Lunar Gaze

Chapter 20

Both Josephine and Manuel rode their horses back to the house. And there, Manuel hopped off of his horse then helped Josephine off of hers. Holding her waist, he assisted in her stepping down. Afterward they stood there, his hands still holding her waist, and for a moment they looked into one another's eyes.

Josephine turned to walk away, but he held her hand. Manuel spoke, "Josephine, I have to tell you something."

"Go ahead." Josephine looked into his eyes. He took her other hand, then clasped them in his. Then he exhaled. Josephine's stomach began to flip. She'd yearned for a husband for so long, and now it seemed as though the opportunity to marry was presenting itself. But if that were the case, then why didn't she feel happy?

"You are an exceptional woman. And I would find it a pleasure if you'd like to stay here. Just a little longer, you see, we can get to know each other better." Manuel went on. "And then I hope you take me up on my offer to sail you home."

"Manuel, in a few days time I have to leave with Kidd." Josephine told him. Manuel frowned.

"Miss Josephine, I do not understand. I tell you that I can provide you a direct trip home, and still you wish to leave with him." Manuel commented. If Josephine was honest with herself, she didn't entirely know why she chose that either. Manuel was wealthy, well traveled. Everything a man should be. And yet, she wished to stand by a buccaneer.

Manuel looked into Josephine's eyes, and it told him everything he needed to know. "I understand."

"Thank you." Josephine said, then Manuel lifted her hands that were in his to his lips. He left a long kiss on her fingers, before letting them go.

"I suppose you should hurry. He was pondering whether or not he should leave today." Manuel told Josephine.

"Leave?" Josephine asked in a panic. "Is it possible he's already left?"

"Very much so." Manuel answered. Josephine ran off into the courtyard and spun in a circle. She looked up at all of the cloisters. 

"Well where could he be?" Josephine asked.

"I would check by the carriages." Manuel told her. The both of them ran off to where the carriages were kept on the grounds. After quite a distance, they spotted Kidd loading a bottle of rum into the carriage.

"Kidd! Wait!" Josephine shouted as she caught up with him. He paused before going into the carriage. "Where are you going?"

"You seemed pretty comfortable here." Kidd told her. "So I decided to leave you to your happiness."

"I'm happy with you." Josephine told him. "I can't believe you'd leave me. Especially without saying goodbye!"

"Josephine, I would only find it irresponsible to lug you along with me." Said Kidd. "I know how dangerous it can be, and I hadn't expected for our journey to Westmoreland to be changed."

"You will find a way." Josephine stepped closer to him. "I believe it."

Kidd looked into her brown eyes, and in his mind he found them to be beautiful. He wondered how there could be such a precious creation, the dark brown color suited her dark skin. How her fluffy hair cascaded around her face. She was wondrous.

"Well?" Josephine asked. Kidd nodded, accepting to take Josephine with him. That left only one last thing to do. Josephine exhaled in relief, then walked over to Manuel.

Manuel, both handsome and well rounded, he was the perfect man for Josephine. Despite all of his charms, still, she felt as though she belonged with Kidd. Manuel had a knowing look in his eyes.

"Be safe. And please, if you ever need assistance, write me." Manuel held Josephine's hands.

"Thank you. I am grateful." Josephine told him. Together she and Kidd loaded into the carriage and off they went. The journey to Tortuga was long but bearable.

Once they arrived, Josephine stood out amongst the people. Most would assume that she was a lady of wealth. People whispered as they watched her pass. "A Moor, is she?". She followed Kidd as he lead her, afterwards their destination was an inn.

Josephine looked at the building, then looked to Kidd. "How is it you can afford such a thing?"

"It's not the best of places." Kidd noted. "But I came into some money on our journey."

"Came into? But you held no occupation." Josephine commented, then after a moment she realized exactly what happened. Kidd's handsome jaw clenched as he clinked around coins in the inner pocket of his jacket.

"I did what was necessary. Now we eat and we have a place to sleep. What more could you ask for?" Kidd questioned. Josephine agreed and together they went inside.

"A single room." Kidd told the person at the desk.

Josephine looked at Kidd with surprise. "Do you not wish to sleep here?"

Kidd glared at Josephine. "We will be sharing a room."

"Sharing?" Josephine asked. "What kind of inn allows for both men and women to share?"

But right at asking that question, she took a good look at those who resided in the inn. And she realized there were whores all around. She whispered to Kidd. "I am no whore, I refuse to stay here."

"Then I suppose you will be sleeping on the floor." He answered. Stomping her foot, she walked away as Kidd acquired the key. He stopped in the middle of the lobby. "So you wish to go out there? Alone? Where God knows what may happen to you?"

"It is your job to protect me." Josephine told Kidd.

"And protect you I shall." Kidd answered. Josephine thought for a moment, then realized she had no choice. Walking behind Kidd, he led her to the room that the clerk told him they'd be residing in.

It was an old place, leaky walls were covered in water stains. Beams of wood ran across the ceiling. A bucket sat in the corner so that one may relieve themselves. But one detail stood out the most. It shocked Josephine to no end.

"There is only one bed!" She exclaimed.