Part 1
...and with the high fever... Richard's memories went further...
Silently and angrily, he grabbed the door handle and pulled it unexpectedly.
It was a riot of hair and blanket and weapons that fell on him, pale legs and boots. His surprise was followed by a torrent of curses in fluent French that made him roll his eyes in disbelief.
It was unbelievable... Was it her? He looked at the profusion of red hair in complete annoyance. And he was ready to declare it loud and clear. Her hair... Loose and shorter, the curls made volume...
-Gipsy?
His voice was high and annoyed as he visualized the girl sprawled on the floor very awkwardly. Even more incredulous Richard shook his head. Gypsy was lying on the floor of her cabin, bringing with her the rest of the objects left on her bed. The mess was chaos in her organization as she looked around the corners taking a deep breath. Heavens! Was there something there that she hadn't touched? How far was Gaia from Chabone exactly? Ah, Vladimir, this time was going to make him mincemeat.
-What the hell! How can anyone stay in here? Her cabin is hot and stuffy. – the girl complained.
Containing his initial irritation, Richard sighed as he braced his feet to lift her by the shoulders without any delicacy.
- You should have seen the covers. Most still complain about the seawater that enters... but what the hell! You'll need your balance better around the ship if you can trip over your feet every time the sea gets rough.
Gypsy looked up at him with eyes that gleamed with fury. She straightened up, tucking her hair behind her ear.
-You needed to board, didn't you? - The explanation seemed very obvious. - You said yourself that you didn't have much success with Vladimir about us.
-That doesn't include saying that you...
-But you were going to leave...- Gypsy's words seemed to say it all.
Richard whistled in amazement. The girl was undoubtedly daring. He looked even more annoyed at the men's clothes she wore. God have mercy on him. They were aboard a ship with a crew of nearly a hundred men. He took a teasing look at the clothes that outlined the curves of the female body with obvious charm. She would naturally create a mutiny aboard the Gaia. Worse than that! Willian would skin him when he discovered that Gypsy against all expectations had boarded. He was suddenly experiencing exciting, sensual terrain.
Part of him was even pleased to know that Gypsy had challenged his honour father's honour by his side. Another part, the more sensible one, said it was wrong. How was he going to explain the presence of a woman in his cabin? The whole plan was pretty simple. A ruined reputation and neither Will nor Vlad could deny a union between them. He scratched his head in astonishment. Will would rightly demand that he take over the girl to protect her honour.
-I thought I told you that I would not board the Gaia. The journey to Garrone...Heavens. I intended first to stock the ship's holds with provisions at Muir, Gypsy. You will lose weight again if you eat poorly. I hate to see you so thin. You know it worries me, even more so with the rumours your colour about the possibility of the plague reaching us.
-Chéri, Exactly. It's brilliant, don't you see? With his reputation ruined, Dad will be forced to accept his proposal. Problem solved.
Richard's dumbfounded gaze fell on her, transfixed.
- You're not serious. Not such a ruined reputation, honey.
Richard sighed. Maybe with some persuasion and the right contacts… Maybe he could find a priest willing to marry them off.
-Besides the wedding, would you also like to be married? he asked as calmly as possible.
Gypsy's smile widened, her small hands sliding down her chest.
-Not to run out of the ship's entire supply of potable water for hot baths and no bathtubs. - he protested right away.
Gypsy looked offended.
-But you like it too! So don't put all the blame on me, my lord.
She sighed low. Soon after, Richard sought the swollen mouth in a kiss more hot and intense, his tongue finding hers slowly and teasing. God! What was he doing?
-I think we're going to have problems with the ship's water supply, ma'am. Do I have any hope that your colour will return to natural? I didn't like the brilliant idea of the disguise.
Gypsy laughed good-naturedly.
-But without a doubt, it was efficient to deceive everyone.
The memories came in a whirlwind of chaotic and timeless images.
"Name?" the big man asked without interest.
The tavern hall was stuffy and hot.
- John.
-John?
-John Lorel, sir. – the answer was hesitant.
Richard ground every word he heard. Gypsy was just... just... He was going to kill that girl.
The captain in the other corner of the hall left his eyes fixed on the leather-covered notebook and looked at the boy at his people. The small, unexpected sight could make him curse. He was little more than a child. It was nonsense how parents engaged their children as children in exchange for their wages.
-How old are you, boy?-He asked suspiciously.
Gypsy took a deep breath, pulling her cap over her head, and straightening her body. She wasn't going to make it. The unfortunate captain was going to find out. She was waiting for the terrible moment when the cap was ripped off her head, screaming at everyone that she was a woman. That's why she had cut her hair and disguised colour the rigours of the ship.
-Seventeen, sir.
The man looked her up and down, his eyes serious and critical. He was a slight boy who could hardly survive the rigours and hardships of a voyage to the New World on a mutinous sailor vessel. Even so, he would serve as a distraction to the men on board. It wasn't unusual for that kind of fun after so many months on the high seas. The crew ended up looking for satisfaction in their desires. Onanism was a practice prohibited by the Church as was sodomy. Patience. Prostitutes were intended only for shipp,s officers.
-Do you have any experience managing a ship? – the captain evaluated doubtfully. – Do you even know how to tie a knot or handle rigging?
She hid a smile hiding her nervousness. She would know better than the lazy captain ahead of her. If she'd grown up aboard a damn ship. She had no idea how it was done. What was he thinking anyway? But of course,e she had no idea how to even tie a sailor's knot.
- Absolutely, sir. She tried to deepen her voice.
Gypsy stared at him and her hand shook as she took the quill pen as her eyes fixed on the inkwell. As soon as he signed, the Admiralty crew would be trapped on a journey that would take months to the Americas. He would never see Vladimir or his father or Sara again. Not even the village. It was exactly what she wanted, wasn't it? At the very least, he should be overjoyed. With his reputation in ruins, Vlad would have no choice but to consent to the marriage. All they had to do was get out of the ship once they were in Muir. There he would find Gaia and...
Suddenly, unbearable steel tongs seized her wrist, making her swallow a plaintive groan. Compassion! He didn't need to look up to know who had appeared beside him. She could pick up the vibration of anger the man was emanating from. The brute intended to break his wrist.
"How are you, Flint?" The baritone voice rang out loud enough for her to cringe. It looks like it's a promising night, no doubt looking for the sailors.
For the first time, Captain Flint forgot his notes and looked at the newcomer in front of him with deep displeasure. He noticed the features of distaste for the magenta colour that lit up her very white complexion. The whole Morgan family was like that. Dark hair and a pale complexion. He never got that tan from a seaman.
-Captain Morgan. - He saluted dryly. - Captain Richard Morgan.
Usually,y thcargoesgo the Admiralty carried in its filthy holds were slaves and fugitives. The Armada never had a good eye for that kind of activity. Neither does the Succession. He glanced at the boy, mentally cursing.
-Do you know the boy?
Richard Morgan might thunder the sour answer. He of course knew the supposed skinny boy. He was going to kill that wretch. Annoyed, the pressure on her delicate wrist increased mercilessly. Heavens. The village was a mess. After Philip's accident. The healer worked against time. Her left leg had been amputated.
- You're part of the Gaia crew, comrade. – he displayed politeness as he looked at the slave trader with disgust. – The boy ran away without anyone expecting it and ended up stealing some of my belongings. He would appreciate it if he could turn down his jobs on the ship. Of course, we can reach an agreement without the Armada having to check the condition of the vessel and the number of crew members it intends to engage in the voyage.
Gipsy bit back a rude comment, futilely trying to sign the document. She no longer felt the blood circulating in her numb wrist. He was an unfortunate brute. Tears came to her eyes. It felt like he was breaking her bones. He maintained the painful pressure until the pen dropped to the table.
Flint looked at her with veiled curiosity.
-Is what he says true, kid? Thieves are not very well regarded on our crew.
All she could do was lower her eyes in mortification. He was the centre of attention in the miserable room that reeked of drink and sweat. She wasn't going to be able to get out of there. She could with desperation notice the privateers who cautiously blocked the exits of the unfortunate defeated place. He had ordered them to close the perimeter, preventing any attempt by him to escape. It was an outrage! It was bad luck.
"I..." She hesitated and the new pressure made her bite her lips, holding back a scream.
The wretch intended to break her hand.
- Isn't that right, kid? - Morgan provoked scathingly. Rick forced himself to take a deep breath and keep what little calm he still had with this woman.
Anger made him shiver with frustration. She intended to put herself amid a crew full of men aboard a slave ship. And he used to worry that hunters would capture her…she could easily forget her principles and give him a beating. It wasn't going to be how they could get Gypsy out of Chabone without Vlad suspecting.
Gypsy, in turn, looked at her polished boots, climbing over the travelling btravellingyourembarrassinggipsytravellingmagenta colour, the rigours fohat covered long, muscular legs. His shirt partially open over his broad, pale chest against the dark fur had her sighing in self-disgust, pausing at her neck with taut, strong nerves for fear of meeting his eyes. Her dark eyes blazed with anger that made her shiver. She could slaughter him with her cold, indifferent gaze.
But the memories of the threats made her take a deep breath.
"If you ever think about running away from me in those damn outfits, parading among the guys showing off that beautiful ass, I'll put your face down on your knees and you'll have serious problems sitting for several days. I'll beat that beautiful ass you have no shame to be showing off."
The threat hovered in her ears, making her dizzy. He just didn't have the guts to do it. It was a punishment meant for disobedient children. Curse! She wasn't just any child anymore. Okay, she had decided to tease the captain a bit, but still...
"I…" the voice seemed to have disappeared to her growing horror.
Indifferent to the Admiralty captain's irritated manner, all Gypsy could do was run as she was dragged unceremoniously across the crowded hall and ignore the laughter. Damn man. Morgan walked hard with big strides, shooting furious looks. Panting and frightened, she tried to free herself without success, stumbling.
-Rick...
-You gave me your word that you would wait for me to solve this damn mess! You gave me your words...- he could cry out indifferently to his men's embarrassing stares.
No one there dared to comment. They knew well how possessive and jealous the captain was of the village gipsy.
And Gypsy sighed.
She was ready to scream when she was silenced by an icy glare and Richard grabbed her shoulders in a harsh warning.
-You better shut up, you fool. If you are going to continue to behave like a spoiled and willful child, you will be treated as such. Said I'll sort out the whole damn mess. Ever heard of a simple little thing called diplomacy?
Child?! Hell, she wasn't a kid anymore! She unsuccessfully tried to kick him in the shin. Damn diplomacy to hell. Garrone had given orders for the Armada ships to assemble at Muir. He didn't know how long it would take for Richard to return to those parts.
-Curse! I'm not a child anymore! - He shouted angrily. - To hell ... I'm not going to be like the others on the docks, sighing and crying waiting for a flag in the distance in the cove of a ship that arrives on a trip.
Her attitude made him curse so violently that she was able to blush in embarrassment.
-Don't you ever dare to do that again, Gypsy. Morgan roared beside himself, throwing her unceremoniously over his shoulders like any other burden.
-You can't do that! Animal!
-I have all the rights if you are going to insist on maintaining such an irresponsible attitude. As your husband, I have every right to do as I see fit. You better get that in that stubborn head. You will learn to behave properly. Even if Vlad doesn't take it, I'll get the damn priest.
Gypsy punched him in the back uselessly, fists clenched. Her protests were ineffective against solid muscles. She stared in amazement at the approaching men, disguising her embarrassment, swallowing her miserable pride.
- What are you going to do? – She managed to ask scared. - Put me down! Now! You... You brute!