Greetings, friends---I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday season! I know it has been a while since I updated this story, but my muse for this story went on an extended vacation into the mountains of Tibet and was incommunicado for some time. I have been focusing on my other stories as well…check them out if you have some extra time to kill…

Disclaimer: I don't own Pirates of the Caribbean or Disney and I am not getting anything out of writing this story except the relief of having this stuff out of my poor widdle overtaxed brain, kapish?

Now then, when we last saw our brave heroine, she was rather gobsmacked after being proposed to by Baaad Barty, and sweet Miranda was having a mini nervous breakdown. Let's see what happens next, shall we?

P.S. to Smithy...I agree with you wholeheartedly about Will and you are correct...Bartholomew Leighton is NOT a nice man, as you shall soon see...enjoy!

Chapter 12: Love and Marriage?……….

Several residents of Port Royal were startled by the appearance of a beautiful but crying young woman hurrying down the cobblestone street, but none were concerned enough to inquire further as to the nature of her distress. At least, no one who harbored any genuine concern about her welfare. As she approached the waterfront, a large man in somewhat ragged attire stretched out a hand from a deserted alleyway and caught hold of the blue silk clad arm, stopping her flight.

"Here, here, now Precious, come tell Mackey what all the fuss is about, ay?" Miranda's eyes flew up to meet those of the pirate who was leering down at her with mock concern. She wrinkled her nose in disgust; it was obvious by his smell and by his grimy state that neither he nor his garments had had contact with soap or scrub brush in quite some time, if ever. Instinctively, Miranda stepped back to try and free herself, only to be jerked against the beast's chest with a yelp, his filthy hand reaching out to pat her silky white-blonde curls. "Pretty little thing like you shouldn't be crying so. Come along now and Mackey will show you a.." Before he could finish his thought, there was an ominous click as the pistol which had suddenly appeared in the vicinity of his right ear was cocked.

"I'd hate to distress the young miss by painting this here alleyway with your brains, but she happens to be a particular friend o'mine, and I tend to get a might tetchy when my friends get manhandled. Matter o'fact, my trigger finger 'as been more than a little twitchy here lately….care to press your luck?" The older pirate scowled, but released his hold on Miranda as Jack moved around to face him, holding the pistol in one as he urged her behind him with the other. "Wise move, mate. Now, unless you'd prefer to walk out of her with a slug o'lead in your gut, you'll apologize to this nice young lady before you return to whatever rock you crawled out from under. Now what say you to that?"

The pirate known as Mackey met the cold dark eyes of Captain Jack Sparrow, realizing that he was in a rather precarious situation, and gave up any thoughts of pleasure with the angelic doll who was peeking at him from behind her rescuer. Visibly sweating, the thug uttered a low "Sorry, Miss" before backing away a few steps, then turning to vanish into the milling crowd of the street.

Jack disengaged the hammer on the pistol before jamming it back into his sash and turned to face a still teary Miranda. Rolling his eyes, he pulled out his handkerchief and began mopping her face with it. "This is getting to be a habit, Missy." Jack chuckled wryly as she hiccupped, then gave a sudden "ooopfhhh" as she flung her arms around his waist in a desperate hug, still sniffling. Looking down at her with his head cocked in the familiar bird like observatory manner, he set about determining the cause of her tears. "Here now, what are you doing running about town all by your onesies, and soggy to boot?

Miranda didn't raise her head as she began to speak, seeming content to rest her head on his chest. "M..Mr. Leighton came to call this morning, and now I'm so confused, Jack. He has light hair and blue eyes and he was ever so handsome in his fancy frock coat, and he has the finest manners. He and Linnie and Elizabeth sat down for tea, and then he proposed."

Jack's heart was filled with sympathy for the girl, but he spoke cautiously. "Well, then, sounds like your future is all secure now—a handsome husband and a fine house…that was what you and your Linnie wanted, wasn't it?" He took her gently by the shoulders and raised her from his chest to look at her seriously for a moment. "Is that what all the to do an' tears are for, luv? Are you afraid to marry this Mr. Leighton? You don't have to wed him, you know. Would you rather I sneak you back aboard The Pearl, lass? Cook is missing his favorite helper, or so Gibbs tells me."

Miranda's face crumpled again, and she looked up at Jack with the most pitiful expression he'd ever seen. "You don't understand, Captain Jack…I saw him first, but he doesn't WANT me…he wants to marry Linnie!" And with this announcement, she threw herself back against Jack's chest and howled.

Stunned, Jack literally froze as he stared down at the squalling young woman in his arms. Then a cold rage settled in the pit of his stomach. This stranger wanted to marry HIS Linnet? The thought of another man touching the woman he wanted made him want to punch the wall behind him. But then recent memory swept through and he cursed silently….after the way he acted toward her this morning, she would probably not give him the time of day, much less her heart….

"Miranda luv, what did she say?" Miranda snuffled and looked up at him blankly, and Jack sighed with exasperation. "Did she accept Leighton's proposal?"

Miranda shook her head, but Jack's relief was short lived as she spoke. "I don't think so, but I left before she said anything…I was just so… so angry!" Miranda's face took on a mutinous expression as she continued. "I was the one who was supposed to get married and have babies, not her. She's too old---she told me so!"

Jack couldn't help but chuckle as he used a single finger to tip her chin up, meeting her eyes with a cheeky grin on his face. "Well, I wouldn't quite say that, Merry, but I can't say as I like the thought of her marrying him either, and I've not even met the man. So, missy, what say you and I put our heads together and see if we can figure out a way to change Leighton's mind….have we an accord?"

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Linnet was stunned for a moment, but quickly leaped to her feet and rushed to the library door, just behind Elizabeth. Dismayed by Miranda's actions, she turned back to find her would-be husband rising from his chair, a look of dismay on his face as he joined her in the doorway. Returning from the front entry, Elizabeth shook her head, revealing that Miranda had disappeared from sight, and then sent the young footman around to her husband's arms shop to fetch him home. "You and our guest have many things to discuss, Linnet. If Miranda isn't back by the time Will arrives, we shall seek her out. Most likely she will come back on her own soon…heaven alone knows how many times I ran off in a temper when I was younger." With a smile and a gentle pat of assurance, Elizabeth turned in a swirl of skirts and gracefully moved toward the rear of the house.

"It appears that my sudden proposal has distressed your young charge, Miss Bryce. Shall I help you search for her, or perhaps we should send word to the guard at the fort? There are more than a few unsavory characters running about, and I'd hate for such a sweet girl like Miranda to cross paths with one of their ilk. This part of the world is full of bloody pirates, bastards the lot of them, and they can't hang them quick enough in my opinion."

Even though she was still piqued at Jack after their fierce argument, Linnet bristled at her suitor's harsh words. Turning and walking quickly away from him toward the tall windows, she spoke without bothering to disguise her irritation. "It isn't widely known, sir, but it was one of those "bloody, bastard pirates" who brought us to this port, at much considerable risk to himself I might add. Being the worldly gentleman that you are, you undoubtedly feel that you are more knowledgeable than a lady such as myself about such matters. However, having had some personal experience in this area, I feel that it is fair to say that not all men who sail under a pirate flag are bad men. Unlike some, Mr. Leighton, I see them more as phantoms on the edge of society struggling to survive the only way they know how, and I refuse to paint them all with the same brush, so to speak. If it had been anyone other than Captain Sparrow who attacked The Goliath, our fate would have been much, much worse."

Realizing her faux paus, she sighed deeply and turned around to find him standing not far behind her, observing her keenly. She could feel herself flushing with embarrassment, and hurriedly tried to correct herself. "I apologize, Mr. Leighton…I do have a habit of letting my tongue run away with me at times….'twas my mother's greatest source of irritation, and she swore that my forthright manner ran off every decent suitor I managed to attract…oh, I…" She stammered to a halt, realizing she had put her foot in her mouth once more.

Linnet would have been shocked had she been able to read his mind at that very moment. (((Damn me……she's a spirited thing, that's for certain……what a pleasure it will be to break her, little by little…))) Brushing aside those pleasurable thoughts, Mr. Leighton smiled at her, his blue eyes twinkling, and once again Linnet could see why the ladies of the island were charmed by him. "On the contrary, Miss Bryce…I find your directness quite refreshing. Having been forced into Port Royal's social whirl for the past several years, it is delightful to have an conversation with a member of the fairer sex without all of the usual attempts at coyness and flattery. It has been….enlightening, to say the least."

"Very well then, Mr. Leighton, I shall endeavor to refrain from showering you with the excessive niceties that you find so abhorrent." She smiled faintly and gestured for him to return to his chair as she returned to the sofa. Taking a deep breath, she met his gaze evenly as her expression took on a more serious note. "While your sudden proposal was unexpected, I must confess that it is not an unwelcome solution to the situation that Miranda and I find ourselves in." She raised a hand as if to hold him off as he began to rise and approach her. "However, should I decide to accept your proposal, I would of course insist on a long engagement to allow us to get to know each other better, learn each others likes and dislikes. Essentially, it would be best if we determined before hand if we would suit. I take marriage vows very seriously, Mr. Leighton, and I want to be certain I am making the right decision before I say "I do."

Although somewhat disappointed that she didn't immediately fall in with his plan, Leighton hid his feelings well and nodded his approval of her plan. "I understand, Miss Bryce, and I don't expect and answer right away. After all, this is quite sudden, especially in light of your recent ordeal. I will give you as much time as you need, and hope that you will allow me to call upon you?"

Linnet's smile widened, revealing once again the beauty that had made his breath catch in his throat. "Of course, and you must call me Linnet. It seems a bit ridiculous to be so formal to a woman you've just proposed marriage to."

Taken aback once more by her honest and forth right manner, he returned her smile with an amused chuckle and grin of his own. "Indeed it does, Miss…Linnet. However, might I suggest you call me Bart? Bartholomew has always seemed quite a mouthful, and even my worst enemies call me Leighton." Rising to his feet, he stepped around the low table and leaning down picked up her hand, his eyes gleaming rakishly as he raised it to his lips and kissed her knuckles lightly, a surge of triumph racing through him as she blushed. "I've a feeling that there is definitely more to you than meets the eye, my dear, and I believe getting to know you better is going to be quite an adventure in itself."

"A-hem." Linnet pulled her hand away as if she had been burned as the light tap on the open doorway broke the mood. The couple looked up to see Elizabeth in the doorway, smiling. "I am pleased to report that our little runaway is safe and sound. Jack ran into her down by the docks and brought her home a few minutes ago, and I've taken the liberty of sending her upstairs to change for luncheon. Would you care to join us, Mr. Leighton?"

"I would enjoy nothing more, Madam, but unfortunately I have a previous engagement that I dare not miss. In fact, I am very nearly late and must take my leave of you. Mrs. Turner, Linnet, good day!" Bowing to each of them, he left the room and after retrieving his hat and walking stick, swiftly left the house with a certain noticeable buoyancy in his step.

Prey scented……now on to the hunt!

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"Well, is has certainly been a most interesting day so far." Elizabeth murmured softly as she and Linnet returned to the study after luncheon. The noon meal had been a somewhat strained affair, with Miranda sending Linnet doleful glances throughout the meal. Elizabeth and Linnet had expressed their disappointment and worry to the rebellious young woman, who had responded with alternating bouts of intense anger and heartbreaking sobs. Linnet herself had barely picked at her meal, her mind seemingly elsewhere. "The discussion definitely went differently that we had expected. He seemed in remarkably good spirits when he left….have you given him an answer then?"

Linnet looked at her hostess and friend, her mind still very far away. "No, not yet, but I probably shouldn't wait too terribly long…"

Elizabeth was burning up with curiosity. "Well then." She said calmly. "Would you like to talk about it. Sometimes using another person as a sounding board can help you make the right choice….plus it will keep you from wearing paths in my rugs from pacing. Now, sit down and share your thoughts with me, hmmm?" Elizabeth patted the sofa beside her and smiled fondly at her guest.

Linnet flopped down ungracefully with a sigh. "Oh, Elizabeth, its all so sudden and so confusing. I've only just met him, and while he seems a nice enough fellow, I don't know him well enough to wed him. My mind says that I should jump at the chance to marry him…after all, he's wealthy and not bad looking, but my heart…well, my heart says otherwise."

'indeed….that same treacherous heart that still aches for a certain handsome, honey-tongued devil of a pirate captain who makes me want to melt in his arms one minute and hang him from the yardarm by his bullocks the next'

"It is none of my business, but I would say listen to your heart." Startled, both ladies looked up to find Will leaning against the open doorframe, a gentle smile on his face as we cocked an eyebrow, waiting for permission to enter. Receiving a welcoming smile from both and an extended hand from his glowing wife, he strolled over to plant a kiss on his beloved's waiting lips before seating himself in the chair Leighton had occupied earlier.

"Sorry I am late, Elizabeth….I was seeing a client about a commission and was invited to stay for luncheon. I came as soon as I received your message…since I met her in the hall, I see she has returned. She has always been so cheery until now…I take it something happened today that disturbed her?"

Elizabeth quickly filled him in on the day's events. "In this case, Linnet, I must say that I agree with my husband, rarely though that does happen. There's no reason to rush into a decision…you're more than welcome to stay here as long as you like."

"I appreciate your offer more than you know, Elizabeth, but I mustn't infringe on your hospitality forever. It wouldn't be right. I feel I must earn my keep somehow."

"Wait a moment….I have just had the most brilliant idea! I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner!" Elizabeth was practically bouncing with excitement. "Father has been moaning for years about the disorganized state of his library, but he never got around to hiring someone to straighten and index it. With your education and skills, I'm sure that you could help him and yourself, if you think you're up to taking on the task, Linnet?"

Linnet's face was alight with excitement as well. "Oh, that would be wonderful. I spent much of my time in the library at Havenwood, and creating an index would be a pleasure as well as a challenge. But would your father agree to it, seeing as I am a woman?"

Elizabeth just laughed. "Oh, Linnet…don't worry on that account. My father is used to dealing with headstrong, independent women….you'll see what I mean when you meet Lady Margaret. And trust me, he would hire Barbossa's pet monkey if it was capable of categorizing and alphabetizing his tomes…I'm sure he'll welcome you with open arms and unending gratitude!"

And so it was by sunset on that day, Miranda had forgiven Linnet for stealing her "Beau", Linnet had a new job as the Governor of Port Royal's librarian, and Jack was up to his ears in plans to win his pretty bird back to The Black Pearl.