Chapter 18:  What Happened Last Night

 

Norrington opened his eyes…again.  He turned over and tried to make himself more comfortable, as he had already attempted nearly a dozen times.  He half-wished that he had not insisted that Robin take the bed.  Norrington sat up when he realized that he was hearing many people on the deck above him and moving through the hallway.  It must already be morning.

He groaned quietly as he stood, his body aching due to his uncomfortable sleeping position.  Norrington studied Robin for a moment.  She was perfectly still, and appeared to have been in the same slightly curled-up position all night, for the sheets were not twisted or sloppy in any way.  Norrington frowned and put a hand in front of her mouth; he was glad to feel her warm breath.  For a brief moment, he had feared that she was dead.

Robin looked far too peaceful to bother, so Norrington stepped as quietly as possible to where his uniform lay.  He dressed silently, frequently casting furtive glances at the woman in his bed.  Norrington reluctantly put on his wig.  He was really beginning to hate the thing.  He tiptoed over to the bedside table, where he had left his hat, and he found himself gazing at Robin again.  Her hair contrasted greatly with the white pillow, and her body was completely hidden from view beneath the sheets, for the cloth was pulled up to her chin.  She had a very vague smile on her face, and Norrington wondered what she was dreaming about.

Norrington put on his hat, now prepared for the day.  But then he wondered whether it would be wise to allow Robin to remain there.  What if one of Beckett’s men came in and discovered her in his bed?  Norrington hated to think what impression that would leave on Lord Beckett, and the repercussions of that impression.

Norrington gently stroked Robin’s cheek.  He was briefly amazed at how soft her skin was, considering that she had spent her life at sea.  Norrington bent over and whispered Robin’s name in her ear.  A faint moan came from her throat, and she curled up a little more, but did not open her eyes.  “Robin?” Norrington breathed again, moving some of Robin’s hair from her face.

“It’s crooked.”  Norrington jumped back when Robin spoke, startled.  Robin giggled as she sat up.  “Though I see you have an excuse this time—you have no mirror in here.  Get back here,” she ordered with a smile, and when Norrington obeyed, she reached up and straightened his hat.  “Still have trouble dressing yourself?” she joked, referencing a long ago experience, when she had been a different woman.  Though, when Norrington dwelled on it, Robin was much more like Jacqueline than she seemed to realize, and more than Norrington had noticed before.

“Were you awake this whole time?” Norrington asked, embarrassed.

Robin smiled.  “I woke up while you were putting on that absurd wig.”  Norrington found his cheeks flushing when he realized that Robin had felt him gently stroking her face and whispering in her ear like a lover.  “I suppose I should be getting out of here,” she said quietly, throwing the sheets aside and stepping onto the floor, slipping her feet into her boots.  “And I suppose Lord Beckett will wish me to be in ‘ladylike’ attire,” she said in annoyance, venomously spitting out Beckett’s name.  Robin leaned her ear against the door, listening for signs of life.  “Thank you,” she said quietly, and she nodded to Norrington and slipped out without another word.

Admiral Norrington went above deck shortly after Robin departed.  He nodded in greeting to Mr. Turner, who was gazing at him in the same incredulous manner as he had when he had first seen him.  Norrington positioned himself at the back of the Dutchman, not wishing to converse with Turner unless necessary.  Their conversation would likely be awkward at best.

“Good morning, Admiral.”  Norrington turned to see Lord Beckett approaching.  Turner was giving the man a hateful glare that did not seem to bother Beckett in the slightest.  Beckett stood beside Norrington.  “You look tired, Admiral.  Did you not sleep well?”  Norrington noted a small amount of bitterness in Beckett’s voice.  Perhaps Lord Beckett had not slept well the previous night.

“I slept quite well, Lord Beckett,” Norrington lied.  “I am simply still recovering from my stay aboard the Black Pearl.”

“Ah.  Of course.”  Beckett was silent for a moment.  “You know, I went by Robin’s cabin early this morning and was surprised to discover that she was not there.”

Norrington’s heart skipped a beat.  Because she was in my bed…  “Robin is an early riser, Lord Beckett.”

“And how would you know?” Beckett asked, his voice calm, but his eyes intense.

“I served aboard the Pearl with her as ordered, Lord Beckett.  I noticed that she is generally awake before the rest of the crew.”  Norrington avoided looking directly at Beckett.

Lord Beckett’s eyes narrowed slightly and he turned to look out at the sea.  He remained silent for a few moments before he asked, in a voice more like a low growl, “How was she?”

Norrington turned sharply to Beckett despite his attempts to have no reaction to his words.  “What?” Norrington asked in astonishment.

Beckett took a deep breath and set his jaw.  “How was she?” he repeated, turning to face Norrington again.  When Norrington did not respond, Beckett said, “One of my men caught a glimpse of a woman leaving your quarters this morning.”  Norrington was almost unable to resist the urge to step back.

“Lord Beckett…” Norrington began, but he was unsure of what to say.

“I trust you discovered that she was lying about her…innocence,” Beckett said in a low voice, his eyes burning with envy and fury, both of which were unfortunately aimed at Norrington.

Norrington’s eyes widened and he gulped, his heart pounding.  “Lord Beckett, I swear, nothing like that happened,” he said fearfully, taking a small step back from Beckett.  For a man so small, Beckett could be extremely intimidating.

“Then what was it, Admiral?” Beckett asked in a tone that made Norrington realize that no matter what he said, Beckett would not believe him.  Of course, what other explanation was there, really?

“Good morning, Will,” a cheerful voice said from nearby.  Norrington closed his eyes, silently begging Robin to retreat while she could, for all the good it would do.

“Robin,” Beckett said coldly.

Robin turned to the two and took a few steps toward them.  “James,” Robin said with a slight smile.  “Lord Beckett.”  Noticing the glare that Beckett was giving her, she asked, “Have I come at a bad moment?”

“What makes you ask that?” Beckett asked, his voice icy.

Robin shifted uncomfortably.  “You look like you want to kill me…a look I don’t particularly enjoy receiving.  Maybe I should leave and come back?”

“It isn’t you I want to kill, Robin…at least, not yet,” Beckett said in a deathly low voice, casting a quick glare in Norrington’s direction.  Robin looked at Norrington curiously before taking a few steps back to leave, but Beckett jumped forward and grabbed her arm.  “Join us.”  It was not a request.  Beckett practically dragged Robin over to stand between him and Norrington.

“Did you sleep well last night, Robin?” Beckett asked.  Before she could answer, Beckett said, “Apparently you found your own bed less than satisfactory.”

Robin looked at him inquisitively.  “What are you talking about?”

“Do not act innocent—it will get you nowhere.  I know what happened last night.”

Robin blinked, apparently not understanding what Beckett was insinuating.  “Er…I think I did come at a bad time.  I’ll just go.”

When Robin tried to walk away again, Beckett grasped her arm so tightly that she gave a small cry of pain.  Norrington nearly stepped forward to make Beckett let go of Robin, hardly catching himself before he made such a foolish move.  “Denying your fiancé was…within your right,” Beckett admitted.  “But leaping into bed with another man the same night…”

Robin stopped trying to pull her arm from Beckett’s grasp as she began realizing what Beckett was talking about.  “I shared a bed with no one last night, Lord Beckett,” she said sternly.

“One of my soldiers saw you leaving the Admiral’s quarters this morning, Robin,” Beckett said, his voice so low that Norrington could hardly catch the words.

“So?” Robin snapped.  “Is it so odd that I wanted protection from a man who tried to rape me last night?” she snarled at him.  Beckett seemed surprised at this sudden display of anger toward him, and Robin managed to pull her arm from his grasp.  Beckett took a few moments to compose himself.

“I did not harm you last night,” he said quietly.

“Only because I managed to get your pistol from you,” Robin said, her voice dropping when she noticed that Turner seemed to be listening in on the conversation.

“That was no reason to give yourself to another man,” Beckett said, his voice becoming angry again.  He glared up at Norrington, who swallowed hard.

“I gave myself to no one, Lord Beckett,” Robin said, taking a step closer to him.  “But if it was a choice between you and James, I can guarantee that it wouldn’t be you who’d have me.”  Robin’s eyes flashed as she looked at the two.  “Good morning.”  She took a deep breath and rid her face of all traces of anger before walking over and greeting Turner again.

Beckett glared after Robin for a few moments before turning to Norrington, who took another step back from him.  “She’s not your fiancé,” he growled.  “I suggest you never let her into your bed again.”

“Lord Beckett…”

“You need to work on your lying skills, Admiral,” Beckett interrupted, walking away.  Norrington lay a shaking hand on the wooden railing for support.  He watched Beckett approach Robin again, taking her by the arm and steering her away from Turner.  He was not sure whom to fear for more—Robin or himself.