Chapter 25

"Well Miss Black, it would seem you are alone with me once more. Perhaps you'd like to reconsider your statement?" His face still betrayed no emotion, but Katherine could see that he was still not being serious.

"I think not," she said looking at him, a wry smile forming on her lips. She turned her back to him and took a step away.

Hook caught her wrist and turned her back. "My dear, do you not know it is never wise to turn your back on me?"

She looked up at him. "It would seem not. However, you are failing in your attempt to frighten me Captain."

"You shall be my ruin," Hook said humorously, releasing her wrist. "A fine pirate indeed, one that cannot even frighten a lady."

Katherine laughed in response. "Perhaps I should try a bit harder?" he asked, letting his expression become wicked.

"Then you would truly be insufferable," she said mischievously.

"You did not think me so insufferable before," Hook returned.

"Didn't I?" she asked, her voice wry.

"I heard no protest whilst you danced with me," he said.

"My mind was elsewhere," Katherine answered shrugging her shoulders slightly. She walked down the steps leading away from the balcony, into the garden. There was a fountain at the center, with flowers floating on the surface of the water. Katherine sat down on the edge of the fountain, trailing her fingertips through the water.

Hook followed behind, sitting down beside her. "So you said. Tell me Miss Black; are you quite certain that your reading was cloudy? I have never known a fortune teller to give someone a reading laced with such uncertainty."

Katherine was surprised. He was better at reading her than she thought. "Well…"

"Well?"

Katherine shrugged and Hook looked at her. "Perhaps I can tell your fortune Miss Black," he said mischievously.

"You?" Katherine asked incredulously.

"I learned many things in my travels," he said. "Give me your palm."

Katherine looked at him skeptically. She was curious though as to what he was getting at, and gave him her hand.

Hook turned her palm upward and looked at the lines on it. "Unsurprisingly, you have strength in the realm of intelligence," he noted, trailing a fingertip along one of the lines.

"Have I?" Katherine asked with a touch of dryness.

Hook smirked. "In addition, my dear, your palm would also say that you are a hopeless romantic."

Katherine raised an eyebrow at that. "Oh am I?"

"Most certainly." The smirk was replaced by confusion as he looked at the other lines.

"Something wrong?" Katherine asked.

"Perhaps my interpretation is a bit off," he said turning her hand.

"Why?"

"The way this line is," he said pointing to one "would indicate a great struggle in your past."

"We have all had struggles in the past, Captain. Why is it surprising that I have as well?"

Hook released her hand. "The struggle lies tangled on your heart line, Miss Black. It reads as betrayal."

"Oh…"Katherine said, her voice trailing off as she remembered something.

He looked at her questioningly. "Perhaps I have confused that which I learned. It was quite a long time ago."

"Perhaps," Katherine said softly. "But not in this matter. However, this is a subject I have no desire to discuss whatsoever."

Hook was surprised and very curious, but said nothing. He kept his expression neutral and blank. "As you wish my dear."

Katherine was silent for a few moments, appearing to be in deep thought. She looked slightly troubled, but Hook said nothing. At length she spoke again. "Where did you learn to palm read?" she asked, shifting the focus onto him.

"A long time ago, when I sailed through the Black Sea," he answered. "We made port in a town that was part of the realm of the Ottomans, and remained there for quite some time. That is where I learned palmistry," he said.

"How very interesting," she said. "Did you learn tarot as well?"

Hook nodded. "Though I daresay I may have forgotten quite a bit of the symbolism."

"That is why you knew the reading did not hold such uncertainty," she said, mostly to herself.

"Indeed," he said with a half smile. "Tarot cards are rather specific in their meanings, and I have never known a fortune teller that could not draw some sort of conclusion from them."

Katherine nodded. "She said I lacked clarity," she told him, referring to her reading. "That I was in a situation that I did not understand. She told me that it seemed as if I was refusing to admit something to myself."

"And what might that be?"

Katherine said nothing, the look on her face clearly indicating that she did not wish to discuss the subject.

"Perhaps, my dear, discussing your situation with a person outside of yourself might allow you some clarity," he said.

"That would be wise advice, if I knew what the situation was."

A half smile crossed Hook's face. "You are in quite the conundrum Miss Black. Not only are you in some situation that you do not understand, but you haven't any idea what the situation truly is."

"It would seem so," Katherine said. She stood from the fountain and wandered over to a wall in the garden. There was a large vine growing on it, spread in several directions. The bottom half of the wall was covered with only leaves, but the top half had fully bloomed, blood-red roses peeking out through them.

Katherine stretched a hand up to reach for one, but found it to be too high. There was a stone bench along the wall, and without hesitation, she stepped up onto it. She leaned forward, breathing in the sweet scent that the roses gave off.

Hook watched her, a trace of laughter in his expression. He couldn't picture another lady doing such a thing, hopping up onto a bench to smell roses, especially one in full evening dress.

Finished with the roses, Katherine hopped back down and wandered over to a flower bed. The bed was covered in large, waxy looking, green leaves. The white flowers that lay in the bed were open, not closed like the others in the garden.

Katherine knelt beside the bed, gently caressing the petals with her fingertips. She sniffed one, becoming slightly surprised at the strange fragrance.

She tilted her head up to look at the Captain. "What are these?" she asked.

He walked over to her, looking down at the flowers. "Those are moonflowers, my dear. The petals only open at night, and close when touched by the rays of the sun."

"They have such an odd fragrance, not like flowers at all. They smell almost like…"

"Soap?" he offered.

She nodded. "Yes, that's it exactly. They smell like soap. I've never seen anything like them at home."

"They do better in warmer climes," Hook explained. "They don't fare well in the cold rainy weather of London."

She heard the sound of footsteps, and saw Lord Ensfield walking out toward them. He stepped over to Katherine by the flower bed.

"I see you like the flowers," he said with a smile.

"Very much. They're very unique."

"Pick some if you like. They grow like mad through here," he said with a laugh. "Though they did not spring up naturally in my garden. They were transplanted from another."

Katherine looked at him questioningly. "Someone gave them to you?"

Ensfield nodded. "Lord Carrington actually. They grow very easily on his estate. He was happy to allow my gardener to transfer some here."

"They're lovely," Katherine said with a smile.

"In any event, I came out to inform you both that I just received word of a problem along the roads. It seems you will be my guests tonight."

"What has happened?" Hook asked.

"It seems that a very large tree has fallen across the road leading away from here. Until the tree is removed, I daresay several people heading toward town will not be leaving. The road in the other direction is clear, but that would take you the long way around the island. You are both more than welcome to stay here."

"That is very generous of you," Hook said in thanks.

"Think nothing of it. I'll have my maid prepare rooms for you both." With that, he walked off back into the house.

"Well Miss Black, it seems we are staying here for the night," Hook said with a slight shrug.

Katherine nodded. "It would seem so. A bit odd about the tree though."

Hook nodded. "Indeed. However, Ensfield would not make up such a story. In any event, we are not the only ones to remain here. Edward will undoubtedly be staying as well."

Hook led her back inside, and they quickly found Edward. "I trust you've heard about the road?" Edward asked.

"Indeed. You are staying as well, I presume?" Hook asked.

Edward nodded. "No carriage can cross, and it would take quite some time to venture around the other way. It is much easier to simply remain here and wait until the tree is removed."

A handful of other guests were staying as well. The rest of the people at the ball had come from the other direction, so their road home was still clear. It was nearly midnight when they were shown to their rooms. Katherine's room was at the end of a hallway, with Edward and Hook on the opposite end.

The maid showed her in, and explained that there were clothes in the dresser, to help herself to a nightdress. The woman helped her out of her gown and corset, and Katherine got ready for bed.

She was nearly ready when a sudden breeze blew into the room, outing all the candles. Dropped into sudden darkness, Katherine could not find any matches to relight them. She decided to venture down the hall to ask either Edward or the Captain for a lit candle to use to relight hers. She pulled a dressing gown over the borrowed nightdress and stepped into the hall.

The corridor was dark. There were no other people staying in the rooms of that hallway, and Katherine was very happy to see a faint light coming from underneath Hook's door. Walking around in the dark in an unfamiliar place was making her feel very uneasy.

She reached his door and raised her hand to knock, when she heard voices. Edward was in the room, and it seemed that he and the Captain were in the midst of another disagreement.

"You're absolutely daft," came Hook's voice.

"I'm not the one refusing to see what's right in front of me," Edward returned.

"There is a sense of obligation there, nothing more."

"Obligation, ha!" Edward said sarcastically.

"You would do well to keep your thoughts to yourself."

"And you would do better to let yours out."

Katherine was very curious as to what they were talking about, but she felt a pinch of guilt for eavesdropping outside the door. She knocked twice, and the voices stopped. Edward opened it and smiled when he saw her.

"Ah the little belle," he said. "What is the matter?" he asked, stepping back to allow her into the room.

Katherine walked in, noticing that both men were still dressed. Hook was seated in a chair by the fireplace, but rose when she entered. His face was blank, but his posture looked a bit tense.

"A breeze came in and blew out all the candles in my room. I only wanted a lit candle or some matches," she explained.

"Here you are," Edward said picking up a matchbook from the mantel. He handed it to her, along with a lit candle. "Just in case," he said with a smile. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight Edward," she said taking the items and returning his smile. She glanced over at Hook. "Goodnight Captain."

Hook nodded. "Goodnight Miss Black."

Katherine took the candle and matches and went back to her room, still wondering what they had been talking about. She went into the room, shut the windows, and lit a few of the candles so that she could see to unpin her hair for bed.

Once all were removed, she blew out the candles and slipped into bed. She laughed inwardly, thinking that it now felt strange to her not to have the rocking of the ship to lull her to sleep. Things had changed a lot from when she had been home. She quickly fell into a deep sleep though, tired from the ball.

She woke the next morning to a still darkened room. The curtains in the room were very thick, and filtered out most of the light. She crawled out of bed, and drew back the curtain slightly. It was bright and sunny outside. A few moments later, a maid knocked on her door.

The woman told her that the bath was connected to her room, and that once she was finished, there would be a set of clothes waiting for her. Katherine thanked her and quickly went to take a bath. She did so quickly, and found a day dress waiting for her on the bed when she returned.

The dress was light, airy, and the material stirred easily in a breeze. Katherine slipped it on, very happy to find that it fit. She made her way downstairs, and found Lord Ensfield sitting in the dining room.

"Good morning," she greeted brightly.

"Good morning Miss Black," he answered with a smile. "Did you sleep well?"

"Oh very," she answered. "In addition, thank you for thinking to send clothes for me."

"You are very welcome. I thought the better of you wearing that lovely dress of yours for the day and ruining it. The dress belonged to my younger sister. She is about your stature."

The two ate breakfast together, talking about the island, Ensfield's garden, and other such topics. When breakfast was over, Katherine couldn't help but notice that Edward and Hook were still missing from the table.

"I wonder Lord Ensfield, have you seen Edward or the Captain this morning?"

"I did indeed see Mr. Marnier and your Captain. I believe both are outside." He paused. "Tell me my dear, do you take any interest in books?"

"Oh very much."

"Then you are more than welcome to my library. It is the third door on the east side of the house. I must step outside for a while."

Katherine nodded. "Thank you, and I shall be sure to go and peruse through your books," she said with a smile.

Ensfield rose and stepped out. Katherine got up and went toward the east wing of the house. The house was quiet, and Katherine moved along very silently, thinking perhaps that other people might still be sleeping. Once she reached the library, she eased the door opened gently and went in, shutting it soundlessly behind her.

The size of Lord Ensfield's collection of books was wonderful. Katherine could have happily spent days there. She stepped further into the room, and then noticed the Captain at the far end. He had his back turned to her, and he seemed deeply immersed in what he was reading.

She walked over to him, and touched his shoulder. Hook jumped slightly and turned around.

"Miss Black," he said, his posture relaxing, "I did not hear you come in."

"I'm sorry Captain, I didn't mean to startle you."

"Quite alright my dear." He shut the book he was holding and slipped it back into its place on the shelf. He turned back to face Katherine, noticing that she had a smile forming.

"Something amusing my dear?"

Katherine shook her head and smiled. "I was only thinking that when we first met, it was you who startled me when I was lost in a book. We switched," she said with a laugh.

"Indeed. Though I did not drop what I was holding and jump out of my skin," he smirked.

"No, you didn't. Though it was amusing just the same," she said with a mischievous smile.

Hook raised an eyebrow. "Testing my limits are you Miss Black?"

"I do not mean to," Katherine said. And it was true. She knew that she had been very mischievous and teasing to him since they had arrived on Black Pearl Island. However, she did not mean for it to antagonize him. It was simply that she felt more relaxed in their current situation. Being on the island, a city, made her feel more like herself. Katherine's personality at home in London was mischievous by nature. Being in a place so similar was bringing it out.

"I should hope not," Hook said.

"What were you reading?" she asked. "You looked so intent."

"One of Lord Ensfield's books on magic," Hook explained. "He told me he had recently acquired it, and thought it might interest me."

"Magic? How interesting."

"I doubt very much that anything in that book could actually work. Things are not so simple as that."

Katherine nodded thoughtfully and began looking over the shelves herself. There were quite a few books on the occult there. Lord Ensfield must be interested in magic, she thought to herself. Hook in the meantime had picked up another book, and had settled into a chair to read it.

Katherine pulled out a book of poems and was about to sit down when the door opened. She looked up from the book to see Lord Ensfield.

"I see you have both been enjoying my books," he said.

"Very much," Katherine said with a smile. "There are so many to look through."

Ensfield smiled back. "I just came out to ask you and the Captain to join us on a ride."

"A ride?" Katherine asked, putting her book back.

"Through the woods," he explained. "It's such a lovely day."

Hook rose and stepped over. "I'm afraid neither Miss Black nor I have a horse."

"That is easily amended. I have half a dozen horses in the stables. I'll have my man bring two out for you."

Hook turned to Katherine. "Do you know how to ride Miss Black?"

Katherine nodded. "Yes. Riding was one of my favorites at school."

"Splendid," Ensfield said with a smile. "The stable is just through that gate there," he said pointing to a gate outside. "I shall see you in a few moments."

Ensfield left to find the horse groom. Hook and Katherine ventured outside and went toward the stable.

They were greeted by Edward, who was holding the reins on a deep chestnut colored horse. "I see you two are coming as well."

Hook and Katherine drew nearer. Katherine reached out a hand to touch the horse, and it snorted at her and tossed its head.

"Do not take offense Miss Black," Lord Ensfield said, coming out of the stable. "This horse is a rather jealous one. She does not take kindly to other females. She does however, seem to like Mr. Marnier."

Edward laughed. "Indeed." He turned to Hook. "Lord Ensfield has asked me to ride with him to the estate of Lord Carrington. It seems Lord Carrington is in need of a tailor's services."

"You and Miss Black are welcome to come as well," Ensfield said. "But if you'd prefer, you have free range to ride over the woods and grounds."

"Thank you," Hook said.

"We shall return later," Ensfield said. "Perhaps by then the road will have been cleared." With that, Edward and Ensfield mounted their horses and rode off.

A moment later a very young stable boy came walking over to Katherine and the Captain. "If you'll follow me?" he said. "There's two horses tied up for you two by the far gate." He led the two over to the other side of the stable, where there were two horses saddled and waiting.

The boy gestured to the two horses. "They're both Arabians. The white mare's name is Scheherazade. She can be a little jumpy sometimes. The other one's a stallion. He can be a bit of a handful. His name's Mesrour. The key for both of them is to let them come to you first. Have a nice ride," he said. The boy left, leaving Katherine and Hook alone.

"Well Miss Black, what say you? Which horse would you prefer?" Hook asked.

"Whichever would prefer me," Katherine answered with a smile.

They approached the horses slowly, and both horses started slightly as they drew close. Hook undid the mare's rein first. The mare began to move away, taking a few short steps. Hook easily caught the rein, and held it firmly. The horse looked very frightened, and the Captain began to stroke its head gently, talking to it softly. After a few moments the horse calmed. It nuzzled Hook's shoulder.

Katherine looked at him and smiled. "I think she likes you."

Hook laughed. "It would seem so. But here, allow me to untie the other horse." Hook turned for a moment to Scheherazade and said in a soft voice: "Stay here, do not run away." He released the horse's rein, and surprisingly, the horse did just that. It stayed where it was.

Hook stepped over to the other horse, Mesrour, and the moment he did, the horse began to snort and shake its head. Hook loosed the rein from where it was tied and the horse began to fight with him, trying to break free of his grasp. To keep it from running, Hook tied the rein back, and stepped away.

Katherine looked at the horse. "He, on the other hand, does not seem to like you."

"Apparently not," Hook said, shaking his head.

"Let me try," Katherine said.

"I do not think that so wise, Miss Black. He seems a bit unmanageable."

Katherine shook her head and stepped toward the stallion. She reached for the rein and untied it gently. The horse began to start again, but Katherine pulled its head down toward her gently, and began to stroke it.

"Easy," she said, making eye contact with the horse. She ran her hand over his mane a few times and then released the rein. She wanted the horse to relax. Clearly he didn't like being tied up or being held still. The horse trotted away from her quickly and then stopped, almost as if realizing that she wasn't going to try to chase him down. He trotted back and pushed Katherine's shoulder with his nose.

"You wicked thing," Katherine said laughing. "You just like being mischievous and bad don't you?" She reached up and rubbed him again. Mesrour pushed her shoulder again, and then trotted away.

Off to the side, Hook laughed. "I think he's testing you Miss Black."

Katherine smiled in response, but made no motion to go after the horse. Mesrour turned back, seeing that she had not moved.

Now he trotted back and took a few steps so that he was behind her. To Katherine's surprise, Mesrour wrapped his head over her shoulder and across her chest, a horse's equivalent of an embrace.

Katherine smiled and stroked him again. "Well aren't we being affectionate now?" The horse moved his head away from her and then dropped onto his knees to allow Katherine to mount.

"You're quite the gentleman aren't you Mesrour?" Katherine said with a smile and climbed up. Once she was on securely, the horse stood, and Katherine took the reins.

"Bravo Miss Black," Hook said. He mounted Scheherazade easily and trotted over to Katherine.

She laughed. "I daresay the next person who tries to ride him will have to do something similar. He seems quite a spirited one." She leaned forward in the saddle and rubbed the horse's head again. They began to trot off toward the woods.

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Author's Note: Thanks for all the reviews, and thanks for all the story and author alerts I saw. =) Anyway, I hope you all like this chapter. I'd love to hear what you think, so don't forget to review!

* Before I forget to mention it, the horse Katherine is riding, Mesrour, is named after Mr. Rochester's horse in Jane Eyre. For those of you who haven't read it, I highly recommend it! It's one of my favorites. Rochester reminds me a lot of Hook. (prob why I like it) If the book seems a little daunting (it's pretty thick) I'd recommend watching the Masterpiece Theater version w/ Ruth Wilson & Toby Stephens. It's awesome! =)