A Pirate's Wife

Chapter 6: Meeting the pirate.

Rosa-Lee returned to the living room where her mother and father still stood at Captain Jean's chair. He was even paler than before, and her parents looked worried. Her mother held a cloth on the leg, trying to stop the bleeding, pale with worry.

Her father held the letter with shaking hands and as she stepped closer, his right arm fell to his side. The letter, open in his hand, shook as a grey pallour covered his face.

“Father, what is wrong?"

Her father did not say anything; her mother covered her face in her hands, sobbing. The cloth fell on the floor and a dark stain formed, unnoticed. Rosa-Lee removed the letter still clutched in her father's big hand and began to read. The more she read, the angrier she got.

Cisco Almaida

It is a shame that we must meet under these circumstances, for I have heard about your bravery over the years; but a man must make a living. Consider this a business transaction.

I have your youngest son, Pedro, in my custody at the Isle of Saint Marie. He assured me that you are a wealthy man and can pay me a healthy ransom for his release.

For your son's release I demand 2000 in gold coins by the end of four months or he will be dead. It will all depend on how quickly you can deliver.

He talked about his lovely sister so often. Let her bring it. I can use some feminine company.

Do not try anything. I did send my second-in-command with your Captain Jean to watch over all the proceedings and to make sure Rosa-Lee comes along.

His life is in your hands.

The Falcon

“How dare he?" She lifted the paper in the air, perplexed, angry, and bitter at this unknown Falcon. As her hand dropped, still trembling, she looked at her parents with blazing eyes. She had to read the letter twice to understand the contents. The more she read, the angrier she grew.

“How dare he?" she spat out.

“You have to leave tomorrow morning early. Otherwise you will not make the deadline," Captain Jean gasped. “His second-in-command is his son, a ruthless and cunning man. It was he who wounded me before I got off the ship, to make sure I would deliver the message."

“What is his name?" Rosa-Lee asked, still seething.

“Roberto. He is very sly and very dangerous. I would do as they say if I were in your shoes," he said through clenched teeth.

Finally, Cisco spoke, and the anger in his voice was unmistakable.

“Who does this man think he is, to command in this manner money, my daughter and my son's life, all in one breath?"

“My father is used to getting what he wants, and this is a small price to pay for your son's life, I would say." A very tall, dark-haired man, the expression on his face determined and fierce, stood in the doorway, filling it with his large frame. They had not noticed him before and swung toward the deep baritone voice. A scar ran from the corner of his left lip to his left eye. The deep ochre shade of those eyes made him look even more dangerous.

He wore black trousers with high boots. A white shirt showed beneath his long black jacket. In his large hand that looked like a claw to Rosa-Lee he nonchalantly held a black hat. He glared straight into her father's own piercing eyes without any faltering of his gaze.

She clenched her hands in fists, eyes blazing at the black cloaked man, the smirk on his face clearly in defiance of any law.

“We leave tomorrow morning at six. Be there or bear the consequences." His eyes shifted to her with amusement and with a mockingly courteous nod to her, he turned and left. They were all stunned in disbelief.

“How dare you?" She shouted at his back.

He turned, glancing back at her, appraising her as if she were the most despicable thing he had ever seen. The guffaw that burst from his throat rolled over her. She stamped her foot in frustration on the marble floor.

Though his voice was cold and distant, his eyes were fiery darts pinning her to attention to him. “Be warned, Môn Petite, that you do not wake the beast." And he left her standing there. For a moment, fear gripped her heart and her knees buckled. She melted into the love seat.

Her dress billowed around her in an unlady-like fashion. She was crestfallen at the very idea that she would be in this cold man's presence for the next four months. But she would go.

†††

December 26, 1623

Cisco Almaida, Landowner. Words I never thought would stand together. But after yesterday it was true. I am a landowner, married to the most beautiful woman in the world. And soon to be a father. My heart wants to beat out of my chest.

A father. The greatest gift of all. When Qonchita revealed it to me last night I was, to say the least, speechless. I cried for the first time in my life. I cried. I had nothing else to say and I wrapped her in my arms and held her all night. She has blessed me since the moment she stepped in my life. She has made me have pride in myself. Because of her I can fulfil my dreams.

God, Your Word is true. You bless the pure in heart. You knew my desires and You fulfilled them. Even when I walked through the valley of death and feared, you remained faithful. How awesome is Your Grace?

Help me to stay true to Your Word, true to my new title, and to use it for good. Help me to be a husband and father as you have ordained from the foundation of the world.

I praise your Holy Name.

Amen

January 2, 1624

We spent our first Christmas and New Year together as a family. Cisco was like a child, riding his horse all over the place. There was never a dull moment with him around. Rosa-Lee is blossoming with him as her father. Her giggles of delight fill the castle's passageways and the staff is happier than I can remember.

This is all thanks to Cisco.