Jack peered up at the house. There wasn’t any light in the top floor windows so he presumed there would be no one upstairs to impede his entrance. He climbed up the trelice that scaled the exterior of the ‘manor’ quickly and agilely. His skills he had picked up from climbing the rigging of the ships he sailed in aiding him. Finally he reached the shelf of the window, which Jack perceived had been left open. ‘And I thank you kindly for such an advantageous error’ said Jack out loud to no one in particular. He slipped through the open window landing softly on the soles of his feet. The pirate stealthily made his way through the Duchesses home taking note of his route so as to have some knowledge of the layout so he could make a hasty getaway if events went that way.

Jack found himself in a room adjacent to the one where the party was being held. He opened the door slightly and peered out in to the swarming mass of lavishly dressed bejewelled see of decadence; a sea of nobility with too much money than sense pandering to their own perception of self-importance. While he was observing this showy display of riches their came a sound- that could only be described as like a pig with respiratory problems -from the room that he currently occupied. He turned in surprise to see what it was that had made such a dreadful noise and it was none other than some decadently dressed fellow who had fallen asleep after having one to many drinks. Jack suddenly had a brainwave and let a smug smile cross his face as he realised how this situation could be used to his advantage.

***

It was fortunate that the foolish cove had fallen asleep and had been the same size and build as jack who finally stood up straight and brushed some ‘dust’ off of the feathered tri-corn hat before placing it on his head at a rather rakish angle.

“Sweet dreams, sir,” said Jack to the fellow who now wore only his garish silk underwear giving a mock curtsy before swiftly exiting the room.

***

Jack spotted Will and Elizabeth on the other side of the sumptuously decorated room with its expensive mahogany and gilded furniture. He took care note this fact so that if he returned he would know which pieces he would ‘procure’ for himself; thinking at that point in time that the rosewood table he was leaning nonchalantly against would fit perfectly in his cabin.

***

It was Will who first spotted Jack lounging over the far side of the room appearing to be comfortable with his ‘character’ of a noble. He nudged Elizabeth who seemed rather annoyed at being interrupted in the middle of a conversation with the duchess.

“Will?” she turned to the duchess, “I'm sorry will you excuse me for just a second?”

“Why certainly. I'm sure you two have others to speak with and I mustn’t monopolise you.”

Elizabeth slipped her arm in Will’s and led him over to the side of the room then she hissed under her breath, “What is it? What’s the matter?”

“It’s Jack, he’s here.”

“Of course he’s here outside waiting-,”

“He’s over there,” replied Will in an urgent whisper pointing discreetly in the direction of the pirate’s position.

Elizabeth looked towards where Will had indicated to see Jack looking back at her as smug as ever he even gave her a cheeky wink to acknowledge that he knew she had seen him.

“I thought he was supposed to wait out side?”

“Well he doesn’t obey orders even his own it seems-,” quipped Will as he spied Jack making his way towards their position.

***

“What are you doing here?”

“Do you need to ask? That tree was getting mighty uncomfortable so I decided to take a more ‘active’ role. Now, the Duchess, where ye be?” asked Jack as he swaggered toward the woman in question.

“I think we aught to keep an eye on him.”

“I agree,” replied Elizabeth as they followed the pirate on his coarse through the crowd towards the Duchess.


Chapter 10 by Teresa Coffman

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