"I am going." she repeated stubbornly, following after him into his study while he attempted to retrieve the things he was missing.
He couldn't stop the deep growl of exasperation from forming in his throat. Briefly forgetting about the collection of his documents, James turned to look at his wife, willing her to realize how truly serious he was about it.
"No. You are most definitely not. And I will not hear any more of it, Elizabeth." he declared with finality, walking around the desk and pulling open the uppermost drawer. His eyes swiftly searching for the report with the last coordinates.
He was certain he left them in there. Yet, he seemed unable to concentrate on anything else while Elizabeth accosted him with persistence.
"Why not?"
The audacity of her question made him stop all further movement. His head dropped down even further and the wrinkle between his eyes deepened, before his gaze raised to stare at his relentless wife with aggravation.
They had been having the same argument for the past few days, and James was already beyond exhausted at having to keep repeating himself.
On her part, Elizabeth's expression suggested she was more than willing to endure a prolonged battle of wills against him.
"Because it's a pirate port, Elizabeth!" he reminded her with exasperation, finding it impossible to believe that she could be oblivious enough to ignore the reason why he could never allow it. However, Elizabeth looked genuinely contrite by his denial, and the resolution with which she held her chin high did not falter, warning him of her determination.
"I know that!" she complained with obvious exasperation, walking close to where he was until her hands could land on the surface of the table with a sonorous thump, leaning forward with narrowed eyes. "That is exactly the reason why I have to go. You'll need my help!"
One thumb rubbed at his temple in an attempt to relax the tension of the muscles there that were starting to threaten him with the promise of a headache.
You're pregnant! And it's dangerous, James barely restrained himself from adding, -fully conscious of the response such declaration would elicit from her- choosing to resume his search instead. Regardless of what she told him, he would not allow his decision to change or waver.
Even when she already was a few months along, her stomach remained inconspicuously small thus far. The delight she felt at being able to continue moving unhindered was something she made quite evident at every opportunity she found, and he was content with observing as she pranced joyfully all over the island. Albeit, it seemed to have influenced his beloved wife into becoming unjustifiably confident on her physical capabilities at the moment.
Deciding he could not let her distract him from the task at hand any longer, he attempted to convince her once more. Using his most calm and collected tone "I have gathered enough men to lead an invasion if there was a need to, Elizabeth."
Her back straightened, her lower lip jutted out in and her eyes shined with cleverness as she stared at him.
He knew she was rushing to think of a response that would help her advocate for the need of her presence. But there was none. They both knew there was none.
"...Then there is no particular need for your intervention. Is there?" she voiced suddenly, making his hands pause in their search.
His face rearranged into a confused frown, unsure he had heard her correctly.
"Pardon?"
While James knew his wife could act quite spoilt whenever she wanted something, Elizabeth was a very mature woman and one of the most intelligent individuals he'd ever met.
Since they had wed, not once before had she asked anything of him that could truly interfere with the execution of his duties. Thus, he was considerably uncertain on how to react appropriately to her unexpected words, and he guessed his face must have been displaying the same bewilderment he felt inside.
"Elizabeth." calling her name in a tired sigh, he allowed his eyes to close for a few seconds as he composed himself as well as he could. In situations like this, it sometimes require significant effort to try and decipher what the woman he loved was thinking, but realizing he would be not be successful in this occasion, he conceded swiftly. "I'm afraid I do not truly understand the nature of your question."
Her scowl became an odd mix of embarrassment and anger, but she pleaded without showing hesitation, "I am asking you not to go."
At the unchanging reply, James felt unable to do more than to stare at her with worry, thinking there was an almost odd degree of need on her demeanour, one that he sincerely did not understand. He wished for the moment she would start laughing amusedly at his naivete. But, Elizabeth continued looking at him with a pleading gaze.
"Love." he ventured, much more gently this time, wanting to soften her defensive countenance before his next words. "I have to go. Doing otherwise would be a blatant disregard for my obligations."
Her posture stiffened, her delicate features growing into something slightly more hostile at his denial, as if she had already been expecting it.
"You are not even certain of the accuracy of the information in that report!"
"There is no reason why I would have to question it," he defended with a displeased scowl. "and..."
"There are barely any pirates left that would dare venture this side of the Caribbean for an attack!" Elizabeth interrupted him brusquely, "But an unknown pirate ship is sighted crossing past one of the better known lanes south of Jamaica right after another one of those bloody Company garrison's is raided!?" she asked with disbelief, her voice rising higher than normal, no longer attempting to mask her anxiety.
There was soundness to her argument, and he could agree with the need to exercise proper caution, but... Elizabeth's concern was truly overstated.
"It is not implausible that such misjudgement would be a result of a lack of alternatives." he tried to reason, with the hope that it would help assuage her worries even a little.
"There's no evidence of that. Their evasion tactics have been quite pristine so far."
"Their kind is rash and reckless by nature." he continued, almost sighing in relief once he finally found the damned document that had him unable to escape his current situation.
"They are also dishonest and shrewd."
And not the brightest.
"They're just pirates, Elizabeth." he insisted undaunted, closing the drawer more forcefully than what was strictly necessary as his back straightened and he placed the report with the rest of documents.
"Is that not cause enough for more caution on your part?" she argued heatedly, crossing her arms and glaring at him with an expression that made it clear she wished her sword was within reach.
His wife's ability to swiftly dismiss each one of his attempts was almost admirable.
Had she been born as a man, she could have been one intimidating general.
The sudden image of her garbed in an officer's coat and a ceremonial hat while terrorizing an entire fleet, almost brought a smirk to his face.
"Besides, you patrol those waters regularly. But you have never found evidence of their presence in the area before."
His lips pursued immediately as the amusement disappeared after hearing those words.
What was she intending to say? Was she questioning his capacity to do his job properly? Her lack of trust in him was unjustified. He was an accomplished Captain, and he had been guarding the eastern Caribbean waters for almost a decade.
Pride stung and left wondering whether the declaration was meant as a reproach for his ineptitude, James chose to dismiss the notion altogether.
Walking around the desk, he leaned his hip against it as he imitated her disgruntled stance. "Whatever might be the reason as to why we could not locate them before, we certainly did this time."
"James!"
The tension on her shoulders and the tight fists she maintained while holding onto nothing but air. Alerted to her mounting frustration, his own anger quickly faltered.
Even if he remained resolute in his decision, he had no desire to truly upset Elizabeth. And the worry that his wife might make herself ill was all he cared for.
Relaxing his posture, he took a step closer to her, seeking her attention before speaking in a more measured, conciliatory manner, "You've said it yourself, Elizabeth. I've been in pursue of those scoundrels for nearly a year now. It is considerably more disturbing that it has taken me this long to find them."
"You don't know it's them." she insisted stubbornly.
Who else would it be then?
"But it is highly possible they are." he reasoned, confident she agreed with him. "And regardless of who they are, I cannot allow a band of criminals to flee after daring to attack our people."
She continued glaring at him, but her arms had fallen back to her sides.
"You are not listening to what I'm telling you, James." she sighed defeatedly.
Elizabeth's eyes were reflecting too many emotions for him to clearly discern what she was feeling. But before giving him the opportunity to ask her, she spoke again.
"Do what you must then." she offered, adding a short huff of frustration before turning away from him and quickly moving towards the door. However, before she completely abandoned the room, her scowling face glanced back at him, adding in a threatening hiss "But if you leave now, I'm going to run away together with our baby, and you can stay here all on your own!"
Both his eyebrows raised in bafflement, but he remained otherwise immobile, incapable of doing anything but stare as she turned on her heels and walked out the door.
A few heartbeats passed before his feet eventually decided to remember how to function properly and allowed him to chase after her.
...
Following her to the inside of the bedroom, he found her leaning against the windowsill with crossed arms. Her attention fixed on the view outside the window. But she had refused to acknowledge his presence since the moment he entered. Not when he began approaching her, and not even when he stopped right behind her. Choosing instead to continue staring at the outside with a serious mien.
His eyes trailed in the same direction, but there was nothing that could have possibly captured her interest so intensely on the outside. The weather was terrible, and the fog so thick that there was barely any visibility beyond a few yards ahead of the gate.
With some caution, he let his palm venture forward until it rested on the base of her back.
Elizabeth still chose to continue ignoring him, but she did not make an effort to disengage from him either. Encouraged by this, his arm moved to wrap completely around her middle, the other one joining shortly after. Bringing his nose down to the side of her neck he brushed carefully against it, attempting to beg for her leniency in spite of not being able to offer a different response to the one he had already given.
As the sensation of her body and the fragrant scent of her perfume quickly overwhelmed all his senses, he managed to easily neglect his precarious standing on her good graces, shamelessly placing a languid kiss over her exposed skin before attempting to conceal an impertinent smirk against the side of her head once he felt a light tremble travel through her in response.
Unfortunately, he was not so successful in preventing the amused chuckle that escaped him when he saw her try to act apathetic by turning her neck even further away from him even as her back pushed deeper into his chest.
As a result, Elizabeth's stubborn scowl became more prominent, and her determination not to look at him seemed to grow.
Remembering the various times she'd told him that the sensation was enjoyable and comforting, he placed both palms gingerly over the small, yet firm swell at the base of her abdomen, resting his cheek comfortably on the top of her head and closing his eyes. Feeling perfectly content with staying in such position for as long as she would grant it.
Whilst he agreed Elizabeth's words were undoubtedly true. He considered the action as mostly distracting. The differences between the flat, soft contours he had been used to and the small protrusion were not very significant yet, but he still found them quite disorienting. In spite of it, he could not deny that he was enthralled to that single point whenever he touched her like this. And knowing that their child was growing inside was a strange reality, one that was difficult to describe.
He became immersed in his own thoughts until he felt her delicate fingers brush over the back of his palm and settle there.
Without thought he buried his face even deeper into the long curls and pulled her closer to him. "You did not mean those words before." he affirmed confidently, keeping his voice low and affectionate but form enough to let her know he would not be swayed by her. wanting to avoid any as he not wishing her to believe him to be acting impudently.
Her face no longer held the anger from earlier, but she made a dismissive grunt at his words.
"Maybe I didn't," she agreed with unexpected ease. Although her frowning lips presented an impressive display of a tantrum that he found so adorable he wanted to laugh, "but... maybe I could."
The deliberate haughtiness of her voice, and her contrasting words and actions made it difficult to keep from wanting to tease her. But regardless of his awareness of the lack of sincerity in her words, he would not continue entertaining the notion any further.
"Even if you were serious, I cannot allow it to happen." he warned her with a low growl of his own, not unkindly, but with no hint of playfulness either.
Her clever eyes finally regarded him, looking at him with interest and mirth as her hand raised to grab his chin.
"But you will not be here to stop me."
The brazen observation had him turning her body until they were facing each other.
James considered himself to have been raised as a proper gentleman, and he had always strived to behave as such. But he had offer her a fair amount of opportunities to choose differently, given her enough chances to leave him, and she had rejected them all. As a result, he now found himself incapable and entirely unwilling to take the noble path and let her out of his grasp.
"I will go to the world's end if necessary, just so I can drag you back to my side." he threatened back, offering her the same self-assured, arrogant expression she was giving him. Pulling on her wrist and bringing it to his mouth, giving her palm an affectionate kiss and keeping it in contact with his face.
The dark eyes in front of him filled with defiance as Elizabeth smiled widely at the unintended challenge.
His face moved to hers until there was no longer any space between them. "You would not be able to escape for long." he promised confidently, not allowing her to continue arguing against him, grabbing her chin and placing another kiss on her cheek.
An enthusiastic laugh rang near his ear, before she muffled the joyful sound on his shoulder. Her body no longer presented any resistance to him, melding smoothly to his as the shaking of her shoulders waned slowly.
"That is a terrifying declaration." she noted in a light, musing tone.
He wanted to complain, tell her that she had been the one to start uttering terrifying words. His heart had truly felt like it might falter when she said she'd leave.
"...I've been having nightmares." she confessed quietly, shifting closer.
"Nightmares?"
The word caused him some unrest, wanting to ask if she'd been sleeping properly. He deduced lack of proper sleep would explained her unusual irritation, and her plead to not be left alone.
"...Hmm." Offering a short nod of her head as she held onto him lightly, leaning her weight on him.
He simply returned the embrace, stroking her head slowly while hoping it would help calm her.
As her head still rested heavily on his shoulder, James could not see what sort of her expression she was making, but Elizabeth sounded tired, finally seeming to become worn by the fight. And seeing as she did not seem keen on moving from where she was, it was likely the admission had embarrassed her.
"What have you been dreaming off?" he asked gently, hoping it would encourage her to tell him honestly.
"It feels like... It doesn't feel right."
"What do you mean?"
Her eyes finally looked at him. Her expression was serious and full of concentration.
"They've been hiding all this time. With commendable success at that."
One of his eyebrows raised unimpressed at the unintended insult.
Elizabeth winced slightly once she realized as well, offering him an apologetical smile. She appeared to make an effort to add some measure to her words before continuing, but she simply could not dispel the anxiety emanating from her. "What I meant to say is that you've been trying so hard... and then they get spotted so easily?"
There had been nothing 'easy' about any of it. Yet, there was no reason to refute her.
He would willingly trust her with his life. However, allowing his decisions to be influenced by such groundless reason was something he could not permit himself to do.
"I'm sorry." He truly was. "I am still going." he added very gently, wishing he could offer her a different answer, but hoping she would see the truth of his words on his repentant grimace.
Her face was no longer marred with tension, but she still looked far from pleased.
A defeated sigh left her lips, her hands clung to the back of his head, fiddling with his hair as she watched him attentively.
"Isla de Padres is a den crawling with pirates and criminals. To the point that even the Spanish have chosen to forsake it." she reminded him, although her demeanour was completely relaxed now. "Outside of your jurisdiction as well."
It was the reason why he needed to stop them. If those pirates were allowed to continue with their activities unchecked, others criminals would be emboldened to do the same.
"I never knew any of that to be a concern for you." he jested, smiling faintly and holding onto her sides.
Her palm trailed down to his chest, resting her small palm on it. "My only concern at the moment is your safety."
It was almost disconcerting to see Elizabeth, -who was significantly more courageous and adventurous than him- act so cautious and reluctant. Of course there was risk involved, pirates were always a threat.
He could understand her anger at being forced to stay behind, but her worry was more difficult to comprehend. He'd been chasing after and fighting pirates for most of his life. He knew what to expect, and he was capable of dealing with the situation accordingly.
"Elizabeth..."
Her thumb brushed his jaw as she sighed again. "If you have not returned before this child is born, I will not be speaking to you ever again."
Her words did not hold the menacing tone of her previous threat, and her eyes reflected nothing but affection and concern.
"I would never dare to commit such grave error, Love." he assured her, struggling not to laugh. She was still only a couple of months along, it was impossible that his task would take him that long. While the penetration into the city would not be without issue, it would not be that difficult of a task either. "I will endeavour to speed the capture as much as I possibly can."
Her wyes rolled back as her attractive mouth parted and a sceptical sound came out. "Surely you will."
"I might have to stay aboard The Dauntless." he offered, pressing a kiss to the top of her ear.
This time, her smile was sly but resigned. "Liar."
Having no interest in continuing investing strength in an unpleasant discussion, he decided to occupy their time with more important matters. Moving his hand up her back, he held her nape still as his lips slanted over hers.
She did not protest.
"How has my daughter been this days?"
The abrupt question was enough to disrupt his wandering thoughts, drawing his stare from the open waters and back to the older man walking next to him.
He knew the Governor was likely inquiring about Elizabeth's pregnancy and overall health but James couldn't help the small, deprecating smirk that appeared on his face as he thoughtlessly responded, "Currently not on speaking terms with me. I think she might be doing her best to avoid seeing me."
The Governor stopped his steps as he turned to look at him with a surprised but amused expression, "That's an unexpected thing to hear."
James' gaze momentarily drifted away in embarrassment once he realizing that he had confessed to having a fight with his wife to her father.
"It's only a minor disagreement," he assured the Governor, wishing he had kept his words to himself. "Elizabeth is discontent with a decision I made is all. But it is nothing that should be cause for your concern, Sir."
The older man's intrigued stare made him feel quite uncomfortable. While his relationship with both his wife and his father-in-law were both quite harmonious. He had yet to discover how to properly speak to the man he considered a friend, of his relationship with his daughter.
"No need to worry, Son." the Governor told him placatingly. "I only meant that it's surprising to hear you two are having an argument."
"We have disagreements all the time." he told his father-in-law with mild confusion. "But I assure you, I would never disrespect your daughter in any possible manner." he assured quickly. Once again wishing he had simply remained quiet.
Usually, James was very careful not to say anything that could be considered either inappropriate or disrespectful. Yet he was curious now.
"Has she not said anything?" he asked, knowing Elizabeth had been visiting The Governor's Mansion with frequency over the past weeks.
A curious frown formed on the Governor's forehead as his head tilted to the side in much the same way Elizabeth's did. "Told me anything?"
How did their marriage appear to her father?
The faint doubt had plagued his thoughts from time to time.
The night he had showed at the Mansion's doorsteps while carrying a vulnerable, unconscious Elizabeth, The Governor had done nothing but repeatedly, and profusely apologized to him over his daughter's actions once they were left alone. He had appreciated the Governor's intentions, but the man's considerate actions had only served to further humiliate him.
Being forced to remember how much of his feelings and intentions James had disclosed in front of the man with the hope to be allowed to court his daughter. In the Governor's eyes, he must have seemed like nothing more than a pathetic, pitiful man that had been clearly rejected after deluding himself with foolish hopes.
He had made every effort to relieve the man of any concerns that night. Assuring him on several occasions that he harboured no ill will towards him, nor towards Elizabeth for her rejection.
Had Weatherby Swann ever suspected James of forcing their marriage upon his daughter after his return? Her decision had been difficult to understand even for him, but surely the Governor would never have allowed it to happen had he presumed as much.
His wife had assured him that she had made her feelings for him and intentions very clear to her father. But James was unsure what her feelings had been at the time. Likely she'd held a certain level of fancy, possibly desire; knowing her, a certain degree of possession as well, but... He certainly wouldn't believe Elizabeth to have declared her undying love for him to Governor Swann.
The conflicting thoughts made him hesitate on his words, not knowing how to ask what he wanted to know. "About me, about us. Has Elizabeth never..."
He was almost admired by his ability to continue expression himself in the most incoherent manner possible in front of the man.
Feeling restless and not knowing what to do with his hands, they ended clasped at his back. The familiar posture returning a small sense of comfort that he was grateful for.
"Has she not expressed any dissatisfaction?" he finally asked, knowing Elizabeth had been visiting The Governor's Mansion frequently over the past weeks.
"Ah." the Governor exclaimed. The smile returning to his face once he understood his meaning. "She does talk quite a lot about you, but I can assure you my daughter has never once expressed any sentiment that could be interpreted as dissatisfaction with you, James."
It was entirely mortifying to force his father-in-law into having to reassure him as if he was a small child, but it was also relieving to hear such words.
He'd always imagined Elizabeth informed her father about the grievances her husband caused her in much the same way she made sure to tell him. However, it appeared his assumption had been premature.
"I see."
Their feet resumed the path without much prompt.
The Governor's good mood remained unaffected as he reported with a smirk, "I do know my daughter has a very strong will when she determines to be," he declared with unmasked mirth, "And I know how very difficult it is to deny her."
The smile that erupted on his face was honest. "Yes. It truly is."
The Governor's smile became knowing "So, did the two of you had the sort of disagreement where she gets an idea in her head and you try to convince her otherwise, with very little success?"
A small chuckle escaped his throat at the Governor's words.
That was a completely accurate assessment.
James' expression must have confirmed the Governor's suspicions, because he offered a short laugh and a small nod to himself in confirmation. "Yes, I am somehow familiar with those."
Weatherby Swann probably knew best how so very difficult it could be to appease her daughter's temper. Particularly when trying to convince her to agree to something she truly didn't want to agree to.
"I wouldn't reckon you emerge victorious after any of those very frequently?" the Governor asked him, looking at him with sympathy and a complicit but teasing smile.
His head shook gently from side to side as his smirk grew wider. "Not often, no."
But contrary to his admittance of defeat, there was nothing but contentment in him as the two of them had a short laugh at the expense of Elizabeth.
It was not like he ever really cared to win. Nothing gave him more pleasure than watching Elizabeth brighten with happiness as she smiled up at him. And to his slight surprise, she very rarely asked for things he would consider to be truly unreasonable; even when she did, he had barely made efforts to try to convince her to change her mind. Even when he probably should have.
The Governor's expression became slightly subdued, staring ahead as they continued staring at the sun disappear over the horizon.
"I am well aware of how…" he paused for a moment, looking pensive as he searched for the words he wanted "Relentless." he finally settled on, bringing a conspiratorial look between the two "My daughter can be in her quest for what she wants. And I must confess to my share of responsibility on that. I'll admit that I have been overly indulgent with her in many instances, for which sometimes I worry that you might be forced to concede to her whims."
Both his eyebrows raise in surprise as he stared at the Governor's serious eyes.
James was grateful for the man's concern for him, but he couldn't help but argue, "I am more than willing to give her whatever she might ask of me, Sir. And if I may be so bold… I think you are being uncharitable on your assessment of her." he dared to say, making an effort to maintain the respect for the man but also needing to defend his wife "It's true that Elizabeth is still young, but she is a brilliant and sensible woman"
And the best thing that could have happened to him.
Not allowing his gaze to waver from the older man, he continued with sobriety "I am truly honoured and grateful that she has deemed me worthy enough of being by her side." There had never been a moment where he had regretted his decisions. "Everything I've done for her, I have consented to."
Understanding his words, the Governor offered a deferent incline of his head in apology. "Hearing you say that does help put my mind at ease." he informed as his spirit returned to the former light atmosphere while they continued on their path. "And I am thankful to hear that is the case."
As the last rays of sunshine disappeared, the sky started turning dark shades of purple and blue.
"But I'll admit to my impertinent curiosity. I truly can't imagine what you could have possibly done to earn my daughter's displeasure."
The words were prodding, but James found no trace of irritation inside him. Although his step did falter momentarily at the direct question. When he looked back at his wife's father, he found the Governor already looking at him with the same mirthful curiosity from before, giving him the confidence to answer him honestly. At least partially.
"Elizabeth is... worried, about my upcoming mission to Isla de Padres."
Worried was probably not the correct word to describe Elizabeth's current disposition, and he was convinced a significant part of her disgruntlement was originated by her inability to join the expedition. But telling the Governor that, would get the both of them in unnecessary trouble.
The understanding in his face was immediate. "Not worry then. Pregnancy can be a stressful period for a woman. But I'm sure she will be in a better mood by the time you return."
While he was not by any means an expert, he doubted the pregnancy itself was causing his wife to much unease this far. But... It was still possible that the cause of her uncommon unrest was related to it.
"Elizabeth is happy with you."
The sudden remark made James look back at the other man, completely startled by the declaration.
Weatherby stopped walking, offering him a kind smile as he reached to pat his arm affectionately. "I truly am grateful to you for that, James."
The Governor's features became tainted by sadness as he looked away from him.
"I feel like there is a confession I should make" the man said, returning his attention to him. "After Elizabeth continue insisting on her decision to marry you after your return... I was bewildered by the news, quite worried as well. And I did try to advice her against it."
Instead of offering a response, James continue listening to the man with interest. He did not feel even a hint of resentment at the words conveyed.
How could he ever fault the Governor for trying to protect Elizabeth? After all, he had tried to do the same.
"I have great affection for you and hold you in high regard. But after the incident with those pirates and what happened with young Turner..." he trailed vaguely, offering him an apologetic, almost ashamed grimace before continuing, "I couldn't help but think that the two of you might not have been very suited for each other after all."
He couldn't fault the man for that either.
After being forced to realize the depth of her feelings for Turner in such a humiliating way, he had been deeply wounded. Regardless, he'd been prepared to do the right thing and release her from her promise after he returned to Port Royal.
It took him mere weeks to realize that his insistent chasing after The Black Pearl was more closely related to Turner's presence aboard the ship, than with Sparrow himself. Hypocritically telling himself that his only goal was to capture the pirates and bring them to justice. Yet completely aware of his desire to take his revenge on the boy as well. It had taken a lot of effort to temper down his murderous intent towards William Turner.
The shame after realizing what a deeply pathetic man he truly was, was impossible to ignore. Finally accepting that she had been justified in choosing Turner over a man like him, and James had been determined to do the right thing for her and release her from the insincere promise she had coerced herself into the moment he returned to Port Royal.
However, the stubborn woman had decided to sent his soul into further disarray by fighting against him. The uncertainty of not understanding what her true intentions were, had him trying his best to reassure her, to provide her with what he thought she wanted most: her freedom from him. All he'd wanted as he stared at her desperate expression, was to be the cause of her happiness instead of her misery, at least once... but with every word he'd pronounced, all he had accomplished was to put a look of greater sadness on her beautiful face.
Her eyes had stared at him with frustration and confusion, and he simply could not begin to comprehend what he was supposed to do to make her happy. He tried, he truly did. But she countered each and every one of his words until his resolution wavered worthlessly, making him unable to determine what was happening. Then her lips had grazed against his with tender affection and he became a fool for her.
He knew Elizabeth to be resourceful and determined enough to resort lying, but the way her lips had fervently caressed his with nothing but yearning… James knew his fortune at that moment. He would be a fool if she wanted him to, one that would willing suffer at her hands whatever fate she decided for him. And that was the only certainty that he had ever needed.
With her body in his arms, warm and real and so willing, it became impossible for him to think about anything else. To feel anything but elation.
'Did you like it?' she had asked him with red cheeks, puffy breaths and eyes shining up at him with an innocence that he could have never believed to be feigned. It was the shiest, most sincere smile he'd ever seen. So unlike her usual confidence and pride.
He'd fancied her for years before that day; her beauty, her intelligence and her spirit. But he'd fallen irrevocably in love with her and with the precious smile he gifted her that day. His greatest desire had become to keep that gaze filled with love and desire shining in her eyes and directed at him.
'much more than what is proper, my Lady' with only those few words, he had managed to transform her expression into that of a misbehaving child that had finally obtained what she wanted.
At that moment, he promised himself to strive to keep that expression on her forever.
'Would you do me the honour of your hand?'
'I would be happy to accept.'
The sincerity emanating from her as she said the words caused a feeling in him that he was not able to describe. James was not sure he had known what true happiness felt like before that moment. All he could do was promise himself to repay Elizabeth's grace no matter how long it took him.
Nothing was more important than her, and she was going to give him a child. It was the most daunting prospect that he'd ever faced… and the most thrilling as well.
His awareness returned to the man next to him and the conversation they were having.
The man he considered almost a father was looking at him with nothing but kindness and patience. The only relevant thought after looking at the Governor's worried eyes, was that the man should have nothing to apologize for, nor should he feel responsible for what had happened in the past.
"In spite of what happened in the past, or what might occur in the future, I can promise to always strive to do whatever necessary to ensure your daughter's happiness and safety, Governor Swann. The same is the case for the child she is expecting, for any other children we might have."
There was no doubt in his heart that he meant every word, and so he willed his eyes to convey the sincerity of his words while he stared unfalteringly at his father-in-law.
The older man chuckled with a little surprise. "I think my daughter has always been under the impression that I wanted you two to wed because of my appreciation for you. And while I am forced to admit there is some truth to that… I always saw the sincere yearning in your eyes whenever you looked at her."
"I assumed that if someone like you, who has always been so completely stoic and dutiful to the point that you never let emotion escape you; if someone like that could look at my dear, reckless, courageous daughter and become incapable of conceal all that affection… Well, it just seemed to me like you would make a fine choice for her."
Weatherby Swann was a man that he could undoubtedly say he admired and respected. He had always been appreciative of the support and kindness the Governor had shown him from the moment they all arrived on Port Royal. Young and arrogant as he had been, Governor Swann had always been a reliable ally, someone he could trust. A support. A confidant. A dear friend.
The Governor laid his hand on his shoulder and patted him gently. "You're an excellent man, Son. And I am sincerely grateful I was correct."
Son. It wasn't the first time the Governor addressed him in such manner, but it truly felt like the first time James truly appreciate the affection behind the word while directed at him.
For someone like him, who had only ever managed to be a pitiful disappointment for his own fearsome and duty-bound father; understanding how such a good-hearted man like the Governor saw enough value in him to allow him, not only his favour but even his precious daughter's hand...
There was absolutely no response he could think to give to such man in that moment. So instead, he stared at him, feeling lost and a little disoriented.
As if noticing his chaotic state, the Governor declared gently, "I truly do see you as a son, James. Do consider that."
The sensation of slight constriction around his throat after hearing the distinct affection of his words, made him struggle a little to continue taking in the air in even breaths.
"I'm… truly grateful. Thank you, Sir."
He tried his best to prevent the break on his voice from becoming too obvious, but he did not think he managed a very good job at it.
"Nonsense," the Governor dismissed with a gentle wave of his hand, "There is no need for that much formality between family."
Thankfully for his pride, the Governor did not make any comment about his unbecoming reaction, instead the man simply patted his shoulder once more before easing his hold and gesturing to the front in invitation to resume their walk.
His feet followed, but his mind was preoccupied elsewhere, still trying to recompose himself while hoping no one would be coming to look for him any time soon.
Raising a finger as if suddenly remembering something of vital importance, the Governor casually added "And as a warning; I am planning to spoil that grandchild of mine rotten. So you two will have to deal with the consequences of that."
James' laugh after hearing such ridiculous declaration, was nothing but sincere and relieved.
He would be much too glad to concede to that loss.
Note: Once again I live! haha.