Capt. Sterling

Sterling nudged Childermass's glass with his own. "Drink up, sir, drink up, then we'll be on our way," Sterling said, he raised his empty glass toward the bar. "Another if ye please and bring the bottle." He looked back at Childermass. "Carry me indeed," he chuckled.

"And why should I not be?" Sterling said with a grin. He took another sip then placed the port upon the table then rubbed at his eyes before he took up the pipe, packed its bowl and lit its contents with the nearest candle. He puffed several times, the thick gray smoke circling about his head, clinging to the dampness of his wig and hat. "Would ye care for one as well?" he asked. He drew on the tabacco once more, than leaned back a bit, exhaling several smoke rings. "By God today has been difficult to say the least. What a whirl wind. And tis still not over... but," he said tapping the back of the chair on which sat, with the stem of his pipe. "Tonight shall make all this headache well worth it all." He traded pipe once more for port and downed the remainer of the glass. "One more," he said. "And then I shall follow ye back to the bookshop to collect my bride." He chuckled a moment, the heavy wine, quickly fogging his all too tired brain. "Actually that would be the other way round, would it not? I mean ye following me... oh best ye walk alongside I reckon. I am grateful fer yer watchful eye."

"And a pipe if ye please," Sterling added as the drink was placed before him. He took a sip as the man went off to fill the rest of his request. He closed his eyes as he swallowed, savouring the sweet taste as the liguid warmed his tongue and throat. By God, he was weary, but even if he had the time he knew he could not find the ability to sleep for a spell. He downed the glass as the pipe was brought round. "Another," he said. Then with a toss of his head, added, "and one for the old goat about to tip his chair backward." Again he waited and then, as the two glasses were set before him, he gave a nod of his head in thanks, took the drinks up and moved himself over to where Childermass sat. "Mayhaps not yer usual," he said, setting one glass down on the table next to Childermass. He picked up a chair, turned it about and straddled it as if riding a horse then lifted his glass. "To Aurore, God bless her!" He paused as Childermass eyed him as if he had lost his mind. "Come, come, ye know we English have a thing for toasts. And who better deserves one?" He leaned across and touched the lip of glass to the one purchased for the other man. A dull clink produced by such action brought a smile to Sterling's face. "Glad I am to find ye here. Bodyguard and chaperone, what?"

Does anyone even own a breadbox any more?

mountains

weepers

fraternity

Sterling trotted into the common room, a broad smile on his face. He quickly made his way to the bar. "Give me one of yer best port," he said, placing more than enough coin on the bartop. "I am getting married tomorrow to the most wonderful girl in Port Royal... " he suddenly shook his head. "Make that the world!"

equality

intercourse

Sterling paused at the head of the stairs. "I have come to an agreement with Mistress McKinney regarding my son. Remember Tess, one hair on his head goes astray.... " He took a deep breath and calmed himself as he started down the steps. "As to whom I shall marry, all yer titles and wealth could never raise you to the place she has come to fill in my heart. As to her name, I would be a fool to tell the likes of you until after I have consumated the marriage... and I intend to over and over again, as many times as she shall have me and if all London laughs? Let them... let the whole world laugh for all I care! For in spite of all their merriment at my expense, they shall never be as happy as this girl makes me!"

Hey he can be the jelly on the top of the fois grace` (sp)...

ugh...

Sterling rolled his eyes. "You still lie as well as ever." He moved closer to her. "Yer cousin is dead and most likely at yer own hands as he was seen coming into yer safe keeping very much alive! If I had proof of this I would kill ye right now, right here where ye stand. Ye can thank God Almighty that I don't, but some how I will find what I need to have you hanged properly for what you've done and until I do, I'll warn ye now... stay away from Mistress McKinney and my son! If ye don't, what happened to Reggie will pale in comparion to what I do to you!" He stepped back from her and gave a mock bow. "M'lady St. Claire. I am getting married on the morrow and it pleases me to say, yer kisses are still worth..." he turned to leave then added, "missing!" as he walked out the door.

"Business?" Sterling scoffed. "And what might the nature of that be?"

He waited as Tess studied his face, still ignoring his question. Sterling paced away from her then wheeled about... "Damnation woman, tis not a hard question! Answer me or I'll spit ye where ye stand!"

gravel

He fell quiet for a moment. Most people took little notice of his injury. True Cate had made a tremendous fuss over it, but he had grown so used to it that it no longer mattered to him. Still he laughed to himself.. it made complete sense to him that Tess would be appaled. "I lost the use of it whilst in Algiers. But never ye fret none, Tess. Before I was ransomed and made my way back to England, I made sure I gave back in return to the man who did it... I reckon I was long gone, with his scimitar in hand, before any one would notice him even missing... But now Lady, I've not come to discuss my disfigurement nor old times... so ye force me to repeat myself, why are you in Port Royal?"

Mebbe. Mebbe we'll jus' light 't on fire an' roll 't inta the Inn. Well he'll be cooked and ready to devour... hmmm Killingsworth Flambe` sounds repulsive...

“That retched man!” Tess said looking for the lamp upon her writing table. “He shattered all our dreams, didn’t he?” Sterling now staying back into the shadows said nothing in return. “Oh, where is my head.” Tess said jokingly. “I’ll have this room illuminated in just a few ticks. Then I we can have a proper conversation.” With that she struck a match and lit the lamp. The room filled with a warm soft glow as Tess adjusted the flame. As she turned around once more to the Captain, it was then she was started by what she saw. She quickly gasped, moving her hand to her mouth to stop her from crying out. “What in God’s name happened?!” She said as the words finally came to her lips. Sterling looked at her, momentarily confused by her remark. "What happened? Tess after all this time, surely ye realize twas not my father that broke our arrangement but myself. Surely ye do not think I could ever marry a woman such as you?"

Sterling moved away from her, now keeping his distance. "Hold ye accountable? Nay, tis only my father that I hold accountable but I've learned over the years never to heed his advice nor follow his example."

The man chuckled to himself. "Ye always were a screamer, Tess," he said as he rose to his feet. She did not know whether to run or cry out as the figure moved closer to her. He continued toward her. Finally she retreated several steps but froze as the man passed into the dim gray light poorly cast from one of the small windows. Her jaw dropped as he moved closer to her, until he was able to reach out and take her about the waist. "So Tess, what brings ye to Port Royal? Surely not the sun," the man said with a grin. "John?" Tess whispered. "Aye, surprised are ye not?" Sterling chuckled, then leaned in and kissed her.

"Hmmm,mayhaps it was me," she heard a voice proclaim. She moved quickly back to the hall way and saw the figure of a man sitting at the far end in the darkness.

Do tell! And pictures if you have them!

We gots sumthin' in store fer 'im. And what might that be, Necrophagia?