Greetings, and thank you for your patience for the delay in getting this chapter to you. Been kind of busy lately, and haven't had as much time to write.
I have also been remiss here lately in thanking all you wonderful folks who take the time to review my story (a.k.a. stroke my ego...grin). You all are the greatest, and I will do my best to keep this story interesting for you.
And to the reviewer who was "disgusted" by Linnet's being a Mary Jane...I have to admit I got a real giggle out of your sarcastic comments. I'm sorry if the feminist in you is insulted by my heroine's actionsbut she is designed to be an AVERAGE 18th century woman, not Lara Croft or Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Women of that day and age were raised to be genteel, delicate and refined creatures, so she is SUPPOSED to be somewhat of a Mary Jane. She is expected and entitled to have moments of weakness and self-doubt, and the plot was designed to leave her in a dire predicament. Sure, it has been done many times before...who cares? But in case you haven't noticed, romance novelists have been writing stories this way for decades, and making big bucks to boot, so apparently people like them. If you don't like it this kind of story, you're certainly welcome to not read it. Although I gotta warn you, you're going to miss one heck of an ending if you don't.
As always, I don't own POTC or anything made by Disney---I just like to take the characters out and play with them any once in a while. No money is being made by my for writing this story.
Chapter 16: Crisis Part 1
18 February. 17—
Dear Jack,
I haven't received word from you since I wrote to inform you of Linnet's engagement, so I am assuming that unless you're incensed with the chit and have decided to wash your hands of her, you never received my last letter. After the talk we had before you left, I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt, and I only hope this reaches you in time.
Leighton became a frequent caller after you left, and being the persistent bastard that he is, he eventually wore Linnet down. She accepted his proposal in late November, and they are planning to wed on the 25th of April. I'm sorry to say that I think your plan of "absence makes the heart grow fonder" has failed you, my friend. It nigh killed me to see her spirits droop when your letters arrived and you didn't even mention her name. You will be pleased to learn that as far as I can tell, becoming engaged has done nothing to improve her disposition. She arrived home from a gathering in the wee hours this morning in tears, looking quite despondent. Something is definitely wrong in that quarter, what I don't yet know, but I'm sure that our tenacious Elizabeth will cajole her way to the truth before long..
Despite your heated exchanges, I do believe Linnet is more than fond of you, and it is all I can do to hold my tongue regarding her engagement. I regret now that I allowed you to swear me to secrecy regarding your plans, Jack…..I am positive if she knew your true intentions, she never would have succumbed to Leighton's charm, and I certainly wouldn't be developing ulcers in the prime of my life! So do this whelp a favor, ay? Get to the Isle, get the gold, and get your scurvy, scheming arse back to Port Royal before that woman of yours makes the biggest mistake of her life!
By the by, the Navy and Norrington are still hot after your last few encounters, so do try not to get yourself caught this time----I'm too busy with impending fatherhood to rescue you from the noose again! Take care, and we'll see you soon!
Will
Jack cursed silently as he reread the letter, then folded it briskly before tucking it safely inside his shirt. A series of rough storms had blown them off course several times, and he had made it back to Tortuga just an hour ago to find Will's letter awaiting him. Doing a quick calculation in his head, he realized that Linnet's wedding was only 26 days away, leaving very little time for him to get back and stake his claim on the woman he wanted to share his life with.
"Giiiiiiibbbbbbbbbbbbbsssssssssss" he bellowed at the top of his lungs, snatching up his bottle of rum and tossing some coins down on the table. His first mate, who had been climbing the stairs with an arm around a buxom tavern wench and another holding a couple bottles of his favorite brew, stopped dead in his tracks at the sound of his captain's voice, looking down inquiringly with a pleading look on his weathered face.
Jack knew that look, having worn it himself a time or two, but it didn't stop him from giving the command. "Sorry mate, I know you've earned your rest, but I need you to round up the crew. Just got word from Bootstrap's get informing me that I've got a wedding to stop and a bride to steal, so look sharp and heave to, savvy!"
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Two weeks later……Linnet stared at her reflection in the full-length cheval mirror, wondering who the pale, listless creature looking back at her was. She hadn't looked this ill since the day she stepped off The Black Pearl. Elizabeth couldn't help but notice how much looser the satin wedding gown had become since her friend's last fitting, and decided it was high time to delicately breach the topic of her friend's health and happiness.
Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth stepped back, untying the pin cushion from her wrist and she stretched with a sigh, arching her aching back, one hand resting on her swollen belly. "You really must start eating more, Linnet, for it's getting too uncomfortable to sit long enough to do alterations…I declare, every inch you lose, I gain." She spoke lightly, but the seriousness of her concern was evident on her face. Seeing the look of sadness on her friend's face, she stepped behind Linnet and spoke softly as she unbuttoned the elaborate gown. "I know something is troubling you, and I only wish you'd tell me what it is. You're not sleeping well, you pick at your food, and to be honest it's driving me mad seeing you suffer so."
Linnet's eyes were haunted as she slipped out of the dress and put it back on the dress mannequin before responding. "It's nothing to worry about…just a case of pre-nuptial jitters. All brides are nervous before their weddings—weren't you?"
Elizabeth snorted. "Nervous, yes…..but eager as well. Lately you bear more resemblance to Anne Bolynn awaiting execution than a happy bride to be. From the way you've been pacing the floors at night, I'm guessing that you're petrified." She saw her friend pause momentarily while slipping on her day dress, and knew that she had been correct in thinking that Linnet was afraid. Now to find out the cause…..
"Come." Elizabeth sank down onto the bench window seat, patting the cushion beside her. "Now, sit down here and tell Lizzie what the trouble is."
Linnet sighed and sat down reluctantly, nervously twisting her now quite loose engagement ring around and around absentmindedly as she spoke. "Really, I….I'm just a bit….apprehensive about the whole thing."
Elizabeth pursed her lips and shook her head in disbelief. "The girl who held a gun to Captain Jack Sparrow's head and leaped in front of a bullet is so nervous about getting married that she's literally wasting away before our very eyes? That's not the Linnet Bryce I know. Now, tell me the truth…..is it that you're afraid of what comes after the your vows?"
Linnet gasped and blushed, rising to her feet to begin pacing nervously. "No….it's not…I'm not afraid of intimacy….it's just that I….I don't think I can..."
Not giving Linnet a chance to think up another excuse, Elizabeth threw out a line. "What…you don't think you can go through with the wedding? You don't have to, you know."
Elizabeth stood and walked over to put her hand on Linnet's shoulder. "This isn't the middle ages where brides were forced to the altar. It's not too late to cry off…we can say that you have developed a delicate constitution due to your ordeal, and no one will think less of you. Not even Leighton can force you to say "I do" if you aren't willing."
Linnet's face crumbled and she turned back to the mirror, and Elizabeth was stunned to see the look of despair on her face as she gazed at her reflection. "Oh, but he can, Lizzie….he can and he will."
Elizabeth led the distraught Linnet back to the window seat, where through halting speech interspersed with quiet sobs, she learned the truth behind her friend's distress. Neither of the women knew that their conversation was being overheard by more than one inquisitive set of ears. Both parties were furious at Leighton's treachery...one vowed that Linnet would never be his bride...the other began to plot and pray.
