Then he took his arms from about me and caught my head; he pulled it back and his mouth was on mine … warm, revolting, I told myself firmly. I tried to protest, but it was useless. I could not escape from this fierce embrace.
When he at last released me I was shaking—with fury, I again reminded myself.
I said: “How dare you behave in such a way … I have never…”
“Of course you have never been kissed like that before. But don’t fret. It will not be the last time.”
I was beginning to be alarmed. I was on his ship alone. I had been tricked. There were men on board, but they were his slaves.
He guessed my thoughts.
“Exciting, eh? You are at my mercy. You can’t get away unless it is my wish that you should.”
I could only repeat: “You would not dare to touch me.”
“Now that I know that your eagerness matches my own … but I, being honest, make no secret of my desires while you, being deceitful, hide yours, feigning reluctance.”
“I never heard such nonsense! You are a loathsome, ill-mannered pirate and I hate you.”
“You protest too strongly,” he said.
“You will be hanged for this. My family…”
“Oh, yes,” he said, “you are a girl of good family. This is a matter which we have taken into consideration.”
“Who has taken it into consideration?”
“My father and I, and for what purpose you must be aware.”
“I refuse to discuss this unpleasant subject.”
“It is a fascinating subject. My father said to me: ‘It’s time you married, Jake. We want more Pennlyons. That girl will be a good breeder. Time you took her to bed. But make it legal this time. I want grandchildren.’”
“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.”
“Jennet told me…”
“Now don’t blame the girl. She knew when she must do as she’s told.”
“Jennet!” I said. “Did she know that I was being tricked?”
“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. Jennet was waiting there.
I went to her and said, “You lied, Jennet. You told me Mistress Ennis was here. You knew full well she was not.”
“Mistress Catharine, I … I…” She looked beyond me to Jake Pennlyon.
“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 Jennet and to my shame I had discovered that potent power in him.
Jake Pennlyon laughed, low and mocking.
“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 Jennet sat with her head lowered, her hands visibly trembling. As soon as I was helped ashore I walked ahead of her back to Trewynd.
When I was in my room I was so angry that I had to vent my wrath on someone. I sent for Jennet.
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.”
Jennet began to cry.
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 Jennet’s face I was slapping: it was his. I hated him so much, because he had tricked me, because he had tried to treat me in the same way as he had Jennet.
“You lied to me. You told me Mistress Ennis was on the Rampant Lion. You are supposed to be my servant and you forget that because this libertine kissed you.”
Jennet sank to the floor, covered her face with her hand and burst into loud blubbering sobs. A voice from the door said: “Catharine, what has happened to you?”
Honey was standing there, serene and beautiful.
I said nothing and she came into the room and looked down at the weeping Jennet.
“Why, Catharine, you used to be so good to the servants.”
Those words spoken in that manner reminded me so much of my mother that the madness of my fury passed away suddenly and I felt very ashamed of myself, of the ease with which I had been tricked and my uncontrollable anger against poor silly little Jennet.