A Pirate's Wife

Chapter 10: To sit at the pirate’s table, or not.

She was busy brushing her long hair when she heard a knock. Thinking that it will be Enrico, she answered, “Please come in."

“Señorita Almaida." The familiar stern voice greeted her. When she turned around, Roberto stood behind her. He was closer to her now than at any time since they had met, hovering over her, the menacing looks plainer to see on his face. The scar running from his left eye to the corner of his mouth made him look fierce.

“I have been informed that you will not join me for the meals, Señorita. Can I ask why not?" His voice cold, while his eyes took in the interior of the cabin.

“I will not eat with you, a pirate." Defiance was in her own cold voice. “I don't want to discuss this any further. Please leave my room." She turned away from him, peering out the porthole to the open sea, and continued brushing her hair.

She did not see the amused look that was followed by a stern one as he spoke “It is not a matter of what you want, Señorita. You will sit at my table and that is final!"

“Make me," she said through clenched teeth.

“All right, if this is how you want to play it, I am fine with that. Good day." He nodded but she did not bother to turn around to notice.

When he left, she let out her breath. She had not even realized that she was holding it. This man will learn that I am not very willing or easy to please. I will give him hell! She braided her long hair with trembling fingers.

The day went on without any further disturbances and she kept herself busy with needlework, sitting near the port for extra light, but for some reason she did not see Enrico again. By late afternoon, she finally decided to call for him and pulled the cord. Her throat was dry, and she was hungry. She had not eaten last night after the news they had received. This morning she was already gone before breakfast was served.

A few minutes later Enrico entered her room.

“Where is my food? I had nothing to drink or eat for the whole day," she asked, annoyed, forgetting her manners.

“I received strict instruction that no food or drink may be delivered to you, Señorita."

“Well I never!" and she bald her fist in frustration. She sneaked a look at the young man, and she wondered for a moment if her attitude would not bite her, after all she didn't know this man and four months without food would be devasting for her. Could she afford to go that route? Would the captain really force her hand like this?

“Can I at least have water?" she asked demurely, she needed time to think this through.

“No," came the abrupt reply yet he blushed. Clearly not comfortable with the position he was in.

“That conceited man. How dare he?" she cried, frustrated.

“He is the captain. When he speaks, we listen, Señorita."

“Is that right?" she asked in a sarcastic tone. “Where is he?"

“In his quarters, eating, Señorita."

“Take me to him," she demanded.

“Follow me, Señorita." Enrico kept his eyes cast down, not meeting her angry stare.

The captain's cabin lay two doors down the passageway. When she walked in, he sat lazily at his table eating a peach, his stern eyes looking straight at her as if he had expected her.

“I understand from my chamber boy that I will not be served any meals?"

“That is correct. Did you change your mind?"

“No, but it is inhumane. How dare you not give me anything? Not even water?"

“Because I am the captain, and this is my ship," He said nonchalantly and placed a slice of fruit in his mouth.

For a moment she was at a loss for words, her fists white as she clenched them. She could physically harm him by now.

“I must point out that this is my father's ship, Señor, and not yours."

“Point taken, but I am the captain, therefore my rules."

“You are a bastard!" She stamped out of the room, the fabric of her dress rustling with her anger.

†††

“How long do you think she will hold out?" Pierre, his second-in-command, asked.

“Don't know, but it will be interesting to see." Roberto placed another piece of the juicy fruit in his mouth, eating it slowly, while a smile appeared on the normally stern face.

“She has a lot of spunk," Pierre continued with a lopsided grin.

“Yes. She is a real wildcat. It will be interesting to tame her. I have all the time in the world. She will come around and see that in this world there is only one law that counts. That is mine."

Pegging the knife in his table, he stood straight, cleaning his hand. He took the last sip of his red wine before he went back to the upper deck.

Roberto liked what he saw. When Pedro told him about her, he was intrigued about the family's story, but especially about her. When the opportunity came to bring her back as a ransom price, he jumped at the chance.

It did not take much convincing to sway the Falcon so that Roberto could go and ensure that Cisco met the demands for the ransom. The Falcon knew he could trust Roberto with her. Now he had a chance to get to know her better, and maybe convince the Falcon that she would be more suitable for him. She was a stunning woman with a lot of fire in her veins, a fire that Roberto would like to ignite in ways other than anger.

By my calculation, there must be a fifteen-year's difference in our ages. I can tame her to fit into my needs quite nicely. My first impressions of her were correct.

Yes, she will do perfectly for all the plans I have for her. Yes, that anger and fury in her I am going to turn in to passion, a task that I am looking forward to in the coming months. In the, end she will be mine without a question.

For now, he decided to keep his plans to himself, to go with whatever she was planning, and then take it from there. He understood from Pedro that she was skilled with the sword and a good markswoman. Moreover, if Pedro's good marksmanship was any indication, she would be a force to be reckoned with. He would have to test her during the time they had on the open seas. These will be an interesting four months' voyage for sure!

Roberto chuckled to himself.

Pierre wondered what the smile was all about. He knew his friend. The man is wild among the women, usually, taking what he wants. But with this one, he acts differently, toying with her like a lion with a rabbit. Something about little Pedro's sister is of interest to the captain. It just may be the man has met his match with this young woman. Her eyes show how she feels, and she is not afraid like most. No, this one is defiant, a real wild cat, as Roberto says.

That Roberto was up to something was very clear to him. Yes, this will be an interesting time, with the stunning woman on board.