'An Execrable Business'

[dwgm]

Yet another quadruple drabble (400 words exactly - go me!) of An Execrable Business, using blackpearlsails' 'Last Minute' prompt of a few weeks ago. Thanks go once more to hereswith for looking it over.

1. Tortuga
2. Happiness
3. Festive
4. Last Minute


~ An Execrable Business, continued...

Jack turned to his ‘acquaintance’. “What’s your name?”

“Nell. I mean, Helen. Smith.”

“Smith, eh?” Jack sniffed. “I’m a Smith, too, from time to time. When it’s expedient.”

Nell flushed, but said, “Are you really a ship’s captain?”

“Captain Jack Sparrow of the Black Pearl, though not particularly at your service.” He made an ironical little bow.

“But you are!” she said, unsteadily. “I mean… anyone else would have beaten me, or had me arrested. I am greatly in your debt.”

“I may still beat you, you never know,” Jack said, somewhat testily. “What the devil’s brought you to such a pass, Smith? It had better be Smith for now, by the way – Martha might take it into her head that my intentions are less than pure were she to know you’re a female.”

“Yes, very well. But… it’s a long story. May I tell you over dinner?”

Jack’s lips twitched at the hopeful, almost wheedling tone. “All right. Miscreant brat.”

To his surprise she smiled up at him for the first time. “My grandmother used to call me that.”

He gave a bark of laughter at this fond recollection. “Did she?” He looked her over again. “How old are you, Smith? I want the truth now.”

“Almost eighteen,” she stated, standing very straight.

She barely reached his chin. “’Almost’? What does that mean, precisely?”

“Well… next September.”

“Five months! That ain’t ‘almost’.”

“It’s… I… there are certain people who feel it’s old enough to marry!” she said, rather bitterly.

This was food for thought, a veritable banquet, but Jack was prevented from commenting by the reappearance of their hostess.

“Here you are, and you had best hurry!” Martha said, carefully descending the steps. “I didn’t realize it had got so late! Sally’s setting a table for you and I’ve saved out the last of the stew and bread, and there’s a fruit pie for after, if you’re so inclined. Make haste, now, and I’ll see you inside.”

Jack took the cloth and towel and, as Martha bustled away, handed them to Nell. He watched in silence as she awkwardly wet the cloth at the pump and wiped her face and hands.

Finished, she turned to him. “Is it all right?”

“Good God,” he muttered. Far, far too pretty.

“What?” she asked, dismayed.

“Nothing. You’ve missed a spot or two, is all.” And he took the wet cloth from her.



TBC…

Comments

[stealmybike.livejournal.com]

Very nice to see that we're finally learning more about Nell, she seems like an interesting character with a troubled past, even if she is so young.

“But you are!” she said, unsteadily. “I mean… anyone else would have beaten me, or had me arrested. I am greatly in your debt.”

I like the fact that she's very appreciative of Jack's kindness, especially since she's been hurt in her past encounters. I'm sort of inclined to believe that she would have a hard time trust anyone, so I wonder what it is about him that makes her trust him in the first place.

“Good God,” he muttered. Far, far too pretty.

This was very cute. :)

I think you've created an interesting scenario here. Looking forward to more, as always.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I think her observation of his interaction with Martha had a lot to do with sowing the seeds of trust. I'm so happy you're enjoying it. I'm having fun seeing where it goes, too! *g*

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying!

[djarum99.livejournal.com]

The image of Jack swiping at her face is sweet :-) Seventeen certainly was considered old enough to marry, and I'm dying to find out what kind of trouble Helen is in :-) Lovely story ♥

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Distraction is good in January, which is sort of a difficult month in certain ways, post-holiday doldrums and all that. So happy you're having fun reading!

[aravah.livejournal.com]

Still loving this! :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! More soon.

[jillianfish.livejournal.com]

I loved the line "Far, far too pretty". Spells danger for Nell if she doesn't keep her face muddy and stays in the shadows. Luckily Jack is here to take care of her now. I'm glad we get new (old) characters like Martha who add some background to Jack that we've only been able to guess at till now. Its refreshing to see that not every woman he knew, he slept with. And good job with the drabbles, way to go on exact wording!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I do love it when I can get them to come out at an exact word count.

I'm so glad you're enjoying the story, and it's fun just seeing where it goes -- I have a general plot in mind, but the details just appear at random. Thank you for commenting!

[jillianfish.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I forgot- the line "old enough the be married" is rather foreboding. Was someone perhaps trying to marry her off? And she got outta Dodge before they got their way?

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

Now this is turning more and more intresting as it goes along... I have fallen for Martha! What a cool lady! :-D

[florencia7.livejournal.com]

Wonderful! :)

Nell is a very intriguing character! And Jack is simply perfect. The ending made me smile ^^ Now Jack is as in-distress as Nell seems to be haha

*waiting IMpatiently for the next installment*

[pearlseed.livejournal.com]

“I’m a Smith, too, from time to time. When it’s expedient.” That's funny as can be and a great callback too!

“Captain Jack Sparrow of the Black Pearl, though not particularly at your service.” He made an ironical little bow. Don't know exactly why I think this so clever and cute, but I just really like it, very tidy, like a shot of really good tequila--it warms somehow.

Oh, my and she's a pretty bit of skirt--I hear the twin cycle's of Jack life force, one lusty, the other, protective, revving up.

[mary684.livejournal.com]

“Good God,” he muttered. Far, far too pretty.

Ruh roh. Better watch out, Jack Sparrow. *g*

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Martha is lots of fun to write. I do love the OC's. *g* I'm so glad you're enjoying the story!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! Next installment just posted. *g*

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

she's a pretty bit of skirt--I hear the twin cycle's of Jack life force, one lusty, the other, protective, revving up.

Yes, she is, and yes, they are -- and which will win out, considering the title? *g*

I'm so glad you're enjoying it! Thank you for commenting!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Better watch out, indeed. *g* So glad you're enjoying the story!

[artaxastra.livejournal.com]

Oh dear! Jack really has his hands full now, doesn't he? I'm enjoying all of this.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[compassrose7577.livejournal.com]

Poor Jack! The good man, with the most noble of intentions, with a mind that just won't let him stay that way. You can see the wheels turning already.

I'm sure he doesn't find "Smith" remarkable, but I find it a very rewarding name. Good show!! I also understand about the "almost old enough".... however, I think I passed that category a looooonnnng time ago.

Gotta go see what's next. I suspect dinner isn't the only thing on the menu.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

You can see the wheels turning already.

Oh, yes. Opportune moments come when you least expect them. ;)

Thank you for reading and commenting!