You Forget One Very Important Thing Mate – (11)
"Another day in hell," Ashley muttered, as she heard Will unlock her bedroom door the next morning.
She took this as a sign to come downstairs, she didn't plan on rushing though, no, she would take her sweet time dressing herself in another one of those disgusting frilly dresses Elizabeth insisted she wear. This one was pink, light pink, and Ashley scowled as she slipped on the matching pink shoes, the way she looked reminded her of a doll she once saw inside a shop window, well behaved and all set to do whatever she was told to. Ashley's wild imagination got the better of her again and as she looked in a mirror she pictured herself in a long white wedding gown. Was this truly her fate? Living life as something she wasn't?
Tears came to her eyes again, but she held them back, her anger bubbled inside her, and without really meaning to she swung her fist at the mirror she was looking into, and it smashed and made her knuckles bleed.
"Ashley!?" Will ran into the room. "What did you do?"
He attempted to look at her hand but she refused to let him tend to it, instead she cradled it in her arms and sulked.
"That mirror was probably worth a lot," Ashley said.
"Indeed, I think I remember Governor Swann telling me it was his Mother's," Will said.
Damn it!
"But nevertheless, I think we can tell him that it was by the window and that the wind blew it down," Will gave her an odd look.
He didn't even ask why. Ashley thought as Will began picking up the shattered pieces of the mirror.
"I think Elizabeth wanted to talk to you," Will continued.
Bloody Will! Ashley stomped out of her room dramatically and began slowly walking down the stairs.
"Miss Sparton? Miss Swann and Mr Sparrow are awaiting your company," A butler informed.
Jack? Oh joy! Lets all have a nice family chat about my future with Elizabeth, maybe they'll let me pick the man who I'm to be wedded to for the rest of my meaningless and underestimated life!
"You called?" Ashley said as she entered the main room, her arms crossed.
Maybe not.
"Yes, I want an apology," Elizabeth replied.
The young Sparrow rolled her eyes and tapped her foot. "Fine," She inhaled. "I'M SORRY WILL!" She called in the direction of the stairs.
"Not to Will, to ME!" Elizabeth exclaimed.
"Well, excuse me, but its you that failed to specify who I was to apologize to, I just presumed you would let me pick at my own free will," Ashley stated, in a very posh voice. She knew this would anger Elizabeth.
"Now love-" Jack began.
"No, don't 'now love' me, if you don't mind I'll be going back to my room, at least there I can talk to the one person I trust. ME!" Ashley said, and she walked stubbornly back upstairs.
On her way to her room she noticed that a door was ajar, it was the Governor's study. Ashley shrugged and poked her head through the door, nobody was present, and so she walked in.
"I might as well get some decent reading material," Ashley said to herself as she gazed at a mass of books inside a large, glass cabinet.
"The Unwelcome Stranger," Ashley read out the title of one of the books, she opened it and read a small section of its contents; she then turned the page to see a large drawing of a ship. "A book about buccaneers and sailing? That's just right for me,"
Ashley carried the book to her room and sat on the edge of her bed, where the old mirror had been was a new one; Will must have replaced it for her. Not that she really cared to look at herself nowadays.
She stayed absorbed in the book for most of the morning, the treasure hunts, killings, and fights..Every last detail interested and amused her being.
And indeed her favorite character had already become obvious; he was a cabin boy on 'The Unwelcome Stranger', a funny lad, but strong and capable of killing for sure. His name was James.
Ha! Just like old Norrington!
"Sparton! SPARTON!" Came a voice from downstairs.
Ashley sighed, James was just about to question his Captain about the location of a very precious jewel!
"What?" She called back, walking down the stairs.
"You are to come with me young lady, we have to choose an outfit from the dressmakers for the ball tonight," Elizabeth said.
"Ball?" Ashley asked.
"Yes, I have arranged a ball for all the young gentlemen of Port Royal to meet you, hopefully we will find you a proper suitor and you shall be married after you turn seventeen," Elizabeth replied, as a butler opened the front door for her.
By the carriage that was to take them to Port Royal stood Will and Jack.
"They're coming?" Ashley asked.
"Of course, you can hardly expect a young woman like me to walk around Port Royal by herself…besides… they can also keep an eye on you whilst we're there" Elizabeth replied as the two of them climbed into the carriage, followed by Will and Jack.
The journey was awkward, Will and Elizabeth chatted about normal things and Ashley and Jack sat opposite one another, glaring into each other's eyes.
Boy, if looks could kill Jack would have been dead by now. Ashley was relieved as they arrived in the main town of Port Royal and climbed out of the carriage as quick as a bolt of lightening.
"The dressmakers to start with I think," Elizabeth said, grabbing Ashley's hand and practically dragging her towards the shop.
They entered, Will and Jack behind them.
"Mrs Richards?" Elizabeth addressed the shopkeeper.
"Miss Swann another dress for yourself today?"
"No, for the little one, A gentleman's ball is being held at my house this evening, to see if we can find Miss Sparton here a suitor," Elizabeth replied.
"I am not LITTLE!" Ashley said, pulling away from Elizabeth and crossing her arms.
"Hmmm…any colour preference?" Mrs Richards asked.
"Turquoise…I think Ashley here suits it," Elizabeth said.
You are going to regret that you said that.
She was taken into another room whilst Will, Jack and Elizabeth had to wait in the main store. Ashley had to stand on a stool and have a rather disgusting turquoise fitted to match her size. It was all pinned up on her, then taken off and Mrs Richards began sewing it up. They must have been inside the shop for hours.
"Are you quite ready?" Ashley scowled, after putting her normal clothes back on.
"Just a moment," Mrs Richards said, she took the dress and motioned for Ashley to come back into the main part of the shop.
"I presume your father will pay for this as always?" Mrs. Richards asked, finishing off the dress and placing it into a large brown paper bag.
"Of course," Elizabeth replied, taking the bag.
They all walked out, Ashley last; she shot Mrs Richards a nasty glare before she closed the door.
"Now wha'?" Jack asked, noticing Ashley eying the ships in the docks.
"Well I have to go to the blacksmiths to finish some orders, Jack, you can join me if you wish," Will said.
"Aye, the carriage is here so the women should be fine," Jack said, following Will, although obviously distracted by something else.
Ashley scowled and so began another awkward journey back to Elizabeth's house.
As the horses pulled up in front of the house, Ashley noticed all of the servants bustling in and out of the front door.
All this for a bloody ball which I'm not even going to go to?
And, almost as if Elizabeth had read her mind, she spoke "Don't think your going to get out of coming tonight, this whole ball is for you and your future here. Your future husband,"
Future husband! Ha!
You forget one very important thing mate, I'm Ashley Sparrow!