Oh, why had he gone so soon? Why had he always been there to plague me when I did not want him and away at the only time he could have been of use?

“Honey,” I said, “speak to me, Honey.”

“They killed Edward,” she said. “Edward tried to save me and they killed him. I am sure of it.”

“It may be that he did not die. It may be that he will come after us. They will give the alarm. They will come in search of us. We shall be rescued. If Jake Pennlyon were to come back…”

“He has gone on a long voyage. It will be months before he returns.”

“We may meet him at sea.” I saw him boarding the Spanish galleon, his eyes gleaming. He would kill on the spot any who had dared lay hands on me.

“No one has come near you, Catharine?” she asked.

“No. I was left here.”

“They are waiting until we are out of sight of England.”

“And then you think … ?”

“What else can I think? I was saved because I am a Catholic. You must feign to be of that faith, Catharine. It will go ill with you if you do not.”

“I will feign nothing.”

“Be reasonable.”

“I feel I have lost my reason. I have walked into a nightmare.”

“This is no uncommon happening, Catharine. You should know that. Piracy on the high seas is becoming more and more commonplace. Treasure and women. That is what men go to sea to seek.”

“We have to think what we can do.”

“I have escaped so far. You must too. When I prayed to the Holy Mother as that man attacked me he was afraid. John Gregory came along then and must have told him that I was with child—Catholic child—and he desisted and John Gregory led me here. I believe he would be a friend to us.”

“A friend … who betrayed us!”

“He betrayed, yes, but I believe he is uneasy to have done so.”

“Uneasy. He is a deceitful liar.”

“Guard your tongue, Catharine. Remember we have need of all the friends we can find. I am concerned for you. I believe you are being kept for someone … perhaps the Captain. You were taken away from us and brought here. If that should be so try to talk to him. He may speak our tongue. Beg him not to act rashly. Tell him that any harm done to you will be avenged.”

“That might arouse in him a determination to do me harm.”

“Tell him you will become a Catholic. You wish for tuition.”

“In fact,” I said, “betray my beliefs, go down on my knees and implore these dogs to treat us with respect. It would be of no avail, I assure you, Honey. If you had an Agnus Dei to hang about my neck I would not take it. I will see if I can lay my hands on some weapon. If I could find a knife I would at least put up a fight.”

“It would be useless.” She was staring into the gloom, her face strained with grief, and I knew she was thinking of Edward.

I was not sure how long we lay there in that cabin. I think I slept a little. I was exhausted by my emotions. I started up and wondered where I was. The swaying of the ship and the creaking of its timbers quickly reminded me.

I could just make out the figure of Honey beside me. The horned lantern was swaying from side to side, its light feeble; and the horror of our position dawned on me afresh.

I knew Honey was awake, but we did not speak. There was nothing of comfort that we could offer each other.

It might be morning; how could we know? There was nothing against which to measure time. My tongue was dry, my lips parched. I supposed I was hungry, but the thought of food revolted me.

We may have lain there for another hour or more when the door opened.

We started up in terror. It was a man carrying bowls of something which looked like soup.

He said: “Olla podrida,” and pointed to the bowls…

I wanted to take them and throw them in his face, but Honey said: “Food. We’ll feel better when we’ve eaten. We’ll feel able to face whatever we have to.” I knew she was thinking of her unborn child.

We took the bowls. The food smelled good. The man nodded and left us. Honey was already drinking the concoction. Her appetite had increased since she had become pregnant. She used to say it was her hungry baby demanding to be fed.

I tried it too. It was savory and warming and I found I was glad of it.

We set down the bowls and waited apprehensively. It was not long before we had another visitor. This was the man I had heard addressed as Capitàn.

He came into the room and stood at the door, looking at us. There was a dignity about him, a courtliness which aroused my optimism.

He said in halting English: “I am the Captain of this vessel. I have come to speak with you.”

I said: “You had better tell us quickly what this means.”

“You are on board my ship,” he said. “I am taking you on a voyage.”

“For what purpose?” I asked.

“That you will discover.”

“You have abducted us from our homes!” I cried. “We are gentlewomen unaccustomed to rough treatment. We…”

Honey laid a restraining hand on my arm. The Captain noticed and nodded approvingly.

“It is no use to protest against what is done,” he said.

“Nevertheless, I protest. You have done a wicked thing.”

“I have not come to speak of such things or to waste my time. I come to tell you that I am obeying orders.”

“Whose orders?”

“Those of one who commands me.”

“And who, pray?”

Again Honey restrained me. “Listen, Catharine,” she said.

“You are wise,” said the Captain. “I am sorry you were taken. That should not have been.” He was looking straight at Honey. “A mistake, you understand.”

“If you tell us what this means we shall be grateful,” said Honey humbly.

“I can tell you that if you are wise no harm will befall you on this ship. There are sailors here who have been at sea many months … you understand. They could be rough. So you must take care. I would not have you submitted to indignity on my ship. That would be against my wishes and those of one who commands me.”

I said: “There was another taken with us. Jennet, my maid. What has become of her?”

“I will discover,” he promised me. “I will do my best to ensure your comfort … all of you.”

I was intrigued by him. His gaze kept straying to Honey in a manner which was familiar to me. With her hair hanging about her shoulders she could not fail to look beautiful; she looked vulnerable too; all men were seized with the desire to protect her. I suppose that applied even to Spanish Captains of pirate ships.

“You are uncomfortable here,” he said. “I would talk with you in more suitable surroundings. Come with me and we will eat. You have had a little food, I believe.”

Honey and I exchanged glances. The manner in which the Captain had spoken to us had brought us a little comfort. He was no rough sailor, that much was clear; and he was treating us as though we were guests on his ship, which was reassuring.

The smell of grease and cooking was strong in the alleyway. The ship lurched so that we had to cling to a rail which ran from one end of the alley to the other. We stumbled after the Captain as best we could and he opened a door and stood aside for us to enter.

This was his cabin. It was spacious and the bulkheads were paneled. It was like a small room. There were books and instruments everywhere. Dominating the cabin was the long wooden table which was bolted to the floor; I noticed also a piece of ordnance which was mounted on a carriage and pointed out through a gunport. A tapestry hung on the paneling. I was later to discover that it represented the surrender of Granada to Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand.

At that first view I was astonished that there could be so much comfort on a ship.

“Pray be seated,” said the Captain. “I will order food.”

We sat down and a barefooted sailor came in and prepared the table. It was not long before steaming plates of something like beans and salted meat was brought in.