Retired for the evening, her duties on board as cabin boy completed, Angelique removed the rough cotton twill shirt and unbound her full breasts. Rubbing them to restore the blood flow she hissed as tiny pinpricks of pain spread over the creamy globes. God would this journey ever be over? She felt as if she'd spent half her lifetime on board a ship.<br/><br/>Mentally cursing her father, Randolph DeWarrene, the Earl of Eastbrook, the bastard had always hated her. After her mother deserted them, the six-year-old child had turned to her father, starved for love and affection only to be repeatedly rebuffed or ignored. Having no other outlet, she turned to the servants to provide the love she desperately needed.<br/><br/>Now nineteen he had sold her to Count Karl Essen who at 58 desired a virginal bride to get an heir on. It was on the eve of her departure that her father finally told her why he hated her. Deep in his cups, he told her that her mother was a French whore who had cheated on him throughout their entire marriage and had run away with her lover when Angelique was six. “You look like the whore, you aren't even my child, you should be grateful I provided for you all these years, the least you can do to repay me is marry the man I chose for you.” he told her matter of factly. Angelique had spent the entire night crying. Deciding never to let a man use her again, she vowed to somehow be free of this Count and live her own life.<br/><br/>When she arrived in Sweden, she discovered her betrothed was fat, old, hideously ugly, and cruel. She lasted two days, avoiding his wandering hands and crude attempts to bed her before the wedding.<br/><br/>Thankfully, a sympathetic servant took pity on her, dressed her as a boy, and had her cousin sign her on as cabin boy neglecting to tell him he was a she. The journey for the most part was uneventful. She did put up with a lot of ribbing and the roaming hands of the sailors who didn’t care if she was male or female, both had holes to fuck. She drew more than her share of attention due to her feminine looks. She pulled her long ebony hair up and tucked it in a knit cap, her delicate features, startling violet eyes and full lips were far too feminine for the sailors to resist. She had to fight off several before the captain finally intervened and told his crew to leave her be.<br/><br/>The sole passenger on the ship was a beautiful blonde Swedish princess. She had shyly made her acquaintance one day delighted to find she spoke fluent French. She felt sorry for the young princess, knew how she felt having to leave the only home she’d ever known, and travel to a foreign country to wed a man she didn’t know. The two became as close as they could despite the difference in their stations. She couldn’t reveal that she was a woman or the daughter of an English Earl for fear of reprisal. It didn’t matter, the princess was sweet natured, intelligent and thoughtful and Angelique truly enjoyed their conversations.<br/><br/>Angelique was on deck when they sailed into port, joining in with the men to make ready  to disembark. Spying the Princess, she gave her a bright smile and walked up to her. "I'm sure your husband to be will be gentle and handsome, you will have a wonderful life," she reassured the nervous young woman.<br/><br/>"Eric quit dawdling and get back to work," Angelique sighed and obediently resumed her task. "Aye, aye Captain," she answered, her eyes drifting to the dock. New country, new life. She had to get off the ship and find a position, perhaps as a governess or maid. She laughed to herself, wouldn't that serve her father right!