Lion Triumphant

by Philippa Carr

It was spacious, I suppose, as ship’s cabins go. There was a tapestry on what I was to learn to call the bulkhead. There was a bookcase with books and a shelf with instruments, and on a table a revolving globe on which was depicted the earth’s surface. On the wall was a brass astrolabe, a compass, hourglasses and a long cross staff which I also learned later was an arbalist.

  I noticed these things vaguely while I looked around for Honey. When I saw that she was not there I felt twinges of alarm which were half excited anticipation.

  “Where is my sister?” I demanded.

  He laughed; he had shut the door and was leaning against it.

  “In her garden perhaps. In her stillroom … occupying herself with those tasks which are the joy and duty of every housewife.”

  “In her garden! But I was led to believe…”

  He laughed. “Did I not tell you that you would come aboard my ship within the week?”

  “But I understood my sister was here.”

  “You did not really believe that, did you?”

  “But…”

  “Oh, come, you wanted to accept my invitation, did you not? And I wanted you to. So why should the means of bringing about this happy conclusion worry us?”

  “I am not worried,” I said.

  “You should be if you are really concerned with what you pretend to be.”

  “I think you’ve gone mad.”

  “My sanity is something I shall never allow to desert me.”

  I said: “I wish to go.”

  “But I wish you to stay. I am the Captain of this ship. Here everyone obeys my orders.”

  “Those poor creatures who serve you may. They, poor souls, are at your mercy.”

  “And you think you are not?”

  “I have had enough of this folly.”

  “And I could never have enough.” He came toward me and put his arms about me, pinioning mine so that I was caught in a firm grip.

  “Captain Pennlyon, there is no doubt that you are mad. Do you realize that my family will never forgive this insult?”

  He laughed. I noticed that his eyes were tilted slightly at the corners and that his eyebrows followed the upward tilt; this gave him an expression that was puckish and satanic at the same time. I tried to prize myself free.

  “Let me go,” I cried and tried to kick his shins; but he held me in such a way that it was impossible for me to do so. I thought, he has held many women thus and I pictured his raiding far-off hamlets and villages and the manner in which he and his men would treat the women they captured.

  “You can’t escape,” he mocked, “so it’s no use trying. You are at my mercy.”

  “Well, what do you want of me?”

  “Surely you know that.”

  “If I am right in my assumption…”

  “Which I am sure you are…”

  “I will tell you that I consider your manners gross; I find you boorish, quite unlike—”

  “The fancy gentlemen whom it has been your ill fortune to meet in the past. Well, now, my girl, you have met a man who finds you to his liking and in spite of his lack of manners you find him irresistible.”

  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.”
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  “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.

  I said to Jennet: “You can go now.”

  She hastily got up and fled.

  “What was all that about?” asked Honey in a bewildered voice.

  “It’s that man. The Pennlyon man.” I told her what had happened.

  Honey laughed. “You should have known I wouldn’t have gone to the ship alone. How could you have been so stupid as to think I would?”

  “I was surprised.”

  “Yet you believed it! Do you think he has such a fatal fascination for all women?”

  “Jennet found him irresistible.”

  “Jennet is a lusting virgin. She’ll be the victim of the first philanderer who crosses her path.”

  “You think she has already been his victim?”

  “That would not surprise me. But you have a high opinion of his irresistibility if you think I would have gone visiting him alone.”

  “I’m sorry. It was foolish of me. I’ve no one but myself to blame.”

  “Well, at least you escaped unscathed. It will teach you to be wary of him in future.”

  “I shall never see him again if I can help it. As for Jennet she sickens me. I shall have one of the others for my maid. Perhaps she could go into the kitchen.”

  “As you will. Take Luce. She is a girl who will cause you no anxieties and offer little provocation to any man.”

  “I have not told you,” I said, “how I escaped.”

  “Well?”

  “He said either I gave him my promise to marry him or he would take me there and then.”

  “What company you get into,” mocked Honey.

  “In your house,” I reminded her.

  “Ah, but he was already an acquaintance of yours before he came here.” She must have noticed how perturbed I was because she went on soothingly: “Whatever has happened to you! He can’t force you to marry him and he wouldn’t dare harm you—a neighbor’s daughter and a member of our family. Why, the courts would hang him. That was just bravado.”

  “I’ve heard this called Pennlyon country.”

  “Don’t believe all you hear. Edward has some power in this land, you know. Our estates are bigger than those of the Pennlyons and we’ve been here longer. Who are they but upstarts from across the Tamar?”

  “You are comforting, Honey.”

  “I’m glad. Now let me tell you my news. I am going to have a child.”

  “Honey!” I went to her and kissed her. “That’s wonderful! And you’re happy. I can see you are. You’ve changed. You’ve got that maternal serenity. Mother will be delighted. She’ll want you to go back to her for the birth. Yes, you must. She and Grandmother will coo over you. They won’t trust anyone to look after you. And is Edward pleased?”

  “Edward is delighted and I don’t intend to disappoint him this time.” She was referring to the miscarriage she had had in the first year of her marriage.

  “We must take the utmost care,” I said; and I forgot the unpleasant incident on the ship in my excitement about the baby.

  I was not allowed to forget for long.

  That day Thomas Elders rode over. When he came he stayed the night, heard Mass in the chapel the following day and then probably stayed another night before going off to the next Catholic household.

  He did not come as a priest but as a friend of Edward’s; he supped with us and conversation at the table was never of religious matters. The next day Mass was celebrated and those trusted servants who wished to attend did so. The others were quite unaware of what was going on. The chapel was always kept locked so that the fact that it should be so during the hearing of Mass raised no comment.

  I, of course, did not attend, although I was aware of what was going on, and remembering the past so well and the anxieties my mother had suffered, I was always uneasy when Thomas Elders was in the house.

  I went out riding in the morning. The excitement of Honey’s news had subsided and I kept thinking of those shameful moments in the Captain’s cabin on the Rampant Lion. I returned from my ride and took Marigold to the stables. The new young man, Richard Rackell, took her from me.

  I said: “I think she’s losing a shoe, Richard.”

  He nodded. He had deeply set, expressive eyes and was quite handsome. He bowed and the gesture would have graced a Court.

  I asked: “Are you getting along well?”

  He replied that he thought he was giving satisfaction.

  “I know it is not the kind of work to which you are accustomed.”

  “I become accustomed, Mistress,” he replied.

  He interested me. There was something rather mysterious about him. I remember that Jake Pennlyon had been suspicious that he came from the North. Then I forgot Richard Rackell for my angry thoughts were back with that man who never seemed to be out of my mind for very long.

  My way to the house led around by the chapel. Mass would either be in progress or over by no
w.

  My heart leaped in sudden terror, for the small door which led to the leper’s squint opened suddenly and Jake Pennlyon emerged. I immediately thought: Through the leper’s squint one can look into the chapel!

  There was a fierce glint in his eyes the second or so before they alighted on me. Then they were bright with that intense blue fire.

  “Well met, Mistress,” he said, and came toward me. He would have embraced me, but I stepped hurriedly back and he allowed me to do so while implying that he was respecting my objections and could comfortably have ignored them.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “What should I be doing but calling on my betrothed?”

  “And who is this … Jennet, the maid, who I believe has caught your fancy?”

  “A serving wench, be she maid or harlot, could not be my betrothed. She whom I have chosen to honor now stands before me.”

  “She whom you attempted to dishonor, you mean.” I turned away, but he was beside me.

  He gripped my arm so that it hurt.

  “Know this,” he said. “My father is now at the house. I came to look for you. He is planning the celebrations for our betrothal. I had of course acquainted him with your acceptance of my proposal. He wishes to make it a grand occasion. He has invited half the neighborhood.”

  “Then,” I cried, “he will have to cancel the invitations.”

  “On what grounds?”

  “That there is no betrothal. How could there be without the consent of the intended bride?”

  “But that has already been given.” He looked at me in mock reproach. “You have so soon forgotten visiting me in my cabin. Surely you would not have come there if there had not been an understanding between us?”

  “You tricked me.”

  “You are not going to tell me again that you did not come with the utmost willingness?” He had raised his eyebrows in mock seriousness.

  I cried: “I hate you!”

  “Well, that is a good start,” he said.

  I tried to release my arm, but he would not let me go.

  “What do you propose to do?” he asked.

  “Go and tell your father that he should cancel his invitations without delay.”

  “He’ll not do that.”

  “Then you must find another bride.”

  “I have found the one I want. She is here now.”

  I looked around. “I do not see her.”