A/N: Thanks to all who reviewed! Merry Christmas!
Chapter 15: Along the way..
After her bath, Isabella relaxed a little bit. The warm water and aroma of the petals calmed her nerves. She decided not to wear the dress, maybe that will show him, and have him back off. Hopefully that would be enough, she thought to herself. Instead, she pulled out her favorite gown, a pale teal gown with a brown satin ribbon wrapping around the waist with an oval crystal buckle at the center of the satin belt. Her delicate curls piled up only to be held by a white orchid, a few loose curls coming down. She glided across the room to retrieve her matching slippers.
Isabella didn't notice James enter, she gasped as he wrapped his arm around her waist. "You look ravishing". he whispered in a low smooth tone.
"Thank you darling". Isabella kissed his lips sweetly.
"I thought you were wearing the other gown that was spread out on the bed". James furrowed his brows.
"I did not feel like wearing lavender, besides I prefer this gown better". she replied as she smoothed her dress out. James just smiled in amusement, as Isabella made her way towards her vanity.
"Very well". James swiftly moved to sit in one of the french silk chairs.
"By the way, how did you see the gown"? Isabella asked curiously as she slipped on her wedding ring.
"I came in earlier while you were bathing. I came to retrieve something and I noticed the dress". James replied
"Oh". Isabella replied, she didn't want to tell him it was from Count Drake, it would anger him.
"Are you ready"? James asked as she stood.
"Yes. I wish we didn't have to go. I rather stay here with you". Isabella moved to where he was sitting and kneeled before him.
"Believe me, I want to stay as much as you do my dear". James pulled her onto his lap and began to kiss her neck. He brushed his hand across her chest. Isabella began to lose herself in his kisses, but she quickly composed herself.
"I think we should go ". Isabella said breathlessly as he planted a kiss on her flushed chest.
"You are right, we will continue later". James replied and helped her up.
Dinner seemed like a blur to Isabella. Lord Beckett sat smugly at the head of the table, with Charlotte at his right hand side. She conversed with the Comte about fine paintings, music, books and what not. Jax who sat across from Isabella, would often glance at her. Isabella could feel the burn of his stare, but she tried to avoid looking up at him. James was busy conversing with Leutinant Groves, to notice Isabella's uneasy feeling. Something did not feel right...Isabella sensed that much worse was to come from this voayage...
After dinner, Isbella excused herself. She went up to the deck for fresh air. She looked up and noticed the sky filled with sparkling stars. Isabella closed her eyes and began to wonder what her children were up to. Probably sound asleep.
"This dress suits the color of your eyes, although I would have preferred you wearing the gown I sent you ". Jax's melodic voice flowed through the air.
"Thank you, but I am afraid I cannot accept your gift". Isabella told him cooly.
"And why not"? Jax was amused by her cool collected attitude.
"Because it is improper." Isabella simply replied
"How can it be improper to make a gift to Port Royal's beloved dutchess". Jax replied
"What do you want from me"? Isabella was annoyed now by his inane comments. If he was trying to charm her...it was not working.
"Now Dutchess, that is not very polite. Being in a place of your stature, I would be careful with the way you would treat people". Jax laughed. Isabella thought he was absolutely mad. She began to head towards her cabin, but he quickly grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him. "All I want is friendship, to become someone you can confide in".
"I have a husband for that". Isabella hissed.
"A husband who will be busy with his duties, and only come to you at night just to tupp you and fulfill his cardinal lust". Jax hissed back.
That was it, he crossed the line. Isabella removed her arm from his grasp and slapped him across the face. "How dare you! You don't know me to make comments like that, you insufferable fool! And you have absolutely no right to disrespect my husband like that...he is a far better man than you are! Isabella stormed off to her cabin.
Jax only rubbed his temples and smiled to himself. Isabella Norrington was fiery indeed, he thought to himself. He would have to prove that he is not a rake, but someone who wanted to help her and James. He did not mention to her that Nickolas left him another letter, pleading Jax to protect them from the clutches of Lord Beckett...who clearly still wants her, not caring he had a wife.Nickolas knew Jax was the only man to control Beckett. But Jax kept it inside, because along the way he realized he was in love with Isabella. So that changed everything...
