Saints and Sinners

Look – I’ve written a total of six stories (plus one in
the pipeline) about the man – please can I have him?style="mso-spacerun: yes"> I didn’t think so…

Thank you for your reviews – they are appreciated as
always. I have a favour to ask, if
anyone could spare the time, I could do with a beta reader.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Email me if you’d like to do it – thanks,
Ani!

…

Chapter Five

Celia walked wearily down the street after finally
finishing work at the mansion sometime after midnight.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> She had had to run the gauntlet all night
with Jack Sparrow, smiling at him through gritted teeth as he made doe eyes at
her and made some comment or other each time she had entered the room, much to
her employer’s amusement.

“Either you put a lot of faith in God, or you are
extremely naïve.”

“Oh! Oh, my
goodness, Captain Sparrow – you frightened me half to death!” Celia exclaimed
as she peered at the shadowy figure standing at the entrance of an alleyway.

“I can’t believe yer walking home alone, again,”
he said, stepping into the moonlit street.

“Well how else am I to go home?” she shrugged.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “I can look after myself, anyway.”

“Yeah? An’ just
what will you do if someone decides ter accost you? Hit them with yer rosary beads?”
Jack took a step towards her and grabbed both wrists, holding them
firmly as she struggled. “What if I
were a heartless bastard an’ wanted my wicked way with you,” he murmured, his
lips brushing her ear as he pushed her into the alley.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “How are you goin’ to fight me off, eh?”

“Let me go!” Celia cried. “You have no right to do this.
Help!” she called, hopelessly, her heart pounding.

“Don’t know why you’re callin’ fer help,” Jack purred,
pressing himself against her as he guided her against a wall.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “There are precious few in this town who’d
help you…”

“P-please?” she begged, gasping as he suddenly released
her. “You… you…”style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Her hand shot out before she had chance to
think and slapped him hard across the face.

“Now what was that for?” Jack enquired as he rubbed his
cheek gingerly. “I was merely pointin’
out what could happen if a less reputable pirate decided to force himself on
you. I told you, I don’t hurt women.”

“And I am supposed to believe a word you say?” Celia
snapped, pushing past him and back onto the street, hurrying down it angrily.

Jack caught up, moving in front of her and blocking her
way. “I don’t lie, either.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Well… not much,” he smiled.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “Just th’odd little white lie every now an’
then.”

“A lie is a lie,” Celia retorted, trying to move past
him and glaring at him as he continued to block her.

“Aren’t we Miss prim an’ proper?” he teased.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “Did they teach yer to be like that at
convent or have yer always been uptight?”

“I am not uptight!” she shouted, shoving Jack in the
chest. “Why can you not leave me
alone?”

“Because you intrigue me,” Jack said by way of
explanation. “An’ I have a terrible
curiosity.”

“It’s a good job you are not a cat then,” Celia sniped.

“Afraid I might
eat you, little mouse?”

“You are the most annoying, incorrigible man I have ever
known!” she spluttered indignantly.

“An’ just how many men have yer known?” Jack
enquired, his voice dropping an octave or two as he advanced on her once more.

“I am… was a novice, for goodness sake!style="mso-spacerun: yes"> How many men do you think I have
known?”

“All depends what you joined th’convent for, doesn’t
it?”

“Captain Sparrow,” Celia sighed resignedly.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “I have been up since before six o’clock
this morning and it is now past midnight, as you know.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> I can barely stand on my feet and you are
bothering me. Please leave me
alone.”

“Answer my question an’ I shall see you to yer door
safely.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Then I shall continue ter bother you until dawn,” he
grinned.

“My fiancée jilted me a month before we were due to be
wed,” she sighed, looking downcast. “I
felt as if I couldn’t face the world, so I didn’t – I joined the convent soon
after.”

“Ah,” Jack winced.
“Sorry, luv. I didn’t realise…”
He lifted her chin until she was looking into his eyes.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “More fool him, that’s all I can say,” he
smiled gently.

“Thank you,” Celia whispered, shivering at his closeness
in spite herself. “Can I please go home
now?”

“Of course, come on.”
Jack offered her his arm, stifling surprise as she slipped her hand into
the crook of his elbow, and they walked in silence down the street towards the
docks.

“What is that noise?” she wondered aloud as she
heard a distant creaking. “I hear it
most nights and mornings.”

“That’ll be th’harbour chain, luv.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> A heavy chain is stretched across th’harbour
entrance ter stop ships comin’ in – or goin’ out, as th’case may be.”

“I see,” she nodded.
“I believe they have one in Portsmouth harbour, don’t they?”

“I don’t know,” Jack chuckled. “I have no intention of ever sailin’ into Portsmouth harbour.”

“Why not?”

“Th’Admiralty would erect th’gallows before th’Pearl’s
anchors reached th’sea bed.”

“Oh…”

“Aye – oh. Here
we are,” he announced as they arrived at the rickety house.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “It sounds as though someone has company…”
Jack pressed his ear to the door, his grin broadening as he heard moans and
groans coming from within.

“That is all I need,” Celia sighed, feeling close to
tears, she was so tired.

“You can sleep in my bunk,” Jack offered.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “It’s comfy…”

“No! How many
times must I tell you, I am not that sort.”

“An’ how many times must I tell you – neither am
I. I’ll kip in a hammock.”

“Pardon?” Celia asked, her eyes agog.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “I-I couldn’t possibly…”

“You need ter sleep an’ I doubt very much you’d have any
with that racket goin’ on,” he reasoned with an even smile on his face, his
hands spread wide in a concilatory gesture.

“But…” she paused, trying to think of a logical excuse
to turn down the pirate’s offer. “I
would be late for work.”

“Do you know what time we rise on board?style="mso-spacerun: yes"> I bet we’d be up an’ workin’ long before
you.”

“I need to attend my toilet. I can’t go to work dirty.”

“So I’ll have my cook heat you some water an’ you can
wash.”

“It wouldn’t be appropriate,” Celia said desperately,
fast running out of arguments.

“This is Tortuga, luv.
Nothin’ is appropriate.”

“Thank you, but I must decline your kind offer, Captain.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Even if you did sleep in a hammock, people
would still assume… well, you know what they would assume.”

“Aye, that you finally came to yer senses and realised
what an irresistable devil I am,” Jack grinned. “I tell you what,” he said, guiding her away from the house.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “I know for a fact that my master gunner is
ashore tonight with his wife – you can have his cabin, eh?”

Celia floundered, her mind racing to try and think up a
plausible excuse, but before she could, she found herself at the quayside and
looking at a small ship’s boat, moored to a bollard.

“Come on, luv.
I’ll help you down,” Jack offered, climbing down to the boat and
reaching up for her.

“This isn’t a good idea,” Celia murmured worriedly, but
climbed down anyway.

“You need sleep,” the pirate reminded her.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “Otherwise what state will you be in for
work tomorrow?”

“I do need to rest,” she admitted, trying unsucessfully
to stifle a yawn as she climbed down the ladders to the boat, tentatively
accepting Jack’s hand into the boat and onto the bench, snatching her hand away
as he brushed his lips across her fingers.
“Any more of that nonsense and I will climb back up!”

“No you won’t,” Jack chuckled as he sat quickly and took
up the oars, rowing towards his ship in the middle of the harbour.

“You will keep your word?” Celia enquired.

“I will keep my word,” Jack promised.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> ‘More’s the pity,’ he thought.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> ‘Good job I’m a patient man…’

“What is the name of your ship?”

“Th’Black Pearl,” he boasted proudly.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “Fastest ship in th’Caribbean.”

“I have heard other pirates talk of it,” Celia
nodded.

“Her,” Jack chided gently. “All ship’s are she’s.”

“Are they? I
didn’t know that.”

“See, I’ve improved yer education already!”

“You’re very interested in education, aren’t you,
Captain?” Celias mused, watching him inquisitively.

“Th’second… no, th’third best thing in th’world.”

“What are the first and second then?” she enquired, her
curiousity piqued.

“Th’first is sailin’ th’Pearl,” Jack
announced. “Th’second’d make yer
blush!”

“Oh…” Celia replied, reddening and being grateful that
he could not see the fact that he had embarrased her.

“Captain approaching,” Jack called as he neared the
ship.

“Eh? Yer rowin’
yerself, Cap’n?” John Orchard called down.

“Myself an’ a guest, yer cheeky bastard!” Jack retorted,
throwing the mooring line up to the deck.
“Rig th’bosun’s chair.”

“Aye, Cap’n,” the crewman deferred, knowing better than
to push his luck any further.

“I-I can climb,” Celia offered nervously.style="mso-spacerun: yes">

“You’re a lady an’ will be treated as such.”

“And yet you think nothing of swearing in front of me?”
she rebuked.

“You’ve probably heard worse since you arrived here,”
Jack shrugged, reaching up to catch the chair as it was lowered.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “Come on.”
He helped her in to the chair then indicated for the crew to heave it
upwards, climbing alongside as it rose.
“You all right?” he chuckled as she closed her eyes tightly and clung to
the ropes.

“J-just f-fine and dandy,” Celia gasped, biting her
lip. “Am I near the top yet?”

“Do I have a kiss if I say yes?” Jack teased.

“No.”

“Then, no, you’ve still got about ten feet ter go,” he
laughed as she reached the deck rail and was swung over it by John Orchard and
Matthias Swain.

“I thought it might be you,” Swain chuckled, nudging his
friend knowingly.

“She’s here as my guest,” Jack growled as he climbed on
to the deck, “an’ she will be given her due respect, savvy?”

“Sorry, Cap’n, Miss,” the two men apologised.style="mso-spacerun: yes">

“She’s sleepin’ in Frazer’s cabin, so arrange fer it to
be cleaned up,” their captain ordered.

“But Frazer’s in his cabin.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Had an’ argument wi’his wife, drank too much
booze an’ is sleepin’ it off.”

“He’s what?” Jack exploded, making a mental note
to punish Frazer for being drunk the night before they sail.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “Gibbs?”

“Aye, Mister Gibbs is sleepin’ like a babe.”

“I’ll go back to shore,” Celia offered, guessing what
may be coming.

“No you won’t – who knows how long Giselle will be… busy.”

“How do you know it was Giselle?” Celia asked, looking
at Jack with a frown. “It could just as
easily have been Aggie.”

“I recognised her moans,” Jack laughed, winking
salaciously at the outraged young woman.
“You can sleep in my bunk – I’ll be sleepin’ in a hammock,” he
announced, loud enough for those on deck to hear and understand his message.

“But…” she spluttered.

“No,” Jack said firmly, shaking his head and grabbing
her hand, leading her towards the master cabin with a swaying gait.

“But… it wouldn’t be…”

“Appropriate,” Jack finished for her with a grin.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “Welcome to th’Black Pearl.”style="mso-spacerun: yes"> He pushed open the doors with a flourish,
waving her in.

Celia stepped cautiously inside his cabin, peering
around in the gloom. “This really isn’t
a good idea…” She blinked as Jack lit a
lantern, illuminating the cabin and making shadows bounce off the carved wood
panelling.

“Do you want some food?”

“No, I’m fine,” she smiled weakly, wishing she had been
more assertive in her refusal to come aboard.

“My bunk’s in th’side cabin,” Jack told her, nodding his
head towards a doorway as he uncorked a bottle. “Feel free ter kip down whenever yer want – although I might
suggest yer go soon or I’ll be carryin’ yer ter bed,” he winked.

“W-why?” Celia spluttered, backing away from him.

“You look fit ter drop.
I’m amazed you can still stand.”

“Oh… I see. Y-yes,
I think I will go now, if you don’t mind.
Goodnight, Captain.”

“Night Celia, luv.
Sleep well.”

Celia took a lantern, which Jack offered her, and
hurried to the side cabin, pulling the heavy velvet drapes across the doorway
and took a deep breath in an effort to calm her racing heart.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> She leaned against the bunk and eased her
boots off, wriggling her stockinged toes before turning and looking at the
bunk, which was far larger than in previous ships she had been on, gulping as
an image of the pirate captain asleep in it flitted through her mind.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> ‘Stop it!’ she chided, hesitantly
undoing the laces down the front of her dress, then shrugging it off and laying
it over a chair in the corner of the cabin.
Celia approached the top of the bunk with trepidation, reaching a timid
hand out to pull the bedcovers back. ‘You
are being silly,’ she scolded herself.
‘It’s not going to jump up and bite you.’style="mso-spacerun: yes"> She grabbed the coverlets and yanked them
back firmly before climbing onto the bunk and settling down, closing her eyes
with grim determination.

‘What’s that smell?’ Celia wondered, turning her
head to one side and sniffing, still with her eyes closed.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> ‘It’s him!’ Her eyes shot back open and she looked around in panic, breathing
a sigh of relief when she found the side cabin still empty apart from
herself. Celia rolled over and closed
her eyes again, trying to ignore the tangy, slightly musky smell of her would
be rescuer. ‘Oh, this is not going
to work. I’ll never sleep and my
reputation will be ruined for nothing,’ she lamented.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> ‘But why is he doing this?style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Why should he care whether I sleep or not,
unless… unless he plans to steal in during the night and rape me!’style="mso-spacerun: yes"> She lay in the bunk, determined to stay
awake in case he did what she feared, but all too soon, her eyes grew heavier
and hotter until they drooped shut.

…

“Fer gawds sake!” Jack cursed, looking daggers towards
the side bunk as he heard Celia moan and mutter in her sleep.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “Some of us are tryin’ ter kip here,” he
growled, leaning over the side of the hammock in an effort to grab a bottle of
rum just out of reach, and crying out as the hammock turned and spilled him
onto the cabin deck.

“What’s that?” came Celia’s worried voice from within
the side cabin.

“Only me,” Jack hissed, snatching the bottle, then
hurling it across the cabin as he reaslised it was empty.

“Well do you mind keep the noise down, I’m trying to
sleep,” she sniped crossly.

“You’re tryin’ ter sleep?” Jack echoed, his
eyebrows in danger of disappearing beneath his bandana, which he had forgotten
to take off. “Well, pardon me, Miss
Hammond. I have had barely five minutes
of sleep, what with your mutterin’ an’ tossin’ an’ turnin’.”

“I have not been tossing and turning, and I most
certainly have not been muttering,” she grumbled.

“How th’hell do you know, you were asleep – unlike me.”

“Well you have certainly ensured I am asleep no
longer! Just what are you doing in
there?” she asked suspiciously.

“Tryin’ ter have a drink,” Jack sniped, crawling across
the floor as he spied another bottle under the table. He picked it up, a triumphant grin on his face as he found it was
half full.

“Really, Captain?” Celia enquired, her voice
dripping with sarcasm. “It sounded to
me as if you were dancing with cannonballs strapped to your feet.”

“I’ll strap bloody cannonballs to your feet in a
minute,” Jack muttered, shooting a dark look towards the side cabin.

“What did you say?” came her icy voice.

“Nothin’, luv,” Jack replied sweetly as he popped the
cork from the neck of the bottle and tipped most of the contents down his
throat. “Nothin’ at all,” he grinned,
wiping his lips on his shirt sleeve.

“Well, if you would be so kind as to keep the noise
down?”

“Likewise...”

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

…