A/N : Again, only Vane is mine! Mrs. Barlow and the geraniums appear courtesy of Rafael Sabatini. Hope you enjoy.
Vane walked into a chamber, dark except for the pale moonlight that streamed through the window. He looked around, closed the door behind him, and lit a candle. "The log, the log," he muttered to himself, sifting through papers. To His Excellency The Governor, said one document. Tax Report read another. Beneath that, the edge of another paper was visible. In flowery script it read Final Will and Testament of Lord C, but the rest of the name was obscured by a bundle of parchment rolled up by a tattered looking piece of hemp string. "Ah!" Vane exclaimed to himself. "There you are." He put the bundle in a leather bag that he had flung over his shoulder, then turned to leave. Right before blowing out the candle, Vane returned to his desk and picked up the Final Will and Testament of Lord C. He looked it over once, stuffed it into his bag, and, licking his fingers, put out the candle.
"All set and ready to go, are we?" Vane asked, ruffling young William's hair. "You've never been to sea before, I'll wager," he said to him. William crossed his arms.
"I have so! Twice with my mam to Tortuga," the boy said proudly.
"Oh, Tortuga, is it?" Vane said and chuckled. "Tell me, what was a lad doing in Tortuga? Don't you know there are pirates, rogues, and knaves at every corner?" He gave a look to Elizabeth, the kind that said You should know better, ma'am!
"That's where Uncle Jack goes when he comes back from the ocean!"
"Hm!" Vane said, leading them out the door. "Mrs. Barlow!" he called. "Mrs. Barlow!" A round, gray-haired woman dressed in a plain dress and apron appeared.
"Are you leaving, Alexander?" she asked.
"Yes, I am, and I've got a list of chores on the table." Vane said. Mrs. Barlow put her hands on her generous hips.
"Will you be back for your breakfast?"
"Certainly not, my pretty one," Vane sighed. "Will you remember to water my geraniums?"
"You and your geraniums," Mrs. Barlow grumbled. "When will you grow up?"
"Let me remind you, Mrs. Barlow, that I am, in fact, the governor of this lovely island of Tobago Cays, and I am also, in fact, paying you to work for me. I shall see you in a few months time. Oh! And, keep an eye on those scullery maids while I'm away as well, would you?" He bonked her lightly on the head with the rolled up parchment papers and motioned for Will, Elizabeth, Jack, and William to follow him out the door. "Ta, dear!" he called.
After they were a ways down the hill, Vane rolled his eyes and sighed. "I seem to be out of favor with that vinegary virgin," he said. "But no matter. She was my brother's maid before he died, and he only hired the best."
"You had a brother?" Elizabeth asked. Vane suddenly looked very upset.
"Yes," was all he said. A one word response was strange coming from the usually loquacious governor, and Elizabeth sensed the wounds were still fresh. She did not press the subject, and Vane quickened his pace so that he was ahead of the group. Then a smile slowly spread upon his lips. Soon, my brother, he thought to himself. Soon.