OK We're back! This is Sadie's chapter! Enjoy! And after reading please review!
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Sadie and Jain
"Miss Norrington, it's fare past daybreak, you must be getting up," Penny, one of Camilla's maids muttered, shaking the young woman from her sleep.
"Yes, thank you," she smiled with a stretch. "What am I due for today?"
Penny moved toward the closet on the side of the room and drew out one of Camilla's new dresses, "Breakfast with the Commodore and Governor Swann, then Sir Samson has a small surprise planned for you in the gardens. This afternoon the Commodore will show you around the docks and the market place and then you will return to dine with Sir Samson."
Camilla nodded and moved behind the dressing screen so Penny could help her with her corsets. She gasped when the pull began to restrict her air supply and silently cursed London fashions. When all was finished Camilla stepped out from behind the screen to study her new dress.
"Is this really necessary?" she asked, pulling her hair back from her face so Penny could pin it up.
"It is required that all women must dress adequately when in the presence of men, Miss Norrington. You should know that, you hail from England."
Camilla sighed and nodded, "Yes, I suppose you're right."
Penny flashed a small smiled and finished pining Camilla's curly hair back. She then placed a matching hat on her head and sent her on her way.
Camilla fingered the necklace around her neck, the diamonds cold against her skin. She knew Robert meant well, but she was still unsure of what she wanted. An image of Captain Sparrow floated to the forefront of her mind, making her scowl. Camilla shook her head slightly to shake the image of the man she had met the night before and refocused her thoughts around her feelings for Robert.
"I just don't know yet," she sighed quietly and slowly made her way down the stairs of her rooms to the carriage awaiting her to take her to the governor's mansion.
"Sister, I hope you slept well?" James greeted Camilla as she stepped from her carriage a moment later.
"Yes, thank you," she smiled politely.
"I heard you did some wandering last night," he furthered, pressing his sister to open up. "Sir Samson told me he found you with Jack Sparrow."
Camilla felt her breath catch in her throat and she blinked, "I was lost, Robert helped me find my way back to my rooms. I had no intent of upsetting you James."
"Don't worry yourself, Camilla, I was only making conversation. Come, the governor is waiting," he smiled his well polished white smile and led her into the mansion.
Governor Swann, Elizabeth and Robert where all sitting at the large table they had eaten at the night before. Another man, whom Camilla had never met was also at the table next to Elizabeth, his medium length hair tied out of his face.
"Hello, My name is William Turner," he smiled, kissing Camilla on the cheek politely.
"Good morning," she smiled, taking her seat next to her brother. "Sir Samson, good morning."
"As to you, Ms. Norrington," he smiled, making Camilla blush.
The group was then served breakfast, Camilla keeping to herself as the rest discussed happenings in Port Royal and the politics surrounding the Governor. Camilla kept her eyes on her plate as she finished her food. Robert broke her from her thoughts as she placed her fork on her plate.
" If you wouldn't mind, Ms. Norrington, but I was wondering if you would accompany me to the gardens for a moment?"
"Very well, sure," she nodded, getting to her feet.
Robert offered her his arm, his eyes roaming over her figure as they left the room. Camilla glanced over her should, making eye contact with the only person who was looking up, William Turner. He flashed a small smile before engaging Elizabeth in conversation.
"I hope you are not upset with me because of my wandering last night," Camilla muttered, turning back to Robert.
"Not at all, you had just lost your way. Sparrow is somewhat of a nuisance around here. Your brother is keeping him in the brig for the week until he is sober. We will let him go in a few days," Robert replied, glancing down at the woman beside him.
"Oh, well, I assume that's a good thing," Camilla smiled sheepishly. "I apologize for my ignorance in the federal system."
Robert chuckled and shook his head, "Please, there is no need to be formal around me, Ms. Norrington. If we are to be married I want this relationship to be as open as possible."
Camilla nodded and swallowed, "I am not accustomed to this sort of behavior, Sir Samson. I feel more comfortable with formalities until I am sure of my feelings."
Robert nodded in understanding and pushed open the door leading to the gardens behind the governor's mansion. He took Camilla's hand and lead her through the maze of well kept bushes and clumps of flowers. He stopped in front of a rose bush and turned to her.
"Would you like a rose?" he asked with a smile, his blue eyes boring into Camilla's.
"Yes, very much," she nodded.
Robert chuckled at her eagerness and cut a rose from the bush, handing it to her, "Careful of the thorns."
Camilla took the rose from him carefully and plucked the thorns from the stem. She then placed the rose behind her ear. Robert smiled at her beauty and pecked her on the cheek.
"You look ravishing," he laughed. "Come I have something for you."
"Another gift? Robert, you really don't have to shower me with gifts," Camilla called, chasing after him as best she could in her long skirts.
She found him a few feet away under an oak tree, another mahogany box in his hand. Camilla tried to refrain from laughing as he held the box out to her. She took it carefully and opened it to find a ring, the silver band gleaming in the morning sun.
"Robert, I don't know what to say," she looked up at him.
"Camilla, I just want that to be a token of my trust in you. I know we do not know each other enough to be in love, but I want you to know that I think it will work," he smiled. "Please don't be like the other women, I feel something different about you. I want this to work."
Camilla blinked and nodded, "I will try not to be like the others, but I am not entirely sure what they did. I will continue to be myself as much as I can."
Robert smiled and pecked her on the cheek again, "I think James wants you to accompany him to the docks this afternoon. I will escort you to your carriage so you may return to your rooms to change."
Camilla nodded and turned to leave, "Thank you, Robert. You are very kind."
She followed the maze of bushes back to the mansion, Robert following close behind. She knew Robert was a charming man, but something told her that this was all an act to reel her in. There was a nagging feeling in the back of Camilla's mind that would not let up. It was telling her not to trust him until she knew he was really going to be the respectful gentleman he was being now. The image of Jack Sparrow floated back to the front of her mind and she felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment.
"Thank you Robert, I should be fine now," Camilla turned to Robert at the foot of the mansion's steps. "I'll see you this evening."
With that she flashed an innocent smile and climbed into the carriage, her mind still on the pirate she'd encountered for the first time the night before.
