6

Groves, meanwhile, was having rather mixed fortune persuading his sister to accompany him on the outing. His wife, Elinor, was hardly helping matters.

'Really, Theodore, it would be most improper.'

'Oh, would it, Elinor? And who, pray, are you to dictate the rules of society?"

'Theodore Groves! I have never had the misfortune of meeting a man with such a…completely lacking sense of social behaviour. I declare…'she tailed off in disbelief. It was clear that this argument had been continuing for some time.

'Ellie…it's a picnic. The men are taking their wives, some are escorting young ladies, and a jolly time will be had by all. And besides, I'm sure Alicia would like to see the Dauntless, wouldn't you, sister?'

'Might I remind you,' came the cool reply from the corner, 'that I just spent four months on a ship.'

'Oh, but Alicia! The Dauntless is more than a ship, oh…much more…it is a palace on the water.'

'Indeed?'

'And besides, Commodore Norrington will be there to oversee events…to ensure there is under no circumstances a contravention of social propriety. Will that satisfy you, Ellie?' He rolled his eyes at his wife in frustration.

'I can hardly say, sir. Alicia must decide for herself whether she wishes to visit Santa Maria. I must say, I can hardly see it being worth her while. She has no lady friends to accompany her and walk with her along the beach.'

'She can walk with me.'

At this, Alicia herself spoke from her composed situation in the bay window. 'I own the island must be preferable to this boiling-pot of immorality.'

Groves refrained with difficulty from throttling his annoyingly pious little sister. 'Alicia, I do think you are being most ungrateful. The whole venture has been organised for you alone, to welcome you to the Port, and introduce you to some fine new friends.'

Elinor's eyes narrowed rapidly. 'Ah! I knew it! I just knew the moment she arrived onshore they would be crowding around like vultures. My God, Theodore, and I thought you above such schemes. Just tell me…which of those undeserving villains proposed this ill-disguised orgy? I'll warrant that Gillette…he has a devilish shifty look about his eyes…'

'Actually, it was the Commodore.' Groves looked mildly satisfied with the stir he had caused by this last statement, and retrieving his hat from the top of the wardrobe where it was stashed away from the destructive hands of the girls, he made his hasty exit.

He was barely on the narrow stairs, when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

'Brother, please wait.' Alicia looked more than flustered, and Groves waited for her to finish chewing her lip and twisting her hands. 'Are you…are you certain, brother? The…the Commodore proposed the picnic on Santa Maria?'

'It is the Gospel truth, my sister.'

'In which case…I…I cannot surely refuse to attend.'

'Oh, don't talk rubbish, Alicia. James…the Commodore would not wish you to attend against your will.'

Miss Groves looked distractedly at the floor. 'No…no…it would be my pleasure to join the party. I…please thank the Commodore for his kind invitation.'

Groves smiled in internal satisfaction. 'I will be certain to pass on that message. And, Alicia…?' he waited as his sister nodded almost imperceptibly, '…thank you. The picnic will be a grand affair.'

He left the inn with a smile on his face that he could not quite explain, and walked leisurely along the front to the fort, observing the glint of the sun on the ruffled sea.

Knocking on his superior's door, he entered, to find the Commodore with his shirt partially undone, his wig informally atop the globe in the corner, with his feet on the table, humming tunelessly and perusing a piece of paper.

Barely looking up, the relaxed Commodore scratched his chin with his quill. 'What would you say, Groves? Would ten parasols suffice? The big ones, you know…'

Groves' eyes widened in utter incomprehension. 'I…I really couldn't say, sir.'

Norrington galvanised into action, springing like a boy of eighteen from his chair and greeting his Lt. with a warm handshake. 'It's most perplexing, Groves. Will the ladies be requiring chairs? Or rugs? Good God…it's a tactical nightmare, organising a picnic!'

Groves blinked. 'Well, sir,' he began, finding some secure, sane ground on which to stand. 'I was passing by to tell you…Miss Groves asks me to pass on her compliments, and would be delighted to accompany us.'

Norrington's face lit up at this statement, and he clapped the lucky brother on the back.

'Excellent news, Lt.! Absolutely first-rate!'

'Well, sir, it's about time, is all I can say. She seemed to perk up considerably when I told her the entire venture was your idea.'

Norrington raised his eyebrows slightly at this news. 'Ah, well…what dutiful man would not do the same for his friend's family? After all –'

There was a sharp knock at the door, and both men looked curiously to ascertain the source of this disturbance. It was a young servant dressed rather precociously in the livery of the Swann household.

'Please, sir…I'm to deliver this to you.' It was a stiff cream-coloured envelope addressed to 'Commodore J. Norrington' in embellished script.

After dismissing the boy, Norrington perched on the edge of the desk to slit it open. Groves likewise relaxed in his customary chair.

'Ah.' The Commodore's voice was rather strained, and some of his usual stiff formality re-entered his posture.The room suddenly felt rather cold in comparison to the pressing heat of the day.

'Sir?'

'It seems, Lt.,' Norrington said, slowly and carefully, 'that I will be unfortunately unable to accompany you to Santa Maria, after all. I have…been invited to a party at the Swann household.'

'Oh, sir, can't you decline the invitation?'

Norrington's face seemed extraordinarily pale in the gloomy room. 'I fear not, Theodore. A matter of pride…I…I wonder, could we perhaps rearrange the outing? Ah…it is no matter. I will see to it.' The Commodore seemed suddenly closed and introvert, and Groves took this as an unspoken dismissal.

He left the room hastily, a creeping feeling of annoyance within him.

AN: next time; Norrington is more than a little pissed off, as we learn exactly what sort of party he's been invited to. Sending you my best regards, dd xxx