Norrington

Chapter 7

"So just what did you and the Commodore do on your tour?" Elizabeth with a voice filled with rancor.

"Elizabeth! Really!" Governor Swann exclaimed as he looked at his daughter with alarm. "That is hardly a tone to be using towards our guests!"

Rose smirked as Elizabeth replied sullenly, "I apologize Father, Lord Davenport."

Before Governor Swann could bring up the fact that Elizabeth had neglected to include Rose in the apology James spoke up.

"I do not mean to interfere Governor," James said as he eyed Elizabeth speculatively, "but perhaps the evening and the heavy load Mrs. Turner has allowed to occupy her mind is proving a bit much. I'm sure under other circumstances she would never conduct herself in such a manner. I think we could afford her a modicum of leeway here."

"Well perhaps." Weatherby said hesitantly, "Although there is no excuse for bad manner. Elizabeth you might consider making an early night of it. I shall explain to our guests that you are feeling poorly should any notice your absence."

"Yes Father, I think I will call it a night." She gave her Father a peck on the cheek, then looking at Rose and Lord Davenport said, "If you will excuse me?"

Rose continued to smirk, Lord Davenport nodded his head and replied, "Mrs. Turner, a pleasure to see you again."

"I am afraid I must also take my leave." James said as he caught Elizabeth's eye.

"You're not leaving already are you?" Rose said in surprise.

"I regret that I must Miss Davenport, the hour grows late and I will be expected at the Fort bright and early in the morning. Lord Davenport, I look forward to seeing you at the Fort for that tour at your earliest convenience sir. Governor Swann it has been a lovely party as always." Then turning to Will and Elizabeth said, "Mr. Turner, Mrs. Turner if you do not mind some company on your way home I shall join you as we will be going in the same direction."

After an almost embarrassingly long pause Will answered as Elizabeth was too occupied returning Rose's smirky look, "Not at all Commodore, we would be honored by your company."

James made a slight bow and a sweeping gesture towards the door as he said, "Mr. and Mrs. Turner, after you."

As he started to walk off Rose grabbed his arm and said almost questioningly, "Commodore, I will see you again."

"Yes Miss Davenport, perhaps you can accompany your Father when he takes the tour of the Fort. I'm sure there were a few things you missed in the intense state of mind you were in during the first tour." James said as he bowed, turned, and headed for the door.

Rose stood there nonplus as James walked away in the company of the Turners thinking to herself, "Now how did that go all screwy?"

As the trio descended the front steps and headed down the sidewalk Elizabeth could tell by his stiff posture, his almost marching gait, and the huffing sound of his breathing that James was not happy and was about to let them all in on what he was not happy about.

"James," Elizabeth started as she put her hand on his arm. She took a step back in surprise as he rounded on her and in a tone verging on outright shouting said, "Just what is it you are doing Elizabeth?"

"Commodore," Will said firmly as he stepped in between James and Elizabeth, "I don't think you should be talking to my wife in that tone."

James looked at William, looked at the ground, and pinched the bridge of his nose before replying, "You are of course right Mr. Turner, I apologize for my tone if not my attitude towards Mrs. Turner."

"What do you mean by that?" William said, straightening his shoulders and glaring at James.

"He has every reason to be upset with me William." Elizabeth said as she put a restraining hand on Will's arm, then looking at James continued, "James, I have known Rose Davenport for a long time and I can tell you she is up to no good. She chews men up and spits them out. I just didn't want you to be her next victim."

"And you think me incapable of taking care of myself Elizabeth? I am after all the ranking Naval Officer here at Port Royal and have done a fairly good job of taking care of myself as well as the citizens of this fine town for some time now."

"James, in matters of the heart you are a lamb, Rose is a tigress if not worse. I'm afraid you are no match for her in that department."

James held her gaze and saw the sincerity there. His own gaze softened and a slight smile flickered on his lips as he answered, "Lamb you say? You do not hold with the general consensus that I am the Great Pirate Hunter, Scourge of Pirates Everywhere?"

"Not when it comes to that heart of yours James." Elizabeth said as she smiled softly and patted him over the heart in question.

Will cleared his throat, "Well now that we have cleared the air we should continue on. Never know who could be lurking about at this time of night." He said, finishing with a smile.

"Yes but William we have the Commodore of Fort Charles armed with his trusty Turner sword to keep us from harm. I think we have nothing to fear." Elizabeth said as she placed one of her arms around Will's arm and the other around James' arm and headed them off down the sidewalk.

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The minute Will stepped in the house he knew something was amiss.

"Elizabeth stay here a moment." He whispered as his eyes glanced quickly around the room and what was visible of the rest of the downstairs from where he stood.

"What is it William?" she returned in an equally soft voice.

"I'm not sure Elizabeth, something's just not right." He said quietly as he cautiously headed off across the room. He stealthily searched the downstairs and finding nothing appeared once again in the main room. He put his finger to his lips as Elizabeth opened her mouth to say something, and then made pantomiming motions indicating he was going to check the upper level.

Elizabeth watched as he mounted the stairs as quietly as possible and disappeared from sight. She stood there waiting for what seemed like and eternity when a loud thud from the second floor and loud curses jolted her into action. She ran up the stairs and stopped dead in her tracks at the sight that greeted her lying half in and half out of the upstairs study.

"Oh my Lord Will…."

To Be Continued

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