Harry & the Pirate IV: The Chalice of St. Francis

[geekmama]

Chapter Fourteen: Where Your Treasure Is



…for where your treasure is, there will be also your heart…
Matthew 6:21

Twenty-three months after its departure, the Black Pearl once again sailed proudly into the harbor at Port Royal, Jamaica. The crowd that gathered near the dock was far larger than had been the case when Captain Jack Sparrow had brought the Chalice of St. Francis back from Santiago. During the Black Pearl’s long absence, the whole town had missed the sight of the beautiful pirate ship, which always seemed so exotic when compared with the naval and merchant vessels that graced the harbor. But of course it was the people who were missed most, and there were many in Port Royal who had longed for the dear ones who’d set sail on that voyage to complete the quest and return the Chalice of St. Francis and Father Taddeo Angelini to their home in far away Italy.

Governor Weatherby Swann was particularly anxious to be reunited with his loved ones, and had even begun to fidget with impatience, much to Admiral Norrington’s surreptitious amusement. Swann had received a message from Barbados the previous week, which had imparted thrilling news: the Black Pearl had made the crossing of the Atlantic in good order, and had arrived at Bridgetown less than twelve hours before the birth of William Weatherby Turner. Will wrote that Elizabeth had come through the experience with great courage, and with her health intact, and had been attended by Madame Juju and her daughters, just as Harry had been so many years before.

Madame, who had not been young at the time of Tom’s birth, had now seemed quite ancient, and yet was still spry, skillful, and most commanding in demeanor-almost frighteningly so! Jack had found the latter quality nearly as annoying as he’d found it during his first encounter with the lady, especially since he’d been in an ill humor to begin with: Elizabeth had begun her labor two weeks earlier than expected, and the last leagues to Bridgetown had been most stressful for him, and, indeed, for everyone aboard the Black Pearl. After the birth, and Madame’s departure, Elizabeth had been quite willing to immediately set out again for Jamaica and home, but Jack had decreed they would stay a week, or even two, as he very much felt the need to recruit his strength after such an ordeal.

Apparently he had recovered, however, and at last the Black Pearl was approaching the docks of Port Royal, the Captain again at the helm, and the usual swarm of crewmembers following his commands on and above the deck - usual, that is, but for one slight figure, smaller than the others, which daringly slid from on high, down one of the ship’s stays as she drifted to a stop.

Anne gasped. “Tom! Look, it’s Tom!” She waved frantically, and was beyond delight when he saw her and waved back, grinning.

The ship was made fast and the gangplank lowered, and, as had been the case nearly two years before, Tom was first off the ship.

Anne stared at him as he approached, and suddenly felt a little shy, for he looked much more grown up than she remembered. He was nearly nine now, of course, but life on the Black Pearl had not only agreed with him but had given him knowledge, confidence, and an ease of movement that made him seem even older.

But it was the same Tom that ran toward her with a shout of “Anne! Annie, I’m home!” His dark eyes flashed with merriment, and his grin was very white in his tanned face, and to her surprise he picked her up, swung her around, and kissed her cheek. Setting her on her feet again, he said, “Lord, I’d forgot how pretty you are! I missed you, Anne!”

“Oh!” Anne exclaimed, nearly speechless with happiness. She threw her arms around him and hugged him. “Oh, I missed you, too! So very much.” And though she could not quite keep back a few tears of joy, he did not seem to mind, much to her relief.

The other loved ones disembarked and were greeted in a more sedate manner. Even so, the joy in the air that morning was a palpable thing.

The Governor shed a tear or two himself at the sight of his Elizabeth, Will, and Baby William. “Ah! He is perfect!” Weatherby exclaimed, taking the little bundle from his daughter’s arms.

Will laughed. “It’s not easy to tell when he’s swaddled like that, but yes, he is! It is very good to see you, sir.”

Weatherby, who’d been bouncing the baby slightly, and making cooing noises, said, “Eh? Oh, yes. Good to see the both of you.” He looked closely at Elizabeth. “Are you well, my dear? Perhaps you should go sit down in the coach.”

“I’m very well, indeed!” Elizabeth said, kissing his cheek. “I’ve no need to sit down just yet.” She turned to the Norringtons, and went to embrace Maggie. “How wonderful to see you, Maggie! And you, James. But Lucia!” She stood back to survey the lovely young woman, who was quite obviously increasing! Charles stood behind her, and looked proud as a peacock. “When is the baby due?”

“In three months!”

“Oh, how happy I am for you both! For you all!” Elizabeth smiled at Maggie and the Admiral.

And then, Suzanna and Michael Owens were there, and it was Maggie’s turn to shed tears as she gathered the girl against her, words failing her.

Owens smiled quizzically at the Admiral, and exchanged a comparatively subdued greeting with him, and with his brother-in-law. “I have a hard time seein’ you as a father, Charles,” he commented, with a grin.

“Oh, I’m a quick study, lad. I’ll be happy to advise you - and soon, I hope!”

Owens laughed a little. “Thanks. We’re… we’re takin’ our time, as it were. After the first one.”

Charles’s smile faded, and he clapped a comforting hand to his friend’s arm. And Admiral Norrington nodded. He and his wife had received a letter, many months ago, briefly informing them that Suzanna had become pregnant on the voyage to Italy, but had suffered a miscarriage. Owens had written of his deep thanks for the presence of Lady Harry and Elizabeth, for there was no doubt that Suzanna’s recovery was eased due to their tender care and their sensible but most sympathetic words of comfort.

Temporarily released from her mother’s embrace, Suzanna said, “Yes. I am most anxious to try again. How envious I am of you, Lucia! And as for Elizabeth and little Bill… well, there cannot be a greater blessing in life, as Father Taddeo once told us. And, truly, I am now in excellent health!” This last sounded somewhat defensive, and was accompanied by a meaningful glance at her husband, and a flush of pink on her cheeks.

Michael flushed, too, but there was a hint of stubbornness about him as he said, quietly, “You are, indeed, and you’ll stay that way if I can help it. But p’rhaps we should discuss such things in a more private setting?”

Suzanna colored even more, but tilted her chin, slightly, and said, “Yes. I think perhaps we should.”

Snickers building to outright laughter greeted this reply. Owens grinned, and put his arm around his wife and kissed her cheek.

“That wife o’ yours tellin’ lewd stories again?” came a familiar voice, and everyone turned to greet Jack, who was walking toward them with Harry on his arm.

Owens said, “Aye! She’s become a right saucy wench in the last two years, thanks to close association with a couple of older ladies of our acquaintance.” And Harry and Elizabeth each received a sharp look.

Harry chuckled and turned to her equally amused niece. “Our work seems to have come to happy fruition, Elizabeth! How very gratifying it is to realize that one’s efforts have not been in vain.”

o-o-o

Once again, the Governor had caused several carriages to be brought to the docks, and presently the reunited family and friends were transported up the hill to his estate. The excited staff was already in the midst of preparations, and Anatole and Louise immediately repaired to the kitchens to assist, for a veritable banquet was to be served to celebrate the homecoming.

The two younger couples were invited to accompany Elizabeth, Will, and Baby William to the cottage on the edge of the Governor’s property. Charles and Lucia had recently moved into a new home, in town, but had left the cottage not only tidy, but also well-stocked with provisions. Refreshments were prepared, while Elizabeth and Will took their little boy upstairs to see his nursery, which the Governor had caused to be redecorated and furnished in a most sumptuous manner.

“You may think it a trifle too much,” Swann had said to his daughter, “but, after all: he is my heir! Have to do something for the boy!”

Elizabeth, who foresaw a great many somethings in her little boy’s future, had stifled any misgivings (for the present), kissed her father on his cheek, and said merely, “Thank you, best of fathers!”

“And best of grandfathers, I hope,” Weatherby had chuckled.

With the young couples gone, the Governor drew Norrington and Jack into his library for cool drinks, well-laced with rum, and for leisurely discussion of the long journey just ended. Maggie and Harry joined them, presently, Julietta and Nurse Maria having been left in charge of the twins up in the old nursery wing.

“But where is Tom? And Anne?” Harry inquired, accepting her drink from Jack, but frowning a little at the children’s absence, for they’d run off immediately on arriving at the estate, and had not been seen since.

But Weatherby said, “I expect little Anne is showing Tom the…er… treehouse we built while you were away.”

“Treehouse!” Harry exclaimed. “You built one for Anne?”

“Well, caused it to be built. It is quite charming. We can go and see it later, if you like.”

Harry eyed him severely. “When I was her age, and asked you for a treehouse, you told me it was nonsense and that well-bred girls did not climb trees!”

“Yes. Well.” Weatherby cleared his throat. “I trust I have gained in wisdom in the intervening years, sister. And that you will forgive my well-meaning but occasionally misguided efforts on your behalf.”

Harry fought against a smile, and lost. She went to her brother, who allowed himself to be embraced, and kissed on the cheek. “I forgive you, my dear,” she said. “Anne is a lucky little girl to have you as her patron - as was I, indeed - most of the time!”

o-o-o

Anne Norrington would certainly have agreed with Lady Harry’s assessment of the Governor’s patronage.

She and Governor Swann had become great friends during the time that Tom and his parents had been away, for they were as one in missing them most dreadfully. The treehouse had been a project that had kept them busy, and even Charles and Lucia had helped in designing, building, and furnishing it.

After its completion, Anne had spent many happy hours in it, playing with her dolls, or looking at books the Governor lent her from his library, sewing on the sampler Nurse Maria insisted she attempt, or just lying there, on the masses of comfortable cushions that furnished the place, dreaming of the time she’d be able to show her new palace to Tom Sparrow.

She’d invited Julietta to visit, once or twice, and once her father had climbed up to sit there, looking delighted, but rather awkward. Charles and Lucia had been occasional visitors, too, until Lucia had realized she was to have a baby and Charles wouldn’t let her climb up any more. But no one else had been inside the treehouse. It was not for any of the children in Port Royal: she had a few friends among them, but she knew they considered her an odd sort of girl, in spite of being very pretty, and the sister of Julietta. Julietta was bidding fair to becoming the belle of the town, young as she was, but Anne knew, even at seven, that she would never achieve that sort of popularity. No, her best friends were grown-ups. And Tom. And the treehouse, in conception and execution, was as much for him as it was for her.

And she was not disappointed in his reaction to it.

“Bloody hell! This is something like!” he exclaimed on seeing it.

Though elated, Anne frowned, severely. “Tom Sparrow, you shouldn’t say that in my presence!”

Tom glanced at her, sheepishly. “Sorry! You’re right, of course, and Mama would flay me for it. But really, Anne, this is fantastic! How’d you get my uncle to do it?”

“He enjoyed it! We all did. We had to have something to do while you were gone!”

“Well, you put your time and effort to good use, I’ll say that! May I go up?”

“It’s yours, Tom. Yours… and mine.” She felt herself coloring at his surprised stare, and her own gaze dropped to the silver buttons on his vest.

But Tom set his finger under her chin, and lifted it. She looked up at him, and her heart nearly stopped at the crooked grin on his face, and the warm look in his eyes. And he said, “Do you remember I told you we’d marry and I’d take you all over the world?”

Her heart trembled that he remembered. “Of course, Tom,” she said, her voice a little unsteady. “I remember everything you’ve ever told me!”

He took the finger away and put that arm around her shoulders; the other made a sweeping gesture at the treehouse, like a conjurer calling forth a wonder. “Well, then, we’ve got to have some place to come home to, don’t we?”

“Oh, yes!” she smiled. “Yes, we do.”

She leaned her head against his shoulder, but he gave her a quick squeeze and said, “Come on! I want to see the inside, and I’ll tell you all about the voyage. There were pirates, Anne! Bad ones, off Africa, it was, and I helped carry powder, and Mama shot one that tried to get into the Great Cabin!”

“Oh, Tom! No!”

“Aye! It was beyond anything great. Word of a Sparrow! Come up and I’ll tell you.”

o-o-o

Many hours later, long after everyone had gathered in the great dining room and partaken of the feast prepared in honor of the occasion, Charles and Lucia took the younger Norrington children home in one of the Swann carriages, while Michael and Suzanna saw Tom to his room, and then retired to their own for the deferred ‘discussion’. The remaining gentlemen repaired to the library, for more talk and brandy. Harry, Margaret and Nurse Maria, however, walked out to the little cottage to see Elizabeth and the baby.

The new mother was in the elaborate nursery, and was just laying William down in his cradle after feeding him. The ladies at the doorway were quiet as mice, and smiled as Elizabeth turned and tiptoed toward them.

“Asleep?” whispered Margaret.

“Nearly, yes.” Elizabeth shut the door part way, and the baby could be heard, fussing tiredly. “Come, he’ll be all right. I believe the stillness of the land disagrees with him - he’s so accustomed to the motion of the ship!”

“You ladies go,” said Nurse Maria. “I’ll keep an eye on the little one.”

Elizabeth smiled, and said, “Thank you, Maria! I’ll have tea and cakes sent up to you.”

Elizabeth led the way to the little parlor, and, after ordering the refreshments made, sat down with her aunt and her friend. She noticed her aunt looking around the room, an odd smile on her lips. “What are you scheming at, Aunt?” Elizabeth asked, with a smile.

“It hasn’t changed much, this little room. Since the night I sat here and told you and Will… about Tom.”

“Oh, Heavens, Aunt! That was a dreadful time!”

“It wasn’t!” exclaimed Harry. “Or… well some of it was, I must admit. My brother behaved very badly over it! And Norrington. He hit Jack, Maggie! My poor darling. I was so angry!”

Maggie shook her head. “Considering what they might have done to Jack, I’d say he was most fortunate!”

“Yes,” agreed Elizabeth. “I’d say both of you were. Or mad. Probably both!”

But Harry said, “A little madness is necessary, I think, to take advantage of good fortune when it comes. Some would have called you and I mad for praying with Father Taddeo and drinking from the Chalice before we left Assisi. And yet here we are, and little Bill asleep right above us.”

“The greatest of blessings,” agreed Elizabeth. “Indeed, if the Chalice had worked in your favor as well I would have no doubt of its miraculous nature.”

“God hears all our prayers, Elizabeth,” said Maggie, “though sometimes the answer is ‘no’.”

But Harry smiled, and said softly, “Ah! But in this case, the answer was ‘yes’.”

Elizabeth and Maggie both turned to her, wide-eyed, and said, simultaneously, “What?”

Harry laughed, much amused.

“Aunt!” Elizabeth laughed and got up, and shook her aunt by the shoulders. “You wretch! And you didn’t tell me? I don’t know what you deserve!”

“Your best wishes, of course,” Harry said. “And luck in telling Jack.”

“You’ve not told him?” Maggie frowned. “Oh, but he must know!”

But Harry shook her head. “He does not! At first I wanted to be sure, but then… oh, he was at wits' end trying to get us to Barbados in time, and then little Bill’s birth…”

Elizabeth nodded, and said to Maggie, “It took much longer than I was hoping, but then, that last hour things went almost too quickly. I’m afraid I could not restrain my cries. Jack was apparently quite horrified, but Will was even worse and needed his support, so he could not take himself off to a tavern to drown his sorrows in saluting the mother-to-be, as had most of the rest of the crew.”

“Oh dear!” said Maggie, shaking her head sadly. “They are such squeamish creatures, in some ways, are they not? But Harry, I do believe you must be mistaken. Depend upon it, he knows, and is waiting for you to say something.”

“Maggie, no! I vow, he does not! And I am quite nervous about telling him. It will change our plans considerably, I’m afraid. Our Voyage of Trade and Exploration will have to be put off for a few years, at least. Come, let us put our heads together. I am relying on both of you to suggest some way in which the good news may be made more palatable to him.”

o-o-o

“Ah! Bloody good brandy, this, Weatherby.”

“It’s the last of that French stuff you brought me. Unfortunate we are not still at war with France.”

“Unfortunate, indeed. But we’ll see what can be done.” Jack grinned, and gave the others a suggestive look. Will returned the grin, and the Governor chuckled, but James rolled his eyes.

“Jack… your efforts might be better served elsewhere. The peace we strengthened at the summit in Santiago two years ago is faltering. Considering the size of the Spanish fleet and the extent of their holdings in the Caribbean, it may develop into a dangerous situation for us.”

“That right? And they do make a very good Amontillado over there in España,” Jack mused. “Perhaps I’ll have to linger in the Caribbean a while longer, eh? ”

Norrington smiled. “The Black Pearl would be a great asset to us. I am most pleased to hear you would consider it.”

The Governor looked surprised and pleased as well. “This is very good news indeed!”

“It is!” agreed Will. “But does Harry know you are thinking of altering your plans?”

Swann added, “Yes! St. Claire Island virtually runs itself, just as she thought it would. I visited twice, and all was in order.”

Jack nodded. “And it’s safe, too, what with that Old Sailors’ Home we had built. The lads that settle there are still up to mountin’ a defence, if needed. Good place to leave her while the Black Pearl harries the flota an’ all. The baby will keep her busy.”

“Baby?” said Swann and Will, together.

Norrington’s brow arched in muted inquiry.

Jack smiled, a little wryly. “Aye. She’s increasin’ again. Hasn’t told me yet, but the signs are there.”

Will said, in wonder, “The Chalice did work a miracle, then! Elizabeth… and now Harry!”

“Yes,” the Governor agreed. “The doctor had said she would not conceive again. He was quite sure of it!”

Jack sniffed. “Shows you what they know, don’t it?

James smiled. “Indeed. My congratulations to you both. Harry will at last have her girl!”

“Lord, I hope so!” Jack said, in mock horror. “One like Tom’s enough for anyone!”

But Swann chuckled. “Perhaps I should tell you a little more of what your wife was like as a child, Jack.”

o-o-o

Some time later, Jack swayed up the stairs to the rooms they were allotted when staying with the Governor. He entered his wife’s chamber without knocking, and smiled at her as she looked around from where she sat at the vanity. She was clad in that dressing gown he liked, the gold satin one, all covered with rich embroidery, and Amelie was brushing out her hair for her. The dresser had just trimmed the ends off it the other day, but it was still near down to her waist, and lay now like a cape of rich satin itself, the brown of it touched with deep gold and hints of red, too. Beautiful.

“Here. I’ll finish that, Amelie,” Jack said, sauntering across the room. Amelie dimpled in amusement, and Jack smirked as he took the brush from her. “Tell Alphonse I’ll see him in the morning, aye?”

“Oui, Capitaine. Merci!” Amelie smiled, and turned, setting her hands on Harry’s shoulders. “Bon nuit, Madame. May you have dreams of the most pleasant!”

“And to you, Amelie,” Harry smiled, briefly touching one of her dresser’s hands.

When Amelie had closed the door behind her, Jack commented, “Nice lass, that. That was a piece of luck, her and her sister both.”

Harry’s eyes narrowed, and her mouth twisted. “Considering they saved you from an excruciating death, I should say so!”

“Nah! Tussaud wouldn’t’ve killed me. He said so!” Harry rolled her eyes a bit, and shook her head in an exasperated way, and Jack said, “Hold still. Can’t you see I’m brushin’ your hair?”

She smiled and closed her eyes, savoring the moment. Jack continued brushing, but the strokes became slower and slower as his eyes drifted to the mirror wherein her dear face was reflected, contentment in every line of it. Finally he stopped brushing all together. Her eyes in the mirror opened, and looked into his reflected ones for a long, silent moment.

“What is it?” she asked finally.

“Beautiful,” he said, simply. A little pleased color came into her cheeks. He set the brush down on the vanity, and waggled his fingers, instructively. “Stand up.” He stood back, watching as she complied and took a step toward him. The corner of his mouth tilted, and he came close, his hands going to the sash tied at her waist. “Let’s see if you’re wearing my favorite nightgown, shall we?” She smirked at him, confirming his suspicions. The sash fell to the floor, and the heavy satin parted down the front.

Naked as the day she was born.

“You are! Fancy that!” The words were light, but the tone was dark velvet, and he did not smile now as put his hands up and drew the gown off her shoulders, letting it slip to the floor.

She was gold and rose in the candlelight, and her brown eyes were wide and clear and full of love as she watched him look at her. He gathered her hair back, like thick silk, and bent and placed his lips against the column of her neck, and smiled at the little hitch in her breath and the slight tremble that shook her. Thus encouraged he continued touching, and occasionally tasting; savoring her subdued reactions, the quickening of her breath, the light touch of her hands upon him; and working downward in a most leisurely manner, finally knelt before her, his hands caressing the rounded flesh, his lips placing a tender kiss just beside the slight swell of hipbone. Then he set his hand upon her belly and looked up at the dreamy face, and said, “So when were you going to tell me?”

Her eyes widened, and the dazed look vanished. “Jack! You… you know?”

He chuckled, and rose to his feet, gathering her against him. “Of course I know. Silly chit. Do I not know your body near as well as my own?” And he kissed her, murmuring approval of her eager reciprocation, and at the way she seemed to twine herself about him. But when they paused for breath, he patted her backside and said low, against her ear, “’Sides, you’ve not had your courses in almost two months. D’you think I miss such things?”

“Apparently not,” she admitted, and then gave a tiny shriek of laughter as he swept her up and carried her to the bed.

But when he’d sat down, cuddling her against him, her smile faltered and she caressed his cheek. “You… you do not mind? I know it changes all our plans.”

He shook his head, making a pretence of sadness. “Aye. God thinks He knows best for us, I reckon. He’s like that.” Her worry assuaged, he went on. “Fortunately, James has a bit of work for me. The Spanish, an’ all.”

“The Spanish?” Harry frowned. “I was hoping to see Juana, and Don Alejandro, now that we are returned. I wanted to have them visit us on St. Claire!”

“Oh, I daresay with the proper sort of inducement I might be able to arrange something,” Jack said, thoughtfully.

“Ah! You are open to bribery, then.”

“Oh, certainly. Bribery. Extortion. Whatever you like.”

“Whatever I like?” Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Now that is an offer that is far too good to refuse.”

o-o-o

Much later, they lay together, sated and tired, but not yet asleep. Harry lay draped half over him, her bare knee riding between his, the curve of her now limned in silver in the light of the old moon, and again he could not help thinking, Beautiful! and gave a sigh of bliss.

She stirred a little, and her hand moved down his side in a tender caress. “Are you all right?”

“All right?” He smiled, and said, slowly, “You know, love, I once had the wisdom to tell Will that not all treasure is silver and gold. But I swear to you -- word of a pirate -- I never knew the half of it.”

~ Finis ~