The Patriot / Pirates of the Caribbean oneshot

Cutler Beckett x reader

With a sad, irritable grunt, I looked over my shoulder to get a better look at the maid tightening my corset. It's a pain just having to wear a dress every day, let alone cutting off whatever breath I could breathe in. Was the dress fashionable? To London standards, yes. To me? Not exactly my first choice, especially with the lack of mobility.

"Thank you" I smiled uncomfortably, due to the pain of being squeezed. The maid simply nodded her head and started to pick up the other clothing I was previously wearing. A knock could be heard at my bedroom door.

"(Y/n)? Are you decent?" I heard my father call through the door.

"Yes father, come in!" I replied, picking up a hand fan getting warmer already with these layers. As my father opened the door and entered, the maid slipped past him with the excess clothing.

"You look beautiful! Marvelous, absolutely dazzling, (y/n)!" My father beamed.

"Thank you father, it's just a shame that Londoners have a thing against breathing and air." I said being sarcastic about the last bit. "But it is just for the night, a few hours."

"Yes, indeed, darling." My father smiled, knowing that I was not a big fan of corsets. He held his arm out for me to take. "But you will most definitely be turning heads at the ball!"

I laughed as I took my father's arm, heading down to the carriage that would take us to said ball. "Highly unlikely father! There will be plenty of women who are much more....hmmm...what's the proper word...? Socialites – women who know what to say and when to say something to specific people."

"My dear child, they may be Socialites, yes. However their beauty is applied each day with a face full of powder. Your beauty is radiant! You are what they thrive to be ‐ outstandingly beautiful!" My father smiled to me, as we climbed into the carriage. "Besides, you have something every man desires in a woman, and the women in the Carribean as well as the world wish they could have."

"And what's that, father?" I asked curiously as I took a seat across from him.

He merely chuckled with a big toothy grin, "You have brains as well as compassion, my dear!"

I gave a small laugh, smile as big as his. This man makes even me wonder what goes on in his mind sometimes.

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♤At the ball♤

I remained by my father for some time when we arrived at the ball. He introduced me to some of his fellow acquaintances, friends, and fellow members of the government. A few I was familiar with, such as Governor Swann, a close friend of my father. He has been in a bit of distress ever since his daughter, Elizabeth, had gone missing after he tried to send her back to England.

After some chatter with Governor Swann and other members of the government, I decided to break away from the small crowd. I told my father I would be going to fetch a drink, wanting to walk around and get blood pumping in my legs. I made my way to the other side of the ballroom, into another room where drinks and food were being served. A wide range of foods and drinks were being served. Hands down my favorite part of social events, as everyone in my family has a bottomless pit stomach it seems.

I opted for a glass of apple cider, not wanting to drink wine or bland water. It being daylight still, I opted to walk outside and get some fresh air. As I walked out to the large outdoor patios, I noticed some familiar faces coming in my direction.

"Ah! Lieutenant Gillette! Lieutenant Groves! How are the Royal Navy's fierce warriors today?" I smiled, poking some fun at them.

"Good as ever, Miss (l/n)!" Groves smiled. "How have you been?"