A Dance with Pirates

Chapter 3

DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN PETER PAN!

Picture: Geoffrey Quiller Couch

Thanks for reading so far and please post comments and suggestions they really help ;)

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"And what's this I see? There is another in your place. He is called Husband."
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"Breathe," Wendy told herself,"Relax."

As she descended the long staircase to the main living room she could feel all the eyes on her. She felt exposed, almost as if she was naked except she wasn't.

Wendy stared at her feet as she walked,"Right, left, right, left," she thought to herself. Wendy decided to look up for a slight moment to observe the guests. She managed to spot her father's boss and his son and at least a dozen people she didn't know at all. She felt light headed. She stumbled slightly. A faint gasp was heard from the crowd. Wendy took hold of the railing and stood up straight again.

Wendy caught Peter's eye. Peter nodded to her and gave her a reassuring smile. She could do this. Wendy only had 3 steps remaining and she couldn't have been more relieved.

Upon reaching the bottom of the staircase she let out an inaudible sigh of relief. Everyone began to clap for her and she blushed profusely. She immediately walked over to Peter's side feeling embarrassed. The applause stopped and everyone went back to chatting in their own small groups.

"See, Wends? The worst of the nightmare is over," Peter whispered in her ear. Wendy only managed to smile. In her mind the worst was yet to come. Wendy spotted her brothers standing together and slid her way through the guests to greet them.

"Hello, boys" she said with a big smile. She was greeted with even greater smiles.

"Wendy!" they managed to say in unison.

She gave each of them a kiss on the cheek. She gave John, Curly and Slightly a sad look. "How could you boys leave me?" she said mockingly. "I have nothing to do except sew and read!"

"Good! Maybe now you'll become a proper lady," Slightly laughed.

Wendy giggled,"I don't think anyone will be able to make me a lady!"

"You can't play around your whole life, Wends," John added. Her smile faded. John was right. She couldn't deny that fact.

"Wendy! Wendy! Over hear, darling!" Wendy turned towards the voice. There stood Aunt Millicent flapping her arms wildly beckoning Wendy.

"Excuse me, please," Wendy said and walked over to where her mother, father, aunt and Sir Edward were standing.

"Wendy," her father said,"you've met my boss, Sir Edward Quiller Couch?"

Wendy put on a sweet smile,"Yes, I have. Lovely to see you again, Sir Edward."

"I don't think you've met my son, Geoffrey," Sir Edward said.

"No I have not yet had the pleasure," Wendy replied.

Sir Edward tapped a man with his back turned to them on the shoulder. He turned around. Geoffrey looked nothing like his father. In fact, he was quite handsome.

"Geoffrey," Sir Edward said turning to his son,"this is Miss Wendy Darling."

"Ah, Miss Wendy! It is an honour to finally meet you," Geoffrey took Wendy's hand and gently placed a kiss on her knuckle. She blushed slightly.

"Thank you," she replied and bowed her head slightly.

"Sir Edward, have you heard about the recent robberies taking place around town?" Mr Darling asked, trying to make small talk.

"Miss Wendy?" Wendy faced Geoffrey,"I wonder if you might like to take a walk in the garden with me?"

"I would love to," she took Geoffrey's arm as he led her to the gardens.

They stood against the wall near the big oak tree. It was a perfect autumn evening. The air was slightly cool and the sky was full of stars. Wendy easily spotted the second star to the right.

"So, Geoffrey, what are you currently occupied with?" Wendy asked trying to break the awkward silence.

"Well I'm currently working in the bank," Geoffrey replied. Wendy could've guessed that.

"But that's enough small talk," Geoffrey had a sly grin on his face and his eyes had a dark tint to them.

He pushed her up against the wall and started to kiss Wendy furiously. He held her fast and was running his hands along the sides of her torso. Wendy was utterly disgusted and pushed him off of her with all of her strength.

"Unhand me, sir!" she cried,"Who on earth do you think you are? I barely know you!"

Geoffrey stepped towards her,"Sometimes you don't have to know the person." Wendy took a step back, wanting to get away from him.

"You're wrong!" Wendy screamed. She grabbed her skirts and fled back into he house. Accidentally she bumped into her Aunt.

"Wendy! There you are! Goodness, are you all right child?" she looked Wendy up and down.

"Yes, Aunt. Perfectly fine!" she lied.

"Come! Your father is about to make a big announcement!" she dragged Wendy through to the main hall again.

Her father stood on the staircase with a champagne glass in his hand,"My dear friends, family and colleagues. It is my great pleasure to ask Mr Geoffry Quiller Couch to come forward." Wendy was confused. What was going on? Just then Geoffrey came into the hall and was greeted with applause. He smiled and made his way over to Wendy. She felt sick. She wanted to run away.

Geoffrey knelt down on one knee in front of Wendy and said,"My dear Miss Darling. Would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"

She suddenly became aware of everyone's eyes on her. She had to give an answer. "What must I say?" she thought. If she said yes she would spend the best years of her life in a house raising about 5 children and living with a man she didn't love. If she said no she would ultimately bring shame to entire family. What would Peter want her to do?

"Wendy?" her mother's voice brought her back to reality.

Without any further thought, stepping away from Geoffrey, she said,"No."

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A/N: Ooooooh!!! What did you guys think? Thank you so much for reading my fanfic, it means a lot! Sorry this chapter took a while to write I had serious writer's block but thanks to @8Farah_Narkedien8 and Beth I'm back on track. Will update ASAP.
Love Emma -xoxox-