Four years had passed since Elizabeth first arrived in Port Royal. She had been right when she said to herself that her father would turn everything around. She stood on the small balcony off from her chambers and gazed over the town of Port Royal. It looked significantly better than when she had first arrived. The streets had been cleaned up and repairs made. The buildings had also been repaired and the harbour was alive with business once again. The town was flourishing with people coming and going, going about their every day lives. More people had moved to Port Royal since the clean up and the town was continuing to grow every day. The water seemed to sparkle with a renewed spirit and freshness. It was a complete turn around from the place she had first seen.
Elizabeth closed her eyes and tilted her head up, drinking in the warmth of the early morning sun. It was a beautiful day and she was pleased for it. It was a perfect day for a ceremony up at the Fort. Though she was not glad for the reason, she was sure it would be an opportunity to spend some time with her good friend, Captain Norrington.
When they had first arrived in Port Royal, the Admiralty had promoted James to Captain for his service to the Royal Navy. Elizabeth had been so proud to see her friend receive such an honour. She and her father had attended the ceremony, with her father providing a lovely sword to mark the occasion, as was tradition. Today, they were honouring Commodore Middleton with the post of Admiral. Elizabeth was sure he deserved it, but his promotion drew a deep seeded dread in the pit of her stomach. She had a worrisome feeling about the day and what events might transpire.
Her chamber door crept open as two of the maids came into her room to help her dress for the occasion. Elizabeth had received a new dress from London only a few days ago and was grateful for an opportunity to wear it on a special occasion. She stepped back from the balcony and walked to her dressing screen while the maids brought out the dress and a corset to wear underneath. Elizabeth hated corsets, but as it was the fashion, she wore them as required. The maids helped her in taking off her dressing gown before they started lacing up the corset. It was such a pain to put on, but she thought in the end it was worth it. After they finished dressing her, Elizabeth dismissed them so that she could finish up herself, topping off her outfit with a simple bonnet. She seized one of her fans from her dresser before slipping into a pair of lovely heeled shoes and heading down the stairs to the foyer.
"Ah, Elizabeth, there you are," her father said as he looked up at her. In his right hand, he was holding what appeared to be a new cutlass, and the blacksmith's apprentice was standing beside him. Her father handed the sword back to the man. The young man placed the sword back into the case.
"Elizabeth, this is Mr. William Turner. He is Mr. Brown's apprentice."
When Elizabeth reached the bottom of the staircase, she bowed slightly to the man. He looked to be close to her age, or even a bit older. She found it hard to tell at times with the working class. It wasn't that she put much stock into how a person looked, but there were times when it did make a difference. She believed that a lot could be said about a person from the way they were dressed and how well they took care of themselves. She supposed this was the influence of growing up around society ladies who held very similar opinions. Mr. Turner certainly dressed the part of a blacksmith's apprentice. As much as he had tried to hide them and clean them, Elizabeth could still see smudges of coal dust on his shirt here and there under his coat and waistcoat. He also didn't look very comfortable in his surroundings.
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Turner. Father, shall we go? I do not think it would be wise to keep everyone waiting for us," Elizabeth said with a smile.
"Ah, yes. Of course."
Governor Swann signalled to one of the servants. The servant walked over and took the case from Mr. Turner and loaded it onto the carriage. Elizabeth bowed her head slightly as she curtsied.
"Good day, Mr. Turner."
Elizabeth followed her father out to the carriage. She was helped in by their butler who closed the door once she was inside. She looked out the window back at the Governor's Manor, a smile gracing her lips. The manor had even been improved since they arrived. The balconies and windows had been mended and fresh coat of paint had been added to the outside for a fresh, new look.
They reached Fort Charles in what felt like no time at all. The ride had been peaceful and uneventful, and decidedly short. Elizabeth found herself being escorted into the courtyard by her father after what had felt like only a single minute after they had left the manor. Her mind had been elsewhere, but she hadn't realised she'd lost herself completely, missing the entire journey from her home – not that there was much to miss. It was the same view every time they went to the fort.
Elizabeth joined a group of young society ladies as they awaited the ceremony's commencement. Everyone seemed especially excited for the promotion, but she could hardly bring herself to care. She wasn't sure if it was the lack of feeling she had for the man, or the dread of his proposal which she was sure would come. It wasn't that she was ungrateful for the attentions of a gentleman, she would just prefer he be nearer to her own age rather than her father's. It was a sentiment she had maintained since she had first become aware of his intentions towards her.
The sound of the drums soon echoed through the air, signalling the ceremony's beginning, soon joined by the sound of flutes. Elizabeth glanced up to see her father standing and awaiting the arrival of the Commodore, soon to be Admiral. She glanced around the audience as the marines marched in two by two with their muskets before separating to each side of the improvised aisle, raising their muskets up and creating an archway. Elizabeth was hardly paying attention to the goings-on of the ceremony. Her mind was otherwise occupied. She fanned herself slightly as she continued to glance around the Fort. When she had finally given up her visual pursuit, she looked to her father who was honouring Admiral Middleton with a medal as a symbol of his new position. Elizabeth sighed softly to herself, hoping the festivities would soon be over, and with any luck, she could escape the Admiral's notice.
As the ceremony ended and the party began, Miss Lucy Fairfax, a dear friend of Elizabeth's pulled her aside, away from the immediate view of Admiral Middleton. Lucy Fairfax was part of a family that had sailed over from England two years after Elizabeth had. They had met upon her arrival and became fast friends. She was a rather plain looking girl with dull brown hair and eyes. The other society ladies often gossiped about the girl and how hard it would be for her to secure a husband with her ordinary face. Elizabeth could have cared less whether her friend was a true beauty or not. She knew her to have a beautiful and kind heart, and that was all that mattered to Elizabeth.
"Lizzie, you look lovely today," Lucy said, but before Elizabeth could thank her, she continued. "I must warn you. I've heard the other ladies whispering about an upcoming engagement. They seem to believe that Admiral Middleton will be proposing to you today."
"I fear they may be right, Lucy," Elizabeth lamented. The two women walked away from the crowd so they would not be overheard. "I just don't know what I'll do should he ask me. I know I will refuse him, but how should I, as to not wound his pride? But I know there is no way. I can only hope that he will accept my refusal with grace and dignity. He is not the sort of man I had envisioned my future life with. I could never marry for fortune or stature. I am determined that nothing but the deepest love could induce me into matrimony(1)."
"Oh, Lizzie, I wish I had your worries. My only worry is that I will not find a man to take me as his wife. I am six and twenty with no prospects."
"Lucy, surely you shall find such a man. I may even be so bold as to hope that you should find a man to not only marry, but love as well." Elizabeth smiled at her friend and patted her hand. "We should rejoin the party. I'm sure father will be looking for me."
"As, I'm sure, will Admiral Middleton."
"Please, don't remind me." Elizabeth and Lucy laughed as they rejoined the crowd mingling around the courtyard. Musicians had started playing lovely music and there were servant walking around with trays of drinks and food.
Elizabeth almost immediately spotted her father off to the side and started walking towards him as Lucy joined her own family. She had not been more than a few steps away when Admiral Middleton approached her.
"Miss Swann, may I have a moment?"
Elizabeth curtsied slightly before being led away from the assembly. She could already feel the dread in the pit of her stomach growing. Thoughts and ideas on the situation started running through her head as she attempted to find the best way to refuse him.
"Elizabeth, I apologise if I seem forward but I am sure my attentions have been too marked to be mistaken. Please do me the honour of accepting my hand. I can promise you a comfortable life –"
"Admiral Middleton, I am honoured by your proposal, but I regret that I must decline it," she interrupted before he could continue on. Elizabeth watched as the Admiral's smile faded from his face at her refusal.
Elizabeth curtsied slightly and walked away before he could say anything else. She felt remorseful for him, but knew she had made the right decision for the both of them. She knew she could never love him and that he could never make her happy. She looked at him too much like a sort of friend of her father's for it to feel even the slightest bit appropriate to be married. Moreover, she wanted to love the man she married, not love him over time. It was a silly notion, but she would stand by it as long as she could.
Elizabeth moved quickly across the courtyard to her father's side. She knew the women would soon start whispering. Given the wretched look on Admiral Middleton's face, there was no doubt what had transpired between the two. Elizabeth longed to leave the party as soon as she possibly could. She wanted to get away from the whispering ladies and Admiral Middleton's stares.
"Admiral Middleton, sir," a voice echoed through the fort.
Elizabeth looked over to the entrance area where Captain Norrington stood with two marines. Between the two marines was a handcuffed man, dressed in a peculiar fashion. She continued to watch as the Admiral joined them and took the man away. It wasn't much longer before the Admiral returned and walked over to her father.
"Pardon me, Governor, but I'm afraid there is a situation that requires my attention. It would seem that Captain Norrington has captured a pirate attempting to commandeer The Interceptor," Admiral Middleton whispered to Governor Swann, attempting to keep their discussion private.
"Oh dear, of course." Governor Swann followed Admiral Middleton out of the courtyard.
Elizabeth, having heard their exchange and not wanting to be left out, quickly followed them, keeping far enough away that she wouldn't be spotted. She watched as they entered the Admiral's office and closed the door. She glanced around the hallway to make sure she wouldn't be seen before she walked up to the door and leaned towards it, trying to hear the conversation inside.
"…Jack Sparrow. He is wanted by the East India Trading Company for acts of piracy, not to mention his numerous crimes against the crown. We have thrown him into the prison. I am scheduling his execution for Wednesday."
"Very well, Admiral. Captain Norrington has …"
"Just what do you think you are doing?" a voice behind her asked quietly.
Elizabeth gasped as she turned around and came face to face with Captain James Norrington. She smiled at him as a blush crept over her cheeks at being caught.
"Would you believe that I got lost?" she asked.
"Absolutely not." Norrington smiled at her. "I know that you know this place far to well to believe that you have gotten lost. Please allow me to escort you home. I believe your father has much business to attend to."
"Thank you, Captain Norrington." Elizabeth took Norrington's offered arm. "So, will you tell me how you managed to capture a pirate?"
"How could I possibly resist your charms?" James laughed. "I do not mean to sound modest, but I hardly did much to deserve the credit. Misters Mullroy and Murtogg were the ones to discover him. I merely happened by at the right time. I discovered his pirate brand and had him put in irons. It was nothing, really."
"How very brave, to face a pirate." She smiled at him again. They walked to the manor, exchanging idle chatter about the weather and other mundane issues. Before she knew it, the two of them had arrived at the front door of the Governor's manor.
"Thank you, Captain Norrington. I am thankful for your escort home. If it is not too bold, please let me invite you to dine with us tonight, to celebrate your capture of the pirate, Jack Sparrow."
"I would be most delighted to join you this evening, Miss Swann." Captain Norrington bowed before he took his leave.
Elizabeth watched him as he walked down the lane, looking noble and proud. She imagined that he was the sort of man she could spend her life with, if given the chance. She did not dare get ahead of herself though, for she did not know where his feeling resided when it came to her.
Elizabeth turned and went inside. She walked over to the entrance hall table and set her fan down. As she did, her eyes caught a glimpse of something glittering hidden under the flowers overflowing from the vase. She glanced around quickly, noting that she was alone, and picked it up. Just as she was about to inspect it, she heard a noise to her right. She grabbed her fan and moved quickly up the stairs to her room, where she wouldn't be disturbed. Once alone, she held the medallion up by its chain and looked at it carefully. It was most certainly gold and the skull in the centre gave her an ominous feeling that the object was going to cause some trouble.
"Elizabeth?"
She glanced towards the door, listening as her father's footsteps were coming closer to her room. She looked around frantically, trying to find a spot to hide the medallion quickly, but there was no where she could find. She quickly put it on and hid the medallion down the front of her dress.
"Yes, father, I am here."
Elizabeth left her room and met up with her father in the hallway. She decided not to mention the medallion, and instead told him that Captain Norrington would be joining them for dinner. She liked the idea of having a little secret to herself.
(1) This is a line from both adaptations (1995 BBC, 2006 Universal Studios) of the Jane Austen novel, Pride and Prejudice. I quite liked the line and have been looking for an excuse to use it in one of my fictions, so there it is. Also, the proposal scene is taken from Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl and Pride and Prejudice.