The Duchess at Sea Read online

  Copyright (c) 2020 Marília Galvão Barbosa

  1st Edition

  Tittle: The Duchess at Sea

  Author: Marília Galvão Barbosa

  Cover: Débora Silva

  Editor: Faith Lane

  All rights reserved.

  All rights reserved. No parts of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either product of the author’s imagination or are used factiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses establishments or events is entirely coincidental.

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  EPILOGUE

  ACKNOWLEDGMENT

  ABOUT THE AUTOR

  CHAPTER ONE

  My arm hurt as I was dragged down the deck. The man who had just found me went up the stairs to the quarterdeck and opened a door behind the wheel. Laughing, he threw me inside and I almost lost my balance.

  “Look what I found, captain! I knew there was some food missing, and this girl is the bloody reason for it!”

  The man sitting at the table was nothing like I had expected for a pirate captain. He had a short brown beard and straight bangs fell slightly over his eyebrows; he was incredibly neat despite the creased gray shirt. He slowly folded the paper he had been reading and put it inside the first drawer of the table as his honey eyes traced my body up and down. I hugged myself and stepped to the side, getting away from the man who brought me here.

  The captain gestured for the man to leave and he complied, shutting the door. His shiny black boots were on the table, and he placed his intertwined fingers over his belly. I didn’t dare speak a word.

  “You got in at the last harbor two days ago, am I right?” I nodded in response. “Do you know we still have about five days to get to our next destination?” My answer was the same. “Well, we can’t have you aboard and do nothing. You shall cook for us as payment.”

  I gulped and my voice was low. “I don’t know how to cook.”

  He raised his eyebrows in fake surprise and his feet went to the floor so he could stand. Walking around the table, he approached me. Once he got too close, I stepped back until I hit the door.

  “Well, I’m sure we can find some other use for a pretty girl like you on my ship.”

  A shiver ran down my spine, regretting my desperate choice at that harbor only two days ago, but what could I have done? They were about to find me, and the ship I had bought a room in had already set sail without me.

  A stubborn tear slid down my cheek as I looked away.

  “Oh, don’t be like that.” He grabbed one of my shaky hands. “I’m sure your soft, rich hands can survive washing the dishes for a few days.” He laughed the moment my jaw dropped. “You are not to be harmed in my ship,” he said and walked away. “You are very lucky I’m a gentleman, but what were you thinking, boarding a pirate ship? And alone, nonetheless.”

  Did he think I was stupid?

  “I didn’t know it was a pirate ship!” I hissed, and he turned a surprised look at me for speaking so assertively all of a sudden. “It looked like a nice, normal commercial vessel that was going to the city of Keanys,” I remembered his words and then quickly added. “And I’m not rich.”

  As a pirate, I didn’t doubt he was already thinking of ways to profit over me. Maybe that was his main reason to keep me unhurt, but I didn’t want him to know my family was the richest in the country. I was already on a secret journey to ask for my grandfather’s assistance and I didn’t need to give him another trouble to handle. However, as he walked closer to me again with a smug smile on his lips, maybe I should promise him some money to guarantee I wouldn’t get hurt until we reached our destination.

  “Oh, you are. Maybe not much, but enough so you’ve always had someone cooking for you, isn’t that right?” He carelessly grabbed the tip of my side braid, playing with my dark curly hair.

  I stepped to the side, causing the strands slid away from his fingers. I had to hold the anger boiling within me. Who did he think he was to touch me like that?

  “If it means anything, can I have your word that I won’t be harmed?”

  “You have my word.” His tone was dead serious, and then he put a hand over his heart. “I am nothing but a gentleman.”

  I let out a laugh. “You’re a pirate.”

  “I’m not only that, my dear.”

  “The name is Lenna,” I lied. I wasn’t willing to give him my real name.

  “All right. Lenna. I’m Callum. You’ll be sleeping in my cabin until we reach our destination.”

  “Thank you, but I’d prefer to sleep in the navigation room.” I looked around. “I believe it’s not taken during the night, right?”

  “Not usually. But anyone can enter here at night, and although my crew is loyal and obedient, some are hard to control when they drink too much. I won’t be there to stop them.”

  A shiver ran down my spine once again. I could stay alone in here with the possibility of anyone walking in—including that big guy who found me—or I could be in his room. At least I’d have only one person to worry about. The latter didn’t seem such a bad option. Although intrusive and arrogant, Callum was also polite.

  “Fine, then…but don’t touch me,” I demanded.

  “I’ll keep my hands to myself.” He laughed and raised his palms innocently. “And yes, of course, you’re a rich folk, you demand just like one…” He opened the door. “Well, then, let me show you my ship.” He extended his arm as a noble gentleman would. He just wouldn’t waste a chance to mock me! I ignored the gesture and walked out by myself. He also stepped out of the navigation room and started leading me through a small tour around the ship.

  It wasn’t that different from other Galleon ships I’ve been to, there was the main deck with the forecastle in the front—where I was hidden with many barrels of foods and drinks for the two days, and where my satchel still waited for me. At the back, there was the sterncastle, with space for the officer’s quarters and of course, the captain’s quarters. Above it was the quarterdeck, the helm, and the navigation room.

  We went downstairs to the gun and berth deck, where many cannons were displayed near the hatches and men slept on nets or improvised beds on the floor. At the front part was a room for the infirmary and gunpowder stock. At the back, there was the galley with two cooks working. There was another level downstairs for food stock and what I assumed was their treasures, since he told me I wasn’t supposed to go further down. I didn’t care, though.

  “Now, it’s time to introduce you to the crew,” Callum said as he looked to a red-haired man approaching us.

  “Nate told me about our unexpected guest.” He turned to me. “I’m pleased to meet you, my lady.” He bowed for a second, but I couldn’t tell if he was sincere or if he was only teasing me.

  “This is my best friend and second in command, Felix.” Callum put a hand on his shoulder.

  “I’m Lenna,” I said.

  “So it’s true?” Another voice reached my ears right before I saw another guy coming towards us. He was wearing a red shirt, and he had an easy smile as he grabbed my hand to kiss it. I quickly pulled away. “It is like a dream to have a beautiful flower-like you aboard; a sight for sore eyes!”

  “I’m obliged.” I took a step
back.

  “By the way, I’m Enric, but you can call me Ric, or the man of your dreams if you will.” He leaned closer; he had interesting copper skin and dark curly hair. He looked like the opposite of Felix.

  Callum pushed Enric away from me, but the red hair was the one to speak. “I ask my humble apologies for my friend, he rarely knows how to act with the ladies.”

  “I think I’m supposed to wash some dishes, don’t you agree, Captain?”

  Felix choked a laugh, exchanging looks with Enric, I guess as if to say he had no chance with me this time. Callum suppressed his grin and nodded, taking me to the galley. He introduced me to the guys in the kitchen and after I was given some food, my dish-washing work began and I had to ignore the disgust for the rest of food.

  When all the dishes were inside the cupboards that the cookers showed me, I walked around the ship. It was good to finally stretch my legs after spending two days hidden behind those barrels.

  I expected everyone’s eyes to follow me all the time, however, the feeling of being watched was still annoying. I crossed the gun deck and went up the stairs; the main deck was less full, which was a relief. There was nothing but the beautiful blue ocean and sky everywhere I looked. I still needed to get used to the movement of the ship, although it wasn’t making me seasick. Stumbling around, I bumped into someone. The tall man glared at me; he had shoulder-length light brown hair and a beard.

  “Lenna,” he said.

  I was about to ask how he knew my name since we hadn’t been introduced, but I didn’t need to. At this point, Callum must have told all the crew, and since I was the only girl aboard, it wasn’t hard to know my name.

  “Yes. And you are?”

  “Alastair.” Then, he just walked away, bumping my shoulder as he left showing he didn’t care. How rude! He was more like the picture I had of a pirate. Anyway, I was glad he seemed to be the only one aboard who didn’t care to look at me with hungry eyes. I’d have preferred all of them to do the same, staying away and ignoring me until we reached our destination.

  Trying to get away from all the stares, I went to the only place I could be in closed quarters on this ship: the navigation room. Luckily, it was empty. I stayed there until it was time for dinner so I ate and started the dishwashing job once again.

  When my task was finally over, the captain escorted me to his room at the sterncastle. His cabin was the last one; to go through it, we passed by a small corridor with four doors, they were the officer’s rooms. I bet at least his best friend, Felix had one of those.

  “Please, make yourself at home,” Callum said. This was the last thing I wanted, but I remained silent as I entered.

  The room was about the same size as the navigation room; both had a little balcony at the back and a small door leading there as well. Big windows allowed me to look at the horizon, but he closed the curtains. There were also some cabinets on the wall under the windows. The bed was on the right side; it was big with drawers under it, and a shelf by its side, attached to the wall.

  On the opposite side, a huge drawer stood with a jar of water and bathing things lying around; at least he had some hygiene habits, or so it seemed. Near the window, there was a long sofa. A small table stood in the middle of the room with a chair. Callum opened a drawer under his bed and grabbed some blankets, giving them to me.

  “Enjoy your stay.” He gestured at the sofa.

  I was happy it was way more comfortable than the floor behind the barrels in the forecastle. I left my satchel under the sofa with the few clothes I had and took off my boots before I lied on the sofa. Using a folded blanket as a pillow and the other to cover me. Callum blew off the fire in the lamp on the table; the dim moonlight around the curtains barely allowed me to view him as he changed his clothes before he lay down on his bed.

  “Aren’t you going to change, my lady?”

  “I am fine as it is.”

  “Alright then.” He shrugged. “One more thing, if you get scared at night, all you have to do is cross the room.” He mocked me.

  I frowned and turned to face the opposite side. My tone came out more sarcastic than I had intended.

  “I’m obliged with your offer, though it’s completely unnecessary.”

  He laughed but didn’t say anything else. And then the room fell dead silent, apart from the wood clicking from time to time and the seawater against the ship.

  CHAPTER TWO

  I couldn’t sleep, so I threw the blankets to the side and stood up from the couch, I silently exited the captain’s quarters, leaving Callum asleep in his bed. I strolled down the main deck and reached the forecastle. I went up and supported my arms on the taffrail. The cool gentle breeze brushed against my hair, making some curly strands leave the braid and fly free in the wind. The moonlight made my skin look bluish and looking at my strange-hands; I felt like I was someone different. For a moment, I was pretending to be as free as the other people in the ship, but I was only fooling myself. They could come and go as they pleased, not bound to stupid contracts like I was.

  The dark sea met the navy blue sky in the distance, blending in a way it was almost impossible to tell which one was which. If it weren’t for the stars above and the moon gleam on the water.

  “Why must you give me so much trouble?”

  Distracted with the darkness around, I only noticed someone was near me when he leaned over the taffrail by my side. I jumped in surprise.

  “And why do you wish to give me a heart attack? Do you want to kill me?”

  “If I wanted it, I wouldn’t wake up in the middle of the night and get up from my bed, Lenna.” Callum pinched the bridge of his nose.

  “I’m fine here, you know. You don’t have to stick around every second while I’m on board. The crew is sleeping, anyway.”

  “The only way I can guarantee to keep my word is if I’ve got an eye on you all the time.”

  “Didn’t you say your crew was obedient?”

  “Didn’t I tell you I can’t control their every movement?”

  “Or maybe you’re just around because I’m the closest thing you have to entertainment on this ship?”

  “I can’t deny there’s a bit of truth in there.” He shrugged. “After all, there is no other woman aboard and something different is always interesting.”

  I rolled my eyes. I didn’t expect anything different, but then again, he wasn’t that boring himself. Callum was smart—smarter than I expected a pirate to be. He not only knew how to read, but he knew the language pretty well since he barely made mistakes for as long as we have spoken. In fact, come to think of it, some members of the crew had the same characteristics, or so I’ve heard them speaking at the galley.

  “Will you stop looking at me like that?”

  “Like what?” I hadn’t even realized I was analyzing him until he spoke. Although I noticed the scar on his chin and how wide his shoulders were.

  “This intense look you have in those greenish-blue eyes that look like the shallow waters of Desllan beaches.”

  I’ve never been to Desllan, but I’ve heard it was a beautiful place.

  “Thanks.”

  “I didn’t mean it as a compliment, it’s…disconcerting.”

  My jaw dropped, and I turned away, frowning my eyebrows.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. I’ve been out of practice talking to women.” I kept silent and he leaned close enough so I could feel his warm breathing over my shoulder. “And I’m tired, thus not thinking straight.”

  His hand tried to touch mine, but I quickly crossed my arms to avoid it.

  “No one is stopping you.”

  “You will make me mad halfway through our journey, is it what you want?” I remained silent. “Why are you here in the middle of the night, anyway? Aren’t you sleepy?”

  “I’m tired, yes, but I don’t want to sleep—at a time like this when almost everyone is unconscious—is when I feel the freest.” And it’s also when I can walk around without being stared at a
ll the time.

  “Is it that you’re looking for in Keanys?”

  “Yes, and no…but you wouldn’t understand. You’ve got everything you want, you can go wherever you feel like. All you need is the wind on your sails and the sea to conquer.”

  “Not exactly…”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve always known that being a pirate was temporary. After Keanys, I’ll lead this ship to one more trip and then I’ll retire.”

  “Aren’t you too young for that?”

  “Retire of pirating. Not other things. I’ve received a letter from my mother and there are some things I need to do.”

  “Oh, so you have a family.”

  “Of course, don’t you?”

  “Well, yes, but I never thought people like you would have…”

  He laughed, supporting his head on his fist. “You are quite judgy, you know that?”

  “You can’t tell me you didn’t have misconceptions about being a pirate before you became one. Or about anything else.” I shrugged. “And why have you chosen it in the first place?”

  “My brother and I had a huge fight about ten years ago. That was when I decided to leave my home. Some very good friends followed me, and we ended up agreeing to have this lifestyle for the fun of it.”

  “Your ideas about recreational activities are quite amusing.”

  “I’m flattered.” He dramatically put a hand on his chest. “So what exactly are you trying to get from this trip? Are you planning to get back home?”

  “Yes, but as the owner of my own choices.”

  “How so?”

  I wondered for a moment if I should tell him or not. I didn’t know how dangerous it’d be for him to know everything; therefore, I needed to be cautious about what I’d say.

  “My uncle wants to take everything that belongs to me by making me marry and when I do that, this union will take away the rights to what my family owns. My uncle is the next in line, so he’ll inherit everything as soon as I marry. And I don’t even know the guy!”