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," Gibbs replied. "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 can't leave this place 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 a woman in a tight fitting dress opened the door. "Jack!" she exclaimed with 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 wall was 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.


"Have 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.


"You 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 effort," 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 can't 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?"


"Happens 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've 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 for life 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.


A/N: Lady Sally's House is the property of Spider Robinson. For those of you unfamiliar with his work, pay a visit to your local library and check him out. If you can stand puns, his Calahan series are some of the best books I know. And I know a lot of them.