A Highwayman Came Riding

Chapter 7: Black is the Color

The early morning sunlight colored the horizon with pale golden rays on blue waters as Captain Norrington began his day's work. Within a few hours, he heard Gillette enter the small office in the adjacent room. Leaving his desk, he rubbed his lower back as he brought the nearly finished sheaves to his Lieutenant.

"Gillette, if you could complete these reports for Lawrence."

Andrew's eyes flickered up from his desk to met a very weary-eyed Captain. "Of course, sir."

"I am leaving early today at eleven o'clock. I will be at Morgan Hall if any matters of consequence should arise and you need to reach me."

Gillette nodded and took a long pause before he asked, "Permission to speak freely, sir?"

James, who had been turning to depart, returned to his lieutenant's desk. More than anyone else in the Caribbean he trusted Andrew Gillette. "Of course, Andrew."

"You seem unusually tired. Is anything amiss, sir?"

James didn't like lying to his closest friend. Turning his eyes away as he answered, "No. Just this extra desk work and I don't know, marriage details, I suppose."

Gillette stood and walked around his desk to meet James eye-to-eye. He hadn't wanted to broach the topic a second time, but he was worried for the man. All of this marriage talk was so sudden and unexpected. Even though the town of Port Royal thought the man was made of steel, Andrew knew that inside, James held a tender heart, especially where women were concerned. He wasn't about to let some young Scottish noblewoman, no matter how pretty and rich she was, twist his heart-strings into a bowline. Gillette hadn't spoken out about Elizabeth even though he had held serious doubts about her intentions. This time, he was determined to make sure that James Norrington's engagement was a successful one, even if it meant getting involved where he didn't belong.

"Your marriage was sudden news." Gillette began.

The Captain leaned against the desk, arms crossed; mind troubled. "Yes, I know."

"James, where did you meet this woman? I mean, she seems perfectly charming. It's just one moment, your cursing young women and the next day, you're engaged to one. A very mysterious young lady that arrived from the glens of Scotland only weeks earlier." Andrew's brow tensed, "It's like she's bewitched you."

"I'm afraid she has, Andrew." He agreed with a mirthless laugh. Then standing, James began to pace the small office, hands on his hips, wishing he were at sea. "I can't say how we met. It was an unusual circumstance, but we both wish to marry. It shall be convenient and there is a growing affection between us."

Andrew studied his friend's stoic expression. Then tightening a hand around his arm to cease his pacing, "James, if there is anyone on the island that you can talk to confidentially it's me. You know I was married man in Belfast."

James knew all about Andrew's young wife who had died a year into their marriage. It was a short union, but apparently, a very happy one.

"Marriage is not a commitment to be entered into with words like 'convenient'." Andrew reprimanded. Then sighing heavily, he stepped back. "I only want you happy, James. You deserve a good woman. What do you really know of this Lady Cunningham? Aye, she's pretty and rich, but there's more to love than this."

James jaw tightened, "I know what you and Lt. Groves think, Andrew. I loved Elizabeth for more than her father's position."

He was treading on unstable ground. "I know you did, James. It just seems there is a gulf between your and Lady Cunningham's life experiences and I don't wish to see you married to some girl who wants to play at being a sea captain's wife." Biting his lower lip, "I just don't want you to rush into anything you're unsure of."

"It was her suggestion that we marry, Andrew. Not mine this time. In fact, I gave her several opportunities to break our engagement and she insisted that she would not. She said in fact, if I wanted to break the engagement, then I'd have to do it myself."

Norrington leaned against the desk and scrubbed his face. "You're right though, marriage shouldn't be entered into lightly or too carelessly..."

He then turned his green eyes to his friend and they conveyed an emptiness. "I'm tired of being alone, Andrew." Then raising a hand to silence his friend. "I know what you and Groves suggest and.... " He gathered his strength for confession, it was difficult to say aloud. "I did in Tortuga... Spent time in the company of several women."

Andrew tried not to show the shock in his face. His Captain had never kept a mistress or lain with a prostitute; he had truly been a broken man during his time in that lawless place and this information was only further proof.

"It is not something I am proud of or wish to repeat." There was a long pause. "You think less of me?"

"No. I thought you were better than the rest of us, that's all." Gillette answered.

James dug his nails into the desk, knuckles white. Voice low, "I'm not."

Andrew brought his hand to his chin as if in thought. "You've misunderstood me, James." Piercing his friend with honest brown eyes, "You're like some kind of mythic hero around here."

James looked completely confused.

"They call you 'the scourge of piracy'. The sailors are in awe of you, pirates fear you, the Admiralty loves you and don't give me that look!"

Norrington shook his head in disbelief.

"You loose a ship at sea, go off to Tortuga, drink it up and then sail back into Port Royal, save the whole bleedin' island from that jackass, Beckett and put Swann back to his rightful place. You're legend, man! I just thought that you sleep with mermaids or something, it just seems to common that you'd commune with jolly girls."

"Gillette, You're so full of horse shit your eyes are brown."

Andrew busted out laughing as it was rare James ever cracked a joked.

"I am very serious, Gillettte!" James insisted with a bit of a smirk.

Calming himself, "And so am I sir." Andrew Gillette sat besides his Captain on the desk; this brave and noble man who had done so much for others and asked so little for himself. "Everyone deserves to be loved, James. I just want to make sure this woman loves you as much as your men do."

James was flattered by his friend's compliment. His words quiet. "I think that love might grow between us."

"Then sir, my last bit of advice for a man seeking love..." He lowered his voice, and moved closer to his Captain. "I know you're always the proper gentleman with the ladies in Port Royal. You're not the type to wear your heart on your sleeve or show emotion, but women like a little romance; a little passion. If you want her to know your heart, than you must bear it to her-- regardless of the consequences. Caress her, give her a taste of the senses; something that will leave her wanting more... Be her lover, not her Captain."

It was with these words, "Be her lover, not her Captain," that inspired Norrington as he rode to Morgan Hall.

On the vacant windswept beach beneath the noonday sun, Norah Cunningham spread a blanket and unloaded small parcels of meat, cheese and fruit from her saddlebag. Finding a little shade beneath some large fern palms, she removed her riding boots, hose and bonnet.

Yesterday was the first day that she had revealed her engagement to the local gentry at an evening dinner hosted by Governor Swann. It was at the dinner that she learned that Norrington had earlier in the week declined the event due to work commitments, but Norah couldn't fault him as this was before their fated engagement.

She was met with a great deal of congratulations from the locals. The men were very complimentary of the Captain's dealings with a the former Lord Beckett; the man that had tried very shrewdly to wrestle power away from the rightful Governor Swann. She was told he was brave and bold; the best swordsman in the Caribbean. Later that night she heard more compliments from the women – strong, handsome, stoic facade. Finally, whispers about his brief engagement to Elizabeth Turner nee Swann and deeper into the evening, she even spoke with the woman herself.

"Lady Cunningham." The woman curtsied.

"Mrs. Turner." Norah curtsied in reply.

"I'd like to wish you my congratulations. James Norrington is a fine man."

She hadn't thought she'd feel anything upon meeting James's ex-love interest, but at her compliment she felt suddenly and fiercely protective. Holding her chin high, she corrected, "He is an exceptional man."

Elizabeth lowered her eyes. "I do hope in-spite of our former relationship, that we can still be friends Lady Cunningham. There are few ladies on this island of our age, and I think it would be terrible if we let past events come between us. Especially when they are certainly of no consequence now."

Norah agreed, but was determined not to reveal her thoughts to Elizabeth. Instead her dark eyes penetrated the slight woman. "Why did you break off , your engagement with the Captain?" It was certainly a bold question, but Norah was not shy or diminutive by nature.

Elizabeth held her eye contact and answered her straightly. "I did not love him and I did not think he loved me."

Norah's heartbeat quickened. "What would lead you to such a conclusion?"

"He was friends with my father, our match seemed sensible and he gave me no sign of affection beyond casual friendship. I think in retrospect though..." Elizabeth paused, "I wish not to offend you, Lady Cunningham, by concluding too much about your fiancee."

"No, please continue." Norah nodded.

"James is a very private man. I have known him since I was a girl and I knew him no better when I was eight than when I was eighteen. He was always a gentleman," then laughing slightly, "perhaps too much so. And when I think back on it, I do think that he probably did love me in his way and just couldn't bear to act upon his feelings. He is very reserved, always in control." She paused again and looked up. "I'm sorry, I assume too much."

But Norah was too intrigued to stop her questioning. This woman was her only link to James Norrington's past. Escorting her to a darker corner in the parlor. "He never kissed you?"

"No! Has he kissed you?" Elizabeth asked with surprise and then apology. "I'm sorry. I am too bold."

Norah smiled like a cat in cream. "You are too bold, Mrs. Turner. But yes, he'd kissed me, twice now and it was...." She laughed and whispered, "It was so passionate; so delicious!"

Elizabeth smiled in conspiracy. "I am so glad to hear it! Perhaps he is a changed man. I suppose he is and it is you that has changed him, Lady Cunningham. He was always so stoic, so nervous on the topic of marriage." Trying suppress a squee of delight, "How exciting! James Norrington is in love!"

Norah grinned and wondered if her new friend could be right.

Norrington spied Lady Cunningham alone on the beach, laying peacefully beneath a grove of palm trees; her shoes and bonnet flung aside. He had changed into civilian attire; a green jacket and buff britches with riding boots and at Norah's request, left his wig at home. The beach was actually a lovely little cove several miles beyond Morgan Hall and it did not appear that Norah had brought a maid or chaperone with her. He should be scolding her for her loose propriety, but instead he headed Gillette's words. "Be her lover, not her Captain..." He had made that mistake with Elizabeth and he was not about to repeat it with his Scottish rose.

Instead he dismounted his horse, removed his jacket and neckcloth and rolled back his sleeves. If she could go barefoot and unchaperoned, he could do without his woolen coat and tie in the Jamaican noonday heat. Leading his horse across the beach he greeted her.

"Lady Cunningham."

"Captain Norrington!" She smiled, but did not rise. "You've come undressed to my picnic!"

"And you have come shoeless and unchaperoned." James replied, leading his horse to a grove of trees and brush.

"A lady simply can't wear slippers on a beach, it's ridiculous and I certainly can't go around only in hose."

"Agreed," replied James, taking a seat on her blanket and began to loosen his boots. "I'm not wearing shoes in this heat if you're not."

"Only fair." She laughed. "And that includes your hose."

"And the chaperone?"

"Two is company and three is a crowd. Besides, Betsy wished to see her sick aunt in the city. It was simply more convenient." Reaching for the flagon, black eyes twinkling, "Wine?"

"Thank you." He took a deep drink and together the ate and drank well. Norah was quite spent from the large dinner and afternoon sun and laid herself out on the blanket, closing her eyes.

"Jamaica is much more beautiful than I had imagined."

"You are beautiful, Norah."

Norah opened her eyes. "Do you know why I never married in Aberdeen? It wasn't because I'm not fair, it was because the men thought me too bold; too unnaturally, outspoken for a female."

James smiled and ran a piece of melon down her cheek and across her lips; following the slick, glossy trail it left across her blushed skin. Eyes not wavering from her perfect mouth as the melon rested against her rose lips. "Fools."

She smiled. Then closing her eyes, she sucked the melon from his fingertips. His breathing grew rugged. He wanted to smoother her with a kiss as he'd impulsively done the other afternoon in the garden, but then again, he remembered Gillette's word. He needed to romance her.

Nervous, he brought a gentle hand to her hair, and swept up a lock between his fingers and began to recite a song from his youth. "Black is the color of my true love's hair, her lips are like some roses fair..."

Her eyes fluttered open, words soft. "That's a song, Jamie, not a poem."

With only slight hesitation, he quietly sang to her. "Black is the color of my true love's hair... 
Her lips are like some roses fair
... She has the sweetest smile and the gentlest hands, 
I love the ground whereon she stands..."

Norah took up his fingers and kissed them with a gentleness he had never known and certainly and had not thought possible from such a fine woman. He was undeserving of her tenderness and yet, her affectionate touch urged him to continue.

"I love my love and well she knows
...I love the ground where on she goes... .And I wish the day, it soon will come
, that she and I will be as one..."

As he sang the last line, he laced his long fingers through hers; green eyes burning her like liquid emerald. She whispered, completely mesmerized by her lover. "James, what is this?"

"I don't know."

"Elizabeth Turner said--"

He pulled back from her, "Elizabeth Turner?!"

"She said you were reserved and quiet and--"

His face troubled, voice harsh, "You are not Elizabeth." Sitting up, breaking the spell. "Damn it, Norah! I don't know what it is, I've never felt this way about anyone in my life and I've certainly never spoken so freely with any woman in my life or had any woman speak as freely to me in return. Including Elizabeth. I do not know myself when I am around you, Norah. You make me a different man." His eyes pleading, "You unnerve me and unbutton me and I can't stop thinking about you!"

He hadn't meant to confess to her every emotion he was thinking and feeling, and yet with wine, the sun, his fingers tangled in her hair. It was all too much. Elizabeth and Tortuga had made him cynical in regards to women and now Norah restored his confidence, his faith in the possibility of love.

Norah gathered her legs to her chest, head resting against her knees. "You are completely unexpected." She was smiling, "This is completely unexpected. I came to this island with thoughts of revenge and now, the man I was hating is the man that I'm..."

She turned to him fully, "The man that I'm.... stealing his hat!" Norah jumped up suddenly and grabbed James's tricorne.

"Norah! Bring that back!" He called running after her across the sands and toward the ocean.

The waves crashed around her ankles, laughing, "I hate this hat, James. Is this the best you can do?"

"That is my only civilian hat!" He said chasing her into the splashing waters. "Don't you dare."

She made to throw it into the ocean as he grabbed for her outstretched arm. Somehow in the melee, she was thrown off balance and fell backwards into the tide, pulling James with her. They were laughing heartily and in the lapping of the Caribbean waves, they were drawn into one another. Both their breathing rugged, eyes lustful.

Norrington pulled back, reigning in his emotions. He then reached down to pull Norah and himself from the water. He tried to be a gentleman.

"No," she said quietly, small hands pulling on his vest. Her lips meeting his exposed chest with a hot kiss, eyes desirous.

But he was failing...

"Norah," he relented, lowering them back into the waves. The blue waters spraying against their naked legs, pushing and pulling them against the rough sand; they kissed like mythic lovers. The only question now, is how far their lovemaking would go....

TBC

Author's Note: Please let me know how far you think it should go. I'm kind of torn as to what would happen next. Review appreciated!!