A/N: I'd just like to say thanks to everyone who reviewed on the last two chapters. I know that the updating is slow going and I'm sorry. This chapter should serve as a little more insight into our main characters, give you a little window into their thoughts. Please review, I am eager to hear any comments, suggestions, or criticisms. Thanks again. - oh and I should probably disclaim all of this...since I didnt on the first two chapters. I don't own Pirates of the Caribbean or any of its characters. Everyone else is mine. Though...if any of you hear that Norrington is for sale... let me know!
Chapter 3
This was absolutely ridiculous, taking in this girl. Here he was. James Norrington, a grown man and Admiral of His Majesty's Royal Navy… he scoffed aloud at the title. "Admiral, indeed." He shook his head, he had accepted the promotion and maintained his duty and fierce dedication to his naval pursuits but somehow it hadn't been the same since…
"My Lord, Your guests are arrived." A stout gentleman, no doubt the Admiral's senior, stood in the door way, hands clasped behind his back. "I shall tell them you will receive them in the parlor…" he added, taking his leave from the door. Norrington simply nodded, his mind reverting to its earlier musings, before he had trailed off into the past. A particular past that he was loathe to remember and simply couldn't seem to shake. It didn't matter now, now he was to go downstairs, receive the Wells and welcome a more permanent guest into his home. "More like a child" he wondered aloud. "A child that will no doubt need watching…" Thick frown lines pulled at his mouth, giving his normally smooth and handsome face a drawn and clearly displeased look, one which he did not have the care or will to entirely remove as he placed his hat atop his head and moved down the stairs.
When he stepped into the parlor the Wells and his new charge were already seated comfortably. Edward and Annabelle both appeared anxious, and worried. Part of him couldn't blame them, they were about to undertake what could be a rather taxing voyage and leaving several things that they obviously cared quite a bit for behind. For a brief moment his lips faltered and the shadow of a smile was almost visible. Like it or not he knew he was obligated to do this for Edward, a long time friend and man he had admired for a large part of his life. At least he could find some gratitude in that. The girl however, was a different matter. She was silent and completely still, a great surprise when he thought about it. He had expected her to be fussy, crying perhaps and generally in a bad disposition. For all her lack of societal breeding and poise, which he noticed there was not a great deal of at all, she had the good grace to be quiet. Thank God for that, he thought and cleared his throat.
Danielle, considering the circumstances, was holding up well. She had, since the announcement nearly a month ago, come to terms with this new and albeit unexpected turn of her fortunes. The first night she'd been shocked and angry and she had cried in her room until she heaved and could not cry anymore. The days that followed were no less difficult, but she couldn't go on forever pretending that this was some personal offense and that the entire world had crashed down around her. The truth was it simply hadn't, everywhere around her life carried on and no matter how long she sulked or cried it would not stop the Wells' ship from sailing, nor the wheels of the carriage that was to take her away from turning. Now, the day arrived, she couldn't help but feel a little distant, though that was infinitely better than crying she had decided. If I just stay quiet and out of his way, perhaps he'll leave me be. Typically not the sort of person to want to be alone, she found that even after only one meeting, she wasn't sure if the effort it would take to form any sort of pleasant acquaintance with this man would be worth it.
"Ahem…" She jerked her head to the side only to see the Admiral, standing at the entrance to the parlor, looking as steadfast and stern as he had when she'd seen him last a month ago.
"Please" James waved a hand at them, signaling them not to get up on his behalf. "Edward, Madame Wells" He addressed them both first, appraising their well put together appearances and the trembling of the Lady's hands that betrayed them both. He let his gaze then fall back on Danielle. "Miss Williams…" She was dressed, he noted, in the same blue gown she'd worn when he'd met her. Probably the only decent piece of clothing she owns, which meant, he knew, that he might have to outfit her with a new wardrobe if he wanted to avoid having her appear as what she very well was. Servant or not, if she was his charge instead of employee, he would not have her looking like a common woman while in his house. Port Royal already eased around him with a careful air, the last thing he wanted was to add to the gossip with another tale of how strange he'd become. Admiral James Norrington taking in orphaned maids now? No, most certainly not.
"James…" Edward stood despite his indication. "I'm sorry to say we can't stay long" The normally tough exterior, one that rivaled even James', was nowhere to be seen today. "The ship departs within the hour." He wrung his hands about the edge of a feathered tri-corn, held down at his waist. "Annabelle" He turned to his wife, gesturing for her to get up and she did. "We will write once in London… I trust you'll send word should anything happen." He nodded, as if to reassure himself and passed James a thick envelope. "Thank you again…" The words were a little less than what Edward had meant them to be, but he was not often a man of eloquent speech. Too many years at sea, delegating and worrying more with lives than words. James didn't need a fancy speech to understand that he was doing something good for this man and the earlier moment of understanding resurfaced. James stuck out his hand and clasped Edward's firmly in a hand shake that said more than either of two men were able to. His hand was released abruptly after a moment and both Mr. and Mrs. Wells turned to the only occupant of the room who hadn't yet spoken. "Danielle" Edward gave her a look and a small smile, his wife's actions mirroring his own. Danielle simply nodded and stood, moving to follow them as the pair turned from the room, the Admiral on their heels.
Moments later the carriage was nearly out of sight and the front doors swung closed, leaving the house with an uncomfortable feeling and a perplexed James. There had been no lengthy goodbyes, no hugs nor tears. The girl hadn't said so much as a word and already what he had assumed would have been the most awkward part of the ordeal was over. He watched her for a moment; she was leaned against one of the front windows, watching the emptiness of the lawn with a face as devoid of emotion as his own. "We said our farewells at home" She spoke at length, finally shattering her silence and causing James to study her more intently. She had felt his gaze, she knew he was watching and wondering at their curious behavior. Not what he had expected she was sure and whether he cared enough to ask or not she decided to answer him and get it out of the way. "I didn't expect that much fussing and crying would have pleased either you or Lord Wells." She turned away from the window and looked him square in the eyes, a move that he found a little bold and unnerving.
"No, you are correct. Such things are unbecoming of ladies, though I know it is often their practice." He swung his hands behind his back and clasped them, letting the silence settle back in for a moment. "Shall we go back into the parlor Miss Williams, I am sure you are eager to know, as am I, the instructions left by the Wells on your behalf." He offered her his arm and a smile that didn't nearly reach his eyes, all propriety and ceremony. James Norrington was a lot like Edward Wells she mused as she slipped her arm around his and let him lead her back into the sitting room, but where tenderness and understanding seemed to lurk beneath Edward's stern visage, something completely foreign and much darker was hidden beneath Norrington's.
Handing her down onto a settee James pulled the envelope from his coat, where he'd placed it only moments earlier and turned it over in his hand. As he studied the missive, Danielle watched him. His face never deviated from its blank façade, his every movement was as precise as she had found his words to be thus far, and the way his eyes, green and fierce, bore into the paper she was sure he would burn a hole right through it. She allowed herself to watch him until he had read the letter through once and looked up at her. "You are to remain here until such time as you find a suitable gentleman for marriage…" James lifted an eyebrow slightly, and continued "It seems they have provisioned funds for your marriage when it comes…." If is more likely the appropriate word. Didn't Edward mention she was just turned 24, unlikely she'll find a decent man to take her at such an age…. James allowed his thoughts to run for a moment before clearing his throat and shifting his eyes back to the page. "You will continue to receive your monthly stipend, though I would wager this amount is increased from what you were receiving." The letter really hadn't said much more, she was in his care, a wish for her to be well watched over, a bit of information about the estate and Edward's express thanks. "You may read it if you wish…" He paused, brow knitting together. "Pardon me Miss Williams but, can you read?"
Danielle had been mulling over the idea of marriage, the idea that the Wells expected her to get married, expected that she'd want to get married. With her thoughts so preoccupied his question didn't register immediately, though when it did she shot him a preposterous look, her mouth twisting into a tight grimace. "Of course I can read. I am no dolt." She straightened her posture a little and stared up at him, one hand extending to receive the letter. "Now if you please Admiral I would like to read it."
James frowned and held the letter out to her; entirely uncomfortable with the look she had given him and the tone of her voice. He had offended her, obviously, but it was a legitimate question. "It was perfectly within my right to ask, neither of my maids knows how to read or right." He finished his jaw clenching as he realized the effect his words might have. "You may call for Anne when you are finished reading the letter. She will put it up and show you to your room. She may also give you a tour if you wish." His posture had stiffened and if any of his façade had slipped away, the calculating manor that he wore as Admiral was back and firmly in place. "I have to go down to the Fort. If you find your room lacking anything, please ask of one of the servants. I will see you for dinner in the evening." He turned on his heel and strode to the doorway, stopping and turning back, though he kept his gaze from her own. "Take care, Miss Williams, to stay out of my study and the master bedroom. They are both off limits to you. Otherwise, you may have your run of the house." He was gone as soon as the last word left his mouth, out of the doors and mounting the waiting horse that one of the hands had brought out.
The moment he walked out the door Danielle gave up any optimism she might have had about her stay with the Admiral. She had naively thought that a man of 'good breeding' would have the good taste not to say something so offensive in front of her or any woman for that matter. His words had only confirmed her fears that he was going to treat her every bit of her station, regardless that she came to him in the regards of a dear friend. "Anne" she called, the sound coming out a little strained. It took only moments for the woman to appear in the door.
"Yes Miss Williams" she appeared to be in her early thirties, and cheerful, at least for the moment. "Are you ready to see your room now?" Danielle simply nodded and stood, the letter still gripped in her hand. She couldn't read it now; she didn't care what it said. Nothing in that letter could change the misery of this whole situation, nothing in it would make her understand James Norrington or help him to understand her. All of the well-wishing and sorrowful farewells that she'd shared with Edward and Annabelle Wells on her last morning in their home couldn't help her now. Norrington had drawn a clear line between them, a divide that she was neither able to nor inclined to cross.
