AN: Thanks to everyone who has been reading lately. Now this is where the plot finally starts to pick up...sorry for the slow start.

And without further delay, on with the show!

Chapter 4

"You know, I've never been to a ball before," I said to Elizabeth as we were getting dressed. "I don't even know any of the dances."

"Don't worry about that. If Clarissa is going to be there, we'll be talking most of the time anyway."

I laughed and turned back to the mirror to let the maids finish my hair. We were getting ready for said ball. Isabella had been very mad that she was not invited, and I felt sorry for Robert, who was now handling the little girl and her temper tantrum. She could be very uncooperative if she wanted to. Arielle wasn't too disappointed. She hated balls, mostly because they reminded her of her mother, and how she would always disappear to them.

"I hear that Commodore Belmont is going to be there," said Elizabeth. "He's single you know."

I snorted. "He may be successful and handsome as you say, but older men are not for me. What is he, like forty or something?"

"Don't worry, I was just playing with you. I could never see you marrying him. He's extremely…formal."

"Definitely not for me," I stated. "If I'm going to get married, that man needs to be kind, funny, respectful, and know when to have a good time. I refuse to marry anyone up tight."

"I'll keep that in mind tonight then," giggled Elizabeth. "Are you almost ready to leave?"

I stood up to look at myself in the mirror. My gown was a golden color with small white flower embroidered at the hem and sleeves. I frowned, remembering the simplified fashion of modern prom dresses, and how easy they were to wear. I felt that I was carrying five sacks of potatoes on my body. Even my day dresses weren't this heavy. "I suppose," I answered painfully. "I really hope no one asks me to dance. I don't think I'll be able to move."

"You look lovely. And don't worry, you'll get used to the dress."

"It would be easier if I didn't look like a balloon." Elizabeth looked at me strangely. "Sorry. Modern thing." Shrugging, she went through the door, me trailing behind. She was used to my odd metaphors now, and didn't usually ask for an explanation, a trait I was very grateful for. To explain balloons, television, etc. would have been a chore for me, and I don't think Elizabeth would have understood anyway.

We arrived at the ball and filed through the door. Clarissa was standing there like a watch dog, and leapt upon us the minute we came by. She was a very interesting, if not forceful character.

But it was thanks to her that time went relatively quickly. Her chatter distracted me enough that I was able to say that I was enjoying myself, despite how awkward I felt in the dress.

"Oo, look, there's Commodore Belmont! Isn't he handsome?" declared Clarissa. I turned and saw a tall man walking toward us. His hair was graying, but his square jaw and bright blue eyes were indeed rather nice to look at. However there was something about him…while Clarissa giggled and greeted him, inwardly I grimaced. Something was not right about him. Behind him was a young man, but my view was blocked.

"Pleasure to see you, Mrs. Turner, Miss Atherton. And who is this lovely lady?" smiled the Commodore when he approached us.

"Winifred Delaney," I answered softly. From where I stood, his smile seemed a little too friendly, as if he was hiding something.

He took my hand and kissed it gently. "Once again, the pleasure is mine."

"Thank you," I said.

He cocked his head to his side. "You have a strange accent. Is it Scottish?"

"No. I come from the colonies, down South. There are many Scots there, though," I answered, bluffing the whole thing. Thank heavens I knew my history.

"Ah. And here is Lieutenant Tremaine," introduced the Commodore. It was the young man who had followed him here. He was about my height, clean-shaven, and slim, reminding me of Peter from the Narnia movie.

"Hello, my ladies." He turned to me. "I have been watching you and have been wanting to meet for sometime. May I ask you to dance?"

I blushed at the attention and smiled nervously. "I'm afraid I'm not very good."

He smiled. "Don't worry. I'm good at leading." I accepted his hand, trying to ignore the large smile that had crept onto Elizabeth's face and the giggle that escaped Clarissa's mouth. I had to admit though, I was rather pleased with his sudden interest in me.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Richard. And you are Finn."

I narrowed my eyes. "You know my nick-name. How…?"

"Do you know an Ella Bronte?"

Time froze. I couldn't breath normally. Ella…I felt as though a lightening bolt had struck me. The waves, the thunder, the dark, all came flooding back…her screaming…

"Yes," I gasped. "Yes, I do."

"I think it would be better if we sat," muttered Richard. "You are looking pale."

"I…how…" I couldn't form a sentence.

"She told me about you. She thought you were dead."

I was silent for a moment as I gathered myself together. "I thought she was dead. How did you meet her?"

"I was on the ship that found her. She was dying when we did, floating on a piece of flotsam. In fact, it was the Commodore's ship."

"And she is okay now? She is recovered?" I asked.

"Very. She is living with my parents, helping to run their store."

"I don't know what to say," I whispered. Tears were forming at my eyes and I brushed them away quickly. "I need to see her. Where do your parents live?"

"Savanna." He looked at me a moment with deep brown eyes. "She told me everything."

I turned my head at him. "What do you mean?"

"She told me about how you two came here. And the Commodore."

I fiddled with my hands for a moment, suddenly uneasy. "And both of you believed her?"

"Yes. From the state we found her in, and the clothes, it was very believable. Despite how unlikely it seems."

I smiled. Admiral Lewis had asked about my clothing when he had found me. I simply pretended to have gotten amnesia, giving me an excuse to not explain anything.

"I'm…shocked."

"So it appears. We will be heading toward Savanna after we leave Port Royal. I can inform her of your whereabouts."

I smiled and almost kissed him with joy. "Really? Oh my gosh, I don't know how in the world I could possibly thank you! I've missed her so much!" I pulled him into the tightest hug I could manage before kissing him on the cheek. "I can't believe…she's alive…and…" I pulled him into another hug, on the verge of crying.

"I may be able to arrange a way for you to come with us," Richard offered as I hugged him. "It would save time, and you could see her sooner. But I won't promise anything."

"It doesn't matter," I said. "As long as she knows I'm here, that I'm alive…" I could feel tears falling slowly, but I laughed happily. "After all these years of worrying…I never dreamed that…this…" I hugged him again, crying openly now. I may have seemed very clingy, but I didn't care. Ella was alive, and in the Caribbean.

Richard hugged back. "It appears Mrs. Turner is approaching." I turned to see Elizabeth strutting over, a worried expression on her face. Beyond her I noticed the Commodore, with a peculiar expression on his face. A feeling of unease swept over me at the sight of him, but vanished quickly. It was silly, to be afraid of this Commodore. He was a good man, he had saved Port Royal in every respect, at least that's the way the townspeople made it sound.

"Winnie, are you all right?"

"Yes," I cried. "I'm wonderful." I smiled back at Richard. "Thank you so much. Please come visit me tomorrow. Our house is on top of the hill, right next to the governor's mansion." I stood up, wiped the remaining tears, and dragged Elizabeth out into the night air.

"What in the world…" she began, but I silenced her.

"Remember Ella? My friend? Remember how I said I thought she was dead?" Elizabeth nodded, then smiled as realization dawned on her.

"She's alive, isn't she?" I grinned and nodded quickly. Elizabeth squealed in glee and squeezed me. I hugged back, relief and elation flooding me. My best friend was alive. Nothing could possibly ruin my life at this moment.