Chapter 3

Norrington stepped out and helped Victoria out of the carriage as the servants got Victoria's luggage out of the carriage. The couple went to the parlor where Beckett waited; he saw Victoria walk in and his arms opened. Victoria looked at Norrington then let go of his arm to go into Beckett's arms in a loving embrace. Norrington smiled and put his hands behind his back as he saw Victoria and Beckett hug. Cutler let go and then leaned in and kissed Victoria; this made Norrington step back.

They kissed for a moment and then pulled away, "Thank goodness you're safe Victoria. I heard the news about you being attacked by the pirates; I took the liberty of having them hung this morning. Oh and I thank you Admiral for protecting her and taking care of Victoria while I was away," said Beckett; both him and Victoria sat in a loveseat opposite of Norrington's armchair.

"So, how have you been Lord Beckett? Did the company do well?" said Norrington.

Beckett took hold of Victoria's hand, "Well, not as well as I thought it would. A shipload of the company's goods were attacked and I've lost a lot of profit," he said

Norrington stood up and said, "Can I talk to you in private Cutler? There's a matter I have to speak to you about,"

Beckett stood up, "Yes certainly. Do excuse us Victoria," he said, then he kissed her hand.

The two men went through the sliding double doors and closed them, but a small crack formed so Victoria could listen. Victoria went out of her chair and went to listen in on the conversation; Beckett sat in his office chair and Norrington sat in the chair opposite of him,

"Well, what did you want to talk to me about?" asked Beckett

"I wanted to talk to you about Victoria's amnesty," said Norrington

"Yes, Victoria has to be married to someone in high society to receive the amnesty. That would have to be me that she will receive the amnesty from, as a matter of fact," said Beckett

Norrington looked at Beckett without an expression on his face, "Cutler, I wish to marry Victoria so she can receive her amnesty," he said

Beckett looked at Norrington sternly, "And why should I grant her amnesty to a man of military standing? Why would Victoria appreciate a man like you, you were once a pirate," he said

"And now I am a changed man! An Admiral for his majesties' royal navy! I love Victoria far more than you have, and she loves me too," said Norrington, his voice starting to rise

Beckett cocked up an eyebrow, "It sounds like you have met Victoria before, you had just met her a week ago," he said suspicious.

"The point is, is that I love Victoria and I want to marry her. And when she marries me she shall receive her amnesty," said Norrington

"Seems like you had more time together than you had let on," said Beckett, "But still, give me another reason why you want to marry Victoria when she was promised to marry me?"

"Because I understand her more than you understand her. You had only just met her last week and you have not seen her in a week," said Norrington

Beckett looked down, "Well, I was going to marry Victoria at the right time, but you had got there before me," he said as he began to pull out a leather pouch with the letters of amnesty.

He melted a wax stick and placed his seal on the letters and signed his signature.

He closed it and handed it to Norrington, "I wish you and Victoria the best of luck," he said

Norrington took the letters and said, "Thank you Cutler Beckett, Victoria and I thank you immensely,"

Then Beckett and Norrington shook hands in agreement and then went back to the parlor to meet with Victoria. Victoria sat back in her seat as the double doors opened and Norrington and Beckett walked in; she then stood up. Norrington went to her side and took her hand,

"Now we can get married," he said

Victoria smiled in surprise, "We can?" she said

"Yes, my dearest," said Norrington, smiling

Beckett took Victoria's hand and kissed it, "It was nice knowing you Victoria, I hope our paths cross again," he said

As he kissed her left hand, her sleeve lightly rolled off to reveal a faded, but a well seen 'P' on her shoulder. Beckett eyed the brand on her shoulder, but Victoria fixed her sleeve before she noticed that Beckett was looking at it.

Victoria smiled, "I hope we do meet again, Cutler. My stay with you has been ever so wonderful," she said

Then Norrington and Victoria's arms linked together and then they turned to leave; the servants with Victoria's things following behind them. Once the front door closed, Beckett went back into his office and to his balcony overlooking the Port Royal and Norrington's carriage going away.

"We will see each other again…pirate," said Beckett, thinking about Victoria and the pirate brand.

Back in Norrington's carriage, Victoria fixed her dress once more, "What was with Beckett and that look?" asked Norrington

Victoria hesitated, "Beckett was looking at my shoulder, where he branded me," she said, rolling her sleeve to show the 'P' on her shoulder

"What happened?" he asked, reaching over and touching the pirate brand.

"Years ago when I was fourteen I was caught stealing from the East India Company. I stole from Beckett's ship when he was in port in Tortuga; I had to get at least some food so I could survive. Beckett caught me and branded me on my shoulder and then threw me out back to Tortuga," said Victoria

"So you've met Beckett before," said Norrington

"Yes, but the last time we've met wasn't was nice as this time," said Victoria

They went to Norrington's estate to drop off Victoria's luggage, then the carriage went off again,

"Where are we of to?" asked Victoria

"I'm going to introduce you to Governor Wetherby Swann," said Norrington, smiling at her

The carriage continued down the road and up a hill where a large plantation house sat with lovely flowers and plants growing in the front. Norrington and Victoria walked up to the front door and knocked, then a butler opened the door and said,

"Yes?"

"We would like to have a talk with Governor Swann," said Norrington

"May I have your names?" asked the butler

"Admiral Norrington and Lady Victoria," said Norrington

"Of course, this way," said the butler, and then he led Norrington and Victoria into the study

Moments later Wetherby Swann entered the room, "Ah Admiral Norrington, it has been too long since our last meeting. And I see that you have found yourself a lady; a pleasure to meet you Lady Victoria," he said, shaking their hands

"Governor Swann," said Norrington, but Swann placed his hand up to stop him

"I'm not a Governor anymore Admiral, Cutler Beckett has taken that position now," said Swann

"Beckett seems to like to take everything from people who are in his way for success," said Victoria

"I suppose so. So what is it that has brought you two here?" asked Swann

Norrington fixed himself in his chair and took hold of Victoria's hand, "Wetherby, I we want you to be the witness to Victoria and mines' wedding," he said

Swann smiled and clasped his hands together, "How wonderful! I would love to experience your wedding since my daughter Elizabeth's was a disaster," he said

"By Cutler Beckett, no doubt," said Victoria, guessing

"Yes, he had arrested her on account that she had helped a pirate escape from receiving his appointment to the gallows," said Swann

"And who might that pirate be?" asked Victoria

"One by the name of Captain Jack Sparrow, Victoria," said Norrington, looking at her

"Oh, I see. The infamous Captain Jack Sparrow, his stories are all that I hear about in my old port of residence," said Victoria

Norrington looked down; he didn't want to talk much more about Sparrow. He hated the man as much as he hated Will Turner; the man that had taken his former love Elizabeth Swann away from him.

Victoria saw Norrington look rather sad and angry with the talk of Jack Sparrow, and she didn't want to get him angrier to tell him about her love affair with the pirate. Jack Sparrow was the first man that she loved and he had loved her back, and they were engaged to be married long before she had met Norrington.

"Yes, but our marriage ceremony has to be private. I don't want anyone to know of my history," said Victoria

"And what history would that be, my dear?" asked Swann

"I am a pirate, or at least I was; I used to work as a barmaid in Tortuga. If anyone finds out about me being a pirate, I will reach the gallows," said Victoria

"Yes, now I understand. Not to worry Victoria, I shall keep your secret safe and I shall be your witness to your wedding. And I will get Reverent Alden to perform the ceremony," said Swann

"Thank you Wetherby, we're entirely grateful," said Norrington

All three of them stood up and headed toward the front door and Norrington and Victoria turned to Wetherby,

"Thank you Wetherby again, I hope to meet you again soon," said Victoria, smiling

"Anytime dear Victoria. I'll tell you the date when the reverend will be available Admiral," said Swann, nodding toward Norrington

Norrington smiled as his arm linked with Victoria's and then they walked into the carriage and set off back toward the Norrington estate. Night fell over Port Royal and Victoria walked into her room and behind the screen to change into her nightgown. Once she was changed Norrington walked into her bedroom,

"What is it James?" she asked

Norrington sighed, "It's that we're finally going to get married, no Lord Cutler Beckett to come between us," he said

Victoria smiled, "Yes, has Wetherby sent you the date for the wedding yet?" she asked

"Yes, he was rather fast about it too. I guess he didn't have anything to do since his title was stripped from him. He said that the Reverend can do the ceremony in a few days; gives us less time to look for our attire," said Norrington

"Well, then we better start tomorrow then," said Victoria

Victoria walked over to her bed as the maids left them, and slipped into the covers. Norrington smiled and then slipped into the bed next to her and they slept together for the night.