Chapter 1

My Dearest Cat,

I hope that you are doing well; I know that the winter months in England can be quite cruel to anyone in its passing. Father is anxiously awaiting Uncle Edward and your arrival. I am pleased about this visit as well. As you remember in my last letter I told you about my engagement to Will Turner, after turning down the request of marriage to Commodore Norrington. I'm sure that Father and Uncle Edward will talk about how I was disinclined to acquiesce the Commodore's proposal, simply because Father nearly had his heart set on the match.

In other news, Port Royal is busy preparing for the arrival of the Governor's family. Let us hope that this time there is no pirate attack. I did mention that Captain Jack Sparrow has been known to come around Port Royal, despite the warnings of Norrington. Father still hasn't forgiven him for anything he's done even though he did happen to save me twice, one time from drowning and the other from Captain Barbossa.

I shall speak to you soon darling,

Elizabeth

Catherine, dressed in a traveling dress, folded the letter back up and slipped it back in its' envelope. She went to a small trunk and deposited the letter back where she had gotten it. She removed the simple wire-framed glasses, sat them in their case, put the case in the desk drawer, and went on deck to talk to her father, Edward Swann.

"Catherine, darling, what have you been up to all afternoon only to come out now?" Edward smiled at his daughter.

"I have been doing a bit of reading and some writing. How has your day been father?"

"Very well my dear, very well. We should be arriving in Port Royal soon. You may want to change out of your traveling dress and into more appropriate attire since we are the Governor's family and guests. We must continue to show our decorum even while traveling in the open seas." Edward was soon pulled away before Catherine had anytime to reply. So instead she rolled her eyes and turned to go back to her quarters. As soon as turned she bumped into Lieutenant Collins.

"I beg your pardon Miss Swann. I was not paying attention to where I was going. Are you alright?" Collins' stare bore into Catherine's china blue eyes.

She smiled, "Yes, Lieutenant Collins, I am fine there is no need to fret about me."

"A lady such as yourself should always have someone to fret about them. Fine ladies need to well taken care of. I am sorry for being so bold, I just thought that you should have it confirmed." They locked eyes for a moment.

"Lieutenant Collins, I should go be prepared for when we dock at Port Royal." Catherine couldn't help, but to be locked into his gaze. His eyes were that of the mysterious depths of the bluest waters. He picked up her hand, brought it to his lips to place a single parting kiss upon it. "Good day Miss Swann."

~*~

Catherine walked to her quarters to find Ellen awaiting her arrival. Ellen was her maid and was there to help her dress. She was one of the few ladies that Edward Swann considered like a daughter. Ellen was maybe a couple years older than Catherine, but was wise beyond her years.

"Hello Miss Catherine. Back so soon?" Ellen was going through a wardrobe finding a dress for Catherine.

"Yes Ellen, it was a bit to soon to be back. You know Father always giving me fashion advice." Both girls laughed. They knew that Edward Swann had no inkling what the fashion was for ladies only that they could be breath-taking in practically everything.

"What about this one Miss?" Ellen pulled a lovely light blue brocaded dress with black lace trim from the wardrobe.

"That will be fine Ellen." Catherine sighed, tired from the confinement of her father, but understood that, in being the Governor's daughter and a Governor's niece that was her place. Always a doll to be dressed up and placed, never to have an adventure, and never to know what pure freedom was.

"Ellen, may I ask you a question?"

"Yes Miss."

"What do you think of Lieutenant Collins?" Catherine turned to Ellen, stopping her dead in her tracks.

"What do you mean Miss? What about Lieutenant Collins?"

"Would he be a good match Ellen?"

"Oh Miss, he would be a fine match. He's intelligent, handsome, and known you all your life, he's perfect."

"Maybe he's too perfect for me. I don't know. Ellen, thank you."

"You're welcome Miss. Now you should get dressed."

~*~

Edward saw the interaction between Collins and Catherine. Collins was a strapping young man with the will and determination to become Captain or even Commodore in no time. Needless to say Edward enjoyed fancying the idea that Collins would be interested in his daughters' hand in marriage.

"Lieutenant Collins may I have a word with you?" Collins turned to face Edward and followed him as he walked towards the rail of the ship.

"I have noticed that you seem to fancy my daughter?"

"Yes sir, I do enjoy her company." Collins replied, placing a hand on the rail to steady his balance.

"I want you to know that Catherine seems to be much obliged to your company as well. I am giving you my approval to court her if you had wanted to ask to court her." Edward knew instinctively that Catherine wouldn't approve of such a bold approval from her father. He just felt that it would be in her best interest to be married soon.

"Thank you Governor Swann. I shall ask her after we have arrived and the time is right." Collins stated awestruck by the idea of finally being able to share his feelings with Catherine.

~*~

"There you go Miss. You're all set to go on land now." Ellen stated closing a trunk that was full of Catherine's dresses.

"Thank you Ellen." Catherine replied while staring out the window of her room. 'If only I could be as free as a dove, I would have no worry in this world or the next', she thought remorsefully.

"I shall be leaving you now Miss." Ellen left the room shutting the door behind her quietly as to not disturb Catherine's innermost thoughts.

~*~

Collins was lost in thought about Catherine. She was twenty-one, the daughter of the Governor, the niece of the Governor of Port Royal, intelligent, beautiful and kind hearted with a free spirit. He had known her most of her life and seen her mature into the young lady that she is today. She had been to the best finishing schools and knew her place in society, but never flaunted it. Catherine was attractive in many eyes, but could never fully be compared with her cousin Elizabeth Swann. Collins knew Elizabeth as a child, and even as an adult had overshadowed Catherine at many social functions. He was just always compelled to protect Catherine, his precious Cat, for she was one of few people who would treat him as a person, not just another face in the crowd of Navy officials.

He decided to go talk to the Commodore and discuss the events of the day after docking in Port Royal. As he turned towards the Commodore's quarters, he saw Catherine. She caught his gaze and simply smiled acknowledging him. She walked up to him.

"Good afternoon Lieutenant Collins."

"Good afternoon to you as well Miss Swann." She smiled at him as her father came up to them.

"My dear Catherine you look wonderful. What do you say Collins?" Edward hugged his daughter.

"You are breathtakingly beautiful." Collins took her hand and kissed it. Catherine blushed.

"Thank you Lieutenant."

"I can see Port Royal from here." Governor Edward said mostly to himself, but as usual others could hear him.

Within a few moments they would be docked in Port Royal for the next two months. There was a crowd of people from the town awaiting the arrival of Governor Swann's brother and niece, including Governor Swann himself, his daughter Elizabeth Swann, and her soon to be husband Will Turner.