17
Time moved on but yet stood still. They continued with their discoveries. The ship moved, bringing them ever closer to their destination, but for now they were blissfully unaware of this. There nights were filled with exotic adventure.
Rosa-Lee loved the flaming path his passion had traced all through her body and showed him exactly how much, giving in to everything he did, allowing him to take her to new heights. His lips searched and kissed every part of her. She found she had spots that responded more to him. At those spots; he would linger longer, taking his time, until she pleaded with him.
He did not disappoint, teaching her the things he loved to do to her. In return, she could enjoy every part of him, lingering at the places she came to recognize as his most sensitive spots. She chuckled when he too pleaded gruffly, her eyes shimmering.
It made her feel wanted and alive. On these times he would whisper, “I have created a monster,” in her ear, and she chuckled with pleasure as he took her again.
He would whisper about his life and future with her, sharing his heart, and she would do the same. There was no end and no beginning. Everything began and ended with each other.
Out of breath, a sheen of perspiration covering both their bodies, he huskily said, “You are extremely passionate, my rose.”
“Do you enjoy it?” she asked with desire in her voice.
“Yes I do. I love you Rosa-Lee de Ville. You have made me the happiest man. I always had a longing to leave this pirate’s world behind but never had the reason, until I met you. You are my reason to go back to being a farmer, if you will have it?” he whispered during one of these nights. He wanted to tell her so much but could not. But he did want to assure her of a future with him.
“Yes, Roberto, those are beautiful words. But how, my love?” she replied, out of breath and speechless. She never expected it. He, leaving this world behind. Her prayers were answered and she wrapped herself around him and kissed him with joy bubbling over. He chuckled as kisses rained on him. He knew that it fettered her mind continuously.
“It is possible. Piracy was good to me, but the farm is waiting. I want to farm and make it a success, for our children one day.” Kissing her, his voice turned serious.
“But, my Rose, you will have to trust me from now on to get us both out of the piracy life. You will have to be strong, stronger than before. Our safety can only be guaranteed with you trusting me.”
She lifted herself up, seeing the gravity of his words and said, “There are still things that I don’t understand but I will trust you unconditionally. You are my husband. Your word means everything to me.”
“Where did I get you?” he sighed in contentment and he pulled her closer.
“You kidnapped me out of my parent’s house, remember, Mr Pirate-man?” she chuckled.
He groaned and crushed her mouth with his again.
His Rosa.
†††
After weeks of marital bliss the crow master called out, “Land ahoy!”
As they watched the land mass growing in front of them, Roberto became tense, silent. His voice sounded strange when he spoke.
“It is the southern point of Madagascar. We still have three days left and then we will be at the Isle of Saint Marie at the house of the Falcon. There are things that I still need to tell you, my Rosa,” he said, hesitance in his voice.
“Yes, my love?” she lifted her trusting gaze to him. He swallowed hard, touching her face
“Things will be different there. Things will seem strange, and sometimes what seems true is not. There are no laws and no morals. The only law that counts is the Falcon’s. He is a hard and cruel man and does not take deception lightly. The best course is always to be straightforward. Say only what is necessary.” He gulped, taking in deep breaths as if he braced himself against whatever lay out there.
“I cannot stress it enough. You need to trust me and know that I love you, no matter what.” Urgency filled his voice and he held her with a rigid firmness.
“Roberto, you frighten me when you talk like that! But I also believe that you have your reasons, and because I love you, I trust you. There is no doubt in my mind.”
Again, the familiar, confused thoughts from the beginning entered her mind. What is he not telling me? She thought.
For weeks, she had seen a side of him that she adored and loved. Her feelings for him had grown. She respected him not only as her husband but also as a man. His character was not that of a pirate. Stories her father told her of them convinced her that he was not one. She did not know what to expect once they were on land. But he desperately wanted her to trust him, and that she was willing to do.
“I will never hurt you intentionally, but you need to be brave, and Rosa-Lee,” he hesitated. “Trust no one else.”
“Yes Roberto of course.” She hugged him, anxious because of his seriousness, and he drew her closer in his embrace.
“Roberto, what are you not telling me?” she asked after a while, her heart beating loud in her chest. Panic filled her.
“Always remember that I love you. All will be revealed at the end. That is all I can say for now. Keep on trusting me,” He said in a desperate plea, crushing her mouth with his. He took her to their cabin where their bodies became one under their intense passion, his masterful touch causing her to blossom under him, taking him into her.
When he left he was sombre and just stood at the rail as he watched the land mass. Rosa-Lee would watch with distress, touching her belly reassuringly.
Pierre had his hands full with both Roberto and Rosa-Lee. But it was easier to speak to her than Roberto. He shut every one out. Pierre knew to just be there and make sure to cover his friend’s back once they set foot on the island.
For three days, they sailed around the south coast and up the east coast until they reached the Isle of Saint Marie. It was a beautiful island filled with lush, thick foliage, a mountain on the far horizon.
During these three days, their lovemaking was at times frightening Rosa-Lee. It felt as if he were branding her with every touch and every kiss. There were times when he hurt her but she didn’t say anything, her trust in him unmovable. Her body was adjusting and aroused under his raw desire. The things he did with her astounded her but it brought them closer, leaving her breathless and numb in his arms.
When he finally stepped out of the cabin after the anchor was dropped, she saw the man she had met the first day of their journey, the menacing, stern pirate. Her Roberto was deeply buried.
The longboat was set out on the water, waiting for him. She had to wait on board for him.
When he kissed her, he said, “It will be either Pierre or I that will collect you. Be ready at any time.”
“Yes, Captain.” She looked at him and he smiled. For a brief second the Roberto that she loved was back as she touched his cheek. He kissed her palm and then her lips in a final good-bye.
When he went over the railing and down the Jacob’s ladder, Captain Roberto de Ville was in full command of his surroundings, stern in posture, broad shoulders straight and expression fierce, the picture of a pirate.
Pierre followed after he assured Rosa-Lee once again that he would protect him and bring him back safe. She squeezed his hand in a final good-bye and watched as the love of her life moved over the water without looking back.
The ship’s doctor took her hand and motioned for her to go to her cabin. He had watched her the last few days and knew she did not feel well. Now was a good time to determine what was wrong although he had his suspicions. He smiled at the young woman, reassuring her that everything was all right, that Roberto knew what he was doing and that she must trust him.
It was with great difficulty that he calmed her down once his suspicions were confirmed. Rosa-Lee cried and laughed the whole of the night, staying in their cabin with the wonder that was within her. She could barely contain herself until waves of worry would capture her and create havoc in her mind.
Robert
o himself had great difficulty in leaving her behind. But he had to determine if everything was still all right on the island. A pirate’s life changed in minutes and he had been gone eight months. The Falcon was unpredictable on the best of days.
As they rowed to the shore he refused to look back knowing that Rosa-Lee would watch for him. But he could not afford to turn around. He had to leave her behind and think clear-headed for now. That was the difference between survival and certain death.
At the shore he was met by several men; some new ones and some familiar faces. He was rushed to the Falcon’s place immediately. He hardly saw the dense bush as his eyes were fixed on the men with him, observing each one as they went deeper into the over-grown bushes. A path snaked through the trees and bushes, leaving the place dark at times.
Everyone in the group was loyal to the Falcon. The few men he knew were not among this group.
They reached an opening where several huts stood close by with a larger one in the middle. Heat emanated from the blue sky with only a slight breeze that ruffled his hair and jacket. Perspiration covered his body but he did not notice it as he tightened his jaw.
Screams echoed from the large hut and Roberto could only guess what was going on. He hardened his features as they walked into the larger hut, larger than most on the island.
The hut had once belonged to a chieftain on the island but Falcon had killed the man and his wives and taken his children as slaves. He was living in the place as a chief.
When they got inside the cool shadows of the large room they saw the Falcon sitting in the middle of the room at a dining table. A woman was over his knee and hit her without mercy. Several men stood around him as smacks on her bare bottom resounded through the silence. He chuckled, a deep, rough noise that came from his throat, his beady eyes dark with cruelty.
Roberto clenched his fists in anger but he could not show it. When the Falcon noticed Roberto he stopped the smacks.
“Are my trusted son” Falcon greeted him jovially and stood. The woman fell to the ground and he kicked her aside. “Take her away,” he barked to no one in particular. Two men stepped forward and reached for her unceremoniously. She screamed. One smacked her hard and she fell backward.
“Take her, dammit,” the Falcon cursed loudly.
“What must we do with her?” a bald-headed man asked with a grin. That was Trevor, a rogue they had picked up on the streets of London. A dangerous man.
Roberto knew him well, and the mere thought that the woman was at his mercy was devastating. Roberto looked at Pierre who stood there with clenched jaw. Both men knew they could not help her.
“You can have her,” Falcon said ruefully and the man’s face contorted in an ugly grin. “Thank you!”
It had to be one of the Falcon’s favorites for him to even give her a second glance. What she had done to displease him they could only guess.
“No!” the woman screamed as he pulled her up by her hair, threw her over his shoulder, and walked out. For a while they could hear her begging, crying and screaming, but without any help. Tomorrow she would most likely be dead as the other man followed Trevor and the screaming woman.
“Roberto, I trust you are well?” the Falcon said as he stood before Roberto with a grin, scratching his chin.
“Yes, Falcon I am well,” Roberto replied, giving away nothing of his feelings to Falcon.
“Pierre,” Falcon acknowledged him briefly.
“Falcon,” Pierre returned the greeting as Roberto had.
“And have you brought me the ransom?” The Falcon’s dark eyes glimmering with satisfaction.
“Yes, Captain,” Roberto answered.
“Well let me hear all about it!” He wrapped an arm around Roberto’s neck and walked with him to the table. A pitcher with wine and glasses awaited them and a servant girl was already pouring it for them, hands shaking.
She received a slap from the Falcon and the pitcher fell from her hand and broke on the floor. Wine sloshed against his boots.
“Now look what you have done, you idiot woman. Clean it up!” He screamed. She was on her knees with a cloth in her hand that Roberto assumed was her skirt and cleaned up the mess with the Falcon still smacking her over the head.
Roberto balled his fist and tried to stand up but Pierre stopped him and shook his head.
Roberto sat down and watched with growing hatred the abuse to the young woman. She scampered away through the door.
Pierre was right it was not time for any heroics. Not yet.
“Well, tell, man! We are anxious to hear of your travels.” The Falcon’s second, Tiny Forehand, came and sat next to him. Tiny was, as his name stated, tiny, but with a sure hand that could impale a fly with one quick throw with his daggers. He kept them stashed behind his back. He was ruthless in his endeavours and vicious to any captive. If they needed information from an informant he knew how to get it out skilfully, meticulously and with bloody results.
“As expected, Cisco Almaida was not very pleased with the ransom or the abduction,” Roberto began, “but at the end he released the ransom as requested.”
“And the daughter? Is she anything like Pedro said?”
“Yes.” And more. But that did he not disclose. The Falcon’s eyes peered in his for a long time and Roberto kept his eyes unwavering on him. The young woman was back with another pitcher. Before she could pour the contents Roberto got up and took it from her.
“You were always too soft,” The Falcon said as he watched the display. “The woman needs to be put in her place, but you always were the gentleman.” The group laughed gruffly. Roberto did not comment but poured all the glasses and sat back, taking a sip of his own.
“So, she is in good health?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t offer much, Roberto. Are you hiding something?” came the low, impatient reply.
“No, Falcon.” Roberto met the Falcon’s glare head on. The Falcon’s eyes swept between him and Pierre but neither elaborated on anything.
“How is Pedro?” Roberto asked instead, and a smug grin appeared on the Falcon’s face.
“The little sneak got away. How I still don’t know, but I will get to the bottom of it soon.” Pierre and Roberto looked at each other briefly before they placed their attention back on him. “When did this happen?”
“Two days ago,” and he snickered, “but don’t you worry, we will get him. The patrols are canvassing the island as we speak.” He slapped Tiny on his small shoulders. “And then it is playtime.” This caused Tiny to smile widely so that you could see the empty gums, the beady eyes sparkling with glee. But he said nothing, as always.
“If you don’t mind, I want to go to my hut make sure everything is acceptable so that I can join the search,” Roberto said as he drank the last of his wine
“Yes, of course, but when will I meet the ransom?” Falcon asked, bringing them back to the subject at hand.
“Soon.” Both he and Pierre got up and left the hut.
Nothing was said between them but each had a grin on their faces. The plan was under way.
Soon, Falcon, both thought.
A Pirate's Wife Page 15