Ugh, I wrote this chapter three times. I got done with it the first two times and hated how it turned out, so I scrapped 'em. Then I got the attack of the killer cold, but couldn't sleep it off, as I open in the morning at work, and the other girl doesn't have a key.
I've also been slacking on this story and clearing my head by writing the beginning to two other stories and working on my other posted story, didn't get very far on that, though.
SarahKOM: don't worry, she'll get hugs, and more.
AKAfredandgeorge: and you've tasted old balloons? That's just gross.
Starsplash: Don't worry about it!
Drink-Up-Me-Hearties-Yo-Ho: Because of your pen name, I started humming the pirate song out loud, and I was in the library! I got some odd looks for that, oh well. And I was thinking of doing so, but I don't think that this story is good enough to publish into a book.
AliKernchatten: I absolutely love getting your reviews, they are so eloquently given.
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It was about an hour and a half after the sun rose that the clatter of horses' hooves drew Elizabeth to her front window to see the black smoke rising from somewhere beyond the port city. Will had already left for the shop before the sun was up, so she made herself a small breakfast and sat down at the kitchen table. She hadn't been sitting long when a knock sounded from her front door. She jumped up hoping that it was a messenger with good news. Instead, when she opened the door, Katrina and Kipp were standing at the door, Kipp holding the reigns of a horse with military markings.
"Katrina!" she pulled her cousin into a tight hug. "Don't you ever do that again! We were so worried!" she scolded and pulled back, taking in Katrina's appearance. "Well, you certainly need a bath." She said pulling Katrina into the house. "Kipp, you can put the horse up back behind the house in the barn, I'll have somebody pick it up later."
Kipp nodded and led the horse around the back.
"Well, now." Elizabeth led Katrina to the kitchen and set her down at the table. "Let's clean that cut first." She got a cup of water and a dishcloth, setting them down by Katrina just as Kipp came in.
"Here," he said taking up the cloth. "let me."
"I'll go draw the bath." Elizabeth nodded and left the room.
Kipp dipped the cloth in the cool water. He kneeled before Katrina and gently started cleaning a small cut on her cheek. Katrina watched him concentrate on his task. He suddenly looked up and locked gazes with her as his face broke into a grin.
"What?" Katrina asked.
"I was just thinking about the first time I met you." Kipp answered. "And how this seems quite familiar."
"You do seem to have to take care of me a lot."
"I like taking care of you." Kipp told her, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "You aren't going to run on me again, are you?" he stroked her cheek with his thumb.
"I couldn't even if I wanted to." She said softly as she bent down to kiss him.
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Elizabeth had returned to the kitchen, remembering that she had forgotten to put water on to boil to warm the cold water she had already put in the tub. She stopped just outside the door when she heard voices.
"I like taking care of you." She heard Kipp say. "You aren't going to run on me again, are you?"
"I couldn't even if I wanted to." Her cousin answered and conversation stopped. Elizabeth had a good idea of why. She smiled and sneaked down the hallway to the back door and grabbed the bucket on her way out, making sure the door didn't slam behind her.
Elizabeth hung the bucket over the pump and slowly filled the bucket, making sure to make enough noise on her way into the house and then the kitchen where Kipp helped her pour the bucket into a large pot to boil it. While they were waiting Elizabeth checked the knot on Katrina's head.
"Well, it might sting a bit when you get soap on it, but it should go down in a day or two. Kipp, help me with the hot water?"
"Yeah." Kipp said as Elizabeth started pouring it into two smaller pots.
"You get the bigger one." Elizabeth lightly teased as she picked up the smaller one.
"Yes, ma'am." Kipp gave Elizabeth a quick salute and Katrina a wink as he headed out of the room.
With a sigh and a shake of her head, Elizabeth gave a small smile. "Come on, Katrina. I'll find you a dress while you wash up." she steered Katrina behind a changing screen after pouring the boiling water into the cold water in the tub and pushed Kipp out of the room, shutting the door after them.
"Well," Kipp started. "What's for breakfast?"
Elizabeth gave him a look and moved down the hall into the parlor rolling her eyes.
"What?" Kipp asked following her. "I'm hungry."
"You- are going to go deliver this to my father." Elizabeth folded a piece of paper she had been writing on and shoved it at him.
"Delivery boy?" Kipp asked.
"Deliver now, pie later." Elizabeth pointed a finger at the door.
Kipp let out a little groan. "You do know how to tempt a man." He took the note and headed out the door.
"Men. Always living on their stomachs." Elizabeth muttered as she headed up the stairs to her room to find a dress that could be easily altered to fit Katrina.
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Commodore Norrington paced outside of the door to his nephew's room, pausing from time to time to glance at the door. Finally the doctor came out of the room, wiping his hands on a cloth.
"Well?" the commodore demanded.
The doctor glanced over his shoulder at the pale young man lying on the bed. "The cut was very deep, I cleaned it and stitched it close. But he lost a lot of blood. I'm almost surprised that he is still breathing, shallowly, but still breathing. The actions of whoever was with him undoubtedly saved his life." The doctor paused, inspecting his hands. "He didn't wake up once."
"What does that mean?"
"Well, it can be good or bad. Normally, a person will wake up from the pain, the captain didn't. My guess is that loss of blood and exhaustion is taking its toll. I left some laudanum to give to him if he wakes up. The best thing for him now is rest, it is his only chance for life. He must rest, even if he has to be forced to do so."
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The military horse clattered up the drive to the governor's mansion and Kipp slid off it's back, pulling the note out of the pocket of his pants, intending to drop it off and be back in a few minutes.
"Ah," the butler opened the door to Kipp's knock. "my lord, the governor wished to see you at your earliest convenience."
"Actually, I just came to-" Kipp held up the note.
"Right this way, please, milord." The butler turned and walked into the house leaving Kipp to follow. Kipp shrugged and followed the butler up the stairs while shoving the note back into his pocket. The butler opened a door near the end of the hall and motioned Kipp inside. Sitting on the window seat in the nursery, the governor was sleeping, his wig slightly askew, a children's book lying open in his lap and Sera curled up to his side, her fuzz ball of a pet curled up against her. Kipp couldn't help but smile at the sight. The butler moved past him and tapped the governor on the shoulder. "Milord Governor?"
The governor stirred slightly. "Hmm? What is it Simmons?"
"The earl of Kent is here. You asked to see him when he returned, milord." The butler answered, keeping his voice down, mindful of the sleeping Sera. Kipp winced a little, he wasn't used to his new title and thought it sounded slightly stuffy.
"Oh, yes. Please tell him I will see him in ten minutes time in my office, also, call nurse so that Sera is not alone when she wakes up." The governor was busy straightening himself so he didn't notice Kipp standing near the door.
"Yes, milord." The butler turned to look at Kipp, who just smiled and sent him a small mock salute and headed out the door and down to the governor's office.
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The doctor walked down the street, his head bent and occasionally muttering to himself.
"Doctor Wilkins!" a voice called. "What is it man? Has Mrs. Benson had her baby already?"
The doctor looked up to see the pastor waving at him from the gate to the parish. "No, father, she is not due for at least three more weeks. I just got back from the commodore's, his son was gravely wounded."
"I shall pray for his swift recovery then."
"I would start praying for his soul, unless you can pull a few strings and arrange for a miracle." The doctor said sadly.
The pastor's wife had come out on her way to market and paused long enough to hear the conversation, for the wife of a religious man, she was a terrible gossip, the information didn't stay secret long among the early morning bustle of the marketplace and it spread like wildfire.
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"Katrina?" Elizabeth called through the door. "Can I come in?" she entered the bathroom at Katrina's muffled consent. "Do you want me to get your back?"
"No, I'm fine." Katrina answered.
"Well, I found a dress for you, and hemmed it up a few inches." Elizabeth held up the dress for Katrina's inspection. "It's lucky we have such similar coloring, it wasn't to hard to find one that would look nice on you."
"I can't thank you enough for your kindness since I got here." Katrina told her. "I'm so glad that we are related. Though I'm sure you are doing a little more than most cousins would, almost like a sister."
Elizabeth smiled, remembering Will's comment from earlier. "Let's get you dried up." She held up a big fluffy towel. "You dry up and get into your under things. Call me when you get your corset on and I'll help you tighten it." She steered Katrina behind the changing screen.
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Kipp sat in a chair before the governor's desk. True to his word, the governor appeared almost precisely ten minutes later, his wig back in place and his clothing free from and rumples caused from sleeping in them.
"Well… what news of my niece?" the governor asked apprehensively.
Kipp dug the note out of his pocket and handed to the governor. "This is from your daughter."
The man grabbed the note, unfolded it and quickly scanned it. His shoulders slumped in relief. "It says she's fine, though a little hurt. Would you care to elaborate on that?"
"Yes, sir. She has a few cuts and bruises. Her wrists are rubbed raw from the ropes that her kidnapper used to tie her up, she also has a small bump on the side of her head, near the temple."
"And her kidnapper?"
"In the fort cells."
"Excellent, excellent. And, uh, where is Captain Norrington?"
"I'm not entirely sure, he was badly wounded. The commodore took him to see the doctor."
The governor never got a chance to answer, because just then the door flew open and a bundle of curls and flounces flew into the young captain's lap.
"Hey, there, Sera." Kipp looked down at her upturned face.
"Kipp, Kitty ok?" she asked, her eyes wide.
"Yes, she is." Kipp ran his fingers over her white blond curls and she smiled.
The nurse ran into the room. "Sir, I am so sorry, I turned by back for one second and she was gone!" she held her hand out to Sera. "Come, child. We need to get you a fresh dress."
Sera just pouted and threw her arms around Kipp's neck. "Hey, kiddo. It's alright." Kipp patted her back.
"Sera." The governor said and the little girl unburied her face from Kipp's neck to look at him. "Why don't you go with nurse and I'll be up to read you a story in a bit?"
Sera looked pensive for a moment then nodded her head, hopped off of Kipp's lap and made a quick detour to give the governor a quick peck on the cheek before placing her hand in the nurse's. "Nurse? Have Jenkins take the carriage to my daughter's house, will you?"
The nurse nodded serenely and led Sera out the door.
"She's a sweet child." Weatherby Swann said, still looking at the closed door that Sera disappeared behind. "Now," he turned his attention back to the young earl. "I must officially say I don't condone your actions, not waiting for the proper authorities to take care of the situation. Though, off the record, I'm ever thankful you did. And you did have an officer of the navy with you, which, I'm sure counts for something." He added with a twinkle to his eyes. "Now, if there is anything I can do for you?"
"No, not really." Kipp paused. "Well, there is one thing…"
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Elizabeth had just finished helping Katrina into her dress when a knock sounded at the door. "I wonder who that could be? It's a bit early for a social call. Here, Katrina." She handed a brush to the younger woman. "I'll go see who is at the door."
Elizabeth opened the door to Jenkins standing with his hat in his hands. "'Ello, miss, 'Lizabeth." He gave her a weak smile. "Yer father sent me down here, though never told me why."
"Well, he certainly didn't waste any time, did he? Just a moment, I think I know exactly what he was thinking. I'll be right back." She turned and made her way to the back of the house. "Katrina, father sent a carriage for you."
"He didn't waste any time, did he?"
Elizabeth laughed. "Just what I said, now come on. Let's not make Jenkins wait any longer than he has too. I'm sure papa wouldn't mind if your hair is still a bit damp. Prepare to be smothered."
Katrina let out a small laugh as she followed Elizabeth back to the front of the house.
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Katrina was surprised when she got home to find Lilly agitatedly pacing in the front parlor. "Oh, Katrina! She exclaimed. "You are alright, I had to come to see if the rumors were true."
"Rumors? What rumors?" Katrina asked.
"About Captain Norrington. They say he was seriously injured. Is it true? How bad is it? Will he be alright?" Lilly hung on Katrina's sleeve.
"I was just on my way to check." A voice came from the doorway. Both girls turned to look. Kipp was leaning against the doorjamb, his arms crossed over his chest.
"You will let us know how he is, won't you, sir?" Lilly begged Kipp.
"I will send word." He nodded, looking at Katrina over Lilly's head.
"Where is everyone?" Katrina asked him.
"Your uncle is upstairs reading a book to Sera." He grinned.
"Really?" Katrina was surprised.
"Though I am sure they wouldn't mind an interruption." He winked. Katrina grinned and gave him a swift kiss on the cheek as she passed him and swept up the stairs.
"Kitty!" Kipp and Lilly heard Sera shriek a moment later.
"Milady." Kipp sketched a short bow and left Lilly alone in the front parlor of the Swann household. Bewildered, Lilly looked around herself.
"Miss? A parlor maid asked. "Would you like some tea?"
"No, thank you. Could you call my carriage around?" she asked.
"Right away, miss." The maid curtsied and left to summon the carriage.
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Well, that is technically chapter 50, if you don't count the author's note or the profiles. If all goes as planed, there is only ten or less chapters to go before the end. But that really depends on how the next chapters pan out.
"You always said you wanted a sibling, just think of Katrina as the little sister that you never got to see much." –Will, chapter 39
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