Chapter 3

"Excuse me," said a maid as she walked into the sitting room where Isabella and her mother were currently sitting, "There is a Commodore James Norrington at the door."

Isabella stood up, hoping that she might be the one to meet him at the door, but as always her mother spoke first.

"Show him in, of course!" Then she turned to Isabella. "Isabella, quick, make yourself presentable!"

"But Mother-"

Her mother silenced her with a glare. She patted her hair. Did she not look presentable already?

But she didn't have time to think about it, or to fix her appearance anymore because James walked in.

She couldn't help but smile at him.

Immediately her mother was up at his hand and guiding him to a chair. He winked at her when he sat down causing her to blush.

Thankfully her mother had not seen the exchange.

"I'm so glad you could make it, Commodore, especially at such a short notice," she gave Isabella a pointed look, "It seems my daughter was forgetful and forget to ask you the first time you were here."

James took the seat offered to him, "I'm glad you invited me, it gets awfully lonely sometimes at my home with just the servants around."

Isabella was about to saw something, but then her mother jumped in, "Oh you poor dear, that means you must come here more often. Right, Isabella?"

She smiled, "Yes, Commodore, it would be lovely." She was surprised when her heart seemed to skip a beat at the mere mention of James coming over more often.

James smiled at her, and for some reason her mother got up and excused herself from the room saying she was going to check up on the meal.

But Isabella knew better. She was just giving them an opportunity to be alone. But for once she didn't mind her mother's scheming.

"I see we are still not on a first name basis, Miss Dobbs." James leaned back comfortably in his chair and smiled over at her.

"No, it seems we have not. Would you like to try now, James?" she smirked at him.

"Why of course, Isabella." he remained smiling at her, "See it wasn't that hard." Plus he loved how her name seemed to roll of his tongue.

She laughed and looked down at her hands, a blush creeping up her neck, "No, I guess not."

At the moment her mother walked back in the room and announced, "Dinner is served."

The dinner table seemed big, yet it was only set for three people. Isabella's mother set at the head. James walked over to Isabella and pulled out her chair for her. She smiled her thanks to him and then got to his own seat.

"So, Commodore," said her mother, "Do you enjoy your work in the Royal Navy?"

James was about to answer, but then stopped and thought. Did he really like being a Commodore? Did he like working for Beckett? He knew that answer was a no. But he gave the woman his automatic answer.

"Yes, Mrs. Dobbs. It is a good career, I've always wanted to be in the Navy since I was little." that too was a lie, it was his father's dream. And he was all but forced to follow in his father's footsteps.

Isabella looked at James and noticed, that while talking about his position, there seemed to be an unhappiness in his eyes. Was he telling the truth? Did he really like his work?

James saw out of the corner of his eye Isabella was looking at him. She had a puzzled look on her face. She looked as if she was trying to figure him out.

Good luck with that, he thought. Sometimes I can't even figure myself out!

"My husband, God rest his soul, was a seaman too. He was a captain on a merchant ship. He so loved his work and the sea." and at that moment the food came and the subject forgotten.

"I hope you enjoy your meal, Commodore, I had my cook use one of my grandmother's old recipes."

Isabella looked down at her food and picking at it. She knew what her mother had said was a lie.

James set his napkin down on his plate and was unable to eat any more, "That was most excellant, Mrs. Dobbs. I cannot eat another bite."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it." her mother smiled at him, then she looked at her daughter, "Isabella, dear, why don't you show the Commodore our gardens."

"Okay." Isabella quickly accepted, taking any chance to get out of her mother's scrutinizing eye, "Come, James, the gardens are this way."

"Ah, Isabella, it's Commodore to you. Please don't direspect our guest." her tone was just shy of being sharp.

James quickly came to her defense, "Pardon me, Mrs. Dobbs, if it's alright but I'd rather be called James. I get called Commodore too many times a day." he smiled at her.

"Of course, Com-James, if you wish." she smiled and watched the two walk out of the dining room.

She sighed, Isabella better get James. He had enough money to support his wife, and make the life of his mother-in-law quite comfortable.

"This is my favorite place in the whole house, I used to come out here when I was a child all the time." she smiled at the memories.

"It is quite lovely." James was in awe at all the flowers, and the air smelled so sweet.

Suddenly Isabella got a childish gleam in her eye, she turned to him, "Can I show you something?"

"Of course!" James had to laugh at her eagerness.

"Come on!" she grabbed his hand and led him through the maze of flowers until he was standing in front of what looked like a minature house.

"This used to be my play house, " she announced proudly, "My father built this for me when..." she trailed off. When he still loved me, was what she was about to say, but she didn't want to bring that part of her life back. Ever.

James saw the sadness in her eyes, and there was a powerful urge to put his arms around her and keep her close. To comfort her. But he kept his arms firmly to his he was about to tell her how glad he was that she would trust him to see such a treasure of hers.

"There you are!" Isabella mother came up from behind them, "Oh, Isabella I hoped you wouldn't show him that old thing." disappointment was evident in her voice, but it quickly disappeared and she became a host not a mother, "Well I figured, since it was getting dark, I thought you might not see the garden that well. Maybe next time you come and visit. But anyways, I have tea and some little deserts on the porch. I know you said you couldn't eat anymore..." her voice trailed off as she talked to James, leaving Isabella far behind them.

In fact she didn't move, she stayed by her playhouse and ran her hand along its edges, tears instantly welled up in her eyes. She quickly wiped them away and headed for the house. Knowing if she was gone long she would never hear the end of it from her mother.

Isabella walked up to the porch and saw James was sitting alone. Where had her mother gone?

"She said she had some things to attend to, and hoped we could talk some." James answered her question.

"Oh, alright." she took a seat across from him.

It was silent.

"I'm sorry about your father." said James suddenly.

Isabella jumped, startled at the question, "Really?"

"Your mother told me what happened. He died while out at sea." he looked away. "I know what you must have gone through. My own father lost his life at sea."

"Oh, James, I'm sorry."

"It's quite alright," he smiled sadly. "It was the way he wanted to go. He loved the sea. Now about your father. How long has it been since he…passed?"

Once again she felt tears forming in her eyes, "Well, actually, it happened quite a few years ago, but sometimes I feel like it just happened. My father and I always spent time together." She sniffled, then continued. "I always hated it when he would go out to see. I was afraid he knew he would never come back. And then one day…he didn't." Tears spilled down her eyes.

Embarassed she stood up and faced away from him. "I'm sorry, James. I know this was supposed to be an enjoyable outing. I've ruined it."

Then she felt a hand on her shoulder, she turned around and saw James looking down at her.

"No, you haven't."

Suddenly a sob escaped her mouth and she clung to him, crying into his shirt. This was the first time she had shown her emotions about her father in front of another person. And she was glad it was James.

"Well I should be heading back home." said James a little while later. He stood up from the table him and Isabella had been sitting at. She had stopped crying a little while after he had comforted her and for the past hour they had just sat and talked.

"Of course, I'll walk you to the door." said Isabella and she stood up and walked with him to the door.

They were silent, not knowing what to say to one another. But that problem was solved when Isabella's mother came bustling in.

"Leaving so soon, James?" she asked standing beside her daughter.

"I'm afraid so, Mrs. Dobbs, it is getting quite late and I don't want to burden you any longer."

Isabella's mother smiled and waved her hand in the air, "Nonsense. I enjoy having you over, plus," she placed her hands on Isabella's shoulder's, "I've never seen my daughter so happy, she still grieves for her father, you see."

"Oh." James seemed to brighten up. He was making her happy?

"It's true, and I was wondering James. I have a few errands to run tomorrow afternoon, leaving my daughter alone. Maybe you two can have a picnic, or a walk in the park. If your not too busy that is."

Isabella rolled her eyes, she knew her mother had no errands the next day. This was another attempt of trying to put her and James together.

"Well I'm not too busy and I haven't had a picnic in a long time." James smiled at Isabella, "Around noon alright with you, Isabella?"

She smiled back, but this time her heart gave a little lurch when she looked at James's smiling face. He looked so happy. Then she felt a sinking feeling, if he ever found out what her mother was doing he'd be crushed...again. She knew what Elizabeth had done to him, and she didn't want it to happen to him again.

"That's perfect!" her mother answered for her.

"Until then, Isabella." James continued smiling, "And thank you, Mrs. Dobbs for the wonderful meal." and he was gone.

James sat awake in his bed. He had been like that for hours. He had laid awake thinking about Isabella. She was a sweet girl, he knew she still had a child's spirit in her. Much to her mother's disappointment. But James like that about her.

But sometimes he would sneak a look at her and see sadness. It was as if she wanted to please her mother, but at the same time want to unleash her childhood spirit. And in a way, James felt sorry for her.

He rolled over to his side. He needed to stop thinking about her. He didn't want it to be another Elizabeth.