The Pirate King may not have gotten me a pretty dress like Willie had joked, but he did leave me some other clean clothes that may not even be second-hand. Although clearly a man's cut, they're smaller than average and therefore, fit me well.
I've never worn anything but a skirt before, andhaving fabric rub between my legs feels awkward. My nightgown, however, isunsalvageable, and I end up wearing the loose, black breeches and frilly, white shirt to bed. When I awake the next morning, they're both a bit crumpled, but it soon becomes clear that's not my biggest worry.
Although I'm still lying on a comfortable mattress surrounded by puffy pillows, I'm in a totally different room than the night before. Gone are the fabric-covered walls and fireplace.Instead, almost everything around me is made of wood. I knew I had been tired,but I guess I didn't realize how much this ordeal had taken out of me. Afterseveral restless days and a few glasses of rum, my slumber last night must havebeen deep enough to miss being moved. My throbbing head makes me wish I stillwere in such a blissful state. Slipping out of bed, I hobble to the wall of windows and confirm my suspicions. Beyond the glass, a foamy wake splashes below. I'mback on a ship, and we're at sea.
Pressing my forehead to the cool pane, I take a deep breath consider my options. One, I can crank open the window and jump to my most certain death. Two, I can keep a low profile, perhaps even gain the sympathy of a crew member or two, and attempt to escape at a better moment. Not dying before breakfast seems more practical, and Ichoose the second alternative.
I remember the captain's words from last night and know that I'm nothing more than an asset. He needs me—or rather, he needs Luciana—to get something. What that is, I don't know, but until Kincade achieves his goal, I can't reveal I'm just a housemaid born to a lowlySpanish soldier and a poor, native girl. As long as the Pirate King continues to believe that I am the daughter of Admiral Francisco Mercado, chief officer of the Fort of Portobelo, Panama, I am safe.
This is affirmed when I find the cabin door unlocked. Kincade also obviously agrees that as long as we're in the open waters, I'm not prone to escape. This gives me hope, and I peek into the empty hallway. Returning to find my boots, I pull them on while testing my knee's movement. Although it's still a bit stiff, walking gets easier with every step. I'm so focused on this progress I almost head out before realizing there's something I've forgotten.
The captain has displayed chivalry towards me, but I can't expect his men to do the same. Twisting my hair into a knot, I cover my head with a drab kerchief. Even though I can't hide my gender, the less attention I attract to myself, the better.
Ready to tackle the unknown, I leave the room and walk past the mates' quarters. Pushing open a door, I exit onto the main deck. The bright sunlight hurts my eyes, but I squint upward at the sky. Apart from a few small clouds, the weather is clear and it leaves the rays unobstructed. I walk forward, enjoying the newfound warmth on my face.
"Hey! Wotchit!" someone yells as my boot connects with wood, and water sloshes out of a bucket.
Sidestepping around the puddle, I look down at a boy about my age kneeling in my shadow. I mumble a curt "sorry," but he's already gone back to scrubbing the knotty planks. Uttering the small word is enough to make me aware of my parched mouth, so I turn back toward the lad.
"Is there anything to drink around here?" I force a smile.
He doesn't look up, but instead nods toward a large, upright barrel behind the door. "Ova' there."
After removing the container's lid, I fill the attachedcup to the brim. I take a large swig, but instead of the sweet taste of fresh water, I get a mouthful of the vilest thing I've ever tasted. It's what I imagine water tastes like after being used to wash soiled linens and left out in the sun for a week. I didn't think it was possible, but it's even worse than last night's rum.
ČTEŠ
Plunder (The Pirate King Series, Book 1)
Historická literaturaHe just wants her booty, but she'll end up stealing his heart. ***** After pirates kidnap seventeen-year-old Ana in a case of mistaken identity, the orphaned housemaid prepares fo...
Wattpad Original
Zbývají ještě 2 bezplatné části