(no subject)
Three Years Later
James could barely believe the amount of paperwork sitting in front of him. The Dauntless had taken a pirate ship, not a small country, but if they had wrested Martinique from the French, it could not have been more complicated. He had to write reports to superior officers about how they happened upon the ship, how the pirates had responded, what he did next, how his men performed, lists of the goods found onboard down to the smallest gold coin, lists of the names of the pirates, their trial dates, and if available, their execution dates. Then the entire process had to be repeated to be sent on to England, whereupon one or another undersecretary would read the information and file it away never to be looked on again. The entire thing seemed pointless.
So when there was a knock on his office door, James uttered a quiet oath. He really didn’t have time for disturbances. “Yes?” he gritted out.
“Captain Norrington, it’s Daniels.”
“This had better be important, Daniels.”
“The Governor is here.”
James uttered another oath. His men had to be trained to give him all the information up front, as he had just unwittingly appeared intolerably rude to the Governor.
James got up and opened the door. “Governor Swann, what a welcome surprise”, James said, but the Governor smiled knowingly.
“Sorry to disturb you, Captain. I know you’re terribly busy. I’m getting together a picnic, just some friends. We’re going to go riding north of the city. There will be younger people there too, so you won’t be intolerably bored.” James was about to gracefully decline. “And of course my daughter will be in attendance also.”
“I appreciate the invitation. When is it to be held?” he held.
“Tomorrow, but if you’re too busy, Captain, I understand”, the Governor said.
“I would be happy to accept your kind invitation”, James answered and shot Daniels a silencing look when the man had stared at the pile of papers on the Captain’s desk.
“Excellent, I’m glad to hear it and I know Elizabeth will be as well. We’re meeting up at the house mid-morning. I look forward to seeing you. Now I shall excuse myself and let you carry on”, the Governor said.
“I look forward to seeing you both then, Governor”, James answered and the door closed.
Would Elizabeth be glad to hear it? What had started as an instant attraction had turned into a deep and abiding love, at least for him. He saw Elizabeth no less than once a month. She had ripened both physically and mentally. And her father still considered James his daughter’s fiancé. But the sudden change of heart the Governor had been sure, or rather had deluded himself, would take place, never had. She and James spoke easily with one another, laughed like old friends, and could read each other’s minds. But her favor toward Will was undiminished.
James had ceased bringing her gifts as he had seen with his own eyes that a string of seashells from Mr. Turner meant more to her than a string of pearls from him. But each day he fell more in love with her, and was more unable to turn back from this path he had agreed to - one which he already saw was likely to lead to ruin and pain.
James had tried to keep his feelings hidden beneath layers of carefully cultivated manners, but his regard for her was blatantly obvious to everyone except the object of his affection. On the rare occasions his men dared to tease him, it was always about his affection for Elizabeth.
“And one lucky lady she’ll be”, Gillette had said barely a fortnight before, “I can’t abide all this “Lord this” and “Lady that” business. Whatever her pedigree, she should be honored to marry the finest man in the Caribbean. Let one of those fine whelps come face to face with the fiercest pirates in the Spanish Main. He’d piss his silk drawers.” James had smiled at the remark, and was proud he had earned his men’s respect and affection to such a degree. Unfortunately it was not his men’s respect and affection he longed for at the moment.
James sighed. If he was going to meet the Governor in the morning, he had a long night ahead of him. He had re-doubled his work load the past few years and it had finally paid off. His work had come to the attention of Admiral Thompson, and he had been notified that very morning that he was being promoted to Commodore, and was indeed the youngest Captain to ever achieve the rank. He couldn’t help but be proud. The official ceremony was to be held the following week, at which point he was free to propose to Elizabeth. He was terrified. He knew she did not feel about him as she ought, but he also knew that if he hadn’t gained her affection these past few years, he was never likely to do so. James sat and stuck his feather pen in the quill.
The morning was cool and James reined in his horse at the gates of the Governor’s Mansion. A young man opened the gates for him. He rode around to the back of the house where a small party was assembled.
“Captain”, the Governor called out, holding the reins of his favorite mare in one hand. “So pleased you could join us. Your remember Mr. Quigby and Mr. Frame?” James nodded to the older gentlemen who were friends of the Governor. “Lord Wilcox joins us from London. The son of an old, dear friend.” The man was a few years older than Elizabeth and was making eyes at her.
“Captain Norrington, I have heard so much about you. The Scourge of Piracy,” the man said. “Though I’m not sure your services are required here today.” His eyes jumped around the lawn. “I don’t see any pirates about.”
The assembled party laughed, but James was pleased to see that Elizabeth hadn’t considered it very funny. “Captain Norrington is actually one of the finest men of my acquaintance”, she corrected, “And if we were set upon by highwaymen or had any difficulties, at least we have one man along we can count on to protect us.”
James actually blushed.
“Indeed”, the man grunted, “Perhaps we should be underway?”
James’s eyes met Elizabeth’s and they shared an amused smile. The Governor was attempting to get on his horse and was failing parlously. His groom was giving him a leg up.
“Now that’s really unnecessary, Nathaniel”, the Governor was saying. “I can sit my own horse!” But his attempts to mount were fruitless. “Nathaniel, really! This is embarrassing, you would have my guests think I’m an old man!” Finally Nathaniel boosted him high enough to climb into the saddle. Elizabeth’s fan snapped open and she hid her laughter behind it.
They rode out in the morning sunshine. As the warm sun beat down on his face, James was happier that he had come. He needed a break and was particularly fond of the countryside around Port Royal. They followed the river along through the tall grass.
“That’s The Sweet Tree”, the Governor called out. “I am acquainted with the master, Thomas Milliken. Insufferable man, but high quality sugar cane”, was his pronouncement.
“It must be so difficult to find society of any quality here”, Lord Wilcox said.
“Oh indeed”, Mr. Quigby answered. “One can hardly fill out a party large enough for a foyer without inviting some people one would ordinarily not socialize with.”
“Indeed”, Lord Wilcox said, looking back at James.
As they traveled through a more deeply forested area, James insisted on going first in case there was a hole hidden beneath tree leaves, or an animal ahead that would spook the horses.
“A fine young man”, the Governor said, looking at his friends.
So he’s told them, James thought, too bad the man didn’t have the spine to tell his daughter.
The fresh green canopy of leaves overhead gave them some relief from the sun and James closed his eyes, letting his well trained horse navigate alone for a moment.
He felt another horse ride up along side his and he opened his eyes. “I’m sorry you were pulled into this”, Elizabeth began, “I know the company is hardly riveting. I would have begged off myself, but I would hardly be a competent hostess if I refused to come along. You’re my friend and I will not let them treat you so abominably.” Friend.
“On the contrary, Miss Swann, the company is quite riveting”, he said, looking into her eyes. She smiled and colored prettily.
“Thank you, Captain”, she said, and continued to ride beside him.
Upon leaving the forest, they came upon a river; it was shallow but the current could not be ignored. Mr. Quigby’s horse splashed easily through the water, taking him to the other side, though his coattails got wet. The rest of the horses stopped at the edge and refused to proceed.
Elizabeth’s mare was neighing unhappily at the sight of the water, and James’s horse, used to worse than a little current, was dancing impatiently that the party had come to a stop.
“Clara, it’s only a little water”, Elizabeth insisted, “I cannot imagine what has gotten into her.”
Lord Wilcox rode up beside her. “Well, we clearly cannot cross here. I shall have to find a way around. Miss Swann is in danger riding such a timid animal.”
“She’s not a timid animal”, Elizabeth said, “And we cannot go around this thing, unless we wish to turn this picnic into a three day ride.”
“My daughter is right”, the Governor said, “We either find our way across or turn back. I have seen many maps of this area and this river is not marked!”
James could not really believe all the fuss. Clearly Elizabeth would need assistance, but the rest of them could have been across already if they had taken their horses in hand.
“I say, what’s taking the lot of you so long?” Mr. Quigby called from the opposite shore. “Come along now, Miss Swann, it’s a jolly adventure! Nothing to be afraid of.”
“I am trying to come along, Mr. Quigby”, she growled.
“I would be glad to help”, Mr. Frame said, and then his horse jumped, suddenly anxious to be done with the river, and skittered across it to the other side.
It was a sticky situation. If he were her husband, or clearly her intended, it would be his right to care for Elizabeth, but if she had no fiancé, the right was her father’s. Though her father’s own horsemanship skills were in deep question, and he was unsure how the man could really help her when he was having trouble with his own horse. James was unsure how to proceed.
“I believe Elizabeth is certainly safest with the Captain”, the Governor said and James was thankful the man had seen clearly enough to give him a signal.
“Oh, I don’t need a nursemaid!” Elizabeth insisted. “Now come on, Clara.” She kicked the horse again but it became more nervous.
“Stop, Elizabeth, or she’ll rear on you”, James said. “Give the reins to Lord Wilcox.”
He had judged the man to be an adequate horseman. Lord Wilcox took the reins from Elizabeth’s hand.
“Hold her steady”, James said and Wilcox rolled his eyes. “I could have helped the lady across many times by now”, he said.
James ignored him. His heart beat faster at what he was about to do. He was a practical man and if the others were expecting him to carry out a long ceremony or worry about propriety under such circumstances, they were gravely mistaken.
“Reach for me”, he said, his heart pounding, and Elizabeth reached out her arms to him. In a swift movement, he’d pulled her off her horse and settled her in front of him on his.
Lord Wilcox gasped. “You’re quite free with Miss Swann’s person”, he commented.
“Can you lead her horse across, or would you like me to do that as well?” James asked.
Wilcox tossed him the reins. “I have my own animal to be concerned with and it seems Miss Swann is in competent hands.”
James was boiling. “Elizabeth, you must hold onto me. I cannot hold onto you, and lead both your horse and mine at the same time.”
“God in heaven, gentlemen”, she boomed and every head turned around. “Someone else lead Clara. Must the Captain do everything?” James had often wondered that himself.
Her father, used to her temper, grabbed the reins, but the others looked scandalized.
“You have failed your mistress today”, the Governor said to Clara, wagging a finger at the confused and frightened horse. But Clara would not budge.
“Will she run off we leave her here a moment? I’ll return for her,” James asked.
“That lazy git wouldn’t move a muscle if she didn’t have to”, Elizabeth said crudely and James smiled at her.
The Governor dropped the reins with a sigh, lectured the horse for another moment, and crossed the river on his own.
James’s horse splashed into the water quickly and carried them across. Elizabeth leaned back into James. A very funny feeling was twitching around in her stomach, a feeling she had only experienced before in Will’s company. They reached the opposite shore too soon as she was rather enjoying being in his strong arms.
James dismounted first and then lifted Elizabeth to the ground. “I apologize, your riding costume has gotten wet”, he said.
“It will dry”, she said, “If you had not been along, we would all still be on the other side of the river bemoaning our situation.”
Lord Wilcox watched amused.
Unhappy at being left behind, Clara then trotted through the water to the other side easily. The Governor moaned. “I suppose I shall to gift you with that new gelding you had your eye on now”, he said to Elizabeth. She smiled.
James helped Elizabeth mount Clara. “By the rood, I thought the rest of you would be all day”, Mr. Quigby said with no grace, but a smile, and they continued on.
They stopped to eat in a sunny clearing. The Governor handed out blankets and emptied the picnic basket.
Mr. Quigby, Mr. Frame, and Lord Wilcox sat together and talked, spreading goose liver on thin crackers.
Elizabeth sat with her father and James.
“A most agreeable way to spend the day, is it not Miss Swann?” Mr. Quigby called.
“A lovely day”, she answered.
“Indeed, indeed. I rarely allow myself such excursions”, Mr. Frame added.
“Exercise is good for the constitution, my good man”, Mr. Quigby said, clapping his friend on the shoulder a little too roughly.
“Is he the man of the hour?” Lord Wilcox asked the other men in a low voice.
“I would seem so”, Mr. Frame said. “Though I understand the young lady is not at all as settled upon him as her father is. I have often seen her in the company of Mr. Turner.”
Mr. Quigby began to cough.
“And who is Mr. Turner?” Lord Wilcox asked.
“Let us change the subject”, Mr. Quigby said.
“I demand to know the latest gossip”, Wilcox said.
“The blacksmith’s assistant”, Mr. Frame offered.
Lord Wilcox burst into laughter so loud, the other trio turned around to look.
“You must share your joke with the rest of us”, the Governor said.
“Oh I think you know this one”, Wilcox answered mysteriously.
“If a sea captain is amenable to the Governor, I can’t imagine a blacksmith is far behind”, Wilcox said quietly.
“In all fairness to the man, Lord Wilcox”, Mr. Quigby began, “He’s not a merchant sailor, he’s a Captain in His Majesty’s Royal Navy and ready for promotion at a remarkably early age.”
“Why he’s at least a decade older than the lady in question”, Lord Wilcox offered.
“Stop being obtuse, my good man”, Mr. Quigby said, “He would be the youngest Commodore in the history of the Navy, I believe.”
“Perhaps you thought of her for yourself?” Mr. Frame asked.
“I had given it a thought, but her manners are as low as a country bumpkin”, Wilcox said, “She would hardly fit in in London society anymore. She’s positively run wild in this savage place.”
“I rather enjoy her country manners”, Mr. Frame said. “Can you imagine the reaction of a young society lady at the sight of that river? She’d have fainted outright and demanded to be carried home.”
The other trio could not hear every word, but had gleaned enough to understand the topic of conversation on the other blanket.
“Money apparently cannot buy manners”, the Governor said low.
“Indeed” Elizabeth answered, “Would it be permissible, father, to walk a bit with the Captain?”
Weatherby couldn’t have been happier. “Of course, of course, you young people should have some time to yourselves. Go, have fun.”
James was delighted. The two of them stood and he offered Elizabeth his arm. She took it and they walked off as quickly as was dignified.
“Off they go”, Mr. Quigby said cheerily.
“I must apologize again”, Elizabeth said as soon as they were out of earshot. “I vaguely remember the elder Lord Wilcox, who has passed away, and the son is no great part of the father.”
“There is no need”, James said, “I joined the party to spend time in the company of you and your father.”
“That was quite gallantly done before…at the river”, she said, giving his hand a squeeze. His mouth actually popped open and he inhaled a deep breath. He stopped walking and took Elizabeth’s two hands in his.
“I was pleased to be of service to you”, he said quietly. He had no idea how to do this. Certainly he had kissed a woman before, but never one of Elizabeth’s stature and certainly not a woman he wanted to marry. A soft, light kiss, one that spoke of more but did not frighten her seemed the best choice.
They both leaned in a fraction, and then another fraction. He put his hand at the nape of her neck and pulled her lips to his. Lightening shot through him. He had wanted her for so long and now she was finally warm and willing in his arms. He was worried he might disgrace himself.
Elizabeth felt her stomach turn over. Will had kissed her before, in secret, which made it all the more exciting, but this kiss was both deeper and richer and he clearly had some experience. The kiss deepened without either of them being aware of it. His tongue gently lapped at her lips and she opened her mouth, her tongue dancing with his. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her firmly into chest. It was a fact; there was no feeling of safety quite so strong as being caught in James Norrington’s arms.
She opened her eyes. “Miss Swann, I must…” he began in a rush.
“Let’s just walk a while”, she said, taking his arm again, but this time she leaned her head on his shoulder. Thrill rushed through him. He had, somehow, made more progress with her in an afternoon than in three years.
Elizabeth was terribly confused. If he had gotten the words out right then, she knew she would have promised to marry him. But what about Will? She had kissed a man. She had more than kissed a man, and not a man like Will, a man who would fully expect her to marry him afterward. What had she done? The world would consider her a trollop for kissing for a man she did not intend to marry. And she did not intend to marry him. Did she? Suddenly nothing made sense.
A week later….
Elizabeth stood in the heat waiting desperately for the ceremony to end. She was happy for James, but her mind had become a blank. When she closed her eyes for a moment, there was only white behind her eyelids as the sun beat down, and she was convinced her corset was determined to kill her.
The entire ordeal was interminably long, but she knew James and his men had the worst of it in heavy woolen coats. It seemed preposterous to her suddenly that men and women alike were forced to wear garments that were so uncomfortable, merely getting dressed was a form of torture. But only the high born seemed damned to this particular problem. She knew at the this very moment, not far away, Will had changed into simple breeches and a shirt from the finery he had worn to deliver the new Commodore’s sword.
Somewhere, Will was rolling up his sleeves as he heated a fine blade in the fire, ready to be knocked into place, ready to be formed into whatever he liked. Elizabeth wished she could do the same to her own mind. She still had not made a decision. Will had meant everything to her for so long. But the gulf between them had only grown with the years. He would not even call her by her given name.
Finally, the ceremony ended. Elizabeth walked as quickly as she could, making heads turn, to the shade of the battery. She put one hand on a stone pillar and the other on her aching stomach.
James came out of nowhere. “May I have a moment?” he asked.
Her mind was not working, but she managed to nod her assent.
James could not even look at her, so he looked out to sea. Suddenly, it seemed all wrong, and she did not even seem herself. He couldn’t just blurt it out. He had lost a night’s sleep last night wondering whether he should ask today and just how he should ask.
“You look lovely, Elizabeth”, he said.
She tried to nod at the compliment, but her body was no longer cooperating.
“I apologize if I seem forward”, he began tentatively, “But I must speak my mind. This promotion has thrown into sharp relief that which I have not yet achieved. A marriage to a fine woman…”
Oh God. He was going to do it now. Now when her thoughts were filled with Will. Now when she could not form a sentence. Now when she felt like she was going to die.
He looked back at her. “You have become a fine woman, Elizabeth.”
“I can’t breathe”, she gasped out.
“I’m bit a nervous myself”, he said, turning back out to the horizon. He had no idea what she would say and honestly seemed best.
Elizabeth felt her hands start to tingle and her knees start to give way and then, darkness.
She said nothing. This torture was worse than if she had laughed in his face. “Elizabeth?” he asked tentatively. He turned around and she had disappeared.
“Elizabeth?! Elizabeth!”
Only a small splash in the water below indicated what had happened. Her hat fluttered after her like a wounded butterfly. His men ran at the sound of his shout and joined him on the parapets. He stripped off his heavy coat and shoes.
“Sir, the rocks, it’s a miracle she missed them!” Gillette screamed in his ear.
James uttered a silent prayer. Perhaps this day would be blessed with more than one miracle.
Nearby, two of the Navy’s finest stared blankly into the water.
“Are you are going to save her then?” Jack asked.
“I can’t swim.”
“Pride of the King’s Navy, you are. Do not lose these”, he said, shoving his effects into their waiting hands.
As he turned around there was another splash and he realized someone had actually dived off the parapets after her.
Suddenly the wind began to blow harder and the sea itself seemed to shake.
James surfaced with an unconscious Elizabeth in his arms. The weight of her dress was dragging them both under. James was a practical man if he was anything, and he hoped the Governor would not have him shot, but he tore off her dress and it sank to the bottom like a stone.
James swam to the dock and hoisted her unconscious body onto the hot wood.
“Not breathing”, Mulroy cried. James climbed out of the water.
“Elizabeth, Elizabeth!” he said, but she did not respond.
Jack snapped open a pocket knife and slit her corset open. “Take your filthy hands off her!” James shouted. But Elizabeth opened her eyes, rolled over, and vomited a good amount of seawater on the dock.
“Elizabeth!” the Governor cried and wrapped his coat around her.
“My apologies”, Jack said. He looked back at James. “Balls of steel, mate. At least I hope so, after that fall.”
James drew his sword and held it to Jack’s throat. “On your feet…”
“James, no”, Elizabeth said, “If it weren’t for this man, I’d be dead.”
James knew that filth that called itself pirate and had no intention of letting his quarry go, but one word cut through the haze. She’d called him James.
“Gillette, fetch some irons”, he said.
“I want to get her home”, the Governor said, tightening his grip on Elizabeth’s shoulder.
“Understandably”, James said.
“Father, wait”, she said, shoving away his hand. She took James’s calloused hand in her own. “Come to the house when you are through here.”
“As you command, Miss Swann”, he said, the pirate next to him temporarily forgotten.
“I’m sure the Commodore is busy with this ruffian”, the Governor said and Jack made a face. “And you need to rest, Elizabeth, you could have been killed.”
“Come to the house”, she repeated, “I want to thank you properly for saving my life.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief.
“Elizabeth, you can thank the Commodore now”, her father said.
“I cannot thank my fiancé properly in public”, she said. There were two sharp intakes of breath.
“Are you accepting the Commodore’s proposal?” he father asked, so happy he could dance. He’d honestly thought in the end she’d never actually marry him.
“I am”, she said.
James could not quite believe it. He met her eyes and they shared a smile that made his heart want to burst. He wanted to drag her against him and kiss her so hard she’d never think of another man again. But duty, always duty.
“I will see you soon, Elizabeth”, he said and turned his attention back to Jack. Tonight he intended to truly kiss her.
And somewhere behind the horizon, the Black Pearl was making excellent time.