A Pirate's Love

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

               When Tessy brought the dress for Madeline, she just rolled her eyes.  It was red.  It was tight.  And it was low cut.

               "This looks beautiful on you missus." Tessy said gleefully.

               "Thanks.  Is this the only dress Elizabeth had?"

               "Yes missus."  When Madeline turned to look in the mirror.  It outlined every curve she had and with the tightly laced corset underneath, her breasts were pushed up beyond belief.  She let Tessy button her shoes and grabbed a shawl before heading down to the dining room.

               When she walked into the dining room, she saw it was empty but headed to Will's study.  She saw Will and Elizabeth talking by the fire.  And Jack looking out the window.  He turned when he heard her skirts rustling.

               "Thank you for the dress Elizabeth.  Did you wear it at a costume ball?"

               "Don't be so crass Maddy.  You look beautiful."

               "Humph."

               "Would you like something to drink Maddy?" Will asked.

               "Yes.  Something strong if you please." Will got her a glass of rum.  Her eyes never leaving Jack's face as he continued to watch her.  Will handed her the glass and she downed it in one swallow.

               "You still drink like a pirate." Jack said and Madeline glared at him.  Sensing the tension in the room, Elizabeth turned to the small group.

               "I believe dinner is ready."  They turned to head to the dining room.  JJ appeared in front of them.  He had on black pants, a white shirt, a plumed hat and his sword that Will had made for him wrapped around his waist.

               "Why are ye still here?" he asked Jack as he withdrew his sword and pointed it at him.  Before JJ could react, Madeline once again took the sword out of his hand, turned him around and gave him a swat on his behind with the sword.

               "JJ, how many times have I asked you not to dress like that?"

               "Mum, why'd you do that?"

               "How many times JJ?"

               "Why can't I dress like my father?" he asked.  You could've heard a pin drop.  Madeline dared not look at Jack.

               "Who was your father boy?" Jack asked coming closer to him.

               "Let's eat." Will said, trying to draw away from the situation.

              

               Will and Elizabeth sat on either end of the table.  With Madeline and JJ on one side and Jack across from her.  Dinner was a tense affair.  Hardly anyone spoke.  Jack watched JJ and JJ watched Jack.  Madeline watched the both of them.

               "How old are you boy?" Jack asked.  Before Madeline could react, JJ spoke up.

               "I'll be six in two months."

               "Six eh?  For someone so young you have an awfully smart mouth."  Madeline shot a look to Elizabeth.    Panic set in. 

               A servant approached Madeline and handed her a folded piece of paper.  She read it and when she looked up, all eyes were upon her.

               "Everything all right Madeline?" Will asked.

               "Um, yes.  Just some news I've been waiting for."  Jack eyed her suspiciously. 

               "What kind of news Maddy?"  He asked.  His brown eyes baring into what seemed her very soul.

               "Nothing of importance."  She said.  Her voice shaking.

               Servants approached with dinner.  A chocolate cake with strawberries.  Jack smirked when his plate was placed in front of him.

               "Remember when we had fun with strawberries and chocolate Maddy?"

               "This is not the place to be discussing that Jack.  There is a child present."

               "A child with a mouth to smart and with sword skills that a boy shouldn't have until he's ten and three.  So he is very much not a child."

               Madeline fumed.  Will and Elizabeth smiled slyly at one another.  And JJ watched the exchange between his mum and Captain Jack.

               "Jack, shut your mouth."

               "Tell me boy, what was your father's name? Your mum tells me that he is dead these past four years."  JJ was about to speak when Madeline suddenly stood up.  Knocking her chair over by the force of her skirts and hurried out of the room.  Elizabeth stood up but Jack stopped her.

               "Let me Elizabeth."  Jack headed towards the door.

               "Jack?"

               "What is it Elizabeth?"

               "Don't push her."

               "She pushed me away years ago."