Jacquotte

Chapter 3

 She made it back home without being caught, but as she laid in her hammock she found that she couldn't fall asleep. For the remainder of the night, she tossed and turned, her skin too tight and her head too muddled.

At the market a few days later, she noticed that the Navy frigate was still in town. She inquired about it to a fruit vendor, and learned that he and his crew were staying for two months, to wait out some bad weather before heading back to London. She couldn't discern how she felt about Captain Bridges anymore. She was very confused. She still wanted to marry him, but she couldn't bring herself to approach him. She shuddered at the mere thought of speaking to him. She spent her time the next few weeks alternating between jesting with Matteo, who thankfully didn't bring up seeing her in the Hairy Dog, and doing chores for her mother.

At the end of the month, she realized something terrifying. She hadn't gotten her monthly bleeding. She knew that some women were very irregular in terms of bleeding, but she never had been. Hers always came on time. No. I can't be. It was only once!

She went to the apothecary, scared spitless. She was assured absolute confidence by the kindly-looking old man, as he examined her. After a few minutes, he drew away, sympathy clear on his face.

"Aye, lass, you're pregnant. I'd say about a month in."

She was in shock. She thanked the man, paid him, and left. She wandered around a bit, her thoughts buzzing in her mind. Maman will be so angry with me. I'm too young to be a mother! And the child will be illegitimate, if I don't marry Captain Bridges. Oh dear lord, what will I do? All of a sudden she could walk no longer, and she collapsed to her knees beside a tree and wept, miserable. She cried until her tears ran out, and she stood, knees a bit shaky from her outburst. She couldn't tell her mother,of course, but Matteo would understand.

She went to Matteo's hut, a ramshackle thing of driftwood and rusty nails. She had always loved it though, the inside was filled with trinkets and worldly treasures from Matteo's many adventures. She burst in without notice, but Matteo didn't mind. He was cleaning his pistol, swinging back and forth on his hammock. He looked up when she entered, giving her a smile in greeting. He took in her state of distress, however, and his smile turned to a look of concern.

"Hey now, Jackie, what's on yer mind?"

"Oh, Matteo, I haven't any idea of what to do! Something awful has happened. I'm pregnant."

He sat up, shocked, setting the pistol aside.

"Wot? Yer WOT?! Oh Jesus, I'm too old fer this. Who's the bastard? I'm gonna kill 'im."

"No! You can't kill him! I have to marry him now. And it was Captain Bridges."

"Argh, that git ye were lookin fer in the pub. Damn it, lass, yer like me own daughter. I doan like this Jackie, not one bit."

"I'm not exactly happy with this situation either, Matteo, but you have to promise not to tell Maman. Please."

He said nothing, an intensely pensive look upon his face. After a couple minutes he nodded, slowly.

"Alright, lass, but yer gonna to hafta tell 'er sometime. And t'would be easier to tell 'er before yer holdin the babe in yer arms."

"Yes, I know. I-I just don't know what to do. Please help me, Matteo."

"Do ye really wanna marry that git? If ye do, then gawn an tell 'im yer pregnant wif 'is kid. If he doan marry ye, then 'is reputation'll be destroyed. So will yers, though."