Progressing Against Propriety
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of this genre.
Hazy vermillion radiance filled the sky as late afternoon transformed to dusk. Will Turner gazed down upon his wife, curled beneath him, wisps of hair veiling her face like pools of honey against her pale golden skin. He smiled in affection for her, brushing the strands aside, and watched her for a moment, her eyes closed, a soft smile lacing her lips. He leant down and kissed her on the forehead before turning over to glance at the chiming clock on the mantelpiece, curious at the time.
"Good heavens," he muttered in surprise and sat up straight, intending to rise, though was hindered by a restraint upon his leg, and looking down, he found Elizabeth's leg entwined with his. He looked into her face and saw mischief there.
"William, where are you going?" she asked, leaning up to him, exposed.
His eyes widened as he extracted himself from her, drawing up the sheets as he muttered, "Elizabeth, it's past five o'clock, we're late for dinner."
Elizabeth giggled at his nervousness, pushing the sheets from herself, and grasped his arm, sidling up to him. "Stop worrying, Will, we're in no hurry," she purred, kissing his jaw.
Something flared inside of him and he groaned before pushing her away. "Elizabeth, I think we've caused enough trouble for one day, we should really…"
"Oh, but Will, I have so much more trouble in mind," she cajoled, wrapping her arms about his neck.
"Elizabeth," he muttered, resistance apparent in his voice, yet not in his actions as his hands settled at her hips and he pressed his forehead against hers, inhaling as his eyes closed.
"Come now, Will," she whispered, pressing quite close against him. "Would you refuse me something I so desire?"
His eyes snapped open, and he opened his mouth to speak, though faltered, a whimper escaping his throat.
A satisfied smile radiated upon her face, and she pushed him down onto the mattress with ease, her fingers tracing the contours of his chest. "Oh Will," she said, a hint of disapprobation in her voice. "I love you, and I had hoped that you felt the same, but if you're inclined to leave me alone, wanting you…"
Will grasped her wrist as she attempted to move away from him, a gruff laugh emitting from his throat, already weary of the seductive game she was playing. A flicker of desire shown in her eyes and she smiled, leaning down to kiss his chest.
"You are in an amorous mood, aren't you?" he muttered, his fingers weaving through her hair.
A slight shift of her body gave her leverage to press against him, and her eyes glowed in response. "Mmm, so are you."
With a sleight of hand, Will flipped her to her back, rapt as his hands laid claim to her body. She hissed as his callous-roughened fingertips chafed her skin and gasped as his lips parted from hers, moving to caress her throat, her collarbone, his fingers setting her skin on fire, and as his tongue, his teeth, grazed her, she felt she would burst from anticipation and cried out his name, crying out as he—
"Ms. Swann!"
Will sprung away from her body as if he was burned, all but leaping from the bed, his face a picture of shock, his breathing heavy. Elizabeth bolted straight up, hugging the sheets to her chest and stared at the door.
"Ms. Swann?" the voice called again, and Elizabeth recognized it as Marianna's. "Your father is expecting you to dinner; he wonders what is keeping you."
Elizabeth attempted to calm her breathing as she glanced at Will.
"Marianna?" she finally called.
"Yes, Ms. Swann?"
"Tell him we—I mean, I—I'm sorry we lost track of the time…I mean, no, I…"
She bit her lip, flustered.
"Ms. Swann, your secret is safe with me," Marianna assured.
Elizabeth blushed. She hadn't realized Marianna had known what she and Will were all about. Of a sudden, Elizabeth felt dense. Of course Marianna had known. What else would she deduce from Elizabeth's orders to lie about her and Will's whereabouts?
"Tell father…"
Elizabeth rose from the bed, creeping to the door, her lips close to the frame.
"Yes?"
Elizabeth's voice was steady and soft as she answered, "Tell him we'll be down momentarily."
"Shall I assume Mr. Turner is in his room?" Marianna asked.
"Yes," Elizabeth hissed in a whisper.
"All right Ms. Swann, come down when you've quite refreshed yourself," she said in a more elevated tone of voice.
Elizabeth remained close to the door, listening to Marianna's footsteps as she crossed the hall, and knocked on the door to Will's given room.
"Mr. Turner?" Marianna's voice called. "Yes? All right, sir, I'll announce that you will be coming down to the Governor straight away."
Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief once she heard Marianna's footsteps upon the stairs. She turned to look at Will, who held a towel in one hand about his waist, and had her silk robe in his other hand.
"Here, put this on," he muttered, approaching just close enough to her to wrap the robe about her shoulders, then backing up before she could touch him.
"Aren't you in a hurry," she remarked, raising her brows with a smirk.
"I knew something like this would happen," he said, irritation and fear filtering into his voice edgewise.
"Do you regret it, Mr. Turner?" Elizabeth asked, stepping close to him, backing him into the bedframe.
"Certainly not," he answered, earning a smile from her. "But really, Elizabeth, we must go down. This is not quite proper…"
She pouted, placing her hands on his chest, charm erupting in her eyes. "I was not quite finished with you yet."
"Ah…" Will's words were left still in the air as Elizabeth kissed him with teasing firmness, the tip of her tongue flickering against the corner of his lips.
Will was ready to forget about the obligation to go downstairs, about to forget all the obligations in the world as Elizabeth's lips enticed him.
The booming voice of the Governor was yet enough to break them apart, and Will left her, quite bereft, as he gathered the articles of his clothing strewn about the floor.
"He'll notice that I hadn't changed my clothing."
"Just put on your vest, you'll be fine," Elizabeth answered, a tinge of bitterness in her voice.
Will changed in rapid obligation, straightening his garments to suitable presentation, before approaching Elizabeth. She stood with her robe tied about her, her back to him and her arms folded, as she stared at her changing screen.
"Elizabeth," he murmured, coming to wrap his arms around her.
She sighed, leaning back into the support of his body, and said, "I wish things were different."
"You are my wife; that is my first and only happiness," he responded, and Elizabeth frowned, a tear sparkling in her eye, as she realized how selfish she was being.
She pushed away from him and plucked her corset from the floor.
"I suppose I'll put this on again."
"No you won't," Will said, taking it out of her hands. "Have you a gown that laces tight in the front?"
She smiled. "I believe I do." She walked passed the changing screen and into the closet, her hands brushing over the numerous gowns, until she settled on one a deep sapphire blue. She pulled it out and held it before her.
"Will this do?"
The gown was simple yet elegant, with black lacing on the bodice and black lace embellishment on the sleeve.
She smiled when Will failed to answer, draping the gown over the screen, and then loosed the silk robe, and it fell into a heap at her feet, leaving her bare. Will cleared his throat and moved to stand by the door while she changed. In but few moments, she revealed herself; she was stunning, a temptress and a goddess.
"What do you think?" she asked.
Will studied her, unable to hide the admiration in his gaze. "It's perfect, you're beautiful."
"Even without the corset?"
"Especially without," he smiled. A rose hue coloured her cheeks as he glanced down at her chest.
"I'll just fix my hair then, and we'll go down," she said, and sat down at the vanity mirror, twisting her locks and holding them place with a few spare clips. She startled as she saw Will's face reflected in the mirror behind her. He smirked, passing a hand through his curls. He then extended his hand, and she accepted it, and they both rose.
"And how do I look?" he asked with a grin.
"Ravishing," she replied.
He pecked her on the cheek, and then muttered, "You go out first, and I'll go into my room once you reach the top of the staircase."
"And then?" she asked amused.
He pressed his lips close to her ear. "And then you will start walking down the stairs. I'll come out and shut the door behind me, and I'll greet you and take your arm, and we'll walk down the stairs, and pause when we reach the foyer."
Her breath quickened as his lips grazed her cheek.
"Pause?"
Will nodded. "We'll pause, and I'll look at you and try not to ravage you on the spot, and then we'll enter the dining room."
"God, Will, stop," she whispered, irritated, her heart fluttering. He chuckled, doing as she wished, and opened the door, waiting for her to pass through.
"Have you a story ready?" he asked her as she walked past him.
"Yes," she answered, and glared at him. "Do you?"
He smiled with ease. "Of course."
She continued to glare at him for a moment before sweeping elegantly to the top of the staircase, hearing Will slip behind her and enter his room. As she descended the first few steps, she heard a door shut, and Will addressed her as if it was the first time he had seen her that day. She returned the greeting, unable to resist a smile. They continued with the plan, though Elizabeth refused to pause once they reached the foyer, and they strode into the dining room, where Governor Swann sat at the head of the table, an unreadable expression on his face. Elizabeth sat down at his right, Will at his left.
"I apologize for being late, Father. I took an afternoon nap and failed to realize how late I slept. Thankfully, Marianna woke me in time for dinner," she looked up at him and cautioned a smile.
He looked at her, but did not answer. "Marianna, did you find Mr. Turner so employed?" he addressed the chambermaid, who stood by the entryway.
"Mr. Turner was writing orders at his desk, sir."
Elizabeth glanced at her, feeling a twinge of nervousness. Using the same excuse twice in one day...
"Really? I was under the impression you had finished this morning," he addressed Will.
Will cleared his throat. "Not quite, sir. I had just a spot of business to clear up this afternoon. I received a commission from Lieutenant Greys, requesting a sword. I decided to put my apprentice on the charge; his skills are quite sharp."
The Governor looked quite pleased. Elizabeth gazed at Will in surprise. His story was a very good one, and very believable. She wondered if he were speaking the truth. Nonetheless, she was impressed by him, his assuredness and authority over the situation.
"What good news, Will," she said with a smile. He returned the smile, a twinkle in his eyes. Her eyes turned curious, unsure what he was about.
"Indeed. Lieutenant Greys is an esteemed acquaintance of mine, Will. I would have suggested your services to him had he had not sought them himself."
The servants just then entered, bearing trays, and set the evening's meal before them.
The three were silent for a moment, though the Governor recommenced the conversation once the servants left them.
"I hope you have seen reason since this afternoon, Elizabeth," he said as he took a bite.
"Yes, I do apologize Father. I shall never in act in such a manner again."
She cast her eyes down, looking quite remorseful.
"Good," he answered. "I raised you as a lady, I expect you to act as such."
"Yes," she responded.
The remainder of the meal was quiet, with snatches of idle conversation brought up. Elizabeth stirred at her food with her fork, feeling rather disinclined to eat, her appetite nonexistent. Will took polite bites, chewing slowly, apparently lacking in appetite just as much as she. She was quite content sitting and watching him until the Governor asked her whether she disliked the meal. She shook her head in response and took several bites. The meal was rather palatable, though her palate was not satiated. Her hunger could not be satisfied by food. She smiled, raising her foot against Will's leg. He jerked, uttered a low cough, and caught her eye. It was his turn to glare. She placed her foot back on the floor, but grinned at him across the table, fancying sneaking off to the beach for a picnic under the pretense of turning in for the night. As her imagination run amok, the Governor asked,
"Have you plans for this evening, Elizabeth?"
"What?" she startled, looking at him.
"I must meet the council at the fort tonight to go over important matters of business."
"Well, I am sure Will and I can keep ourselves occupied," she answered, throwing a pointed glance at her husband.
"I wish you to accompany me. It should prove quite informative, especially for you, Will."
Elizabeth scowled. "Father…"
"Come along then. After you've finished, gather your coats and meet me in the foyer," the Governor continued, and rose, passing through the door.
"Are you going to eat, Elizabeth?" Will asked in concern, noting that she had taken but a few reluctant bites.
"No," she answered, and stood, beginning to walk towards the doorway. Will appeared at her side, taking her arm.
"Don't sulk, my love. We will more than make up for it tonight," he whispered in a roguish tone.
Elizabeth looked at him with a smile, her heart on fire. "I'll keep you to your word, Mr. Turner."
Will assumed a smug air and walked into the foyer with Elizabeth on his arm, leaving her side for a moment to gather a coat in the closet, and the three set off in a carriage, the beginning of a long night.