Chapter 4: Norrington
The days became boring fast as Alice soon found that there wasn't much to do around the mansion. Elizabeth would introduce her to games like croquet, or activities like needlepoint, or they would read books. Alice went into town as often as possible, even if all she did was stand on the dock looking out to sea, or collecting seashells from the shore. She wove them into necklaces and bracelets to help pass the time, giving them out at random to strangers, but she really wished something exciting would happen. She hadn't even knowingly met a single pirate! She shopped around for a coat, but she had yet to find anything she both liked and could afford, even with her gambling winnings.
Norrington visited somewhat regularly to check on her, and even took her to see Fort Charles. She enjoyed standing on the ramparts there; they gave her a clear broad view of the open sea beyond the island. As the days slowly blurred into weeks, Alice took to sneaking out at night as often as possible. Sometimes Estrella or one of the other maids would join her, but oftentimes she went alone. She wasn't terrified of being out alone, especially since she had purchased a nice dagger from Mr. Brown – though, truth be told, she was surprised such a rumpot was even capable of forging something so fine.
Despite the regular acquaintances she had made over the last two weeks at the Rowdy Rooster, she didn't feel up to gambling or being loudly social on this particular night. She decided to make her way to another tavern closer to the center of town called the Royal Anchor. She stepped inside to find it quite similar to the Rooster, but the chatter wasn't quite as loud, there was less clamoring over the gambling tables, and a group of musicians stood in a dedicated corner playing jaunty music in a practiced rhythm. In addition to a similar assortment of merchants and women, she noticed more members of the Royal Navy, easily identifiable as they were still in uniform. She pulled her hat down to cover her face a bit more; she wasn't sure that any of them would recognize her, but she didn't want to chance the governor finding out about her late night habits. She slid up to the bar to order herself a rum, but was interrupted by a familiar voice that instantly sent her into a panic, which she tried to conceal.
"I'm sure you'll find the punch here decently comparable to the ones they serve in the American colonies," spoke Norrington's smooth timbre. She looked at him with wide eyes, but he just chuckled as he stood behind her. She was trying to shake the fear when Norrington ordered two from the barman.
"F-fancy seeing you here," she trembled out, knowing her voice betrayed her nervousness. Norrington chuckled again and turned to watch the drinks being prepared. Her mind was racing with expletives. He paid the barman and slid her drink over to her.
"Shall we?" he gestured toward an empty table near the back and she nodded. They made their way over and he sat with his back to the wall, giving him a vantage of the rest of the place. "Cheers," he held up his glass and she toasted him lightly before taking a small sip through the chunks of mango, pineapple and papaya that mingled in the drink. The exotic blend of sweet flavours surprised her and she let out a pleasurable note of approval. "Better than drinking this swill straight," he smiled and took a draw from his own mug before looking her over. "I'm assuming that the governor does not know your whereabouts?" Alice looked down into her mug.
"You'd be correct," she sighed and then looked up at him. "Would you be kind enough to not inform him?" she said wryly, with the hint of a nervous smirk. Norrington laughed softly.
"Your secret is safe with me. Unless there is something he should know about…?"
"Of course not!" she replied nervously. "I just… It gets a bit boring around there, and I do enjoy a good drink now and again."
"Understandable. Just don't make it a habit," he admonished playfully. "I somehow doubt the governor would be willing to make the concessions he has for a drunkard."
"No, no… This is just a bit of a treat," she shrugged, trying to play off exactly how often she was drowning herself in alcohol.
"Same here," he replied before taking another swig. "As it is, these days I spend more time around here than even I am comfortable with. At least you are smart enough to dress in that manner when doing so." Alice swallowed another sip and looked down at her clothes with a chuckle. She looked back up at his smirking face.
"Is something the matter, James?" she asked honestly. He did not stop smiling, but his eyes betrayed him.
"Just dealing with some serious matters," he dismissed. When she didn't say anything else he sighed. "I have an important decision to make that I have been mulling over for some time, but I find myself a bit unsure of it."
"Is there anything I can do to help? Seeing as you have been very helpful to me." Norrington shook his head.
"Unfortunately, this is something I have to decide all on my own. But thank you, Alice."
"I understand," she smiled and sipped her drink. The pair made light conversation that lost most of its formalities somewhere in the second drink. Norrington told Alice tales of expeditions and shared funny stories about his various crews over the years. Alice found herself wiping away tears of laughter from some of them, and tried to keep the conversation on him, so as not to have to create any false memories to share with him. She altered a few of her own stories to share with him when he pressed, and she enjoyed hearing him laugh at her witticisms. Then, in the midst of their next drink, Norrington brought up a topic that made her cringe.
"Was there anyone special in your life, back in America?" Alice sighed and slumped down in her seat slightly. It had already been eating at her when she had come out to the tavern, and she felt like it might do her some good to talk about it. She took a hearty swig and nodded as she swallowed it down.
"There was a man named Paul. He was very sweet, and I think he longed for a carefree life beyond the constraints of responsibility. But he was dutiful to his position, nevertheless. We had been courting for some time, and I could not have been happier. He often worried about the difference in our years, as he was nearly twice my age," she chuckled softly. "But it never bothered me." She stopped talking and sipped her drink more fervently.
"What happened?" Norrington could sense her sadness beyond what he could see in her eyes, which she closed tightly.
"He slowly became quite distant from me, but it was sudden enough that I noticed. I chalked it up to stress or work, but I finally worked up the nerve to confront him about it." She took a moment to gulp down the remaining half of her drink, exhaling loudly as she swallowed. "Turns out he had met someone else."
"I am sorry to hear that," Norrington said with deep concern.
"I'm sorry to say it," she smiled sadly. "I was devastated. I wanted to hate him so much – and I did for a while – but it wasn't entirely without reason. He had lost his wife long ago, along with his two young children, and he had never quite recovered from that. This woman reminded him of her in many ways, and she had a young son. I know he thought he could recover something of what he lost before, so I don't entirely blame him for what he did; at least, not anymore. But I do still think he was a fool to do it." Alice nibbled a chunk of pineapple from her cup. "Being here has helped. Talking about it has helped as well," she smiled at him and he nodded.
"The hearts of men are such fickle fools; it takes strong resolve to make a decision, and an even stronger one to live with it," he said, seeming to stare off into nothingness. He shook it off quickly and turned his focus back to Alice. "One more round is in order, I think," he smiled. Having had their fill of much sugar, they opted for straight rum this time. "Your ability to consume so much drink impresses me," he joked and Alice laughed.
"My upbringing had much to do with it, I'm sure," she winked, not wanting Norrington to realize she was on the border of becoming an alcoholic. Their conversation resumed its earlier lighthearted tone but with an added flirtatious edge. The rum had lessened their inhibitions significantly, and Alice was greatly enjoying the company of the much more relaxed captain. That final drink, by virtue of not being bogged down with other frivolities, hit them both much harder. Norrington drunkenly apologized many times for his level of intoxication, which made Alice laugh loudly each time. When their mugs were drained, they chatted for a time before Norrington offered to escort her home. They half-stumbled out of the tavern into darkness, but still had several hours until dawn. As they made their way up the street, Norrington stopped and turned to look at a modest house.
"This would be where I live," he informed her. "It's not much, but I've made it my own. Would you care to see it?"
"I would!" Alice was very curious as to what the interior of a house outside of the mansion would contain. He led her to the door and fished in his pocket for the key. Once he got it unlocked they stepped inside, and he quickly lit up several oil lamps. By the dim lighting she could make out a small dining area set with a few chairs, and a pair of somewhat elaborate couches were set in the next room. Small paintings and trinkets adorned the walls sparsely, and he led her up the narrow wooden stairs that opened up into a bedroom. He lit another few oil lamps and she could see a lone bed surrounded by small tables, a large wooden wardrobe, and a dresser that was set with a large oval mirror. A taller swivel mirror stood in the corner by another door that she assumed led to the washroom.
"Like I said before, it isn't much."
"I think it's nice enough," Alice smiled and walked around the room.
"I have had chances to move into something finer with each promotion, but I have not had a sufficient need to move yet." He removed his hat and set it before the mirror. "After I am married I will have to, I suppose." Alice turned to look at him, but he was facing the dresser still.
"Oh? Do you have someone in mind?" Norrington rested his hands on either side of his hat, his shoulders hunching as he dropped his head a bit.
"That would be the matter I was dealing with earlier." He stood up straight and turned to look at Alice. "I know what I have wanted, and I know what is expected of me, but I am unsure of whether it is a possibility, for starters. There are many other things to take into consideration, too." He walked over to his bed and sat down on the edge. "I am not the type of man to rashly rush into something so serious, and I have given it years of thought. Yet, now that the time to finalize the decision is at hand, I find myself in a state of concern." Alice walked over and sat down beside him and he sighed. She stroked his back lightly in a comforting gesture and he turned to look at her. She gave him a concerned smile. Norrington leaned over and pressed his lips to her, kissing her softly. She kissed him back, the intensity starting to build as her buried lust surfaced. He moaned into her mouth and then quickly broke off the kiss, staring at her with something akin to disbelief. He quickly stood up, but his gaze remained the same.
"I-I-I-I apologize," the normally well-spoken man stuttered out. "That was very improper, and I've had too much to drink, and… and…" Alice stood up still looking him in the eye.
"No, it-it's alright, James," she said softly. "Relax!" she said after a moment of him trying to stutter out an apology.
"I shouldn't have brought you here."
"Why not? You haven't done anything wrong."
"Yes, I have. That was very improper."
"How so?"
"I am acting foolish, and I cannot let my intoxication bring me to do anything that would compromise your virtue or my integrity."
"My 'virtue'?" Alice scoffed. "What, do you think me a virgin?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. This seemed to take Norringon off guard.
"W-what?" he stuttered, unable to retort that quickly. She stepped closer to him. "Yes, of course," his reply bordered on incredulous. She put her hands on his chest.
"I'm not," she said softly looking up at him with eyes still lit with lust. He stepped back, but she followed each step until he was against the wall. He was shaking his head but the words weren't coming. Alice dropped her hands. "Do you want me to leave?" He opened and closed his mouth several times, but still no sound came out. "Fine, I will go." She turned and began to walk down the stairs.
"Wait!" She turned to look at him, hoping he had changed his mind. "I… apologize for my behaviour, Alice," he said earnestly. She barked out a short laugh and continued down the stairs and out the front door.
Alice stormed through the streets, cutting into as many alleyways as possible in case he followed her. She couldn't believe his nerve. Fucking Brits and their idiotic notions of modesty and morals, she fumed. No, not just Brits – everyone in this stupid century! She huffed, wishing now more than ever that she were back in her own time. She had forgotten to fully take into account the notions regarding sex in this time and place; rather, she had hoped that the reality would be a bit different from what history chose to depict. She arrived back at the mansion, but waited a minute before going inside. She had to cool her head a bit so as not to rouse anyone. She took a few claming breaths and shook her hands out before slowly slipping in the service entrance, removing her boots to quiet her footfalls. She crept upstairs and dropped onto her bed. She had spent so much time pining over Paul that she had locked her sexual urges away deep, and Norrington brought them fully back to the forefront of her mind in an instant only to immediately deprive her of any satisfaction. She had a very hard time getting to sleep, and she didn't rest well.
