Wish I had an Angel
Elizabeth held the leather book close to her chest as she and her best friend Anne walked through her father’s garden. It was a beautiful day and one not to be spent bent over needlework. They laughed as the young ladies walked down the stone path towards the grand house.
“Oh!” Anne cried. “I must tell you something. It’s quite scandalous.”
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. She did not think anything could be more scandalous than being kidnapped by pirates, but she was always in the mood for a good story. “Do tell. What is it?”
“Well,” Anne pushed back a strand of blonde hair. “I shouldn’t say this for it isn’t my place, but I overheard my mother and aunt speaking in the parlor the other day. It appears that Constance Hamilton is, well,” Anne paused.
“You must tell me now. What has happened?” Elizabeth disliked Constance who always believed she was superior.
“Well, this is between us of course, but,” her voice became soft. “She is ruined.”
“Why?”
Anne stopped walking and looked at her friend. “Constance finds herself in an awkward position.”
“What are you talking about?” Elizabeth hissed. “She is to be married to Philip Townsend. Why is that bad? Well, besides the fact he is dull as tombs.”
“It appears that she also found Mr. Townsend boring and she had an affair with a sailor. This unnamed sailor has left and has given her a gift.”
“How romantic,” Elizabeth smiled. “What kind of gift?”
“It is the type of gift that will appear in nine months.”
Elizabeth gasped. The idea that Constance would commit such an act was shocking because she always appeared to be a proper young lady. “She is with child?” Anne nodded and Elizabeth shook her head. “She is ruined. What is to become of her?”
Anne began walking. “I’m afraid I don’t know. However, I’m sure they will send her away. It is the only thing they can do now. She may be shipped off to England within the week. Of course she can never return, and she will be disinherited. If she were Catholic they would send her to a convent, but I overheard my mother say that they would find her a job as a governess.”
“A governess.” Elizabeth wrinkled her nose in disgust. Becoming a governess was a fate worse than death. She would never be part of a family, her income would be restricted and she would always be in charge of someone else’s children. Marriage would be impossible because most men did not court governesses. “Constance will despise that. I can’t help but feel a little sad for her. Her entire life has been destroyed.”
“I dare say so. It serves her right, though. She has always thought she was better than us. So, I feel no pity for her. She’s prideful. Besides, she made the foolish mistake.”
Despite their differences, Elizabeth did feel sorry for Constance. It seemed a cruel fate for a young lady who loved pretty dresses, grand parties and expensive jewelry to be thrown into a world that was cold, and unfamiliar. Elizabeth understood why Constance succumbed to the passion and longing. There were many days Elizabeth wished to give herself to Will even though they were not wed. Society told her it was wrong to have impure thoughts and to act upon them, but her heart told her it was right.
With a quick yank on her arm, Elizabeth was brought back to reality. “What is wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong.” Anne bowed her head as she blushed. “He’s so handsome.”
Elizabeth squinted. Her father was talking to a man in uniform. There could only be one assumption made as to who it was. “Commodore Norrington?”
Anne sighed. “Yes.” Her mood suddenly turned sour. “It’s sad he will be leaving.”
“He’s only going to chase Jack Sparrow. I’m sure he will be back within a few months. He is never gone for long.”
Anne shook her head. “Didn’t you hear? He has asked to be reassigned. Why it’s all the talk. How could you not know? Surely he must have told you? I thought he spoke to you about his adventures.”
“Reassigned?” Elizabeth stopped walking. “I don’t believe it.” Ever since childhood he had always taken her on a walk and explained his mission. When he returned he would share his adventures to her, secretly, for if her father knew he would be upset. His stories were one of the reasons she loved sailing. James could make a mundane incident sound exciting. The thought that he would leave without saying good-bye upset Elizabeth.
“He hasn’t received his orders yet. It’s so sad. James is so handsome, and a very eligible bachelor. I wish he wasn’t leaving.” Anne stopped talking and smiled when they approached the gentlemen.
“Miss Stewart. Miss Swann.” Commodore Norrington bowed stiffly. “I hope the day finds you well.”
“Yes, very.” Anne’s smile never faded.
Elizabeth was shocked. Commodore Norrington had slighted her. It was done in a very subtle way, but he had done it. Instead of addressing her first he had addressed Anne, and he was looking at Anne when he addressed his question. It was the first time his handsome green eyes turned towards another woman.
“If you will excuse us,” Elizabeth said firmly. “We are having tea.” Without realizing her strength she pulled Anne’s arm harder than intended, which caused the young woman to cry out. Glancing over her shoulder, Elizabeth watched Norrington speak to her father. He was not looking in her direction.
***
“Come see, come see,” Will said, as he grasped her hand and pulled her gently along. “This is where our home will be.” He kissed her quickly on the lips then went to the window. “The view is beautiful, come look.” His smile never faded as he pushed the shutters open allowing a burst of sunlight in.
Elizabeth shielded her eyes from the bright light as she stood in the middle of the small room. The condition of the home did not impress Elizabeth. It was not as nice as her father’s home, and while she knew her new home could never be as grand as her childhood home, she did hope for something a little better. The floor creaked, some of the windows were broken, and she had met a family of mice upon entering her new home.
“Of course it needs some work.” Will continued to look out the window. “Think of it, Elizabeth, this will be ours.”
Elizabeth wondered if the dark walls and small rooms would close in on her as she completed her household tasks. Her father had already enlisted a woman to teach Elizabeth how to become a good homemaker, and Will informed her that there would be no cook for the first few years. The thought was horrifying. Elizabeth did not want to slave over a hot stove, preparing three meals a day. As a child she would sneak into the kitchen and watch the cook sweat over their meals. Then she had the unfortunate experience of watching the cook rip feathers off a chicken. The sight had left such an impression on poor Elizabeth that she vowed she would never step into a kitchen again.
Elizabeth’s mind swam as she attempted to comprehend what a marriage to Will Turner would mean. Was she prepared for the life of a blacksmith’s wife? She placed her hand on her side. The corset she wore was making it difficult to breath. The musty air attacked her nostrils. She needed fresh air and a cool drink.
“It is very nice. But I’m terribly sorry, Will, I need some fresh air. I do not feel well.”
He was by her side, and took a hold of her arm. “Lean on me, my dear. Be mindful of the stairs.” Will looked down the narrow flight. “Should I carry you?”
“No, I am fine.” Elizabeth forced a smile to reassure her fiancée as she slowly descended the unsteady, creaking stairs.
Author's Note: No beta reader. Sorry. I tried to catch everything, but you know how that goes.
“Oh!” Anne cried. “I must tell you something. It’s quite scandalous.”
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. She did not think anything could be more scandalous than being kidnapped by pirates, but she was always in the mood for a good story. “Do tell. What is it?”
“Well,” Anne pushed back a strand of blonde hair. “I shouldn’t say this for it isn’t my place, but I overheard my mother and aunt speaking in the parlor the other day. It appears that Constance Hamilton is, well,” Anne paused.
“You must tell me now. What has happened?” Elizabeth disliked Constance who always believed she was superior.
“Well, this is between us of course, but,” her voice became soft. “She is ruined.”
“Why?”
Anne stopped walking and looked at her friend. “Constance finds herself in an awkward position.”
“What are you talking about?” Elizabeth hissed. “She is to be married to Philip Townsend. Why is that bad? Well, besides the fact he is dull as tombs.”
“It appears that she also found Mr. Townsend boring and she had an affair with a sailor. This unnamed sailor has left and has given her a gift.”
“How romantic,” Elizabeth smiled. “What kind of gift?”
“It is the type of gift that will appear in nine months.”
Elizabeth gasped. The idea that Constance would commit such an act was shocking because she always appeared to be a proper young lady. “She is with child?” Anne nodded and Elizabeth shook her head. “She is ruined. What is to become of her?”
Anne began walking. “I’m afraid I don’t know. However, I’m sure they will send her away. It is the only thing they can do now. She may be shipped off to England within the week. Of course she can never return, and she will be disinherited. If she were Catholic they would send her to a convent, but I overheard my mother say that they would find her a job as a governess.”
“A governess.” Elizabeth wrinkled her nose in disgust. Becoming a governess was a fate worse than death. She would never be part of a family, her income would be restricted and she would always be in charge of someone else’s children. Marriage would be impossible because most men did not court governesses. “Constance will despise that. I can’t help but feel a little sad for her. Her entire life has been destroyed.”
“I dare say so. It serves her right, though. She has always thought she was better than us. So, I feel no pity for her. She’s prideful. Besides, she made the foolish mistake.”
Despite their differences, Elizabeth did feel sorry for Constance. It seemed a cruel fate for a young lady who loved pretty dresses, grand parties and expensive jewelry to be thrown into a world that was cold, and unfamiliar. Elizabeth understood why Constance succumbed to the passion and longing. There were many days Elizabeth wished to give herself to Will even though they were not wed. Society told her it was wrong to have impure thoughts and to act upon them, but her heart told her it was right.
With a quick yank on her arm, Elizabeth was brought back to reality. “What is wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong.” Anne bowed her head as she blushed. “He’s so handsome.”
Elizabeth squinted. Her father was talking to a man in uniform. There could only be one assumption made as to who it was. “Commodore Norrington?”
Anne sighed. “Yes.” Her mood suddenly turned sour. “It’s sad he will be leaving.”
“He’s only going to chase Jack Sparrow. I’m sure he will be back within a few months. He is never gone for long.”
Anne shook her head. “Didn’t you hear? He has asked to be reassigned. Why it’s all the talk. How could you not know? Surely he must have told you? I thought he spoke to you about his adventures.”
“Reassigned?” Elizabeth stopped walking. “I don’t believe it.” Ever since childhood he had always taken her on a walk and explained his mission. When he returned he would share his adventures to her, secretly, for if her father knew he would be upset. His stories were one of the reasons she loved sailing. James could make a mundane incident sound exciting. The thought that he would leave without saying good-bye upset Elizabeth.
“He hasn’t received his orders yet. It’s so sad. James is so handsome, and a very eligible bachelor. I wish he wasn’t leaving.” Anne stopped talking and smiled when they approached the gentlemen.
“Miss Stewart. Miss Swann.” Commodore Norrington bowed stiffly. “I hope the day finds you well.”
“Yes, very.” Anne’s smile never faded.
Elizabeth was shocked. Commodore Norrington had slighted her. It was done in a very subtle way, but he had done it. Instead of addressing her first he had addressed Anne, and he was looking at Anne when he addressed his question. It was the first time his handsome green eyes turned towards another woman.
“If you will excuse us,” Elizabeth said firmly. “We are having tea.” Without realizing her strength she pulled Anne’s arm harder than intended, which caused the young woman to cry out. Glancing over her shoulder, Elizabeth watched Norrington speak to her father. He was not looking in her direction.
***
“Come see, come see,” Will said, as he grasped her hand and pulled her gently along. “This is where our home will be.” He kissed her quickly on the lips then went to the window. “The view is beautiful, come look.” His smile never faded as he pushed the shutters open allowing a burst of sunlight in.
Elizabeth shielded her eyes from the bright light as she stood in the middle of the small room. The condition of the home did not impress Elizabeth. It was not as nice as her father’s home, and while she knew her new home could never be as grand as her childhood home, she did hope for something a little better. The floor creaked, some of the windows were broken, and she had met a family of mice upon entering her new home.
“Of course it needs some work.” Will continued to look out the window. “Think of it, Elizabeth, this will be ours.”
Elizabeth wondered if the dark walls and small rooms would close in on her as she completed her household tasks. Her father had already enlisted a woman to teach Elizabeth how to become a good homemaker, and Will informed her that there would be no cook for the first few years. The thought was horrifying. Elizabeth did not want to slave over a hot stove, preparing three meals a day. As a child she would sneak into the kitchen and watch the cook sweat over their meals. Then she had the unfortunate experience of watching the cook rip feathers off a chicken. The sight had left such an impression on poor Elizabeth that she vowed she would never step into a kitchen again.
Elizabeth’s mind swam as she attempted to comprehend what a marriage to Will Turner would mean. Was she prepared for the life of a blacksmith’s wife? She placed her hand on her side. The corset she wore was making it difficult to breath. The musty air attacked her nostrils. She needed fresh air and a cool drink.
“It is very nice. But I’m terribly sorry, Will, I need some fresh air. I do not feel well.”
He was by her side, and took a hold of her arm. “Lean on me, my dear. Be mindful of the stairs.” Will looked down the narrow flight. “Should I carry you?”
“No, I am fine.” Elizabeth forced a smile to reassure her fiancée as she slowly descended the unsteady, creaking stairs.
Author's Note: No beta reader. Sorry. I tried to catch everything, but you know how that goes.