A/N – Sorry for the wait again. I'll probably be saying that a lot… oh where, oh where has my muse gone… this one was pulled off completely muse-free, so if it's received well, I think I may ditch that good for nothing muse and strike out on my own… :P
Author's thanks:
KissTheRainGirl12489… I agree on the Norrington bit. I've never believed him to be a bad guy and it seems a lot of people like to write him that way. So, I wanted to say my piece on why he was the way he was in the movie. I hope it seems fairly logical. Anyways, thanks for reviewing. At least some people are reading it!! Hope you like the next part…
Cheska… Never fear, Oliver is here! Or he will be anyways in future installments. I couldn't quite fit him into this part just yet. Patience my dear. Thanks for the review. I hope everyone likes the Adalia that I've imagined. If not, let me know!! And let me know if you like the next part. Thanks!
Snarker… Thanks for coming back (even after the vacation and sleep depravity) to review! I hope you like this next part!
Molliejoy… Thanks for the constructive criticism. There comes a point where a writer depends on it because we stare at it so much that we sometimes don't see what's right in front of us. As for the language and the dialogue… that's what I get for reading my romances… to bad I'm not very good at writing that genre though. I guess you kind of have to live romance to really write it well. Oh well… :(
If I missed anyone, I apologize and I'll get ya next time! Promise!!
One week later…
James lounged in the sitting room watching Adalia keep his nephew company while Penelope made ready the evening meal plans. The young Spanish woman was an object of fascination for James and he couldn't help but want to be in her presence. She was brilliant with Thomas, as gentle and loving as his own mother was. Thomas seemed to enjoy her company as well as he giggled, reaching up to grip a small piece of dark hair that had escaped from the orderly bun.
"No, no Senor Thomas. This is mine," she said with a laugh. The baby continued to giggle as Penelope entered the room.
"It is good to see my son is in such a happy mood this evening," she said, crossing the room to where Adalia stood and took her baby in her arms. The younger Norrington noticed her brother's occupation with the Spanish lass and decided to take matters cleverly into her own capable hands.
"Why don't you go for a walk, James, before dinner? With the clouds coming, I doubt you'll be able to do so in the next day or so," Penelope said as she cuddled her son closer to her. James's gaze turned to his sister with an accompanying smile.
"If I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to steal away your son all to your self," he noted. Penelope rolled her eyes good-naturedly as James turned to look out the window. His sister was correct in her appraisal. "I think I shall endeavor to take your advice," he said. Penelope looked slyly out of the corner of her eye at her governess.
"Why don't you join him, Adalia?" she asked, causing the young girl to start. "I'm sure the Lieutenant would enjoy some company…" James looked to his sister to see the smirk she was trying to hide. His sister, the smart lass that she was, had astutely discovered what he was about. And knowing that his sister was trying to assist in whatever way she could, he gave Adalia a small bow.
"I'd be honored to have your company," he said. Adalia's eyes met his in a slight panic.
"Is it not against propriety for a person of the lieutenant's rank to be seen with the help?" she asked. Penelope let out a huff.
"This is my house, and if anyone's going to see anything it will be two wonderful people sharing a delightful walk. Should they come to any conclusions beyond that, then they know fine and well to keep their mouths shut on the gossip," she reported sternly. Adalia looked uncertain for a moment, but it disappeared the moment James reached out to take her hand.
"Please, join me," he beseeched. Adalia gave one final, uncertain glance back to a smiling Penelope. Seeing her employer's approval, Adalia turned back to James and gave him a small curtsy.
"I humbly accept your invitation," she said softly. Penelope laughed as the pair headed towards the door.
"There will be none of that! No more curtsies or society niceties. He is my brother, not some gentleman of high importance," she said. James rolled his eyes as he held the door open for Adalia.
"Why thank you, my dear sweet sister. It is good to know where I am placed in your esteem," he said sarcastically. Adalia, forgetting her unease of moments before, giggled.
"I am certain your lady sister did not mean to offend," she said. Penelope let out an un-ladylike snort.
"I most certainly did! Once you get to know him a bit better, darling, you will see that James has an incurable malady of prim and proper and all things dignified. He needs to be taken down a peg or two when the opportunity presents itself," she told the two of them. James shook his head as he offered the young governess his arm.
"Let us leave this pest and enjoy our walk without her," he said. Adalia looped her arm through his and let him escort her from the room.
"Will your sister not be concerned with appearances, my good sir?" Adalia asked nervously as they stepped out of the estate and into the patchy sunshine. James let out a laugh, causing her to relax slightly.
"My sister should not concern herself with appearances. Penelope Norrington, before she married, was very much the antithesis to a proper English miss. She wore breeches, she played in the dirt, she rode horses, called the help by their first names and insisted the help do the same for her. She'd rather have gone to the stables to befriend a pig than to go to make friends at an afternoon tea. It drove my parents batty trying to keep up with her headstrong, independent ways. My brother Oliver and I had a wonderful time trying to help her pull everything off," he said with glee. Adalia laughed as the two continued past the estate gardens and began to walk through the yards.
"It is wonderful to have such a pleasing family," Adalia said. James thought of his brother and sister with a fond smile.
"Yes, it is. Have you brothers and sisters?" he asked. Adalia smiled.
"Si, I have two brothers and three sisters," she answered.
"Must have been a rambunctious bunch," he commented. Again, Adalia smiled.
"It was as you say. Or, it was, until my parents died," she said. James looked down at her, laying a hand over hers where it lay on his arm.
"I apologize. I did not mean to broach such a tender subject," he said. Adalia shook her head as she laughed softly.
"Your sister is quite correct in saying you are much too dignified," she chided. James looked to the ground with a shy smile on his face.
"Yes, well… my sister likes to point out my shortcomings as often as she can," he said.
"Oh, I do not see it as a shortcoming. She chides only because she loves. What she sees as dignified she also sees as kindness. Not many men of your stature would be so kind to a person of help," she said. James stopped walking, causing her to stop as well. He turned to look at her with a serious look on his face.
"My stature is no different than yours. I live in this world as do you; I work in this world as do you. My sister married a man with a title, but she would have loved him without it. My family may have a meager wealth, but it is not in my interest to inherit the title it affords. My parents wish it otherwise, but it was how I was made. I'm told I would make a splendid member of the ton since I tend to act towards the dignified. But I will have none of it. Truth being, the ton itself is not something that portrays dignity," he said. Adalia watched his face as he spoke of himself and his social views.
"It is often a malicious, spiteful gathering of hypocrites. I have no need to associate with such people," he finished, turning to smile at Adalia in order to soften the spite he knew lay in his words. She smiled back.
"I see that you are their exact opposite," she said, her accent ringing through. "And I also see that you are a loyal man. What would one expect of a naval officer?" James smiled down at her as they started walking again, this time down the lawns towards the stables.
"I'm glad that you were able to join me on this walk. It has been a long time since the last time I've ventured anywhere that wasn't over the deck of a ship," James said. Adalia looked over at him.
"It must be an exciting life being at sea," she commented. James didn't say one way or the other.
"It's an interesting life. One that I'm glad I embarked on. But there are times where I wish for some semblance of regularity. Some sense of permanence. A life on the sea is so unpredictable," he said. Adalia looked lost in her imagination, trying to picture how it would be.
"And adventurous. My life has been void of such adventure," she said. James smiled over at her.
"I doubt that very much. You had five siblings," he said. Adalia's laugh rang out.
"Oh it wasn't so much an adventure as it was a trial," she said, before sobering slightly. "My parents died when I was near twelve. My oldest brother and sister were not yet twenty. They had to work to support our family. My sister became a governess and that was how I came to my position in your sister's house," she said.
"How long ago was that?" he asked, sympathy in his gaze.
"Almost five years ago," she answered.
"You must miss them terribly," he said, knowing full well that there were families in the world that didn't wish malady on their blood relations. His thought was confirmed when Adalia nodded.
"Si. My father and mother were good people," she said. She was about to say more, but the pair was surprised as a cold showering of rain began to wet their faces. Looking up at the sky, James reached down to grip Adalia's hand and tugged her after him as he began to run.
"Back to the stables! We can wait through it," he said back to her as she ran along after him. James held her hand firmly, but gently as he guided them over the quickly appearing puddles.
"Be careful… with these puddles, you can trip and hurt yourself," he said over his shoulder to her. She let out a small laugh.
"You had best watch out as well. If you fall, I will most certainly go with you," she chuckled. After a few moments, the pair ducked under the awning of their destination. Adalia slipped her shall down off her head and took an immediate assessment of the damage.
"I will not be allowed back in your sister's house looking like this," she said, running her slight fingers over the muddy splashed that had assaulted her dress. James also looked down to see his boots and pants in the same state of disarray.
"I would not worry overmuch," he said with a smile as he looked up at Adalia. "My sister has come back home in worse states…" Adalia's eyes alit into a smile of their own.
"I would very much like to have met such a girl," she said. James grinned.
"It does seem as if that Penelope has disappeared, but I assure you that my sister is that very epitome of trouble," he said. Adalia's comment was cut off as a rolling of thunder overtook the sky and the rain began to pelt the ground angrily. James touched her elbow softly before looking around their temporary lodgings.
"Let us move out of the wind. It wouldn't do to have my nephew's caretaker become ill," he said. Adalia watched as he strode his way into the stables and took a quick survey of the conditions indoors.
"Dios… what a sudden mess," Adalia commented lightly as she followed James into where the horses were kept.
"It seems, my dear, that you are stuck in my company until this blows past," he said with a chuckle as he took her shawl that she had used to cover her head earlier and laid it over an empty stall to dry. Adalia let out a small laugh.
"It could very well have been worse," she said lightly before she walked to the open door and looked out at the pouring rain. "I find your company preferable to most…" James stepped next to her and looked at her, his light eyes meeting her dark.
He smiled then as he took Adalia's hand in his and pulled her out into the cool breeze to watch the weather begin to calm slightly. They stood under the stable's awning and watched as the rain continued to fall.
"Your company is preferable as well," he said as he reached up and tucked a damp strand of her hair behind her ear. She smiled up at him as he stepped closer to her, but her face became serious as he reached up to touch her delicate chin. Then, without warning, he ducked his head and placed his lips upon hers. It was a sweet kiss; a kiss that marked a beautiful beginning for James and Adalia.
Two weeks later…
It had taken two days to find a woman that captivated him like no other. And it had taken three weeks of her company to make him fall completely in love with her. Over the last two weeks they'd stolen time together with walks along the estate and even trips to town together with his nephew, no one the wiser to the true purpose of their togetherness due to the position Adalia held within the household. It wasn't that the pair had been embarrassed by their blossoming relationship, but they both knew of the public stir James's parents would make if they caught wind of their noble firstborn being taken with a beautiful, working-class Spanish lass. There would be no reprieve from the hell William and Rosamina would inflict in private or in society; there would be no more moments alone, and – quite possibly – there would be no more opportunity to see each other at all. Penelope, bless her romantic, adventurous heart, was fully aware of her brother's much reciprocated interest and made sure to help the pair meet in secret as much as she possibly could. It was heartening to her to see James taking an interest in something other than rebelling against their father's wishes. Adalia Vasquez may have been an unsavory match for William and Rosamina's oldest son, according to them, but Penelope knew fine and well that it wasn't a thought in her brother's mind at all when he looked at the beautiful governess.
Over the past week, James had confided in his sister that he wished to leave the service completely after his duty was up. It was a wonder to all who knew him to see James Norrington in love. By nature he was a very un-fanciful man, but the past few weeks have shown that even the downright staid could be a bit romantic. James had plans to accept his father's position as the head of Norrington Trust. Only after the paperwork was signed and the title transferred would he ask, properly, for Adalia's hand in marriage. Penelope and James both knew that the Norrington patriarch would be apt to disinherit his firstborn should the engagement come about before the overtaking. Above all else, William Norrington coveted wealth and status. Adalia Vasquez represented neither. And to know that his eldest son had fallen in love with such a woman would be enough to give the older man cause to murder his own son. But James wanted better for Adalia. He wanted to be able to provide her with a life that she had never had the chance to live. And Norrington Trust would give her the life she so deserved – not the Royal Navy. Once the papers were signed and the reigns were in James's hands, there was nothing that William Norrington could do to ruin such a life.
But his father was the furthest from his mind when the knock came upon Penelope's drawing room door, causing the couple embracing inside it to break apart.
"Enter," James bid his sister's doorman.
"Sir… a message for you, sir," he said as he handed a piece of parchment to James and then gave a small bow to the still slightly flushed Adalia. Her dark eyes went to James as he frowned over the words he read.
"Is there a problem, James?" she asked, approaching him just as the drawing room door was drawn shut again. He was silent as he stuffed the note back into the envelope.
"No problem," he told her with a smile. "I've been expecting this, just not as precipitously…" Adalia smiled as she rested her hand on his arm.
"You have been home for over a month, James," she informed him lightly. "That is not a short while…" James chuckled as he took her hand in his.
"No, it isn't… but it seems that time has gotten away from me," he admitted.
"What was the message?" she asked softly, bringing the subject back to where it had started. James let out a sigh. He'd told Adalia little about the mission his captain had requested of him.
"I'm to see my commanding officer tonight. He is currently at the ship awaiting my arrival," he said.
"Are you to leave again?" Adalia asked, sadness in her gaze at the thought of him leaving her. James tried to smile, but instead settled with a nod.
"A crew was to be commissioned in London to escort royal passengers to their new home," he explained. Adalia's chin went up slightly.
"Have they?" she asked. James didn't pretend to misunderstand.
"I told Captain Merewether that he could contact me when he returned in order to discuss what is to happen," he said. Adalia nodded.
"You will return here after your meeting?" she asked. James let a hand run over the side of her cheek.
"Of course I will. My sister will be most eager to hear if I'm to leave her house in peace," he said. Adalia laughed softly.
"She has been very good to let us meet here," she said. Then, her face sobered. "You mustn't dawdle, James, if your captain is waiting for you…" James let out a sigh as he held her close. After a moment of silence, he stepped back.
"I shall find you after meeting with the captain and let you know what has been decided," he told her before leaning low to kiss her cheek. Adalia squeezed his hand and smiled up at him as he straightened.
"I shall wait to hear your news," she said. James nodded before he turned and went to find his commanding officer.
The Gallant...
The decks of the Gallant were almost empty save for the pair of night watchmen. James made his way up the gangplank and approached the captain's quarters with nods at the two crewmen. His quick knock was answered with a terse enter command.
"Captain Merewether?" he asked as he opened the door carefully. The older gentleman turned at the sound of James's voice.
"Ah, Lieutenant. Do come in. I'm happy to see my message found you with such haste. We've business to discuss," the captain said. James smiled.
"I expected nothing less," he said. The captain smiled back.
"Always a man to the point, aren't you James?" he asked.
"Why waste time otherwise?" James asked back.
"Good point, my good man. Good point," the captain said as he opened a drawer on his desk and proceeded to sift through the contents. James watched for a moment, but quickly became impatient.
"What news is there, Captain?" he asked. Captain Merewether gave a grunt of disappointment as he didn't find what he was looking for and moved on to another drawer.
"The ship is commissioned and the crew has been chosen. I am to be captain. And you are to be my second," Merewether answered succinctly. James nodded, his hands clasped behind his back. The captain looked to say something more, but he remained silent as he rummaged around for a clean glass and a decanter of brandy. A sharp, satisfactory nod came from the captain as he found the desired items.
"Is there something else, Captain?" James asked after a moment of silence, wondering what it was the other man wanted to say. The captain cleared his throat as he crossed his cabin with the much sought after alcohol he'd finally come across.
"Your father has paid handsomely for your honorable discharge, Lieutenant," Captain Merewether commented regretfully, pouring himself a healthy dose of brandy. James covered the surprise he felt at the news with a humorless smile.
"My father will do anything handsomely to get what he wants," he said. The captain turned back to face the young man. After studying the glass in his hand for a moment or two, he looked up at James.
"It's yours if you wish it. It's a terrible thing that any man can buy into honorability within the ranks, and it's terrible that an honorable man can be bought out of it. You are a good sailor, Lieutenant. This ship will grieve to lose a man such of your instincts and knack for the waters, but if you wish it, you have your leave," the older man said. James refrained from answering for a moment or two. A part of him wanted to say that he would stay. There was an enjoyment in the sea he'd never counted on in this life and it had taken him from an existence he'd despised. But then he thought back to the beautiful brown eyes that had looked at him with love and he knew where his place was. A life on the water was no life for him if he couldn't see Adalia every day from here to the end. It wouldn't be fair to her to have to see him off for weeks at a time, and it certainly wouldn't be enjoyable for him.
"I'd like to stay, Captain," James admitted to his superior. "But I've a reason to leave. If I have my way out, I shall take it." The captain nodded.
"You're a strong man to resist the pull, Lieutenant. The sea often does not give up her men. But she knows your love for her, and she will not let you forget it," he said. James looked on at the other man as he was lost in a memory of his own. With a clearing of his throat, James stood back at attention.
"With all due respect sir, I do wish to carry out the mission I was assigned," James said. The captain looked up at him with a smile.
"Your leave is effective whenever you say. Why is it you wish to go on this voyage?" the captain asked.
"I was entrusted with the safe passage of the new governor and his daughter. The duty was given before my discharge became known. I would be amiss to desert such a notable task," James said.
"An honorable man, you are, James. An honorable man, indeed," the captain said. James smiled at the high praise from his commanding officer.
"Thank you sir," he said.
"Best pack your things then, Lieutenant, if you mean to join us. We leave for Brighton tomorrow morning," the captain said.
"Brighton, sir?" James asked, wondering why they were going from one port to the next. The captain smiled.
"It is where the Swanns reside," he said. Swann? What an unusual surname… James thought.
"Of course sir. I shall be ready," James said.
"Good. You're dismissed," the captain allowed. James left the deck of the Gallant and started towards his sister's home. His last voyage… and it was across the ocean. Penelope would not take the news well. And he had no idea how he was going to break it to Adalia that he was leaving for what could be more weeks than he wished. But it was his last voyage as a military man. With luck, it would be an uneventful one… His attention was caught as a skinny young lad darted in front of him. Knowing that impact was inevitable, James turned his body so that it was deflected slightly. The lad, significantly smaller than his own tall frame, fell to the ground, his disguising hat falling to the ground and revealing that he was no 'he'… but a 'she' instead. Long black hair fell to the ground and rich brown eyes, almost dark amber in color, looked up at him with fear and defiance warring within them.
"My apologies, miss," he said, extending a hand to help the slight girl – who looked no more than fifteen years old – to her feet. Disgust wrote itself on her face as she sneered at the hand.
"You can take your apologies and…" she started, but stopped as gruff voices were heard.
"Step away from the girl and we'll let ye get on yer way," a stranger said. James turned to see a batch of unclean, scruffy pirates standing with swords drawn. With a quick roll of his eyes, the military man pulled his pistol and aimed it at the ringleader.
"I think not, gentlemen," James said threateningly. The three men's eyes went wide as they got a better look at him.
"Bloody 'ell… he's a King's man. Where there be one, there be more… we be 'anged fer sure," one of them bemoaned.
"Shut yer trap…," the ringleader growled before turning to look at James again. "The girl stole our coin. We're only after retreivin' it…" James watched as one of the men leered down at the girl, of whom James was certain didn't know she was a girl until just now.
"I think, perhaps, that you had best turn around and go back from whence you came. Give the fates thanks that the girl relieved you of the coin that was sure to put you behind His Majesty's bars to sober up behind. On with you or there will be a hanging yet," James threatened. After a few nasty glares and descriptive curses, the gang of men turned and left the pair behind. With a shake of his head, James's opinion of pirates lowered ten-fold. He tucked the pistol back near his hip and turned. The girl was now on her feet and brushing herself off.
"You'd best get on home, miss. This is not a neighborhood for a young girl on her own to be in," he said. The girl reached up to wipe a smudge of dust from the dark skin of her face with an angry huff.
"I can take care of meself, and if you think different, I'd be plenty glad to show you who knows what," she growled as she balled a hand into a fist. James would have laughed if he wasn't able to see the serious look in her eye. That look in itself made him sad that such a young girl could become so rigid and cynical.
"You've no need to show me anything, miss. I'll just go about my way. Just remember what I said," he said. The girl glared.
"Sod off…" she told him before spinning on her heel and marching away. James shook his head.
"My good deed of the day," he said with a hint of sarcasm before turning and continuing on his way. His mind was now back on the upcoming voyage and how he hoped it would go quickly and without trouble…
To be continued…
A/N Part II – Wow! Didn't expect this to be so long! Anyways… sorry if it sucked… This story started out as romance story for James/Adalia… but now that I've begun writing it, it's kind of taken on a life of it's own and demanding to be written solely as a piece to give James the background he needs… with Adalia playing a smaller part than I'd intended. So, rather than romance taking the front seat, this is more of my interpretation of why James Norrington turned into the man he is in the movie with a bit of romance on the side… Sorry!! Hope you like it anyways!