Pearl
Chapter 1
Author's Note: Be nice. I love this story, and I hope you love it too. Be patient, the beginning is a little slow. Hey, I have to set it up right?
Disclaimer: Well, they may not be mine but I have Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom tied up in my basement. If they are very good (or bad, depending on my mood) I may let them out to do a PotC sequel.
"Father, please, it truly doesn't matter whether the lilies are pink or maroon colored. They're flowers all the same, and they will look lovely," Elizabeth told the rather distraught older man.
"Nonsense. You order pink shaded flowers and you shall have them. I want everything to be perfect for your wedding."
"And it will be, Father," she soothed him. "It is all the same to me. They are nearly the same color, after all. Why don't you go inform Madam Freslie that the maroon shall be fine?" she suggested, steering him toward the door.
They both started in surprise when opening the door revealed not only a servant dutifully stringing roses into the lattice beside the door, but also a woman in fine silks offering advice on how to do so.
"Excuse me Miss, may I help you?"
The woman looked up in surprise, smoothing her slightly rumpled and marginally wet gown in surprise. "I apologize, Sir, and I certainly hope you may help me. Might you be Governor Swan?"
"I am," he answered. "And you are?"
"Miss Maltrey. Bethany Maltrey, if you will," she added, dropping a curtsy to him. She looked up at them, apparently expecting some exclamation of recognition. When she got none she sighed deeply. "Then you did not receive my letter."
"I apologize, Miss Maltrey, but what letter?" Governor Swan asked.
"My mother and I, we sent you a letter telling of my coming. We had heard the ship was waylaid, but we had hoped it to be merely a rumor." She wrung her white gloved hands gently. "The name Miss Maltrey means nothing to you? I am your late wife's niece, Governor Swan. Elizabeth's cousin. I sought to visit, for the wedding. Her mother would not have liked her having her day without an abundance of family."
"Yes," the Govenor said suddenly, attempting to sound convincing. "Bethany, you say? Yes, I do believe I recall a niece named Bethany." He seized her hand suddenly, leading her into the shade of the marble foyer. "I apologize for my rudeness. Look how I've slipped! This is Elizabeth, of course."
Trying to hide her chuckle, Elizabeth nodded her greeting.
"Not at all!" Bethany said quickly. "It is entirely my fault. Coming the very evening before the wedding, and totally unannounced. In fact, I should seek lodging elsewhere. I would not wish to inconvenience you any further."
"Nonsense!" Elizabeth cried. "You'll stay here and that's the last word I'll hear of it. You can help with the arrangements, if it wouldn't be too much bother. You seem to have a hand for it."
"You really are too kind," she said.
"Father, why don't you see to the flowers? Bethany and I shall have some tea. You must be fatigued after your travels. Are you fresh from the boat?"
"I fear so," she answered, removing her large bonnet as she followed her cousin further into the house. Her hair, long and red-tinted-brown, was pulled up in a looped braid on the back of her head. Her skin, although tanned from the Caribbean sun, still showed signs of freckles. There was little doubt of their being Irish blood in her veins. Her eyes, however, showed none of it. They were dark brown, so dark they gave the impression of being endless pools. Elizabeth found herself oddly reminded of Jack Sparrow, and nearly laughed at the idea.
"Did you have a pleasant voyage? Certainly you didn't come all the way from England?"
"No, no," she answered quickly. "We live in Port Nassau, not so far. We moved here some years ago, with my mother's second husband. And the voyage was very fine. The sea agrees with me, I fear. My mother shall be horrified when she hears how I've enjoyed my adventure."
"Why did she not journey with you?"
"I fear my mother is not in good heath. Nothing serious, mind, but a voyage would not agree with her a'tall. But enough of me. Tell me about your husband to be. Is he a handsome man?"
"Very," she answered. "A blacksmith, you know."
"So I heard," she replied, "although I hardly believed it."
"It has been a struggle," she remarked.
"It sounds terribly romantic," she said. "When do I get to meet him?"
"How about now?"
They both looked up at the sound of the voice in the doorway. "Will!" Elizabeth cried, jumping from her chair to run and hug him.
Bethany sat stock still, staring at the man in the doorway. Elizabeth detangled herself from her soon-to-be husband and claimed his hand to drag him over to their guest. "Will, this is my cousin, Bethany Maltrey. Bethany, this is William Turner."
Bethany stood to offer a quick curtsy, her eyes raking him. "Elizabeth, I believe I've been lied to. You told me he was handsome."
"And you don't think he is?" Elizabeth demanded, hands on hips.
"Elizabeth, handsome is the greatest understatement I believe I've heard. Perhaps dressed in rags, covered in dirt, and with a large, ugly, infected scar he could pass as handsome. This man is the greatest example of male form I believe I've ever seen."
"Bethany!" Elizabeth cried as Will turned a lovely shade of crimson.
"Of course. Forgive me, Mr. Turner. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Maltrey," he returned, bowing deeply.
"Call me Bethany, please. We shall be family soon enough."
"Then you must call me Will," he informed her.
"Will it is," she agreed with an inclination of her head.
"Would you like some tea?" Elizabeth asked, leading him toward the tray that was already being set out.
"I suppose I could manage it. Really I stopped by to see how everything was going with the arrangements. I thought perhaps I could help."
"Oh, disaster. My father ordered pink colored lilies and all they have are maroon ones."
Will looked at her in confusion. "Is there a difference?"
"Not so very large a one," Elizabeth said with a giggle and a look at her cousin which clearly said men would never understand their plight. "All shall be well in the end."
"If it is not too bold of me to say, Bethany, you have beautiful eyes."
"I do not find it too bold if your bride to be does not. I had the good fortune to inherit my father's eyes."
"I do not find it too bold. I was just thinking so as well," Elizabeth commented. "They are the very picture of Jack's."
"Who is Jack?" Bethany asked with a curious look.
"A pirate," Will answered. "A bit of mystery. Perhaps you'll get to meet him. I wouldn't put it past him to show up for the wedding."
"Certainly not!" Elizabeth cried. "Norrington will be there, after all. Surely he has sense enough to stay well away."
"You know Jack. He very seldom has any sense at all," Will answered.
"Sounds like an intriguing man," Bethany remarked.
"To say the least," Elizabeth answered.
"What does your father do, out of pure curiosity?" Will asked.
"He's a merchant."
"A sailor?"
"No, no. Runs a shop. Funds voyages. That sort of thing. He stays in port these days, although I hear he was quite the hooligan before I was born."
"Then perhaps there is hope for Will yet," Elizabeth chuckled.
A footman entered then. "Commandore Norrington has come to pay you a visit, Miss Swan. Shall I show him in?"
"Certainly," Elizabeth answered. The footman exited, and Elizabeth turned curious eyes on her cousin. "Tell me, Bethany, are you betrothed?"
"Certainly not, and I have every intention of remaining that way. I see that coy light in your eye, cousin, and you may forget it this moment. I will not be a casualty of your matchmaking. I've enough trouble keeping my mother at bay."
Elizabeth shrugged with feigned indifference. When the Commandore entered she rose to curtsy to his bow. "Commandore, always a pleasure. This is my cousin, Bethany Maltrey, newly arrived this very afternoon. Cousin, this is Commandore Norrington."
"A pleasure," she greeted, curtsying as well.
"The pleasure is mine. I did not hear of a ship docking this afternoon. I assume you arrived safely."
"Oh, yes. It was a small ship, quite unremarkable in all honesty. I can hardly be surprised you did not hear of it."
"Will you join us for some tea, Commandore?" Elizabeth offered.
"No. I fear my schedule does not allow me the leisure at this time. I came seeking your father. Is he about?"
"I fear he stepped out to make some arrangements," Elizabeth answered. "Would you like me to tell him you are looking for him?"
"No, no. I shall see him tomorrow, I dare say."
"You are coming to the ceremony then?" Elizabeth asked.
"Of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world. I bid you good afternoon. Miss Swan, Mr. Turner, Miss Maltrey. Perhaps you could save me a dance tomorrow?"
"It would be my pleasure, Commandore," Bethany answered with an incline of her head.
"Tomorrow then," he said with a final bow before exiting the room.
"You are going to pay for that," Bethany remarked as they sat back down to their tea.
"I hardly see why," Elizabeth answered. "He is acknowledged far and wide as the most eligible of bachelors."
"Which is why you turned him down, no doubt," Bethany returned.
"How did you hear of that?" Elizabeth asked.
"The same way I heard of the wedding, of course," she answered. "A Commandore is worth gossiping over, even one so far beyond our reach. Especially when it involves one's cousin."
"Then perhaps we shall give your mother something to gossip about," Elizabeth suggested with a grin.
"You look so beautiful," Bethany sighed, carefully arranging the last of the ringlets on her cousin's head.
"Let us hope my husband thinks so as well," Elizabeth said.
"How could he not?"
"Can you imagine?" Elizabeth asked. "Husband. My husband is William Turner."
"Well, if the ceremony was any indication of your future together it is bound to be easy sailing. Everything was so beautiful."
"You really think so?" Elizabeth asked.
"I know so," Bethany replied. "Now you have only to mingle with your guests for a few hours, and then you may withdraw for the wedding night."
Elizabeth blushed heavily. "Don't remind me."
Bethany stopped straightening the lace of her cousin's gown to meet her eyes in the mirror. "Elizabeth, tell me you will not be spending the evening with William Turner for the first time tonight."
"Of course I will. I am a woman of honor, and he is very honorable as well. Why would you assume otherwise?"
"Elizabeth, forgive my crassness, but have you seen your husband? That man is delectable. If he weren't married to my cousin I would be chasing him about at this very moment."
"Bethany, you are horrible."
"Nay, just honest."
A sharp knock on the door made them both look up. A maid entered, curtsying gracefully. "Forgive the intrusion, my Lady. Your father bid me remind you that your guests are waiting."
"Tell him we shall be out momentarily," Bethany told her, shooing the girl out before returning to Elizabeth. "You only need one more thing."
"Whatever might that be?" Elizabeth asked, scrutinizing herself in the mirror.
"This," she answered, returning with a necklace of black pearls nearly all the same size.
Elizabeth gasped. "It's beautiful."
"It's yours," Bethany said, attaching it around her neck.
"This must be worth a fortune. I couldn't possibly accept it."
"You must," she answered. "It is a gift, from myself and my father."
"I don't know what to say."
"Thank you would be appropriate, I believe," she answered with a grin.
"Thank you."
"Come. You have guests to meet."
Taking her hand Bethany led the new bride to the door, down the halls, and into the grand ball room stuffed nearly to overflowing. Governor Swan, who had been standing by the door, raised his hands when he caught sight of his daughter. The gathered crowd quieted as the Governor took his daughter by the hand. "Ladies and gentlemen, the bride has arrived!"
At that announcement the crowd cheered three times. William Turner stepped forward to bow to the Governor and take his new bride's hand. "The married couple shall share the first dance!" the Governor announced as people cleared a space for the new couple.
Bethany mingled with the crowd to watch the new couple twirl around the floor, clearly lost in one another. "It is beautiful, is it not?" she heard behind her.
Turning she was surprised to find the Commandore standing directly behind her. "I would say so. I hope you do not find it bitter sweet, knowing it might have been you."
"Nay," he answered. "She found love. I could never regret that. I dare say I have time enough to find a proper bride."
"More than," Bethany agreed. "And I dare say you shall have no trouble once you have located her. I am glad to hear you bear them no ill will. I would have no dark thoughts hanging over my cousin on such a happy day."
"Nor would I," he said, his tone belaying a deeper meaning as he scanned the crowd.
"Whatever do you mean?" she asked, eyes studying those gathered as well. "Does something else trouble My Lord?"
"Nothing of consequence," he replied lightly. "Perhaps I had best claim your hand now, Miss Maltrey, before some overeager youth steals you from me."
"I dare say you needn't fear that. I believe I know no other soul in this room beyond my relations. And please, do call me Bethany."
"Ah, but many men, even those who have never made your acquaintance, would pursue such a beautiful woman. You must know that by now, Bethany. And I would have you call me Edward. If I cannot refer to you as Miss Maltrey it seems a bit awkward for you to call me by my title."
She blushed as was proper, looking down at her gloved hands. "That is very kind of you to say, My Lord."
"I speak only the truth," he answered.
"A virtue much befitting a Commandore," she told him, offering him her hand so that they could join the other couples moving to dance with the Turners.
She looked up to find him once again sweeping the room with his eyes. "Edward, I would expect a man of such words to at least keep his eyes upon his partner."
"My apologies, Miss, er, Bethany. I meant no offence."
"I will take none if you tell me whom you search for so diligently. Should I fear a woman jealous of you attention to me sneaking up on us?"
"No, certainly not." He paused to look at her for a moment before asking, "Have you heard the tale of your cousin's unfortunate run-in with a pirate by the name of Jack Sparrow?"
"From her own lips some few hours ago," Bethany replied. "I was looking to lessen her anxiety by drawing her memory elsewhere. 'Twas a thrilling tale, to be sure."
"Yes, well, I would not be surprised in the pirate were to show up at this very gathering."
"Surely not. He'd not have the audacity."
"Believe me, he would."
"He must be quite the scallywag to have you seeking him desperately," Bethany remarked.
"Actually, he is rather honorable. And brilliant. Positively mad, but brilliant."
"Why Edward, one might believe you actually respect the man."
"I suppose I do. But he is still a pirate, and I do have my responsibilities."
"It seems the smarter play, if he truly is so brilliant, would be to send a companion in his place to convey his well wishes. Do you know what the rest of his crew would look like?"
"No, but any of them would stick out in such a refined crowd. Rest assured Bethany, there are no pirates present."
"If you are that certain, My Lord, I shall certainly rest easy." Elizabeth grinned as she spun by, waving at her cousin. Bethany waved back.
Note: Just a friendly reminder that reviews make the process go faster. Next, Pearl shows her true colors. Stay tuned. I like the next chapter better and I guarantee you will too!