Elizabeth had not been expecting any visitors that evening, but neither was she disinclined to accept them. After her engagement to Will, he had made several visits, but usually he called upon her father first. This she decided was out of the ordinary.
But when she descended the steps it wasn't a young blacksmith waiting for her.
"Commodore Norrington." Elizabeth blinked in astonishment. "I wasn't expecting you to visit."
He forced a small smile and ducked his head. "Ms. Swann. I know my appearance is out of the ordinary, and unexpected, and almost certainty unwanted but I've come to inform you that I am leaving tomorrow for the Americas."
Elizabeth was genuinely saddened. "You are being reassigned?"
The commodore nodded, appreciating the concern he thought she was simply portraying out of sympathy. "It appears that my lack of ability in dealing with pirates here has reached my superiors. I leave with the Dauntless at noon."
"I am eternally sorry that this had to come to pass," Elizabeth sighed. "Do you wish me to see you off?"
"That is why I have come. It would not be long before you would have found out, but yes I wish for you to see me off and perhaps…" he trailed off slightly, almost turning his back to her, but stopped. He continued, "would you're fiancé allow you to come aboard during the our preparation for the journey. I would like very much to speak with you under less formal circumstances, but I would not want to offend Mr. Turner in doing so."
"Commodore Norrington, I doubt very much that Will would object and I would want to join you before you leave." She looked down at her hands. "For someone who has been so loyal to me and my family, Port Royal will seem so awkward with you gone."
To that, he almost smiled. The last few weeks had been filled with almost. "I appreciate that Ms. Swann," he said, turned and began to head towards the door to leave.
"Commodore," she called. He stopped and turned back around. She hesitated. "Though I understand you wish to distance yourself socially from me, I do wish that our friendship would permit you to call me Elizabeth."
With a tight-lipped smile, he nodded, but said nothing. Elizabeth, in utter defeat, returned to her room until her father came to see her. But she already knew.