So here is chapter 11! I can't believe how quickly this is going! But don't worry there's plenty more to go! Haha
Once again, thanks to EVERYONE who has added to alert, favourites or reviewed. I really do appreciate it and I hope I continue to live up to your expectations.
Anyway, one with the story!
Enjoy!
I stood at the edge. Toes poking over the stone, wind lapping at my dress and my hair flowing back behind me. I took a deep shaky breath and smiled as the familiar salty air filled my lungs and refreshed me throughout.
My eyes fluttered open and I stared out to sea. The rippling waves calmed me and I sighed as the wind died a little and returned to a peaceful breeze.
I stepped back from the edge and jumped a little as two warm arms wrapped themselves around my waist, pulling me back into a comforting embrace. I leant my head back on James' chest and smiled as I felt him rest his chin on my hair.
'I find it so calming.' I said, wrapping my own arms around his in front of me.
'Me too. The waves have a strange way of soothing a person's mind.' James replied.
We stood there in comfortable silence for a couple of minutes before I turned around in his arms to face him.
'Why aren't you in your office?' I asked with a curious frown.
'I decided to take a few minutes break. Besides, I saw you out here alone and I thought I would join you. You seem extremely thoughtful. Are you okay?' he asked, his tone changing to one of affectionate concern.
'Yes I'm fine.' I answered quietly, looking off to the side. I didn't want him to have to bear the burden of my sadness, he wasn't to know why today was different.
'You don't seem fine, have I done something to offend you in any way?' he asked politely, gaining my attention once again.
'No of course not.' I said half-smiling. 'Now, I best be going, I can't distract the Commodore away from his work can I?' I said cheerfully, hoping he would forget about my sudden change of behaviour.
'Don't try and change the subject Elmira.' James said slightly sternly.
I sighed in defeat, stepping out of his embrace and moving to sit on the edge of the fort wall.
'It was my Mother's birthday today.' I said, refusing to cry the tears that were beginning to form in my eyes. I stared at the horizon.
'I'm terribly sorry Elmira, I didn't know-' James began, sitting down beside me.
'But why would you? I didn't expect you to James, don't blame yourself. How were you to know?' I said still staring ahead.
He moved his hand and it brushed my fingertips. I interlocked our fingers but continued to stare out to the sapphire ocean.
'When did she…?' he trailed off.
'When I was about 14. She died of illness.' I said still blinking back tears.
'I'm sorry.' he said lowering his head.
'Don't be.' I replied squeezing his hand and forcing him a smile.
All that filled the silence was the crashing of the waves beneath us.
'Sir.' Groves spoke from behind us, causing our hands to instantly part and James to stand up.
'Yes Lieutenant?' James answered in his formal voice. I was glad he used a softer voice with me. It made me feel special.
'I'm afraid you are needed Sir, with the Governor.' Groves continued.
'Very well.' James replied and nodded his head to Groves who proceeded to march back to wherever he had materialised from.
'Elmira.' James said turning to me and blinking in surprise to find I had stood up again.
'Its fine.' I laughed a little. 'Go on, go or you'll be in trouble.' I joked.
James smiled.
'What?' I asked, slightly confused.
'Nothing. You have a good day Elmira, I'll see you later?' he asked.
'Maybe.' I said and giggled when he shook his head at me.
'Very well. Goodbye.'
'Goodbye.' I waved as he followed where Groves had left to.
~xxx~
'Elmira, Lydia, there will be a ball tomorrow evening, held at Fort Charles.' Father began. 'I hope you will both be attending.'
'Of course.' I said a little excitedly.
'My goodness Elmira! You're enthusiastic! You never usually want to attend these sort of things!' Lydia exclaimed.
'Well, I do believe she has a reason to now Lydia my girl.' Father spoke to Lydia but kept his eyes on mine, smiling a little.
'Yes.' I answered and his smile widened slightly.
'Marvellous, well I shall see to it you both have new dresses. Wouldn't want to disappoint now would we?'
'What? What's the reason?' Lydia questioned. 'And what does he mean by disappoint?' she asked as she followed me out of the room and towards the front doors.
I just grinned at her.
'Oh my gosh! Its the Commodore isn't it? You want to impress him don't you?' Lydia clapped her hands together and looked at me, her eyes gleaming.
'Yes, I must say I do.' I laughed at her behaviour.
'Well, we must simply get the most beautiful dress for you to wear! I know which shop too! Oh this is so exciting!' she continued to babble as we left our house and headed for the market.
~xxx~
'See, I told you it would be closed.' I sighed as we neared Madam Luciana's Dress Shop.
'Just you wait Elmira.' Lydia said knowingly. She lead me round to the side of the building and knocked on a large wooden door.
It opened with a creak and a small, blonde haired man peered at us.
'Lydia!' he exclaimed before ushering us in.
'Samuel!' Lydia answered as we stepped inside the small shop. It smelled like freshly baked bread and it made my stomach rumble a little.
'Why does he know you?' I whispered as the man went through an archway at the back of the shop, into a room that looked like a very small kitchen.
'We're friends, that's all.' Lydia shrugged and proceeded to browse through the dresses.
'Now then my sweeties what can Madam Luciana do for you?' Madam Luciana entered through the archway, arms spread wide. She wore a gleaming grin and her hair was in a frizzy bun.
'Well, we are looking for new dresses for a ball.' Lydia explained. 'I'm looking fro something red it think.' she continued to speak as she took a dress off of a rail and examined it.
'And what for you my dear?' Luciana looked at me.
'I'd like green really.' I said as I peered around the shop for a green dress. 'Preferably Emerald.'
~xxx~
Me and Lydia had bought our new dresses and were now eating supper with Father.
'So then girls, how was your day?' Father asked in between mouthfuls of tomato soup.
'It was good.' I replied reminiscing my morning with James at the Fort.
'Is that all?' Father asked.
'It was really good.' I answered, lifting another spoonful of soup to my lips and blowing it quietly.
'Me too. I can't wait for the ball tomorrow!' Lydia exclaimed.
'Have you got a partner yet Lydia?' Father asked, an eyebrow raised.
Lydia's face dropped.
'Take that as a no.' I responded and hid a chuckle.
'Have you found a likely suitor yet my girl? Or would you rather I arrange for a meeting with one or two?'
I couldn't believe it! Father had already started his 'marriage lecture' with Lydia! She was too young still! I decided to help Lydia and prevent her from having to meet with people like Lord Beckett.
'How about that man from the dress shop? Samuel was it?' I suggested.
Immediately Lydia's cheeked pinked and she suddenly became very interested in her soup bowl.
'A shop owner? I will not have it! You deserve more than that Lydia Amelia Hansford! Don't dishonour me girl!' Father looked outraged to I quickly changed my encouraging grin into a straight face.
'But Father, I-'
'What? Love him?' Father started to raise his voice.
'No, but I think I will over time and-'
'Certainly not! Shop owners are for lower class women not my two beautiful daughters of upper class society! I will simply not hear of it! This discussion is over.' he said throwing his napkin on the table and storming out of the room.
I decided to stay quiet on the matter of his accident in not defining 'discussion' properly and reached across the table to hold my sister's hand.
'I know how you feel Lydia I know what this-'
'No you haven't!' Lydia cried. He head snapping up for me to see her teary eyes. 'No you haven't! Because you're in love with the Commodore! So Father will always approve you of that! But me? I'm in love with a 'worthless shop owner'! Why would he ever approve my feelings?' she shouted in a choked voice and also stormed out. Leaving me sat there feeling guilty. I played with my napkin on my lap. I felt annoyed and angry at Father, and guilty and sad for Lydia. Did I really have a better love life than her? I had to admit I had found love before her but did that really qualify me for a better life? I had no idea whether to go to see to a seething Father or a torn Lydia. So I sighed and made my way upstairs to my room. I had no voice in this matter. It would be something that Father would have to grow used to. But I doubted that…
Hope you liked chapter 11!
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