A few days had passed since Rachel had burst into the middle of her own funeral. That had been the reason why everyone was dressed in black, and probably why Governor Flanagan had been so easily talked into – he was too annoyed to bother with anything else. The priest had just begun his speech when the governor was asked to come down to the harbour.

Elizabeth had told her that he had generously offered them to stay here. Her cousin, however, suspected him of having ulterior motives.

Rachel thought she would soon forget the little adventure with the pirates after giving Elizabeth the short version of it. Only there she was far wrong. An inner restlessness, the likes of which she had never felt before, came over her from that day on.
And this despite the many nice gifts Elizabeth gave her to get used to life in Port Royal again. Actually, the gifts came from Governor Swann himself. He had been expecting Rachel's return for over two years, which had been delayed further and further …

He had left her jewellery, which she loved more than anything – an amulet from her actual father underneath, which she only took off to sleep – and two beautiful new dresses. The best present, however, was the young mare she had received. You couldn't live in England for years without coming into contact with horses if you wanted to attend social gatherings. And Governor Swann had known that …

Rachel realised how much she missed him, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she would never feel comfortable without him here again.

Her mare was a beautiful chestnut coloured thoroughbred horse. Like every evening, she now stood in the stable from where they could look out over the sea and groomed her horse. The snorting of the animal and the warmth emanating from its body calmed her.

Elizabeth joined her quietly and watched Rachel for a while with a worried face.

"What's wrong with you?" she then asked.

"Nothing. What should be?" her cousin lied to her.

"You don't really enjoy anything. You're pretty much in the stables all day instead of attending any events or having a chat over tea."

Rachel paused, looked at Elizabeth, and then lowered her eyes. She was embarrassed about what she had to say.

"I just don't feel at home here. Don't get me wrong, I'm cared for and get everything others would dream of, but something is missing. I don't even know what it is."

Elizabeth took her comfortingly in her arms. She could imagine what Rachel meant. Because she had also had a similar feeling once. And that was after she had gone through all the adventures with Will and Captain Jack Sparrow. Since she was now married to Will, and he was conspicuous by his unwanted absence, everything had become so quiet. Yes, almost monotonous if it weren't for Henry. He was a source of inexhaustible joy and the main reason why she always kept an eye on Governor Flanagan. She also pondered where she would end up. This had only been home as long as her father had been with her.

Then Elizabeth remembered why she had come down in the first place and detached herself from Rachel. She looked at her suspiciously.

"I should have known. All those gifts … and that exaggerated compensation for the pirates of Flanagan … Father had another marriage planned for me, isn't that so?"

Regretfully, Elizabeth tightened her mouth and nodded.

"Father wanted it that way. Stuart Clayton, the Commodore. He's a good and honourable man, Rachel. And if you're honest, he's a sight for sore eyes. Give him a chance."

Hearing that from her cousin's mouth required more understanding from Rachel than she could muster. Elizabeth had also told her her story, which she had experienced with the pirates and which had ended in a wedding with Will Turner. Will Turner, who could only go ashore every ten years because of some strange … what exactly? Contract?

"Do you think so? Like James Norrington has been a good and honourable man?"

Elizabeth put a hand on Rachel's arm sympathetically.

"I would have married Norrington …"

With a jerk, Rachel moved away from her and turned around.

"Of course. If only you hadn't fainted by accident and fallen off the cliff …"

"I really fainted," Elizabeth interrupted her sternly.

"Good, then you really did pass out, and you would have married Norrington, had you not then been fortunately kidnapped by pirates."

The more Rachel thought about it, the more upset she got about her lot. She had never been able to accept why it mattered so much what connection she made. She understood the meaning behind it – sure. But for real insight, she was far too convinced that everyone should make their own decisions.

From outside, cold air entered the stable and stirred up dust.

"Rachel, don't twist this now. Hector Barbossa was a nightmare for me at first, and it didn't feel like fortune to be kidnapped and taken to the Black Pearl."

"So you regretfully missed your wedding to Norrington because you were not present, Mrs Turner," Rachel said snappishly.

Elizabeth shook her head with a smile. Boundless stubbornness was a quality that could be attributed to both Rachel and herself.

"I never said I regretted it."

Elizabeth went over to Rachel's mare and played around with her mane.

"About Will, … I'm sorry for you," Rachel said. "There's nothing one can do?"

The wind outside calmed down again, but rain began to fall.

She had to wait a long time for an answer, which was then very quiet and barely audible through the rain.

"The Dutchman needs a captain …"

Elizabeth didn't want to talk about it any further, it was too obvious. Her words made no sense to Rachel and she frowned.

Clearing her throat, Elizabeth straightened herself.

"I should get you. Flanagan wants to discuss the wedding with you. You don't know anything about it yet, all right?"

Rachel nodded silently and followed her. Upstairs, the governor was already waiting for her in the entrance hall.

"The lady … come into the room and have tea with me," he said, smiling insincerely.

Rachel followed him, and with every step she felt more and more like rebelling. When she entered the spacious room into which the governor had already run, she would have liked to simply turn around.

Standing upright with his hands folded behind his back, Stuart Clayton stood at the window and turned to face her.

"Mr Clayton," she said, just to be polite.

The latter bowed his head, while the governor began his long-practised speech, "Since you … have now arrived here in good health again, and it was the last will of Weatherby Swann concerning you – not to mention that it is urgently time for you – it has been decided to place you in Commodore Clayton's hands."

Of course, Rachel thought. It didn't matter that she had known this in advance. Her hands tightened and her throat went dry.

Clayton stepped towards her and reluctantly Rachel had to acknowledge the welcoming warmth in his eyes. He lifted her hand, bent low over it and indicated a kiss.

"I was not given the opportunity to greet you properly in port, Miss Swann. I would like to remedy that omission."

"Governor …", Rachel began hesitantly, without taking her eyes off Clayton.

She did not want this marriage. Clayton could be the best and most honourable man on earth, but she wanted to see for herself and should be allowed to judge for herself. When she had known him for a while – when they had spent time together.

But if it had really been her foster father's wish … she could not disappoint him again. She had already allowed herself to do so … more than once in that respect.

Her hand was still in the Commodore's and her throat tightened further.

Couldn't she just faint, like Elizabeth, so she wouldn't have to react? No, she was not allowed to do that.

Governor Flanagan cleared his throat and Clayton's hand loosened around hers as if to step back. Rachel forced herself to smile and curtsied.

"When is the wedding supposed to take place?" she asked with an unpleasant scratch in her voice.

This could also be interpreted as emotion – but it was not like that.

"In three days. I can understand if you want to use the time alone, after the strain you have been through. However, if you are looking for company, send for me," Clayton replied.

"That sounds excellent. Excuse me, I am very tired and will now go to bed. Have a good night."

With these words, Rachel left the room.