Harriet Potter stood at the front of the ship that would take her to her new home. A new home in the Caribbean and not in France, as she had thought all her life of it. So practicing French had been useless in the end.
Her black curls were pinned up in the latest fashion, minus two ringlets that slid over her left shoulder almost to her corse-pressed breasts. For security reasons, her only jewel was her pendant with a small miniature portrait of the faces of her father and her mother. Her three ladies-in-waiting were currently in various places. Hermione had stayed in the cabin taking care of the most valuable books and jewels, Luna was next to Harriet and Ginny was currently next to her fiancé, on the other side of the deck.
-It is very sad, knowing that we will never return home to see our parents and the places where we grew up. – Luna spoke with a soft voice.
- I'm sorry you have to come with me.
Luna shook her head.
-We are your escort ladies. We knew from the beginning that we would leave our land for you. But we didn't expect to go to Port Royal
Harriet nodded.
She was the daughter of Marquess James Potter and his wife from the house of a Viscount Lily Potter. She had been hailed as one of the great beauties of the Court and she possessed royal blood due to her paternal great-grandmother. That was why she had been engaged to Lord Draco Malfoy. The heir to a Duchy in France. A marriage to keep the peace between both countries
But the nuptials had broken down after Draco made some unfortunate comments about the late mother of the British monarch. The drunken man at a banquet with English guests who did not hesitate to repeat his words at Court
That had resulted in a fit of rage from the King and the breaking off of the engagement. From what Harriet knew the French had tried to restore it. However, another letter arrived before the King got over his anger. A letter from Port Royal recounting how a curse had been overcome and the crew of the infamous Black Pearl ship had been arrested. But it also spoke of how Lady Elizabeth Swann had turned down her marriage to Commodore James Norrington to marry one of the Port Royal blacksmiths. The marriage had already been approved by the crown and her rejection was an insult to the King.
The King's rage had been to be feared, and Harriet had withdrawn a little, as had all the ladies. And the King had started to laugh
-The Commodore has pleased me. He has broken a curse and fought against piracy and witchcraft at the same time. Very few men can say that. So I will give an award to such a worthy man. To my beautiful relative, Harriet Potter, she will become his wife and a title Earl.
Later that night. Harriet and her parents talked. The King had sent a ship earlier that day to Port Royal to advise the Commodore of the rewards for him and his crew. Harriet had no choice but to marry Commodore Norrington.
So the preparations had begun and she was off on the next big ship headed for the Caribbean. With the necessary workers to populate two new islands.
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James just wanted to go back to his bed at his house and sleep for several days. Still he had been called to the Governor's mansion and had to dress properly to go see Swann. And he hoped that this time the viceroy would not have his daughter present at the meeting.
The Governor was trying to make his daughter realize what a wonderful catch James was and how James outclassed Will Turner at everything. But for James that was a wasted effort. Looking back he could see that from the beginning Elizabeth's heart had always been with Mr. Turner and he had only been a foolish competitor. But he… thought he had a chance.
James Norrington was the second son of a family of Earls with a naval tradition. His older brother had been an Admiral before retiring from active duty and getting married. And like all second sons, James knew his options were very limited. He hadn't been particularly talented or handsome, so a proper marriage had been nearly impossible for him. Until he was sent to Port Royal with Governor Swann and his daughter. There were not many men of the proper social position and eligible in the Caribbean. James was the best option and his feelings for the fearless and intelligent Elizabeth had only made the fire of his decision burn more.
But the woman would rather die with a blacksmith than live with a Royal Navy Commodore.
James entered the Governor's office and was not surprised to see Elizabeth sitting there, what was surprising was to see Mr. Turner there as well.
-Governor Swann, what happened? We had to turn around in the middle of...
-Yes Yes. – The man dismissed James's words with a wave of his hand. – I suppose you have noticed the new ship in the port.
- That's right, the ship carries the flag of the crown. Are they new orders?
-I'm afraid I don't know. They have sent a messenger who will not give us the message until the four of us are gathered in this room. I've already called the man to come
After a few minutes of awkward silence while the Governor tried to make any conversation. Actually the man who had come was short, fat and with a face covered with pimple marks, visible thanks to the fact that the makeup he was wearing was slipping off his face with the sweat that flowed from his entire body. But James could kiss him in his thanks
The man checked that everyone was present and unrolled the message that he had come to bring. It was a long amount of words until a modest congratulations came to the Governor, a blessing to Elizabeth to marry whoever she wanted and little else.
-Regarding Commodore James Norrington. His role in capturing the crew of the Black Pearl has greatly surprised Her Majesty. Therefore, each member of the crew and the families of those who did not survive will have an exemption from paying their taxes for the next three years. – Governor Swann's face turned completely pale at that. – Likewise, due to his victory against magic and piracy, Commodore Norrington is granted the hand in marriage of Lady Harriet Potter, of the house of the Marquess Potter, and the title of Earl Greenbird to be bestowed at the time of his marriage to Lady Potter
A few more minutes of formalities and the man, Lord Blush, rolled up the message again. James swallowed his smile. The taxes were not just a reward for his men, they were a punishment for the Governor, since most of his wealth came from those taxes. And then there was the fact that James had not only been given a wife, but also a title.
The King had heard what had happened and had sided with James instead of the Governor. James was now in favor with the Crown, so even his position was secure, one thing he had thought could be taken from him.
-You are a lucky man, Commodore. Lady Potter is one of the most beautiful women at Court. With her ebony locks and her eyes like emeralds that seem to capture people's hearts. She has also always been a kind and sweet lady, and she is a relative of the King himself.
James gasped a little. Not just a proper lady of a much higher noble level, but also someone of royal blood.
- Do you know the tastes of the lady or her age? There really isn't much news from the court here and I want to prepare for my wife
The man laughed and patted James on the arm.
- Lady Potter is seventeen years old. From what I have heard she is a lady who loves order and nature. She often listens with delight to the stories of the various emissaries who arrive at Court. She plays the harp, the piano and the flute. She also knows how to draw and she gives a hand-embroidered handkerchief to the queen every year
James smiled. The King had taken sides in the conflict between him and the Swann family. The loss of taxes would only affect the Governor's pocket, the Governor would be much poorer for the next few years. Plus Elizabeth had just lost her throne at the top of Port Royal's noble society. James's wife would be enough to fight her in social life. But now he knew that she wasn't just a beautiful young lady. She was of royal blood, daughter of a Marquis, of considerable beauty, and raised at court.
The Swann family had suddenly lost their social influence and wealth. Also the fact that they were the only titled family in the islands. And, James' children would have royal blood, something Elizabeth's children would not.
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The port was unusually busy. Or so James thought as he saw the noble families watching along with the ordinary citizens. James had been a rejected man, almost an outcast only a few days ago. But... Now he was going to be a Lord
And everyone was curious about his future wife.
The plank was put up to help them down and James remembered how Elizabeth had practically jumped down while the Governor and James himself tried to follow her.
First, the trunks were lowered and given to James's men to be taken to his home. And then the people came down. Starting with the lady. The first thing James thought when he saw her was that an angel had fallen from heaven.
James was fully aware that Elizabeth really was average when it came to beauty. But she had no competition on these islands. This girl, on the other hand, far surpassed the Governor's daughter both in beauty, as in her upright bearing and her soft and shy manner. But James knew how to recognize a predator when he saw one, it was like knowing if a shark was going to attack or not. That girl was a shark, and the women of Port Royal were just minnows.
-Commodore Norrington. - The woman made a delicate bow that she made ridiculous the rough manners of other ladies. – It is an honor to meet one of the men who so fiercely protect the Caribbean and my own fiancé
-Lady Potter. The compliments that this man heard about her beauty have fallen short, rather they seemed like defamations now that I can see you in person.
-Flatterer. – The woman smiled and took out her fan. - Will I stay at Governor Swann's mansion until the wedding?
-Of course, the rules of decency prohibit us from sharing a house at the moment. And the Governor's house is the only one prestigious enough for a lady of his rank. Though several of my men will stand guard around him.
-That relieves me greatly. My ladies and I are longing for a good rest now that we are rid of the ship.
-How was your journey?
-It was quite smooth, according to Corporal Weasley we had generous winds and placid waves. There were hardly any cases of dizziness. Corporal Weasley is the fiancé of one of my ladies and the brother of another.
- Have your ladies come with their fiancés? that's kind of unusual
-The three men have been considered suitable for the trip. Corporal Weasley, Master Carpenter Thomas, and Herbologist Longbottom. They are all good men, second sons of good families who can build a good future on these islands.
- They will be useful men for Port Royal and the colonies. I have made certain improvements to my home and would like you to tell me if they are suitable or not. After all, it will be your house in a few weeks.