Chapter 5

The rest of the day progressed slowly. With my injuries, I had little to do but think. My thoughts wandered, but inevitably strayed back to a single fact—Captain Jack Sparrow was alive. My Jack, whom I had thought was long dead, had saved my life and was once more Captain of his beloved Black Pearl.

Lizzie had explained their reasoning for keeping it a secret and while I understood her position, skepticism crept into my heart as I thought about James. The relationship I had developed with him started with a blatant lie. I was under the impression that Jack Sparrow had been killed and the man seeking to win my hand, and my heart, had allowed me maintain that grief.

I stretched my right arm skyward, keeping my fractured left close to my side, and slowly inched my way out of bed. My bare toes touched the rough wooden flooring first, feeling the smoothness carefully for any splinters. Muscles aching after more than three weeks of vegetative inactivity, I rested a moment, stretching each ligament and tendon individually as I sat perched on the edge of the mattress. My breaths evened out as I relaxed continually further with each loosened muscle and I closed my eyes, feeling the rhythmic to and fro of the rocking ship.

Finally, I leaned forward, placing weight first on my right leg, then my left to test my strength. I rose to my feet gently, uncurling in a brief stretch as I rolled my shoulders back. A smile played on my lips before my legs began to shake and I sunk back down on to the bed. Satisfied with my progress, I continued to stretch, but didn't push my luck by trying to stand again.

My thoughts returned once more to the men in my life. I had told Elizabeth that I loved them both, but now I wondered if it could be true. I'd loved Jack Sparrow since I met him aboard this very ship. Nothing, not even his alleged death, had swayed that love and I knew that, as of the present moment, my love for him remained true.

Yet, I was not anxiously calling for him and confessing my love and identity. I knew not what it was, but something holding me back—something within myself. Usually, my premonitions were not wrong, so I trusted it for now, as much as it pained me to do so, and while I wouldn't reveal my identity, I knew I couldn't hide it away. They would all recognize me in due time.

Further still, despite the mixed emotions in the dawn of our courtship, I knew love had blossomed between the former Commodore and myself. James was doting and attentive, and that was something I found I had secretly been aching in the deepest depths of my heart. Knowing my love for the sea, he invited me to spend one or two days each week with him up at Fort Charles, so long as my presence did not impede with the work each man had to do. On occasion, he would bring me small gifts and trinkets, but they were nothing like the perfumes and jewels my father expected me to receive. Rather, James purchased a few beautifully crafted daggers for me to keep stashed in my bodice or beneath my skirts for protection—practical things that played to my interests. However, in the interest of appearing "normal", and in my opinion to indulge in his own preferences, I was also treated to some sea-worldly décor. My lips curved upwards in a fond smile as I recalled my favorite gift.

"Good afternoon, James," I smiled, peering into his office from the door.

The Commodore looked up from his papers, surprised. "Rachelle!" he grinned, standing up to greet me with a chaste kiss on the hand. "I'm so glad to see you!"

"Things were getting dreadfully boring at the manor," I told him in a mockingly stuck-up tone. "I simply had to escape."

His grin widened, but he did not continue the jest. "Please, come in, dear." he welcomed me, turning to collect the charts and maps that littered his desk.

"What are you working on today?" I inquired, curious that he was hurrying to hide the papers from me.

"Just my boring old job," he brushed my question aside. "Following the king's orders and all."

Narrowing my eyes suspiciously, I drew a simple conclusion. "Hunting pirates," I said with a nod of understanding. "Perhaps people I once knew, perhaps not."

James looked startled and began to gape as he stammered for a reply, but I continued, "James, I understand. You don't need to explain yourself or try to hide it from me. I've told you before, that part of my life is over. I've chosen my own path now. You."

Relief washed across his features and he smiled again. "You're right. I'm sorry, I just…" he paused, seeing my expression. "You know."

"I do know." I smiled, kissing his cheek as quickly as I did the night we began our courtship. "Shall we take a walk around the battlements? Inspect the ranks?"

He nodded. "I could use a break from this office. Let us depart, darling."

As I took his arm, James led me at a slow pace through the fort. We gossiped casually about the state of the city and the Royal Navy. The topic of pirates, however, we carefully avoided despite our discussion in his office. I nodded in acknowledgement to the few men I recognized around the fort, such as Lieutenant Gillette, but did not pull them from their duties with meaningless conversation.

Eventually, we found our way back to the Governor's mansion, having left the bustle of the fort long before. "Rachelle," James paused our conversation, pulling away slightly.

"Yes?" I smiled, furrowing my brows ever so slightly. "What is it?"

Digging a hand into his pocket, he pulled out something small and, cupping my hand with his, placed the trinket in my open palm. I picked it up gently, studying the petite ornament at the end of the silver chain. Gasping slightly in recognition, I looked up at my suitor with a wide smile. "Why, James, this is the most beautiful piece of sea glass I have ever seen!"

The charm was about as round as my thumbnail and had been prepared so that the rich turquoise surface glistened in the sunlight. Wrapped artfully with a strand of silver décor, it hung freely from the chain. Slowly, James took it into his hands and, after a small gesture of inquiry, moved behind me to fasten it around my neck.

"Thank you," I breathed, turning around to face him.

His hands fell back to his side and we stared at each other for a minute, basking in one another's company. Moving closer, I met his lips with mine in a kiss less chaste than the previous. "You're very welcome, love," he whispered back as we broke apart.

I blushed, heat rushing to my face, and took a step backwards. "Have a good evening, James."

"Good evening, Miss Swann." he bowed slightly, looking rather flushed as well.

Still beaming, I scampered inside the manor and into my room. After looking briefly at the trinket in the mirror, I reached for my jewelry box and dug around for my first treasure. There. I pulled out the bold ruby ring in victory, holding it up to the light that streamed in through the window. It took only a moment's consideration before I quickly unclasped the chain of the necklace James had gifted to me only minutes previously and slid the ring onto its keeping.

A knock at the door startled my from my reverie. "Come in," I called, playing absentmindedly with the keepsakes on my necklace.

Bright sunlight filtered into the dim cabin as a weathered man stepped inside. A small smile graced my lips when I recognized Joshamee Gibbs with his salt-and-pepper hair and gruff gray beard. "Hello," I nodded in greeting, remembering that no one on board recognized me. "Mr. Gibbs, I presume?"

"Indeed, I am, miss." he answered, bowing slightly. "I see Miss Elizabeth has been informing you on the members of the crew."

"Well, why shouldn't she?" I grinned. "After all, I owe my life to the men aboard this ship, don't I?"

The first mate shrugged in response with a slight smile as I continued after a short pause. "To what to I owe the pleasure, Mr. Gibbs?"

"The captain just wanted to check in to see how you were faring, miss."

His inquiry puzzled me. "The captain? I have never to known Jack Sparrow to send a messenger. Particularly not to his own cabin."

Now it was Gibbs' turn to be confused. "Have you met the captain before, miss?"

"Well, I… uh… you see…" I stammered, suddenly flustered. I took a breath to collect myself and firmly replied, "Many years hence, our paths did cross, yes. I doubt he would remember me now."

Still skeptical, Gibbs just nodded, although I knew he certainly did not trust my answer as the truth. "The captain has an abundance of things that capture his attention, miss," he replied, his voice adopting a sterner tone. "Such as running this ship."

"Of course, Mr. Gibbs. I meant no offence. You may tell him that I am recovering well. I appreciate his hospitality very much and will repay him for his generosity and kindness as soon as I am able."

"I am glad to hear it, miss. I will inform the captain."

"Thank you, Mr. Gibbs." I called as he exited the cabin.

When the door clicked shut, I leaned back against the pillows and closed my eyes. "What am I doing?" I breathed with a sigh.