A New Life, A New Love

Chapter Eleven: Nightmares
160;160;    
     That night, Rachel retired early. She was asleep nearly as soon as her head hit the pillow.
She’d had a very full day. After her tour of the ship, she had begun to explore on her own. She
wanted to learn everything she could as quickly as she could. If this was to be her new life, she
was going to live it to the fullest. The rest of the crew had been very helpful, answering all of her
questions without complaint. Based on some of the looks she had received, she was mildly
surprised that none of them tried to get “too friendly,” as Annamaria had put it. She didn’t know
that the Captain had spoken to his crew before ever allowing her out of his cabin. He’d made it
quite clear that she was not to be touched. If she was to be anyone’s, she was to be his and his
alone.

     Jack entered the cabin much later, having been gambling with some of the crew. He looked
down at her, lying in his bed just as if she belonged there. She wore the white silk nightgown she
had meant to wear the night before. Her hair had been brushed and braided for sleep. / / How did
an angel get on my ship? / / he thought. / / If I knew what was good for me, I’d have her off it
right now. When I took her captive, I didn’t think she’d turn the tables on me. If she stays much
longer, I may never be free again. But maybe it would be worth it. / / He undressed and climbed
into bed beside her, tucking the covers up around her chin as he did so. She shifted slightly in
her sleep and whimpered softly.

“No . . . ,” she moaned. “Let me out.” She sat bolt upright in bed. “I’m still alive!” she
shrieked.

Jack reached out to her. “Rachel, luv,” he crooned. “It’s all right. It’s only a dream.”

She threw her arms around him. “Oh, Jack,” she cried. “It was horrible! I was in a coffin. I
could hear voices but I couldn’t move and no one could hear me. I was being buried, Jack!”

“Shh, luv.” He patted her gently. “It was only a dream. Yer alive as can be, darlin’. I can tfy
fy
to that.”

“Just hold me,” she pleaded. “Don’t let go. I feel safe with you, somehow.”

“No worries then,” he told her. “I’ll be right here with you.”

She snuggled up against him. “No worries,” she mumbled as she drifted back to sleep.

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     The next two days passed quickly. Jack was true to his word, and began to teach Rachel how
to use the weapons he had bought her. She was greedily learning everything she could about the
ship. When they set sail at dawn on the third day, she felt a part of the crew. She helped with the
cast off, scurrying about the deck casting off mooring lines. She continued to study with
Annamaria, who was also studying with her. They would spend their evenings together, finding
someplace private so that she could fulfill her part of the bargain. Anna was to become a lady.

“You still walk like a man, Anna,” she chi &# “Straighten your back, and put some sway into
it.”

“I’m tryin’, curse it all!” Annamaria replied.

“Language! A lady doesn’t curse. And I know you can speak better than that. I’ve heard you.”

“I forget sometimes. A lifetime of habits can be hard to break.”

“I know,” Rachel told her, “but you just need to learn when it’s ok to let habit take over. When
you’re acting the lady, you have to concentrate. Let’s stop for today. It’s almost lunchtime. I’m
starving. But, tomorrow, I want you in that dress.”

“So soon?” Annamaria exclaimed. “That thing’s going to need a corset!”

“You bet,” Rachel replied. “There’s one good thing I’ve found about a corset. It does wonderful
things for your posture. It’s nearly impossible to slouch in one. You might find it easier to learn
how to walk like a lady if you wear one. I promise not to tie it too tight, and if you get too
uncomfortable, you can take it off. Just give it a try.”

“All right, tomorrow it is then.”

Suddenly, a loud boom shattered the air.

“What was that?” Rachel asked.

“We’re under attack!” Annamaria replied as she bolted through the door.