Page 55 of Once Upon a Reckless Rogue

“My first officer was happy to give up his cabin for you. Once you are settled, I will get him to give you a tour of the ship. Dinner is served in my cabin. I hope you don’t mind dining with my officers.”

“Of course not. It will be an honor, won’t it?” Tomas looked at her, and she nodded with a smile. “My wife does not know a lot of English I am afraid, but we are working on it.”

“Does she know any French?”

“Yes, a little.”

“Then we shall be fine.” With that, he opened some doors and went down some steps into the ship. A little farther through some supply rooms and past the kitchen area, where a fire was being brought to life, was their cabin. The cabin had a bed built into the wall of the ship that was narrow but would fit both of them snugly. The room was sparsely furnished to prevent things moving around in storms, Tomas explained to her. But there were two chairs and a table to eat at. The shelves were full of books and maps and were held in place on the shelf by a band of wood. A small rug, in the Persian style, lay in the middle of the room.

Elena sat in one of the chairs and looked up at Tomas. “How long will this trip take?”

“Well, it depends on the weather. If we have favorable winds, maybe a fortnight at best.”

Elena looked at him closely; his skin was pale. “What is the matter?”

“I told you I was not made for sailing. Spent most of the trip here with my head in a bucket.”

“You should have told me. Here,” she said, going to her father’s bag. “Some candied ginger. I also bought some peppermint confectionary to suck on when you are feeling green around the gills. Both are very good for nausea.”

“Thank you. I should have known you would have a cure for it.”

“Not a cure, but it should make you more comfortable. I am yet to know if I will be affected as I have never been on a ship before. This rocking and rolling motion is hard to get used to. Now eat the candy and lie down for a little bit.”

As their trunks came in, she busied herself organizing their belongings. Luncheon arrived and consisted of a bowl of stew and some bread. The first mate then came and gave them a tour of the ship. It didn’t take long, and they ended up at the bow of the ship, where Tomas pointed out the edge of Al-Maghrib al-Aqsa.

“How are you feeling now?” Elena asked Tomas as they leaned on the rail.

“I am still feeling a bit off, but I think the ginger is working.”

“Good.” Elena hugged his arm, and he covered her arm with his. Spain was gone, and she was on the first part of the rest of her life. She wiped her eyes with her free hand.

He handed her his kerchief. “I will do everything I can to make you happy. I hope you know that.”

“I know that. It doesn’t stop me worrying. It is easier for men.”

“Oh, I don’t know. Do you think your father would have made it easy on me if I asked him to marry you? I would have to prove myself to him. All you need to do is be yourself.”

“You do not know women. I too will have to prove myself to your mother and sister. It is not like they even know we are coming. They will be shocked, not only that you are alive but that you come back with a wife.”

“Whatever happens I will be on your side.”

She laughed. “Against your own mother?”

“If she is wrong or unfair, yes, I will.”

This was getting them nowhere. “There is no use arguing about it now. We had better get ready for dinner.” She let go of his arm and walked back to the cabin. Sadness swelled within her, but she didn’t want to give in to it. For Tomas she wanted to try and be positive, to believe that everything would work out, but in order to do that she needed to grieve her old life. How long that would take she did not know. One thing she did know for sure is that she was no longer Elena Diaz of Spain.

Elena had never been to such a dinner and being on a ship it was quite opulent. They had porcelain plates, crystal glasses, and silverware you could see your face in. The food was braised beef with roasted potatoes and honeyed carrots. It was delicious. The wine was good. She could easily get used to this kind of treatment. There was plenty of laughter around the table, though she could only pick up certain words. Was this how it would be? With her only understanding half in this world, the rest just nonsensical words? Then the captain remembered and ordered that they speak only French around Mrs. Markham.

“Did you enjoy dinner?” Tomas asked her as they undressed for bed.

“What I understood of it. Thankfully, they later spoke French, but even then they spoke so fast.”

“It will get easier the more you learn English as well. We will work on that so that you do not feel so on the outside. I learned most of my Spanish just sitting in cantinas.”

Elena only nodded and climbed into bed, and Tomas soon joined her. “I know you are sad, and I take the blame for it. I beg you to trust me, Elena.”

“I do trust you. I beg you to give me a few days…to adjust.”