Lunar Gaze

Chapter 17

As Josephine sat in the chair, she never noticed exactly how tall Kidd was. And he was brawny too, likely due to all of the fighting he'd done in his life. He had to keep up a good shape. She'd spent all day swooning over Manuel, she hardly remembered how handsome Kidd was.

But Josephine knew a relationship between she and Kidd could never be. After all, he belonged to the seas. Forever traveling and pirating, he would be far from a good husband for her. But from a physical perspective, he seemed delightful. Westmoreland seemed to have a shortage of men who looked like him. Rugged and yet still so handsome one may even describe them as pretty.

Kidd suddenly took a seat at a small stool that sat in front of the basin. Josephine questioned him. "What could you possibly be doing? That's where the servant is to sit."

"I'll fill in while she's gone." Kidd nodded. "Seems as though she's taking far too long."

"And what does that have to do with—" Before Josephine could finish her thought, Kidd grasped his large hand around her ankle. His hand was so big that her ankle fit into it as though it were a limp wrist. He lightly lifted her foot from the water, then took the sponge to trickle water over her foot. He softly stroked her soles, but just firm enough where it wouldn't tickle.

"That feels amazing." Josephine said softly as he massaged her foot with the sponge. Then he allowed it to lower into the water. She shut her eyes as he continued, allowing his massage to relieve her. It felt intimate and sensual, and caused such feelings in Josephine she began to get uncomfortable.

Unwilling to feel such things for Kidd, she immediately took her feet out of the basin and stood up from her seat. Kidd was surprised as the water splashed up in one swift motion.

In that moment, the servant returned. "Miss Josephine, no! You will dirty your feet again. Please, allow me to bring you slippers!"

Josephine sat back in the chair, where the servant kneeled and lifted her ankle. She looked at the bottom of Josephine's foot which now had dirt on it all over again.

"Senora Josephine, I'll have to wash it all over again." The servant said. Then she noticed Kidd, who stood there staring at Josephine. He looked at her as though he were undressing her with his eyes. Josephine had a sense Kidd was the kind of man to have seen multiple ladies without their slip on.

"Please, I must complete washing her." The servant told Kidd.

He nodded and then began to walk out. "I apologize. I'll be on my way."

The bedroom given to Josephine was extravagant. A canopy covered the large rococo bed. Once again, Josephine was in an affluent place, far more affluent then Westmoreland in fact. And yet, she still felt sorrow.

Now not only did she feel homesick, but she felt another sickness as well. Ever since her encounter with Kidd, she couldn't stop thinking about him. She felt foolish for doing so, Kidd was nobody to her. Yes, he saved her life, but there was nothing he could truly do for her. After this whole ordeal, it only made sense for her father to compensate him and send him on his way.

But why did the thought of him forever being out of her life bother her so?

Moreover, as she changed into a nightgown she noticed something else. Her recent bath proved to be for naught. After Kidd rubbed her feet in the most sensual of ways, she'd become excited between the legs. The reaction her body had to Kidd both excited her and scared her. Never had she felt such a way for a man before, and yet the thought of him having such an effect was terrifying.

As she laid alone in the large bed, she further contemplated her situation. Manuel was extremely handsome and especially wealthy. Plus, he'd already expressed serious interest. Her father would surly appreciate a man like Manuel, even if he is a dirty Spaniard.

The next morning, Josephine awoke to a dress on a mannequin in front of her bed. Immediately she got up, walking up to the mannequin to study the dress. It was a silky fabric that was gold in color, and had the most intricate designs of birds. But not just any birds,

"Doctor birds." Josephine whispered to herself, which is a bird that is common in her country.

Proudly she allowed the servant to help her put it on, and with her head up high she arrived in the area where the residents would be eating breakfast. It was on a terrace that had a Spanish styled dining set, it opened to a beautiful garden.

Kidd stood facing the garden, looking out at of its opulence and beauty. Manuel sat at the table, where he wore a satisfied grin. "You looking stunning."

Kidd turned around, and immediately when he laid eyes on Josephine he choked on fruit he was chewing. "You look..."

"Just what I bought you." Manuel stood from his seat and walked to her. "You had no problem making alterations to it, no?"

"It was a breeze." Josephine smiled with Manuel as they looked down at her dress. Then she glimpsed at Kidd, who still stared at her long and hard. He was in awe, he hadn't seen her look so beautiful since before the unspeakable happened.

"Please join us to eat." He invited. Josephine walked to the table and stood in front of a chair. Both men reached to help her pull her chair out. She shyly looked down as Kidd removed his hand from the seat, allowing Manuel to pull it out for her. Sat she sat, he reached around and placed his fist in front of her bosom. She wondered what exactly Manuel was doing, until he opened his hand to reveal yellow topaz earrings.

"Oh, Manuel. It's all too much." Josephine smiled as she picked the earrings up with her fingers. This angered Kidd, who darted off into the garden after seeing Josephine receive the earrings.