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see that she loathed the idea of marrying either of the suitors he had encouraged for his own selfish ends? But that was an unworthy thought. She trembled with frustration and put her hands to her face. A fresh wave of guilt coursed through her. Her father was only acting with her best interests at heart. It was his duty to ensure she wed well, and hers to accept the guidance he gave her. She took a long breath and sat up straight. She would not sink into self-pity; she must not. She would pray for her father’s health and she would pray for Will. Next she would find out whether Will was actually sailing on the
Swan
– she did not know he was for certain, and how could she assume anything on the basis of Nan and Lettie’s gossip? She resolved not to tolerate any more tittle-tattle about him. There would be no more rumouring, and she would talk to him as soon as possible. Only then would she know the truth. But what if he was going? She stared at the window.
    What if he had kissed her only to leave her with Godfrey Gilbert?

6
    God and Saint George
    ‘God and Saint George, upon those traitorous villains, and rescue the Minion, I trust in God the day shall be ours.’
    —
The words of John Hawkins on leading his men into action at the battle of San Juan de Ulúa, 23 rd September 1568
(
as recorded by Job Hortop, gunner aboard the Jesus of Lubeck, from
Volume 6
of
The Principal Navigations . . .)
    WILL WALKED QUICKLY towards the docks, only slowing once he reached Sutton Poole, and there he paused at the quayside, looking at the ship on which he might soon be sailing. At just twenty-five tons, the
Swan
was not much more than a bark, but she looked neat and nimble, and had served Drake well on his recent voyage. Will hooked his thumbs in his belt and eyed the hull below the waterline, peering down into the shadows to scrutinise the timbers for trailing weed. He was satisfied with what he saw. If Drake got the backing he was after from Nicholas Cooksley, then she could be provisioned and ready within a few weeks. But how would Mistress Ellyn react to that? He supposed she might not wish him to go.
    Their kiss the night before had told him more than a host of words. She had not been unwilling; he had felt it as soon as they touched, and the pleasure of that revelation had changed the way he beheld her. She was more hot-blooded than he had supposed, not such the strait lady as her quick tongue had suggested. Was there a chance he could win her if he stayed?
    He tipped back his head and looked at the mast tops of the
Swan
, and those, much higher, belonging to the other ships beside her. He saw brightly painted crows’ nests against the crisp blue sky, and faded weathered rigging that was almost white in the glare of the sun. The day was frosty but fair. It would have been a good one for getting underway. What he saw was a reminder of the last time he had sailed.
    At San Juan de Ulúa, on the morning of the battle, the sky had been as clear and the ships had been as close – but it had been hot. He stared at the dancing light on the water – that had been much the same – but in the Gulf of Mexico, the sea was greener, and so clear he could see the sand at the bottom of the harbour, fathoms below.
    He had been with his friend, Eliseus, in a small bobbing boat, caulking the stern of the Queen’s carrack, the
Jesus of Lubeck
. He had been labouring to seal the leaks in the great ship’s seams, clinging to the hope that a Spanish Viceroy could be trusted and that the hostages would be returned as soon as the
Jesus
was ready to sail. His faith had been in that – they would get Kit back.
    Then he was there, hearing the blast from the trumpet that had signalled the start of the Spanish attack, and General Hawkins shouting, ‘Treachery!’ before rallying the men with his battle cry. The Spaniards had swarmed over the
Minion
, grappled and boarded her from a hulk. By the time he and Eliseus had got back on the
Jesus
, Hawkins