Port Royal, Jamaica

[Jack Roberts]

As I rowed back to shore, I glanced at my passenger. He rolled over with a cough. My left shoulder ached; the slash I had received earlier was throbbing. I peered back through the darkness at the ship. No one knew what hit them. My last trip there had proved useful.

“I need to hide for awhile. I’m sure that capt’n is going to be worse off than a mother wolf who’s lost her cubs,” I thought. I had a few wounds myself that needed tending to.

“Come now my friend.” I whispered in Killingsworth’s ear. ”I hope you can walk. We must make to the Shipp”. He groaned as we continued on our way

.

What a pair we made. I was stripped down my shirt and breeches, and this man was completely miserable. We reached the Shipp, and I slip in the back door as instructed. In the darkness of the hallway I search for a door with a flower.

[Aurore Devareaux]

Sabastian's manner radiated charm and sincerity with his inquery. It was an effort to draw Lilly's mind away from current state and substitute it with distractions placing her more at ease.

She could only smile at his words. She was no fool. Sabastian’s kind attempt of trying to make light of the situation did not go unnoticed. “Oh yes,” she said looking over at him as he smoked his pipe. “The theater. I have played at both the Royal and the Duke’s theater in London. My performances started small, of course, but soon I took the lead…I played such wonderful ladies as Desdemona and Lady Macbeth. The King himself told me that I was ‘quite entertaining’, but I am sure he met my other performances behind bedroom door.”

It was then Sabastain’s face acknowledged the small hint of innuendo she offered him. He clearly cleared his throat and shifted position in his chair. She lent forward and looked at him. “Come now, I have only stated what we both know is the truth. I know who I am and where I came from. There is no shame in that.” It was then she went quite as she heard voices from the courtyard. “We all wish to be happy in life, don’t we?” She then turned and looked at him directly. His dark eyes were full and attentive to her movement. “Love is fluid, like the great ocean my sweet Captain sails upon. You can either stay a float or drown in its’ mass bottomless depths. In this vast ocean of life we live in, I fear at this very moment I am drowning, sir…and there is no hope for myself or my son.”

He considered her words and intonation; offering smile or grave nod in response. Bowl content gave up last perfumed spirit of gossamer gray and was placed carefully aside as Sabastian vacated ornate seating. Moving towards cabinate of mohogany quality, decanters were surveyed and one selected. Twin concaves were filled with sherry warmth and one bird of crystal plumage offered to the Mistress in kind overature.

Regaining former placement, Sabastian swirled refined spirit in delicate cage momentarily then focused on femme company. Ever measuring those that came into his presence, gitan digested what she had said and what was not. When he finally gave comment, verbose played to Lilly's hearing in smokey sooth of tone; his accent subtle mixture of fluid French spiced with Rom inclinations.

"Madame, what you say of life and love may contain some validity. One's station holds much sway over both...Or does it?"

An impish smile painted lupin features and sherry was sampled,"What I mean to say, Madame...Is that Fate is a fickle creature restless with invention and though the Three Sister's may spin, measure and cut our supposed destinies, I am not convinced that our placements in life cannot be influenced against supposed outcomes. If that were the case, you and I would not be having this conversation, in this place nor at this time. All things happen for a raison, chere...but, what is important is to know how to take opportunity not neccessarily obvious to the eye and lay it to advantage. Life is a series of challanges to be met and sometimes conquered with glory. The wisdom lay in when the best choice is to leave the field and pave a better course. On ocassion, oportunity comes with the later, not the former and has to be coaxed from hidding place."

Sabastian glanced to her glass and found it not in need of tending.

"Amour...That creature is far more fickle than Sisters Three. Elusive; beguiling and a player of the highest stakes. Likened to a spirited horse, you have to know the balance of when to reign in and when to allow it full freedom. If suppressed and caged; coveted to strongly...it will wither and turn vile. There is no mastery of Amour...Amour is the master and dictates the course. If that course is run afoul, the hopes for recovery are near non existant..."

Silkened words drifted to silence, punctuated with finalizing draught of sherry existance.

[Captain Striker]

The sun moved across the sky and time passed by while Striker was sitting at The Ship Inn trying to think abut what his next move should be . All that the day had brung with has been nothing but surprises . The search for Killingsworth had let him to two people as different as night and day , a man called Jack and a blond noble woman .

Striker had asked the tavern girl about the woman , her name was apparently Lady St. Claire and she had just accommondated herself at the inn .

What was she doing here and what was the connection between her and Killingsworth ?

Striker made up with himself what his next move would be in this game of cat and mouse . He would not be the cat , nor the mouse . He would be a terrier , enemy to both of them. He went over to the barkeep and rented a room for the night next to Lady St. Claire's . He was shown up the stairs by a young boy. "Where is the luggage , Sir " the boy asked . Striker looked at him and answered him "There is none ... now be a good lad and show me to my sleeping quaters " . The boy smiled to Striker and said "Follow me , Sir"

Striker was led by the boy up the stairs to the room . Just before entering Striker put a hand on the boys shoulder and said " That will do... now run off" Striker took a half a crown and gave it to the boy . "Thanks a million " Said the boy with eyes twinkling full of joy while runing down the stairs.

Striker went to Lady St. Claire's room and saw a scarlet bougainvillea attached to the doorknob with some string .

He untied the flower and attached it the door of his room. Striker leaves the door unlocked , goes back to the door of St. Claire and knocks on it.

"Back so soon ? Come in !"

[Reginald Killingsworth]

“Come now my friend.” I whispered in Killingsworth’s ear. ”I hope you can walk. We must make to the Shipp”. He groaned as we continued on our way.

Killingsworth made his foul mood known to his young rescuer. “I did not ask to be rescued!” He barked at the young man as he threw his right arm about his shoulder and assisted him in walking. “Nor, do I take kindly to being pulled from my warm bed with empty promises of freedom and …” He quickly stopped the young man and looked him up and down. “Who the bloody hell are you, anyway?” The young man smiled and held out his hand. “My name is Jack…’tis all you need to know for now.”

And with that, the young man took Killingsworth over his shoulder once more. Killingsworth winced at the pain his body was still feeling. Regrettably, he was hoping that the ship’s cutter would have attended to his wounds, but this scrap of a pup, by cover of night, snuck into his cabin and stole him away before that could ever happen. He was grateful for his unplanned escape, but he wasn’t going to tell HIM that.

As they managed their way down the back alleyway of the Ship Inn, he started to think about the matter at hand. Who in their right-mind would want him rescued? Killingsworth stumbled a bit before the back stairwell to the inn. The light from the kitchen was still burning bright and the music from the front floated out on to the street. “Why this way?” Murmured Killingsworth as he stopped to catch his breath. “I was told to do so, Sir.” “Told? By whom?” The young man whispered lightly. “Lady St. Claire, Sir. She wished you safe and I took the task of getting you back to her.” Killingsworth’s eyes opened wide with surprise. “Tess? Here in Port Royal? But why?” Killingsworth mind began to run at a quicken pace. What would bring his sweet and conniving cousin all the way from her safe haven of London? What was in it for her?

[Tess St. Claire]

As the door opened, Tess St. Claire looked at the young dashing man that stood before her. She remembered his face from the Tavern earlier and was very surprised to see him and not the young man named Jack before her door. “Yes..yes…may I help you?” She said, somewhat put off by her discovery.

The man only smiled at her and uttered a friendly hello. “I am sorry but you have made a horrid mistake. The whores are down stairs in the Tavern if you wish a night of fancy. I, sir, bid you good night!” And with that she slammed the door in the young man’s face.

[Tess St. Claire]

Tess St. Claire listened to the man’s foot fall walk away from her doorway. She took a deep breath and waited before she opened the door. The hallway was clear once more, but before she shut it, she realized that the flower she has posted outside her door was now gone. She quickly grabbed another and tied it to her door knob. “There…” She said to herself as she suddenly heard someone coming up the stairs. This time, the sound was heavy and there were two sets of foot fall. She quickly shut the door and took a seat at her writing desk.

[Reginald Killingsworth]

As Jack led Killingsworth to the chosen door, he could hear that Killingsworth’s breathing was becoming shallow. “You’ll be in good hands soon, Master Killingsworth.” Said the young man in a whisper. As Jack stood at the door he knocked only twice. It was then the door opened and Lady St. Claire stood looked relieved and happy. “Reggie!” She said in a joyful tone. Killingsworth smiled lightly. Perhaps he was happy to see his cousin at the moment. At this point he was exhausted and sick. “Come now,” Said Tess, “We need to get you in to bed. Help me Jack.” As they stripped him of his shoes and stockings, they placed him in Tess’ bed and covered him with blankets. “You have a fever, Reggie.” She whispered to him. Killingsworth nodded. “Some tea or coffee would do very nicely right now, Tess. If you would?” “Of course.” She said with a smile.

Tess looked over at John for a moment then at Killingsworth. As Killingsworth lay there, he could hear the whispering between the two of them. The sound of coins passing from purse to hand was made. Killingsworth smiled lightly to himself at the thought of his cousin coming to his rescuer. Not soon after did the door close and he could hear the rustle of her silk skirts come closer to the bed. “Come now sweet cousin,” Killingsworth murmured to her in a low whisper. “Was it 30 pieces of silver you paid for my head? Come now…why are you in Port Royal?” She kissed his forehead with tenderness. “You’re still not pining for Captain Sterling, are you? Last I heard…some bloody bastard shot him dead.”

[Tess St. Claire]

Tess looked down at Killingsworth with horror. “’Tis this true? I heard of a Captain being shot two days ago. Are you sure that it is Captain John Sterling?” Killingsworth nodded for a moment. “The man has some luck, though. He never seems to fall from grace and he always has someone helping him out. Damn it all to Hell!” Tess’ eyes narrowed at her cousin. “Yes, God’s hand always follows him.” The room went quiet again. Killingsworth looked back at Tess. “Oh please don’t tell me that you have come all this way to negotiate a wedding proposal with him…again!” “Please Reggie. I do not need a lecture from you…of all people!” She wiped her tear drenched face with the back of her hand. “I would have been married to him these last seven years if it weren’t for that whore he married from Covenant Garden. How he fell in love with her I will never know. He gave up everything…money, title, ME! Now look at him. The court shuns him as well as his father. If he had a brain in his head he would marry me. I can give him money, power, and he could show his face in court without shame!” The room again went silent. There were only stares between the two of them.

It was then Tess drew a cup of tea from the small pot she had sitting on her writing desk. “Cousin, I am glad that I came here to Port Royal as soon it did, for you would have been at the hands of the hangman’s noose.” Killingworth just looked up at her and sneered. “Lies…all of it lies.”

It was then she looked down at him with loving concern. “Do not lie to me cousin. I am not a fool like the rest of our family. Do you not think I remember that little episode while you were in the last semester of school? That too, ended poorly. If it weren’t for my father’s intervention on that matter, you would be dead by now. I am surprised that you have not been picked up by the local magistrate for you actions. What forced your hand this time, cousin? Did your ego get in the way of your male erecting again or mayhap it was your speech being mocked by one of the locals?”

[Reginald Killingsworth]

Killingsworth’s face grew red with furry. “Shut Up! You know nothing!” Killingsworth looked at his cousin with contempt. “You have no idea why I am here, cousin…let alone what I went through these last few days. This port is full of pyrates!” Killingsworth took a large sip of tea. He closed his eyes and winced again in pain. Tess watched him placed the emptied cup upon the table next to the bed. “He took a deep sigh and his head spun lightly. He was straining himself too much. The argument was causing him to have a headache.

[Tess St. Claire]

“Hush fool! Do you want the whole of Port Royal to know I have you hidden here in my room? Tess just shook her head. “You are in too deep cousin and I am sure that Darnly does not want you to make any more mistakes, cousin.” Killingsworth looked over at Tess in shock. “Yes, I know why you are here, Reggie. You were instructed to bring back the whore McKinney for Darnly, is that correct? She said smiling lightly and tucking his covers in as she did so.

“Do you wish to know what else Darnly has been up to in your absence in London for I will be happy to tell you?” She drew close to his side and whispered to him. “He has found Lilly’s bastard son, Hector, whom was hidden away in a north-country farm. All he needs now is his sweet little whore. But I have other plans for her. She will not make it back to Darnly nor London. I plan to take her out of the picture completely. Why, you may ask?” She said smiling again, then kissing her cousins cheeky. “So I can have my dear Captain all to myself! Darnly has offered me a great sum of money to take care of a few things here in Port Royal, cousin and one of them is you.” She then kissed him full upon the lips.

Killingsworth now looked on in horror as she told her tale. His mind now overwhelmed and he began to shake. His body now was drenched in sweat. “You will fail at your attempt, Tess. You cannot be serious about these matters? We …we can work together. I can manage the girl while…you.” “Shh…” Hushed Tess as she stroked his hair softly. “Do not fret yourself with such things, Reggie. Just close your eyes for a bit. The poison is working nicely. May the Angels take you to your rest, dear cousin?”

In a state of panic, Killingsworth tried to move from his bed, but the drug she had slipped into his tea made is muscles lock and now he reeled with pain from it. His stomach was now on fire and his body was thrown into fits. All the while Tess watched him die.

After a few moments, it was over with. The lifeless body of Reginald Killingsworth lied dead in the tiny little bed in the Shipp Inn. Tess kissed the forehead of her cousin and pulled the sheets over his head. “May God have mercy on your soul.” She whispered. She withdrew from the bed and soon she would send for Sam to help her in the disposal of the body.

Port Royal now had another more deadly member to its' population. Tess St. Claire.

[Captain Striker]

Striker was surprised by St. Claires reaction . He did not even have a chance to interupt her before the door was slammed in his face .

He decided to go to his room and wait the situation out to see if the man called Jack indeed would show up with Killingsworth. Hours passed and it became dark outside .

Striker was sitting near the desk and prepairing all of his guns . He had a view of the full moon from the

window.The night was busting with activity on the street . People talking and singing.

He hoped Killingworth would show up with all of his heart !

[Captain Striker]

There was a sound of two foot steps in the hallway , one more heavy then the other . It sounded as if one of them had a limp .

Striker went to the door and put his ears to the door so he could hear better.

There were two knocks ... they were coming fom the direction of Lady St. Claire's room.

Striker cocked two of his flintlocks and put the other five into the braces.

"Back to the shaddows" murmured Striker to himself and went out on the balcony. He crossed over the ledge and jumped in complete silence over to the balcony that belonged to St. Claire . Striker could see three persons in the room . Lady St. Claire and the man called Jack were standing and talking in the corner , on the bed lay a man with a lot of bruises on his face and body . He fitted the description of Killingsworth.

St. Claire gave a pouch to Jack , that soon after left the room.

Striker saw and heard it all , the argument and the fact that a man named Lord Darnly stood behind it all . That it all was related to a mistress Lilly McKinney , a Captain John Striker and that Darnly had kidnapped Mckinney's infant child .

And Striker saw the murder of Killingworth.

St.Claire went out of the room, this was the perfect timing for Striker to get into the room. He walked to the bed and drew the sheets back from the head of Killingsworth . He was dead for sure ... Now Louisa has been avenged , not by Striker's hands but by his cousin , his own blood , most foul.

Striker went back to his own room, Through the same way he came in, after pulling back the sheets over Killingsworth's face . Striker walked out of the Shipp Inn and into the night, a shaddow amongst shaddows

[Rats]

A rare beauty she was, there was no denying this fact. However taken with the combination of dramatic circumstance and knowlege of the profession for which this household maintained, Reiley found himself caught as messegner for the unusual drama which continued to unfold.

"M-lady Devareaux?" Spoke Reiley, "Captain Sterling requests for you to 'make your choice' maam.... And also to see that Mistress McKinney be escorted to his room...."

With that said, Reiley began to excuse himself. However an unexpected sense of loyalty and concern began to nag at him, until he found himself again addressing the lady.

"M-lady, I mean this in the very best possible way." Started Reiley, as he removed his hat and continued his imporvised speech. "There is a strange drama which has unfolded 'ere, for which I find me own self spectating. But most importantly, I believe the good captain, as well as Mistress McKinney are unfamiliar with the type of household of which they stay.... I am very grateful for the treatment and tollerance you and yours have extented to us..... And... though I've known the captain only a short while.... I believe he is a a very decent man... And the Mistress... Well maam... she's a very special lady as well.... Somehow, they've found it in their hears to befriend someone like me.... Maam."

Then realizing he hadn't much more to say and in hopes he hadn't overshot his concerns or his position, "I thank you again, M-lady." Added Reiley, as he prepared to leave.

[Aurore Devareaux]

Aurore smiled warmly in response. Reiley's sincerity and loyalty touched Aurore deeply and she wished that the struggle of his inner thinkings could be put at ease in quick resolve...And her own, as well. It did not go un-noted that there seemed a slight change of tone when he had made mention of the Actress's being. Not something that was blatant, but rather quite subtle and would easily have gone unnoticed if Aurore had not been so focused upon Reiley's presence.

"De rien, Doctuer. It is I that should be thanking you and apologizing in regard to what you have endured. We are not so different in what we wish and desire; in what we truly are and what we present to the world's prying eyes..."

Aurore glanced to the hat he had grasped in tight hold, the brim a slight contorted, "Please Monsieur, I appreciate your showing of respect...but I do not think your chapeau will endure much more of your attentions to it. As to my choice,...I believe my brother will attend the matter at hand suitingly. Perhaps you would be kind enough to keep me company in the Parlor with the comencements take place. I think it might do us both well to make attempt at relaxation."

The smile gained a tincture of sorrow that dissipated as quickly as it had appeared. Aurore glanced to the cottage briefly then back to her companion, " I shall join you mommentarily. Please be so kind as to inform Sabastian of my wishes. Merci, Doctuer Reiley."

[Rats]

Realizing his words were not out of place,

"Very well then M-lady... And ahm, I couldn't agree more." replied Reiley, with his trademarked grin followed a theatrical bow, "Until then."

[Capt. Sterling]

It would be all too easy, Sterling thought, to fall asleep and let the injury be blamed for any inability to act in a decision making capacity. Frankly he was so tired of being confined and yet, this time he had to admit, the injury was more than a tad uncomfortable. He almost relished Reiley's torturous walk earlier on. Just laying still, without Aurore to read to him, was a far worse fate than the ball that had been dug out from under his arm. He wanted to sigh his frustrations but the broken ribs would only cause him further unnecessary agony. Instead he decided to lay still, his nightshirt already soaked with perspiration, and clinging mercilessly to him. He winced slightly as he tried to find some way to look authoritative in, of all places, bed. The one place Lilly McKinney held supreme control!

As to every other aspect of their relationship.... would their timing always be so off??

Why could she not wait until he was feeling better? The very next morning? He had no idea of what to expect....

He took a gamble, exhaled heavily, began to cough, and groaned for his efforts.

"Are you all right, sir?" he heard Meagan whisper from the hall.

"Aye lass, this too shall pass," Sterling muttered. He looked at the girl as she hovered nervously in the doorway.

"Can I get you anything?" she asked.

"Mistress McKinney and ... who ever... yer Mistress ..." he closed his eyes and allowed himself to relax into the comfort of the bed. "Never mind... a drink perhaps, something strong...And... can ye write lass?"

[Aurore Devareaux]

She was growing a little more accustomed to the Captain's way and did not feel as much the urge to bolt as was common in the past. Taking two cautious steps into the bed chamber, young girl shifted footing then came to nervous rest; large green eyes watching the other with rabbit manner.

"Aye...Monsuier Lambert and Mistress Aurore have taught me to read an' write proper...."

The rosey cheeks of youth beamed with a sudden assured pride, " In English and French...."

She caught herself almost embarrassed to be so bold in her announcement and quickly looked to the flooring below.

[Capt. Sterling]

She was growing a little more accustomed to the Captain's way and did not feel as much the urge to bolt as was common in the past. Taking two cautious steps into the bed chamber, young girl shifted footing then came to nervous rest; large green eyes watching the other with rabbit manner.

"Aye...Monsuier Lambert and Mistress Aurore have taught me to read an' write proper...."

The rosey cheeks of youth beamed with a sudden assured pride, " In English and French...."

She caught herself almost embarrassed to be so bold in her announcement and quickly looked to the flooring below.

Sterling's eyes widened a bit. "English and French... well done lass, well done indeed. Ye should be proud," he said with a grin. "Good then. Would ye be so kind as to fetch ink, pen and paper... I need to add something to my will and I fear with my arm as it tis, I cannot control the paper as well as I would wish. "

[Aurore Devareaux]

Fair cherub of femme youth smiled unabashedly to Sterling's words; her cheeks gaining rose tincture. Turning quickly she rushed to obtain the objects requested with a nuance of skip to footfall.

[Capt. Sterling]

Sterling watched Meagan as she hurried down the hall. For a moment, he felt the sharpest twinge of pain prick his heart. He could only image his Sarah and wondered, after all the time of leaving her alone in England, if she would be so happy to come to her own father’s aide when needed or would she resent him even trying to be a part of her life…. Especially now that the Empress had come to the end of her wits concerning him. And now a son. The first thought to cross his mind was an unpleasant one. How long would this child survive until he died long before his time? Would he even have the chance to see this one grow…. If indeed he did? He knew Lilly would not be pleased with his decision and yet to him it did not make the least bit of sense that she would be upset. Did he not twice propose to her already?

He watched as the young girl hurried back to join him. Taking her place at the table, she laid out her tools and looked to Sterling for instructions.

“In English if ye please… and we shall ask Monsieur Devareaux to witness it when we are done.”

[Capt. Sterling]

"Tis well done, little mistress. Ye have a good hand, very pretty indeed," Sterling commented as he reread the page Meagan had penned for him. "Load the quill again and be so kind as to hold the page steady," he paused. "No, I need sign in front of Monsieur." He relaxed again, handing over the pen to the young girl. "Thank ye lass, tis a burden lifted, yer help has been." He tried to shift, his teeth clenched at the awkward attempt.

"What the bloody hell is taking...." he stopped himself and bit his lower lip as he looked at Meagan. "Forgive me," he said. "No way for me to speak in front of such a fine lady as yerself. Would ye ask Mistress Devareaux to come above for a moment? I fear I shall go out of my mind waiting any longer alone," he added, making himself to smile for the girl's benefit.

[Aurore Devareaux]

As Aurore retraced her way to cottage encompassment, she hesitated with hand hovering over entrance latch. A deep breath was taken in slowly, then the knob turned. With foyer's gain, her hearing captured the soft nature of sibling's verbose as it drifted from near room. Aurore's frame stiffened to the voice that replied, the dark expressive eyes narrowing in unconscience reaction. Inwardly a battle was raging; a struggle for ground betwixt learned mannerisms and the world from which she came.

The cadence of light step upon stair pathway drew her attention away from scrimage and onto the young whisp of girl gazing with trust upon where Aurore stood. Meagan gestured as if wishing to pass on some great secret and with nearness achieved, cherub passed on the message she was entrusted with.

With nimble placement of unshod feet, Mistress hurried by Parlor gape and on towards the end of Second floor passage. Light knock was delivered, then she stepped within the confines of familliar room and welcome sight.

[Capt. Sterling]

He could not help but smile when he saw her. So far his day had been one befuddlement after another.

"Come here Chere, please," Sterling said. "And close the door behind ye."

[Aurore Devareaux]

Aurore gave a hint of nod, watching his expression and trying to gage what was running through his mind. His features where drawn, a sign of the strain with all that had ocured rapid succession in such short duration of time.

The door was secured quietly and she returned to his bedside with concern swimming the liquid depths of her sight.

[Capt. Sterling]

"Are ye troubled by my request?" Sterling asked, the fingers of his right hand straying to her curls.