A Marriage To A Fine Woman

Pursuits

           
It was almost five, and James had gotten up early to get a start down to
the docks. There was no question that he would be the one to chase down these
criminals who had invaded Port Royal and stolen away the most precious thing
there was. He was very quiet, trying not to make to much noise and disturb
Aislinn.

           
However, all of his attempts to keep her from waking were shown to be
completely futile when he came down the stairs. Sitting by the door, fully
dressed and her cloak wrapped around her with her hood covering most of her
face, sat Aislinn, holding a bag in her hands.

           
James arched a brow as he approached her and she stood. “What is
this?” He asked wondering just what it was she was up to.

           
“I’m coming with you.” She said looking at him seriously.

           
“Oh are you?” He replied, not exactly sure he’d heard right.
“well, what objections would I have to your going with me to chase down
heartless, murderous, thieving criminals with no value on human life
whatsoever?” He said looking at her with dead seriousness. A maid came to the
door with James’ coat and hat, helping him put them on. “You shouldn’t
even have to wonder about what my answer is.”

           
“Michael is just as much my son as yours. I’ve no intention of
remaining behind with both of you gone to sea.” She insisted. “I’m coming
with you, James. I’m your wife, and there is no person who will challenge it
if you say I can go.”

           
“Of course not, because there is no one on this entire island who would
object as loudly as I.” Reaching out, he put his hands on her shoulders.
“You must stay here. There will be enough to worry about aboard my ships
without having to worry about your safety as well.”

           
“I can’t stay behind, James. Not this time. You and Michael are the
only family I have left. If by some chance something terrible happens . . . I
would prefer to be with you, rather then left alone with no one.” She pleaded.

           
“Aislinn . . .” He said seeing the fear in her eyes. It was very
real, and even though she was trying to be strong and convince him that she
would press her way into going weather James agreed or not. Yet her fears
managed to overpower her, and tears filled her eyes. He pulled her into his arms
and held her tightly. Aislinn buried her face in his chest, clinging to his
jacket. He rubbed her back a little trying to comfort her however he could.
Finally, he pulled back enough to look into her eyes. “I will bring him back
to you, I swear it.”

           
She choked back the tears as much as she could, and nodded a little her
eyes turning downcast. “I know you will, James.” The knot in her throat grew
a little as she whispered, “You come back too. Please James.”

           
He smiled and rubbed her back a bit more, “I promise I shall.” She
nodded again and buried her face in his chest holding him tight again.

Widows Walk

           
The weeks that followed were particularly hard for Aislinn. From the time
her eyes opened, until they closed, she stood on the balcony of their house that
looked out towards the harbor. Hoping that at any moment James’ ship would
come into view. Sometimes she would pace, and sometimes she should simply be
very still.

           
Repairs on the house were finally complete, and repainted making it look
brand new as if it had just been built. Even then, she was unable to eat, barely
able to sleep, and spent much of her time saying prayers over and over that both
James and Michael would return home soon.

           
Lord Beckett had been watching Aislinn for sometime now. He could see the
Norrington’s balcony clearly from his office, and couldn’t help but be
curious to see how long she would continue this behavior.

           
Nearly a full month went by when a visitor came to the house. Rather then
have him wait downstairs for her mistress that would never come down, the maid
showed Beckett to the balcony where Aislinn stood.

           
He stood there a moment, watching her not exactly sure how to approach
the situation. “I assure you that you would be notified immediately if your
husbands ship came into the harbor.” He said. “You needn’t worry about
that. If there had been any information on his whereabouts or news on his
progress, I would have it sent onto you immediately.”

           
Aislinn wrapped her cloak around her better, crossing her arms around her
underneath it. “I don’t think I can stand another day of waiting.” She
said softly. A moment passed before she turned and walked towards Beckett.
“There has to be some report of them. I saw a war sloop come in at dawn.
Didn’t they carry any message of James at all?” She begged, hope in her
eyes.

           
“I’m sorry, that ship was not one in Admiral Norrington’s convoy.
It brought reports but from another part of the ocean. It never even crossed
paths with James.” He said. The hope in Aislinn’s eyes seemed to melt away
as she lowered her head. Beckett almost wished that he had better news for her.
“I’m sorry.” He said.

           
The young woman reached for her cowl and pulled it over her head turning
back towards the harbor. “I think it would do you good to get out of this
house for a while. I came to ask that you would join me for dinner this
evening.”

           
“I can’t.” She said, “I can’t leave until James comes home.”

           
Lord Beckett walked closer to her looking out towards the harbor as well.
“You have to know that James wouldn’t approve of this. He would want you to
socialize, rather then become the ghosts that haunts his balcony.” Aislinn’s
eyes lowered a moment, and she didn’t answer. Perhaps Lord Beckett was right,
and James would scold her for such behavior, but how could she help it? How
could anyone help it when both their husband and son were at sea. “I insist
that you join me for dinner. I think some company would do us both good. And
when he comes home, James won’t be displeased that you locked yourself away
his entire absence.”

           
Aislinn was quiet, and thought for a moment before she gave a nervous
nod. “Yes.” She said giving him her answer, “Thank you.”

           
Beckett smiled, “Good. I’ll have an escort come and bring you to my
home at 7.” Aislinn nodded again still facing the harbor. “Until tonight
then.” He said saying goodbye before he left.

           
Aislinn took a breath before sighing. She didn’t know if she could
stand to be away from where she could watch for to long.

Awkward Situations

          
Aislinn went to Lord Beckett’s as she said she would. She had taken a
bath, changed into a lovely evening dress, and put her hair up in silver clips
with decorations that matched her dress. It was one of the dresses that had been
ordered from Paris. She wanted to look her best, so that she would do James
credit.

           
At first, she hardly touched her food. A few bites, and then she put down
her fork almost to nervous to eat. Beckett watched a moment eating his own
dinner, before saying something. “I promise you it’s quite safe.”

           
Her eyes turned up towards Beckett, half lost in her thoughts. “Oh . .
. no, My Lord.” She said, “Everything is wonderful.”

           
“Then please.” He said indicating she should eat. “One might feel
slightly insulted when having such delicacy’s prepared for his guest, and she
barely touches them.” Aislinn’s eyes went wide with horror at the thought
she was being rude to the man James worked for. Picking up her fork, she began
to eat with larger bites.

           
Beckett smiled to himself as he continued to eat as well. She had lost
weight since James’ departure. Any fool could see that. And she hardly had any
to spare to begin with. She was still a bit awkward in social situations, and
even more so when James wasn’t there with her. A gentleman would make
allowances for such a thing, but Beckett couldn’t help but use it to his
advantage as he did when he convinced her to get James to take this position
back in London.

           
He made sure that her wine glass was filled each time it got near to the
bottom. Aislinn, terrified that she might be offending him, made sure to drink
and eat anything that was set in front of her. Somewhere around desert, the
amount of wine she had consumed was beginning to show in her body language.

           
Every once in a while, her body began to slouch, and her eyes would close
half way. When she caught herself, she quickly straightened up and her eyes
opened wide. Beckett was finding it most amusing but keeping it to himself. Were
she intoxicated enough, she shouldn’t return to her balcony tonight, or even
perhaps late the next day.

           
When dinner was finished, he showed her into his parlor, making sure to
walk beside her and keep her from falling should she start to sway. She sat down
on the couch by the fire, as he offered her some after dinner Cheri. It had been
a long time since she had had so much to drink. After the incident on the ship
when they came from London, she only had enough to be social able at dinner, or
parties. One glass, and no more. Being the one to witness her behavior when
drunk, James approved of the restriction she put on spirits for herself.

           
Beckett was far to amused with watching her in this state. “How is
married life treating you?” He asked taking a sip of his drink.

           
“Well.” She said starring into the fire with wide eyes. She squirmed
a little, trying to keep her wits about her. “It’s certainly hot in here
isn’t it.” She said tugging at her collar before placing her hand to her
head a moment. “Everything is well, very well.” She said repeating her
original answer.

           
Handing her her glass, he filled it a bit more. Aislinn held it watching
him fill the glass. “I’ve never married myself. I see no profit in it, and
it would divide my time from . . .” he paused when he saw her drain the glass
in several large gulps. “. . . more important things.” He said filling her
glass again.

           
Aislinn sighed loudly starring at the glass as it seemed to fill up yet
again, blowing her lips making a raspberry sound. She had long since had enough,
but wanted to be a good guest and not be rude. Beckett couldn’t help but smile
at that. She didn’t know how much more she could take of this drink and the
growing heat. She began to drink that glass as well as her fingers undid several
of the front buttons of her dress trying to cool off a bit. 

           
Beckett arched a brow seeing the top of her bosom showing much more then
it had been. This was an interesting development. One that he wasn’t above
taking advantage of. Taking her glass he set it aside, and watched her fan
herself with her hand. “You are quite lovely, you know.” He said as he moved
a bit closer.

           
Aislinn turned her eyes towards him, “Thank you, My Lord.” She said
politely. “James tells me the same thing.” She said with a smile, her eyes
almost closed. Beckett, testing the waters, reached up and stroked her hair back
off her shoulder, just admiring the line of her neck.

           
“A man would have to be blind not to see it.” He said softly, letting
his fingers move from her hair to touch her jaw and trace the line, as he leaned
closer to her. Aislinn’s eyes were completely shut now, she was deeply
intoxicated and was having a hard time staying conscience, much less knowing
what was going on around her. “And daft not to take advantage of it.” He
whispered moving even closer still, until finally he pressed his lips to hers
stealing a kiss. Aislinn, unaware of what was going on, returned the kiss.

           
Cutler couldn’t resist taking another since she seemed so eager to
return the affections. There was a good chance that in Aislinn’s mind, she saw
James and felt his kiss forgetting where she was. Beckett wrapped his arms
around her pulling her hard against him as he kissed her deeply, greedily
consuming her lips savagely.

           
He pulled back licking his lips a bit, before opening his eyes and
looking at her. Aislinn had become quite pale and her skin very clammy. Beckett
frowned as he touched her face, “Aislinn . . . are you alright?” He
questioned.

           
Suddenly, without any warning at all, she doubled over and vomited in his
lap. Beckett sighed as she fell against him. “Ah.” He said realizing that
perhaps so much alcohol was far to great an amount for someone who didn’t
drink and hadn’t been eating. Either way, without even realizing it, Aislinn
effectively neutralized any further advances that Beckett might have made
towards her, taking a cads advantage of the state she was in.

Hangovers

           
Aislinn groaned a little when a small ray of sunlight managed to slip
past her curtains and shine on her face. She rolled over pulling the pillow
against her face to keep the light off her. Just the feel of it made her body
ache. It felt like she had been turned inside out, and pummeled from her head to
her feet.

           
A while later, she came down stairs with her eyes half closed, finding
everything much brighter then usual and it made her head pound each time she
walked past a window that was open. So, she walked with her eyes shielded just
trying to get through the house.

           
She arrived in the kitchen and sat down, the cook was making bread and
looked up at her just as Aislinn dropped her head on the table. The cook
chuckled a bit, “Ah . . . a bit hung over, eh?” She said.

           
“I’ve never felt so sick in my life.” She answered not moving her
head. “I can’t even remember . . .” She raised her head just enough to
rest her chin on her arms. “I remember dinner, and I remember . . . fire. I
think there was a fire place.” She frowned, “I hope it was in a fire
place.”

           
“Spirits will do funny things to ones head, that’s for certain.”
The cook said. Their cook was the only one of their servants who survived the
attack on Port Royal. She had been away for a few weeks, gone to take care of
her mother who was ill and passing. She’d only just returned two weeks after
James left with his ships to track down their sons captor. She chuckled a bit,
“You must have had quite an amount for them to bring you home unconscious.”

           
“Oh God . . . “Aislinn groaned and buried her head in her arms again,
“I must have made a complete fool of myself in front of Lord Beckett.” She
said embarrassed. “Perhaps I should give him a dinner invitation to make
amends for my behavior.” She peeked up at the cook, “Is that the right thing
to do to apologize?” She asked.

           
The cook glanced at her with a suspicious look, “I’m not so certain
you have anything to apologize for.” The cook answer, “In all my years of
service for you and Admiral Norrington . . . I’ve never seen you
intoxicated.” She said.

           
“It was something that happened on the ship when we came from London. I
made a fool of myself then too. Every since then, I’ve been sure not to drink
anything more then a glass of wine with dinner, and nothing harsher then tea the
rest of the time.” She explained.

           
“Exactly.” The woman put the bread she was making into the stove
closing the cast iron door. She turned and looked at Aislinn, “Never have I
known you to drink, and anyone would be ashamed of himself for getting the wife
of another man drunk.”

           
Aislinn’s brow furrowed at this, “Lord Becket is a Gentleman. He
would never do such a thing to me on purpose. It was my fault, not his.”

           
“Yes, Mistress.” The cook said before going back to her duties,
thinking it best not to stir up trouble if there was truly nothing to stir.