Part XXV

The tide is changing, seawater wetting my toes as the waves come in and out. My shoes and stockings are safely stowed on one of the rocks of the jetty. Will is late, though I shan't hold it against him if he doesn't keep me waiting too very much longer since he may be in the middle of some project that can't be left off. Just because I can flit away at almost a moment's notice does not mean he can. Though I did give him a whole day's notice.

Will sits beside me without so much as a hello or apology for his tardiness. He passes over the note I wrote yesterday – ink smeared and paper crumpled. "This is very dangerous, Elizabeth. You should not write me. What if someone finds it?"

"Throw it in the forge once you read it," I say. "Then there will be no evidence."

"What if your messenger boy had told someone or I was not at home and Brown intercepted it?" Will asks. "Do you realize how much trouble we both would be in?"

"Oh, pish!" I dismiss his concern. "I can talk Papa out of any punishment he wishes to inflict on me. . .Or you for that matter. It's quite a useful talent."

"The point that you are failing to see, Elizabeth, is that letter writing is dangerous," he says, crumpling the note into a ball and throwing it into the sea. "Do not write again. I shall not accept it."

"Well, that's a fine how-do-you-do," I complain. "Aren't you even the least bit happy to see me?"

Will sighs, forking both hands through his hair. "Of course I am."

"It would make me very happy if you act it, Will."

He reaches for my hand, holding it loosely in his own. "How long can you stay?"

"I'm expected home by tea time," I say. "Papa thinks I am out buying new hair ribbons since Norrington is invited."

"Not much time," Will murmurs, reaching up to tuck a bit of loose hair behind my ear, hand lingering on my cheek as he does so.

"Can we be pleasant to one another?" I request. "I do not wish to be reprimanded or lectured. It is very vexing."

"Of course," he agrees.

I turn toward Will, searching his dear face for any clues to his thoughts. "I am content to just sit in silence if you wish. We do not always need to play games. We can talk of books or. . .or blacksmithing or anything you wish," I say. "I shall let you decide."

"What I wish cannot be spoken," Will says. "I lack courage."

My eyes widen in interest. "Surely, speaking one's thoughts cannot be hard. I do so all the time."

Will gives a brief, rueful laugh. "You are you, though, Elizabeth. You never worry over the consequences of your words or actions. My mind is teaming with things that shall never be said."

"Why ever not?" I wonder.

He leans forward to kiss the center of my forehead. "Because I lack courage."

"You've said so already," I remind him. "Have you no other reason, Will?"

"None that shall satisfy you," he teases.

"So that is the sort of game you wish to play today!"

I knock Will over and sit on him, knees on either side of his hips, as I used to force him into 'surrendering' when we were children before I made him to eat a mud pie.

"Elizabeth, what are you doing?"

"Checking if you are still ticklish," I say, testing the spot in the center of his ribs. Will squirms, grabbing my arms and rolling till our positions are reversed.

"I am stronger than when were we ten," he says. "Besides, I let you win then."

"Liar," I say, kicking to free myself. The attempt only makes Will press my wrists against the sand more firmly. "You're not playing fair, Will!"

"You never do, Elizabeth."

"Shall we call a truce and agree to be more sporting in the future?"

"Truce," Will agrees, pulling me up along with him as he climbs to his feet. He pauses, listening to the church bells chime the hour. "Nearing tea time. Shall I see you home?"

I retrieve my shoes and stockings from their rock, turning so Will won't get too clear a view of my bare legs as I roll on my stockings and tie them with garters. "Best not to be seen in each other's company so openly. Perhaps you can pretend to run into me in town and then see me home?"

"It all seems very underhanded."

"Nonsense." I dismiss his concerns with a devilish grin. "Besides, a little excitement never hurt anyone."

"You say so now. . . ."

I tip toe to kiss him briefly. "I say so now, I say so infinitely. Since I cannot write you, when can we meet again?"

"If your father will allow it, I shall come around when I am free."

I nod. "Leave Papa to me." The thought of having to act pleasant toward Norrington at the upcoming tea makes me frown. "I do hope the Captain doesn't take hope from my inviting him to tea."

"Norrington would take hope if you said the chamber pot matched his eyes."

I laugh. "Or the chamber pot contents."

Will laughs as well. "I believe your 'what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger' advice is appropriate. You shall be a stronger woman for it."

"Promise to allow me to complain to you after," I request, reaching for his hand as we begin toward town. "That shall make the ordeal more bearable."

Will nods. "Complain to your heart's content. . .I am used to it."

"Oh, you beast!" I say, swatting his arm. "What a horrid thing to say."

"Truce?" he asks, repeating my words of earlier.

"Truce," I agree. "But only if you promise to buy me an apple pasty."

Will nods. "A small price to pay."

"Say you promise!" I say, swinging his hand as we walk.

Will leans close, seeming to smell my hair before pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "I promise."