Ana-Maria and Ruby-Rose mingled with Lady Arlington's associates with polite but cautious conversation; one friend never strayed too far from the other and Ana-Maria being such an anxious look-out for some familiar faces that Ruby-Rose had to calm her down on more than one occasion. After a while the two pirates were feigning the life of a socialite rather convincingly – elaborating tales of their many travels and capturing quite a crowd about their 'eager, adventurous fathers'. The laughter eased their discomfort but the effort was wasted once a servant called out more newly-arrived guests, three of them being the very people the Jamaican did not wish to see.
"Oh Dear God there they are; Governor Swann, Elisabeth – quite a plucky individual despite appearances and Will Turner…He who helped Jack reclaim the Pearl" She whispered, tugging at her friend's sleeve as they watched Governor Swann greet his hosts with all the pomposity of a Royal Duke. Ruby-Rose sympathised with the young man who was clearly struggling with his poise, nervous eyes reflected a person who wanted to be anywhere but this ridiculous gala.
"Head for the side-door, get to the back of the crowd we won't be seen then" She whispered, stepping lightly across the room with her eyes transfixed on the Swann family. Ana-Maria held her breath as she turned the door knob and pulled it open, some heads turned and she felt her heart would finally collapse on itself. The two friends rushed out into the hallway and headed for the exit, Ruby-Rose stopped suddenly as she spied a large portrait on a wall that hovered over the staircase. At first she did not believe what she was seeing and climbed some steps for a closer inspection.
"Ruby-Rose this is not time for admiring antiquities, what is it with you Sparrows and dancing with danger you're not and all like your namesakes – A Sparrow is supposed to be agile and free not hang around the..." Ana Maria trailed off hoarsely after quite a confident outburst that fell apart once she laid eyes on the portrait.
It was a beautiful canvas of a woman with milky-white skin with pleasance and warmth in her facial expression and seemed no older than Ruby-Rose herself. The picture frame was a little dusty and some corners of colour were a little faded she was wearing a pink gown with a pearl choker, gentle eyes of emerald green and hair of red mahogany.
"Captain I don't think…." Ana-Maria stammered
"I know Ana-Maria"
"….But if anyone finds you near here, Arlington will find out"
"I KNOW Ana-Maria…I know" Ruby-Rose said softly, she stumbled back down the steps, clutching the curved banister as she stared back at the portrait. There was no other explanation to be had it was like staring into a clear lake, a mirror even – her past and present smashed together into one image and it was so overwhelming to comprehend, for Ruby-Rose had found something she thought she never would see…Her own Mother's portrait.
"Ruby-Rose I really think we should leave now" The Oracle's first mate pleaded with her captain who was in a daze at her finding.
"Captain Sparrow, I really must protest over staying here any longer if the Lord of the manor recognises you we'll meet tomorrow morn with a noose around our necks" Ana-Maria pleaded frantically, squeezing Ruby-Rose's arm as they picked up on the sound of horses approaching.
Ana-Maria dashed out to the deserted foyer her eyes lit up once she saw the wagon with it's potentially life-saving cargo head for the stable. She hot-footed it back to her captain as one of Roivas' ensigns walked brusquely towards the mansion.
"The materials have arrived, we should make haste Captain"
The Jamaican darted for the door but Ruby-Rose held her back, her heart was beginning to beat fast again.
"Are you mad? We can't just up and leave – we would have half of Arlington's men on our backs and that's even before we make it to the gate. Calm yourself Ana-Maria Please?" The pirate princess stammered, the two friends trying hard to breath normally with the weight of being caught crushing their hearts.
"If it makes you feel any better assess the escape route but keep out of sight, try to get to the wagon if you can"
"Aye Ma'am Good luck Ruby-Rose…I would not trust these people like the rabble I left in Tortuga"
"Good Luck to us both my friend, now go – load your pistols only if you feel threatened"
Ana-Maria hurried to the stables and looked out for the guards that stood at the edge of the orchard, Ruby-Rose was left alone to calm her nerves but braving one last look at her mother before heading back to the crowded drawing room.
The guests were treated to a tour and somewhat irritating showcase of Tolbrooke Manor and it's many rooms and delicate, expensive furnishings. The decor was prominently English with a taint of their adopting country. As nauseated as the pirate was about Lady Grace's superiority complex she could not ignore the possibility of growing up in such lavish surroundings if it were not for a greedy, manipulative uncle. Ruby-Rose drifted into deep thought of what was and what could have been, she had high hopes of her mother being completely detached from the examples of the aristocracy that she had witnessed: Cruel, ignorant, enormously self-serving, Ruby-Rose hoped and prayed every day that the only thing her Mother had in common with Uncle Arthur was blood.
"Why do you linger Miss Richardson, has your interest strayed elsewhere?" Lady Grace asked suspiciously. A guest momentarily distracted her from hearing the reply, Ruby-Rose was so caught up in melancholy that her frills knocked over some ornaments that stood on a dresser, picking them up just in time to catch the horror on her host's face.
"What are you doing there girl, do you intend to steal from under my very nose? Answer me girl!"
The young captain looked down at the jewel encrusted ornaments clutched in her hands; one was a tiny gold elephant the other was a silver and diamond brooch.
"Madam, accusations are not what I expected I knocked them from their places I was simply putting them back"-
"A likely story, see how she clutches those trinkets so fiercely – You are thief Miss Richardson, a thief is what you are"
A stout woman dressed in navy blue looked at Ruby-Rose then turned to the accuser.
"Grace how can you make judgement of a guest so readily? It is not good nature of a host to commit such an act?" The woman demanded
"My dear Mrs Braithwaite I hold my deepest respects to you all but today we have a stranger in our midst and it's only right to be on my guard with strangers in my own home is it not?" Lady Arlington explained with a malevolent stare fierce and undeterred at the nervous Ruby-Rose.
"Lady Arlington forgive my manner but I will not stand here and be accused of committing a wretched deed, I will leave immediately and will subject myself to these suspicions no more" Ruby-Rose protested and walked away from the group, slamming down the troublesome trinkets on a table. Not willing to see her honour trampled on Grace Arlington followed her and cornered her against the tapestry. Ruby-Rose's collar being dangerously close to a jagged nail on the wall.
"If you indeed are innocent you would not be so defensive"
"I am defensive due to your unprovoked insult; I will not allow my position to be called into question by anyone"
"My, my you are a sprightly thing I wonder how your parents deal with your impulsiveness – it must cause them quite a worry"
"I'm at liberty to do as I please, any person – man or woman is entitled to grasp their freedom once it has been presented to them"
"Provided that you understand the responsibility that accompanies it, it is quite clear to me Miss Richardson that you do not"
Ruby-Rose turned sharply, shuddering with embarrassment as she heard a seam tear away, stumbling down the stairs she came across Lord Arlington almost gasping for air as she saw her escape route being blocked by curious onlookers.
"Miss Richardson you look pale my dear are you ill?" He enquired softly, looking up at his wife as she lingered on the top of the stairs.
"Lord Arlington I'm afraid I may have outstayed my welcome, there are conflicts back home that I must tackle so I'll take my leave and wish you good day"
Ruby-Rose made her way through the confused crowd as gently as she could even though all she wanted to do was rush past them. She bowed to Anthony Roivas before quickly nudging her head for him to follow her; she did not see Anthony's horror after gazing upon her collar that had been ripped in two by the crooked nail, he could see a blotch of red on her shoulder blade but the officer knew it was not bloodand if he could see it
"Stop right there!" Lord Arlington bellowed
The young captain's blood ran cold, she exhaled while realising she was inches away from the exit once again being so close and yet so far away.
"May I ask why a lady of supposed high esteem and high rank would be doing with an unsightly blemish on her skin?"
"Lord Arlington this is all getting rather tedious, explain yourself man if the child wants to leave let her leave!" A craggy colonel with a pure white moustache spoke.
"Forgive me Colonel Everett but this is rather necessary we appear to have an impostor in our midst, your sabre Colonel" Arlington requested firmly, Ruby-Rose braced herself as she could hear the voice of the uncle she had remembered; sinister and suspicious.
The colonel was amazed by the absurd request and even more alarmed when he realised his host was actually waiting for the weapon to be presented to him. He produced the sabre with all the aplomb anyone would expect a man of his position – handling it with the utmost care and consideration. Gasps and muttered protests filled the air as the Lord of Tolbrooke showcased his sadism to his guests for the first time. Stretching the blade towards the young woman's back and carefully unfolding the loose piece of lace that was hanging down. The gasps became louder some were of shock and others of outrage. An evil grin crept over Arlington's face as he spotted pale porcelain decorated in a small yet intricate tattoo: it was a tattoo of a simple red rose.
"Suddenly this day has become a lot more interesting" Arlington growled as Ruby-Rose turned back with a determined look on her face and keeping a hold on her fear as much as she could.