A Pirate's Love

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

               Madeline bathed in a fury.    Her anger continued to steam while Tessy worked on her hair. 

               "Ye have the most beautiful hair mum."  Tessy said.  Madeline raised her eyes to look in the mirror.  Brown curls with red highlights.  As Tessy piled her hair on top of her head, her gaze was drawn to the necklace that she wore.  She absently fingered it and remembered a happier time.

               She and Jack had returned from a voyage from Mexico to Tortuga.  They had been drinking at one of the local pubs.  The rum was flowing quite heavily that night.  She remembered Jack had pulled her into a darkened corner and placed the necklace around her neck. 

               "This is for ye love.  Because ye sparkle as bright as these here jewels."

               "Mum, I'm finished."  Tessy said, snapping Madeline back to the present.

               "Thank you Tessy."  She stood up.  Her skirts billowing around her.  She gasped as she saw herself in the mirror.  Jack had given her the dress, but she had never worn it.  This was the first time.  She hurried down the stairs in search of him.

               Jack heard the rustling  of skirts behind him.  He didn't have to turn around to know it was Maddy.

               "I had an interesting conversation with yer mum Madeline."  He said.  Not moving away from the portrait.

               "Oh God." Madeline said.  She moved to stand in front of Jack.  His breath caught in his throat.  She was stunning.  His heart was slamming in his chest.   But he wanted answers and he wanted them now.

               "Why didn't ye tell me I killed yer father?"  Madeline spun around to glance at the portrait before turning back to Jack.

               "What was the point? He was dead and I was glad.  He was never a father to me."

               "Ye should've told me."

               "Yes well.  I didn't."

               "Did ye know him well?" Jack asked.  His gaze sweeping over her body.  He was still extremely angry with her, but he couldn't help but want her.  She looked stunning in her dress.

               "No.  Thank God."  Madeline said.  Bitterness in her voice.

               "But yer mum."

               "What my mum told you is her own little fantasy world.  Barbossa captured her on one of his raids.  Brought her aboard his ship and raped her. " Madeline walked towards a cabinet and poured herself a glass of rum.  She poured one for Jack as well.  He took it willingly.  Watching her every move.  He didn't speak. 

               "He brought her to this island.  And somehow, someway, she fell in love with him.  Nine months later, my brother was born."

               "Ye have a brother?" Jack asked.

               "Not anymore.  He's dead."

               "Barbossa filled this house with treasures from his pillaging.  Thinking it made my mother happy.  To make up for his absence.   I saw my father a total of twelve times in my life.  When I was a young girl, he would teach my brother the art of swords.  I would watch with admiration.  I studied him.  Watched his every move.  Watched the things that he did.  I learned to be a pirate because of him."  Her eyes met Jack's.

               "What happened to yer brother Maddy love?"

               "When he was about fourteen I guess, my father came home and he asked Michael to go with him on an adventure.  Michael of course couldn't resist him.  It broke my mother's heart watching her son sail away."

               "But she had ye."

               "Don't kid yourself Jack.  My mother doesn't give a damn about me.  Only if I bring her the things that make her happy."

               "Things that make her happy? I don't understand."

               "Jack, have you noticed that my mother isn't always herself?"

               "Aye.  She seems to be in a different world."

               "That is also thanks to my father.  Laudanum.  She's addicted.  At first she didn't mind him leavin', but after a few years, she needed something to dull the pain.  She turned to laudanum.  Now she can't live without it."