Chapter 50 - The most beautiful

Standing in the huge balcony Eloise gazed at the open sea in awe. She had been on this ship for almost two months now. So much has happened. Even the slight wavering phase of the ship had sunk into her gait. She could easily balance herself well on the deck. 'I'm sure if I get down on the solid ground I would be wavering and walking around like a baby chick.'

She took a gulp of the brandy with a grimace.

'Ancient drinks are really not that good... but fuck this hit the spot…'

Unknown to her Raymond watched her from the shadows. His eyes fell on her slender pink hand holding the bottle to her silver-white hair. Her short hair was elegantly styled with a ribbon. It really matched her youthful vigor. Then his eyes fell on her slender neck that was exposed to the cold night wind.

'Why isn't she wearing a shawl? It's too cold out here... she might get the chills.' It was his only thought as he peered at her. But as his gaze roamed below, he noticed her slender waist and her wavering skirt, and his mouth went dry.

Eloise Ayles was a beautiful lady. So beautiful that she was comparable to the moon. She was shining in the midnight light. He couldn't take his eyes off her, nor could he move, looking at her beautiful stature.

'Any man would be lucky to have her as his....'

'But she can't be mine… the monster in me will destroy that beauty.'

He did not wish for her beautiful smile to disappear from this world. So, he had to leave her be. He has to keep his distance from her to keep her safe.

Regretfully he looked away. 'She can't be mine… I can't think of her like this…'

Fred gently patted his shoulders, gesturing for him to move away.

"Sorry," mumbling he backed away.

"I'll check on something and I'll be back." Fred bowed slightly and walked out of the balcony leaving him all alone.

Even though he didn't wish to admit he was thoroughly enjoying the view.

he watched her drink gulp after gulp, grimacing each time she took a sip.

'Does she not like the drink? Should I get a better one? Brandy is never a good drink for a tender lady like her. It's too strong.' He slightly frowned at the thought.

Any normal human would have collapsed after consuming such amounts, but lady ayles seemed to be standing staring.

Suddenly, the ship rocked side to side.

The young lady swayed as well, moving dangerously close to the short railing.

"Be careful now!" he shouted, reaching out and steadying her.

A cold skin startled him a bit. "you're freezing!" he hurriedly pulled off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.

All the while, Eloise peered at him through her woozy eyes.

It felt unnerving to be watched by her like it. Raymond squirmed slightly. "You must go in. it's unsafe to be staying of here all alone."

"You're all alone to mister Raymond." She hiccupped with a small smile. "Care for a drink? I don't have anyone to cheer it with." She held up the empty cup that she did not use. "You use this. I'll drink from this,"

Dazed Raymond took the empty glass from her.

She poured some for him. "Drink up buddy~" she clicked her bottle to his glass and took a swing. "agh, this thing tasted rank! I wish I could make good wine. Wine that actually tastes good." she mumbled, swirling the bottle around.

"You're drunk." Raymond grabbed her harm even more securely. "Go in, miss Eloise."

"nope~ who wants to go in there? It's like a piranha pool. They are just waiting to take a chunk off of me. Maybe they are scheming for my crate of gold." She said with her eyes squinted.

Raymond chuckled. The people outside probably tried to chummy up with her only because of her connection with him. But this innocent young lady seems to have not made that connection. "Probably."

"I know, gold makes people crazy." She rolled her eyes and leaned again over the railing with a sigh. "I'm going to use that crate of gold and make it into a thousand crates of gold. As my business partner, you will get a fine share of it too, mister duke~" she pulled at his shirt playfully.

Accidentally, her finger touched his collarbone. Raymond shivered with just a touch.

He backed away immediately but to his surprise, Eloise, who was holding onto his collar, did not let go. The girl was pulled by him and was almost hanging off the balcony.

"Wait, don't move!" he moved closer and hugged her slender waist. "How reckless of you! You could have fallen off!"

"But you caught me, right? It's all in good then," she giggled, clinging to his shirt. "Wow your shir is soft... is it made of cotton or hemp? What is this material? Maybe I could make a pad off of this. my menstruation pad is too rough, I heard its hemp... tsk"

Raymond was baffled hearing her talk about intimate stuff. Blushing, he held her hand. "I'll escort you back to your room."

"no~ I'm having so much fun here. The sea breeze is so so nice... come on. Let's have some fun while drinking," she shook her half-empty bottle.

To his surprise, he watched her climb over the railing.

"You! What are you!" he grabbed her tightly.

Eloise jumped onto his balcony. "Phew that was fun~ let's do it again."

Raymond glared at her whilst holding her close. "You, young lady are going to bed. No more brandy or any sort of alcoholic drink for you! I'll talk to your mother about this!"

"Boohoo, why are you snitching on me." She clung onto his waist. "You bozo. You were supposed to be on my side. Mum will scold me so much and Odette will scrub me so hard in anger. See I lose a layer of skin every time I take a bath," she garbed his hand and placed it on her arm.

His callused fingertips glided on her soft baby-like skin. Gritting his teeth, Raymond had to hold back the urge to touch her even more. "let's go," he pulled her to the balcony door.

"no~" she stood her spot. "Raymond, you're not fine. I'll call Dom back here. I'll drink with him."

Raymond, who was on the way out, ran back to her and garbed her by her shoulders. "You are not to meet that man again. Do you hear me?!"

Eloise pouted. "Why not?"

"He is not someone you should get close to. He… his family is crazy," Raymond's thumb gently touched her slender shoulder bones through the thick coat. "Do you eat well?"

Eloise blinked at him, confused. "He is slightly crazy too, but he is a kid. Kids are crazy. you must treat him bad too, mister Raymond. You are old. No discrimination against kids."

Raymond felt his eyelids twitch. "I'm... I'm just twenty-five. not that old."

"it's like being forty at this time, right? Why aren't you married, by the way? Oops, I know why. sorry I brought up your delicate spot." She closed her mouth and looked up at him apologetically.

"What delicate spot? I don't get it…"

Right then, music started to play. Even though the closed balcony door it seeped out bringing out a weird atmosphere between them.

"Do you know how to dance duke?" Eloise smiled up at him.

"I do."

"I don't. I'm embarrassed to admit it. But I suck." She held up her slender hand to his face. "Can you teach me? Being the old person, you must be kind to your younger generation."

Raymond sighed. There Is no use trying to argue with a drunkard. "let's go,"

"Teach me. Please…." She pouted cutely.

Raymond held her hand gently. "You're too drunk to remember."

"I will remember everything. I'm bright, you see,"

Raymond peered down at her sea-blue eyes for a second. he had a bad feeling about this. he had an inkling that he would not be able to come out of these feelings that plague him if he danced with her.

"please~ if you don't, I'll ask Dom."

"I'll do it! don't go to Dom, you silly girl!"

Eloise giggled. "Good. Now hold my hand and let's dance."

Raymond slowly taught her the steps. Even though she was drunk, she was able to keep up with his teachings.

Slowly, they danced under the moonlight.

Eloise gazed up at him with a bright smile. "you're really good at this. Who taught you how to dance?"

"My mum…. She was a beautiful dancer." He pulled her closer. "Move to your right and take a step back. Then twirl."

Eloise did as she was told, but all of a sudden, the ship swayed slightly.

"Careful!" Raymond caught her mid-twirl and hugged her close to his bosom. "you, okay?"

Giggling, she glanced up at him. "I'm great. That was so fun…." she reached out and touched his chin. "you're so handsome... to bad... too bad…"

Raymond could not hold back anymore. He gently lowered his head and kissed her hand. "And you are the most beautiful."