Lunar Gaze

Chapter 16

"I cannot believe we are going with him." Kidd said as they walked onto the boat that took people on and off of Tortuga. They were on with multiple people, and it was pretty crowded. Kidd sat across from Josephine and Manuel, who sat on an opposite bench speaking to one another.

"When you arrive at my home, you'll have the best of everything." Manuel told Josephine as he sat next to her. He held her hand as he made her drunk on the description of his home. "I have running water, many servants whom I compensate, and gas lighting."

"Gas lighting?" Josephine asked in excitement. Then she turned to Kidd. "He has gas lighting!"

"And I have kerosene lamps." Answered Kidd under his breath. His short answer confused both Manuel and Josephine, which caused him to change his tune. "I'm looking forward to seeing your gas lighting."

"The more I speak with you, the more I realize not only are you beautiful but you come from status." Manuel commented. "Where did you reside in Jamaica?"

"Westmoreland." Answered Josephine. "And I was truly blessed. I hadn't realized how pampered I was until I left."

"I am so sorry for that." Manuel answered. "Are you certain you do not wish for me to take you back home?"

"I just wish to get to know you more." Josephine answered. "I've been dragged about by many people at this point and it's caused me to be a bit more cautious."

"Understood." Manuel answered. "Now about my beds, my pillows have only the softest feathers within them."

"That sounds divine." Josephine and Manuel went on and on. Kidd sat across from them with a sour face. He knew he wouldn't have a chance with Josephine, but what he didn't anticipate was her finding the attention of someone else so quickly. Although he would never dare admit it, envy brewed within him. Never had he seen Josephine so engaged before, it only reaffirmed what he believed before.

After making it to the mainland, Manuel led them to his carriage where his driver awaited them. He helped Josephine inside the carriage, then began to get in. That is until Kidd quickly got inside after Josephine, taking the seat next to her.

"That is okay." Manuel told Kidd. "I still will be the most engaging."

"What?" Josephine asked, but Manuel didn't clarify. He just got inside of the carriage and sat across from the two.

After a long distance, they finally arrived to Manuel's home. And what a home it was indeed. In the center was a courtyard, which was surrounded by two story cloisters. The courtyard was decorated with many plants of all types.

"I call it my garden of Eden!" Manuel exclaimed as they stood in the courtyard. Then he looked to Josephine. "And thankfully, now I have my fruit."

Josephine giggled as Manuel left kisses on her hand. Kidd scoffed at his sappy behavior.

"Allow one of my servants to show you to your room." Manuel suggested. Soon Josephine as led off under one of the cloisters and into a hallway. That left Manuel and Kidd alone.

Manuel's alluring nature subsided, and now they spoke man to man.

"You did a good job, there. Seducing Josephine." Kidd told Manuel.

"You could've probably done the same. You simply didn't seem to try." Manuel told him. Then he clapped to call over a servant. Picking up two gilded glasses of wine, he handed Kidd one. "You create suspicions in me."

"Why is that?" Kidd asked as he took a gulp of wine.

"She is delicious, that's undeniable. Why do you allow me to get so far with her?" Manuel asked.

"Because I know it's only temporary." Kidd answered. "You will delight her with all your wealth, but at the end of the day I am going to be the one bringing her home."

"And how can you be so sure of that? I have all the resources at my disposal to assist in her return home. All you have is a pirate crew and a prayer." Manuel challenged Kidd.

"Because men like you do this all the while. Picking up lassies, taking them back to places like this. Having your way with them, then doing it all over again." Kidd answered. "Sure, you may bring her home, but will she want your assistance by the end of this little visit of ours?"

Manuel grinned, then lifted his glass. "May the best man win."

"May I win." Kidd corrected, then finished off his wine in one shot. Manuel squinted at him as he swirled around the wind in his glass, then attempted the same. He slightly choked up on the process, causing Kidd the chuckle.

Manuel heard his slight laugh. "You may be wonder, where will I be sleeping tonight?"

Kidd got silent.

"And I'm sad to inform you the only extra room prepared was for Josephine. I suppose you'll have to spend your nights in the courtyard." Manuel informed Kidd.

Kidd grunted. "Of course." Then Kidd took a good look around the court yard. "Well, I guess I've slept in worse places."

"I can only imagine." Manuel answered. "But feel free to utilize one of my many baths. I'm sure that will come as a relief to you."

Kidd's grin immediately wiped away as he watched Manuel walk off. After he was left alone, he traveled in the hallway that he watched Josephine go down. Afterward he spotted her in a room, she sat in a chair with her feet soaking in basin. She seemed relaxed as ever, something that brought Kidd joy.

Josephine looked up and noticed Kidd, then gave him an even wider smile. "The servant just left to get some more water for my feet. They were filthy, I'm glad they can finally be washed."

"You've taken your bath already?" Kidd asked.

"Yes, now my feet are just getting extra tending to." Josephine answered. Kidd walked closer to Josephine.