Disclaimer: I do not own anything of Disney's.
Author's Note: Thanks for the great response, everyone! It has been very inspiring, and I'm going to respond to all reviews of Chapter Two shortly. I hope you all enjoy Chapter Three!
Approximately one hour had passed, and June now confined herself to the farthest wall, a refilled champagne glass in her hand. Nursing it sourly, she was attempting to shake off the foul comments she heard circulating throughout the ballroom.
Couples clasped hands and circled, smiling pleasantly at each other as they rotated positions on the dance floor. The violins began a lively tune, and it seemed to calm the guests' wagging tongues for a few stanzas.
One of her black tresses escaped its pins and fell in her face, tickling her nose, and June attempted to blow it out of her eyes as she started to make her way across the room.
Will and Ana escaped the party after the unsuccessful gift exchange. Will had commented that he had an appointment in the morning with a client, and he had to apply the finishing touches to a sword meant for a Navy promotion. Ana, who has been receiving trade lessons from the young blacksmith for months, was more than eager to leave with him.
Rolling her eyes, June couldn't help but think that no work was going to get done at the smithery that evening. Glancing over, she noticed James dancing with a pretty redhead who June spotted occasionally at the town market. The redhead's father, a gentle soul, owned a large farm on the east side of the island that specialized in coffee. The governor had taken notice of the large family trade due to its economical impact on the town, and the family had been climbing the social ranks ever since.
Kade was speaking with the governor himself, no doubt sharing a story about his latest nautical creation. He was boisterous and waving his hands as he talked, possessing energy he only showed to others when describing his work.
She couldn't help but seethe silently as she watched him enjoy himself. All of these women in the room, with their pretty petticoats and frivolous conversations, were subjecting themselves to an inferiority that June would not take part in. Whenever Kade wanted her to submit to male dominance, she couldn't help but cringe. This social desire of his wasn't necessarily his fault…he had grown up with it. He had been conditioned to accept it and practice it.
And now that June wouldn't play along, he was undeniably frustrated with her actions.
Sighing, she shook off a sudden rush of exhaustion. Would it be taboo to sneak off upstairs to bed?
Clang. Clang. Clang.
Sweat slid from tanned forehead to flushed cheeks. Arm muscles bulged as the hammer swung up and down, up and down.
Ana knew she was supposed to observe the metals intricately welding together, but she couldn't take her eyes off of Will's precise movements. His gaze was concentrated on his work, and he wielded his tools like a warrior.
She giggled. Warrior Will, the blacksmith! How ridiculous.
He glanced up as the amused sound escaped her lips, wiping hair from his face. "Did I miss something?" he asked, a half-smile tugging at his lips.
"I was just thinking about how gallant you look," she replied, winking at him. "Quite an impressive display of masculinity."
"You should be taking note of this technique instead." Playful disapproval laced his tone.
"Pish-posh." She waved a hand carelessly. "I've already got this technique down and memorized. Looks pretty simple, if you ask me."
"Oh?" Will raised his eyebrows, then thrust the hammer in her direction. "Glad to hear that. I was just thinking that I need a few minutes to fetch some water."
She stared at the hammer held in front of her, and uneasiness crept into her expression. Sure, Ana had been catching on quickly to Will's expertise, but she was no miracle worker. "Well, then." She took the hammer gingerly from his callused fingers, weighing it in her hand. Gripping it, she stepped up to the glowing piece of metal that was taunting her as it laid against the anvil. It was so imperfect and primeval. How was she, a beginner, expected to turn it into something beautiful? Into art?
"Here goes." She lifted the hammer, about to take a swing downward when she felt Will grab her wrist.
"I think it would work better if you had your eyes open," he said, grinning. Taking the hammer from her, he suddenly hoisted her up by the waist. She shrieked as she was carried over to the nearest wooden table and placed on it so she was perched on the edge.
Nudging her legs apart with his hips, he stepped between them, gathering her into his arms and running a palm down the small of her back.
Their eyes met, and she smiled at him, taking in his scent and his touch. Will was still getting used to that smile of adoration, training himself not to take fearful flight every time he got the feeling that yes, Ana was in love, and yes, she was in love with him.
His grief for Elizabeth had passed long ago, and happy memories took its place. New memories were slowly filling up that part of him that longed for intimacy, for lust and companionship.
He ran his fingers across her nape and whispered his mouth across hers, lingering. He planted a solid kiss to her nose before placing his forehead against hers.
"That party was dreadful," she breathed, staring directly into his brown eyes. At his silence, she prodded, "Don't you think it was dreadful?"
"You have to admit that Kade is only doing it out of affection."
"Affection?" Ana pulled away for a moment and made a face. "What a way for a man to show his lady affection! He might as well spit in her eye."
Will shrugged his shoulders. "A lot of people in this town need convincing. She needed help clearing her family's name, and Kade was more than happy to offer his services."
"And then he fell in love." Ana made the face again.
Laughing, he placed a kiss to her forehead. "And then he fell in love, yes. Seems quite odd, doesn't it? Like it shouldn't sit right with the universe."
"I sometimes think that they're like two puzzle pieces that don't fit together. I understand that they were childhood acquaintances and he was there to support her after her father's death, but I would never imagine…them…becoming…"
"Enough of that, now," Will said tiredly, kissing her again. He nipped at her bottom lip before saying, "Leave them be. They'll sort out their demons on their own."
She smiled as he slid the sleeve of her dress off her shoulder, his mouth following the path of newly exposed skin. "Is our lesson over?" she questioned, eyes twinkling.
"Keep sharp, Ms. Walker," he murmured while dousing the nearest candle, "because a new one has just begun."
June paced around the perimeter of the library. It was an intimate sort of room; the walls were lined with bookshelves and a hearty fireplace. She was bathing in the musty smell of old volumes, of heroic fictional tales and large dense passages on explored lands that she could only dream of visiting for now.
Crossing her arms, the large sleeves of her pretty white nightgown folding over themselves, she plopped down on the armchair in the center of the room. This had been her father's favorite room, a place that he normally went to escape the world. She would find him asleep in this chair, time and time again, with a large book opened in his lap, the pages creased and scrunched against his legs.
She missed her eccentric father terribly. His actions were at times irrational and spontaneous. He loved to joke and push the envelope of social acceptance. If he had been at her birthday party, at least she would have one other irrationally rational mind to bounce ideas off of.
Right before the pneumonia consumed him completely, she had humored him with stories of her adventures. They were moments when she could take off her gloves and reveal the dramatic marred flesh on her wrist, that damning "P."
Not to say mention of her rash actions didn't at first shock and upset Crane Oleander. He had originally come to terms with the thought that she was dead. And finding out that she threw in her lot with pirates? Well, the idea took some getting used to.
The door opened, and Kade strolled in quietly. Trudy, an elderly woman with pluck, walked in behind him, carrying a tray of tea and lemon cookies. Trudy was head maid of the household, and she had been working for the Oleander family since June was a little girl.
Clunking the tray down on the table in front of June, the woman winked. "You let me know iffa I need ta chaperone."
June grinned while stretching her cramping legs. "Thanks, Trudy, but that needn't be necessary. I think I'm too tuckered out for any shenanigans."
The old woman guffawed. On occasion, she accidentally witnessed June's none-too-subtle attempts at teasing Kade into lustful submission. Nothing worked thus far, and Trudy had begun to take pleasure in making fun of her for it.
"We'll see." Trudy exited, closing the door behind her.
Kade, who had taken off his wig and dress jacket, rolled up his white sleeves. Sitting on the armrest of her chair, he pulled out a tiny box from the right pocket of his trousers.
"Happy birthday, June." He held out the rectangular black velvet box to her.
Any bitter feelings that June was still harboring inside began to disintegrate. "For me?" she asked suspiciously.
He grinned. "Who else? You're the birthday girl."
She giddily took it from him and opened the box slowly. Resting inside was a silver necklace. Dangling on the end of the necklace was a perfect black pearl.
She carefully touched the pearl with her index finger, stroking its cool, smooth exterior. "It's beautiful," she breathed. A Black Pearl. In less than five seconds, a swarm of emotions attacked her and subsided as quickly as they had developed.
"Would you like me to…?" he motioned at the necklace, and she nodded silently.
She pulled her long black curls away from her throat, and he placed the necklace around her neck, fastening the clasp. The pearl rested directly above her cleavage, and she could feel it warming to her skin temperature.
"Thank you so much," she said, smiling and taking his face in her hands, "You've given me a wonderful 28th birthday." Her eyes shut and she kissed him then, taking her time. He responded by placing his arms around her, holding her to him.
June attempted to deepen the innocent exchange, applying a bit more pressure against his mouth and running her hands down his chest, but he instantly broke away, still smiling at her. "I best head home," he commented, eying a nearby grandfather clock worriedly. "It's after two in the morning."
"Don't." She clasped his hand in her own, their fingers intertwined. "You don't have to go just yet."
He gently pulled his hand away, their fingers skimming each other. "Get some sleep, darling. I'll see you tomorrow evening for dinner." Kade tilted her chin up and gave her a kiss goodnight. "Dream sweet dreams." And he left.
She sunk back into her armchair, staring into the empty fireplace as she absentmindedly played with the black pearl around her neck. Another attempt resulting in disappointment. He was either the most chivalrous man on the planet, or she should sincerely start doubting the strength of his feelings for her.