19
It took him awhile to sleep again, with his pregnant wife in his arms, just holding her as if his life depended on it. Kissing her softly, he smiled when she sighed in his arms, deep in sleep, cuddling into him, her body draped over him.
The strength and bravery she showed the previous day; then the understanding she showed for his actions, made him feel like a real man. She trusted him. His chest swelled under her head, her hair fanning over his body, covering them like a blanket.
He knew he could have a future with her and his child growing inside of her. It was the greatest gift he had ever received, unconditional love for a rough pirate feared by many.
She was worth it. To fight for their future was worth everything.
Thinking of the story she had told, he had admit that he respected Cisco Almaida as a man and as a father. Clearly Rosa-Lee had great admiration for him, as all her stories always involved him. He would have to thank the man once he took her back, for he had prepared her for him without knowing him. He smiled as she stretched her body against him. Her hand moved over him in a caress and his body reacted to the soft, gentle touch. He rolled her on her back and made love to her in the sweetest way. The soft womanly smile he received let him grin with pleasure, knowing that she enjoyed it as much as he enjoyed giving it.
During the night they both woke simultaneously. Moonlight streamed in through the shutter slats so that they could make out anything inside. Something had woken them and when Roberto looked out, he could see a shadow passing under the door. He pointed to the door and whispered in her ear to get up quickly and quietly. They stood up and dressed.
Again, she put on her brother’s clothing and when Roberto looked at her with dismay, she shrugged her shoulders without saying a word. She figured this would be the best way to move on the island and the safest. When she had packed a bag these were the only clothing she had taken, along with her knife and pistol. She slipped them into the belt under the jacket and grabbed a sword to belt under the jacket.
The dress on the floor was torn; the fabric stretched and damaged. She had no need for that dress.
In the back corner of the wooden structure was a trap door that he lifted. They went through it quickly and he closed the door behind him. He motioned for her to go out and stay in the bushes close by. He wanted to see what was going on at the front door. After a few minutes, he returned, speaking into her ear.
“There is no sign of Pierre or Enrico. We will have to get away from here. Follow me.” He took her hand. They ducked through dense bushes, past another few wooden structures until they reached a clearing, they could hear a soft sobbing sound. Rosa-Lee pointed it out to Roberto who nodded his head. She moved forward toward the sounds.
A young girl stood crying behind a tree. Shadows played over the face. The moonlight was not bright enough through the canopy, but she could see that the young girl was in distress.
“Don’t be afraid,” Rosa-Lee said softly. “We are here to help you.” The girl stopped crying, sniffing.
“What is your name?” Rosa-Lee whispered in her ear, putting a hand on her arm.
“Nora.”
“Why are you here?”
“I was captured from the coast of Mozambique. They brought me on a ship this afternoon. The moment I got a chance, I slipped away from the pirate who kept me in his hut.”
Rosa-Lee looked at Roberto. “We cannot leave her here. She has to come with us.”
“As long as she does not hold us up,” he whispered.
“I will not. Please, take me with you,” came the desperate plea.
They heard movement behind them, as people came closer. Quickly, they introduced themselves to the young girl.
“Nora, I am Rosa-Lee and this is Roberto. Follow us.” She took the girl’s hand in her own, clutching it tightly.
They continued until they reached the shoreline, close to a longboat lying on the beach.
“Get in,” said Roberto and started to push. Nora was already at the edge when they were stopped.
“Not so fast, Roberto,” a stern voice said from behind them. They turned around and behind them stood the Falcon, rigid and fierce and three of his men equally menacing, a torch in each one’s hand lit the beach around them.
Rosa-Lee and Roberto drew their swords, ready. The Falcon walked closer, straight to Rosa-Lee, looked at her, and said, “Who have we here?” Reaching toward her, he lifted the torch to her face and smirked.
“Ah, Señorita, lovelier than ever, I almost did not recognize you in men’s clothing.” He cupped her cheeks again.
Her heart was racing as she slapped his hand away, lifting her sword.
“Leave her alone!” Roberto said sternly.
“You really care about this bitch, son. You deceived me. It took me awhile to see through your plan but now I am back to claim her. She will be mine.”
“No!” screamed Rosa-Lee and launched forward. The point of the sword tore a hole in the Falcon’s black shirt.
“Ouch! You bitch, you scratched me,” he said in surprise.
Roberto moved forward, in between them, his sword drawn, anger in his voice and eyes.
“You will not touch her again, Falcon. I will kill you.”
The Falcon laughed, drawing out his sword.
“Let’s see if you can.” Both men knew each other’s strength. Both knew they had the same cunning and skill to win. Both had a roguish grin on their faces.
They circled each other. Rosa- Lee moved the young girl behind her, her eyes on the other three standing close by, swords drawn, menacing faces snarling at them.
Soon you could hear the clash of steel upon steel resounding at a high pitch through the night. Swiftly both the men moved on the ground, feet trained and steady on the loose sand, cutting into the air, stabbing towards each other with short body blows. Roberto cut the Falcon’s shoulder and then his abdomen with one sweep, hardly wounded, a defiant smirk on his face.
“You son of a bitch,” the Falcon screamed, throwing himself at Roberto.
Roberto stepped gracefully to the side and landed another blow to Falcon’s face. Blood streamed from the Falcon’s wounds, down his leg, into the sand. The younger man clearly had the upper hand.
Then one of the other men stepped closer, launching at Roberto with an angry growl, Roberto reacted and diverted the blow, cutting into the man’s arm. His sword sank deep into the flesh. The man cried out, grabbing his arm in disbelief, storming with fury towards Roberto. Roberto sidestepped again, punching the man in the face.
He fell to the ground as the Falcon moved forward again. Cutting into the air, weariness on his face, he launched forward onto Roberto’s sword.
Grabbing the sword, his face was stunned. “You wounded me, you son of a bitch!” he fell down on his knees. Another man screamed, running into Roberto. The last one made a lunge at Rosa-Lee, but she cut him, blood dripping from the sword point. She waited for him as he moved forward again. She protected her face with her sword, pushing him away from her with both hands, and then she attacked without uttering a word. Her sword disappeared into the man’s chest.
Nora screamed and covered her mouth with a hand, trembling in fear.
Glassy eyes looked at Rosa-Lee as the man fell backward on the sand. Waves covered him, pulling him farther out to sea. However, Rosa-Lee did not notice and turned back to the fighting behind her.
Roberto fought against the two men and he fell as a blow struck his head. A stream of blood ran down his face and the Falcon came for him. Roberto managed to strike the sword away from him. He was on his feet again and again steel clanked against steel.
Rosa-Lee stepped forward, covering his back with hers, and with fierce blows to both the pirates, they struck them, falling on their knees from the impact.
More men rushed forward and the Falcon yelled, “Get them!”
One man grabbed Nora, holding his sword under her chin. Fear filled her eyes but no sound came out. Rosa-Lee and Roberto stopped in mid-lung
e as the sound of a catching breath resonated in the air. Looking at Nora, they lowered their swords.
“Seize them!” the Falcon yelled again. “Take them to the tavern.”
Their swords were taken and the Falcon came closer, punching Roberto on the cheek. His ring cut through the skin and a trickle of blood dripped from his face.
“Your bitch has killed one of my men!” Looking at Rosa-Lee with a hateful glare he vowed, “She will pay; he was one of my best!”
“Clearly not,” Rosa-Lee said with a menacing smile.
He walked over to her and slapped her so hard that her head bounced back, slamming into the man who held her.
When her gaze returned to the Falcon she said in a very cold voice, “I will kill you.” She pronounced each word in clipped tones, her promise unmistakable.
He grabbed her shirt and pulled her up to face him directly. The other man let go his hold and he tied her hands in front of her. His eyes spat angry blue flames, shoving her toward the lights in the distance. She remained on her feet and the group walked away, Nora still in the clutches of the other man.
When they reached the tavern, they were tied up together. A huge crowd formed around them. Soft sobs came from Nora. Rosa-Lee could see her for the first time. She was small and blond, not as young as she thought, but with beautiful blue eyes.
Weariness and the day’s hardships were visible on her. Her dress was torn and filthy. It looked like she had been dragged at one point. She was full of scratch marks on her lower arms. Her feet were bare and bloody.
“Roberto, my son,” the Falcon said with a snarl in his voice, mocking him with the endearing word.
“Did you really think that you would get rid of me this easily? I have watched you for a while now. You were up to something. I could see that. You took the woman that was meant for me and made her your wife, planting your seed in her to make you a daddy. How touching. You thought I would not know?” He slapped him hard. Roberto’s head snapped back, his ears ringing. He returned his gaze, hate smouldering in the depths.
“A pirate with a wife, what a laugh!” Roars of boisterous laughter filled the place and goblets slammed together. Mocking could be heard all over, the men parroting their leader. “Playing daddy!” They doubled over.
“And then you steal another slave from one of my men. Are you going to marry her too?” Again a roar of laughter.
“You are the one that made sure that Pedro escaped. I don’t know when or how, but you will pay for that as well.” The Falcon stood before Roberto looking him directly in the eye, spit hanging from his beard.
“You have cost me a lot and I will collect from you and this bitch.” He turned to Rosa-Lee.
“My men saw your brother at Santa Apollonia. I am waiting for their return as we speak. Then both brother and sister will squeal like pigs after we had our way with them. Both are so pretty, don’t you think?”
“What are you waiting for, Falcon, here I am!” Pedro’s strong young voice reached their ears and Rosa-Lee’s face broke out in shocked surprise and grinned. To see her younger brother was truly a big relief. He stood there, equally rigid, his young body straight, his face stern and determined. At that moment she knew how her father looked at that age. Pride filled her heart.
The Falcon whirled around in surprise and the snarl disappeared from his menacing face, before it returned in mocking confidence.
Her heart beat increased, trying to make sense of the new development. With Pedro was a big, dark man who matched Pedro in size and height, but looked older.
“Pedro!” Rosa-Lee screamed out when she saw him and laughed.
“Shut up!” The Falcon slapped her again and she fell down under the onslaught.
“You better stop that,” she seethed, struggling to reach for him. “I am tired of you slapping me. Unfasten me and fight me, you coward!” So infuriated was she with the man in front of her, she did not notice the buzz and then the silence.
“Rosa-Lee, calm down and look,” Roberto said to her softly. Men in uniform filled the tavern as the big man walked closer, his eyes fixed on the Falcon.
“I am Captain le Roux and I am here to arrest you, Falcon, you and your men.” He tossed a rolled paper to him.
“Consider yourself served, you and your brood of vipers, as you deserve, by hanging.” His voice echoed in the silence. There was no room for argument and for a brief second, a pin could be heard before a huge fight broke loose between the uniforms and the pirates.
Roberto managed to free his hands and when he looked up, Pierre was standing close to him, in battle with two men. He untied Rosa-Lee and Nora, who sank to the ground in exhaustion. He did not notice the pure hatred in Rosa-Lee’s eyes as they set on the Falcon, the man who had caused all of this. The moment Roberto released her she sprang into action.
Rosa-Lee grabbed a dagger from the ground and launched at the Falcon, who grinned at her. With one fierce blow to his heart, she killed him. It was so swift that it did not even register with him as he fell to the ground, the same grin on his face.
Before Roberto could react, she had sprung away from him, and an instant later stood over the lifeless body of the Falcon, staring at the pirate’s lifeless eyes.
He stepped closer to her and spoke, not to alarm her.
“My Rosa it is over, give me the dagger,” he said into her ear, stroking her arm to calm her. For the first time since the ordeal began she turned, pressed herself into him, and cried.
Her body shook with sobs and he stroked her back, whispering soft words in her ear while the fighting continued around them.
Pedro came over to them, climbing over the lifeless body, and reached for his sister.
“Rosa-Lee, my sister,” he said in a thick, raspy voice. The emotions were too much for brother and sister. She left Roberto’s arms and threw herself into his. With a satisfied grin, Roberto left them to be reunited once again. Her brother was safe and she kissed him all over the face as renewed tears rolled from her eyes. She clutched his shoulders.
“You are safe, Pedro!”
“Yes sister.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.” He hugged her, pulled her away and smiled. “I cannot believe you are here. Just look at you!”
She smiled, wiping tears from her face. “You don’t look so bad yourself,” she said. And they both laughed, releasing all the pent up emotions from the last few months.
After a while, Roberto returned to her side and she stepped into his waiting arms, holding her again after he helped Pierre, killing the one man with his sword. All the pirates were finally apprehended and tied up.
“Pedro, I want you to meet my husband, Roberto de Ville,” she announced with pride. Pedro looked at her then at Roberto. He clapped his new brother-in-law on the shoulder.
“Well done, sir.”
Rosa-Lee looked at him, then at Roberto. “Sir?” Pedro grinned.
“You, my sister, are looking at the brave Roberto de Ville, Captain in the Dutch East India Company.”
“Roberto?” she gasped. He grinned.
“You are not a pirate?” she asked, bewildered.
“No my Rosa. I am an honest member of the working society.”
She wrapped her arms around him with a soft scream of delight and kissed him fiercely to the delight of all present.
Pedro chuckled and left them. He liked the man. He would be a good husband to her.
†††
Pierre was tying up the men he had bested and saw the small body with her head bowed. Long blond tresses covered the face and he wondered who it was. Handing the men over to an officer, he walked over to the young blond girl unmoving on the floor, too drained to be interested in the activities around her. He touched her lightly on the shoulder. She looked up. Two pairs of bright blue eyes met, the one very shy and scared, the other full of interest.
Holding out a hand, he helped her to her feet gallantly. He could see that she was distressed, tears running dow
n her face. He gave her his handkerchief, which she took with a small, delicate hand, whispering a “Thank you.” Not sure what to expect, she dropped her eyes, still scared with everything that had happened. She shivered from cold and weariness and he gathered her closer, supplying her with much-needed warmth, feeling the fear and tension leaving her body. She was so small that he had to bend over to hold her, but for some reason it felt good. She fitted right into him.
“Are you all right, Señorita?” he asked with concern.
She nodded. “Yes, Señor. I just do not understand what is going on. Does this mean that I am free?” Again the blue eyes met his with hope and trust in their depths and his heart skipped a beat.
“Yes, Señorita, it means you are free. The D.E.I.C came to our rescue.”
“Who are you, Señor?”
“My name is Pierre du Val, Captain in the Dutch East India Company.” He bowed before her with a gorgeous smile. “And who am I addressing?”
She blushed. “Nora Denhaag,” she replied and curtseyed, lifting the hem of her skirt. The sight of her bloody foot dismayed Pierre greatly. He crouched down and examined one foot and then the other.
“It is not that bad, Señor, just some scratches.”
“Are you sure, Señorita?”
“Yes I am.” He tried to determine whether she spoke the truth and she smiled shyly, dropping her skirt over her feet.
“Would you like to sit down?” He rose to his full height, towering over her.
“No, thanks, I think if I sit down I will fall asleep. I am tired.” Pierre looked around, not sure what to do with her, but he wanted to spend more time with her. Everyone was still busy with the pirates and a thought occurred to him. He pondered for a few seconds.
“Would you like to stroll down the beach with me, Señorita Nora?” He held out an arm and she looped her arm through his, smiling up to him. Dimples appeared on each cheek and Pierre was mesmerized, lost.
“Yes, kind Señor,” she chuckled. “I would love that.”