Commandeering Commodore
Chapter 17
Elizabeth had been up for a good hour trying to figure out how she was going to manage to get that bloody corset on all by herself. She thought seriously about dressing without putting the thing on, but knew she would have to be as proper as she could seeing the company she was now keeping.
She was increasingly appreciating the company of the Black Pearl's Captain and crew, no uppity expectations there at all. And of course she was missing Will too. Dear William, who never complained or fussed no matter what she decided to wear or where she decided to wear it. As she stood there thinking there was a knock on the door, Elizabeth grabbed her dressing gown, slipped it on, and called, "Come in." A young girl opened the door, entered, gave a curtsey, and said in heavily accented English, "Pardon Madame, I am here to assist you in dressing if you require my assistance." and dropped another curtsey.
"Yes, as a matter of fact I could use some help, I was just trying to figure out how I was going to get this bloody corset on by myself." Elizabeth said as she held the offending article of clothing out in front of her and shook it quite vigorously.
The girl giggled a bit at Elizabeth's use of a very improper word for a lady, quickly wiped the smile from her face, hoping she would not be reprimanded for her faux pas, and stepped over to help with said corset.
"I'm Elizabeth." Elizabeth said with a smile towards the girl.
"I am Josette." And again curtsied.
"You really don't need to curtsey to me if you don't want to Josette." Elizabeth said still smiling at the young lady.
"I was taught to be respectful to those of a higher station Madame." Josette replied, her eyes focused on the floor.
"Well that is not me Josette I guarantee you that, so no need for you to be doing it, especially when there is nobody else around. All right?"
"Yes Madame," Josette said, stopped herself in mid-curtsey, gave Elizabeth a shy smile, and began helping her into the corset.
"So Josette, how long have you been here at the Palace?" Elizabeth asked.
"I have been here since I was ten Madame, about six years now. I accompanied my Maman. She came over when the Governor was appointed to this post to take charge of the maids."
"So your Mother is in charge of the maids? That is a fairly good position is it not?" Elizabeth said.
"It was Madame, she has been gone about a year now." Josette said, a sad expression covering her face, "She took the fever and did not make it."
"I'm sorry Josette, I lost my own Mother when I was quite young also. I am sorry I brought the subject up." Elizabeth said with a comforting arm on the girls shoulder.
"It is all right Madame, now if you wish we can finish your toilette and I will show you to the dining room for breakfast."
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Jack sashayed through the door of the Dancing Wench with Will and James a few steps behind him. He swayed over to a table in the corner, sat down facing the room, propped his feet up, and motioned at the barmaid. James and Will sat down on either side of him, and they both began perusing the room.
"William," Jack said with a snappish tone, "I was under the impression, evidently an inaccurate impression it seems at the present, that our dear James here was the only one I was havin to worry about actin in a manner not consistent to being along the lines of going unnoticed as it were."
James' head snapped towards Jack at the use of his given name, and received a smile, a shrug, and a flutter of hands as Jack said, "Ya didn't really expect me to be callin ya by your overblown, pompous, and pretentious title in our current surroundins now did ya James. I'm feelin that might jeopardize what we're up to more than you and the Whelp's insistence
on galavantin yer eyes about the room as if you're plannin to arrest the whole lot o 'em. Coarse if ye'd rather I'd not be adverse to callin ya Jamie."
With a bit of a huff James replied stiffly, "James will do."
Will's attention had been brought back to the table at the conversation between the two men. "I suppose Com…….er James, I should call you James too." he said, the name not feeling at all right as it came off his lips.
"For the duration Mr. Turner that would appear the correct thing to do." James said not looking happy at all.
"Spoke like a true pira…..privateer James." Jack said with a smirk, and then as the barmaid walked up to the table, "Ah luv, rum fer me and me fine mates here." She gave him a very friendly smile, and continued to smile at him over her shoulder for a while as she walked back towards the bar, making sure her hips were in full motion and very noticeable to the occupants of the table.
Jack and Will continued to stare at the retreating barmaid. James looked at Jack and said, "One of your many conquests Captain?"
"Never laid eyes on her afore in me life…..that I remember that is." Jack replied without taking his eyes off the woman. "May be makin amends for that oversight in the near future however."
James snorted and then, "Oh really Sparrow! That is not what we are here for, and can hardly be considered a way of furthering our reason for being here."
Jack looked at James and said, "Your reason for being here James, not mine. My reasons for being here are always the same, rum and wenches….. simple and easy to remember."
"Indeed!" James sputtered.
The conversation was ended by the barmaids arrival with their drinks, and an extremely unnecessary, as far as James was concerned, touching of certain of her body parts against the backs, shoulders, and arms of the men seated at the table. This touching causing both James and Will to become very uncomfortable and embarrassed. Jack however seemed to be reveling in said touching, and had a glittering grin plastered to his face. "Perhaps luv, we might be findin an opportunity to continue this a bit later. Maybe even find a friend or two of yours fer me mates here."
"My pleasure I'm sure." She said with an enticing smile as she walked off.
"Oh Good Lord Sparrow!" James huffed, "You can't be serious."
To Be Continued
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