Rendezvous

Katherine retreated into the parlor and found her letter waiting for her on the table. She smiled softly when she noticed who had sent it. "My dear Melissa," she whispered as she sat on the sofa and opened the envelope.

"My Dearest Katherine,

I trust I find you well in the Caribbean. I received word from our former school acquaintances that you would be moving down with your brother, James, and thought it best to forward this letter to you there.

How long it has been! The past years have flown by, if you do not mind my saying. Life here in Portsmouth has been quite dull, even more so without the company of my dear friends. I lament that father passed away three years ago, leaving my younger brother, Marcus, and I to live with our uncle, Mr. Joshua Meyerson. I was certainly devastated, but now take comfort in the fact that he and mother are united once more, and under the careful watch of our Lord. Whenever the sun shines, I think of their faces and gaiety.

I regret that I have not contacted you sooner. However, I have a wonderful piece of news to share with you. Uncle has recently made arrangements to move his mercantile fleet to the Caribbean in favour of the weather and new markets. What port has he decided as a base, you ask? None other than Port Royale! I was thrilled to hear such news. We are to depart this coming Monday, the 19th of August. I suspect by the time you receive this letter that I will be well on my way aboard the "Cavalier." She is a fast frigate and will undoubtedly make good time. I do hope you stay well.

Yours,

Melissa Ann Reynolds

Katherine laughed out loud with glee. Melissa was a dear friend of hers that she had met whilst away at school. She was two years older than Katherine and certainly departed much wisdom and kindness to her younger acquaintance. The two were well matched in character; though Melissa was nowhere near as outgoing. The tall, blonde young lady Katherine remembered was always content to settle for a quiet conversation than a daring adventure. However, they both shared the same desire for love and a need to share their emotions.

"What the devil are you laughing at?" inquired Norrington as he strolled into the parlor. He removed his hat and placed it on the table as he looked over the couch at his sister. Katherine turned to him and smiled. She was so busy thinking of Melissa that she had not even heard James come in.

"You and that ridiculous wig you wear," she jested. James merely sneered at her and then chuckled. "No," Katherine continued, her tone soft and light. "I was just reading a letter I received from an old acquaintance of mine. Melissa Ann Reynolds. I don't think you'd know who she is – I met her whilst I was away at school. Charming lady." Katherine paused as she glanced at the letter in her hand. "Do you know of a Mr. Joshua Meyerson?" she inquired.

James paused as he loosened his cravat and walked to the couch. "I do believe he is the Portsmouth merchant we will be receiving shortly. He has two brigs and a frigate he will be basing out of Port Royale. Why do you ask?"

Katherine looked up at him and smiled. "Because, he is the uncle of dear Miss Reynolds, and it seems she is joining him in Port Royal. If it's not too bold to say, James, I think she would be a lovely match for you. Attractive, honest, kind as the day is long…and not nearly as loud as I."

"That is too bold, dear sister," James stated as he turned back toward the table and paused. "Though, if she's not as bothersome as you I suppose I shall have to meet her."

Katherine gasped comically and then swatted James on the arm. "You're incorrigible!" Norrington simply chuckled and walked back toward the table. Moments later a knock fell upon the door and Mr. Decker appeared in the parlor doorway.

"Lievtenant Gillette to see you, Commodore." Norrington turned to glance at Katherine and sighed as he fixed his cravat once more and started toward the main entrance. He already knew Gillette's purpose, but he had a few words to exchange before he went gallivanting about with his sister. The exacting air of the Commodore quickly replaced Norrington's jovial demeanor as he approached the door and the waiting Lievtenant. Gillette instinctively drew a breath and straightened himself up as he saw his commander approaching.

"Good day, Commodore," said Gillette as he saluted. "I come to ask your permission to call upon Miss Norrington." Gillette paused and waited for the Commodore to answer. His heart was indeed racing and he could feel his breaths becoming shorter and shorter. He subtly studied his commander's expression. He knew Norrington well, having spent eight years on the line under his command, and could tell now that the Commodore was not the least bit thrilled about the situation. "I profusely apologize for not coming to you sooner sir. I did not wish to disturb the two of you this past week, and I regret I have been quite busy…" Gillette's words trailed off as he slowly glanced to the ground.

"No need to apologize, Lievtenant," started Norrington, his tone emotionless as if he were on the deck of the Dauntless. He motioned with his left arm for Gillette to walk with him. Gillette stepped down from the front steps and walked alongside the Commodore as they stopped in the drive. He began to grow slightly nervous as to what his commander was about to tell him.

Norrington turned to his trusted first officer and quickly place his arms behind his back in his typical manner as he looked up and searched for the appropriate words. "You are a fine officer, Matthieu, and a gentleman. So…" the Commodore paused as he looked Gillette straight in the eye. "I trust that I will not have to remind you how to conduct yourself appropriately in the company of my sister."

Gillette nodded. "Of course, James. I shall take the greatest care with her." He hoped beyond all hope the Commodore could not hear his heart beating feverishly inside his chest. Norrington nodded slowly and then turned and started back toward the door where Katherine stood waiting. She smiled when she saw Matthieu.

"Mr. Gillette! It is such a pleasure to see you. Are you ready?" she asked with a joyful air. They quickly exchanged pleasantries under Norrington's watchful eye and departed for a quiet lunch at one of the Port's smaller restaurants. They chose a small table by the large picture window that looked out onto the docks. Katherine looked over the offered dishes, unable to decide what to order. Gillette smiled.

"The chicken is always delightful here. They usually prepare it with cheese and a wonderful spice sauce…" Gillette found himself grinning stupidly at the thought and quickly wiped the expression off his face.

"What on Earth are you grinning at?" asked Katherine playfully.

"Oh, umm…well…I suppose I do love the food here," he stammered quietly as he looked at Katherine from across the table. He then flashed a nervous smile as he wondered what exactly he had just said.

Katherine merely tried to contain her laughter in the public restaurant. She shook her head as her smile broadened and looked down at the table.

"What's wrong?" Gillette asked.

"Nothing! Nothing at all, Matthieu. You make me laugh, that's all," she stated as she glanced back up to him.

Gillette let out a nervous breath and smiled once more. "I tend to say silly things from time to time, I'm afraid," he started as he looked down to the table. "I regret that I am much more comfortable giving and receiving orders than taking ladies out to lunch."

"That's quite all right! If I can get the Commodore to relax, I doubt you'll be much trouble." Katherine then turned to the approaching waitress and ordered her chicken. Gillette had the same, and the two ate and enjoyed a pleasant conversation about the weather and the Port Royale fleet, of which Gillette was equally as proud as Norrington was.

"So how many guns does the Dauntless have then?" inquired Katherine.

"One-hundred and six, to be precise," stated Gillette with pride. "She's a first rate ship-of-the-line.  Though she's technically rated as only having 100 guns.  We're experimenting at the moment with the gun size on her quarterdeck and forecastle.  She possesses three gun decks, and the guns range from 32-pounders to 24-pounders, 18-pounders, nine-pounders, and some six-pounders, but again, we do not count those as we're in the middle of replacing some.  We use various types of projectiles too.  Round shot, grape shot, and the chain and bar shot is used to bring down enemy rigging and whatnot.  She is certainly the pride of the British fleet and one of the most feared ships in the Caribbean," he said, realizing Katherine probably did not share his fervor.

"What is that grape shot you speak of?" she asked, confused.

"Oh, it's anti-personnel fire. Since many of the battles are fought hand-to-hand, we often fire the grape shot to clear off most of the enemy deck before boarding." Gillette paused once more to control the widening grin on his face.

"Sea battles sound dreadfully exciting," Katherine said.

"They are our chance to prove ourselves," Matthieu noted.  "Captains like your brother all ready have their command.  Fighting and taking a prize vessel is a chance for secondary officers such as myself to gain command and promotion, if only temporary.  That is, of course, if one manages to avoid being horribly wounded in the melee."

"Well, it seems you have done quite well for yourself thus far, Matthieu."

Gillette nodded in agreement as they finished their meal and stepped out into the sunshine. He offered his arm to her and they walked together across the town and up the sloping, grass-covered hill of the bluff that overlooked the bay. From there they could see for miles out onto the crystal blue ocean. Katherine sighed in satisfaction as she took in the view.

"I shall have to remember to paint this scene," she said as she looked out to sea, a distant smile on her face.

Gillette turned and studied her. "I did not know you were an artist, Katherine. You must be quite talented."

She turned back toward Gillette and took hold of his right arm. "I'm afraid neither of us no much about each other Matthieu," she said softly as she sat down on the soft grass. Gillette hesitated for a moment, and then joined her. He paused and slowly drew a breath as he opened his mouth to speak.

"I hope I am not being too bold, Katherine, but I feel I must say this," Gillette's word's trailed off as he looked into Katherine's eyes. Her soft, kind expression drew him in like a mythical siren. Her brown hair shone in the bright sunlight as he looked into her radiant face. He was utterly speechless for what seemed like eternity. "I cannot deny my feelings for you. Ever since I first saw you on the Hambleton that day, I have been at a loss for words and unable to keep from smiling. I…" Gillette paused as Katherine took his hand in hers and smiled.

"I can't help but feel the same way, Matthieu. I've met so many young gentlemen in years past, but none have ever cared about me. I see something in your eyes, Matthieu, that draws me to you." They smiled at each other as Katherine inched closer and looked into Gillette's eyes. She titled her head slightly as she leaned in and kissed him.

Her lips touched his with great care and restrained passion. Gillette instinctively drew away to break it, but soon found that he did not want to. He then kissed her as well. Excitement and pleasure invaded his being as his lips met hers. That was, however, until all hell broke loose.

"Lievtenant Gillette! On your feet man!"

Gillette instantly moved away from Katherine at the sound of the infuriated voice. His heart nearly stopped as he looked up and found Commodore Norrington standing only yards away. His expression was full of both anger and disappointment. Gillette flew to his feet and stood at strict attention as the Commodore strode up and looked down upon him, only inches from Gillette's face.

"Just what in the bloody hell do you think you are doing?" Norrington spat, a pulsating venom in his voice that Gillette had never heard before. If there was ever a time to fall upon one's sword, it was now. At least then Gillette could avoid the wrath of an angry and protective Commodore Norrington.