Chapter 11

Unfortuneatly for Elizabeth, the next day was not entirely her own. Will had insisted on taking the morning off to spend with her. He was to attend a party in the evening being thrown for him by some of the town's young soldiers that he had befriended, and although this type of engagement wasn't really his sort of thing, he graciously accepted the offer when it was extended. Of course, agreeing to attend meant that he wouldn't be available to visit with Elizabeth and he had begun to feel guilty - unnecessarily - about it. So, he had arranged to take her for a carriage ride followed by a picnic lunch and had personally picked out a beautiful spot on the seashore, a place he knew Elizabeth would love. He chose only the finest of foods and for this rare occasion he even ordered a bottle of fine french champagne, although not a fan of the beverage himself, he knew that Elizabeth would enjoy it so he took special care in ordering a variety that he knew she would appreciate.

The two of them sat there, enjoying the late morning sunshine and the ocean breeze, but it was Will who was doing most of the talking. Mostly he spoke about the wedding plans, a subject that had been first and foremost ever since they had announced their engagement, and Elizabeth sat quietly and listened offering the occasional nod and smile. Will must have noticed her boredom for he soon changed the subject to something which he knew would please her - the sea.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" he stated, gazing out into the tourquoise blue waters.

"It is," she replied. "It's call is enough to make a girl turn pirate." She spoke the last part in the hopes that it sounded more in jest than in any serious consideration, but it felt good to say it aloud even if she couldn't tell him that this was indeed how she truly felt.

Will laughed, much to Elizabeth's relief but caught her offguard with his next question.

"Have you heard from Jack?"

Elizabeth quickly turned her head, shocked at his question.

"W-what do you mean? she stuttered. "Why would I have heard from him?" She hoped her reaction had gone unnoticed because in her mind, she was sure she had just ruined everything.

"I knew you two were close." Will explained. "It certainly would not surprise me a bit if he had made an effort to contact you what with your upcoming marriage to me. It's easy to see that you think highly of each other."

Elizabeth's breath caught in her throat, she didn't quite know how to respond to that. She turned away shyly.

'Oh. Of course." she smiled. "No, I haven't heard from him," she lied.

"That's too bad. I was really hoping he'd send word that he was coming to our wedding, I know how much that would mean to you." Will responded innocently. "Personally, he's more of an aquaintance, but I know it would make you happy and that's what is truly important to me." He turned to look at her and when she returned his glance she could see the sincerity in what he had just told her. She felt a slight pang, perhaps it was guilt or maybe even regret, but she pushed it away before it could manifest itself.

"Thank you, Will. That means alot to me." she leaned over and gently kissed his mouth. A short, sweet kiss was all it was but Will savoured it all the same.

They sat in silence for most of the carriage ride home, each lost in their own thoughts. Shortly before they arrived Elizabeth spoke aloud.

"What do you think about fireflies?" she asked.

"Fireflies?" Will questioned. He shrugged "They're insects."

Elizabeth stared out the window of the coach and replied distantly "I think they're amazing. Something so small, yet it's light can be seen from afar. It can fly wherever it wants, whenever it wants, always remaining free but always being admired." She turned and looked at Will, "I think they're beautiful!"

"Aye." Will responded "They are beautiful, but they pale in comparison to you. I would think it's the firefly that should be doing the admiring from afar whenever if flys past your window."

Elizabeth smiles at the thought of this.

The carriage arrives back at the Governor's mansion and Will decides to walk the short distance to his work after bidding Elizabeth goodbye for the day.

"I shall stop by tomorrow morning before work." he promised. "Don't forget to leave your window open for the fireflies." he winked.

Before she could respond, Will had leaned in and quickly but gently placed a kiss on her lips, then he turned and headed down the road.

Elizabeth watched after him for the last time, then entered the house.