The Miracle at St. Bruno's

by Philippa Carr

  I said: “What is wrong?”

  He did not answer. He was wearing a long cloak with a hood; his face was pale, his eyes brilliant. He spoke then in a tongue I did not know and then I saw that there was a stranger with him.

  “Who is this?” I demanded. “What do you here?”

  They did not answer me.

  The stranger had stepped into my room. John Gregory nodded toward me and spoke again.

  The stranger seized me. I tried to throw him off, but he held me firmly. I struggled. Then I screamed and immediately John Gregory’s hand was over my lips. In a few seconds he had taken a kerchief and bound it around my mouth. I was powerless to make a sound. I was put onto my bed. The thought flashed into my mind: Have I saved myself from Jake Pennlyon for this?

  But there was no lust about these men, only a determination to complete a task. My arms were pinioned. They had ropes for the purpose. Likewise were my ankles strapped together so that I was trussed and helpless.

  Then they carried me from my room.

  Down the spiral stairs we went … out into the courtyard.

  I saw a figure lying there. There was blood everywhere. I wanted to cry out, but I could not make a sound. I was limp with horror and fear.

  As they carried me past that wounded figure I saw that it was Edward.

  Honey! I wanted to call out. Honey, where are you?

  Edward’s carriage was waiting there. Richard Rackell was holding the horses—three of Edward’s best and most fleet.

  Richard Rackell! Traitor! I wanted to shout, but there was nothing I could do.

  I was placed in the carriage. Lying there were two other figures. My heart leaped with an emotion of relief, yet horror, for they were Honey and Jennet.

  They stared at me as I did at them. We could only communicate by looks. They were as bewildered as I. I wondered if Honey knew that Edward was lying in his own blood in the courtyard.

  There were voices—foreign voices. Instinctively I knew that they were speaking the Spanish tongue.

  The carriage had begun to move. We were going toward the sea.

  We had been abducted as women sometimes were by marauding pirates. There had been traitors in our midst and the result was that Edward was lying in his own blood in the courtyard and Honey, Jennet and I were being taken out to the Spanish galleon.

  Journey to an Unknown Destination

  THEY CARRIED US INTO the boat which was lying ready. I saw Richard Rackell’s face clearly in the light of the lantern which he held. Traitor! I wanted to cry and felt a physical pain in my throat which was frustrated fury.

  I was lifted into the boat and lay there helpless. They put Honey beside me, then Jennet. We could not see each other’s faces clearly because it was a dark night. There was no moon, only the faint light of the stars that were visible where there was no cloud.

  I tried to think of a means of escape. I guessed what was happening to us. We had been abducted as women had been throughout the years. Pirates descended on the land; they plundered; they stole; they burned down villages and townships and they took the women for their pleasure.

  If only I could talk to Honey! If only I could think of some means of escape! But I was helpless, trussed and on a boat which was being rapidly rowed out to sea by strangers, and two men who had posed as a groom and a false priest were watching over us.

  A wild fantasy came to me. The Rampant Lion would appear suddenly—returned unexpectedly from the voyage; the galleon would be discovered. Jake Pennlyon would board her; I could see his eyes flashing, see him standing there, legs apart, a bloodstained cutlass in his hands; I could hear his laugh as he uncut my bonds.

  But these were but dreams.

  Relentlessly the little boat pushed its way through the water to the Spanish galleon.

  The men had shipped oars. We had arrived and there was no Rampant Lion to sight us, no Jake Pennlyon to cut our bonds.

  John Gregory was bending over me. He cut the rope about my ankles and removed the gag from my mouth. He pulled me to my feet, for my arms were still bound behind me.

  I stood unsteadily; the galleon loomed over us.

  Honey and Jennet were beside me, pinioned as I was.

  “Honey,” I said, “we have been betrayed.”

  She nodded. I wondered again if she had seen Edward’s body. Poor Edward, so gentle and kind.

  I was aware of Jennet, who would have no wedding now.

  A rope ladder was dangling from the side of the ship.

  John Gregory said: “You will climb it.”

  “Without use of our hands, traitor?” I asked.

  “I shall untie you now, but do not attempt to do anything but climb the ladder.”

  “For what reason?”

  “You will discover.”

  “You rogue!” I cried. “You came to our house… You deceived us. …”

  He said gently: “This is not the time for talk, Mistress. You must obey.”

  “Board that ship? For what reason? It’s a Spaniard.”

  “Please do not force me to hurt you.”

  “Hurt me! Have you not brought me here by force … and you talk about hurting me!”

  Honey said: “Don’t lose your temper, Catharine. It won’t help.”

  There was hopelessness in her voice and I believed then that she had seen Edward in the courtyard.

  But I was incensed. “You are no priest,” I said to John Gregory.

  He did not answer. He released my hands and propelled me toward the ladder.

  Richard Rackell was waiting to guide me to the rope; I made out faces above looking down.

  Someone called out in Spanish and John Gregory answered in that tongue.

  The boat dipped. It would not be easy to climb that ladder. I looked down at the dark water and I thought of death by drowning. Perhaps it would be preferable, I thought, but not seriously. Whatever life was I would always cling to it. The rope was put into my hands and I started to climb. Hands stretched out and I was pulled onto the deck. There were dark faces about me; I heard the excited babble of voices. Then there was silence. A figure came forward. He spoke in an authoritative voice. He must have given an order, for I was seized by two men who dragged me forward; we were followed by the man who had given the order and I was taken to a cabin in which a candle in a horn lantern gave a dim light.

  A door was locked on me and I was alone. I was shivering because I was in my nightclothes and it had been cold on the boat; and even now I was not sure whether it was the temperature or fear which made me tremble so. It was incredible that yesterday Honey and I had been calmly making plans for Jennet’s wedding and now all three of us were prisoners on a pirate vessel.

  They had taken us—three women, for what purpose there seemed to be no doubt. But why three of us and why had they not burned down the house and robbed us? Perhaps they had. Perhaps they took us first. They had, I feared, killed Edward. It was not the first time the coasts had been raided. This was the sort of thing that Jake Pennlyon and his men did in foreign lands.

  I should never have come to Devon. I should have stayed at home.

  I looked into the future which all reasoning told me was looming ahead of me. I who had stood out so fiercely against marriage with Jake Pennlyon would now be used to satisfy men—any men—who were on a long journey from home and needed diversion.

  I felt ill at the prospect. I wondered whether I would not have been wiser to refuse to climb the ladder: to have chosen death rather than this.

  On the floor was a rug. I lay on it because my legs were shaking. The ship rocked on the water and I lay watching the horn lantern swing with the motion of the vessel.

  I thought of my mother and of what she would do when she heard that I had been abducted. How she had suffered! And now this. And not only me but Honey too and she loved us both dearly.

  I thought of Honey then, beautiful, dignified Honey, who was carrying Edward’s child; and to consider her submitted to a hundred indignities hurt
me as deeply as did the contemplation of my own fate. I would fight. I would kick and scream. If I could find a knife I would defend myself. I would no doubt be powerless against strong men, but I would make it so that they never felt safe from me. I would make it so that when they slept they would never be sure that I might not plunge a knife into their hearts or drop some poison into their ale or whatever they drank.

  I was sustained by thoughts of what I would do.

  Wild cat, Jake Pennlyon had called me. They would learn that wildcats were dangerous.

  The motion of the ship had changed. I knew that we had shipped anchor and were sailing out of the harbor.

  The door of the cabin was opened and Honey was thrust in. She, in her night robes as I was, was clutching them about her. I saw that her robe had been ripped down the front.

  Already, I thought.

  The door was locked on her. I had stood up. We ran to each other and just stood holding each other tightly.

  “Oh, Honey, Honey,” I cried. “What have they done to you?”

  She said: “They have done nothing. There was one man…” She shivered. “He took me to a place like this. He tore my gown from my shoulders, then he saw the Agnus Dei. I always wear it about my neck, and he drew back as though afraid and I was brought here.”

  “Honey,” I said, “this is a nightmare. It can’t be true.”

  She didn’t answer.

  I said: “Edward…”

  She remained mute and suddenly put her hands over her eyes. It was a gesture of despair.

  I touched her arm gently.

  “He tried to stop them,” I said. “Where was the rest of the household? Are they all traitors like John Gregory and Richard Rackell? What are we going to do, Honey? What can we do? They have brought us here to be as camp followers are to the army. But they go willingly. We are abducted against our will. They will use us … until they are tired of us. Then perhaps they will throw us overboard. Perhaps it would be better to cheat them. To take that plunge ourselves first?”

  Still she didn’t answer. She only stared ahead of her. I know she was seeing Edward lying in his own blood on the cobbles of the courtyard.

  I went on because I had to go on talking: “Perhaps even now Jennet is being forced to submit …to who knows what?” I could picture Jennet, wide eyes, perhaps a little expectant. Perhaps she would take to the life. She was different from us. How easily she had agreed to betray me when Jake Pennlyon had asked her to. And where was he? Somewhere on the high seas. Perhaps he was raiding some foreign port and forcing women as we were being forced.

  Oh, why had he gone so soon? Why had he always been there to plague me when I did not want him and away at the only time he could have been of use?

  “Honey,” I said, “speak to me, Honey.”

  “They killed Edward,” she said. “Edward tried to save me and they killed him. I am sure of it.”

  “It may be that he did not die. It may be that he will come after us. They will give the alarm. They will come in search of us. We shall be rescued. If Jake Pennlyon were to come back…”

  “He has gone on a long voyage. It will be months before he returns.”

  “We may meet him at sea.” I saw him boarding the Spanish galleon, his eyes gleaming. He would kill on the spot any who had dared lay hands on me.

  “No one has come near you, Catharine?” she asked.

  “No. I was left here.”

  “They are waiting until we are out of sight of England.”

  “And then you think … ?”

  “What else can I think? I was saved because I am a Catholic. You must feign to be of that faith, Catharine. It will go ill with you if you do not.”

  “I will feign nothing.”

  “Be reasonable.”

  “I feel I have lost my reason. I have walked into a nightmare.”

  “This is no uncommon happening, Catharine. You should know that. Piracy on the high seas is becoming more and more commonplace. Treasure and women. That is what men go to sea to seek.”

  “We have to think what we can do.”

  “I have escaped so far. You must too. When I prayed to the Holy Mother as that man attacked me he was afraid. John Gregory came along then and must have told him that I was with child—Catholic child—and he desisted and John Gregory led me here. I believe he would be a friend to us.”

  “A friend … who betrayed us!”

  “He betrayed, yes, but I believe he is uneasy to have done so.”

  “Uneasy. He is a deceitful liar.”

  “Guard your tongue, Catharine. Remember we have need of all the friends we can find. I am concerned for you. I believe you are being kept for someone … perhaps the Captain. You were taken away from us and brought here. If that should be so try to talk to him. He may speak our tongue. Beg him not to act rashly. Tell him that any harm done to you will be avenged.”

  “That might arouse in him a determination to do me harm.”

  “Tell him you will become a Catholic. You wish for tuition.”

  “In fact,” I said, “betray my beliefs, go down on my knees and implore these dogs to treat us with respect. It would be of no avail, I assure you, Honey. If you had an Agnus Dei to hang about my neck I would not take it. I will see if I can lay my hands on some weapon. If I could find a knife I would at least put up a fight.”

  “It would be useless.” She was staring into the gloom, her face strained with grief, and I knew she was thinking of Edward.

  I was not sure how long we lay there in that cabin. I think I slept a little. I was exhausted by my emotions. I started up and wondered where I was. The swaying of the ship and the creaking of its timbers quickly reminded me.

  I could just make out the figure of Honey beside me. The horned lantern was swaying from side to side, its light feeble; and the horror of our position dawned on me afresh.

  I knew Honey was awake, but we did not speak. There was nothing of comfort that we could offer each other.

  It might be morning; how could we know? There was nothing against which to measure time. My tongue was dry, my lips parched. I supposed I was hungry, but the thought of food revolted me.

  We may have lain there for another hour or more when the door opened.

  We started up in terror. It was a man carrying bowls of something which looked like soup.

  He said: “Olla podrida,” and pointed to the bowls…

  I wanted to take them and throw them in his face, but Honey said: “Food. We’ll feel better when we’ve eaten. We’ll feel able to face whatever we have to.” I knew she was thinking of her unborn child.

  We took the bowls. The food smelled good. The man nodded and left us. Honey was already drinking the concoction. Her appetite had increased since she had become pregnant. She used to say it was her hungry baby demanding to be fed.

  I tried it too. It was savory and warming and I found I was glad of it.

  We set down the bowls and waited apprehensively. It was not long before we had another visitor. This was the man I had heard addressed as Capitàn.

  He came into the room and stood at the door, looking at us. There was a dignity about him, a courtliness which aroused my optimism.

  He said in halting English: “I am the Captain of this vessel. I have come to speak with you.”

  I said: “You had better tell us quickly what this means.”

  “You are on board my ship,” he said. “I am taking you on a voyage.”

  “For what purpose?” I asked.

  “That you will discover.”

  “You have abducted us from our homes!” I cried. “We are gentlewomen unaccustomed to rough treatment. We…”

  Honey laid a restraining hand on my arm. The Captain noticed and nodded approvingly.

  “It is no use to protest against what is done,” he said.

  “Nevertheless, I protest. You have done a wicked thing.”

  “I have not come to speak of such things or to waste my time. I come to tell you that I am
obeying orders.”

  “Whose orders?”

  “Those of one who commands me.”

  “And who, pray?”

  Again Honey restrained me. “Listen, Catharine,” she said.

  “You are wise,” said the Captain. “I am sorry you were taken. That should not have been.” He was looking straight at Honey. “A mistake, you understand.”

  “If you tell us what this means we shall be grateful,” said Honey humbly.

  “I can tell you that if you are wise no harm will befall you on this ship. There are sailors here who have been at sea many months … you understand. They could be rough. So you must take care. I would not have you submitted to indignity on my ship. That would be against my wishes and those of one who commands me.”

  I said: “There was another taken with us. Jennet, my maid. What has become of her?”

  “I will discover,” he promised me. “I will do my best to ensure your comfort … all of you.”

  I was intrigued by him. His gaze kept straying to Honey in a manner which was familiar to me. With her hair hanging about her shoulders she could not fail to look beautiful; she looked vulnerable too; all men were seized with the desire to protect her. I suppose that applied even to Spanish Captains of pirate ships.

  “You are uncomfortable here,” he said. “I would talk with you in more suitable surroundings. Come with me and we will eat. You have had a little food, I believe.”

  Honey and I exchanged glances. The manner in which the Captain had spoken to us had brought us a little comfort. He was no rough sailor, that much was clear; and he was treating us as though we were guests on his ship, which was reassuring.

  The smell of grease and cooking was strong in the alleyway. The ship lurched so that we had to cling to a rail which ran from one end of the alley to the other. We stumbled after the Captain as best we could and he opened a door and stood aside for us to enter.

  This was his cabin. It was spacious and the bulkheads were paneled. It was like a small room. There were books and instruments everywhere. Dominating the cabin was the long wooden table which was bolted to the floor; I noticed also a piece of ordnance which was mounted on a carriage and pointed out through a gunport. A tapestry hung on the paneling. I was later to discover that it represented the surrender of Granada to Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand.