Greetings all! Here is the next chapter...it is a bit longer than the last, and mainly serves to show us a bit more insight into Bartholomew Leighton's true nature (insert hisses and boos here!) Next chapter should be up in a couple of days!
As always, I don't own any characters from POTC, just the ones I make up in my sick widdle brain, so don't sue me!
Chapter 15: Confrontation
Elizabeth was just putting the finishing touches on Linnet's upswept hair when she heard Leighton's customary knock and his voice in the hall below. Giving the auburn locks a final pat, she smiled, quite pleased with the results of her handiwork. "All finished, and it turned out quite well I think!"
"I quite agree with you, Liz……it's quite lovely, and I cannot thank you enough!" Linnet grinned in delight as she rose from the bench, the emerald satin of her dress whispering deliciously against its ruffled cover. Indeed, she was more than pleased with the made-over gown had turned out, and she felt certain that she would prove to Leighton once and for all that she was a woman who knew her own mind.
"Seeing Leighton's face when he sees you will be thanks enough for me, Linnie….besides, it is good to see someone getting use out of the gown." Linnet looked at her friend's reflection in the mirror and noticed the wistful expression on her face.
"Do you ever miss it….the social whirl and the status of being the governor's daughter, I mean?"
Elizabeth was thoughtful for a moment before she answered. "You'd think I would miss it dreadfully, but to be honest with you, I wouldn't give up what I have for anything. Oh, I was hurt and angry at first when the haute ton of Port Royal cut me in the street, but I got over it…" Seeing the look of confusion on Linnet's face, Elizabeth smiled softly. "Most of the ladies of my acquaintance were utterly shocked that I would choose to marry Will, who was the son of a pirate and a common blacksmith, over Commodore Norrington. To wed a man so far beneath me in status would have been a fatal blow to my social climbing aspirations, had I had any. But I am quite happy, which is more than I can say for those biddies who go out of their way to avoid me now…..at least I don't say Hail Mary's or plan menus in my head while my Will does his husbandly duties!" Elizabeth looked upward piously and clasped her hands together in mock prayer for a moment before both women broke out in blushes and giggles. Elizabeth picked up the green satin-lined light cloak and laid it across Linnet's shoulders. "Now you'd best be on your way before Leighton wears a path in my best rug!"
Luckily for her, she and Elizabeth were of the same general size and coloring, the main difference being her hostess's greater height. They had removed the gown's long tight sleeves and the 8 inch wide ruffle from the skirt, using the fabric to create an elegant, draped neckline gathered with white silk roses at the shoulders and décolletage. They had made vertical gathers along the remaining skirt at regular intervals, pulling the fabric upward to reveal the gown's newly added wide lace ruffle, each gather topped with white roses and ribbons. Matching green slippers, satin drawstring purse, a borrowed string of pearls and white elbow length gloves completed the ensemble. Her hair had been drawn up into a smooth knot crowned with white silk roses, out of which a cluster of fat sausage curls fell down to rest along her graceful neck.
Taking a final glance at herself in the mirror, Linnet exhaled slowly and then fixed a proud, confident look on her face. "Courage, Linnie……" and then as she turned to go, a stray thought entered her head.
I wonder what Jack would think if he could see me now…..
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Bartholomew Leighton paced restlessly in the hallway as he awaited his fiancée's arrival. So far, Linnet was proving herself more than capable on the social scene, and he was beginning to believe that she would prove to be a good hostess once they were wed. She did have a bit of an independent streak, but given time he was certain he could mold her into his ideal woman. She had thoughtfully provided him with a living weapon to use against her, and if after issuing threats against Miranda she still proved resistant to his teaching, he would not hesitate to use force. In fact, he found the concept of such an event…stimulating.
Hearing the rustling of stiffened crinoline from above, Leighton turned to see a vision in green and white descending the stairs. While part of him was suddenly furious that she had disregarded his request to wear the new gown he had provided her for that evening's event, another part of him was delighted that she had given him cause to punish her. So…my little bird has decided to test her wings to see how far she can get from the nest before being hauled back, hmmm? That's the thing about little birds….they have a tendency to fall far and land hard…..
"Linnet, you look absolutely stunning this evening. Is that a new gown?" Bartholomew gazed at her in true appreciation, careful not to reveal his true feelings regarding her disobedience. Time enough for that later….let her have her moment of glory before I crush it down….
"Indeed it is.….something Elizabeth and I came up with rather recently in fact." She smoothed the satin lovingly with a gloved hand. "I take it you approve?" She inquired, tilting her head slightly as she gazed up at him, a challenge in her eyes as she smiled softly.
Aaahhhh, the kitten shows her claws….how utterly divine!
"The gown is lovely, as is the woman who wears it." Bartholomew answered diplomatically, and smiled when he saw her relax noticeably as she took his arm. Let her have her moment of triumph…and then when she least expects it…retribution……
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The Nelson's gala had been a resounding success, and Linnet's spirits were high as she and Leighton made their way towards their enclosed carriage. She had received many compliments on her gown, and had been begged by several ladies for the name of her seamstress. Linnet had in return refused, saying that a lady must keep some secrets as she inwardly grinned, thinking of how Elizabeth would react to the news that her sewing talents were the focus of such interest. Her dance card had been completely filled and as it was nearing 3 a.m. she was exhausted, so exhausted that she didn't notice the change in her intended husband's demeanor until he struck.
Linnet was sitting in the seat opposite, with her head leaned back, sagging from utter weariness. "What a delightful romp! I declare, I don't think I've ever danced so much in my life….I'll definitely have blist…..oooppphhhhh!" Her words were cut off as she was abruptly grasped by the wrist and painfully jerked from her seat and pulled into her fiancée's lap. Suddenly wide awake, she was startled to see the look of absolute fury upon his face, and her mind raced as she pondered what she could have done to anger him so. "Bart, what on earth?" A vicious slap and shake made her cry out, which only seemed to anger him more.
"Linnet, Linnet, Linnet…..you must take me for a fool. Did you really think that you could flout my wishes without paying the price, my pretty bird?" He grasped her gloved wrists in one hand and her squeezed her chin painfully with the other as she struggled to get away.
"Since you decided to display yourself like a whore, I might as well sample the wares and see what it is my uncle's twenty thousand bought." Without warning, he released her chin and threaded his hand through her hair, forcing a bruising kiss upon her unresponsive lips. Pulling back, he found that his intended had gone still, looking at him with a shocked and bewildered expression. Angry that she had stopped fighting him, he took his assault a step farther by cruelly squeezing her breast as he slammed his mouth ruthlessly upon hers once more. He roared in mixed pain and delight as she bit his offending orifice, pushing at him in an effort to free herself.
"I knew that red hair of yours was indicative of your fiery nature, Linnet. Oh, what fun I'm going to have with you!" He cackled, shoving her away from him as wiped at his bleeding lip with a knuckle, favoring her with a Cheshire Cat-like grin.
Linnet wasn't faring as well. Scrambling back to her seat, she clutched her cloak around herself protectively and glared at him, tears of fear and outrage at his unprovoked assault glistening on her cheeks. "How dare you thrust yourself on me like that, you, you….heinous beast!"
"Indeed, I am a beast, m'dear……a beast provoked by your beauty so charmingly displayed in that glorious green gown. Perhaps you would be wise to heed my advice when selecting your apparel in the future, lest you subject yourself to a repeat demonstration of my unbridled lust." Bartholomew leaned back in his seat, his arms draped wide against the seat back and his legs crossed in a casual manner as he observed her, a satisfied smirk on his lips.
"All this…violence….I endured was because I chose a different dress for this evening's entertainment?" Linnet spit out, stunned and sickened by his perverse humor. Gathering her courage, she sat up and met his gaze with a glare of her own. "You, sir, must be suffering under the delusion that my having accepted your proposal of marriage gives you the right to control every aspect of my very existence. I am no marionette that you can dress and undress and pull strings to make me dance and speak at your command. I am not yet your wife, and if this is the treatment I can expect at your hands, I am a lucky woman. As of this moment, consider yourself disengaged, sir!" Removing her glove, she tugged off the modest diamond he had given her and threw it at him. It hit him in the face before bouncing to the carpeted floor of the carriage.
Fearing his instant retaliation, Linnet was surprised when he merely continued to watch her, his expression never changing as he observed her in all her fury-driven glory.
Magnificent… he thought as he contemplated his next action. She jumped when he suddenly uncrossed his legs and sat up, placing his hands on his knees before speaking.
"Pick it up." He said somberly, no inflection indicating his mood whatsoever in his smooth voice.
"I beg your pardon?" Linnet mumbled, still trying to calm herself from her outburst. Did he really mean for her to get down on the carriage floor and search for the blasted ring?
Her thoughts were interrupted as he lunged forward and grasped her by the upper arms, glaring at her intently as he patiently repeated his instructions.
"Find the ring and put it back on your finger where it belongs, or so help me I'll do it for you. Trust me when I say you won't like my method if I do." His voice had taken on a deadly serious tone that left Linnet quaking inwardly.
"I have no intention of returning it to my finger, as it is no longer mine. It belongs to your betrothed, and as I have just declared an end to our engagement, you can bloody well find someone else to fill that position, for it shan't be me!" She jerked free of his grasp and scooted as far away from his as the narrow confines of the carriage would allow as he laughed softly, shaking his head as he did so.
"Oh, no, my sweet, you won't get away from me that easily. Do you think you can simply change your mind and walk away from me, after all the time and money I've invested in you? And lest you forget, you and your entire family are indebted to me, ergo I…own…you, body and soul. Fight me all you wish to, lovey….in fact, I wish you would, as it will make my victory in the end only so much sweeter." Bartholomew laughed softly at the look of disgust that she sent his way, leaning back once more against the plush carriage seat before continuing.
"By the by, if you're thinking about running, I really wouldn't recommend it. You wouldn't get very far, especially as I've let it be known that any ship that takes you and the poppet on as passengers will no longer receive any business from Leighton shipping. After all, I must recoup my losses, and if you deny me, then I'll just have to make do with Miranda instead. She appears to be a fairly obedient young woman….she doesn't have your wit and fire, true, but with the right incentive, I am sure she can learn to…please me."
"You wouldn't!"
"Oh, I would, and it would bring me immense pleasure to do so." He tipped his head back and inhaled deeply, his nostrils flaring as he rolled his eyes back in pseudo-ecstasy. "Such a fragile, gentle mind housed in a succulent, nubile young body….it wouldn't be much of a challenge at all to break her spirit," his head lowered and he met her horrified gaze with a inquiring one of his own. "Unlike you, Linnet….you, on the other hand, are a challenge. You are petrified, but you hide it well. In you I have finally found a woman worthy of my skills, time and effort." Leaning over, he glanced out the window before turning back to Linnet. "It appears we are nearing the Turner's, so you haven't much time. What is your decision, sweet? Which of you shall be my bride…you or your sweet Miranda? Or shall I take this matter to the courts and indenture you both to the highest bidder? Tick tock, tick tock, time is running out!" He mocked her, his handsome face triumphant as he watched hers crumple in defeat. He didn't say a word as she slipped off the seat and found the ring. When she rose he took the ring from her trembling hand and slipped it back into place, smiling as she snatched her hand back as he attempted to kiss it. "I am glad that you reconsidered, my dear….I'm sure you and I will do admirably together."
Linnet sprang to her feet the moment the carriage stopped, eager to get away from her unwanted fiancée. How could she have been so blind as to not see his true nature!
"You'll excuse me if I don't see you to the door. The nature of our conversation has stimulated me to the point of discomfort." He gestured grandly to the sudden tightness in the groin area of his elegant breeches, causing Linnet to flush with embarrassment as her stomach rolled. "I'm sure you can manage to make it inside on your own, my fierce lioness. Pleasant dreams, my love."
Linnet fairly flew out of the carriage and up the front steps, trying to make it inside before she lost complete control of her composure. A single lamp was lit on the small side table in the hall as she leaned up against the door, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. She was the abject picture of defeat as she made her way slowly up the stairs, wiping her stinging eyes as she went, unaware of the concerned eyes which followed her progress.
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Will had been unable to sleep and had been enjoying a glass of warm milk with brandy in front of the study's fire when he heard the carriage approach. He had been about to warn Linnet of his presence so as not to frighten her when he realized that she was distressed. He noted the tearstained cheeks and her disheveled hair, and wasn't sure what to do precisely. She didn't appear to have been physically harmed, but sad and, what was the word he was looking for…..resigned, perhaps? Making a mental note to mention what he had seen to his wife, he slipped back into the study and going to his desk, pulled out a sheet of foolscap, quill and ink and began to write.
Captain
Jack Sparrow
Master
o'The Black Pearl
C/o The
Broken Sword, Tortuga
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Poor Linnet! She's in a typical Mary-Jane situation, but don't write her off as an ordinary MJ just yet...she's got a few tricks up her sleeve. She may be in a pickle , but methinks a certain beloved pirate captain is fixing to arrive and make tartar sauce out of her wicked hubby to be! Stay Tuned!
