12. Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

S unlight streamed through the lace curtains, casting delicate shadows across Isabella as she reclined in bed, propped up with plump pillows. Her cheeks were finally tinged with rose rather than pallid with illness.

Clarissa perched on the edge of her seat, feeling as though she might burst at the seams with questions. During the last few days sitting at Isabella's bedside, she'd learned to temper her natural tendency to chatter and prod, allowing the other girl to rest. But now, seeing strength and vitality beginning to return, Clarissa could scarcely contain her eagerness to truly get to know Rafael's sweet younger sister.

"Oh Bella, you can't imagine how relieved I am to see you on the mend at last," Clarissa said, resisting the urge to throw her arms around the other girl in an exuberant embrace. "I've been so terribly worried."

Isabella smiled softly, reaching out to clasp Clarissa's hand. "Your presence has given me such comfort, Clarissa. Knowing you were here, willing me to recover with your stubborn determination." Her eyes twinkled with mirth.

Clarissa laughed. "Well, I am nothing if not mulishly stubborn when I put my mind to something. Poor Rafael didn't stand a chance once I insisted on staying to help."

"My brother is blessed to have found such a loyal friend in you. I hope you know how deeply grateful we all are."

Friend. The word lodged in Clarissa's throat. Of course Isabella would think of her as a friend, an adopted member of the family. She couldn't possibly guess at the decidedly non-sisterly feelings Clarissa harboured for Rafael.

"It is I who owe Rafael everything, as you well know." Clarissa had long since filled Isabella in on the story of Rafael's rescuing her from the corsair ship. "Keeping you company is the very least of what I can do." Shaking off her wistful longings that Rafael might think of her as more than a friend one day, Clarissa forced a bright smile. "Now, you simply must tell me everything there is to know about growing up here. I'm endlessly fascinated by your home and family."

"It would be my greatest pleasure," Isabella responded warmly, eyes alight with enthusiasm. "But first, I insist you share more of your own stories. Rafael mentioned you spent time in Italy?"

Clarissa nodded, mind already spinning with memories of the sun-drenched hills and lush vineyards. The months she'd spent touring the countryside had been some of the most carefree of her life. "Indeed, I was quite swept away by the beauty of it all..."

As the two young women talked and laughed, swapping stories of cherished moments and dreams for the future, an unshakable bond began to form. Born of shared joys and struggles, an abiding friendship took root.

A few days later, finally recovered enough to emerge from her sickroom for more than an hour or so at a time, Isabella led Clarissa through the sprawling grounds of the de Silva estate, the warm breeze ruffling their hair.

As they rounded a bend in the path, the vineyards came into view. Clarissa's breath caught in her throat. The once-pristine rows of vines were now choked with weeds, their gnarled branches reaching towards the sky like skeletal fingers. It was a stark reminder of the toll the war had taken on the land and its people.

"It breaks my heart to see them like this," Isabella said softly, her voice tinged with sorrow. "Though I have never seen them otherwise, Mama and Rafael have told me stories - these vineyards were once the pride of our family."

Clarissa reached out and gave Isabella's hand a comforting squeeze. "They can be again," she said, her mind already whirring with possibilities. "In Italy, I saw vineyards that had been ravaged by disease and neglect, but with hard work and dedication, they were brought back to life."

Isabella's eyes widened, a flicker of hope igniting within them. "Do you really think it's possible?"

"I do," Clarissa said firmly, her gaze sweeping over the overgrown vines. She could almost picture them heavy with ripe, juicy grapes, the air filled with the heady aroma of fermenting wine. "It won't be easy, but nothing worth having ever is."

Rafael approached them, his brow furrowed with concern. He had overheard their conversation and felt compelled to interject. "I appreciate your enthusiasm, Lady Clarissa," he began, his deep voice tinged with a hint of resignation, "but I fear the task may be more daunting than you realise."

Clarissa turned to face him, her chin lifted in defiance. "Captain de Silva, I understand your reservations, but I firmly believe that with the right approach and dedication, we can revive these vineyards and secure your family's financial future."

Rafael sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "The war has taken a heavy toll on our land. Most of the vines were burned, and the new growth is young and fragile. It will take years of hard work and significant investment to bring them back to their former glory."

"But it's not impossible," Clarissa countered, her eyes sparkling with determination. "And the potential rewards are immense - not just financially, but for the spirit of your family and the local community."

As Rafael listened to her impassioned words, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope ignite in his chest. Perhaps she was right. Perhaps this was the opportunity he had been searching for - a chance to rebuild not just the vineyards, but his own sense of purpose and belonging.

"I admire your spirit," he said at last, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "And I must admit, your proposal has merit. But we must be realistic about the challenges ahead. It will not be an easy path."

Clarissa met his gaze, her own smile radiant with optimism. "Nothing worth having ever is, Captain. But together, I believe we can overcome any obstacle."

Rafael felt a surge of gratitude towards Clarissa for her unwavering belief in the potential of his family's estate. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and he found himself considering the proposal more seriously.

He glanced at Isabella, who was practically vibrating with excitement. "What do you think, Bella? Could we really bring the vineyards back to life?"

Isabella clasped her hands together, her eyes shining with hope. "Oh, Rafa, imagine it! The vines heavy with grapes, the air filled with the sweet scent of wine... It would be like a dream come true."

Rafael nodded slowly, his mind already racing with the logistics of such an undertaking. It would require significant investments of time, labour, and resources. But if they could pull it off...

He turned back to Clarissa, his expression serious. "This will be no easy feat. We'll need to clear the weeds, prune the vines, and likely replant entire sections. It will take years of hard work before we see any significant yield."

Clarissa met his gaze unflinchingly, her determination evident in the set of her jaw. "I understand the challenges, Captain. But I also see the incredible opportunity before us. Not just for your family, but for the entire community. Imagine the jobs it could create, the economic boost it could provide for your people!"

Rafael felt a flicker of admiration for her vision and her compassion. She wasn't just thinking of herself or even his family - she was considering the wider impact such a project could have. His mind raced as he considered the implications of the scheme. The vineyards had been a part of his family's legacy for generations, but the need to make money quickly had always pulled him away to the sea, to ply the trade he knew with his ship. Now, with Clarissa's encouragement, he could see a different path unfolding before him, returning to his family's deep roots in this land.

"I must admit," he said slowly, his gaze drifting over the sun-drenched hills, "the thought of spending my days on land, tending to the vines and overseeing the estate, is not without its appeal."

"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."