Did I have a disclaimer before? I don't remember. Whatever, disclaimer's the same. And I shall try to be more accurate with the time period. But I might be a little lax on the vocabulary. PS, I'm not sure what kind of make-up they had back then, or if they called it that even, but don't be too bugged by it.

CHAPTER 3

The two weeks passed quickly, though uneventfully. James had failed to ask about the drawings; he had a lot on his mind with his new promotion. Azalea was relieved. That was something she liked to keep to herself. Well, herself and Emily. But Emily was like a mother to her. She was also her best friend. The point is, she obviously didn't mind sharing things like that with her. James, however, was different. Though she had known him for the same amount of time she had known Emily, they obviously had a much different relationship. For one thing she was ecstatic because of the fact they had any relationship whatsoever, while James would surely think she was being childish if he knew. That, plus the fact that he was completely devoted to his work. Because the truth is, Azalea was rather childish, and she didn't fancy working all the time. She thought it was silly James spent all of his time working. He was still young, wasn't he? Young enough to have fun, at least.

There was a rap on Azalea's door, interrupting her thoughts. She quickly shot to her feet from her previous position, flat on her stomach on her bed. "Yes?" she asked with a slight stutter.

James walked into to the room. "Your dress is ready."

X+X+X+X+X+X

"Stop fiddling your leg."

Azalea tried for the hundredth to keep her leg still. "I'm sorry. I'm just…"

"Nervous?"

"Not nervous…almost excited."

"Good." He sat back, his leg now fiddling.

"Are you nervous?" Azalea asked, surprised by the sudden shift in tension.

"Well I picked the dress. I can't help it."

A small smile grew on Azalea's face. "Oh." He picked a dress for meHE picked a dress for ME She kept her face calm. "I'm sure I'll love it."

"I hope so."

He hopes so! That means he cares what I think! She smiled, assuring him all was well, and turned her head to peer out the small window. They arrived at the dress parlor after what seemed like a much shorter time now that Azalea was lost in her thoughts. When she stepped inside the two women greeted her warmly.

"Miss Smith! So nice to see you! You're going to love this dress. Come come, hurry up."

Azalea smiled, looked back at James then hopped over to the seamstresses. "I'm hurrying." The three disappeared into the back room, giggling and chatting away.

James sat down on a bench in the shop listening to Azalea's grunts and sudden pained squeals. At one point he could Mrs. Bennet say "Quit batting that arm before I break it off." He could hear less shuffling on the other side of the door after that. A few moments later they reappeared, the two Bennets flaunting about Azalea. James stood as they entered the room.

Azalea smiled bashfully. "So, how is it? I look horrible, don't I?" James didn't say anything; he just stood looking at her. "Well don't stare. Do I look horrid?"

"You look amazing."

Her smile faded and her face got more serious. She smiled at him politely, holding back the feelings erupting inside.

"Doesn't she?" Mrs. Bennet asked enthusiastically. James turned towards her, though keeping his eyes on Azalea.

"Yes." James pried his eyes away from Azalea to turn to look at her. "Should I pay…now?"

The younger Bennet noticed the tension between the two and stepped in. "You can pay later. We have a lot of work to do."

Mrs. Bennet caught on less-than-quickly. "Right. Work."

James nodded, finally snapping out of his dreamy state. "Right." He turned to Azalea. "We should be going." He gave her his arm and she took it shyly. She turned back to the two women to see them giggling wildly and pointing at her and James. She smiled nervously at the two of them and walked out the door. James helped her into the carriage and the two sat silently for the ride home.

X+X+X+X+X+X

"Azalea! Look at you! All dressed up, you look amazing." Emily ran over to Azalea to inspect her more closely. "I never thought the day would come when I would see you like this."

Azalea smiled at her friend. "Neither did I."

Emily took her hands. "The event doesn't start for another hour; let's go do your make-up."

Azalea smiled and followed Emily up to her room. She sat on the bed, all smiles. "So, what's this 'event' about anyway?"

Emily sat on the bed next to her. "Well, it's just a gathering, not much point to it. But you're getting older…and the commodore thought it might be nice if you met more people."

Her smile faded. "Oh."

Emily took her hands. "Azalea, you're a beautiful girl. He just doesn't want to see you with someone undeserving."

"Right." Emily sighed at Azalea's dismay. "Well, I want to look good for everyone." She plastered on a fake smile. "How about we start with the make-up?"

Emily smiled. "Sounds good." An hour later Emily led Azalea down the stairs as Azalea presented the look no one had ever seen. James stood mesmerized at the bottom of the stairs.

"Azalea?"

She giggled. "Yes it's me."

James didn't reply. He just stood staring one again. He couldn't help it. Was this really the same girl he took in 6 years before?

Emily walked Azalea down towards James. "I believe it's time for you two to be going, don't you?"

James once again snapped out of his trance, grateful for Emily's interruption.

"Yes, I believe it is. Azalea." He held out his arm and Azalea took it giddily. When Emily first told her why she was going to the event she felt dreadful. She thought James wanted to drive her away. But then she remembered the way he looked at her. His eyes filled with such…well she didn't know exactly what, but she wanted to find out. She would find out tonight. She would chat with the men that were introduced to her, but when asked to do anything more serious, she would politely decline. James would be so proud of her.

The two stepped into the carriage and Azalea sat, barely able to keep still. James smiled at her. "Excited?"

She smiled back. "Very."

"I'm glad. There are some people who are just as excited to meet you."

X+X+X+X+X+X

The moment Azalea walked through the door of the governor's mansion she was greeted by the man himself.

"Miss Smith? Is that you?"

How did he remember her? They only ever met when she greeted him at the door, and she was always wearing rags. Even so, the attention was wonderful. She blushed looking up at the governor. "Yes."

"You look marvelous. It's wonderful to see you again."

"Oh yes, you as well."

"Azalea." Azalea turned around to find James standing with another man. She had wondered where he had been off to. "There's someone I'd like you to meet. This is Lieutenant Gillette."

She stuck out her hand. "It's nice to meet you."

Gillette took her hand softly and brought it to his lips. "It's a pleasure." Azalea blushed and took her hand back. "The Commodore has told me all about you."

She turned to James. "Has he?"

"We're not here to talk about me. I shouldn't even be here, I'm meant to be talking to Mr. Mercer. But you two should carry on." With that James was gone and Governor Swann had left moments before, which left Gillette and Azalea by themselves.

"So," Gillette turned back towards Azalea, "why haven't I seen you before?"

"You probably have, you just didn't notice me."

"That seems highly unlikely, not to notice someone as striking as yourself."

Her blush deepened. She promised herself nothing would happen with any of the men she met that night, but that didn't mean she couldn't be amused. "That's very flattering." She was about to reject his attempts to get close to her when she noticed James speaking to a woman across the room. They seemed to be more than acquaintances. She turned back to Gillette and smiled her brightest. "I can't imagine why someone like you would need to be introduced. You seem so…self sufficient."

Gillette held out his arm. "Shall we go somewhere a little less busy?"

Azalea took it. "I'd love to."

X+X+X+X+X+X

James looked across the room to see Azalea and Gillette chatting away. It was a good thing, he wanted them to get along. So why this rotten feeling in his stomach? He looked back to find the two of them gone. He excused himself from the conversation he was having with the obnoxious woman who claimed to know him from years ago, and set off to find Azalea. He turned down endless hallways before a familiar voice rang through his head.

"Should we be back here? I mean, this is the governor's—"

Her voice was suddenly silenced by a soft whisper. "Shh. Let's just enjoy the moment."

"Lieutenant?"

James slowly turned the corner to find Gillette leaning into Azalea, his hands on her shoulders. He paused, half-hidden from view, waiting to see how it all played out. Azalea's hands moved to his chest. James' heart suddenly felt ripped in two. Why was seeing her with another man affecting him so much? He turned away, unable to bear the sight. He was about to return to the party when he heard a complaint rush from Azalea's lips.

"Stop. Stop!"

James turned around and rushed back towards them. "Get your hands off of her!" Gillette jumped back in surprise. James pushed past him to Azalea and took her hands. "Are you OK?" No reply came from her. He turned towards Gillette. "I highly suggest you leave before my pity towards you runs dry."

Gillette nodded slightly before hurrying away.

James turned his attention back to Azalea. Her hands were cold in his. They shook if he didn't hold them tight enough. He draped his coat over her shoulders and quickly took her hands again. He looked into her eyes and didn't look away. She looked back feeling a slight comfort. All time seemed to stand still. The two of them just stood there, frozen.

A surprised voice broke the spell. "Commodore? What are you and Miss Smith doing in here?"

Their eyes broke contact and Azalea ran out of the room. James gave Governor Swann a pleading look and quickly left the room to follow Azalea. He scanned the main room and found no traces of her. He hurried through the mansion searching for her. He finally found her in an empty hallway, sitting still against a wall. James walked over quietly and knelt beside her.

"Azalea?" She didn't respond. "What happened?" Still no response. "Did he hurt you?"

She kept her eyes pointed straight ahead and avoided his question with her own. "Do you ever just want to…let everything go? Crawl away, into your own world?"

"More often than you think."

She turned to face him, her eyes filled with sadness. "She didn't deserve you."

At that moment all restraint flew from James' head. He softly cupped Azalea's face and pulled her in for a slow, sensual kiss. She melted into his arms. All memory of what had happened moments before flooded out of Azalea's head. All she could think about was the man who was holding her so gently, yet so powerfully. All she could think about was the man she loved.

Chapter 3 is finally done, YAY! That's all, please review.