Disclaimer: I do not own any of POTC. I just play with them for fun.
Sleep eluded Katherine. She was busy contemplating the fiasco of her wedding night and scolding herself for allowing her rash temperament to rule her actions. She had deviated from the plan that she and Clarice had concocted and now found herself boxed into a corner with no idea of how to get out.
She and Clarice had discussed her using her feminine charms to heighten James' anticipation the marriage bed and Katherine had ably carried out that part of the plot. Actually, that part had been easy and even very enjoyable. Katherine grinned as she recalled James' expression when she had nibbled on his earlobe. The poor man had practically lost all of his composure. It was good to know that he was just as physically affected by her as she was by him and she had found great satisfaction in fueling his desire. Unfortunately it was this satisfaction that had caused her to continue beyond what was wise and called for in their plan. Her actions had become so bold that there was no way that she could adhere to her and Clarice's original script. That script called for her to suddenly have an attack of maidenly nerves as she and James retired for the evening. The idea was that in his attempt to soothe and calm her and find his way into her bed, he would be forced to acknowledge and declare his feelings for her. It was sneaky and underhanded but it had been a brilliant plan. If only she had not gotten so carried away by the sense of power that she felt by sexually teasing James, it would have worked. But after her blatantly seductive behavior, it was for certain that he would not have believed in an attack of the vapors.
Trying to quickly arrive at an alternative plot, she had seized on the notion of locking him out of her rooms. Surely he would have to knock and request admittance? At that point the revised plan had become hazy but Katherine had been sure that she would find some way to make him admit his feelings for her in his attempt to gain entrance. Nervously she had awaited his demands to be allowed to enter but those demands had never come. Not only that but he had not even bothered to knock. Katherine had had a moment of self-doubt concerning her belief in his desire for her but that had been fleeting. No, it was not that he did not desire her.
So it was not self-doubt or worry about a lack of desire in James that kept her awake. Rather it was a growing fear of what exactly James Norrington's next move would be in this game of theirs. Katherine would wager that he would retaliate in some manner and that she would not find it pleasant. Over the next few days she was to find out that she was only half correct in her speculations.
When James had awakened the morning after his wedding, he had once again found himself with a pounding headache. He told himself that he had better begin to limit his liquor intake or he was likely to develop an unwanted drinking problem. Besides there were much more enjoyable and entertaining ways of dealing with his infuriating bride and her refusal to act reasonably.
He began that morning at the breakfast table. As she entered the room he made sure to quickly rise and assist her into her seat. Not by word or deed did he give any indication of being at all put out by her previous evening's actions. Instead, he was solicitous of her every concern and insisted on accompanying her everywhere she went that day. James ruthlessly pounced on each opportunity to touch or caress her but always stayed just within the bounds of proper behavior. By the end of the day he could tell that Katherine was on edge with mixture of wariness and desire. When she announced that she was retiring for the evening, he politely smiled and wished her a good night's rest. Then he forced himself to remain downstairs for a few hours before adjourning to his own rooms without even stopping to pause outside her door. He would wait until she invited him to her chambers.
James continued his campaign for three days. Three days which proved as torturous for him as he hoped they were for her. Three days during which he tried in vain to figure out why she had locked him out. While tormenting her with caresses had started out as enjoyable, that course of action was also taking its toll on him. They were at a stalemate and he had no plan on how to bring about a resolution because he still did not know what the problem was.
Her responses to his touches only confirmed his knowledge that she was physically attracted to him. For God's sake, she had been planning on indulging in an affair with him so fear of the sex act could not be the problem. That only left the idea of marriage as being so very unpalatable to her. Her icy tones whenever she had deigned to actually speak to him the past few days confirmed that she was not happy about the marriage. At first he had hoped that her pique that he had somewhat bullied her into the union would fade but if anything it appeared to be growing stronger. The question was why and more importantly what could he do about it?
Racking his brain James suddenly recalled a comment of Kat's about not wanting to be owned by any man. Then he remembered her father telling him about Sir Huntley's attempt to force marriage on Kat to secure her inheritance. A glimmer of a notion started to form and James had the beginnings of a course of action. He was eager to set things in motion for certainly he had found the answer to the dilemma. His happiness at having found a means to thaw Kat's reserve made him unusually cheerful at the breakfast table.
Seeing James' broad smile Katherine waspishly asked, "Why are you so cheerful this morning? Are you planning on hanging someone today?" She knew her words were uncalled for and even unfair but unfulfilled desire and lack of sleep had eroded her manners.
Her tone only made James smile wider. It was good to see that Kat was also nearing her breaking point. He hoped that with his task today that they could at last put this foolishness behind them and properly begin their marriage. "No, Mrs. Norrington, there are no hangings scheduled for today. However, I will have to beg your leave to absent myself for a while. I must see my solicitor."
Katherine's first emotion was as sense of relief. At last she would have some time to seek out Clarice for advice! Katherine's second emotion was panic for James was meeting with his solicitor and that could only mean one thing.
"Katherine dear, calm down and take some deep breaths. I cannot understand a word you are saying," Clarice lightly scolded the sobbing young woman.
Following the advice and using her handkerchief to mop up the tears from her face, Katherine miserably offered, "I am sorry, Clarice. Here you rush over to assist me and all that I can do is blubber like a baby. I'm just so worried."
"It's alright, dear. Everything will work out. Just tell me what has put you in such a state. Start from the beginning."
So once again, as on Christmas Day, Katherine found herself pouring out the details of what had transpired between her and James. When Katherine told of locking James out of the bedroom, Clarice emitted a small groan. Then for a moment Clarice was distracted but what sounded like an impatient snort coming from the balcony but a quick glance assured her that it was empty. Recollecting her train of thought she asked, "Why did you deviate from our plan?"
"I panicked. After I had behaved so boldly, I did not think that he would be fooled by an attack of nerves and I could not bear the thought of making love to him without being certain of how he feels about me," Katherine continued on with the tale of the past few days. She concluded with, "So you see, I was right to deny him entry. You were wrong and he does not care for me. He has gone to see his solicitor about obtaining an annulment. Apparently having married me has fulfilled his sense of honor and he now feels free to move on."
A skeptical Clarice inquired, "Did James mention an annulment?"
"Well no but why else would it be so imperative for him to see his solicitor today?"
"There could be many reasons dear but tell me why you got so carried away on your wedding day? When I left, you were calm and ready to follow the course that we had plotted."
"I did follow it. Only I followed it too much! After you left me to go to the church, my father let it slip that James already knew of my feelings for him. It made me so angry that he was sure of my love but yet refused to declare himself to me. I guess it just felt good to see how much I could make him desire me."
Clarice was happy to see that speaking about her anger had snapped Katherine out of her sorrowful state. There was a sparkle back in her eyes and rather than looking defeated she once again looked ready to battle. "How did James become aware of your feelings?'
"That rat Jack Sparrow told him. He told them all the night of the Christmas Ball. Though how he knew, I do not know. I never actually said to Jack that I loved James. I suppose he just inferred it because I … well that does not matter. I plan to see him this evening and give him a piece of my mind. He is almost as bad as James."
Yet again, Clarice could swear that she heard a sound coming from beyond the open french doors. "Katherine, we need to speak further but first why don't you freshen up and see about some tea? That will surely help put things in a better light and then we can come up with a solution." The moment the young woman left the room, Clarice was up and out onto the balcony. Furiously she whispered, "James Darcy Norrington, you show yourself right this moment."
A rather abashed James stepped out from behind a potted palm. "Yes, Mother. There is no need to be so dramatic."
"I'm being dramatic? You are the one skulking about and listening to private conversations. Young man, you were taught better than to eavesdrop on others."
"Well apparently it is the only way for me to find out what is going on in the mind of that infuriating wife of mine. Besides, I did not plan on listening in. I was about to enter when I heard the most fascinating disclosure regarding my mother plotting against me."
"Oh pish posh, James. I did what I did for your own good and yet you still managed to muck it up. That poor girl is convinced that you care nothing for her. Did you really intend to make love to her without first declaring your feelings to her?"
"That is none of your business mother." The guilt that James felt at this accusation made him defensive. His mother was right. He had been more than remiss in his dealings with Katherine. He had not realized how remiss until he had heard Kat crying and saying that he wanted an annulment. An annulment was the furthest thing from his mind.
As if reading his mind his mother demanded, "And what is this about you seeing your solicitor for an annulment?"
"I was not seeking an annulment. If you must know, I went to ensure Katherine's inheritance was transferred into her name only."
This information surprised Clarice and all she could reply was, "Oh."
"Is that all you have to say on the subject? How unusual for you mother," James drawled.
"There is no need to be rude, young man. Why did you have that done?"
"It occurred to me that Katherine might be operating under the false impression that I, like Huntley, was after her fortune. I wanted her to know that I had married her for herself and not the money. I also wanted her to still feel that she had some independence."
Touched by her son's thoughtfulness, Clarice murmured, "That was well done, my boy. But you still are lacking in the romance arena. How are you going to convince her that you love her and do not wish to end the marriage?"
"Do not worry about that ,Mother. I have a plan. By the end of this night Katherine will have no doubt about how I feel about her. I just need you to do me one favor and make certain that she goes to see Sparrow this evening."
"The two of you and your plans. Would it not be simpler to just say the words?"
"Simpler? Yes it would be simpler but not nearly so much fun. Now I have to go before she comes back. Besides I have many things to arrange. Please do not breathe word of this to her," he requested.
"All right, my son, I will keep your secret. I just hope that this does not backfire as your plans are wont to do."
Her conversation with her mother in law had calmed Katherine. She was still worried about the future of her marriage but now she was more angry than sorrowful. If James was willing to give up so easily then it was better that they were not married. Meanwhile she had her appointment with Mr. Sparrow to keep and he would feel the sting of her tongue. It was with this cheerful thought that she made her way to their old rendezvous spot. Clarice had assisted in helping Katherine arrange for Ewan to carry a message to Jack that he was to be there at 8:00 and it was close to that time now. Katherine had not seen or heard from James since breakfast so she merely left word with Jenny that she would be back later.
As she drew closer to their meeting place, Katherine could hear the sound of two voices arguing and the clash of blade upon blade. Running forward she was shocked to see James and Jack fighting. Immediately she yelled at them, "Stop it. You two stop it this moment."
Each man backed off a bit but still warily eyed and circled each other.
Hands on hips Katherine demanded, "What the devil are you doing? Have the two of you lost your minds?"
"I warned you, Katherine. I told you that I would not tolerate another man touching you," James practically growled.
"James, do not be absurd. There is nothing going on between Jack and me."
"Katherine luv, you wound me with your words. How can you so easily dismiss our meetings? I thought you cared." Jack theatrically clutched at his heart.
"Jack, stop behaving like a fool or James will believe you. Now tell him the truth," she pleaded. As angry at Jack as she was, she still had no desire to see James run him through with a sword.
"What shall I tell him, Katherine? How you asked me to have an affair or how when you lay beneath me and moaned…"
"Jack!" Katherine shouted.
"Sparrow!" James shouted at the same time.
"Enough of this. Sparrow, I hope that your affairs are in order," James snarled and lunged at Jack. Jack neatly sidestepped the move and parried with a thrust of his own.
Katherine stood by unbelieving of what she was seeing. This was a nightmare.
The two men continued fencing and they were well matched. After what seemed an eternity James managed to back Jack up against a tree and had his sword pointed at Jack's throat. "Drop your sword, Sparrow."
There was a clatter as Jack did as ordered. "Well you seem to have beaten me fair and square, Commodore. Not that I much admire that sort of fighting. Much better to use whatever means available. Still you win this fight. But what about the lady, Commodore? Have you been able to win that fight?" and he shook his head a mock sorrowful movement, "Ah now I'd wager you've not been as successful there. I'd bet that the lady has made her lack of interest clear. I believe she may have developed a taste for pirates after all."
"Shut up, Sparrow, or I'll run you through. You will not speak so vulgarly of the woman that I love."
Katherine only half heard their exchange. Her thoughts were focused on how to stop either of them from actually physically harming the other. When Jack had dropped his sword, she'd seen her opportunity. She picked it up and stepped in between the two men. "James, withdraw you sword. You two are acting like children."
Both men stood still for a moment in a stunned silence. This was a highly unexpected development. Jack was glad that her back was to him so that she could not see that he had to bite his lip to keep from laughing. James was not as advantageously situated but fortunately he did not find the new development as amusing. "Katherine, put down that sword immediately and move out of the way."
"I will do no such thing, James Norrington. You will not harm Jack unless you go through me first," and she used the blade of her sword to push James' away from Jack's throat.
"Katherine, I am warning you. Do not push me so far. Stop being a silly woman and put down that sword before you hurt yourself."
"Silly woman? I'm a silly woman because I refuse to let the two of you skewer each other? And I will not hurt myself. I am more than capable of handling myself and this sword." To prove her point she thrust forward and neatly clipped a button off of James' waistcoat.
James looked down in astonishment and felt his ire begin to rise to a dangerous level. "Mrs. Norrington, you will pay for that." Reigning in his temper he decided that he would teach her just how foolish she was to try to fence with him. Carefully he clashed blades with her. He did not want to really hurt her but she needed to learn just how ridiculous her claim was. Both of them forgot Jack as they circled and parried and thrusted.
In a few minutes both were breathing heavily; Katherine because the weight of the sword was taxing and James because, contrary to all rational thought, he was finding their swordplay unbelievably erotic. He just prayed that Kat did not look down and see the tightening in his breeches. A few moves later and he had forced the sword from her hand and had the tip of his blade caught under the laces of her bodice. His eyes met hers and he could see her pupils widen in alarm at awareness of her precarious position. It was so very tempting to slice through the laces and see what her reaction would be but they had an audience. "I believe that I have made my point. Now go home, Katherine, and wait for me. It is long past time that we had a discussion."
Stubbornly she held her ground, "I will not go anywhere until you promise not to hurt Jack."
"Very well, I promise," he gritted.
"And you will not send him to the gaol? Or have marines arrest him?"
"I promise you that Sparrow will leave here without a hair harmed on his precious head. Now go home." He leaned in close to her so that Jack could not overhear, "And you will not lock your door against me tonight. If you do, I shall simply kick it in and then I guarantee that you will not sit comfortably for a week."
Katherine stared at him in shock. Who was this man?
"Do you understand me, Kat?"
Uncertain of what had gotten into James but certain that she did not wish to further provoke him she whispered, "Yes," and fled for home.
As soon as she was out of earshot, Jack burst into the peals of laughter that he had been holding in for the past ten minutes. These two were better than an evening at the theater. "Well, mate, that went well, didn't it? She was so concerned with saving my pretty hide that I don't think she even heard your declaration of love. You'll have to do better, Commodore, or she may decide to look elsewhere."
"Amusing, Sparrow. Very amusing," James acerbically replied.
"One thing I can say about your Katherine, she is full of surprises. Who knew that she could handle a sword so well? Still it warms my heart that she so defended me and I see that it warmed a different part of your anatomy."
"Sparrow, go away."
"Aye, Commodore. It's long past time that me and the Diamond were on our way. The ladies of Tortuga are calling. My thanks for allowing me to participate in your little drama even if it did not unfold as you'd anticipated."
"Sparrow…Jack…thanks for trying."
"No thanks necessary, James. Just go home and tell the poor girl that you love her before we all grow old."