Agatha took a deep breath. "Jack, your father and I have been in contact with the governor of Port Royale. Governor Anderson is a good friend of mine. I wrote to him on Elizabeth's behalf, to see about getting her pardoned. As an afterthought, I mentioned you, and the work you did bringing help to New Flimwell. Did you know that most of the settlers there actually came from Jamaica? That whole settlement was essentially planted there by Port Royale. Governor Anderson feels a proprietary interest in it."

"That's why there were navy ships passing by so often!" Jack exclaimed in realization. "I did think that a mite peculiar, considering what a piddly little place it was."

"Yes, well, the governor thinks it rather more important than you do. He was quite pleased with Mayor Quimby's reports of the men you brought to assist. He said they are not young men, but they adventurous and strong, well able to defend the settlement against any future pirate attacks, and very much the sort of men that settlement needs."

Jack laughed incredulously.

"Who did you bring, anyway?" Elizabeth asked curiously.

"Few old sea dogs who were tired of sailing," Jack replied. "I asked around here a little, and—well, love, it's a pirate town. Got to be on your guard to live here year-round. Some of me old mates who originally thought to retire here have since discovered that it's a little too rough and noisy for them. So I brought 'em to Flimwell, figuring they couldn't get into too much trouble with only twenty settlers left." He looked at Agatha. "So they're doing well there, eh? Good to know!"

"They are, and the governor is quite pleased with you for it," she replied. "He'll be even more so when he learns that the perpetrator of the attack has been imprisoned and that you've also captured her entire fleet.

"With Captain Teague's full knowledge and consent, I outlined your circumstances to the governor. I did not mention you or your father by name, of course, until after I had obtained a written guarantee of amnesty from the governor for both of you. He was quite sympathetic, and gave it freely. Your father has the letter, if you'd like to see. Anyway, the governor has made the three of you an offer that may interest you."

"What sort of offer?" asked Jack, scowling with suspicion.

"He is willing to issue you full pardon on behalf of the crown as a reward for your assistance at New Flimwell. There are certain other employment opportunities that are also open to you."

Jack's expression was a mixture of shock and suspicion. "Let's hear 'em."

"Providing continued material assistance to New Flimwell, shipping goods and cargo and so forth. Transporting new settlers as necessary. Defending the town against any future pirate attacks."

"Easily done. What are the others?"

"Employment as an English privateer is always an option, and the governor wished me to assure you that this time, his offer has absolutely no connection in any way with the East India Company."

"Good to know," Jack said, relieved. "And?"

"The last one would involve working in your father's employ. You see, his pardon is conditional. He can be pardoned as well, but only if he agrees to use his influence in the pirate community to protect Port Royale from any and all pirate attacks for a period of fifteen years. If you are willing to work in his employ to see it done, the governor is prepared to fully recompense you for your efforts. Also, you would be required to perform the same service if your father was not able to fulfill the requirements of the position."

"Why wouldn't he fulfill the requirements?" Jack asked, puzzled.

Agatha looked away. "The governor felt there was a chance that your father's age might possibly lead to infirmity at some point before the fifteen years was up."

Elizabeth laughed, thinking of the incredible power behind Teague's blows when they had sparred. "Captain Teague? Infirmity? Ha!"

Jack agreed. "He's never met me dad, has he? Couldn't kill that man with an axe. And plenty of folks have tried!" He turned pensive. "Fifteen years, eh?" he mused. "This doesn't mean I'd be stuck on land that whole time, surely?"

"'Course not," Teague replied, entering with two leather folders in his hand. "Think I'd negotiate any deal for us that had that sort of proviso? Here," he said, tossing one folder to Jack. "See for yourself."

"What about me?" Elizabeth asked. "Am I included in this deal somehow, Aunt?"

Agatha smiled. "In a way, yes."

Jack, reading through the letter, started to laugh. He looked up at Agatha with a light of admiration in his eyes that bordered on hero-worship. "Auntie, you are a sly one!" he said. "So that's what you meant when you said this made things easier!"

"She is," Teague agreed. "That part was her idea."

"What part?" Elizabeth asked.

Jack handed her the letter. "The part that mentions you."

Elizabeth took it and scanned the contents. "Wait," she said. "'Full pardon shall be issued to sometime pirate known as Jack Sparrow and to his wife, Elizabeth Swann Sparrow… such pardon to be rescinded if the persons mentioned above be not joined in Holy Matrimony by the twentieth of August…' Aunt, what is this? When did you do this?"

"Oh, weeks ago. The captain and I are quite relieved that you announced your engagement first."

Elizabeth gasped. "You were going to force me to marry Jack?"

"No, no, dear. I was going to force Jack to marry you. But only if you both accepted the pardon."

"Oh, come now, darling, it's not as if we didn't just announce our plans to marry anyway," Jack said, nudging Elizabeth. "Or are you planning to change your mind now that you know it's what your auntie's been angling for?" Jack's tone was light, but his eyes were serious.

Elizabeth said nothing. Thunderclouds gathered on her brow.

Jack took a breath and asked, "Are you really so stubborn that you'd marry me in the face of her displeasure but not her approval?"

"What? No, of course not. I want to marry you! I just dislike being manipulated."

Elizabeth stared in surprise as Jack, Teague, and Agatha all started to laugh.

"What's so funny?" she demanded.

Jack started to tell her, but then started laughing again. It was Teague who told her with a huge grin, "If you dislike being manipulated, Miss Liz, then you may want to re-think your choice of groom."

She whirled to face Jack, surprise on her face. He grinned at her, still chuckling, as he spread out his hands in a "here I am!" gesture.

"You know me, darling," he said with a fatalistic but good-humored shrug, "And I'm not likely to change. Take me or leave me."

Elizabeth gave him a long, considering look. They were right, of course: Jack was a manipulative trickster. She knew that and loved him, loved the way he always kept her on her toes. She just hadn't expected that sort of behavior from her aunt!

"Well," she said, "When I did leave you, it didn't do any good. You just came after me and brought me back to life again. So I guess I'll take you—preferably as soon as possible."

Teague coughed to hide his chuckle, and Agatha turned away to studiously examine the portrait on the wall, pretending she hadn't heard. Jack gave Elizabeth one of those dark, intense looks of his that made her pulse speed up.

"Yes," was all he said, but his tone of voice had that raw-silk smoothness that made her shiver.

"I think I need to go for a walk," Agatha announced, fanning herself surreptitiously. She hurried for the door and they heard her muffled "Oh, my!" from the hallway as she left.

"I've—I've got some things need seein' to," Teague excused himself and left the room with a quiet snicker.

Elizabeth and Jack exchanged mildly embarrassed glances. Jack shrugged off his embarrassment in record time as he went over to Elizabeth and slid his arms around her waist. She hugged him back, and they just stood in silence together for a moment.