"Your Grace, I must apologize for arriving in such a fashion. Completely unannounced, without an invitation. I must seem so terribly crude." Jack went on in his best "high society" voice.
"Hmm." sniffed the Duchess, a little unsure of the scruffy man in fine silks before her.
Jack didn't like the scrutinizing look hidden under the Duchess' artificial friendliness. He soon began to realize that coming inside was not the greatest idea he's ever had.
Just then a bevy of young ladies came twittering over to him. This is more like it, Jack smiled to himself.
"Who is our newly arrived guest, Your Grace?" asked a very disdainful young woman with blond hair and no doubt the fairest skin Jack had ever seen in the Caribbean.
"Ah, Miss Collins. This is Charles Fitzwilliam. Just arrived from Barbados." the Duchess introduced. "Mr. Fitzwilliam, Miss Collins."
"Madame," Jack said, tipping his hat.
The other ladies who were with Charlotte were introduced and then, giggling like a troupe of ninnies, they bombarded Jack with questions.
Meanwhile, Will and Elizabeth were trying to figure out how to remedy the situation.
"We cannot create a disturbance and signal Jack, as we were supposed to in the plan, because he's already inside and has been noticed." said Will.
"I know. Damn Jack and his impatience!" said Elizabeth, shaking her head.
"Well, the only thing to do is get Jack out of here." said Will finally.
Elizabeth nodded. Her and Will then made their way over to where Jack was surrounded by Charlotte and her fluff brained entourage.
"Ja...er, Mr.Fitzwilliam, may I have a word?" said Elizabeth, quickly correcting herself.
Chapter 12 by Lady Atropos