"Really Gov. Swann, I cannot thank you enough for inviting me today." Tudor said the next day, as she met the Gov. at his garden party. She looked quite different. Instead of the men's attire she had donned for the past few days, she now wore a beautiful woman's gown of the highest fashion, complete with corset. It was a magnificent design of light blue silk, with lace trim and stomacher, and a small matching blue ribbon tied around her neck. Her hair, instead of hanging down in a tangle of curls was now swooped up gracefully into a bun, a few tendrils framing her face. She even sounded quite different, the high toned accent of British aristocracy instead of a lower class London drawl.
"It was quite my pleasure Miss Smith. I was quite thrilled when I learned there was a newcomer to the island. It really is such a small place any addition to it's society is much refreshing." The laughed mutually. "If you would allow me to introduce you to my daughter," He said as her turned to where a young woman came up behind him, almost as fashionably dressed as Tudor was. "Elizabeth, this is Miss Smith, recently over from England. Miss Smith, my daughter Elizabeth."
"Miss Swann, It is quite a pleasure. Even in my short time here I have heard so much about you." Tudor said as she shook hands with her.
"You have?" The Gov. asked sounding a bit worried.
Tudor laughed politely. "All complimentary of course!" She insisted, even though, if her suspicions were correct she was the callow little water-lily that had some poor sod ready to blow his skull open for her. Tudor was instantly disposed to dislike her, but as she had to remain in the Governor's social graces, she continued on with a plastered smile that made her face hurt.
"Would you care for some tea Miss Smith?" Elizabeth asked politely, after her father quietly left.
Tudor smiled some more, silently counted to ten behind gritted teeth and nodded. "Why yes, that would be quite lovely. Although I don't know how on earth anyone one can drink tea in this heat!" She whispered conspiratorially in a coquettish manner as she batted her lace fan. The heat didn't really bother her, but she had to pretend as if it did.
"One does get used to it after a while." Elizabeth responded as she poured a cup for her.
It took every last reserve Tudor had not to roll her eyes. She had been in places much hotter where she had to do more then stroll around a garden in a pile of silk and look pretty. "So I understand you have been here eight years now. Do you miss England at all?"
"No, not very much. I was very young when we came over, and all I had in England was my father. It would have been much worse if I had stayed and he had come alone. I don't know how you survived the sea-crossing on your own?" Elizabeth conversed with skill.
The laughter could not be contained. "Well, my butler is very protective of me and was with me the entire time." When really, she had practically been the one holding George's hand, as he was deathly terrified of the sea. And she laughed thinking of how the ship Miss Swann crossed on must have been incredibly different from the mercenary galleon she bartend passage of through a series of favours owed her.
"Would you also care for some cake as well?" The perfect hostess asked.
Tudor continued to smile. "Thank you, yes." She said. She racked her brain as she took the china plate of food of what to say next, fearing a lull in the conversation, but before she said anything or anything needed to be said, a tall dignified looking man in a navy uniform crossed the garden and bowed to Elizabeth.
"Miss Swann." He greeted her.
"Commodore." She curtsied. "Allow me to introduce Miss Smith, recently over from England." Elizabeth motioned to Tudor. "Miss Smith, this is Commodore Norrington, commander of the King's Fleet in Jamaica."
Tudor curtsied prettily. "Commodore, Your reputation precedes you. I heard of nothing else but you victories against the pirate terror afflicting the Indies during the entire voyage over."
Tudor seemed to notice that both Commodore and Miss Swann seemed to squirm. She mentally made a note of that. Elizabeth quickly drew breath, then turned back to Tudor. "If you will both excuse me, I must find my Father for a moment." She said breathlessly, then scurried off in the direction of the house. Tudor also noted the Commodore's look of disappointment as he watched Elizabeth go, wondering what was between them to gain these reactions.
Norrington politely smiled as he turned back to Tudor. "Very kind of you to say so Miss Smith. Tell me, how was your crossing from England?"
"Completely uneventful." She assured him politely.
He smiled, "I am glad to hear it." He continued on in well-mannered conversation. "And what ship did you cross on?"
Tudor bit the inside of her cheek with nervousness. Luckily her ability to think on her feet paid off. "It was a private ship owned by a family friend, I'm sure you've never heard of it. We did not even make berth in Port Royal. I had some family business to attend to in Port-au-Prince and then booked passage on a merchant ship for the rest of the trip." She lied smoothly. They continued to small talk for a few moments, until Tudor decided it was time to exit. She had not yet encountered her target and she had to return to her house and plan her next move. "If you will excuse me Commodore, I must find Miss Swann to take my leave of her." She curtsied smoothly, he bowed and nodded, and she turned to leave.
She headed in the direction Elizabeth had gone. When she could not find her within the confines of the garden, she sneaked carefully, making sure no one was around through a door into the house. As she crept quietly down the cool hallways, she followed the sound of voices.
"Oh, I left her with Norrington. Let him bore her for a change." Elizabeth's voice floated to Tudor from behind a closed door.
"Really Elizabeth, she is a guest and a very wealthy woman with influence. You can't just go leaving her alone with a group of complete strangers." Elizabeth muttered something indistinguishable. "Really Elizabeth, if that ungrateful boy was to foolish to take a good thing when he had it, you shouldn't waste time pining away for him. Now come out and attend to our guests." Footsteps were heard coming towards the door, and Tudor silently stole away with amazing speed and agility in the layers of silk she had on.
The minute she was 20 feet outside the door into the garden she turned, smile arranged, and retraced her steps, just as the Gov. and Miss Swann were emerging through the door.
"Miss Smith, "
"Gov., Miss Swann, I was just coming to find you. I fear I must leave." Tudor said, false regret lining her voice.
"A pity, to be sure." The Governor said warmly.
Elizabeth nodded. "Thank you so much for coming."
Tudor curtsied, as did Elizabeth, and the Governor bowed. "You are welcome to attend church with us on Sunday if you please." The Governor offered as they walked to where her carriage was coming to pick her up in the courtyard.
Tudor smiled. "Why thank you so much. That is most thoughtful indeed. I do appreciate your kind welcome." She said as she climbed into her stylish open landau.
"Perhaps you would even care to take dinner with as after services." He suggested.
She smiled again, not having to force herself. "That would be most agreeable. Thank you so much." And with final farewells and a word to the driver, her fine coach jolted and hurried off.
"So what do you think of her?" The father asked his daughter.
Elizabeth shrugged indifferently, "She is very refined I suppose. I almost felt frumpy next to her she is so fashionable. But she seems pleasant enough." She was non-committal.
"Well, I should think having a female companion would be a good thing for you right now, and who better, hmm?"
She shrugged again. "I think that very much depends on Miss Smith."
