Alas, I still don't own anyone... well, except I fear I must take responsibility for Rachel.
Thanks for all the reviews and a round of cider to all of those who cannot abide rum, eh?
XxXxXxX
We rode up to my home and spotted our charge immediately. She was sitting on the wide stairs leading to my front porch, idly pulling the petals from a pink mussenda shrub next to the railing.
She had long dark hair, pushed back to reveal a narrow, dirty face. Her features were not especially striking, but her defined cheekbones definitely brought Jack to mind. She was wearing a lilac gown with a gold brocade underskirt that looked as though, at one time, it had been quite beautiful. It was now splattered with the muck that make up Port-Royal's streets. Her small brocade mules sported similar spots and stains.
There was a large trunk behind her, close to the door. The girl had a small valise tucked behind her legs, as well as a sun bonnet. She looked rather pathetic sitting there with her luggage and I felt a pang of sorrow for her. After all, I knew what it was like to lose a mother.
Will and I exchanged a look and dismounted at the same time. He moved to lead the horses to the stable around the back and I stayed him with a touch of my hand on his arm. "Let's introduce ourselves first, shall we?"
"Of course, your right," he agreed and we made for the lonely figure, "I don't know what has me so distracted."
I smiled at him, "I do hope it's me, darling."
He gave me a broad smile that told me all I needed to know. Oh, how can I manage to get us alone once more? I wondered. I blushed and Will's smile grew even broader.
As we approached the wide staircase, the girl took notice of us. "Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann, I expect?" she asked, a little brusquely.
I dipped a slight curtsy, more of habit than anything else, and Will bowed his head.
She folded her arms across her chest and looked me up and down, "Sparrow said you were a lady of breeding," I opened my mouth to answer her, but she cut me off. "But, you're dressed like a maid. And you," she turned an appraising eye on my fiancé, "well, now, my father didn't do you justice at all."
"Now, wait a minute," I began, but once again, the girl cut me off and pressed ahead.
"Spare me. I'll need someone to carry my trunk, Miss Swann," she said, her tone mocking. She turned toward the house. I felt my skin burn and I made for her. But, Will grasped me around the waist and pulled me to him.
"Stay here, Elizabeth. There's no use in going after her, until we've had a moment to calm down," he said, his voice level.
"Who does she think she is? I really think perhaps she can find a better home, elsewhere. Say, tied fast to a ship and sent to the Locker?" I spat, my own voice trembling with rage. "And besides, she seems to like you," I finished with a pout.
He pulled me close and circled my waist with his strong arms, and once more, blissful memories flooded my mind. And, once more, my little paradise was shattered by another Sparrow's voice. This time, it was a shout.
I broke free of Will and took the steps to my porch two at a time as Jack's daughter raged inside. Will tied the horses to a post on my lawn and followed me.
Inside my home, I saw the hellion in a standoff against my father's valet, Henry. The man placed himself between her and the grand staircase in the wide foyer. He looked rather frightened for a man of nearly six feet in the face of a young woman standing at only five. If I hadn't already felt the sting of her tongue, I might have laughed at the poor man.
I grabbed her by the upper arm and hauled her back onto the porch. She clawed and scraped at my hand, but I held firm. After all, I had faced down fearsome pirates. I could certainly handle this beastly young woman. Will was just stepping onto the porch and the girl launched herself into his arms, sobbing wildly against his shoulder. He just stared, helpless, at me over her shoulder.
"Oh, stop it," I demanded, turning her to face me, "Just was seems to be wrong with you?" I asked when I encountered her tear-stained face.
She pointed to the open door, "That man," she said with a quaver, "He called me a whore and told me to leave."
"Well, what do you expect, barging into someone else's home uninvited?" Will asked, softly, distancing himself from her and joining me at my side.
"Why do both hate me?" She keened, despairingly.
Will and I exchanged another look. His eyes were wide and slightly confused, while mine were full of the barbs I wanted to toss at this little beast. "Are you being completely serious?" I asked, exasperated.
A that moment, both Henry and my father joined us on the veranda.
"Elizabeth, darling, what appears to be the fuss," Governor Swann asked me, pointedly. The dark-haired girl turned to look at my elegantly dressed father, her eyes wide. She smiled politely and took a step toward Will and I.
"Oh, well, there seems to be a little misunderstanding," I began, glancing at Will. As much as I wanted to toss this young woman out onto her ear, I knew it would be unfair to the citizens of Port-Royal to unleash her on them. And, I reminded myself resignedly, even to Jack who'd helped us a fair number of times.
Will cleared his throat and clasped Jack's daughter by her upper arm, none-too-kindly. "Sir, I must apologize. She's my cousin from London. She was, er, misappropriated, I suppose."
"Misappropriated?" my father asked, his eyebrows raised.
I stepped in, picking up the threads Will had begun, "Yes, she was mistakenly brought here rather than to Will's because of the postmark on the wedding invitation." I smiled at my father and he just nodded.
"Well, then, we'll see to her comfort then," he offered, resigned.
"Oh no, sir," the little beast piped up, "I do not wish to impose. I'll go to my dear cousin's, of course." She smiled sweetly up at my father, who returned in kind. She then bowed obeisantly to Henry. "My humblest apologies, sir, for my behavior. I must say, I was frightened."
Henry stepped forward and made an equally humble bow, "Of course, miss, it is I who should apologize then." He bowed to my father and reentered the house.
My father cleared his throat, "Well, now that everything is in order, Elizabeth and I have some wedding business to attend to. It was nice to meet you, Miss..." he trailed off, realizing that introductions had not been made. Indeed, none of us even knew the girl's name.
"Rachel Sparrow, sir," she answered, dipping into a low curtsy.
My father's eyes bulged, "Did you say Sparrow?"
I stepped in, quickly, "S-P-A-R-E-A-U," I spelled, "Her father was French," I added, conspiratorially, hoping my father's distaste for the nation would prevent him from continuing. I pinched Rachel, hoping to keep her from correcting me.
"Ow!" she squawked.
I smiled down at her. "I believe it's pronounced 'oui', dear," I told her, dryly.
Governor Swann nodded, knowingly. "I see, well, it's been a pleasure Miss Spareau. Elizabeth?" he asked, offering his arm.
I bent my head to Will and heard my father clear his throat. I raised up on my toes and planted a quick kiss on his lips despite the audience. He smiled at me as I took my father's arm. "Tomorrow?" I mouthed to my fiancé. He smiled and nodded as I set off with the Governor.
"Really, Elizabeth, I must insist on a bit more propriety in public," my father urged once we'd entered the garden behind our home. After a short pause, he continued, "And definitely in private, for that matter," he added a little sardonically.
I colored, but I ducked my head so that he would not see me blush. When I trusted myself to answer, I reminded him, "Father, you were once in love with Mother. You must remember what it was like?"
He smiled at some memory, his stern countenance brightening and softening. Then he chided me, but without malice, "But, we were never so impertinent."
"Of course, Father," I replied, holding his arm a little more tightly. We were soon ensconced in making a few last minute decisions regarding the menu, which was certainly my favorite part of the impending event. I only had time for idle thoughts of Will and the problem of Rachel Sparrow.