Chapter Ten
If it hadn't been for the sun streaming through a hole in the tattered curtains on the window, Will probably could have slept for at least an hour more. But of course, in a rundown place such as this, there was a hole in the tattered curtain on the window and Will awoke, rubbing his eyes, bringing back images of the night before.
He had done something he never thought he would. Something he had known was wrong, all his life. He had slept with a married woman. Not just any woman, but the Commodore's wife.
She wasn't there anymore. He hadn't seen her leave, but the right side of the bed was empty, so she had obviously left during the night. It was a good thing, too. No...not that she had slept over, but that she had left before the sun rose. She had to beat the Commodore's... her husbands... early rise with the sun. Groaning, Will rolled over in bed, grabbing his clothes off the floor. What would he say to her? What would she say to him? Better yet, where was this leading?
Splashing his face with water from the tin in the corner, Will gave out a yelp before collapsing onto the floor out of pure exhaustion and confusion.
&
She had committed adultery. And in the worst of ways. What would her father think? Her son? The hired help? Her husband...? It was a given decision that no one should know about this, except for Will. She had to talk to him, but not until tonight... after she had collected herself...and written down a speech. Elizabeth grabbed a piece of paper and began writing...
Will, you and I both know that what happened last night was a mistake. As much as I love you, I can't go on like this. I regret
Elizabeth stopped writing then crumpled up the note. Did she really regret what had happened? The question surged through her, cutting deep into the problem. She didn't regret being with Will. But the confusion of loyalties...and love. What did it all come too?
She could pin this on Will. After all... he had taken her to the tavern... he had taken her to his room. But she realized that it was her actions that seduced him. Her words. Love got in the way. She couldn't blame someone she loved like that.
"Mrs. Norrington? Is everything alright, it's almost 11 o' clock and you haven't had breakfast."
Elizabeth jumped at the sound of Nan's voice. "Uhh, I, I'm just tired. I think I'll wait dinner at noon."
Nan walked out of the room slowly, surprised at Elizabeth's answer. She sank lazily, further into the parlor chair, still pondering what she would say to Will. A spur of thought hit her, but she was interrupted by a knock on the open window. Turning quickly, she saw a note sitting on the sill. Picking it up, she opened it, hands trembling, it was from Will...
Elizabeth, I thought about leaving, but decided I can't do that to you...again. Meet me on the beach, tonight as soon as you can make it. Will
She was going to meet him tonight... and she was going to tell him...she was going to tell him about Young James. He would finally know her secret, but would he be happy? Or would it not matter to him? Would he be upset? Would he even care?
She remembered slightly; slipping the other night in the tavern. "Willy Jr"...she laughed at the thought. What had been going through her mind? Standing up out from her chair, she vowed never to drink again.
&
Will had decided a note was better than confronting Elizabeth face to face. He still hadn't thought about what he would say to her, who knows what could come out when he wasn't expecting it. That he hadn't completely regretted last night? Or that he had the sudden urge to hurt Norrington? Or he might just kiss her. Passionately, like he had been craving too since he had last night. Who knew what that could lead to...?
Standing up off of the driftwood he had been sitting on, he began the tread home....no...not home, the inn. The Pearl was his home and he vowed nothing else would ever be.
There was lack of things to do in Port Royal, so Will found much of his time spent on the beach, where he could think...and there sure was a lot to think about.
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The piece of paper lay crumpled on the table, just begging to be opened. A hand moved towards it, unfolding it, and flattening the paper as best it could. Silent lips moved as words where read off the paper. Following, the note was again crumpled and flung back onto the wooden table as an angry sigh was emitted.