A Pirates Passion
Chapter 4
Madeline nodded and took hold of his arm he offered to her. She sighed heavily as they approached her home. "I suppose ye need to get back to the fort."
"Yes but I will return this evening, now don't worry about dinner, I will make sure we don't go hungry," he smiled and kissed her hand. "You're so beautiful," he smiled.
Madeline blushed at his words. "If you say so James."
"Now smile for me before I go, believe me my darling... everything will be fine, I will make it so," James assured her.
Madeline smiled weakly at him. "Thank you James."
"The pleasure is mine," James smiled. "Oh before I go," he said reaching into his coat pocket and handing her a small box, "I don't expect you to wear it but I do want you to keep it, to remind you how much I love you and that the offer stands. If you decide to accept me then put it on," he told her before leaving her to return to his duties.
Madeline watched him go and looked at the box in her hand. She sighed and went inside of her house. She placed it on the kitchen table but didn't open it. She couldn't marry James. Could she? She could never return his love the way he wanted her to. She would love Jack until her dying day. She hurried to get some paper so she could write the letter to Jack.
Will was pounding out a new sword when Commodore Norrington entered his shop,
"Good day Commodore," he said stopping what he was doing.
"I need to speak to you Mr. Turner, in private," James said sternly.
Will motioned for the Commodore to follow him to the back. "What can I do for you Commodore," he asked.
"You know about Madeline," James asked.
"Yes," Will replied.
"I need to ask you something," James growled.
"Ask away Commodore," Will quipped.
"You know the bastard, do you really think that even if he does come back he'll do right by her?" James asked.
"Commodore, I can't answer that," Will replied honestly.
"Damn it you know him, where is his bloody head," James growled.
"I know he's angry and he's hurt, she kept JJ a secret, he doesn't trust her. Frankly even if he does find out about this child his first reaction will be to say she just wants to trap him," Will shrugged.
"I proposed to her today," James told him.
"Really... that's wonderful... but I guess by the look on your face she turned you down," Will said shaking his head.
"Yes, I was hoping that perhaps you and Elizabeth would plead my case to her. I know she can't love me the way I love her, but I know in time I could make her forget that bastard Sparrow," James hissed.
"I don't know Commodore, she's pretty much loved him this way from the beginning," Will said skeptically.
"I want to hang that bloody pirate," James hissed.
"I know Commodore, and perhaps one day you'll get your chance," Will said, doing his best not to grin.
"Good day Mr. Turner, tell Elizabeth I said hello," James said and left the shop.
Will shook his head and returned to his work.
Madeline sat down at her table and looked at the paper in front of her. She dipped her quill into the ink and began to write.
Dear Jack,
I write this to you with a heavy heart. I do not even know if you will get this letter. I am with child. Your child. I did not plan this and I did not get pregnant to trap you. I would never do that. I know that is what you are thinking. I remain in Port Royal if you should ever decide to return.
I will not keep this child from you. I was wrong to keep JJ from you and will not make the same mistake twice. I will deliver this child in five months time. The doctor told me I am close to four months along already.
Please stay safe.
Forever Yours, Your Maddy
Madeline blew on the letter for the ink to dry and then folded and sealed it and placed it in an envelope. She wrote Jack's name on the front of it and would give it to Will in the morning. She stared at the box on the table and tried to put it out of her mind.
Elizabeth headed towards Will's shop when she saw James Norrington leaving it. "Good day Commodore." She said as she passed him.
James smiled, Mrs. Turner, how lovely you look today," he said. Madeline had her weakness and James had his, although his was far less dangerous. He would always have a special place in his heart for Elizabeth Turner.
Elizabeth smiled. "Thank you Commodore. Were you speaking to Will?" She asked.
"Yes as a matter of fact I was, I was telling him about my proposing to your cousin," James said proudly.
Elizabeth arched an eyebrow at him and crossed her arms. "You proposed to Madeline?" She asked very surprised. Did Madeline tell him?
"Yes, she doesn't need to be on her own especially now," James said he lowered his eyes a bit, "But she hasn't accepted me," he confessed.
"So she told you." Elizabeth said quietly.