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dwgm400 words of expository conversation, referencing the 'Truth' drabble prompt at ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
potc100. This is unbetaed, but hopefully it's OK.
1. Tortuga
2. Happiness
3. Festive
4. Last Minute
5. Calm
6. Truth
~ An Execrable Business, continued...
“My grandmother is very wealthy.”
Jack lifted a brow. “That right?”
“Yes. Very. My mother and I lived with her, until a few months ago when… when a man came to visit. An old friend, she said. I daresay you might have heard of him. Harrison Claypool.”
“Claypool! Aye, I know him. Or played cards with him, at least. He cheats.”
“Does he? Did you call him on it?”
“No. Returned the favor. He was fair flummoxed when he started losing to a green lad, as I recall.”
Nell smiled. “Were you?”
“Green? Never in life. But go on. Claypool came to visit…”
The smile faded. “And my mother was completely taken in. He asked her to marry, to come to the Caribbean and be mistress of his plantation. Grandmother begged her not to go. Mother’s constitution wasn’t strong, you see. But she wouldn’t listen. And she died. Shortly after we arrived. A dreadful fever.”
“Yellowjack?”
“Yes.”
She was looking vaporish again, but he could hardly fault her for it. “All too common, hereabouts. I’m sorry.”
She nodded. “Yes. Thank you.” She raised her eyes to Jack’s, and her voice grew hard as she went on. “Mr. Claypool would not let me leave. I wanted to return to England, to my grandmother. But he insisted. His importunities…”
Jack frowned. “Importunities?”
“I never liked him. The way he would look at me, even while she lived! But after… he felt no constraint. I couldn’t bear it. So I took some of his money, and these clothes from the overseer’s son, and stowed away on a trader bound for Nassau. But it came here, instead! I thought to find another ship, but my purse was stolen. That was nearly a month ago.”
“And picking pockets seemed the easiest road to solvency?” Jack lifted a brow.
“It’s better than… than some things. And his agents followed me – I discovered it through the veriest stroke of luck! So my employment was necessarily clandestine.”
“Not to mention impeded by a want of skill.”
She flushed. “I was quite successful even so, before you—“
“Here we are, my lads!” said Martha, and set down her tray.
There was, besides Jack’s punch and the steaming pot of chocolate, a basket of fresh rolls and a dish of butter, and Jack had to grin at Nell’s ravenous stare. He took up his cup. “Here’s to success, eh?”
TBC…
potc100. This is unbetaed, but hopefully it's OK. 1. Tortuga
2. Happiness
3. Festive
4. Last Minute
5. Calm
6. Truth
~ An Execrable Business, continued...
“My grandmother is very wealthy.”
Jack lifted a brow. “That right?”
“Yes. Very. My mother and I lived with her, until a few months ago when… when a man came to visit. An old friend, she said. I daresay you might have heard of him. Harrison Claypool.”
“Claypool! Aye, I know him. Or played cards with him, at least. He cheats.”
“Does he? Did you call him on it?”
“No. Returned the favor. He was fair flummoxed when he started losing to a green lad, as I recall.”
Nell smiled. “Were you?”
“Green? Never in life. But go on. Claypool came to visit…”
The smile faded. “And my mother was completely taken in. He asked her to marry, to come to the Caribbean and be mistress of his plantation. Grandmother begged her not to go. Mother’s constitution wasn’t strong, you see. But she wouldn’t listen. And she died. Shortly after we arrived. A dreadful fever.”
“Yellowjack?”
“Yes.”
She was looking vaporish again, but he could hardly fault her for it. “All too common, hereabouts. I’m sorry.”
She nodded. “Yes. Thank you.” She raised her eyes to Jack’s, and her voice grew hard as she went on. “Mr. Claypool would not let me leave. I wanted to return to England, to my grandmother. But he insisted. His importunities…”
Jack frowned. “Importunities?”
“I never liked him. The way he would look at me, even while she lived! But after… he felt no constraint. I couldn’t bear it. So I took some of his money, and these clothes from the overseer’s son, and stowed away on a trader bound for Nassau. But it came here, instead! I thought to find another ship, but my purse was stolen. That was nearly a month ago.”
“And picking pockets seemed the easiest road to solvency?” Jack lifted a brow.
“It’s better than… than some things. And his agents followed me – I discovered it through the veriest stroke of luck! So my employment was necessarily clandestine.”
“Not to mention impeded by a want of skill.”
She flushed. “I was quite successful even so, before you—“
“Here we are, my lads!” said Martha, and set down her tray.
There was, besides Jack’s punch and the steaming pot of chocolate, a basket of fresh rolls and a dish of butter, and Jack had to grin at Nell’s ravenous stare. He took up his cup. “Here’s to success, eh?”
TBC…
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no subject
Date: 2009-01-16 03:26 am (UTC)“Not to mention impeded by a want of skill.” He doesn't give her even a little break--pretty funny. It's funny, I think that I hear the wheels turning in Jack's head as he decides what's in it for him. And all over a civilized meal!
no subject
Date: 2009-01-16 03:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-16 04:32 am (UTC)"Never in life." Good one! It certainly says a mouthful.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-16 04:33 am (UTC)Lovely series, and I can't wait for more ♥
no subject
Date: 2009-01-16 04:36 am (UTC)Interesting look into her past, and how Jack knew part of it!
“Claypool! Aye, I know him. Or played cards with him, at least. He cheats.”
Trust ol' Cap'n Jack to know everyone and everything. Seems very much like him.
I also loved how this ended with there with the optimistic "Here's to success" line. Everyone knows how Jack is so optimistic when it comes to life. No doubt a glass 1/2 full kind of bloke.
Great progress! :)
no subject
Date: 2009-01-16 05:17 am (UTC)I'll have to check that story of yours out. Hopefully mine will have a couple of original twists (though we do aim for comfort fic here, light amusement for tax time and all that). I'm glad you're enjoying!
no subject
Date: 2009-01-16 05:19 am (UTC)One of the very best things about him, absolutely inspiring to the rest of us ordinary mortals. :)
I'm so glad you're enjoying the story! Thank you for letting me know.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-16 05:22 am (UTC)Just like Nell suspected he would. ;)
So glad you're enjoying! Thank you for the encouraging comments -- I really appreciate that.
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Date: 2009-01-16 05:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-16 08:40 am (UTC)LOL! That's Jack! ;) Do I detect a plan brewing?
Great stuff.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-16 12:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-16 02:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-16 02:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-16 02:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-16 03:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-16 03:27 pm (UTC)“Not to mention impeded by a want of skill.”
Snarky!Jack -- loved that!
no subject
Date: 2009-01-16 06:31 pm (UTC)Can't wait to read more! :)
no subject
Date: 2009-01-16 08:12 pm (UTC)True, thought they can be blinded by him, too. ;)
I'm so glad you're enjoying! Thank you for commenting -- I do appreciate it!
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Date: 2009-01-16 08:14 pm (UTC)Yes, isn't it? Trouble is on the doorstep, actually. More tonight!
Thank you so much for the lovely comments!
no subject
Date: 2009-01-18 08:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-19 11:25 pm (UTC)