A Pirate's Wife

Chapter 9: Leaving Portugal.

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 saltwater, whistling a cheerful tune.

The whole place looked alive and festive. However, 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 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 has some backbone, Roberto smiled. Backbone I would like to break and bend to my will. Yes, I am 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 further and further over the blue depths, small waves tossing against the hull, until she could not see her parents anymore.

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 and 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 finding 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.

“This 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 her a golden cord which hanged in the corner of the bed.

“That door leads to my cabin." He pointed out a door in the left corner of the cabin. “Breakfast will be served in your cabin, but all other meals will be eaten with the captain."

“I refuse to eat with that man. I will stay here. Please go!" Immediately she raised her voice in anger. Who does this man think she is? I do not want any contact with him in anyway. The nerve of this man.

Enrico nodded his head in understanding and walked out, closing the door behind him.

She unpacked her trunk into the small cupboard provided for her dresses and left a few things in the trunk for later use, especially the pistol, well-hidden for now. She realized she needed a place to put them and, looked around her room a second time.

Her room was comfortable but small; not what she enjoyed at home, but for now it suited her purposes. She found her way around easily and decided to put her knife near her bed between the folds of the curtains. It would be close enough to get to easily.

In the one corner near the window was a small tub for her bath, a luxury on a ship. Although the ship belonged to her father, she had never been on it, only the larger merchant one, but her father undoubtedly thought of everything when he purchased it a few years back. Not suitable for a woman, but for this voyage it would do fine.