(Yah-�u Nahkts)
Chapter 2
Now Bernardo stood by the open gate, eyeing his patron with a longing, almost hurtful, expression on his face. Annabelle tugged her husband on the sleeve and, when she had his attention, nodded at the little mute. Diego smiled understandingly, walked over to his faithful manservant and hugged him with as much warmth and affection as he did his father a few moments ago. �Take care of Father, my friend,� he whispered. And Bernardo nodded eagerly, smiling through his tears.
As the young couple, followed by �tienne climbed into the carriage, Bernardo approached the elder de la Vega and stood by his side, following the departing coach with his eyes.
�Have a safe journey, my children,� the old don whispered into the farewell breeze of the parting day. �Vayan con D�os.�
***
The coach took them across Mexico to the large busy port of Vera Cruz, where the Victoria stood at anchor, waiting for their arrival. The Victoria was a magnificent looking ship: large and strong, with its middle mast, at least forty feet tall, piercing the blue firmament.
Juan Viejo, the ship�s captain, met the young couple at the gangway and led them to their cabin. �I trust you will find everything you need here, Se�or de la Vega,� Viejo said, making a large gesture with his hand encompassing the entire cabin. �My men will bring your luggage in just a few moments. If there is anything else that you or the se�ora wish, ask for me or for my aide at any time. We will be at your disposal.�
�Gracias, capit�n,� Diego nodded and, as the former left, sauntered over to his wife. �Well, Se�ora de la Vega, how do you find the comforts of this cabin?� he asked teasingly, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
�Very adequate,� she returned in the like manner, and her heart skipped a bit as he moved ever closer and his hot breath burned the curve of her neck. She closed her eyes and melted into his kiss, forgetting for a moment about her father, the nightmarish dreams, and the whole world, and living only in his warm embrace.
A slight knock on the door brought them back to reality.
�Entre,� Diego called out, loosening his tight hold around Annabelle.
�You will pardon the interruption, se�or � se�ora,� an old sailor stepped timidly inside their room, followed by �tienne and two more sailors, who carried the suitcases. �Here is your luggage.�
�Thank you,� Annabelle motioned for them to set the suitcases down. �You may leave everything here. My manservant and I will take care of it.�
The sailor nodded. �Very well, Se�ora de la Vega.� He moved to the door and was about to exit after the other two sailors, when he remembered something. �Oh, it nearly slipped my mind,� he said apologetically. �The capit�n wished me to inform you that our first stop will be La Coru�a, and then we�ll head straight for Edinburgh � your destination.�
�Once again gracias, se�or,� Annabelle repeated, and, as the door closed behind the old sailor, she slowly sat down on the edge of the bed. Her face took on a solemn look.
�Worried?� Diego gently placed his hand on her shoulder.
�S�, a little,� she nodded, finding reassurance in the warm hazel eyes that gazed so lovingly down at her. �Oh, Diego,� she whispered, taking his hand in hers and pressing it against her cheek, �What would I ever do without you?�
He smiled and pulled her close. �No need to think such thoughts, querida,� he replied softly. �I will always be by your side. I promise.� And, as to reaffirm that last statement, he cupped his hands under her face and kissed her lips with such ardor that, had he not held her afterwards, she would surely have fallen, for her feet became weak as jelly. She gasped, trying to catch her breath, and laughed softly. �You sure know how to sweep a girl off her feet, darling,� she breathed out.
�tienne humphed, leaning over a suitcase, in keeping with his role of a grumpy old servant. Yet his brightly gleaming eyes betrayed the delight he felt at this display of affections between the young people. �Yes, master James, our little girl has really grown up,� the old man thought, smiling, as the image of a small tousle-haired girl on horseback came before his eyes.
***
Someone�s hand nudged her gently in the side, and she shifted in her bed, trying to move away from whomever it was that was disturbing her sleep. But that someone was persistent, pushing her yet again. �Stop it,� she murmured sleepily, without opening her eyes, and waved her mysterious intruder away like an importunate fly.
�Oh?� came a mockingly surprised voice of her husband. �So you wish to do this the hard way, cara m�a? Very well.�
A moment later, before she could realize what was happening, two hands came down on her in a merciless tickling attack.
Annabelle squealed and jumped up on her bed � all of her sleep gone. �Diego de la Vega, how dare you wake me up in such manner?!� she glared at him; her eyes almost entirely green with anger.
He leaned forward slightly, coming closer to her with that same mischievous and head-spinningly charming smile playing on his lips. �You know something,� he whispered, and his hazel eyes sparkled devilishly, �you are very beautiful when you�re angry.�
The frown disappeared from her face, and she burst out laughing.
�Se�or, do you mind explaining yourself?� Annabelle asked shortly, as her laughter subsided.
He grinned. �Well, I was under the impression that you would want to see the shores of Inglaterra.�
Annabelle felt every muscle in her body tighten at the mention of that name. �England?� her voice was barely audible. �Are you certain?�
�Master Diego is right, madam,� �tienne interposed, turning away from the window. �I can see Pointe St.-Mathieu from here. We will be entering La-Manche very soon.�
�The view from the deck is absolutely breathtaking,� Diego added, sitting down on the bed next to her. �Almost as breathtaking as you, my love.�
Annabelle blushed slightly and pulled her blanket up to her chin. �Merci, mon ch�ri,� she whispered, smiling sheepishly at him.