Title: Pearl of the Sea

Author: sheraiah

Rating: R

Warnings: Sex and violence

Beta:

Dedication:

The knock to her door that Peg had been dreading came just after the noon hour. She had begged off lunch, giving the excuse that the heat had stolen her appetite, but was well aware that the excuse would only be a temporary reprieve. Sighing she sat up, smoothed her hair back into place, scrubbed as much of the evidence of her tears from her face as she could, and taking a deep breath answered the door.

Elizabeth stood on the other side, a concerned expression on her face. Peg's throat tightened again at the thought of not seeing her friend again. Wordlessly, she beckoned the governor's daughter in and shut the door behind them. As soon as she turned around, Elizabeth drew Peg into a sisterly hug.

"I knew that you didn't want to leave, but I didn't know that it was this bad," she said, rubbing circles on Peg's back. "Let me see what I can do about it." With a final, quick squeeze, she was gone out the door, leaving Peg to wonder what she was up to.

About a half hour later, Elizabeth was back and grinning from ear to ear.

"My dear Peg, how would you like to stay for a long enough visit to attend my wedding and perhaps catch some eligible Naval officer for yourself in the bargain, and thus ensure that you need not live a landlocked life?" she asked, eyes twinkling with mischief. Peg's mouth dropped open in shock.

"Elizabeth! What….How did you manage it?"

"I merely mentioned to my father how sorrowful I was to see you leaving before the wedding, especially since you and I had become such bosom friends, and that it really was improper for you to travel in the company of common merchant seamen without even a chaperone all the way to England. He immediately penned a letter to your uncle, explaining the situation and requesting that he send a proper escort for you to return with. Of course, should you find a suitable beau before that time; you need not leave at all unless your husband receives a change of assignment." Elizabeth looked quite pleased with herself.

"You are utterly brilliant and completely conniving, Elizabeth Swann, and I'm mightily glad that I'm your friend rather than your enemy," Peg cried, throwing her arms around her friend.

"Think nothing of it," the governor's daughter replied cheerily. "I fully intend to put you to work helping me with the wedding details over the next few months. That should render us even, I'd think." She linked her arm through Peg's and drew her to the door. "Now, shall we see about a belated spot of lunch? Whatever you may say, I know better than to believe that a little hot weather spoiled your appetite. Besides, you have a lesson this afternoon in case you had forgotten."

The time passed all too quickly for Peg. She was ever conscious of her need to find a suitable match if she wished to stay in Port Royal, even in the short term, but none of the eligible officers appealed to her. They were all very gentlemanly, and appeared interested, but they all left her cold. She dejectedly supposed that she was expecting to find what Will and Elizabeth had and had to firmly remind herself that love matches were the rarest of rare and that she had best be practical. She mentally ran down her list of possible.

Commodore Norrington was very attractive, and well mannered, but he definitely had very set ideas about what a woman's place was and Peg didn't fancy having to bend to his formidable will. Lieutenant Gillette, she couldn't abide the sight of, even though he was one of her more persistent suitors. Lieutenant Stiles was a possibility, but he drank too much at the parties she had attended with Elizabeth. Captain Williston was a nice man, didn't drink, and would be gone for extended periods of time, but he seemed to be wavering between Peg and Miss Alice Greenley, the quartermaster's daughter. Miss Alice was notorious for being a jealous shrew, so Peg had decided that she could ruddy well have Williston if she wished.

That left Lieutenant Morrow as her only possibility. Morrow, like Williston, didn't drink and would be at sea a great deal, which were points in his favor. However, he was what could only politely be termed 'homely'. As Elizabeth uncharitably put it, he had a face that only his mother could possibly love. Still, he did seem to be her best bet. Rather a marriage of convenience that she chose for herself that enabled her to stay near the sea than a proper London marriage arranged by her uncle that would keep her shackled on some minor nobleman's country estate. She could always close her eyes and think of sailing when it came time to do her wifely duty. That, too, had come from Elizabeth and had left Peg blushing and giggling, but not shocked enough that she had not been able to retort that at least Elizabeth would have lovely scenery to look at when she had to do her duty to Will. Elizabeth had fallen off the settee giggling, but had acknowledged that Peg was right, blushing profusely all the while.

"You could always think of someone else," Elizabeth had suggested, still blushing.

"Oh, stop it! I won't be able to look Lieutenant Morrow in the eye if we keep this up!" Peg exclaimed, her face as red as fire. "Fine ladies we are, talking like this."

"Oh, rot! You should hear the officer's wives talk sometimes. You'd have a permanent blush, I assure you," the governor's daughter retorted, straightening her skirts and smoothing her hair. "It's no wonder their husbands spend so much time at sea."

And so, Peg encouraged Lieutenant Morrow in his suit. He was a nice enough fellow, and seemed genuinely interested in conversing with her. She danced with him at parties, took chaperoned walks and carriage rides with him, and received him in the parlor of the governor's house under her maid's watchful eye. He proposed two weeks before Elizabeth and Will's wedding and Peg accepted.

Peg and Elizabeth walked through the door of Elizabeth's home, chatting and laughing. Their shopping excursion had been most successful and Peg now had the beginnings of a trousseau in the works. Elizabeth was so excited about her own wedding, that Peg barely registered that she was not excited about hers. The two were comparing notes on wedding dresses; Elizabeth's being near completion, when the butler addressed them.

"Miss Swann, Miss Surrency, the governor requests your presence in the parlor." Nonplussed, the two friends followed the butler to the study. He opened the door and stood back to allow them entry. Elizabeth went first, taking her father's hand and dutifully kissing his cheek. Peg stopped dead just inside the door.

"Margaret! I have been worried to death about you, child," her uncle stepped forward, clasping her nerveless hand and kissing her forehead. "I am so very sorry that I was not there for you when your father passed. I know that it was a terrible blow to you, as it was to me." Peg allowed her uncle to embrace her, taking time to compose herself enough to reply.

"Uncle, it is a pleasant surprise to see you. I thought that you would be too busy to come and would send Cousin Terrance instead," she said, mustering a smile from somewhere. "I truly don't know what I would have done if it wasn't for Governor Swann and Elizabeth. They have been so kind to me."

"Yes, Swann, I am indebted to you for your care of my niece. If ever I can do anything for you, you have but to name it," Sir Thomas Surrency stated, giving the governor a grateful look.

"Think nothing of it, Sir Thomas. Miss Margaret is a delight, and we have so enjoyed her company as to render any debt paid in full." He smiled at Peg and she immediately felt a bit better. "You are, of course, a most welcome guest in my home, as Miss Margaret is. We would be honored to have you stay here for the duration of your stay in Port Royal."

"The honor would be mine, Governor Swann. I thank you for your hospitality," Sir Thomas acquiesced, inclining his head to Swann. The governor and his daughter withdrew then, leaving Peg alone with her uncle.

"I am glad to see you, uncle," Peg repeated, smiling at him. He smiled in return and squeezed her hand.

"You don't know how relieved I am to see you well, child. I was afraid that you had taken ill from grief, especially after I heard about your suitor." Sir Thomas wore a serious, but not unkind expression. "Peg, dear, a lieutenant in the Navy is hardly suitable for a girl of your means." Peg felt her heart turn to ice.

"Uncle, he has a bright future with the Navy. We suit each other well, and you know that I care very little for land and titles. Papa did well enough, after all." Her words sounded weak, even to her ears.

"Yes, your father did do very well for himself, but he was a remarkable man. I would be doing him a disservice if I did not arrange the best marriage possible for you. As it happens, I had already arranged a betrothal for you before I left London. He is a baronet, widowed just over a year. He has no children, so you need not worry about a child of yours having to take second place. He also owns a fine schooner. I knew that you would wish to be on the sea as often as possible. He is a good man and he will make certain that you want for nothing." Her uncle looked very pleased with his choice. Peg struggled to maintain her composure, knowing that nothing she could say would change his mind.

"I do not wish to break Lieutenant Morrow's heart, uncle."

"From your manner, it can hardly be a love match. I will explain things to him. Leave the matter to me," Sir Thomas said with the air of a man used to being obeyed.

"Of course, uncle," she replied softly, feeling as though her life had slipped away from her. "Will we be able to stay for Elizabeth's wedding? She has been such a good friend to me; I would hate to miss it."

"Of course, child. I would not wish you to miss your friend's happiness. Perhaps she can give you some ideas for your own wedding and, if you like, we will invite her and her new husband to London for your wedding." He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and patted it.

"Thank you, uncle. I appreciate your indulgence of me," she replied, knowing that he would like to hear that. Truly, she couldn't be angry with him. He was doing what he felt was best for her, because he loved her. She didn't have the heart to tell him that he was wrong.