15
That afternoon, when the announcement came that they were getting married, roars of laughter and cheers of exuberance resonated all over the deck.
Pierre did the honours and married them. A feast was prepared under the blue heavens for all to enjoy. The celebration continued for the rest of the day and night.
Roberto was smiling non-stop, holding her close to him, never once letting her go. She wrapped around him like gift-wrap. She looked amazing in a white taffeta dress with silver threads embroidered on the bodice, enhancing every curve to Roberto’s delight. Her hair waved behind her beneath a tiara he had given her that morning. Rubies in the form of a rose were imbedded in the tiara. She looked ravishing as his gaze was on her, covering her with his love.
Later in his cabin they melted together and she allowed him to love her as he promised. All shyness disappeared as he explored every inch of her. He took his time in teaching her about her own desires and what inflamed him the most. They only came up for air to eat and bathe, then returned to explore once again the wonder of the new found love.
She realized that she had so much to learn about him but at that moment what they shared was more than enough.
†††
Ten days later another storm hit the Contra O Vento. Everyone scurried around to tie everything down to the ship. The winds were strong and icy cold against their skins. Dark menacing clouds formed around them and waves came crushing down, leaving them all drenched.
Rosa-Lee was helping when she felt strong arms grabbing her from behind. A big hand covered her mouth. Kicking, she was picked up as if she was a feather and carried downstairs to her old cabin. She kicked against the walls to stop him but he simply forced her legs under his arm. She could not fight the strength of the hands holding her tightly. Her door was slammed open and she was unceremoniously thrown on her bed, drenched with the rain still pouring down outside. When she finally could see who it was she looked into the rat’s small eyes, dripping wet with lust, fixed on her. She scrambled away but he grabbed her leg, bringing her closer to the edge.
“Finally we are alone, Señorita. They are all so busy that they will not notice you are gone, and I am going to take my time with you,” he snarled. He grabbed the skirt and she could hear the material rip. One shoe fell with a thud on the floor. The other she had lost during the struggle.
“Your captain cannot save you. You are mine,” he seethed. “Did you really think that those lashes would stop me? I want you!” He pulled her closer, pressing his full weight on her as he spoke. “I promise I will have you.” He planted a wet kiss on her lips and she bit him. He slapped her. Straightening himself, he tore at her clothing. Her bodice laces were hanging loose in front of her chest. He lowered his head to her breast, closing hungry lips around her. She pushed him away. One side of her dress tore under his grip, revealing more skin, and he laughed, pinning her down with a leg as he shed his shirt, revealing a bulky, hairy chest.
She willed herself to be calm and to think. Screaming would not help. They would not hear her through the wailing winds, the creaking ship and crushing waters. She had to act to protect herself and with shaking fingers, she kicked and reached for the pillows in the moment he let go of her. She knew her weapons were still there. She had left them when they got married along with everything else. Roberto’s cabin was not bigger than hers and there would be no room for her things. This was the first time she had been back in her old cabin.
To protect herself, Rosa-Lee had placed a loaded pistol underneath her pillow after the last attack. Now she had to get to it, stretching her body as far as possible. This could not happen to her, not after she experienced love and pleasure at the hand of her husband.
He grabbed her feet, forcing himself in between her legs with an ugly, lustful grin. She kicked again to move herself up closer to the pillows. She stretched again as he tore her petticoat, her legs exposed before him. He released a guffaw that vibrated through her fear. His rough hands stroking her thighs as he tore more fabric away.
With a final effort she reached the pistol, bringing it into her hand. She looked at the man who was so engrossed with her, muttering incoherent words she did not understand, and lifted the barrel to his face.
He did not notice the pistol in her hand, his eyes fixed on her inner thighs, spreading her, and she pulled the trigger with a grunt.
An explosion rumbled loud above the winds and Pierre, who was the closest to the stairs, heard it first.
He ran below to where he thought it came from, down the passageway, until he reached her room. He froze at the picture in front of him, a smouldering pistol still in her hands, pointing at a man. The sailor’s head was in between her legs. Gunpowder smoke floated in the cabin. He reached for the pistol in quick strides, removing it from her shaking hands, and reached for the man’s head, removing him.
The bullet was imbedded between the beady eyes. He was dead before he knew it.
As she covered herself, Roberto ran in, took in the immediate surroundings, and then reached for Rosa-Lee, still on the bed, drenched in sweat and rain. She lay there, shocked, staring at him and Pierre, then said softly, “It is the first time I killed a man,” she whispered through clenched teeth. Tears started to run down her cheeks.
“Did he hurt you?”
“A few scratches, but I am fine.”
The doctor came in, confirming the death of the sailor, and then gave Rosa-Lee something for the shock and pain. Bruises had formed from the manhandling. She did not mention it to Roberto though, the shock overwhelming her. He just held her as she clung to him. She could hear his heart racing, echoing her own. The storm calmed down as men’s feet stopped running above them.
Roberto lifted her drenched body and walked with her to their cabin. He sat down and placed her on his lap, covering her face with warm kisses.
“Before you sleep we must get you out of this wet clothing, my love.”
She nodded softly, numbness in her limbs. She was so cold that she shivered uncontrollably, all the past few weeks” ordeals coming down in one swift move, the cold, the storms, the absence of her parents, the attack, and the death. The tears were unstoppable.
Roberto could only hold her next to his drenched body while he caressed her. His heart throbbed for her. He made her stand up, stripping the wet dress from her. She stood there shivering while he rubbed her dry with a towel, drying her long hair where it fell over her breasts, concealing them from him. Finally he placed her underneath the covers.
Eyes closed, she looked pale and tired as he watched her while stripping himself. He lay down next to her, covering himself, nestling her closer to him. They both fell asleep, once he was certain she was all right.
It was almost dusk when Rosa-Lee stirred in his arms. By now he was already awake, watching her sweet face next to him, propped up on one arm. Thinking of the naked body in his bed made his own to act in arousal, but that had to wait.
When she opened her eyes she looked bewildered. The memories of the previous night came back in a flash. For a moment she did not know where she was.
“You are safe.” She pulled him closer, holding him tightly. When he put his arms around her, the sheets moved down, revealing a soft shoulder and the slope of her breast. He leaned down and removed her hair, the scar still visible, but he didn’t mind kissing it softly. He could feel her tremble under his touch, relaxing into him.
He moved her up toward him pressed against his hard chest. He held on tightly and enjoyed her soft body against him, his hands brushing the soft skin.
Seeing the place where the man left a bruise on her soft skin, he touched it. Rosa-Lee watched as he traced the long bruise over her nipple, raw emotions playing over his face echoing her own feelings. His gentle touch was so different from the brute of last night and she moaned with delight.
“I am so sorry for not being there,” he finally said in a whisper. Just thinking of what could have happened replayed another time, a time he would much rather f
orget. He had almost lost her like he had lost his sister, and tears rolled down his cheeks.
Rosa-Lee felt the wetness on her skin and lifted his face. “This is not your fault my love. I do not blame you.”
“I vowed to protect you,” he said. “So far I am not doing a very fine job of it.”
“You are everything I want in a man. Please, love, don’t punish yourself about this,” she whispered and kissed him, wiping away the wetness. I am here and safe. That is all that matters”
“If any harm should come to you I would never forgive myself,” he said softly.
“Nothing can happen to me. Beside I am married to a mean pirate.” She smiled at him and he chuckled.
“I do not feel like that right now.”
“What, my brave and fearless pirate is terrified?” Trying to make light of this Rosa-Lee could see the effect of it on him. “Nothing has changed, love. You are still the only man for me. I trust you.”
He looked at her as if she was saying something profound. “Really?”
“Yes, my love, really. Now go and get me some clothes.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He kissed her before he jumped out of bed. Rosa-Lee fell back on the soft mattress where she still could feel his warmth. Taking deep breaths, she would not show him how much last night shook her. It was over. She was safe. That was all that mattered.
“I will get Enrico to get you a dress.” She nodded as she watched him putting on his now familiar black breeches and white shirt followed by long black boots and black belt.
He pulled a cord and in a few seconds Enrico was at the door.
“Enrico, please bring the señorita’s night gown and then prepare some food for her.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Rosa-Lee protested. “I want a dress, Roberto.”
“No you will stay in bed and that is an order, Rosa-Lee.” His tone was stern and authoritative.
“Yes, Captain.” She smiled. It was no use to argue with him once he made up his mind.
Enrico was back in minutes with her nightgown. Roberto helped her to dress and Enrico asked. “Should I bring your food here as well, Captain?”
“Yes.” the moment Enrico stepped out Roberto placed a kiss on her cheek and she smiled.
With the brush she started to brush her hair, all tangled with sea salt.
“Let me.” He took the brush from her and continued. At first, he had to remove many tangles but eventually her hair was straight and shining. The simple act was reassuring as the silk fell through his fingers.
“Thanks, Roberto,” she whispered, feeling loved and cozy with the ample affection. She never thought that a man could be so caring like this man. Since they got married he cared for her. Nothing was amiss and she felt truly loved and adored. There were times that her thoughts wanted to overshadow the happiness but then she would push them away. She made the choice to marry him and what she got was a loving and caring husband. The mean man she met months ago was gone. Even his crew treated her with respect.
She looked around his now-familiar cabin. A man’s holy place, her father had once said. If you want to know the man you must look at his room that will tell you much about him. His scent was all over the cabin, a distinct smell that mixed with sea, wind, cigars and earth. Not even her own fragrance could extinguish his smell. And she loved it would not change it for anything.
Books filled a bookshelf near the window and on an end table. A book lay open next to an easy chair, worn out at the armrests.
That was his place of solitude. Many times he would sit there and pull her in his lap and they would listen to the crashing of the waves against the hull of the ship or the wind’s wailing when the sea was boisterous and playful. Those were the times she cherished the most because then he opened himself to her and she would learn more about the man. The pirate was in the back, lingering.
Dark colours covered the bed and windows. In the one corner was a glass cabinet filled with weapons and swords.
The desk was well-organized. No papers lay around. In fact, everything was organized neatly, and yet it had a sense of homeliness.
Roberto watched her as she studied his cabin and then asked, “Do you like what you see?”
“Yes, it is you. I don’t want to change anything. Your love for books astounds me.”
He chuckled. “Why? Do you think all pirates are ignorant?” he asked as he walked toward her.
“No.” She chuckled with a blush. “You are quite surprising for a pirate.”
“I am glad to have the lady’s approval.” He kissed her soundly. “You are everything I want in a man,” she added. He chuckled. “I am glad to hear that.” He kissed her again and rose once again “You can read some if you like.”
“I would like that,” and closed her eyes for a second.
“What happened to the man?” She could not believe what she had done. She tried to forget the events of the previous night but it came back and she had to know.
“He met a watery grave.”
“I’ve caused a lot of problems for you?”
“No, sooner or later he would have betrayed me, I never liked him. You did me a favour.” He walked to his desk to collect some water for her.
“I was so afraid.”
“I know, but you are safe now. The rest of the crew adores you. They were furious when they heard what the man tried to do. If you had not killed him one of them would have.” He handed her the glass which she gratefully took, drinking the cool water with one gulp. When she was done she gave it to him. He returned to the table.
“What happen to your sister?” This was the one question she wanted to ask but avoided so far. He stilled at the table and answered softly, “She hung herself after the rape.” Sorrow filled his face. It was still hard after all these years. Softly she got to her feet and walked over to him standing near the window. This time she comforted him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
“How old was she?”
“Twenty- one.” The stoic reply sent shivers up her spine.
“She had just learned that she was pregnant with the man’s baby, and then she hung herself.”
“I am so sorry for your loss.”
“It’s all right. It was a very long time ago.”
After a few minutes of silence, looking out into the bright sky, she said, looking at him,
“I am so confused about you. It would be so easy to love you, but your lifestyle, your choices. I do not understand. You do not act like a pirate yet you are one. My father always said we must never judge a book by its cover. When I open yours it gives me joy, but it is difficult to look past the cover.” her eyes filled with sincere emotions of hope. “Why did you choose this lifestyle?”
He could see genuineness in her posture when she asked the question. She is trying very hard to make sense out of this. He wrapped her in his arms, thankful for her understanding and acceptance. It could not be easy. He owed her some answers.
“I did not choose it. It chose me,” he finally answered.
“Don’t you want to tell me?” Enrico knocked and she quickly took the food from him. She took it over to the chairs where they sat down. She filled their plates with food.
“Please, Roberto, tell me so that I can understand,” she said again, encouraging him after handing him his plate.
“I am a farmer by birth.” He smiled when he saw disbelief written on her face and continued.
“My parents have a huge farm on the south coast of France. We were happy in those days. We loved one another and the joy of working in the fields made me content. I loved the land, the smell of breaking ground, the whole process of planting and waiting, and then the harvest.” He smiled, his thoughts far away.
“Then, four years in a row we had very bad drought and no harvests. My father fell into debt and finally it was time to pay up. The lender who helped my father was the cousin of the Falcon. My sister and I were given as slaves to pay off the debt. It was the hardest thing my parents had
to do but we understood.”
She gasped, placing a hand on his arm. “How old were you?” The food was forgotten on their plates.
“I was nineteen, my sister twenty-one.”
A Pirate's Wife Page 13