This is it, Rose thought. Her hand flicked up to her hair to check her elaborate, curly blonde updo. She smoothed the broad silk, royal blue and cream gown. Took a couple of deep breaths as best as she could despite the restrictive corset.
Peering over the balcony of the Swann manor staircase, she cast a tentative glance at the two figures below. Her father, Governor Swann, and her lifelong friend, Will Turner, stood in conversation, and were admiring Will's latest creation.
Rose took a deep breath and made her way towards the staircase, fan in hand, and made her way slowly down the stairs. Her father spotted her first.
"My word Rose you look beautiful!" her father exclaimed.
Rose smiled and turned her gaze to Will. The young man was looking at her with an admiring, but friendly, expression on his face. "I agree, Governor Swann. Truly, Miss Swann you are a vision" Will smiled. The affirmation that she looked presentable from her closest friend warmed her heart. Grinning broadly, she reached the bottom of the staircase and replied "Thank you gentlemen. It appears the new English fashion is to not be able to breathe at all, however". Hand to her stomach, Rose felt the hard whalebone corset that her maid, Mary, had painstakingly pulled her in to.
"The colour truly becomes you dear" her father said, merriment in his eyes.
Indeed, royal blue truly was Rose Swann's colour. It matched her dark, blonde curly hair and deep blue eyes. Will was still steadily appraising her with a grin on his face.
"Why, I must look suitable for Commodore Norrington's promotion if I am able to drag you two gentleman away from that fine sword. May I, Will?" Rose asked, reaching out to hold the shining sword. "Of course Miss Swann" Will replied, "but be careful of its weight" he added with a gleam in his eye. Handing her father her fan, Rose rolled her eyes and reached for the sword. A pang went through her heart as she remembered the days she and Will used to spend practising their sword fighting in his work room. No, she thought, it is not good to dwell in the past. Today is the day it all changes.
The trio were suddenly made aware of a presence at the top of the staircase. Elizabeth Swann, In all her golden beauty, gracefully made her way down the staircase. Governor Swann's eyes light up as he looked over his eldest daughter.
"my Elizabeth you look splendid! No one will look away from you today darling" he said, passing Rose back her fan as he went to take his eldest daughter's hands.
Rose struggled with the weight of the sword and the fan and turned to Will for assistance. Will, however, was star struck. More specifically love struck. Rose did not hear the resulting conversation between her gushing sister and her friend. A steady and familiar feeling of jealousy worked its way into her stomach. No, not of Will's affection for her sister. He truly had always loved her. But for the lavish attention and love her sister seemed to be able to catch in every room she walked into. Their father clearly adored both girls, but it was Elizabeth who had a special place in his heart. She reminded him of their late mother and had grown into her likeness. Rose know her father loved her dearly, but she knew her father's special attention was for Elizabeth. The feeling or being second best to her sister was a familiar one that had characterised her 18 years of life.
Will finally snapped out of his trance and quickly took the sword off of Rose. "My apologies Miss Swann" he said.
Smoothing down her skirts and spreading out her fan, Rose softly smiled. "it's okay Will". She had always known there was something between her sister and Will. From the moment they met when Will washed up on their ship, she knew they had a connection. She hoped her father would see the love between the pair, and one day let them marry. But it was virtually impossible given their difference in rank.
"Rose that dress is splendid!" Elizabeth cried and came to her sisters side. Rose smiled, "Thank you Lizzy. I truly do not compare to you, though".
"Nonsense!" Elizabeth replied. Passing a glance at their father, she whispered in Rose's ear "It's your day is it not? I'm so happy for you Rosie". Rose chastised herself for harbouring jealousy against her lovely sister. The sisters, after all, had been close all their life.
It was her day, in a way. For the first time, Rose would have something that Elizabeth did not. Something she felt she loved with all her heart.
For it was expected all across Port Royal that Commodore Norrington was going to propose to Rose Swann after his promotion ceremony today.