Disclaimer: All characters from Pirates are owned by Disney and all those people. I just "own" Sarah...and maybe a few others.

AN: Please, oh please read and review! I would greatly appreciate it since I haven't gotten much feedback yet on how this one looks. Thanks! And I'm really sorry it's taken me so long to add a new chapter. Oh well…enjoy!

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Chapter 1

October 23rd

Sarah still could not believe how beautiful everything was. The crystal clear blue waters and sparkling white sands still took her breath away. She stood on the main deck of the ship and stared in awe at her new surroundings. They had been traveling through the Caribbean for several days now and every view was more beautiful than the last. And she couldn't wait to get off the ship.

For a major part of the voyage, her mother had insisted that Sarah stay below deck due to her fair complexion. As usual, Sarah had ignored her mother as well as ignoring several other annoying edicts her mother doled out.

"Sarah, you MUST stay away from these sailors!" her mother pleaded one morning several weeks ago when she caught Sarah chatting with several of the so-called men. "They might think you an easy target and that would surely ruin your chances for a decent marriage!" Actually, many of her mother's rants took this turn…always about finding a suitable husband. Each more annoying than the last.

But not today, Sarah mused as she gazed over the railing grinning from ear-to-ear. They had moored off the coast of the island that housed Port Royal the night before and Sarah was anxious to discover more about the tiny island. They were being ferried to shore because the ship was too large to dock. Most of their belongings had gone over already so that they could be taken to the manor house they would be staying at. No one can ruin this day for me.

"Sarah, must you stand so close to the railing? I'm afraid you might fall overboard with these horrible waves!" Sarah rolled her eyes at this statement, but graciously stepped away to keep her mother from making a scene. Over the course of the trip, Sarah had made many compromises in order to keep her mother's sanity in tact. She learned that her mother hated the ocean, mainly because a tiny bump in any sea-faring craft caused her to heave up what little she had eaten during the day. Sarah smirked as she recalled all the times during the trip that she had given her mother a scare by conversing with the crew of the ship. Whenever her mother had fallen asleep during the voyage, Sarah could be found on the deck attempt to glean whatever knowledge about the sea and the ship she could. Those were the most peaceful times during the trip for Sarah. She knew her heart was calling her to the sea and it gave her such a thrill to stand on the bow of the ship or climb into the rigging and feel the wind through her hair. Sarah knew that her life would never be complete if she couldn't feel the sea spray on her face or wake up to an exquisite sunrise on the water where the waves refracted each ray of light into millions of perfect little rainbows.

Sarah heaved a sigh and turned back to her mother and family. All had gathered on the deck to make the short jaunt to shore. Her sister had faired about as well as her mother on the trip, remaining in her room in order to stay fair-skinned as well as conquer the seasickness that had plagued her throughout the trip. Her brother was often found in the galley, asking the chef about everything there was to know about food and cooking and even attempting a little cooking of his own. He sometimes joined her on deck where they both talked about what they had seen that day. I wish I was an artist. The scenes I could have sketched would have been exquisite.

Sarah was jolted out of her reverie when the small craft bumped against the pier and officers were offering her their hands to help her out. She politely refused them all and took her father's arm, all the while bestowing a gracious, brilliant smile upon each officer present.

"General Hornwell," a young officer saluted as he approached the family as they reached the end of the pier.

Sarah's first impression of the officer that came to greet them was one of indifference. She could tell as she greeted him that he had dedicated his life to the sea and that hard life showed in the lines of his face. He was proud and obviously dedicated.

"Ahh…Commodore Norrington."

"How was your voyage, General?"

"The weather was superb and we made excellent time. I was highly impressed by the crew. Although I would expect nothing less than the best."

As the two Navy officers conversed over the many details of the voyage, Sarah and her family were escourted to the Governor's Palace where they would be staying until a house was built for them. Sarah insisted on sitting by the window and leaving the curtain open. Not only was it warmer than expected, she wanted to take in all the scenery the island had to offer.

She had never seen a more relaxing place. The locals lived a quiet life, going about their daily business. There was such a sense of family on the island that Sarah was taken aback. She felt as though her imperfections wouldn't matter here to anyone but her mother. As they rode in the carriage to the Palace, Sarah thought of all the things in her life that would change just by being on the island. As she continued to be lost in her own thoughts, her family chatted on what they thought life would be like.

"I hope it isn't this hot all the time," Sarah's mother said with a snub, as though she was offended at Mother Nature for torturing them.

Her mother's attitude jerked her out of her reverie. Sarah was still amazed at times at how childish her mother was. Sometimes it felt as though she was the only adult, other than her father, that could actually live without gossip. Maggie and her mother could talk for hours on the newest bonnet or the rumor that this person was having an affair with that person. Sarah could never stomach talking about people in a malicious manner, whether it was true or not.

"Mother, it is the Caribbean. They have warm weather almost all year long." Sarah continued staring out the window, taking in all the scenery.

"So, are you now the expert on an island that you have never been to before?" Maggie baited her sister, knowing that snobbery was the best way to offend her.

Sarah looked at her sister with a blank expression. "I asked Papa what he knew about this area."

"Yeah," Eric interjected. "Papa said that there are lots of new animals here that I can see. He said the frogs are especially neat." Eric smiled at his oldest sister, knowing that he would always be on her side. Even though he was young and hadn't been in school very long, he knew that his sister was very smart and he wanted to be more like her.

Lady Catherine shivered at the thought of her son touching slimy things and looked out the window, attempting to see how much longer they would be in the carriage.

Sarah looked back out the window, smiling, content in the fact that she knew her brother was on her side.

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Sarah sat in her quarters, replaying the events of their arrival, awaiting the call that dinner was ready. They had met the Governor as they disembarked from the carriage. He was a kind man, maybe a little pompous, but kind for letting them stay in his house until their own was completed.

"Lady Catherine Hornwell, it is so lovely to meet you." The Governor kissed her hand as he helped her from the carriage. "And these must be your beautiful children." He peered inside the carriage greet the family inside.

"Thank you for the warm welcome, Governor." Lady Catherine stood to the side while attendants helped her family from the carriage. When her three children were standing next to her, she introduced them to the Governor. "These are my children- Eric, our youngest; Margaret, who is about to turn sixteen; and our oldest, Sarah."

The Governor smiled. "It is lovely to meet all of you. Unfortunately, my own daughter is visiting with her fiancé in town. She will be back later this evening for dinner. If I guess correctly, she is about your age, Sarah."

Sarah looked at the Governor and smiled. "It would be wonderful to have someone my own age around."

The Governor chuckled. "I hope you don't mind getting into trouble. My dear Elizabeth can be a handful at times."

"I am positive we will be the best of friends." Sarah said, a genuine smile crossing her face. She wondered what Elizabeth was like and what the hidden meaning was in her father's comment.

The Governor offered Lady Catherine his arm. "Well, shall we go and see your quarters?"

After the Governor had given them some privacy to unpack some of their belongings, the family wandered through each other's rooms, wondering who had gotten the better deal. Maggie became upset when she discovered that her sister's room was bigger.

"But why can't I have the bigger room?" Maggie pleaded with her sister.

"Because the Governor said I could stay here. And I really don't think my room is any bigger than yours." Sarah rolled her eyes and walked to her trunk, removing her carefully packed dresses and choosing one for the evening.

Maggie crossed her arms and flopped down onto her sister's bed. "Humph!"

"Honestly, Maggie, why does it matter? We shan't be here for long. Papa said the house would be ready within the month. And I'm sure your room will be larger than mine." Sarah continued unpacking her trunks, hoping that by appearing busy, her sister would stop bugging her.

"Are you sure?" Maggie gazed at her sister, wishing that she was right.

"I guess we will have to see when the house is ready."

Maggie left her sister's room, already a little more upbeat, thinking of who would be coming to dinner that night.

Sarah smiled as she resigned to the fact that her sister would never settle for anything but the best. She got up from her bed and walked over to the window, looking out of it to see the expansive grounds of the governor's palace. As Sarah's mind began to float away with the ocean breeze, taking her on grand adventures on the open seas, a knock at her bedroom door drew her out of the clouds. Daydreaming would have to wait until the daytime, Sarah thought as she tore herself away from the window where the setting sun had made the sky look like a painter's canvas.

Sarah opened the door to fin two young ladies on the other side wearing servant's clothing. "Good evening," Sarah said as she stepped aside to let the ladies enter.

"Good evening, my lady," said the brunette with a slight bow. "My name is Anna and this is Marie." The woman, a blonde, curtsied. "We are here to help you get ready for dinner. What assistance do you need?" Both women looked at Sarah, waiting for instructions.

"Thank you Anna and Marie. Ummm…I don't suppose that I have enough time for a bath, do I? It looks like it might be almost dinnertime." Sarah smiled. She was still not used to a steady schedule.

"Well," Anna began timidly, "Dinner should be ready within the hour, and it will take us the better part of that to get the water ready. I apologize for our tardiness in coming to your room. Your younger sister is quite demanding." Anna blushed as she realized she had said too much.

Sarah smiled kindly at Anna. "It is alright, Anna. You have said nothing wrong. My sister is a handful. I would rather have people speak the truth to me than lie."

"Perhaps some fresh water and a rag would do until this evening when we can prepare a proper bath for you," Marie chimed, hoping that this suggestion would do for the lady.

"Thank you Marie, that sounds like a wonderful idea."

While Marie ran off to get some water and a rag so that Sarah could clean her skin of what grime and salt she could, she directed Anna in what she would like to wear for the evening. Sarah decided on a pale yellow gown that was light enough to give her some comfort in the heat.

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Sarah met her mother and father at the bottom of the main stairwell, her mother in a pink creation that was her favorite and her father in his dress navy uniform. Her father smiled at her when he saw her.

"My dear, you look beautiful." Sarah smiled as she placed a delicate kiss on her father's cheek. "Thank you, Papa." After Marie had arrived back with the water and Sarah had scrubbed as much of herself as she could, Marie and Anna pulled and teased her hair into a charming coiffure on the top of her head. Most of her hair had been wrapped around the crown of her head, but a few curls were allowed to fall freely down the back of her head. "I have never seen such beautiful, naturally curly hair, my lady. All the ladies in London must have been jealous!" Anna had said with a hint of pride in her voice that she was styling Sarah's hair.

Sarah turned to her mother to say hello and saw that her sister and brother were making their way down the stairs. Sarah could only smile at the hilarity of Maggie's outfit. She had opted for a ball gown that Sarah knew would cause pain when she was seated. For some reason, it appeared her sister thought they were at court.

"Maggie, my dear, you look ravishing!" Her mother exclaimed as she went to meet her at the stairs, stopping Eric in the process to straighten his vest. Maggie could only smile as she thought she would capture a dashing young sea captain with her dress.

"Lords and ladies, dinner is served." A butler called as he walked into the main room. The family followed the man into the dining room, where the Governor was waiting with a young woman and the navy officer that had greeted them at the dock today.

"Good evening. I trust that you have already met Commodore Norrington." The Governor was pleased when each family member curtsied or bowed at the Commodore and he returned the favor. "Now, this beautiful woman is my daughter, Elizabeth." The Governor beamed as she strode forward to meet the family.

"It is a pleasure to meet you all." Elizabeth was both gracious and beautiful as she stopped in front of the family. Sarah was the one who stepped forward to introduce her family. "My lady," Sarah said with a curtsy, "This is my father, General Hornwell; my mother, Lady Catherine; my younger sister, Margaret; and my younger brother, Eric." Each person bowed or curtsied in turn. "And I am Sarah. It is a pleasure to meet you as well." Sarah smiled at the young woman in front of her, who, it appeared, had spent many a day in the sun.

"Well, let us be seated for our meal." The Governor called the family to their seats. Sarah was indifferent to her place at the table, as she was seated between her sister, who kept squirming in her seat, and the Commodore, who looked as though he would have more fun organizing a hanging in the commons. As the adult struck up conversation at the other end of the table, Sarah glanced around the table and noticed that there was an empty seat next to Elizabeth.

Sarah smiled at Elizabeth when she realized her gaze had lingered too long on the empty chair, as though willing it to either disappear or become instantly filled. Sarah then realized that her father was talking about her to the Governor, Elizabeth, and the Commodore. "Sarah just completed school with top marks and had signed on to become a governess before we left London." Sarah's father smiled at her, knowing that she detested small talk. "Yes, I did. Unfortunately, becoming a governess was a last resort as no universities will admit women."

The Commodore snapped his head to look at her as her mother gasped and turned a brilliant shade of pink. "And you believe that there should be equal education among the sexes?" He said haughtily as he continued to stare her down. "With all do respect Commodore, I believe that every person has the right to learn as much or as little as they desire. One's sex has nothing to do with the matter." Sarah looked right back into the Commodore's eyes.

"My daughter has progressive ideas about her place in society." General Hornwell chimed in from across the table, drawing Sarah and the Commodore away from what he was afraid would become a heated debate. He knew that Sarah had a temper. "Our daughter has never been satisfied with a comfortable position in society." Lady Catherine chimed in, becoming inflated as though her words were about to burst out. Sarah rolled her eyes. Oh no…here it comes…a telling of my "inadequacies". "She is not content with marrying well and becoming settled. No, she wants to travel and see the world." Lady Catherine looked at her eldest daughter as though she had no idea where she came from.

"I see nothing wrong with traveling, my lady." Elizabeth said to Lady Catherine. She then turned to Sarah. "It takes a strong person to stand up for what he or she believes in." Sarah smiled at Elizabeth, a smile that was thanks for saving her. The room became silent. A knock at the door was then heard.

"Oh, our final dinner guest is here." The Governor stood to greet the newest guest. Sarah turned to see a tall man with perfect features and brown hair saunter in to the room. "I apologize for being late, Governor." He had perfect speech and perfect teeth as he smiled. "It is quite alright, my boy. Let me introduce you to our guests. You already know the Commodore." Commodore Norrington bowed his head to the man. The Governor went around the table introducing Sarah's family. Sarah though her heart would stop as the man gazed into her eyes, sending her body temperature through the roof. Sarah automatically bowed her head at the man. "And this is my daughter's fiancé, William Turner." Sarah felt as though she was stuck with her mouth open for eternity, although it only dropped for a split second.

The rest of the dinner passed through a haze for Sarah. She could not take her eyes off of the stunning man sitting across from her. After dinner, the gentlemen retired to the study while the women retired to the drawing room. Eric was escourted upstairs by the maids for a bath and bedtime. Oh, I wish I could follow Eric! Sarah thought as she followed the women.

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Will Turner departed the Governor's house a little later than expected. After the customary drink with the gentlemen in the Governor's private study, he was accosted by Elizabeth in the foyer. "What did you think of them, Will?" Elizabeth questioned as she linked her arm through his and led them through the back doors to the garden.

"I thought they were nice, although…did something happen before I arrived?" Will knew something had when Elizabeth just giggled. She then proceeded to tell him what had been said by those present. Elizabeth continued to smile and giggle. "Lucky we were you arrived when you did. Otherwise, I think the daughter would have reduced the mother to smithereens!"

Will smiled at Elizabeth as he continued to think about the dinner. He sat across the table from the eldest, Sarah, and covertly watched her that evening. When they had been introduced before dinner began, he was drawn to her, and it had seemed an eternity that they had stared at each other. He was hoping Elizabeth could take his mind off of Sarah…and keep it off of her.

Will walked the usual path to the blacksmith's shop where he lived and worked. For some reason, he couldn't get Sarah out of his mind. She's just a new face. That's why I'm…I'm…fascinated by her. During dinner, she had been demure and kept out of the conversations, although he could tell that she did want to speak her mind. After dinner, she had politely said good-night to him. For some reason, he found a reason to stay in the foyer long enough to watch her go upstairs with her younger sister.

As he got in to bed, he realized why he was "fascinated" by her. She's a darker Elizabeth. Yeah, that's it. Elizabeth had always been spunky, and maybe that's what he saw in Sarah's eyes. That night he fell asleep to dreams of bliss, but there was a new character in his dreams that night, one with curly brown hair and light brown eyes.