"His Heart's Desire"
Title: His Heart’s Desire
Author:
Beta:
Disclaimer: I own nothing and nobody except for Miss Tamara Anderson. Also, the line “my utmost care and devotion” came from someone else’s POTC fic, but I can’t for the life of me remember whose. If it’s yours please tell me and I will credit.
Word Count: 3,135
Warning: None
Summary: This is a series of one-shots. Some chapters will be several one-shots of the same scene, like this one, where I can’t decide how I want it to go so I just write everything. They should be pretty well in chronological order, and all are Norribeth because James deserves his heart’s desire (even if she doesn’t deserve him!).
I. In which James does not get to propose
Elizabeth Swann gripped her fan tightly in her hand and sagged inelegantly against the colonnade as her vision darkened and the falling sensation made her head swim once again. She’d told her maid Estrella not to make her corset strings so tight, but of course the maid would not hear of her mistress being less than correctly attired.
“Even if ‘correct attire’ means ‘loss of oxygen’, I suppose,” Elizabeth muttered bitterly to herself. Her vision cleared once more, Elizabeth straitened her spine and, taking as deep a breath as she could manage in the elegant instrument of torture, strolled over to take her place among Port Royal’s elite. Captain - no, Commodore Norrington, as he was now, was being promoted today. A slight smile graced her lips as she thought of the handsome Naval officer. His beautiful piercing green eyes, his deeply resonating voice, and his wry sense of humor had long ago captured her heart, though of course she could not tell him so; it would not be “proper”, after all.
“Propriety be hanged!” Elizabeth thought to herself. She knew James would propose as soon as he had the income her father would deem necessary in a man to whom he would give his only child; had known, in fact, since her debut…
She still remembered how he’d appeared at her side, his green eyes darkening almost to black. She hadn’t completely understood the emotion smouldering in that gaze, but it sent delicious shivers down her spine. They danced and flirted; she was surprised to see this side of him. He had always been gentle with her when she was a precocious child, answering her questions with indulgent smiles and patient words. That was, until the last few months when her father had made her settle down into more ladylike pursuits, bought her more grown-up dresses, and started talking about smart matches with fine men. James had suddenly turned reticent, barely speaking more than the absolute necessities of civility when they chanced upon one another at a ball or a soiree. She had had an inkling as to whom her father was thinking about, but with the flightiness of youth had dismissed any suspicion when James changed so drastically. Until that dance. He’d held her tightly in his arms, almost beyond what was proper, yet still managing to appear perfectly casual to anyone who might have been watching. The pressure of his hands, the feel of his lean muscled chest pressed against her own curves had sent waves of unknown emotion spiraling through her and from the way his lips trembled and his breath grew ragged, he had to be feeling the same. That was the beginning of Captain Norrington’s courtship - “onslaught,” as she privately thought of it with a satisfied smirk - of the governor’s daughter.
That had been two years ago. Now as the Royal Marine Guard marched through the stone arch, drums pounding, Elizabeth stood up a little straighter and craned her neck to catch her first glimpse of James in his new uniform. As he strode past her, hands clasped tightly behind his back, she caught his eye for the briefest of moments and managed to catch the subtle wink he sent her way. He took his place on the dais and her father presented the new Commodore with the sword he had had commissioned in honour of this day. James swung it expertly, slicing through the air and generally handling it as an extension of his own arm. Elizabeth watched admiringly until his part of the ceremony was completed and her father launched into the long speech she had been subjected to not less than three times already that week. Her ribs were aching from the boning in that blasted corset and her vision once again darkened as she struggled not to sway back and forth.
At long last, her father was finished speaking and the company were dismissed to the courtyard where the musicians were tuning their instruments and servants had laid out a lavish banquet.
Elizabeth stole away to a doorway leading to the battlements, hoping no one would notice her absence. As her head began to swim again, she swayed a bit on her feet, putting a hand to the wall for support.
“May I have a moment?”
Those silky, dulcet tones could only belong to one man, and as she turned to James with a smile on her face, she briefly reflected that she should have known he would notice her absence no matter how short.
“Of course, Commodore,” she lightly teased. With a wry smile of his own, James offered her his arm and led her to the battlements. Elizabeth felt herself coming to a bit more with the cool breezes blowing in from the waters of the Caribbean. She relaxed against a wall as James released her hand and walked two steps away from her, turning aside for a moment.
As he turned back to her, she noted his eyes had darkened from their normal jade to a deep emerald. He took one shaky breath and smiled nervously.
“You look lovely, Elizabeth.”
He seemed at a loss for a moment and understanding pervaded her mind as she realized she was about to faint. She searched her mind wildly for a moment for a way to tell James she needed help without abruptly cutting him off.
“Thank you, James.” She smiled as best she could while struggling to catch a breath.
James furrowed his brow in concern at the tone of her voice. Surely this breathy tone could not belong to his Elizabeth?
“Are you well?”
“Yes, I am well enough when I can catch my breath,” Elizabeth replied, somewhat dispiritedly James thought. Surely his proposal could not be unwelcome? They had talked often enough about their future together.
Seeing his uncertainty, Elizabeth sought to reassure him.
“My father, bless his soul, gave me a new dress, but unfortunately it requires a tighter stay than what I’m used to. He swears it’s the newest fashion in London, though I assured him that women in London must have learnt not to breathe.”
James smiled at her joke, grateful both that it was not his advances that caused her discomfort and for the familiarity that had grown between them during her childhood and his recent pursuit which allowed such an open conversation between them.
“Well then, shall I have a maid brought to you? You may go in my office and loosen it somewhat if you like. There is a sturdy lock on the door, of course.” And James had every intention of standing guard himself, though Elizabeth did not need to know about that.
Elizabeth thanked him prettily and he felt emboldened.
“May I encroach on another moment of your time when you are more comfortable?” James looked very much like a hopeful, endearing little boy in that moment.
She met his inquiring gaze, an unspoken promise shining unmistakably in her eyes.
“Of course, James. I shall always have time for you.”
II. In which Governor Swann plots and plans
“May I have a moment?”
That beautiful voice could only belong to one man, Elizabeth thought vacantly to herself. Her stays were digging into her sides most painfully and her lungs could not gain more than half their required air.
“Yes, of course.”
As the new Commodore led her to the battlements, Elizabeth could have sworn the Caribbean had suddenly found itself in possession of a rushing mighty waterfall. She was equally positive it was situated just behind her.
“Ah, you look lovely…Elizabeth.” Glancing quickly at the handsome profile of the man next to her, Elizabeth noted that his composure was not what it usually was. He seemed almost…nervous. Elizabeth didn’t have time to think this thought through as he was continuing in his address, having taken a few steps away from her.
“I apologize if I seem forward, but…I must speak my mind. This…promotion throws into sharp relief that which I have not yet achieved….a marriage to a fine woman.” Here he turned back to her, his gaze much sharper than she had ever seen it directed at herself.
“You have become a fine woman….Elizabeth.”
“I can’t breathe!”
His eyes widened in the realization that her pale countenance and unsteady breathing was not in response to anything he might have been about to say, but because she was about to faint.
His long legs covered the distance between them in two quick strides, and as he caught her up in his arms, he caught the eye of a passing servant and directed him to find Miss Swann’s father.
A few moments later, Governor Swann swept up the steps to the battlements, his gaze connecting with Norrington’s.
“I can not carry her, and I don’t trust the servants not to drop her. Commodore Norrington, would you mind very much carrying my daughter to…ah…”
“My office would seem the best place at present Governor.”
Swann’s eyes twinkled as he agreed, knowing just how much this young man would not mind such a task. Norrington situated his precious burden in his arms and when the Governor was conveniently looking elsewhere, he dared nuzzle her temple and even pressed a quick discreet kiss to her brow. Swann remembered fondly holding his own Miranda thus many years ago.
“Apparently fainting runs in the family,” he mused to himself.
As the two men reached Norrington’s office, the Governor instructed another servant to find a maid for his daughter and went in to chaperone the not-quite-engaged couple.
Norrington laid Elizabeth on the settee and held her hand, having deemed it too far outside the realm of propriety to continue holding her; even with her father’s unspoken blessing, if not outright consent, a servant was to appear at any moment.
As a maid came through the door the two gentlemen left the room to stand guard outside. Neither made any attempts at conversation, but both were very aware of the situation and were having very different thoughts. Norrington was still anxious as Elizabeth had seemed to not really hear what he was trying to ask, and Swann was thinking how contented he would be when Elizabeth was settled with so fine a man who truly understood her independent spirit and would keep her reigned in without smothering her in their married life.
At last, the maid came out and not feeling it quite proper to inform the gentlemen of the exact nature of Miss Swann’s ailment, simply told them the lady had not yet awoken, but seemed to be breathing fine and would be much more comfortable when she did regain consciousness. With that, she left and Norrington led the Governor back inside.
Elizabeth felt herself coming to from what seemed a long distance down a dark hole. The first thing she became aware of was the fact that she could fill her lungs to capacity. The second was that she was being held in a pair of very masculine arms.
Forcing her eyes to open, she met the intense gaze of Commodore Norrington. She was at first confused, but soon remembered his anxious proposal…or rather, his anxious attempt at a proposal, she thought with a wry twist to her lips.
Norrington was relieved that she seemed to be all right; she was smiling at least. Governor Swann quickly made an excuse to leave the room, and very nearly rubbed his hands together in anticipation outside the door.
“Ah, Miss Swann, you are…alright?” Norrington couldn’t seem to get past the knot in his throat.
“Yes, I am, Commodore.” She could think of nothing witty or amusing to gloss over this humiliating debacle and was quite sure she would never return to Fort Charles without blushing over it.
“Miss Swann, I-“ He was cut off.
“Elizabeth.” She smiled.
“I beg your pardon?”
“You called me Elizabeth earlier.”
“I…yes, I did. Very well, then, Elizabeth.” He smiled shyly back at her.
As he felt for the right words, Elizabeth thought to herself that though he would put her in a cage, as she had often thought of marriage as being, he would not clip her wings. He would let her be herself and she knew he would accept her because James Norrington had known Elizabeth Swann since before he was The Captain and she The Governor’s Pretty Daughter. He understood her heart as she understood his. She knew most thought him a cold, intimidating kind of man; indeed, as the “Scourge of Piracy”, Elizabeth knew he was a fearsome and deadly foe, but she also knew he would show her nothing but tenderness.
“My dearest Elizabeth, you shall nothing but my utmost care and devotion, if you will consent to be…my wife?”
She felt her heart flood with affection and love for this kind, gentle man. When had she fallen in love with him? Her dear friend Will Turner had always made her heart turn over with his boyish good looks and crooked smile, but lately she was forced to admit her thoughts had been full of James Norrington more than any other man.
She could only smile as she took his hand in hers.
“And you shall have nothing but my whole heart, my darling James.”
His eyes shone more brightly than she had ever seen them as he drew her to him and gently placed a kiss upon her lips. As they drew apart, they looked at each other and both could not help a small laugh before they came together again, this time in a much more passionate embrace.
Governor Swann peeked into the room and quietly closed the door back. His thoughts once again dwelling on his own beloved Miranda, he smiled happily to himself. No need to disturb them for another five or ten minutes.
III. In which I actually own a character
“Elizabeth, are you alright?” Miss Tamara Anderson thought her friend looked decidedly peaked. Commodore James Norrington unknowingly agreed with this assessment from his place just behind the colonnade they were standing in front of.
“Not really. Father bought me a new dress, and though I love him dearly, I must say he is really quite useless regarding female attire. The corset this dress requires is tighter than anything I’ve ever worn before in my life!”
At this, James’s eyes grew wide and he realized he had been eavesdropping, a pastime not acceptable for a gentleman, but could do nothing about it as any movement on his part now would reveal his presence and undoubtedly embarrass his Elizabeth, given the current subject matter.
Tamara laughed outright at this tragedy. Everyone knew Miss Elizabeth Swann to be an utter hoyden when she could get away with it, though that was something Tamara (and a certain someone standing just around the collonnade, Tamara smirked to herself) happened to love about her friend. In so many ways, the two were like twins. Both outspoken, both hoydenish, both willing to say exactly what they mean. The only real difference between them was that as Tamara was only the daughter of an Admiral, as opposed to the Governor himself, she could get away with more. Since no one could advance their position in society through herself, the civilian population in Port Royal largely ignored her.
Elizabeth looked rather annoyed with her dearest friend.
“It’s all well and good for you to laugh! My rib cage is so constricted, I can’t get more than half a breath, my eyesight has been swimmy for the past hour, I see black spots when I stand still, and do you know I even swayed back and forth a time or two during the ceremony? Can you imagine how humiliating it would have been to suddenly drop right there in the courtyard as James walked by?”
Tamara simply smirked again and stepped back enough to catch the new Commodore’s guilty glance in her direction. She pretended to think, watching him just long enough to catch the gleam that appeared in his eye when Elizabeth called him by his Christian name.
“Elizabeth, why don’t I go and inform your father you’re not feeling well?”
“Oh thank you, Tamara. You are a dear.” Elizabeth walked a few steps into the sunshine, trying to catch the slight breeze blowing by at that moment.
“Think nothing of it.” Tamara turned aside to hide her smirk and walked around to the smitten Commodore.
“You know, Commodore,” she whispered, “I’m sure Elizabeth could not have failed to notice your attentions of late, and I’m equally sure that she would be most appreciative of any assistance you might render in her…hour of need?” Tamara quirked her left eyebrow suggestively before allowing her face to fall into an innocent expression. “I must go tell the Governor his daughter is unwell; I’m sure that will take about five minutes.” With that she sauntered off, pausing only to be sure the Commodore had actually moved.
“Miss Swann? I believe you are a bit pale. Is there anything I can do for you?” James was positive his heart was about to beat straight out of his chest, but knew this was his best opportunity to show his Elizabeth, as he thought of her, that he would indeed care for her needs should she consent to marry him.
“Thank you, Commodore. My friend has gone to inform my father, but I should be grateful for your company if you would? I am feeling a bit faint and not at all certain I shall be able to remain conscious until she returns.” This was said with a self-deprecating smile.
James returned her smile with a tender one of his own as Tamara returned seemingly without any prior knowledge of the Commodore’s presence.
“Miss Tamara, how are you this afternoon?” James asked courteously.
“I am well, Commodore, but you see my dear friend is not. In fact, we are in need of your assistance.” Tamara met his gaze with a sassy yet innocent look, knowing full well she should have inquired after his own health, but knowing equally well how quickly the small slight would be forgiven by the besotted man.
“Oh? How can I be of service?” James returned her look with an equally innocent one of his own.
“Miss Swann is feeling faint. I wonder if you might have a servant sent to her so that she may….go lie down.” Tamara might have known that James knew exactly what Elizabeth needed and seen the concern for Elizabeth in his eyes, but Elizabeth did not and Tamara would not embarrass her friend by revealing her knowledge when she was feeling so poorly…though naturally, once Elizabeth was tended to, Tamara would tease her mercilessly. She smirked mischievously to herself thinking about it.
“Of course.” James instructed a passing servant and offered Elizabeth his arm.
“If I may escort you? I believe my office is the most comfortable in the fort.”
“Thank you, Commodore.” Elizabeth had been silent up until this point, primarily because she could see something was going on that she did not know about and she wanted to see what would happen. A stab of some strange emotion forked down her insides….surely she could not be jealous? The Commodore had been paying particular attentions to herself since he was a Lieutenant and as he rose through the ranks, they had become more pronounced and as though he finally saw her as an equal instead of as a child…and Tamara had her eye on Lieutenant Gillette, so surely there could be nothing…romantic between them….could there?
She took James’ arm and waved goodbye to her friend with a touch of warning in her voice that she did not realize was there and which made Tamara laugh.
“Yes indeed. I think I shall be a bridesmaid before the year is out!” Tamara smiled to herself.
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