Thanks all my lovely reviewers! I am going to extremely suggest a few songs to listen to as I don't have the lyrics cuz I can't find them. She is not very mainstream but she is one of my alltime fave singers EVER. So check her out. "Perfectly Alright", "Season (Cover song for Sean Kagalis)", and "The End". Her name is Allison Weiss and you can check her out on youtube. For those of us indie lovers u r bound to adore her.

Enjoy.

After dinner with the heirs of the Beckett line, all of us women left to Josephine's private parlor while the men left to smoke their cigars and speak of business. This was my chance. I pardoned myself from the prying eyes of my aristocratic relatives towards the privy. Once inside, I took the note from my cleavage and tore it open. My heart was one heavy note of pounding in my chest. As I struggled to inhale air, I read what my lost hope had to say.

My dearest Brenna,

I must start by saying I understand your choice. Lord Beckett shall give you everything you have ever wanted…the things that I never could. He will be attentive to your every need and fulfill your desires of a pampered life. You were never mine to take. Somehow, I knew you would be his.

It pains me greatly to see you smile in his presence but if he brings you happiness, then I am comforted. I will have left for Port Royal by the time you have gotten this, but I shall be with you in heart and spirit for you have stolen them from me to never retrieve again.

I know that I will never see you again. But if that day does come that we do, I'll smile and remember all of the wonderful memories of love and life you have given me. All I ask is that you smile back and not think of me as indifferent…but that you remember how much you loved me.

Always yours,

Commodore James Norrington

I could not breathe as the tears poured down over the letter like rain. I hiccupped and clutched my mouth to keep from screaming out. I slid down the wall and clutched my knees in such agony, such pain. I loved him more than anything and yet he was gone.

I hated this life! I hated everyone and everything that existed. I would give anything…my title, my wealth, my inheritance…if I could just have one more moment with him and tell him I loved him. To kiss his sweet lips and peer into his green eyes.

A knock came to the door. "Lady Beckett?"

It was Sara, one of Beckett's Aunts, come to check on me.

"One moment!" I was able to manage in a half dignified voice. I brushed at my cheeks and fortunately for me, my eyes were clear of any pain. This was a first for my eyes usually bore my depression. I stuffed the letter back down my corset and opened the door.

"We've been waiting for you. We wish for you to sing to us. The men have gathered and they wish to hear it as well." She looked around as if someone was watching us. "No one in our family can sing and so…it is a joy to us when someone with talent performs!" She took hold of my hand and dragged me towards the parlor. The room was packed and too warm for comfort but I was given no choice. Beckett looked on at me like I was his soul's jewel while all the men went green in envy.

I took a seat at the grand piano and began to play a bit of Alla Turca for them. They began to clap and cheer for me but this brought no smile as I pounded away on the keys. I then moved into a solemn song and let my voice ring out clear above their heads. Once finished, I was greeted with a ruckus of cheers and rampage of kisses on the cheeks. I was a success in this family and I should have been looking at them with joy.

"If I had a wife like that I wouldn't let her out into society!"

"I would keep her locked into my bedroom to entertain me with such sweet melodies."

"I'm astounded, Cutler. You let us meet her. I would have thought you would keep her all for yourself."

Beckett turned his eyes to mine which sent the worst of chills down my mind. That was what he intended to do. I would never be out of his sight. No moment of peace would be mine. I would struggle to keep my undying love a secret…to keep my pain from showing its tormented face. "I wouldn't dare keep her from such a prying family. If I did, I would soon see all of you climbing my walls and peeking into our windows."

The family laughed but Beckett's words were the truth.

"I think I shall retire." He chuckled to himself and let his eyes leave mine.

I was determined to not give him the pleasure of taking advantage of me that night. I was going to stay up as late as I wished. "Well, I on the other hand, wish to play some more."

The family erupted once again in cries of excitement. All gathered around the piano and I played for hours, singing, talking, pounding away at the keys. One by one they yawned and I softened my harmonies until they were lullabies, until it put them all into a deep sleep. By the time they all fell over into their dreams, it was four in the morning. I smiled. My plan was a success.

I was alone.

The house was silent.

I sighed and fell into a slump. I was exhausted but there was no way I was going to sleep.

"Bravo." A male's voice came from the doorway.

My heart sank as I heard it, but upon looking up I was oddly relieved. It was Baron Radcliff.

"I honestly must give you applause for that one, but I'm afraid I shall wake the entire house." He took a seat in a vacant chair opposite the piano and stared at me. "I take it you are avoiding sleeping with your husband."

"Apparently." I whispered softly.

"You read the letter."

"Yes."

The ticking of the grandfather clock came into play in the silence of our conversation.

"How do you know James?"

"I know his brother, George Norrington. He wrote the letter and gave it to his brother who…brought it to me." He sighed. "He has asked that you do not reply to it."

"But I must!" It was more of a plea than a statement. Tears were forming again but I kept them from falling.

"He does not wish it. He was rather stern about it. You broke his heart…"

"How would you know? You've never met him! You do not know him!"

"I was with him the night before he left. The look on his face was," he looked away from my face before his lips formed a tight line.

My hands found the keys and I began to play slowly. "It was not my choice. I could not…leave. You have no idea…how much," I hiccupped, "I love him."

I had not seen him move, but there he was in only a second taking me into an embrace. It was an embrace meant only for comfort. Not one of lust. Not one of romantic relations. But one of pure apology and understanding.

"I have to tell him. I have to write back. Please…" I begged him knowing the only possible answer that would come from him.

He shook his head. "I can not let you do that. It's better for both of you if you just forget. He wants you to live in comfort with Cutler. He will move on and find some woman who can fill some of that void he has for you. As of the moment, take this marriage and make it what it was to be. If you pretend to love Cutler, you will start to."

He handed me a handkerchief as I whipped my nose and cheeks. "You are wrong, Baron."

"Oliver."

"You are wrong, Oliver. I will never love anyone but him. I will lock my heart away and keep it safe for him. Because one day I will see him again and when I do…I'll give it to him."

"That is entirely your choice. But do think of my cousin's feelings for you. He may be pompous, arrogant, infuriating, and completely disagreeable, but he loves you in his own way."

I nodded, but that would never be enough. I bade him goodnight to catch some rest not realizing I had no idea where my room was.

"Oh, Lady Beckett…I believe Josephine forgot to mention to you where you would be sleeping. It's up the grand staircase, to the left and on the sixth right…right next to Cutler's bedroom."

My eyes went wide before I nodded. I was doomed.