More interviews.
1. What do you think is more important: Love, power, or money?
When I saw this question, I recalled a conversation I had with my mother a number of years ago concerning marriage. She was suggesting young women with wealthy or powerful fathers that I might consider courting. And I remember telling my mother that such things were not of consequence to me, because I wanted to marry for love. So in that sense, I consider love of greater importance than money or power. With love comes a strong sense of contentment, completeness. Power and money may offer security, but not necessarily happiness.
2. How do you like your tea?
In my experience, the East Indians make the very best tea in the world. I take mine with very little milk and sugar. I prefer it stronger, since it helps me stay awake.
3. You get an offer to be able to go to one place; anywhere in the world; that you've never been. The only catch is that you will never be able to return to it once you come home. Where would you choose to go and why?
North America. I've not yet visited the colonies there, though my father did when he was still alive. He didn't seem to like it very much, but I am curious and would like to see what the settlements there are like for myself. The news I hear is that it is flourishing, and though I might like to visit it, I could not see myself living there. Richmond and Port Royal have both provided pleasant dwellings for me.
4. A man of your stature must find himself surrounded by potential brides. What would be your ideal match?
A woman who thinks for herself and has a healthy sense of humour. One who could withstand my absences and acknowledge that the sea is my mistress. *chuckles* A woman with the patience of a saint, who would bear my children.
5. Will you tell me a joke? *smile*
I fear that I am probably more amusing and capable of jokes after a drink or two, but I will tell you one that one of my old schoolmasters told his students frequently: Rene Descartes is sitting in a bar, having a drink. The bartender asks him if he would like another. "I think not," he says ... and disappears.
1. Port Royal is admittedly lovely (if a bit too warm to my liking), but do you ever miss England? If so, what about it do you miss? If not, why?
I do miss England. Not as much as I used to, but there are many things there that leave me yearning to return. Among them, my family and my ancestral home in Richmond, near London. I miss the cold, grey days and the green hills. Such things simply cannot be found anywhere else.
2. I’ve seen more than a few men with promising naval careers turn to piracy, yourself included, they go for different reasons - “Freedom”, desperation, some understandable notion of honor, etc. - and they very rarely ever cross back, even if the desire is there. Why did you come back?
To be sure, I did want my honour back, but there was more to it than that. Up to the point where I resigned my commission, I had been serving the King at sea, protecting civilians and British territory for fifteen years. Needless to say, I did not cope well with the lack of purpose in my life, the feeling of uselessness. Thus there was no question of not coming back, if I found a way to do so. Fate was smiling on me, the night that Elizabeth found me drowning in squalor and rum on Tortuga, as that became my way back (though I didn't know it at the time).
3. I must ask: After various encounters with Miss Swann…Mrs. Turner now, I suppose…I have failed to see the appeal in having her at one’s side forever though she’s likely a bloody good roll. What is it about her that would lead you to die for her?
There is far more to my relationship with Elizabeth than simply a failed marriage proposal and unrequited love. We arrived in Port Royal at the same time, and on the same ship. Both of us have grown together. Elizabeth has been one of my closest and dearest friends for over ten years now. Long before cursed pirates, Jack Sparrow and the Flying Dutchman, I was prepared to die for her. She's strong and capable, and that night, she needed to escape and attempt to put things right in an extremely unfortunate and complicated situation. And I helped her do that. I lost my life in the process, but I protected her from becoming a victim herself.
Let me say that I'm not an especially religious man, but I recall in the gospel of John, Jesus says this to his disciples: 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.' That might just sum up my thoughts on the subject adequately.
4. Well, now that the pair of us seem to be back among the living (or perhaps never truly among the dead, I find it hard to decide) can I expect you back in service?
That would depend upon your plan. You see, I'm no longer in the business of betraying my own principles. If I wished to work for the EITC, I would have joined their ranks quite some time ago. As it happens I am an officer in the His Majesty's Royal Navy, and I prefer answering to the Admiralty, if that's alright by you.
You may want to rethink the uniforms as well, because frankly, those yellow accents on my uniform were quite hideous.
5. Would you do it all again for a promise it would turn out differently?
Again, that depends upon what the outcome might be. If it meant that no innocent blood would be spilled, such as that of the late Weatherby Swann (may he rest in peace); and that Elizabeth and her betrothed were safe, then......possibly. However, I see no point in dwelling on the question of 'What if?' now.