The Second Swann ---///--------

Chapter 2//RW

----Rewritten, currently being revised------

"Still abed this hour?" their father asked, though his words were meant to be scolding, the warmth in his voice made it sound otherwise.

Suddenly the curtains were pushed back and the Caribbean sunlight shone into the room, blinding both Charlotte and Elizabeth. 

"It's a beautiful day," he continued, approaching the window.

Once Charlotte's eyes adjusted, she looked up to see the island outside her window. Their home was built on the highest elevation, and from there they could see the town village, the docks, and the glittering sea. The island greeted them with a sweet breeze of warm air from the fragrance of tropical trees and the salt from the sea. Somewhere in the distance, a bell tower chimed. 

"I have something for you two," Charlotte's father said, pulling her away from the serene view. The maids behind him stepped closer and lifted the lids off the packages they were holding. 

"Oh!" Elizabeth gasped, peering into one of them. 

"They're beautiful!"Charlotte marvelled. 

Both dresses were rich in colour, and, in paler shades, designed with meticulous patterns of large roses. Elizabeth's dress was a warm cream in colour, while Charlotte's was a deep gold. The two grinned at each other, pleased by their gifts. Then uncertainty wavered in. It was a lovely gesture, but why such a gift? Charlotte wondered. 

"May I inquire as to the occasion?" Elizabeth asked, reading her sister's mind.

"Does a father need an occasion to dote upon his daughters?" their father answered and smiled fondly at them, "go on, then, try them on." 

Charlotte and Elizabeth nodded and hurried behind their dressing screens, eager to try on their dresses. Their maids followed closely behind. 

As they undressed, their father cleared his throat. Charlotte frowned, recognizing that nervous trait of his instantly. "Actually, I had hoped the both of you would wear it for the ceremony, today." 

"The ceremony?" Charlotte repeated. 

"Captain Norrington's promotion ceremony," her father answered with an evident hint of pride in his tone. Charlotte glanced up at Elizabeth who was making an exasperated eye roll. 

"I knew it," they both said, poking their heads out from either end of their screen. 

"Commodore Norrington, as he's about to become. A fine gentleman, don't you agree?" 

"He's quite  fond of you, Elizabeth, you know?" 

At that moment, Elizabeth let out a gasp and Charlotte could see already the blood draining from her face as her maid tightened the corset. 

Once a Captain, James Norrington was one of the very most respected residents of Port Royal. He was a man of integrity, with a noble reputation owed to his higher status. Apart from that, he was kind and gallant, with enough bit of intellect to impress in conversation. For many years their father, who was the governor of the island, worked alongside the Captain and upon those many years, father had grown fond of him, charmed by his courtesy and eloquence. He was, as he had described on a number of occasions, the perfect example any other man should follow.

A sudden sharpness dug into Charlotte's ribs, making her grind her teeth, each tug her maid made had her waist protest. Charlotte felt as though a boa constrictor would have been much gentler than this.  

"Girls?" their father called in concern, "how's it coming?" 

"It's-difficult to say!" Elizabeth answered in a strained voice, indicating she, too was experiencing the same tightening grasp of the corsets.

"I'm told it is the latest fashion in London." father returned. 

"Well, women in London must have learned not to breathe!" as Elizabeth said that, each word cut off shortly from the tugging. 

There was the sound of footsteps entering the room. 

"My lord?" the voice of the footman called, "you have a visitor." 

"Come downstairs as soon as you two are ready,"  they heard their father say before hearing him follow the footman. 

Charlotte waited a moment before turning to Elizabeth, "you don't suppose father's hinting towards anything about Captain Norrington?" she asked. 

"There isn't a doubt in me that he is," Elizabeth answered with narrowing eyes. 

"You don't think..." 

Elizabeth's eyes widened as she caught on, "oh no," she whispered, "it couldn't be that..."

Estrella, Elizabeth's maid, was watching them and when she saw Charlotte looking up at her she immediately averted her eyes back to Elizabeth's dress. Charlotte saw how her fingers worked briskly at particularly nothing. 

"Estrella," Charlotte called. 

The maid froze at her name before slowing looking up. Elizabeth turned to look at her, as well. 

"Yes, Miss Swann?" she answered with wide, mousey eyes. 

"Would you happen to know anything?" Charlotte asked. 

"Kn-know anything? Miss?" Estrella stammered.

"Anything that our father might have meant about Captain Norrington, and this ceremony of his?" 

Estrella's eyes widened even more, then she turned to look at her lady, as if asking for permission, then looked back. She cleared her throat, "I-I might 'ave over'eard something." she hesitated, again, glancing at her lady then at Charlotte again, then at Charlotte's maid, before returning to them, "I think...the Captain spoke to 'is Lordship about a request." she said, finally, "'he said 'e'll do it this comin' week, 'e did." 

"Request?" both Charlotte and Elizabeth repeated. 

"For marriage, my lady," the maid replied, 'e plans on proposing today, 'e is. At least that's what I thought I 'eard." 

"Did he say to whom?" Charlotte asked, holding her breath.

"No Miss...the footmen never got a chance to 'ear the rest o' it." Estrella answered with a shake of her head, but her gaze lingered on Elizabeth as she said it. 

"Thank you, Estrella." Elizabeth said, and the maid nodded before returning to fixing her dress. 

Both Charlotte and Elizabeth were silent as their maids continued to work. At one point, Charlotte's maid had to leave to tend to something, so it was Estrella that was working on buttoning and fitting the rest of her dress, too. 

"The captain is to propose to one of us," Charlotte murmured. 

"So it may seem," Elizabeth answered. 

Once more, the two went silent. 

It was very clear who he had in mind. Though it was strange to learn this, for Charlotte had always seen him as someone with a passion for his profession, and for Port Royal, not for marriage, or love. It was curious that he suddenly desired to settle down. 

What was more was the fact that Charlotte knew, deep down, Elizabeth did not harbour the same feelings towards him. No, there was someone else in her mind, someone unexpected, someone completely off her limit, someone peculiar. 

Someone that Charlotte, too, fancied herself. 

And just as she pictured his face she felt it, the rough edge of the medallion squeeze into her chest by the corset.