20
Out of breath, Rosa-Lee pushed Roberto away, her eyes full of questions, surprised, confused. Roberto smiled at the mixed emotions on her face, still holding onto his brave wife.
“What would you like to know?”
“There are a million questions racing through my mind. I don’t know where to begin,” she replied. “I am so surprised. How…? When…? Where…? I do not know. Start at the beginning, I guess.” Rosa-Lee asked, stammering, not sure what to say.
“Would you like to sit down? It could take a while?”
“Yes, and I need water. I am terribly thirsty.”
“I will get you some.” He left her arms to draw a pitcher closer with some wine in it. Sniffing at the contents, he found it drinkable and handed it to her. All around them lay broken pitchers. It was a wonder this one was still intact. She raised it to her mouth and took small sips. Sitting next to her, with her hand in his, Roberto began at the beginning.
“I already told you my sister and I were sold to pay off the debt for my father, and how I became the Falcon’s son.” She nodded.
“I was captured by the D.E.I.C about a year after my adoption for minor crimes. I made a deal with them that I would hand them Falcon on a platter if they would give me a break. After much negotiation, they gladly accepted the offer. They made me first a lieutenant and then later a captain, because I handed them another well-known pirate.” He smiled at her and her eyes were fixed on him.
“The Falcon was a bastard by anyone’s standards and was slipping through their fingers each time, creating havoc wherever he went. The idea of kidnapping you was born the moment I met Pedro, when we captured the merchant ship for loot. Pedro was impressive, to say the least. The Falcon was also impressed with him. When he learned whose ship we had looted, he immediately started to talk to him, having admired your father all his life. I send a letter to the HQ informing them of the new development, and they gave me permission to recruit Pedro. Together we devised the plan, giving it as a suggestion to the Falcon to get more money in the coffers. Of course, it had to be subtle so that he would think he came up with the plan, and when he finally gave the order, we were ready. We made sure Alfonso was out of harm’s reach before I left to get you.”
“But how did Pedro “escape”?”
“When we arrived back on the island, Pedro was already gone. I searched for him all over the island. That is why I left you on the ship so long, for your protection. I was not sure what was going on.”
“I missed you,” she pouted.
“I missed you, too.” He smiled as he kissed her pouty lips.
Captain le Roux came to the couple with questioning brows. Rosa-Lee looked at him and then at Roberto, expecting that he would be arrested, the truth still new to her, but instead, the big man smiled at Roberto and said,
“My friend, finally I see you again after all these months. I received your letter from Captain Peek du Toit.”
“My friend,” Roberto said and then turned to Rosa-Lee. “Let me introduce you to my wife, Rosa-Lee de Ville.”
“Señora, what an honour. Captain du Toit was very impressed with you. We thank you for the letter and your bravery. You do your father proud.”
With her heart soaring, she smiled at the man she called husband, safely wrapped in his arms. All this time, he had asked her to trust him, telling her that all was not as it seemed, and with a foolish heart she did, scolding herself. But now all was clear and she sighed in contentment, dropping her head on his shoulder, just drinking him in.
“I am so glad that Captain de Ville has found happiness with you, my dear. It does us all good.”
“But how?” she asked, remembering something. “He was really adopted by the Falcon?”
“Yes it is true. I recruited him ten years ago as an agent after he came to us with information. Your brother is also working for us. This was all a plan to capture the Falcon for his misdeeds throughout the years. Roberto stayed and gathered all the evidence for the Falcon’s day in court, but it took a lady to bring him down.” Captain le Roux laughed at her disbelief, looking at the lifeless body of the Falcon.
“Did Roberto not tell you?”
She could only shake her head and then looked at her husband with brand new eyes, love visible in the hazel depths. Roberto placed a kiss on her nose with a conceited smile. He was proud of this woman. She had married him for the man he was and not the title he wore. The title of pirate, placed fear in most, but not her. He hugged her.
Rosa-Lee turned to her brother, who had returned to her not as a child, but as a young man. Proudly, he stood there smiling at her.
“Hi, sister,” Pedro said sheepishly.
“Papa will be so proud,” she whispered and he grinned with delight.
“I recruited him when I met him ten months ago,” Roberto said with pride in his voice.
“He reminds me a lot of you, the same courage and persistence. But you definitely are more beautiful.” She blushed, the look on her husband’s face telling her what he really wanted to do.
“Roberto, why didn’t you tell me? Your secret would have been safe with me.”
“It was better this way,” he replied, smiling, removing a wisp of hair from her forehead.
“That is why you wanted me to trust you so much, and now I am glad I did. You are a wonderful man, and I love you very much.”
She pulled him closer, kissing him in front of everyone. The arousal she sensed in him made her forget everyone else.
†††
Pierre and Nora strolled away down to the beach. Everywhere pirates were either running or fighting the D.E.I.C soldiers, but each one was successfully captured by them and tied up. Men cursed as they were led away, giving no second glance to the young couple.
“But are you not a pirate?” she asked, seeing the commotion around her. Pierre had managed to get her a pair of shoes to protect her feet but she was flopping in them. They were three sizes too big for the delicate feet scuffing next to him, breaking the silence with every step, causing a few giggles and chuckles from them both.
“I only pretended to be one. Roberto and I were both undercover.” She looked at him puzzled, and he explained. “The man who helped you with Rosa-Lee.” She giggled again. Everything had happened so fast that her head was still spinning, but Pierre took his time. “We worked undercover for the last eight years on various lootings. I saved his life and offered my services on the same day. That is how we met. Since then, we have become good friends.”
“You are very brave, Captain.”
Pierre grinned. “And you, Señorita, are very beautiful.”
A blush appeared on Nora’s face. As they stopped on the white sands, the midday sun warmed their bodies. He stepped closer, brushing the long blond tresses with his fingers. Soft, silky strands flowed through them and he watched as they fell down on her shoulder, her dishevelled look still appealing to his eyes. Pierre had waited a long time to find a woman he was interested in. Since he laid his eyes on the little blond, he was exceptionally interested. She turned his insides into crashing waves and he wanted to know if the feeling was mutual.
“Very beautiful.” He swallowed. “May I kiss you, Señorita?” he whispered, just above the crashing of the waves. She leaned in and offered her lips without saying a word. He brushed against her plum lips, sighing in contentment.
I am going to make an effort to court her. It is a long way back. Lots of time to know Nora Denhaag. His mouth tasted her sweetness, as she pressed against him, soft and fitting into his frame.
Perfect.
†††
“What is next for you?” Captain le Roux asked the next morning, after the hanging of the remaining pirates just after dawn.
“I am officially giving my resignation. I am going to be a farmer from now on. I am finished with this life. It was too long,” Roberto said, looking at Rosa-Lee and then at the captain, his voice filled with seriousness, leaving no room for any doubt.
br /> “There is something you need to know Roberto, about your parents,” Captain le Roux said.
“Yes?”
“Your father passed away six months ago, and your mother four months ago. They both came down with the fever. I only received the news three months ago. I am sorry, Roberto. There is a neighbour looking after the place, awaiting your return.”
A silence fell among them and Rosa-Lee reached for her husband. She knew how much he had wanted to see his parents again, and now they were both gone. It was devastating news for him. He blinked his eyes as moistness formed and bowed his head for a second.
“I have found the will that your father left. You receive everything, of course, and with it there is a letter from him to you.”
The Captain handed two letters over to him. He had to walk away as he read the letter from his father. Standing at the corner of the tavern, he inhaled deeply at the gravity of not being able to see them again. It was a short letter. His father was not one to mince words. It told him how much they had missed him. The handwriting was shaky with some words blurred but he managed to read it with a sober expression.
How he had missed these two people over the years. He now knew he would never see them again. He would miss their wisdom, their love for the land that he had shared. He would never share with them his return, his newfound love, being a father. A tear ran down his face, which he wiped away, reliving the good times in his mind.
When he turned back, his emotions were under control and he spoke. “Thank you, Captain, for everything you did for them.” He shook Captain le Roux’s hand firmly.
“Your farm is waiting for you; for you and your wife. Go and claim it!” he slapped Roberto on the shoulder.
“You have our blessing. You have done a lot for us over the years. There will be, of course, a bonus included in your pay. Everything else you can keep,” he said smiling at him.
“Thanks, Captain.” He wrapped his wife in his arms. This was his life and his family. He kissed her solemnly.