Evangeline McKenna has won Jack Sparrow's heart. Now, as she joins him again on his beloved Pearl, outside forces threaten to tear them-and everyone else-apart. The crew teams up with new and old forces to defeat a wealthy man in London who wants no...
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Folkstone, England April the 30th, 1745
Sarah squirmed in front of the mirror, uncomfortable in her seat. Evangeline pinned small white flowers around her crown, attempting to be as precise as possible. Red curls fell about the bride's shoulders and framed her face, and Geline momentarily wished her hair was the same color. Soft, bountiful, and shimmering, Sarah's hair was the envy of every woman in town. The day was bright and crisp. Not a cloud in the sky, with a still and quiet sea. Sarah had described such a day for her wedding to take place.
"I'm nervous," Sarah giggled, bringing her delicate hands to her cheeks.
"You shouldn't be nervous. You look beautiful."
Evangeline stepped away from Sarah to allow her the room to admire herself. The woman stood and took in the sight of her wedding gown and flower embellished hair. A smile spread across her alabaster face.
"Oh," she sighed, tears pooling in her eyes. "Evangeline, it's perfect."
Sarah's dress had been made to match the adornments on Nathaniel's coat. Made with white-gold material, it was a box cut at the chest and flared out at the hips. The sleeves were quartered, with ruching and flowers at the elbows, and lace hung from the opening at the sleeves. Her skirt was full, and the entire ensemble was covered in gold-embroidered floral patterns, which sparkled in the light.
Geline smiled, and took her friend's hand in her own. "Nathaniel will hardly have the right words."
The women embraced as a knock came at the door, and an older woman poked her head into the room.
"Sarah, dear, we must leave for the church. Oh, stand here and let me have a look at you." Sarah's mother held her arms out to her daughter and beamed with pride. "I have dreamt of this day since you were a little girl."
Evangeline took these words as her cue to exit. She did not wish to interrupt such a private moment, and so she slipped past the women and left. Entering her own bedroom, she saw her valise up against the wall where she had left it. The baggage contained what little she wished to take with her onboard the Pearl. Everything had burned the night her father died, and she had hardly had a chance to acquire much in the time since. After the ceremony, she planned to make her way back to Nathaniel's, wait until nightfall, and meet Jack at the cliffs.
The thought of seeing him after two weeks made her weak. Waiting had eaten away at her. Knowing the man she loved was out at sea, hiding and biding time until they could see each other again, had plagued her every thought. The two weeks dragged on, every hour seemed double its length. Every time she looked towards the ocean, she saw Jack's face. There had been much to take care of during the weeks; saying goodbye to her co-workers, saving every shilling she possibly could, and most difficult of all, telling Benjamin that their courtship was over. The news had stunned him. Evangeline did her absolute best to let him down easily, but the pain in his eyes had hurt her. Explaining the situation, and watching him attempt to make sense of it all, had made her feel such guilt.
