Tudor Rubato

by Jamie Salisbury

  “Yeah, it doesn’t get much better than this. Maybe in the spring if we decide to stay on in Scotland we can find a sailboat to rent or something.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that. That’s a wonderful idea sweetie.”

  We sat there quietly, soaking up the sunlight and the pristine beauty. “Do you want to try and fish for our supper or have those steaks?” He asked quietly.

  “I’m game for whatever you want to do.”

  “Then what about we try and fish for a while. I’ll need your help getting the inflatable into the water though.”

  The inflatable was just that. An inflatable dingy we used to get to land or go out fishing in. Amadeus didn’t like to tow it behind because it put a drag on the boat and slowed her down. However, once we put her in, we’d have to tow her behind as she was too heavy for the two of us to drag back on the boat.

  Once we had managed, with great trial and error to get the small boat into the water, Amadeus tied it up alongside the “Tudor Queen” and I began passing him fishing gear. He’d already stowed the poles in the inflatable so half the job was done. I passed him a small cooler of beer before I went down to change into my bathing suit. I figured I might as well try and get some sun and knew from past experience that there was no way I’d remain dry.

  Amadeus skillfully rowed us to an area he thought we might catch a certain species of fish. He patiently baited a hook for me and handed me a pole, then went about doing the same for himself. I caught him grinning to himself or so he thought. I stuck my tongue out at him to let him know I was on to his ruse. He knew I liked to fish, just not bait hooks. Not even if they were flies or fake bait. I also had a reputation with him of catching some of the nastiest looking fish in the sound. I don’t know what they were, but he always threw them back. And that gave him great pleasure, wondering if I would do it once again.

  I silently passed him a beer as he forbid any talking while fishing. He accepted it and after taking a long pull off of it, placed the bottle in a safe place. He began trying to fish and get us something for dinner.

  After about an hour, we gave up and headed towards the shoreline. He had a bucket and a couple of shovels and since the tide was down thought we might try our luck at clamming.

  Clams are quick little suckers. They can bury themselves down deep in the sand so fast you can never catch them. After about a half hour or so of managing to only catch a half dozen, and laughing so hard at our ill gotten attempt, Amadeus took each clam from the bucket of salt water and placed it back into the sand. Steaks it seemed were going to be our meal.

  We sat outside enjoying the sun going down after dinner. The dishes could wait. This was the one time of the day we always enjoy on the boat, watching the sun make its way over the horizon.

  “Zara, we can either go on to Damien’s tomorrow or we can sail closer and arrive Sunday morning. What do you think we should do?”

  “Why don’t we play it by ear and see what tomorrow brings. I’d sort of like to get there tomorrow afternoon. Your mother will already be there and we should spend as much time as we can with her before we leave.”

  “Okay, and while we’re talking schedules, I thought we could leave out late Sunday or first thing Monday morning. We’ve got a lot to do in a short amount of time you know.”

  “I know, I know, but your mother’s right. We need to go ahead and not procrastinate about our departure. It’s a good excuse for her to get away and visit us.”

  It didn’t take long for either of us to fall asleep after we turned in. The sound of the waves lapping up against the hull of the boat was soothing and the best tranquilizer a person could ask for. I woke up early in the morning, before dawn and snuggled even closer to Amadeus. He wrapped his arm around me, and it wasn’t long before we were sensually making love. He mounted me as we were locked in a passionate kiss, our tongues entwined. I spread my legs to accommodate him as he slowly pushed his way inside me. I wrapped my arms around his muscular shoulders, noting to myself how much more fit he was since his coma. We rocked together as he thrust in and out of me. I could feel him as he climaxed inside me, his body shuddering at the experience. He leaned up and kissed me, before laying on me, murmuring words of endearment.

  When he regained his breath, he rolled off of me, taking me with him and holding tightly on to me. I felt his hand find its way to my clitoris as he gently began to rub me.

  “Come on sweetheart, I know I didn’t give you a chance to come.”

  I moaned as I rubbed my body against his fingers. The closer I came to release, the harder I rubbed against his hand. Once I had finished we held on to each other tightly.

  “Zara?” I heard him ask.

  “Hmmmm?”

  “I know we haven’t discussed this, but have you given any thought as to trying to have another baby?”

  I lay there silently, stunned. We had not talked about it. “Well,” I began sheepishly, “I’m not trying not to get pregnant, if you get my drift. So to answer your question yes I have, and I would like nothing better than to get pregnant again, Amadeus.”

  “It’s okay with the doctors then?”

  “Yes. And if it’s like last time, I certainly won’t have a problem conceiving.”

  “I know,” he replied. “That’s what I’m counting on.” He let out a laugh from deep inside his throat.

  “You know what they say, don’t you?”

  “That practice makes perfect? And you and I certainly are good at practicing, aren’t we?”

  Chapter Five

  We decided to make our way to Damien and Julia’s island home the next day after the weather turned and became overcast. It drizzled and was a good deal colder than the day before. But like any day in the Pacific Northwest, blink and the weather will likely change.

  Once we arrived and walked toward the house I saw a familiar figure along with Angus’ children come toward us. It was Amber. I jerked my head in Amadeus’ direction, and for some reason he did the same. Did he know I knew what had been happening?

  “I thought this was a family affair,” I said to Amadeus. “What’s she doing here?”

  “I have no clue, babe.”

  Grace came out of the house behind Angus and a couple other people. When our eyes met, I could instantly tell she was not happy about something, and she made it quickly known.

  As Amadeus and his brothers walked back toward the pier to make sure the boat was well secured, Grace let me know what was making her unhappy.

  “You’ve met Angus’ new nanny, Amber, haven’t you Zara?”

  “Um, yes, we met at William’s wake. I didn’t know Ashleigh and Angus had need of a nanny.”

  “Evidently Angus thinks Ashleigh needs some help with the children. I don’t know why. She’s always done such a wonderful job on her own.” Grace replied, glancing in Ashleigh’s direction.

  Before Ashleigh could answer Grace, Amber stepped in. “Angus thought Ashleigh could use some time to pursue some of her own interests. He asked if I’d be interested in the job, and I said sure.”

  “I just bet you did,” I replied. “If you don’t mind Amber, since it is your job to take care of Ashleigh and Angus’ children, might I suggest that you go do exactly that.” It wasn’t a question, it was an order and everyone knew it.

  Ashleigh began to apologize when Grace stopped her. Grace was far more intuit than I’d ever given her credit for. This was exactly what she had been trying to let me know at lunch. That she knew of Amber and what Angus thought he was going to do.

  “Don’t apologize for my son’s stupidity Ashleigh. Zara knows what’s going on here, so let’s none of us pretend. Use her for the purpose for which Angus says he hired her for. Make sure she fulfills her job as your nanny to the fullest. Understood?”

  Ashleigh nodded her head. “I’m sorry Zara, Angus just can’t keep his nose out of other people’s business. It’s a bad habit--one that’s going to backfire and get him in trouble.”

  “It already has, Ash
leigh,” I replied.

  “How?” Ashleigh asked. I saw her look over in Amber’s direction.

  “Zara, what happened?” I heard Grace ask.

  I saw Julia making her way out of the house. Good, a diversion. “I don’t want to discuss this right now. We’re here for something far more important, and we need to gather as a family.”

  I had no intention of adding fuel to the fire. Everyone was aware something was not right and I was not going to put myself and Amadeus in the middle of it. I had promised the detective I would observe Angus’ actions and that’s exactly what I would do over the next couple of days.

  “Zara, I’m so glad you and Amadeus got here so early,” Julia said, looking toward the dock.

  “Well, the weather was sort of messing with us, so we decided to head on over early rather than later or in the morning,” I replied. “Oh and Julia, we’re planning on sleeping on the boat so you don’t have to worry about where to put us. I love falling asleep on it. It’s so soothing.”

  “Of course. I know what you mean. Damien and I have been out sailing a few times this summer. Not anything overnight, but at least he feels like sailing.”

  “That is awesome, Julia.” I noted a look of pride on her face. She and I both shared something in common. Our husbands had been incapacitated at a young age and both had recovered successfully. “It feels good to see him coming back, doesn’t it?”

  “Yes, yes it does, Zara.”

  ******

  Amadeus and I walked down to the dock later that evening. I had my arm around his waist and he was holding me close, his arm around my shoulder. The weather had cleared somewhat. There was a thin slice of the moon darting in and out of the clouds. He climbed aboard and helped me onto the deck.

  “Do you mind if we sit outside for a while?” I asked. “Unless you’re too beat, I’ll understand if you are.”

  “No, it’s nice out. Why don’t I pour us a brandy,” he replied, a mischievous grin crossing his face. “I’d ask you to take off your clothes, Mrs. Tudor, but I’m afraid one of my young nieces or nephews might be lurking about.”

  I giggled at the thought of us being caught by one of the youngsters, some of them not so young anymore.

  Amadeus raised his voice for any of them who might be around to hear, “Yeah I remember how I used to love to spy on the adults when I was younger. Got my ass whipped when I got caught too.”

  “Do you think that helped?” I inquired.

  “If it didn’t they at least know I’m on to them.” He opened the hatch and went down inside as I sat back to take in the evening air. It had been a long day. A long and trying day, with a tension in the air with the discovery that Angus had for some reason hired Amber on as a nanny. Something wasn’t right I could feel it, but I wasn’t going to let his ulterior motive ruin my and Amadeus’ weekend.

  Amadeus reappeared carrying two plastic cups filled halfway full with brandy. I shook my head at the sight. He handed me one as he sat down across from me. We sat there in silence, enjoying the peacefulness.

  “Zara, nothing happened.”

  “Wha…” I glanced over at him before I realized what he was talking about. He was bringing up Amber.

  “Amber and me. Nothing happened between us, Zara.”

  “I know.”

  “How? How do you know?”

  “I just do Amadeus. I’ve known you for many, many years. I know you better than you probably know yourself. You’d never hurt me like that. Oh, you might get mad at me and think about it, but that’s as far as you’d ever take it.”

  “You’re right,” he chuckled. “I did think about it. But that’s as far as it ever went. I was madder than a wet hen and I thought I could get back at you if I slept with someone else. But when it boiled down to doing it, I couldn’t.” He took a long pull of his cup of brandy before leaning across, and taking my hands. “I love you Zara, only you.”

  “I know, and I love you too, with all my heart Amadeus. What I want to know is what Angus is up to and why he brought her here under the guise of a nanny.”

  “I haven’t figured that part out, babe. And even stranger is why Ashleigh is allowing it. There’s something else going on we don’t know about.”

  “Well what I do know is that your mother does not like her or her being here, and she’s quite perturbed at Angus and Ashleigh. But, let’s not talk about them anymore, sweetie. I want to enjoy being together, here, alone.” I raised my voice on the last word in case we were being watched by curious young eyes.

  I woke up early the following morning to the gentle sound of rain hitting the cabin. It was barely daylight and the rain made it damp and cool. I snuggled back against Amadeus who was sound asleep, his arm draped around me. We had spent most of the night making love. Amadeus must have felt me moving around because he pulled me closer to him.

  The next thing I knew it was almost three hours later. I could hear Amadeus talking with someone, though I could not make out who it was. I carefully threw my legs over the side of our bunk and finding my shorts from the day before pulled them on along with a sweatshirt Amadeus had left by the bed. I grabbed a band and pulled my hair back into a ponytail as I walked. The rain seemed to have stopped, but the dampness still stayed.

  As I entered the main part of the cabin I could make out Damien sitting at the table with Amadeus.

  “Good morning you two, is it still raining?

  “Drizzling,” Amadeus replied, pulling me next to him on the seat at the table where the two sat.

  “Well look you two” Damien began, “I’m going to head up to the house for breakfast. Julia’s got everything laid out for everyone, so get ready and come.” He began to get up and I felt Amadeus pushing me to let him out.

  “We’ll be up in a few minutes,” Amadeus replied, as he followed his brother up on to the dock.

  While he was doing that I found what I needed and began to heat water so I could wash my face--one of the pitfalls of a sailboat as small as this one-no hot water heater. I found a change of clothes for both myself and Amadeus and laid them out on the bed.

  As I sat down again at the table waiting on the water, I spied two mugs of coffee, hot coffee. Amadeus jumped back inside, not using the stairs and sat across from me. He passed one of the mugs my way and took the other for himself.

  “Courtesy of Julia. She thought we might need a jolt to get us started.”

  “That was sweet of her. I can’t get over how good Damien looks and how well he’s getting along.”

  “I know. Who knows maybe one day he’ll perform again. Right now I’m glad he’s simply enjoying his family and his life.”

  “Hits close to home doesn’t it?”

  “Yeah.” He got up and took the boiling water off the stove eye and found a clean bowl to pour it into before sitting back down.

  “I laid some clothes out for you if you want to go ahead…”

  “In a minute,” he replied sitting back down and taking a long sip off his coffee. “I just want to enjoy this quiet time with you a little longer because once we go up to the house, it’s going to be mayhem.” He smiled across the table at me. God those eyes could melt me in a split second.

  A short time later we were walking hand in hand up to the house. It was still drizzling out, but a break in the cloud cover could be seen off in the distance. That’s one thing I’ve learned about being here, no one uses umbrellas—you just get used to the drizzle.

  We got lucky and the kids had either already eaten or were taking their breakfast elsewhere. Grace was sitting at the dining room table along with most everyone else. Julia greeted us and showed us the buffet she had set up along the wall so everyone could serve themselves.

  “Help yourselves, there’s plenty more in the kitchen,” she said passing us each a plate.

  Once we got everything we wanted, Amadeus found us two places at the table at the opposite end from Grace. I set my plate down and returned to the food table and poured us each a glass of juice and
in Amadeus’ case, a glass of milk. He had found the coffee and poured us both fresh mugs.

  As we got settled, Grace looked down the table at us and caught us off guard by what she asked.

  “Do you two mind if I share your news with everyone, since everyone seems to be here?”

  Amadeus and I glanced at each other and nodded at Grace. “Go ahead, mother, we were going to tell everyone this weekend anyway,” Amadeus replied, popping a piece of sausage in his mouth.

  “Tell us what?” Angus demanded.

  “Zara and Amadeus are leaving for Scotland. They are going to live there. At least for a while,” Grace replied, eyeing everyone at the table for their reaction.

  “For how long?” Julia asked.

  “We haven’t decided. All we have decided is that we’re leaving Seattle for a while,” Amadeus replied, taking my hand.

  “What the fuck for?” Angus spewed. He definitely did not look happy by the announcement and I was quite curious why. It was for all accounts and purposes none of his business, but given what the detective had shared with me in London I was now even more curious.

  “I’d think that would be obvious Angus,” Amadeus countered. “Zara and I need some time away from the area. We have a lot of unpleasant memories here.”

  “Mother?”

  “Angus, they have my blessing. I told them they didn’t need to wait on account of me. Besides now I’ll be able to go somewhere outside Washington state to visit one of my children.”

  Angus threw his napkin down on the table and bolted from the room. He cast a nasty look my way, which I knew was seen by all.

  “What is his problem?” Amadeus asked to no one in particular.

  “Don’t worry about him baby brother, I think it’s the right thing for both of you to do,” Damien replied. “Where exactly in Scotland will you be living?”

  “Outside of Edinburgh,” I offered. “Peter McNichol is going to let us rent his farm for as long as we’d like. It’ll give us time to kick back and get to know the area. Who knows, maybe we’ll call it home, if only for a while.”