Page 11 of A Captain For Clarissa
She was a curious creature, this daughter of an English earl. He had met plenty such during his years in England, but none were so outspoken as Lady Clarissa Creighton. Nor could he imagine any of them bearing up so well under the ordeal she had endured. She spoke of the hardshipshehad endured, but hehad never been kidnapped by corsairs and threatened with being sold in a slave auction to a terrible fate!
“Captain, you have spoken of your family and the hardships they endured during the war,” Clarissa began again, curiosity sparkling in her blue eyes. “But what of the lands that are now yours to protect? Can you describe to me the beauty of Portugal and your ancestral home?”
Rafael hesitated for a moment, his heart swelling with love and pride. He cast his gaze towards the west in the direction of his homeland, as if trying to will the image of his home into existence before him, and then began to speak.
“Portugal is a land of contrasts, Lady Clarissa,” he said, his voice filled with warmth and affection. “From the lush, verdant hills of the north to the rugged, sun-baked cliffs of the south, there is a beauty that is both wild and untamed, yet also deeply serene.”
He paused for a moment, recalling the rolling vineyards that surrounded his family’s estate, the vibrant green leaves contrasting against the rich, dark soil beneath. “Our lands lie nestled in a valley, bathed in sunlight and blessed with fertile earth that yields an abundance of crops and fine grapes for our winemaking endeavours. A river runs through it, providing sustenance to the fields and a gentle song to accompany the whispering breeze that rustles through the trees.”
As he spoke, a wistful smile played at the corners of his mouth, his sea-green eyes shining with the memories of a happier time. “Before the war, our estate was a place of laughter and joy, filled with the voices of family and friends as we gathered to celebratelife’s many blessings. The air was rich with the scent of jasmine and orange blossoms, mingling with the earthy aroma of the vineyards, creating a perfume that was both intoxicating and invigorating.”
“Your words paint a vivid picture, Captain,” Clarissa murmured, her eyes softening with empathy. “It must have been truly heartbreaking to see such a beautiful place ravaged by the horrors of war.”
“Indeed it was,” Rafael admitted quietly, his features shadowed by sorrow as he remembered that first sight of his home, the vineyards burned, the few people remaining shattered and terrorised. “But I believe that with time, love, and perseverance, we can restore our home to its former glory. For it is not merely the land itself that holds the key to my heart, but the spirit of the people who dwell within it – my family, my friends, and all those who have stood by us through even the darkest times. My mother runs our estate more than capably in my absence, as we are yet in needs of the funds I earn captaining my ship.”
“Your family sounds truly remarkable,” she said, admiration shining in her eyes. “And if I may say so, Captain de Silva, you have shown great humility in spite of your noble lineage.”
“Ah, but Lady Clarissa,” Rafael replied with a wry smile, “it is adversity that often teaches us the most valuable lessons in life. I had no choice but to learn from the challenges that fate has thrown my way.”
“Indeed,” she mused, reflecting on the countless arrogant nobles she had encountered back in England. “And yet, so many people of noble birth seem unable to grasp that simple truth.”
“Perhaps they have not yet faced the trials that force them to confront their own humanity,” he suggested, his voice tinged with sadness.
“Tell me about your sister, Isabella,” Clarissa ventured, her voice gentle and inviting. “You mentioned her earlier, and I cannot help but wonder what kind of person she is.”
Rafael’s face softened as he thought of his mischievous younger sibling. “Ah, minha irmã,” he began, his tone equal parts affection and exasperation. “Isabella is a force to be reckoned with. She has always been full of life and energy, even when our circumstances were at their most dire.”
“Indeed?” Clarissa leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Do tell.”
“Isabella once convinced one of our neighbours that she had discovered a magical spring in the woods near our estate,” he recounted, a mischievous twinkle lighting up his sea-green eyes. “She swore it could turn back time and restore youth to all who drank from its waters.”
“Goodness!” Clarissa gasped, her hand flying to her mouth to stifle a giggle. “And did anyone actually believe her?”
“Alas, yes,” Rafael admitted with a wry smile. “Several of our more gullible neighbors eagerly set off in search of this fabledfountain, only to return empty-handed and thoroughly drenched after Isabella led them straight into a rather deep pond.”
Clarissa shook her head, her laughter now unrestrained. “How wonderful it must be to have such a spirited and imaginative sibling.”
“Indeed, she is a constant source of amusement and delight,” Rafael agreed, his own laughter subsiding as he gazed out at the glittering expanse of water before him. The playful memories of his past momentarily gave way to a more sombre reflection, and his brow furrowed with the weight of his responsibilities.
As captain of the Santa Dorotéia, Rafael bore the lives of his crew and the safety of those they protected upon his shoulders. Yet even as he navigated the treacherous waters of the Mediterranean, his thoughts were never far from his family in Portugal and the duty he owed to them.
“Captain?” Clarissa asked softly, concern lacing her voice as she noticed the shift in his demeanour. “Is everything all right?”
“Forgive me,” he murmured, offering her a small, reassuring smile. “I was simply thinking of my duties – as a captain, and as a brother.”
“Ah,” she nodded, understanding dawning in her eyes. “It must be difficult to balance the responsibilities of both roles, especially when they often seem at odds with one another.”
“Indeed,” he admitted, his gaze turning introspective. “There are times when I question whether I am truly doing what is best formy family by being so far from them, but then I remember that it is also my duty to protect others from the dangers that lurk upon these seas.”
“Sometimes, the most difficult choices we make are the ones that truly define us,” Clarissa said softly.
“You are astute, for one so young,” Rafael said thoughtfully, his gaze dwelling on her. “And if I might say so… quite different from other gently-born English ladies I have met.” A gentle breeze tugged at Clarissa’s sun-bleached hair, her refusal to wear a bonnet granting her a rebellious allure that captivated Rafael’s attention.
She smirked a little and looked away, but he had not asked a question, and she did not volunteer any explanations. They stood together, watching the quiet sea.
“Family is important too,” Clarissa said suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence that had fallen between them. “In fact, my sister Diana is the only reason I would ever want to go back to England.”
Startled, he looked at her. “Not your parents, or your home?”
