Ruthless and Deadly

by ML BINELLI

  "Yes, it is pleasure to meet you. Vidal, right? Forgive me if I got your name wrong. My memory has never been very good."

  "Vidal it is. May I sit down? Where is Alicio?" asked Vidal.

  "Please do. My cousin went in search of a glass of water for me. I am a bit thirsty."

  Alicio returned from the kitchen with a glass of water for Fatima.

  "Vidal, you look very elegant!" said Alicio.

  "You too Alicio. You hadn't told me that your cousin was so beautiful!"

  Fatima took a sip of the water without reacting to Vidal's comment. Her thoughts were elsewhere.

  "She is, isn't she? But she is getting on."

  "Alicio that is no way to talk about me. If I haven't married yet it is because I haven't found the right person," said Fatima, suddenly paying attention to the conversation.

  Alicio laughed.

  "Sorry cousin, it was in jest!"

  "Yes, I know. But I wouldn't have the courage to marry just for the sake of it," she added.

  "You are too demanding, cousin!" exclaimed Alicio.

  "My father insists I marry or that at least I find a beau. But I haven't met anyone yet that can convince me to give up my current situation. I prefer to be alone than to marry anyone."

  "You are fortunate that uncle hasn't forced you into it. I think he does not want to see you leave, for now. But the day will come that you will have to. It is nature," said Alicio.

  "Nature! We are not dogs who mate in a back alley somewhere. But don't you worry, there is someone out there who I will give my heart to."

  "You have never fallen in love, Fatima? asked Vidal.

  Fatima lowered her head and moved her left foot as if she was cleaning dirt off the soles.

  "Yes, I have fallen in love," she said with some awkwardness.

  "That is news. You never told me, cousin. With who?"

  Fatima blushed. Alicio smirked and looked at her with a mischievous glint in his eye.

  "I can't nor shall I tell, Alicio. Conform yourself to ignorance on this subject."

  "Well, shall we go? I don't want to be late for dinner," said Vidal putting an end to the subject. He noticed that Fatima was uncomfortable and he was feeling a bit awkward himself.

  In the carriage, Vidal as well as Fatima seemed overly nervous.

  "What is wrong with you two? Let's talk to lessen the tension!" said Alicio.

  "It is difficult not to feel tense, Alicio. Teodoro expects me to court the daughter of his friend who is looking for a husband for her. What if she doesn't like me, or worse, I don't like her?"

  "There is no reason to hide anything, Vidal. Fatima is here because she knows about everything. You can speak freely," explained Alicio.

  "You should have told me, Alicio!"

  "Since we are all on the same page, I'd like to ask you a question, Vidal, if you allow me," said Fatima.

  "Go ahead. Since Alicio trusts you I trust his judgment."

  "Very well. It is a fact that Barbara is very beautiful but what do you think of marrying a person who you have never even met? Arranged marriages are common but this situation is quite unusual."

  "Fatima, if Alicio told you everything, he must have told you why I accepted."

  "Yes, he did. But even so..."

  "Even so, I will do everything in my power to make this a real marriage. With time, I will be able to bury this story."

  "But are you considering a second variable in this contract?"

  "What variable?" said Alicio, interrupting the conversation.

  "Leonardo, Barbara's father. You will have to live with him in a land where you know no one and no one knows you. Despite the previously defined agreement, you will be at a disadvantage in terms of both. Are you not afraid of becoming their slave?"

  Vidal and Alicio made a similar face, their eyebrows lifted, their eyes stared ahead like two fools or, better yet, two children caught red-handed.

  "You didn't think of this, did you? Neither one of you! Men! All you need is a woman nearby to make you stop thinking!" You all look at things too simply, when they seldom are. Woman, man!" She closed her hand into a fist and pumped it up and down.

  "Cousin, what is that? You are offending us and more so Vidal!"

  "But she is right, Alicio. I didn't take anything into consideration except for the loss of my freedom in exchange for a beautiful woman. Despite being a brother, who knows if the father's intentions are noble? Will he follow through when we get to America or will he abandon me drugged and penniless in some hostel?"

  The dread started to form and show on Vidal's face. He now saw how fragile his situation was and how difficult it would be to place himself on an equal footing with them. Fatima noticed their concern and smiled.

  "Yes, your situation is an aberration. But I will tell you some things that may help," said Fatima.

  "Are there more things you didn't tell me, cousin?"

  "Yes, there are. I didn't tell you because they are just suspicions, nothing more but where there is smoke we can assume, even though we cannot see it, there is fire, isn't that right?"

  "A great truth!" said Vidal. "And what is the smoke you see?"

  "As I said before, over time I started to watch her more closely. I noticed that she couldn't stand her father. When we had to go back home on weekends, she would act like she was going to a funeral. Her mood completely changed when Saturday came around and it was very apparent. She became quieter, more somber."

  "And you think the reason for this was her father?" asked Vidal.

  "I do. She always avoided talking about her family so I thought it was because of him.

  "But do you have any idea why she doesn't like her father?” said Alicio.

  "I don't know, maybe he is violent, I really don't know. That is why you need to prepare yourself for unpleasant surprises when it comes to him."

  "But how can I balance it out, Fatima?" asked Vidal, slightly confused with all the new information.

  "I don't know if you can, Vidal. But you have the chance of making Barbara feel affection for you, making her trust you. Time is short, I know. But you will need an accomplice and she is the only option. I am not, however, sure if she will take action against her father if a confrontation arises."

  "We have arrived," said Alicio.

  All three got out of the carriage and Vidal walked behind the two cousins. The image of him stranded in the middle of the ocean on a boat with no oars reappeared in his mind.

  Everyone was in the drawing room waiting for Barbara. Teodoro, Jonas and the three new arrivals.

  "Mr. Teodoro, can I speak to you for a moment?" said Jonas.

  Both stepped away from the group and entered Teodoro's study.

  "What is it, Jonas?" said Teodoro.

  "One of our guards has asked to return home early. He escorted us simply because we could find no one else to take his place. His mother is very ill and he wants to be with her."

  "Do you need another guard for the return back? I can find you one."

  "No, it is not necessary. I heard you state earlier that you needed to send a letter to Leonardo. The guard can take it for you."

  "Excellent. Can the guard be trusted?"

  "Yes, you can be sure of it."

  Teodoro opened the drawer in his desk and took out the letter, handing it over to Jonas.

  "Here it is."

  Jonas put the letter in his pocket and both returned to the room.

  A few minutes later, Barbara walked down the stairs. Everyone stood up to greet her and Jonas walked over to her.

  While they greeted each other, Alicio watched Fatima. When she saw Barbara, her eyes shined and she blushed. Her breathing became more labored.

  Barbara was introduced to Alicio and Vidal. She then walked over to Fatima.

  "How are you? I missed you."

  Fatima answered that she missed her also but her voice was shaky and low.

  "Sorry, what did you say?"

  "That I also missed you. It
is a pity that we lost contact because of distance."

  The two women moved away from each other, Fatima sat down next to Alicio and Barbara sat next to Teodoro, directly in front of Vidal.

  After dinner, they moved into the drawing room. Jonas excused himself and left the room, claiming he was unwell and needed to go to bed early. He said goodbye and left.

  While walking to his room, he opened the letter to read it. He placed a sheet of blank paper over it and carefully copied every mark, full stop and phrase. He had been forewarned by Barbara that both men had a code to ensure the validity of their letters. With this strategy, he was able to change the date of departure to delay Leonardo.

  Meanwhile, in the drawing room, the group exchanged pleasantries. Teodoro suggested that Vidal spend some time with Barbara before the marriage so they could get to know each other better. Vidal looked for a sign in Barbara's face that he had pleased her. But she simply smiled, showing no emotion at all. Most of her looks were directed at Fatima.

  "Sirs, would you like to smoke? Let us take some air on the veranda," said Teodoro.

  "Yes, let's leave the girls in peace," said Alicio.

  "So, Fatima, now that we are alone, tell me, what you told these pigs?" said Barbara.

  Fatima fidgeted. Barbara scared her.

  "I am sorry Barbara but I told them everything. Alicio sought me out and asked me for information about you."

  "And why did you give it?"

  "Because Teodoro offered this arrangement to him first. Alicio is my cousin, I cannot not hide anything from him."

  "So that is why he didn't accept it. Because of your account he now thinks I'm a tramp, doesn't he?"

  Fatima blushed and lowered her eyes to the ground.

  "Well, there is nothing to be done about it. Fatima, the problem is that you should have trusted me when we were together. Instead, you chose to keep your distance. If you had stayed by my side, you would know why I did what I did."

  "I couldn't. You changed too much and too fast."

  "No, I didn't change. The situation I was in forced me to be deceitful from the start. I needed help and the only way I could get it was by doing what I did."

  "Why did you seduce the priest?"

  "I can't tell you. Whatever I tell you will go straight to the ears of your cousin, isn't that right?"

  Fatima remained silent. It was true, her loyalty did not lie with Barbara. It lay with her cousin.

  "But it doesn't matter. What can you tell me about the three of them?"

  "They are masons, just like your father. Alicio told me."

  "And what about Vidal, do you know anything about him? I need to know who I am dealing with."

  "Only what my cousin has told me, that he is almost ruined. He is a gambler."

  "Just what I need! Is he addicted?"

  "He lost all his money at the tables. Alicio has helped him to stay away from the gaming table but I don't know if he has."

  "Let's walk around the garden? The night is hot," said Barbara.

  Both women walked through the garden until they reached the veranda where the men were smoking.

  "Sirs, Fatima, if you allow me, I would like to take my leave. I am tired," informed Barbara.

  "What a pity! I thought we could talk for a while," said Vidal.

  "We can go out for a short while tomorrow, if you are not too busy, sir."

  "Yes, tomorrow after lunch?"

  "That is best, I will be more rested. Good night to all."

  Barbara left and went upstairs to her room. When she passed Jonas' door, she knocked twice. He opened it.

  "Come in, come in."

  "So, Jonas, how is the letter coming along?"

  "It is ready. See, compare them. The writing is a bit shaky but I think it will convince Leonardo."

  Barbara took both letters. She compared them and saw they were not very different, except for the date.

  "Excellent work! This letter goes into the envelope. And this one..."

  Barbara tore up the letter and placed the pieces in the washbasin. Jonas set them on fire.

  "It is done" said Barbara.

  "It is done" repeated Jonas.

  17. Marriage

  Vidal and Barbara met a few times to familiarize themselves with each other. Vidal fell in love with Barbara's beauty but not so much for her. She was guarded with him and seemed to be only tolerating his presence.

  A day before the wedding, Vidal and Alicio went out to celebrate his last day as a bachelor. They went to the Old Blind Man's tavern. The old man was there, sitting at his table as usual. They asked for a jug of wine and sat down.

  "So, Vidal. Are you thinking of giving up? You still have time to run away!"

  "I couldn't even if I wanted to, I am madly in love with that woman. I cannot wait for the wedding night. But tell me, what were you trying to find out about her and your cousin?"

  "Ah, let us not speak of it any more. Nah, I can't keep it to myself, let us talk about it. You know Vidal, I think my cousin doesn't like men."

  "What an odd thing to say, Alicio."

  "It is true Vidal. I became suspicious when she told me Barbara's story."

  "What made you suspicious?"

  "The way she told the story. She seemed upset. I do not know if they had a relationship, I mean a carnal one, but I am sure she likes Barbara. That is why she won't get close to any man or let any man get close to her."

  "And you confirmed this yesterday?

  "Well, I am not absolutely certain of it. But I saw Fatima admiring Barbara's body, as we both were. Or all three of us, if we count Teodoro."

  "It is true, I noticed the lascivious looks the old man was giving her and Barbara didn't seem to mind it. I noticed her faint smile when she noticed others looking at her," said Vidal.

  "She must be used to these looks. A woman like that must attract the attention of all sorts. But tell me, how are the meetings going?"

  "We have been out, I am showing her the city. Tomorrow we are going to the Ribeira Market. Women like those places, strolling from stall to stall even if they buy nothing."

  "Is she getting interested in you?"

  "Actually, I don't know. She is very reserved, or is being reserved with me."

  "So you are becoming friends! How lovely!" exclaimed Alicio.

  "Starting a friendship, I'd say."

  "Well, there is no need to hurry. The wedding is just around the corner. If you have not taken any liberties with her, what will the wedding night be like? Will you play Backgammon?"

  Vidal laughed at Alicio's remark.

  "What a good suggestion! I cannot forget to take a backgammon board in my trunk, who knows what will happen!" said Vidal.

  "Vidal, she will be your wife. She has obligations to fulfill."

  "Yes, Alicio, she does. But I don't want to force her to do anything. I want to seduce her and I think when she is ready she will come to me."

  "Yes, that may be so but don't forget what Fatima told you."

  "No, I haven't forgotten but if she has actually fallen in love with Barbara, she may have made it all up because she is angry about the rejection."

  "It is true Vidal."

  While they sipped at their wine, the old blind man stood up and walked towards them. When he reached their table, he lowered his face to Vidal's ear. Vidal, who was raising his glass to his mouth, got a fright when he realized the old man's face was so close to his. He drew back but the old man grabbed him by the wrist keeping him in place. He uttered a few words in Vidal's ear and when he finished, the old man released Vidal's hands and continued walking towards the door as if nothing had happened.

  Alicio saw that Vidal was stunned. He began to ask him what the man said to him but was cut short. Vidal stood up and followed the man into the street.

  "Sir, why did you say that to me?" asked Vidal.

  "Say what? What are you talking about? Who is speaking?"

  "I am, you stopped at my table and said something to me. I a
m that very man."

  "I don't know what you are talking about, boy. Excuse me. And stop drinking! You must have had too much to drink and are seeing things."

  Vidal turned back to the tavern, in confusion. He sat down in silence and poured himself another glass of wine.

  "What happened, man? What did he say to you?"

  Vidal drained his glass of wine in one gulp, took a deep breath and tried to make sense of the recent event.

  "Alicio, the old man said that this is my second warning. I must not join this woman who brings death and then he said, ‘good night and sleep with the angels.’"

  "So what?"

  "When I was a child, my father used to say those very words when he put me to bed."

  "What was that about a second warning?" said Alicio. "This is what I think it is."

  Vidal told Alicio about the gypsy at the market.

  "Very strange. And what did the old man say when you ran after him?"

  "That he didn't know what I was talking about. All very odd, Alicio," said Vidal.

  "Well, the gypsy could have just been poking fun at you. But this old man is different. And he doesn't remember what he said. Could it be that a spirit was talking through him?"

  "That is what I think and if this is true, it was my father's spirit. Enough! I don't want to think about this anymore. Let's get drunk!"

  "I'll drink to that!"

  The wedding was simple as planned. The only people who attended were Alicio and Fatima and Jonas and Teodoro were the witnesses. Barbara was taken up the aisle by Jonas, upon her request. They behaved as if the church were full of guests. They walked down the aisle slowly, in keeping with tradition, while an organ played a hymn.

  Jonas, in his role as father, gave Barbara's hand to Vidal. She was wearing a simple white lace dress. Vidal held her hand but did not kiss it, for fear she would pull her hand away. Jonas took his seat next to Teodoro. The bride and groom then moved towards the priest so the ceremony could take place. At the end, they returned to Teodoro's house where they had supper and enjoyed the cakes and sweets and wine, that flow freely in any Portuguese home.

  "If you excuse me I'd like to speak to Jonas alone," said Barbara.