Proffitable Affairs

Chapter 5

Mary was sitting at the small settee of her father’s study, blankly staring at the silver ring that now adorned her finger. She swallowed and looked up only to find Jack looking at her with a furrowed brow. She had been extremely silent since she had gotten there and had remained so even after the end of the small ceremony. She looked away from his intense gaze, not letting her self even for a second be fooled by his concerned eyes. He didn’t care for her in the slightest; he couldn’t. She was just a mean to get to his end and that was all.
As she was lost in her thoughts she felt a presence in front of her and very soon she felt warm hands cupping her knees. She looked up startled and locked her gaze with his.
“You alright?” he asked as he looked at her pale face. She nodded but he didn’t move back. He kept touching her knees while scrutinizing her face.
“You don’t look alright. Perhaps some air will do you good.” He said as he stood up and took hold of her right hand where his ring was. He wore a similar one on his right hand too.
“I-…”
“No time for strolls, Mr. Sparrow.” Vilmort cut her off as he produced a small chest and placed it on his desk. Jack’s eyes settled on the wooden object and all thoughts of Mary’s wellbeing flew away. Mary pulled her hand back from his and looked at her farther who was impatiently tapping his hand against the desk.
“Come closer.” He ordered and she did as she was told. She took the small key that was near the chest and looked at it before she gripped tightly in her fist.
“Open it.” Vilmort said and she realized Jack had come to her side for she felt his familiar touch on her lower back. This time, she realized, it was more eagerness than the desire to soothe her so she slightly flinched before she placed the key to the small lock.
The moment she placed the key in the lock she drew her hand back with a gasp of pain. A small flash of light appeared and she lost her balance as if someone had pushed her backwards. Strong hands wrapped around her waist as she raised her hand to look at the small burn that the key had left on her fingers.
“What in bloody hell was that?” Jack asked as he looked at Mary’s burned hand and then at the chest that remained locked. He didn’t let go of the woman in his arms as he raised his eyes on Vilmort.
“What happened, Mary?” Vilmort asked while she gazed openmouthed at the chest.
“I don’t know…it didn’t let me open it.” She whispered stunned and Jack’s eyes narrowed.
“What’s that supposed to mean then?” the pirate asked as he let go of Mary and glared at Vilmort.
“I’ve no idea…Perhaps we forgot something.” The older man murmured as he started pacing. Jack rolled his eyes grabbed hold of the chest.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Vilmort asked as he saw him walking away with the chest.
“Taking it away.” Jack said coolly and Mary looked at him with wide eyes.
“There’s nothing you can do with it if she’s not there.” Vilmort snapped and Jack smirked as he came to stand next to Mary.
“Already knew that, mate. Who said I ain’t taking her with me?” he drawled as he reached over and clasped Mary’s unburned hand in his, his fingers wrapping tightly around her wrist. Mary looked at him shocked and then she turned to look at her father who was standing behind his desk, glaring at them.
“And where do you plan on taking my daughter?” Vilmort asked and Jack snorted.
“Don’t tell me you’re concerned. If you haven’t noticed your daughter is now me…wife.” Jack said the last word with much effort.
“I can do whatever I want with her, can’t I?” Jack asked challengingly as he turned and started walking out of the study with Mary trailing behind him.
“Captain-…”
“Jack.” He cut her off without looking at her, “No need for formalities.” He muttered as he stopped at the staircase and pushed her gently but decisively towards it.
“Go get your things.” He said quickly and she blinked.
“My things?”
“Aye, your things. Clothes, under things and the such.” He said impatiently and she bit her lip.
“What about-…”
“Now, Mary.” He said or more like growled at her and she pursed her lips in agitation before she turned and walked up the stairs. Jack watched her as she climbed up the stairs with an amused expression on her face. So, she could get angry. That was nice to know. He tore his eyes away and chuckled to himself as he waited for her to return.

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Mary appeared minutes later with a relatively small chest of clothes in her hands. Jack’s eyebrows went up at that.
“That’s all?” he asked and she paused.
“Of course. How many clothes should I bring aboard a ship anyway?” she asked and he looked at her amused.
“Did you bring a coat? You might need it.” He said and she bit her lip.
“I didn’t bring a coat.” She said quietly and he smirked.
“That’s what I thought. Come with me.” He said as he pushed her up the stairs again. They entered her room and Jack whistled as he went through her closet. He picked a few clothes and opened the chest she has already packed. He looked at the clothes in it and sighed. He emptied it on her bed and she gasped.
“What are you doing?” she asked and he chuckled.
“No need to get your…knickers in a bunch.” He said with a raised eyebrow as he held up one of her undergarments.
“Jack!” she said with a fierce blush as he kept looking at her undergarments. He turned to her and winked before he placed all the lacy articles inside the chest along with her coat.
“That was the first time.” He commented as he shut the chest and looked at her.
“Excuse me?”
“You called me Jack.” He said simply as he walked out of the room, both chests in his arms. Mary cast a last look at her room before she followed him.
“You told me to do so.” She said as she walked behind him, the blush still on her face.
“True enough. I never said I didn’t approve of it, milady.” He said as they made their way towards the front door only to be stopped by Vilmort.
“I thought we were in this together, pirate.” He hissed and Jack put on a hurt look.
“Is this how you address your son in-law?” he asked mockingly and Mary looked at her father apprehensively.
“We’re in this together. Or have you forgotten?” Vilmort asked as Anne came to sand behind Mary.
“No, I haven’t.” Jack said irritated.
“Then why-…”
“I need to get on me ship and introduce the new addition to my crew.” He said as he waved his head towards Mary.
“She can sail with my ship. With me.” Vilmort said as he eyed the smaller chest in Jack’s arms.
“Ah, you’re going to take me bride away on our wedding night?” Jack asked as he cocked his head to the side, “I don’t think so, mate.” He concluded and Mary had forgotten that there should be a wedding night. Her breath hitched at that thought and her heartbeat quickened. She hadn’t thought of that little detail. She looked down at herself and then at Jack’s back. Would he really want to be with her…that way? Her eyes widened at the notion and she bit her lip.
“Why don’t we ask her?” Jack offered and all eyes turned to her. She blinked and looked from jack to her father and then back to Jack before she licked her dry lips.
“I think…going with the Captain would only be appropriate.” She whispered at last and Jack grinned while her father glared at her.
“See? Now, if you’ll excuse us.” Jack said as handed the smaller chest to Mary and used a hand to guide her out of the mansion.
“I hope you’ll not run out before sunlight, Captain Sparrow.” Vilmort called and Jack paused, the corners of his mouth lifting upwards.
“Now why would I do that? The redcoats would be after me right away if I did that.” He called before he resumed his swaggering walking. Mary followed him as a small giggle wanted to make its way out of her lips.

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The crew’s eyes were still staring at her even after Jack cleared his throat and motioned them to scatter away. Mary felt as if she was under severe investigation as the men’s eyes kept looking at her as if she had two heads.
They were all in shock that this woman was actually their captain’s wife. It didn’t seem like the ones’ he usually brought in his quarters. Shock and curiosity were evident in their faces and she felt herself burning with mortification.
“Any questions, gents?” Jack asked in a deep, low voice and the men blinked before they shook their heads and walked away while muttering to each other. Jack groaned and turned to Mary.
“Come this way, love.” He told her tiredly as he headed for his cabin. He opened the door and she followed.
“You can put the chest with your things over there.” He said as he pointed at the corner of the cabin, near the bed.
“I will sleep…here?” she asked and his dark eyes rose to meet hers.
“This is a ship, love, not a mansion.” He snapped as he waved at the cabin and looked at her.
“I know that, Captain. It was a simple question.” She said quietly and her soft spoken words made him feel bad.
“Apologies, love.” He muttered quickly as he started pacing, his eyes shifting between her and the chest that contained the map.
“Any ideas why you couldn’t open it?” he asked while she stood fidgeting in the centre of the cabin.
“I…have no idea. Perhaps I should try again?” she offered and he looked at her carefully.
“What if the same happens again?” he asked as she approached him and the desk where the chest was.
“Then we’ll just see…” she muttered as she started feeling more at ease with his presence. She placed her fingers on the key that was still attached to the lock and tried to turn it. She cried out again as the same thing happened and she pulled her injured hand back with a frown.
“Enough. None of that again.” Jack said quickly as he pushed the chest backwards and took her hand in his. He sighed heavily at his bad luck and looked at the burns on her fingers.
“Put them in your mouth. It’ll ease the sting.” He advised and she looked at him in disbelief before she did what he suggested. The sting lessened a bit and she nodded at him with a grateful smile.
Jack looked away from her and grimaced before he headed for the door.
“Bugger.” He grumbled as he opened the door and slammed it shut, leaving her to stare after him with sad eyes.
“Men…” she breathed as she walked over to the double bed and sat down.
“Money, pleasure, power…That’s all they’re after.” She whispered as she removed her shoes and brought her knees to her chest. A strange feeling tugged at her pit of her stomach at being so quickly rejected by her father and now Jack but she took a deep breath and tried to relax. She had agreed to this after all.

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The door closing shut hours later woke up Mary who had been dozing off at the bed still in her clothes. She opened her eyes and saw Jack bolting the door and turning towards her. She frowned at the look in his eyes and sat up.
“What time is it?” she asked to ease the tension.
“Late in the evening.” He said quietly as he still had that strange look in his eyes.
“It’s getting dark.” She said as she pushed her hair out of her eyes. It had fallen out of her fancy bun during her nap it seemed.
“It is.” He said hoarsely as he removed his hat and then his coat. Mary looked away as he started walking towards the bed, relieving himself from his sword and pistol as he went.
“I think I know why you can’t open the chest.” He stated and she turned to look at him.
“You do?” she asked surprised. So, that’s what he had been thinking all afternoon.
“We’re not married yet.” He murmured as he looked at her form.
“What? Of course we are.” She exclaimed and he shook his head.
“We are in papers…We haven’t consummated out marriage yet.” He said quietly as he stopped next to the bed and looked down at her.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked as she felt her cheeks burning.
“It means that you need to remove your pretty dress, love.” He spoke with a small smirk on his face while she gaped at him.
“Clever woman your mother.” He murmured as he reached for her knee with his warm hand.
“You can’t be serious, Jack.” She whispered panicked as his face came closer and felt his hot breath on her face.
“I’m afraid I am, pet.” He said as he removed his hand and gazed at her expectantly. Mary looked away from his determined face and bit her tongue hard enough to draw blood. This was the last thing she expected and oh, did he actually look curious and eager to get her into bed? Was he serious?
Oh, my God. She repeated mutely over and over again as her gaze fell onto his moving hand, watching as it gripped the hem of her dress and started pulling it upwards with practiced skill.

End of chapter 5