Disclaimer: "Pirates of the Caribbean" belong to Disney, and "La manana de San Juan" song belongs to Diego Pisador.
A/N: Thank you, Alteng dear, for your review!
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III
Elizabeth walked home in a slightly dreamy mood. It was a long time since she had been outside all on her own, trying to face her fears and solve her problems, and today's escapade had turned out into something entirely different than she had expected. She looked up at the evening sky, and realized that she didn't care what her father or Will would say about her improper conduct. She didn't care about it now; she felt peaceful and calm, as she should be after a difficult accomplishment. She didn't even notice Estella, who was following her gloomily.
She was surprised to see her father waiting for her with Will. They looked very anxious about her absence, which was quite understandable, given that the servants didn't know where Elizabeth had gone. Will seemed a little bit hurt that she had feigned a headache only to go out in secret.
"I've told father that you were ill, dear," he complained. "Father was very worried about you. Where have you been?"
Elizabeth looked at Governor Swann, who sat in a big, comfortable chair, trying to seem very concerned. He was only irritated that she had probably done something improper. Elizabeth decided to tell the truth. She felt amused and light, as though she had drunk a glass of liquor.
"Father," she said, "there is no reason to worry about me. I've been to Mademoiselle Dou's house."
Governor Swann gaped at her and started to breathe heavily.
"Elizabeth, my child, why are you telling me jokes like that? I'm very agitated about your conduct already. You're walking the streets alone, without your father's or husband's knowledge. It's highly improper for a newly married woman of your standing. You should have told me or W... your husband, that you want to take a walk outside."
"I'm telling the truth," Elizabeth said. "I wanted to talk to Mademoiselle Dou and I did. Is there anything improper in it? Father, you are visiting her almost every day and I'm the only person in Port Royal who has to pretend that she doesn't know anything."
Governor Swann went deadly pale and looked at Elizabeth with horror.
"What have you done, Elizabeth... my God... where did that idea come from?... What did you tell that woman?..."
Elizabeth looked at Will, who in turn looked down, embarrassed. It seemed that the Governor was worrying about himself, not about Elizabeth at all. He was afraid of his mistress, and Will understood him. Elizabeth saw a rather disturbing mental image of little Isabella with a painfully big frying pan in her tiny hand and of the Governor beating a hasty retreat, maybe hiding himself behind Will.
"Father," she said, "please calm down. I didn't go there to pick a quarrel, I had a very concrete request and besides, I wanted to see the woman."
"A request?" Governor Swann asked, utterly bewildered.
"Yes, a request. In fact, I asked Will to talk to you, but he wasn't willing to touch the matter. Will respects you too much, father, to even start this kind of conversation..." she didn't look at her husband and only heard him issue a sight full of guilt. "I've asked Mademoiselle Dou about the pearl necklace that once belonged to my mother."
She sat in the chair before the Governor and took his hands in hers.
"I couldn't believe that you actually gave it to her, and I just wanted her to show it to me. She was kind enough to grant my request. Father," she continued, "why didn't you tell me that you are so deeply infatuated with Mademoiselle Dou that you consider it PROPER to present her with my mother's jewellery? Please, look at me. Do you think I wouldn't understand you? I've brought you so much disappointment with my childish pranks and selfish ways, but I understand what a true love is, and..."
She was rather unpleasantly surprised by the sudden change of her father's facial expression. The Governor moaned deeply as if she had caused him unbearable physical pain.
"Elizabeth, my dear, my dear," he panted, "ah, no... it's not what you think. Don't be mistaken. Ah, you surely think that your father has sunk so deep... I didn't know what I was doing when I gave her the necklace."
Elizabeth blinked.
"Please, Elizabeth, forgive me my folly. For alas, a folly it is... I've defiled your mother's memory... but I don't know exactly why, yes, it's so difficult to tell... I'm not myself when I'm with that woman... she must have bewitched me. It's impossible for me to elude from under her spell... no, I'm not myself definitely... I must do something about it. Yes, your poor father is defenceless and helpless with that seductress."
He hid his face in his hands, but rather carefully, so that his words were recognizable.
"And you went there all by yourself, my poor child!... Your sainted mother's hand was guiding you and her prayers were protecting you, for sure. Oh yes, she must have forgiven my weakness already, she knew me all too well." He shook his head with pathos. "But I will never forgive myself..."
Elizabeth glanced over at Will, who was blushing fervently with his gaze fixed on the carpet ornaments. Had he witnessed the Governor giving equally pathetic excuses in front of Isabella? Elizabeth felt tired.
"Father," she said, "what is done cannot be undone. Do you intend to let miss Dou come into our family?"
"Oh, Elizabeth, what an idea!" Governor Swann exclaimed. "Oh, how low I have fallen, if my daughter can doubt me like that... The boundaries..."
"What are your intentions towards Mademoiselle Dou, then?"
Governor Swann threw a nervous glance at Will.
"You can be assured that I wouldn't do anything that would compromise our family's social position," he murmured. "I am truly helpless with..."
His words trailed off, as if tangled and suffocated with the weeds of embarrassment. The Governor didn't like Will listening to this conversation, obviously.
Elizabeth didn't feel any sympathy for her father; what she felt was embarrassment equal in scale, but different in tone and direction.
"Father," she said, "do you mean that she's set a trap for you?"
"Well, it could be put this way, it could be," the Governor said, brightening up.
Elizabeth sighed. She didn't have patience to listen to him anymore.
"I understand you, poor father," she said and nodded with a wide, strained smile. "I am really relieved to hear that you don't love Mademoiselle Dou - that would be devastating for us."
Governor Swann looked at Elizabeth and smiled reluctantly.
"Good, good," he said, "I'm truly sorry that I have caused such trouble to my daughter." He adjusted his wig. "I think I will leave now. Have a peaceful night, children."
"Good night to you too, father," Elizabeth said, looking at the big standing clock. It was about eight at night, not too late for the Governor to visit Isabella and make sure that she wasn't offended or furious about his daughter's visit. Elizabeth wondered what kind of torment was waiting for her father in Mlle Dou's mansion, and chuckled. She was sure that her father will pay for his lack of loyalty and double-dealing anyway, and the thought amused her.
She turned to Will with a smile.
"How was the birthday party?" she asked politely.
The next moment Will was at her knees.
"Elizabeth, my dear," he exclaimed, "please forgive me! How could I let you go there alone? I didn't know you were so determined. Why didn't you tell me the truth?"
"I told you everything, Will," she said seating him in the Governor's chair. "You knew that the necklace meant very much to me, but you didn't want to bother my father. I understand it. This is why I went to meet Mademoiselle Dou alone, and it turned out to be a proper decision... but Will, I wanted to tell you something. Don't be so uneasy with my father, don't be afraid of him. You are my husband and he has already accepted that."
Will blushed and hung his head. Elizabeth took his hand in hers, just like she had done before with her father, but she wanted her touch to be calming and reassuring. She didn't say anything. The night breeze moved the curtains slightly, bringing in the soothing aroma of jasmine.
Will's fingers clenched on Elizabeth's hands. He was silent, as if waiting for Elizabeth to say something more, but she knew that he was grateful for that understanding, tender silence.
"Elizabeth," he murmured finally, "I think I am a little bit lost. Can you forgive me? I won't leave you alone again. I promise. I will stay by your side. You are the only person who likes me for what I am."
"You don't need to apologize to me," Elizabeth said softly. "I may look impatient from time to time, but Will, I want to stay by your side as well. Please, don't ever question it. Ever."
He sighed, stroking her hands gently.
"You went there alone."
"It was nothing. I don't regret it."
"Wh... how did Mademoiselle Dou receive you?"
Elizabeth crooked her head and looked at Will sheepishly.
"You have been to her house, too. How do you think she received me?"
Will smiled.
"I can tell she did you no harm. You are full of peace and forgiveness, and you're not scared. The Governor... father... you knew everything about him already." He looked in her eyes and smiled. "But I could have guessed that you would deal with her easily."
"No, it wasn't that easy," Elizabeth said with a sigh. "But it was entirely different from what I thought. She had many, hm... complicated things to say to me, but she was surprisingly civil, when I think about it."
"Really, was she? I consider her very arrogant and aggressive..."
"With men, maybe," Elizabeth said, smiling condescendingly.
Will laughed.
"That may be, indeed. It seems she prefers the company of women. Every time I come there with the Governor, she is sitting in the kitchen with her servant, and makes us wait rather long."
"What is she doing with her?"
"She's telling her tales, or playing cards with her, and sometimes she plays some strange instrument for her. The Governor asked her about that, and she answered that the music makes food delicious."
"The servant must like her very much," Elizabeth said thinking about Estella, who had been deadly silent all the way home.
"I think she does," said Will blushing again. "But she likes you as well."
Elizabeth frowned.
"How do you know?"
"Mademoiselle Dou... she told me that the servant's name is Sophie... Sophie Gibbs," Will whispered.
"What?" Elizabeth laughed. "Is she Mr Gibbs' family?"
"Yes, she's his sister," Will said and sighed. "She's rather unhappy about her brother's career. She hears from him very seldom and she worries about him. She's afraid that should he come to Port Royal, he will be arrested..."
"Well, let's hope that Jack Sparrow has got enough common sense not to show himself here," Elizabeth sneered.
Will was looking rather ashamed. He was always ashamed when she mentioned his unwilling cooperation with Sparrow. He was ashamed even of helping Sparrow to run from the gallows, and considered himself immensely lucky that he hadn't been called to account for it. Elizabeth wasn't so sure if he would want to help Sparrow in the future, should he face execution again.
"Ah, enough talking about pirates," he said reluctantly. "You can't live in the Spanish Main without running into them! Let's go out onto the balcony, dear."
Elizabeth smiled and took Will's arm. She recalled Isabella's words and wondered if her lover was a pirate too, and if that was why she was afraid to tell her his name. She knew that Will wasn't a pirate - he had pirate blood in him, but he was eager to get rid of the very notion. She, for her own part, was still curious how it would be to love a real pirate... and to be loved by him too.
Maybe she could visit Isabella again some day. She looked upon the Caribbean night sky, and thought about the melody she had heard Isabella play. She asked her what it was before leaving, and it turned out to be an old Spanish romance about the Moorish tournament. Elizabeth sighed. Yes, that was it. She still remembered some lines.
"The Moors who were in love showed it clearly,
And the Moors that were not, tried to be in love,
Looking at the Moorish ladies from the towers of Alhambra,
Among them were two deeply wounded by love;
They used to be friends once, but now they don't speak."
A/N: Thank you, Alteng dear, for your review!
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III
Elizabeth walked home in a slightly dreamy mood. It was a long time since she had been outside all on her own, trying to face her fears and solve her problems, and today's escapade had turned out into something entirely different than she had expected. She looked up at the evening sky, and realized that she didn't care what her father or Will would say about her improper conduct. She didn't care about it now; she felt peaceful and calm, as she should be after a difficult accomplishment. She didn't even notice Estella, who was following her gloomily.
She was surprised to see her father waiting for her with Will. They looked very anxious about her absence, which was quite understandable, given that the servants didn't know where Elizabeth had gone. Will seemed a little bit hurt that she had feigned a headache only to go out in secret.
"I've told father that you were ill, dear," he complained. "Father was very worried about you. Where have you been?"
Elizabeth looked at Governor Swann, who sat in a big, comfortable chair, trying to seem very concerned. He was only irritated that she had probably done something improper. Elizabeth decided to tell the truth. She felt amused and light, as though she had drunk a glass of liquor.
"Father," she said, "there is no reason to worry about me. I've been to Mademoiselle Dou's house."
Governor Swann gaped at her and started to breathe heavily.
"Elizabeth, my child, why are you telling me jokes like that? I'm very agitated about your conduct already. You're walking the streets alone, without your father's or husband's knowledge. It's highly improper for a newly married woman of your standing. You should have told me or W... your husband, that you want to take a walk outside."
"I'm telling the truth," Elizabeth said. "I wanted to talk to Mademoiselle Dou and I did. Is there anything improper in it? Father, you are visiting her almost every day and I'm the only person in Port Royal who has to pretend that she doesn't know anything."
Governor Swann went deadly pale and looked at Elizabeth with horror.
"What have you done, Elizabeth... my God... where did that idea come from?... What did you tell that woman?..."
Elizabeth looked at Will, who in turn looked down, embarrassed. It seemed that the Governor was worrying about himself, not about Elizabeth at all. He was afraid of his mistress, and Will understood him. Elizabeth saw a rather disturbing mental image of little Isabella with a painfully big frying pan in her tiny hand and of the Governor beating a hasty retreat, maybe hiding himself behind Will.
"Father," she said, "please calm down. I didn't go there to pick a quarrel, I had a very concrete request and besides, I wanted to see the woman."
"A request?" Governor Swann asked, utterly bewildered.
"Yes, a request. In fact, I asked Will to talk to you, but he wasn't willing to touch the matter. Will respects you too much, father, to even start this kind of conversation..." she didn't look at her husband and only heard him issue a sight full of guilt. "I've asked Mademoiselle Dou about the pearl necklace that once belonged to my mother."
She sat in the chair before the Governor and took his hands in hers.
"I couldn't believe that you actually gave it to her, and I just wanted her to show it to me. She was kind enough to grant my request. Father," she continued, "why didn't you tell me that you are so deeply infatuated with Mademoiselle Dou that you consider it PROPER to present her with my mother's jewellery? Please, look at me. Do you think I wouldn't understand you? I've brought you so much disappointment with my childish pranks and selfish ways, but I understand what a true love is, and..."
She was rather unpleasantly surprised by the sudden change of her father's facial expression. The Governor moaned deeply as if she had caused him unbearable physical pain.
"Elizabeth, my dear, my dear," he panted, "ah, no... it's not what you think. Don't be mistaken. Ah, you surely think that your father has sunk so deep... I didn't know what I was doing when I gave her the necklace."
Elizabeth blinked.
"Please, Elizabeth, forgive me my folly. For alas, a folly it is... I've defiled your mother's memory... but I don't know exactly why, yes, it's so difficult to tell... I'm not myself when I'm with that woman... she must have bewitched me. It's impossible for me to elude from under her spell... no, I'm not myself definitely... I must do something about it. Yes, your poor father is defenceless and helpless with that seductress."
He hid his face in his hands, but rather carefully, so that his words were recognizable.
"And you went there all by yourself, my poor child!... Your sainted mother's hand was guiding you and her prayers were protecting you, for sure. Oh yes, she must have forgiven my weakness already, she knew me all too well." He shook his head with pathos. "But I will never forgive myself..."
Elizabeth glanced over at Will, who was blushing fervently with his gaze fixed on the carpet ornaments. Had he witnessed the Governor giving equally pathetic excuses in front of Isabella? Elizabeth felt tired.
"Father," she said, "what is done cannot be undone. Do you intend to let miss Dou come into our family?"
"Oh, Elizabeth, what an idea!" Governor Swann exclaimed. "Oh, how low I have fallen, if my daughter can doubt me like that... The boundaries..."
"What are your intentions towards Mademoiselle Dou, then?"
Governor Swann threw a nervous glance at Will.
"You can be assured that I wouldn't do anything that would compromise our family's social position," he murmured. "I am truly helpless with..."
His words trailed off, as if tangled and suffocated with the weeds of embarrassment. The Governor didn't like Will listening to this conversation, obviously.
Elizabeth didn't feel any sympathy for her father; what she felt was embarrassment equal in scale, but different in tone and direction.
"Father," she said, "do you mean that she's set a trap for you?"
"Well, it could be put this way, it could be," the Governor said, brightening up.
Elizabeth sighed. She didn't have patience to listen to him anymore.
"I understand you, poor father," she said and nodded with a wide, strained smile. "I am really relieved to hear that you don't love Mademoiselle Dou - that would be devastating for us."
Governor Swann looked at Elizabeth and smiled reluctantly.
"Good, good," he said, "I'm truly sorry that I have caused such trouble to my daughter." He adjusted his wig. "I think I will leave now. Have a peaceful night, children."
"Good night to you too, father," Elizabeth said, looking at the big standing clock. It was about eight at night, not too late for the Governor to visit Isabella and make sure that she wasn't offended or furious about his daughter's visit. Elizabeth wondered what kind of torment was waiting for her father in Mlle Dou's mansion, and chuckled. She was sure that her father will pay for his lack of loyalty and double-dealing anyway, and the thought amused her.
She turned to Will with a smile.
"How was the birthday party?" she asked politely.
The next moment Will was at her knees.
"Elizabeth, my dear," he exclaimed, "please forgive me! How could I let you go there alone? I didn't know you were so determined. Why didn't you tell me the truth?"
"I told you everything, Will," she said seating him in the Governor's chair. "You knew that the necklace meant very much to me, but you didn't want to bother my father. I understand it. This is why I went to meet Mademoiselle Dou alone, and it turned out to be a proper decision... but Will, I wanted to tell you something. Don't be so uneasy with my father, don't be afraid of him. You are my husband and he has already accepted that."
Will blushed and hung his head. Elizabeth took his hand in hers, just like she had done before with her father, but she wanted her touch to be calming and reassuring. She didn't say anything. The night breeze moved the curtains slightly, bringing in the soothing aroma of jasmine.
Will's fingers clenched on Elizabeth's hands. He was silent, as if waiting for Elizabeth to say something more, but she knew that he was grateful for that understanding, tender silence.
"Elizabeth," he murmured finally, "I think I am a little bit lost. Can you forgive me? I won't leave you alone again. I promise. I will stay by your side. You are the only person who likes me for what I am."
"You don't need to apologize to me," Elizabeth said softly. "I may look impatient from time to time, but Will, I want to stay by your side as well. Please, don't ever question it. Ever."
He sighed, stroking her hands gently.
"You went there alone."
"It was nothing. I don't regret it."
"Wh... how did Mademoiselle Dou receive you?"
Elizabeth crooked her head and looked at Will sheepishly.
"You have been to her house, too. How do you think she received me?"
Will smiled.
"I can tell she did you no harm. You are full of peace and forgiveness, and you're not scared. The Governor... father... you knew everything about him already." He looked in her eyes and smiled. "But I could have guessed that you would deal with her easily."
"No, it wasn't that easy," Elizabeth said with a sigh. "But it was entirely different from what I thought. She had many, hm... complicated things to say to me, but she was surprisingly civil, when I think about it."
"Really, was she? I consider her very arrogant and aggressive..."
"With men, maybe," Elizabeth said, smiling condescendingly.
Will laughed.
"That may be, indeed. It seems she prefers the company of women. Every time I come there with the Governor, she is sitting in the kitchen with her servant, and makes us wait rather long."
"What is she doing with her?"
"She's telling her tales, or playing cards with her, and sometimes she plays some strange instrument for her. The Governor asked her about that, and she answered that the music makes food delicious."
"The servant must like her very much," Elizabeth said thinking about Estella, who had been deadly silent all the way home.
"I think she does," said Will blushing again. "But she likes you as well."
Elizabeth frowned.
"How do you know?"
"Mademoiselle Dou... she told me that the servant's name is Sophie... Sophie Gibbs," Will whispered.
"What?" Elizabeth laughed. "Is she Mr Gibbs' family?"
"Yes, she's his sister," Will said and sighed. "She's rather unhappy about her brother's career. She hears from him very seldom and she worries about him. She's afraid that should he come to Port Royal, he will be arrested..."
"Well, let's hope that Jack Sparrow has got enough common sense not to show himself here," Elizabeth sneered.
Will was looking rather ashamed. He was always ashamed when she mentioned his unwilling cooperation with Sparrow. He was ashamed even of helping Sparrow to run from the gallows, and considered himself immensely lucky that he hadn't been called to account for it. Elizabeth wasn't so sure if he would want to help Sparrow in the future, should he face execution again.
"Ah, enough talking about pirates," he said reluctantly. "You can't live in the Spanish Main without running into them! Let's go out onto the balcony, dear."
Elizabeth smiled and took Will's arm. She recalled Isabella's words and wondered if her lover was a pirate too, and if that was why she was afraid to tell her his name. She knew that Will wasn't a pirate - he had pirate blood in him, but he was eager to get rid of the very notion. She, for her own part, was still curious how it would be to love a real pirate... and to be loved by him too.
Maybe she could visit Isabella again some day. She looked upon the Caribbean night sky, and thought about the melody she had heard Isabella play. She asked her what it was before leaving, and it turned out to be an old Spanish romance about the Moorish tournament. Elizabeth sighed. Yes, that was it. She still remembered some lines.
"The Moors who were in love showed it clearly,
And the Moors that were not, tried to be in love,
Looking at the Moorish ladies from the towers of Alhambra,
Among them were two deeply wounded by love;
They used to be friends once, but now they don't speak."