By the time they arrived at the Fitzwilliams' estate, James' fury at Alex had grown into near epic proportions. She should have known that he would never leave a letter like that. She should have given him a chance to explain before gallivanting to Providence and throwing herself in another man's arms. She really was the most infuriating independent recalcitrant woman he had ever met. Well she was going to listen to him whether she wanted to or not. He was tired of playing by her rules.
Both he and Mrs. Norrington were surprised at the number of carriages outside the house. Evidently this was one of the biggest parties of the season. When a servant approached ready to take care of the horses, James ordered, "Just water them down and feed them. Leave them harnessed. I shan't be more than a few hours." At his mother's expression of askance he told her, "The discussion that Alex and I need to have cannot possibly take place in the midst of a house party. We'll head back to Providence tonight. I assume that you can ask the redoubtable Mr. Sparrow for an escort home on Sunday."
"There is no need to be sarcastic, James. I can see how this is not the setting for your reunion with Alexandra. Frankly, I'm astonished that you recognize that fact. It should give you great joy to know that I have given the servants the weekend off. They are not due back until Sunday evening. You will be able to shout to your heart's content but do not do so for too long or you may just lose her for good."
"I'll keep your advice in mind," he replied in the tone of voice of one who had no such intentions. "Shall we go in?"
From the moment they entered the foyer, James became aware of how difficult a task was before him. There was a crush of people and the constant ebb and flow made it nearly impossible to seek anyone out. Adding to the problem was the reality that he did not know any of these people and could not easily scan the faces or even ask for assistance in locating Alex.
His mother reached up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I'll just leave you then. Good luck, James. Don't be too hard on the poor girl. Women often do crazy things while nursing a broken heart." She melted into the crowd.
James strolled from room to room trying to locate Alex. Having no idea of what she was wearing made the chore more difficult. He wished that he had asked his mother for this piece of information. One time he thought he saw her heading through a doorway, but by the time he'd worked his way to the far end of the room, there was no sign of her. After three quarters an hour fruitless searching, he chanced to overhear an interesting conversation.
"Really, can you believe her nerve? She danced three times with Bertrand."
At the name Bertrand, James paid more attention to the pair of young girls furiously whispering to each other. One was a tiny little blond thing who he supposed was pretty enough but didn't look very substantial. The other was one of those women who would be called distinguished in an attempt to avoid mentioning that her features were equine in nature.
"Yes, she certainly is brazen, isn't she?" commented the horse faced young lady. "I hear that she's married. Not that you could tell by the way she carries on. Her husband must be rather browbeaten if he doesn't object to her behavior."
"Oh, she is married. She was introduced to me as Mrs. Norrington. From what I gather her husband is in the Navy. I don't think he even knows that she is here. Rather a case of when the cat's away." The fair fluff ball commented maliciously. "Still I do feel badly for Emily. She thought that she had Bertrand all sewn up and here he is chasing after another. It's the first time she's had serious competition for his affections." With that observation, the pair drifted out of earshot.
Growing weary of the jostling and noise, James escaped out onto the back veranda. So Alex was being gossiped about and he was being thought of as the henpecked dull witted husband? This news further fueled his anger.
Perhaps if he waited until supper was served he'd have a better chance of finding a way to discreetly locate and approach her. As the minutes ticked by, he acknowledged to himself that the wait was not doing his foul temper any good. What he saw next did even less for his frame of mind.
Alexandra came strolling out onto the terrace on the arm of a young man. They were both laughing and so engaged in their conversation that they failed to notice him standing near the shadows. Evidently his mother had been wrong. Alexandra did not look like a woman nursing a broken heart. He knew a moment of defeat and thought about leaving for a second but then his fighting spirit that had driven him to rise to the rank of Commodore kicked back in. She was his, damn it! He had not awakened the passion in her only to have some other man enjoy it. Her laughter accompanied by a teasing comment drifted over to him.
"Really, Bertie, you are the limit. I can't believe that you just told Mrs. Peters that Pugs are the dimmest of God's creatures. You know how she dotes on those dogs of her."
"Why do you think I said it? That woman cares more for those dogs than her own children." The young man who James could now definitively identify as Bertrand Sparrow replied. "Besides, it made you laugh and it's good to see you laugh, Alexandra."
"It feels good to laugh, Bertie. You have become such a dear friend in such a short time. Thank you." She impulsively gave him a quick kiss.
Here the young man performed a sweeping bow and laughed, "Do not mention it, fair Alexandra. For it is my sworn duty to bring joy to any young maiden who crosses my path."
Alexandra was just about to curtsey and reply with an equally bantering statement of her own when a voice cut through the shadows.
"Would that be all maidens or just those of the marriedvariety?" James inquired icily.
Alex whirled around towards the sound of his voice. Shock at his unexpected appearance silenced her for a moment. At last she gained her tongue, "James! What are you doing here?" she said accusingly.
"Retrieving my errant wife. And you?"
It was so good to see him and hear his voice. However, he looked none too friendly and his tone had been bitterly cold. "Me? Well I was just… just attending a party," she offered lamely. Then she experienced a sense of injustice. Here he was after nearly two months gone finally come to see her and he acted as if he were reclaiming a piece of livestock that had strayed into the wrong pasture. When she'd pictured their eventual reunion in her dreams, she'd thought of romantic declarations of undying love not overt hostility. Alex decided that she was not kindly disposed to him at the moment and sent him a scowl.
"So it would appear. May I have the pleasure of meeting your escort?" he asked managing to imbue the word pleasure with a great deal of ridicule.
Bertrand had been silent watching the interchange. So this was Alexandra's husband? Judging from the look on his face, he was not at all happy to find her in the company of another man. Well this had distinct possibilities. Alexandra had been kind enough to assist him with Emily and now he could return the favor. Stepping forward he offered his hand, "Good to meet you, sir. I'm Bertrand Sparrow. The third. I believe that you are acquainted with my cousin Jack?" He gave his most charming smile. "It's been so good of you to allow me the pleasure of Alexandra's company. You're a brave man to let her out of your sight. She's one in a million and I've grown exceedingly fond of her. I'm doing my best to steal her away from you."
James could feel his blood boil. If he had not made his mother a promise he would have torn this man from limb to limb. Sparrow had the audacity to blatantly acknowledge that he had designs on his wife. The problem was that, unlike Smythe, a man like this Bertrand could provide real competition. He ignored Bertrand's attempt at a handshake. Doing his best to belittle his rival, James sneered, "I assume you are the one that I have to thank for giving my wife that mangy flea bag?"
Unable to let this slander go, Alexandra hotly contradicted, "Norrington is not a mangy fleabag."
Bertie stifled a shout of laughter. Oh Alexandra, what a mistake to name a kitten after your husband. He'd only just met James Norrington and even he could tell that this news would not go down well.
James stared at her. His eyes narrowed and his lips thinned. "You named a lap pet after me?" he inquired in an eerily quiet voice.
Sensing that she had made a grave error in judgment Alexandra desperately sought to explain, "It was ju…"
James cut across her attempt at an explanation, "Is that how you see me, Alex? As some harmless little creature that you can play with for your own amusement?" he seethed.
"No, James, I…"
"Leave us, Sparrow," James ordered.
Alexandra flared, "Don't you order him around. He is not one of your crew. He doesn't have to listen to you."
"Sparrow, leave."
"Stay, Bertie"
Bertie was torn. This was proving to be highly entertaining. His choice was made when another voice entered the fray. Coming through the doors with a determination that he had never seen in her before Emily loudly declared, "I know that you are out here, Bertrand Sparrow. I told you that you were a no good cad and now you've proven it." Emily stopped short when she noticed James. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry. I didn't realize." Her momentary confusion showed in her face. Then she turned to Bertie raised her chin and smugly said, "Caught in the act were you? You …" and here she broke off as Bertie grabbed her arm and began escorting her back inside.
"Come along, Emily. These two require some privacy and you owe me a dance."
Alexandra called, "Wait, Bertie. Don't leave me here alone with him."
"Oh no, Alexandra. I am not going to get in the middle of this. Even I know better than to come between a man and his wife. But if the old man disappoints, you can always come find me.' he couldn't resist saying devilishly. At the look on James face he added, "Although somehow I doubt that will be necessary. Good luck, fair Alexandra. I have a feeling that you're going to need it." He and a huffy Emily left the veranda.
"That was unbelievably rude of you, James Norrington."
James raised an eyebrow and softly but dangerously queried, "It was rude of me to take exception at another man making love to my wife?"
"Fat lot you know. He was not making love to me. He was being nice. A concept you are obviously unfamiliar with," Alex shot at him.
"Enough. This is not the place to have this discussion. Come with me and we'll go someplace private to hash this out," he commanded.
Alex took objection to his tone of voice and his ordering her about. "I will not go anywhere with you, James Norrington. I am enjoying the party and I intend to stay."
"You will come with me now or I shall carry you from here."
"Hhmmph. You wouldn't dare."
"Ill advised choice of words, Mrs. Norrington." James countered and with that he picked her up and slung her over his shoulder lack a sack of potatoes.
Immediately Alexandra began yelling and pounding on his back. "Let me down. You barbarian. You lout. You womanizer." She let out a gasp when she felt a stinging slap administered to her posterior. "You hit me!" she accused in a stunned voice.
"Unless you want the whole of the party down upon us, I would suggest you stop your squawking." He began to head towards the steps at the far end of the patio.
"Well maybe I wouldn't mind. Everyone could see what a brute I have for a husband and then…" Here she broke off with a screech for James had changed course and was heading towards the French doors. "'No, James. Don't. Please. I'll be quiet," she pleaded. What had gotten into him? This wasn't like the James she knew, not even the dangerous one who had seduced her. This James was reckless and determined to get his own way. She wasn't sure that she cared for this new James.
Through his anger James grimly smiled to himself. It had taken over twenty years of knowing her, an ill-conceived marriage of convenience, and a hellishly long trip from Port Royal but at last he was beginning to understand how to handle his wife. He simply had to call her bluff and she folded. Now he just hoped that he could make her see sense.
Changing course again he crossed the veranda and descended the steps. Walking around the side of the house he located his horses. He unceremoniously dumped Alex into the carriage. When she would have escaped out the other side, she found an arm blocking her way. "I am warning you my, dear wife," he hissed into her ear, "I have never been so enraged in my life. I'd suggest that you stay put for you defy me at your own peril. I shall not be held accountable for the consequences." With that, he slapped the reins against the horses' flanks and they took off for his mother's house.