A Commodore

Formalities

           
Heather sat in silence starring wide eyed at the floor, her back straight
as a bored, her nerves on edge as she, James, Margaret and her Cousin Emilia sat
in the parlor. James just having given her mother and her cousin the news of
Heather’s condition. Emilia and Margaret were absolutely thrilled, and
instantly started chattering like a pair of hens about all the arrangements
needing to be made, announcements and a party in honor of the occasion. Plans
flying in every directions about invitations and who to invite and who needed to
be notified, and what sorts of decorations, and what sort of china to be used,
what sorts of ordure’s to be served. The sound of it set Heather’s teeth on
edge.

           
James could almost feel the tension of Heather’s body growing just by
standing next to her. He could see her out of the corner of his eye and her body
language was quite clear to him. She was still so uncomfortable with all of
this.

           
“Well, their will be plenty of time for all of this later I think.”
James said hoping that perhaps they could set this aside for another time.
Heather still needed a little while to adjust.

           
Margaret looked up at Norrington, “Oh James. Of course there isn’t
time! The child will be here in no time at all and we have hardly any time to
prepare for his arrival! We must get started right away.” She looked at
Heather. “You must be sure that all of James officers wives and daughters are
on the guest list darling, it would cause problems for him if you were to leave
someone out. It would make them think he dislike them or they were out of his
favor. And see to it personally dear it’s always best.” Then her mother
turned back to her cousin and went back to discussing more plans.

           
“Actually, perhaps I’ll have one of my secretaries see to that.”
James said. “I think Heather needs her rest.”

           
Margaret looked at him, “Don’t be silly James, Heather can do it.
Besides, it is your first child after all and as the Admiral of the fleet it is
her duty as your wife to make sure that everything is absolutely perfect.”

           
“Admiral?” Heather said looking up at him. James was struck dumb, he
hadn’t told her yet he was still waiting for a good time trying to ease her
worry about the baby. Margaret had even heard about his promotion and the
ceremony wasn’t even for another two weeks.

           
Margaret looked at Heather, “Why yes, didn’t you know? James has been
promoted to Admiral. Given command of the entire fleet by the king himself, with
the recommendation of Lord Beckett of course.” Heather was at a loss for words
herself having no idea of the whole affair and looked back down at the floor.

           
James was properly at a loss for words himself, although he had a fair
amount he could have said to Margaret at this moment. Couldn’t she see that
she was upsetting Heather? That when she didn’t know that he had been promoted
that he hadn’t told her yet, and that perhaps he was waiting for a more
reasonable and appropriate time? Good Lord, was the woman that completely out of
control?

           
The two women immediately went back into making plans for the next few
months and all the arrangements that needed to be made. Heather put her tea
aside and excused herself. Her mother and cousin seemed to barely notice when
she left. Yet James could tell that it had been a shock to her. Another that
wasn’t quite needed at this point in time.

 

Needed Boundaries

           
When Heather’s cousin left, James took the opportunity of speaking with
Margaret while they were alone. And he followed her into the Library closing the
doors behind him.

           
“Well that went absolutely wonderful. Emilia has always been such a
wonderful hostess, she and Faythe have always held the most elegant parties and
balls that anyone has ever attended. They have always been the envy of everyone
in the Caribbean. I couldn’t think of anyone better to see to all the
arrangements.” She said pleased with all the plans that had been made.

           
“Margaret, As much as I appreciate your taking an interest in
furthering my . . . standing in the eyes of society with my new position . . . I
would rather you take even more care not to upset Heather.” He said in all
seriousness.

           
She turned around looking at James a bit surprised by his words. “Upset
Heather?” She said in astonishment, “My dear James, of course it is my
dearest wish not to upset the child. However, it is well past time that she move
beyond being a child herself now that she is bringing your child into the world.
It is time she became a woman and started acting as one. She has a
responsibility as the wife of an Admiral to fill her duties and compliment the
position she has with grace and dignity.”

           
“And is it your intention to live vicariously through her, as she is
the wife of an Admiral by forcing her to do as you would, if it were you in her
place?” He asked pointedly. Margaret was struck dumb at his question, in
complete disbelief that he had said such a thing.

           
“James . . .” She breathed hardly able to believe she had heard him
correctly.

           
“Perhaps instead of acting as though she is nothing more then a means
to your unfulfilled dreams . . . you can remember how you felt as a young bride,
and the fear and uncertainty you most likely held when you were facing the
prospect of becoming a mother. No doubt you were even younger then she, but as
your marriage was arranged as well . . . and I have the feeling that your terror
might have matched hers.” He said looking into her eyes.

           
She looked away from him, “A gentlemen wouldn’t speak of such
things” She said embarrassed.

           
“And a mother would find compassion towards her daughter when she
realized how much she was suffering.” He countered. Margaret looked at him.
James sighed, “I love her Margaret . . .” He said honestly. “I don’t
want her to have to go through this by herself. She needs someone to guide her
through this, someone to help her that would understand what it’s like . . .
someone that I can only hope . . . loves her as well.”

           
Margaret started to say something but fell silent, not knowing what to
say to him as he looked into her eyes. Once again struck speechless, hardly
having expected him to corner her and speak to her so bluntly.

 

Unannounced Visitors

           
Heather was sitting in the conservatory arranging some flowers so they
would look nice before they would be placed in the dining room. It was something
to do since she was stuck in the house today at James request and he made her
promise that she wouldn’t go out before he left.

           
“What a beautiful floral arrangement.” A voice came from the doorway.
Heather looked up from where she was putting down the flower she had been
holding. Lord Beckett smiled at her. “You have extraordinary talent, Lady
Heather.”

           
There was a sudden deep sense of annoyance that he had entered without
being announced. She wasn’t even sure that he had knocked and been let in by
one of the servants. It was a presumptuous manner he had about him, and it was
irritating. “My husband is on the docks today. Most likely in his offices. It
may have been prudent of you to know the schedules that you write, Lord
Beckett.”

           
He smiled walking into the room approaching her. “I wanted to pay you a
visit.” He said reaching out picking up one of the flowers inspecting it
casually. “I understand that you are expecting. My sincerest
congratulations.”

           
“You couldn’t simply write and send your congratulations like the
rest of port royal.” She said adding another flower to her arrangement.

           
“Oh no.” He said placing the flower he had been holding into her
arrangement. “The personal touch is always preferable.” He said glancing at
her in a rather suggestive way. “Don’t you agree?”

           
Heather narrowed her eyes and jerked the flower out of her arrangement,
replacing it in a better spot where it fit better. As she was placing it, a
black velvet box seemed to be produced from no where and was placed before her.
She arched a brow glancing up at him. Beckett simply held a smile on his lips
that seemed to be both charming yet smug.

           
“Besides . . . a gift for the expectant mother should be hand delivered
. . . not sent with a ridiculous scribbled note jotted on a piece of paper.”
He said. Heather continued to look at him as she finished placing the flower,
thinking over her response to this. Finally she decided to go along with this
farce, at least for the moment.

           
Sighing slightly she reached over and opened the velvet box. Inside was
the most beautiful pendent, with magnificently cut jewels set into the silver
that was polished to a high shine finish that caught the smallest amount of
light and shimmered brightly like stars in the clearest of night skies. It was
indeed breathtaking, even to Heather. She was stunned and mesmerized never
having beheld something so brilliant as she reached reverently into the box and
picked it up into her hand ever so gently.

           
“When I saw it, I knew it was for you.” Beckett said seeing the awe
and wonder in her eyes.

           
“I . . . can’t accept this.” She said still dumb stuck holding the
pendent in her hands. Cutler wasn’t about to miss this opportunity that he
managed to create and had every intention of taking advantage of it.

           
“Nonsense.” He said taking it from her hands and wrapping the
expensive velvet ribbon that held the pendant around her throat, clasping it at
the back of her neck. It fit perfectly as it was a choker and was meant to. He
leaned back looking at her admiring the way she looked in it. “You more then
deserve such a gift. The trouble is . . . it’s hardly worthy of you.” He
said with a smile looking into her eyes.

           
Heather didn’t know what to say or how to react as her fingers reached
up and touched the pendant that touched her throat. “I . . . I . . .” She
was speechless. She wanted to say something but she wasn’t sure what.

           
“Heather dear.” A voice came from the hallway. Both Heather and Lord
Beckett looked up to see Lady Margaret standing just by the door. “You know
James doesn’t want you doing more then you should. You need your rest.” She
said indicating it was time for her to go upstairs and lay down for a while.
Heather looked back towards Beckett a moment before standing and quickly walking
out of the room without another word. She wasn’t sure what had just happened,
she had never been in such a situation where she was so completely at a loss for
words. It made her very uneasy.

           
Beckett wasn’t exactly at ease himself. He had not been aware they
weren’t alone in the household other then a servant here or there and they
were hardly a concern. He composed himself and stood regaining a charming smile.
“Lady Margaret . . . how nice to see you again.”

           
“I’m sorry Lord Beckett, we hadn’t received word you were coming
today otherwise we would have been properly prepared to entertain you.” She
said looking at him with a smile on her own lips. However she was fully aware of
what he was up to. Even though the gift he had given Heather was absolutely
spectacular and elegant . . . it was an extremely inappropriate one for a man to
give a married young woman, an expectant mother no less.

           
“You’ve taken residence with the Norrington’s then?” He said
arching a brow.

           
“I wish to be here for my daughter, My Lord. I am eager to offer her
any help I can.” She said simply not really giving him an answer except to let
him know that she was there now, and she would be often. They smiled at each
other although somewhat insincerely.