Chapter 3

It was early the next morning and Elizabeth lay in bed half awake and half of asleep. It was a little cool in the room since she left the window open all night. This made her only want to stay in bed longer since it was cozy and warm. She did not expect it to cool down so much. There suddenly was a brief knock on the door and someone entered. She figured it to be Iris, her maid.

"Elizabeth, you must wake up. You have a visitor," came her father, Weatherby Swann's voice. Elizabeth groaned and peeled one eye open.

"A visitor? So early in the morning?" Elizabeth complained.

"Well it's really not that early, Elizabeth. It's seven already!" Weatherby explained to his daughter.

"That sounds early to me," Elizabeth muttered to herself.

"Come now Elizabeth, I think you'll enjoy this visitor. If I do recall correctly you spent quite a long while with him last night," Weatherby said.

Elizabeth sat up at this and looked straight at her father. Was is Lord Beckett? Oh she certainly hoped so! "Lord Beckett?" Elizabeth asked hopefully. Her father nodded and cracked a small smile. Elizabeth could not help but feel a little excited. "Please tell him that I will be down shortly," Elizabeth told her father.

"Certainly," Weatherby replied, obviously looking very pleased. "I shall call Iris in here to get you ready," and with that he left.

Elizabeth got out of bed and went to her vanity table. She brushed her hair and then went to her closet to pick something out to wear. She selected a simple cream colored dress that hugged her curves perfectly. As soon as she laid it out on her bed Iris entered her bedroom with a soft knock.

"Good morning, Miss Swann," she said. Iris was a fairly attractive young woman, not much older than Elizabeth. She had long brown hair that was kept up in a neat bun and green eyes. She was actually a rather close friend of Elizabeth's.

"Good morning, Iris," Elizabeth replied with a warm smile.

As quick as possible Iris dressed Elizabeth. Even though Elizabeth slightly protested she managed to talk her into wearing a corset as long as she promised not to tie it too tight. She pulled Elizabeth's hair up into a messy bun and allowed a few pieces of hair to fall around her face.

"Oh Miss Swann I'm so excited for you!" Iris said happily. "Lord Beckett, now that's a fine man."

"Yes, but I have always hoped that James would someday marry me..." Elizabeth trailed off slowly.

"Oh surely the Commodore finds you pleasing. You are very beautiful, Miss Swann," Iris told her as she put a little make up on Elizabeth. Elizabeth smiled at her friend.

"Thank you, Iris. You are so good to me," Elizabeth told her.

---

About thirty minutes later Elizabeth finally emerged from her room. She walked gracefully to the stairs and walked down them. Beckett stood down there with her father chatting. He then turned his attention to Elizabeth as she glided down the stairs. She was so beautiful he thought. He was determined that he was going to make her his. When she finally reached him he bowed slightly and took her hand and kissed it softly.

"Miss Swann you look very beautiful," he said smoothly.

Elizabeth smiled at him. He made her feel so happy and so pretty. "Thank you, Lord Beckett." Elizabeth glanced over at her father and he looked so proud. He must be excited about her new company she thought.

"Miss Swann, I wanted to know if you wanted to go out today? It really is a rather beautiful day," Beckett said.

"Of course, I'd love to," Elizabeth said. Suddenly what James told her last night came back to her. 'I don't think you should be spending anymore time with Beckett.....He's trouble, Elizabeth. He is a foul man and quite ruthless....' Elizabeth shook the thought. James was just being paranoid and maybe even a little jealous. He had plenty of chances with her and she was not going to wait around for him to maybe be honest about his feelings for her.

"Excellent," Beckett said. He then turned to Weatherby. "Governor, I assure you she will be in the best of care with me."

"I trust you Lord Beckett. All that ask of you is to have her back home before dinner at six o'clock," Weatherby said happily. He clearly was in a very good mood.

"Thank you sir for trusting me with your daughter," Beckett bowed politely. "Miss Swann, shall we?" He offered her his arm and Elizabeth took it. They walked outside and to Beckett's carriage. He of course helped her inside and then he too got in.

Elizabeth felt a little nervous. This was the first time that she had ever been alone with a man. But for some reason she felt completly safe with Beckett. She really did not understand James' paranoia.

"So Lord Beckett, what made you want to visit me today," Elizabeth asked, genuinely curious. She briefly wondered if this was like a date of sorts.

"Aw dear Elizabeth I missed your beautiful presence. I could not keep my thoughts away from you last night after I left," Beckett explained. His voice was so silky smooth and Elizabeth loved to hear him speak.

"I'm very flattered, Lord Beckett but I truly do not see why an important man such as yourself would be interested in me," Elizabeth felt a small blush creeping up in her cheeks. Just talking to him let loose hundreds of butterflies in her stomach.

"Elizabeth, you are quite a lovely woman. It truly is sad that you do not see that in yourself. Oh and please dear Elizabeth there is no need for formalities. Please call me Cutler," Beckett said. Elizabeth felt her face get a little hotter. He actually wants her to call him by his first name?

"Cutler...that name really does suit you," she said trying to make casual conversation. He smiled at her.

"Do you enjoy horseback riding?" Beckett asked her.

"Yes, I've enjoyed it since I was a little girl, why do you ask?" Elizabeth said.

"Well that's sort of what I had planned for us to do today," Beckett said. "But first you must be hungry. I get the feeling that you did not get any breakfast this morning?"

"I'm embarrassed to admit that I haven't. I was still sleeping when you came," Elizabeth laughed lightly. Beckett laughed with her. He had such a nice laugh Elizabeth thought.

"I take it that you were feeling a little lazy this morning? Terribly sorry for waking you," he teased.

"Oh stop it! It was quite cold in my room this morning," Elizabeth played back. She felt like she could truly be herself around him.

"Hm...you need someone in there to help keep you a little warmer in the future," Beckett boldly said. Elizabeth smirked at him knowing perfectly well what he meant by that. He certainly seemed comfortable around her as well. Any other woman probably would have smacked him for such a comment.

"Oh really now?" She laughed.

---

Elizabeth and Beckett had spent the whole day together. She had an absolutely perfect time with him. She was quite taken by him. He was handsome and seemed to be very nice. Elizabeth really could not figure out why James hated him so.

At exactly five fifty-five Beckett had Elizabeth back home. He got out of the carriage and proceeded to help Elizabeth out from it. He walked her to the door and and turned to her smiling.

"Elizabeth, I've had a very nice time with you. I only wish the day had not ended so soon," he told her.

"I have enjoyed spending time with you as well," Elizabeth said. She looked at him, as if trying to read his thoughts. He reached his hand out to her face and brushed his fingers gently against her cheek. Elizabeth leaned slightly into his touch, savoring the moment.

"You're so beautiful..." he said softly. Their eyes made contact, chocolate brown meeting ice blue. Elizabeth could not look away, his eyes were so mesmorizing.

"I probably should go in before my father has a fit," she said. She reluctantly broke the eye contact.

"Hm...yes I don't wish to upset him," Beckett said quietly.

"Thank you for a lovely day," Elizabeth finally said after a brief silence.

"The pleasure was all mine, sweet Elizabeth," Beckett told her. "I wish to see you again soon, if that is alright with you?"

"I will look forward to seeing you again," Elizabeth smiled warmly at him.

"Well then, goodnight, Elizabeth," Beckett told her softly.

"Goodnight, Cutler," Elizabeth said back. With that Beckett turned and made his way back to his carriage. Elizabeth watched him the walk away, already she missed his presence.

A/N: Yes I know there is a lot of fluff right now but I promise that some action is about to start. We must get threw the boring stuff before the good stuff comes! I may take the rating up to M as well just to be safe. Well thank you for reading and as always reviews are appreciated. ^_^