Special Delivery, Chapter 5
This is a tale that belongs somewhere after the Kettle of Hawks story line. No angst, no hurt. A Christmas one shot story that keeps growing. I've kept Theo as Groves' first name as I like it; unfortunately I don't know who first used it so credit is due to that person. Gillette appears to have chosen Dominic for his name, at least in my universe.
Disclaimer: the usual. Don't own, belongs to the Mouse, no infringement intended, no profit made.
Rating: PG, maybe?
Come, be Merry
"I am so pleased that you were able to come, Anamaria," Elizabeth spoke as she led her guest up to her accommodations, not noticing the slight hesitation in her pirate friend as she stared covertly around at her surroundings.
"It's Christmas and Jack wanted to spend it here with his friends. Gibbs has his own reasons for wantin' to come into this port and the rest of the crew just like any place where there's food and drink to be had. They should be on good behaviour; it's not as if we haven't warned 'em enough."
"I would not expect that to be a problem. The Commodore has made arrangements to, how shall we say, oversee the crew?"
"He has, has he?"
"Naturally. Commodore Norrington makes it a habit to be prepared for any eventuality. He wants the Pearl to be accepted here as much as Will and I do, just that he wishes the liaison between Port Royal and Jack and his crew to progress slowly and safely. People tend to accept change more readily if it is done in little bits. Either that or he believes their memories are short-lived if left undisturbed."
"Well, we wouldn't want to upset the townsfolk, would we?"
"Not in that precise fashion, no."
"I heard you were havin' problems with some of the tradesmen here and that maybe I could help ya wit' them."
"That would be most appreciated, Ana."
"Would Norrington step in and prevent us from handlin' the shopkeepers? That one is a lot sharper than he lets on and I'd prefer to be sure, even if that madman, Jack Sparrow, says he's safe."
"James won't be a problem at all, so long as we refrain from anything that he would be required to take notice of. He was very subtle about it but he's the one who suggested that you stay with me."
"He nevah did! Don't he know what those greedy shop keepers are in for?"
"Mm-hmm. James understands perfectly well what he is unleashing on Port Royal though it did take me several days to realize his sly underhandedness. In his position as the commander of the military here, James is constantly besieged by people wishing to further their particular enterprises or goods. I suspect this might be a form of revenge for him."
"Well, seems Jack's right, after all; that one would make a good pirate if he didn't wear the uniform. He's tricksy enough when he wants to be, eh?"
"Probably why the pair of them have learned to get along so well; it's almost frightening when one thinks about it. For now, we have an opportune moment handed to us and I, for one, do not intend to waste it."
Anamaria and Elizabeth had reached the upstairs landing and turned to look at one another, an eerily similar look of anticipation and cunning appearing on each comely visage, pale and dark united in mischief. The erring tradesmen of Port Royal had best tread carefully, reinforcements had arrived and war was about to be declared. Unofficially, of course.
Elizabeth guided her guest along to the end chamber and opened the door, entering and then turning to motion Anamaria to come in. The pirate woman stepped in, trying not to mar the fine carpet beside the ornate bed. The room was very grand and her customary nerve was beginning to desert her; ships and taverns, village life and such were what she was accustomed to. This fine room was for the nobs, not the likes of her.
Her friend noticed the hesitation and quickly moved to reassure Anamaria. Elizabeth understood a bit more about the lifestyles of other folk now than she had as a young girl growing up in the Governor's mansion, enjoying a life of privilege and ease. She knew Anamaria was normally a confident woman but most likely would not have had much experience with this sort of environment. She went about reassuring her friend.
"Don't worry about this room, Anamaria; it's merely a room with a bed and furnishings, just a bit different style from any on the Black Pearl. Nothing more or less and you have a perfect right to be here, just as any other guest. In fact, you are more far welcome than some we have had to entertain. You'd be amazed at the ridiculous and utterly boring and tedious types a Governor can attract."
Anamaria looked around the room, considering what other guests may have stayed therein, and began to chuckle. She was wanted here and could hold her head up with anyone; after all, she was a free woman of property now.
Elizabeth showed her friend around the room and its amenities, indicating the wardrobe and shelves for her things, the bell pull to ring for a servant, the various fittings for washing and dressing. The windows had a fine view out to sea and Anamaria went over to them to stare out to the harbour and her vessel. The naval ships made her uneasy yet she was becoming accustomed to seeing them in more benign circumstances although the Dauntless's hulking mass would shiver the hairs on the neck of any who crossed her path with less than legitimate designs.
"It's a beautiful room, Elizabeth. Thank you for letting me come here. I think it will take some gettin' used to but I like it just fine, I do."
"You are most welcome, Anamaria. I think you'll find that you will feel more settled very soon. If you need anything, just pull that bell that I showed you and someone will come. If you need Will or myself, our room is the last down the hall on the harbour side; Will and I are staying here whilst Father entertains for the season. The house will be finished soon and then we shall be able to set it up as we wish."
"What's it like, then?"
"Much smaller than this place, of course. It's not very far from here; in fact, there's a pathway through the gardens that will take us there. There will be a forge there so Will can make his swords and cater to a more prominent clientele. He shall continue to run the forge that we purchased from Mr. Brown; people are used to dealing there and Will's new assistant is quite capable of fabricating the everyday ironmongery."
"What 'appened to Ol' Brown, then?"
"He was never the same after he lost his wife but was pleased enough to give up the smithing. He has moved in with his sister and her family and seems to be doing much better now, more like the person who took in Will those years ago."
"Seems like t'ings be workin' out for you all, then. There was a time when that didn't seem too likely, eh?"
"Impossible would be a better word. I think back on what happened and it feels more and more like it was a dream, not reality."
"Real enough, I'd say, but I understand what you mean, Lizzie."
"Would you like to see the rest of the house? Then, if you wish, I can take you down to show you our house. This is a quiet day for us. My dinner party is tomorrow and then at New Year's is the ball Father is giving so I will be hostess for him. That's the affair that has been causing the most difficulty with certain providers of goods and services from the town and where I wish to return a favour or three."
The ladies spent the rest of the afternoon plotting out Elizabeth's campaign and then discussed further tactics in the evening before chatting about the dinner the next day and the upcoming ball. Anamaria wanted to learn as much as she could before either event; she wanted to enjoy herself as much as possible in such a strange environment. She was not ashamed of what she was but knew there would be many who would condemn her outright for what they believed her to be.
The Governor and Will attempted not to stare at them too closely, neither man really wished either to know what was afoot or to become embroiled in their schemes. Will was primed to abet the ladies up to the point of preventing bloodshed or excessive property destruction. Weatherby prepared himself to deal with irate townspeople for the next fortnight, a small enough price he thought, considering the degree of enterprise and entertainment he would be privy to. His wife had had a more circumspect manner than their daughter but she also had occasionally indulged in devious plots and retributions. At least, Elizabeth came by her talents honestly.
The next morning, Jack was enjoying himself thoroughly in a bath of lovely fresh water and warbling loudly a favourite song, something about a young smith, his hammer and a buxom young damsel. Norrington overheard the songbird and, recognizing the very naughty song being rendered, went through his suite and opened the door to the bathing alcove between their quarters. The rather small room was a luxury but one he had come to enjoy immensely. The servants still had to haul the water up from the kitchen but there was a simple drain pipe that led outside, an experiment but one that worked well.
"You know, for a sparrow, one would think you would have a more melodious voice, Jack."
"'Ere now! What do you think you're doing, barging in on a man in his bath?" Jack's offended squawk showed his startlement, as did his sudden shift around to peer at his host, a wave of lavender scented water slopping over the side of the tub and onto the thick mat. "Someone needs to put a bell on you; you're worse than the ship's cat for sneaking about."
"Technically, that would be my bath, Jack. Actually, that would be my French bath salts and all as well, that you are so extravagantly sluicing about the floor."
"Yes. I know they're French, James. I'm the one what brought them for you last trip. Remember?"
"Do you know, I do believe you are correct?"
"If you're going to stand there, being rude and sarcastic, you may as well make yourself useful."
"And how may I be of service to Captain Jack Sparrow, sir?"
"Young Rupert brought up a couple of pails of nice warm water not five minutes past. If you could stir your stumps a bit, you could pour one of 'em over my head and hair and get all the soap off. Slowly, mind you, not all at once."
Norrington bowed politely to his rather prune-like house guest and obliged his request, carefully cascading the clean water over Jack's head, making sure to get all the soap that he could see. The water slicked down Jack's mass of hair and baubles until he looked a very bedraggled fowl indeed. James tried, he really did, but a rather strangled cough escaped his renowned control.
Jack peered up at him, using both hands to scrape aside enough ropes of hair to make a window so he could see where to direct his scowl. "You said something, James?"
"Not at all, Jack, merely clearing a bit of a frog from my throat."
"And what would a fine, high toned fellow such as yourself, known for his melodic voice, be doing with something so lowly as a frog now, eh?"
"Nonsense, Jack. Everyone gets a frog in their throat now and again." James replied perfectly seriously. He then raised the pail and enquired politely if Jack would like a further rinse.
"Yes, thank you. That would be most appreciated. Once you've done that, be a good fellow and just fetch over those towels from the chair."
James glanced over to the towels and back down to Sparrow, replying, "Of course, Jack, I would be delighted to assist you."
Jack prepared for his final rinse, unwisely failing to take close notice of Norrington; he looked up in time to see an evil, evil gleam in the green eyes slung under the long brows and took a deep breath to make some sort of peremptory comment. His timing could have been better as his mouth opened at precisely the moment he received a full bucket of warm water in the face.
As he sputtered and coughed and spat out water, he heard the Commodore's smarmy voice say something about "ask and ye shall receive." Jack could not let the insult pass unanswered and tried to dowse James with a mighty splash from the tub but was not quick enough to catch his tormentor. He heard the deep laughter as a towel fluttered down upon his head and then the door closed, and locked, behind James as the villain retreated to his own quarters.
"Just you wait, Mister Commodore James "L for Lysander" Norrington, and remember to watch your back. And yes, I do know what the "L" stands for! Whoever names a child Lysander, anyway? Ah, I know! Them what has baby commodores, that's who."
The diatribe continued unabated, sotto voce, as Jack hauled himself out of the tub and towelled off. He wrapped up his hair in a cloth and donned the robe James' manservant had laid out for him to use. Returning to his room, Jack carefully shaved, trimming his beard line most elegantly, he thought, and made sure the beads in the braids were properly aligned. The hair would have to wait until it was dry so that his mane could be groomed for the dinner tonight.
Dressing leisurely, periodically adding to his diatribe against James, Jack was interrupted by a knock at his door. He called out to the person to enter, believing it to be one of the staff come to assist him. He turned around to make out his erstwhile tormentor approaching, a bottle and a glass held out as a peace offering.
"You again."
"Yes. I come to make amends, Jack."
Jack snorted in disbelief. "What sort of amends could you possibly think would make up for that grievous insult?"
"Seeing as 'tis you, Jack, I brought up a special rum a friend was able to provide for me upon your behalf. Would you care to try it?"
"It would have to be very special to make up for that bucket of water, Norrington."
"Ah, Norrington, is it now?"
"Yes, until I decide to change my mind about you."
"Perhaps this would help influence your decision."
James stepped across to the dressing table and set down the glass to free his hands to deal with the bottle. The bottle was dark and sealed with ribbon and wax impressed with some sort of crest. Jack's attention was well and truly caught; there was only one maker he had ever heard of who used such fancy frippery and if so, then this was a rum he had never been able to get his nefarious hands on, by fair means or foul.
James noticed from the side of his eye the pirate's intent air as the bottle was opened, satisfied that he had found something his friend truly would appreciate. Slowly, he carefully poured a glass for Jack, not above drawing out the process for additional effect.
"Stop teasing, Norrington, it doesn't become you."
"Teasing, am I? Well, if you're not certain that you'd care to imbibe a sip at the moment, I could remove it for another time."
"Get on with it, will you, James? It's bad luck to keep a rum from a man."
"Now that sounds like something Gibbs would say. Who did you say he was visiting in town, Jack?"
His house guest glared at him, the effect somewhat diminished by the lack of kohl which had yet to be re-applied after Jack's ablutions. The towel also gave the pirate a rather comical air. Norrington was enjoying himself immensely; it had been some time since he had had the freedom to indulge in such juvenile behaviour. Rank might have its privileges but it also got in the way of certain pleasures. He decided he had achieved enough for the moment and held out the glass to the man, interested to see what his reaction would be.
Jack accepted the offer and held the glass up to the light, admiring the rich colour of the aged rum. He then swirled it around and held the stem to his nose, allowing the fragrance to tease his nostrils. The scents were marvels, blends of spice and fruit and sugars, even the oak the rum had been aged in had lent its smoky tannin to the bouquet. Delicately, Jack took a small sip, closed his eyes and let the rum fill his mouth and back of his throat with its complex flavours. The look of utter bliss on his face told James his gift had been well received. When Jack eventually opened his eyes, he looked at James who had waited patiently until his friend was able to talk.
"You're forgiven, Jamie."
"I gather you like it then, Jack?"
"Like is far too weak a word to be used for a rum such as this. Have you ever tasted the nectar of the gods, James? If this isn't it, then I don't know what would be. How did you get hold of this, anyway? I've heard of the man who makes this but I've never been able to get even so much as a whiff of it before. He doesn't sell it but gives it only to those people he thinks would appreciate it and who deserve it." Jack paused for a moment while he contemplated the rum and James' bland face, before questioning in suspicion, "You didn't steal it, did you?"
Norrington merely stared back at the pirate, not bothering to reply.
"No, of course not, it's you we're talking about, not some ordinary mortal."
"As I said, Jack, a friend provided it."
"What did you have to give him to get the bottle? Your first born, the riches of Croesus, the�"
"Nothing. I merely asked."
Jack was taken aback by the answer and, more than that, his curiosity was piqued. There was something James wasn't saying and he had an urge to discover it for himself. They would be in port until after the New Year's Ball so Jack would be able to amuse himself whilst James attended to duties at the fort or was otherwise engaged.
"Jack, enjoy the gift for what it is. As you told me, just say thank you and have done."
"Thank you, Jamie."
"Now that we've settled that, I will be in my library working on papers until noon. I don't know what you wish to do until then but I would hazard a guess that you will need all of that time to get that thatch beaten into submission and rake out the birds' nests and whatever other mysteries are lurking in there. When you're finished, feel free to join me or amuse yourself in the garden or go and pester Mrs. Bloom. We have nothing pressing until Elizabeth's dinner this evening."
Jack decided the gift of the rum and its little mystery outweighed the Commodore's slur on his trademark hair. He really did appreciate whatever James had done to acquire the treasure he was now able to indulge himself with but the fact remained that Montgomery Matthew, its creator, was as reclusive a man as there was in these parts. That rum was doled out as the man saw fit and money could not purchase it if he did not wish to sell. Perhaps Jack would be able to ferret out James' secret; maybe visits to certain contacts he knew in town would be in order.
On this note, the two men parted company and went off to attend to their respective business. James trotted briskly down to his library to deal with some of the correspondence waiting for him. Jack took the bottle and glass of the nectar of the gods and, thus fortified, sallied forth to his dressing table to do battle with his mane. Afterwards, he would be ready to enjoy whatever savoury delights Mrs. B. had produced for his delectation today.
TBC
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