Devil's Whore

8.

After long time of travelling, they stood on a firm ground again. And the place was like heaven. Beautiful island with clear sea, long beaches calling for rest and relax. Colonnade welcomed James with Mary and his crew and took them to her home. Yes, on the end James was right. It was a woman. Something that would be called a double in modern ages. Working for both Spain and America. In the time, when Spain was trying to hold a teritories in Spain, but being constantly betrayed or pushed away by Britain, Spanish king made a deal with the woman.

Since England with the help of Dutch fought in Nootka's waters and French refused to help Spain, on contrary the land attacked the Spanish border, king decided to do something, in which Crown failed. To make Delaney into a partner rather than enemy. To seek cooperation, rather than war. And since Colonnade was there as a delegate from states, two sides joined and tried to find a solution. It was long and exhausted. Mary at one moment stood up and excused herself and took a long proper nap. Nobody would blame her, even for James, who kept agreeing and disagreeing with Spanish and American's condition felt tired as hell.

But after long time of talking and negotiating, they made a deal. Nootka for Spain for a price nor Mary nor James could ever  dream off. If James decided to continue in trading business, he will have place in Nootka for free. There based on this, since by that Spain gave up on a part near by trade of California, but finally defined boundaries between New Spain and US.

Shaking hands and signing new treaty and contracts was relieving. James and Mary realized really well, that the peace there won't last long. No. After James showed the supplies with explosives, Spanish king gave Delaney equal sum of gold as he did for the piece of land. But still, James had this man rather as a friend than enemy.

Few days later after every documents have been signed, they all gathered in a huge dining room to have a diner together. To celebrate mostly, because in the end both sides got, what they wanted. Cooperation, land and fortune. Fortune so big for Delaneys, that their grandchildren could sit home and do nothing and still be rich. Once king entered the room, the two of them stod up. Delaney and Colonnade and seeing Mary's attempt, king stopped her immediately. "Oh, madam, no, please, don't bother yourself," he told her calmly. Her huge belly and tiredness covering her eyes was even for a man of his position reason to skip courtesies from her behalf. "Let's take seats and eat," he gestured.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," James nodded and sat down again.

Being unfamiliar with even places like Colonnade's manor and mostly nobilities and royalties, Mary gave the king a polite nod. "Thank you, Your Majesty," she said quietly. Everything that moment for her was sureal and foreign. The large dinner tables the courtesies and bows. Thankfully, James being on her side and holding her hand all the time, made things easier. She turned to him and gave him a smile, when he kissed her hand. Truth was, that she could barely stand on her feet. She was naturally heavy being in her month and her strength was less and less.

"When do you expect the baby to come out, sir?" King looked at James.

"Any day now, Your Majesty," he answered. "Madam Colonnade already called a midwife and nuns from local monastery, to be prepared."

Colonnade nodded and rose glass with wine. "You have all my admiration, madam," she said to Mary. "I have two children, so I can imagine, how awful you must feel these days. Nervous and stressed and into all that, this... Negotiating and endless debates. All respect to you," she told her calmly with a nod.

"Of course not, you gave us all the comforts. I wouldn't complain." She smiled to the woman. It was true, she truly did her best especially for her to feel like home and welcomed. But everything around and the important people made Mary feel anxious even for the way she drinks water.