Inspiration 58

janettaylorperry.com

Genesis 17:7 

And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

I said in the introduction to this series of inspirations that Spirits' Desire is two stories in one. Family is one of my biggest inspirations for both good and bad experiences. The O'Rourke family is not exception. Tonight I introduce Rennin in the 1600s and his wife Morgan.

Early before daybreak, the sloop carrying the family of four docked in Barcelona. Wearily, Rennin O'Rourke securely tied the line. Their journey had been long and treacherous, but treachery would become a familiar term to Rennin.

Rennin rested for a few hours before the businesses opened. He had a daunting task ahead of him. He had promised to claim the successful business ventures of Ricardo Morales for himself.

After Morgan O'Rourke fed her husband and two sons, Donovan and Cameron, Rennin left the boat to investigate the status of seven businesses Ricardo had deeded him. He returned several hours later full of excitement.

"Morgan, these businesses are worth millions. You should see the villa where Victor Jordan, Charlotte's father, lives. 'Tis next door to the Morales villa, but 'tis twice as grand. I understand why Ricardo was so angry. That man stole everything from Ricardo—his love, his fortune, his freedom, his honor, his dignity! I would like to strangle him myself."

Morgan put both her hands on Rennin's arms. "Honey, calm down. You cannot run into this without preperation. First, you need new clothes. You must look like a gentleman. Then, you must inform Ricardo's family of his safety and happiness. After that, I think it would be wise to seek advice from someone with legal expertise. This man is cold and ruthless. Remember what he did to Ricardo."

Rennin kissed his wife. "I knew I loved you for some reason. What would I do without you?"

For two days, Rennin had clothes made for his family. Then, he and his family went to the Morales villa where Pablo Morales resided. Ricardo had given Rennin a letter to deliver to his father, which explained all that had befallen him. Rennin pulled the velvet cord by the door, and bells chimed resoundingly. A maid wearing a cap and apron opened the door.

In Spanish Rennin said, "Soy Rennin O'Rourke. He venido a ver Señor Pablo Morales a favor de su hijo, Ricardo." ("I am Rennin O'Rourke. I have come to see Mister Pablo Morales on behalf of his son, Ricardo.")

The maid showed the family into the foyer and went to deliver the message. She returned in short time. "Señor Morales te vera' en la biblioteca. Venga esta manera." ("Mister Morales will see you in the library. Come this way.") 

She showed the O'Rourke family into a room that had three walls covered with books. Rennin stood in awe as he whispered, "This must be a little piece of Heaven."

A voice at the door said, "Ellos son solo libros escritos solomente por manos mortales." ("They are only books penned by mortal hands.") An elderly man leaning on an ivory handled cane entered the library and summarily sent the maid to bring refreshments for his guests.

Pablo Morales extended his hand and in a heavily Spanish-accented English said, "Mr. O'Rourke, welcome to my home." He turned to Morgan. "Mrs. O'Rourke." He kissed Morgan's hand and bowed.

Rennin said, "Please, call me Rennin. This is my wife, Morgan, and our sons, Donovan and Cameron."

The maid returned with fresh baked cookies, bread and jam, tea, and milk. Pablo closed the door behind her and turned eagerly toward Rennin. "You have news of my son? Is he alive and well?"

Rennin quickly allayed the old man's fears. "Yes, sir, he is quite well. Indeed, he is happy."

Pablo indicated chairs to his visitors. He poured tea for adults and milk for the boys. He showed the two children an area filled with wooden puzzles and left them to eat cookies, drink milk, and play. Then he joined Rennin and Morgan. "Please tell me about my son. Please tell me he is not cruel and wicked as I have been led to believe. He is wanted for murder both here in Barcelona and in Gibraltar. Rennin, you do not appear the sort that would associate with thieves and murderers. Please tell me you are my son's friend."

Rennin set down his cup. "Señor Morales, your son is my good friend and mentor. He has taught me many things. His language is only one example." He sipped the hot tea.

"Sir, there was a time when Ricardo lived as a pirate. Barbarism was his way of life. However, all that has changed. Ricardo now lives on an island called Draconis. He plans never to return to Spain. He is very happy there.

"As you must know, many years ago, Ricardo was in love with Charlotte Jordan. Charlotte's father and the man she married conspired to have Ricardo sold as a galley slave, but before he was spirited away, he fathered a child. You knew her as Miranda Montgomery. She, too, is alive and well with her true father. She does not wish to return here either and asks that you never reveal her location.

"Ricardo has also married a wonderful woman, the former Danielle Martin. They have four children, Seamus, Richard, Leila, and Charlotte. Ricardo is currently apprenticing in wizardry with my great-grandfather."

"Wizardry!" Pablo said in horror. "Please tell me he is not following in the footsteps of his Aunt Quazel, though you may know nothing of her."

"On the contrary," said Rennin, "I know her too well. Morgan is her great-granddaughter. Quazel is dead, and her evil is gone with her. Ricardo had a hand in vanquishing that evil. No, Señor Morales, Ricardo has become a good man."

Pablo leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. "Then I may die in peace."

Rennin spoke kindly. "Sir, I would appreciate if you would stay alive a bit longer." He retrieved letter and deeds from his coat pocket. "Ricardo asked me to deliver this letter to you, and he deeded all his business ventures to me. Might I impose upon you to help me find a barrister to see that they are properly and legally made mine?"

Pablo took the letter and put it inside his coat to read in private. Then, he looked over all legal papers Rennin had brought. "Rennin, I wish for you and your family to join me for dinner. I shall have my solicitor join us. I will insist that he see these franchises be turned over to you immediately. In all honesty, I would love to see Victor on the street with an alms cup in his hand."

That evening the O'Rourke family dined in high style with roasted pheasant, Spanish rice, asparagus with Hollandaise sauce, and chocolate mousse. After dinner, Pablo sent the children to the stables with his groomsman to see the horses. Meanwhile, he had his lawyer review documents Rennin had brought.

Juan Santiago, the lawyer, was a young man who had taken over his father's clients. He said that the papers were perfectly legal. All he needed to do was to file them with the magistrate. "¿"Usted se da cuenta de que esto pelará a Victor Jordania de todo su riqueza y el poder, Señor Morales?" ("You do realize that this will strip Victor Jordan of all his wealth and power, Mister Morales?") he warned, unaware Rennin spoke Spanish fluently, and Morgan enough to survive.

Pablo replied, "Absolutamente. Será así como hizo a mi hijo. ¿Ahora, hay acción legal que puede ser traída contra Victor para reclamar falsamente qué no fue su y para poner a mi hijo por años del infierno?" ("Absolutely. It will be just as he did my son. Now, is there any legal action that can be brought against Victor for falsely claiming what was not his and for putting my son through years of hell?)

Thoughtfully, Juan said, "Supongo que podría ser acusado del secuestro; sin embargo, desde que ambos sus cómplices están muertos, no hay evidencia que corrobora menos la palabra de este hombre, un extranjero total". ("I suppose he could be charged with kidnapping; however, since both his accomplices are dead, there is no corroborating evidence except the word of this man, a total stranger.")

"Que tal carta de Ricardo?" ("What about Ricardo's letter?") asked Pablo.

Santiago addressed the elder man. "Podría discutir que la carta es una falsificación. Las Señor Morales, traten con un problema a la vez. Primero, veamos a transferir propiedades del negocio de Ricardo al del Señor O'Rourke ". ("He could argue the letter is a forgery. Mister Morales let us deal with one problem at a time. First, let us see to transferring Ricardo's business holdings to Mister O'Rourke.")

The lawyer spoke to Rennin in a condescending tone. "If you will give me the papers, I will file them in the morning, Mr. O'Rourke."

As Rennin started to hand documents to Santiago, Morgan softly touched his hand and shook her head. Rennin raised an eyebrow at her in question. Morgan spoke softly, but decisively. "Señor Santiago, my husband and I will meet you tomorrow morning at the magistrate's office. My cousin did not deed all of his holdings to my husband for him to hand the documents to anyone."

Taken aback by the woman's candor, Santiago said, "Do I sense some distrust on your part, Mrs. O'Rourke? Should I be the one detecting secrecy? I did not realize you were related to Ricardo Morales."

"Yes," said Pablo, "Morgan is my cousin. Do not be offended, Juan, but she is right. Those documents must not leave Rennin's hands until they are properly filed."

Stiffly, Santiago agreed. "Very well. Mr. and Mrs. O'Rourke, I shall meet you at nine o'clock. Señor Morales, I shall take my leave of you this evening. Thank you for a lovely meal."

Juan Santiago climbed into his coach. He fumed at "la impertinencia de esa mujer" ("that woman's impertinence.") As he passed the driveway to Victor Jordan's house, Santiago shouted to his driver, "Gire aquí dentro. Necesito hablar con el Señor Jordan." ("Turn in here. I need to speak to Mister Jordan.")

Meanwhile, Rennin asked Morgan, "What was that?"

Morgan looked at both men. "Frankly, I do not trust him. He treated you contemptuously, as if you were a bug that needed to be squashed. Were you not listening to what he said to Pablo? It was as if he were trying to convince Pablo of your dishonesty."

Pablo defended his attorney. "His father has handled my legal affairs for over thirty years!"

"Exactly!" reaffirmed Morgan. "His father, not he."

Cover by Christopher Chambers. juroddesigns.com

1600s Rennin & Morgan: