章節 60: Last night on the ship

The captain came to the table and twiddled the gramophone handle. Unclear melody sounded from the trumpet. However, it was possible to recognize the waltz melody.

"Thank you for dinner," said Huron. "I am going to my room, because I want to get some good sleep before tomorrow."

The sorcerer rose from the table and walked out of the captain's cabin.

"Let's dance!" Julien smiled to Angelica.

He gave her his hand and they swirled in waltz. Lica closed her eyes and imagined herself dancing with Patrick. She was so beautiful that the captain could not resist and cuddled her. He kissed her on the lips, and Angelica, succumbing to her feelings, hugged Julien's neck. But suddenly she remembered the malicious face of Swein and his words: 'You are a courtesan!' Lica immediately pushed the captain and said:

"Sorry, Captain, I shouldn't have done that!"

"I should ask for excuse!" Julien said and stepped toward Angelica.

"No, no, no!" she said firmly. "It's wrong! Because we hardly know each other."

"But, Angelica..."

"No "buts"! Thank you for a wonderful dinner, captain!"

Lica resolutely turned and walked out of the cabin...

The night seemed too long. She felt herself guilty.

"Why did I do that?" she thought. "Swein was right! I'm too lightheaded! I am flirting one, then the other. But, on the other hand, I only seventeen! And I want to fall in love, flirt, live! Well, if marry, so what? Four walls, a husband and children? My husband will ban me everything! And you have to obey him? No, I don't want that! I want adventure. I want the wind into my face and a man nearby, who would accept my freedom-cantankerous character! Then maybe I get married... if nobody restricts my freedom!"

Angelica was thinking almost all night. She fell asleep only before down, exhausted by her own thoughts. She did not hear, that a sailor on the mast shouted: 'The earth!' She did not feel that the ship entered the harbor and dropped the anchor. Huron idly tried to wake her up. Lica was sleeping like a log.

The girl woke up because someone was touching her hand. She opened her eyes and saw that it was Julien.

"Are we in the harbor?" she asked, trying to wake up completely.

"Yes, for several hours," the captain smiled. "But you were fast asleep and we could not wake you up."

"Sorry," muttered Angelica, "I fell asleep in the morning."

"Never mind, I'm rather glad! You gave me a few hours pleasure to watch you while you were asleep. It was wonderful!"

Lica embarrassed, snatched her hands and got up.

"Tell me, captain, where Huron is?"

"He is in the tavern, checking the horses you have left before the journey. The animals have already fed, saddled and been waiting for you!"

"Well, then it's time to say goodbye!"

Angelica came to the captain and gave him her hand.

"Julien, I want to tell that I will never forget you and you will be always my best friend!"

The captain smiled, shook her hand, then suddenly leaned over and kissed her palm.

"Angelica," he said, "it was the first time in my life I have met a girl like you! You are strong, bold, beautiful and sincere... I hope that our meeting is not the last! Perhaps in the future you will change your mind and I will be not only your friend or brother, but also a man!"

Again, Lica wanted to embrace this honorable man, but she forced herself to hold back.

"Thank you for everything!" only she could say.

"Let's go to Huron until he finally loses patience!" Julien chuckled.

He took the girl on the deck and then down the gangplank Angelica came down from the ship. The sorcerer was talking to a fat man but noticing Lica, immediately interrupted the conversation and went towards her.

"At last!" he cried. "We are setting off immediately! Because of you, we've lost a few hours."

"Let's go!" she nodded.

Huron brought horses, and Lica jumped into the saddle. Honestly, she was tired of the sea and was pleased to be on land again. Angelica looked at Julien's ship and saw the captain standing on the deck. She waved her hand and sent 'a kiss'. Julien pretended that he had caught something in the air, and then pressed it to his heart. The girl felt a pang in her heart again, and not to crack up, she turned and pulled the reins. The riders went away from the village...