Knight's Captive
Page 15
He kept his gaze firm on the soldier and waited until he backed away slightly. “Aye, sir. We’ll inform the Spanish of what has happened. I think it unlikely there can be a quarrel on the matter.”
“Excellent. Good day to you, de Montford.”
Taking Antonia’s hand, he pressed past the man and his soldiers. She leaned into him and gripped his arm tightly. “Do you think the villagers know?”
“Some, aye. Fear not, ‘tis clear where they stand. They’ll not betray us.”
She beamed at him. “You’ve won them over.”
“Nay, ‘twas you.” Oblivious to the watching crowd, Henry pushed back a loose strand of hair as the fresh sea breeze caught it. With Antonia at his side, he finally felt comfortable with his duties. He knew together they would overcome anything life threw at them. “You won me over too,” he murmured and brought his mouth down to hers.
THE END
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Other titles by Samantha Holt
The Warrior’s Reward
To Steal a Highlander’s Heart
Sinful Confessions (Cynfell Brothers Book 1)
Sinful Deeds (Cynfell Brothers Book 2)
Tempting His Mistress
Once Upon a Rake
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Authors Note
The Galleon ship, the Neustra Senora del Rosario was captured as described after a collision with another ship that meant her mast was damaged. The rest of the Armada continued on without her and she was captured by Drake. The Rosario didn’t founder. I used artistic licence here, basing the incident of the loss of another ship that was likely blown up by accident. Around 300 prisoners were held in the Old Barn in Torre Abbey. Though the officers were treated well, the rest were not. After rioting from the locals, many of the prisoners were put back on their ship to live off their meagre rations. The fate of these men is mostly unknown. Negotiations appeared to have taken over a year and records of their fates fade away. Many of the Spanish did bring their wives and fiancées with them, expecting to be able to settle in England. It is said the ghost of one such woman who had been disguised as a man to prevent her from being parted from her fiancé haunts the Old Barn to this very day.
Speech given by Queen Elizabeth I at Tilbury during the invasion
My loving people,
We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit our selves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but I assure you I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear. I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects; and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust.
I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm: to which rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field.
I know already, for your forwardness you have deserved rewards and crowns; and We do assure you in the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you. In the mean time, my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting but by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over those enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.*
*Transcript from the British Library.