Home on Leave

Chapter 3

James, even at fourteen, was woefully inexperienced when compared with lads of similar age, especially those he associated with in the service, in all but the most basic interactions with the opposite sex. At the handful of social engagements he had been required to attend as a midshipman he had become very good, despite his lanky build and extreme un- coordination at most times, at fetching punch and weaving his way across a crowded ball room, delivering said punch to whom ever the waiting female might be without spilling a drop. His manners toward the opposite sex, drilled into him from a young age by a nanny whom his Father had given explicit instructions that a Norrington should be above reproach in that respect, were impeccable. He knew when to offer a gentlemanly arm or courteously hold a door or chair, knew when to smile politely and knew when to laugh affably at a witticism, knew how to bow and politely ask for a dance. He was a little less adept at leading a girl around the dance floor without trodding on her toes at least a few times, but this also made him very good at apologizing. He was not unaware that there were other interactions of a more intimate nature that went on between the two sexes, due mostly to the talk of the other midshipmen returning from leave, the most explicit of the accounting of the evening's activities coming from his own bunk mates Theo Groves and Andrew Gillette. He had, however, shortly after joining the Navy and accompanying them on a shore leave or two, decided to forego those manner of distractions and vowed to concentrate fully on building a career that would bring honor to the Norrington name, and perhaps elevate his Father's opinion of him, something he desperately craved. The rest could fall into place once he'd accomplished his goals.

Therefore, he was at a loss as to how to handle his present situation. His mind was telling him, in a less than commanding way, this was totally inappropriate, that he should remove himself from the situation immediately. Unfortunately his body did not, at the moment, give a fig what his mind was telling him. It was, in fact, strongly overriding any such notion, as if it wasn't his body at all. He found himself responding to her kiss and touch in a most unseemly manner, actually kissing back, arms wrapping around her waist and pulling her closer. His mind was scandalized and yet unable to gain control of the situation. That is until the voices coming up the hill reached him.

"James? James, are you up here?" Theo Groves called out. "Andrew and I have been looking all over for you."

"He's probably up in his room with his nose stuck in some book Theo." Andrew Gillette replied.

In one swift movement, that turned out to be a bit more intense than he had intended, he jerked away from Victoria, giving her a shove as he did and almost knocking her over backwards into the thorn bushes, and cracking the back of his head against the tree as he scrambled backwards to increase the distance between them. Guiltily he looked over to where Theo and Andrew were emerging from the woods.

"There you are!" Theo said happily, then a moment later, as he noticed the expression on James' face, and the fact that he was not alone, and was in fact in the company of one Victoria Stemple, who was standing there straightening her dress, he began to grin. He elbowed Andrew, "Looks like we may have interrupted something."

Andrew, who had busied himself with picking the cockle burrs out of his clothing when they had stepped out of the woods, hadn't looked up until he felt the elbow to his side, "What?" Then looking around and making his own assessment of the situation he also smiled and said, "Why James just what have you been up to?"

James' complexion once again rapidly reddened as he waved his hands about aimlessly and sputtered out, "Nothing, Miss Stemple and I were merely….."

The laughs of his comrades interrupted him, "Never mind explaining James, Andrew and I have a pretty good idea of what was going on." Theo said.

Andrew added, "Bully for you James, thought the day would never come, lost in your books and duty all the time. Good to see you have it in you."

James started to continue his denial when Victoria stepped over to him and ran a finger slowly down his cheek, "No use denying it James, they're on to it." She turned and started to walk toward the path into the woods, took a half a dozen steps, turned back to James and blew him a kiss and in an intimate tone said, "See you later when we can be alone again James." As she passed Theo and Andrew she gave them a flirtatious smile and wink.

All three of them stood frozen in place watching as she swayed out of sight. A good minute or two after she disappeared Theo, and then Andrew snapped out of their trance and hurried over to James, both talking at the same time.

"My God James, Victoria Stemple, she's quite a catch." Theo said.

"I envy you James; in fact all the lads will envy you when they hear about this." Andrew interjected.

"So out with it James, tell us what happened. And you bloody well better not leave out any of the sordid little details." Theo added.

"Yes James, do tell!" Andrew repeated.

James, having regained a bit of his composure with the departure of Miss Stemple, gave his two companions a huff, "Nothing happened that would in any way be any your business."

Theo gave Andrew a wide grin and waggled his eyebrows, "This is going to be better than I thought."

Andrew returned Theo's smile, then looked at James and wheedled, "Come on James, tell us. We'd tell you…. for that matter have told you when ever anything of this interesting a nature has happened to us. It would only be fair for you to return the favor."

"Aye James, fair is fair." Theo added.

James straightened to his full height, which was a good four or five inches over his companions, clasp his hands behind his back, and said in a resolute tone as he peered down his nose at them, "I shall not say a word further on the matter gentleman; you may consider this topic of conversation at an end. Do I make myself clear?" Without waiting for an answer he gave his shirt a straightening tug and headed for the path leading down the hill.

Theo and Andrew stood there for a few moments, then Theo smiled, nudged Andrew, and said, "You know we'll get it out of him sooner or later just through pure persistence."

"That we will Theo." Andrew replied with a nod and a smile, "That we most definitely will."

To Be Continued

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