James:
I used to believe that nothing will ever unnerve me more than my proposal to Elizabeth Swann. I have been mistaken. Waiting for the twenty five women to arrive, explicitly to meet me, is about the same number of times more daunting. I am not good with women. They are mysterious creatures, delicate yet remarkably resilient to the vicissitudes of life. I am ever at a loss how to behave around them, wondering when they need support and when admiration.
I could almost swear that Theodore takes delight in my suffering. He, most defiantly, refuses to share with me as much as the names of these women, thus depriving me of an opportunity to plan in advance what I may say to them. He tells me that I must behave naturally, which means that I will surely stutter and make a fool of myself. I feel at a disadvantage because they know a lot about me, whereas I know nothing about them.
An earnest clap on my back, strong enough to throw me off balance, brings me out of the nervous contemplation, and Theodore's face with a barely disguised smirk appears before me.
"Already caving in under pressure?" he inquires, supposedly after my well being.
"What gave me away?" I retort with enough sarcasm to wipe that pleased smirk off his face. "My trembling knees?"
"My dear friend, there is absolutely nothing for you to be worried about because you are as fine a man as can be, no doubt already igniting many hearts with love. We've received an agreement from every woman within three days of our proposal, which only serves to prove your credibility. Allow me to share how very envious I am of your current situation."
"You should be in my shoes then, Theo," I offer. "It is not too late to switch places before they arrive."
"Not a chance, as long as I have the ability to foresee the consequences. I may enjoy all the attention these women may be willing to bestow on me now, but my tale will have the saddest conclusion when in the end I will choose my freedom over a bride. I'm afraid that death by lacy, female handkerchiefs stuffed down my throat may be sexually attractive, but far too undignified even for me. You, however, I have much higher hopes for to walk away with a ring on your finger and the love of your life on your arm."
"Shame," I say, suspecting more trouble in a rose clasped in his hand. "And here I was suffering a delusion that you've arrived to hand out the flowers in my stead."
"This is the first impression rose," he informs me with an exaggerated serenity and an entirely guiltless look of delivering these news to me unexpectedly. "You may give it out on a whim, as soon as you see the one who impresses you, or after talking to some lovely woman, but you must offer this rose before the party ends. The woman you give this to will be safe through the next rose ceremony. I'd like to say choose wisely, but you think too much as it is, so use your intuition."
"You truly know how to comfort a friend. This is exactly what I am in need of, more things to keep on my mind during the course of this evening."
Theodore is never abashed. He winks, placing a rose on a marble column by my right arm, and retreats into the greenery where he will be overseeing my first meeting with each woman. He believes he can provide a valuable outside opinion on their behaviour afterwards, but I'm confident that he is primarily motivated by the desire to spy on them.
The waiting does not last long, but I feel acutely every minute of it, listening for the sound of the hove beats that will bring the first carriage. Nervousness quickly assaults me while I stand at the bottom of the steps that lead into the mansion. I am glad that I've retained my uniform. Theodore was against it, demanding that I wear civilian clothes, but I've had just about enough of his blackmail and pushing. I feel more in my element in the uniform, which has always served me like armour. I will have plenty to worry about to be concerned about my looks. Perhaps, I can let my guard down when fewer women remain.
The most intimidating part is that Theodore with his ever present charm instilled hope in me that I will find true love. Reason suggests that it is impossible, yet I am incapable of becoming involved a cause that I do not believe in. I will never agree to play false with any woman's feelings, no matter how important the reason may be. I went along with Theodore's plan because I want to spend the rest of my life with my soul mate. I am both bewildered and grateful that so many women are willing to meet me and give us a chance at love. Their courage is inspiring. A happy ending is something I'm afraid to believe in, but I do, desperately so. I want to find the woman of my dreams. I am ready to open my heart again.
Lucia:
My bags are packed. I am set to go. I hug my cat goodbye.
"I am going to meet a very handsome man today," I tell him, stroking the silky fur. Snow blinks his dark green eyes at me sleepily. They are huge and all knowing. He licks my hand, providing comfort.
There is a shadow of fear in me, aside from the discomfort of leaving my home. Every eligible woman at Port Royal knows who James Norrington is. Every one of them at least once must have entertained a fantasy what it would be like to share her life with him. I am no exception. I've seen the Admiral in town occasionally, but I do not believe he had ever noticed me. Every time he was deeply involved in helping someone. His kindness always inspired me to be kinder and more helpful to those in need. He leaves a very strong impression upon anyone he meets. Admiring him from the distance was good enough for me. I'm afraid to get any closer to him. I'm afraid that I may genuinely fall in love with him, but no doubt he will not choose me. I am not remarkable.
"I may get my heart broken," I inform Snow. He yawns widely as I return him to my pillow. He is currently my only love. I will miss his purring and his calming presence when he curls on my knees in the evenings. Without any support, I will have to take comfort in what my mother told me when I tried to protest my involvement.
"I believe this will be a beneficial experience for you even if your heart gets broken," she informed me adamantly. "I am concerned that at your age you still haven't experienced the greatest emotion gifted by God to the mankind, the ups and downs of love. I've been patient with you, Lucia, but at twenty two you are becoming a spinster. I am your mother, and if you will not, then I will have to push you out of your comfort environment. It's wonderful that you will compete with other women. Perhaps, you will find something worth fighting for rather than always passively watching the world run past you."
My mother is wise, even if she is wrong about my experience. I should trust her and do my best. I may find love, again.
Carmen:
The weather is brilliant with the evening sky coloured in crimson clouds, and a refreshing wind picking up from the north. We have perfect conditions to reach the mansion without any damage to our finery. The carriage ride is full of fun and good cheer. I talk a lot and laugh a lot with my companions. Their personalities are agreeable with the faults and positives of their own. For instance, I wouldn't defer my judgement to Tracy to form a fair opinion of anyone. She knows far too many unflattering details about everyone in her social circle, especially other young women. But, even if I wouldn't make her my confidant, she is an excellent conversationalist and a source of news.
James Norrington is the center of all the discussion. In spite of his popularity, he is a highly private man, thus we are left to focus on details, speculating what he will be wearing and what type of woman he is looking for. Many are of an opinion that he prefers the temperament of Miss Swann, whereas others believe he may want something different due to his ill experience. His heartbreak is regretful. I hope he will find the right woman to love him. He is an admirable man. I regret not having taken an opportunity to speak with him before.
When our carriage stops, we release an exulted squeal at the sight of the striking figure waiting for us at the end of the red carpet that runs from the carriage door to no other than Admiral James Norrington.
I am the first to come out of the first carriage. I volunteer to come out first. I am not afraid. I was the first woman to agree to this idea as soon as I heard about it. I am always first.
I cross the distance between us swiftly, while taking in the hands clasped behind his back and eyebrows drawn together in concentration. He is aloof and distant. Confidently, I raise my chin higher, challenging him to think any ill of me as I give him my name, but instantly regret my quick judgement.
"G-good evening," he greets me.
I've never heard a rumour that he stutters; Tracy surely would have mentioned it. With all the status that he shoulders, one would assume that he may be arrogant, but he can still be more nervous than I am. I find his bout of shyness endearing.
"What's the difference between a fish and a piano?" I ask him. I have to bite my cheek because he considers the question seriously.
"I'm confident that a brilliant young woman such as you will graciously enlighten me," he entreats.
There is a warm flutter in my stomach. I am unexpectedly reluctant to be silly, which is plainly ridiculous to even consider with me being me. "You can't tuna fish," I proceed.
He makes an honest effort to laugh. I am simply pleased that I've managed to put him at ease. His shoulders relax, and he unclasps his hands. He bows to me elegantly rather than stiffly, but I have none of it, and impose a modest hug on him. I would never have hugged him during the first introduction under any other circumstances, but a hug feels more appropriate than bowing when one shows up to meet their possible soul mate. I tell him what I'm thinking directly, and he smiles. He appreciates honesty.
His smile is warm when it's genuine. Something elusive and touching is revealed, which he keeps concealed, as it lights his face. He is a serious man who doesn't get to smile a lot. He should spend more time with me. I can make him laugh more often.
I am reluctant to leave him so soon, but propriety demands that I go up the steps and enter the open doors of a brilliant, candle lit mansion that beacons me with warmth and adventure. Once on top of the last step, I look back, sadly aware how many beautiful women will be arriving after me. I'm suddenly nervous that he may forget me.
Shannen:
I'm in the third carriage. It's the worst and completely unremarkable place to be. At least in the first carriage the bachelor may remember the first woman to greet him. The most advantage is arriving in the last carriage. He will remember the last woman best. Men have such short memories.
At least, I can see at once that I have no competition in my carriage. The woman beside me, Lucia, is so unremarkable that even the colour of the seat is winning in contrast with her dress. The bachelor will forget her immediately. She is drowned out by the loudest woman I've ever met. Louisa has a long horse face, and exactly the same horse laugh. Surely, a man is looking for a wife not a zoo, or a child for that matter. Thelma cannot be more than sixteen years old. She reminds me of a little hamster lost in the jungle. With the twenty five ladies, and only one undeniably appealing man, she no doubt will get eaten quickly.
The only one who can be of any threat is Winona. At least she has enough sense to look down on her competition through the tight lips and a lioness posture. That regal look will not save her, however. A man needs a wife full of passion. He cannot live while constantly hugging an icicle.
I make small conversation with these foolish women to determine whether there may be more to them than they look, but the carriage stops. I graciously let them all go first to postpone my introduction as much as possible. All of them make a sorry sight, looking awfully nervous and clumsy with their greetings.
Louisa instantly makes a fool of herself by grabbing the bachelor's forearms and asking whether he has registered these guns with the Crown. I've leaned far enough out of the carriage to hear it. This is the most ludicrous compliment I've ever heard. She clearly has an intelligence of a cannon ball, and modesty of a strumpet. I don't want her grabby hands on my future husband.
With all of them gone, I come out in my stunning red dress. There is a rose on a column beside the Admiral. I give him a hint that he should give it to me by asking what he has there, but he ignores it. Pity. I suppose military men aren't supposed to be smart. I guess, it's good when a wife is the clever one in the family to control her husband better. He is definitely a military man. I've heard that he singlehandedly killed two hundred pirates during one of the sea battles, thus he cannot possible smart with a record like this.
Empty handed, I go into the mansion. At least it is hospitable. A servant offers me a drink, and I join mostly a sorry crowd that soon will be going home. While waiting for the bachelor to join us, I make entertaining conversation with Blair and Helen. Helen has a very good insight on people. Her remarks about other women that put them all in their lowly places are wonderful. I wonder which one of them will cry first.
It will be an interesting night.