A tall man strode through the parlor, scanning the room for someone. His white wigged head searched around, taking in the sight of his mother's handsomely decorated home which he had grown up in. He was elegantly dressed in a silk and mint colored coat, white silk breeches and shoes for a King. He was said to be like his father, intellectual, excellent in handling a sword, and very charming. He was in every aspect like his father, the late Count James Norrington. Yet, this man had different opinions than his father and this made him stand out more than the man whom everyone had adored.

"James!" A woman cried rushing in from an open doorway.

James opened his arms and crashed with his mother, hugging her sobbing body. "Mum, you really mustn't cry every time I come home. It is most upsetting…"

The woman wiped away her tears from her beautifully carved face. "I know it's just…well I miss you so much when you go. But I have every intention of keeping you here for a few months."

James laughed and chucked his mother under the chin. "I am most certain that you have arranged for a few galas for us to attend."

"In fact I do…tonight the Marquise de Florence is hosting a ball."

"Marquise de Florence?"

"Miss. Carolina was recently married while you were away…for a year."

James sighed. "You know I must check up on our Ports around the Caribbean."

"Yes, but there are pirates…they are scurvy infested and give you nicknames."

James roared with laughter at this, making his mother's eyebrows furrow. "What pirates have you met and when have they given you nicknames?"

His mother remained quite except to interject the prospects of the Marquises daughter.

"I do not intend to marry a woman who only knows how to please a man with artwork and dancing. I have told you this many times."

"James Norrington! You will marry a woman of accomplishment and you will like it." His mother bit out, changing James's mood quickly.

"They are filled with nothing but hopes of marrying a rich man."

"But you are a rich man! You have every right to marry one of these women…take advantage of it."

"Mother, I will take advantage of them in bed but never shall I marry one."

His mother gasped and clutched her diamond speckled throat. "You insult your own mother. You disgrace me. I did not raise you to speak as such."

James knew the only way to calm her down was to accept the invitation to the Marquises ball. "Mother, please, before you faint and I have to call Baron Radcliff, I will attend the Marquises ball."

His mother did not say a word nor did she straighten herself. It was at these moments that he realized how fabulous she was when she wasn't putting on airs. She was gazing at the fireplace, deep in thought unlike most women. "Do not ever threaten me with the appearance of the Baron."

"He adores you and wishes for you to be his wife. He has proposed three times yet you wave him off. He is deeply infatuated with you."

"And I will not have him in this house!" She yelled, her eyes filling with rage. "The only man I wished to have in this house was your father. Since his death, I have decided that I shall not marry another man. I shall not have another man in my bed, in his office, in his chair, or any other place in this house. You, of all people, should know that."

She turned around, cupping her mouth with a violent grip, tears pouring from her eyes.

"Mother, father has been dead for twenty-three years, yet you still weep for him."

"That is what one does when one loves someone so much."

"Please just marry the Baron and put my heart to ease that you shall be taken care of."

She turned back to him, a curious look in her eye. "You marry a woman of gentle prospects and title, and I will marry the Baron. Deal?"

James shook his head and left for his apartments. On his way to his bedroom, he passed by his father's office door which had always been shut to him. He peered at the door for just a moment before waving the notion off. He would rather get dressed in fresh clothes than look at things long forgotten.

I told you all there was a surprise! Get ready to embark on a new adventure... 3 mermaidhair1461