Chapter 8
Howard had been silent through out the morning as he sailed the ship towards its main course. He missed Tortuga and longed to be there. Not only to have Diana to himself but to mingle with the ladies there. If Diana was not going to give in he would find comfort else where. He smiled as he thought of the many women who have been in his bed; it was his was of making the pain go away. As he day dreamed he couldn’t help but see his favorite in his mind her flowing brown hair her smooth silhouette. He could almost reach her in his mind as her back was turned to him but when he turned her to face him he saw Diana’s face and returned to reality.
“Damn I can’t get her out of my mind” He cursed and slammed his fist against the railing.
Howard sighed and went back to sailing the ship as he checked his compass every now and then to make sure they were headed in the right direction. He looked on as his crew worked and wondered where Kevin was. Kevin was still in the watchers nest sleeping. Brian had no means of waking him up and smiled at his joke as he pulled up a bucket of cold water with help from Nicholas and poured it on Kevin.
“AHHHHHHHH” Kevin yelled as he awoke.
Brian tried to hold his laughter as he disposed of the bucket and helped Kevin up.
“And a good morning to you Missers Kevin” he said and chuckled.
“You’ll be lucky if I don’t throw you down to the deck” He grumbled as he climbed over and headed down the ladder.
“At least one of us got a good nights rest” Howard said as he yawned a bit. Before Kevin could answer the captain Brian gave a shout.
“LAND HO! WE’VE MADE IT HOME CAPIN!” He bellowed as the crew cheered.
Howard smiled as the crew cheered and began to sing. He joined in and waved his hat in the air. He was glad to be home, and Diana would be his slave if she would not be his lover. He signaled for Kevin to take the helm and went into his cabin to make sure Diana was ready. As Howard entered his cabin he was graced by something he never thought he would see. He could only stare at her and tip toed quietly to where she could not see him. He watched as she lathered her body with soap and smiled. He was about to say something when she began to sing.
Y quería comprenderel sentir de mi guitarra,
el lamento del bordón
unas notas que se escapan
y te llegan al corazón, Que te arrastra y que te atrapa
y transmiten emoción.
She continued to lather herself as she sang in the beautiful gypsy song. He felt his heart stop as she sang. He instantly recognized the rhythm in which she sang and smiled. Any gypsy would now that was the rhythm of Rumba she was singing. He watched and listened carefully as she clapped her hands to a Rumba beat as he quietly moved towards the tub.
Me contaba la otra noche
embriagada por los celos
que transforman su sonio,
que se pierde su flamenco,
que los tiempos están cambiando,
que le están cambiando los tiempos.
Riquezas musicales me están dando
y se están olvidando de lo puro,
ya no recuerdan el temple y el pellizco,
ahora me sacan el sonio duro.
He felt a pang in his heart as she continued the song. Could she have been singing about him or the man he had killed when he took her?
Y a la luz de esta farola,
en el silencio de la noche,
te sirva de inspiración.
No me llores guitarrilla
que me metes en tu dolor.
He kneeled silently by the tub and closed his eyes as he listened to her continue on. He couldn’t help but feel his inner gypsy try to come out to join her but never the less he held on.
Tócame por seguidilla
que suenas mejor que tu.
Me contaba la otra noche
embriagada por los celos
que cambiaban su sonio,
que se pierde su flamenco,
que los tiempos están cambiando,
que le están cambiando los tiempos.
He knew it would be the end of the Song he tried to stay quiet but could not contain it any longer as He burst out and sang with her.
Suéname por solea, suéname por solea,
suéname por solea, suéname por solea,
que mira que si sale tocando
no se va a poder aguantar
Diana Turned in surprise and grabbed something to cover herself with. She watched as he stayed kneeling by the tub his eyes closed and in thought. She couldn’t help but smile as the light hit his face making him look so handsome. She felt herself blush and turned away as she got out of the tub and faced him in anger.
“What gives you the right to sneak up on me like that while I bathe?” She exclaimed and glared at him.
“I was coming to tell you that we are at the shores of Tortuga. But I never thought I would see you like this” He said and Wiggled his eyebrows.
“You Dog! That is what you are a despicable dirty Mongrel” She said and turned from him.
“You hurt my feelings” He said and walked up to her his hands on her bare shoulders. “I never meant to hurt you” He said
Diana glared at him and pushed away towards her clothes. She carefully got dress in a way where she made sure he could not see what she didn’t want him to see and turned to face him. She found her eyes locked into his. They stood there in silence letting time pass them by. Diana was about to ask him how he knew the lyrics to the song she sang when there was a knock on the door.
“Pardon the intrusion captain but we are about to drop anchor in Tortuga” Kevin said and quickly closed the door.
Howard cleared his throat and grabbed her roughly, leading her out the door and to the helm.
“Well My sweet Pet Welcome to Tortuga” He whispered in her ear as the ship dropped anchor and the sailors began to prepare for departure.
