spacebabie | Hearts Across the Sea I (Reply)

Disclaimer: Pirates of the Caribbean and all related characters belong to Walt Disney, Gore, Jerry, Ted and Terry.

Original Characters such as Julia Carlisle and Abigail Peterson are my own creation.

Characters: James Norrington, Theodore Groves, Murtogg, Mullroy, William Turner, Elizabeth Turner, Julia Carlisle, Abigail Peterson.

Setting: A few months after The Chosen.

Hearts Across The Sea

Chapter 1: More Than Just Friends?

Admiral James Norrington paused before he stepped onto the gangplank leading to the pier. Another mission had been a success, albeit he was not the one to capture the pirate known as Captain Scar, he had cornered the pirate vessel, and practically chased it into Commodore Taylor’s own grasp. He may not have achieved the rights, but he did participate in the battle and the Naiad’s brig was filled.

“It is good to be home?” Captain Theodore Groves asked from behind.

“Very,” James smiled and breathed deeply, taking in the scent of the aged wood, seawater and even dead fish. He felt the warmth of the sun from overhead, accompanied by the heavy and thick humidity that clung to him, making him want to tear off his uniform, but that would wait until he had arrived home. He had long ago learned to control that urge.

“Hopefully we won’t have to be called away for a while,” Groves limped behind him relying a bit on a makeshift cane. During the battle with Scar’s crew Groves as was stabbed in the leg, just above his knee.

“Even if we are called I will order you to stay behind until you have completely healed,” James said. “I wish I still had my healing abilities.”

“I believe we all wished we still had them,” Groves shrugged. “They are no longer needed.”

“I daresay I miss my angelic hair.” The heat and his wig was causing his scalp to become extremely uncomfortable and he kept his hands behind his back, fingers laced together to keep from trying to scratch his scalp. When he was a Chosen his head had never itched.

“Do you miss your tail?” Groves arched an eyebrow. James just stared at him. “I believe that would be a negative response.”

“It over and in our past, as of now I am looking forward to a nice cup of tea, and a warm bath. Although I do not know which order I want them in.”

“I have to take my tea first,” Groves held up the bottle the ship’s doctor had given him. “I have to mix it with my medicine and then take a nap.”

“You deserve a rest,” The two men paused by the group of awaiting marines, including Murtogg and Mullroy. “Take the prisoners aboard to Fort Charles.” He did not wait for the response and turned back to Groves. “We both do.”

“Welcome home, Admiral,” was music to Norrington’s ears when he stepped inside his home.

“Thank you, Christine,” James smiled at his maid and removed his hat.

“Has the mission been a success?” Christine held out her hands, ready to take the articles of clothing he had removed from him.

“Captain Scar is no longer a threat to the sea,” James handed both his hat and wig over to her before he began to wiggle out of his coat.

“You did not get injured?” Christine asked in a motherly tone.

“Not I save for a few scratches, Captain Groves was stabbed in the leg, but his wound has been treated. He does use a cane to help him get around.”

“I hope the poor dear does not have to be forced into an early retirement,” she accepted his coat.

“He just needs to stay off his feet for a few weeks,” James made his way to his favorite chair. “We both need to rest.”

“I hope you don’t mind resting in the dining area,” Christine smiled. “News had spread of your arrival and I brewed you a pot of tea. There is a cup waiting for you, along with a few letters.”

“Thank you,” James stood back up. “I was craving a cup of tea.”

A few letters turned out to be a small stack and they were set next to the steaming teacup, along with a plate with fruit and small pastries and James’s favorite silver letter opener.

James took a sip from his cup before he opened the first letter. He felt his stomach tighten into a knot when he saw whom it was from, his mother. “Three guesses of what she is writing about.” He set the cup down. He did not need to add anything to it. Christine had added the right amount of sugar and even a little bit of orange to it.

His mother’s letter was what he had expected. There were lines about how she loved and worried about him concerning his job. She had wished him good luck in the pursuit of Captain Scar, congratulations on the repairs of Port Royal and the announcement of how his youngest sister had accepted the proposal of a nice young man in the Virginia colony, and as expected she finished with her usual lament of how he was still unwed.

“I’ll let her know the good news about Captain Scar.” He set the letter aside. He was also going to have to write to Charlotte and offer his congratulations and hoped to meet her fiancé.

The second letter was from William Turner. It was short and simple about how he had noticed that many of the horses at the Fort Charles Stables needed new shoes and he had replaced them all for no charge. He wrote it was the least he could do after what James had done for him.

“I wonder how long this argument is going to last?” James took a bite from one of the pastries. He was going to insist on some form of payment and knowing Turner, the boy was going to refuse.

The five following letters were nearly all the same, Wealthy merchants and plantation owners inviting him to their homes for dinner. James knew what their main agenda was. A couple of the names were familiar and he knew they were fathers with unmarried daughters. After Elizabeth had rejected him the letters grew and grew and while James had honored their invitations he never felt a connection to any of the young women. Many were comely in appearance and intelligent, but he did not feel the connection he had with Elizabeth, nor Julia Carlisle.

“Julia,” James removed the empty cloth bag from his pocket. Before he had left she had give him a small bag of cinnamon glazed nuts. He had thought of her every time he had nibbled on the sweets and he thought of her whenever he stared at the small paintings of the sea and the king in his cabin and wished he had one of her paintings.

The last letter was from Governor Swann. It was a gift for all that he has done for Port Royal and included a letter and two tickets for a concert the next night. James heard Swann’s jovial voice and thanking him for saving the city from the demon, helping to repair it and hunting down pirates. James stared at the tickets and the cloth bag. It wouldn’t hurt to at least ask her.

The bath was refreshing and welcome and it gave James enough time to phrase his invitation. He was at least ninety percent certain she would accept. He still decided to look his best. He selected tan trousers and matching waistcoat with gold buttons. He decided, or rather his scalp decided against the wig but he still wore his tricorn hat. He even shaved for the second time that day and selected a crimson flower from his garden.

There were several birds singing outside the Carlisle home and James had taken it as a good sign. He had no idea if Julia was outside in the back garden working on another painting or if she was even at home. He wouldn’t know until he had knocked.

“Good evening Admiral Norrington,” the butler had opened the door before James had even finished knocking. “Would you like to come in?”

“Yes I would,” James nodded towards the man before he stepped inside. “I am here to see Miss Carlisle.”

“I will send for her,” the butler nodded before he ascended the stairs. “Miss Carlisle, you have a visitor.”

James nearly held his breath as he waited. ‘For the love of the sea, James, you should not be this nervous inviting a friend. It isn’t like the time you proposed to Elizabeth.’

“I am on my way,” Julia Carlisle said, drawing James’s eyes up the stairs and to her. She was wearing a simple tan dress and her hair was only half pinned up. She was carrying two knitting needles with a half developed piece of fabric hanging from them and a ball of yarn. “Sorry about that. I was practicing my knitting.”

“You do not have to apologize,” James told her.

“Good afternoon, Admiral,” She paused in both step and speech. “James.”

“Let me take that off your hands, Miss.” Her butler accepted the needles and yarn.

“Thank you, Henry,” Julia smiled at him before she turned to James. “I have heard the Naiad had returned, but I did not expect a visit from you.”

“I understand,” James said. “Governor Swann has given me a gift. Two tickets to the concert tomorrow evening and I hope I don’t sound too forward in asking if you would like to attend it with me.”

“You are inviting me?” Her face blanched and for a second James had thought she was about to refuse. “I would be honored.”

“I will be here at seven tomorrow,” he held out the flower.

“Thank you, James.” She accepted his small gift. “I will be looking forward to seeing you again.”

“Have a nice evening,” James nodded.

“Would you like to stay for dinner? I am certain father wouldn’t mind.”

“I would love to, but I have prior engagements I need to make.” He did have to answer the other invitations he had received and he was certain one of the dinner dates was for that evening.

“I will be looking forward to seeing you again,” Julia nearly screeched the words out as she stepped out of her bath and grabbed one of the towels. “How could I have been such a fool? Is it any wonder he didn’t accept my invitation for dinner last night?”

“You did not scare him off,” Mary finished helping her dry off. “He would have broken off the invitation for tonight.”

“He is a fine man of honor,” Julia sighed. “He will be here at seven. I let my heart do the talking.”

“He is a very fine man,” Mary agreed and motioned for Janet to come with the shift.

“I do not think he thought you were too bold,” Janet agreed as she helped Julia into the undergarment. “’I look forward to seeing you’ is something friends say to each other all the time. You are just nervous since he just started to court you.”

“Court me?” Julia blinked. She had thought they were just going to the concert together as friends. The thought that he may have started to court her hadn’t entered her mind. “We are friends. He isn’t trying to court me. Is he?”

“The Turners have started out as friends,” Mary’s smile grew even larger.

“Oh now you are being bold,” Julia tried not to sound too stern. She knew they were both right.

“Are you ready, miss?” Janet asked once the corset had been slipped on.

“I am ready,” Julia sucked in her breath and felt the familiar tugging of her corset bindings as her two servants pulled and tied them into place. She felt every one of her ribs being forced inward.

“Are you certain you do not want to wear your blue dress?” Janet asked as Mary brought the golden dress Julia had selected. “I thought it was your favorite.”

“It is,” Julia raised her arms. “I have worn that to all the parties and balls and I want to wear something different.”

“Wasn’t this the same gown you wore when you and Mr. Carlisle fled to Admiral Norrington?”

Julia waited until her head was through before she nodded. “That is true.”

“She fled into the arms of Admiral Norrington,” Mary said in a dreamy voice and grabbed the hairbrush.

“Never mind being bold,” Julia glared at the two women as they styled her hair. “You two are both positively wicked.”

“It is what stories are made out of, Miss,” Janet began to pin up Julia’s curls. “What jewelry will you wear tonight? The pearls?”

“I want to wear my necklace with the aquamarine stones,” Julia answered. “They match with my mother’s ring.”

Janet was speechless but Mary gasped. “Oh my,”

“Father insisted.”

“You will be the most beautiful woman at the concert,” Janet brought her the jewelry box that contained the necklace. “And Admiral Norrington will invite you to even more outings.”

“I could only hope.”

James Norrington wished he could see his reflection, make certain there was nothing out of place. He had selected his copper colored waistcoat along with rich brown breeches and matching coat for that evening. He donned on new and clean stockings and made certain his shoes were polished. His cravat was tied neatly and he wore his wig and tricorn for that evening.

Harold the butler made his way to the bottom steps bowed and stared up. “Miss Carlisle, Admiral Norrington is here.”

“Thank you,” Julia said before she stepped into view.

James felt a lump develop in his throat at the sight of her. He had seen that gown before. He was certain it was the same gown when she and most of the other civilians had to be evacuated from Port Royal.

“You look beautiful this evening,” James said when he felt his tongue work again.

“Thank you,” Julia smiled. “You look very fine yourself.”

“Is your father around?” He was certain Roland Carlisle would not appreciate the way he was staring at his daughter. James had also wanted to speak with the man before they would be on their way.

“He had a meeting to attend,” Julia answered. “He wanted me to invite you to have lunch with us when you are not too busy.”

“I am free two days from now.”

She nodded. “I will let him know when we return.”

“We do not want to be late,” he held out his arm.

“No of course not,” she linked her arm around his.

James felt his tongue become numb once more as they walked to the carriage. ‘She is your friend. You can still talk to her like you had talked when you were both on the Naiad.’

“I never had a chance to ask about your latest mission.” Julia broke their temporary silence.

“We have captured Captain Scar,” James answered as their driver opened the door for them. “My ship and my crew chased the pirate into the reaching hands of Commodore Taylor.”

“I have heard about what happened to Captain Groves,” Julia climbed inside. “We visited him earlier today.”

“We?” James sat down next to her.

“Abigail and I,” Julia shrugged. “It was her idea.”

“I believe he appreciated the visit. Have you been working on any paintings?”

She nodded. “I completed the autumn painting a week ago and I started a new one a few days ago. It is a painting of a flying ship.”

“I would love to see it when it is completed.” Now what was he going to say? Should he compliment more on her beauty? Her hair shone like chestnut when the light hit it just right and her smile was divine, and she smelled like rose petals. He closed his eyes as he indulged on her fragrance, only stopping when he felt the center of his breeches growing tighter.

“Is there anything wrong?” Julia asked while he adjusted his legs.

“Nothing wrong at all,” he smiled weakly. “I have just noticed the ring on your finger. It is quite beautiful.”

“Thank you,” Julia smiled. “It was my mother’s.”

“May I inquire what kind of stone it is?”

“My father says it is a topaz, but a blue one instead of golden.”

He had to keep the conversation going less he wanted to embarrass himself again. “I was informed they will be performing the works of Bach and Handel tonight.”

“I do enjoy Bach, not so much Handel.” She shrugged. “I do not really care for his style.”

“Bach is your favorite?”

“I enjoy his Lute Suite number 2, Fantasy in C minor and Sonata in E minor. Those are my favorites of his, but he isn’t my favorite.”

“May I ask who is?”

“He writes mostly operas, but it is Alessandro Scarlatti.”

“Really?” James smiled. He hadn’t met as many women who enjoyed the works of Scarlatti as had. “His arias are my favorite.”

“My favorite aria of his is Rugiadose, odorose.”

“When is your next birthday?” James asked. He had an idea of what to get her.

“Two months from now,” She stared into his eyes. “Why?”

“I will see you will receive a music box that will play that aria, unless you already own one.”

“I don’t own it,” her smile grew. “James that is a wonderful gift. Thank you.”

“I haven’t gotten it for you yet.”