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Chapter 4: Adelaide Descends on Port Royal

If she could Adelaide would have laughed at the way the marines scrambled from the fort toward the docks as the Midnight's Dove came into port. The pompous little naval officer who had fired at her ship days before looked as though his head would explode if he shouted any harder. Adelaide wanted to fall into a fit of giggles but her corset was cutting off her oxygen supply in this heat. If she let her control drift she might not be able to hold on to consciousness. She took a deep breath and fanned herself rapidly. Her crew was fashioning a boson's chair to put her into the ship's boat with less problems.

Adelaide had forgotten how hot the Caribbean could be in the spring. She hadn't been here since she was eight. Port Royal had not changed in the last eighteen years. The docks looked the same. The storefronts weren't the same but they were similar. Adelaide wondered if her family's home was still vacant. There were not may people who could maintain a house equal to the governor's mansion. She hated to think of the house her mother had loved being neglected.

The boson's chair swung over the side of the Midnight's Dove. Adelaide's hands gripped the ropes as suddenly there was nothing under her but air and water. She was lowered slowly into the ship's boat. Timothy helped her into her seat in the middle of the boat. She opened a parasol to block the direct heat of the sun. Shade wasn't much cooler but it was better than nothing.

The marines were taking formation on the docks. They actually were pointing their muskets at them as her men rowed toward the docks. What did they think? That they were going to attack the port in broad daylight with an invasion party of eight, including a woman in a dress that she could barely walk in let alone run. Adelaide had a feeling that this captain was going to be the most unintelligent person she ever talked to. They grabbed the bow of the boat when it reached the dock.

"Marines, arrest these men," Robert Gillette shouted. "Put them in irons."

Adelaide took the hand one of the marines offered her to help her onto the dock. She snapped her parasol shut and poked Gillette with the tip of it. "If you lay one hand on my men I will have your commission Captain. If you don't believe me try me."

"Miss, they are pirates. And that is a pirate ship. All of my men can testify that it was that ship that damaged the Dauntless a little over a week ago," Gillette told her smugly. "There is nothing you can do to save them from the noose. Commodore Norrington is known for his lack of mercy toward pirates."

"They are not pirates. They are my loyal servants. If you touch any of them I will prosecute you for assault and brutality."

"They will be arrested."

"Then let your precious Commodore arrest them because I insist on seeing him."

"The Commodore does not see common pirate trash."

"Well, he'll see me." Adelaide squared her shoulders and narrowed her eyes at Gillette. "I am not common trash, Captain. I am the Duchess of Lockwood and he will see me."

Gillette's chest swelled. "If you're a Duchess of Lockwood then I am the Prince of Wales."

Adelaide's eyes were cold when she smiled. "Then, after we meet with the Commodore, you can show me your family seal."

Adelaide turned toward the boat. "Come along men." She turned on her heel and stared at the marine who stood in her path. "Move aside."

The marine looked from her to Gillette. "Sir?"

"Put them all in irons, including the duchess." Gillette snapped.

One of the marines moved toward Adelaide. Timothy stepped in front of Adelaide. He was at least six inches taller then the marine. He stepped up until the tips of his shoes touched the marine's boots. "You touch her," he growled, "and I'll break you in half."

The marine audibly swallowed and stepped back. Adelaide laid a hand on his shoulder. All she said was "Calm down." She turned to Gillette. "We won't fight you, Captain. But I would warn you to stay away from my ship. I ordered that anyone who tried to board the Midnight's Dove without me should be shot. And my men are just as proficient with a pistol as they are with the ship's cannons, as you well know."

She stood quietly as the cuffs were placed on all of her men. Gillette put her restraints on personally. His eyes lit with pleasure when he tightened them as tight as they would go. "Well, are you going to take me to the fort or not. I am sure the captain would prefer me to go with an armed escort."

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Adelaide held her head high as they walked toward the fort. As they approached the gates she saw a couple of children playing on the edge of the path. She walked toward them. One of the marines grabbed her arm. She narrowed her eyes at him and lifted her chin. He let go.

She bent down next to the children who were now watching the marines with wary eyes. She smiled. One of the younger children snuggled closer to her side. "You're pretty."

Her smile widened. God she loved children. "Why thank you. What's your name?"

"Phillip Christopher Allen Shepard."

"Well, Phillip Christopher Allen Shepard, do you think that you and your friends can do me a favor?"

"Sure." One of the other children, an older boy, cut him off. "Look, what are you willing to pay for this favor?"

Adelaide gave him a deadpan look. "How is a shilling apiece?"

The rest of the children in the group were suddenly vying for her attention. "That's more like it," she scoffed. "I need you to take this message to the governor. 'Lady Adelaide Lockwood is at the fort and requests his immediate audience.' Do you think you can remember that?"

"Of course, milady, but why would the governor believe us?"

Adelaide took off her ring and handed it to Phillip. "Give this to him." She closed his small fingers around it. "He will recognize it. I expect to get it back. It means a great deal to me. It was my mother's."

Phillip clutched his fist to his chest; his eyes wide. "I will guard it with my life."

Adelaide grinned at him. He couldn't be more than five years old and was totally adorable. She was sure that the door man would have to show him into the governor's office because there was no way that ring was coming out of his hand to anyone else. She stood and surveyed the other children. "If you return with the governor, I will pay you when I have finished my business with the Commodore."

She walked back to the marines and a very impatient looking Gillette. Her face went from pleasant to cold in less then a second when she made eye contact with him. "By all means Captain, lead on, lead on. I want to get out of this infernal sun."

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If it were possible the sun beat down even hotter once they were inside the fort. The foot falls of the procession across the courtyard echoed in Adelaide's ears. The shadow of the gallows sent a chill up he spine. It reminded her that she was gambling with her life. Every time the Midnight's Dove took a ship she risked being revealed. If she were caught not even her titles would protect her from the noose. She realized it and accepted it as a fact of life, occupational hazard in a way. She had never actually seen a gallows up close. May be it was the heat, or the stench of the recently dead that were hung as a warning against the fort walls, but Adelaide was positive if she stood in this square any longer she was going to pass out. When Gillette stopped and ordered the marines to wait for his return, she nearly whimpered.

"Captain," She strode to the front of the group. "I said I wanted to be taken to the Commodore. I will not wait any longer."

"The Commodore is in his office. You will remain here while I ask him where you will be held until we can accommodate you for a hanging."

"It will be you who is hanging if I have my way. I will not tolerate such treatment any farther. You will release me and my men and you will take me to the Commodore." Adelaide was standing straight in the sun and fairly shouting at the stupid man. "Now, either take me to the Commodore or I find him myself."

"If you move another foot I will have you shot."

"You wouldn't dare." Adelaide took a step toward Gillette. It was all she could do to keep herself from strangling the man with her restraints. She was actually surprised when he actually pulled his pistol on her.

"I wouldn't try my patience any further. Do as I ordered and wait."

"No" Adelaide shouted at him defiantly and tossed her hair over her shoulder. "If you shoot me, you will hang. I will take that joy to my grave if that is all."

"What is going on here?" the dignified voice came from the doorway behind the captain. "Gillette, I could hear you all the way in my office. Where is your self control man? Why is this woman in chains?"

"She arrived on the pirate ship that fired on the Dauntless last week. She and all her men are under arrest under the charge of piracy." Gillette stood attention with a smug look on his face. Commodore Norrington's astonished gaze locked on Adelaide once more. This time he looked more reserved then outraged. She stepped forward head held high.

"Commodore, you imbecilic captain has manhandled me and my men, insulted us, and is now threatening me with a pistol. I am appalled at these accusations against me and my men. We are not pirates."

"Who exactly are you?" Norrington felt a headache forming behind his eyebrows. This was not the first time he had to clean up after Gillette. The man was forever causing him problems. The latest of which was limping the Dauntless into the harbor last week with some crazy story of a pirate ship with colored sails that wasn't the Black Pearl. This woman was obviously well bred. He only hoped she wasn't too well-connected. If Gillette had offended some one important he would have his head.

"I am Adelaide Marie Kathleen Withers, the Duchess of Lockwood. I can assure you that the king will hear of this upon my return to England. I have never been so disrespected." Adelaide narrowed her eyes at Gillette who was starting to sweat. "I demand a formal apology be given and sanctions be taken against this man, immediately."

"Your Grace, I am sure he was only acting how he thought was best—"

"Well then, apparently, he should not be allowed to make decisions that would require him to use that excuse for a brain, at all."

"Madame." The commodore was cut off again when Governor Weatherby Swann rushed into the courtyard.

"Adelaide! What a pleasure to see you. You should have been here a week ago. Why did you not just come to the house? There was no need for you to present yourself to the commodore formally without resting first, child," Weatherby Swann fluttered.

"I too am glad to see you uncle," Adelaide saw both Gillette and Norrington grimace at this term of endearment. Adelaide smiled warmly at the governor. He was scatterbrained and stuffy but she was rather fond of him. She wanted to laugh as the rag-tag crew of children trailing after him waiting to be paid. "And I would have come directly to the house if I had not been delayed presently."

"Delayed my dear?" he looked questioningly at the Commodore. "Commodore what is going on here?"

With great pleasure at watching Gillette's face loose all traces of blood, Adelaide raised her manacled hands. "Apparently the Commodore and the Captain here have a different way of welcoming strangers to this island. I have to admit I don't particularly care for it."

Norrington's eyes narrowed at the change in Adelaide tone. She was suddenly acting like this was some laughable misunderstanding when moment's before she had been so angry she would have gladly taken a bullet to prove her point. He decided then and there not to underestimate this woman. She was obviously highly intelligent and knew how to use her position in life to her best advantage. Norrington wondered if she had married into her title or been born into it. Norrington's attention was brought back to the present predicament by the governor's outraged exclamation. "Commodore Norrington, what is the meaning of this? How do you explain arresting one of the king's own relation? My goddaughter? What reason could you possibly come up with that would justify such a move?"

Gillette, hoping to help and make himself feel justified, jumped in to explain, "They have been arrested as pirates, milord. They are responsible for the damage done to the Dauntless a week ago."

He actually looked pleased with himself until he looked at the governor. Weatherby Swann was going to explode if he got any more agitated. "Pirates! That is preposterous. She would never do such a thing!"

"Uncle," Adelaide cut him off in a serene voice. "Calm yourself. There is no need for you to get over set. There is a perfect explanation for what happened, if the commodore would listen to it."

"Of Course he will," Swann let out in a sigh. He hated complications. Life should be simple and easy. He did his best to make sure that his ran that way. It did no good to focus on the bad in life, it just gave you ulcers. "Why don't we take this inside out of this woeful heat?"

"Yes, that would be a good idea." Norrington turned to go back up the steps to his office. Adelaide cleared her throat loudly. He turned wondering what protocol he had for gotten. Adelaide lifted one eyebrow and held out her hands. "Are these really necessary now that my identity has been confirmed? Surely I pose no threat to you. I have only eight of my men with me, hardly enough to cause any real problems."

"Of course, of course. Murtogg, Mullroy, release them all."

"But Commodore," Gillette protested.

"You have done enough Gillette."

Adelaide let out a hiss of pain when the marine removed her handcuffs. The skin around her wrists was raw from the chaffing steel, even though they had only been on for a short time. She was certain the marks would last longer then she wanted. A bad reminder of what would happen if she did not have her title to defend her. She reached into the pocket in her gown and pulled out her money purse. She motioned the children forward. One by one she placed a shilling in each of their hands. For many of them this was the most money they could every say was theirs. She grinned as they rushed off shouting to each other how they would spend it. The only one left was little Phillip. His head was bowed. She knelt before him. She lifted his chin with a finger. "What's the matter Phillip Christopher?"

"The Governor took your ring. I couldn't stop him. I don't know where it is. I can't give it back." He looked ready to burst into tears. "Is a shilling enough to buy a new one? Cause I'll go gets one directly."

"Oh, darling. It isn't lost. The governor was just trying to help. He will give it back to me. He is my uncle. He would not keep it from me."

"You mean I didn't screw up like David said I did."

"No honey you did wonderfully. Here," Adelaide pressed coins into his palm. "Take these to you mother and tell her that you deserve a feast tonight equal to the defending knight. Where do you live?"

"Momma and Papa own the inn near the docks. It's called the...Mer-mermaid's C-cove. There is a pretty picture of a lady on the door. She looks like you."

"Really, well, I'll just have to come visit you there."

Phillip grinned and took off at a run. Adelaide smiled broadly, stood, turned to the men who were waiting. Her smile died on her face when she made eye contact with Norrington. "Let's get this over with. I want to rest in the shade of the gardens later this afternoon. This should not take much more of either of our time."

"We are agreed on that, your grace." Norrington held open the door of his office for her to walk in. she sat herself in a chair near the window. When Gillette started to walk in she stood again.

"I will not tolerate this man's company any longer. Either he leaves or I leave. Pick one, Commodore."

"Leave us, Captain."

"What—Commodore!"

"I said leave!"

Gillette grumbled but proceeded to leave. The governor sat in the chair near the commodore's desk, settling himself in to the cushions. "Come, Come, Adelaide. Let's get this nasty business cleared up. Elizabeth has been waiting to see you for months. She will be ecstatic that you arrived be fore the wedding."

"Governor, if we could focus," Norrington perched on the edge of his desk facing Adelaide. "Do you want to give me your explanation, your grace?"

"Finally, it is rather straight forward. I was traveling to Jamaica to attend Elizabeth's wedding. While we were entering the Windward Passage your ship, Dauntless I think it is called, came at us from behind. I paid it no mind because after all it was British naval vessel and the Midnight's Dove is a British vessel. We had done nothing wrong. Suddenly the Dauntless opened fire on us. I signaled that we were willing to surrender. The Dauntless kept firing. So we fired back. It is not my fault my men are a better shot and my ship is faster than yours even when damaged. We put into Nassau port for repairs. Once they were done we set out for here. And you know the rest from there." Adelaide took a deep breath and fixed her gaze on Norrington. "Since I have answered your questions I would like you to answer one of my own, fair?"

Wary of her reasoning, Norrington leaned back to study her. "Fine, what do you want to know?"

"One thing how is it possible for an oily, infantile, fraudulent bastard to manage to get a commission in His Royal Majesty's Navy?"

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If you can't tell I don't like Gillette…I thank my reviewers again. And beg all my readers to review that way I can get all the input to make this story great.—Redmond.