Lady Rubina - A Pirates Of The Caribbean Love Story

Chapter Three

“These’ll be yer quarters, Miss,” Hector Barbossa said to me, as he showed me a spacious cabin. It definitely wasn’t what I was used to, but the thing that alarmed me most was the hammock instead of a bed! I realised then that if I wanted freedom, I would have to give up luxury.

“Thank-you, Captain,” I said, shyly. Because, for some reason, I wasn’t at ease with this man. I was on edge, hoping I wouldn’t do anything stupid, hoping he didn’t hate me for being a lady.

Which was really idiotic. Why should I care what a pirate thought of me?

“Uh… Where do you think you’ll put me down?”

“Where do ye want to go?”

“I’ve heard Spain’s a nice place.”

He grinned. “Well, we be headed for Tortuga.”

“I’ve never heard of it.”

“I didn’t expect you to, lass. It be a pirate town. Not like any place ye’ve ever seen.” I heard a trace of contempt in his voice, and my anger rose.

“I didn’t ask to be born who I am,” I snapped. “Haven’t I proved how much I hate it by running away?”

I expected him to shout at me, but instead he grinned. “Well, ye’ve got spirit. I’ll give ye that. Be seeing ye.”

With that he left.

I stood, looking at the closed door and thinking no matter how much spirit I had, I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be enough.

There came a soft rap at the door, so quiet I barely heard it. I opened my door, thinking it would be Jack or Hector. Instead, Hector’s monkey stood outside my door, looking up at me with big appealing eyes. “Awww…” I smiled. “You want to come in?”

I picked the monkey up and he nestled in my arms, making chattering sounds.

“You’re so cute, honey,” I crooned. “Aren’t you a sweetie, then?” I stroked his soft fur and he put up a tiny hand and fiddled with my necklace.

“You like him?” came an incredulous voice. I looked up. Jack Sparrow was standing beside me.

“Yeah,” I replied. “He’s a little cutie!”

Jack rolled his caramel brown eyes. “Matter of opinion, love.”

I grinned. “Guess so.”

“So. What was so awful about your home that you wanted to escape?”

I sighed. “Where do I begin?”

“The beginning would be a good place.”

I playfully slapped him on the arm. “You know what I mean.”

“Well, you don’t look cut out for the life of a lady,” admitted Jack. “What’s yer name?”

“Ruby.”

“Pretty name.”

“Thanks. So, tell me. Were you named after the monkey, or was it the other way round?”

“He was named after me, love. Wretched thing.”

I grinned. “So… When should we reach Tortuga?”

“At least a week, love. Longer, if I’m lucky.”

I glared at him. “And what’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, bristling.

He smiled. “Well…” He reached forward and stroked my cheek. I grabbed his hand by the wrist and twisted it back on itself.

“I don’t know you well enough for you to be doing that, Sparrow,” I hissed, advancing on him until I had got him pressed up against the wall. “And I’ve had enough of people using me simply because I’m Lady Rubina.”

With a quick, deft movement, he spun me round and got me against the wall. His hands were gripping my shoulders and his face was very close to mine. I looked down and saw Jack’s pistol in his belt. “Now, listen, love,” Jack began. While he was talking, I sneaked it out and pressed the business-end into his stomach.

He stopped talking. He kept looking at me. Then he laughed as he looked down at the gun.

“I was right. Yer no lady. You’re a pirate.”

I grinned. “Too right.” I ducked out of his grasp and handed him his pistol back.

“Could you actually use it?” he wanted to know.

“What; you mean could I shoot?” I shrugged. “Probably. I’ve never tried.”

Jack grinned. “Ah. Well, there I can help you…”