"Olivia!" Lady Daphne yelled as she searched the grounds for her older sister. Out of all days, Olivia had to pick today to disappear and leave no trace as to where she had run off to this time. Before she could scold her sister any further, she noticed red hair glisten in the distance. Daphne picked up her skirts and ran toward her sister. "Thank heavens I found you before mama or papa discovered you were gone!"
Olivia simply smiled and shook her head at her younger sister always being in such a worry. Daphne always knew she would never venture too far and that she would always come back. "I only went for a swim." Her voice melodic and sweet that it made Daphne forget her irritation with her. "Besides, Regina and her mother aren't due for another hour or so."
"Yes, but you know how mother is always wanting everything to be perfect, especially when her dearest friend Cora comes to visit." Daphne justified as she walked side by side Olivia who had her silk slippers and sun hat in her hand.
"You do know that she is a rival of mama's, right? They are always in competition." Olivia said dismissively as she picked up her pace. She didn't want to be caught and have her poor ladies maid, Verona, be blamed for not being on time for tea.
"I do, but Cora is just so…so…." Daphne could not find a way to put it delicately. " Well she is just unpleasant and creepy at times."
"At times? No, how about all the time. Poor Regina, I do feel for her for having to tolerate such a controlling mother." Olivia said in a distasteful tone. She truly felt for her dear friend, Regina.
"Tis true, she is so kind." Daphne said solemnly.
Olivia only nodded in agreement as they continued to walk. However, she always liked to tease Daphne. Her pink lips curved into a smile as she picked up her silk skirts. "Last one home doesn't get to eat the last strawberry macaroon!" Olivia bolted into a sprint leaving a rather irritated Daphne behind. With a huff, Daphne gathered her own skirts and ran after her sister.
Dressed in her silk mint green dress, Olivia made her way down to the sun room where the rest of the ladies were enjoying tea. Apart of her dreaded this little gathering her mama had put together, but then again it was the only way she could spend time with her dear friend, Regina. They had known each other since they were little girls and someway somehow they helped each other get through the idle boring life of a young maiden waiting to be married.
The French double doors opened and Olivia managed to flawlessly plaster a smile upon her delicate face. To be honest, she would rather be swimming out in the lagoon she had discovered three days ago.
"You are late my dearest." Olivia's mama, Lady Eleanor, remarked with a cool voice. However, the smile never left her as she stood to greet her eldest daughter.
"I am incredibly sorry mama, but I just couldn't decide what dress to wear this afternoon." Olivia said sweetly.
"Oh these young ladies and there fuss over fashion." Lady Eleanor waved her hand and reclaimed her seat next to Daphne, who was sipping away from her teacup.
"We must keep ourselves pristine and pretty if we wish to catch the eye of a potential suitor." Regina interjected with a meek laugh to eliminate the tension in the room.
"Quite right, Regina and I am sure you have one already." Lady Eleanor turned her attention to her guests.
"She has caught the eye of the King!" Cora announced proudly. Regina was to be her pride and joy, that was something Cora would definitely make sure of.
Lady Eleanor began to cough on her tea, Daphne's beautiful green eyes widened in astonishment, and Olivia looked straight at Regina who shrunk in her seat. Olivia was the only one privy to Regina's love affair with the stable boy, Daniel, back at their estate. She made a mental note to pull her away after tea and ask her about that. Certainly Regina was not considering on marrying the King when her heart belonged to Daniel.
"Well, I hope all goes well for you my dear Regina." Lady Eleanor set her teacup down and tried to muster her best nonchalant self. The fact that Regina already had a suitor worried her because Olivia had not one in sight and this would simply not do.
Regina caught site of Olivia staring at her and she already knew what question was dancing through her head. She was going to have to let Olivia know about her plans to escape such fate.
After tea, Olivia managed to whisk Regina away from the others and they both settled on a comfortable walk that led to the beach. The Hertford estate was set upon the edge of the sea. It could be seen near the town's port and it was known to be the most beautiful house in all the land. A castle by the sea and it was just as enchanting as it was rumored to be.
"Spit it out Olivia." Regina commanded gently as they reached the sandy surface.
Olivia tried to form the right words as she took off her silk slippers. "Regina, do you truly wish to marry the King?"
Regina mimicked Olivia by taking off her own shoes. "I don't know, he is a good man and his daughter is a delight…"
"But…" Olivia encouraged for Regina to say what her heart desired. There was no secrets between them.
"I love Daniel." Regina whispered as she hung her head.
"Its nothing to be ashamed of Regina." Quite honestly, Olivia found herself she envied Regina for having found love and a good man who loved her. How did such an emotion feel? Olivia often wondered about it late at night. It was something she thought she would never experience. Love didn't exist in her social ranking. A marriage of connivance did.
"I know, but my mother. She would not tolerate it." Regina said defeated.
"Does he know of the King's intentions?" Olivia could not help but question her further.
Regina shook her head while lifting her skirt as the small current reached their feet and washed over them. "Not yet, I can't bring myself to tell him."
Olivia stopped walking and took hold of Regina's shoulders. "Regina, to be honest I can't imagine what you must be feeling now, but you need to tell Daniel. It is only fair and possibly you two can come up with some sort of plan."
Regina's dark brown eyes widened in horror. "By some sort of plan you mean elope?"
"What else could you do?" Olivia challenged as she noticed a small seashell on the soft sand. She bent over and picked it up with a small smile curving on her pink lips. "Regina, all I want for you is to be happy and from what you tell me about Daniel I can see that you are truly incandescently happy." Olivia stood upright and handed the pink seashell to Regina.
Regina took it and clutched it with the palm of her hand. "I love him." A tear rolled down her cheek.
Olivia smiled wider and brushed Regina's tear away. "Oh my dearest friend how I envy you."
"Your time will come soon dear Olivia, soon it will hit you out of nowhere and you will find that you cannot live without that person. It's the most wonderful feeling in the world." Regina assured Olivia all that she could. An observation she had made earlier was that Olivia seemed lonely, despite being surrounded by people who loved her and everything a young woman desired, as well as she seemed empty.
The two young women embraced each other to reassure themselves.
"Everything is going to be fine." Olivia whispered.
"For both of us." Regina whispered back.
The lagoon shimmered with the gleaming light descending from the sun. Olivia was happy to have escaped her mama and sister for the rest of the afternoon as they went to call upon Lady Kensington. Fortunately, Olivia was able to come up with the reasonable excuse of a headache to get her out of it. Verona, was the only one who knew of her afternoon swim at the lagoon.
Olivia sighed and she proceeded to take off her simple lavender sun dress and her silk shoes. Swimming was something that relaxed her and it took her mind off many things. It was a relief too since the days were becoming unbearably warm.
She only left on her sleeveless chemise and dipped her toes in the water first. The freshness of the water soothed her and she closed her eyes for a moment.
What was to become of her? Her mother wanted her to be at least engaged to be married, but there was the absence of a suitor. Would she send her away to another land to find one? No, her mother would not be capable of that. Her mother was a firm believer in all good things come to those who wait.
'Everything is going to be fine.' Olivia's own words comforted her for the time being. Her eyes fluttered open and she decided to dive into the water.
He walked for what seemed to be miles and miles on end. Captain Killian Jones was a bit far off from the port where his ship had docked for the week. After a month of sailing the big ocean blue, it was time to make port and get supplies for the next month. He loved the sea, but land was something that he craved from time to time. As well as some companionship, his crew agreed with him on that front.
Killian shrugged off his black coat as he began to sweat. He wiped the sweat from his brow as he came upon a lagoon with tempting blue water. Killian pushed his way through the endless plants and the silent rush of the small waterfall reached his ears. He smirked and walked over to the water's edge.
He kneeled down and took a handful of water up to his parched mouth. The water was wonderfully fresh and it soothed his throat greatly. Killian took a moment and surveyed his surroundings. Never had he seen such a beautiful lagoon from all the places he has been to. This, by far was his favorite.
A sudden splash caught his attention and he stopped taking a handful of water. From the corner of his eye he saw a flash of red.
With caution Killian took hold of his sword and slowly moved away from the water. The water lapped again and this time he caught a glimpse of moving legs. They were human legs. Slowly, he moved back closer to the water's edge and tried to get a better look.
Before Killian could figure that it was a woman, she rose up to the surface. He watched as she rubbed her eyes and smoothed back her long red hair.
"Here I thought I was alone." Killian remarked with a smirk trying to hide the fact that he was taken aback by such a beauty. Olivia's eyes flew open and she let out a shriek. Killian tossed his sword aside and moved closer to the edge. Her eyes were wide and incredibly green, they were eyes that had years of practice of looking down on men like him. He put his hands up, to try and convey some sort of peace.
"Do you really think anyone will hear you, love? And if they do, what would they say if they found both of us here? Hmm…" Killian smirked and Olivia rolled her eyes. He thought himself a charmer, this one.
Olivia narrowed her eyes and remained still in the water. She was not going to get out and let this stranger see her in her chemise. She bit her lip as she contemplated on what to do. Goodness he was handsome, a striking man despite his lack of baths and manners, it would seem. His eyes were as blue as the sea and his hair was glistening shade of black and she found herself having the urge to run her fingers through it. He was rugged and he was built averagely, but his muscles seemed to be well-defined. From the look of his attire, he was a pirate.
"I am sure they would take my word over yours." Olivia said in a huff.
"Ah, but would your reputation be not shattered, caught with a pirate… alone?" Killian was now at the very edge of the water, unaware of the fact he was moving closer. Her mouth turned into a pout, defiant even though she was defeated. "See, your kind is predictable… its really such a bore, I don't know how you manage." Killian continued with his natural humor as he bent down to touch the sparkling water.
"My kind?" Olivia had moved closer to the edge, so that she could easily stand with only her shoulders being above water. "We are the people, good honest citizens who maintain responsibilities. By your childish grin I can see you know nothing about what I speak of. But to be frank, what more could be expected of a pirate?" Olivia said, trying best as she could to mimic his easy tone. It seemed she must have done a good job because again, the pirates attention was completely on her.
"Good, so you know what I am. I'm glad you didn't try to defend how dull your life is. Especially compared to all the world has to offer, the islands that no one has ever set foot in, or the waters we get to travel. If you thought this was pretty, there are places where the water is crystal clear and you can swim with the dolphins." Killian said in a longing tone, of course it was a bluff. This was by far the most beautiful oasis he had seen and dared to go near. He looked through the corner of his eye and saw the woman narrow her eyes once more, unimpressed.
"I am sure that works on lonely housewives, girls who have never seen anything past the port you sailed in. Oh how they must sway, pirate. Still, I am unimpressed. I lived by the sea my entire life, I have seen dolphins. I can't imagine what it would take to swim with them seeing as they attack anything foreign around their packs simultaneously." Olivia said with a smug smile as she crossed her arms over her chest. She took extreme pleasure in seeing his face somber.
"Well love, I will have you know it works at least 7 out of 10 times." Killian said with a sly smile.
"A gambler as well as a pirate, well aren't you trying really hard not to grow up." Olivia sassed back.
"Well, how else are you supposed to enjoy life? Notice I said enjoy, princess." Killian raised his finger as Olivia began to speak. She opened her mouth once more, but no words came out. Killian's smile got wider. "Precisely my point, love. Truly couldn't have said it better myself."
"I grow tired of this game, will you just turn around so I can get to my clothes." Olivia demanded as she motioned the act for good measure.
"You have no clothes on?" Killian asked as he arched his brow. Olivia felt her heart race a little, he said it seductively, he wanted her to feel this way. She splashed the water at him, frustrated that he was being difficult.
"You sir, are most ungallant!" Olivia yelled as the water soaked his shirt. He froze, with arms open and dripping. His hair had gone flat, the water made it stick to his head. He looked so offended that Olivia had no ability to control her laughter. With tight lips and angry eyes, Killian nodded his head, unable to find something witty in his arsenal of words.
"You know… you are right. I am ungallant. In fact, I think I will take this beautiful dress. Oh and look, shoes to match!" Killian said as he picked up her clothes and smoothed them over his arm. Olivia's laughter stopped rather quickly then. "You know, as back up, in case my wonderful tales fail on those unsuspecting wives."
"Now, wait! No, stop! I can't! You thief!" Olivia stammered her words, her eyes were blazed with fury as his turned to humor. She edged as close to the edge as she dared, still refusing for him to see her in a chemise, especially a wet one.
"Here, see… I'm not completely ungallant." Killian said as he threw a piece of cloth where her clothes had been. "The name is Killian Jones, for when you file a report… you know, for the clothes." Killian said as he walked away from the beautiful woman with red hair. He knew then, he would never forget her face… it was by far the angriest anyone had ever looked at him, without fear. He smiled satisfactorily.
Olivia yelled long after he was gone, only then did she dare slip out of the water and to the cloth he had left. She opened it and gave a small shriek, it was a pirate flag. She dropped it back on the floor, stepped on it, kicked it, and then stomped some more. Her heart was racing from anger at the damn pirate and fear of what anyone might say if they were to see her in either a chemise or wrapped in a pirate flag.
After a long tantrum, Olivia decided she would be less embarrassed covered in a flag than clad in her chemise. She wrapped it around herself, tying it with vines around her waist and chest. The flag was black, and as the sky darkened she figured it would serve to her advantage to disguise herself in the dark. She looked at her miserable reflection in the water, a seagull could have dressed her better than this!
Olivia ran back to the castle, her heart pounding out of her chest… If she made it to her room, with no one being the wiser, she promised herself to do whatever it took to exact vengeance to that miserable pirate, Killian Jones!
A/N: Thank you to "odetted99 and GirlWithTheNotebook" for your encouraging reviews! And to "Odetted99, Alexis Seven, Joeri. Blaine" for subscribing to the story! Merry Christmas and don't forget to let me know what you think!
