Capt. Sterling

Ah mais je fais. J'y pense le monde!

I am loved!!! Thank ye Chere! :)

Sterling saw competition moving closer than pausing briefly before moving alongside Devareaux. For a second he felt angry by Christophe's passing of judgement on something he had no true control over. Yes he had made mistakes in his past, but then, who had not? Surely Christophe would not go to his wedding bed as chaste as the bride he would chose. He had tried to make things proper between Lilly and himself and she had refused him, repeatedly. Where Aurore was concerned, he had all ready made things right between them. He shook off the Frenchman's disapproving look and took his bride's hand and looked once more to the Reverend. "Does not the Good Book declare that the truth shall be established by two or more witnesses?" The preacher slowly nodded his head. Sterling waved his arm. "Well then ye have yer "or more"... now will ye proceed or take the word of a bitter woman?"

home sweet home

Baker Street

"Besides, Mr. March if ye please the license," Sterling requested turning to his first officer. Said paper was already in hand to pass forward. Sterling took the paper, unfolded it and handed it to the Reverend. "As ye can see," he lowered his voice. "I was expecting some such inconsideration this day...although, I must confess, I was expecting it from Mistress McKinney and not St. Claire. So Mistress Devareaux and I were legally married last night at a small party we held for her, her brother and a few of her most intimate friends. Today is for the rest of them and those that love her. Is it not ..." he glanced at Aurore and just noticed the faint track of tear that graced her face just above her cheek. His expression changed, crestfallen. "Oh Chere, I am truly sorry, I never wished this to happen. If we had been in England, she would not have gotten even this far with her charade."

subway

Sorry happy faces weren't working....are now

The Reverend stood, contemplating the sudden turn of events. "I think it best that we postpone this wedding until the lady brings forth the evidence of which she speaks." "Ah yer holiness, tis a naught but the ravings of a lunatic!" March said, waving his hand at the officers of the Archangel. They can vouch fer the Captain just as well as Mistress McKinney, and she should know. She's been the only woman in his life save the Empress and his daughter until now." The Reverend thought a moment longer. "Still, I think it best...." Sterling reached into the pocket of his waistcoat and pulled out something he quickly placed upon the Reverend's bible. Despite its golden glitter, it was not coin and its two blue silk ribbon ends fell to one side as preacher looked down upon it. For a moment, his eyes widened. Then he looked questioningly at Sterling. "I would think with one of those most people would know not only whom I sleep with but most likely when.... You see with such noterity, my life is not a very, shall we say, private one. I could send for any such records regarding my previous wedding, my wife's death, and the births and deaths of all my children, but must we really delay that long when there are dozens of witnesses to my innocence in Lady St. Claire's absurd accusation, already present?" He looked then down at Aurore. "And what if I do fall quickly in love, I did so with my first wife and married we were, happily, until the day she's died. Is it so wrong to marry another lady, whom I love just as much?"

cease to exist

Champagne?!? Hmmmm husband to be runs off with mistress and she's celebrating....??

Just a word to let folks know... Cheeky and I are off for the annual Halloween bash up in Salem, MA. this weekend... I am gone starting Thursday and I believe she will be flying in on Friday... hopefully the fiasco at the church will be concluded by then, if not feel free to dance around it...

‘She is lying!” Sterling said directing his attention on the Reverend. “Any proof that she could possibly have is false… She is bitter because I was once contracted to marry her, but that was my father’s wish not mine. I refused to go through with the agreement and now she is trying to obtain some sort of cruel revenge. I have already lost mine inheritance because of it and compounded the loss because I did indeed marry another woman other than St. Clair, a woman that I truly did love….Tess cannot abide the fact that I could love someone that was not her... and the woman that is sitting next to her could support my claim. She not only knows me but she was well acquainted with my late, and only, wife, prior to mine taking Mistress Devareaux.”

"Easy John, let go yer sword," March whispered. “That will not help matters none." Sterling relaxed a moment, now more concerned about Aurore than Tess St. Claire. “I am so sorry Aurore that this had to happen on this day but tis a false allegation, Chere,” he said loud enough for both her and the preacher to hear. March moved closer. “Aye tis a lie indeed. This man has not been out of my sight much for the last 12 years, I think I would be knowing. If anything, he were a widower not much longer than three years ago. He is well known in English circles, there would be no way of him keeping a wife and not for none of us knowing it.. There are others of the crew that will swear to this as well.”

Christ's Church isn't on the map...

The Reverend was just about to continue with the ceremony when he noticed the blond woman at the back of the church. "Oh my!" he mumbled and closed his book. "Ah... um... yes?" Sterling quickly glanced over shoulder in the direction the Reverend had turned his attention to. "I knew it!" he said under his breath, turning to Andrew March. "I should have killed her the other day when I had the chance."

The question of the decade!

"Non, mais non, " Sterling said stepping forward, allowing Sabastian to place Aurore's tiny hand in his. Devareaux leaned forward then and kissed sister gently upon forehead, then fell in line next to Andrew March. "You look lovely," Sterling whispered as couple turned to face preacher. "Ignore the two in the back, " he added giving her hand a squeeze. It was then Reverend, waiting for all to settle into quiet once more, continued. "At this point I request that if there be anyone in attendance that knows of any reason as to why this man and this woman should not be joined together in Holy Matrimony, let them speak now or forever hold thy peace...."

Sterling watched her as she slowly made her way toward him, holding tightly onto brother's arm. Unlike last night, amongst the fewer numbers of the dinner party, Aurore now seemed slightly skitish. He thought he could guess as to why. He had seen Tess St. Claire enter the church and with a nod from Andrew March, Hazzards had moved from front pew along the wall toward the back of the scantuary. But it was the appearance of Lilly McKinney following in Tess's wake that concerned Sterling most. And although the smile on his lips was indeed for his lovely bride, his focus was riveted on the other women. What the bloody hell were they doing in each other's company? "Have you changed your mind, mon ami?" came whispered comment along with soft chuckle. Sterling blinked as attention was seized by Sabastian Devareaux's remark. He looked acrossed, already Devareaux had publically given consent to sister's marriage. Now he, Reverend and Aurore waited for Sterling to take her hand....

^ my memories <currently exhausted v how many pirate events did you attend in the last year?

Ah but I'll warrant well worth the ...ahem... side effects!

He had been day dreaming… thoughts of their wedding night coursing through his mind until abruptly interrupted by a nudge from Mr. March. He looked about, actually needing a moment to recollect where he was and way. March indicated Reverend waiting in open doorway, crooked finger announcing it was time to go. Sterling and March made their way through sanctuary and to the alter. The officers of the Archangel standing as their captain passed, the crew, following the example of their superiors, did likewise. Sterling admired them for a moment, dressed in their Sunday best, accoutered with silver, which had all started out as a play on the Captain’s name. A simple jest battered about one night in a pub, between besotted captain and officers. And yet, now, seeing how well they were turned out… Sterling smiled, he was proud of his men no matter what they wore. He waved them back down to sitting and pointed then to the Reverend as the man now in authority. As he took his place, Andrew March at his side, Sabastian soon to be joining them. His eye wandered over the members of Le Cour, who had encamped in crowed pews. Some faces he recognized, most were still a mystery, but he was glad they had come for Aurore’s sake. He winked at young Meagan and the child blushed. He would inquire if Aurore would like to bring Meagan along. Perhaps with his new wife’s permission Meagan would be adopted and provided for along with his other children. He spied Captain Striker and his lady Jane next and gave a respectful nod to the man, who sat drawn and pale. Striker gave a nod in return and a knowing smile of good wishes. “Well,” he heard March mutter under his breath. “Looks to be clear sailing for the ceremony at least.” Sterling cast a curious glance at his friend. “No sign of that McKinney woman,” Andrew explained. “Methinks it is fer the best.” Before Sterling’s thoughts could dwell on March’s remark his attention was drawn toward the back of the church where Sabastian Devareaux had appeared.. Holding up his hand, fingers spread, signifying a need of five more minutes, the sibling gave teasing shrug of his shoulders and mouthed the word… “Femmes!” and grinned.

Wishing for a pipe, Sterling surrendered to the fact that one would not be forth coming. “That’s it, wish to stink fer yer bride do ye?” March chided him. With no other option he paced, first officer rolling his eyes, and Reverend with bemused grin, soon beginning to actually grow concerned for the condition of his floor. “Hell, Johnny, tis not like ye haven’t done this afore,” March chuckled, lighting his own pipe.

Fish tank filter...BUT this time it is a new one...