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When he finally found her she was sitting atop the cliff where they had first met.
The wind was biting but the familiar sting of the sea against his cheek was a solemn reminder of why he was here: to find a map that would lead to the antimony mines; to save his brothers; and to return to Ibu a rich man who could take care of her for the rest of her days. Marianne Guillonk, and her insatiable desire to know the world, to be free, was not a part of this plan. And yet, here he was—chasing after her.
The wind brushed her golden locks across her pale face. He had no problem admitting that she was beautiful. He’d noticed it from the very first moment he’d seen her. It was almost as if time had stopped. And when that tiger charged towards her he’d never felt such a deep instinct to protect another person before. It was most inconvenient.
He approached silently, not wanting to startle her. He could tell by the wistful expression on her face, as she overlooked the sea, that she was unhappy; and damn him if he didn’t prefer to see her smiling.
He released a breath of relief. “Everyone’s been looking for you,” his eyes widened when she flinched. He hadn’t meant to startle her, especially not with her sitting so close to the edge. “You ran away from Mr. Brooke?”
“I didn’t run away.” She said defensively, but her expression softened when she realized it was Ismail who had found her.
A small part of him felt pleased that she was comfortable with his presence, but then a bigger part felt guilty that he was lying to her.
Her tone shifted, a bit more playfully she added: “Not exactly…”
When it appeared she was not going to move from her seated position, he asked: “May I join you?”
Marianne gave him a clipped smile before responding, “Please.” She gestured towards the empty space on her right hand side.
He was careful not to brush up against her leg as he settled in beside her and let the silence pass between them.
“It’s beautiful here.” Sandokan finally remarked. When she didn’t respond he turned to admire her profile and the delicate line of her neck. His eyes fell towards her lap where her hands rested atop what appeared to be a small hardcover. “You’re still shaking.” Sandokan titled his head towards her hands.
“Am I?”
He could tell that she was still in shock. Sandokan reached towards her lap and took her hands within his own. He held them gently, cradled them until the tremors began to subside.
He looked into her eyes and noticed the way her gaze flashed towards his lips for a heartbeat. “Better?” he asked.
Marianne swallowed thickly. “Yes, thank you.”
He let her hands fall slowly towards her lap before pulling away.
“That was very brave of you,” Marianne prompted, not wanting to let the tension between them build. “I don’t think anyone’s ever done something like that for me before.”
Sandokan’s brow raised in question. “What do you mean?”
“With the tiger… You put my life ahead of yours. No one has ever… It was actually quite foolish of you!”
Sandokan laughed and Marianne’s own giggle joined him. He liked the way it sounded. He liked it when she smiled. He liked it when he was the reason she smiled.
“You’re reading Shakespeare.” Sandokan pointed towards the little brown book in her lap.
“You surprised me, that’s all.” She held up the cover of A Comedy of Errors, “I thought I’d revisit it. I understand what you were trying to tell me before: Luciana was warning Adrianna that her desire for freedom will likely end in her own suffering. But this play was written by a man, of some privilege, and while he might sympathize he cannot understand. The moment I am sent to London, the moment I become a wife and a mother, my liberty will be taken from me—I cannot fathom being at the command of another. And while I confess, to me, my privilege has always felt like a trap, I realize that to others it might—”
“No, I was too quick to judge you Marianne. For that I am sorry.”
A deep knowing passed between them.
Marianne was first to break the intimacy, as a mischievous smile bloomed on her face. “So, you can take down a tiger, but I wonder, how do you fare in the jungle?”
“What?”
He was caught off guard by how quickly Marianne got to her feet, abandoning the play on the top of the cliff.
“Marianne? Marianne, where are you going?” He called after, nimbly getting to his own feet and following her down the cliff.
“Do you trust me?” She asked over her shoulder, still making haste down the hill.
“Of course! You saved my life.”
Marianne turned and Sandokan had to stop himself short of bumping into her. She was much shorter due to the rise of the slope, her neck straining to look up at him.
“I’d like to show you something special.”
Sandokan nodded as she led him towards the edge of the lush flora of the jungle. They forged deeper into the wilderness, Marianne leading the way and quite confident in her footing.
“Is this something you do frequently?” Sandokan was just behind her, easily keeping up.
“I love the jungle!” She smiled back up at him, “Alomst as much as I love the expanse of the sea. You’re rather lucky you get to sail for a living.”
“I am.” Because he was a merchant not because he was a pirate. He had to remember this, he had to keep things straight and not get lost in the gentle freckles on her cheeks and the soft brown of her eyes.
“I like to collect plants and insects—I know it’s wicked to take them from where they belong but I’m just so fascinated sometimes. “Here, come with me!” Marianne grabbed his hand and pulled him past some palm fronds. “It’s just up here.”
Marianne led him towards a secluded oasis. The grass was flattened in a circle and they were surrounded by pink and orange hibiscus. The butterflies seemed unbothered by their interruption, the colours of their wings shining against the sun as they flitted from flower to flower.
“You found this on your own?”
“When I was about twelve. I like to come here when I want to be alone.”
“Then why bring me?”
“I…” she faltered, and Sandokan didn’t like how her head tilted down with uncertainty. “I thought you’d understand.”
“I do.” He took a step towards her, the serenade of tweeting birds making their seclusion sweeter. Sandokan clenched his hand at his side, fighting against the desire to reach up and take Marianne’s hand, or tuck the loose strand of hair behind her ear. Just as her lips parted, and he thought she might welcome such a forward gesture, Marianne dropped to the floor. He watched with interest as she laid down on the worn grass and stared upwards. Sandokan titled his head up and that’s when he noticed it. He moved to lay next to her, the canopy of trees covered the secluded space entirely and truly sealed them off from the rest of the world. The butterflies floated and danced above them and still it was only the second most beautiful site in the little meadow. He turned to look at her, her eyes were closed as she grounded herself to the earth. He closed his eyes too, and in harmony they inhaled the fresh air. There was peace in the jungle.
Sandokan felt the light brush of her fingers against his own. He knew she didn’t mean anything too presumptuous, but he was thankful that she had made the move first.
They might have fallen asleep like that—fingertips touching as the gentle morning breeze brushed through the trees—but he couldn’t be sure. Time appeared to move differently here.
He began to wonder. What would she do if she knew the truth? Would she understand his actions despite the crimes he’d committed. Maybe it was worth the risk? Maybe she would accept him?
“Marianne?” he asked hesitantly.
She opened one eye and immediately shot to her feet. “How long have we been here?” she squinted into the sun. “I was supposed to pick out accessories with Aunt Francis for the party. She’ll be livid if I’m late!” She rolled her eyes at the absurdity of her Aunt.
Sandokan rose to his feet.
“I’m sorry,” she winced. “I really should get back.”
“Of course. Everyone will be pleased to know you’re safe.”
She smiled and began to walk towards the foliage they had entered through before she stopped.
“Ismail?”
Sandokan flinched.
“It would mean very much to me if you came to my party?”
Fuck. Sandokan’s mouth opened and closed. Tonight was the perfect night to free his crew, while everyone was distracted by the merriment he could execute his rescue plan, but not if he too was distracted by the…merriment.
“I’m not sure if that’s a good idea…your father.”
“If I asked him, would you come?”
Sandokan faltered and there was really nothing else to say but the truth: “Yes.”
He was rewarded by the brightest smile he had ever seen.
“Come on,” Marianne took his hand again. “I’ll help you find your way back.”
And Sandokan followed.