The Noble Pirates Read Online Free PDF Page B

be possible for me to wash up?” I felt like I needed to add, “With some clean water? And soap?”
    Kat pouted, her eyes shining with disdain. “Soap! What do you think this is, the Royal Court?” Before I could answer, she’d left, snickering to herself. I shut my eyes and rubbed my temples, willing myself not to lose it. I had begun to lose hope that this was all a bad dream. The panic bubbled inside of me, threatening to seep out in the form of a blood-curdling scream, but I forced myself to focus on the task at hand. Best case scenario: I keep it together and figure a way out of this mess. Worst case scenario: I’m considered dangerous to a bunch of lunatics and killed. So far, I had Edward England on my side, it seemed; I had to make sure I didn’t lose him.
    Kat carried a bucket of water into the room and practically dropped it at my feet, water sloshing from it. She glared at me as she said snarkily, “Anything else for your ‘ighness?” She shook her head as she stormed out. A rag was draped over the side of the bucket. I stared at it for a moment, wanting to cry. How was I going to get clean? Clearly, I wasn’t. Just as well, I told myself. Maybe the stench of my own filth would overpower the stench of the others. How was I going to survive around here if I constantly wanted to throw up? I grabbed Tanya’s makeup bag, rummaging through it. God bless Tanya and her constant one-night-stand preparedness! She had a small travel toothbrush and toothpaste. After all the puking, I needed a good teeth-brushing. Too bad she hadn’t included soap, deodorant, shampoo…
    A crash of thunder distracted me from my lament. Rain. Nature’s shower. England had told me not to leave the house, but I couldn’t think of anything better than letting the rain wash the past few days from my skin. Had it been days? I didn’t even know. It felt like years. I suddenly began moving with urgency. I would leave everything here, and after soaking in the rain for a few minutes, I would come back. I froze, thinking about my plan. Leaving the house in my clothes was a bad idea. I glanced at the clothes Kat had left for me: a white linen shift with full sleeves, a brown corset and petticoat, and a faded blue gown. Beneath them were two straight leather shoes with pointed toes and a slight heel.
    God almighty, where was the underwear? And how the hell was I going to get that corset on without any help? I thought about the sullen Kat pulling the laces of my corset tight around my torso. She’d have a bit too much fun with that. Hang the corset. I’d throw on the shift, petticoat, gown and shoes and let them get washed too. I’m sure they needed it. I struggled into the smelly clothes and rushed out of the room into the smaller adjacent one, where Kat was sitting. I barely looked at her as I breezed by, mumbling something about being back soon. I doubted she would try to stop me; she didn’t seem fond of me or the attention Captain England was giving me.
    The rain had just started, and the fine mist quickly turned to heavy rain. People rushed into hovels and their simple homes, not paying any attention to me as I sighed, turning my face up to the sky. I walked slowly, willing the water to wash away the filth. What I really needed was to take off the clothes, but that clearly wasn’t going to happen… unless I could find somewhere secluded. And even then it was probably a really bad idea. If I really was in 1718 (what an absurd thought! I laughed nervously just considering it), then men weren’t used to seeing women’s calves around here. On the other hand, if I really was in 1718, people were afraid of water and fresh air, thinking it made one vulnerable to illness, right? Awesome. So long as it rained, I would be alone. I had never wished for rain so hard in my life.
    I walked aimlessly down the road, past the glowing huts and taverns, until I saw the beach, not vibrant with pirate activity as it had been before. The men had