Disclaimer: I do not own POTC. I merely claim Pru Norrington (formerly Martin) and Anne Norrington. I'd rather own the James, though.
"Courtship or any meaningful encounters with ladies are best done without the influence of family. Family tends to muck up any progress you have made…"
-Rules of Engagement for Dealing with Ladies
"Don't let interfering males interrupt you from having fun. Just allow them to think you're obeying them. It provides less stress and that is best for their health."
-Rules of Engagement for Managing Gentlemen
Chapter 5: Shall I Compare Thee
Gillette was actually whistling on his way to the Norrington's home. Whistling. He never whistled as he always felt it to be a waste of time and bad music anyway. Yet, today he was whistling and Andrew was rapidly beginning to suspect its cause. Her. Anne.
Oh, he knew that interacting with her in any arena would end badly. For one, the Commodore had been frowning at him all day. Andrew had the distinct impression that James didn't approve at all of the attention Andrew had placed on Anne the day before at tea. James's feelings were most unsettling. But Andrew was far from relenting. He was rather beginning to like Anne, especially since she had expressed an interest in Shakespeare's Sonnets.
He'd spent his entire watch the evening before choosing several he'd like to discuss. Andrew had ended up selecting three.
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O, no! it is an ever-fixed mark,
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.
He turned up the road which led to Anne's house. Actually, he'd better begin referring to her as Miss Norrington. It was much more proper really, and the Lord knew, Andrew needed reminders of propriety…
When to the sessions of sweet silent thought
I summon up remembrance of things past,
I sigh the lack of many a thing I sought,
And with old woes new wail my dear time's waste:
Then can I drown an eye, unused to flow,
For precious friends hid in death's dateless night,
And weep afresh love's long since cancelled woe,
And moan the expense of many a vanished sight:
Then can I grieve at grievances foregone,
And heavily from woe to woe tell o'er
The sad account of fore-bemoaned moan,
Which I new pay as if not paid before.
But if the while I think on thee, dear friend,
All losses are restor'd and sorrows end.
Anne was his best friend's sister. All manner of things could go wrong with this situation. Perhaps Andrew was a fool. He was certainly willing to arrange visits such as this despite all deterrents…
Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed,
The dear repose for limbs with travel tired;
But then begins a journey in my head
To work my mind, when body's work's expired:
For then my thoughts--from far where I abide--
Intend a zealous pilgrimage to thee,
And keep my drooping eyelids open wide,
Looking on darkness which the blind do see:
Save that my soul's imaginary sight
Presents thy shadow to my sightless view,
Which, like a jewel hung in ghastly night,
Makes black night beauteous, and her old face new.
Lo! thus, by day my limbs, by night my mind,
For thee, and for myself, no quiet find.
Andrew needed no help with interpretingthe last sonnet. He'd experienced the sensation well enough. In fact, he was quite tired as he'd barely slept last night. Andrew was kept awake thinking about her. And when he wasn't being kept awake, he was dreaming about spectacles and green eyes…
Lost in his reveries, it took no time at all to finally arrive to the entrance of Anne's home. Checking his pocket watch, he concluded that he'd arrived precisely at two on the clock.
He entered the garden. Looking around in search of Anne, he found her comfortably sprawled out, in the most ladylike fashion, of course, in a small shaded corner. It appeared she had brought a basket of food with wine to share. She was completely oblivious to his staring…
Anne frowned into the book she'd snatched from the library. She'd not meant to find it and was obviously not meant to find it. It had been placed behind some boring tomes on naval history. She'd only noticed the books at all because two of them stuck noticeably farther out than the rest of the books.
Frowning, she had pulled the two books out of their place. Behind where those books had been, Anne had found another book, leather bound and old. Intrigued she'd pulled it out and glanced at its title. The title was unknown to her as it was in a foreign tongue. Anne had flipped the book open to an illustration. Immediately she closed it and looked about the room for anyone else, blushing all the while.
Being inquisitive by nature and of course by being female, sheltered, Anne couldn't let the opportunity go by without learning something new. She'd always been curious, but her mother had never discussed anything with her about this subject. Her mother, being of a delicate nature, had preferred to wait until the appropriate moment.
So Anne took the book out with her to the garden. She knew that Andrew would not be there until 2 o'clock. Since she had at least twenty minutes to spare, Anne decided that she might as well investigate the book, since upon further inquiry, the inside text was written in English…
And the book had proven to be most enlightening, if a bit confusing. Anne read on, however. She figured she had to learn about it somehow…
So it was that Andrew found Anne sprawled upon the grass in a shady corner of the garden. Anne frowned at a particular illustration. Turning her head sideways, as if that would provide clarity, she contemplated the image…
Murmuring to herself, she said, "Is that even possible? It can't be! I'm not sure…"
"What isn't possible?" a familiar voice inquired.
Anne jumped up at the sound of Andrew's voice. Panicked, she whisked the book behind her quickly.
"Nothing! Nothing at all." She stated nervously.
However, she just wasn't quite quick enough and Andrew obviously didn't believe her statements. He reached around her and grabbed her arm. She struggled, but Andrew eventually managed to bring the book around to his view.
She knew the moment he saw the title on the binding. His eyes widened in complete and utter shock. His reddish eyebrows rose up to his wigline.
"How did you get that?" he asked astoundingly.
She decided to play it cool as she determinedly held on to the leather book. "I…found it in the library." she said defensively.
"The LIBRARY?"
She arched a brow. "Indeed."
His gaze went from the book to her many times. "Indeed, yourself! That book is entirely inappropriate for ladies…"
"What book?"
Andrew glared at her. "You know what book…"
"Say the title. I want to be sure to know how to pronounce it…"
He remained silent, glaring at her with disapproval. "No."
"Yes. Say it."
His shoulders slumped. "Kama Sutra. Did I satisfy you?"
"Not yet."
Andrew's eyes changed in that moment. She was never sure why…
"That is beside the point. Give me the book!"
Anne's chin rose in the air. "No. I found it and I want to continue reading it…"
"No! Do you realize what you're brother would do if he found out you were reading that? Young women are not supposed to know about this…"
She rolled her eyes. "Well, I will. Do you really think it will corrupt me? That I'll go find the next willing gentleman and ask him to try out these…maneuvers with him?"
Andrew was about to reach the end of his rope. She doesn't need to find a willing gentleman, he thought, she's got a willing participant right here. God, if you're merciful, strike me down now for my lewd and inappropriate thoughts…please…
"GIVE IT TO ME NOW, ANNE!" he thundered, partially in self defense. If he was mad at her, he wouldn't pounce on her, or so he believed…
"No thank you."
Andrew began to crowd her. "So you want to try out these 'maneuvers', do you?"
She frowned at him. "Andrew…what are you doing?"
"Just offering myself up as a partner…if you're willing…" He'd backed her up to the brick wall that divided the gardens from the kitchen garden.
"You don't scare me…" Anne was breathing heavily as Andrew closed that final bit of space between them.
"Oh, I don't scare you? Then maybe I'll just shake you up a bit…" Andrew's lips began their final descent to hers. Anne began to close her eyes in anticipation…
"LIEUTENANT GILLETTE! WHAT IN THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?"
Andrew jumped five feet away from Anne and stood stock still, as if under a surprise inspection. It was worse than that. It was no surprise inspection, no not at all. It was a very angry, James Norrington, protective brother extraordinaire.
James was very angry indeed. His face was about the same color of the marines' redcoats and his cheek ticked rapidly. The only other time it had done that in Andrew's memory was when Pru, James's wife, had snuck out alone and went to a bar. Gillette now knew why Pru had been so nervous about facing James…
"Sir, I can explain."
James halted his speech with a slash of his hand. "Go inside. That's an order, Lieutenant. Anne you will be escorted by me. We will discuss this inside where there are no listening ears…Is that clear?"
His tone was too calm to be taken lightly. With the alacrity of obeying orders, both Andrew and Anne jumped to do James's bidding. They were both too afraid of the consequences of disobeying as they both knew the deep trouble they were in…
James didn't speak a word as he led the two culprits into the drawing room. His sister and Andrew both stood, afraid to even sit down without his permission.
"Sit." he ordered.
They both sat on a settee, together. This irked James to no end.
"Gillette, move over there." James pointed to an empty seat on the other side of the conversation circle from Anne.
"What did you think you two were doing? In the garden, in broad daylight no less?"
Anne, stubborn as her brother, felt her chin rise in defiance. "I was meeting him to discuss sonnets…"
James interrupted sarcastically, "Yes, I could see you were discussing sonnets…"
Gillette felt the need to intrude. "It's my fault…"
"Yes it bloody well is…" James muttered.
Anne spoke up, "Andrew, don't place all the blame on yourself. I am as responsible as you are…"
James spoke icily to his sister. "When did you deem it proper to call him by his Christian name?"
"When I wanted to and no sooner!"
Andrew murmured softly, "Anne, I wouldn't-"
James glared at him. "And when did I ever grant permission for you to call her that?"
Anne rolled her eyes. "We never asked each other permission, now that I think on it, but it doesn't really matter. I didn't protest, James. It was my choice if he called me Anne or Miss Norrington."
"You know it isn't proper, Anne Millicent Norrington!"
Andrew knew he shouldn't taunt James but couldn't help bringing up, "Sir, didn't you call your wife by her Christian name long before you even became engaged by her?"
James glared at him in a very older brother protecting a baby sister sort of way. "Pru was not my sister…" he began.
Just then, the doors to the drawing room flew open. In sailed Pru, eyes flashing. "And because I didn't have any siblings, it was suddenly proper? Don't be hypocritical, James!"
"I am not!" he began.
"Oh, yes you most certainly are! We were without proper chaperones for the whole voyage to Port Royal! You bloody well attended me when I was ill! They were hardly doing anything wrong…"
James shifted lethally. "Pru…"
Pru immediately knew she had said two much. "Yes, darling?"
"You were watching the whole time, weren't you?"
Pru nodded. "Yes, I was."
"AND YOU BLOODY WELL SAW WHAT THAT MAN WAS DOING TO MY SISTER?" he roared.
"THAT BLOODY MAN IS YOUR BEST FRIEND AND A FINE MAN! BESIDES HE WAS DOING NOTHING THAT WE HADN'T DONE BEFORE OUR MARRIAGE…OR DON'T YOU REMEMBER THAT NIGHT IN THE STORAGE ROOM?"
Anne looked at her brother. "Double standards, brother?"
James glared at her. "You know full well that I did nothing in regards to my wife's innocence…We kissed…"
Anne looked him square in the eye. "Yes, kissed. Which by the way, we weren't doing!"
"It didn't look like you weren't doing…I'm done talking about this. I forbid you two to see each other without my knowledge and presence…"
Anne stood up in anger. "I will do what I want!"
"You are living under my protection, sister. I will not have you gallivanting alone. It will ruin your reputation…"
Anne yelled at him. "Is that all you care about? Fine! If it will make you rest any easier, I'll be locked in my room, thinking pure, chaste thoughts!" With that, she angrily stomped out the room and ran upstairs. Pru glared at James and followed after Anne.
James stonily glared at Andrew. "Get out before I decide to call you out." he ordered.
Andrew knew that he'd have to wait if anything constructive was going to be done, especially if he still wished to maintain James's friendship. Bowing, he left. Please don't say I've lost my best friend…I am such a stupid ass! To let a female get at me this way so as I lose all my common sense!
Meanwhile, Pru had finally made it up to Anne's room. Moving around wasn't easy these days. Pru had grown large enough that she was no longer certain she had ankles or feet and had to rely on the assurances of everyone else that she had them. Her walk had lost all semblance of grace and now rather resembled a duck's waddle…
Pru knocked on the door and said loudly, "It's Pru."
"Come in…as long as my idiot brother isn't with you."
Pru entered and approached Anne, who had been standing by the window.
"Anne, I'm sorry your brother overreacted like that. It's just he's very protective about the women in his family…"
"I know…but that doesn't mean he should forbid me a friendship…"
"He is a stubborn ass when he wants to be and that often coincides with his tyrannical tendencies, I'm afraid. Not that need stop you from doing what you want…" Pru trailed off, hoping her sister-in-law would take the bait…
Anne looked back at Pru. "How? Would I still be able to meet with Gillette? I do so wish to discuss Shakespeare's sonnets with him, among other things. I haven't ever met a gentleman that I've been so easily able to talk to.Iusually feel so shy and timid.I absolutely loathed him the first time I met him…but I've discovered we've quite a bit in common. I would very much like to remain friends…"
"Is that all you'd like to be friends?"
"It's all we'll be. He doesn't want to marry for love and I don't want to marry at all…Besides…I don't love him, even if love were strong enough an inducement…That's beside the point. How can I still meet with him?"
Pru's eyes sparkled with mischief. "When I first came to Port Royal, I used to sneak out and explore the town on my own. To do so, I kept a pair of breeches, a shirt, shoes, and a hat with me. I tied my hair up in a queue and bound my chest. No one questioned in the dim lit streets of Port Royal that I was anything but what I appeared to be…a boy. Well, except your brother, but he only discovered me because I went into the well lit bar the officers frequented. He was furious that night…"
"Do you still have the clothes?" Anne asked, eager to think on the possibility.
"Of course…Always plan for the future…Here's the plan…"
Pru detailed the entire course of action. If they were careful, it just might work…Anne was eager to put one over on her brother. He might think he had control over her, but he'd underestimated the family trait of stubborn determination…
AN:I'm not feeling well right now, so I should be spending a bit of time in bed. Luckily,I can still write thanks tomy laptop and wireless internet.Thanks for reviewing. I'll update again soon! All three sonnets are Shakespeare's of course, though I lost which numbers they were…If you really want to know…I suppose I could find out. Read on, dear readers!