Read Online The Lion Triumphant by Philippa Carr - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Philippa Carr
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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
“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
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