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“I refuse to stay here to be insulted. You must look elsewhere for your good breeder.”
“Why should I when I’ve found her?”
“I believe it would be necessary to get her consent.”
“That will not be impossible.”
“Are you under the illusion that you are one of the gods come down from Olympus?”
“That may be an illusion others have about me. I know myself for a man who is clear as to what he wants and gets it.”
“Not always,” I reminded him. “Not if I am included in those desires.”
“There are ways. Do you want me to make this plain to you?”
His face was close to me and I felt my throat constrict. I wished my heart would not beat so loudly. It might betray my fear or whatever it was he aroused in me.
“You are revolting. If you do not let me go at once I can promise you that my family will bring you to the courts for this.”
“Oh, that good family,” he said. “Now, my fine lady, there is nothing insulting about an offer of marriage.”
“There is when it comes from you.”
“Don’t goad me too far, I have the devil of a temper.”
“And let me tell you that so have I.”
“I knew we were well matched. What boys we’ll have. Let’s begin … now. The marriage vows will come after.”
“I have told you you must look elsewhere for your breeder.”
“I have found her and I have sworn to God that you will bear my sons.”
I said: “Stand back and open that door.”
“On condition.”
“What condition?”
“That you give your word to marry me … without delay, and that you’ll be with child before I sail.”
“And if I won’t?”
“You give me no alternative.”
I was silent and with a rough gesture he threw me onto his bunk. I stared at him in horror as he deliberately removed his coat.
I got to my feet. He was laughing at me. “You should understand, my precious virgin … at least I suppose you are a virgin. You are. I can spot ’em. It is something in the eyes.”
“You insult me.”
“In truth I honor you. I choose only those who are worthy of my manhood.”
I said: “Do you really mean that if I don’t promise to marry you you will force me as though I am some … some…”
He nodded. “Some wench of no consequence. Though, mind you, there have been fine ladies on occasion. It is no use looking at me with those great disbelieving eyes. You know I am a man of my word. Did I not promise you that I would have you on my ship within the week? Now what’s it to be? I’ve told you already sailors have no time to waste.”
“Let me out of here. You tricked me. I only came because…”
“Because you wanted to.”
“It is the last thing I wanted.”
“Don’t you believe it. I know you better than you know yourself.”
“Je
“Now don’t blame the girl. She knew when she must do as she’s told.”
“Je
“Tricked! My dear girl, I was giving you an excuse for coming here. I’m not noted for my patience.”
“I must get out of here,” I said.
“That is your answer.” Deliberately he put on his coat.
He opened the door; he led the way down a flight of stairs. Je
I went to her and said, “You lied, Je
“Mistress Catharine, I … I…” She looked beyond me to Jake Pe
“You slut!” I said, and imagined the way he would look at her and lay his hands on her. No need to make her fine promises; she would be willing and eager. I knew Je
Jake Pe
“Row me ashore at once,” I said.
I was trembling as we descended the ladder. I did not look back.
As we were rowed back Je
When I was in my room I was so angry that I had to vent my wrath on someone. I sent for Je
She came trembling.
I had always before been rather mild with servants; Honey was far more haughty with them than I ever was; but I could not get out of my mind the thought of that man’s mocking eyes and I wanted to hurt somebody; and this girl who was supposed to be my faithful maid had betrayed me.
I turned on her and cried, “Now then, girl. You had better give an account of yourself.”
Je
I took her by the shoulders and shook her. Then she stammered: “I meant no harm, Mistress. The gentleman he asked me … he talked to me like…”
“Like,” I mimicked. “Like what?”
“Well, he talked kind like and said I looked a good maiden…”
“And he kissed you and fondled you as no man should a virgin girl.”
I saw by the quick color which flooded her face that this was so; and I slapped her. It was not poor Je
“You lied to me. You told me Mistress E
Je
Honey was standing there, serene and beautiful.
I said nothing and she came into the room and looked down at the weeping Je
“Why, Catharine, you used to be so good to the servants.”
Those words spoken in that ma
I said to Je
She hastily got up and fled.
“What was all that about?” asked Honey in a bewildered voice.
“It’s that man. The Pe
Honey laughed. “You should have known I wouldn’t have gone to the ship alone. How could you have been so stupid as to think I would?”
“I was surprised.”
“Yet you believed it! Do you think he has such a fatal fascination for all women?”
“Je
“Je
“You think she has already been his victim?”
“That would not surprise me. But you have a high opinion of his irresistibility if you think I would have gone visiting him alone.”
“I’m sorry. It was foolish of me. I’ve no one but myself to blame.”
“Well, at least you escaped unscathed. It will teach you to be wary of him in future.”
“I shall never see him again if I can help it. As for Je
“As you will. Take Luce. She is a girl who will cause you no anxieties and offer little provocation to any man.”
“I have not told you,” I said, “how I escaped.”
“Well?”
“He said either I gave him my promise to marry him or he would take me there and then.”
“What company you get into,” mocked Honey.
“In your house,” I reminded her.
“Ah, but he was already an acquaintance of yours before he came here.” She must have noticed how perturbed I was because she went on soothingly: “Whatever has happened to you! He can’t force you to marry him and he wouldn’t dare harm you—a neighbor’s daughter and a member of our family. Why, the courts would hang him. That was just bravado.”
“I’ve heard this called Pe
“Don’t believe all you hear. Edward has some power in this land, you know. Our estates are bigger than those of the Pe