This chapter is dedicated to:
Nebraska Girl: because I was looking through old reviews and I noticed that I never dedicated a chappie to her, opps.
Princess Amberly: wow! So enthusiastic! So you think Katrina and Thomas should be paired up? well, we'll just have to wait and see if you are right! and if you need more sleep, I highly suggest you get it, trust me, sleep deprivation is in no way any fun at all.
akafredandgeorge: my dear, if you do around asking people that I'm afraid they would look at you as if you are a bit more crazy than you truly are.
Starsplash: wow, everyone seems in a good mood all of the sudden, or maybe that's just me, we actually got sunshine today and that makes me so happy! I get slight seasonal depression. I love summer and the sun, so going a long time without it gets me down, but hey! That's the way life is, no?
Captain Ella Raven: aww! Thanks. I was hoping Lilly sounded sweet, if fragile. I guess it goes with the whole flower as a name thing…
SarahKOM : a bad boy? Hmm, I suppose. And actually, 7up is supposed to settle your stomach or some other such nonsense.
AKAFredandGeorge: yup, you got it, finding nemo is the answer!!!
LittleRockinDragon: I guess we'll just have to wait and see, won't we?
-------------------------------------------------------------
Katrina squeaked as Prince, Thomas's black horse shot forward. She was sitting behind Thomas and holding onto his waist. Thomas glanced back and laughed at her expression.
"You weren't lying when you said you've never been on a horse before."
"O-of course I wasn't lying." She mumbled, she buried her face in the back of his jacket after seeing the ground move by so quickly.
"Don't worry, we will be back to the governor's house before you know it." He said spurring Prince even faster, Katrina clinging tighter. "Katrina, I would like to be able to breathe." She could hear the amusement in his voice.
"Oh." Katrina minimally loosened her hold.
It was only a small number of minutes before they reached the governor's house, though to Katrina it seemed longer.
Kara nearly burst out of the front doors when they pulled up in front of them. "Oh, Miss Katrina, I was getting so worried, the governor is on his way home at this very minute and you need to get to your bed right away before he finds out I let you out of bed!"
"Wow, you weren't jesting. The governor really is keeping you in bed?" Thomas dismounted then reached up to help Katrina.
"Yes." Katrina sighed as she placed her hands on Thomas's shoulders to steady herself as he helped her down. They turned to the sound of a carriage moving up the drive.
"Oh, the governor's carriage!" Kara's hands flew to her mouth, her green eyes wide. "Quickly my lady, come with me." She grabbed Katrina's hand and started pulling her towards the house.
"I'll try to stall him." She heard Thomas say behind her and she shot him a grin over her shoulder before the door closed and Kara rushed her up stairs and into bed. and not a moment too soon. Kara had just got Katrina changed, settled against a backrest of pillows in bed and shoved an open book into her hands when the door opened and the governor stepped into the room.
"Ah, you look well rested, niece."
Katrina cringed inwardly, it sounded odd and too formal. "I am, sir." She replied, closing the book and laying it in her lap.
"Now, now, niece, none of this 'sir' business. I am after all your uncle." Weatherby chided her, lightly shaking his finger at her.
"Yes, sir, I mean, Uncle." Katrina tested the taste of the word on her tongue.
"Now, after a good night's rest I think you may get up and move around a bit, just on the grounds. And with a escort, of course." Katrina brightened at the thought of moving about, with permission this time.
"Thank you, Uncle."
"Now, about that good night's sleep?" the governor raised an eyebrow.
Katrina set the book on the night stand next to the bed and Kara moved forward to help her settle down to sleep.
"Sweet dreams." He dipped and placed a light kiss on her forehead with a smile and Katrina burrowed further into the silky sheets and soft feather mattress.
-----------------------------------------
Kipp stared at the ceiling, arms behind his head when the door to his cabin slammed open, the boy a little flushed in the face slammed the door behind him and leaned against it. "Hiya, Kipp." He said. "I brought you a present."
Kipp sat up, looking at the boy warily. "What you do this time?"
The boy proudly held up a bottle of amber liquid. "Right from the private stash of the commodore hisself!" his eyes twinkled mischievously.
"Jace." Kipp groaned as he dragged his hand through his hair.
"What? I didn't get caught this time!" the boy protested.
"But you got close. Am I right?" Kipp eyed the boy suspiciously.
"So I need a bit more practice." The boy pouted.
"Not if you want to go with me on my next excursion." Kipp warned.
"You'd really take me with?" Jace gawked at Kipp's last statement.
"Yes. But only if you behave andget back to Miss Melody's and stay out of trouble." Kipp said, referring to the boarding house run by a young Asian lady and where Jace had a room.
"Aye aye, el capitan!" Jace saluted and rushed out of the cabin and down the gangplank.
Kipp sighed and eyed the bottle sitting on his desk with a smirk. Might as well replace what I drank at the Turner's.
-----------------------------------------
"Kipp!" Elizabeth exclaimed as she opened the door. "Just the man I wanted to see, come into the drawing room. I have question I wanted to ask."
"Er, is Will here?" he asked following Elizabeth into the house, I really just stopped by to give him something."
"No. Sorry, he's a t the shop today, something about an increase in orders." Elizabeth motioned for him to take a seat on the couch across from her chair.
Kipp placed the bottle on the side bar near the door before sitting, seeing as the coffee table was spread with all sorts of papers. "So, what was that question?" he asked, sending Elizabeth one of his devilish grins.
"Well, my father wanted me to help set up a welcoming ball for Katrina-" she said picking up a few papers.
"No comment." Kipp cut in holding up his hands.
"Kipp!" Sera flew into the room and hopped up next to him on the couch. "Come to play?" she asked full of hope.
"Well…" Kipp dragged out the word, pretending to consider it. Sera waited with impatience. "Does it involve baking?"
Sera looked perplexed for a moment, then thoughtful, and ended shaking her head.
"I guess I could for a while." Kipp answered. "You got three seconds." He growled playfully.
Sera's eyes got big, then she jumped off the couch and dashed down the hall with a shriek.
"Sera!" Elizabeth called "No running in the house! I wish you wouldn't encourage her.." Elizabeth turned to address Kipp, but he was already chasing down the little girl.
"Sometimes I wonder why I try." Elizabeth sighed and turned back to her planning.
-----------------------------------------
"Miss Katrina, Miss Katrina." Katrina rolled away from the hand shaking her shoulder and tried to go back to sleep, but the hand wouldn't leave her alone. She groaned and opened her eyes to the sun shining through her windows.
"It is close to nine in the morning my lady. Time to get up and dressed." The covers where pulled back and Katrina gasped at the loss of warmth.
"Have you no remorse?" Katrina mumbled, sitting up and stretching.
"None at all, my lady." Kara laughed merely. "Now, you need to get up so I can change these sheets. I filled the tub with warm water and if you don't hurry it will be uncomfortably cool. Go on now, "Kara made shooing motions as Katrina got out of bed "I'll set something out for you to wear, you just call me after you are done and I'll help with your corset."
---------------------
Katrina sat down at the large table in the dining room eating some fresh tropical fruits and biscuits for breakfast when the governor came in.
"It is good to see you up. Are you feeling better, niece?"
"Yes, Uncle, much better, thank you." Katrina said after swallowing.
"Well, my dear, I would like to stay and show you about the place, but I need to inspect the fort today. I trust you will be able to entertain yourself?"
Katrina nodded, already knowing what she would be doing for the day.
"Just remember to return to bed should you feel tired or light headed. I wouldn't want you ill for your own party."
"Party, Uncle?" Katrina acted surprised. "I don't need a party."
"But I insist. Besides all young ladies like parties. You'll adore it I'm sure." The grandfather clock in the corner struck nine. "Oh, my. Is that the time? I must be going, do try not to over tire yourself, I fear you have much of your mother in you." He said as he left the room.
Katrina quickly finished her breakfast and hurried to find George, the stable boy. She wandered in the gardens, finding a gardener she asked where the stables were. The gardener told her the direction and she thanked him. Arriving at her destination, Katrina walked between the stalls, looking at the horses, stopping here and there to rub the noses of horses that poked their heads over their doors.
"Can I help you, Miss?" Katrina turned at the voice.
"George, just who I was looking for." She smiled at the young man. "I was wondering if you could help me with something."
"Anything, Miss." He said, eager to please.
"I need to learn how to ride, and I bet you are an adept teacher."
"Aw, nothin' special, miss." He said shuffling his feet. "but me big brother helped teach Miss 'Lizabeth. I could get him to help."
"That would be fine, George." Katrina said and he took of at a run.
---------------------
Fred, George's older brother was indeed a fine teacher. By two in the afternoon Katrina could sit properly in a side saddle and was confident to urge the gentle mare to a trot, but no more. With Fred as her escort she rode along the rode at a swift trot, enjoying the wind in her hair and against her face.
"Miss Katrina." Fred kneed his horse to catch up to her. "Lord Swann gave explicit orders not to let you off of the grounds."
"Oh, what harm could come of me riding along a peaceful road?" Katrina asked, easing back on Lady's (her horse's) reigns.
"Yes, miss, but orders are orders."
Katrina could see that Fred was almost begging with her. "Oh, very well, shall we ride into town? Surely the governor would want his niece to know the town she would be staying in. we could even bring more grooms if it made you feel better. I would take full responsibility if the governor was displeased. Please," she implored. "I am so sick of being cooped up, I just want a short time, half an hour perhaps."
"No more." Fred warned.
"Of course not." Katrina smiled sweetly.
-----------------------------------------
Elizabeth smiled as she handed the last of the invitations to the foot man assigned to deliver the parchment to the addresses on the front of them. She had also got in the order for the flower arrangements to be delivered in a four day's time for the ball and discussed the menu with the cook. There wasn't much to discuss as the ball was set for after supper hours and mostly what was needed were a few appetizer style treats and refreshments.
She got home satisfied with her work and was even more happy to find that Will was home earlier than expected and was in the drawing room playing Jack and Kipp in a few rounds of cards. Kipp had also tired out Sera and she was upstairs taking a nap. Which indicated a few hours of quiet.
-----------------------------------------
Katrina rode carefully through the streets, watching all the activity and enjoying the sights. She was getting thirsty. "Fred, is there someplace to get refreshment? It is hot out and I am quite parched."
"Of course, miss. There is a famous tea and sweets bistro just around the corner up ahead."
Katrina nodded and Fred led her to the shop. She had to admit it was charming, if busy. She entered through the door and was immediately greeted and seated.
"Is there something I can get you miss?" a young girl in a pastel dress and starched white apron uniform approached her.
"Yes, something cool to drink, please." Katrina responded.
"We have iced tea and lemonade. Also water, orange and pineapple juices."
"Lemonade sounds just fine." Katrina told the girl who moved off to get the drink.
---------------------
"Oh my word." A young lady said to her companion on the other side of the shop. "Did you see the lady that just came in?"
"I cannot say that I did, Michelle." Her companion answered.
"I've never seen her before." Michelle continued. "She must be the governor's niece that everyone is talking about but almost no one has seen. She looks an awful lot like Elizabeth Swann."
"Which one is she?"
"She is sitting alone at that table near the window at the other end of the store. The one that the waitress in the pink dress is serving." Michelle motioned vaguely with her hand, careful not to be rude and point.
"Yes, I see."
"Should we ask her to join us?"
Her companion gasped faintly as she caught sight of Katrina's face. "Yes, I believe we should." She motioned to a serving girl and asked her to extend an invitation to the new guest to join them at their table.
---------------------
"Excuse me, miss?" Katrina looked up to see a waitress in pale blue addressing her.
"Yes?" Katrina replied.
"The ladies at another table would like to know if you would care to join them."
Katrina smiled. "I don't see why not."
"Very good, miss. This way. Do not worry about your drink, we will get you a fresh one." Katrina got up and followed the girl across the restaurant.
"Here you are, miss." The girl motioned to an empty chair. Katrina thanked her softly and sat down. And looked at her new hostesses her eyes grew a bit larger.
"Briony?"
The young lady in front of her laughed. "What did I tell you, Michelle? I knew she would recognize me. How are you, Katrina?" She smiled.
"Fine." Katrina was stunned.
"You never did write like you promised." Briony lightly scolded her.
"Sorry, I was quite busy, but how about you?" she hastily steered the conversation away from herself.
"Oh, this and that. parties and soirées." Briony made a shrugging motion with one hand. "Oh, hoe rude of me! I nearly forgot! Michelle, this is my long lost friend, Katrina. Katrina this is my good friend Michelle."
"Nice to meet you." Michelle bubbled.
"How do you do?" Katrina greeted.
"Will you be in Port Royal long?" Briony asked. "There is talk of a ball soon and it wouldn't do to not sample the society."
"Oh, I believe I will be in town for a while." Katrina answered evasively.
"Famous! Where are you staying?"
"With some relatives." Katrina answered.
"Then it is true? Are you the long lost niece of the governor?" Michelle queried.
"Yes, I suppose I am." Katrina shrugged inelegantly.
"Then you will be at the ball. After all it is in your honor."
"Yes, I was just told of it this morning. I suppose I should look for a party dress?"
"Oh, most likely not. He may not look like it, but Lord Swann has good taste in clothing. No doubt he already has something ordered for you. I'm quite jealous you know, he always orders the best." Briony told her. "They say all the young people of a certain age are to be invited, with their parents of course. You know what that means, don't you?"
Katrina shook her head.
"That means a certain young navel officer will also be invited. Perhaps he will stop moping about now." Briony's eyes shone with mirth.
"Oh. Oh!" Katrina repeated as the words sunk in. Briony and Michelle both laughed at her expression.
"So that is why Daniel Norrington hasn't shown much effort in pursuing any of the Port Royal ladies." Michelle exclaimed. "I was beginning to think he would become an old bachelor."
"Michelle and I were on our way to order our dresses for the ball, would you like to come, Katrina?" Briony asked.
"Oh, I should probably get back to the house." She remembered her promise to Fred to not be long. "But I will see you at the ball?"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world." Briony promised as Michelle nodded in agreement.
-----------------------------------------
The invitation to the ball introducing the governor's niece set Port Royal society buzzing and the seamstresses shops working overtime in order for the guests to get new party apparel for the occasion. And, just as Briony predicted, the governor procured a beautiful dress of watered silk in the palest turquoise color. The full skirt was trimmed along the bottom with a pattern of minuscule clear iridescent beads that caught the light at every movement the small puffed sleeves and bodice were covered in the same pattern there were even matching slippers and gloves of watered silk.. But the governor didn't stop there. He also acquired a dainty diamond pendant on a delicate silver chain with matching earrings and a bracelet.
Only then was Governor Swann satisfied that his niece was ready to be presented to Port Royal society in a few days time.
-------------------------------------------------------------
QUOTE TIME!
"We have found a witch. May we burn her?"
Sneak peek goes to the first person who can say where the quote is from… OR say the next couple of lines!
Reviews are as good as playing DDR! I love that game.