Chapter Two: Guests

As soon as Jessica entered the small town house she called for the butler. "Mickey!"

"Yes ma'am!" he called back as he came into the small entrence hall through the door to the kitchen. Mickey was only sixteen but eager to please. He had lived in Ireland with his parents until they were killed when their house caught fire. Then he had traveled to London and entered the employ of Jessica's father and traveled with him to Scotland. He had willing volunteered to accompany Jessica when she traveled to Port Royal. "Who is that ma'am?" he asked when he saw the pirate strung out between the two uniforms.

"Never mind that now. I'm going to need some fresh water and clean rags and a tea kettle Mickey."

"Yes ma'am, of course ma'am." He said then disappeared back into the kitchen.

Jessica turned back to the uniforms and gestured for them to follow her up stairs. Once they got Jack up the stairs and into the guest room, Jessica thanked the guards for their time and they left the room to take up positions next to the door. Soon after, Mickey came in with the things Jessica had requested.

"Thank you Mickey," she said and took the things from him.

"Jessica I have some business to see to. I will see you latter this evening?" Jessica nodded. She stood and walked with him to the door of the small room. "You are not to speak of this to anyone. Do I make myself clear?" he said, looking first at the guards and then at Jessica.

"Very well, but…" she was about to protest then changed her mind. "I will walk you the door."

"There's no need. You should be getting back to your patient," Norrington said briskly. Jessica looked at him searchingly for a moment, she was almost certain that there was a note of bitterness in his words.

"Fine then," she said shortly. "But I will be going back down stairs to welcome my guest." At her words she started down the stairs and Norrington followed.

They were about to open the door when there was a knock. "Impeccable timing" Norrington said. Jessica opened the door and saw Elizabeth Turner standing there with her small daughter, Rose clutching her skirts.

"Elizabeth it's nice to see you hear. Please come in."

"Elizabeth," Norrington said.

"Commodore," Elizabeth said, dipping her head respectfully.

"Commodore," Rose echoed her mother. They all smiled down at the little girl who blushed and her face.

"Such a beautiful and charming young lady," Norrington said, laying his had on Rose's curly-haired head. "It makes my days worth while. Now if you will excuse me ladies, I will see you this evening." He turned and began to walk back towards the fort.

"Where's Tomas?" Jessica asked as she closed the door behind Elizabeth.

"He's with his father at the blacksmith shop." Elizabeth said with a fond smile.

"And how is deer Rose?" she said to the little girl. Rose just giggled. The twins were only a year old and fairly new to talking. Rose was very shy while Tomas could talk your ear off. "You know my sister used to be just like you Rose, but now she could talk about anything and make it sound interesting."

"It is actually because of your sister that I have come. We had heard rumors of her arrival down by the docks. Apparently she left quite an impression."

"I am sure that she did. She arrived this morning but has been out exploring the town on her own."

"Does she have an escort?"

"I certainly hope so, or our father will have her hide. She did say that after the long journey that she wanted to stretch her legs a bit"

"Was it a good trip?"

"I suppose so. Won't you please sit down?" Jessica said indicating a chair.

"Thank you." Elizabeth sat down and pulled Rose into her lap. "Back to the matter at hand, I, that is to say, we were wondering if she would also like to attend our little dinner party."

"That would be excellent. I was trying to explain to her that I would be more than willing to stay in tonight and catch up with her but she insisted that I must go. Thank you so much. I'm sure Jacqueline will be thrilled to meet you."

"Good, dinner is at seven and my father has offered to bring his carriage around and pick you up."

"That really is too much; he doesn't have to do that."

"He doesn't mind in the least. It is on his way and I'm sure that your sister will provide him with great interest."

Jessica smiled, "she can certainly do that." Just then Rose yawned. "Looks like someone needs a nap," Jessica said.

"I'd better take her home." Elizabeth said getting up to leave.

"Thank you for coming by. We will see you seven then. Good day."

"Good day."

After Elizabeth left Jessica went to the kitchen to get some herbs for Jack. Then she went back up the stairs. The town house wasn't large, but it was adequate for Jessica. Her father had rented it from a local family that was currently visiting London. It had two stories; on the first was the kitchen, a dinning room, a pantry and a small office. On the second floor there were four bedrooms and a slightly larger office.

When Jessica entered the room she saw Jack starting to stir. She quickly put the pot of water she had brought up by the fire that Mickey had laid. She put some of the herbs in the pot and waited till the water boiled. Jessica slept in one of them and Mickey slept in one of the others. The house did not have servant quarters as the family had taken to hireling locals that had their own accommodations. As Mickey was the only person that Jessica had brought with her from Scotland, she had offered him a very nice room with a view of the bay. The other two rooms had been empty until now.

Jessica nodded to the guards out of habit as she stepped back into Jack's room. She poured some of the water and the handful of herbs into the tea kettle and placed next to the fire that Mickey had laid in the fireplace. Then she took the cloth and dipped one corner in the remainder of the water and cleaned the blood from Jack's forehead. She then raped a strip of cloth around his head and tied it.

By that time the water had boiled and she poured it into a mug. When she turned back Jack had his eyes open and was looking at her. "Impeccable timing," Jessica muttered under her breath.

"Who are you?" Jack croaked.

"My name is Jessica. I already told you that," she said as she walked over to the bed.

"Right. And where am I?"

"You're in my town house." Just then he began to cough. "Hear drink this." She held out the cup.

He took a sip of the tea. "What is this?" he asked.

"It's tea. My mother taught me how to make it. It will help you sleep." He just nodded, took another swallow and laid back. He was asleep with in a minute. "No wonder they call it a sleeping potion."

Jessica heard the front door open and Mickey's voice talking to a woman's voice that was speaking a bit too loudly. "Deer Jacky's home," she muttered to her self then grinned.

"Jessica!" Jacky called when she saw Jessica coming down the stairs. Jacqueline was almost the opposite of her sister. Jessica was tall and willowy, with light blue-violet eyes and dark red hair. Jacqueline was shorter and stockier, with bright green eyes and hair that was as bright and uncontrollable at flame.

"Look who finally came back!" Jessica said grinning widely.

"Oh! Jessica Port Royal is more beautiful then you said it was." Jacky looked wind-blown as usual and exceedingly happy.

"I'm glad your had such a good time, but Jacky you need to be a little quieter." She glanced up and hoped that Jack hadn't woken up. "I wanted to tell you that Elizabeth has invited you to a dinner party at the Turner's house."

"Great I can't wait to meet them."