And I give you Part Four, much longer indeed….
Part 4: Governor's Ball
Miss Lucy Holmes. There was something about Miss Lucy Holmes that seemed to light up the room. Maybe it was the smile she gave him when they were introduced, or her sweet melodious voice, or her beauty within. He didn't really know. She wasn't all that pretty, but tall and stocky. Her hazel eyes seemed to sparkle with life and her face soft, tanned and mildly freckled was full of animation. There was something about her face that was vaguely familiar. Her best asset was her shimmering auburn curls. He could even hear the swish of her green skirts as she glided over to him. She seemed to capture all his thoughts.
He had taken comfort in the corner watching the dancers.
"Mr. Kennedy, are you going to spend all your time hidden away in this dusty corner?" She said, meeting him with her hazel gaze.
"Well, yes, unless you will dance with me," Archie replied.
"Why, of course!" She replied her face showing genuine joy.
He extended his arm as he led her out on the dance floor. He let his eyes watch her. She was beautiful; he was dazzled by the way the light bounced of her slender neck and rosy cheeks. Light and energy glowed from her, and a few times he had to mentally slap himself to keep from stealing a kiss right there on the dance floor. He couldn't help but seeing something familiar about her face and eyes.
"Have we met before, Miss Holmes?"
"Maybe," He saw her bite her lip, "but I don't believe so." She continued, rushed.
"You remind me of someone, that's all." Archie said softly.
"Who?"
Who was it? Archie thought to himself. He thought for a minute traveling back in time. Ahh, yes Mr. Patterson. They had the same face and eyes. He looked at her again. She had one brown eyebrow arched and a questioning stare planted on her soft face.
"John Patterson." Archie blurted as they finished their dance.
He pulled away from her hoping he had said the right thing.
"John Patterson…I think I know him." She replied pulling him closer, her eyes dancing.
"Would you like to see the gardens?" she asked, a smile forming on rose lips.
Archie couldn't help but follow as she led him into the gardens.
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"I wish I could have told him thank you," Archie continued after telling her about John Patterson.
"I think he knows that," she said softly smiling again.
Oh, how he loved that smile, its radiance, and her whole face for that matter. And the brown eyes that missed nothing. There was a long delicate silence between them. Archie felt his heart pounding. He reached out to bring her closer. He wrapped his arm around her waist and licked his bottom lip. He could feel her warmth as she neared and was against him. He could feel her sweet warm breath. He lowered his head, closed his eyes, and squeezed her side.
He heard her gasp sharply for air and he felt her pulling away. He opened his eyes to see hers' washed with pain. She grabbed his upper arm to steady herself as she bit her lip to keep from screaming in pain.
What had he done? Had he hurt the poor girl? As if answering his questions, in a small meek voice she muttered, " I am fine." (What Lucy is really saying right now, Ugh….damnit that hurt like hell. Why don't I scream and give him something else to think about?)
He watched as she straightened her dress and lowered her head. He took his finger and brought up her head to look at her face. No more was the happy smile on it, or the light in her eyes, they were now glittered sadly with a sheen of unshed tears.
What have I done? Archie reprimanded himself.
"You sure?" He asked looking at the pain still in her eyes.
"Yes." She smiled again, and pain on her face started to recede.
"Miss Holmes?" One of the butlers came towards them.
"Yes?" (What do you want, gringo?) She said regaining every inch of composure.
"An urgent letter, miss." The man replied handing her one.
She took it and eagerly ripped open the letter. Archie observed she scanned the letter with the utmost curiosity. Then she stared at it and he saw her small, white hands tremble.
"Is everything ok, Miss?" He asked.
She didn't reply, but crumpled the parchment in her fist.
"I am sorry for my silence, Mr. Kennedy. But I must leave." She turned to him, curtsied, and hurried out of the gardens leaving Archie stunned.
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He could not be here, now could he? James, if this is another trick, I'll… Lucy thought as she clenched her fists. At first she was frightened and stunned, but now she was mad. Le Marquet, damn his impudence. Why here? She made her way out through the garden. She'd really made a mess of things. Damn my side, damn the wound, damn the pain, and damn the man who fired the shot! She closed her eyes and imagined the moment again when she could feel him against her and she had to tweak her wound. He probably though he'd done something wrong. Damn it!
She sauntered into the large ballroom and sited Le Marquet on the side sipping champagne talking with a tall, willowy blonde. He dared to be in England. Ah, she knew he'd come, she just REALLY didn't want him to. She watched as a man gave him a letter. Have to get the letter. She felt someone behind her as she watched Le Marquet.
"James!" she exclaimed seeing his smiling face.
"My dear Lucy," he said as she gave him a slight kiss on the cheek.
"I found him, and he was just given a letter," she whispered in his ear.
"Well thank you, Ms. Holmes," James said taking her hand.
"Watch out for him; he is rather dangerous. I'll see you later. Got to go run my own show now," she said, walking away.
She had to find Mr. Kennedy, apologize, do so more drowning in those blue eyes of his, and maybe give him that kiss he deserved.
**********************************************
Archie, curious as usual, observed her stop in the ballroom and observe a man standing against the wall. And when a man came up to her from behind, he saw her face light up. That's more than I can do. She gave him a sisterly hug and a kiss and remained talking with him. Do I care for her this much to be jealous? He turned away from the scene, disgusted by it. He WAS jealous of this man who could make her smile. He kept mentally kicking himself for hurting her. Maybe that was just a ploy to get away from me. I am a wretched mess, aren't I?
God, she was beautiful, and there was a pleasant ring in her voice. He ran his fingers through his hair. He still could feel her soft touch. He closed his eyes and pictured her. Her soft but tanned face, her auburn curls, her lovely brown eyes and quirky smile. He heard some on come close to him and turned around to face the devil herself, Miss Lucy Holmes.
"Miss Holmes!" He squeaked.
"Call me Lucy. Not Miss Holmes, not Miss Lucy, just Lucy," she said with a genuine gorgeous smile.
"I am dreadfully sorry about all that," she said getting closer to him.
What could he say to her? He thought, his blue eyes settling on her, poised in front of him in a ivy green dress, smiling. He scrunched his nose as he thought.
"How long have you been in the Navy, Mr. Kennedy?" she asked first to break the silence.
"For eight years, since I was twelve," he responded.
"Oh so young." She whispered (and so handsome, she thought to herself.)
"You look very beautiful tonight, Lucy," he said, reminding himself to breathe.
"Why thank you. Most people keep their compliments to themselves. First one I've had in a long time," she replied.
How could someone not compliment her?
"What are you implying, Lucy?" he retorted, smiling.
"I am implying, Mr. Kennedy, that people usually don't give me compliments. They probably think I'll bite their head off," she chortled.
" Well, you haven't bitten mine off yet, so I'll continue. You are a very graceful dancer, and I find you captivate me," he said with conviction.
"You flatter me Mr. Kennedy. That is extremely nice of you. You yourself are a very graceful dancer." She replied, blushing again.
He looked at her again as she beamed in delight. She seemed to him, even brighter than the moon.
"Oh! Look! They are proposing a toast! Let's go inside," she spoke grabbing his arm and pulling him towards the house.
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"…And its Archie!" He exclaimed as he brought her a glass of champagne.
"Thank you." she said as he winked at her.
She caught her heart lurching again.
"Friends, a toast. To the King!" The Governor raised his glass.
"The King!" they riposted in unison.
After the toast, people started to mill about. Archie and Lucy joined the group with the governor.
"Did you hear about the Marquis La Forte? Another rescued by La Aguja Sangrienta," the governor spoke up.
"I wonder who this brave man could be who rescues these French Aristo's and others from the guillotine?" another man said.
Lucy stiffed on Archie's arm. All their voices seemed to fill Lucy's head.
"I've heard the name means 'The Bloody Needle'."
"I heard him called Etienne Renaunt."
"Can't be a Frenchman."
"Why not?"
"He is most dashing and handsome." One lady spoke and Lucy identified her as one of the rescued, Gabrielle Comte Rochelle.
"I've hear they call him John Patterson."
Lucy just rolled her eyes at all the comments and looked over at Archie who had a questioning stare planted on his white face. Most likely about the connection between John Patterson and La Aguja Sangrienta, Lucy thought.
"I've heard his IS a very handsome, courageous man," Lucy retorted smugly, "very charming, witty, and clever. He's been plundering French plans most vigorously since the war started. Saved over one hundred prisoners, very dashing I must say," she added.
"And altogether too big for his shoes!" James chuckled. The people around them laughed softly and went back to their conversations.
Lucy blushed and cast down her eyes. Staring up at Archie she could tell he was a little stunned, but then coming back to reality he winked at her.
"Archie I would like you to meet someone; James Fairaday." she said, turning to James.
"Whither why you wander here?" she asked.
"He smiled and bowed to her, "Because I knew you'd be here, spirit."
Archie smiled to himself as he heard them play on some lines of Midsummer Nights Dream.
"Nice to meet you, sir," James said.
"You too. Archie Kennedy of the HMS Frigate Indefatigable." Archie introduced himself.
He tried to say it as nicely as he could, but he was jealous of James Fairaday for the smiles Lucy flashed him.
"Well, I'll leave you two to talk. I see a friend of mine." Lucy excused herself.
Archie watched her go. He sighed, why was she humoring poor Archie?
"How long have you known Miss Lucy?" Archie asked, trying to make conversation.
"For two years. She's quite something isn't she?" James replied taking a sip of his bubbling champagne.
"Aye, she is." Archie watched her go over to another gentleman and a lady. He realized that the man was the one she had been watching.
"I think she likes you, sir." James said with a slight grin.
"What?" Archie said. He hadn't been paying attention to James and he knew it. He had been paying attention to Lucy on purpose.
"Nothing," James said.
Archie flashed him a questioning stare. They both watched Lucy exchange heated words with the gentleman and walk staunchly back to them.
"Well, that was harrowing," Lucy said through pursed lips.
"I better get going, Lucy," James said quietly.
"So soon?" She arched an eyebrow skeptical of his manner, leaving her to deal with Le Marquet, alone.
"Yes, yes," he said walking towards the door.
Archie watched as she shook her head and watched him leave.
"Mr. Fairaday is a very gracious man," Archie responded his voice hoarse and gruff.
"Yes, he is gracious and kind." Lucy replied, watching Archie. He was stiff and his face pale. She peered into his blue eyes and saw something different. She dearly wanted to know what was on his mind.
"He is very high in your esteem, isn't he?" Archie hissed.
"I don't much care for your tone, sir. Is that a hint of jealousy I hear?" she asked playfully.
He just stared heatedly at her.
Then, in a stern voice that could silence the heavens, she retorted, "Jealousy is only for fools, Mr. Kennedy, and a fool you are not."
But the jealousy still remained in his blue eyes. She stood next to him like a stone saint, her stern manner at the brim. He face was marked with a jealous scowl that she did not like one bit.
"If you think you are being bested for my attentions by James Fairaday, a brother to me, then maybe you are a fool. Maybe, I was wrong about you." Lucy was stiff, her voice cutting through him like ice, but her eyes were ablaze with a seething fire. Archie cringed at her words, realizing how wrong he was.
"I thought you were different. You say one thing but do and think another. You, sir, are very hypocritical." Archie stood wide-eyed and silent, he could say nothing.
"Men should be what they seem; or those that be not, would they might seem none. Trifles, light as air are to the jealous confirmations strong as proofs of holy writ."
"Lucy…I am sorry…I." Archie couldn't, for the first time in his life, think of a suitable retort.
"Oh, how your courtesy would seem to cover sin!" she finished her voice rash and frostbitten, though she was ardently flushed.
Then she slowly regained composure and turned to the silent, baffled Archie.
"My conduct was inexcusable, but I will not make justifications for my temper. O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on: that cuckold lives in bliss, who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger; but, O, what damned minutes tells he o'er who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves!"
"I am truly sorry…I had no idea, I didn't think," he stammered. Oh, lo, what to say, he thought frantically.
"Well, there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt in your philosophy," she spat, red fiery annoyance rolling like tumulus waves off the tip of her tongue.
Lucy, still filled with aberration, threw her champagne glass into him, drenching him and turned to Captain Pellew.
"Am I interrupting something?"
"No, no sir," Lucy murmured, realizing what she had just done and wanting to take it all back. Archie meanwhile was drying his face.
The Captain cleared his throat loudly, "Are you going to introduce me to this fine lady, Mr. Kennedy? Although I'm sure you'd like to keep her all to yourself."
Archie was pulled out of his shock.
"Well, no sir," he squeaked.
"No meaning you are not going to introduce me." The Captain eyed his young acting lieutenant and laughed.
Oh, no, now his Captain is making a fool of him, Lucy cringed in empathy. God what had she done? Stupid, git, she told herself, look at this mess and YOU and ONLY YOU created it.
"Yes, sir," Archie said sharply. "This is Miss Lucy Holmes."
"Pleasure to meet you Miss Holmes," the captain said, bowing.
"Captain Sir Edward Pellew at your service," he continued.
Lucy eyed the Captain incredulously, heat still in her cheeks. She finally started to truly calm down. I wonder if he knows, she whispered to herself. Damn why did she have to yell at Archie? He didn't mean any harm; it was just schoolboy jealousy.
May I have a word with you, Miss Holmes?" Captain Pellew asked.
"Why of course, Sir Edward," she said cautiously.
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Captain Sir Edward Pellew tried to keep himself inside his jumpy skin. He couldn't believe it. John Patterson, Lucy Holmes, the same person! He admitted a likeness when first he saw Miss Holmes but to be the same person, inconceivable. And she had the nerve to openly admit to him it was true. He was truly dazzled by her spirit and had watched the ever-clever Mr. Kennedy become a fool to her wit and hazel-eyed charm and temper. He shook his head; amazed and a little annoyed he did not figure out that they were the same person, when he had spent a week of dinners with her. He still could not figure her out.
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Lucy kept damning herself as she walked back to Archie Kennedy. He was turned away from her and then he started to walk towards the gardens.
"Wait Archie…please…wait…I really am sorry." She said following him.
"Now that you have seen my darker side what do you think?" she asked when she finally caught up to him. They were out in the moonlight gardens again. He still had his back to her, but he had stopped. She grabbed his shoulder; "I don't expect forgiveness. I don't expect you to humor my temper. I just want you to know I am sincerely sorry and I really like you. There is no excuse for my raucous and rude behavior. And thus I clothe my naked villainy, with odd old ends stolen forth of holy writ, and seem I a saint, when most I play the Devil," she finished with flourish and made a sweeping bow.
She stood waiting for acknowledgment, she had said all she needed to say and if need be she'd turn and walk away. On the other hand, Archie pondered on what to tell her. He admitted he had be drawn to her and for the first time in his life felt inner feelings for a woman, and this woman had made his head whirl.
"Lucy, I accept your apology. It's just that I have never been more than humoured in these types of situations." Archie replied turning to face her.
Lucy felt her heart take a flight of happiness and made her spine shiver.
"Well, now that I have met you, I would like to now so much more about you." she said her rose lips turning at the corners.
Archie laughed dispassionately to himself, I am very dull and my life along with it and probably not worth knowing much about.
"Well I lived in Derbyshire on my father, Lord Kennedy's estate and my younger sister lives in London. But my life is trivial and pointless," he said trying to devoid her attempts of learning about his life, purposely leaving his brothers out of the picture.
"I much like your Shakespeare. Thrice he is armed that hath his quarrel just?" he continued
"Aye, just it is." she replied smiling again.
"Your smile re-cures the wounding of a frown and your are true to be a good saint," he said.
"But there is nothing either good or bad, thinking makes it so." She remarked.
"Yes, but outs in not to reason why, our is but to do and die."
"That tis harsh but aren't we what we think. 'All that are, arises from our thoughts and with our thoughts, make the world.'"
"So if our thoughts make the world why does then the world shape our thoughts?" He quipped.
Lucy smiled devilishly and her hazel eyes sparkled, "I think there for I am and we would not have this world we live in if we didn't create it with our thoughts. The world is created by our thoughts in how each person view it. Life it what we have been given to experience thought. Even our world was created by a higher power of thought. Life is a game that we have created with our minds."
"Then what's death?" he added.
"Death is just the beginning to some. We have created it with our minds, and would not have it or believe in it if we had not thought it. Death also could be an illusion to reassure us of the reality of life. If we didn't have life, we wouldn't know death, if we didn't have the assurance of death, we would not know life or the magnitude of it. If we didn't know black we wouldn't know white. If we didn't have good we wouldn't know what evil was or mans' capacity to do it. 'Every sweet has it sour; every evil has its good.' Fore a man can see much good in one life such as love for others and sincere selflessness, and yet can not fathom or embrace it if he has not seen its opposite. Our thoughts dictate what is good and what is evil, due to witnessing something with thought process and inner judgement. But also what we see and do impacts which is evil and which are righteous and good. As Oscar Wilde said, the basis of optimism is sheer terror. If we didn't know sheer terror, like a gun ready to go off in your face we wouldn't be able to imagine the comfort of optimism, of staring straight down the barrel of it. I have a question for you, what is the true gold, the material or the action, is money truly what counts or not?" she finally finished almost out of breath.
"The person who has the most things still dies. There is no virtue like necessity but necessity of material is pitiful what is truly necessary is your actions in life. I do agree with Emerson, Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is not path and leave a trail. Such as my going into the Navy and leaving a Lord son's life behind. People see only what they are prepared to see and they willing believe what they wish and that's usually gold that glitters. 'Tis an old saying, the devil lurks behind the cross. All is not gold that glitters. From the tail of the plough, Bamba was made King of Spain, and from his silks and riches Rodrigo cast to be de…'"
Archie had realized through all his talking she had crept closer, she was right there, her brown eyes pondering on his words, Archie was about to finish his thought bit he never did. There lips met, and she closed his with a passionate kiss. He could taste her sweet repose and wrapped his arms around her, bringing her closer. Lucy could feel his chest rising against hers; Lucy had never felt like this in her whole life. She savoured the tingling on her lips and the wonderful feeling that scourged her body like a wild fire. Archie had never felt more confused in his life and yet saw so clearly, her, such an angel. Aye its all your doing devil, playing with a poor soul, once she knows…
Lucy broke from his embrace and laughed softly, "Then I am the richest one of all."
*********************************
"You are very well read, Lucy." Archie said as they walked back through the gardens.
"Well, I do read in my spare time." Lucy said thinking of her days alone with only books.
"Then you must have much spare time. So, where are you from you haven't told me much about that? " Archie asked wanting to know more about this angel.
Lucy hesitated and her hazel eyes darted back and forth frantically for some answer. "Umm…nowhere in particular." she managed at no more than a whisper.
"Well then," Archie continued aware that she was trying to avoid that topic, "When shall I see you again."
"Well, anytime you'd like, Mr. Kennedy."
"Anytime, wouldn't that be too presumptuous of me?"
"No, not at all. I am staying with a friend on Dowling Street, Ms. Alicia Wetherton, if you were to call."
"Well then, I may, Lucy, I may."
*********************************
The party was to soon over, people had said their goodbyes and Archie was heading back to the Indefatigable. He wondered how Horatio's night had gone and hoped he hadn't counted the stocks the whole time, which he probably did due to his compulsive mathematical nature.
She actually wants to see me! He wanted to shout for glee but didn't due to his present circumstance, inside a ferryboat.
He could practically see her standing there, smiling, laughing at even at his dumbest wit. Her hazel eyes, her shinning auburn curls, her tanned face and small pale hands, her delicate figure and even her tears. Oh how he loved them all, if this is really love he thought, my heart is torn, it trembles for this realization that could I ever love again. Oh, but the morbid thoughts flew past as nothing, absolutely nothing could bring him down tonight, not after her smiles. He had met his Venus, his Cleopatra, his Juliet. She wants to see me! He cradled lovingly those words like a priest his faith, and a mother her babe. His mind soared remembering her well-placed words, her wide knowledge of the world that he never dreamed of, thought of, and her beauty. She wants to see me! His heart soared and fluttered with a new found freedom just like a golden phoenix let from his cage and his blue eyes danced as his boat came alongside the Indy.
He climbed up nimbly and expertly and sauntered down to the cabin he shared with Horatio, who he found trying to find a logical explanation for some illogical theory.
"So, how was it, boring, hospitable, totally unbearable, or what?" Horatio asked looking over his book.
"It was ok." he said chuckling, heading for is bunk.
"What are you smiling about? It had to have been more than ok to see you smiling. Anyway what has got you in the greatest mood, that I have seen you in weeks, no months, no years?" Horatio said quizzing him.
Archie just sighed and smiled again closing his eyes picturing her rose lips, the moonlight in her hair and her soft face. He sighed again stretching out as far as he could, "Complete happiness, Horatio, complete happiness."
Horatio stared blankly at his friend, for a moment trying to read his thoughts.
"What are you talking about, Archie?" Horatio quizzed again.
"Hmmmm, what?" Archie said about to drift oft to sleep and dreams, oh how he long to dream, and dream because he was sure she'd be there.
"I said, what are you talking about, Archie?" Horatio said now irritated.
"Complete happiness, is what I said. Have you ever experienced it, I daresay you should." Archie replied opening his eyes. He sat up and turned towards Horatio, there was an unearthly look about him, a dreamy state relevant in his clear blue eyes. Horatio noticed that the shadows did not haunt them this night.
"Complete happiness, I have never truly experienced except on a clear day on this ship, but what form Archie, complete happiness because of what?" Horatio berated Archie with questions and closed his book with a smack.
"The most beautiful form on earth, Horatio." Archie said lying down again.
"Are you going to answer my question straight or not?" Now Horatio was angered by his friend's nonchalance.
"No, Captain Obvious no, as you can see not tonight. You will either have to find it out yourself or I'll tell you in the morning." Archie said adjusting himself and drifting off to a pleasant sleep filled with 'Complete Happiness'.
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Lucy picked up the ivory comb from the mahogany dresser, the only piece she had of her mothers, since she had left home. She started to brush out her long auburn locks and looked at her herself in the mirror. Her green dressing gown covered her slim shape and the light accented her features and tanned face.
Am I that beautiful, do I really come across that well? If he only knew… How it is funny that my real heart and mind come out from inside this gilded façade named Holmes. I don't have much money; it has all gone to better things than fancy dresses and pearls. This is all but a costume and its accompanied jewellery around this lamp lit room. What happiness has befallen me and yet my heart is torn with laden guilt and fleeting dreams of seeing him again. Oh, what is this that I feel? Is it love? If it is then I am sunk. Tomorrow is a new day, Lucy and he is promised to call, he won't find out if you don't tell him. Happiness comes with this small fairytale. He is handsome and smart and everything I could have ever wished for. Happiness comes with this small fairytale.
"Goodnight Sweet Prince."