Disclaimer: POTC is owned by another as well as my dear Norrington.

Chapter 20: What They Don't Know

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to announce that Miss Prudence Martin and I are engaged to be married…"

Norrington's statement reverberated about the room, shocking everyone. The talking amongst the guests began immediately, to the point that one had to lean close to their partner to hear anything they were saying. That allowed the immediately involved parties to react almost in private:

Governor Swann looked baffled, but extremely pleased. Will and Elizabeth, who had been nearby, wore broad smiles. Mr. Sills had frozen in shock, his mouth opened practically to his shoes before his face crumpled in anger. Pru's father had quickly turned a mottled red, not unlike an old ruined tomato that had been squeezed too much at the market.

And what of the happy couple? Pru tensed and stood rigidly while grasping her "fiancee's" arm to the point that he barely managed not to wince. By sheer will alone, Pru was able to keep a happy smile on her face. In contrast, James was quite happy. He hadn't expected to make that announcement, but now that he had, he couldn't deny that nothing had ever felt so right to say. He looked at Pru and winced inwardly.

I can forecast another row occurring tonight. Really, can't she see that marriage to me would be extremely sensible? I'm sure if I make a list, she'll come around to viewing that it's the best solution…yes, she'll understand…

Soon, Mr. Martin recovered enough to speak. "See here, Mr…"

There was never a time that James had enjoyed his rank more. "Commodore Norrington, Martin."

Martin glared at him. "Commodore, see here, you cannot marry my daughter…She is already engaged to this gentleman."

James shot a disdainful glance toward Sills. "Then you are calling your daughter a liar. I know Miss Martin. She would never engage herself to me if she had abeen previously engaged…"

"She is merely a disobedient ungrateful whelp…"

James interrupted in clipped tones. "Irequestyou speak to my future wife with more respect in the future, and I'll also take the time remind you that with a few words, I can have you locked in the prison at the fort and banished from Port Royal forever if you cross me…Now I suggest that we adjourn to Governor Swann's study to discuss exactly what I feel is respectful behavior toward my fiancée…"

Hmmm…he decided that maybe 'my fiancée' would be how he'd refer to her from now on. It had a nice ring to it. Plus, it made Mr.Sill's nose turn a spotty purple and Martin's face to puff up two times its size.

He turned to the Governor. "In light of what has happened, I believe that we should make our excuses to the party and allow your daughter and Mr. Turner to be the hosts. Advise them to tell the guests that we will be along as soon as possible. If we provide the excuse of unavoidable business, the guests should be satisfied…"

"Of course, Commodore. Indeed, we have many things to discuss." Swann lead the way to his office, speaking to Elizabeth and apprising her of the situation on his way to the hall. Martin and Sills followed with James and Pru last in order. The guests noticed the conversation they'd had in the drawing room and the brief disappearance of all involved. Who needed the principal players? Intermission was always needed to discuss the first few acts, after all. Everyone quickly began dissecting all that had happened.

James noticed as they walked to the study that Pru had said nothing in the course of the conversation. That being said, since it was Pru who hadn't spoken, the fact she hadn't didn't bode well for anyone, and he suspected it boded the least well for himself. Being so concerned, he lowered his head closer to hers. He whispered, "Pru, are you alright?"

Pru looked up at him, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Do you have any idea what you've done? I-." Just then, they arrived at the door to the study. At the last moment for discussion, Pru demanded. "After this party, we meet in the garden. No arguments about it. We must discuss this…"

"After what's happened, do you think it wise?"

"Yes." she bit out with an air of uncompromising finality. James decided agreement would be best for the moment. He had bigger battles to fight.

James nodded as he led her into the room. He led her to a large chair and stood at her right, ready to protect her no matter what happened. It was vital for him to do so, as he was quicklybeginning to realize...

Mr. Martin spoke first. "Swann, I will not allow this marriage to take place! My daughter is engaged to the man I chose for her, Mr. Sills. She will marry him and no other. Being a Governor, you should know that I have the rights to dictate what she does and who she marries."

Governor Swann looked at him with contempt. "And the fact that she ran away to me does not sway you? That she felt she had no other option but to get away from you? What kind of father are you? I regret everyday that I did nothing when my sister was clearly miserable in her marriage to you. You treated your horses and ships with better manners than her."

"Pompous fop that you are, you don't have any say in my marriage…or my daughter. That's final!" Mr. Martin thundered.

Mr. Sills finally broke out of his stupor, which to Pru only confirmed the lack of wits he possessed. "Now see here, you poppycock!" He looked at James. "She's my fiancée! I don't care who you are."

"Oh, but she never agreed to your proposal, did she? You have smaller rights to her than I do! Make no mistake that I care more for her than either of you and if you speak any further, I will call you out. It might also be helpful for youto realize that I am an excellent shot and a superb swordsman. Do you have anything else to say?" His words were clipped, his tone brooked no argument.

Pru finally interrupted. "ENOUGH!"

All the men turned silent at her roared order and watched Pru.

"I am the only one who will say who my fiancée is. None of you will."

Martin began to contradict her. Big mistake.

"Father, shut up! For once, listen to me and do what I say. I am tired of taking the venom you spew in my direction. Do not cross me tonight…Clearly, emotions are high and none of us will carry on a civilized discussion. Here is what we will do:

Father, you and Mr. Sills will go back to the town and secure rooms in an inn for the night. Tomorrow, you may come back in the afternoon and all parties involved will discuss this, although my answer will be the same as it is now."

She turned to Norrington and her uncle. Pru took a deep breath in hopes that it would calm her. It unfortunately did not. "Then, I believe we should adjourn to supper. We shall put on the grand appearance of everything being normal, but will hurry the dinner along. I am personally worn out."

"I agree. Our best course of action would be to rationally discuss this tomorrow. Let's go on then." James said.

Swann opened the door and motioned for a servant who ran off. A little bit afterwards, the butler and two manservants 'escorted' Martin and Sills from the mansion's grounds despite their protests. Pru, James, and Swann left the study and commenced their walk to the dining room.

James spoke to the Governor. "I can assign a detail of marines to watch their every move…" he suggested.

Swann smiled. "I'd love to do that, but I'm afraid it would be an abuse of power."

The dinner proved to last far longer than anyone wanted. Everybody asked questions about Pru and James and their engagement. They asked about the wedding plans. They asked about anything they could get away with asking. By the end, Pru was barely able to respond with civil answers. Thankfully the last guest, save James who didn't count now that they were engaged, left before Pru committed a major social faux pas. Norrington bowed solemnly to Swann before turning to Pru. He bent over her hand to kiss it. She whispered to him, "The Garden, in an hour."

"Are you sure?" he replied.

Her eyes shouted her answer in no uncertain terms as she said, "The evening has proven to be most remarkable, Commodore. Until later."

He left the Governor's Mansion with a bad feeling. No good can come of this meeting, I'm certain. No good at all…

He arrived in the Gardens exactly after an hour had passed. Pru was waiting, her back to him. "Pru" he said softly.

She turned and looked at him, only marginally less angry than when he had left her an hour ago. Her hand rose. In a blur of movement, she smacked him across the head.

He winced and stepped back in shock. "What the bloody hell was that for?"

"That was for being a bloody moron! This." She smacked him again. "is for what you did tonight."

"I didn't do anything to merit that action! I saved you…"

"James. Do you have any idea what you've done? Any idea at all?" she wonderingly asked.

For once, James was sure of his battle plan. Think. Say something that won't anger her. Think! There has to be something neutral… "I attended a dinner party where I got engaged tonight…"

"That's the point, James! You got engaged publicly tonight without asking the person who was to be your fiancée! Good Lord, James, I would think with your bloody love of propriety you would have known that your actions tonight simply aren't done…!" Her face was set in a deadly glare.

James exasperatingly proclaimed, "Is that the gratitude I get? You asked me for help. I did the only thing that came to mind. You should be thanking me…"

Pru gasped. "THANKING YOU? For what? Bloody hell, I could punch you right now. DON'T TOUCH ME ANYWHERE OR I'LL DO IT, I SWEAR! Dictating my future again are you? I didn't come to Port Royal to change the person who did that, you clod! I could have stayed in Massachusetts if I'd wanted that!

Now you've announced to some of the biggest gossips that we are to be married! That can't be undone without making either you or me out to be complete laughingstocks! We can't get married…" She began breathing heavily, angry at him for his highhandedness and angry at herself because her heart had leapt when he'd announced that he was engaged to her before all the guests…

He interrupted. "Why can't we? I'm a man with reasonable finances and a promising career. I've need of a wife and you're suitable for the position. Marriage tome would not be that terrible, Pru. You come from a high family, you're intelligent, and a fine…"

"You're not hiring a maid, you're looking for a wife! We can't get married for those reasons, you know that. There are more important things. Sensible reasons aren't why I want to be married." Love, James. Say it and I'll marry you tonight…

"Yes, they are good enough reasons, but it's obvious you have absolutely no desire to be married to me." Why? Am I that repulsive to you, to any female? What do I have to say, do? "We will remain engaged until we manage to dispatch your father and his husband choice back to where they came from. By then, we will have found a satisfactory way to go about breaking off the engagement in hopes that neither of our reputations will be harmed."

Pru silently stared at him. I knew it. He sees me as a young willful sister that he has to watch over. He'll never love me, not the way I want him to if he's my husband. I can't ask him to forsake his happiness for me. He needs to marry someone that he'll adore. I love him too much to do that…

"Fine," she agreed softly, "We'll do that…"

James looked away, trying to hide the hurt he felt that she offered no protests to not marrying him.

"Can I have a favor?" she asked.

"Anything." He stated emphatically.

"Will you accompany me tomorrow night for some rum? I'm going to be in great need of it after tonight and tomorrow. It's just so late and so much has happened that I need to go to my room and shouldn't go out, in case my uncle wants to talk…Meet me here at 10 o'clock? Please?"

He nodded. He really couldn't refuse for two reasons. One, her pleading eyes couldn't be resisted, especially after the stress she'd been under. Two, she would have done it anyway.

She rose and kissed him on the cheek before running back to the house. James looked up to the sky as if to ask God why his normally ordered life had turned upside down with no hope of recovery. He turned then and began his journey back to the fort in hopes that he'd catch a bit of sleep, however unlikely that would be…

Two gentlemen were lurking behind a hedgerow. As Commodore Norrington left, they rose, stretching their muscles.

"She'll marry me if it's the last thing I do." John Sills declared with an angry glare towards the mansion.

"That she will boy. You'll take her stubborn self in hand and make her into a proper woman who will give you fine sons. I'll see to it…" Pru's father remarked.

"How? We've not got much time to stay in Port Royal before they discover the contraband…That Norrington fellow hates pirates…has a vendetta against them really. They call him the 'Pirate Hunter' and the 'Scourge of Piracy' in these parts." Sills cautioned.

"He's no match for us. I've got a plan…Let's get back to the ship. I'll tell you once we get there…" Leading his future son-in-law, Mr. Martin crept back to the docks…

Pru returned through the servant's entrance. Slowly she walked back to her room. She carefully stepped down the hallas she didn't want Elizabeth to hear her and come for a chat. She was in no mood about talking over the events of this disastrous evening.

She locked the door the moment it closed. Although struggling, Pru managed to get herself out of her dress and into her nightrail. She got into bed and after flopping around, finally settled herself in a comfortable position.

She gazed up at the ceiling. Now, finally, that no one was here to see her weakness, Pru could finally open the dam her emotions had been hiding behind the whole evening. She cried herself to sleep that night…

AN: Thanks again for reviews! I'll update when I can. :)