A New Life, A New Love

Chapter Seven: A Pirate’s Life For Me

     Jack, still playing the gentleman, opened the door and bowed Rachel through. She was mildly
surprised to find herself on deck, just before the helm. There was a sudden silence as the crew
stopped what they were doing to have a look at the Captain’s guest. They all knew that she was
aboard but most of them hadn’t seen her yet. Jack led her down the stairs to the main deck by the
hand.

“Wouldn’t want any mishaps, now, would we, luv?” he asked.

“None at all,” she replied.

“Mr. Gibbs! I take it you can handle the re provisioning?”

“Aye, cap’n,” replied Gibbs with a grin. “But what will I be doin’ with the potatoes?”

“Get crates,” Jack told him with a smile. “I have high hopes of needin’ the bathtub for a while.”

“Ye look lovely, miss Rachel,” Gibbs told her. “That gown is a treasure, as is the lady inside of
it.”

“Why thank you, Mr. Gibbs,” she replied. “And the miss is not necessary. Rachel will do just
fine.”

“Aye, then Rachel it is, but then ye must be callin’ me Gibbs, or Joshamee if ye prefer.”

“All right, then,” she smiled. “Gibbs it is.”

“The lady and I have some business t’take care of in Tortuga.” Jack said. “We’ll be here fer a
few days, so the men can go ashore as soon as things are put to rights aboard.”

“Aye, aye, cap’n,” s res red. d. “Leave it t’me, I’ll see that the Pearl is well taken care of.”

Jack presented his arm to Rachel and she took it. He then led her down the gangplank and she
set foot on land for the first time since her arrival.

“Now, by day, Tortuga is a right quiet place, luv,” he said. “Come evenin’, that’s when the real
fun starts. The town comes alive by night.”

“Are we going to see the woman you told me about? The seeress?”

“Aye, we are,” he replied. “That’s where we’re headin’ right now.”

“I hope she can tell me something, anything, about what’s going on. Never knowing when I’m
going to be waking up is rather disconcerting. Though, it’s beginning to look like I might be here
awhile.”

“Here we go, darlin,” he said. “Madam Sophia’s humble abode.”

They had stopped in front of a small house. It was rustic but well kept. The small front yard was
overflowing with tropical flowers in every color imaginable. Jack stepped up and knocked on the
door. The door was opened by a young woman dressed in a maid’s uniform. “May I help you?”
she asked.

“We’re here to see Madam Sophia on business,” Jack told her.

“I’m truly sorry, sir,” she replied. “The Madam was called away in the wee hours fer a bit o’
midwifery. I really can’t say when she might be in. These things can take some time, you know
how it is. You might try back later in the day.”

“That we will then,” Jack said. He turned back to Rachel. “Sorry, luv,” he said. “I know yer
anxious to find out what you can.”

“That’s all right,” Rachel replied. “We can come back later. But I can̵leavleave this p unt until
I’ve spoken to her.”

“That you will, darlin’. But, in the mean time, neither of us has eaten yet this morning. How
about a little breakfast, then?”

“That sounds wonderful,” she said. “I just realized how hungry I am.”

Jack led her to a large house not far from Madam Sophia’s. He rang the doorbell and man man in
a tight fitting dress opened the door. “Jack!” she exclaimeth ath a smile.

“Captain Jack,” he replied. “How have ye been, Sarah darlin’?”

“Just wonderful. Do come in. And who is your lady friend?”

“Sarah, meet Rachel,” he told her.

“Hello, Rachel,” she said. “Welcome to Lady Sally’s House.”

“We were in the neighborhood, and I got a sudden desire for some of Emily’s flapjacks,” Jack
said. “Please tell me she’s still making them.”

“Of course she is. Lady Sally’ll never let go of that one. The best cook in all Tortuga, she is.
Let me show you to a table.”

She led them to a small, private table in the corner. Rachel looked around the room, noticing that
most of the tables were in booths. The large room was lavishly appointed, though sparsely
populated at this time of day. There were richly appointed couches placed around the room, and
one wals tas taken up by a long mahogany bar. To the left of the bar, a grand staircase swept up
to a balcony above. A large crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, and one corner was filled
by a beautifully polished piano.

“I’ll leave you two alone,” she said. “Your breakfast will be along shortly. Just call if you need
anything.”

“Well, luv,” Jack said as Sarah walked away. “I was goin’ t’wait until you’d seen Madam
Sophia, but now’s as good a time as any. And a much better place than some. We’ve got some
things t’discuss.”

“I know we do,” Rachel replied.

“e yoe you made any plans, Rachel?” he asked. “Whatever the seeress tells you, you’ll still need
t’go on with yer life.”

“I know,” she said. “But I don’t even know what my options are. You, Gibbs, and Annamaria
are the only people I know in this whole world. I don’t know where else I could go.”

“Well, you’re welcome aboard the Pearl, luv, but that leaves other things ta discuss.”

“I’d like to stay on, if you’ll have me,” she said. “I’m sure we could find something I could do to
make myself useful.”

“Oh, I’m sure we could, darlin’,” he said with a smile.

“ hav have a dirty mind!” she told him.

“I said nothin’, lass, it’s your mind that seems t’need a washin’. Though, I certainly wouldn’t
object if that’s what ye had in mind.”

“Anna said she’d teach me a few things about working on a ship. We’re supposed to start
working on knot tying tomorrow.”

“Annamaria seems t’like you.” he said. “I think she’s pleased to be havin’ another woman
aboard.”

“I like her, too,” she replied.

“The main problem, now, as I see it, is where t’put you. Annamaria’s room is little more than a
closet. There’d be no room for you in there. And I don’t think ye want to be sleepin’ in with the
rest o’ the crew. They’re good men, but they’re still pirates. And you’re a lot of temptation to be
puttin’ before any man. Believe me, I know.”

“I’m sorry if I’ve been a problem for you, Captain,” she told him. “Couldn’t we just set up a cot
in the dining hall or something?”

“That would never work, luv,” he said. “The first time one of the men had a bit too much rum
and started missin’ a woman’s touch you’d have company. You’d better believe it. You need a
room that you can secure at night.”

“I haven’t really seen enough of the ship to offer any other ideas, I’m afraid,” she replied.

“I’ll talk t’the ship’s carpenter as soon as I can. Perhaps he can put in another closet for you. If
you think you can take close quarters, that is?”

“Not a problem. My apartment back home was little more than a closet anyway.”

“But that still leaves us with the question of where to put you in the meanwhile,” he said.
“You’re welcome to continue with the arrangements we’ve been enjoyin’ for the time being. But
the time will come when I run all out of gentleman, savvy? It’s not easy sleepin’ next to you
without touching you.”

“I appreciate the effo#822#8221; she replied. “You’ve been nothing but kind to me. One day I hope to
be able to repay you.”

“I’m sure you will, luv. But for now, I’m afraid yer going to have to rely on my kindness a little
bit longer. You cant bet be workin’ a ship in clothes like that. And that’s all you’ve got. So, today
we go shopping for more appropriate attire.”

“With what?” she asked. “I have no money.”

“That’s why I was sayin’ about relyin’ on my kindness. I’ll give you a loan. Enough to get you
proper clothes for sailin’ in. And you will repay me when you get yer first share of plunder.”

“Plunder?” she asked.

“We’re pirates, luv,” he replied. “It’s what we do. And now, here’s our breakfast.”

Sarah appeared bearing a tray filled with food. There were plates of steaming flapjacks with
sausage, ham, scrambled eggs, and fried potatoes. A pitcher of papaya juice sat beside two
glasses. And a steaming pot of tea sat in the center. “Sorry it took so long,” she said. “When
Emily heard who it was for, she insisted on making fresh batter. She’s rather taken with you, you
know.”

“Give her my compliments, darlin’. Everything smells delicious.”

Sarah placed their food before them, pouring their juice and tea. “I’m afraid Lady Sally won’t be
able to make an appearance this morning. Her husband showed up last night, and there’s no
telling where the two of them are off to. Enjoy your meal, and if you need anything, just call.”

“Dig in, luv,” Jack said. “We’ve got a busy day ahead of us, yer goin’ to need your strength.”

“So,” she said, spearing a bit of egg, “tell me what a pirate’s life is like.”

“It’s glorious,” he told her, setting to work on his flapjacks. “You’ll never feel more free. You
set your sails for the horizon and go where you will . . . or where the wind takes you. Most days
are spent just looking at the sea. Then we’ll spot a ship and all hell breaks loose. Suddenly,
there’s not a man on board who doesn’t have something to do. Pardon me, or a woman. We take
what we can, then send the ship on it’s way a tad bit lighter than it was before. That’s how we
found you.”

“I was wondering about that,” she said. “Why would that captain shoot his own passenger?”

“Has sos sometimes. If a young lady is making a trip alone, her father, or husband, or whoever
will sometimes give orders to the captain to shoot her rather than let her be taken by pirates.
They actually think they’re doin’ what’s best for the lass.”

“That’s barbaric!” she exclaimed.

“Aye, I agree with you, luv. But it happens anyway. I must admit, though. Some ladies also
seem to think that death would be better than being raped by thirty or forty lusty sailors. Not all
pirate captains are careful about the condition they keep their hostages in. The ransom will be
paid one way or another. I find that the ransom is higher if the hostage be kept unharmed.”

“Is that why you saved me?” she asked.

“Aye, in the beginning, it was. You were t’be a hostage t’be ransomed for whatever your kin felt
you were worth t’them. But, seein’ as you had no kin, there was no one to ransom you to, was
there?”

“So why are you helping me? I see no profit in your doing so.”

“That’s the question, luv,” he replied. “I’m not often in the habit of doing things for people if
there’s t’be no profit from it. I think ye’v just turned my head, darlin’.”

“Whatever your reason, I’m glad you did what you did. I owe you so much already.”

“No, luv,” he told her. “If we’d never attacked yer ship, the captain would never have shot you,
and you’d be back home having never taken this little venture.”

“Then maybe I owe you for that, too,” she whispered.
 

     After their meal, Jack threw a few coins on the table and stood up offering her his arm. Sarah
appeared and showed them to the door, like the proper hostess. They walked further into the
town to find shops where Rachel could be outfitted fofe afe at sea. Jack helped her to choose
several outfits, always adding on something to give the ensemble a bit of flair. A sash here, a
vest there. He ordered her boots and she was fitted for them accordingly. He chose a scarf in
teal satin and gently removed her hat so that he could tie it around her head. She chose a hat in
gray velvet with a burgundy plume. They moved on to the blacksmith to purchase blades for her
use, and to the gunsmith to buy her a flintlock. Jack left directions for everything to be delivered
to the Captain’s Quarters on the Black Pearl.

“No sense you carryin’ weapons you don’t know how to use, luv,” he told her. “As soon as
you’re fully healed, I’ll teach you how to use them myself.”

“This is all just too much,” she said. “I keep wondering when I’m going to wake up. Then my
chest will throb again, just to remind me that I am awake.”

“Well, lass, perhaps you’ve had enough for one day.”

“Oh, no you don’t,” she said. “I haven’t seen the seeress, yet.”

“Then let’s give it another whirl, shall we?” he replied.