FicWad

"He's just so beautiful!" Anna Barker cooed over Gavin, bouncing the baby in her arms.

Gavin squawked angrily, arching his back and trying to break free from her.

"Thank you," James said stiffly, trying to be polite.

"Anna is just wonderful with babies," Mrs. Barker informed him, beaming proudly at her daughter. "Look at her! A natural. She'll make a wonderful mother, and this child does need a mother."

Anna blushed and battered her eyes at James. "He has your eyes," she said, as if she didn't know what else to say.

James smiled tightly and wished he were anywhere else. He'd take Isle de los Muerta. He'd take the Black Pearl. He'd take the Turner wedding, just not here.

It'd seemed perfectly innocent when Elizabeth had suggested it. Gavin had to be baptized, after all, and baptism was a time for a celebration. Since he had no wife to take care of the details, and she still had all the contacts, Elizabeth had arranged all the details. She'd even offered up her father's house, since his was entirely unsuitable for large gatherings.

She'd done well. They were in the east ballroom, which opened onto the garden. Guests were milling around both, drinking punch and fanning themselves against the dreadful heat and humidity. Fragrant flowers bloomed in the air, wafts of lace and taffeta blew in the soft wind sweeping in from the sea. A small string quartet played softly in the corner. Dinner had been served in the dining room, with James giving a speech to thank everyone for their support of his son on such an important day.

The guests had smiled and clapped politely, their eyes sizing him and his child up, as if assessing damage. All they cared was for the gossip and scandal he was currently causing and when he'd attempt to marry again.

All he cared about was the fact his son had survived his first month and was, by all accounts, thriving.

The Turners were named Gavin's godparents, along with Captain Horatio Kirby and his wife, Amelia. Despite their lower social class, in the case of James's death, Gavin would go to the Turners first. Only if they were unable to care for him would he go to the Kirby's. Captain and Mrs. Kirby were lovely people, good, stouthearted, and loyal to the crown. James had served with Kirby for years and respected him highly.

But James was loyal, too. And he knew that, while the Kirby's would care for Gavin with all the attention warranted an orphaned child, it was Elizabeth and Will who would love Gavin as their own.

The announcements were made, toasts were given, and then dinner gradually gave way to strolling about, talking with friends and getting a chance to see up close the Scandal Child.

All of the most important society in Port Royal had turned out for the event. Oh, they would have come anyway. James was respected and admired, after all. It was simply that, what with the birth and acknowledgement of Gavin, the fact he had a woman of loose morals caring for the child, and his continued silence on the entire matter--not to mention the fact that he still refused to take communion--James's life was wonderful entertainment these days.

Scandal or not, James was part of society, and everyone who was anyone would show to an event in his honor. He was their commodore and on the up and coming list of young naval officers. His exploits at sea were gaining much acclaim even back in England. There was talk of him possibly becoming governor one day.

And to add onto all of that, he was young, he was handsome, he was in possession of a good fortune, and he also was, lets not forget, single.

And, thus, despite the fact he was a scandal, everyone was there. Especially if they had an unmarried daughter.

It wasn't that any of them were repulsive by any means. Elizabeth was hardly the only attractive woman in Port Royal. In fact, there were a few who were uncommonly pretty. And they weren't all simpering fools, like Anne seemed to be. Many of them could read and write, speak two languages, sing, needlepoint, draw, and play an instrument. Or so he was told. At least, many of them seemed to be able to speak two sentences together. And, really what more could one want from a wife than good conversation?

Perhaps a modicum of politeness. James was trapped in a room full of overdressed women, all looking lovely and graceful and womanly, and the words that fell from their mouths were simply horrid. Oh, no one said anything to his face, but his hearing was quite keen. He'd heard snippets of conversation, speculating on his and Mary's relationship. He'd heard things said about him, how cruel, how indecent his behavior had been, taking advantage of a poor girl like that and then expelling her from his house.

He'd also heard speculation as to his relationship with Mariah, Mariah's profession, and what she was trying to accomplish by getting cozy with him.

It was enough to turn James off from associating with anyone in Port Royal. The only ones who seemed to be behaving within any sense of Christian decency and forgiveness, as far as James would see, were the Turners, Governor Swann, and his own officers.

Anne glanced at her mother, who nodded at her. Looking nervous, she stepped closer to James. "They're beautiful eyes, Commodore."

Oh, dear Lord. He was trapped.

Thankfully, Gavin started crying in earnest then. His back arched in Anne's arms, and he screamed, face bright red. The scream pierced through the room, garnering some attention, but it's most blessed effects were the fact Anne looked immediately discomforted and it brought Mariah bustling across the room.

"Here, now, Miss Barker, I'll take him," Mariah said, gently extracting Gavin from her arms.

Anne bristled at Mariah as the baby was taken away from her, although, James did note that she looked relieved once Gavin was gone.

Her mother, though, stepped into James and put her hand on his arm. "Commodore, I really must say something." Her eyes darted to Mariah. "I know of a woman in town--a good, decent, Christian woman--who is offering her services as a wet nurse. I could make the introduction tomorrow, if you want."

He bit back a sigh. This was the fourth time someone had made this offer to him, all right in front of Mariah, all by a women who wanted him to marry their daughters. It was growing tedious.

"Thank you, Mrs. Barker, but, no. Gavin is comfortable with Mariah and I'm not inclined to make any unnecessary changes." He bowed politely. "Thank you for your interest, though." Then, putting his hand on Mariah's elbow, he escorted her away.

Immediately, he heard whispers starting yet again as people speculated their relationship, the scandal James was still ensnared in, and when he was finally going to come to his senses and marry a nice, respectable woman?

"And exactly what circle of hell is this, hmmm?" Mariah asked after a moment. She smiled up at him serenely, eyes were dancing.

He relaxed just a little, grateful at her eternal good humor. "It was partly your idea," he pointed out. "I was simply going to have him baptized; you and Elizabeth were the ones who thought a party would be appropriate."

"And it is. He's your son, and you deserve to show him off."

"And do I deserve to be priced like a new treasure come to auction?" he asked archly. "Or have the woman responsible for the care and feeding of my child treated like..."

"A woman of loose morals?" she finished for him. "Honestly, what did you expect? I am what I am."

"You are..." He trailed off, frustrated. She was right, he knew; she had a certain and well deserved reputation in Port Royal.

But that didn't change the fact that she'd been there the night Gavin had been born and was one of the few who didn't treat James as if he'd... done what they all thought he'd done.

"Thank you, James," she said, putting her hand on his shoulder.

He forced himself to smile at her. "I don't like the way they treat you, and I don't like the way they treat Gavin. My God, do they really think I'll ask them to marry me simply because I have a son?"

"Most men would."

"I'm not most men," James pointed out. He took Gavin from her. He was still fussing, but seemed a little calmer now he was away from the overpowering perfume of Mrs. and Miss Barker. "He has my eyes indeed," he snorted.

Mariah laughed. "He does, you know. Have your eyes.

"Nonsense. Mary's eyes were green, his eyes were green. They're nothing of me."

"Think what you like, James, but he looks at me, I can clearly see you shining out through his eyes. Besides, Mary's eyes were a different color green than Gavin's."

"He's young yet; they'll probably change." Or, perhaps Gavin's father had given the child his eyes. Not that James was going to mention that.

Mariah shrugged. "I think it might be time to go," she said as Gavin started crying again. His tiny fists waved wildly, and he bawled, shaking hard. "You should stay. I can take him back."

"No, I'll come with. I'm not exactly having fun, and guests are beginning to leave."

"You're leaving?" Elizabeth said, approaching the corner he and Mariah had sequestered themselves in.

She looked beautiful, as always. Her dress was simple, but she wore it with a grace and elegance that no one woman at the party had. What's more, there was an aura of maturity around her that suited her.

It almost made James wistful. But, then again, if he'd married Elizabeth, he wouldn't have Gavin. He was still wondering if the trade had been worth it.

In his arms, Gavin squirmed. One tiny hand reached out and grabbed onto James's coat and clung to him.

Yes. It was worth it.

"Gavin needs a break from everything," Mariah explained. "It's been an overwhelming day for him."

Elizabeth arched an eyebrow. "No more so than for his father." She sighed and added, "You're lucky. I have to stay until everyone is gone."

"Do you want me to stay?" James asked, concerned. "I can send him home with Mariah."

"Well, that's up to you, isn't it? You can do what you truly want to do, go home with your son, and cause yet another wave of gossip about you and Mariah's relationship," Elizabeth said with a wry look at Mariah. "Or you can stay, fend off yet more advances from women you should be considering marrying but aren't, and be completely miserable. And let's not forget the fact that if you stay, your mood will be completely sour, you'll avoid everyone so you can stand and talk with your officers, and you'll count the minutes until this ordeal ends all the while resenting me." She smiled up at him sweetly, arms crossed over her chest in a most unladylike manner.

Next to him, Mariah laughed. "I dare say, Mrs. Turner you do know him all too well."

"Well, one does not associate with a man for eight years and not pick up on a few personality quirks. And really, James, why can't you at least consider one of these women? I know you can't be pining over me. You're too practical for that."

The corner of his mouth twitched as he said, "I think you underestimate your allure, Elizabeth. Your husband pined after you for much longer than a year; do you think I am a more cold hearted man."

"I didn't say cold hearted, I said practical. And don't try to tell me that your love for me was so deep and lasting that it still pains you to look on another woman." She met his eyes squarely, head cocked. "I'd sooner believe that you'd fallen in love with Mariah."

He and Mariah exchanged glances. He had no idea where this was coming from, and he wasn't exactly sure he liked the implications. "I admit I'm fond of her, but that doesn't mean..."

"James," Elizabeth interrupted softly. "You needn't justify yourself to me on any account. You're an adult and I want to see you happy. But I'd also like to see you settled. You didn't love Mary Black, you don't love me romantically anymore. If you love Mariah, marry her. If not, then think of yourself. Think of your son, and..."

"I am thinking of my son, thank you, Mrs. Turner," James said sharply. "I believe I will go with them. I'm leaving on a mission at the end of the week, and would like to spend as much time as possible with Gavin." He handed Gavin to Mariah and took Elizabeth's hand. As he bowed over it, he said, "Thank you for everything."

"It was the least I could do. For a friend."

He smiled down at her, a surge of affection filling him. "Yes," he said. "For a friend."