I don't have any idea what to say. I swear to you, one, two, three or however many months ago when I last updated, I had absolutely no intention of waiting one, two or three months to post again.

I am so sorry to all of you who have been waiting for an update, or given up on me posting, I really do appreciate it if you don't hate me, and all I can do is promise and swear never to leave you hanging for so long again.

Having said all that, luckily (for me that is) this story is almost finished. I'm going to say that there are about two or three chapters still to come, but as I still haven't actually put pen to paper on them (so to speak) that will probably change.

Again, I'm so sorry to leave this story untouched for so long, and hopefully chapter 18 will be posted within the next few weeks.

--§--

Confusion

Will didn't know what was running through his mind. Ever since he'd left the prison, his father's words had been ringing in his ears. Finding solace before the furnace in the smithy, he resumed creating the sword he had begun making not so long ago. However it was to no avail, and three hit fingers later, he was back on the street, sitting against a pile of wood, staring up at the Governor's mansion, and wondering about how crazy he really was.

He'd known for a long time that he wanted to be with Elizabeth for the rest of his life, however, managing to marry her, especially with his father's past hanging over his present like an invisible and unmoving anvil, was not going to be an easy feat.

"You are a Turner." His father had said. "Remember what Turners are! We are fighters! We do not lay down when what we want is to far from our grasp!" Will had no idea whether his father had sensed Will's love for a woman he could not have, or was merely reminding his eldest son that it took him three years to convince General Buckland that he was worthy of his daughter.

Will sighed, allowing his head to fall back against the wooden wall of the building behind him, before he observed members of the navy led by Norrington along the street. As Will watched them, his eyes flicked onto the Commodore, who was staring down at the dusty and dirty man beneath him. Will felt cold as he observed the steely glare penetrate him, despite the Commodore only glancing at Will for a moment.

Yet, on the procession went, around the corner, and down the street which led to the navy docks. Will's eyes lingered on the spot where they had disappeared around the corner for many moments after, confused and fearful of why the second most powerful man in Port Royal appeared to despise him.

"Oh, William, thank heavens!" Will was startled from his reverie by the sound of his mother's voice.

"Mother, what on earth are you doing down here?" Will jumped to his feet, concerned by her evident distress.

"The Governor and Thomas Swann are in our sitting room wanting to speak with you! I've sent everyone out searching." She ran towards him, grabbing his hand and dragging him back the way she had come.

After a few moments of confusion freezing his body, Will's brain caught up with what his mother had said as they both ran towards their house. On the short journey all Will could think about was why the Governor and his apprentice would be in his home; had he discovered his affair with Elizabeth and come to put a stop to it?

Sprinting through the front door, Will caught a glance at his reflection and immediately wished he had a chance to clean himself up as what had been a cream shirt, was now distinctly closer to a combination of grey and brown.

"Ah, William, good to see you." Thomas spoke as Will entered, his breathing a little ragged, but not heaving as deeply as his poor mother.

"Mother, I am certain whatever business the Governor, Mister Swann and myself have, you do not need to remain. Go rest in the back parlor." Will spoke in the softest and kindest tones he could muster, remembering what her physician had said.

"Fiddlesticks!" She responded, walking through the room, and taking a seat in one of the chairs closest to the small fireplace. "The Governor in my house, wanting to speak with my eldest son, no matter how old you may be, or how un-appropriately prepared dressed, I shall remain, even if I am not partaking in active discussion." She retorted between great mouthfuls of air.

"Adelaide, as acquainted as I am with you, and thus your desire to remain, the business I have with your son regrettably, and at this stage, I would prefer to remain private." Governor Swann spoke, and Will noticed the faintest smile on his features as did so – that smile of being amusement at the exchange between mother and son before him.

Adelaide paused in comforting herself on the seat and stared over her shoulder at the Governor, giving him a look of momentary utmost loathing. However, she brought a smile to her lips – which Will recognized as bitter – and as graciously as all three men knew, excited the room.

Despite the door clicking closed slightly louder and more forced than accustomed, Will was certain that his mother was not heading down the hall to the smaller sitting room, but remaining at the door, with her ear pressed firmly to the brass keyhole.

"Now, William," the Governor began, moving from his position behind the opposite couch to Will, around to be standing before Will and offering him a seat. Will sat down bemused that the Governor would act such a way in a house not his own.

"How may I help you, sir?" Will enquired; glancing at Thomas, who, after his pleasant greeting had turned his attention to the garden outside the window.

"I am not sure if you are aware, Will," Will's confusion at the ruler of Port Royal's presence in his house heightened at hearing his name spoken so casually. "…but my youngest daughter Elizabeth was recently proposed to by Commodore Norrington." The Governor continued.

Will swallowed, thoroughly unaware as to where this discussion was going. "I was acquainted with that fact." Will responded, unable to say anything else. "However my acquaintance with that knowledge did not extend to the response."

Thomas looked over his shoulder, catching Will's eye and quietly, yet darkly, shaking his head. Will frowned slightly in response before looking to the Governor as he continued the discussion.

"Well my daughter proved to neither reject nor willingly receive the Commodore's intentions. Sensing her discomfort, Norrington receded his proposal so as not to be disappointed by my daughter were she to reject him." He spoke.

Will looked to Thomas, who was once again looking out the window. Despite not having spoken to Elizabeth since a few nights previously, Will was surprised she had not contacted him with this news. He thought she would have made every endeavor to get that information to him as quick as possible.

After a few moments of silence in which he felt quite certain that the Governor was staring at him, Will realized he needed to say something. "Well, I'm not sure what to say, or what you want to say to me, for I feel that you and your son are not here to simply tell me idle gossip."

The Governor's eyebrows shot up; however he didn't say anything in response. It was Thomas instead who spoke.

"Well yes, William, that is true. After all, despite my short existence in Port Royal so far, you have been to most of the events and parties held, and therefore this, 'idle gossip' you would have heard from then, for the way my sister talks, and her elder sister Georgia, such news would hardly remain private for long." As he spoke he stepped away from the light of the window and into shadow, moving to the couch before Will and taking a seat.

"The reason myself and my son are here, William, is to enquire to any reasons that you may know why my daughter would not receive James Norrington's attentions with approval, as you have spent a lot of time with my daughter at these many parties you have attended." The Governor spoke, moving to stand beside his son.

Will swallowed, hard. Glancing at Thomas he noticed the intense gaze with which he was staring at him. However Will wasn't slow to notice the truth from Thomas, and for one of the first times in his life, Will realized he was going to have to lie to someone he really never should.

"My acquaintance with Miss Swann is nothing more than that you spoke of entertaining with my mother. We talk, yes, but if you are enquiring to where my intentions to your daughter may be directing, I have known for some time that marriage to any girl in my social circle is not going to be an event." Will spoke, looking to the floor hoping the Governor was convinced.

"One should not judge the son by the mistakes of the father." The Governor spoke slowly, setting Will's brain into overdrive. What was he saying, really?

"I am very sorry sir, but your presence here has not caused my life to become simple, but rather cause it even more confusion." Will responded looking up at the older man.

The Governor smiled, looking away. "This morning, James Norrington visited the house to see my daughter. When he didn't appear in my study, I became confused. Seeking my daughter, I was distracted from my search however by my son," he nodded to Thomas, "who spoke to me, hypothetically of course, of why the child should be judged according to the parent's actions.

"Now, at first I thought what he was saying was honestly hypothetical, however, it was when he started mentioning things that sounded familiar, such as wealth, and social standing, that I started thinking he was talking about something much closer to home." Will listened to the older man speak with his thoughts racing. Surely the Governor could not be in the process of saying what Will thought he was saying.

"But, the day is no longer young, and I have been away from my work for too long." Will who had been in the process of looking at a spot on the couch in front of him, trying to guess what was going to come next from the Governor's lips, looked up at the older man surprised that he was not going on. "I shall leave you to think about what we have discussed." He spoke heading for the door, and in the process, Will was certain he heard a flurry of muffled footsteps suggesting his mother fleeing.

"Yes sir." Will responded dumbly standing, standing as the Governor closed his hand on the doorknob, and leading Thomas out.

Standing in silence in the hallway, watching through the open door as the two men climbed into their carriage, Will couldn't comprehend just how confused he was now. Hearing his mother returning behind him, and having no desire to discuss with her everything that he knew she had just heard, rounded, bounding up the stairs and into his room, where he immediately collapsed at his desk, his head in his hands, just trying to understand what had just happened.

--§--

Remember to Review!