Chapter 29 Chapter 29

Chapter 29 Chapter 29

Charlotte POV

I was woken up by the roosters crowing this morning. I stretched and felt the soreness in my private area. I did not know how I was going to get through the day. But I was going to do it. Marcus was sitting up in bed. He was getting ready to go do something he had planned. I had no idea. Last night I was afraid to tell Marcus that I loved him. I don't know why, but I was. Maybe because the only man that I told I love you was my father. I did not know, after everything my father put me through, whether I did love him. I think I said it to him because I was expected to. I hope he wasn't thinking that I loved the man that I was being forced to marry. Because the only feeling I had for Mr. Waterford was disgust.

I slowly reached up and gently rubbed his back. I turned around.

" Hey, baby."

" Hey, my love."

He stiffened up when I said," My love. I think he was not expecting that. I wanted him to know that I did love him and that Mr. Waterford meant nothing to me. I had no friendly feelings for him. He turned around and looked at me.

" What did you just say?"

" I called you my love."

" Charlotte, do you love me?"

" Yes, Marcus, I do."

Why would he question if I truly loved him? I have never loved another man in my life. I did not love him just because he was my first. I have had feelings for him since I met him on the ship. I could see on his face that he was thinking, and I wish I could read his mind to find out what he was thinking. But we have all day, and I hope for a life together. He had not mentioned getting married, but I was hoping that one day we would. It did not matter to me that he was a warlock and a pirate. Not all the stories about pirates being cruel and nasty turned out to be true.

Marcus was said to be cruel and to torture anyone who did not agree with him. But what I could see from his men and even the women who worked in his seemed happy and not afraid. They could be acting because I am here. He told them to act like they were happy for my sake, but they genuinely seemed happy. I did sense a hint of fear in some of them. But I think it's because they are pirates, and there is the chance that if they get caught, they will be put to death. There was not just a chance, but it would happen. He lay back down on the bed and pulled me close to him. He kissed me on top of my head. I lay next to him and ran my hands up and down his chest and stomach.

" Marcus, can I tell you something?"

He stiffened up and got real quiet. Then he started rubbing my shoulder again.

" Yes."

" The man my father was forcing me to marry was way older than me."

I wanted him to know that I never loved him. That he meant nothing to me.

" I never loved him."

I know he thinks I would say that just so he would feel better. However, it was true that Mr. Waterford meant nothing to me. He continued to rub my arm, then he gently lifted my chin and looked into my eyes.

" Charlotte, whatever your life was like before is what it was."

My life before him was boring, and I was just considered a trophy to be put on display. I was to sit, be quiet, and just be there for people to look at. My life was nothing but looking pretty and obeying my father.

" Marcus, I want to be honest with you."

All I wanted to do was be honest with him and let him know that I really did love and trust him. I told him the days I spent finishing school. Learning how to serve tea and how to be courteous. Also learning waltzes and proper dancing. I told him that when I came home, my father was abusive. I would go to school during the day and have to come home at night. He continued to tell me I could do whatever I wanted. Then he said something that was almost like a threat, but also a promise.

'" The only thing is that you belong to me and only me."

Even though it sounded possessive and almost dangerous, I agreed with him.

'" I wouldn't have it any other way."

He then said he had chores to do. I wanted to help him. When I stood up i felt the pain in between my legs. I knew that I would be sore. Even though he made love to me gently, I was still sore. I told him that I wanted to help, and he said I could. I had to walk differently today because if I tried to walk normally, it hurt; if I tried to walk any other way, I was uncomfortable. It wasn't like a screaming pain. It was just an unpleasant feeling. I had heard that women walked funny after their first time, and I was no exception. It was different. We fed all the animals and then went in for breakfast. He then asked if I wanted to help work on the boat, but Eleanor said I needed to rest today.

As much as I wanted to help, I was glad that she had said something. Also, she put a pinch of opium in my coffee to help with the discomfort. I was getting sleepy, though not much. Marcus kissed me, and then he left the kitchen.

" So, young lady."

" How was last night?"

Just as she asked that question, Chelsea walked into the kitchen."

" Did you and Marcus do your thing last night?"

How did she know that we had sex? I guess everyone knew. That was OK. We sat in the kitchen and talked about it, and Eleanor gave me some advice.