The next morning, I played possum in bed, not willing to get up. The room was cold, so I pulled the massive covers over my body, snuggling down. I had forgotten where I was and realized it was early in the morning. I snuggled down even more, not noticing the body beside me. I felt something roll over and grab my waist.

I gasped at the touch, wondering if someone had snuck into my bed. Then, feeling like an idiot, I figured out it was James, sleeping next to me. I smiled, loving the prospect of having a man next to me. He gently rubbed my stomach, feeling the cloth of my chemise above it. He snuggled his head into my neck making me tingle with sensation.

Then, as quick as he had snuggled next to me, he got up from the bed. I rolled over and watched him walk over to his closet, disappearing from sight. I sat up and hugged my knees, already knowing the answer to the question I was about to ask. "Where are you going?"

He didn't reappear, just shuffled through his clothes. "I have to go to work. I thought we already discussed this yesterday."

I sighed. I couldn't win this argument about his job. He had duties, I knew that. So without further hesitation, I stood up as well, letting my chemise fall to my feet. I walked, with my naked form to the door that adjoined our rooms and pushed it open. I could feel eyes on me as I entered my room, throwing the chemise on the chair next to the door. I heard him come closer, watching me. I pulled a chemise from one of my wardrobes and slipped it over.

"How is it you were shy yesterday, but today you walk about in your…naked form?" He asked, leaning against the door frame.

I turned to him after pulling over the loose clothing. "I don't know, I guess I no longer feel like I should be embarrassed about it."

I turned my attention back to flipping my hair that was caught on the inside, moving it around into a comfortable position. "Now, I know that you would like it very much to see me get dressed, but it's just not proper and the maids will talk. So, I hope you have a wonderful day at work."

He advanced towards me with a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Alright, but what do you plan to do today?"

I put my hands upon his chest as he pulled me into his arms. "I plan to read a little and play the piano."

"I have not yet heard you play. When I come home, will you play for me?" He asked, observing my delicate features.

"Yes, I shall, but when will that be?" I asked, fixing his white vest. He had not put on his jacket yet, but everything else was complete and perfectly in place.

He sighed, looking up into the distance to figure out when he would be home. "I believe I shall be home again at six."

My shoulders slumped slightly. All day…all day…I would be alone. I forced a smile, showing I supported him. "Alight, I'll be playing in the ballroom at six…"

He nodded, kissed my cheek and left, leaving me alone once again. I began my day with getting dressed, not really looking forward to the excursions that would come. Just as I said, I read a little and starred out the window, watching the sea, thinking. I wondered what my mother was doing, or my father for that matter. Then, for some odd reason, I turned my thoughts to Lord Beckett. How had he handled my decision? What did he think of me? Did he curse me and spread horrible lies about me through English society? No, that wasn't like him. Revenge for him took time and it would happen in a much different way than slandering me. He would take me by force, or by swift action, however the opportunity presented itself. I shuttered at this thought, conscious that he would seek his revenge. There was no doubt, no question about it. Lord Beckett would come for me, but not yet. He would wait until the right moment, when everything seemed to fall apart, when there was an opportune moment.

At about five thirty, once I had finished reading and thinking about my past and the problems that would soon present itself, I set to the task of playing a cheerful melody, waiting for him to come home. I glanced at the clock, ticking to six. It was ten after six when I glanced up again, continuing to play for him. My hands skidded up and down the keyboard in perfect procession. I eyed the clock once more. It was only half past six, so I kept playing on. I diverted my attention once again to the clock seeing it as half past seven. I abruptly stopped, inching my hands away from the keyboard.

Where was he? I had already missed dinner, hoping he would come home. On top of that, I had been playing for two hours without stopping. I couldn't understand. Why was he doing this to me? What could keep him so busy? Anger and unimaginable hurt welled up inside of my heart. Where was he?

It was around eleven thirty when I trudged up the stairs in the blank and lonely house, feeling nothing but remorse. Maids had already gone to bed and practically everyone on the island was asleep, except for me who had waited up for my husband, hoping, praying he would come home.

I settled beneath my own covers, trying to warm the bed as the clock struck twelve. It was already the next day and he wasn't home. Tears slid down my rosy cheeks and onto my pillow as I softly fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning I heard nothing from him as I got dressed, knowing he had most likely gone to work. I thought "This is ridiculous!" right as the door opened and he appeared. The maids slightly bowed and left the room, feeling the tension. James closed the door and slid over to me, bending onto one knee watching me as I finished my hair do. I put it into another loose bun, not paying any attention to my admirer.

"I love when your hair is down." He softly whispered to me.

I said nothing, just picked up my powder and dabbed my nose. My elegant hands swept over my face with the powder, making me look like cream.

"I take it you're mad at me for last night."

I kept quiet.

"Well, I'm glad you're dressed because I need you to accompany me on a little trip down to the gallows."

I pinched my cheeks, making them rosier.

"It's a hanging." He said, drawing my attention finally.

"For whom?" I asked, curiosity taking over.

"Ah, I got your attention I see. It's for a pirate that decided he could vacate the island without me noticing." He said brushing a hair off of my worried face.

I sighed at him. "I'm not going."

He was taken aback by my answer. "Yes, you are."

"No, I'm not." I retorted at him.

"As my wife you are expected to go, now get you hat and I'll meet you downstairs." He said, leaving without another word.

Furry slashed at my insides. How dare he order me around! I wasn't one of his officers and I will be damned if his wife is only there to make him look good. My thoughts of him loving me were slowly slipping away, replaced by the one thing I had been running from…looking like a prize.