Elizabeth
Elizabeth Turner took a deep breath inhaling the familiar scent of the sea, as she stared out at the town that lay before her. Cagway, she had learned from who lived there, was the town's name.
Elizabeth walked down the dock, her boots clacking against the wooden planks. She carried a large brown trunk holding all of her belonging, including a chest that she valued over everything else. She wore a plain brown dress, which was much more appropriate than the pirate garb she had sported for the last year. Yes, her pirating days were over. At least for now.
When Will had left Elizabeth standing on that beach alone, and left to captain the Flying Dutchman for ten years, she had been devastated. She had reboarded the Black Pearl and had planned to stay there, until she had realized something of great importance. She was pregnant. When she had found out, her emotions were a mixture of happiness, fear, elation, and longing. One thing she was certain of, was that she wanted to give her baby a proper childhood. Which meant no more pirating.
So Jack Sparrow had dropped her off at the nearest town, and she had said farewell to the crew that she now considered family. For the first time, she was truly all on her own.
Elizabeth continued her trek off the docks, and walked all the way into town, her head held high. Cagway wasn't a big town, which meant that most people recognized her as a new comer. They stared, their eyes judging her every move, but Elizabeth didn't mind. Over the last few years, she had learned there were much more important things to worry about than whether society accepted you.
"Excuse me," Elizabeth said, approaching a women working at a fruit stand. "I'm new in town and I was wondering if you knew of any open positions for a governess."
The women looked back at her warily before slowly nodding her head. "Yes, I believe that Governor Taylor's wife has been in need of one for quite some time. We don't get visitors much, so there's been no one to fill the position."
"Thank you," Elizabeth replied, with a sweetness that was obviously fake. "And could you be so kind as to point out the governor's house."
"It's the big white one over there on the cliff," the women said. "You can't miss it."
Elizabeth nodded, before thanking the women again and heading on her way. Although she really didn't want a job as a governess, she was grateful that the position was available.
She made her way up to the house that the women had pointed out. It's grand architecture and stark white color, reminded her of her own home in port royal, and she felt a twinge of sadness when she thought of the life she had lost.
Elizabeth approached the front door, and just as she reached to knock, she paused. She realized that she truly had no knowledge of how these things worked. Should she just walk in and request to see the lady of the house? She had been educated in many things, but never on how to get a job.
She sighed and reminded herself that if she'd faced Davy Jones and fought Cutler Beckett, then she could most certainly do this.
She knocked on the door, and right away it opened to reveal and frowning man.
"Can I help you?" he asked, looking down at Elizabeth's cheap dress, and lack of elegant accessories.
"Yes, I'm here to enquirer about the position open as a governess," Elizabeth responded, hoping she sounded more confident than she felt.
The man, who seemed to be a servant appraised her once more, before opening the door wider.
"Come right in," he said, still in a full tone. "I will inform Lady Taylor that you are here."
Elizabeth waited awkwardly, and glanced around at the room she was standing in, as she let herself marvel at the finery of it. There were exquisite paintings, delicate curtains, and other fine things that she had lived without for many many months.
A small smile formed on her face, as she remembered Will telling her the story of when he had been awkwardly waiting for her father. If she recalled correctly, he had accident broken something and then tried to hide it.
"Hello!" a cheerful voice rang out, causing Elizabeth to spin around and find who it belonged to.
The women wore a dark blue dress with exquisite gold trimming. Her pale blond hair was piled atop her head with jewels laced throughout it. She dressed more luxuriously then what Elizabeth had worn, even on her own wedding day.
Elizabeth curtsied to the women rising and meeting her blue eyes.
"My name is Elizabeth Turner," she spoke, with a slight smile at the sound of her new last name. "I've come to speak with you about the open position for a governess."
"Oh, how lovely!" the women cried, clapping her hands together. "I'm Mrs. Taylor, and if you'd follow me into the sitting room, we can discuss this right away."
Elizabeth was slightly stunned by her cheerfulness, especially compared to her servant's own dull personality. She was also surprised by Mrs. Taylor's age. She seemed only a few years older than Elizabeth herself. However, some girls got married ridiculously young, at least in her opinion.
Elizabeth followed her into the sitting room and sat in the white chair that Mrs. Taylor gestured to.
"So," Mrs. Taylor said, smiling brightly. "Tell me all about yourself."
"Alright," Elizabeth responded, with a slight wary expression on her face. "Well like I said, my name is Elizabeth Turner. My father was Wetherby Swan, the governor of Port Royal-"
"You're a governor's daughter!" Mrs. Taylor exclaimed, interrupting Elizabeth. "What on earth are you doing here?"
"I was about to explain that," Elizabeth said, trying to remain patient. She reminded herself in her mind that she was doing this for Will and their child. "You see, my father passed away just a year ago. I married a man named William Turner, and he's a...a merchant. He's sailing on a long trip right now, and I have been left carrying his child-"
"A child, how wonderful!" Mrs. Taylor interrupted again, further annoying Elizabeth. "I have a child as well!"
"Yes I assumed that's why you are in need of a governess," Elizabeth muttered.
"Oh, you sound just perfect for the job!" Mrs. Taylor said. "And our children will be friends. When can you start?"
"Wha-what?" Elizabeth asked, extremely taken aback.
This women had barely questioned her, yet she had already offered her the job. Not that she was complaining, but Elizabeth knew that if she was in Mrs. Taylor's position she would have asked a lot more questions. After all, the women had just hired a pirate.
"I asked you when you could start," Mrs. Taylor repeated. "You see our last governess, Fauna, passed away from old age a year ago. My daughter Kennedy is eight years of age, and little Eddie is just a year old. We're in terrible need of a governess."
Eight years old! Elizabeth thought in her head. How on earth did this women have a child that old?
"I can start whenever you'd like," Elizabeth responded.
"Wonderful!" Mrs. Taylor said, standing up. "I'll have a room prepared for you at once. Tell me, would you prefer a room facing the gardens or the sea?"
"The sea," Elizabeth answered immediately. That way she could watch the sunset each night, and watch for a green flash.
"Oh I just know that we're going to be the best of friends!" Mrs. Taylor cried.
The next hour or so when by in a blur for Elizabeth. More sullen servants escorted her to a room, which was much too grand for a governess. Then, when Mrs. Taylor had asked where Elizabeth's trunks were, and Elizabeth explained that she only had one, the woman had immediately demanded that first thing tomorrow, they go on a shopping trip.
As the day wore on, Elizabeth began to get the sense that her job was going to be more than just the ordinary roles of a governess. She would also have the duty of being Mrs. Taylor's friend. She doubted that Mrs. Taylor got out of the house much, given that for the last year she had been alone in raising her children. And the maids and servants in the Taylor household all seemed to be quite elderly, and all of them sullen. Elizabeth supposed it wouldn't be too bad to be friends with Mrs. Taylor, even if she was a little too cheery.
Right before dinner, Mrs. Taylor decided that it would be best to introduce Elizabeth to Kennedy. Elizabeth was slightly nervous, since she knew that most of her job would be to teach Kennedy. Back in Port Royal, she had never really gotten along with other girls her age, and now she would be in charge of one.
"Here she comes," Mrs. Taylor said, as she and Elizabeth waited in the sitting room.
Kennedy was almost the spitting image of her mother, with a few minor differences. Her honey blonde hair hung in natural curls around her cheeks, and her hazel eyes gazed at Elizabeth warringly. She wore a green dress and walked gracefully, looking every bit a proper lady.
"Hello Miss Kennedy," Elizabeth said properly and she gave a small smile to the girl.
Kennedy pursed her lips at Elizabeth, her eyes scanning her up and down before turning back to her mother.
"Mother," Kennedy said in a shrewd voice. "I don't want a governess, and if I did I certainly wouldn't want her. She doesn't look...proper."
Elizabeth was taken back by what the girl said. Obviously Kennedy hadn't inherited the same eternal optimism as her mother.
And what did she mean by me not looking proper? Elizabeth thought. Sure I might be a little too tan and weathered, but I was a proper lady for many years!
"Darling," Mrs. Taylor spoke softly. "I've already hired Mrs. Turner, and she will make a wonderful governess."
Kennedy glanced over at Elizabeth again, before making a small hmph noise.
"When is Father going to be home? I want to speak with him about this," Kennedy complained.
Elizabeth watched with interest as a small frown formed on Mrs. Taylor's face. She wondered what kind of man could make Mrs. Taylor's smile disappear so quickly.
"He should be home any minute now for dinner," Mrs. Taylor said. "Why don't you go wash up so you are ready. We can finish talking about this later."
Kennedy rolled her eyes, and walked out of the room, leaving Elizabeth still stunned by her behavior. She wondered if at Kennedy's age, she too had been this presumptuous. If so, she felt very sorry for her own governess.
"I'm so sorry about that," Mrs. Taylor sighed. "I'm afraid that Kennedy's been against hiring a governess for a while. I haven't been able to figure out why, but I can promise that her issue isn't just with you."
"It's alright," Elizabeth replied. "I understand that children can be difficult sometimes."
"Would you like to meet Eddie now?" Mrs. Taylor asked. "I had the maid watching him while he napped , but it's probably time to wake him."
"Of course," Elizabeth smiled.
Her meeting with Eddie, or Edward which was his proper name, went much better then her meeting with Kennedy. Eddie had blue eyes, just like his mother, but his hair was a shade of chocolate brown. He had gurgled happily, and as soon as Elizabeth had held him in her arms she had realized one of her greatest wishes.
She wanted her baby to be a boy, an exact replica of his father. She wanted him to have Will's dark hair and eyes, and the lovely smirk that he wore when he was happy.
She felt a slight sick feeling in her stomach when she realized that Will wouldn't even know that he was to have a child. And he wouldn't learn for ten more years.
"So," Mrs. Taylor said, as she lowered Eddie back into his crib. "I suppose we should get you ready for dinner. We want you looking nice when you meet Governor Taylor."
"I'm afraid this is all I have," Elizabeth replied sullenly.
That statement wasn't completely true, but Elizabeth was sure Mrs. Taylor wouldn't want her wearing the leather dress she had worn during her and Will's short honeymoon.
"You can wear one of my dresses!" Mrs. Taylor exclaimed happily. "We're about the same size...oh this will be such fun!"
"I...I'm not sure that's quite appropriate," Elizabeth stuttered out.
"Oh nonsense," Mrs. Taylor replied. "What are friends for?"
An hour later, Elizabeth had taken the best bath she'd had in months, and was dressed in a pretty but plain red dress. Mrs. Taylor had tried to convince her to wear a corset as well, but Elizabeth had refused. She's sworn off ever wearing one again, after the incident at Norrington's promotion.
Elizabeth entered the dining room along with Mrs. Taylor, and they took their seats. Kennedy was already sitting and was scowling at the plates on the table as if they had done her some great wrong.
Just then, a burly man walked through the door wearing a governor's wig. He had dark brown eyes, was slightly overweight, and was certainly nowhere near the age of Mrs. Taylor.
"Father!" Kennedy cried, standing up from her seat and running into her father's arms.
"Yes, hello darling," Mr. Taylor muttered in a bored tone.
He gave his daughter a short one armed hug, before prying her away from him.
"Father there's something I must tell you!" Kennedy exclaimed, glaring over at Elizabeth.
"Not now darling, I'm hungry," Mr. Taylor said flippantly.
"But-"
"Sit down Kennedy," Mr. Taylor spoke harshly, finally giving her his full attention. "Now."
A hurt look flashed across Kennedy's face as she returned back to her seat at the table.
Elizabeth gazed over at her, concerned for the girl. Even when her own father had been his most tired and grumpy, he had never dismissed her in such as way.
"Dear," Mrs. Taylor spoke tentatively. "Once you are ready, I do have something to discuss with you."
Mr. Taylor just made a grunting noise in response, as he dug into his meal before him. Elizabeth was quite appalled by his behavior. She had met pirates with more decorum than this man. Not only that, but he was so oblivious that he didn't even notice the stranger sitting at his table.
About half way through the meal, when Mr. Taylor had already scarfed down half of his food, it seemed he had finally become aware of his surroundings.
"Who the devil are you?" he asked staring at Elizabeth.
"This is what I wanted to talk to you about, husband," Mrs. Taylor said, with forced pleasantness. "I've finally hired a new governess."
"Huh," was his only reply as he gazed at Elizabeth.
He appraised her with almost a predatory look in his eyes, and when his gaze lingered on her chest, Elizabeth felt it was time to intervene.
"I'm Mrs. Turner," she spoke, emphasizing on the part of her name that showed she was married. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Mrs.?" Mr. Taylor questioned. "What's a married women doing working for us?"
"Her husband is away at sea," Mrs. Taylor said, trying to draw his scrutiny off of Elizabeth. "She was a governor's daughter so I thought she'd do well for the job."
"Oh, she'll do perfectly," Mr. Taylor replied, and Elizabeth had to try hard to refrain from glaring at him or just grabbing the nearest sword and poking his eye out.
"Father, I don't want her as my governess," Kennedy complained. "I've done fine for the past year without one!"
"Kennedy, Father's tired and will be going to bed now," Mr. Taylor said.
Then without another word to his daughter or wife, he pushed himself up from his seat and left the room.
"Well," Mrs. Taylor sighed. "That went much better than I had hoped."
Later in the evening, as Elizabeth was preparing for bed, she was still appalled by Mr. Taylor's behavior. Even if she had married a man like Norrington, she couldn't imagine him ever acting like that. And Will...Will would have been the exact opposite of that man. He would have been the most adoring and wonderful husband…
Elizabeth's thought trailed off as she felt tears begun to run down her cheeks. She ran over to her trunk which had been brought up to her room, and carefully unlatched it. Then she pulled out a metal box, the most precious belonging she owned, and cradled it to her chest.
She walked back to bed, bringing the chest with her, as she laid down under the covers. Once she was comfortable, she brought the chest to her ear so she could listen. She heard the quiet thumping, the heartbeat of her beloved though he was a world away. She drifted off into sleep, dreaming that the heartbeat she heard meant that Will was laying beside her.