Based on the book Pirates! by Celia Reese
It seems to be my destiny to continue this account. At the very least, Mr. Defoe of England shall have more material for his book than he can use.
My heartbeat had been rising at a steady pace as soon as land was sighted, but as we drew into the docks of Bristol, I thought it would hammer straight from my chest. I was specially attired in woman's clothing, which Broom had chosen for me.
"They bring out the best in you," he'd said, winking widely. I knew he meant the way the low-cut dress revealed my bosom, and I blushed, not yet used to pirate banter, even after all this time.
It had been four years since I'd seen the city, yet it looked and smelled the same as when I'd set out for Jamaica so long ago. I'd changed so much in that time; I felt like it should have changed with me.
As soon as the important matters were settled, I set off with Broom accompanying me- to Graham's house. Before all else, I wanted to see the man who'd been like a father to me. Plus, I hoped he might be able to tell me where William was. Though Broom claimed to be coming along to protect me from vagrants and such, I knew he was seeing Graham for another purpose. I hardly needed protection when I had two armed guards outside my carriage and a pistol hidden in my dress-I hadn't completely reverted back to being a lady yet.
I kept my silence. I had much to think about, wondering if William would still have me, and what kind of life we could live together. How could I be satisfied confined to a house after being a pirate for years? I tried to push these thoughts aside. William would understand. I'd been planning to sail with him even when I was little - before becoming a pirate.
A shout from far off startled me. Broom, too, looked surprised, as if he'd been deep in thought. I realized the carriage had stopped moving some time ago. Yet why had no one come to tell us we'd arrived? I blushed anew as I realized the drivers must have supposed Broom and myself to be otherwise occupied. Broom grinned when he saw my face. He seemed unconcerned. It occurred to me that he'd probably been in this situation before with one of his whores.
Broom opened the door and jumped out, then offered his arm to help me down. "That'd be his place there," he said when I'd dusted myself off, pointing at a building across the street. Graham had done well for himself. His establishment was three stories high, made of fine red brick, delicately stenciled letters spelling 'G.H Graham, Physician' in glass.
The interior was clean and welcoming, dark floorboards shining warmly. Several comfortable looking chairs and a table furnished the parlor. I sat on one while Broom set about finding Graham. I could still hear him calling for the doctor after he'd gone through one of the doors. A moment later Broom reentered with Graham at his side, and a pretty brunette behind them. Graham came straight over to me, face beaming.
"Miss Kington, it's a pleasure to see you back in lady's clothing."
"That's what he said." I nodded toward Broom, who shrugged his shoulders. Graham laughed.
"This is the sister of a friend of mine. Amelia." The girl and I exchanged quick greetings, then she moved to stand by Broom. He said something to her quietly, and she giggled.
We all sat down to tea, during which I told the physician what had happened since he'd left the ship. Broom helped narrate at first, but pretty soon he was telling Amelia of his exploits as a pirate, seeming to forget Graham and myself. Graham, however, didn't appear to notice how chummy they were being.
"And now you're here to find your young man again." Graham said as I finished my story.
Amelia looked away from Broom for a moment. "You're here to find your man? How romantic!" Her green eyes sparkled. "What did you say his name was?"
"William Morris."
Her eyebrows rose slightly. "You mean Captain William in the Navy? About 24, brown hair."
"You know him!" I leaned forward and in my excitement spilled my tea. "Sorry!"
"Don't worry about it." Graham bent to clean it up. "Why didn't you tell me you knew William?" he asked, looking up from his spot on the floor.
Amelia shrugged her small shoulders. I'd thought my dress was revealing, but hers nearly slipped off with that slight movement!
"I never knew a reason to tell. Anyway, I hardly knew him." Her interest lost, she turned back to Broom who'd been waiting impatiently for this sidetrack to end.
Graham turned to me, eyes twinkling. "I expect you're eager to see the lad again? He's on a voyage at the moment, but he should be back within the next couple weeks. Don't frown," he added as my face fell. Wait weeks to see William! "He'll be back soon enough. In the meantime, you can stay here with me and Amelia, maybe help me with my patients again."
"I think I'll stay too, Graham." Broom said without moving his face from Amelia. "Need a bit of a break from the sea."
For the rest of the afternoon, Graham told me of how he had started his clinic here, to much success. This was his second building; he'd had to move because the last one was too small to accommodate his practice.
"I'm quite pleased with the way my life is now," he said, eyes taking in the parlor.
He told me that one of his patients, also a good friend, had gone to France for treatment, and had asked Graham to look over his daughter Amelia as a favor. She's been staying with him for three weeks now. He hoped we would provide company for each other as I waited for William, and she for her father. I saw her fluttering her eyes at Broom and doubted it.
-----I don't know William's real last name, so I made it up. If you do know, please tell me and I'll fix it.-----