It has recently come to my attention that far too much time is passing between posts of this story. Therefore, i hastened to the computer file which contains this story, and wrote this chapter. I am once again very sorry for the extent of time between my updates, and as always, i hope to post another chapter very soon, although given my track record, you probably won't be seeing another change here for another month.
Asking Permission
A number of months passed…four to be precise, because both Will and Elizabeth counted them. Four months of being good people, only showing minimal interaction at parties, and no longer disappearing for periods. But now both of them were anxious, and desperately missing one another.
Will had decided that four months was a long enough period to wait, and was now just attempting to build up courage and the right speech, to approach the governor regarding a possible courtship of his youngest daughter. The only problem was nerves.
For the past week, Will had walked up that hill, and through the Swann manor's gates, only to almost immediately run back to his home. But today, no matter what, he was not going to run back.
After slapping his face a few times, he stepped from the study and headed for his room to change, almost bumping into his brother Anthony in the process. In his room he quickly dressed into one of his finer suits, before immediately heading out.
Once again the Swann manor stood tall and imposing before him. Will glanced towards one of the larger trees, the one he always used to sneak into the garden for it offered great protection, then on to the path he would take when he was sneaking to Elizabeth's room. For a moment he felt his feet begin to lead him in that direction, before remembering what he was here to do, biting his tongue, and striding towards the front door.
When Will was admitted to the house, he immediately heard the sound of Elizabeth's laugh coming from one of the side rooms, and immediately wished he could be in there with her. Still biting his tongue, he reluctantly followed the pompous-looking butler up the stairs to Governor Swann's study.
"William Turner to see you sir." Will heard the Butler announce, whilst he remained in the hallway, feeling his pants begin to itch the back of his leg, and attempting to scratch it with one of his shoes. A moment later the door reopened, with the butler merely looking down his nose at Will, who once again felt as though his heart was about to leap from his chest.
"You can go in now." The butler said, keeping his head high and walking away.
Will was about to enter the study when his gaze was caught by the woman he was doing this for. Elizabeth had turned the corner, and upon seeing him, immediately stopped, and a bright beaming smile covered her face. Will returned her smile, before looking into the open study, and entering.
--§--
The moment Will entered her father's study, Elizabeth bolted for the door, pressing her ear against the lock and listening to the conversation from within. The moment she had seen him at the door her heart stopped, for she could only assume that he was in her house at that very moment, visiting her father, to ask his permission towards courting her. And as she continued to listen to the conversation, her heart only beat harder.
--§--
Will slowly stepped into the study of the most powerful man in Port Royal, eyeing everything, from the décor, to the two most prominent paintings in the room – one of himself, and the second of his late wife, the latter being the larger.
"Close the door, please." The Governor spoke, without looking up from the document he was reading.
Will did as he was told, catching a glance of fluttering skirts as he did so, and realizing that Elizabeth was most probably going to attempt to listen to as much of the conversation as she could through the door.
"Now, Mister Turner;" Will felt his body jump at the sound of the Governor's voice, turning to see him placing his quill aside, and standing. "What can I do for you?" He asked, stepping around his desk.
Will paused, momentarily forgetting what he was supposed to be doing, and in a most ungraceful turn of events, merely uttering a selection of monosyllabic sounds. The Governor, however, continued to watch him.
Will stopped, his brain clicking into 'work' mode, and taking a deep breath, prepared to voice his proposal. "I wish to marry your daughter." Immediately that the words came out Will cringed. "I mean, court your daughter. Elizabeth, that is." Will corrected, feeling his face burn and only imagining how red it was going to finish.
The Governor meanwhile, looked amused at Will's initial request, and even after he had corrected himself, held a smile to his face. "My dear William, you are very eager, and as my son Thomas has said of you, very true and good." He said, approaching Will who only felt as though he was shrinking. "But I could only accept your proposal for marrying my youngest daughter should I truly be aware of your feelings for her, and as you rightly corrected yourself, those feelings can only be gathered from a decent courtship."
Will felt his heart pick up, sensing an approval to his desired question, and that which was accidentally uttered.
"I shall allow you to court my daughter, but I pray that should any indecency occur, my heightened feelings towards you and your family shall be removed, and no interaction with my daughter shall be further permitted." Will swallowed, hard, for he couldn't help but know that at the next party, he and Elizabeth would most probably return to old ways of sneaking away from parties for a period to be in each other's embrace. Eventually however he realized he had to respond.
"I can assure you sir, I have no intention of harming your daughter indecently, or tarnishing her reputation. For a long while I have admired her, but stepped aside when Commodore Norrington's affections were known. However, since I heard news of his courtship ending, my one desire has been to get to know her, I was just unsure of how long to wait to come to you for permission." Will found himself saying quicker than hoped, and more to one of the Governor's hands.
The Governor merely nodded, not completely convinced of this statement, but otherwise convinced of the young man's character. He turned away from Will and headed for the windows, looking down at the town below. "Well, as I am certain that you are aware, Lord and Lady Knoll are holding a ball for their son Tobias's recent engagement, and I am certain that you will be there. I shall have Elizabeth know of a potential few moments with you, and to be courteous." He stated, turning back to his desk and taking a seat.
Will nodded, bowing weakly where he was standing, and half turning away, before turning back to face the Governor. A few moments of silence passed as Will watched the Governor take his quill once more and begin writing, expecting something else to be said.
"Is there another matter you wish to discuss?" The Governor had stopped writing and was looking at Will, once again with an expression of mild amusement.
Will felt his cheeks once again flush. "No, sir, no. Thank you, thank you. Good day." He repeated, stepping backwards towards the door, feeling the handle and slipping out, relieved to be in darkness, and surprised Elizabeth was no-where to be seen. But, clapping his hands together lightly, he left the house, his spirits considerably higher than when he first entered.
--§--
Elizabeth however, hearing her father's muffled approval of Will's request, spent a moment internally dancing, before rushing off to her room. Inside, she fell onto her bed, staring up at the ceiling, imagining the coming ball at the Knoll's, and fantasizing about dancing every number with Will, and, just as they were leaving, having him press a gentle kiss to her hand, or her mouth, she didn't care.
Suddenly a party of dull possibilities was filled with brightness and excitement.
--§--
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