Disclaimer: I keep hoping but alas POTC still belongs to Disney.
AN: I ask that if you are reading this that you at least continue on through the end of chapter 3. I believe that I am truthful in saying that the readers of my two other stories have always really liked my heroines. All I will say is that sometimes it takes awhile for a character to develop.
Also, please review.
Ignoring James' grumblings about how a man should be allowed to decide his own fate without interference from well meaning but meddling friends, Kat arranged a small dinner party that included Jack, Will, and Elizabeth. Kat and Elizabeth had had a long talk the day after Jack's announcement and both agreed that marriage between Millicent and Jack would be a disaster. Of course neither of them let the fact that they both harbored an intense dislike for Millicent enter into their assessment of the situation. As far as they were concerned, it was obvious to anyone with a pair of eyes that the match was highly unsuitable. Therefore it was their duty to point this out to Jack and to question him as to why he had decided on this ridiculous course of action.
Dinner itself was a light hearted affair and all members of the party studiously avoided mention of the engagement. Most of the time was spent with Will gushing over how beautiful and brilliant his baby daughter Pearl was proving to be on a daily basis. Although the topic grew a bit tedious, Will's genuine love and devotion to his family caused the other occupants of the table to forgive him and allow him to continue to prattle on ad nauseum.
At dinner's end Kat, in her usual fashion, flaunted social norms and announced that all of them, not just the men, would retire to the study to partake in a drink. She wanted a united front when she confronted Jack. Being no fool, Jack quickly deduced what was to come and he sent James a look beseeching assistance. James shrugged his shoulders helplessly and offered the only consolation that he could, "Jack would you care for a brandy or perhaps you would prefer rum?"
"Rum, mate. I've a feeling I'll be needing plenty of it before the evening is over."
"James, I believe that I shall have rum as well." Kat chimed in.
Elizabeth made a moue of distaste at the mention of rum and instead chose sherry. Both James and Will preferred the brandy. Once the whole party had drinks and was settled comfortably, Kat turned to Jack with a determined look upon her face. She took a deep breath about to begin her questioning but she was momentarily diverted by his appearance. Although Jack had slowly changed his manner of dress during the past few weeks, it had never fully registered how much his whole demeanor had altered. Kat studied him for a moment and was disconcerted to realize that before her sat the very picture of a gentleman: a gentleman who would fit in at any of the London soirees that she had attended.
Deciding that the best defense was a good offense, Jack took advantage of her hesitation and plunged into the discussion, "I suppose you're all wondering about and questioning my recent announcement?"
Politeness dictated that they deny any such thoughts and the three were silent for a moment. Then Kat threw manners to the wind, "Well since you have brought the topic up Jack, I must confess that your sudden decision to marry was quite a surprise. A surprise only surpassed by your choice of wife."
Both Jack and James were unable to stifle their laughter at Kat's attempt to twist the situation to seem as if she were only deigning to visit the topic because Jack had insisted upon it. With his usual teasing grin back in place Jack continued, "My dearest Katherine as reluctant as you are to discuss my personal life, I fear that I shall have prevail upon your friendship a bit and insist that you allow me to unburden my secrets to you."
At this flowery speech even Elizabeth and Will joined in the laughter. Kat gave them all a quelling look before haughtily telling Jack, "There is no need for you to be so sarcastic. We all consider you a friend and we are concerned about your happiness. If that is distasteful to you, then we have very different ideas of what friendship entails."
Touched by the very real hurt that he saw in her eyes, Jack softly said, "I apologize Katherine. Of course you are all curious. I probably should have spoken with all of you before the announcement but things have happened rather quickly these past weeks." and Jack went on to explain about the letter and the title and his new found obligation to produce an heir.
Elizabeth was the first to find her tongue after Jack's amazing piece of news, "An earl? You are an earl?"
"Well not yet. First my father has to kick the bucket but yes I am in line to inherit. Although I wouldn't put it past him to have a go at having another son before he expires. Anything but let the black sheep inherit and further sully the long line of illustrious ancestors."
The bitterness in his voice was not missed by the other occupants of the room. Obviously Jack had been and still was hurt by the estrangement from his family but equally obvious was the fact that he did not wish to discuss that particular facet of his story. Kat, who had recently suffered her own temporary break with her family, could empathize with his mixed feelings. She steered the conversation towards the future, "So now we know why you wish to get married but we still do not know why you chose Millicent Witherspoon. You barely know her."
Jack swallowed the rest of his drink. He was stalling for time because he knew that this part of the conversation was not going to be pleasant. Perhaps James and Will might understand his reasoning but he was certain that Katherine and Elizabeth would object. Hell who was he kidding? James and Will were likely to object as well, after all both of them had married for love and by all appearances both were blissfully happy. Even Gibbs continued to object to his plans for a marriage based on necessity instead of love. What they were unaware of was that he was incapable of the kind of love that they shared. Yet at the same moment has he had this thought, a part of his mind and heart whispered "liar". Jack told the small voice to shut up. He knew his own mind and heart. Here he was at the ripe old age of eight and thirty and he had only ever engaged in dalliances of a most superficial nature. The only two women to whom he had considered giving his heart to both sat before him now and both were completely and totally in love with their husbands. It did not require much introspection to come to the conclusion that he had probably chosen them for that very reason. They had been unattainable from the first moment he set his eyes upon them and thus he would never have to face the reality of his inability to have an all consuming never wavering love for a woman. Again the voice whispered, "liar."
"Jack?" Elizabeth softly prompted interrupting his reverie.
Deliberately adopting his most cocky air, Jack went to the drinks cabinet and poured himself another rum. Over his shoulder he casually tossed out, "She is young, moldable, nice enough to look at, and she will give me an heir. What else do I need or want?" He waited for the explosion at his provocative remarks. None came. When he turned around he saw none of the expected outrage and anger, instead his saw something in theirs eyes that resembled pity. All three of them quickly hid this emotion but Jack had seen it and the damage had been done.
Kat could no longer contain her objections, "But Jack, Millicent Witherspoon is no match for you. She is young enough to be your daughter and frankly she is not that nice or bright. Even if you do not wish a love match, you need someone more suitable."
"Kat." James softly warned.
"No James, I must speak my mind. Jack, don't you at least want a woman who knows her own mind? One who has experienced something of life? I have a friend coming to Port Royal, a widow who has traveled the world. She would be more suitable."
"Kat." James again warned.
"What's the matter Commodore, can't control your own wife?" Jack angrily taunted.
James was about to rise to the bait when he saw the look of desperation in Jack's eyes. He looked like a wounded animal striking out. "It would appear that way." James calmly replied.
The mild comment drained away Jack's anger. Heaving a sigh and once again fruitlessly reaching for hair trinkets that no longer existed, Jack sat down and told the room, "I understand that my choice may not be to your liking. However, I ask that as my friends you accept that I have my reasons for choosing as I have. Unlike all of you, I am not looking for a love match. I simply require a quiet biddable wife who will produce an heir."
It was on the tip of Kat's tongue to point out that it was highly unlikely that the spoiled Millicent would be quiet and biddable but she refrained from voicing this thought. Jack was her friend and if wanted her support she would give it to him, no matter how difficult it might be. "I apologize, Jack. It was wrong of me to question your choice and to show you how much I will support you; James and I shall throw an engagement ball for you and Millicent."
Two days later found Jack having afternoon tea with his fiancée and her father. Jack hated tea but politeness dictated that he partake rather than request a rum as he would prefer. The conversation was desultory at best. Jack could not help but remember the after dinner conversation with his friends and he was forced to acknowledge, if only to himself, that Kat had been right in her assessment of the situation. The problem was that the three occupants of the room had very little in common but the forthcoming wedding.
Millicent had always been a puzzle to her father. Mr. Witherspoon had grown up with three brothers and except for his all too brief marriage, his poor wife had died birthing Millicent, he had very little experience with the female of the species. At a very young age Millicent had cottoned on to this fact and had been using a combination of sunny smiles, tantrums, and tears to manage her father ever since.
Jack and Mr. Witherspoon were at least more of an age than any other pairing that could be made of the threesome. With a mere ten year age difference between the two men, Jack was forced to silently and a tad uncomfortably acknowledge to himself that he was actually old enough to have sired Millicent. However, age was about the only trait that the men shared. Mr. Witherspoon was a rather dull unimaginative fellow who had so far spent his life with his nose firmly to the grindstone. He had at first been reticent to allow his daughter to marry a former pirate no matter how many pardons the King handed out, but when Jack sweetened the pot by divulging his new status as heir apparent to a title and fortune Mr. Witherspoon had quickly sealed the deal.
Fiancé and fiancée also shared very few commonalities. First, there was the marked age difference of twenty years. Second, there was their outlook on life; Millicent believed that she should sit back and allow life to come to her while Jack believed in seizing every moment and wringing it dry. Third, and perhaps most important, was their ideas of what their future marriage would entail. Millicent assumed that she would soon relocate to England and have fine time lording, no pun intended, it over all of those poor members of the ton who possessed either smaller fortunes or lacked a title. In the meantime, she was willing to practice on the citizens of Port Royal. Jack was essentially looking for a brood mare with a muzzle that he could soon put out to pasture.
Awkwardness reigned and the room remained largely silent. Finally in an attempt to allow the happy couple to get to know each other better, Mr. Witherspoon concocted a lame excuse to leave the room.
Millicent, using skills that she had perfected on her father, smiled prettily and batted her eyelashes before saying, "Well this is certainly cozier. Now we can get to know one another better."
Fingering the unfamiliarly tight neckline of his buttoned shirt, Jack grunted, "Yes."
Millicent was irritated that he had not immediately fawned over her like her father and her many former beaus but she figured that some sacrifices needed to be made if one was to become a countess. Stifling her pique, she again attempted conversation. "Mr. Sparrow, do tell me about your life as a pirate. It must have been so terribly romantic and exciting. Did you have a very nice boat?"
"Ship. The Diamond, like the Pearl was before her, is a ship and not a boat. And it is Captain Sparrow not Mr." he shortly informed her. Noting her now unmistakable ire, he allowed to himself as to how it might behoove him to make more of an effort. He plastered on the charming grin that had helped him out of many a tight spot before gallantly saying, "But why are we talking about such things when we are at last together? Surely there are more entertaining things to discuss like say for example, the fact that your eyes resemble the brilliant blue of the sky after a summer rain shower."
Jack had made the decision to attempt to seduce his bride to be. It would certainly be a diversion and it was a sport that he had engaged in a time or two before; that is to say, the sport of seducing young innocent maidens. However this time, he could do it with a clear conscience because he was actually going to wed the silly chit. He grinned as it dawned on him that this also gave him the leeway to carry the seduction to its ultimate conclusion for it did not matter if he took her virginity as she was soon to be his wife. With this aim in mind he got up and went to sit next to her on the settee. Once there, he took her hand in his and told her, "You really are an extraordinarily beautiful young lady." It was easy to make the compliment sound genuine because it was the truth. Jack took a moment to dispassionately examine his betrothed. Millicent was definitely a looker. Her expertly coiffed hair hung in shiny blonde ringlets and her figure was trim and delicate. She reminded him of a porcelain doll. Her clear blue eyes widened as he placed a kiss on the palm of her hand. Jack was pleased to note that her breathing grew a touch more shallow at his advance.
For her part, Millicent was pleased that at last she was receiving the attention that was her due. Captain Sparrow had been almost cold in his manner but now he seemed to have finally realized his good fortune. However decorum decreed that she make a token protest, "Really Captain Sparrow, you are too bold in your statements and actions." Then she delicately thrust out her tongue to moisten her lips. Millicent had decided that she was going to allow him to kiss her and she knew from experience that the surest way to attain this objective was to draw attention to her mouth.
Jack bit back a grin at her obvious ploy. A part of him wanted to ignore this manipulation but since it fit in with his plans he instead reacted as she expected. Slowly leaning in towards her he captured her lips in a kiss. After several moments of his lips attempting to coax a response from hers, Jack concluded that not only did she look like a porcelain doll but she also kissed like one with her lips remaining cold and unmoving. This was one of the major drawbacks of trying to seduce a virgin; they knew next to nothing about passion. Well Jack enjoyed a challenge and he had enough experience for the both of them. Cradling her head between his hands, he began to use the tip of his tongue to gently but firmly demand entrance to her mouth. When her lips parted, he felt a moment of victory. This was replaced with confusion when she quickly pulled away and delivered a stinging slap to his face.
"Just what do you think you are doing Captain Sparrow?" an outraged Millicent questioned.
Trying to soothe her ruffled feathers, Jack apologetically said, "I am afraid that your beauty got the best of me my dear. It is hard to keep my passion in reign when confronted by someone as lovely as you."
Somewhat mollified by his extravagant compliments she bowed her head in acknowledgment of how difficult it must be for him to resist her abundant charms. Still she had to set him firmly in his place, "I am aware Captain Sparrow that you may not be used to women who prize their virtue such as I do. I shall forgive you this time for your error. After all you have been associating with women such as that Mrs. Turner and Mrs. Norrington. It is not surprising that you…"
Jack's voice tight with anger interrupted her, "You would do well Miss Witherspoon to remember that Mrs. Turner and Mrs. Norrington are among the few that I am proud to call my friends."
Immediately recognizing the blunder that she had made Millicent sought refuge in pretty tears. Millicent was perfectly aware what a lovely picture she made as a lone tear made its way down her cheek. Infusing her voice with a helpless quality she begged, "Please forgive me Captain Sparrow. I do not know what came over me. I fear that I am jealous of any attentions that you bestow on other women." Here she gave a lilting little laugh, "You terrible man. You have quite begun to steal my heart."
For a moment Jack panicked. He did not want to steal her heart and he certainly did not want her jealousy. He wanted a marriage based on duty and mutual gain. Millicent Witherspoon would gain a title and he would gain an heir. If they happened to enjoy the begetting of said heir then that was an added bonus but not a necessity. Surely her father had explained as such to her? He glanced up and caught the gleam of speculation and avarice in her eyes before she quickly shut it out. Jack felt a surge of relief. No, Millicent Witherspoon was neither jealous nor in danger of losing her heart. She knew exactly what their marriage was to be but she was willing to attempt to see if she could twist him around her finger like she did the young men who courted her. Jack knew that he should be angry at her attempt to control and manipulate him but in reality he couldn't be bothered to spare the matter another thought.