A Commodore

Dinner Conversation

           
Heather didn’t say very much during dinner. Her mother made every
effort to ensure that the conversation was kept very much alive by asking the
Commodore questions about his career that required exceptionally long
explanations, and tried to deflect anything that might have sparked off the
opportunity for an opinion.

           
Yet despite her best efforts, her daughter was not the type to be kept
silent for the entirety of an evening. Heather listened to every word that was
said, certain aspects of her future husband grated on her ears. Like the fact
that he and her mother sat talking about a future that involved her like she
wasn’t even present.

           
“Goodness, Pirates!” Margaret exclaimed. “You’ve fought them hand
to hand Commodore Norrington?” she said placing her hand on her chest.

           
He half laughed at her reaction, “Yes, many times. But they’re hardly
anything that tales of romance and heroism should be carried on about. Many of
them are cowardly. They often run at the first sight of a British officer.” He
said picking up his wine glass taking a drink.

           
“It must be the wigs.” Heather commented her eyes narrowed.
Norrington stopped in mid drink his eyes shifting up towards the young woman.
The off color comment caught him by surprise when she had been so quiet for most
of the night. Margaret turned her eyes towards Heather giving her a threatening
look. Heather smiled sweetly, “Well they are awfully frightening at first
glance.” She said taking a drink of her wine.

           
Norrington was still a bit unsure of how to react as he looked at her,
giving half a smile “Yes I suppose they could be.” James felt as though he
had just been very slyly insulted but not certain enough to be indignant about
it. James glanced at Margaret noting how nervous she seemed and the mother
quickly smiled finding a different topic to restart another conversation.

           
Heather sipped her wine keeping her eyes narrowed as she watched the
commodore. James was somewhat aware of the look she was giving him, and began to
assess the situation with caution.

           
After dinner, before anything could be said that might indicate the
Commodore would have liked to spend a few moments alone with his fiancé to try
and get to know her better, Heather said how exhausted she was and thanked him
for the lovely evening. Bidding her mother goodnight she quickly turned and
disappeared from the room before a word was uttered or before her mother had a
chance to head her off from departing.

           
“Heather!” Margaret said following after her towards the door. But by
the time she reached the hallway, it was to late. She had already gone up the
stairs and the sound of a slamming door indicated that she had no intention of
coming out again for the remainder of the night. She felt like she had done her
duty and had been more then cooperative, and now she had had her fill of it for
one day.

           
Embarrassed beyond reason, Margaret collected herself and pasted a smile
on her face before turning and walking back into the parlor to their guest.
”Poor dear. She must be frightfully exhausted. With all the excitement of
meeting you for the first time, I’m sure it must have tired her out.” She
said nervously walking over to the table to offer him a drink.

           
The Commodore arched a brow, hardly daft or blind. “There is no need
for you to try and white wash it for me, Lady Margaret.” He said bluntly
referring to certain acts of behavior and the little cuts of her tongue she
seemed to be able to get in at every chance she could during the dinner
conversation. “You and I have made an arrangement but she doesn’t seem to
have agreed to be part of it.”

           
Margaret put her head down a little and clasped her hands together
turning towards him. “You mustn’t blame her, Commodore. If you must blame
someone blame me.” She said walking towards him. “I’ve let things get so
out of hand since her father died . . . she’s not exactly . . . what you would
call an easy contract. But I promise she will make you a fine wife.”

           
“When you say, ‘out of hand’, what is it exactly you mean?” He
questioned. Margaret hesitated wishing that she hadn’t brought it up at all
and wrung her hands together nervously. “Lady Margaret . . . my not walking
straight out the door at the end of our meal should have indicated that I’m
not quite so easily dissuaded from my pursuits.” 

           
Margaret gathered her thoughts a moment walking over to the couch
offering the commodore a seat first before taking her own. “Her childhood
wasn’t precisely what you would call a proper one Commodore. Her father had
always wished for a son, but I was unable to give him one after Heather was
born. As soon as she was able to walk, he taught her things, really . . . young
ladies have no business learning. How to fire a pistol, how to play with swords,
how to ride and not with a side saddle as any proper young lady should. Of
course I insisted that her lessons came first, and that she was a young lady,
and not a little boy.” James wasn’t sure he saw any of that in the same
young lady that dined with tonight. She seemed quite properly behaved . .
.except a few small slip ups every now and then.

           
“Yet, she and her father were so very close. It was difficult to keep
them apart for very long. I would always find them with their heads together,
plotting something or other. Scheming some sort of dastardly deed, and then they
would be off again doing only lord knows what.” Margaret couldn’t help but
smile a little remembering how much fun her husband and their daughter had
together. James smiled as well as he could see that they were all very happy at
one point, and it sounded like Heather had quite a happy childhood.

           
“However, when her father became ill, it was very difficult for
Heather. She was 10, almost 11 when he began to pass. For three months she
stayed by his bed and never left his side. Keeping his company, reading stories
from books, even though at some point I’m not sure he could even hear her any
more. She was there with him when he died, laying beside him in his bed clinging
to his arm begging him to wake.” The Commodore took out his handkerchief
offering it to her, and  she smiled taking it gratefully and
dried the tears from her eyes remembering that horrible time.

           
Finally she continued on, “After his death, Heather began to take on
looking after many of the chores of the house. Her father let her help with them
when he was alive, and she knew how to do many of them quite well and
efficiently. She really is a bright young woman. She’s single handedly looked
after the finances since she was 16. Hardly something that most children could
manage to do almost entirely on their own.” She said proudly. However that
nervous look started to come upon her again.

           
“Yet, it also made her a bit independent. She’s had a few suitors now
and then in the course of her life.” She paused there not wanting to say
anything more.

           
“And how did they fair with her?” James asked curiously wanting to
know how they managed to approach her. Margaret bit her lip looking towards the
Commodore.

           
“They didn’t.” Norrington arched a brow, “They were all rather
close to her age, and I think that the problem might have been that she found
them to be rather dull. As she is intelligent, I think she’s made sport of
getting rid of suitors . . . . and how quickly she can manage it.”

           
“Really.” James said with a sigh. It seemed as though he had no
talent for choosing wisely when it came to women in the least bit. “Just how
developed is her talent for this game of hers.” He inquired.

           
Her mother’s eyes moved away for a moment with a worried look,
“Commodore Norrington . . . I don’t wish for my daughter to spend her life
alone. I fear that it’s the path she will follow if I do not intervene. An
experienced military officer such as yourself much be better equipped to handle
a situation like my daughter who could prove a formidable challenge then any
other man alive.”

           
James half laughed, “Lady Margaret . . . I was in the market, so to
speak, for a wife . . . not a challenge that required special navel military
skills to master.” He responded in utter disbelief.

           
“But she truly could be your greatest conquest. Even more so then the
pirates that you have captured, and the navel battles that you have won.”
Norrington cleared his throat at that glancing upwards towards Heather’s room.
Her own mother comparing her to pirates and other criminals was a bit
disturbing.

           
“I fear you may give me to much credit and place far to much of your
confidence in me.” He mumbled. His eyes turned back towards the older woman as
she looked at him with desperation in her eyes. Thinking a moment, the Commodore
sighed, “I’ve never yet dishonored a contract that bore my signature Lady
Margaret.” The older woman smiled as a glint of hope shined in her eyes.

           
The both stood from where they sat as James glanced towards the upper
level of the house once more. “I think I should get better acquainted with
your daughter. I’ll call again of course.”

           
“Oh of course!” Margaret said excitedly walking with him to the door
as a servant brought him his things. “We would be happy to be entertain you at
your leisure, Commodore.” She said brightly.

           
James said his goodbyes before taking his leave.

 

Multiple Strategies

           
James sat at his desk spinning a large silver piece broadly watching the
way it seemed to turn into a ball when it spun quickly, then turn back into a
coin when it lost it’s momentum. Picking it up he spun it about again watching
it until it lost momentum and fell still again. He continued to do this until
the door of his office opened, and he quickly put his hand over the coin
flattening it to the surface of the desk looking up to see one of his
Captain’s entering.

           
Usually he would have been quite annoyed that an orderly hadn’t
properly announced them, but this particular Captain was an old friend and
wouldn’t have felt the need to be announced. Considering he wasn’t in
uniform, it didn’t seem to be official business anyway. “Do you usually run
about in such clothing in the sight of your subordinates Williams.” He
questioned.

           
The man smirked walking closer before seating himself in a chair near
Norrington’s desk. “I do when my wife absolutely insists. She had this suit
of clothes made for me. What do you think?” He said displaying himself
slightly.

           
The Commodore glanced at him slightly before spinning his coin again.
“I think you would give a peacock good competition.” He said dryly. Williams
smirked slightly leaning back in the chair.

           
“Something’s troubling you, and I don’t think it’s pirate raids
or the irritation of the East India Trading Company with the attacks on their
ships.” He said looking over his friend. “Does it have something to do with
a widow and her somewhat independent spinster daughter?”

           
Norrington gave him a look, “Her age is of little consequence. She
doesn’t look it at any angle. She’s been well kept I must say.” He said
tossing down the coin onto his desk. “She’s a very handsome woman, beautiful
skin, sparkling eyes, very attractive in every aspect imaginable.” He said
looking off to the side lost in thought.

           
The Captain waited a moment listening to the description and thinking
that there didn’t seem to be the slightest complaint about the woman,
“And?” He questioned wondering what the problem was.

           
“And she’s a damned nascence.” Norrington answered abruptly. “It
sounds as though she has no interest in being married whatsoever. This is her
mothers endeavor , and it’s going to take strategic skills better then I’ve
ever had to employ to have her agree to walk down the isle of the church instead
of being dragged kicking and screaming.”

           
Williams chuckled, “That makes her different then any other woman,
how?” Norrington glanced at his friend. “James I know you . . . you
wouldn’t want a woman that didn’t put up a good fight. It’s not in your
nature to simply have something handed to you. You’ve fought for everything
you have. Anything that has just been handed over to you, you’ve placed no
value on. It would be the same way with a wife that you didn’t have to do
anything to receive but sign a piece of paper for.”

           
“What are you going on about, Williams. I don’t have time for this
sort of thing. She’s a spoiled child that has simply been let run wild for to
many years. She doesn’t know her place.”

           
“Doesn’t she?” He questioned with a sly look. “Think about it
James. Do you remember back when we were midshipmen together? There were two
hats you had, do you recall?” The Commodore arched a brow. “You had to work
for the one and earn it, and you were given the other. You had the one for ages
and kept it spotless because you worked your hands down to the bone and saved
your wages every day for months to earn enough coin to purchase it. The other
you could care less about, and it was no time at all before it was tattered and
more or less forgotten. I think you still have the one that you bought through
your own sweat and blood about. Don’t you.”

           
The Commodore rolled his eyes, “Williams, you can hardly compare the
two.”

           
“That’s just one example. We could be here the rest of the afternoon
if you would like me to remind you of more.” Williams said leaning forward
arching a brow. “It’s simply the way you are. I’ve known you far to long
to be mistaken, and you should know yourself well enough by now to not have to
be told.”

           
“So what do you propose I do? Divide my attention from matters of
military importance to go pursuing this young woman who is going to be more of a
challenge then she’s likely to be worth?”

           
Williams smiled, “Well you won’t know that until you try, now will
you James.” The Captain leaned forward a little bit, “Shall I be blunt?”

           
“As though my disallowing you to be has ever hindered you in your
speaking your mind before.” James said picking up the coin and turning it over
in his fingers with a sigh.

           
“She isn’t the only one in this matter who is getting on in years my
friend.” James glanced at him. “You’ve yet to marry and start a family of
your own. You can’t keep using your duties as a Commodore to escape your
duties to a family forever. I realize that Elizabeth left quite the scar behind,
but you must find away to move past it and get on with matters. You know that
she did without even a backwards glance.”

           
James smirked, “Thank you ever so much for that uplifting jogging of my
memory.” Norrington shook his head a little and leaned forward, “Alright,
Williams. You needn’t go on wasting your breath. The contract was signed long
before this . . . . matter was discovered. We are to be wed, it is her
mother’s wish and apparently it was her fathers.” James sighed, “It
appears to be my challenge . . . to somehow make it her wish as well.”

           
Williams stood from his seat and walked closer clasping his friend on the
shoulder, “I have faith in you James. When we were younger, I saw you woo some
of the most beautiful women and sweep them off their feet when no other man
could. This should be no problem for you with the rank of Commodore and all of
his Majesties Royal Navy backing you.” He said with a wink.

           
Then Williams turned and hurried out, obviously having another engagement
of some sort that he couldn’t be late for. Somehow, James didn’t think that
his rank was going to impress this particular woman one way or the other. God
knows it might have helped fathoms if it did. Looking at the coin once more, he
flipped it up in the air and let it land on his desk.

 

Round 2

           
After a great deal of thought about their first meeting, he had a feeling
that Heather’s mother was acting as a sort of barrier between them. He
wasn’t entirely sure what sort of barrier she had resolved her to be. Weather
she was afraid that the Commodore would see the sort of Woman Heather truly was,
or if she was trying to protect him from being a pawn in this so called
‘game’ of Heather’s that her mother had mentioned.

           
Whatever the danger was, Norrington decided that if there was even the
slightest bit of progress to be made, he was going to need an accurate
assessment of the situation. Meaning that the barrier, was going to have to be
removed from the equation. The best way to do this, without her mother popping
back in every few seconds to make sure his head was still attached to his
shoulders, was to call unannounced when her mother was not at home. She’d
already given him permission to do so.

           
The Commodore resolved himself to be committed to this endeavor and
reached up knocking at the front door. A moment passed before a maid came and
opened the door. Before he could get a word in, the look on the maid’s face
was one of utter and complete horror when she saw who was at their front door
and in a knee jerk reaction she closed the door.

           
Norrington arched a brow, standing there face to face with a wooden door
never having to greet one again so soon after it had been opened for him without
some sort of explanation. Reaching up he intended to knock a second time but
stopped changing his mind. Instead he reached for the door handle and turned it
slowly finding that it hadn’t been locked. Slowly he pushed the door open
wondering if they had just hired a nervous maid who was actually impressed with
his rank. He didn’t want to scare the poor dear a second time.

           
Stepping inside he turned closing the door behind him looking around not
seeing anyone in the foyer. Walking in further he could hear some sort of a
commotion going on upstairs, but he couldn’t quite hear what it was about.
Taking off his hat he put it on the table by the door and took off his gloves
one at a time putting it with his hat as he looked towards the stairs trying to
hear what was going on in case he thought it better just to slip away quietly
and come back at a better time.

           
Suddenly two figures appeared on the landing out of the hallway, “Oh
for heaven’s sake! Your starting to sound like my mother!” Heather said
walking across the landing disappearing into the other hallway with another
woman following after her.

           
“You are engaged to be married you can’t keep doing this! Someone is
bound to see you and tell the Commodore and then your wedding will be off!”
The woman said as she quickly disappeared as well on Heather’s heels. James
wasn’t sure what this was about but was becoming more interested by the
second.

           
Then suddenly Heather appeared on the landing again, “Will you stop
worrying so much!” She said. “I’ll be back before my mother knows I’m
gone, and unless you start to get nervous and tell her things she shouldn’t be
told, then she’ll never know will she!”

           
“Hello Heather.” Both women turned to see the Commodore standing near
the front door in the foyer. The woman who was standing with Heather looked as
if she had just seen a Ghost and fainted falling to the floor with a thud.
Heather looked at the woman before looking back at the Commodore and sighed in
frustration.

           
James could see why there was such a fuss going on, a Lady to be dressed
in such clothing was highly inappropriate. It looked as though she had acquired
a pair of riding britches from somewhere, a white long sleeved blouse, a mans
boots and a vest. Not that it hid her figure, it was rather revealing, she had
by no means a mans figure, but at first glance if no one was looking for it you
would assume she was a man. A lady wouldn’t dare dress in such attire.

           
“Are you . . . planning on undertaking some sort of venture that is
going to require my taking military actions against you?” He said in a light
tone and a smile. Heather’s look darkened as she clinched her jaw and tapped
her fingers angrily against her thigh several times. He decided maybe it was
best to move on from the attempted jokes, she obviously was caught at something
she did not want to be caught at. “Your mother gave me leave to call when I
wished. I thought perhaps you would care to take a walk with me. 

           
“It would look rather odd for a Commodore of His Majesties Royal navy
to be walking about with suspected criminals, would it not?” She said crossing
her arms leaning on the stair banister. “You could be suspected as a spy and
discharged for such an offense.”

           
And her game was apparently a foot. Her mother was definitely not about
to rein her in and it was showing. “You could always change your attire into
that of a young woman that a Commodore would be proud to call his betrothed.”
He leaned his head back with a spiteful smile, “Or I could simply be taking a
leisurely walk in the company of a young servant boy.”

           
The woman that had fainted a moment ago was getting to her feet having
been listening to the conversation thus far, not really being able to get into
the middle of it but wishing that Heather would be more gracious to her guest.
“Heather, your mother.” She reminded her before she could say anything else.
The young woman rolled her eyes before she gave a insincere smile to the
Commodore and walked back into the hallway disappearing towards her room.

           
The woman smiled at James, “She’ll only be a few moments Commodore
Norrington. I’ll help her get ready.” She promised before turning and
hurrying back down the hallway. James arched a brow. This was going to be quite
the cat and mouse game indeed wasn’t it.

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