonderful job with me room. I wanted ter thank 'er. That's all" Jack could tell Elizabeth and Will didn't believe this, but it was good enough.

All through breakfast, no one spoke of the possible invasion of the pirates. Jack guessed Will and Elizabeth had discussed not to speak about it in front of him,

After about an hour of general chit-chat Jack bid the couple farewell and told them he was off for a walk. They seemed rather apprehensive, and with good reason, last time he had gone to the city he had returned drunk.

Jack walked out of the manor and towards the large wrought iron gates. His thoughts were still on that maid. He swore he had seen her somewhere once, where, he couldn't be sure. But, he was sure he would find out soon enough. As he walked he looked quite out-of-place. Everyone who walked past were wearing expensive clothes and large pieces of shiny gold jewellery. Jack, on the other hand was wearing moleskin pants, leather boots and a calico shirt. His braids swayed as he walked and the money in his pockets jingled.

Jack finally found somewhere to pass his time. It was a small antique store. On the front there was a sign that said:

Oriels' Emporium.

Purveyors of fine gifts,

Gold Jewellery

And,

Antique furnishings.

Jack raised an inquiring eyebrow. This place looked interesting enough. He slowly walked in. The shop was long and narrow and was deceivingly large. It had two stories, on the bottom level was the antique store itself and on the upper was a small teahouse.

Mr. Sparrow looked around the store for some time. He found it rather interesting. But none of the things were as impressive as those he had found on his trips through the Caribbean with his crew. Sure enough there was a well-dressed woman at a mahogany desk. She had to be in her late fifties. She wore a large diamond brooch on the front of a woolen shawl. She wore a large peacock feather in her hair. She smiled kindly at Jack as he walked over to her. She was no doubt the owner of this shop.

The woman held out her hand to Jack. "Oriel Austerlitz" she said pleasantly "I'm the owner of this here store." She inspected Jack. She seemed to be somewhat attracted to him. Jack found it rather repulsive, she had to be a good seventeen years older than him.

"Right" Jack said slowly. "Jack Sparrow" he replied quickly. Shaking her hand. "Mind if I take a look aroun'?" he asked. He would do anything to get away from this strange woman.

"Be my guest" Oriel replied as she went back to her book she was reading.

As Jack continued to look around he found an assortment of odd objects. This woman was clearly quite superstitious. He found rabbits feet hung up on red string, cloves of garlic and crosses everywhere. As Jack turned around he bumped into someone, knocking a gold pocket-watch off the table in the process.

His eyes met with someone familiar. It was no other than the very same maid he had met that morning. He had no idea what she was doing in the emporium. Perhaps she had a morning off or something. Jack gave her a small smile.

"'ello again" he said charmingly.

She once again looked down. He rolled his eyes at her. How could a woman be so frustrating? Getting annoyed, Jack began to initiate conversation.

"Why are you 'ere? I though' yer worked at the manor?" Jack said, picking the pocket-watch off the floor and inspecting it.

"Oh." She said quietly. She had a soft and rather pleasant voice. "I received the morning off."

Jack decided this girl was no maid. She was too well spoken. She had obviously been educated somewhere. Most maids at the manor spoke with poor grammar and a strong cockney accent. But not this one, she was from London or somewhere upper-class in England. Jack decided not to interrogate the woman any further. He sighed and left her and walked upstairs to the teahouse wondering if they served rum.

As Jack walked he could feel someones eyes on his back. He turned around and noticed the maid glancing at him. He pretended not to notice and pressed on up the oak staircase. As he entered, the teahouse it had a rather quaint air to it. Small china cups were set up. Jack found it unnecessarily charming. He rolled his eyes and walked back down the stairs. When he stepped off the last stair he noted that the maid was gone. He sighed and walked out of the emporium, before he left he turned around to find Oriel staring at his behind lusciously. Jack shuddered and walked out into the warm summer air.


The maid, also known as Lucinda had met up with friends at a nearby coffee shop. They chatted quietly to each other and shared womanly gossip. Until, suddenly Lucinda brought up the subject of the charming pirate she had met that day.

"Estelle," she began, turning to one of her friends. Estelle sported black hair and brown eyes with dark olive skin. "I met an absolutely charming man today"

Estelle nodded for Lucinda to tell more. "Really, where?" she asked excitedly.

"Oh, at the Manor, and then again at Oriels Emporium" she stated confidently. "He was dressed rather strangely though. Long dreadlocks and sort of, Pirate Clothes."

As soon as she had said that Estelle knew whom Lucinda was speaking of. "Was his name Jack Sparrow?" she asked in a whisper.

Lucinda shrugged. She had never caught his names come to think of it. Actually, she had hardly spoken to him.

Estelle continued to speak. "Lucinda, you must never see him again. He's a pirate. I've read all about him, he's a shady character, you don't want to be mixing with him, let me tell you now. He has killed, looted, pilfered and kidnapped, not to mention other things."

Lucinda had a dreamy look plastered across her pale face. "But, I feel I've seen him somewhere before"

"Well don't bother with him Luce" Estelle paused "And besides you're set to marry James any day now"

Of course, by James she meant the infamous Commodore James Norrington. Many people wondered why James was to marry a maid. Some said it was for his own lustful purposes, others said it was for love. Whatever reason it was every girl in Port Royale was jealous of Lucinda at the moment. But, the real reason he was to marry her was a secret only he and Lucinda knew.


Jack swaggered through the streets walking in a crooked fashion from shop to shop finding ways to pass his time. He finally got bored of it and began to walk back to the manor. The guards at the gates opened them for him and he sighed. He walked past the hedges and up the stone pathway to the door. He casually opened it and walked to the drawing room. There, he found Elizabeth playing the piano. She was playing a rather intricate piece, her slender hands flying this way and that across the piano keys. Jack cleared his throat to get the young lady's attention.

"Why, Jack. I didn't see you there." She said, turning away from the piano.

"Yer are a great musician luv" he replied.

"Jack, earlier, why did you want to know Lucinda's name?" she asked, packing up her sheet music.

"I jus' foun' her rather attractive. Tha's all" he said simply.

"Well Jack, you cant. She's marrying Commodore Norrington in about a months time" she said. Walking over to him.

"Oh...but, why is Norrington marryin' a maid?" he asked.

"Well, it's a long story. I'll try to explain it as short as possible." Elizabeth began. "Lucinda is on the run from the British government. They believe she killed her mother and father by setting fire to their home in London. However, she is innocent, she was in Manchester during the time of the fire. But, the only way to stay away from the law, is for her to marry someone of the Navy or Government. A stupid rule in my opinion. Anyway, Norrington is marrying her since, in return she shall perform for him certain, well...how shall I put this...services."

Jack was rather taken aback by this explanation. Commodore Norrington was nothing but desperate and alone. He obviously lost-out on not marrying Elizabeth so settled for a woman who was almost and pretty and well-educated as her.

"That stupid a..." Jack began but Elizabeth cut him off.

"I know, but that's the way things are. I'm sorry Jack" she said quietly. She went back to her piano playing and left Jack.

Mr. Sparrow sat down on a chair and listened to Elizabeth play. Why was it Jack always fell for women who were positively unavailable and completely out of bounds. He seemed to have a knack for choosing things that were bad for him. He sighed and sat there for a few moments in silence listening to Elizabeth. The piece she played was full of dramatic highs and equally just as worrying lows. It seemed to match Jacks' Love-life perfectly.

Authors Notes: Sorry about the rather uneventful chapter. There shall be more action in the next one. Just thought I'd make life a little worse for Jack That's all (joking) oh well PLEASE R&R next chapter will be up soon.

Thanks

xxx