In the Tudor Court Collection. Amanda McCabe

      Kathryn lay down for a while. She was tired and hungry, and, waking after a fretful sleep that had not refreshed her, she discovered that Michael seemed to have forgotten his promise to bring her food. She got to her feet and pushed a strand of hair back from her face, feeling dirty and crumpled, and also a little cold in her torn petticoat. When Michael returned she would ask him if there was anything she could wear instead of the clothes that had been given her in Don Pablo’s home.

      She had just decided that she would go up on deck when she heard a loud boom and the galley shook from stern to prow. Startled, she rushed to the porthole and looked out. It seemed that two galleys were attacking them, and from the flag they were flying, looked as if they might be Corsairs. The pennant had a white background and bore the sign of the crescent and the letter R in a blood-red colour. Something about the bold statement of the Corsair’s flag made her shiver.

      It must be some of Rachid’s men! Kathryn felt chilled as she looked out and saw that the shot Lorenzo’s galley had fired had gone home. One of the galleys had been holed and was clearly in some difficulty. The other galley had fired at them and as their vessel rocked, she knew that they had taken a hit, but then several of Lorenzo’s guns roared at once and the second galley, which was very close, was holed. It went down so fast that she could hardly believe her eyes. One moment it was there, firing at them, and she could see fierce-looking men on deck preparing to board and fight. And now it had gone—but there were some men in the water.

      The second galley was retreating, leaving their comrades in the water. She could see them screaming, calling out to the men who had deserted them, but as Lorenzo’s guns roared once more she knew that the second Corsair galley dared not stop to pick them up. Surely they would not leave the men to die?

      Kathryn went to the door of her cabin, opening it and going to stand on the little deck that was directly above the rows of oarsmen. For a moment she thought that Lorenzo’s crew were going to ignore the men in the water, for they were cheering as they saw that they had routed their enemy. But then she saw that some of the men were at the rails as if to snatch those they could from a watery grave.

      ‘You should go below, Mistress Rowlands,’ Michael said, coming to her. ‘It is not fitting for you to be here—and like that.’

      She glanced down at herself, realising that she must look as if she were in her nightgown. ‘May I not help with the wounded?’

      ‘We have our own surgeon to do that,’ he told her. ‘Please go below.’

      ‘But those men in the water…’

      ‘We shall do what we can. Please go!’

      Kathryn retreated, feeling angry and disturbed. She could hear shouting on deck and men moving about, also the movement of oars that told her they were going on. Looking out of the porthole, she saw that there were several bodies floating in the water, but could not tell whether any of them were still alive. She felt the sting of tears, because she knew that those left behind would surely die.

      How could Lorenzo abandon them? She had thought he had more compassion. Yet she was foolish to believe in a softer side. For a moment she had glimpsed another man on that mountainside, but in truth he was ruthless. A hard, cold man who saved only those he believed would bring him a profit.

      Kathryn felt chilled. She had believed herself to be falling in love with him—but how could she love such a man?

      Chapter Five

      ‘Forgive us,’ Michael said when he brought food and wine to her later. ‘We were attacked by two of Rachid’s galleys, as no doubt you saw, and there was no time for anyone to eat.’

      ‘Those men in the water…’ Kathryn said. She felt sick to her stomach, revolted by the sight of food. ‘Why did you not stop to pick them up?’

      ‘We rescued a few, most of them galley slaves,’ Michael said, but she noticed that he would not look at her as he set down the tray of food. ‘Do not concern yourself for the others. Most were already dead and, besides, they were not worth your pity, mistress.’

      ‘Is not any man worthy of help?’ she asked, a catch in her voice. ‘In God’s eyes even a sparrow is worthy of notice.’

      ‘Thank you, Michael,’ Lorenzo said, his voice harsh. ‘You will leave us now if you please.’

      Kathryn turned her accusing gaze on Lorenzo as he stood aside for his captain to leave the cabin. ‘There were so many,’ she said, a choke in her voice. ‘Surely they were not all dead?’

      Lorenzo’s face showed no emotion as he answered her. ‘They were Rachid’s men—ruthless pirates. They take no prisoners. Can you imagine what would have happened if they had been the victors? Save your tears for those that deserve it.’

      ‘But they were beaten…’ Her words died as she saw that he was angry. He was arrogant and ruthless. He would not listen to her. She was merely a foolish girl who had caused him enough trouble.

      ‘Has it not occurred to you that there might have been more of his galleys waiting for us? If we had spent too much time trying to rescue men, most of whom were already dead—or likely to be hung for their crimes if we had rescued them—we might have been attacked again. I do not think that Lord Mountfitchet would have been pleased if you had escaped from Don Pablo to fall into the hands of Corsairs, Kathryn.’

      ‘Are you saying that it was for my sake that you did not stop?’

      ‘Does that grieve your tender heart, Kathryn? Do not take my guilt upon your shoulders, Madonna. I saw no profit in saving men I would have to either hang or kill another day if I set them free.’

      ‘Is everything a matter of profit?’ Kathryn said angrily. ‘Tell me, how much did Lord Mountfitchet pay you to rescue me?’ She saw him flinch and regretted the words as soon as she had said them, but her pride would not allow her to take them back. Raising her head proudly, she looked into his eyes. ‘Perhaps you should know that I am an heiress and my true worth is what my father will give to have me back.’

      ‘I shall bear that in mind,’ Lorenzo said, his eyes glinting. ‘Perhaps I shall not take your uncle’s ransom after all, Madonna. It might be that you would fetch a higher price elsewhere.’ He moved towards her, towering above her so that she felt shivers run down her spine. For a moment she thought he meant to take her into his arms, and his expression frightened her, but then he shook his head and stepped back. ‘You are a troublesome girl and I have better things to do! Be careful or I may find it easier to be rid of you.’

      Kathryn stared as he turned and walked from the cabin. He could not mean that! Surely he was merely punishing her for what she had said to him? He could not seriously mean to sell her to the highest bidder?

      No, of course he didn’t. He would hand her back to Lord Mountfitchet and take the agreed price—wouldn’t he? And yet what did she really know of this man? He guarded his feelings so well that anything might be going on inside his head.

      Kathryn sat on the edge of the bed, hugging herself as she tried to come to terms with her feelings. For a moment as she gazed into his eyes she had wanted him to kiss her. How foolish she was! He was a hard, cruel, dangerous man and the sooner she was with Charles and Lady Mary the better.