Richard Morgan hated to wait. He was a determined and practical man to solve problems. His temperament was very agitated, he was used to exercising control with discipline in command of the ship keeping the peace on deck. he was also controlling. he liked to have absolute control over everything or what happens around him.
There were many ways to wait and I hated them all. Of course, after making sure Cassie wasn't paying attention to other men. And he told himself he wasn't the least bit jealous.
The night progressed to her growing bad mood of him. From a distance, he watches Cassie reluctantly waiting tables, annoyed by a group of newcomers.
He was trying not to notice with shock how the girl had lost weight. Her face was pale and tired. He almost decided to get into a brief argument about who might have had their head hit by another precious camphor of a wine Cassie was pouring.
The cook had had problems. At this point, Rick Morgan seriously considered seeking reinforcements for Coral and Gaia. And also kick Philip out. The damn auction...
The bustle in the hall was heightened as a small escort of soldiers arrived at the tavern in search of drinks and women.
He had decided not to approach until a favourable moment arrived, so it took longer than he wished. The merchant made no exaggerated remarks that the girl was under the guard of Garro's men. He figured out how to get her out of there without any fuss that could put her in danger. After making sure she didn't run away from him.
Was Regan as happy as the girl had said? Worst of all, he'd been included in the disparaging assessment of a never-ending list of accusations against wolves. A new uproar began as dancers arrived at the ballroom, entertaining friends in provocative and sensual outfits. It was a curse.
What kind of job was the girl hoping to find there, sir? The music began to be played loudly on the piano, accompanied by excited, ecstatic young dancers. With remorse, he assessed her situation.
Expelled from Scarlet? He should at least be consulted.
The first opportunity came when the drink ran out Cassie walked absently down the hall toward the kitchen, scrambling and annoyed, stopping at the top of the stairs.
Another camphor...Another daring sailor... The miserable wages Garro paid for the girl's services would hardly have been enough for food.
Without noticing anything around her, precariously balancing the tray, the girl advances up the first steps of the stairs towards the kitchen.
Rick walked towards it, taking advantage of the momentary confusion of the newcomers and intercepting the path that blocked his path.
The reflex was quick and instinctive as he grabbed a tray that would eventually fall to the floor.
And the mugs… Cassie groaned in frustration as she shook her head. It can't be that difficult to balance a tray... The mugs swung precariously for a moment to her dismay. And fall to the ground in pieces.
- Pardon me, sir. Her voice was crisp and clear. - The hall is in the other direction.
Richard raised an eyebrow, puzzled. Who were her parents?
-You'll have to work your balance more with this tray, chéri - He observed amused and before taking the tray from his hands and leaving it forgotten on the support wall - Forget the damn tray.
Cassie blinked wide eyes at the man in front of her looking back and forth like he was an apparition.
It was just tiredness. Was ...
She needed to sleep and maybe eat. She was delirious. They didn't even remember. had she had lunch?
-You? she asked fearfully, pulling away cautiously. A shaking hand brushed her hair away from her face as he shook his head.
-And who else would it be? - Richard Morgan complained softly, grabbing the girl by the arm and pulling unceremoniously into one of the empty rooms on the first floor.
To her relief, Cassie had the good sense not to scream or run. She looked for the keys to lock the door in the big pocket of the apron she wore as a maid.
- Hell! This door won't stay locked for long. He continued to check the security of the room. And her silence. - You outdid yourself this time, little devil. Did I complain about a guardian?
Cassie didn't say anything.
All the complaints stuck in her throat. The staring, wide eyes were fixed on a table and its strange objects. Her empty stomach brought painful signs with just a sight.
God, that was... They were...
Her prolonged silence made Rick discover with great displeasure why the girl was so quiet. On the table in a carved wooden box, several amulets embalmed with herbs and used in black magic. The sight was depressing to think of the lives these pieces cost.
-Shit! Do not scream! - He was energetic when making the request and pressed the trembling mouth with his hand making the girl move away.
Rick could rage. This was a room used by witch hunters. A great night. He didn't even want to think about what else was in the boxes left there.
-I hate these things!. Look at me and don't scream, okay? he asked tensely, checking his pistol and ammo.
Cassie nodded vaguely, pale and stunned.
-That's... God! They're…they're…' Bile rose in her throat. It was lucky to be empty. Cold sweat covered her forehead.
- I know what they are. - he commented, turning to her worriedly. - I can't believe you've never seen this before. I need to find a way to get us out of here without drawing the attention of your security guards.
Cassie took a deep breath, feeling faint. It was ridiculous. She was used to living on a ship, she had already fought several times. Just the sight...
-I'm not going anywhere with you. - She said stunned.
It was a vision. Of course, it was a vision. Or delirium. Due to tiredness and lack of food. A very reasonable explanation. She assured herself without much conviction.
- I'll just sit here. I'm tired. That's it. All this is a hallucination. This isn't even happening. It's late; I've been working since dawn and...
Her nervousness began to alarm Richard. It was clear that the girl was tired. Her appearance... Hell... How many hours had the girl been working nonstop?
- Cassie!
-This is not real! -she said in a high-pitched voice.
She was breaking out in a cold sweat as she covered her face with her hands. A slight shiver ran through her icy body. She began to feel an absurd cold.
- You are not real. It's a delusion. Katie is right. Today I will stay here in the tavern. I need to feed. And maybe sleep. I think there's still a piece of apple pie left...
Richard took a worried breath.
He touched her cold hands with firm fingers and she for the first time fixed her gaze on him. She looked in shock. Her green eyes gleamed tired and wet.
- It's not a hallucination, Cassie. - The explanation was vague. - You're...
- They are witch hunters... They have seen here before... They burned the church with the priest and... The healer... They are pastors of some order... I... I need to sit down... sit just a little...
The words and explanations had no connection.
Rick clenched his jaw in anger at himself. Damn jealousy. he should have gotten the girl out of there long before.
-I need to get you out of the tavern. Before they come back. You won't like meeting these people. They are even people of any sect and not even know...
She gave him a look with eyes so blurry they seemed to see him. The vision of the room swung around her. All the difficulties… finally collapsed at the same time, unable to contain the emotions. She also knew with absolute horror that she was crying. It didn't matter because that man cared little for her. It wasn't even real. She was so tired that she had started to hallucinate...
No one had come looking for her.
It was even more terrible to know that no one missed her. Philip had turned them all away. Copious tears spilt over his pale face. Maybe Jackie...
-This... this is a nightmare. - She assured in shock. - I'm not feeling...
Cassie tried to take a deep breath, her hand lightly touching her throat at the sudden dryness. The cold gave way to sudden heat and her heart seemed to beat wildly. Her throat burned.
It was tiredness, lack of sleep, and hunger. she just wanted to sleep maybe for a whole week. Try unsuccessfully to pull her hands with a very low moan. She could have learned to handle pistols and swords, but her cooking skills were simply disastrous.
Her severed fingers were in great pain. She still imagined with total frustration like boxes of vegetables that the cook wanted to be washed and peeled for stew the next day. Some of the cuts were inflamed and swollen. She certainly prefers to deal with the rigging of a ship. Her injuries burned and she throbbed with a tedious task in helping with meals.
Rick let his strained face admire her exhausted countenance before releasing a new curse when he realized how bruised his hands were. and cold.
It had been damn selfish. Philip's infernal ambition to bend the girl's temper. Hell, he never made rash decisions like this. Naturally, he had managed to turn the girl's life into a nightmare. The idea was not at all appealing. A long succession of lies...
Experienced women...they were practical and unsentimental and eager to give and receive pleasure. Never in your mind can you imagine being involved with a family girl or so young. Cassie was probably innocent of men until he'd come into her life. And the night... total failure. He could have sworn the girl was charming and teasing him just...
-Is that what I am? for you? he asked with a strained face. - Just a nightmare? I can understand everything that happened. None of this should happen. You were supposed to be in the castle and...
She would hardly be receptive to intimacies. She didn't know. She needed to earn his trust.
Curse!
She couldn't even if… she was starting to doubt she'd ever had the charisma or a way with women.
Cassie sniffled, stunned by his unexpected response.
The look for the first time assimilating that it was him. And after all… Only, despite everything, he was right there in front of her. It was already terribly humiliating the tears she couldn't hold back.
Exhaustion. She was fed up with everything. Sick of Philip always pestering him until the foreman pushed him away to his relief. He wanted to throw himself into his arms and behave like any woman.
-RRRR-Richard?! I don't think I'm... I'm not feeling very well... - he said in a low voice. The room around it now spun.