10
Enrico and Pierre left them alone and a silence fell between them. Rosa-Lee, still shaky of hunger, sat down in the Captain’s chair, not realizing that such a thing was never done.
The past few days” experience had left her numb. The moment she stepped on that ship she knew she was wrong and even deserved the whipping, yet she was thankful that they did not follow through with it.
Her father had told her on many occasions that the life of a sailor was very hard and the Captain’s discipline was important to run a ship sufficiently. Whether it was a D.E.I.C. or pirate ship, discipline was the only thing a captain had to keep the men in check, upholding his law at all times.
Finally she spoke, “I am sorry for the delay that I caused.” She looked down at her hands in her lap.
Roberto walked closer to her. Kneeling in front of her, he softly said:
“I was never so scared in my whole life because of what you did. I was afraid that I would not see you again. I was angry, frustrated, not knowing if you would be all right. Angry for the situation we were in and that I could not change it.” The seriousness of the situation was visible on his face and Rosa-Lee had to swallow hard at the lump in her throat.
“Does this mean that I am forgiven?” Rosa-Lee asked softly.
“Never do this again!” he said brusquely. He could not believe how vulnerable he was before her, kneeling in front of her. He wanted to pull her closer, his body aching for her warmth next to him.
Their faces were so close that he could lean in and touch those rosebud lips. Amazed at the tenderness and care in him, reflected by her own, Rosa-Lee absently brought her hand up and trailed the scar on his face with one finger.
“Tell me the story,” she whispered.
“Not much to tell. It was a long time ago. I killed a man who raped my sister. This was his reminder to me.” He also spoke in a soft husky tone. When her finger ended at his lips, he kissed it.
“It is a beautiful scar.” She pressed her forehead against his, his closeness affecting her. Her body yearned for his touch. For the moment all was forgotten. He kissed her fingers and then her palm, removing it and placing a kiss on her mouth.
“You do things to me that I have never experienced,” she finally said, leaning back. “And I think I need to go. This can never be.” Pushing him aside, she stood up. His hands brushed over her curves and his jacket fell to the ground. She walked out, exposing creamy skin with each step.
Her presence lingered in the cabin for a few seconds and when he gathered his jacket from the floor; he could smell her on it. Deep in thought, he slipped into it, her warmth captured inside. He breathed her in.
What was that all about? He had never knelt before a woman, let alone told anyone the story of his scar. Never had he felt this vulnerable in all his life. He thought she merely intrigued him. But he found it was more than just attraction or thoughts of a few minutes rolling in the hay.
He had feelings for her.
He knew she had the same struggles as he did. Her feelings for him were crystal clear for that brief second when she touched his cheek, trailing her small finger down his cheek and letting it stop at his lips.
She was fighting, refusing to recognize it.
Smiling softly, he thought he would have to be patient with her. He could understand why she was fighting it. In her eyes, he was a pirate. Ladies like her never fell in love with pirates. It was unheard of. His life foretold an unsavoury future, a life no woman would be willing to share. But then, he was not an ordinary pirate. He could have a future with her, but he could not reveal it. Not now.
He could still feel her touch on his face. He enjoyed the memory of the delicate caress against the scar, emotions she stirred; what it did to him. Sitting down on the chair she had left, he leaned back and closed his eyes, a smile on his handsome face.
†††
“Captain, we have set the sails and we are on our way to the Heerengardt. The winds look good,” Pierre reported after a while.
“That is good.”
Roberto stood over the maps and studied them, but Pierre knew him. His thoughts were not with the maps. His guess would be that they were with the beautiful señorita.
He had seen how Roberto looked at her when he thought nobody was watching. His captain was in love with her, and who could blame him? She was not only beautiful but very intelligent too. She was a novelty in these times where women were only expected to have children and do household chores, staying in the background.
The señorita could speak to them about things that interested them. She had a sharp mind. She had proven it again with her perception about the Heerengardt. If he had half a chance, he would pursue her. His captain would not like the competition.
†††
A while later Rosa-Lee came on deck. She wore a beautiful pale green dress, her skin glowing and hair shiny, looking magnificent. She was the picture of a stunning female, now more than before.
Roberto watched her from the bridge as she stood at the railing, peering over the waters in the direction of the captive ship. They were going at a good speed. The winds had picked up and the ship cleaved the water, leaving a white trail behind.
“At this rate we will catch up in time,” Roberto thought.
The stormy weather they had experienced the previous evening had fled but left them with a good strong wind blowing the sails in a sharp convex. The wooden beams creaked under its force.
The meal bell reverberated through the ship and he walked down the steps off the bridge. He met Rosa-Lee at the bottom and offered his arm to walk her to the dining hall. With a smile, she gladly accepted, placing a small hand on the sleeve of his jacket. He inhaled. She smelled like cinnamon and honey, his favorite smells.
“Are you feeling better?” He inquired.
“Yes, thank you. The bath was wonderful and Enrico is very good.”
“I am glad you are pleased, Mon Petite.” He let the endearing words slip again and she smiled, looking down at her feet, the stairs steep in front of her.
Once they were seated, Pierre asked, “What is the plan of action?”
“I have given it much thought,” Rosa-Lee said immediately and both Roberto and Pierre grinned at the señorita’s self-assuredness. This they had to hear. The other men looked dumb-founded at the three.
“The moment that we are close enough to send a signal, we will send a distress call. I, as a diversion, will go on board while you --” looking at both Pierre and Roberto “ -- Will come from behind and free the captain and his crew. Easy.” She shrugged her shoulders casually. Roberto thought his heart almost stopped at the ridiculous plan.
“There is no way that I will allow you to go on that ship again,” said Roberto abruptly, glaring at her.
“Now wait, Roberto. That sounds like a great plan.”
“No.”
“Do you have a better idea?” Pierre asked with a grin. His friend was smitten.
“Please, Captain, we can help these men and I can make a better diversion than you can. My life will be safe. I mean, I am surrounded with D.E.I.C. men. There are only ten pirates. We can take them out.” Her logic was too simple for him. How could he put her back, knowing what he had just discovered?
All eyes were on him, the food forgotten, as they waited.
Debating with himself, weighing both the pros and cons, he knew this was the best plan. Reluctantly, Roberto had to agree to the plan and finally said:
“Okay. I see that it can work, but if there is, at any time, the smallest notion that your life is in danger, we pull out. Is that clear?”
“Yes, clear.” both Pierre and Rosa-Lee agreed and they smiled to each other.
“Let’s eat,” said Rosa-Lee. “I am starving.” Chuckles filled the cabin; even Roberto revealed a grin before it disappeared again.