Hearts Across the Sea pt2

[spacebabie]

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 2: The Ball

-

Elizabeth Turner inhaled deeply; the air was perfumed by the sweet fragrance from the blossoms in the surrounding trees. The humidity was minimal and the heat from the son was tolerable and there were no storm clouds in sight. It was perfect weather to have lunch outside with two of her closest friends.

Abigail Peterson and Julia Carlisle were not always her closest friends, not until after she had returned home after the events at World’s End and several of her friends had shown their true colors, many believed in the rumors that Elizabeth had turned pirate and shared a bed with Jack Sparrow. Abigail, Julia and a few others had glared at those who uttered such lies and stood up for Elizabeth, they were worried about her after she snuck onto the Edinburgh Trader and left Port Royal. Elizabeth felt even closer to the two since they fought along her side to help free Will from his possession.

“She wants to take me dress shopping again,” Abigail sighed in distaste. “I have told her I already have too many dresses. The second you open the doors to my wardrobe several fall out.”

“Are you certain she was not shopping for herself,” Elizabeth asked. She had a few memories of her mother. She would take Elizabeth to some of the finest shops in London to buy gowns for the both of them. There were times when she had purchased one or two for just Elizabeth and several for her own self.

“I have thought about that,” Abigail shook her head. “But she rarely selects anything for her self. She believes that we have yet to find the right dress that would attract the eye of a fine man to ask for my hand in marriage.”

“Parents often do this sort of thing,” Julia set her teacup down. “Father used to arrange meetings for me and men of stature from England and the Colonies. It got to the point where I forced myself to become ill to avoid such meetings, after a while he gave up.”

“They should let it come naturally,” Elizabeth nodded in agreement. She had lost count of how many times her father had arranged meetings between herself and James Norrington. They became friends, much to her father’s pleasure, but her heart had found someone else. “Speaking of such meetings, if I am not to forward, but how are your dates with James?”

Julia paused in mid-chew; her cheeks had flushed bright pink.

“Was I being too forward?” Elizabeth knew how shy Julia was on the subject.

“No you were not,” Julia said after she had swallowed. “We had a few meals together after the concert and we took a stroll through the streets.”

“Has he mentioned he is officially courting you?” Abigail asked.

“Now that was bold,” Elizabeth said, but then she should expect such boldness from her friend.

“I am still uncertain,” Julia shrugged. “He still has meals with others.”

“That is because they have invited him,” Elizabeth cut off another piece of beef. “James always honors his invites, but have you noticed he only invites you to meals and events?” She placed the bite into her mouth.

“I never have asked,” Julia said.

“Maybe you should,” Abigail suggested.

Both Elizabeth and Julia gave the dark haired woman a strange look. “I am not you,” Julia said.

“Since you are not afraid of being bold,” Elizabeth picked up her cup. “You seem to be visiting Captain Groves a lot these past few weeks.”

Abigail blushed for a brief second. “We may have started out on the wrong foot but we are becoming friends, and he did protect me during the battle and he needs someone to talk to while he is healing.”

“And I am certain he looks forward to your visits,” Elizabeth said in a teasing tone.

“I am certain he does,” Abigail shrugged. “At least I believe he does. Besides Admiral Norrington, I am the only one who does visit him nearly every day.”

“I am sure he appreciates it,” Julia said with no mocking tone to her voice.

“I have a very good feeling James will invite you to another event real soon,” Elizabeth said. “Father said he has a surprise planned, but he hasn’t told me anything.” She had a very strong feeling James would invite Julia and during the event, either he or Julia would admit their true feelings for each other.

-

The letter was from London. James Norrington had recognized the symbol as soon as he had stepped into his office. He had worked from dawn until noon when he honored another invite to lunch, this time with Mrs. Lavail and her daughter, Teresa.

Mrs. Lavail had done most of the talking, correction she had dominated the conversation, praising her husband and his work and bragged about Teresa’s beauty and weaving skills. Teresa was pretty, dark hair set in ringlets, pale skin with splash of freckles across the nose and light blue eyes, but James thought she was not pretty enough. He preferred a complexion that was neither pale nor tan, but somewhere in the middle and round brown eyes and chestnut colored hair, who cares if the ends were a bit dry and brittle? He also loved the smile with pale pink lips that caused a dimple to form in one cheek and he didn’t care if her teeth weren’t perfect. He couldn’t lie to himself, he had thought of Julia the whole time. This was as well, because Teresa kept staring outside the window and allowed her eyes to linger on one of the stable boys.

“Perhaps I shall invite Julia for lunch tomorrow,” James said to himself as he broke the seal. “I’ll show her around the fort.”  He began to read the letter.

He was going to hold off on the lunch date until another time. Three of the King’s trading ships had disappeared on their way to Italy. James was asked to take the Naiad to search for them. The author of the letter did not admit it in his own words, but James could tell he suspected the French were responsible for the disappearance.

James set the letter down when he heard the knock at the door. “You may enter.”

“Good afternoon, Admiral,” Governor Swann smiled when he stepped inside. “I am not troubling you at this time?”

“No,” James shook his head. “You are not troubling me at all.”

“I didn’t know if you were busy or not,” Swann paused by his desk. He glanced at the letter and at James’s expression. “If I may be a bit forward, but it seems something has been troubling you.”

“I am being called away again.”

“Is it another pirate menace?” Swann raised his eyebrows.

“No a search for some missing ships. They may have been attacked by pirates. I do not know at this point.”

“You do not have to leave tonight?”

James shook his head. “Tomorrow morning.”

“You would be free to attend my ball tonight?” Swann asked. “I will be certain to toast you and wish you good luck on your mission.”

“I do not have any plans for the night.” Since he couldn’t invite Julia for lunch the next day he had entertained the thought about having dinner with her. “I do know who I shall take to the ball.”

“If it is Miss Carlisle, she and her father have also been invited, but I believe her father may allow her to travel with you.”

“I need to have word sent to their mansion immediately.”

“I have more planning to do, please don’t think me rude for leaving.”

“I would never think of it,” James sat down, grabbed a sheet of parchment and a quill and began to write.

-

“Impossible,” Julia threw open the doors to her wardrobe and stared at the variety of gowns inside. They were all very pretty, but none of them were fitting for tonight. “I should have gone dress shopping today.” Elizabeth had said James was going to invite her for an event tonight.

“Do not fret, Miss,” Mary shoved a few gowns aside and pulled out a pale blue gown. “This is one of your favorites, many have remarked about its beauty and you have said it is one of your most comfortable dresses.”

“I know,” Julia sighed. “I just felt like I should have something new.” She froze when she realized she had said such words. “What did I just say? Have I become so shallow that I have to have a new dress every day?”

“You are not shallow,” Mary smiled. “You are in love and when one is in love they want to look their best.”

“I am not in love,” Julia ran her fingers down the hemline of the gown. “Am I?”

“You should not be ashamed to admit it,” Mary motioned her to stand behind her dressing screen. “There should be nothing shameful about being in love with someone, especially when that someone is a find man like Admiral Norrington.”

“He is not in love with me,” Julia sighed. Her father had set her up on dates as well as meetings and while there were second and even third dates not a single man had tried to court her.

“I know he fancies you.”

“Who would fancy a half blind woman with an ugly smile?”

“Don’t you say that,” Mary waved a finger at her. “There is no such thing as an ugly smile.” She dropped her stern expression when she heard the knock at the door. “That should be your father.”

“Father?” Julia stared at her maid in confusion while she opened the door. “Hello father.” She smiled when both her father and Janet entered carrying a large box.

“I have brought you something,” Her father smiled proudly and pointed at the box.

“What is it?” Julia stared at the box suspiciously and lifted the lid. A lavender dress was folded inside. “I should have guessed,” she gasped and lifted the gown. “When did you get this?”

“Janet and I went out after you received you invitation from Admiral Norrington.”

“Father it is beautiful,” she released the dress and embraced her father. “But you shouldn’t have.”

“When was the last time you have received a new gown?” Her father asked.

“A month ago,” she ran behind her dressing screen.

“That is a month too long,” her father chuckled. “I have a feeling you want to appear  your best for tonight.”

“Father,” Julia wanted to laugh but instead she breathed deep. “Thank you.”

-

James Norrington held out his arms before him and studied his attire. He had wondered why he had chosen black for that evening. Black was a morbid color and the ball was to be a celebrated event. Maybe he did feel a bit morbid leaving in such a sudden matter and the fact he felt Captain Groves had to stay behind until he was fully healed. It did not begin to describe the feeling of regret since had no idea when he would return and see his friends, see Julia again.

“I should have brought another flower,” James muttered as he knocked on the door. The gift of a flower was foolish idea, but he felt worse for not bringing anything.

To James’s surprise, Roland Carlisle answered the door himself.

“Good evening Admiral,” Carlisle’s smile was brief. “You may enter,” he stepped back into his home. “Harold is preparing my carriage for this evening.”

“It should be a fine evening,” James nodded in agreement.

“My daughter will be down shortly,” Roland placed his hands behind his back. “She is looking forward to this evening.”

“I have also been looking forward to this evening,” James knew he had to choose his words carefully in front of Julia’s father. “Governor Swann throws some of the best balls.”

“Yes he does,” Roland nodded in agreement before he inhaled deeply. “Admiral, I need to ask you something, and I know it is not my place, nor may it be the most proper, but as a father I must know this. Are you courting my daughter?”

James coughed. He was not expecting the question and he wasn’t sure how to answer it. “I would give you the answer if I knew myself. At first I have felt we were attending events as friends, but I am not certain any more.”

“She fancies you,” Roland said. “You are always on her mind. I know it hurt when Mrs. Turner refused you and chose the blacksmith. You are the only one for Julia. There is no one else, but you.”

“I know,” James stared at his hands. Why hadn’t he admitted it earlier? “I am falling in love.”

“Tell her,” Roland glanced up when they heard the sound of footsteps above them. “Tell her tonight.”

James nodded, but he didn’t look the older man in the eyes. Instead he stared at Julia as she descended down the steps and wondered if she is the woman he will spend the rest of his life with.

“Good evening James,” she smiled.

“Good evening,” James held out his arm for her. “Shall we be off?”

She accepted his arm. “We shall see you at the ball, father.”

“Until tonight,” James glanced at the stern man before he stared into the brown eyes of the woman standing next to him. He was certain she would be the one.

-

Elizabeth sat down on one of the plump armchairs with a glass of wine in one hand and a fan in the other. She needed to get off her feet for a few minutes. She thought she would die out there.

“You are a bit too young to get tired so quickly,” an older woman in the chair next to her had said.

“I am pacing myself,” Elizabeth fanned herself as she watched her husband dance with Julia. “I believe these new shoes are a bit too tight.”

“I know the feeling,” the other woman nodded. “You do not mind your husband dancing with another woman.”

“She is a friend of mine,” Elizabeth took a quick sip from her glass. “And I know her heart belongs to another.” She did feel a little bit of jealousy at the sight of her Will. He had chosen his best suit, the one he wore when they were married, to the ball. He also wore the crystal dove that burned the evil that had possessed him on a chain around his neck.

“And who would that be?” This woman was almost as bad as Abigail.

“Admiral James Norrington,” Elizabeth pointed to the Admiral as he continued to dance with Teresa Lavail.

“But he is dancing with the Lavail daughter.”

“He did arrive with Julia,” Elizabeth continued to watch. “You see how bored they both appear and how James continues to look at Julia?”

“And she keeps looking at him and your husband is looking at you.”

Elizabeth stared at Will and smiled back at him. She had watched several other guests. Julia’s father kept staring at both Julia and James with a look of anticipation in his eyes and Elizabeth’s own father seemed to smile at the sight of James and Julia dancing together.

Not everyone appeared to be happy. Mrs. Peterson had an annoyed look on her face and Elizabeth could only guess why. Abigail was not at the ball. She said she was going to stay home and read, but Elizabeth knew she had snuck away to visit Captain Groves once more.

The music stopped playing and the people paused from dancing, several wandered over to others to begin a small conversation. James nodded at Teresa before he approached the small orchestra.

“I wonder what he has planned.” The older woman said.

Elizabeth had no idea herself and would have continued to watch if Will hadn’t made his way back over to her.

-

It was a simple request and the conductor agreed to play it. James felt a new lump begging to form in his throat as he made his way back to Julia. She was enjoying herself and James was also enjoying the evening. On the carriage ride they had talked even more and they even shared amusing stories. He was falling even more and more in love with her.

“I hope Elizabeth doesn’t spend the entire evening sitting down,” Julia said when James returned to her.

“I am certain she is just resting her feet,” James held out his hand for, trying to not allow it to shake. He had to be calm. He had faced down skeletal pirates, fish men, and even Cutler Beckett himself. He can do this. “Will you dance with me again?”

“Certainly, but we have to wait for the music-“The start of the next song had cut her off. She stood still for a few seconds. “James,” her eyes widened when she recognized the song. “You asked them to play Rugiadose, odorose.”

“I asked them because you said it was your favorite.” James smiled as they both began to move to the music. “This has been a wonderful evening.”

“Yes it is,” Julia sighed.

James’s smile faded when he caught a glance of a stern faced Mr. Carlisle. “Julia, I need to be honest with you. He felt his heartbeat quicken. “I should have realized this back when we were fighting against the Minions.” He held that compass of Jack Sparrow’s and the arrow pointed behind him. Julia was standing behind him at the time. “I believe that was when I started to fancy you.”

“You fancied me?” Julia’s face flushed a bright pink.

“Yes,” James swallowed. “You are a fine woman. You are lovely to the eyes and clever, and talented and you are brave. You have excellent taste in music and literature and you have great sense of humor. I didn’t realize it myself until tonight, but I have been courting you.”

Julia didn’t move. “I can’t breathe.”

James froze. He remembered the last time he heard those words. He grabbed onto her and held her close. “I will not let you fall.”

“Don’t allow me to wake up.”

“This is not a dream,” James felt his own chest becoming tight. She did feel the same about him. “It should be official now, no more guessing or wondering.”

“No more,” she agreed.

“I hope to continue to court you when I return.”

“I have heard you were leaving tomorrow.” Her voice sounded disappointed.

“A search and recovery mission and hopefully it will not be long.” Did she think he was going to propose? He wasn’t sure if they were both ready for that and it wouldn’t be fair to her for him to propose right before he left. “I will think of you every day and every night.” He traced a finger around the edge of her jaw and stared deep into her eyes and her mouth. He wanted to kiss her.

“I will think about you and pray for you each day.”

“This has been a wonderful evening.” James removed his fingers from her face and grabbed her hand. It was too early and improper to kiss her on her lips, but he could show his affection in another form. He brought her wrist up and lowered his head until his lips brushed against her skin.