A.N.:Okay, I know I've been on an updating streak, but I've been out of the house for the past couple days doing lots of fun stuff (okay, not so fun). In response, I'm uploading two at once! Yay! Another word of warning - I'm going back in a few days to my second semester of university, and as a History Major, it means I'm going to have no time. Whatsoever. I'm going to try to write on weekends, but after these chapters, expect it to seriously slow down again. Thank you for all the reviews, story favorites, and watches! I love you all! Mwah! xoxo

Alistair was thankfully not present when Norrington came storming into the sitting room later that evening. Catherine was sitting calmly in an armchair by the fire embroidering a piece of muslin when he entered, and smiled as she looked up.

"Commodore! To what do I owe this visit? I am afraid you just missed Alistair. He took Sabbath out for a ride. Demanded to ride him, in fact. Poor Alistair." She tutted and shook her head.

"You. Disabled. The rudder chain," Norrington growled. He was breathing harshly through his nose. "You disabled the rudder chain!"

"Commodore, I had no idea we were supposed to be impersonating animals of the bovine nature!" she exclaimed. "Shall I low like a cow since you seem to be rather fond of the bull?"

Norrington's upper lip had curled back to reveal his sharp white teeth, and his fingers were forming claws. "How? How did you manage to do that? I demand to know!" He was just under shouting level.

Catherine smirked and lowered her embroidery, all pretenses gone. "Simple. I boarded your ship and disabled it. I should think you would know how that is generally done, considering you have been in the Navy since you were rather young, Commodore."

Norrington seemed to deflate as he sank into an opposite chair. "Why do you do this to me?" he sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

Catherine smiled mischievously at him. "It is just so easy to get under your skin, Commodore. That is all. And, it gives me a chance to exercise my not inconsiderable mental faculties. Women so rarely get to do anything interesting. Not to mention, I can nearly get away with murder now that my parents are not here. No one would suspect me at all. The townsfolk all think I am some demure little creature with a head filled with fluff and air."

Norrington peered at her closely as she returned to her needlework, but didn't have time to comment. The front door of the house banged open and Alistair roared, "Where is my cousin?"

They could hear Thomas's faint tones, but couldn't make out what he was saying over the sound of stomping feet. Then the door to the sitting room was rebounding off of the wall as Alistair stalked in and growled, "You tricked me!"

Catherine looked up at him calmly. "I did no such thing, cousin."

"Yes, you did." His breath hissed out between his teeth like a snake. "You told me to take that Devil cursed beast, knowing full well what he's like!"

"To be fair, I did warn you. You asked for the best horse in my stables, and I said Sabbath was. However, I also told you he was a little testy, and to be careful when riding him. You shouldn't have let him have his head so much, Alistair," she reasoned. "He was bound to take advantage of it."

"A little testy? A little testy?! Madame, that horse is not a little testy. That thing is an abomination, and should be shot to put us out of our misery! Even the stable hands are afraid of him!"

Catherine rose up out of her chair now, a muscle jumping in her jaw. "Alistair Tuttle, don't you dare lay a finger on my horse, or so help me God, I will turn you out of this house!" she threatened in a throaty voice. Norrington would have preferred it if she had shouted. This voice made the hackles raise on the back of his neck.

Alistair seemed to back down a bit too, for he said, "Very well. But keep in mind I shall no longer heed your word when it comes to mounts. From now on I have the pick of your stables." With that he clicked his heels together, did an about face, and left the room entirely.

They heard him thunder up the stairs and disappear into his room. Then Catherine turned to Norrington and said, "I apologize, Commodore. He displayed an appalling lack of good breeding, and I am quite embarrassed. Shall I ring for tea?"

Norrington nodded. "Yes, please. I think I shall need it after this. Perhaps we should go and look at your horse afterward? Lord Witney seemed rather rattled."

"Oh please. He's just upset because he got thrown and it ruined the Chantilly lace on his frock coat. I told him not to wear it if he was going to go riding," she said as she went over to the bell pull and tugged.

When Grace entered, she dictated a tray for two be brought in, with some light finger sandwiches as well. After the maid left, Catherine went over to the sideboard and held up a decanter of brandy towards Norrington in a silent question.

"Just a small one then," he allowed.

She poured him a snifter and handed it to him, then served herself a sherry. "My father likes to keep his liquor well-stocked," she said in response to Norrington's raised brow. "We have some perfectly odious scotch whiskey if you would like something stronger," she offered.

"This is fine for now, thank you," he said as she sat back down.

Shortly after, the tea came in. They busied themselves with eating and drinking for a while. Occasionally Catherine would refill Norrington's snifter of brandy as well as his cup of tea, and the sandwiches disappeared rather quickly between the two of them.

"I have no wish to spoil your supper Commodore, otherwise I would have asked for a fuller tray," she apologized. "Er, Commodore?"

The man was clearly lost in thought. Catherine sighed and rested her head against the back of her chair. She decided she would wait a little while and see if he would respond later.

Once she had finished her third cup of tea, Catherine tried again. "Perhaps you would like to stay for supper Commodore, since it is so late in the evening already?"

No answer.

"Well, I suppose you will, since your stockings are now purple and the sky is raining chickens."

Nothing.

"And Governor Swann has had kittens. Elizabeth is very pleased."

Silence from his end.

Catherine raised a brow and tried harder. "And of course the King has decided to abdicate the throne and sail for the colonies in search of a more fulfilling life, and decided Alistair would make a suitable heir. Then, there was an influx of geese at Buckingham. Who would have ever imagined? And the donkey Marquis said to the lion Viscount that it was all going to turn to cheese in the end anyway, so they might as well start eating the palace now. You have not heard a single word I've said, have you?"

Norrington didn't even so much as blink.

Catherine huffed and crossed her arms. "Fine. We'll do it this way then." She sucked in a breath, and then jumped from her chair theatrically, pointing to the fireplace and shrieking, "Look! There's a boy in the water! Oh Commodore, do save him!"

Norrington leapt to his feet with a frantic expression on his face and began to shout orders when he realized he was still in Catherine's sitting room.

He turned a glare on her and said, "What was that for?"

"You weren't responding to a single thing I said, Commodore. I had to get your attention somehow. Honestly, it's like you were a million miles away. Where did you go in there, hmmm?" Catherine asked him. "Anyway, I was inquiring as to whether or not you would like to stay for supper considering it is already quite late in the evening, and Nancy seems to have taken a liking to you."

Norrington replied, "Only if it is not putting you or your cousin out. I am certain he has no wish to see my "lowly" presence at table tonight."

Catherine shrugged. "Does it really matter what he wishes? I am the head of this house until my father returns, and since I keep the keys, he abides by my rules. I say you may stay, therefore you shall. Alright?"

"Very well then. I assume everything is already done. My apologies for not being aware earlier. I was deep in thought," Norrington returned.

"Yes, I could see that," Catherine said wryly. "I really am sorry for the rudder chain, by the way. I had to do something, though. Alistair has been driving me mad all week long. I cannot believe how rude he was to you when you first met either, especially knowing your family is of the peerage! You should write your grandfather the Earl about him and get his Lordship's opinion of the man. I am certain the friendship is not so mutual, Commodore."

"Yes, I think that shall be the subject of my next letter. Might I ask, what on earth are you doing in the Caribbean if your father is a Viscount?" Norrington inquired. He was absolutely astounded anyone of the nobility would willingly go to this pirate haven rather than stay in fashionable, dreary old England.

"My father is very adventurous, for all he doesn't look it," Catherine answered. "He thought it rather lucrative, and wished to settle here for some time, while still attending to his duties back in the Lords occasionally. He was never one for mindless talk, though. That's what he says goes on in Parliament most of the time. Alistair only recently came into his title anyway. His father died less than a year ago, and apparently the newfound power has gone straight to his head. He's actually even worse than I remember him being, believe it or not."

"Ugh. I cannot imagine he was anything but this way," Norrington shuddered. "I must be honest. He is an odious man, and I cannot abide him."

"Neither can I," Catherine mumbled. "Come. Let us go into supper, and then if we eat quickly, we can go look in on Sabbath."

Once supper was over and done with, Norrington and Catherine went out to the stables to see how Sabbath was doing. As soon as they entered, a massive black head swung out over the stall door, and eyed them steadily as they walked down the aisle.

"Hello there, big boy," Catherine cooed softly. Sabbath whickered in recognition and tossed his head. "What did that idiot cousin of mine make you do? Did he hurt you at all? If he took a riding crop to your withers, I swear I'll flay him with it."

"That was possibly the nicest toned threat I have ever heard," Norrington chuckled. "And I must say, in my time in the Navy I have heard quite a few."

She smiled at him as she rubbed the giant horse's head and then said, "Hold my lantern. I am going to enter the stall and make sure he isn't lame."

"Very well, but be careful," Norrington warned. "I will not be responsible if you get kicked in the head."

"Oh la," she said airily, waving her hand. "Sabbath only kicks dunderheads like Alistair."

She came out of the stall several minutes later looking satisfied. "I will be able to know more when I can walk him, but I didn't feel any swelling or fractures in his legs. He should be fine. Now, let us go back in and pester Alistair, or if you wish, you can return home. I am certain you have much to do."

"Yes, actually," Norrington said ruefully. "I keep neglecting to respond to my grandfather as well. He will not be too happy if I do not give him a timely response."

"Alright. I shall bid you goodnight then, Commodore. Ride safely," Catherine said.

"Goodnight, madam. I shall call upon you later on in the week, if you do not do anything that necessitates me getting quite angry beforehand." Norrington bowed, and then was gone. Catherine walked back into the house, not stopping to watch him ride down the drive.

Thanks for reading and sticking with this story! Don't forget to review! :)