James and His Midnight Visitor Chapter 2

James and His Midnight Visitor

Chapter 2

As the carriage entered the gate and began to travel the lane that lead to the house James gently woke Elizabeth. As sleep left her mind and she looked around and then out the window of the carriage her confused expression was replaced by grief, tears once again filling her eyes. Her eyes returned to James and as her tears began to flow once again in a voice made hoarse from crying asked, "Are we there?"

"We are." James answered, not trusting his own voice to say more than that.

She weakly slumped against him, "I'm not sure I can do this James."

"I shall be by your side Elizabeth; I will help you through this." James answered, his voice almost breaking as he spoke.

As the carriage came to a halt James leaned over and gave her a light kiss on the cheek then whispered in her ear, "You will get through this Elizabeth, I swear I will be there for you as long as you need me."

She took his hand in hers and placed a kiss on it, "I don't know what I would do without you James Norrington." She steeled herself the best she could for what was to come as she turned toward the door to the carriage and saw Mr. Harris approaching. James opened the carriage door, stepped out and then helped her out, his arms around her in comfort and support.

"Miss Swan, Commodore, I regret we had to see each other under such grim circumstances." Mr. Harris said as he bowed and removed his hat.

"I would like to see William Mr. Harris." Elizabeth said.

"Of course, we have him in the family chapel behind the main house, this way Miss Swan, Commodore." Mr. Harris said as he motioned in the direction they would be going and then preceded them.'

He showed them to the door and opened it, stepped back and said, "I shall leave you alone, when you are ready I shall be in the main house."

James nodded to the man then looked back at Elizabeth standing in the doorway. "I shall wait for you out here Elizabeth."

She turned and took his hand as she looked up at him with tear stained eyes, "No James, please come in with me."

"If that is what you wish Elizabeth." He replied softly.

She did not let go of his hand, instead she held it against her side as she entered the small chapel.

It was dimly lit, very little light coming in the windows set high in the sidewalls, most of the light coming from candles set around the perimeter of the room and on the altar.

She felt a sudden jolt of nausea, her knees almost buckling as she saw the coffin sitting on a stone table in front of the altar. She leaned back against James and he supported her as she struggled to get control of herself. She let out a soft moan and James felt his heart wrench at the sound. She regained herself and stepped up to the coffin, still holding James' hand and giving him no choice but to follow.

She looked down at the man that up until a day ago was to be her husband. He looked so peaceful laying there it was hard for her to believe he was not just sleeping. She reached out and touched his cheek, his skin was cold beneath her fingertips and the fact he was dead and not just sleeping swept over her with no compassion or regard. Her knees gave out and she fought against wave upon wave of blackness threatening to take consciousness from her. She felt James' arms encompass her a moment before the darkness engulfed her.

When she regained consciousness she was outside the chapel under a shade tree. James was cradling her in his lap as he fanned her with a handkerchief and spoke to her in a soft gentle tone.

As her eyes fluttered open she caught the look of relief in those green eyes, the lines of worry fading from his face.

"You had me worried Elizabeth." He said in a tone to match as he stroked her cheek.

"How long was I unconscious?" She whispered.

"Much too long by my judgment." James replied seriously.

She started to sit up and James lay a stilling hand on her, "It would be best if you did not try moving too abruptly Elizabeth, please just lie still for a few minutes. One of the servants should be here in a moment with a glass of cool water for you."

She eased herself back down into his arms and leaned her head against his chest. She could hear the rhythmic beating of his heart against her ear, that and the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed only added to her comfort, together they were so relaxing she was loath to move.

As his thoughts strayed to how good it felt to have her in his arms he mentally chastised himself. 'What are you thinking? She is grieving over the loss of the man she loved, who happens to be lying in his coffin not fifteen feet from you, and you are allowing yourself to contemplate how good it feels to hold her close to you!' He gave a little shudder of disgust.

Elizabeth looked up at him questioningly, "Do you want me to move James?"

He brushed the hair back from her face, gave her a little smile and said, "No Elizabeth, you are fine. I do not want you to move."

"Are you sure James, I don't wish to make you uncomfortable."

"I am sure Elizabeth, you just fainted, you need to be still now."

She settled back down and James pulled her even closer to him craving that feeling of her body pressed up against his, fighting the urge to place a kiss on the top of her head and loathing himself for having the feelings he was having for the woman and not being able to control them even at a time like this.

The servant arrived then with the glass of water. James helped her sit up and take a drink; he placed his hand over hers on the glass and told her, and himself, it was to make sure she didn't drink it too fast.

She smiled up at him and touched his cheek, "I don't know what I would do without you James."

He smiled a brief smile at her and then looked away, he would get lost in those eyes if he allowed himself to meet them any longer. He wasn't even aware he was going to speak until he cleared his throat and began hesitantly feeling the guilt of what was on his mind bite deeper and deeper with every word he uttered, "Elizabeth I…..I….I need to tell you….that is….I don't know quite how to…. how to approach this…..how to say this…...Elizabeth you….."

She interrupted him in a tone on the verge of breaking, tears in her eyes as they met his, "I know what you're going to say James, so let me say it for you. It's time for me to decide what to do with William." She paused for a moment before continuing, "I want to take him back to Port Royal and bury him there."

To Be Continued

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