"How many times are you going to instruct me to marry the man sitting next to me at dinner?" Lady Emma Swan asked as she sat at her vanity, dabbing perfume onto her wrists. "I don't even know the man. He could turn out to be an arrogant pig."

"I highly doubt it," her mother said from her place on the bed, watching as Ruby helped Emma ready herself for dinner. "Captain Jones is a friend of your father's—"

"So I'm sure he's Papa's age then, not suitable for me at all."

"He's nearer your age than mine or your father's. You're running out of excuses, my dear." Emma could see a smile playing on her mother's features as she watched her in the mirror's reflection. "Besides, I'm not asking you to marry him. Only that you be kind to him. He's new to the county and I'm sure he could use a friend."

Emma made a face at her maid in the mirror that thankfully went unnoticed by her mother. Ruby bit her lip to keep in the bubble of laughter that threatened to break loose, and Emma's mother sighed. "Don't take too long. Our guests will be arriving soon, and I shall expect you to be on your best behavior."

A scathing remark was on Emma's tongue, but she held it back. Sometimes, you had to know when to pick your battles.

—-

"And this is my daughter, Lady Emma Swan." Emma dipped into a perfect curtsy at her father's introduction, coming slowly back up to her full height to get a good look at this Captain Killian Jones.

He was young, younger than she had expected, no more than ten years older than herself. His eyes were blue and kind, his hair dark, and despite the scar on his cheek that must have been from his days in the navy, he had a friendly face that she, in spite of herself, found she liked. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Captain Jones."

"The pleasure is all mine, my lady." His voice was deep, rich, as he took Emma's hand in his and placed a small kiss upon it. A hint of what might have been either playfulness or perhaps nervousness shone in his blue eyes. "I'm looking forward to seeing more of you this evening."

You might not be the only one, Captain.