From the top of the stairway, Carlix could see the grand hall was full of people. Smiling faces everywhere, some off to the side talking to each other, some were dancing and laughing. Men were talking to other men, ladies were gossiping in small groups hiding their faces behind their fans as they made eyes at some of the men and giggled. The dance floor was a swirl of colour, and music filled the air. The music was lively, but the dancing was stiff and proper. Carlix knew that Kit would find this rather boring, seeing as she seemed at home on her ship and always laughed at the rowdy antics of her crew.
"Announcing Sir William Dunlop and the Lady Anne of Durshire." Called out the servant from the top of the stairway, his list of names held out in front of him.
Carlix couldn't help but wonder how Kit was able to get her name, at least her assumed name, on the list in advance. He thought that maybe she had stolen the invitation of the young lady who originally owned her beautiful dress. He decided that wasn't likely as if that woman had been invited there would be people here who would know that Kit was not her. She could not be pretending to be someone else, as she would not get away with it, at least not for long. He glanced over at Kit as they slowly descended the long stone stairway. She looked straight ahead, a small smile on her lips. Her right arm through his and her hand resting there lightly, comfortably, as if this were an everyday occurrence for her. Her other hand gently holding her skirt out of the way so she did not trip. She was a vision of beauty, all the other ladies paled in comparison to her, and Carlix thought by the look on their faces, they knew it too.
"Escort me around the room" came a harsh whisper from Kit that brought Carlix mind back to the task at hand. He flushed a little in embarrassment that he forgot his duties. She is going to think I am a fool who doesn't belong here, he thought to himself. That may be a good thing as he isn't supposed to belong here, he was supposed to be pretending to be a pirate, and pirates don't belong at the Governor's Ball. On the other hand, he desperately wanted to impress her; he wanted her to see him as the respectable gentleman he knew he was and could be. He wanted her to think of him as more than just a member of the crew. He glanced at her as they walked slowly around the room. Such beauty, such grace, such perfection. He was awestruck; he almost couldn't remember what his true mission was.
"If my eyes are not deceiving me, I do believe it is the Lady of Durshire." A woman walking up to Kit says.
"Sarah, it is good to see you, how long has it been" she asks with a smile and kisses the woman on the cheek.
"To long as always Anne" kissing Kit's cheeks in return. "I see you have a different escort than you did the last time I saw you" She says with a smile and a coy wink.
"You only started taking notice of my habits since you got married, you used to be as carefree as I" Kit says with a playful smile.
Sarah looks at Carlix in such a way that he knows he is no longer welcome. He decides to make himself scarce; perhaps he can find someone more interesting to talk to then a group of women. He sees as soon as he leaves her side, Sarah has taken her arm and leading her towards a group of gossiping women. He shudders at the thought of it, he never understood how women could just talk about nothing important at all, and they can do it all day and night no less. At least men talked about things that made a difference; war, trade, economy, politics; these things were important. What did he care what was in fashion, children and what they should be taught, or the management of servants? Just the thought of it bored him. Besides, this gave him the perfect opportunity to find someone who might know something about the 'Lady of Durshire'; he wanted to find out all that he could about her.
First think that Carlix did was walk around the entire hall. This action was the most naturally to him, being one of the his Royal Majesty's Navy, his first instinct was to make sure the environment was a safe one. There was a wonderful aroma in the air, a mixture of delicious food and beautiful ladies' perfume. It was all anyone could ever want, why if Kit seems to have a life in this world would she choose a life of a pirate, an outlaw of the water? When she could have it all, she has nothing. He just didn't understand this, he must find out what motivates her.
He finds a place to stand on the sidelines; somewhere he can simply watch the people, and most importantly Kit. Perhaps if he studied her every move something would be revealed to him. He could see her talking with the same ladies as when he had left her, but he also saw a man approaching. He was obviously a member of the Royal Navy as he is wearing the official dress uniform, only used for the occasions of the utmost importance. This man was no ordinary officer either; he was decorated with many medals and had a very high rank. Carlix could only assume this was Admiral Selkirk. Carlix knew him only by his reputation; he was a formidable officer, naval man, and sailor. He approached the ladies with the confidence only a man of his stature would have, and Carlix could tell his sights were set on Kit. Why wouldn't they be? She was clearly the most beautiful woman here, and Selkirk would never settle for less than what he thought he deserved and he thought he deserved Kit.
Carlix watched closely, he knew exactly how Kit felt about the Navy, but this was not her ship and she was not around fellow pirate. She was a different person here, and perhaps she would have a completely different attitude and opinion than she did as a pirate captain. Just as he suspected, as Selkirk approached and introduced himself, Kit smiled and allowed him to kiss her hand. However, if Carlix wasn't mistaken, he thought he saw a flash of hate in her eyes before she smiled and acted as if she was blushing.
"She is beautiful" says a voice of someone standing beside him.
"Excuse me" Carlix responds, having not realized anyone was standing there, he was now kicking himself as he has never let anyone sneak up on him before.
"The Lady of Durshire, she is beautiful." The young man says, looking in Kit's direction.
"Yes, very beautiful" Carlix admits. "Do you know her?"
"I have not been formally introduced, she would never even talk to someone like me, she only has eyes for the Admiral." He says with a note of sadness in his voice.
"Is that so?" Carlix says raising an eyebrow.
"Indeed it is, she is the only woman he wants, and she spends all of her time with him when she makes an appearance."
"Lucky man" a note of jealously creeps into Carlix voice.
"Oh he hasn't gotten that lucky with her. She may spend her time with him when she is here, but she will not leave with him. She has never left with him. Trust me he is not a man you want to be anywhere near after she refuses him."
