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Chapter 1

It was once said that Port Royal was the richest and wickedest city in the world and none knew that better than the three young women that were sitting in the garden. Their names were Gabriella, Annabella, and Samara Beckett. Samara looked around fearing that she would be caught and pulled out a newspaper from beneath a flowerpot. "I just purchased this," Samara excitedly replied.

"What does it say," Annabella said inquisitively. All three sisters were now huddled around Samara who had the small newspaper on her lap. "What is in it," Gabriella excitedly remarked; "is there anything exciting?" "We never get to do anything exciting," Annabella exclaimed as she pouted while resting her chin upon her hands. "Look, look," Samara exclaimed as she pointed at the first page.

They all gasped when they read the headline. However, one word stuck out. This word was the scourge of Port Royal, the outsider. "Pirates," Gabriella whispered. "Go on," Samara bounced up and down in her seat. Annabella stood up and took a manly bow as she imitated her brother, Cutler Beckett. "Ah," Annabella made a face of discomfort, "I see these trifling matters amuse you."

Gabriella snickered as Annabella continued on, "This newspaper reports such filth. Well, I say that this is no newspaper at all." Samara giggled, "No indeed it is not!" Annabella placed a white rag on top of her head, "Pray tell me, they say that this is the newest style, however, I must decidedly tell you that I feel like a clown!"

"Well, I say you rather look like one too," Gabriella jested. Samara was gripping her side by this point from laughing so hard. "I should like to know why you find such high fashion a joke, dear sisters." Cutler Beckett strolled into the garden. "I find one small detail just as amusing. The fact that you cannot reach the top cupboard in the kitchen," Annabella remarked in a sing- song voice.

Beckett gently took the newspaper from Samara's hands and coldly looked at them, "Why are you reading this filth?" There was silence. Beckett took in an exasperated breath, "I thoroughly dislike having to repeat myself." "Please sir," Samara explained, "it is only a newspaper." "ONLY A NEWSPAPER," Beckett shouted, "I HAVE SEEN BOOKS WITH MORE DIGNITY THAN THIS!"

Angry and flushed from yelling, Cutler looked from each of his sisters to the other. Finally, he let out an overdrawn sigh; "Will you three ever learn?" "Now, seeing as you are already up for the day, and quite awake, I have matters that I would like to have you come with me to attend to." Gabriella looked at Samara and Annabella as she shifted uneasily on her feet.

"Pray," Annabella spoke up, "will you forgive me for what I did?" Cutler looked at his sister and sent her a kind smile, "Any brother would forgive." He kissed his sister on the forehead and replied, "However, there may come a time when you three will have to grow out of the nature in which you are accustomed." "Meaning what," Gabriella asked in suspicion. Cutler did not respond.

With a wave of his hand, he brushed the matter aside, "Come, I have something to show you." The three followed into step behind their brother as he led them through the garden in which they were and through the courtyard. The sun was shining without a single cloud in the sky. The sky was as blue as it ever was. "What a beautiful day!" Samara said as they walked along.

Cutler walked into his office and sat down at his desk. He motioned for his sisters to sit down. Gabriella, Samara, and Annabella exchanged glances and sat down in front Cutler. "I would like to apologize in advance for all that I am going to say to you." Cutler opened his desk drawer and pulled out three letters, "The three of you have come to an age in which you are going to receive proposals."

Gabriella looked at Samara and Annabella with a raised eyebrow. Samara was fidgeting nervously with her sleeves and Annabella had a face of stone. All three girls did not even have to say the words, they knew each other too well- this was going to come to no good. "And," Cutler continued, "It just so happens that I have three letters in front of me."

Annabella did not respond as she looked down. Samara nervously laughed, "Who are the letters from?" Cutler looked at the letters as though he did not recall who had proposed. "Privateer Robertson for Gabriella." Gabriella cringed, for, she knew Privateer Robertson very well. He was stodgy and about as dull as stale bread. "Marcus Henderson, the wealthy banker, for Samara." Samara pouted, for, Marcus was only a year older than she. However, Samara pouted, for, though there was a small age difference of three years, Marcus Henderson was a most undesirable piece of work. He was a banker through and through. He lived life by his pocket watch and everything had to be one time … even his meals.

Cutler looked down with a look of disdain, "Ah that is the wrong letter of proposal." "Who by," Annabella exclaimed. "It is of no concern," Cutler retrieved the correct letter, "The head of the British East India Company writes to ask for your hand in marriage for his youngest son, James." Gabriella sighed, "I cannot agree to this, sir." "Nor can I," Samara and Annabella replied in unison.

"Well, I am afraid that you hold no choice in the matter," Cutler replied dryly. "No choice?" Gabriella retorted, her anger flaring. "It is all my choice! I will choose whom I will marry. I will not be passed off as one of your trades," she hotly stated. "Nor will we," Annabella spoke up as Samara stood with her arms crossed in defiance. "I am afraid," Cutler replied, anger rising, "that it IS my choice. I am your guardian and I will see what is best for your welfare dear sisters!" " You mean YOUR welfare," Gabriella snapped.

"Do I not have a choice in the matter," Annabella gently asked as Cutler turned to look at her. "I have two letters of proposal. Please tell me, who the other proposal is from?" Cutler's features softened as he replied, "You cannot benefit from the other proposal. As previously stated, I am only doing what is best for you." Annabella's eyes welled up with tears, "Does it matter if I even glance at the letter?"

"I would rather that it just fade away and be forgotten that it was ever mentioned," Cutler sighed. "I do only want the best for you all. Nothing would mean more to me than to know that you were all provided for. Intentions, though they are great and have good purpose, cannot put bread on the table or clothes on your back." " Oh, please let me see just a little," Annabella said, her voice beginning to tremble. "Please, I would not be able to sleep with this hanging over my mind." A tear gently rolled down her rosy cheek.

Gabriella grabbed Annabella's hand and held it tightly for support. Samara gently stroked Annabella's hair; which was always something that she had done to comfort her sisters. Annabella opened her mouth to speak, however, a voice behind her replied, "Sir, you are needed in the main office." Cutler looked at Annabella and replied, "We will talk this over later."

"I am sorry, sisters, but I must go," Cutler said. "I will call on you around supper and we will discuss this over a warm meal. Good day." With a slight bow and tip of his hat, Cutler Beckett strode out the door after his fellow naval officer. "Oh, what are we to do," Annabella said sadly. "Look," Gabriella called as she noticed an object on the floor beside the desk. "I think this is the other proposal letter dear sister." "Oh!" Annabella exclaimed as she went to kneel by Gabriella, "do I dare open it?"

The sisters exchanged glances, for; they did fear the outcome of such an action. However, the tears in Annabella's eyes provoked Gabriella and Samara to send her the affirmative. Annabella carefully held the letter up to the heat of the candle; breaking the seal away, however, she paused and turned towards her sisters. "Will brother hate me for this?" Gabriella sighed, "Dear sister, it is your life ... not his."

"He will love you no matter what. Go on," Samara reassured, "we are all in this with you." Carefully, Annabella slipped the letter out of its envelope. As she slowly unfolded it, Gabriella and Samara leaned in to read it alongside her. As her eyes scanned the letter, Annabella was instantly drawn to the beautiful and eloquent signature at the bottom of the paper.

Annabella whispered, "Commodore Norrington." Gabriella and Samara did not know this as Annabella had failed to mention it, for, it did not seem significant to her at the time. Commodore Norrington and Annabella had met once by chance. She was at the marketplace and was purchasing some apples when a pickpocket had stolen her handbag. Commodore Norrington had caught the perpetrator and had taken the liberty of walking Annabella home. Annabella did not speak of it to her sisters, for; she did not understand whether James Norrington was truthful. It had happened when he was still pining for Elizabeth Swann. Therefore, nothing was ever mentioned. "He had once told me," Annabella's brown eyes turned towards her sisters, "that I could call him James."

Both Gabriella and Samara looked at her with searching gazes, as if to determine what this all meant. "I suppose this shall never be." Annabella murmured. "Who knows," Gabriella said as she placed a hand on Annabella's shoulder, "we shall talk to brother tonight at dinner as he said and then we shall go from there." "I agree," replied Samara. "There is no need to worry yet."

Annabella pressed the letter back into place; however, her fingers lingered upon the fine linen parchment. "James -" Annabella shook her head, "Commodore Norrington cannot marry me. It is useless to even ask. Brother will never allow it ever since the Commodore was demoted," Annabella took in a deep breath. For, this feeling was strange to her. "Why does my heart hurt so?" Gabriella's piercing blue eyes glittered with emotion as she ran her hands through her deep brown hair.

"Take heart dear sister," Gabriella encouraged, "all shall be well." "I wonder what all the commotion is about," Samara's voice trailed off. As they looked around Gabriella and Annabella noticed that the whole building seemed to be bustling with an unknown disturbance. For everyone was rushing here and there in frenzied dashes and hushed tones.

"The commotion is nothing compared to what brother may do," Annabella sighed as she placed the opened letter upon the desk. The hours passed by and still Annabella did not leave Cutler's office. Instead, she placed her head upon the desk and kept on glancing at the letter. Soon, day turned to afternoon and afternoon turned to night. "We should leave," Samara sighed and turned her hazel eyes to Gabriella.

Gabriella nodded and went to nudge her daydreaming sister. "Annabella, I think we should get along to dinner now. The sun is fading." Annabella made no move for a few moments, just staring ahead as if into a dream. She slowly rose, as if a burden had been laid upon her and its weight now pulled her down. She took the arms of her sisters and they slowly departed to go to the house where their meal and no doubt, their brother awaited them.

Gabriella opened the office door only to find that her brother was standing outside. He turned towards Gabriella and looked at Annabella. Annabella's tear-streaked face was pallid. It almost seemed as though she was having trouble breathing. Annabella looked down as her brother's eyes diverted towards the opened letter upon his desk. He sent them a glare as he walked towards the desk and picked the letter up.

They braced themselves for the inevitable. "What is the meaning of this," Cutler demanded. His voice was stern. "I, I" Annabella stammered and swayed as Gabriella caught her and held her up. "Please brother," Samara soothed, "We meant no harm."

Cutler coldly looked upon Annabella and dryly replied, "Get her out of this room." Annabella swayed backwards, "What is it that has overcome me?" Cutler shouted, "GET HER OUT OF HERE!" Samara and Gabriella did not flinch for once. Gabriella replied, "I trust that you will understand her situation one day." Samara curtly replied, "If that day ever comes." Annabella whimpered, "I want to go home."

Samara and Gabriella exchanged looks. Samara whispered, "But, Annabella, you are home." Annabella shook her head, "I want to go home ... to England." Cutler interrupted, "And what exactly will you do ... become a low merchant selling flowers on the street for one shilling? I am the only family you have."

Annabella just stared vacantly ahead. "Anywhere is better away from your foul company," Gabriella snapped. Samara shook her head sadly. "I will NOT have you talk to me in that way! Ungrateful little ingrates- the three of you! Cutler roared. "I will say it only once more. GET OUT OF MY SIGHT … ALL OF YOU!"

Samara and Gabriella supported Annabella and left the room as quickly as they could. They did not come to dinner that night, for, they wished to bide their time with Annabella in the room that they shared. Annabella shook her head, "I will never come down. I shall never leave this room as long as he is in the house. How dare he speak to me as though I am lower than he?" Samara sighed, "Do you not wish that you could leave at any time and never come back? I sometimes wish that I were a man." Gabriella paused, 'I miss England very much." Annabella looked at them and paused, "How do you think we could get back?"

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