Chapter 1

Kate held the last trinket she owned. It was a ruby incased in silver. Kate Phillips pushed the long golden locks from her face. Kate's mother died in large fire. She owned a pub in Port Royal, and when one of the new waitresses was tending to the fire a coal fell onto the rug. Before anyone knew the fire had spread to the curtains. Nothing could be done. Kate knew nothing of her father except that he left her and her mother when she was little. Kate was now 20 years old and stood mopping a deck. She hastily put the mop back in the bucket and reported to the captain of the ship.

"Is there anything else you need me to do?" She asked

"No Miss that'll be all." The captain said handing Kate a bag of shillings. Kate's blue eyes grew dim when counted 3 shillings in the bag, though she thought she deserved 5. Kate left the ship and made her way to the market. Kate bought whatever she could afford. She ended up getting an apple and some bread. Kate took her food and sat under the shade of a near by oak tree. Some one tapped Kate on the shoulder. She turned around to see her friend.

"Hey James! How ya doin'?" Kate said.

"Fine. How are you?" James said handing Kate a bottle of rum, "Have you thought about my offer?" James asked smiling hopefully.

"I have. . . and I still think you need to keep dreaming." Kate laughed. James's icy blue eyes caught Kate's gaze and he took advantage of it. "Please?"

"James please don't give me that look. You know that it works every time. . . Please quit it." Kate pleaded. James kept his gaze steady. "Alright since you look so cute, I'll give you one date and that's it."

"Yes! It works every time!" James cheered.

"I know, I know. Now go take your happy butt and get ready cause I'm free tonight."

"Score!" James said running off.

"What am I doing?" Kate muttered. She once again looked at the pendent on her necklace. "I really hope he doesn't do something stupid."

Nighttime rolled around and Kate still sat under the tree James had left her at earlier in the day. Kate moved her finger in the dirt making random shapes. James walked up behind her. He had been waiting forever for tonight. He offered her his hand, "Ready?" Kate took his offer without hesitation and gladly stood up. Kate wiped off her pants of the dirt. James led her to an unfamiliar place. It was a house practically in the middle of nowhere. But it wasn't trashy. James helped Kate onto the roof. Kate cautiously sat down. "Wow! This is nice." Kate said.

"So are you." James whispered.

"Are you just trying to get a kiss?" Kate teased.

"Is it working?"

"It might be."

"So?" Kate leaned in and kissed James not knowing it would be the first and the last time. Kate stayed James until midnight. Kate went back to her tree, which she climbed and fell asleep on a branch.