The four passengers sat there in silence, tension quickly crept in and soon Lord Arlington began to notice it; his crossed suspiciously over the group and caught the forlorn sadness in the young lieutenant's stare, staring out at the sun-drenched coastline he came to the conclusion that it was nothing more than a lover's quarrel between Edward and this mysterious Rose.

The Spanish are quite formidable with their territory these days, any incidents to report?" Arlington asked cautiously, he tried to make it sound as the most innocent remark imaginable but he was a business man with an iron-grip attitude. A lump formed in Edward's throat as he gazed down at the lord' cane the way he clutched it was a sure sign he wanted nothing but a positive review.

"None that have much consequence, Sir – perhaps with the exception of The Solstice"

Ruby-Rose's eyes widened, the alarm she felt transformed into a cough which she stifled immediately; with her eyes watering and chest heaving for air she held Ana-Maria's hand tightly all the Jamaican could do was squeeze it back

"Ah and what of King Felipe's floating treasure trove?" –

"Is due to dock in Panama tomorrow morning my Lord"

Satisfied, Arthur Arlington nodded and Edward settled back against the plush velvet of the carriage's interior; subconsciously edging closer to the door even if it was just a inch away from his superior he felt calmer.

Lord Arlington turned his attention back to the damsels and they tried to distract themselves away from his prying eyes; The Ocean, the rolling rocks – anything to ease their fears but Arthur had other plans.

"Apologies my dears"

"Lord Arlington?" Ruby-Rose murmured, reluctantly meeting his gaze trying so hard not to look nervous.

"…All this talk of business is most inappropriate for a social gathering – I should have left it for my more formidable companions – Don't tell the wife eh?"

As a force of fierce independence the pirate princess was furious with such a show of sexist ignorance, if he were any other man she would have avenged such an insult but the danger was too great so she had to let it be. Opening her fan she flapped it wildly until her temper had settled.

"Lord Arlington my friend and I cannot possibly find offence; you show us your hospitality so readily"

"You have every right to bring up matters of your choosing, this is your carriage, your property…it bears no ill will or significance to us" Ana Maria added bluntly.

For a moment the man's aristocratic façade slipped and Ruby-Rose recognised the same cold, callous stare that looked down on her from the locked gates of the silk mills. All four passengers tensed up as they faced a potentially lethal confrontation which was broken the moment the lord feigned a smile.

The coach rattled through a grove, the coast disappeared over some hedges and gardeners looked on as their master returned to Tolbrooke Hall; stopping outside the foyer where the delegates of high society were dotted around the fountain, the stairs and the main hall. Anthony did not wait for the footman to attend to the door he jumped out of the carriage and helped the women out. Ana-Maria stood close to her friend as dozens of prying eyes fell upon them; Conversations were hushed and the sound of violins floated a little louder over the estate. Ana-Maria was rattled at first but then she spied some stables in the distance.

"Captain look; seems to be in safe proximity should we need to flee" –

"Yes but no sign of the cart though, keep a sharp eye" Ruby-Rose whispered cautiously.

The pirate princess turned to the officer blocking him from closing the door, gripping the window frame she leaned closer to Anthony while watching her uncle as he greeted his guests.

"Did you give the boy the instructions I asked for? Did you issue the importance of their urgency?"

"Yes Ruby-Rose I have - need I remind you I am under the same amount of pressure as you?" He said rhetorically, gently moving her aside as he shut the door.

"Ha highly unlikely; for you it would be a stupid show of pompous bureaucracy for my friend and I…the end of a noose now how long till the materials arrive?"

"If I set it as a high priority; thirty minutes possibly an hour?"

"Then I suggest you prioritise and prioritise now hmm?" Ruby-Rose demanded almost breaking the decorum expected of an 'aristocrat'. The Lieutenant nodded and hastily walked towards the stables when a guard was standing.

"Is there any chance of Roivas being a candidate of betrayal? No offence Ruby-Rose but you cannot expect me to trust him" Ana analysed as she watched him walk away.

"No, at least I hope not – I know a fool when I see one and although his methods are questionable he is no fool….I am not attracted to fools"

"Oh so what was Jack – A simpleton, a slip-up on your part?" Ana-Maria playfully teased.

The tension broke briefly and the two friends giggled childishly, Ruby-Rose tried to build a defence for the sake of Jack's name but it fell apart through the laughter. Heads began to turn to them and she finally managed to compose herself.

"There's a difference between being the fool and playing the fool – Jack Sparrow likes to play, he likes to play a lot"

The two friends smirked and held hands as they were faced with frowns and whispered insults from the crowd but they were no longer afraid

"Jack would never have got off that island if he really was what he pretends to be; either three days or three months it does not mater Jack is smarter than most people think he is"

"Then why, why the charade why hide behind a mask? It's pointless"

"Like any pirate he has to keep watch of enemies, likes to hold all the cards but a habit does not remain a habit it becomes your life" The young captain sighed

"He has really got under your skin hasn't he?" Ana-Maria asked softly, with admiration for her friend in every word

Ruby-Rose grinned shyly and became a little bashful as the memories swarmed her mind again; she stared into the sky and wondered what the two men of her life were up to.

"Perhaps he always was and that I'm only just realising it, anyway I'd like to think I've done the same to him – just to keep things even"

Anthony Roivas strolled back trying to act calm and natural as his peers nodded and the women curtsied forcing him to tip his cap many times.

"The deed is done, it will arrive in forty minutes how you intend to leave this party is entirely your own responsibility." He panted

"Ah how comforting to know how much you think of us sir" Ana-Maria said sarcastically. The women locked arms around the officer's and walked steadily into Tolbrooke Hall

They were greeted by the sound of stomping feet and anxious laughter as guests danced merrily in the drawing room. Grace Arlington stood at the top of the staircase as she watched more and more people enter his house; she stood like most stubbornly belligerent mistresses, wearing a gown of the most luxurious blue silk with almost each corner decorated with lace. Determined as most women of high nobility to be the belle of the ball, she spied the trio keeping close together. She knew Anthony Roivas well and it was most unusual to see him at a party, she sensed some undermining was afoot with the arrival of the two strangers and decide to investigate.

"Why Lieutenant Roivas what a pleasant surprise, my husband did not inform me that you were coming?" She said while beaming the most superficial smile towards Ruby-Rose which the clued-up pirate saw right through.

"Madam, forgive my intrusion but it was at your husband's insistence my friends and I had little choice but to take up his offer" Anthony bowed Ruby-Rose was astounded at how clean-cut her former lover was. His respectful nature made the memories of Anthony being a humble mercenary seem older than what they really were.

"Arthur is truly incomparable; he never seems to do anything by halves and who may I ask have accompanied you?" Her blue eyes twinkled with politeness but however hard she tried she could not mask her suspicion of the pair.

"Lady Arlington I would like you to meet Ava Thornton and Rose Richardson – visitors from neighbouring colonies" Anthony moved his hand towards Ana-Maria then Ruby-Rose, the lady of the manor immediately assessed their clothes and manner; both seemed to be of good quality but somehow she still was not satisfied but curtsied after the two friends gave their own respects.

"Lady Arlington your estate rests quite beautifully on this coastline I was beginning to wonder if it was a mistake to leave the wonderful bustle of London" Ruby-Rose replied, secretly appalled by her shallow remark as she acted out the typical ignorance of a rich heiress.

"Thank you my dear and do not worry I made it my mission to be reminded of home with every nook and cranny in this place. In my mind My England will never be to far away"

They were interrupted by the gleeful remarks of Arthur and his business counterparts, crowding around him like puppets on a string.

"Gracie my love I see you have welcomed our new neighbours, excellent – Well my friends refresh yourselves I'm sure dinner will be served shortly"

"Arthur you cannot keep dragging poor Anthony from his duties like this. He is not like us I'm sure wasting time is something he can ill afford"

The three Guests stared at her in a unison frustration they managed to hide their dismay but only just. A true socialite would not care for those inferior to them; it was a hazardous game Ruby-Rose was playing and she knew it.

"Now, now Gracie; honour is bestowed to all working men not just noble gentry. Anthony is well aware of our deep gratitude to his services" Arthur spoke up with a little more tact but used the remark as an excuse to scold his wife for such carelessness.

Meanwhile outside in the orchards stood Elisabeth Swann sighing at the tedium of another pointless social gathering: Her engagement to Will Turner had not been officially announced as her father was far too busy challenging the young blacksmith in the lessons that came with courting those of high society.

"I cannot believe your willingness to humiliate him like this" She grumbled softly as she held her umbrella.

"If he is so keen on marriage he must be aware of the consequence and the responsibility of reputation" The governor replied as he nervously smiled to the passers-by

"Reputation? People do not care for reputation he could prove his worth a thousand times over but still would not be accepted because of his class…It's unfair father and so unjust"

"Yet it is the way we live, disapprove as you will but it does not change things – I think he has faced this disadvantage quite bravely, you seem to forget Elisabeth that as a lady you can denounce the laws of society all you want, young William cannot afford to" He concluded and with that the gentleman walked off to shake hands with the town officials. Feeling smug after his name received a boost since his daughter's 'kidnapping'.

Elisabeth Turner was left alone watching helplessly as her love was swarmed with a small party of friends intrigued by his adventures and neither one having any idea that another was just around the corner