It was with Theo's disappointment, but not her surprise, when word was sent down from Governor Swann's mansion within the week that he would be throwing a ball in honour of James' promotion. And with that disappointment came guilt. He deserved to have his achievement celebrated, to be patted on the back by all of his nearest and dearest on the island, and Theo would go and put on a brave face if she had to…but none of that meant she was thrilled at the idea of spending another evening stuck under the same roof as Amelia Simmonds and her gang of blithering idiots.
Thankfully for her, Elizabeth deemed it necessary to host a day of what could only be described as a ballroom bootcamp to ready her for the occasion.
"I do hope you don't think me patronising," Elizabeth offered her a kind smile as she welcomed her through the doors of the mansion "But we seize upon any excuse for an event around her to stop the days from growing stale, so the more comfortable you are at them, the better."
"Oh, I don't feel patronised - I think it's very kind of you to consider me," Theo replied.
"Not at all," Elizabeth said, waving a hand "It's the least I can do. I did warn you, I intend for us to be good friends."
Theo smiled, inclining her head in agreement.
"Unfortunately, we can't snub Amelia by not inviting her. Her absence would make the other ladies simmer down a bit, but it would only encourage her to be even nastier. Luckily for us, I have just the dress for you to wear and it will make her furious."
It was touching - genuinely - how Elizabeth had already framed it as 'us' rather than just Theo herself. The lines may have been drawn in the sand, but she was far from alone on her side of it. A more cynical person might've argued that this was just Elizabeth's charity work for the year - that they were performing an eighteenth century reenactment of Clueless (although would it be a reenactment, seeing as the movie was nigh on three hundred years away?), but Theo didn't view it that way. If anything, if would've been prudent for her to distance herself from Port Royal's biggest source of gossip. While she may have had her own quirks and a hell of a rebellious streak given the time she was from, she was still the daughter of the town's Governor. Reputation did play a role in her life, and it was warming to know that she had no intention of letting it stand in the way of their friendship.
"No," Theo said quickly "I can just wear the one you've already given me, there's no need."
The one she hadn't allowed her to return, at that.
"I've told you," Elizabeth chastised "I have more dresses than I could ever wear if I were to change five times a day. Our being of similar size is a stroke of good fortune - especially considering I have a nasty habit of buying dresses in colours that don't suit me in a moment of boldness, before promptly never wearing them when I realise my mistake too late."
Theo groaned, absolutely not believing her.
"Don't be like that!" Elizabeth laughed "I'm speaking truthfully - I'm more suited to neutral tones than bold colours, but I have a nasty habit of forgetting that when I'm particularly bored during tailoring appointments. The other women talk me into them out of spite, too, I'm sure. It's merely a second stroke of good fortune that your colouring favours the bolder colours."
"Two strokes of good fortune in one go, eh?"
"Which, Theodora, can be no less than a sign from God himself. These dresses were intended for you, it's the will of the heavens. Be a kind soul and take them off of my hands so I might have the space to buy more."
Despite herself, she laughed, tilting her head back as she slowly began to accept defeat.
"It just feels so rude," she sighed, shaking her head.
"It would be rude if you came to my door and demanded it," Elizabeth pointed out "The dress I gave you last suited well for a dinner party, but not for a ball. If you don't accept it, it'll only continue to languish in a chest somewhere, gathering dust while it could be doing you some good here."
"All right," she relented "All right. Fine. Thank you - I appreciate it, really."
"No matter. When the day comes that I need to learn to survive on naught but my wits in the wilderness, I shall come to exact repayment of this debt," she teased in response "But until that day comes…next I should teach you how to dance."
That did it. She'd definitely be returning to the forest as soon as possible. Perhaps this time with traps, so anybody who tried to drag her back towards civilization would find themselves trapped in a net, high up in the trees.
The difference between her two borrowed dresses did not raise Theo's hopes when it came to the upcoming event, for it absolutely gave away just how different it would be from the dinner party that she'd already survived. If she'd thought the previous dress was fine, this one blew it out of the water entirely. It was still fairly simple, which was a relief for she had no desire to teeter around decked out in bows and ruffles, but a striking shade of deep sapphire blue. The colour was so vibrant that it spoke for itself, accented only by small touches of silver embroidery around the flared cuffs of the elbow-length sleeves, the hem of the generous skirts, but not the neckline…which might've been because the neckline more or less spoke for itself.
It wasn't scandalous, per se - not unless Elizabeth was playing some sort of malevolent long-con, which hardly felt likely - it just wasn't what Theo was used to. These gowns were about as far from her usual winning combo of leggings, sports bras, and the occasional band tank tops as one could get, but even in comparison to the dresses she would wear on nights out, this somehow felt more revealing. Maybe it was the infrastructure beneath the dress, shoving everything she had in her chest region (which wasn't even a crazy amount, if she did say so herself) directly up, or maybe she'd just spent so long here now that any skin felt like an absurd amount, but the end result was the same. She felt hopelessly exposed. In an attempt to remedy it, she adorned her necklace and thanked the universe that Elizabeth had included a fan with the outfit.
While she hoped it wasn't a mischievous attempt on her friend's part to draw in Groves' attention - for Theo still wasn't entirely convinced that Elizabeth believed her when she said she desired nothing more than his friendship - she took comfort in Hattie's non-reaction when she saw her. Although she still resisted the urge to ask for her opinion on it, because she couldn't think of how to phrase it other than "it's not too boob-y, is it?", which would only make her feel even more ridiculous. It would be fine. She'd have a glass of wine or two and pray nothing fell out or sprang free. Mainly because that would mean James would never get his promotion, as he'd probably die of a heart attack there and then. At least it would give everybody something other than her nationality to discuss, she supposed.
It was James himself who would end up being the closest thing to a litmus test as far as how suitable the gown was. If it was just a case of her feeling a little overly self conscious, she would know it if he didn't seem utterly horrified at the sight of the dress. And that was the excuse that she gave when she found herself feeling oddly nervous when it came time to meet him in the entranceway so they could head out.
Hattie's watchful gaze, though, meant that she couldn't allow her nerves to show nor her movements to falter. If she did, the maid would only end up reading far too much into it, and she couldn't bear the knowing looks shot her way whenever she interacted with James - she already knew she could very well be dealing with something similar from Elizabeth concerning Lieutenant Groves tonight. It was difficult to say if it was just the nature of the time, or if there was something about her personally that screamed 'match me up with a guy!' but she had no desire to deal with it any more than absolutely necessary. Amelia and her lackeys would only hate her all the more if they thought she was in some sort of scheme to ensnare every good man on the island for herself. Although wouldn't that be a fun way to pass the time left?
The moment she was out of her bedroom, she forced herself to walk down the hallways and towards the stairs with not the slightest hesitation, save for when she reached the top of them and had to work out how to navigate them with her excessive skirts.
"Oh Jesus," she muttered, teetering slightly as she reached across the width of her skirts for the bannister.
Glancing back in the direction of the bedrooms, she opened her mouth to call for Hattie but then the door to James' bedroom opened. Fully bewigged and outfitted in his formal uniform in all its grandeur, he cut a striking figure as he closed the door behind him and then glanced at her own before he noticed her standing by the stairs. Apparently her presence caught him off-guard, for he did a double take before faltering and finally approaching.
"Good timing," she greeted with a sheepish smile "I was just about to have a terrible stair-related accident."
"Then we must both applaud my timing," he said drily, nodding in greeting "Allow me."
Theo moved out of the way to allow him to descend the first couple of steps, before he turned and offered his hand. Okay, it was definitely a sign of the time period getting to her when something so minor felt significant. But she masked her hesitation well, her own hand barely twitching before she lifted it and clasped it in his. The skin between his thumb and index finger was slightly calloused - from his sword work, she guessed - and his grip was surprisingly strong, but that in itself reassured her that there was little chance of her falling.
When they reached the bottom of the stairs, they stood for a moment, hands clasped together for just a few moments too long, before they both slowly let go and dropped their arms to their sides. Jesus, why did she suddenly feel so shy?
"Well, you look dashing," she said brightly, trying her best to dispel the strange atmosphere, gesturing to his formal uniform's coat of deep blue "And look - we match. It's a good thing I didn't wear red, or else everybody would've thought we were coming as the British flag."
He smiled at that - which really completed the whole 'dashing' picture - giving a slight chuckle before he replied.
"Thank you. You look…"
Theo watched him expectantly as he trailed off "If you're trying to think of another word for 'horrible', I'm going to be very disappointed."
"On the contrary," he replied "You look very…very nice."
That strange hesitance that had plagued so many of their interactions as of late was back. Resisting the urge to pull a face, Theo smiled politely and nodded her thanks. It was likely terribly spoiled and vain of her, but 'very nice' was almost as anti-climactic as 'horrible', but she supposed she'd have to take what she could get.
The journey to the mansion, which was undertaken by coach, was without incident and any awkwardness melted away as quickly as it had come. There were a few times when she caught James eyeing her strangely, as though entirely entrenched in thought, but she didn't comment on it and he offered no explanation.
When they finally arrived at the splendid home atop the hill, she finally realised just how much Elizabeth had meant it when she'd told her that this would be different from the dinner party. The entire mansion was aglow and abuzz with activity, lit up like a great star among the lush foliage of the island, with guests milling about anywhere and everywhere that somebody could conceivably have room to stand. The band playing in the ballroom towards the back of the house was hardly muffled by the walls that stood between them and it, which stood to reason that it must've been absolutely deafening inside. She didn't mind, though, she'd missed music - any music. The closest she'd gotten to it lately was Hattie humming to herself as she worked around the house, and as good a singer as the woman was, it wasn't quite the same.
They were hardly even inside yet, and Theo could already see that it was nothing like the parties she'd experienced back home…but she had to admit, she'd have been much more surprised if they were anything alike. If she'd walk through the great double doors only to discover Elizabeth slamming down vodka shots in the corner while Groves tried to discreetly roll a joint out back. The thought had her smiling.
"A sight to behold, is it not?" James mistook her smile "Are you still nervous?"
"Oh, I'm permanently nervous around this lot," she teased, taking the arm he offered as he led her inside "Luckily my list of friends contains better characters than the one of enemies."
Her own use of the word 'characters' had her cringing the moment the word left her mouth, but she brushed it off quickly as they walked through the doors, accepting the glasses of champagne that were offered to them then. Elizabeth was easy to spot immediately, wading through the sea of guests towards them in a gown of striking gold. Theo's hand slid from the crook of James' arm, almost as if of its own accord.
"Theodora! Captain Norrington! Or should I be calling you Commodore Norrington already?" She greeted both of them with a bright smile.
"Not yet, Miss Swann - not officially," James returned her smile.
"Well, congratulations all the same," Elizabeth replied warmly, causing his smile to brighten "Would you mind awfully if I stole Theodora away from you?"
Theo had a feeling he wouldn't mind if she desired to run him through with one of the fancy swords displayed on the wall.
"No, no, by all means. I must speak to your father anyway."
He offered them both a smile in parting, but his eyes lingered on Elizabeth even as she turned towards Theo. Looking away, Theo couldn't help but feel like she was somehow intruding on a private moment. But then he was disappearing off into the throng of people gathered, and Elizabeth was pulling her in the direction of the crowded ballroom.
With the garrison playing such a large role in the life of those in Port Royal - well, the British in Port Royal - most of the men in attendance were higher ranking members of the Navy, with the women being wives, sisters, mothers, and daughters of those men. It was a bit of a relief. Theo had grown up around military types, she knew how to be around them even if the time barrier was still there. Were Elizabeth throwing the same sort of soiree back in London, this sort of party would've likely been riddled with high and mighty lords and ladies, and Theo would've felt a whole new level of uncomfortable.
As it was, things were fine. The ladies who did not like her gave her a wide berth - apparently excluding her from the gatherings they hosted was one thing, but being rude to the Governor's daughter's friend in Elizabeth's own home was thankfully where they seemed to draw the line. Even when Elizabeth was dancing with one of the many hopeful men around her, Theo managed to avoid the fate she'd been through last time of sitting listening to a group of idiots talk about her while also being entirely unable to respond.
There were a few familiar faces - people from the dinner party that she hadn't had a chance to speak to, some of the men who she'd recognised from the ship who she hadn't seen since, and one or two from around town who were genuinely intrigued rather than judgemental when it came to her…unusual background. It was a distinct comfort for her to see that she was becoming just that now that the gossip had lost its novelty - a curiosity, rather than a scandal. Oh, there were a few passing glances here and there that seemed to last just a second or two too long, but none of the prior furious muttering behind fans and wide-eyed stares.
It was when she was at risk of telling her story for the fifth time in a row that a face a little more familiar than others emerged through the crowd to greet her.
"Miss Theodora, it's good to see you again," Lieutenant Groves greeted her warmly "And it appears we're in matching colours, no less."
"That's my line," she greeted him in return with a smile "Although if our names and our outfits match we're in danger of looking like some sort of double act. Should we fight crime or perform songs?"
"I already fight crime," he pointed out "And I'm afraid I couldn't carry a tune if it was in a bucket."
"You've got me there, I suppose that settles it. Although we'll never be able to call each other Theo, or else nobody will know if we're talking to the other or ourselves."
"You often talk to yourself in the third person, do you?"
"Theo does," she nodded sagely.
He chuckled and shook his head at her - a reaction she'd long grown used to - before he spoke again.
"I must confess, I came over here hoping that you might save me a dance."
He was the first to ask her, which was a relief - not just because nobody had yet, but also because the idea of muddling her way through the steps with a friend was a little less mortifying than doing so with a perfect stranger, and one that might be much more likely to judge at that.
"Ah, in that case I must confess that I'm hopeless at dancing. Elizabeth tried to teach me, but tried was the operative word there," she fiddled with her fan sheepishly as she spoke.
"You don't dance in Ireland?" His brow furrowed slightly in blatant scepticism.
"Not like you do here."
If she went into the middle of the dance floor and tried to demonstrate the sort of dancing she was used to back home, they'd have a priest in to exorcise her before the night was through. But she'd be damned if she didn't feel guilty at the half-awkward, half-disappointed smile of understanding on Groves' face.
"Tell you what - come and find me when it's one of the less complicated ones, and give me your word that you won't sue if I end up breaking any of your toes."
"You have it," Groves promised with a smile "Thank you."
Theo, meanwhile, would pray that she had adequate time to guzzle down some more drinks between now and then. It wouldn't do to alienate the friends she did have here by being the dour-faced cow who refused to dance with anybody - especially when the man in question in this case had a hand in saving her life. She figured she owed him the small amount of embarrassment she would have to endure through the dance, if only because he'd withstood her belligerent ramblings when she'd first been pulled out of the water with a fair amount of grace and understanding.
It would be fine. The dancing here wasn't too horrendously intricate - it was hardly stage-level choreography. It was more walking around one another in fancy patterns than anything else, maybe with the occasional jump or two. Half of the people already twirling around out on the floor were already well on their way to being drunk out of their minds, so surely that was a good sign when it came to how easy it was to pick up. Although they'd probably learned these dances the moment they could stand on their own two feet.
Draining the last of her glass, Theo said a silent prayer that both she and Groves could get through the evening relatively unscathed. James would never forgive her if she hobbled one of his best men.
A/N: Thank you guys so much for the insanely kind reviews! They always make my day when I read them. I had intended for this event to all be one chapter, but it started to become apparent that if I went down that route I'd be looking at a 7k+ word long chapter - so it continues in the next part! All of that being said…I'm very excited to write the next few chapters, after what has felt like centuries of build-up.
I must also apologise for the extremely unrealistic part of this story — no, not the travelling through time and alternate universes, but the suggestion that there's a colour that Keira Knightley couldn't pull off. Ludicrous, I know, and I shall try to do better in the future.