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Fic: 'Harry & the Pirate VI: Blood and Treasure (Jack/Harry, etc. - 8/20)
Chapter Eight: Reversals
Harry had been to Vauxhall before, for there had been a pleasure garden on the site for nearly a century, but the place had improved out of all recognition since then – nearly twenty-five years ago! Now, with supper concluded and Tom happily dancing away with dear Anne, Harry excused herself to answer the call of nature, and Jack said he would escort her to the area set aside for such matters, saying he’d be dashed if he’d trust all these bloods and court cards to keep the line around his pretty wife, a remark that both pleased her and made her laugh.
When her errand was complete, she found Jack lounging against a nearby tree and said to him, “Daisy is safe with Elizabeth and Will, let us go for a stroll again. I want to see this notorious Druid’s Walk that George spoke of.”
“I’m entirely at your service,” Jack said, taking her hand and tucking it into his arm. “I could use a private assignation just about now. All this gaiety is very well, but… I don’t know. Maybe I’m getting old.”
“You certainly are not!” Harry asserted. “It is only that we have become accustomed to a quieter life at sea – cards, or music, and dancing on the forecastle, with our family and the crew, who are all our friends—“
“—or early to bed with you in the Great Cabin.” Jack threw her a suggestive glance.
She returned it, snapping open her fan and wafting it languidly to cool her cheeks. How he could make her blush so easily, after all their years together…
He grinned and patted her hand.
The Druid’s Walk was a long path that ran parallel to the Grand Walk, but was narrower, romantically overgrown, and only dimly lit, the perfect place for romance – or something more illicit. Jack and Harry caught glimpses of several pairs lingering in shadows, and of one couple, who apparently thought they could not be seen, engaged in some most shocking behavior. Harry muttered, “Oh, dear!” and hurried her husband along.
He chuckled and said softly, “Growing prudish, Mrs. Sparrow?”
“Not at all – as you know very well. But I fear I have reached the age where I prefer the support of a soft mattress, rather than a tree.”
“Is that right?” Jack’s voice was full of laughter, and it was not long after when he drew her into a secluded copse, some way off the walk, as she might have known he would do. He pressed her up against the smooth bole of a stately ash, which was at least surrounded by sweet-smelling flowering shrubs, and after kissing her into submission, proceeded to prove in a most scandalous fashion how unfounded was her fear.
*
It was some time before they returned to the Grove, and longer still before they were able to return to their party’s box, rather to Harry’s consternation, as she had been profoundly affected by the clandestine interlude she and Jack had enjoyed.
“That’s what comes of straying from the narrow path,” Jack had said, with a truly evil leer, when she mourned the fact that the evening was only half over and all she wanted now was her bed.
But even as they slowly walked back to the more populated areas, they were greeted and detained by several people, and it was borne in upon them that rumor of Jack’s change in circumstances had begun to be circulated among the throng.
“My Lord Wainfleet!” said one young man, with a bow. “You don’t remember me, perhaps, but I’m an undersecretary at the Naval Office.”
Jack was momentarily taken aback, but then growled, “Naval Office, eh? Then it’s Captain Jack Sparrow, if it’s all the same to you.” He returned the bow and moved off, pulling Harry rapidly along.
“Jack… Jack, it’s only a name… will you stop!” She dug in her heels and jerked her hand from his grasp.
And he did stop at that, and turned to her, though for a moment he didn’t seem to know what to say.
She went to him and took both his hands in hers. “My dear, don’t be upset.”
“How the devil did word get out?”
Harry had a feeling she knew. Caroline Hayes was a busybody if ever there was one, and there was Hartfield’s sister, too. But she merely said, “It was bound to come out sooner than later, it’s far too interesting a story to be kept secret for long.”
“Dirty linen, hung on the line for all to see,” he muttered.
She knew how intense was his dislike of having his business – his true business – become public knowledge, so she did not try to comfort him further. Instead, she tucked her hand in his arm and said, “Come, let’s go sit in the box and watch the dancing, and perhaps we can leave in another hour or so.”
George, Weatherby, Lady Caroline, and James and Maggie were there, watching the revels, though Maggie was fanning herself, having joined in the last country dance with James.
Weatherby said, “There you are. We were wondering what had happened to you.”
“Your little sister has been showing me the joys of the Druid’s Walk,” said Jack, and winked at Harry.
Her cheeks grew warm again as the vivid memory of their encounter at the Ash tree reasserted itself, and she heard her brother George laugh.
“Harry, Harry. Be careful. You are once more the wife of a peer and must behave accordingly. Here, sit down, both of you. Walking can be so very fatiguing.”
“Too right,” said Jack, pulling out Harry’s chair for her, then sitting down beside her. “But what’s worse is that the whole bloody place seems to be aware of my… er… fortune, and I’m wondering how it’s got about so quickly.”
Lady Caroline said nothing, though Harry noticed the spots of color on her cheeks and the way she avoided their eyes.
Maggie said, “How very annoying! But such news does travel very quickly. I don’t suppose it could be helped.”
“Perhaps not,” said Harry, “but we may take our leave in an hour or so in any case. Is Daisy with Will and Elizabeth?”
James replied. “They’ve taken both children to see the Chinese Pavilion. But here’s your eldest, with a fair maid on either hand.”
Harry and Jack saw that Tom was some distance away, and had stopped to speak to his companions. Then he made his bow to them, and the two went off, their heads together, while he strode swiftly toward the supper box, his expression rather grim. When he drew closer, he did try to smile as he greeted everyone, but it faded when he said, quietly, “Da, will you give me a moment?”
“As many as you like,” Jack said, getting up.
The two made their way toward the entrance to the Grove, and stood under one of the tall trees. Harry watched them with a sense of foreboding. It was a brief conversation, and at its conclusion Jack took his son’s shoulder and gave it a shake, at which Tom smiled, but shook his head. He then looked up, gave a little wave to Harry, turned, and strode off down the Grand Walk, toward the Garden’s entrance.
Jack seemed thoughtful as he returned to the box.
Maggie voiced the question. “Is Tom leaving us?”
“What’s happened?” Harry asked.
“There’s been a bit of an Incident. But here come Anne and Hartfield. Let’s see what they have to say.”
Anne, a little pale, had nothing to say, but went and sat beside her mother, who took her hand in some concern.
It was Hartfield who spoke, in a quiet, self-possessed tone. “Admiral Norrington, may I beg you and your wife’s indulgence. There has been a development that Anne and I must discuss with you in the privacy of your home as soon as possible. I am very sorry to be obliged to cut short our revels—“
“No apologies, Hartfield,” said James, with a frown. “I can see that something’s amiss. Maggie, Anne, get your things. Aunt Caroline, are you with us? And what about your sister, Hartfield?”
George said, “Weatherby and I will see her home whenever she chooses.”
*
When the Norringtons and Hartfield had gone, Harry said, “Jack, what’s happened?”
He shook his head, giving Harry and his two brothers-in-law a grimace. “The Druid’s Walk again. Hartfield took Anne there and apparently asked her to marry him, then tried to kiss her and she turned skittish. Tom was within earshot, recognized her voice and went hotfoot to the rescue. He didn’t strike Hartfield, but he got him away from Anne, and then Hartfield told him what was afoot and Anne confirmed it.”
“Oh, no!” Harry exclaimed.
“And what’s more,” Jack went on, “those two lasses that were with Tom saw the whole thing. He asked them not to say anything, but I daresay you can imagine how long that’ll last.”
George said, quite jovially, “Probably all over the Gardens by now. Lord, what did we do for entertainment before you Sparrows came to town, eh?”
“George, it’s not amusing,” Harry told him, highly annoyed and very worried about her son, and Anne, too.
But Jack chuckled grimly. “Well, it is rather like a French farce. Don’t worry, love. Things’ll come right in the end. I can’t see Tom giving up easily.”
“No, indeed,” agreed Weatherby. “Why little Anne has loved him all her life!”
*
But Tom had a different view of the matter.
He stumbled through his Uncle George’s door at nearly four in the morning, having met a couple of really prime coves, Bertie Sandringham, a young viscount, and the elegant but amiable Lord Augustus Fox, on the boat going back into the city. The two had immediately perceived that Tom was the victim of Thwarted Love – “Been there too often not to know the signs, dear boy,” Bertie had assured him – and on learning precisely who he was, had offered to introduce him to a neat little establishment in Pall Mall where he could forget his cares over some excellent libations and various games of chance, in the company of a friendly but elite set of gentlemen.
Jack, who had waited up for his son, laughed. “I suppose they skinned you?”
“Not at all,” Tom said, indignantly, and he swayed over to the Italian sideboard that graced the foyer and rather defiantly emptied his pockets of what looked to be several hundred pounds in both coin and banknotes. “Drank ‘em under the table, too, and thought to hire a chair to bring me home. I’m a trifle well-to-live, wouldn’t be up to fending off thieves or pickpockets.”
“Very prudent,” said his father, helping him toward a chair.
“Only, Da… I think I’m going to be sick now.”
Jack helped him back outside instead, and held Tom’s hair out of the way as he vomited into one of the two potted palms that were situated on either side of the front door.
Eventually rising, with only a little difficulty, he looked solemnly at his father. “S-sorry. Are you angry?”
“No,” said Jack, taking out a handkerchief and wiping a bit of spittle away from the corner of Tom’s mouth. “Just don’t make a habit of it, all right?”
“No,” Tom agreed, and hung his head. “She’s going to marry the bloody earl, Da.”
“Maybe, but it’s not over yet, not till the ring’s on her finger.”
“Do you think there’s a chance?” Tom asked, the drink making him sound desperate. And indeed, his eyes began to sting with tears.
“Of course there’s a chance! Come inside, things’ll look brighter in the morning. Or the afternoon, now, I suppose.”
They went back in, and both of them were startled to see Tom’s mother at the foot of the stairs, her robe tied at her trim waist, delicately embroidered slippers on her feet, hair flowing down her back, and her expression grim.
“You said you would call me when he got home,” she said to Jack, accusingly.
“Now, Harry—“
“I’m fine, Mother,” Tom told her, quite appalled. “I’ll just go on up to bed.”
“Hmph. Fine, is it?” She approached, observing Tom’s state with disapprobation. “I suppose you would lay all this at Anne’s door?”
“She said--“
“I warrant she said what she was forced to say, with you and those young ladies standing there.”
Tom frowned, considering this.
His mother went on, “I shall speak to Maggie first thing in the morning. There is no need to despair, not yet at least.”
Tom nodded. “That’s what Da said.”
“Your father is a very wise man. Now here is Alphonse, who will help your father put you to bed.”
Tom grimaced at the sight of his father’s valet coming down the stairs in his nightshirt. “I didn’t mean to get everyone up.”
Mother said, “It’s only the three of us, and I am going back to bed. Good night, my dear.”
She would have kissed his cheek, but he turned to her and embraced her, burying his face against her hair for a moment, something he hadn’t done in a good many years.
She hugged him tight, and her voice trembled a little as she said, “My poor darling. But all will be well. You’ll see.”
Continued in Chapter Nine: Friends and Lovers
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"She would have kissed his cheek, but he turned to her and embraced her, burying his face against her hair for a moment, something he hadn’t done in a good many years" Old habits of children now grown are some of the most treasured in the 'verse--this was touching and pretty.
For me, it's one thing to anticipate (nothing can match my sweet little imagination). Another thing entirely to continue to be wiggley once the ride had begun...you go to the head of the class, my dear piratista...
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I am so happy you liked the chapter in spite of the angst. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
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“No, indeed,” agreed Weatherby. “Why little Anne has loved him all her life!”
You tell them Gov! ;///; I also made a little fanart of present day Harry and the Pirate Harry(And Gov and Chev), it is here: http://community.livejournal.com/pirategasm/2667030.html Everyone looks different again, but this is how I picture them old, though Harry of course only aged a little bit.
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I expect it might. ;-)
More fanart! And I do love the costumes. Ah that Chevalle -- he does have a tendre for the Gov. Thank you so much for doing that for me, and for reading and commenting, too.
*Hugs*
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I think Chevalle would like Weatherby, because he is genuinely kind and charming, and of course his sense of fashion!
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I have faith it will all work out for T&A; there wouldn't be much story if they got together right away.
Pleased some others will be included also in the romance aspects.
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Very true, that "thwarted romance" thing is interesting to write in some ways.
There are characters yet to be introduced in the romance aspects. One can never have too many, I think. *g* So glad you're enjoying it, and I really appreciate all the comments.
*hugs*
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*waiting !impatiently! for more*
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Anne used to be quite the imp when she was a little girl, though Caroline's influence has had it's effect in recent years. We shall see!
Thank you so much for reading and commenting here, as well as on FF.net -- I appreciate that so much!
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Oh my I just think I like it.
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