Fic: 'Bath Holiday' - Chapter 1 (1/7)

[dwgm]

Writing this story for potcfest prompt #9: Jack/Elizabeth, in England. It's set in my post-CotBP universe (for a summary of the premise, see the 500 word Lost and Found).

Many thanks to hereswith for editing and suggestions. This rather angsty opening is also for the current drabble challenge at blackpearlsails...




~ Bath Holiday ~


1 ~


Jack slipped the heavy gold ring onto her finger.

"No!" Elizabeth tried to jerk her hand away. "I thought we'd agreed--" But then she gasped in pain, again, and curled onto her side with a soft moan.

"Easy, darlin’,” he soothed, though in desperate need of soothing himself. “Doctor’ll be here soon. But I'll not have some petit bourgeois sawbones servin' you sauce with his physick. Young unmarried ladies of quality don’t jaunter about the countryside unchaparoned."

“I’m a widow!”

“You’re four and twenty, and barely look it.”

“But… my aunt--"

"—is in Bath, not here. You can spit in the world’s eye when we’ve arrived and you’re under her protection. Trust me for once, all right?"

He kissed the cold fingers, and her eyes filled, then overflowed. She whispered, “Jack… I’m sorry. You must wish me at the devil.”

“Don’t be—“

“Jack!” Ana burst in, face set. “Doctor’s here, the landlady’s bringin’ ‘im up.”

“Right.” He turned back to his stricken lover – his love – and tried to smile. “Steady as she goes, eh?”

“Don’t leave me!” The fingers gripped, now.

“I won’t.”

~ TBC

Comments

[aravah.livejournal.com]

Jack and Lizzie go to Bath? That is so exciting! I love Bath... I lived there for fifteen years. Great beginning. Can't wait to read more. :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I have so many folks from England on my flist that I really did think twice about doing this. However, it's something that's been in that plotline since the beginning, and this seemed the perfect opportunity to explore it. Perhaps you'll let me know if I go astray in the setting? My knowledge of Bath is confined to extensive reading of Georgette Heyer, etc., and the internet. I'll get over there one of these years, though.

More soon, probably tomorrow (Hollywood Bowl tonight! Wheee!). Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed the beginning!

[p0wdermonkey.livejournal.com]

I do love Jack being Staunch In A Crisis. The tricky bit is setting a situation so it's believable, which you've certainly done here. Hope there's more to come.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

There is lots more to come, possibly as soon as tomorrow, and much of it rather more lighthearted than this. Yay for three day weekends!! And thank you so much for commenting!

[hereswith.livejournal.com]

Perfect! It's a great and intriguing beginning, I still love those ending lines in particular, and I'm eagerly awaiting more :-)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Just sent you the second part to look over. I'm glad you liked it -- and I promise it will end well, even though the beginning is so angsty. Thank you, as always, for your invaluable input.

[stealmybike.livejournal.com]

Fantastic start! I'm not a huge J/E fan but I'm really intrigued to see what happened! :D

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you for reading and letting me know you like it. Sometimes it's fun to ignore the sequels and go back to happier post-CotBP days (and I assure you, the story will get happier -- eventually).

[mary684.livejournal.com]

'course I had to go and read the other! Which was lovely but did nothing at all to help me figure out where this one is going! *pouts* That's okay, though, as this is a fantastic start and I look forward to reading more. I'm especially intriqued by the ring...

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Oh, dear, I'm sorry it's a bit cryptic. This is actually set some time after Fevered, so it's further along in the plotline. I'll put in more explanation in subsequent bits. I'm glad you liked the first part, though, and there will be more today. Thank you for commenting!

[berne.livejournal.com]

Lovely! You capture both their voices so well.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It's lovely to see you here. I do hope you enjoy the story (which will get more cheerful, eventually, I promise).

[jenthegypsy.livejournal.com]

Ah, at last - a few moments for me to catch up. So glad to see the rigors of starting up a new year at school are somewhat behind you!

Oh, not only Jack and Elizabeth, but Ana as well? *claps hands in glee* And look at ol' Jack, thinking of proprieties at a time like this - all for his Lizzie's sake.

*loves*

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

So glad to see the rigors of starting up a new year at school are somewhat behind you!

Holy cats, it's been a week, let me tell you. So happy to have a long weekend to recover.

Oh, yes, Anamaria is still one of the Pearls in this universe, which is fun -- company for Elizabeth (and a partner in crime *g*). So glad you enjoyed this first bit! Thank you for letting me know.

[sharklady35.livejournal.com]

Jack is right; a wife traveling with her husband will be spared a lot of judgemental attitudes (particularly in those days.)

Trust him, Liz. That pirate always comes through when it matters most.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

That pirate always comes through when it matters most.

He does, whether he is happy about it or not.

Thank you so much for commenting!

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

Nice! :-D Not much else to say. Love the angsty beginning!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thanks!