Second chapter, cos I'm keen like that ;) Thank you to those lovelies who have reviewed the last chapter :)
Sparrangelica64 - thank you very much, and I also love Jack and Angelica (incase you hadnt guessed already! )
Knight Mistress - Thank you :) Yes that bit makes me laugh too!
LauraB94 - Thank you :)
SunnyLen - Yep haha can't say I would mind too much if Jack came up to talk to me about the sea tonight ;)
"Wanna feel the warm breeze
Sleep under a palm tree
Feel the rush of the ocean"
My day, as I had suspected, went on as though nothing had changed. But it had, even if no one else knew. Yesterday I had simply been wanting adventure and freedom. Now I longed for them. The tales the pirate had told me made me want to breakaway even more, but how could I ever step foot on a boat, let alone a ship, when we weren't even allowed to step foot on sand? I wanted to dive into something I had never tasted before, things that I simply wasn't allowed to do because they were not "proper".
That evening I retired to my room as early as I could. I sat by my window, awaiting any sign of the pirate. If I was honest with myself, a large part of me did not expect him to return and yet I hoped he would. Dusk turned to dark, and yet there was still no sign of him. Just a bit longer, I thought. I heard the Sisters going to their rooms, calling in on us all to say goodnight. There was a knock at my door and I went to open it. Sister Louise.
"Is everything alright, Miss Angelica?"
I nodded politely. "Yes, thank you Sister." She nodded in response.
"Goodnight, Miss Angelica."
"Goodnight, Sister Louise."
As the door latch clicked into place, I sighed, allowing myself to realise that the pirate was not returning. I turned slowly, and then stopped, eyes wide.
"Hello, love." There he was, standing just by the window, a slight smirk on his face. I smiled.
"Hello, Captain." I said softly. "When did you arrive?"
"Just now. Heard that woman in here so waited until I heard you close the door then checked she was gone and came in."
"I am glad you did. I would have been in trouble if you were caught." He smirked again.
"Well then, we'd best not get caught eh?" And then he gestured to the window. I frowned. "Come on, love. If you don't want to get caught then let's not give them anything to catch." My eyes widened as I realised what he was suggesting. I knew the trouble I would be in if I was caught, far more than I would be in if he was found in my room, but I did not care. I walked over to the window and watched as he climbed out. My room was only on the ground floor, so it was not far to go. Taking a deep breath I pulled myself up onto the window ledge and hung my legs outside. Then, to my surprise, the pirate stepped up to me and took me in his arms, gently picking me up from the window ledge. I felt something I had never felt before as he touched me and was somewhat disappointed when I found myself standing next to him. He grinned at me. "You ready, love?" My eyes shone with excitement as I nodded. He took my hand and led me out of the Convent gates.
I had never seen the town by starlight, and I had to admit it was lovely. The cobbled streets reflected the sky, shining like dark pools of water. I wasn't sure where we were going, but despite everything I had been taught about how bad pirates were I trusted Jack. He led me out of the town and to the cliff paths and then down a twisting slope. That's when I realised where we were going. I stopped and, sensing my hesitation, he turned.
"You ok, love?" he asked, seeming to be genuinely concerned.
"I… I've never been on a beach before."
His eyes widened in surprise. "But you're so interested in the sea?"
"I want to, but at the Convent we are not allowed."
"It be my guess you've been doing a lot you ain't allowed to lately." He looked at me pointedly and I smiled sheepishly.
"Yes, I suppose one more thing would not hurt." I agreed, and then he took my hand again and I stepped onto the golden sand.
The rush of the waves lapping at my feet was better than I had ever imagined. Still in my traditional habit, I had to hold the hem up so that it did not get wet but that did not detract much from the enjoyment. I laughed in delight as the water tickled my toes. I turned around to look at Jack. He had spent some time in the water with me but had now gone to sit on the sand a short distance away. I was unable to read his expression clearly from where I was, but I was sure I could see a soft smile. Eventually I tore myself away from the water and approached him. He gestured for me to sit and I hesitated, knowing that if sand stuck to my habit it would give me away to the Sisters. He seemed to realise this, and acted as a perfect gentleman, laying down his long coat so I could sit upon it. I smiled my thanks. We sat in comfortable silence, admiring the way the silver stars danced in the waves, listening to the gentle rush of the water. I sighed happily, and leaned my head on Jack's shoulder. I felt him move his arm around me and I smiled slightly, contented. I closed my eyes for a moment, wanting this moment to last forever. I had never been happier, and I did not believe this moment could get any better. That was, until I opened my eyes again and turned to look at Jack. He was staring at me in a strange way, a way I had never been looked at before. Then his face was moving closer to mine and before I realised what was happening his lips had met mine. I froze for a moment, unsure what I was meant to do, and then I relaxed and instinct took over. He leaned into me and I lay down, his arms either side of me.
After what felt like an eternity, we parted and sat back up. His eyes seemed to search mine, almost as if they were looking for some indication that I was annoyed. I knew I should be, but I was not. It had felt right. I smiled softly, and returned my head to his shoulder. One arm wrapped around me again, and I allowed myself to close my eyes again.
I woke with a start. Where was I? Then I looked to my side and saw Jack, watching me, and it all came flooding back. I smiled, remembering. It was still dark, and I knew none of the Sisters would be awake for a few hours yet. Still, I had to get back. I started to stand, and Jack followed, understanding. We walked back through the town and into the Convent and then round to my window. He lifted me up to help me through my window but he remained outside. Once in my room, I slid off the window ledge and turned around, leaning out to talk to him.
"Thank you, Jack." I smiled, and he responded by smiling back. He seemed troubled though. "Jack?"
"Listen, love." He hesitated. "I gotta go."
I frowned. "When?"
"Tomorrow night at the latest." He saw my face fall. "If I could stay longer, I would, love."
I sighed, my eyes downcast. I do not know what possessed me to say what I did next.
"Take me with you."
"What?" He was shocked.
"Jack, take me with you." I repeated. He seemed unsure. "Please. I have always wanted freedom and adventure and these past couple of days have been perfect. You have given me a taste of what my life could be like and I do not want to let go."
"You've got a life here though…"
"A life that I have been stuck in for as long as I can remember. Please, Jack."
He was silent for a while, and then eventually he nodded.
"If that's really what you want."
"It is."
"Alright, then. I'll be by tomorrow night, just after nightfall. Be ready."
I smiled. "Thank you."
He returned my smile, and reached up to plant a quick kiss upon my lips before leaving.
I sighed happily and changed into my nightdress, already planning how I would prepare for the next night. The majority of my closet was made up of habits, and the few other clothes I owned were simple and practical; long skirts and cardigans. None of them struck me as the sort of thing a female pirate would wear, for that was what I was about to become. Still, they would do for now and I would get some more appropriate clothing as soon as I could.
"Buildings with a hundred floors
Swinging around revolving doors
Maybe I don't know where they'll take me but
Gotta keep moving on, moving on
Fly away, breakaway"
