Disclaimer: I don't own half the characters in this story, but I do own the plot.
SHE WAS A PHANTOM OF DELIGHT
Chapter 9: Vincent
The next day was Jack's sentencing. Camille had agreed to be the one to help Jack escape, because out of the two of them she would be able to get away with little or no consequence. Will had actually suggested that he do it, but Camille insisted that he keep his good name in the Governor's household. So she sat at home, pretending to still be upset over the kidnapping.
Once the house was empty because Dorian was gone to the sentencing, she dressed in a pair of trousers and a plain shirt, pulling a cloak over her so she merely looked like a peasant. She was able to make her way to Port Royale with little difficulty.
Although she hadn't been there quite as much as her father, she had no trouble finding the fort because of those bright red coats the soldiers had on. Sure enough, Jack was maintaining his dignity by standing there, arms tied in front of him, smiling as every single one of his crimes was read off.
Camille eased her way into the crowd and went unnoticed. She could see the Governor next to his daughter, Elizabeth, and Will. On the other side of him stood her father and the Commodore. She took a deep breath and looked up.
Wow, was he tall. His boots were dirty, but that was understandable since he was constantly outrunning people. As she looked up at his bored eyes, scanning the crowd nonchalantly, he looked down at her and blinked. He recognized her immediately, and got this incredulous expression on his face. "Camille?" he mouthed.
She winked at him and smiled. He tried to hide a grin, and instead looked in a different direction.
She slipped out of the crowd and underneath the platform as the drumroll began. She waited patiently, positioning herself directly under the door that would open so that Jack could stand on her shoulders comfortably.
The door was opened, and Camille tried not to grunt as Jack's heavy boots landed directly on her shoulders. Looking up, she saw him hang his head and pretend to die as members of the crowd either gasped, shouted, or clapped. She wondered what to do next, but it wasn't long before she heard more heavy bootsteps and remained still and quiet as the rope was untied and Jack's "corpse" set down. She listened, and could hear a bit of shuffling as she made her way out from underneath the platform. Jack had been pushed onto a simple cart, and would most likely be dropped into the ocean as Will had explained to her.
The gallows were clearing, and there was pretty much no one in sight now. Seeing her chance as the crowed of people scattered, she made her way over to the cart and took the key out of her pocket. Jack happened to be quite a brilliant actor. She couldn't even see him breathing.
"It's rather convenient that I am a clever girl, Captain Sparrow," she said as she slipped the key into his coat pocket. "I understand what's to be done with Silver's key, thanks to your friend William."
Jack opened his eyes and took her hand, kissing it. "The pleasure has been all mine, Miss Camille. Until we meet again."
She straightened up, bowing her head. "Hopefully. Farewell, Captain."
She was able to make her way back to her mansion and slip back into her dress, just in time for her father to come and tell her that she needn't have to worry about any loathsome pirate capturing her again. "I would also like to mention that I have some wonderful news for you, my dear. It seems that Gillette has asked for your hand in marriage."
Her hand flew to her chest, pretending like Gillette had not told her anything yet. She was still very upset. "What did you tell him? Father, did you tell him that I would marry him?"
"Of course not, Camille. But there is going to be a commencement ceremony in Port Royale in few weeks. I would like you to come with me and at least give a chance, dearest."
She didn't know how to explain to her father that she had given Gillette numerous chances to prove himself anything but boring and egotistical. She was tired of trying to avoid marrying this man any longer; it only seemed inevitable.
As the days went by drawing closer to the ceremony, Camille found herself humming more Irish tunes than ever. Her father had even caught her reverting back to her accent a couple of times. She also found that she was not even afraid to hide her poem books anymore, and always left them in the room or on her bed for anyone to see.
She didn't know what was wrong with her, and every time she would wander near the port on the way to the market with Annie she would stop for several seconds and simply watch the ships come in.
It was finally the night of the ceremony. Of course, Camille had been dreading it for weeks as Annie got her ready. She wore her favorite green dress and put her hair up only a little so her red curls would hang down on one side. The hat that she wore had a gold lacing around it matching the bottom and designs on her dress. Even the back was a bit scandalous.
"Camille darling, are you almost ready?" Dorian called up the stairs as their carriage awaited them at the front gates.
"Yes, father," she replied as she lifted her skirts and began what she expected to the longest and most unbearable evening of her life.
They arrived, and she stuck with her father as he chatted gaily with Governor Swann. She said hello to Will and his lovely wife Elizabeth, speaking formally but at the same time exchanging knowing glances with Will. Of course, Commodore Norrington was there and she found herself trapped in a conversation with him before a light touch on her arm.
She braced herself, turning around to find the one and only Gillette looking speechless. "Miss Camille, may I say that you look quite stunning in that dress," he said.
She sighed, unimpressed. "You may say it, but I'm not so sure I could get myself to believe it," she muttered.
"I beg your pardon, my lady?"
"Nothing," she replied, smiling with a fake sweetness.
"Camille, my dear, would you care to dance?" Gillette asked, offering his hand.
Ignoring his offer, she folded her fan and put it away. "My father told me about your proposal," she said boldly.
Gillette grinned a big, sappy grin. "I supposed that he did. You have had long enough to decide that it would be in your best interest, haven't you?"
She could not believe this guy! Could he take a hint, possibly? Perhaps she had to simply spell it out for him. She would have preferred Mr. Black over this fellow. "Gillette, I can't marry you," she said.
He didn't miss a beat. The words didn't even set him back. "Why not, my dear Camille?"
"Oh, would you stop calling me that?" she nearly yelled. "Gillette, I can't marry you because I don't want to. Is that a good enough answer?"
"Actually, it isn't," he said, his voice taking a dangerous tone. "Do you think that there is any way your father would refuse to let me into the inheritance? In fact, he has already put me in his will, he has become so fond of me."
Camille really didn't feel threatened. She just rolled her eyes. So it was about the money again? Why couldn't she ever just attract a man because of something like her personality or…was she not beautiful? Camille felt tears well up in her eyes as she thought that being captured by a pirate for a while may have been the most excitement she was ever going to have. Sitting there, growing old with this guy was going to bore her to tears for the rest of her life.
"You're only making it difficult for your father, you know. Ah yes, I should let you in on this little secret since we shall soon be sharing everything of ours," he stepped close and whispered in her ear. "I saw you at the gallows with Mr. Sparrow."
At this, her eyes widened. He was blackmailing her into marrying him so that he could maintain the money! This man had a blacker heart than a pirate! She looked at him with fear in her eyes. He had to be joking, but there was absolutely no humor to be found in the situation.
Gillette chuckled as he offered her hand again. "Now then, would you care to dance?" he said slyly.
Feeling a horrible burden placed squarely on her shoulders, she took his hand and danced as gracefully as she could, plastering a smile on her face as she cried and screamed on the inside. There was no way out of it. William Turner could not help her out of this one. After and hour or so, Gillette left her to brag about himself to the Governor for awhile. Taking a seat exasperatedly, she barely noticed as a young gentleman approached her.
"Pardon my intrusion, but I saw you across the room and just could not bear to wait any longer. Do you mind if I have this dance?" he asked, looking at Camille and putting his hand out.
She looked at this man, surprised. Taking his hand, she got to her feet and looked around, making sure her fiancé was still focusing on his meaningless accomplishments.
He took her by the waist, and gently wrapped his hand around hers. "I love the dress, Miss Camille. It goes with those lovely eyes of yours, if I may say so," he said, practically sweeping her around on the dance floor.
"J…Jack?" she asked, taking a moment to recognize him. The dreadlocks were gone from his hair, and his face was neatly shaved. He looked very different, even moreso because obviously neither Gillette nor Norrington had recognized him.
He nodded. "Intelligence has always been one of your strong points, love," he said without any sarcasm at all. "But for now, my name is Mr. Vincent Bordeulaire." Camille felt a huge wave of relief sweep over her. She could trust him and tell him everything; about Gilette, about meeting with Will…
"But how…you're dancing..?" she trailed off, almost tripping.
"Ah, we have our dear friends William and Elizabeth Turner to thank for that," he said, winking when he caught Elizabeth's eye.
"Captain, why did you come back? I gave you the key, did I not?"
"Aye, that you did, love. But I couldn't leave you here with Norrington's patsy now, could I? What and ungentlemanly thing to do. And besides, with this disguise I'm free to waltz in and out of any treasure-filled mansion that I please," he said smoothly.
She laughed out loud, causing several heads to turn. She didn't care. "You are ungentlemanly, Jack Sparrow."
He lifted an eyebrow. "Now you may want to choose your words a bit more carefully, unless you want to spend the rest of your days with him," he said, gesturing towards the scowling man to the side of the room who had finally noticed.
"He saw me with you at the gallows. He's blackmailing me into marrying him," she explained.
"Is he now? And I suppose it's just for the money as well."
"My father's fortune has caused me more trouble than I care to remember."
"Well I may have an idea," Jack said, getting closer to Camille. He put his mouth close to her ear, and his lips brushed it as he spoke. "Come with me, love."
She heard this, and the hair on the back of her neck rose. This man, this pirate, made her feel things that she had never felt for any man before. She was being selfish, wasn't she? A man like Jack could never give her a grand house, or money, or anything that would be beneficial for her to maintain her status in society.
"Captain, would you please excuse me? I need to go out on the terrace to get some air," she said as she hurried out of the room. She put her hands on the edge, holding herself up as she swooned from the thoughts in her head. Being there, among the people in the warm room, dancing with Jack…she felt her heart race, unlike when she looked at or spoke to Gillette.
Putting her chin in the palm of her hand, she sighed as she heard Jack's footsteps approach her from behind. "Camille?" Oh no, it was Gillette. "Camille are you all right?" he asked.
"Yes, I just needed some fresh air is all. I'm fine, Gillette."
"Who was that man you were dancing with?" Gillette almost demanded. "What did he say to you?"
"No, he is an old friend. We used to go to school together."
"He got the same schooling as you, Camille?"
"Yes, his name is Vincent Bordeulaire. He resides in France," she said, quickly thinking about his last name. She prayed Jack would make up a similar alibi.
Gillette cleared his throat. "I see. Well, it is getting rather late."
"Yes, perhaps I am getting rather tired," she said, suddenly feeling faint. Damned corset. She grudgingly took Gillette's arm as he they said their goodbyes and he helped her into a coach. She was glad that he didn't take the liberty of inviting himself over or anything like that. And she was still sort of in shock about Jack's question. "Come with me, love," was all that kept repeating itself in her head. Leave, and go with a pirate? Leave her home? She'd done it before, but permanently?
She thought about her father, about Annie and the children. She would miss them terribly, as much as she had when she'd been captured. And Will and Elizabeth? All they had done, teaching Jack how to pretend to be something just so that he could sneak around in society after having his life saved numerous times by Will?
She changed into her nightgown, and cuddled up on her bed after lighting several candles. Then she laughed to herself. Here she was, worried that Jack could not provide for her…hell, it wasn't like the man had just asked her to marry him. No, she thought darkly. Unfortunately, someone else has.
She did reminisce on her time at sea. She had become rather fond of the crew and Ana Maria teaching her how to cook and clean. She remembered feeding the dolphins with Jack before he'd even known her name. Now, in the blink of an eye, she was back to wearing layers of clothing and attending fancy parties, being served in a way she had always taken for granted. Annie had definitely noticed the change in Camille when doing her daily chores. There was a rare moment when Annie could even convince the girl to sit down and let her do her work as a servant should.
She thought of Peter and Sheila, and how much they would love to play with an older cousin and hear (of course, clean versions) of pirate stories. Then she stopped herself.
What on Earth was she thinking? She was fantasizing about pirates! That was the least of her concern, when she was being blackmailed for her father's inheritance. She had to do something, but who would listen to her? Even her father was completely under Gillette's spell.
"Come on girl, think," she said aloud to herself. How could she possibly postpone the marriage? The only thing Gillette was after was her money, so if she somehow could get rid of it…how could she get rid of that? It was in her father's will.
She recalled Gillette telling her that Dorian had already written him in on the will. So that meant that perhaps if something happened to her he could still benefit from it. Her head was beginning to hurt, and she was still a little short of breath from dancing with her lungs held together. She drifted off into a dreamless, peaceful sleep.
