Disclaimer: I do not own PotC... only the hot guys. :) No, I'm just joking. Seriously... why are you glaring at me? No... put your keyboard down... don't you throw that at me... HA YOU MISSED! Uh Oh... I should run now... AHHHHHHHHH!
Chapter Quote: "We were better off thinking you were dead!"
Chapter Four
Home
The conversation at breakfast was all about my capture on the frigate, my meeting with Ben, and my escape. "Well, you've escaped death more then once Jacqueline, I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised." Elizabeth said, smiling at me.
"Comes with the job." I teased, referring to my outlandish career choice.
Will, who had been silent through most of this, suddenly spoke. "You shouldn't of come back Jacqueline." he said quietly. We all turned to look at him, my brows raised in curiosity.
"In heavens name why not?"
"Before your little run-in with the Fleet, you were one of the most sought after persons on the seas."
"What can I say? The English and Spanish have been careless."
"Your only making trouble Jacqueline."
How had this conversation suddenly turned so ugly? "By doing what? Seeing those whom I haven't in years?"
"We were better off thinking you were dead! Do you know how dangerous this is for you now?" He was staring right at me, God, what was wrong with him?
"Damn it Will! What's gotten into you? You know what I am, everyone knows who I've become."
"A traitor to the crown, a pirate, the list goes on Jacqueline."
"I followed Jack, Will. He's my father, and I'm making my own choices now."
"Well a bloody good job he's done by you then! Look at you? A pirate on the run chasing unarmed merchant vessels?"
"Many of my men died doing what they do to make a living Will, those vessels weren't exactly helpless." This wasn't a lie, most of the ship sailing the Caribbean waters now were heavily armed. We were both on our feet now.
"So you justify yourselves by robbing the dreams of others?"
"I don't understand why your so upset." I folded my arms across my chest and glared at him, my emerald eyes flashing.
"I'm upset, because I don't think you realize what kind of danger your in Jack. You may be thought of as dead, but how long will it take for you to be recognized if you stay here much longer?"
"I've got one more thing in my favor Will."
"What is that? Pray tell, enlighten me?"
"Just how many people actually know what I look like?" This was also true, I had always tried to avoid British ships, you could call it my duty to king and country. So unless a Spaniard turned up screaming my name, I'd be fine. "No one should have made the connection between me and...me..." I was losing it here, I cleared my throat taking on a softer approach. I didn't like to fight with him, he was my friend. And well... I had never known he was so apposed to me being a pirate. "I'm here for a day Will, what could possibly happen during that time?"
He met my gaze, but I could read nothing in his expression as his face cleared of anger and he sat back down.
Elizabeth cleared her throat, "Where are you going next?"
"To see my mother, she should be glad to see me." I glanced pointedly at Will, but he said nothing. I turned back to Elizabeth, "Tom not still working here is he?"
The smile faded from her face as I said his name. "No... he set up his own practice on the other side of town."
There was a sudden stillness in the air that I didn't like at all. "What's wrong?" Fear welled up inside my throat, "Nothing's happened to him...has it?"
"No." Elizabeth said at once, calming my fears. "He's fine. Doing quite well too."
I breathed a sigh of relief, letting out a nervous chuckle. "Then whatever it is, don't tell me!"
"But Jacqueline..." protested Elizabeth.
I silenced her with a wave of my hand. "I don't want to know anything about that then, it can wait until I see him myself."
Will and Elizabeth glanced at each other, but didn't say anything more.
"How's my mother doing?" I asked, changing the subject so that they couldn't tell me whatever it is that was troubling them about Tom. If he wasn't dying, then it could wait. I didn't want any other bad news to spoil this time I had with my friends any more then my argument with Will had.
"She is well, she took your death rather hard you know. She's been different ever since." answered Elizabeth, John wasn't saying anything at all. Their attitudes had altered slightly, and there was a tenseness that had settles heavily in the room.
"What of Arthur?"
"He never really recovered from his wounds, he's been quite ill recently."
That saddened me, I owed a lot to Arthur. It was disturbing to think of him so ill. I glanced at their faces, and I at once didn't like the looks in them. They were hesitant... awkward. As if they suddenly had no idea at all what to say to me. I darkened my gaze, "I should go. It's high time I was off anyway."
"So soon?" Elizabeth asked as the rest of them rose.
I shrugged, "As I said before, I only have a day. My ship will be waiting for me at dusk, and I need to be on it."
"You will say good-bye before you go, right Jack?" asked John. I smiled at him,
"Of course. And I promise not to wait so long to visit."
Will frowned, God, don't start this up again Will. I begged silently but he uttered not a word. "Would you at least like a fresh change of clothes?" Elizabeth asked. I looked down, my present dress had not survived my adventures through town, it was wrinkled and soiled. I nodded and winked at John.
"That I will take you up on."
"Time has changed Port Royal since you've been gone Jacqueline. I think that may be why Will is so worried about you." She had fashioned me into a soft blue dress, I requested something plain, for I did not want to stand out. Then Elizabeth bade me sit down so she could play with my hair. I knew it would be a long time till I saw her again, so I didn't argue. For though not a word of our thoughts were uttered aloud, we both knew we might never see each other again. She brushed through the tangles after undoing my braid.
"Will you keep your promise to John?" she asked quietly.
I cleared my throat, "You know what kind of life I live Elizabeth. In the end, my promise can mean very little." I replied sullenly. I hated that answer. How I hated it! She pinned my hair up then looked at my reflection in the mirror.
"John was right, you have changed." Her words were soft and sad. And I knew then just how much I had indeed changed. My personality more bold, my anger quick, though different from that of Jack, I knew I was no longer the girl I used to be. I looked at myself in the mirror, avoiding her clear gaze. My tanned skin, my bright emerald eyes, long dark eyelashes. Skin deep you could never tell that weekly I was leading a bunch of cut throats screaming curses with swords and pistols raised as we boarded a ship. Inside... well... I was still trying to figure out what was inside of me there.
"There are some things I cannot control Elizabeth." Her hands had long since fallen from my long, brown locks. I stood, and turned to face her. "That's it then."
She walked me downstairs, I threw on my cloak and turned to them all with a sad smile. "This is good-bye I'm afraid." I said, meeting their gazes in turn. Will's face remained passive, John's was lit with a small smile. I didn't wish to extend my farewell for fear that my composure would break and I would burst into tears.
"Take care Jacqueline." Elizabeth said, squeezing my arms and smiling.
"Be sure to remember your promise." added John, looking up at me with a face that reminded me so much of his father.
"I will. I'll come back tonight before I leave." I tousled his hair, "Next time I see you after that you'll be taller then me aye?"
He shook his head, "Naw, you'll be back before then."
I chuckled, then looked at them all one more time. God, how I would miss them. Piracy was a lonely job most times... unless you were the kind of pirate Jack was... he had a lot of women friends. I guess that was his way of dealing with it. "Well, good-bye." I opened the door.
Wow, that was weird. Standing before me, was a young man. One I had very nearly collided with as I left the house. He seemed slightly startled at me being there in the doorway, his hand was raised as if he had been about to knock on the door when I had opened it. He slowly lowered it. He had dark, wavy brown hair that was pulled back, and sharp blue eyes. An air of confidence seemed to follow him that so that stood with his chin tilted up and a small smile on his face. He was dressed in the manner of one who was pretty well off, and he blinked a few times before he opened his mouth to speak.
"Terribly sorry, didn't mean to intrude." His voice was elegant, but not exactly snobby. And it had the slightest hint of a foreign accent to it, but I couldn't place it.
"No, not at all." said Will, stepping forward. "Can I help you Edmond?"
Edmond... that was French.
"I was just wondering if you could help me out with my sword." He displayed a rather beaten up piece of metal. It was battered and bent severely and it looked like it really needed some care. Will whistled,
"How's you manage that?" He took the remains of the sword from Edmond's outstretched hand and examined it closely.
"Got it a rough spot with one of the marines and the ba...excuse me Mrs. Turner...and the... fellow knocked it into the street where a carriage did lovely work with it." He smiled broadly and winked at me. "He didn't like my French."
French. I knew it.
"Well, I can tell you this. I won't be able to do justice by it. But I might be able to recommend someone else who could do a job by you. Let me just write the address down." Edmond nodded in agreement and Will disappeared inside leaving me, the French Edmond, Elizabeth, and John on the doorstep. This wasn't exactly my idea of a farewell... and I needed to get moving without appearing rude to either Will's friend or to my own friends. He glanced at me, still smiling.
"May I be so bold as to inquire to your name Miss? I fear I have been rude."
"I'm sorry Edmond." Interrupted Elizabeth before I could make an uneasy reply. "I didn't introduce you. This is Jacqueline Summers." She said, glancing at me pointedly. "Jacqueline, this is Edmond Norrington."
I glanced at her with my brows raised, Norrington, I did not voice my question aloud and instead flashed him a smile, but didn't say anything as the young man took my hand and planted a kiss upon it. Good God, the gentlemanly type wasn't he? "I'm pleased to meet you Mr. Norrington." I said as he looked back up at me.
"Please, call me Edmond." He smiled warmly in return. He was several inches taller then me, but not so tall as Tom. He was a looker, that's for sure. Charming, polite, handsome, undoubtedly rich...I wondered why Frenchie didn't have half of Port Royal hanging onto him. But I couldn't stay long and think on this, there was too much for me still to do, and already the morning was flying by. It was only an hour till noon. I turned to Elizabeth,
"Well, it' been lovely seeing you Elizabeth, I'll drop by tonight. Good bye." I turned as she nodded and walked off as quickly as I could. Norrington...this couldn't be a coincidence, he had to be some relation of my good friend, the Commodore. TheCommodorewhose order had caused the entire Fleet off looking for me and my father for years. No, I had to be careful, and spending too much time around Edmond was making me nervous. It would only lead to trouble. It was the first time in a long time that I feared any man. So before he could do anything else, I made my abrupt departure and hurried down the street. I had wanted to say more to Elizabeth, but I already owed her for my quick escape. Miss Summers was it? The name would do fine. I breathed a sigh of relief as I rounded the next corner and slowed my fast step. I had gained a full ten minutes head start on anyone who may of followed me. And that was just about when I heard someone calling.
"Miss Summers!" I froze, and looked over my shoulder. I would have groaned but he would have heard it, for through the throng of locals I saw Frenchie come running. Not that I have anything against the French... just today was not the day for me to be social. Lord Almighty! I was a pirate for God's sake! I stopped completely and turned around, it would only look worse if I tried to run away from him with everyone else watching. He stopped before me breathless and smiling, as if we had just shared a funny joke. But that seemed to be the way he was, always smiling.
"Miss Summers... you walk...remarkably fast."
"Thank you sir, I'll take that as a compliment." I said shortly, there was no time for this.
He didn't catch my dry tone, "As it was intended I'm sure." he laughed. "You left so quickly I didn't have a chance to bid you good bye."
"I'm sorry, I was going to visit some... relatives and I was afraid I'd be late."
"If you'd only wait a moment, I could get my horse." he said, gesturing behind him. "He's tethered only astreet or twoaway."
I shook my head. No... NO...NO!. That wouldn't be good at all. "That won't be necessary... my relatives do not live far and I'd much rather walk."
"Of course." He said. "You hardly even know me,Forgive me for being forward."
"No it's not that..." I rushed to explain... I don't know why... why should I care what he thought of me? But my words tumbled out before I had time to think.
"It is quite all right." There was that accent again. It was charming, I must say. Is that why the French men can so easily win women? Because of their accents? "May I accompany you? I haven't been in Port Royal long and I'm afraid I'm not well acquainted with its inhabitants."
This was not good at all... and yet... would it be so terrible for him just to escort me to mother's house? And more importantly, could I refuse him? "I wouldn't want to trouble you... I think I'd be best on my own." Is what I wanted to say, that would have been the correct thing to say. Something like that came out in weak, unconvincing protests.
"Nonsense! No trouble at all."
Why did I have to be so polite? Couldn't I have just knocked him out cold and saved my apologies for that final judgement when kingdom comes? I could have framed him for something... got his mind off me and on a prison sentence instead. With anfamily like his they'd get him out in no time reputation or no. But of courseI couldn't do that. Because no matter how much I had changed, I wasn't barbaric. I walked on and he kept my pace with an easy stride. Neither faltering nor slowing.
"So what brings you to Port Royal Miss Summers? I do not recall seeing you before."
"I am visiting family I haven't seen in a long while, as I said before." I repeated, Lord, was that lie getting old...though it did have some truth to it. I'll give myself that. "What about you?" More then anything I wanted to turn the conversation away from me and my personal affairs.
"Commission. I was visiting my uncle and well... I had rather abrupt career changes."
"Oh?"
"My parents wanted me to be a... promise you won't laugh?"
That was also something about him that made me want to smile and enjoy the world with him. I solemnly promised.
"A preacher."
I stifled my laugh and curbed it with a smile. "What changed your mind?"
"There's something about the sea that calls to me." His gaze drifted to the harbor, and to the waters beyond, his expression looking suddenly wistful. He turned back to me with an apologetic smile and laughed. "I'm sorry, you must think I am crazy."
"No." I shook my head to emphasize this statement. There was something about Edmond that was wonderfully refreshing, as I said before, it made life all the brighter and you just wanted to go along enjoying it with him. He was pure... innocent. I hadn't felt that way about anybody since... well... since I'd met Tom. "Not at all."
"So, if I may be so bold... again, who are your relatives?"
I hesitated, this could bring trouble. But more truth to any tale guarantees a better chance of survival. In this case, it might perhaps cover my lies. "Captain Scott... he's my uncle."
"Where are you from then?"
"England, the seaside actually." That lie came quicker then the others.
"I see." He smiled again, and we stopped at a corner, waiting for a smartly drawn carriage to pass. "That is quite a way for anyone to travel."
I almost added, 'I'm used to it.' before thinking the better and clamping my mouth shut. I looked up suddenly and fought with my emotions not to reveal too much. The familiar iron gate, swooping porch, I could see my old balcony. "Here we are." I announced. Honestly, I almost regretted my words. I stopped at the gate and turned to Edmond. "Thank you for escorting me ho...here."
Edmond smiled and taking my hand, again placed a kiss on my knuckles. He blinked once in a slight pause before straightening and saying, "The pleasure is mine Miss Summers. Might I persuade you to have tea with me sometime?"
"We'll see." That's all I would say and apparentlyit was all he needed. Hmmm...maybe I should stick around the gentlemanly type more often.
"Well, that's better then a no." He laughed gayly at his own words and I couldn't help but smile myself. "I shall bid you good day then, and I shall hope to see you soon."
"Thank you Edmond, good bye." I felt the slightest relief as he turned and gave a quick wave before he merged with the crowd and I could no longer see him. I sighed, though I did feel the tiniest bit of regret at his hasty departure. No time to think on that now. Almost noon and I only had till dusk. I pushed open the gate and ran up the old stairs to the door. I knocked rapidly upon reaching it, my insides churning with excitement. I nearly jumped sky high as the knob turned and the door opened.
TO BE CONTINUED...