Rose watched, his words cut off as he understood her meaning. A blush rose up on her cheeks, this was a highly improper conversation to be having. She looked away, not able to think on the matter anymore. She wouldn't need to, everyone from this moment on, rich or poor, would see her and imagine what the captain might have done to her. Could she plead with them that she was untouched? Would they believe her? Some may say they do, but in the back of their minds they might always consider this ordeal. Even if the captain kept his word, left her untouched, it would be too late to prove it, her innocence not sure of until her wedding night, which could very well be to someone other than the prince. Clenching her fists, she dug her nails into her palms. Why was she so angry? Perhaps it was because no one would believe her, even though she had never lied before in her life, no one would believe her story, her tale, and would judge her with falsehoods. How was that any bit fair?

Her anger abated a bit, her mind distracted by his question. "Undesirable?" A frown crossed her rosy lips, trying to gather his meaning. Perhaps he refereed to being handsome? "If by that you mean handsome, then wealth or status have little to do with it. I've seen many more knights with pleasing faces than I have lords." She remembered one particular knight, he had been so tall and handsome and she was so curious about him. Why, she couldn't explain, but she conceived ways to talk to him despite knowing that she shouldn't. Of course he hadn't been much interested in her, she had been but sixteen at the time, and soon after he left the castle, probably to escape her fascination. But as she thought about it, did he leave on his own, or had her strange attraction to him been noticed by others? Father would not have allowed it. Horror struck, she wondered if her innocent appraisal had caused the poor knight harm.

===

"Were ye? What could have been so bad that ye wont drink again?" Gerard sighed as he sunk into the cot, it wasn't the most comfortable thing in the world, the bedding a bit old and lumpy. Perhaps with his share he may buy a new mattress, since he was sure after their adventure in port with the princess they wouldn't be spending much time on land until, hopefully, they were no longer wanted. That was something he did not want to think about right now, as much as he was looking forward to a hefty ransom, the idea of trying to return the princess to her father without getting caught was well... it wasn't something he was sure they would manage. He leaned up on one elbow, taking another drink of the ale, his head starting to swim, being drunk more familiar to him than not.

He managed to scoot over enough so she could join him if she wanted to, he patted the cot and attempted a sly smile and a wink, but he wasn't sure in his slightly drunken state they would be all that effective.