![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dwgm500 more words of 'An Execrable Business', this time referencing the 'Calm' drabble prompt, with thanks to ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
hereswith for beta reading and suggestions.
1. Tortuga
2. Happiness
3. Festive
4. Last Minute
5. Calm
~ An Execrable Business, continued...
Ablutions complete, they climbed the steps and entered Whitby House through the back door. The kitchen maid and pot boy exclaimed delightedly over Captain Sparrow, and then the smiling Mistress Whitby herself led them into the dining room and installed them at a corner table by the hearth.
“A bit of a fire, to take the chill off. I declare, I’ve never seen so much rain here, you’d think we were still in England. Unseasonable cool, as they say – or maybe I’ve just gotten soft, living here these four years. A cup of hot punch for you and the lad, Captain?”
“Just for me, thanks. Smith here’d prefer a pot of chocolate, if you’ve any to hand.”
“Chocolate!” exclaimed Mistress Whitby. “My goodness, aren’t we high-toned! But certainly we can accommodate the young gentleman. I shall bring it directly.” She exited, chuckling.
Nell turned to Captain Sparrow. “I haven’t had chocolate this age! Thank you.”
He fixed her with an oddly penetrating look. “You’re welcome. It’ll take her some time to make it, so let’s have it. The truth, now, mind.”
She hesitated. The fact that he was held in such esteem by Martha Whitby and the folk of Whitby House had gone far toward persuading Nell that her favorable first impression of the captain had been correct. Or second impression; she had been quite terrified to be pushed so roughly against that wall. Yet, as good natured and elegant of manner (and young, and very handsome) as he seemed, the captain was still a pirate. How far could he be trusted with the truth? What machinations occupied the brain behind those dark eyes? She wanted to trust him. But…
“If you betray me… it would be horridly wicked. Beyond anything!”
The words sounded absurd, even to her own ears.
And Captain Sparrow grimaced. “Don’t tell me you’re one of those dramatickal sorts of females. Don’t matter how pretty you are, if that’s the case.”
Nell bridled. “Is that the only reason you’re helping me?”
“Who said I’m helping you? Other than coming here for a meal, which I was doing anyway. Though if you was quizzy, or squint-eyed, I probably wouldn’t have gone that far,” he admitted. “A pretty physiognomy comes in useful sometimes, as I happen to know from experience.” He smirked, looking sinfully coy.
She could not help giving a little snort of laughter, but said, severely, “Pretty is as pretty does.”
“Ha! That’s what they’d like you to believe, innit? I suppose your grandmother used to say that, too.”
At the mention of her beloved grandmother, Nell’s amusement vanished with aching speed. Tears threatened again, which must have been evident for a comically panicked look crossed the captain’s face. But Nell sat up, very straight, and calmed herself. “No. I will not weep, you needn’t worry. I am grateful for your… your mercy toward me, and must hope it will continue when I tell you—”
“—the truth.” The captain glared.
“The truth,” Nell agreed.
TBC…
hereswith for beta reading and suggestions.1. Tortuga
2. Happiness
3. Festive
4. Last Minute
5. Calm
~ An Execrable Business, continued...
Ablutions complete, they climbed the steps and entered Whitby House through the back door. The kitchen maid and pot boy exclaimed delightedly over Captain Sparrow, and then the smiling Mistress Whitby herself led them into the dining room and installed them at a corner table by the hearth.
“A bit of a fire, to take the chill off. I declare, I’ve never seen so much rain here, you’d think we were still in England. Unseasonable cool, as they say – or maybe I’ve just gotten soft, living here these four years. A cup of hot punch for you and the lad, Captain?”
“Just for me, thanks. Smith here’d prefer a pot of chocolate, if you’ve any to hand.”
“Chocolate!” exclaimed Mistress Whitby. “My goodness, aren’t we high-toned! But certainly we can accommodate the young gentleman. I shall bring it directly.” She exited, chuckling.
Nell turned to Captain Sparrow. “I haven’t had chocolate this age! Thank you.”
He fixed her with an oddly penetrating look. “You’re welcome. It’ll take her some time to make it, so let’s have it. The truth, now, mind.”
She hesitated. The fact that he was held in such esteem by Martha Whitby and the folk of Whitby House had gone far toward persuading Nell that her favorable first impression of the captain had been correct. Or second impression; she had been quite terrified to be pushed so roughly against that wall. Yet, as good natured and elegant of manner (and young, and very handsome) as he seemed, the captain was still a pirate. How far could he be trusted with the truth? What machinations occupied the brain behind those dark eyes? She wanted to trust him. But…
“If you betray me… it would be horridly wicked. Beyond anything!”
The words sounded absurd, even to her own ears.
And Captain Sparrow grimaced. “Don’t tell me you’re one of those dramatickal sorts of females. Don’t matter how pretty you are, if that’s the case.”
Nell bridled. “Is that the only reason you’re helping me?”
“Who said I’m helping you? Other than coming here for a meal, which I was doing anyway. Though if you was quizzy, or squint-eyed, I probably wouldn’t have gone that far,” he admitted. “A pretty physiognomy comes in useful sometimes, as I happen to know from experience.” He smirked, looking sinfully coy.
She could not help giving a little snort of laughter, but said, severely, “Pretty is as pretty does.”
“Ha! That’s what they’d like you to believe, innit? I suppose your grandmother used to say that, too.”
At the mention of her beloved grandmother, Nell’s amusement vanished with aching speed. Tears threatened again, which must have been evident for a comically panicked look crossed the captain’s face. But Nell sat up, very straight, and calmed herself. “No. I will not weep, you needn’t worry. I am grateful for your… your mercy toward me, and must hope it will continue when I tell you—”
“—the truth.” The captain glared.
“The truth,” Nell agreed.
TBC…
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-01-15 02:31 am (UTC)Quizzy -- love that!
no subject
Date: 2009-01-15 02:39 am (UTC)Thank you so much for commenting -- and so quickly!
no subject
Date: 2009-01-15 02:53 am (UTC)LOL! Too true. We'll see what truth she comes up with next. *g*
Thank you for commenting -- I'm so glad you're enjoying it!
no subject
Date: 2009-01-15 03:19 am (UTC)And Captain Sparrow grimaced. “Don’t tell me you’re one of those dramatickal sorts of females. Don’t matter how pretty you are, if that’s the case.”
LOL, so Jack. I can definitely see him saying this to the girl.
I'm really loving Nell, I really want to know more of her! Looking forward to your next update! :)
no subject
Date: 2009-01-15 03:27 am (UTC)"I am grateful for your… your mercy toward me, and must hope it will continue when I tell you—”
“—the truth.” The captain glared.'
Jack is too precious being all stern/serious Captain Jack Sparrow who knows all. What is it about him that would cause you tell him everything, even after he scared you half to death earlier?
Loved Quizzy, my friend's white crosseyed girl kitty!
no subject
Date: 2009-01-15 03:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-15 03:32 am (UTC)Pirate -- and a good man? *g*
no subject
Date: 2009-01-15 05:52 am (UTC)I think you're quite right, Jack doesn't expect the whole truth - he's just cocky enough to believe he can see through anyone's attempts at obfuscation. He probably can more often than not *g*
I like Nell's spirit, and Jack being Jack. Great story ♥
no subject
Date: 2009-01-15 06:28 am (UTC)Even as young as he is here, I'd think that would be a survival skill for a pirate.
So glad you're enjoying the story!
no subject
Date: 2009-01-15 09:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-15 11:53 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-15 01:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-15 02:58 pm (UTC)Jack always has his eye on the main chance, variable as that may be.
Thank you for letting me know you're enjoying the story. More soon, and I'm hoping to write faster over the three-day weekend (and jury duty a week from tomorrow, which leaves me a three day week next week! Whee!).
no subject
Date: 2009-01-15 02:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-15 03:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-15 03:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-15 03:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-15 06:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-15 07:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-15 09:02 pm (UTC)See you on Sunday!
xoxox
~ Mom
no subject
Date: 2009-01-15 09:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-16 04:29 am (UTC)The prospect of him dealing with a crying woman (albeit young) does paint an interesting picture, as well. Is there a man in this world that knows what to do with a crying woman?
Good plays on words, and Jack's slight of hand with them!
no subject
Date: 2009-01-16 05:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-16 06:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-16 08:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-18 08:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-19 11:26 pm (UTC)