Adult-FanFiction.org : Movies

Saints and Sinners	By : JennyPugh Category: Pirates of the Caribbean (All) > General Views: 6291 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Pirates of the Caribbean movie series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 10
- 11
- 12
Usual
disclaimers � sob!
Many
thanks for your kind reviews and comments.
They are always appreciated and helpful � at least I know I�m doing it
right so far :D
With
thanks to Kat for looking through and to Hils for being a soundboard from time
to time, even if she doesn�t agree with what I do (which she doesn�t later in
the story!)
And
finally...
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY REVIEWERS AND READERS!
�
Chapter eleven

�Celia�
oi! Come on, wake up, yer lazy mare!�
Celia�s
eyes sprang open and she rubbed her eyes, frowning as Aggie came into
focus. �What time is it?� she enquired,
stretching in the chair and disturbing the cat.
�It�s
mornin�!� Aggie chuckled. Ol� man Jones
didn�t have th�heart ter wake ya, bloody soft lump.�
�Morning?�
Celia echoed. �Oh, my goodness. I must be going.�
�Don�t
worry, Jack�s still upstairs,� the whore assured her. �Although I reckon he�ll be down any time.�
Celia
shooed the cat from her lap and stood creakily, her muscles and bones
protesting at the movement. �Thanks,
Aggie. Take care of yourself, you
hear?�
�Ah,
give over! I�m a survivor, me - yer
should know that by now. Don�t yer let
that bastard force himself on yer.�
�That
bastard has no intention of forcing himself on her,� a voice drawled from the
corridor outside the room.
�Yeah,
yer wouldn�t be th�first ter promise that, Sparrow,� Aggie sniped, hugging her
friend. �See yer soon,� she smiled.
�Hopefully,�
the younger woman nodded with a tearful smile as she left her friend behind and
joined the pirate captain.
�
Celia
sat in the ship�s boat, watching with a sense of foreboding as the dark hull of
the Black Pearl, which was to be her home for the best part of a year,
loomed ever larger in her vision. She
glanced at the two crewmen, rowing her and their captain, taking in their worn,
tattered clothing, battle scarred faces and tattoos lining their arms, and
wondered if they were anything like the crew on board the Sea�s Cutlass. She prayed not. Celia did not think she could survive if she were to be treated
in the same way by this crew. But for
some reason, she found herself trusting Jack Sparrow, even though every sense
in her body told her not to.
�It�s
th�bosun�s chair again, I�m afraid,� Jack quipped, breaking her reverie.
�I shall
get used to it, I suppose,� Celia sighed, watching as the flimsy plank was
lowered in readiness for her arrival.
�Aye,
you will,� he agreed. �Unless you intend
stayin� on board fer th�whole year.�
Celia
caught the glance that the two crewmen gave each other � clearly they had not
been expecting her to stay for long, and that gave Celia a glimer of hope. �Maybe he�ll get tired of me and let me
go� or just force himself on me,� she thought ruefully to herself, thinking
that her virtue was starting to become something of a millstone around her
neck.
�Hello!�
Jack called, waving a hand in front of her face. �D�you always go off in a trance?�
�No,�
she blushed. �I�m sorry.� Celia took his offered hand and stepped
gingerly across the boat and onto the bosun�s chair, clinging tightly to the
ropes as she felt herself being hauled into the air. �P-please don�t drop me,� she begged to the men on deck.
�We
won�t,� came Joshamee Gibbs� friendly voice.
�As safe as houses, is what you are.�
�I-I
don�t feel it��
�See �
there already,� Jack teased as she was swung over the rail and onto the
deck. �I reckon they�ve been practisin�
especially fer you.�
�Of
course we have, pet,� Joshamee smiled, patting her arm. �Good to have you on board.. even though
you�re a woman.�
�Y-you
don�t like women on board?� Celia asked nervously, hoping that the one person
she could count on as a friend and ally would not turn against her.
�I reckon
they�re bad luck, but what do I know?� the quartermaster grinned.
�Do you
want that answered?� Jack enquired acerbically. �Come on, luv, let�s get you settled, eh?�
�All
right,� she whispered, allowing the pirate captain to lead her to his
cabin. �I still want written assurance
that you will release me once my debt is paid,� Celia stated firmly, in spite
of the fear that was coursing through her body.
�Here it
is,� Jack replied, walking to the table and holding up a piece of paper which
he handed to the young woman. �You can
read, can�t you�?�
Celia
shot him a withering look then turned her attention to the paper, surprised to
read in beautiful writing;
I,
Captain Jack Sparrow, do solemly declare that I will release Miss Celia Hammond
from her duties on board my ship, the Black Pearl, once the debt of one hundred
guineas is paid for in full, either by her working the debt off at five pennies
per week, or halving the debt by sharing my bunk and working the remainder of
the monies owed.
Celia
was not surprised, however, to see that he had signed it with an extravagant
flourish. �Thank you,� she acknowledged
with a nod as she folded the paper up and tucked it into a pocket of her dress. �I am grateful to you.�
�I told
you, Celia, I�m a man of my word. Now
go an� get yourself out of that pretty dress an� you can start cleanin�
th�cabin, savvy?�
�Already?�
she gasped.
�No time
like th�present,� he shrugged with a grin.
�I don�t allow slackers on my ship.�
�J-just
one more thing, Ca� Jack,� she gulped.
�What if the men do
try something?�
�They
know th�punishment fer it on board my ship. Don�t worry, luv, you�re safer here than in Tortuga.�
�I was
safer back home than anywhere,� she murmured ruefully as she crossed to the
side cabin in order to change into an older dress to work in.
�Have
things always happened ter you?� Jack enquired as she changed and he sat in his
chair, uncorking a bottle of ale.
�No,�
she replied heavily. �At least not until
I arrived out here. And now I almost
dread waking up in case something else happens.�
�It
will,� Jack chuckled quietly to himself.
�You�re on th�Pearl��
�

�Captain!�
Joshamee Gibbs called, silencing the decks of the pirate ship and allowing Jack
to command the attention of his men from where he stood on the quarterdeck with
Celia at his side.
�As you
all know,� Jack slurred, weaving violently and flailing his hands, making the
young woman look at him in alarm. �We
were involved in rescuing young Miss Hammond from a fate worse than death,
thanks ter Davy bloody Stockton. Now
Miss Hammond has graciously agreed ter reimburse what I paid out fer her by
workin� on board by cleanin, swabbin� an� mendin� � sorry Toby, but she can�t
cook!� he grinned at the ship�s cook, Tobias Pellew, before becoming
serious. �I want you all to
treat her with curtesy an� respect, an� if any of you dare to touch her,
you know what I will do ter you, savvy?�
�Aye!�
the crew replied to a man.
�There
you go, luv. They know what�s what now,
eh?�
�Indeed,�
Celia replied, arching an eyebrow. �I agreed
to reimburse you��
�Well,
you did,� Jack frowned, taking her arm and walking to the steps with a rolling
gait.
�Under
duress, maybe,� she retorted, wondering why he was suddenly acting strangely.
�There
was always th�alternative,� he shrugged as he lead the way down the steps to
the main deck.
�Which
you will remind me of every time I raise an objection, won�t you, Captain
Sparrow?�
�You�ll
just have ter not object then, won�t you, Miss Hammond?� Jack chuckled. �Mister Gibbs, show Celia where th�swabs an�
pails are kept, an� how ter draw water up from th�side.�
�Aye,
Cap�n,� the older man deferred, not minding the menial task on this
occasion. �Come on, pet. You�ll soon get used to it.�
�I doubt
that very much, Joshamee, but thank you,� she smiled sadly as she followed him
down a hatch and into the relative darkness below decks.

�

A week later

�Port
ho!�
Celia
straightened her back and looked up from the task of scrubbing the cabin deck,
brushing a strand of hair as it flopped in her eyes. �I must get my hair cut,� she thought to herself, having
got used to and actually liking shorter hair.
It had been down past her waist before she joined the convent and then
practically shorn when she entered the veil.
She had cried bitter tears that first night, mourning her fianc�e, her
family and of all things, her hair. But
now she liked the practicality of it and it annoyed her when it started to get
past her shoulders.
�You
comin� ashore?� Jack enquired as he burst through the cabin doors, Joshamee
Gibbs, Matthias Swain, Thomas Frazer, and Gabriel Jennings follwing behind.
�Where
are we?� Celia asked, gettin to her feet and straightening down her dress.
�Nassau,�
the captain of the Black Pearl informed her, raising his eyebrows as she
gasped in shock. �Is there a problem
with Nassau?�
�No,�
she panted. �It�s just where we arrived
when we sailed from England.�
�So,
are you coming ashore or not?� Joshamee Gibbs asked, smiling kindly at her.
�I�m
not sure it would be a good idea. The
priest might see me and wonder why I am not in the Virgin Islands.�
�Come
on,� Jack chivied. �I doubt you�ll bump
into him, not th�places we�ll be goin�.�
Celia
sighed, wanting nothing more than to feel firm ground beneath her feet
again. �It can�t be any worse than
Tortuga,� she reasoned with herself.
�And you survived there � just.�
She looked at Jack and smiled shyly.
�All right, I will.�
�Good
girl,� he grinned, sitting himself on his chair and beckoning his crewmen to
take a seat themselves.
Celia
had learned a lot of what went on, on board during the past week, thanks to
cleaning the cabin. Jack had never
ordered her out, even when discussing punishment for the crew or plotting an
attack on a ship they had spotted. Much
to her relief, the ship disappeared from view and Jack had decided not to
pursue it. She was dreading the time
when they did beset a ship, having heard tales from the men who delighted in
teasing and scaring her when their captain or quartermaster were not
around. She carried on with her work,
whilst the group of men sat at the table discussing who would be the best
person to purchase some new cannons and munitions from in Nassau.
�I
reckon Ben Purcell�d be th�best idea,� Swain offered, drawing murmurs of
agreement from around the table.
�Aye,�
Jack mused idly, his eyes on the young girl�s backside as it moved backwards
and forwards as she scrubbed.
Joshamee
Gibbs frowned, then looked around to see what had caught his captain�s
attention and frowned deeper. �Or maybe
William Teach�� he suggested, winking at the shocked looks on the crewmen�s
faces.
�Hmm,
perhaps,� their captain muttered, his attention still on Celia. �Eh?� he eventually spluttered. �Have you taken leave of your senses,
Gibbs? You don�t do business with
Blackbeard!�
�No,
of course not, Captain,� the porty man chuckled, along with the rest of the
group.
�Are
you takin� th�piss?� Jack enquired, glowering at his quartmaster.
�Me,
Captain? Perish th�thought�� Gibbs
replied innocently. �Just merely making
a suggestion��
�In
that case, keep your suggestions to yourself in future, savvy?� Jack
sniped. �Ben Purcell, did you say?� he
asked Matthias Swain. �He�s Deane�s
cousin isn�t he?�
�Aye,
Cap�n,� Swain nodded. �Though I don�t
think he and Elliot have seen each other fer a while.
�I
think young Mister Deane can come with me an� do some business,� Jack grinned,
hoping to trade in an family loyalties.
�I�ll go an� inform him,� Swain smiled,
rising from his chair and making for the door as the sound of the anchor chains
being lowered rang around the cabin.
Celia
looked up again, remembering the last time that she had heard that sound in
this port and she gulped back the tears, thinking of her friend Beth who had
perished during the storm which had hit the ship taking them to the Virgin
Isles.
�Aye,
we�d best be off as well,� Joshamee agreed, as he and the remaining men
followed suit, leaving Jack still in his seat watching Celia.
�You
all right, luv?� he asked, pursing his lips and pressing his fingertips
together as he leaned forward on the table.
�Yes,�
Celia nodded, smiling weakly. �I�m
fine��
�No
you�re not,� Jack admonished, gettin to his feet and walking over to her. �What�s wrong?� he asked, squatting down to
her level.
�Apart
from the fact that I am stuck on this ship full of pirates, working my fingers
to the bone and have no friends I can talk to, nothing. Nothing at all,� she retorted, glaring at
Jack as he chuckled. �And what, pray,
is so funny?�
�That�s
th�first spark you�ve shown since we left Tortuga,� he mused. �You�ll be all right.�
�I
am so glad you think so, Captain!� she spat, plashing the godstone into
the pail, angrily, sending water splashing over Jack. �Oh dear, I am sorry��
�I�m
sure you are,� he remarked dryly, standing and brushing his breeches down. �Go an� get dressed before I change my mind
an� keep you on board.�
�What
is wrong with what I have on? It�s not
as if I�m a lady any longer, is it?�
Celia retorted.
�I
will not be seen with you in skivvy�s clothes,� Jack sighed. �I make an effort at least,� he said,
indicating his good quality breeches, fine brocade waistcoat and resonably
clean cream silk shirt. �Now get
changed � you have five minutes or I�ll come an� dress you myself, savvy?�
�I
won�t have time to wash,� she protested, hurrying towards the chest where her
other two dresses were stored, and pulling out a lemon coloured dress with
three quarter length sleeves.
�You
still be cleaner than most of th�women there,� Jack shrugged. �Four minutes��
�You
are impossible!� Celia pouted, flouncing off to the side cabin to change.
�That�s
why you love me,� Jack quipped, laughing at her snort of derision. �Three minutes��
�You
cannot count, Captain Sparrow. There is
no way that two minutes have already passed.�
�I
know,� he chuckled wickedly. �An� I can
count perfectly. One minute��
�Oh!�
she sighed exasperatedly as she quickly shed her work clothes and pulled on the
dress, her fingers fumbling with the laces as she looked anxiously towards the
drapes which were the only thing between her and the pirate. �Don�t you dare come in!�
�It�s
my cabin,� Jack drawled lazily, his voice sounding too close for Celia�s
comfort.
�There!�
she announced, pulling the drapes back and not being at all surprised to find
him just on the other side of them.
�I�m ready.� Celia smiled
sweetly at his look of mock hurt, and crossed the cabin to the doors. �Are you coming?�
�Oh
yes,� he grinned, knowing the hidden meaning would go right over her head.
�Tell
me� Jack, what am I to do if I need to purchase things? It�s not as if I am earning a wage with
you.�
�Hmmm,�
he pondered, pressing a finger against his lips as he regarded her. �I could always give you two pennies a week
wages, but that means only threepence would go to paying off your debt an�
you�d be on board longer.�
Celia
sighed, she�d had a feeling his answer would be somewhere along those
lines. �Perhaps when I need something,
I could ask you for the reduction for that week only?� she suggested.
�Sounds
good ter me, luv,� Jack agreed, pushing the door open for her and patting her
backside as she went through to the main deck.
�Please
desist from doing that,� she hissed.
�You
shouldn�t have such a lovely arse,� he teased, winking at her and delighting in
seeing a red flush creep over her face.
�That
is hardly appropriate, Captain.�
�I�m
hardly appropriate, Miss Hammond. Come
on, th�chair�s been rigged fer you.�
�Oh.� Celia stopped dead on seeing a more sturdy
chair in place of the simple bench and ropes that had been there
previously.
�Th�carpenter
knocked this up fer you, knowing how you didn�t like th�other one,� Jack explained,
helping her to sit in the seat and fastening a rope around her waist. �Better?�
�Much,�
Celia agreed, settling herself in.
�Thank you, Mister Orchard,� she smiled at the ship�s carpenter who was
hovering by the rail. �I�m very
grateful to you.�
�Well,�
he replied, his face colouring. �Yer
goin� ter be on board a while yet, so I thought this�d be better fer ya.�
�Did
it off his own bat as well, he did,� Jack grinned, climbing down the side as
the chair was lowered to a boat, already containing Noah Trinity and Elliot
Deane.
�Then
that makes him more thoughtful than you, at least,� Celia sniped, flashing Jack
another sweet smile.
�How
am I not thoughtful?� Jack protested indignantly. �I�ve been on my best behaviour since you came on board. I�ve haven�t been untoward with you, have
I?�
Celia
said nothing as she concentrated on gettin into the boat safely, but privately
agreed. During the past week, Jack had
gone out of his way to be kind and courteous to her and she had started to
wonder if he had changed his mind about wanting to bed her, but she doubted it
somehow. �Probably trying to sweeten
me up,� she thought caustically.
�How
long since you saw your cousin?� Jack asked his young crewman, Elliot Deane,
who had taken up the oars with Noah and was starting to row the boat towards
the shore.
�Ooh,
about five years, Cap�n. He might not
recognise me now, I was a right runt th�last time we met.�
�Yo
ain�t much bigger now,� Noah grinned, his smile white against his dark
skin. �Yo got a mark ter show �im who
yo am?�
�He�ll
know,� Elliot insisted, pulling a face at his mate�s jesting. �Yer look very nice, Miss Hammond,� changing
the subject as he complimented her with all the confidence of youth.
�Thank
you,� Celia smiled, inwardly chucking at Jack�s dark look. �It is pleasant to wear a pretty dress now
and then.�
�Hmpf!�
Jack snorted. �You could always dress
fer dinner, if you want ter wear pretty things.�
�And
give you the wrong idea? I don�t
think so�� Maybe,� she
replied. �Do you come from the
Caribbean then, Elliot?� she enquired, using his tack of changing the subject.
�Aye,
I was born at sea,� he beamed. �Me mam
brought us up on Trinidad but as soon as I was old enough ter go ter sea, I
did.�
�With
your cousin?� Celia asked, genuinely interested.
�Nah,
Miss. With th�Cap�n. He came by once an� I asked ter join them.�
She
turned her attention to the pirate captain who was watched the town drawing
ever closer. �And just what were you coming
by for?�
�Th�usual
� pillage, plunder, mayhem��
�Do
you feel no shame in what you do?�
�This
ain�t th�time nor th�place fer a sermon, Celia, so don�t start,� he warned,
arching his eyebrows at her.
�It�s
what I�m here for,� she shrugged, holding on to the side of the boat as it
bumped against the wharf and Noah threw up a mooring line.
�Not
on my ship, you�re not.�
�Not
even if the men wanted a sermon on a sabbath day?�
�You�re
not a priest, you can�t sermonise,� Jack retorted.
�Clutching
at straws, are we, Captain?�
�Celia,�
he growled. �Don�t push me��
�I
apologise. I overstepped the mark.�
�Apology
accepted,� Jack nodded, standing and giving her a hand to her feet and over to
the ladder on the wall of the docks.
�Avert your eyes,� he ordered his men as she climbed up.
�I
hope that includes you as well,� Celia retorted.
�Of
course,� Jack lied, climbing up once she had reached the top. �Come on Deane, we have business ter do.�
�Comin�,
Cap�n,� the youth replied as he hurried up the steps. �I reckon it�d be best ter go into town an� ask fer him. I dunno where he lives.�
�All
right,� his captain nodded, leading the way towards the centre of Nassau with
Celia on his arm, trying to keep a steady pace as he swayed and weaved as they
walked. Jack doffed his hat to two
women as they passed by, making them giggle at his show of respect. �Did you see th�sights whilst you were here
before? No? I�ll show you after I�ve finished with Purcell, eh?� he suggested
to the young woman on his arm.
�All
right,� Celia replied uncertainly.
�What do you want me to do whilst you are conducting your business?�
�Sit
there an� look pretty,� Jack grinned.
�Maybe flutter your lashes at Purcell every now an� then.�
�Certainly
not!� she declared. �I am not some
wanton whore.�
�I
never said you were,� Jack sighed, rolling his eyes. �It just might help sweeten him a bit, that�s all.�
�Well
you�ll just have to rely on the old Sparrow charm then, won�t you?� Celia
sniped.
�I
don�t think Purcell would be too interested in th�old Sparrow charm,� Jack
chuckled. �Th�Hammond charm is another
matter, though��
�No,�
Celia stated firmly. �I hope that isn�t
the reason you wanted me.�
�Oh
no,� Jack assured her with a wicked grin.
�I want you for another reason entirely!�
�Captain
Sparrow! I�m going back to the ship, now!�
�Sorry,
sorry,� Jack winced, realising that this time he had overstepped the
mark. �I was only teasin�, eh?�
Celia
glowered at Jack and then at their young companion as he vainly attempted to
stifle a laugh. �One more comment like
that�� she warned.
�There
won�t be,� Jack assured her. �Best
behaviour, I promise.�
�That�d
be a first,� Celia sniped, trying hard not to react at the hangdog look on
Jack�s face. �Stop it,� she retorted
but the words lost their sting as the corners of her mouth twitched into a
smile. �You�re impossible, Jack
Sparrow!�
�I
did it!� he beamed delightedly. �I made
her smile.�
�I
do smile, you know,� she replied, a little hurt.
�I�ll
stop whilst I�m ahead then,� Jack winked, nudging his grinning crewman.
�I
would,� Celia observed, the ghost of a smile still playing on her lips.
�Elliot?�
a voice called across the town square.
�Bleedin� hell, it�s our Elliot!�
�Ben!�
Elliot Deane called and left his companions to run across to where another man
was standing, waving his arms as he went.
�His
brother?� Jack wondered as he pondered the likeness between the stranger and
his crewman.
�They
certainly look like brothers,� Celia agreed as she and Jack changed direction
and started to walk towards the two men.
�Cap�n
Sparrow, this is me cousin, Ben Purcell,� Elliot grinned.
�Cousin?�
Jack echoed, raising his eyebrows. �You
sure?�
�Aye,�
Purcell laughed. �Our mothers are twins
an� we look like our mothers.�
�Identical
twins I take it?� Jack smiled, shaking Purcell�s offered hand. �Captain Jack Sparrow, an� this is my
companion, Miss Hammond.�
�Pleasure
ter meet yer, Cap�n, Miss,� Ben nodded.
�I was just goin� fer a drink � care ter join me as I�m guessin� me
little cousin here hasn�t dragged yer all across town fer th�sights.�
�You
guess correctly,� Jack confirmed, following Purcell as he lead the way to a run
down tavern.
�
�Thank
goodness we�re out of that place,� Celia spluttered, the tobacco smoke that
fugged the tavern making her throat sore and eyes water and she wondered how Elliot
could bear to stay in there, drinking with his cousin.
�Aye,
but it was worth it,� Jack grinned, very pleased that he�d made a good deal on
two twenty four pounders*, plus enough munitions to last him for a few months,
depending how many ships they attacked in that time.
�I�m
glad you think so,� the young woman moped.
�I stink to high heaven now.�
�I�ll
make it up ter you,� Jack chuckled, patting her hand which was resting on his
arm.
�How
do you propose that?� she enquired caustically. �Or don�t I want to know?�
�Hey! I�m not completely reprehensible, you know!�
he protested, moving his hand to his heart and pretending to look hurt.
�I
believe you, thousands wouldn�t,� Celia teased with a smile.
�Hmpf! Well, if that�s th�way you feel��
�Oh
no!� Celia gasped, shrinking back.
�Brother Paul!�
�Brother
Paul?� Jack enquired, turning around as Celia hid herself behind him. �Th�priest?�
�No,�
she hissed. �The deacon. Don�t move for goodness sake, or he�ll see
me.�
�Believe
me, young lady, you�re drawing far more attention ter yourself with your little
performance than anything I�m doing.�
�Jack!�
Celia pleaded. �Don�t move.�
�All
right,� he sighed. �I won�t if you
won�t.� Jack bent down and pressed his
lips against Celia�s, wrapping his arms tightly around her to quell the
struggle he knew would come, then turning them both around so that Celia�s back
was to the deacon.
�Stop
it!� Celia gasped when she broke free.
�He�s more likely to notice me if we�re kissing in public, you fool!�
�Charmin,��
Jack muttered as he nuzzled her neck and behind her ear. �He hasn�t even glanced this way��
�Stop
it,� she moaned, her legs turning weak as forbidden desire raged through her
body at his contact. �Please��
�No,�
he replied, the tip of his tongue idly playing in the folds of her ear. �I�ll only stop when you want me to, an�
you�re not givin� me th�impression that you want me to.�
�I
want you to�� she panted, holding on to him in case her legs gave way. �Please stop.�
�Still
not convinced,� Jack rumbled in her ear, the sound sending another wave of fire
coursing through her veins.
�Let
me go,� Celia demanded, releasing her hold on him and trying to pull away from
his grasp.
�Ah,
now you see,� Jack grinned wolfishly as he let her go. �You were holdin� on so tightly, I couldn�t
move.�
�You��
�Rougishly
handsome bastard?� he suggested with a laugh.
�You
got the last word right,� came the risposte and Celia stomped off in the
direction of the town square, confusion tearing through her head as she tried
to deal with the conflicting feelings the intimacy had caused.
�I
am shocked, Miss Hammond!� Jack admonished teasingly as he caught up with
her. �You are gettin� into bad ways!�
�And
just whom do I have to thank for that?� she retorted, glaring at him.
�Celia,
you inflict th�harshest wounds on me!� he cried theatrically, clutching at his
heart as if it were breaking.
�Oh!�
Celia sighed with exasperation, rolling her eyes and hurrying away once more,
making eye contact with the deacon, who was looking in her direction. �Oh no,� she groaned, hoping that he would
not recognise her.
�Ignore
him � nothin� ter do with th�church,� Jack shrugged, taking her arm and raising
his hat to the clergyman.
�But
I am not doing what I came over here to do,� she argued, trying to free her
arm. �Let go!�
�Bit
late fer propriety,� he chuckled. �An�
by th�way, I lied about him not watchin� us��
�That
doesn�t surprise me,� Celia snapped, closing her eyes in horror as the deacon
started to walks towards them.
�You
came to Father Michael�s didn�t you?� he asked as he neared them. �You were one of the missionaries sent over
� what are you doing with a pirate!� he demanded angrily. �Speak, girl!�
�Don�t
talk to her like that,� Jack hissed menacingly. �It�s none of your damned business.�
�Of
course it is my business,� Brother Paul replied, reaching out for Celia to pull
her away from Jack.
�Don�t
you dare lay a finger on her, either,� Jack warned, his hand itching to reach
for his dagger, but he thought better of it.
�She�s with me.�
�Not
in that way,� Celia wailed.
�I-I�m working for him� oh� that�s not what I meant,� she groaned as the
deacon eyed her questioningly. �I was
taken by pirates and was to be sold, Ja� Captain Sparrow came to my rescue.�
�You
seriously expect me to believe you after what I witnessed earlier?� Brother
Paul sniped, sneering down his nose at her.
�You�re not a woman of God, you�re a cheap little whore,� he spat, his
head snapping back as Jack punched him.
�You
worthless cur,� the pirate snarled, as he hauled the younger man to his feet,
gripping his robes and pulling him in close.
�She did her best ter do your God�s work in Tortuga, put herself in all
kinds of danger ter try an� convert hardened bastards. So you have no right ter stand in judgement
of her, savvy?�
The
deacon flinched in the face of the pirate�s anger but said nothing, smoothing
down his cassock as Jack pushed him away.
He glared once more at Celia before turning on his heel and hurrying
down the street, glancing back once as he rounded a corner, and then
disappeared from view.
�Oh
no,� Celia wept. �What am I going to do
now?�
�Nothin�,�
Jack replied, putting a consoling arm around her shoulders. �One, there�s nothin� you can do � you�re
bound ter me. An� two, you�re far
better than him, so don�t lose any sleep over him, savvy?�
�But
he�s going to go to Father Michael and tell him that I�m a whore and a pirate�s
woman,� she groaned, running her hand through her hair.
�So? Sticks an� stones��
�My
reputation will be ruined!� Celia cried.
�I
hate ter have ter break this to you, luv, but it already is��
�Not
in the eyes of the church, it isn�t - wasn�t. What if he sends word to my family?� she fretted.
�So,
write to them first. Explain that you
were kidnapped an� that I saved you.
You don�t have ter tell them I�m a pirate� a merchant ship owner,
perhaps.�
�I
will not lie to my family.�
�So
don�t lie, just don�t tell them I�m a pirate.�
�Jack! I can�t do that. It would still be decieving them, even if it wasn�t an outright
lie.�
�Tell
them th�truth then,� he suggested.
�Oh��
Celia threw her hands in the air with vexation and looked around at the town
square as if searching for an answer.
�I�d like to go back to the ship, if I may,� she finally said, needing
some peace and quiet to digest everything that had happened during the last few
minutes.
�I�ll
be stayin� ashore,� Jack warned her.
�I
know,� she nodded. �Would it be all
right if I locked the cabin doors?�
�Of
course,� he agreed. �Come on then,
let�s get you back to th�quay.�
�Thank
you,� Celia smiled weakly, allowing herself to be lead once more.

�
Author's notes: * cannons
- 10
- 11
- 12
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Saints and Sinners