"I won't do it, curse your eyes!" Mari's voice translated through the door as if it wasn't there. I jerked my ear away from the keyhole, wincing. Didn't they know that yelling could damage an eavesdropper's hearing?
"There's no one else that's worthy of her, my lass," Jack insisted. "And just because I'm beached doesn't mean my Pearl has to be, savvy?"
"She already has a captain."
I put an eye to the keyhole now. Mari and Jack stood toe-to-toe, Mari glaring up at her father. Jack gazed down at her, seeming smaller than the woman before him, although he was a head taller.
"Aye, a man who's finally seen the script on the sails! I've got enough plunder t' make me a fine livin' here a-land."
Mari shook her head, red braids flying. "Of course you do! We all do— you can't just abandon the sea, Jack. It wouldn't let you when Mum died, and it sure as hell won't let you now!"
Jack turned away from her, stance solid, his signature sway for once stilled. "Ye've a bairn on the way, I'm right?"
I gasped, clapping a hand over my mouth. Mari was with child? Why didn't she tell Mama?
"Aye," Mari snapped.
Jack turned to face her, very slowly. "I had hoped to see the babe birthed," he said. "Seems to me, if I'm to give up me plunderin', this is the opportune moment, ay?"
Mari's jaw clenched. "There is no opportune moment for this, Jack. If you stay a-land, want of the sea will kill ye long before a bullet or a blade."
Jack met her gaze and the two stared each other down for a moment. Suddenly, Mari stalked from the room, flinging open the door as she went; I scrambled to the middle of the hall before the door could hit me. Jack, watching after her, saw me and grinned a little.
"Good show, Izzy, lass," he said. "Next time, though, ye may want t' hold yer breath, savvy?"