A good amount of time had passed since they had last spoken. Sophia would have liked to say that James Norrington was just a wisp of a memory in her mind..but the time spent away only seemed to intensify the incessant need she had to see him again. She had gotten word from Abigail that the Commodore had returned a week ago. She was not sure if this piece of information excited or disappointed her. She wandered through the gardens in the late afternoon sun, a basket swinging from the crook of her arm. Abigail had sent her out to collect flowers to put in the dining room. She had met a boy recently, a young man by the name of Thomas Sedley. Mr. Sedley was going to be a guest this evening for dinner. Sophia had never seen him, but Abigail insisted he was the most handsome boy in all of Port Royal. Sophia had raised an eyebrow at this proclamation. Handsome did not make up for any other possibly character flaws.

Her knife slipped through the moist stems of the pink day lilies, she made sure to cut only the choicest blooms. Abbie was her only sister after all, she would do anything in her power to make her happy... Her thoughts lingered on the Commodore, as they often did, much to her dismay. As she mindlessly cut the flowers, her thoughts elsewhere, Sophia did not notice a bee that busied itself bathing in the sweet pollen. Upon being most rudely interrupted, the insect stormed from the lily and buzzed in indignation dangerously close to Sophia's face. Startled, both basket and knife dropped to the ground and she let out a small yelp. This was proceeded by an even bigger yelp upon sensing the movement of something much larger behind her.

"Are you always this easily startled by bees, Miss Howard?" James Norrington had seemingly come out of nowhere. How long had he been watching her? Sophia's heart soared when she saw his face but she quickly composed herself. She had promised herself to not get carried away in the prospects of this man. He had eyes for another.

She offered a cursory smile and bent to pick up the fallen flowers before the Commodore could offer to help. Her hair hung in her face and the sun reflected off of it. She was wearing simple clothes and had not had time to ready herself for her dinner yet. He thought she looked quite pretty considering the situation. "I do not mind them so much as I mind people coming into my garden and scaring the daylights out of me." Her voice had a slight edge.

He nodded, "I do apologize for startling you. That was not my intent." She noticed he carried something under his arm, he noticed her eyeing what he had brought. "I wished to thank you for such a pleasant time..last time." He presented a book to her. "I was going to write you a letter of thanks, but I assumed you would get more use out of this, Miss Howard."

She took it from his hands gingerly and read the title aloud, "Historia Plantarum by John Ray." She raised both eyebrows, impressed. "A botanical book. Thank you so very much, Commodore." She gave him a genuine smile which he returned, pleased that she was pleased with his gift. Sophia's stomach tightened at his smile. It would not hurt to accept his gift..Yes, a harmless gift. She moved to the bench and sat down with an excited look. She thumbed through the pages, looking at the illustrations with fascination. James was still standing, regarding her with placid green eyes and she met them with her own. "Once again, we are alone without a chaperone." she mused, "How did you get here anyway?"

He smirked as if remembering something quite amusing, "Your mother seemed quite pleased when she saw me. I was going to just drop it off since you were not in, but she insisted a servant take me to you. I haven't the slightest idea where they disappeared to...I trust you do not mind showing me back?"

Sophia was apprehensive, remembering what she had learned so many weeks ago. Why did he insist on returning? This was not the stuffy man her sister had described, no, in fact he seemed quite sweet every time they had talked...She stiffened, she was not going to be some replacement! But...the gift..It was such a thoughtful gift, a simple note would have sufficed. Maybe she was too quick to judge. She softened again and stood.

"Certainly, Commodore. I believe I have enough flowers." He offered his arm and she took it after placing the book in her basket.

They took a leisurely pace through the pathways, polite conversation and an occasional laugh could be heard over the hedges. James was calm and charming, he had been trying hard not to close up too much. He had spent the weeks at sea balancing his train of thought between Elizabeth and Sophia and his task at hand. He had come to the conclusion, especially after his dream, that he would make an conscientious effort to get to know Sophia Howard. Her manner and character had given him something he'd found quite elusive in the past months -- comfort. Certainly, she offered more to him than just comfort, but it was that particular gift she bestowed upon his person that captivated him. Elizabeth was a ball of unbridled fury. Even as a young girl of 10, and as much as he loved her still, she was a constant source of worry for him. She always seemed too busy in her latest adventure, her unyielding curiosity to pay any mind to how James might be feeling. It was, in fact, this worry James had for her that gave her another reason to write him off as stodgy and dull, definitely not the type of man she wished to spend her life with. He had come to this revelation, among others on his latest voyage on the Dauntless. It had been a good time to think at night in his quarters, just him and the rush of the sea against the ship.

Now the evening descended on the Caribbean, there was no more aimless wandering that could be done before they reached the house. Aside from the coming darkness, Thomas Sedley was still scheduled to arrive. She wondered why Abigail had not come for her by now, but figured that their mother had stopped any potential interruption. She did not want him to go yet.

"Abigail has found a suitor. Thomas Sedley. Have you met him or his family?" she asked casually.

"No, I do not believe I have, though the name sounds familiar."

"Well, we both know how much you enjoy socializing, Commodore Norrington." she teased, nudging his side a bit with her hand. His sides twitched at her bold touch, but he did not show it on his face.

"Not nearly as much as you do, Miss Howard." He looked regal and stately in the soft light, but a roguish grin gave him a more human quality.

"He is joining us tonight for dinner. Perhaps you should like to join us as well?" She looked at him from the corner of her eye. "Though, if you decline again, I am afraid I will have to insist, I do enjoy your company, Commodore." Her boldness surprised both of them.

"Well..." He did not like the prospect of dining alone, as he did every night. "I suppose...If you wish...and your family does not mind my intrusion."

"Not at all. I am positive they will be thrilled." Her pace now quickened, her arm tightening around his and she led him up the stairs of the veranda and through the heavy doors that opened to the drawing room.


Mary was in the drawing room, as well as Edmund. "Oh! Sophia! I see you found the Commodore." She acted as if she was surprised to see them both. Edmund sat on the couch, regarding James carefully with the cautionary look of a father. He had not been privy to what exactly had transpired between Commodore Norrington and his eldest daughter, save for bits and pieces he'd caught from Mary's excited chatter with Abigail, but he was not sure he liked it.

"Mother, Father, I trust you have no objections to the commodore joining us for dinner." Edmund raised a bushy eyebrow, two men in one evening...And Sophia? That did not seem like her...Edmund said nothing, but his expression softened when he saw how Sophia beamed.

Mary quickly eased any tension hanging in the air with her cheerfulness. "Oh! Of course not! Commodore, we would love to have your company this fine evening! It would be an honor! Abigail and the young Mr. Sedley will be joining us as well!" She turned and looked to Sophia, she was not very presentable. "Sophia! You need to get ready! Leave the Commodore to converse with your father while you make yourself more presentable." Sophia nodded and she handed the lilies off to a maid. She glanced at James and headed up the stairs to dress for dinner.

Edmund's girth made standing up a bit of a hassle and he groaned audibly as he stood from his chair. "Ah, Commodore!" He seemed to have relaxed a bit. "How are faring in this horrid hot weather we've been having?" He reached out to shake hands with James. "Please, sit, sit." Edmund insisted, though James wondered if it was out of hospitality or Edmund Howard's own need to sit. James sat on the couch directly across from Edmund, they made small talk. Mary had gone off somewhere, presumably to assist her daughters. Only a few minutes passed before a maid announced the arrival of Thomas Sedley. He was led into the room looking quite nervous. He was thin and willowy with dark brown hair pulled back into a tight queue. His blue eyes skittered from place to place, he almost reminded James of Turner. He looked quite young, perhaps only 20 compared to James' 33 and Edmund's 57. Three men, all of different social standings and age groups brought together by three women in the same family. The addition of Thomas had proven to make the conversation between James and Edmund rather awkward at first, but Edmund's talent with speaking helped a great deal. Thomas Sedley merely sat and listened intently and James wondered what exactly about this boy had attracted the attention of the more out-going Howard sister.

After many more minutes of polite conversation, the women proceeded into the drawing room. They were dressed in their best gowns, not that any of the men would know enough about fashion to truly appreciate what they were wearing. Abigail wore a silk gown of a pale blue and lace gathered at her sleeves like sea foam. Sophia was dressed in pale pink, that James thought complimented her quite well. Even Mary looked beautiful in dark red brocade.

"Ah," Edmund stood to address his family, but his eyes were locked on Mary. "All three of my wonderful Howard women look stunning. Positively stunning."

Before anymore compliments could be afforded, a servant arrived to tell them that dinner was ready to be served. The group made their way to the dining room, which was just as richly furnished as the rest of the Howard house. A large rosewood table stood in the middle of the room, perfectly polished, with six chairs to match.

"Rosewood." Edmund rapped on the table with his knuckles, "I had it made especially for this house. Amazing woodworking skills, don't you agree?"

"Yes, a very fine table indeed." James answered, "I should like something like this for my own residence."

They were seated and quickly served the first course of the evening by servants who fluttered around them, making sure every need was met. The conversation was polite and trivial. Abigail spent her time simpering at Thomas, Sophia and James gave each other occasional, quiet smiles, Mary spent her time looking proudly at her daughters. She was happy for her daughters choice in men..they were both very appropriate, even if Mr. Sedley was rather nervous and Commodore Norrington was rather serious. Edmund and James talked of Navy things and political things, which weren't of much interest to the women. Sophia took this time to observe Commodore Norrington. Such a fine gentleman he was, so calm and dignified. There were many layers to this man, she was reminded of the gentle teasing he usually resorted to in the garden. Her thoughts slipped to more questionable topics and she wondered what he was like when he slept. If he was warm and what it would feel like to have his arms around her. As if he felt her eyes upon him, he looked to her. Sophia immediately looked down, embarrassed that she might have been staring again. The food on her plate had suddenly become very interesting, and she prodded it with her fork, waiting for him to look away again.

"Your daughter seems to have taken a vivid interest in plants." he drawled, his eyes were still upon her as she blushed with embarrassment. He smiled fondly, her sudden shyness was endearing.

"Yes," Mary interrupted, "It is everything I can do to keep her inside on nice days. And she never wears a hat or brings a parasol!" Sophia gave her mother a look.

"Though I suppose of all the questionable things a young lady could be doing, studying plants is the least questionable." Edmund said as he shot a look to Abigail and then Thomas, who froze in his gaze. "I find no fault in her studies."

"I see no reason to," James continued, "She is quite a bright young lady. Beautiful and very well-spoken, as well. It is not hard to see where she obtained those traits from." He complimented. Mary blushed and Edmund gave a jolly laugh, he was always pleased to be complimented on his skills as a politician by well-respected members of society. Sophia beamed as well, then stifled her smile and looked down coyly. She was glad he had chosen to stay.

The hour soon grew late and through all the courses and a few well played games of whist, the time to leave had come. Sophia had held her own with Edmund as a partner. Mary unfortunately did not possess the cunning of her daughter and husband, much to James' disappointment. The games had left time for Abigail and Thomas Sedley to speak quietly amongst each other. Sophia felt rather bad that the Commodore's appearance at dinner had upstaged poor, meek Thomas; Edmund had spent nearly all his time talking to James. Though perhaps Abigail did not mind, she was obviously quite smitten with Mr. Sedley, she would have been jealous if Father had taken all of his attentions from her. It had been a pleasant dinner and evening, everyone had gotten along quite well. She retired to her room to further page through her gift. She touched each page and studied each diagram. She wondered how much he had thought of her during his trip..how much he had thought of Elizabeth. Her eyelids grew heavy as the candle burned down to the holder and she fell asleep with the book in her hands and James in her thoughts.