Forever Young The Beginning Read Free Page B

blend of Spanish-Portuguese, he
attempted to reassure the two that they would come to no harm. He
stepped back and held up a hand with one finger and attempted to
ask them to wait a short while and he would get someone who could
speak their tongue. The lady noted the quiet gentleness of his
voice, liking its low pitched timbre.
    Looking at Ian she saw a tall lean
man, deeply tanned with frosty blue eyes that sparkled merrily
beneath heavy arched black eyebrows. The man had a shock of dark
wavy hair with a slight widows’ peak, high cheekbones, and a
slightly aquiline nose. A black closely cropped beard barely masked
a strong jawline. His teeth appeared to be especially white
whenever he flashed his bow-like smile and she couldn’t help but
respond with an answering smile herself.
    Speaking then she said “Parlez vous
Francais?”
    Ian smiled and shook his head, then
said “English…..er….uh….Anglo.” The lady nodded and spoke again “I
speak….little…Anglo…no…much.”
    Ian said slowly, holding his
hand to his chest “Ian McCloud.” Again,
that voice ! thought the lady. Ian hesitated
to let that sink in, then “I will find one who speaks your tongue.
Please wait here.” The lady touched her breast and said “I… Alandra
Vasquez…. this … Celita.” Ian gave a slight but courtly bow and
with a friendly smile said “I am honored to meet you both. I will
return shortly. Please do not be afraid.” Turning he said to the
two sailors gaping open-mouthed in the doorway, “See to it no one
comes in here. I’m going to fetch Armando.”
    He saw that preparations to tow their
prize were well underway. Calling out for Armando he beckoned for
him to come aboard. Soon Armando made his way to Ian and quickly
learned of the situation below deck. Taking a moment to oversee the
towing preparations, Ian called out “Let ‘er drift to stern,
straighten the rudder and tie down the helm.” He joined Armando and
led him below where he made a crude introduction to the two ladies
with a slight bow and a smile.
    Ian then stood aside as
Armando courteously asked Alandra a series of questions. At one
point he erupted in laughter, causing Alandra to blush. Ian asked
“What’s that all about?” Armando said “They thought you were a
pirate when you kicked in the door until they saw your blue eyes.”
Ian tipped back his head and laughed, as Alandra’s blush deepened,
even as she thought he’s even more
handsome when he laughs.
    He tried to courteously excuse
himself, bowing slightly with a friendly smile. Turning, he left
Armando and went back on deck to see to the repairs and also to
begin a search for tools to repair the damage to the mast and sails
of their prize. The first pirate craft was as good as lost as the
fire burned out of control.
    Elsie’s Cloud and her towed companion ship Tico made headway to the northeast,
widening the distance between themselves and the burning ship as
rapidly as they could. They all knew it was best to be well away
from there before other pirates in the area might see the smoke and
investigate.

Chapter 4
    They had been making headway for some
seven hours since getting underway. It was maybe three hours before
sundown, and the afternoon sun sparkled off of the waves of the
Mediterranean. The sea was an azure color, but the puffy cumulus
clouds scattered from horizon to horizon had vanished, leaving an
empty blue sky. Within minutes the seas calmed and the wind
slackened to a whisper. They were becalmed, but were well away from
the Moroccan coast, on course for Marseille. Angus ordered everyone
aboard Elsie to attend a trial for the pirates. He stood on the aft
deck overlooking the main deck, the two ladies and Armando beside
him.
    Evidence consisting of an engraved
pistol and watch, gifts from Alandra’s father to her uncle were
found in the possession of the captain of the prize ship. After
hearing the pirate’s unbelievable version of the story that the two
women were whores