CHAPTER FOUR

Olivia looked at her pocket watch and went to Barbossa's quarters. The dining table was elegantly prepared with candles. A cooked pig sat on a platter surrounded by smaller platters. She sat down smoothing a wrinkle out of her dress. She had been cautious about wearing a dress to dinner. What if one of the crew comes down and see her like this? Barbossa had assured her the crew knows not to interrupt his meals.

Barbossa joined her five minutes later and they began eating. He filled her wine glass and cut a piece of meat.

" Tell me yer story Miss. Conner." Barbossa said as she took a sip of the wine.

" My story?"

" Yes, yer story." Barbossa was studying her and it unnerved her. Why was he looking at like that?

She did not know where to start. Why was Barbossa curious about her life story?

He is helping you…you owe him to tell him about yourself. Olivia thought.

" I want to hear about you. About your adventures on the Black Pearl."

" Ah, yer don't want to hear about that."

" Why not?"

" There are some things I rather want to forget." Barbossa admitted.

Olivia nodded and the first memory that came to her was the day Richard left for his voyage.

" It was my last day with him and I did not know I was never to see him again…"

Richard zipped up his bag and went to find his sister. He was leaving in a week's time and had just finished packing his clothes. He was going aboard The Dauntless on a sea voyage that would last for four months. They were going to find the infamous Black Pearl, it has been sighted in the Caribbean waters. It had been hard saying goodbye to his mother. She did not want him to go but at the same time she was proud of her son. Twenty seven years old and a gunner for the Dauntless.

" Richard, I've decided on something." Olivia put the kettle on and began preparing tea, " I have just turned thirty years of age and still living with Mother. I will be moving out into a home of my own. As soon as I find one of course."

" What would Mother say to that?" Richard agreed with Olivia. It was high time his older sister moved out of home. There would no doubt she would still get money from their mother until she found some form of employment. Olivia wanted to be a writer-a writer of fiction. Richard had always encouraged her to flaunt her writing talent but their mother frowned upon it.

" She will not like it. She will not like the idea of not being able to control me." Olivia sighed, " she is still trying to match me up with possible suitors. I am old enough to decide on my own!"

" She just wants to see you looked after."

" I know but it infuriates me. Hopefully when I leave, she will stop this nonsense."

" This will devastate Mother to know both of her children are leaving her."

" She should know it was bound to happen." Olivia shrugged, not caring.

" Are you ready for the lesson?"

" What is the point? Your leaving soon and you will not be able to teach me the more advanced styles of fencing."

" No, but I am sure you will find someone who will. I want you to be able to defend yourself. Now come on." He lead her to the back gardens where there was ample room to practice with swords. He gave her his old one.

" There is a blacksmith in town who makes fine swords. You should get yourself one."

" I may." As they began practicing.

The week flew by and it was time for Richard's departure. They stood at the docks, staring at up at the magnificent military ships. Men in red jackets and white pants climbed aboard the vessels.

Richard asked his mother if he looked all right. She kissed him and told him he looked handsome. " Perhaps you may meet a girl on your voyage." She said hopefully.

" Mother, there will be no women. It is bad luck apparently." He turned to his sister and gave her a hug, " Keep well big sister and remember to practice."

" I will. Goodbye little brother," she said, willing herself not to cry. If she started, she may not be able to stop. It was too late for Mother, she was sobbing.

He waved goodbye, his tall, lanky frame striding towards The Dauntless. He climbed aboard and stood at a spot that had a good vantage point of his family.

The ship pulled away and Mrs. Conner and Olivia waved until the sun set and the ship was nothing but a shadow.