A Pirate’s Wife (6 page)

pure Almaida blood, tough enough to face anything.

Later Rosa-Lee lay in her bed, eyes wide open. She

had to swallow hard as the enormity of what she was about

to face strike her and tears ran down her cheeks. She

allowed them to run freely.

Come tomorrow morning, fear would be the last

emotion she had the luxury of giving into. Her life would

depend on her skill and alertness.

†††

January 4, 1624

Last night I was awakened by Qonchita once again.

She panicked and moaned uncontrollably in her sleep. It

took me awhile to calm her enough for her to realize we

were safe.

The turmoil of our journey plagued her. Last night

she dreamed we were back on the beach where Kayla tried

to seduce me. The slave girl had pretended to sleep with me

so that Qonchita would desert me. The mere fact that

Qonchita did not speak to me for a few days almost killed

me.

Because of her I had the courage to do what I did to

get us out of that place. Faro's attempt to rape her terrified
her. I wish I could take those haunting images away. Every

time after such an ordeal she melted into my arms, looking

forlorn and lost. My heart ached for her and for what we

were going through.

The image of her feet, skin worn away to a bloody

pulp from walking, her slippers torn, is engraved in me.

Those first days were terrible, when we realized help was

not coming and we would have to walk. People fell down

from exhaustion because the captain refused to stop. The

lack of food and the constant rain stalled us over and over.

I still hear the screams as wild animals captured people

and dragged them into the bushes. I carried Qonchita for

days through that brush with Rosa-Lee on my back. Faro

never attempted to help them. Not that I would have let

him.

The man was more interested in the slave girls that

travelled with us. There were times that I had to bite my

tongue when I caught him in the act. The man was simply

arrogant in his dealings, but those women loved him.

Those days were hard on my lady. But she never

complained. She took everything with her head held high, a

true lady to the bone.

I swore to myself that I would keep her save, protect

her. I did not care what any one said as long as she was

safe. Those days when I carried her, I knew without any

doubt that I loved her but I never said a word, although I

wanted to. That kiss was the only one we ever dared to

share, so I kept my distance as much as I could.

It was hard to watch her, yet she had this strength

in her that made her to stand up and go on, no matter what.

Now, to have her in my arms every night is a

blessing. I can kiss her all I want. I make love to her and

she simply melts in my arms.

She is my joy, my delight. I will love her always.

3

January 15, 1624

Today was an exceptionally cold day and we spent

it indoors. I love days like this where we can sit around the

hearth and read, talk and enjoy each other's' company.

Rosa-Lee was on top of Cisco most of the time. She loves

her daddy so much. Her laughter fills the castle. I can

hardly wait for this little one to come. My protruding

tummy is a joy for Cisco. He simply cannot keep his hands

off me.

Today I think back to the many days and weeks we

walked through the grassy plains of Africa. I remember the

exhaustion, the heat, and the insects that bit us day and

night. Then in the afternoons the rains would drench us

completely so that the nights were miserable. We faced

hunger for days on end because Captain Breno refused to

let us rest and get the required food. I learned to eat

anything in my walk, from tree bark to grass and leaves.

Anything would do just to get the hunger pains under

control.

There were days that I did not know how we got at a

certain point. My body and soul were so tired for lack of

everything basic.

After two months we finally arrived in an empty

stad,
a town. No one was there and as we searched the

empty huts in the hope of food, we were once again faced

with nothing. A lonely dog barked, seeking attention from

the Captain. He shot it.

People scrambled to get to it first. In disgust I

watched as they ate it just like that.

Someone found rotten maize. Again, people ate it

and got stomach cramps. Two people died afterwards.

The one thing that would always remain in my

thoughts was the face of the pregnant woman we found shot

dead by our captain and left to bleed to death. He was a

cruel man. He wanted to punish me when I hit him out of

pure rage after the death of that young woman. Her death

was senseless.

Cisco thought it wise to take me away. In the

process we were attacked by savages. We ran, Rosa-Lee in

Cisco's arms, me right behind him and Kayla, who was

never far behind, followed us. In the confusion we were

separated from the group. Two days later when we found

them we were charge with mutiny. It was the first time I

saw Cisco completely lose his temper.

He is a big man, taller and more bulky than most.

He towered over Captain Breno and for the first time I saw

fear in the Captain's eyes.

Cisco was captured by some of the Captain's

followers but the rest of the group attacked them and

eventually they let go of him. From that day forward the

Captain was not so hostile toward Cisco.

Those were trying times. Our endurance was

pushed to the limit.

†††

Commotion filled the harbour early the next

morning. The sun tinted the sky in an orange-gold, a few

featherlike clouds floating in the heavens.

Captains barked out commands to their scurrying

crews. Sailors raced around to get all the cargo onto the

ships, walking the plank in swift long strides laden with

luggage, crates or chicken pens. While men scaled the

tackle works, hollering to each other, a few already

swabbed the decks with Holystone and salt water, whistling

a cheerful tune.

The whole place looked alive and festive. Festivity

was the last thing in the hearts of the Almaida family. With

sombre faces, they watched sailors carry Rosa-Lee's trunks

up the plank of the
Contra O Vento
. The small, streamlined frigate lay waiting in the calm water.

Cisco and Qonchita stood next to Manuel, who

watched the activities with interest. Rosa-Lee knew his

heart was not with the sea. This was his life, here, working

the land. She would miss him, her big bear of a brother.

She bravely smiled at her family and they held her

for a moment in silence. They had said all they could. Now

they all had to believe that this voyage would not end in

disaster.

Rosa-Lee was just hugging her mother when they

heard a stern, brisk voice behind them.

'Very touching, but it is time.'

Rosa-Lee saw the pirate looking at her from the

ship, the same amusement from the previous evening in his

eyes. He looked menacing, unwavering in the same dark

clothes of the previous day. She met his gaze in the same

manner; unwavering, defiant. His chuckle sent fury into her

eyes.

Roberto saw the fury and it drew him.
This will be

an interesting time with her aboard the ship. The Falcon is

definitely going to know her, but there is no harm in having

some fun.

Ochre eyes roamed over the enticing body wrapped

in green taffeta. The dark braided hair lay over a creamy

shoulder. Her bodice clung to the small frame in the latest

fashion. Her perky breasts looked ripe for the plucking. He

grinned at the picture he knew he will enjoy.

She stepped away from her parents with anger still

visible on her face. She gathered her dress in her hands and

walked up the plank with a steady gait and a rigid back,

small shoulders straight, showing no fear, to where the

pirate waited. She looked at him, eyes locking his with

defiance. His guffaw rumbled up his throat, mocking her.

She pulled her chin up. Without a word, she turned to wave

to her parents.

Rosa-Lee Almaida definitely has some backbone,

Roberto smiled.
Backbone I would like to break and bend

to my will. Yes, I am definitely going to enjoy this voyage.

He turned his attention back to the ship and barked

orders still aware of Rosa-Lee at the railing.

She stood there until the white sails were set high

above her, the breeze filling them with snapping sounds.

Wood creaking, the ship started to sail away from the

harbour. They moved farther and farther over the blue

depths, small waves tossing against the hull, until she could

not see her parents any more.

Refusing to give in to the emotions which swept

over her, she finally turned away from the rail. Two men

stood with buckets filled with sea water and splashed it

over the wooden deck. Some were up in the tackle of the

sails, the watchman in his crow's nest.

Many of them watched her with curiosity, toothy

grins on their faces, talking to one another. Some of them

looked at her like a morsel they could sample as dark,

lustful eyes followed her.

The captain stood on the bridge next to the

boatswain looking down at her with his mock expression,

an expression she intended to have the pleasure of wiping

from his face. The man on his right-hand side was rather

good looking, with a smile on his handsome face. His eyes

followed her and he gave her a light nod. She nodded back

in greeting, which caused Roberto to frown, looking at his

second in command with a stern gaze. He muttered

something and the man looked away with a smirk.

Looking around, she wondered where she would be

sleeping when she heard a young male voice next to her.

'Señorita Almaida, I will show you to your sleeping

quarters.' His voice was pleasant to her ear and she smiled,

glad to finally see a friendly face.

'I will be your chamber boy for the duration of the

trip. Please follow me.'

He could not be more than sixteen years old, very

small in posture. Big brown eyes had an easy smile in

them. He was quite likeable, considering the predicament

she was in.

Well, I am here now. I might just as well make the

best of it.
When she looked up, her father's flag, their

family crest, had been replaced with a black pirate flag and

a purple flag with a falcon underneath it. She sneered in a

most unladylike way at them and followed the young man.

'What is your name?' she asked as her eyes swept

over the ship, refusing to look at the defiant man on the

bridge.

'I am Enrico, Señorita.'

'Well, Enrico, show me the way.'

He took her below deck to the stern of the ship to a

large cabin with rich, purple velvet curtains and bed drapes.

Surprised at the richness she looked around and took in the

sparse furniture. She expected a bunk but to found a bed in

there was so much better. A small dresser and table stood in

the one corner with a chair next to it, next to the port.

'These will be your cabin, Señorita. If there is

anything you need, you can pull this cord and I will be here

to assist.' He showed to a golden cord which hanged in the