Opera Comes to the Caribbean
"Commodore have you read the latest dispatches from London?" Governor Swann asked as he, James, Elizabeth and William sat around the dining room table.
"I have perused most of the ones dealing with military matters Governor. I planned to go over the rest of them when I returned home." James replied. "Was there something important I should know about?"
"Indeed there was Commodore. Seems London has seen fit to bring a bit of sophisticated entertainment to our humble little jurisdiction here." Weatherby answered with a smile.
"What kind of entertainment Father?" Elizabeth interjected before James could answer. All eyes were on Weatherby, expecting some very interesting news judging by the tone of the Governor's voice.
"Opera my dear, they are sending us quite a famous opera singer. The information contained in the missive stated he will be here for a fortnight and will grace us with a performance."
William looked around at the other two trying to get some hint on how he should react to the news, Elizabeth let out a very audible moan for which she received a censuring look from her Father, and James made a little moue before regaining his normal expression.
"I am surprised at the response you have given this news. I had, in fact, expected a bit more enthusiasm." Weatherby said as if he were scolding a group of children, "Do you not realize how wonderful this news is? If this visit is successful we can expect to look forward to any number of future engagements of quality entertainment, something I must say Port Royal suffers a severe lack of."
William looked appropriately contrite at the Governor's words; Elizabeth and James rolled their eyes at each other.
"I saw that you two!" Governor Swann said, "Elizabeth surely you remember attending the Opera when we were in London and how enjoyable an evening it made?"
She smiled sweetly at her Father and said, "I do remember attending the Opera Father, however I do not remember it being enjoyable in the least."
"Elizabeth!" Weatherby replied with a bit of shock in his tone. He looked at James and wasn't sure but thought he caught the tail end of a smile disappear from the man's face, then discarded that idea, Commodore Norrington was not one to smile, especially at the disrespect his daughter had just shown. "What about you Commodore, surely you have some appreciation for the Opera?"
"I am sorry to say I never acquired a taste for the Opera Governor." James replied.
Turning to his last hope he said, "Mr. Turner surely you see this development in a favorable light, unlike these two."
"I have never been to the Opera Governor." William said as he looked at Elizabeth for guidance, not sure what the right response was. Unfortunately Elizabeth was sitting with her napkin over her mouth trying to hide the fit of giggles that were threatening to erupt from her at the look on William's face. He then looked to James for some sort of sign as to how to proceed, "I am sure Mr. Turner would love to attend Governor." James said, the corners of his mouth twitching. William brightened immediately having the matter taken out of his hands, "Yes Governor I would love to attend." The last words barely made it out of his mouth in the form they should have and not a yelp as he received a kick from Elizabeth. Of course if anybody would have been looking at James right then they would have noticed he had a rather pained look on his face in place of the almost smile he had a moment ago, and was trying to surreptitiously rub the shin that had received a similar kick.
"Well," Weatherby said as he gave William a flicker of a smile, "at least I am not totally surrounded by heathens." He gave James and Elizabeth what was supposed to be a withering look as he returned his attention to his dinner.
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As James entered his house he removed his hat and jacket and handed them to Mr. Ellis who had met him at the door, "Did you enjoy your evening at the Governor's Sir?"
"The food was excellent as usual Mr. Ellis, although the conversation took a bit of an unwelcome turn." James replied.
"No trouble I hope."
James looked at him, "Opera Mr. Ellis, Opera, nothing but trouble if you ask me." and then headed upstairs to his bedroom.
Mr. Ellis watched James disappear into the hall at the top of the stairs, shook his head, neatly hung James' jacket and hat up on the hall tree and walked off toward the kitchen shaking his head, a bit bewildered by the response.
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James eyed the various dispatches and packets that lay unread on his desk as he unbuttoned his waistcoat, took it off and folded it and placed it on his dresser. He removed his cravat, folded it and laid it atop his waistcoat. He unbuttoned the top few buttons of his shirt and sat down at his desk.
He began picking up and discarding papers and envelopes until he came upon the one he was probably looking for. He opened it and began to read:
Commodore James L. Norrington
Post Commander
Fort Charles, Jamaica
Commodore Norrington please be advised the HMS Regal has set sail from England bound for Fort Charles with a Mr. Gaetano Majorano aboard. We wish you to extend every convenience to Mr. Majorano when he arrives. Mr. Majorano has recently performed several times at King's Theatre here in London under the stage name of Caffarelli, and having greatly impressed certain very influential parties here in London with his Operatic performances has come under the protection of those parties when they became aware of several unfortunate entanglements Mr. Majorano had unwisely gotten himself involved in. Let it suffice that Mr. Majorano will require the same level of protection he received while here, as some of the parties involved in Mr. Majorano's apparent indiscretions may have learned certain particulars about his travel plans and may even now be following Mr. Majorano.
The Crown requests you do all within your power to make sure Mr. Majorano's visit there is an uneventful one. We place the matter in your able hands now Commodore Norrington. I do not think I need to mention the successful outcome of this little situation could have a profoundly upward impact on your career in the Royal Navy, as well as the unsuccessful outcome having just the opposite.
Admiral of the Fleet
Giles Barnett
James read the letter over twice, swore a few choice curse words as he thought to himself, "As if I do not already have enough to keep me busy, I shall now be expected to be a nursemaid as well." He cursed again, then crumpled the missive up and threw it down on his desk.
To Be Continued
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