When love interferes

Chapter six: The ceremony


They stepped up into the carriage that took them to the tailor. Christine was uneasy all the way, constantly rubbing her thumbs together. James gently laid his hand over hers.

'' There's no reason to be nervous.'' He smiled at her sweetly, making her forget all her worries. He was right, why should she be anxious…she was getting a new dress and was on her way to a high society ceremony! This all seemed like a dream. She being a common girl, and he the head of the navy…this would never work. She gazed at his astonishing features as she sat beside him. He was truly too good to be true. He noticed her intense staring and turned his head to face her.

'' Do I have something on my cheek? '' He inquired amused.

Christine broke from her trance. '' What, no…I, I just…'' She tried to save herself, but failed miserably.

'' I'm sorry for staring at you…this all just seems so unreal.'' She apologized.

James laughed. '' I'm not bothered by it…actually it flatters me. I'm not known to be pursued by the ladies, so this is a nice change.'' He bent over and kissed her sweetly on the lips.

Shortly the carriage stopped in front of the tailor shop. Gordon stepped out to open the door, helping the future commodore and his companion out. James extended his arm for her to take and they walked together to the entrance. Once inside Mrs. Barker greeted them with a forced smile, but faltered when she saw who was accommodating James.

'' Mr. Norrington, what a pleasant surprise…what brings you here? '' She smiled at him, but secretly glared at Christine with disgust. '' I hope you're not here to complain about the breeches…she can be such a clutch that girl.'' She rolled her eyes.

'' No the breeches are astounding…'' He smiled at Christine, who blushed, hearing such great words about her sewing. '' I need a dress for the ceremony, something elegant, yet simple. Can you recommend any? ''

Mrs. Barker's chin fell. '' A dress…may I ask who's the lucky woman? ''

'' Of course, I need a dress for her.'' He turned his head to the side, smiling at Christine. Anger could be seen in Mrs. Barker's face as she looked at her with disgust.

'' I'm sorry…but you can't take her with you, she has to work!'' Mrs. Barker indicated.

'' Why is that, everyone will be at the ceremony. I believe you can spare her for a few hours.'' James said firmly, but keeping it polite. Mrs. Barker was going to protest, but James stopped her.

'' Would you be so kind to show us the dresses now…we are in a hurry.'' James asked politely. The woman forced a smile.

'' Of course Mr. Norrington…follow me.'' She took them to the less expensive section. She pulled out a dark green dress, embellished with a big bow on the back.

'' I've always fancied this one.'' She pointed out, deliberately choosing the worst dress. Norrington frowned.

'' I'm not sure this one suits the occasion…don't you have anything more elegant. Maybe not with such grand ornaments? '' Mrs. Barker forced a smile.

'' Sure…if that is what you want…follow me.'' She led them to the better section. '' Here are our best dresses…they may cost a bit more than you are willing to buy for her, so I can show you some…''

'' Nonsense, she shall have the best.'' Norrington replied with a smile. Mrs. Barker's face fell.

'' As you wish.'' She managed to stutter. Christine turned around surprised.

'' Are you sure? '' James nodded. '' Now find a dress you like, the price doesn't matter.'' Christine jumped up his neck.

'' Thank you so much! I don't know what I did to deserve this.'' She held her arms around his neck, smiling widely. She leaned closer and kissed him softly. He smiled back and brushed a strand of her hair behind her shoulder.

'' Now go pick a dress, we don't have much time.'' She smiled again and released his neck. She searched through the rack and found a few dresses she liked. She was having a trouble deciding which one she wanted the most when she stumbled across the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. She slowly took it of the rack, examining the dress more carefully. It was a rose coloured dress with white lacing on the sleeves and bottom. It was tied with small satin laces across the chest and embroidered with small flowers. She gasped at the magnificent dress before her…it was perfect.

'' You want this one…?'' Norrington inquired seeing the astonishing look on her face. She couldn't speak but nodded her head in agreement.

'' I remember making it…it was a while ago…'' She stared at the dress, not believing it was in her hands. '' I always dreamed that one day it would be mine…I even sewed it in my size!''

Norrington smiled. '' Well now is the chance…please try it on.'' Mrs. Barker led her frustrated to the fitting room. A moment later she came back out, wearing the dress. Norrington was looking at the dresses and turned when she spoke his name. The sight before him was astounding. A wide smile spread across his face as he approached her.

'' Christine…you look absolutely stunning.'' She smiled a little embarrassed, she had never gotten a compliment like that.

'' Thanks James…that's very sweet of you to say.'' Mrs. Barker frowned…she couldn't stand this sweetness between them. Christine was her worker and she wasn't supposed to get fine dresses or attend any ceremonies with the commodore! She wasn't of his status!

'' Come, we have to hurry, the ceremony will start soon.'' They paid Mrs. Barker for the dress and headed out to the carriage.

'' I feel like a princess now..'' Christine chuckled.

James smiled. '' Well you sure look like one.'' He took her hand and helped her into the carriage, climbing in after her. Gordon snapped the reins and the horses headed towards the fort. At the fort the Governor was waiting with his daughter, Elizabeth.

'' Norrington…I was getting worried you wouldn't show up…at your own promotion ceremony.'' The Governor laughed.

James chuckled. '' We had some minor set backs but everything is alright now.'' Christine was standing behind him, hiding from the people. James pulled her forward.

'' Let me introduce to you a good friend of mine, Christine.'' She smiled uncomfortably, feeling a tickling sensation in her stomach.

'' Yes we've met. Great to see you again Christine.'' Elizabeth smiled.'' I have to say your dress is sensational…where did you get it?''

'' Actually I made it myself.'' She smiled blushing. '' But James spent a fortune buying it for me.''

Elizabeth turned her attention to James. '' You are a very generous man James…I admire that in men.'' She smiled at him sweetly, knowing that there was something more than just his generosity behind the buying.

'' Shall we go inside, the ceremony will begin soon.'' The Governor suggested. Everyone agreed and followed him through the stone gate. There was a great gathering of people on the square, a row of navy officers were standing on each side, leaving a path in the middle for him to walk on. The Governor moved to the front of the assembly and signalled for the trumpets to begin. Loud trumpet sound filled the air, as James walked past the heavily armed officers, saluting him with their guns raised.

~*~*~*~

After the ceremony the Governor invited a large group of people to a feast, to celebrate Norrington's success.

'' Won't you join me to the Governor's house, I would love to have the honour of enjoying your company.'' James inquired politely.

'' I'm sorry, I think I should go to work…'' She saw the smile on the commodore's face fade. '' I enjoyed the ceremony very much, thanks for taking me with you.'' James smiled.

'' The pleasure was all mine. Let me take you to work...'' James started.

'' No, I wouldn't want to bother you…'' Christine replied.

'' No I insist…please..'' James begged.

'' Alright…you know you really make me feel like royalty.'' She said with a smile. James smiled back.

'' How can I not when you look so stunning…'' He offered her his hand and she gladly took it.

'' You are a real charmer commodore…'' She said with a smile as they went to the carriage.

When reaching their destination, James helped her out of the carriage.

'' I want to thank you for accommodating me today, it was a true pleasure.'' James kissed the top of her hand. Christine blushed.

'' The pleasure was all mine…thank you James…for everything.'' Christine stepped closer to him and planted a sweet kiss on his lips.

'' I've got to go now…Mrs. Barker is angry enough as it is.'' She smiled at him apologetically..

'' Yes I think you better go…'' She walked away, but turned around and smiled. He smiled back and she headed through the door of the shop.

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James went to the feast held at the Governor's mansion. He missed the company of Christine, but it was soon forgotten when he was greeted by all his fellow colleagues and admirers.

'' Congratulations James…I knew you'd end up as a commodore…it's in your blood.''

'' How are you feeling commodore, it is a great title to bear… ''

'' Commodore, it has a nice ring to it don't you think? ''

James managed to slide through the crowd and went over to where the Governor and Elizabeth were seated.

'' James, I see you have a vast group of admirers.'' The governor laughed. '' Please take a seat with us…'' Mr. Swann looked over the room. '' Where is the girl who was with you earlier? ''

James sat down on a chair, facing the Governor. '' She had other business to attend to, unfortunately.''

'' She looked like a sweet girl, how did you two meet?'' Mr. Swann inquired curious.

James cleared his throat. '' Well that's a long story to be told…''

~*~*~

Far into the story, James felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to see Mr. Gillette.

'' I'm sorry to intrude on your conversation Commodore…Governor. '' He bowed apologetically. '' Can I have a moment, I've got something urgent to talk to you about.''

James nodded. '' Forgive me Governor, Elizabeth, I've got to leave you.'' He bowed apologetically and went off with Gillette. They went into the library and closed the door behind them.

'' What is it you have to tell me?'' James inquired curious. The man in front of him swallowed hard.

'' Well…sir, I got a notion that pirates had been detected around Port Royal.''

'' What! Pirates…I want double guard on every station and strengthen the port surveillance! No pirate will enter this port as long as I'm the Commodore! ''

'' Yes sir…I will sir.'' He bowed and hurried out of the room, delivering the commodore's order. James returned to where the Governor was seated.

'' Is everything alright commodore…?'' Mr. Swann inquired worried.

'' Yes, just some standard precautions…there is nothing for you to fear.'' James replied assuring. '' But I'm afraid I must leave you…I have a important business to attend to.'' He bowed once again, thanking them for a lovely evening and then he was off.

Outside his carriage was waiting for him. '' Gordon, take me to Christine's house.'' He ordered.

The servant turned around. '' And where would that be?''

'' Just outside town, by the shore…there's a small hut by the beach...'' James replied nervous. Gordon nodded and the carriage drove them down the street, heading for the beach. They stopped at the end of a dirt trail that lead up to the hut. The hill was steep so the servant didn't trust himself to take the carriage up to the hut.

'' Wait here while I'm away, I won't be long.'' James ordered. He walked up the hill and in a short while had reached her door. He knocked politely, but no answer. He knocked again, a little harder this time…still no answer. He tried to turn the knob and found at that the door was unlocked. He slowly opened the door and peered inside. But what he saw left him dumbfounded.

Author notes: What did he see? Review and find out;-)