Cordelia, Daughter of the Sea
Only Jack
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Chapter
32
“Only
Jack”
It took three
days to get to Port Royal and in that time, Cordelia had barely slept or eaten
a thing – and it showed. Her eyes were
red and tired, her movement sluggish.
Anamaria had told her that she was going to be taken to the Turner
residence and Cordelia didn’t fight it, she had nowhere else to go.
Anamaria and
Gibbs helped Cordelia from the ship to the Turner household.
simply waited. The door opened and a
very surprised Will stood before them.
“Cordelia? Anamaria?
What’s going on?”
Cordelia spoke
her first words in quite some time.
“Will, Jack’s dead.” Her lower
lips trembled and she fought against another bout of tears.
“Whatill
ill
said, wide-eyed.
“’Tis true,
Will,” Gibbs said.
Anamaria held out
the folded piece of paper that Jack gave her – and she had resisted
reading. “This is for you, Will.
meant for yer eyes alone.” Will took
the paper, his face expressionless. “We
‘ave t’ set sail before someone decides tha’ the ship’s up t’ somethin’ no
good.”
“I understand,”
Will said.
Gibbs handed Will
the few things that Cordelia had, then gently hugged Cordelia.
Anamaria reached
out for the shell of a woman before her and hugged her tightly.
swear it. I won’ forget about ye
either, I promise. We’ll visit ye when
we can.”
A shadow of a
smile crossed Cordelia’s face. “Thank
you…for everything.”
“Yer welcome,
Cordy.” Without another word, she and
Gibbs left.
“Cordelia, please
come inside,” Will said, feeling foolish.
Cordelia followed him in and he led her to the sitting room where
Elizabeth was having a cup of tea.
“Elizabeth?” Will said softly.
Elizabeth looked
up from her tea, Will’s tone worrying her right away. “Cordelia?” Elizabeth
smiled widely and got up from her seat.
“How wonderful to see you!” She
looked at Will. “The tone of your voice
had me worried, Will.” Before he could
say anything, Elizabeth asked, “Where’s Jack?”
Will face looked
pained. “Elizabeth,” he said gently,
“Jack’s…he died.”
Elizabeth was
horrified. “Oh, God…Cordelia, I’m so
very sorry.” She put her arms around
Cordelia and hugged her. Silent tears
streamed down her face not able to imagine what Cordelia must be feeling.
Cordelia, “Oh, you poor thing,” Elizabeth cooed through her tears.
this was not the time. “You look
terribly exhausted. I’ll have the room
you were in before prepared for you.
You haven’t eaten either, have you?
I can tell. Cordelia, you need
to eat something so you don’t fall ill an’…”
“Elizabeth,” Will
said, “I realize that you’re only trying to help, but calm down before you make
her run off.”
“I’m so very
sorry,” Elizabeth said. “Cordelia,
please, at least have a little tea with me.”
“That would be
nice,” Cordelia said in a hushed voice.
Her next thought sounded like a realization. “I…I don’t have anyone else anymore.”
Elizabeth pushed
a lock of hair behind Cordelia’s ear.
“You will always have us, I promise.”
Elizabeth poured a cup of tea and the two women sat in front of the
fireplace.
Will walked to
the corner of the room and sat in a chair next to an oil lamp.
gave him. He took a deep breath before
reading it, knowing that it must have been from Jack.
realize that this is a serious occasion.
Since you’re reading this, my fight with Ahriman must have ended
badly. I’ve had Cordelia sent to you
and Elizabeth – she has nobody else.
She deserves a happy life and I want you to make sure that happens.
bloody Norrington away from her. I’m sure you and Elizabeth know a fine young
gentleman who can love her and provide for her. If she ever wonders, make sure that she knows that I want her to
be happy and that I love her.
Will had so many
things on his mind at that moment. Jack
had thought enough to write something ahead of time, he wrote much better than
he spoke, and that he could incorporate humor into such a grave situation.