A Commodore

Nightmarish Waltz

           
“I had another six months.” Heather said sitting in a chair starring
at the wall not looking at either of the other two in the room. “We were only
just announced as engaged.”

           
“And under more normal circumstances you would have had a year . . .
but . . . darling, the Commodore has pressing business being a military officer.
He cannot wait that long and go through all the formalities when there is so
much unrest in the seas at this time. The East India Trading Company is
demanding that he put more attention on their ships and guarantee their safe
passage. It will require nearly his full attention.” Her mother tried to
explain.

           
“What does this mean? That I’m not to have a wedding at all then?
Simply . . . simply to say the vows allowed to him and a vicar in his office and
have it over and done with?” She said still starring at the wall.

           
“No. It will just be a much smaller wedding then we originally had
hoped for. Of course you’ll have a dress and your veil. Family only and only
our very closest and dearest friends will be in attendance. Perhaps no more then
20 in all.” She paused a moment. “And yes . . . the Ceremony will most
likely be held in his office.”

           
Heather didn’t know what to say. Everything was happening so quickly;
she felt like she was in a dream and none of this was real. Perhaps it was just
a dream. A nightmare she would wake up from at any moment. “When.” She said
finally.

           
Her mother didn’t seem to happy about the new arrangement either, but
she wasn’t about to let a man like James Norrington get away when he was
willing to marry her daughter. “Friday.” She answered. The word fell in the
silence of the room like someone had dropped a glass and it shattered on the
floor. Then it fell silent again.

           
“Friday.” Heather repeated in a whisper. “We don’t even know each
other.”

           
Lady Margaret stood, “Well . . . you’ll have the rest of your lives
for that.” She said walking over and putting her hand on Heather’s shoulder.
“We have much to do to prepare. There is no time to waste if you’re to be
ready by Friday.”

           
“I won’t be ready by then.” She said shaking her head.

           
“I meant physically, dear. Come.” She said taking her hand. “You
dress needs to be fitted and of course there are other odds and ends that must
be seen to immediately. I’m afraid there won’t be much sleep to be had this
week.” Heather’s eyes shifted downwards as she slowly stood and went with
her mother, still in shock at how fast everything was moving.

 

Covenant Marriages

           
James stood with the Military vicar and of course Williams who was his
best man waiting for Heather to appear. It was a small gathering indeed, but
there simply wasn’t time to send out invitations. The men where in their full
military formal dress uniforms and dressed to the teeth in their absolute best.

           
“You look a bit nervous, James. Are you alright?” Williams
questioned. “Are you afraid that she won’t come?”

           
“No. That is not what has me unnerved.” James said wishing his friend
would simply be quiet and let his mind be tormented in silence. “Her mother
thought it best that she tell her of the change in our wedding plans, and forbid
me from telling her myself. Who knows what she will think of me for this.”

           
“She can hardly blame you for something that was her mothers doing,
James.” Williams said trying to ease his friends mind.

           
James sighed, “Need I remind you that she doesn’t want to be wed in
any capacity, Williams. Not just to me but to anyone? I’m sure that when she
found that she went from having several months to adjust to three days was
rather a rude awakening.”

           
“She will have to adjust, that’s all there is to it.” Norrington
glared at Williams before straightening his cufflinks and standing straight as
it seemed that Heather was preparing to make her entrance.

           
A brief moment passed and all those in attendance turned their attention
to the back of the room. Then, Heather appeared at the doorway in a absolutely
stunning wedding gown holding a bouquet of white and pink roses in her hand. She
had on a veil over her face, that hid her away for the most part but without a
doubt it was her. Lady Margaret was at her heels, making sure that she never
left her side from beginning to finish of this day so that Heather didn’t make
a last minute attempt to flee.

           
There were sighs of approval and gasps of those who were impressed with
how beautiful she looked as she passed them making her way up the isle that had
been made. Norrington watched trying to keep the look on his face somewhat
hidden as he felt like he was watching some one on their march to the gallows.
If he didn’t know better, he would swear that there were shackles on her feet
under that dress the way she moved, as though she was the proud condemned.

           
Finally she came to the front and James took his place beside her
standing before the vicar as the ceremony began. Everything went as it was
expected. James said his vows, and Heather said hers repeating them word for
word without missing one or making a single mistake. When it came time,
Norrington took her hand and placed the ring on her finger, and held her hand in
his as they finished the ceremony and the vicar blessed their union, said a
prayer, and at last pronounced them man and wife.

           
The Commodore reached for her veil and raised it so that he could seal
their marriage vows with a kiss. He found an expressionless look on Heather’s
face as her eyes didn’t even turn towards him. Reaching up he touched her chin
and raised her head ever so gently before taking a tender kiss from her lips.
When he did, everyone in attendance sighed and started clapping in celebration.
James took Heather’s arm and wrapped it around his as the Vicar introduced
them as Mr. And Mrs. Commodore James Norrington for the first time. Immediately
the congratulations started to come one right after the other as the men shook
James hand.

           
The Commodore’s eyes shifted over towards Heather once to see that her
expression didn’t change, and a tear had escaped her eye and slid down her
cheek as she stared towards the window. Her mother quickly came over and hustled
her into a corner wiping the tear away from her eye hoping that no one had seen
it.

           
James watched for only a moment before he was pulled back into the swarm
of Officers and friends all anxious to congratulate him on his marriage to such
a fine young lady.

 

Swept Off

           
Heather looked around her new home quietly not having said a word since
leaving the reception. Her things had already been moved to the Commodore’s
house, and put in their proper places. She made her way up the stairs without
being shown, and slowly found her way into their bedchambers.

           
Standing quietly next to the window she looked out at the stars in the
sky wondering why she couldn’t see the same stars from this window as she
could see from her own window at home. This room must have been on a different
side of the house then hers was at home.

           
“I see you’ve found your way.” The Commodore said softly as he
stood next to the doorway. “I thought perhaps you might be hungry? After
having such a full day. We could eat before we retire, I’ll have the cook fix
us something.” He offered.

           
“Rum.” She said swallowing the lump in her throat.

           
“I beg your pardon.” He said not sure if he’d heard right.

           
“I didn’t bring any with me. Have you any in your home.” She said
quickly hardly able to form the words. Norrington sighed as he walked further
into the room looking at her.

           
“Heather, I know everything happened rather quickly. Much more quickly
then you or I expected them to. I am sorry for that.” He moved closer and
stood next to her. “I’m sorry if rushing into this has caused you more pain
then you’ve already suffered. But you needn’t try to dull your senses with
spirits.”

           
“Do you know any other way?” She said starring out the window. “My
senses are already dull, I might as well have the rum too.” She said crossing
her arms over her chest under her cloak she hadn’t taken off as of yet. 

           
“Are you hungry?” He asked once more hoping perhaps if they sat down
together for a meal it would help make her more comfortable. “You must be. You
hardly ate anything all day. No doubt your mother saw that you were strapped
tighter in your wedding dress then a horse with a parade saddle, which makes
eating impossible I’m sure.”

           
Heather sighed glancing at him as it seemed he was going to persist until
she agreed to take food with him and gave a slight nod.