Jamaica in the heat of full-blown summer, even in the evening, is cruelly hot. Most inhabitants would take the lazy nights slowly, sitting in their homes reading or crafting, or lazing outside to watch the brilliant stars in the satin sky. However, the Governor himself deemed it appropriate in this sultry time of the year to hold a masquerade, complete with heavy costumes and stuffy drapery, to honor his daughter's engagement.

Obviously, this was a mistake.

For example, in the closeness of even grand hall when packed with people, feathers drooped, flowers wilted, and the air…well, the air stank. Not even the most expensive perfumes could mask the definite odor of milling humans. Drowsy and half-drunken aristo's and all the society of the island shuffled about in costumes wet with sweat, to the muted sound of a string quartet shoved away in some corner.

As for Will, it was an entirely nerve-wracking situation.

Under the scrutiny of the Governor and two of the finest tailors in the Caribbean, it was decided that going as a pirate would be rather too delicate a matter for Will to tackle in his first encounter with high society. Too many stories were already rampant among the loud- mouthed gossipers of the drawing rooms; it was best to tread carefully as far as the subject of Will's connections with piracy went. In any event, Will would rather not wear a costume at all if given his own choice, so it was obvious that they would have to choose for him.

It was settled that he would appear as an old-fashioned squire of centuries ago, a suggestion he could at least mildly agree with, as it would give him the opportunity to at least keep his swords on his person. Therefore, on that dreamy, suffocating night in the ballroom, Will stepped forth dressed in leather leggings and tunic, two blades slung across his back and one at his wide belt. He made his bows with his pointed hat at his heart, the long plume nodding over his shoulder. This pleased the old dowagers, as they clucked to eachother in their black weeds about how gallantry like that these days was hard to come by.

He hadn't seen Elizabeth in two days. She was somewhere in the crowd, he knew; but he couldn't get to her when he had to bow and scrape his way through all the layers of chatty, haughty nobles. He found he couldn't help it at his eyes went wide with frustration at being way-laid by yet another royally outfitted widow remarking "Oh, how lovely you young men look tonight!"

But the absence of Elizabeth at his side was a sore in his heart that grew more and more demanding as the long evening marched on. He danced with a few old ladies, trying to remember the steps he had been taught long ago, but his patience was waning. Where was she?

At least the Governor seemed to approve of his sociability.

At last, a tap on his arm! He turned, his face lighting up as he saw her there, dressed splendidly as her family's namesake, in a flowing white gown, feathers and pearls woven into her hair, seeming to melt into it to make one long mane of shimmering pale beauty. No wonder she had not found him earlier—she must have been stopped by all the old men on the other side!

She was bent nearly in half, and fanning herself tiredly but desperately, one hand remaining on Will's arm for support.

"Can't…breathe…Will, I can't breathe in here!"

"I'll help you outside. The air should be better out there."

Tenderly, he escorted her to the terrace, where a few other couples stood watching the moon. An arm around her shoulder, he let her lean against him while she sucked in the cool night air in constrained pants.

"Why…do…I…bother…with…this…corset?"

"You look lovely, no matter what you wear."

Her eyes glittered mischievously up into his.

"Even a pirate's plundered gown?"

He leaned towards her face more.

"Especially in that."

"Will, I'm dizzy!"

Looping his arm around her stiffened waist, he led her down the terrace to the farthest corner, where they would be alone and unseen.

"Here, let me help you out of this…"

He started unbuttoning the back of her dress.

"Will! Wha…"

"It's only to help you breathe better. The ball is almost over, anyway. No one will see you except me and your maid when you get back to your room…"

She turned to face him.

"And it's not as if I've never seen you in your chemise…"

"Oh, fine, get me out of the damn thing!"

The white dress dropped to the flagstone floor, and he began loosening the corset stays. Elizabeth moaned a little as the constriction left her ribcage…

"Bravo, Will. You know, I really didn't know you had it in you."

Will and Elizabeth both jolted around.

"Jack! What are you doing here?"

Chapter 2 by Lady Jamers

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