by ML BINELLI
When they found themselves alone in Teodoro's study, Barbara said
"We will leave tomorrow, Jonas. How long will you stay here?"
"After we say goodbye tomorrow, I will stay here for another day or two," explained Jonas.
"Dorival must have already arrived there," said Barbara.
"Yes, he must have already delivered the letter. Leonardo must be waiting for me to return. After he escapes, I will give the letter to Torres."
"Try to find out what route he takes. Get this information to the archbishop. It will make his work easier," said Barbara.
"I am ahead of you in this. I put the false day and time of the ship's departure date inside the envelope with the letter for Torres. He will reach him here."
"I will miss you, Jonas."
Jonas opened his coat and took out a letter.
"Barbara, this letter was written by your mother. She asked me to give it to you when the time was right. That day is today!"
Barbara took the letter and was about to open it when Jonas reached for her hand.
"I ask you not to read it now. Read it on the ship," he said.
"Why Jonas? I don't think I can wait."
"Twenty years have gone by. A few more days will make no difference."
"Did you read it Jonas?"
"Yes, I did. There are some things in there that will help you understand what I did and didn't do."
Barbara hugged Jonas and kissed his cheek.
"Don't worry. "Even if she tells me you are the devil, I will never change my mind about you. You helped me and will continue to help me, Jonas," said Barbara.
"One more thing. Do not spend your life looking for revenge against him. The revenge is mine, not yours. Now, let us return to the drawing room. They must be wondering why we are taking so long."
Alicio and Vidal were conversing on the veranda, while Teodoro spoke to Fatima.
"Now there is no turning back, Vidal. How do you feel?" asked Alicio.
"The headache is going away," said Vidal.
"Very funny. Do you feel different now that you have a ball and chain?"
"I am the same man I was yesterday, Alicio. Nothing has changed, I think."
"Yes, but now you are a married man. You can't do whatever you fancy. You will always have to ask for permission from another," stated Alicio.
"It would have to happen someday. Why not today?"
Why not today?" repeated Alicio.
Alicio saluted Vidal by raising his mug.
"So, we won't be seeing each other anymore," he said.
"Are you not going to accompany us to the port?" asked Vidal.
"I will try but the old man must be getting annoyed by my absence at the shop. I will come by tomorrow to say goodbye. It is a pity that we can't have one last time at the tavern."
"I would like that very much. If there is one thing I need today, it’s a drink but I can't, if I drink I'll pounce on Barbara. I don't want that to happen."
"You still plan to seduce her then?"
"Yes, I do. I think it will be better for both of us."
"Ah, Vidal! If it were me, I'd already be dragging her by her hair!" exclaimed Alicio.
"You are an animal!" Both men chuckled.
Fatima and Teodoro joined them.
"What are you two laughing about?" said Fatima.
"I imagine it’s nothing good!" said Teodoro.
"It looks like our story with these two has come to an end. Tomorrow we will see them no more. It’s a pity!" added Teodoro.
"So, a toast to the couple!" proposed Alicio.
"But where is Jonas and Barbara?" asked Fatima.
"In my office. It seems she still has a few orders to give him."
Barbara and Jonas returned to the drawing room.
"There they are. Now we can toast!" said Teodoro.
Alicio and Fatima then left. Vidal and Barbara went up to their room.
He had made sure he had not drunk too much. It was bad enough that he arrived tipsy to the wedding ceremony. The night out with Alicio extended into the early hours and they were almost kicked out of the tavern. He had spent the day with a pounding headache but recovered after drinking more wine.
Barbara was silent and Vidal did not know how to proceed. When he entered the room he noticed that, in addition to the bed, the room had a small settee. So he knew what had to be done. He would sleep on the settee for he did not wish to annoy Barbara with his lascivious desires. He liked her demeanor although he thought it all a bit strange. He excused himself, went to the washroom to pour cold water over his wrists and looked at himself in the mirror while he splashed water on his face and neck. The wine reduced his headache but increased his desire for Barbara. He was not going to approach her though, not today. Only when she was ready. He would look for her signals. He would touch her hand, lean against her when the time was right, play the game of seduction without words.
And one day, not too far in the future, he would tell her how he had fallen in love with her. He would then leave her alone with her thoughts. She had to believe he loved her, otherwise it would be too hard to seduce her. He did not wish to lie with a woman who did not have the same desire he had. He would then come back into the room awkwardly, as if embarrassed. She would look at him differently. She would know then that everything he had done he had done for her. All the looks, the fleeting touches, everything would be perceived differently by her.
He planned to pay careful attention to her when they were out shopping. He would find out what she liked and buy her little gifts. With a bit of luck, he would get it right, even if it were a simple pastry and one day she would notice that he was in love with her. Yes, this was the plan. He had used this same plan in the past and it had always worked for him. He had seduced many women in Lisbon but this one he could not walk away from after sex, nor could he make lewd comments about her to his friends. She was to be with him for the rest of his life. It was worth it to have a bit of patience.
When he returned to his room, he could not believe his eyes. Barbara was naked, lying on the bed, one arm holding her head up at the temple, the other extended along her body and her eyes filled with lust. She looked like a cat, or better yet, a panther lying in the middle of a jungle watching everything around her, waiting for the prey to walk by, enticing her out to hunt.
Now Vidal knew who he was dealing with. She was no country bumpkin. She was a woman who wanted something from him and she'd do anything within reach to attain it. What that was did not matter to him. He would give it to her. He would give her the world, kill in her name, do whatever she wanted. The hunter had become the prey.
On the following day Alicio woke up early and went to Teodoro's house. He wanted to say goodbye to Vidal but what he really wanted to know was how his honeymoon night had turned out.
Teodoro greeted him in the drawing room. He was already awake.
"You are curious, are you not?" asked Teodoro.
Alicio smiled.
"I can't help it. I told my father to go to the shop first even though he complained bitterly. I came running over here. Have they not awakened yet?"
"I haven't seen them yet. Let's eat something?"
"Yes, that would be nice. I left home in a hurry and my stomach is growling."
During the meal, Vidal entered the room.
"Good day sirs. You are already eating? Excellent, I am starving. So good to see you Alicio!"
"I had to come say goodbye to you!" said Alicio.
"I know exactly why you are here, you gossipmonger!"
Vidal sat down and cut a slice of cake and poured a glass of milk. He looked famished.
"Vidal, tell us, what happened. Did you play backgammon or what?" asked Alicio mockingly.
"Backgammon? No, we did many things, backgammon was not one of them."
"Sirs, I will leave you alone," said Teodoro.
When he left, Alicio pulled his chair over to Vidal's side.
"So, tell me, you sly dog.
How did it go? Or didn't go?"
Vidal's mouth was full of cake. He raised his hand and asked Alicio to wait a minute while he reached over to drink a gulp of milk to clear his throat.
"Alicio, the woman is a beast. A beast. After going up to the room, I went to the washroom. When I returned, she was lying naked on the bed. Naked!!"
"My lord. She offered herself just like that?"
"Yes, yes. And I tell you, she was no virgin."
"By Jove, who deflowered her? The archbishop?"
"I don't know and I don't care. I have never been with a woman like this one. She is fiery and full of desire. Difficult to satisfy."
"And that didn't bother you? That she was not a virgin? That she had been taken by another before you?" asked Alicio.
"Hold your tongue. You are talking about my wife!" said Vidal sternly.
Alicio drew back from the serious face Vidal was making and watched it suddenly transform into a smile.
"I am joking, you fool. I don't care and to be honest, I respect her more now. She did not lie. She could have but didn't. She was genuine."
They heard footsteps approaching from the stairs.
"It is her, keep your mouth shut and speak no more about it," whispered Vidal.
"Good day. May I sit down?" said Barbara.
"Of course, make yourself comfortable. Sit by my side," said Vidal pulling out a chair next to him.
She served herself to bread and chorizo.
"Can you pour me some milk, Vidal?"
Vidal picked up a clean mug and filled it. He handed it to Barbara. She took a sip. All three sat in silence. She looked from one to the other, swallowed what is in her mouth, placed her elbows on the table and stared at both.
"You were talking about me, weren't you?"
"Absolutely not," said Vidal.
Alicio chuckled.
"I am sorry Barbara, we were, yes, speaking about you. Do you find Vidal bearable now?" asked Alicio.
She continued chewing her piece of bread and chorizo and stared at Alicio.
"You probably already know the answer to that."
Both laughed but Barbara was serious.
"Sirs, this situation is not comfortable for me. I am doing this sacrifice only for the love I have for my father. I have nothing against you or your motives, Vidal."
Barbara took another sip of milk and seemed to be searching for the right words to say next.
"In my opinion, we are both victims. Me because of the situation my father has put me in and you, from what I have heard, are a victim of life. We are in these situations and now we have no other way out. So, since we have been given lemons, we must make lemonade."
Both men were surprised by Barbara's words.
"So, besides being beautiful, you are also intelligent. She is quite something Vidal!"
Teodoro returned to the room.
"Good morning, Barbara. Did you sleep well?"
"Very well, Master Teodoro. Is it time?"
"Yes, I have sent the trunks ahead of you. If you are all ready, we'd better be off. Will you accompany them, Alicio?"
"No, I have been away from the shop long enough. We should say our goodbyes here Vidal."
"Alicio, when we find a place, I'll send you our address. We can keep in touch by mail. I do not want to lose contact with you."
"Yes, but do not worry. We will always be in contact with one another and I hope we will meet personally again someday. You too, Barbara. I speak from the heart, I hope that everything works out for both of you."
"Thank you Alicio. We did not have enough time to get to know each other but that is life. I hope we meet again someday. Do me a favor and say goodbye to Fatima from me. It was nice to see her again."
Jonas entered the room.
"Good morning. Good morning, Barbara. The carriage is ready so whenever you are, we can go."
"Let's go then. We will talk later Alicio," said Teodoro.
"Will you accompany us, Jonas? I would like to say goodbye to you at the port," said Barbara.
"Yes, I will go, Mrs. Barbara."
At the port, the couple said goodbye to Teodoro and Jonas. Barbara hugged Jonas and whispered in his ear.
"Don't forget what I told you. Do not ruin your life because of that scoundrel. Simply do what we have planned, nothing more and nothing less."
"Don't worry. But I can't promise you anything. If everything goes wrong, I will kill Leonardo and will disappear," said Jonas.
"Don't dirty your hands because of him. Everything will work out."
While they spoke, Vidal said goodbye to Teodoro.
"Sir, I need to thank you once again for choosing me."
"Vidal, it was you who did the favor for me. Can you imagine if it were me getting on this ship, married to this young girl? I'd be dead in three days!"
Both laughed.
"Sir, you are a wise man. Ask Alicio how things went last night. I think if it were you sir, with all due respect, you'd be dead now..."
Teodoro laughed.
"Come, come. You two should be embarking. The ship is ready to depart. Have a good trip and I wish you both much happiness, Barbara."
"Thank you, Sir Teodoro. Do not worry. My father told me that if no one else was found you would have done the sacrifice of marrying me. I thank you."
"I thank you for your words, Barbara. I am glad that you have conformed to this whole situation and be patient with Vidal. Everything is very new to him too."
"Do not worry Sir Teodoro," said Barbara.
She walked to Vidal's side and he offered his arm to her. She placed her hand in the crook of his arm.
"Ah yes, now they look like a couple," said Jonas.
"Vidal, good luck and take care of this girl. She is very important to me. I have known her since she was a child."
"Very good luck to you too Jonas. We will see you in America."
"Yes, in America," repeated Jonas sadly.
The couple walked up the ship's ramp.
Jonas and Teodoro watched as the ship disappeared over the horizon.
Teodoro then turned to Jonas and said, "Do you like sardines?"
18. Honeymoon
The vessel, called Galician, was a sailing boat. When they set sail, Barbara told Vidal that she was seasick and asked to be excused. She wanted to lie down in her cabin.
"Do you want me to accompany you?"
"No, it is not necessary. I will try to rest a little. Maybe the swaying will help my nausea even though it is the cause of it."
"I will take you to the room and then I will take a stroll around the ship."
When she found herself alone in her cabin, Barbara locked the door. She couldn't contain her excitement and hurriedly opened the letter from her mother.
"Dear daughter. I hope you are well. When you read this letter, I will already be buried. It is destiny and there is nothing we can do about it.
I would just like you to know that I have loved you since the day you opened your eyes. I did what I did so you could have a chance at a better life than mine.
Jonas must have told you by now how I was taken by a group of gypsies when I was a child. I remember my family vaguely, my mother, a man who I think must have been my father and two children who I played often with. Maybe my brothers. I have these images in my mind but they seem more like dreams now.
We wandered all over Europe. I don't know where I'm from. They started to call me Dalila and I got used to the name, my real name I don't remember anymore.
Life was very hard. We always had to move on when those around us started to notice the thieving. When we arrived at a city, I and the other children were made to beg on the streets. The oldest ones also begged and read palms in exchange for a few coins. We often had to go hungry.
As an adult, I was taken by one of the leaders of our community during a night of drinking. I let him have his way to avoid being beaten. When I realized I was pregnant, I ran away. I didn't want my child to have the same life.
When Jonas came to me and convinced me to give you to Master Leonardo, I thought I was doing the best thing for you. But I was wrong. I noticed with time that Leonardo was not what he seemed. Leonardo was constantly threatening Jonas about telling others of his true nature. This is the reason for Jonas' dogged loyalty towards Leonardo and the reason why I hate your adoptive father.
Forgive Jonas for whatever he may have to do that is not to your liking. He is in the hands of that horrid man. Always has been. I didn't know at the time. If I had known, I would have run away again with you.
But thank God at least I was able to see you a grow a little. Not the way I wanted. I wanted to be closer, but that was not possible. And now the sickness. I do not have much time; my fingers have already blackened.
I just want you to remember these words: if life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
Be happy, Barbara. Be what I was never able to be.
I have always loved you, daughter.
Your mother, Dalila."
Barbara tried to hold back her tears but it was useless. She read the letter over again. She kissed it. A tear ran down her face and dropped onto the paper, making a splotch on the written words. She lifted the splotched part to a candle and saw hidden writing. Words began to emerge where the candle shone its light. There was another letter within this one.
Now she understood the strange reference to lemons. The quote was about lemons, and their juice. Dalila had written a secret letter using lemon juice. The writing appeared only when heated and disappeared again at room temperature.
Barbara looked for a paper and pencil among her things. She heated up the letter piece by piece and copied out Dalila's words.
"Daughter, this information is only for you. I know that Jonas will read the letter when I am gone. There are things that he does not know, nor should he know.
After a night of celebration, I waited for everyone to fall asleep. I grabbed a knife and looked for your father. When I found him sleeping in a corner, I covered his mouth and stabbed him in the heart. The pig didn't even open his eyes. After that, I ran away. This is why I never tried to find your father. He is no longer among the living. But I know that we must have been cursed by those unholy people.
When you were born, I read the Tarot cards for you. If you take the left path, you will bring disgrace and death to yourself and everyone around you. An abyss will open in your life that will drag you down. Take the path to the right, forgive and be merciful. You may save your soul if you take this course of action.
