The Map

Just Pondering.

Chapter 37

Just Pondering

Jack swaggered his way down the street, wishing he had more time for pleasantries. He had passed a dressmakers shop earlier and he'd found himself wishing he had the time to take Nell there and have some clothes made for her;  but it would be impossible as he intended on leaving before the first dog watch and it would take a seamstress weeks to make the dresses he wanted for Nell, not the hours they had remaining. He knew that in the hold they had some chests of clothes; he would have them brought up and she could see if there was anything she could make use of. It wouldn't do her much good to be trailing around the ship in a long dress, but for the times they were ashore he wanted her looking like a lass and not a cabin boy.

He spotted Hock at the end of the street, leaning against the wall of a church, booted feet crossed at the ankle, and his arms folded across his chest. He looked as if he was paying no attention to anything, but Jack knew he was watching everything carefully and he wasn't surprised when he straightened and indicated to him. Jack swayed up to him and clapped his shoulder warmly.

"I take it Nell is confessing to all her sins in there?" Jack asked, and regarded the small church with doubtful eyes.

"Aye, Capt'n, been about half an hour so far; I doubt she'll be much longer."

"Then you obviously have no idea how Nell can find breathing a guilty thing to do," Jack replied with a glint of gold teeth as he grinned at the taller man.

Hock laughed scratching at his chin. "What did the doc say about Will?" His laugh faded as he looked down at the shorter man beside him.

"He's healing," Jack replied carefully. "But as for how healed he'll be at the end of the healing is for time to tell and us to see."

Hock used to translating his Captains words pulled a face at the uncertainty for Will. "Not much more to be done than wait then?"

Nay," Jack shook his head, his braids swinging as he moved. "Benjamin did a fine job of treating him on the island; talking about touched, that doctor is a strange one." Jack's hands danced as he spoke. "He took one look at Elizabeth and insisted on seeing her first. Fair pushed me out of the cabin; I'd had none of it, but Will was there and all he had to do was holler if the man was up to tricks." Jack pulled at the braids on his chin. "Just bruising on her face, like Nell." He faded out and frowned at the church door. "I'm thinking ten more minutes or I'll be fetching her out myself, confession completed or not."

"She'll not be pleased if you drag her out mid Hail Mary..." Hock stopped and frowned down at his feet.

"Something bothers you?" Jack asked casually.

"Conversation turned to Isla De Muerta, Capt'n," Hock spoke frankly. "I thought she knew about what you have there."

"She doesn't?" Jack lifted both eyebrows as him in surprise at his words. "I'm not certain it's ever come up in conversation with me; Elizabeth regaled her with the tales so I assume she told her," he mused.

"Aye, but Nell was under the impression the Navy had taken most, if not all of it," Hock replied. "She didn't say anything but she was thinking about it and she didn't look too pleased."

Jack didn't say anything, just processed what Hock had told him. He groaned and rolled his eyes at his crewman.

 "I've a feeling I'm in line for a little trouble from Nell, although I'm not entirely certain why that would be justified, or indeed, called for."

"Women ain't for understanding, Capt'n," Hock snorted in dry amusement.

"Never a truer word spoken, mate," Jack chuckled. "But for sure, although incomprehensible, they certainly make up for it in other areas."