by ML BINELLI
"Vidal, he is called Vidal Bueno. Should I set it up for tomorrow?" queried Teodoro.
"Yes, I will be recovered by then. Sir, you said that you will meet the priest who will celebrate our marriage. May I accompany you? I would like to see the church. Which one will it be?" asked Barbara.
"It will be the church of Sao Roque, which survived the great earthquake of 1755 and, therefore, must be blessed by God and will bring us luck."
Maria entered the dining room with a coffee pot and everyone became silent. She served them and left the room.
"Would you like to go now, Barbara? Or would you like to rest a little? I can change the meetings around and speak to Vidal first and then pick you up later so we can go to the church."
"That would be better, Sir Teodoro. If you give me permission, I would like to take a nap in my room. Please ask the servants to wake me upon your return," said Barbara.
"Do you want to accompany me, Jonas? Or would you prefer to rest also?" asked Teodoro.
"I will come with you sir if it is not a bother. Would it be possible to stop someplace so I can buy a pouch of tobacco? I ran out on the journey," said Jonas.
"Yes, of course. I have some here and you are welcome to it," offered Teodoro.
"I accept, Sir Teodoro. After coffee, I like a smoke," added Jonas.
Both men sat alone smoking and Barbara left the room.
"Sir, I thought better of it and think I should rest also. Would you be so kind as to buy a pouch for me?" asked Jonas.
"Yes, of course, Jonas. I will bring you one but while I am away, here, have mine, keep it!" said Teodoro.
Jonas then left and went to the second floor but instead of going to his room, he went to Barbara's room. He knocked lightly on her door and she opened it. He slipped in without being seen.
"What do we do now, Barbara?" asked Jonas.
"I was thinking of Sir Teodoro's letter." she said. "If we can get our hands on it, we can change the date so he misses the arrival date of the ship and gets stuck in Lisbon. If the archbishop comes after him, as I believe he will, he will be defenseless. What do you think? Our only problem is getting our hands on the letter," said Barbara.
Jonas thought for a moment.
"We could make up an excuse for one of the guards to have to return early. And we can convince Teodoro to give him the letter. We will then have access to it and we can alter it!" he exclaimed.
"Can we trust them, Jonas?" asked Barbara.
"You need not worry about that Barbara. Amaro owes me many favors and Dorival is the love I told you about. He can take the letter to Leonardo."
"Good, this afternoon we will know the date of the wedding and also the date of departure. We will delay my father by 15 days, I think that should be enough for him to miss the ship and fall within the grasp of the archbishop."
"All right then, let me talk to the lads. We will have to come up with an excuse for Dorival's return. Be at peace, Barbara," said Jonas.
"Enjoy your night with your love, Jonas. Is he as in love with you as you are with him?"
"It is pure passion, Barbara. I don't know how I can speak to you of these things. I have never opened up with anyone except your mother. It is a pity that you did not have the time to meet him. You would like each other very much."
Jonas opened the door slowly, checked the corridor and walked quickly to his room.
15. First Steps
Teodoro went to Vidal's residence and was informed that he had gone to the Ribeira market. He decided to look for him there, which gave him a good excuse to make a stop at his beloved sardine stall.
It was precisely at Vitalicio's stall that he found Vidal, eating sardines.
"Ah, you are here? Are there any sardines left for me, Vitalicio? Or did this greedy boy finish them off?" asked Teodoro.
"How are you, Teodoro? There are always sardines for you here. Should I prepare them?" asked Vitalicio.
"Yes, and make it fast. I have already had lunch but I can't resist this temptation. Make two for me," ordered Teodoro.
Vidal cleaned his mouth and greeted Teodoro.
"So, has my future wife arrived?" asked Vidal.
"Yes, Vidal, she is staying at my house."
"I would like to see her as soon as possible." If only to see if she really looks like the portrait or if she is a fat, old hag!"
Teodoro laughed and Vidal laughed along with him.
"You can see her but not today. She is tired and fears she will not make a good impression, even though she looks more beautiful than ever. What a considerate thing to do, don't you agree?
"Truly. When will it be then? Tomorrow?" urged Vidal.
"Yes, at around eight o'clock," informed Teodoro.
"You can be assured, Teodoro, I will be there."
"And what about your problems, have you solved them?" asked Teodoro.
"Yes, I have, Teodoro. I am ready and waiting. Everything that had to be done, has been done," assured Vidal.
"Excellent. Well, now we can turn our attention to the sardines," said Teodoro.
"Teodoro, I have a question I didn't ask previously," said Vidal.
"And what is that?" replied Teodoro as he chewed a piece of fish.
"Is she a virgin?"
When he heard the question, the sardine going down his throat stopped midway, causing him to choke. Teodoro started coughing and spitting out pieces of sardine. Vidal clapped him on his back. After recovering, Teodoro spoke.
"Would that prevent you from doing the deed, Vidal?" asked Teodoro.
Vidal stopped and thought for a moment.
"No, it wouldn't, Teodoro. I am just curious," clarified Vidal.
"I do not have the answer to that question Vidal. You will have to find out for yourself."
They both went back to eating their sardines in silence.
"I need to go now, Vidal, I just came here to find you. I will be taking Barbara to the church so she can speak to the priest," explained Teodoro.
"The church of Sao Roque? Will it be held there?" asked Vidal.
"Yes, at the church of Sao Roque."
"I will go there then!"
"No, she only wants to see you tomorrow!"
"Don't worry, I'll stay in a dark corner of the church, she won't see me. But I need to see her. Can you understand that?"
"All right, Vidal, but make sure you are not seen. And don't disappear!"
"I am a man of my word, Teodoro, even if she is lame and cross-eyed."
Teodoro laughed again.
"Vidal, she may be anything but she is definitely not ugly, lame or cross-eyed. Go there and wait for us. You will see for yourself, if that is what you want. That will calm you down."
They said goodbye to one another and Vidal went straight to the church to find a place where he could see but not be seen while Teodoro returned to meet Barbara.
When Teodoro arrived at his home, he found her already waiting for him.
"Shall we go, Barbara? We need to speak quickly to the priest and then go to the port to see when the vessel is expected to arrive," said Teodoro.
"Let's go sir."
Vidal had found a place to conceal himself in the church in one of the nine lateral chapels. But then the idea came to him to hide in the high choir area next to the church organ. From there he had a wide view of the nave and could only be seen from below by someone with very sharp eyes. It would be enough to see her from a distance and the risk of being caught would be less. He found the door to access the high choir area. It was open. He walked up the stairs and, when he reached the top floor, he came across a woman sweeping the floor.
"Excuse me, ma’am," said Vidal.
"Yes?" she replied. "What are you doing here? You are not allowed in here."
"Ma’am, I will get married in this church very soon and I would like to look at it from above. I am imagining the decor and what flowers and ornaments I should get to gladden the heart of my bride. Please do this little favor for me!"
; The woman smiled and said "All right, all right. As long as the priest does not know you are here. When you have finished, I will be in the sacristy. Please tell me when you leave so I can lock the door. If someone finds you here, say you came up unintentionally."
"Thank you, ma’am, do not worry. I will be very quiet imagining how I can embellish the church. I thank you with all my heart."
When she finished her task, she nodded to him and walked down the stairs. Vidal sat on the bench next to the organ and passed the time looking intently at his surroundings. The pipes of the organ seemed to be attached to an immense, carved reliquary. The paintings adorning the walls were magnificent also. The image on the ceiling portrayed a group of various angels holding up a cross. The painting was so perfect it seemed to come to life, with the images looking like colored statues. He could almost feel the presence of God in this place, through its beauty and saintliness.
He heard footsteps and moved away from the balustrade. He then heard voices and saw Teodoro accompanied by a priest and a young girl. "It is her," he thought. They walked towards the altar and then to the lateral chapels. All three then walked through the central nave. Vidal backed away further but managed to see Barbara's face and her smile. Teodoro had lied. The portrait he had of her did not do her justice. She was much more beautiful and enchanting in person.
Her walk was that of a lady and her body was well proportioned. Vidal began to feel a rush of desire but he quickly turned his mind elsewhere. That was no place for raunchy thoughts. He thanked God for the woman who would be his through such complicated means nonetheless.
They then disappeared from view. Vidal stayed there alone for some time and then descended the stairs. He warned the woman of the sacristy that he had seen enough and thanked her for the favor. He left slowly and carefully from the church first making sure they were not outside conversing.
Vidal's next stop was Alicio's shop.
"Alicio, are you busy today? I'd like to talk to you."
"We can leave now, Vidal. My work day has ended. Let's go the Old Blind Man's tavern?"
This was not the tavern’s name but it became known by this name to them because of an old blind man who went there every day to sit alone at a table in the corner to drink a mug of wine and eat a roast. They had asked who he was but the servers knew nothing about him. The old man spoke very little and although he was a frequent customer, he had not made friends with anyone. He was not a talker. They had nicknamed the tavern in honor of its most loyal customer.
When they arrived, he was there as usual, sitting at his table. They watched him for a while. He had a cane and his movements were careful. He knew exactly where he had placed his mug so he could reach it again and he stared straight ahead. His eyes had a white film over them due to his cataracts.
"Alicio, I met the girl today. Met, no, I saw her," said Vidal.
"And what is she like? Was Fatima right?" asked Alicio.
"Yes, she is extremely beautiful and very delicate. When she walks, she looks like she is floating. She moves like a dancer."
Alicio laughed at his friend.
"You don't even know her and you have already fallen in love?"
"Did Teodoro show you her portrait?" asked Vidal.
"He tried to but I didn't want to see it. I didn't want to have a reason to do what can't be done. Do you have it with you? Let me see it."
Vidal showed him the portrait and Alicio showed surprise by lowering his head in his direction and narrowing his eyes as if he couldn't believe what he was looking at.
"Good lord, Teodoro did not lie! I am so glad I didn't see this portrait before, I would have sent my father to hell!" said Alicio chuckling.
"But this portrait is not true to life. I can assure you that she is much more beautiful than this. I can't be sure but this portrait must have been made when she was much younger, maybe when she was around sixteen. Today she is... how can I say this... more of a woman, do you understand?"
"I will only understand when I see her. Will I be your best man?"
"As if you even need to be asked, Alicio, please do me the favor. Yes, it must be you but who will accompany you?"
"Fatima, my cousin. With your permission, of course."
"You always run away from love, don't you?"
"Yes, I do, I think it numbs a man, muddles up his thinking and causes him to make wrong decisions at wrong times. You don't know this but a few years ago I fell in love with a woman. I didn't say girl because she was much older than me. I was sixteen or seventeen at the time."
"What happened? How did you meet her?"
"I was walking to work and was not looking at where I was going. She walked out of a shoe shop and we bumped into each other. I apologized awkwardly but when I looked into her eyes, I fell in love instantly."
"And her?"
"She smiled, accepted my apology and walked off. I caught up to her and we began to talk. We ended up setting a meeting at the city square and from that point on, we had a relationship."
"And then? What was the relationship like?"
"At first, we just conversed while strolling around the city. "Until one day..." Alicio stopped with a faraway look in his eyes.
"Yes, yes, continue. More wine here!" bellowed Vidal.
"Well, from her mannerisms, I could tell she was also in love. We kissed. And from then on, we truly lost ourselves."
"What do you mean?"
"On Tuesdays and Thursdays my father left the shop early and it was my duty to close up. On these days, she would meet me and we would make love to each other.
"In the middle of the store?"
"In the middle of the store. We vowed our love to each other until the day I asked for her hand in marriage. She cried as if I'd beaten her. She said she needed time to think and disappeared. From that day on, she stopped coming to the shop. I looked for her everywhere, but never found her."
"You never saw her again?"
Yes, a few times. The first time I saw her was at the market with my father. But she was not alone, she was accompanied by a man and two children. They were strolling around making purchases. She was smiling and tending to the children. When she saw me, she blushed. She tried to smile, but it was a sad smile. She lowered her head and looked away. The shock of this meeting was so great that it turned me to stone.
"Married?"
"Married. You can't imagine how I suffered and I never want to suffer that way again. I kept imagining her lying with her husband, he who had the right to be with her. I had simply stolen a few moments with her. I would torment myself imagining how many times she had lain with both of us on the same day, it disgusted me, but I suffered with her loss. No more and never again for anyone."
Both men remained silent for some time.
"I am sorry you had to go through that, Alicio. But you never spoke to her again? Do you know where to find her?"
"Yes, I found out everything about her and her family but we never spoke again. Since then we have bumped into each other a few times and she always gives me that sad smile. I don't know what led her to do what she did but she is no tramp. I think she may have married for something other than love, I don't know."
"Why don't you go after her, Alicio?"
"Because her husband is from our lodge... our brother..."
"Our what? Who is he?"
"I cannot tell you and, please, do not mention this to anyone. I don't know why I am even telling you."
"But were you in the lodge at the time?"
"No, but my father made me promise to never go back and look for this woman again. This is one of his brothers and he cannot harm him in anyway. When I joined the lodge, I made the same vow. What is in the past, must stay in the past."
"Well then, there is nothing you can do. But do you still love her?"
"I don't know, when I see her my blood boils and my heart beats faster. But I need to go on with my life and stop thinking about her."
"Let's drink to that then!" said Vidal.
"Let's drink to life, even if it may sometimes bring bitter moments."
They continued drinking. Vidal looked at the portrait, admiring Barbara's curves.
"Damn, I would like to see her right now."
"Calm down, Vidal. You are going to spend the rest of your life with this woman! When are you meeting her?"
"Tomorrow, at Teodoro's house. He will introduce us at supper."
"Vidal, I am going to talk to Teodoro. It may be interesting for us to meet also and I'll take my cousin Fatima with me. Let's see how they behave with one another and take our conclusions from that."
"What do you mean, Alicio? I don't understand your intent and, more importantly, why."
"I don't know, my cousin is a bit strange. She also turns away all her suitors. I would like to see them together, if you will allow it."
"Alicio, Alicio! What is going on in your mind?"
"If Teodoro allows me, tomorrow I will know if my thoughts are well-founded. Until then, restrain your curiosity."
16. Dinner
Alicio and Fatima were standing in Vidal's drawing room waiting for him to come down for dinner.
Fatima couldn't control her hands and was placing them one over the other in a nervous dance of fingers.
"What's wrong, cousin? You seem nervous," said Alicio.
Fatima took a deep breath, held the air in her lungs and slowly released it through her mouth as if she was recovering from a brisk walk.
"It has been long a time since we've seen each other. As I told you, we parted ways back in school. I don't know if she will welcome me or if she still has hard feelings for me."
"Well, it is of no use to fret about it beforehand. Calm down. Do you want me to ask for a glass of water?"
"Yes, please. I refused it when we arrived but now I am thirsty."
Alicio went in search of one of the house servants. A few minutes later, Vidal walked in the room and greeted Fatima.
"Good evening. You must be Fatima, right? You could be none other!"