Full Summary: When Jack has no choice but to pose as a Navy officer in order to get his precious Black Pearl fixed from a sea battle against another crew of pirates, he ends up finding help in one of the most unlikely of places.

Chapter Three

A week had passed. It had been a very busy week. Along with her normal duties of making sure the house was clean, cooking meals and going down to the market with young Charles, she had gone down to the dockyard at least once a day, twice on the first day and the Friday, but three times on Saturday. Sunday had been a day of rest, apart from cooking. On Monday she had gone down in the morning, and Mr. Smith had taken her for a walk along the shore.

Now it was tuesday again, and she, along with three other maids, were preparing a feast to die for. A pig with an apple, a chicken stuffed inside a duck stuffed inside a goose stuffed inside a peacock stuffed inside a swan and a mixture of vegatables and potatoes was the main. Because it would take so long to cook, they started on that, then the starter; three different soups: tomato, leek and potato and celery. There would be a choice of wines throughout and after the two gentlemen would have some port or whiskey in another room while the maids cleaned up. A two butlers would be on hand to serve the food and a footman would take Mr. Smith's coat when he arrived. A horse and carriage was to pick him up from the docks and take him back once more. During the meal, Nell was to help serve.

All too soon, it was time for the meal. Mr. Smith arrived in good time and was taken into the dining room. The food was served.

Nell held a large bowl of tomato soup and offered it to Mr. Smith. He nodded and she began to pour some out with a ladel until the bowl was full. She then backed away, taking the bowl back to the kitchens before returning and standing in the shadows. At the time she returned, the Admiral and Mr. Smith were talking about sailing and how exactly the Siren became in need of repairs. Mr. Smith was telling an elabroate story of how a pirate ship attacked and they won, but at the price of loosing crew and a damaged ship. Nell rolled her eyes but cleared away bowls and cuttelry quickly before serving the main course. She saw dark eyes widen with hunger at the sight of it all and prayed that her own stomach wouldn't rumble. Thankfully, it didn't.

"Ye, maid, come sit with us. No doubt ye made this exquisit meal. Ye have every right to eat some." Mr. Smith's voice said suddenly, and she shook her head.

"I can', sir. A good maid does interfer with the meals."

She heard him sigh and the Admiral spoke up.

"Come now, Nell, sit down. Mr. Smith is right, of course. You have every right."

Nell did as she was bid, sitting down in the seat she was pointed to; right between both men. This made her feel a bit nervous but she ate some of the food anyway. They were right; it was wonderful. She couldn't have cooked this! But she had, with some help. And the others would get some of it, certainly; two men wouldn't eat all this, and Admiral Georges hated for food to go to waste.

When they finished, Nell excused herself and started to clean up as the two men went to drink their port. When all was done, she returned to the kitchen to wash her hands and clean the counters before she went to bed. That was when the door opened.

She turned around and saw Mr. Smith. They had certainly grown close, but that didn't mean he should be down here. It was the servants area.

"Hello, sir." She greeted him kindly, her hands behind her back.

"I'm glad that ye're here, Nell. I have somethin' for ye." He had moved closed with his words and pressed a small box into her hands before turning away and leaving.

Nell was shocked as she stared at the box. What was it? He hadn't even needed to give her something; they had known each other for a mere week. But now she had it, it would be rude not to open it.

Slowly, she untied the red ribbon the lifted the lid. Her eyes widened and she let out a small gasp, once hand moving to cover her mouth. In the box was a beautiful, glistening gold necklace. It was a small gold "N" one a thin chain.

It was truly beautiful.