Disclaimer: POTC makes no money for this author. Nor do I even own Norrington. I should stop this train of thought before I get depressed.
"Never let the lady know your plans beforehand. Keeping her unbalanced is the only way you'll succeed."
-Rules of Engagement for Dealing with Ladies
"Never give away your plans to the gentleman in question. He'll only try to interfere…"
-Rules of Engagement for Managing Gentlemen
Chapter 8: Never Surrender
Andrew let a few days pass before he approached Norrington again. James had his hands full with his wife and new children on top of the work his job as Commodore necessitated.
Gillette, as his subordinate, did his best to smooth that pathway by working on anything he could. It became quite often to take ship's manifests and muster rolls with him to bed for his perusal. Plus, anything that helped James probably put Andrew's friend in a better frame of mind. All the better since Andrew was now firmly convinced he wanted to court the man's sister.
Anne. Even three days later he felt anger rise at the unnecessary danger she had put herself in. He had only begun to rant when Pru had gone into labor. Needless to say, after the twins had been born, it would have been considered uncouth to continue.
But something needed to be done. By now, Andrew realized that Anne Norrington was as stubborn as her sister-in-law Pru. That only left Gillette one option: he would have to collaborate with James for her protection. If James would trust him after the garden incident…the jury was still out on that.
So it was about a week after the girls had been born that Andrew Gillette met with James in his offices at Fort Charles.
Without any ceremony, Gillette marched into the office, intent on getting what he wanted.
"James, I think you know what I'm here to talk about. After the other night, it's clear that your sister doesn't have the common sense to understand that she can't go out alone and expect to not be accosted. She's willful, stubborn, and won't listen to reason. God knows she needs a keeper…"
Andrew kept up his rant for several minutes, detailing his concerns and what he was determined to see happen. Five minutes in, Gillette switched to French, a language he knew as well as English and could be accompanied with extravagant hand gestures to emphasize his feelings on the matter. Norrington had learned enough French to glean a basic understanding…
James proved to be remarkably calm throughout the whole lecture. Eventually, he held a hand up to stop Andrew's rapid flow of speech. "Enough. You're starting to repeat yourself…"
Andrew relaxed the stiff muscles that he'd tensed from anger. "Of course, sir. I've still one more thing to say, or rather ask…"
James quietly ordered, "Go on."
"You never answered me when I asked for permission to court Anne."
"I've no desire to create a rift between you and myself. You've been a good friend, a staunch ally, and one of my most trusted Lieutenants. You've also must understand that I am in an unusual position. I trust you, but the thought of you being with my sister sets my protective instincts on alert."
"I understand, sir."
"Much as you probably think, I've no wish to prevent the possibility of either your or Anne's happiness. However, your proposal leaves me with many questions, and I'm afraid I can't give you an answer until I know yours."
Andrew nodded. "You can ask anything."
"I've known you since we were midshipman together. I was with you through the whole affair with that woman…Being said, I also know you swore off love and very probably marriage. Bearing that in mind, how can I not be suspicious of your motives?"
Andrew knew now was not the time for sarcasm. If he were to succeed, truth was vital. "I did in fact swear off being in love long ago. I'm not even sure I'm in love now…I only know that I'm incredibly concerned…"
"Now where have I heard that before?" James remarked dryly.
"The events of the other night have made me realize that Anne is more important to me than almost anyone. I want to court her with the intentions of getting to know her better…I won't make the same mistake again of rash action…but neither will I rule out marriage completely…"
"I want what's best for my sister, Andrew…" James warned.
"As do I. But will you at least let me find out if I'm what's best for her?"
James looked Andrew straight in the eye and said grudgingly, "I will agree as long as a chaperone is present…and I don't mean my wife. Lord knows she'll probably suggest that you two go off alone. You will be accompanied by a maid or myself at all times, is that clear?"
"As crystal."
"Then, I suppose I will be forced to agree…"
"You have my word that I will not do anything improper…Now you just have to worry about Anne…"
James chuckled ruefully. "Indeed. Pru is beginning to rub off on her…is she not?"
"Your conditions on courtship are easy compared to Anne's Do you know she doesn't want to marry? She was burned badly by a fiancée in London who cheated on her the same day he proposed. Anne told me that she no longer wants to marry, even if she loved someone. It's too unpredictable. Marriage won't guarantee happiness or fidelity…" A thought occurred to Andrew and he groaned…
"What?"
"I just realized the devil of a struggle I'll have with courting your sister. Dealing with you is enough of a problem, but…I just realized I told her that when I married, it would be for friendship…It's going to be an uphill battle to convince her to change her mind…"
James laughed. "Well, there is one point in your favor. At least you realize that you can't outright change her mind…she has to be convinced that a change in her course of action is appropriate…Godspeed and Good Luck, Andrew. You'll need it."
Anne had never been so confused in her life. Andrew Gillette was proving to be a most perplexing puzzle. The problem proved to be that Anne couldn't quite figure out what she felt for the interfering gentleman.
And trying to figure it out only led to Anne being depressed and utterly confused. Eventually, she gave up trying to figure it out on her own. Her sister-in-law knew him. Perhaps she could shed some light on the matter…
Anne found Pru in bed. She was to rest until the doctor allowed her out of bed, and not one moment sooner, if James had anything to say about it. James would not tolerate compromising his wife's safety and for once Pru actually went along with what he ordered…
She entered the room as soon as she heard a "come in." Anne had visited with Pru everyday, often to talk of the two darling girls in the nursery. Pru had placed it in Anne's charge to make sure that Felicity and Abigail were being taken care of correctly. Anne could assure her of that, as she was more often than not up in the nursery herself caring for her two adorable nieces…
"How are the girls today, Anne?" Pru asked.
"Precious and happy, as always. I'll have them brought down later, if you wish…"
"Yes, I'd like that…although soon enough I won't have to ask and I can actually go see them myself! I hate being an invalid…"
"I know. I remember when you had that cold a month before your wedding. James often regaled me with his frustrations in making sure you didn't sneak out without his knowledge…" Anne grinned as she remembered the fact that she never had told her brother everything and that occasion was no exception…
"I only agreed this time because I'm simply exhausted. Now, is there something you wanted to talk about? Your expression when you walked in made it seem so…"
"I'm in need of advice…"
"Could it be about a someone or a something?"
"Someone. I was hoping you'd be able to shed some light on Lieutenant Gillette…"
Pru's eyes gleamed with satisfaction and happiness. "I knew it! I knew you were perfect for each other! I told James…"
"Wait Pru! I never said I loved the man and wanted to bear his children…"
"Then why are you asking me about him?" Pru asked, puzzled.
"I'm merely curious…he and I have gotten to know each other a bit…"
"And…?"
"I want to know if he ever talked to you about marriage…" Anne blurted out.
"He never told me anything of the kind, but James told me enough about some dreadful woman who jilted him…"
"Did he actually swear to never love again?"
"Probably, but you know Gillette. He's sure to have gotten past that nonsense…why?"
"I'm confused, Pru. Very confused."
"We all are when it comes to being in love…"
"I AM NOT in Love!"
"That's what I said about two years ago…and I'm married with two children to a man I love more than I can say. Intentions are wonderful, but don't always effect what really happens, dear…"
"I can't be in love with him. He said he wasn't going to marry for love. He would marry a friend, beget a few children, and then ignore her for the rest of their lives…I can't do that! Even if I hadn't sworn I wouldn't marry…
Pru glanced at her, shocked. "Wouldn't marry? That seems a bit harsh…"
"Marriage won't ensure that fidelity or love will last. I was engaged in London for less than a day. The man was cheating on me the same day he proposed! I vowed then that I wouldn't…"
"Don't let one moron ruin your chance of happiness. Give this 'confusion' you have with Gillette a chance. It could make you happier than you've ever been…"
"or completely miserable." Anne added stubbornly.
"Perhaps…but sometimes we need to take chances. Marriage really isn't that bad if you know how to deal with men. Besides…there are other benefits, you know…"
"Children? I'd love to have children of my own, but if marriage is necessary…I'd rather be an Aunt taking care of your children, Pru…"
Pru smiled at her. "Well, children, yes…but I was…referring to the more 'intimate' pleasures…"
"Excuse me for saying this, Pru, but can't you find those 'pleasures' outside of marriage?"
"I really shouldn't be having this conversation with you…James would kill me if he found out…which is why I'll continue. You can, but it appears to me that you're focused on Gillette…"
Anne arched a brow at her. "And if I am?"
"Anne Millicent Norrington! I'm not hearing this! James will be furious to know what you're thinking of! Gillette would never betray his friend's trust, so you might as well forget it! Besides, don't tell me this! I would be honor bound to blurt out everything, whether it was said in confidence or not…"
Anne was immediately contrite. "Of course, Pru. No more need be said. I've got to be going now…"
Anne closed the door to Pru's bedroom. She'd actually never meant to insinuate that she would do anything…However, now the thought was in her head and refused to die.
I'm not going to marry anyway…why is it so important that I keep my reputation? I need to figure out what my feelings are and whether they rather stubbornly lie around my heart. I want this frustration to end…this endless wondering…the endless daydreaming of the near kiss in the garden…I can't rest until I find out…
AN: Thanks for the reviews! What is Anne going to do? How is Gillette going to react? Hmmmm…