And Norrington's back in the game! This is taking place in between the first and second films.
"I said I only wanted six. I refuse to pay for these others." Ashlynne glared at the fruit vendor, wishing momentarily that she was back in Tortuga where it would've been appropriate for her to pummel the man for cheating. "I will not let you cheat me like you have all the others."
"Yah touched them, yah buy them." The rather large man growled back, his arms across his chest, doing his best to look intimidating. If she'd been a proper woman, the type that her dress and accent now portrayed, then she would've cowered in the face of his gruffness. However, the vendor's blatant attempt at cheating had irked her beyond her disguise, at least for a moment. "Now pay up, missy, or else ye'll regret it."
Before she could reach across and smack the gleam of triumph from the ogres face a stern though still melodic voice, and entirely too familiar for comfort, suddenly spoke up from behind her, "Do you dare to threaten this woman?" His words sent icy shivers down her spine. She wouldn't have been able to move even if she wanted to. His voice, and the knowledge that he now stood within arm's reach, had her rooted to the spot in a nauseating mixture of delight and fear.
It had been a month already and she'd managed to avoid seeing Norrington. She'd stayed close to the smithy shop and only ventured out in the early morning to the market for supplies or at dusk to bargain on the day's catch. Parlan and Will did most of the hard labor, though behind closed doors she'd welded a few wheel spokes. Parlan had also done a splendid job of making himself amiable to the local fishermen that frequented the tavern and inn, while she had taken it upon herself to form polite though reserved attachments with some of the other genteel women. Everything had been working wonderfully, despite them having to bide time for the innkeeper's return, but now in the morning market of all places, she'd managed to run into the one man in all the world she'd least wanted to see. Will had returned to the smithy shop a time or tw,o talking of Norrington, but he did not know about her history with the Commodore, and so had not gone into detail on how he looked or acted. The only time Will had mentioned Norrington's actions had been to explain his gentlemanly withdrawal from pursuing Elizabeth months before.
Ashlynne gripped her basket tighter and tilted her head down ever so slightly, allowing the pesky bonnet to shield her eyes, as she turned her body just enough to see both Norrington and the vendor. He was just as tall and broad, and in the years since she'd last seen him his body had filled out more to give him, if possible, an even more commanding aura. From her quick glance she could see that the sun had etched more lines into his face, though nothing other than death would ever darken the vivacity of his eyes. She quickly gave a slight curtsy, just enough to give the idea that she truly was a submissive woman, and not one that had been seconds away from kicking the vendor's arse into kingdom come.
"It is no trouble sir, just a misunderstanding is all." She thanked the heavens above for her impeccable ability to change accents. "Please do not trouble yourself with this trifling matter."
Norrington stepped closer and before she could grow flustered by his proximity she looked past him and noticed on his heels were two other officers. Glancing up through her lashes she barely kept herself from gasping when she recognized both Groves and Gillette. The sight of her old friend made her want to weep; to see Groves' kind face while also seeing Norrington was almost too much to bear. Before her mind wandered off into pondering on the ways life had changed for the lot of them, she returned to the present to realize that Norrington was justifying his interjection in the matter, citing the fact that the vendor had been rude and, after she showed him her basket, a cheat as well. He turned to Gillette and told him to note down the vendor's name and information so that he could be fined for his behavior and he ordered Groves to investigate the surrounding vendors and see if there was any foul play there as well. Ashlynne barely had time to blink at the proceedings before Norrington turned back to her and gave her his full attention.
"You are Miss Devonshire are you not? Younger sister of the Mister Devonshire who purchased the blacksmith shop from William Turner?" She nodded, staying mute for as long as possible; she endeavored to avoid eye contact as well. "Please excuse my lack of introduction, I do believe we have not formally met. I find any act of piracy abominable and allowed that to distract me from propriety." He took off his hat, the feather plume almost comical to her, and bowed at the waist. "Commodore Norrington at your service."
She again curtsied, giving him a small smile, "Brigit Devonshire and I thank you again for your gallant endeavor to protect myself as well as the rest of the residents from theft and thievery and any other act of piracy."
Norrington glanced past her, "Where is your escort?"
"I came alone Commodore. My brother often scolds me for doing so but the morning was too beautiful to waste indoors and John was seeing to a customer with Will." She shifted the basket in her arms. It wasn't heavy just damned inconvenient; what she wouldn't give for a rucksack.
"Please allow me to escort you back to your brother then, Miss Devonshire. I am going in that direction would be honored for you to accompany me."
As she had no logical reason to say no, much to her dismay, Ashlynne accepted his offer. They'd barely taken two steps before he offered to carry her basket and she sadly again had no excuse to say no and so they walked close beside each other back towards the blacksmith shop. It was an awkwardly domestic moment for Ashlynne, and quite surreal considering the last time she'd seen him she'd been accused of murdering two people.
"Might I trouble you for an anecdote on why you and your brother decided to settle here in Port Royal?" Norrington spoke up once they were out of the noisy market.
Ashlynne smiled over at him, doing her best to keep the docile, genteel accent and demeanor that befitted her disguise (it was damned difficult with Norrington standing so damned close and looking so damned good), "My father was a modest plantation owner in Antigua and my brother and I grew up there. We've barely seen England, to be honest, as the Caribbean has always been our home. My mother was lost soon after I was born and my father never remarried. After he died, neither my brother nor myself had any interest in maintaining the responsibility of the plantation and so we allowed our father's partner to buy out our shares and we came here. My brother has always fancied himself a blacksmith; even on the plantation he would often venture out to our smith's shop and apprentice with him. Not the proper vocation for a man of my brother's station, we both know this, but we find the Caribbean offers alternative lifestyles for all stations. Would you not agree Commodore?"
"I would, Miss Devonshire. This area of the world is so new and untouched, even the air seems to carry the aroma of adventure. We are still discovering new lands and peoples, their cultures both alarmingly strange and alluring. The reality of pirates prowling the waters has been highly romanticized by authors and poets both abroad and local, but this has only aided in promoting the exotic charm of these parts and drawn more people here, instead of repelling them as logic might state it would. Many come here for one thing but find themselves pursuing another." His eyes had taken on a strange glint towards the end of his dialogue but it disappeared quickly and he smiled over at her again. "May I ask, as I am most curious, about your interest in remaining here? Have you no family in England, or elsewhere, to whom you may go to? If you don't mind me saying so, it is most uncommon for a sister to live with her bachelor brother." Before she could respond, he quickly stumbled forward with his words, "I mean no disrespect, and forgive me if I have overstepped my bounds."
"Commodore Norrington, rest assured I am not offended. I find your curiosity refreshing actually. So many of the naval officers that I have encountered have been, pray forgive me for this, stuffed full of nonsensical ideals on suppressing curiosity in favor of propriety. Before you consider me absolutely wicked in saying so, I feel I must inform you that my father had it in his head to raise me with as much freedom in education and life as my brother. Perhaps a womanly presence would have helped to prevent me from becoming such a, oh how did Lady Bracknell put it," Ashlynne paused in her steps and tilted her head up towards the sky, making a show of contemplating fake memories, "oh yes, an officious hellion."
Norrington chuckled and she looked over to find him smiling at her. His eyes were alight with mirth and she found herself transported back to the last time, a lifetime before, she'd seen or heard him laugh. Before her heart caused her to melt into a mess of tears and jumbled explanations of the past, she returned his smile with a feigned shy one and continued forward. He quickly fell into step beside her.
"Now that I've given away my secret, I'm sure you realize that a woman such as myself would not be readily understood or accepted in propriety driven England. No, the Caribbean is where I was born and it will most likely be where I shall die. The adventure, the unknown, the thrill, the exotic, it all appeals to me, it strengthens my resolve to become the type of woman my father would've been proud of." Thinking truthfully of her own father, Ashlynne knew that certain aspects of her life her father, and mother, would've taken pride in. The fact that she was standing next to the only man she'd ever allowed herself to love and was blatantly lying to him, well, they'd be less than proud of that.
"What sort of woman is that, if I may ask?" Norrington ventured a few moments later, after a brief moment of comfortable silence.
Ashlynne spoke the truth for the first time since she'd first seen him again, "Honorable, indelible, curious, intrepid, and dare I say it, independent." At Norrington's amused look she continued, "I told you my father had the most curious ideas on how to raise a daughter. Many would say he ruined me for marriage by raising me with such ideals, well at least Lady Bracknell said so," Norrington covered his laugh with a cough but she caught sight of his smirk, "and perhaps the fact that my brother encourages equal strength of character within me does not help matters either. Now, I do not intend to live with my brother all my life. I don't want to ruin his chances for marriage and happiness. I am not opposed to the idea of marriage, Commodore, I just happen to agree with my brother in that it will have to be a very special man indeed who manages to snare my attention long enough and who is strong enough to cherish me, despite of or because of my eccentricities."
It felt good to speak truth, or at least truth through a disguise, to Norrington. If she wasn't careful, though, she'd let it trip her up and she'd end up telling him too much. She couldn't afford to get tangled up with Norrington and his rules and regulations again. After so many years, and finally finding a semblance of peace and prosperity for her family, she could not and would not allow her attraction to the insufferable man to lead her astray
"You are a most curious woman, Miss Devonshire, and I say that with the utmost respect. I agree that England would not understand you but, might I add, that it is their loss and our gain." He stopped and turned towards her. Ashlynne was surprised to find that they now stood outside the blacksmith's cottage. He handed her the basket, his fingers brushing against hers in the process and she fought against the girlish thrill it gave her. He gave her a slight bow, though with a large smile. "It has been most delightful, Miss Devonshire. I hope we meet again."
Ashlynne curtsied and returned his smile, "Thank you again, Commodore, for your aid at the market, as well as for escorting me home. Your curiosity and our conversation has made my day much brighter indeed." She felt like a fool for saying such ridiculous things but she knew the woman she was pretending to be would say such things. "I bid you good day."
He nodded again before he turned and made his way further down the street. Ashlynne didn't know why she waited by the street, watching him as he carried on further, but when he turned and caught her staring, she blushed and ducked her head. Before she turned away, however, she saw him smile.
"Playing with fire already I see?"
Ashlynne jumped at Parlan's voice, embarrassed that she'd been caught staring at Norrington, and embarrassed that she'd allowed herself to. She glared at him and brushed past on her way into the cottage. "He bumped into me at the market. The bloody fruit vendor was tryin' to cheat me again and I'd been about to show him just how much I appreciate cheats when Norrington showed up. After he took care of the vendor he offered to escort me home, as yer such a forgetful brother, and I had nay logical reason to refuse. Donnae worry, he thinks we're the genteel brother and sister from Antigua. He also finds me curious and amusin'. Of course, that's either good or bad and time will soon tell. But here's hopin' that that bloody innkeeper will be back before too long."
"Ashlynne," Parlan stilled her hands from frantically unpacking the basket, "are you going to be able to handle seeing him again? I know you maintained your disguise this time but with continued exposure, do you think you can get through that?"
"I donnae think there will be many other times, Parlan; he doesne often come down to the market and as we nay go to the meetin's or parties that he frequents, I doubt I'll have much opportunity to see him again." She pulled away and set about readying the meal. "I'll be fine."
Parlan sighed, "As a man, Ashlynne, I noticed the interest in his eyes when you turned away to come inside. He was looking at you just as you were looking at him, though he looked at you longer. He is attracted to you, again, and that does not bode well. I fear that he will try to make more opportunities to see you."
Ashlynne felt her bravado crumble and she quickly sat in the chair opposite her friend, her shoulders slumped in defeat. She hadn't been able to stop herself. She could've presented herself as cold and unfeeling, rude or disdainful, to Norrington's presence, and that would've helped to keep him from her. But when given the opportunity, she'd only found it possible to flirt with him in a way she'd never been able to before, again because of a disguise. It seemed her disguises were always bringing her closer and further away to him; strange how it could accomplish both feats. She would reap the consequences of her hasty decision to give into temptation, she knew that now. Even if she didn't feel she could handle another brush with Norrington's charm, she knew she'd have to weather it. If she wanted to get this confounded pendant off and live a normal life again, she'd have to succeed.