Chapter 6

Not too long after Jack had told her she could help them, Grace went below and raided the supplies. Though she hadn't noticed right away, she didn't only have a dress on, but a corset too and by now it was killing her. She had to put something else on.

It took some time, but eventually her search produced a white shirt, dark breeches, an almost black waistcoat, and a pair of leather boots that were all a smaller size and fit her reasonably well. She picked up her coat from where she'd left it and looked at it closely. It was definitely the same coat Brenda had given her as a gift. The authentic look and Caribbean smell no longer seemed like such a coincidence to her. It had to have something to do with her wish.

The last item Grace searched for was a sword which was much easier to find. Once she'd buckled it across her shoulder and pulled her long hair back into a ponytail, she left the small cabin where she'd changed. When Grace walked out, she nearly collided with Will who was coming from the opposite direction.

"I'm sorry," they both said at the same time.

They looked at each other for quite a long moment and Will noticed Grace's new clothes.

"You changed," he said.

"Yes. I just thought it would be better this way," Grace stammered. "You know, for fighting and stuff . . . that is if we do have to fight . . . we probably will, who knows." You sound like an idiot! Grace looked down at the floor in embarrassment having no idea what a cute pair they made standing there.

"I guess I'll go back up on deck," Grace said finally, hoping to end the awkwardness. "It's kind of stifling down here."

Will nodded and they walked away towards one of the stairs.

"Miss Morgan," Will said half way there, surprising Grace.

She turned to him. "Yes?"

"I wanted to say that it wasn't my idea to steal this ship. I just want to rescue Elizabeth. I'm not a pirate."

"I know you're not."

Will looked surprised. "You do?"

Grace paused and realized her error. She shouldn't know all the things she did and had to be careful what she said.

"I mean, I didn't think you were," Grace tried to cover up the mistake. "You're not like Jack."

"Thank goodness for that," Will said with a smile.

Grace smiled too and there was another long pause. Finally, Grace turned away from him even though she could have easily stared at his face for hours. On deck, Grace walked back to the wheel were Jack was. She almost laughed at the way he looked at her in shock.

"I hope you don't mind that I went through the supplies below deck," Grace said.

"Oh no, not at all."

Jack's eyes began to stray a little too far south for Grace's liking and she cleared her throat loudly. His gaze came right back to her face.

"Just because I'm dressed like a man doesn't mean I'm not a lady and I expect to be treated like one," Grace left no doubt in his mind.

"As you wish, Miss Morgan," Jack said with a charming smile that made his gold teeth glimmer in the sunshine. "Now exactly why are you dressed this way?"

"Well, it's much more practical for one thing and you said we'd reach Tortuga in a few hours. If it's anything I have an idea it will be I'm not about to go ashore dressed as a woman."

"Point taken," Jack replied, still grinning.