Cutlass Anne

Cutlass Anne - Chapter Two

Chapter Two

I woke early the following morning not wanting to move. The curtains fluttered as the wind blew in through my open window. The sun was shining, and it should have been a wonderful day. However, I lay there with tear-stained cheeks, red and puffy eyes, and my head ached terribly. I wanted to forget the events of the previous evening. I wanted them to be nothing more than a terrible dream, but looking down at the diamond on my finger, I knew it was all too real. I climbed out of bed and discarded my sleeping gown, then quickly washed up in the basin of warm water that the maid had brought in for me.

"Juliana!" I called.

"Yes, madam?" the exotic young woman inquired,entering my room.

"Can you help me dress, please?"

"Of course, madam."

She tied my petticoat in the back and took out a corset, but I waved it off. She then pulled out my panniers, but I shook my head.

"Madam?"

"I don't want all that on today. Just leave it."

The woman looked at me as though I had lost my mind.

"Please get the dark blue dress with the white and blue stomacher. That should make do for today," I said.

"Yes, madam."

She laced the stomacher in place and pulled out the matching satin slippers.

 After changing, I crept to Jane's room. She was still fast asleep when I snuck up to her.

"Jane! Hey, Jane, wake up!"

"What do you want so early?" she mumbled, rolling over.

"Come on."

"Come on where?" she asked, opening one eye to look at me.

"Let's go for a walk. I need to get out of the house."

"But, Anne, it is so early," she protested.

"Just get dressed and let's go."

"Fine." She rolled out of the bed and changed into a pink contouche.

We walked arm in arm through the town until we saw the bay. A soft, warm breeze caressed my face as I stood next to Jane. The crystal clear water lapped over our now bare toes. Jane's eyes were closed and her hair blew gently as the wind whipped around us. She grabbed my hand, smiling. Of all the people in my life, she was the most important. Jane looked so much like our mother. It was as though she was my only connection to her. Jane's soft blonde hair, brilliant blue eyes, and pale skin were the same as mother's. She was so different than me. My brown hair was swept back in a braid, and my tanned hand looked so much darker than hers.

She also looked as sick as mother had in her final days. Perhaps that's why I felt so protective of her. Perhaps that's why I refused to leave her.

"Let's swim," she said lightly.

"Swim?" I asked.

"Yes. Nobody is around to see us. I want to swim."

"You know how father feels about us being outside of the city,"

"Mother loved swimming." She smiled up at me.

"Not fair, Jane."

"Come on, Anne. Be adventurous."

Sighing heavily, I began to loosen my bodice. I always gave in to Jane. She followed suit and began to remove her dress and all the layers underneath.