What in the World
Chapter 8
"Sorry Commodore." Jack said with his hands together in front of him and a mock sorry tone in his voice as he scooted around James. He walked the five or six steps to the bottom of the stairs and walking up to Leah said, "Ah Miss Courteen, Leah how are you luv? How long's it been?" Jack said leaning towards Leah as he spoke. He was close enough to whisper in her ear at this point and the next words came out in that very tone. "I've brought you your Naval Officer luv. You do remember our accord?" Leah nodded and the next words Jack spoke were in a normal tone.
"Leah Courteen I would like you to meet Commodore James Norrington of her Majesties Royal Navy, currently on leave from said service by the way." This all accompanied with grand flourishes and waving of hands. "Commodore, don't be so stuffy, come and meet the bonny lass." And then in a lower tone but still very audible to anyone within fifteen feet, " He's not much on walking around or anything else for that matter luv, but he's simply and absolutely wonderful if you want someone to stand at attention for hours at a time."
Leah giggled at this and James huffed as he walked over to Jack and the lady.
He gave Jack another glare and then turning to Leah, bowed, offered his hand and said in his most distinguished voice, "I am pleased to meet you Miss Courteen.
It's not often I get to meet such a lovely lady." And once again giving Jack a glare, "One whom I'm sure is not taken in by certain types of people who are currently occupying the adjoining space."
Leah laughed and smiled, and addressed James, "You must call me Leah Commodore, and as for those certain people you are talking about, I most definitely am not taken in by him at all." Then with a cheery glance at Jack who had started to pout, "You may wipe that look off your face Captain Sparrow, it will do you no good. Now Commodore, would you escort me into dinner?"
"I would be honored Miss…Leah." And taking her arm they walked into the dining room leaving Jack to follow on his own. Which he did with a rather sly grin on his face.
Sir William sat at the head of the table, Jack sat in the seat to his right, and Leah and James sat on his left. The remainder of the long elegant table was filled by the various well to do local merchants along with some of the "regular" residents of the island. All were interacting with each other and all were enjoying themselves, and the grand meal that had been prepared for them. Many stories were being told by one and all over the feast. Jack had just finished one with, "And then they made me their Chief" when the servers brought out the after dinner drinks. "Ah there be the rum." Jack said with a smile.
"Shall we men adjourn to the verandah and allow the women to have their sherry in the den?" Sir William suggested. All the men rose and after helping the women with their chairs headed for one set of the double doors leading out to the verandah. James felt a hand go under his arm and turned to see Leah walking next to him. She smiled up at James and said, "I never have been much of a one for tradition. I find the conversation out here much more interesting than the gossip that will go on in there. I hope you don't mind if I tag along Commodore."
Placing his hand over hers James smiled and said, "Not at all Leah, your company is most welcome." And they walked together out to join the others. Jack followed humming a little tune to himself with a very self-satisfied smile on his face.
Several different groups of men stood around talking about everything from politics to the growing season to the weather. James and Leah stood off to one side by the waist high wall enclosing the verandah with their drinks and held their own conversation, unaware of what was going on around them.
Sir William walked over to Jack who was standing at the opposite end of the verandah as James and Leah but looking their way, "I think my daughter has taken a liking to your Navy friend Captain Sparrow."
"I was hopin that would be the way of it Sir William. They both deserve better than they have gotten. And they do make a lovely couple, don't you agree?"
"So you brought him all this way out of the goodness of your heart just to meet Leah? Because you thought they'd make a lovely couple? A very unselfish thing to do now isn't it Jack? Not necessarily something one would count on you to do now is it?" Sir William said with a smile and a wink.
Jack looked guilelessly at Sir William; "I will never understand why everyone always thinks I'm up to no good when I do good things for others. I do occasionally do things out of the goodness of me heart Sir. Just for the feeling of goodness I get from doing said good things for others as it were. And reveling in the good feelings it brings to others when said good things are done by me for others. It's just a good thing to do at certain opportune moments Sir William." Jack finished with a hand flop and a I hope you bought all that look.
Sir William continued to smile and replied, "Ah but you forget one thing Jack." And continued as Jack stared questioningly at him, "I know you almost better than your own Momma and Poppa." Slapping Jack on the back he said, "Let's go get some more of that expensive rum I'm providing for this party. What do you say?"
"I'd never be so rude as to turn down rum Sir William, expensive or not. Now that you can count on."
They walked off together towards the bar that had been set up at one side of the verandah to refill their glasses.
As they passed James and Leah they could hear Leah laughing merrily at something the Commodore had said. She looked over the Commodore's shoulder as Jack and her Father walked by and gave a wink that only Jack caught. He gave a little nod and a whisper of a smile in reply.
The servants had cleared the dining room and made room for the musicians to set up. The double doors between the dining room and what served as an extra dining room or in this case a dance floor and the several sets of double doors between the dining room and the verandah had been opened. The musicians began to play and people started to drift back to listen to the music or dance.
Leah guided James back in with the intentions of joining the couples on the dance floor. James hesitated, this was not the usual type of dancing he was used to, it was much less formal that the dances he had reluctantly attended in his official capacity as Commodore of Port Royal. On these occasions he could usually stand at one side looking austere and Commodore-ly and fend off any young lady with the thought in mind of approaching him and asking for a dance, or even worse, the mother of said young lady asking him to dance with her single, very available daughter.
"Commodore?" Leah said as James stopped dead in his tracks staring at the couples whirling around the floor. "They do dance in Port Royal do they not?"
"They dance, I being a Commodore and person of authority do not dance." James said still staring at the couples almost aghast.
At this point one of the men about Leah's age approached and asked her to dance. Leah looked at James and said, "Do you mind Commodore?"
"No, please enjoy yourself Leah, no need for you to be a wallflower on my account." James said relieved.
They walked off towards the dance floor. James stood there thinking he should kick himself in his own arse for not swallowing his pride and at least attempting to dance with the lady. He heard a voice very close to his ear, "Now Commodore, that's a good way to loose a fine woman." Jack whispered, "It should be you out there whirling the bonny lass around. Unless you're lackin in that area also."
"And just what is that suppose to mean?" James said turning to face Jack.
Jack raised his hands in a mock defensive motion. "Now Commodore I didn't mean anything that's not already apparent." With a thoughtful look he added, "What's wrong with your dancin skills Commodore?"
James straightened to his full height, straightened his shoulders, and said haughtily, "There is nothing wrong with my dancing skills!" and then slumping his shoulders a little he finished, "I just can't dance like that," pointing to the dancing couples.
Jack smiled and patting the Commodore on the shoulder said, "Sure you can. No different that any other dancin. All dancin amounts to is steps Commodore, if you can walk, which I'm thinkin you can, then you can dance. The only thing you have to be sure of is you don't step on the bonny lass' toes. Other than that its all good Commodore."
"I don't know about that Captain, it doesn't look that easy." James said unsurely.
"I'm havin a thought here Commodore. What say you I take the bonny lass for a spin around the floor. You stand here and watch how I move me feet. Then I brings her back to you and you can amaze her with your fine footwork. What say you to that?"
James didn't have a chance to say anything as Leah returned looking expectantly at James.
"The Commodore takes a little bit to warm up as it were luv, but I would be willin to give you a whirl around if you're not opposed."
Leah looked a little disappointed but after a moment smiled and took Jack's hand.
They headed back out on the floor. James stood there staring at the graceful way Jack lead her around the floor. It rather surprised him that the man could move like that after the weavy-wavey staggery way James was used to seeing Jack move. It did do one thing for James though; he was now determined to be the one dancing with Leah. Him and no one else if he could help it.
To Be Continued
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