Disclaimer: Don't own it. Enough said.

A/N: okay...many thanks to alexwacrap, me first reviewer! You get a rum flavoured cookie! Also, to those few who read the default chapter, I know it's confuzzling, but hopefully the pieces will come together...

Names:

Adina: uh-deen-uh

Nathaniel: nuh-than-yul

Adina

-Chapter 2-

I dared to glance at the clock; it was shortly before midnight. A deafening silence lay over the place, interrupted only by the muted scuffling of a servant's feet on the marble. The manor felt empty and alone without the constant noise of the children romping about. I sighed, checking that my dress was free of wrinkles. I resumed staring at the door, the door that should have been opened by my husband over an hour ago. It didn't budge. A watched kettle never boils, my mother had told me. This may be true, but I wanted to greet Nathaniel right when he came through that door. I hadn't seen him for months.

A servant, whose name I misremembered ( I believe it was either Mary or Marie) came through the hall, her arms laden with neatly folded linen. "Is there anything I can get you, m'lady?" she questioned, her mousy features drawn into a look of concern. "oh, no that's quite alright." I said to the questioning servant ( I'm almost sure her name was Marie now that I think on it). She gave me one last glance before hurrying up the stairs. I turned and continued to stare at the door.

After what seemed like an eternity, I heard the telltale commotion of a carriage pulling up. Thoughts raced through my mind; What if he had died in a sea battle, and this was merely some messenger here to give me the news? I shook my head to chase the vile thoughts from my mind, my dark, carefully styled curls bouncing as I did so. I nearly wet myself as I saw the door start to open. And there he stood, very official in his blue Navel uniform, alone save for the cab driver who was collecting his fare. I smiled politely at the cabby as he left.

When the door was shut, it was just the two of us, alone in the parlor. "And how is Mrs. Ashcroft?" he asked with a wink. I grinned. "Mrs. Ashcroft does as well as she can." After a quick embrace, he started up the stairs. "Oh, Nate, I almost forgot—" I really hadn't forgotten anything, but I desprately wanted to talk to him. He turned and gave me another boyish wink. "That's Commodore Nate to you, young missy!" I laughed in spite of myself. I did a mock curtsy, which was rather difficult due to my corset and the stiff material of my dress. "Terribly sorry, sir," I said. He chuckled, and came back down to the parlor. "Alright, Adina," he said, "After almost nine years of marriage, I can tell when you want to talk. What's on your mind?" I avoided the question. "Milo was right sore when you left. He had a fit, and it took both of his nursemaids to calm him." "Always was a rebel," said Nate thoughtfully. A few strands of brown hair had escaped his usually neat ponytail. He took off his hat and lay it on a table. He gazed at me with deep gray eyes; a child's eyes. "Is Bethany practicing her embroidery?" "Yes, she's goten mush better." He suddenly looked very tired. "Well if that's all, I think I may retire to bed." I nodded, the question still burning in my mind. He started up the stairs again.

I couldn't take it anymore. "Have you caught that Sparrow fellow yet?" I asked in what I hoped was a light tone. He stopped on the stairs, pondering the answer. "Last I heard he was in Port Royal trying to steal himself a ship. Bloody pirate." "Ah," I said. "Is he still alive?" Nate nodded and continued to ascend the stairs. I waited until I heard the bedroom door shut before breathing a sigh of relief. So, my brother was still alive after all.

"Blast, I'm already awake!"

"That was for the smell."

A/N: though the story still doesn't make sense, a review or two would be nice...and don't worry, the next chap will explain a lot...