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Pierre was made the new Captain of the Contra O Vento. It seemed that Cisco had been informed of the new arrangements by letter and, according to the captain, was pleased that his ship would be used in future endeavours, still under the cover of a protector of his merchant ship.
Pierre and Nora were smitten with each other, walking along the beach just talking about everything, holding hands.
Nora was happy about his new assignment and told him as much, enjoying the young Captain’s closeness and tenderness since they met. The moment they kissed the first time, she knew this was the man for her and she was not shy in her affections for him.
Pierre knew this was the woman for him, even if she was very young. He spent as much time with her as propriety dictated, not that there was any one that would scold him, but his mother raised him to treat a lady right and it came naturally with her. Nevertheless, the biggest thing on his mind was that he had to be convinced when he proposed to her that she would be content with him being on the sea, away from her for long months.
She would stay on the farm with his mother and sister during the long months he would be away. He told her all about the land near Lyon and the life they led there. The life of a sea captain was hard and lonely for any man, but when a loving wife waits, it makes it all worthwhile.
It took her two days to think about it, talking to Rosa-Lee and Roberto, seeking advice from them. Rosa-Lee asked her one question: “What does your heart tell you?” Then and there and she knew, returning with a positive answer. Pierre was ecstatic about her answer, twirling her around in the air to the delight of everyone. That night they celebrated under the bright moon and starry sky, people laughing and eating. When he returned her to her hut, he had a difficult time leaving her but he wanted to do right by her.
They stayed on the island for a week to recover and restock food and water. In that time Roberto showed Rosa-Lee around the island. She saw all his favorite spots overlooking the sea from different angles, and found the natives interesting. Their nights were filled with bliss and he took her in his arms and loved her without any pressure or lingering uncertainty.
Pierre returned Nora to Mozambique where she had been abducted. Nora was the daughter of a Dutch landowner, and they went to ask for permission for their marriage before they would set sail to France. They arrived one night during a festival her father celebrated for her mother.
Roberto and Rosa-Lee accompanied them on the journey, getting to know the new country and buying beautiful pieces of furniture for their home.
They spent a week with Nora’s family, who were relieved and glad that she was alive and well. Her mother, Truida, had been in such a state of distress through all the time her daughter was missing and her father had a hard time consoling his wife.
Her father, Geert, and Pierre had long talks about his life on the open sea. He had to convince her father that he was the right man for her. Though he would be gone on long voyages, Pierre assured him that Nora would be in safe hands. His mother and sister would look after her.
The marriage ceremony was performed at the parent’s estate, to the great delight of her mother, who went all out, creating the perfect wedding within a week, a record for any mother.
That night he made love to her for the first time, banishing from her memory the brutality she had experienced at the hands of her pirate captor. When she relaxed with him she blossomed under his loving attention, giving herself to the man she loved in an orgasmic euphoria. For two days, they were not seen as Pierre indulged himself in the little lady with the heated passion.
Nora was a well-bred lady who, after the ordeal and in his tender care, became a vibrant young woman. Pierre loved every moment with her. Her love for the land and its people was evident when she showed him the estate. Her knowledge was vast and full of wit. He knew he had made the right choice. His mother would love her dearly. She could entertain him, playing the piano masterfully, and made him feel like the luckiest man alive.
They laughed easily, enjoying life in general and were a beautiful couple. Her mother was at ease when Nora left with her new husband.
Pedro gave Rosa-Lee a letter to their parents explaining all the events, and his employment with the D.E.I.C. with the promise that he would see them soon.
He had turned into a responsible, hard-working man that loved the sea, a man her father would be proud of.
Captain Alfonso was found with their father’s merchant ship, healthy and with a toothless grin. The D.E.I.C. hid him away so that the Falcon could not find him. When Rosa-Lee saw him, she cried for joy, flinging herself into the older man’s arms. He patted her on the back, assuring her that he was fine. She thought that he had also fallen under the sword of the pirates, and was greatly relieved when he joined them on route to Portugal.
Soon all were on the deck of the Almaida merchant ship, heading back to Portugal. The group was excited about their new lives awaiting them, but Roberto had to admit to himself that he dreaded meeting his new father-in-law. What kind of reception would he receive from Cisco Almaida?
They had not met under the best of circumstances. He had kidnapped the man’s daughter right under his nose. How would he react to their bonding as a married couple?
Looking at his sleeping wife, he stroked the protruding belly with a big calloused hand, a contented smile a permanent fixture on his face now. The scar was part of his attractiveness and not fierce-looking at all.
He loved her. There was no doubt in his mind, but meeting this brave man he had heard of so many times made him worry. What if he did not accept him as her husband?
Could he really live without his Rosa? There was just no way he could. He scowled and he pulled her closer, leaning over the sleeping form and kissing her, demanding attention from her sleepy form. With a sigh, she opened her warm mouth.
He covered her with his body, desperately searching for her, and in a daze she realized something was wrong, a reminder of the days before they had met the Falcon. Since then she had gotten used to her very tender husband and she pushed him back softly, not to alarm him. Her eyes blinked in the dark to take him in and she whispered,
“Hey, what is wrong?” He did not answer, and just consumed her more with his heated desire, and although he stoked the same feelings within her, something was not right.
“Roberto.” She tried again, out of breath. “Tell me,” she urged him and he looked at her with sad eyes. He bent his head low over her body again, demanding her, and she thought it best to comply, allowing him to brand her with his lips and body like those days at sea. An all-consuming passion sizzled in the air, fogging their minds and the world out there, until there were only their bodies connecting in a euphoric bliss.
When they finally came down, back on the soft mattress, wrapped in each other’s arms, trying to get in control of their breathing, she looked up into the gorgeous face and asked once again,
“What is bothering you, Roberto?”
He looked at her with dark piercing eyes, tracing her spine with a finger.
“It is nothing.” He tried to shrug it away.
“No it is not. Come on, tell me.” She started to tickle him between the two ribs, a spot she knew by now. He was ticklish and he grinned, grabbing her hand to stop her. She chuckled.
“You don’t play fair,” he pouted.
“Well, are you going to talk to me?” She rose, leaning on her elbow, all her attention fixated on him. He looked away, avoiding the piercing eyes. She turned his face back to her, cuddling into him with a leg over him.
“I am scared of losing you,” he finally admitted, and she gasped
“Why? I plan to stick to you like barnacles on the hull of the ship. I’m going nowhere.”
He knew this was stupid to think like this but he could not help it and the dread came out as a hoarse, croaking sound.
“Your father ...” He lifted his eyes, filled with dread and terror instead of his normal stern expression. “He will hate me.”
/> Dumbfounded, she looked at him, her lips parted in a gasp, and she lifted herself on top of him.
“Do you really think that?”
“Yes, I do.” She looked away, not sure what to think. She had thought about her parents” reaction during this time and what they would think of the union. They would be shocked and surprised but they would not hate him. They might be angry but they would not chase him away. She turned her gaze back to him and laid a hand on the scarred cheek, beautiful and full of character.
“They will never chase you away,” she whispered. “They would trust my judgment and when they see that I truly love you, they will love you.” Leaning closer, she kissed his eyes and face tenderly, with words lingering between each kiss.
“You are an amazing man and my father will see that and love you,” She continued. “He might be angry for a day, but he will love you.” She sat up straight, lifting her leg over him and straddled him, cupping his face.
“I cannot believe my big pirate who is scared of nothing is fearful of meeting the in-laws,” she giggled, and he grinned at her remark, but also at the perfect view he had of her.
“My mother will adore you. My other brother may challenge you, but he will like you.” He wrapped his arms around her body, her long flowing hair curtaining them in.
“You are silly to think this way.”
“Your father is Cisco Almaida. Even the Falcon admired the man, and I kidnapped you out of his house, insulted him. If it was me, I would shoot me.” She placed a finger on his lips.
“He will not shoot you, Roberto. He is loving and caring, everything you are as well. He will understand.” She placed another kiss on his plump lips.
“He is brave and caring and not a hard, careless man. You will see.” she began straddling him with her enticing hips and he groaned softly.
“You are a temptress.”
“You taught me, so don’t complain.”
“I know.” he said, and captured her mouth seductively.
A Pirate's Wife Page 19