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James brought Elizabeth back down into the salon where she was happily reunited with her mother. They embraced, smiles plastered onto their faces.
"Oh, my dear Elizabeth…I don't know why I ever let you go on that voyage. If I had known of the trouble you got yourself into…"
"Yes, James is all sorts of trouble, but I don't mind. Mother…I love James."
"No, my dear you don't."
"I love Elizabeth." James interjected.
Mrs. Turner turned her spiteful glance to him. "No, you two don't love each other."
"I know you wish to deny it but-"
"I wish to speak with my son!" Brenna called from the doorway. She had changed into a gown of light cream and mint trimmings, looking the picture of health. The Baron raised his eyebrows in aw, studying the only woman who denied him anything.
James excused himself and left the room, following his mother's gliding figure. They entered another room, only this time they were alone.
Brenna began to pace in front of him, ultimately ending up at the white mantle. "James, I wish for only your happiness, but I am afraid I must speak my mind…"
"Do speak of your woe mother…"
"Sit down, dear…" It was a command which James obeyed at once.
She paused, gathering her thoughts, then continued with her hands clasped in front of her. "I must admit a few things about myself before I let you do this. I was once engaged to Lord Beckett at age sixteen. I went against my parent's wishes and married James, who was of no title but of small fortune. Then, Lord Beckett came back and he forced me to spend six months on one ship with him and your father. It was hell, James, having that torture placed upon me. Lord Beckett ultimately ended up killing you father. He died in my hands…" Brenna looked down to her hands, as if remembering the blood that had covered them. "I was pregnant with you and vowed to raise you to be just like your father. But fortune has turned itself away from me and I see you are nothing like your father. You are a bit reckless like he was at times, and you have my strong headed nature, but you are nothing like us. You disobey me and choose to marry a pirate instead of all the eligible females here in Port Royal and in England. But no, you must marry the daughter of the woman who betrayed me."
"How did Mrs. Turner betray you?"
"It was not Mrs. Turner, but her husband William Turner. He told Lord Beckett of James's treason which would have been a mystery had he kept his mouth shut. I don't know his reasons for doing so, but I know he betrayed James because I was there…I saw it on his face as he shamefully watched me, pleading with his eyes…you are marrying a descendant of the man that somewhat killed your own father…"
James sighed, burying his face in his hands and shaking it as if to piece the information in his head. "Mother, I love Elizabeth and there is nothing I can do to stop it."
"How long have you known her?"
"Two months…"
"That is too short a time."
James stood abruptly. "Mother enough of this. Stop worrying over me. Stop treating me as if I am a King. I am but a man! A man who is in love. I understand how you fell for father, how you loved him and treat him as the morning star! But I don't love like you. You love with obsession, I love with curiosity. I am not my father, so stop comparing me to him. I will marry her with or without your consent. It does not matter what you think anymore…I just wish for you to leave me be!" His voice was louder than he intended, but his words were truthful.
Brenna looked as if she were to cry, only holding them in by her last bits of strength. She pivoted around and ran from the room.
"Mother!" James called after her, but her footsteps could be heard in the upper hallway. He knew exactly where she was heading…his father's office. James threw himself into a chair, hating every fiber of himself for treating the woman who had given him so much.
A/N: AWWWWW...poor Brenna...mean James...R&R!
