Elizabeth had been sitting in front of her open bedroom window when Estrella, the maid entered the room. "The Commodore calls for you, Miss Swann."

Elizabeth turned about in her chair, slightly startled by the abrupt announcement. She put down the needlework she had been struggling with. "The Commodore?"

"Yes, miss. He waits downstairs."

"I'll be down in a moment."

"Yes miss."

When Estrella left, Elizabeth got up and strode to her vanity, smoothing the wrinkles in her dress and ran a brush quick through her hair. She had been sitting and stitching for about an hour or so. She paused, wrapping a curl of her brown hair around her finger. The Commodore. She had not seen him since they had parted ways at the harbor- some eight days ago. The last thing exchanged between them were Norrington's words of apology that he could not see her and the Governor home, as there was a brig-full of pirates waiting aboard the Dauntless.

James had kissed her hand and looked at her with a small but genuine smile, saying quietly, "I will come to you as soon as I'm able." Elizabeth had smiled and looked at her feet that moment, embarrassed. When she looked up she saw Will over Norrington's shoulder. A sense of urgency filled her. She turned back to the man in front of her. "Good day, Commodore," she said with all the politeness she could manage. She climbed into the waiting carriage and saw Will with a shadowed brow, before he disappeared down the lane.

The image of Will's face froze in her mind as Elizabeth now walked down the hall to the staircase, where Commodore Norrington waited at the bottom. "Commodore, what a pleasant surprise," she said as she stepped down.

"I hope I haven't disturbed you, arriving without warning." He took her hand as she descended the last stair.

"Oh, not at all. I was just doing a bit of sewing."

Norrington smiled. Then his countenance took a more stern disposition and continued a bit bashfully. "Miss Elizabeth," he said. "Would you be too reluctant to come away from your sewing and take a walk with me?"

The request surprised Elizabeth, in its simplicity. "A walk sounds lovely, Commodore. Just let me go get my bonnet." She curtsied and went back up the stairs, hurrying to her room. She reached inside her doorway and took her hat off the hook on the wall, when she paused in the shadowed hallway, twisting the ribbon in her hands.

Elizabeth had never been alone with the Commodore before, save the moment of his proposal. But even that was with a great crowd milling about in the background. As the governor's daughter, she always had the company of a confidant- her father, a friend, a servant. Besides the whole excursion with the Black Pearl, when all sense of etiquette had been abandoned,private moments between another man were few and far between. And Norrington was all about propriety. It was a surprise that he was even here so spontaneously.

Resolving to put her best foot forward and see what would come of this afternoon, Elizabeth put her bonnet on, tied the ribbon under her chin, and met Norrington at the door.

The two started down the path of the house and made their way off the main road down the grassy hills. There was a light, pleasant breeze that made the grasses undulate, and played with Elizabeth's hair and the folds of her and Norrington's clothes. They walked casually with casual conversation. James started with inquiring about her day thus far.

"Today I haven't done much," Elizabeth said. "I've been trying to make a cross-stitch of the scene outside my window of Port Royal. I'm almost finished with it."

"I'd like to see it when it's complete," James smiled at her, looking sideways. He walked with his hands clasped behind his back. Elizabeth strolled matching his step, her skirts swaying like a bell around her waist.

"And you, what did your duties consist of today?"

"Paperwork mostly. Investigations, inspections, calendars."

Elizabeth laughed softly through her nose. "Nothing compared to a few weeks ago, no?"

"I doubt anything will compare to a few weeks ago," Norrington said dryly. Then he frowned slightly and spoke with an earnest tone. "Are you well recovered, Elizabeth?"

"Oh yes," she replied, perhaps a little quickly. "My doctor says I'm quite well."

"Are you?" James halted and faced her sincerely.

Elizabeth's smile, which had never reached her eyes, faded. "I am. I'm alive, aren't I?" Indeed her fate was far more fortunate than many of the Navy's men who had been involved with the Black Pearl.

The two persons continued walking in uncomfortable silence for a while, until Norrington spoke up. "Elizabeth," he started. "I must ask you something." His voice was very business-like.

"Yes?" she awaited his inquiry.

"Are you honest in our engagement?" Elizabeth froze, staring at the Commodore. His face was unreadable. He continued, "When you accepted my proposal aboard the Dauntless, I can understand you were under a deal of stress and looking for means of saving Mr. Turner. I will not hold you against it now if you wish to retract your word."

"Commodore," Elizabeth said, slightly incredulous. "Do you think I would play you against your feelings?" He was making her sound like a vindictive manipulator.

"Miss Swann," he clipped. "Are you honest?" he repeated.

Looking up into his eyes, Elizabeth wondered how well the man could read her. Could he sense the conflict inside her? She could think of no one but Will as the Commodore's question rang in her ears.

But the sinking feeling in her breast said that a relationship with William was impossible. They were childhood friends, and everything around them told they could be nothing more. She was the governor's daughter, and he but a blacksmith. The match between Elizabeth and the Commodore seemed predetermined.

Out on the open sea Elizabeth had accepted what was expected of her, and she agreed to marry the Commodore. If she had been able to negotiate Will's rescue along with it, the situation was made all the more bearable.

"Yes Commodore," Elizabeth said. She tried to smile reassuringly. "I am honest."
Norrington breathed deeply, but his visage showed no reaction. "Let me promise you, Elizabeth," he started austerely. Then his voice dropped to a tenor of complete sincerity, "That you will have nothing but my utmost care and devotion." He did not blink as she pledged this to her.

Elizabeth smirked. "Are you honest?" she joked, trying to shake off her disquiet.

Norrington smiled at her. "Indisputably," he replied.