Yay! Second Chapter. A lot of this is already written, so it'll probably come out faster than Pride and Prejudice.

Thanks to ChellieChu for her wonderful review! And Thanks for the reads and favorites. Please review!

My sleep was rudely interrupted by Alfred pounding on the door. "Amelia! We have a problem! The soldiers have shown up! You need to get rid of them."

I sighed. The only likely explanation was that someone had seen Alfred and his friends coming into the house, soon after I did. More than likely they reported it, and the militia was just checking on me.

I put on a robe and went down the stairs to the front door. Checking that the pirates were all hidden, I opened the door and greeted the soldiers. "Hello, sirs. How may I help you?"

The one on the left answered. "Your neighbor reported that a group of men followed you into the house, is this true?"

I raised an eyebrow. "How strange. I always keep this door locked, and it is very unlikely that I was out and about at this late hour. It is most unsafe for a lady, as I am sure you know."

The officer nodded. "Miss Jones, was it?"

I nodded.

"There are reports of a pirate crew visiting these parts, led by the infamous Captain Kirkland, and his first mate Alfred Jones. If you see or hear or know anything, please report it."

I faked a gasp. "Captain Kirkland?" I clutched my chest. "My poor heart fails at the thought. Be safe, sirs. I, of course, will tell you the moment I learn anything. But I hope, for my sake, and yours, that they leave this town in peace, and never come back."

The men smiled, "Yes, thank you, Miss Jones."

I nodded, and they left. I closed the door and smirked. It was so easy to convince men that I was the 'weak, gentler sex'. They already believed it, so all I had to do was stroke their egos a little bit, and fulfill their expectations as a delicate flower who could not so much as think anything for herself.

It made me sick, the way women were treated. They were either treated like dolls, or trashed like animals. There was no equality. That was part of the reason I had asked Alfred to teach me how to fight. I wanted to prove that women could be just as capable as men, if not more so.

I turned and said, "Alfred, all clear."

"Thanks, sis." He came out of the shadows and hugged me.

I smiled. "Just don't get any blood on any of the furniture. Or the floor."

"Don't worry, we've taken care of that already."

"Fair enough. I'm going back to bed."

"Night, Amy."

"Night, Alfie."

I climbed up the stairs and re-entered my room. I locked the door, and climbed into bed, falling asleep almost instantly.

Yeah, sorry it's short. It just worked better in this format.