Wild Bells to the Wild Sky by Laurie McBain Read Free Book Online Page B

relief at the sudden departure of Geoffrey Christian, especially since Magdalena and Lily would remain in Santo Domingo while the Englishman sailed the seas and most likely wreaked havoc throughout the Indies. There had been no lessening of hostility between the two men, and it had seemed to Sir Basil that Don Rodrigo had found it increasingly difficult to keep a civil tongue when around Geoffrey Christian. It was not that Geoffrey intentionally antagonized his father-in-law, it was just that Geoffrey Christian was so brazenly English with his fair hair and boisterous manner. Sir Basil suspected that it had not relieved the tension any when Doña Amparo, despite Don Rodrigo's objections, had requested Geoffrey's presence on several occasions. Geoffrey's pleased expression when he had left Doña Amparo's room had left little doubt in Sir Basil's mind that the captain of the Arion had made use of his considerable charm and set at ease any fears Doña Amparo might have had about her daughter's happiness. Sir Basil, however, knew that Geoffrey would not have had to say anything to convince Doña Amparo of his sincerity. His deep love for his wife and daughter was only too evident in the gentle expression that entered his eyes whenever he gazed upon them. Gone was the ruthless, rough-talking sea captain many an enemy had good reason to fear. And many a defeated foe would have been comforted to know that the seemingly invincible captain of the Arion did have a weakness - -Magdalena and Lily. They made Geoffrey Christian as vulnerable and human as the rest of them.
    The morning the Arion sailed on the tide, Magdalena and Lily stood on the quayside and waved until the last flash of sail disappeared beyond the horizon. Sir Basil had also remained in Santo Domingo. He had reminded his friend that he was not a good sailor and could be of more value on shore. He would use his eyes and ears to learn all he could. Sir Basil had added this last rejoinder mockingly, thinking he would idle away the days playing chess with Don Rodrigo.
    Sir Basil had not been wrong, at least not in the beginning. He and Don Rodrigo had played a great deal of chess during the next fortnight. They had also ridden out to Don Rodrigo's sugar plantation near a small village south of Santo Domingo. Although he was no longer actively involved in the management of the plantation, his recent partner having assumed those duties and hired a new overseer, Don Rodrigo had personally given Sir Basil a tour of the fields and the mill, where the cut cane was ground and crushed, and the sweet juice boiled until a thick, dark syrup formed before the sugar crystals were separated from the molasses. Sir Basil, however, remembered little of the tour after that or much of the return journey. Having developed a thirst in the midday heat, he had mistakenly accepted a deep draft of rum from his host.
    Don Rodrigo had even guided the Englishman on a tour of Santo Domingo. Sir Basil was so fine a gentleman, listening with such polite attention, that shopkeepers and dockworkers, seamen and wealthy citizens were eager to talk proudly and expansively about their city and their lives. Soon, Sir Basil's leather-bound journal was filled with entries. His neat script described every detail of life in Santo Domingo . The type of fortifications and number of troops at the fort were noted, as were the ships and warehouses, and the cargoes and goods loaded and stored in each. A detailed map of the city and the countryside south of Santo Domingo occupied two pages. Names and dates and interesting gossip concerning not only the people in Santo Domingo but persons in Spain and other parts of the Spanish Main were all reported, and Sir Basil never failed to be amazed at the startling amount of information people seemed to know without realizing that they knew something important. At least it became important when he added it to some other seemingly innocent remark.
    Sir Basil had just completed his