Page 34 of A Captain For Clarissa
“You have a rare opportunity, Captain,” Clarissa said softly, her blue eyes fixed on his face with an earnest appeal. “To create something lasting, something that will endure long after we’re gone.”
Her words struck a chord within him, resonating with a deep longing he’d long suppressed. The sea had been his mistress for so long, demanding his attention and devotion. But the estate, the vineyards... they offered a different kind of challenge, a different kind of fulfillment.
“It would mean giving up my ship,” he mused aloud. “Leaving the Santa Dorotéia in someone else’s hands.”
“But think of what you’d be gaining,” Clarissa countered, her eyes shining with conviction. “A chance to rebuild, to create something new and beautiful. And...” She hesitated, a faint blush colouring her cheeks. “You’d be here, with your family. With those who love you.”
Rafael’s heart stuttered in his chest at her words, at the unspoken promise they held. Could he dare to hope that she might come to care for him as more than just a friend? That she might one day share his life, his dreams?
“Look at this, Rafael,” she exclaimed, pointing to a particularly gnarly old vine. “This one has survived so much. Imagine what it could become with a little care and attention.”
He smiled at her enthusiasm, marvelling at the way she seemed to find beauty and potential in everything she saw. “It will take a lot of work,” he cautioned, even as hope kindled in his chest.“The vines are in poor condition, and the soil will need to be tended.”
“But it will be worth it,” Clarissa insisted, turning to face him. “Can’t you see it, Rafael? The grapes ripening on the vine, the wine flowing freely once more? Your family’s legacy, restored to its former glory?”
Her words painted a vivid picture in his mind, and for a moment, he could almost taste the rich, full-bodied wine on his tongue. It was a dream he had never dared to entertain, a future he had never allowed himself to imagine.
But with Clarissa by his side, anything seemed possible.
“I have some savings,” he found himself saying, his mind already racing ahead. “Enough to support us while we work on the vineyards. It won’t be easy, but...”
“But it will be an adventure,” Clarissa finished for him, her smile brighter than the sun overhead.
Rafael gazed at Clarissa, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm and determination. In that moment, he realised that his life was about to change irrevocably. The call of the sea, which had once been his constant companion, now seemed distant and muted compared to the promise of a future with Clarissa and the revival of his family’s legacy.
“I never thought I would say this,” Rafael began, his voice low and earnest, “but I am ready to leave my life at sea behind. This vineyard, this land...it is where I belong.”
Isabella let out a cry of delight and clapped her hands before throwing herself at him, flinging her arms about his neck. “Oh, brother! Nothing could be more wonderful!”
He met Clarissa’s gaze above his sister’s head. She too was smiling joyously, her sun-kissed hair golden in the sun, and Rafael knew in his heart that he wanted to see that smile every day of his life. He was up for the challenge of restoring the vineyards, of rebuilding his family’s legacy, but he wanted Clarissa by his side, as his wife.
Having watched her these last few weeks, he no longer doubted that she could be happy at Torre do Rochedo. She and Isabella were already fast friends. His mother adored her and had dropped any number of heavy-handed hints to Rafael about marrying and settling down. And after all, Alex had already made it quite clear that his suit would be welcomed, even necessary to safeguard Clarissa’s reputation after the corsair incident.
He just needed to find the right time and the right words to ask. Extricating himself from Isabella’s enthusiastic embrace, Rafael offered an arm to each of them.
“Come. Let us return to the castle and tell Mamma what we have decided. I think she will be pleased, don’t you?”
“I think there is nothing that would make her happier,” Clarissa laughed, taking his arm.
“Oh, I can think of one thing,” Rafael said cryptically. “But that will have to wait a little longer.”
Chapter Thirteen
Rafael, Clarissa and Isabellawalked arm-in-arm back up to the clifftop castle, talking and laughing, joy infusing all three of them. As they reached the courtyard, Isabella excused herself, running into the castle and leaving Rafael and Clarissa alone on the cobblestones.
Rafael looked down at Clarissa, a frown furrowing his brow. “Clarissa… there is something I have been wanting to say to you,” he said.
Her heart almost jumped from her chest. Could it be…? “Yes?” she said eagerly, but before he could say another word, they were interrupted by the sound of hoofbeats and the arrival of two horses.
Curious, Clarissa turned to look at the new arrivals, and an unthinkable sight unfolded before her eyes. Two gentlemen,as unexpected as they were familiar, rode through the stone archway and into the de Silva family estate.
Mr. Edward Dalton’s rakishly handsome features bore an expression of utter astonishment as his gaze alighted on Clarissa. “Lady Clarissa! I confess I am overjoyed to see you here. When I heard word of your disappearance from Athens, I feared some dreadful fate had befallen you, yet here you are, as radiant as ever.”
Before Clarissa could gather her wits to respond, the second gentleman dismounted his horse and swept into a graceful bow. “Clarissa, mia cara, what a delightful surprise,” said Mario, Conte de Bardolino, his mellifluous Italian accent caressing her name.
Clarissa just stared, unable to speak, her heart racing. Two men from her past, materialising here in Portugal? It defied belief.
She dipped into a curtsy, grateful for the excuse to compose herself. “Mr. Dalton, Conte de Bardolino, this is indeed an unexpected pleasure. I had no notion either of you planned to visit Portugal.”
