Disclaimer: The characters and concepts in this story are the property of Walt Disney Productions. This is an amateur writing effort for entertainment purposes only.

Chapter Six: The Better Man

"William Turner!" Amelia Swann, Elizabeth's aunt shouted coldly as she marched up to him from the great hall. She looked a fright, as usual, but that evening she was even more of one. Having shaved off her eyebrows years ago and drawn them on every day since, she had a habit of getting more and more surprised on a daily basis, so much so that it was impossible to read her facial expressions. The only thing that changed were her eyes, which were narrowed slits at that point, and her lips, which were pursed so tightly they ceased to exist on her face.

He thought at first she was going to slap him, but he doubted she could lift her arm in a dress as tight as the one she was wearing. It clung to her angular little body, causing the bones to jut out even more, giving her a disgusting, skeletal appearance like a demon from Will's nightmares. Just as he thought, she didn't even try to raise a hand at him. The fabric would have snapped.

"I always knew you were a coward, Turner, but how dare you insult this family by buggering off during your own rehearsal! Weatherby's paying a fortune for this wedding, you ungrateful little worm. An arm and a leg is more like it, and all you do is squander the fortunes he has rained upon you."

Will toned her out, and was very thankful when Elizabeth emerged from the crowd, grabbed him by the hand, and pulled him away. "You're an angel," he whispered, his ears ringing from the woman's screech, but it was mercifully sinking into the background.

"She's been shouting now for over an hour," Elizabeth said with a small laugh. "Father's been pouring copious amounts of brandy down her throat to get her to shut up."

She giggled like a school girl, and even Will found himself laughing at the comment.

Finding a quiet corner with which to avoid the other guests with, Will and Elizabeth spent the evening in silence, watching the crowd. She whispered in his ear about the scandals of her relatives. "You see my cousins, Maura and Tierney? Neither of them are my uncles'."

"You're joking."

"NO! Aunt Agnes has more feelings for the manservant than she does her husband."

"That's terrible."

"Not really when you see Uncle Rupert."

"Elizabeth, you're terrible."

They were laughing together. It may as well have been a casual meeting between the two. Elizabeth was discussing the most inappropriate thing she could come up with and Will was trying not to encourage her, though it was difficult not to. She was so strong willed and truly just wanted her wedding to go over smoothly. Any attempt to ease Will's nerves was well worth the effort.

"She's the terrible one."

"We're not having any male servants," Will decided. "Problem solved."

Elizabeth laughed heartily. "So, what, you can have all these lovely little maids to cavort with while I'm a fat, pregnant woman?"
Will just smiled. He didn't have a witty response to that, but Elizabeth saw it in his eyes. His heart was on his sleeve that night, for all to see that cared to look, but only she found it. Their hands came together, her gloved fingers smoothing over his callused ones, running up his wrist beneath his suit coat.

"Ah, Elizabeth, there you are," Weatherby Swann had found them, even through the crowd, but his eyes were on his daughter, not on the gentleman by her side. "I wanted to introduce you to a very special guest. Sir Andrew Morgan, this is my daughter Elizabeth."

From behind him, a young man emerged from the crowd. Elizabeth recognized him immediately; his eyes were unforgettable. It was the gentleman from the beach, looking just as exquisite as he had then. Granted, the tricorn had disappeared, and the black coat had been replaced with a forest green one that went with his eyes. She rose from her seat and offered him her hand, which he took.

"Pleasure to meet you, sir," she said, eyes frantic. They met his and begged him not to mention their meeting earlier. The man smiled and kissed her hand.

"And a pleasure you as well," he said, eyes gleaming with mischief. He released her hand.

"And this is my fiancée, Will Turner," she said quickly. Will was already on his feet to meet him. Andrew grinned.

"And what a lucky man he is. Honoured, Will Turner," he said, shaking the blacksmith's hand.

"Sir Andrew just got back from an expedition in Africa," Weatherby said.

"Oh, Weatherby, let's not talk shop," he replied. "I hardly think your daughter and future son-in-law want to know about the day-to-day of a humble doctor."

"Humble cannot be used to describe a man such as yourself, Sir Andrew, I can assure you," the message was clear: Sir Andrew was going to be gloated about whether he wished to be or not. "Graduate of the finest medical school in Britain only to be knighted two years later for his research in the Mediterranean, Europe, and Africa. Heir to not one but two fortunes, that of his father and godfather; and naturally, completely single."

Governor Swann's eyes were on his daughter now with the last words. She was, however, looking away.

"You must be very proud, Sir Andrew," she said.

"I suppose I am," he replied with a nod. "Now, come on Weatherby and show me that great sword collection of yours."

"Oh," Elizabeth had found an in. "Most of those were actually constructed by Will."

Her eyes were back on her father now: two can play at this game.

"Oh, you're a blacksmith, Will?" Andrew's voice was clear of any condescending tone. Either he was a very good actor or truly interested in Will's work.

"Not nearly as talented as his superior, Master Brown," Weatherby added quickly.

"When Master Brown isn't intoxicated," Elizabeth recoiled.

"Well, my own collection is based mostly on Brown's work," Weatherby said coldly. Will was now regretting ever using such a façade to do his work. The Governor would always see it as the conviction of a drunken old fool.

"What a shame. I was looking to procure a weapon while I was here," Andrew was looking back at Will, this time with an expression of great curiosity. But Will knew that there was something more beneath such a look. Andrew wasn't just inquiring about a sword; Will had piqued his interest about something.

"You are free to take whatever you wish from my collection, Sir Andrew," Weatherby added.

"That is a very kind invitation, Weatherby, but I'm afraid I would most certainly be lost in choosing an appropriate weapon. However, if Master Turner here would volunteer to assist me, I might avoid a bad decision."

All eyes were on Will now. The Governor's were on fire, but that was to be expected. Elizabeth's beamed with pride and Andrew's were warm and inviting, the sort of eyes Will wasn't used to seeing in Swann Manor. He was speechless.

Elizabeth assisted him. "With the governor's permission, Will would be honoured."

It was official. Elizabeth had won the match. Weatherby couldn't deny the great Sir Andrew anything, not with him being such a celebrity. He gritted his teeth.

"Of course," he said. "This way, gentlemen. Oh, and Elizabeth, may I have a word with you please?"

Seeing that Sir Andrew was settled in the armory, Weatherby turned on his daughter. "He's a fine match, Elizabeth."

"And I'm quite certain he'll make a lovely husband someday…for someone else," she responded curtly, turning on a heel as she prepared to leave.

Her father's arm blocked her path. "This is not a game, Elizabeth."

"It looks that way to me, the way you parade potential suitors around."

"Sir Andrew will inherit a fortune when his father passes!"

"Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, he'll eat for the rest of his life," she recited, obviously referencing Will.

"Give a man a fortune and brilliance and he'll feed a wife for the rest of his life. Take all that away and you have Will Turner."

Author's Notes
I'm very sorry this chapter took so long to post. My laptop doesn't have a floppy drive, so I have to burn CD's whenever I want to transfer files. Since they aren't the cheapest commodity, I have to reduce the amount of times I burn, so I waited till I had a few completed chapters before burning the disk. So the next few will be quickly posted. Hope you enjoy! Hope your holidays went well!

Reviews:

taurusbaby0509:I hope your Christmas was equally as merry! My own was a little confusing (I have two houses) and we were celebrating on either end of the province. It's a little difficult with all the travelling but I got to see everyone, so I can't be disappointed. Sorry that this chapter took so long. The next few will not be so delayed.

alexwacrap: THANKS!