by Toombs, Jane
One of the Spaniards bowed to Romell, then nodded his head toward the woman. "Dona Alcarez," he said. "Mi esposa."
Romell didn't need to know Spanish to realize he'd introduced his wife.
"Thank God," Adrien breathed, so softly that only she heard him.
Later, dressed in a yellow and white silk dress with a straight bodice and a gold band up the center of the skirt, Romell came out of the tent.
How strange it felt to be wearing these clothes lent to her by a wide-eyed Dona Alcarez. She'd grown so used to sarongs and robes that the petticoats and the gown seemed heavy and hot. But she was grateful to be decently covered and smiled her thanks at the woman.
With Dona Alcarez at her side, Romell found Adrien talking easily to the men. Now, though she saw the men's eyes still admired her, Romell was able to meet their gaze directly. Adrien introduced her and she nodded politely, not understanding what they replied.
A few moments later, Adrien led her away from the Spaniards and their encampment to a secluded spot along the beach.
"I'm amazed that such a fine lady would walk with a rogue like me," he said, grinning at her and indicating his bare feet and coarse cotton pants.
In answer, Romell raised her skirts to show her own bare feet. "Alas, Dona Alcarez has very tiny feet."
He laughed and caught her to him. "Thank God for the dona," he said. "I thought for a time I'd have to defend you against the lot of them."
"Are we really and truly safe? Will they take us with them when they sail?"
Yes and yes. Don Alcarez is a Spanish gentleman of honor. We can count on his word."
She reached up to touch his face. "Adrien, I'm so happy, I do love you. I have for a very long time."
"If you'd been less stubborn, we'd have been wed and done with it these many months."
She drew a little away. "Adrien! You cared not a whit for me at the time you wrote to your brother. How could I have married you then?"
"Oh, I was a fool as well, I admit it," he said. "But I'm taking no more chances. We'll be married as soon as this ship reaches Sumatra." He smiled slightly. "Although I'm afraid I told the good don you already were my wife. At the moment, it seemed the best way to protect you."
She stared up into his dancing blue eyes. "You seem to make a habit of telling people I'm wed to you." She tried to speak sternly, but broke into laughter. "Serves you right. Have you quite forgotten I bring no dowry? What will you do with a penniless bride?"
"Love her," he said, hugging her close. After a moment, he held her away. "I've been thinking. Wasn't it your dream to return to Virginia?"
"Virginia is the most wonderful place in the world." She took a deep breath. "Except for wherever you are Adrien, it matters not to me where we live, you and I, as long as we're together. I love you more than I love any land, any place. And, as for the money, I have you, that's wealth enough."
Adrien let her go. Reaching down, he raised Nicholas's great sword up between them. She stared at the gem-studded hilt.
"What was that about no dowry? As I recall, you handed this to me. The ruby alone should pay for our passage anywhere in the world," he said, dropping the sword back to his side. "I'll admit, though, that I've caught your enthusiasm for Virginia. We'll seek our fortune in the New World of America, as soon as we find a ship to take us."
She hugged him fiercely, overwhelmed by her love, and he raised her face to his.
"You're my new world," he said. "Once, many months ago, you quoted the poetry of John Donne to me. Listen while I use his words to tell you how I feel. Cupping her face with his hands, he looked lovingly into her eyes.
"O my America! My new-found land.
My Kingdom, safest when with one man-manned
My mine of precious stones, my emperie,
How blest I am in this discovering thee!"
The End
About The Author
Jane Toombs, the Viking from her past and their calico grandcat, Kinko, live on the south shore of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula wilderness. Here they enjoy refreshing Springs, beautiful Summers, colorful Falls and tolerate miserable Winters. Jane is edging toward ninety with her published books and has over twenty-five novellas and short stories to her credit. She’s been published in every genre except men’s action and erotica, but paranormal is her favorite. She’s a member of a closed twelve author promo group called Jewels Of The Quill, where she’s “Dame Turquoise”
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