June Francis - Rebel Lady, Convenient Wife

She came to the end of the lane and there she waited for the two men to draw alongside her. ‘So, Anna, you’re still of a mind to go to the convent?’ asked Davy. ‘You could come and stay with Joan and me for a few days and see the new baby.’

She was warmed by his thoughtfulness. ‘It’s kind of you to ask me, Davy. Perhaps another time. At the moment I would not make cheerful company and that might upset the children. Besides, you have Beth with you.’

‘Give it a sennight then and we’ll look to see you.’ He leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

‘Give Joan and the children my warmest regards,’ she said softly.

He nodded and drew his horse away from hers.

Anna was aware of Jack’s frowning eyes upon her. ‘Why so glum, Jack?’

‘Are you sure you’ll be safe travelling without a companion to this convent? I hope you have no plans to take the veil?’ His tone was brusque.

She stiffened. ‘Now there is a thought.’

His frown deepened. ‘You wouldn’t, Anna?’

‘Why not, if it is God’s will for me?’

‘To shut yourself away from the world and never see all those you hold dear? You can have no idea what that is like,’ he rasped.

‘And you do, Jack?’

His smile was grim. ‘Don’t do it, Anna! Return to Rowan. Owain will protect you.’ His horse was growing skittish and chaffing at the bit and he knew he would have to go.

She smiled. ‘I hope you have a safe journey, Jack. By the way, what is the name of your ship?’

‘ Hercules .’

‘It’s a fine name for a ship.’ She held out a hand to him. ‘Fare thee well.’

He clasped her hand briefly and then relinquished it and rode after Davy.

Anna remained where she was for several minutes, deliberating which path to take to West Kirby that would not bring her into contact with Jack before it was absolutely necessary. The back lanes would be best as they were less frequented. With luck she might reach there before him, although the success of her plan to get aboard his ship was dependant on the tide. When the tide was out at West Kirby, a great expanse of sand was exposed, so that no ships could sail right up to the water front. At such times one could walk out to the three islands in the estuary. The furthest was two miles away, so one needed plenty of time to reach it. Otherwise, there was the possibility of drowning on the incoming tide or being forced to spend several hours on Hilbre, the largest of the islands, waiting for the tide to retreat again.

She wondered how Jack’s master mariner knew when to come inshore to pick up Jack if the ship was anchored out in the bay. Perhaps they had worked out a signal or maybe Jack intended hiring a boatman to row him out to the vessel from the island. If the tide was out, then she was presented with a severe problem. But, after the events of yesterday, and the dreams she had had, she was curiously reckless. Most likely the feeling would not last and she would descend into that pit of despair again, but for the moment her mind was fixed on going to France. So she rode towards a lane that would eventually bring her to West Kirby and the sea.

Jack gazed out over the expanse of sand between the mainland and the small islands in the Dee estuary where the Hercules was anchored. According to a couple of fishermen mending their nets, it was going to be a few hours before the tide turned. They had given him directions concerning the safest path to walk to the largest island two miles away—a path he had traversed with others on his arrival, but he had appreciated being given fresh directions for the return journey. He had handed over his hired horse to the stables and quaffed a tankard of ale and eaten some bread and cheese at the inn andwas now about to set out. His eyes narrowed against the sun glistening on the sand. He guessed it would take him about an hour to reach Hilbre Island where he would signal to his ship. He could see the silhouettes of people making a similar voyage, so he knew he was not alone. Putting his best foot forward, he headed across the sands.

Anna arrived in West Kirby half an hour or so later. Whilst leaving her horse in the charge of a stable boy, she recognised the stallion that Jack had ridden. ‘How long since this horse’s rider left?’ she asked.

‘An hour or more,’ he replied.

She thanked him and made her way to the waterfront. Her heart sank when she saw that the tide was out. After making a quick search of the small fishing village without seeing any sign of Jack, she gazed across the sands where she could make out figures crossing to and from the largest island. Was Jack amongst them? Her brow creased in thought and she decided to have a word with one of the fishermen mending his nets.

He confirmed her supposition that Jack had set out to walk to Hilbre Island. Filled with dismay, she was now having second thoughts about the risk involved in following him. Yet if she delayed, she could be caught out by the tide. Coming to a decision, she hurried to the stable and discussed with the stable boy the care of her horse. Money changed hands and then she removed her belongings and set out after Jack.

Anna knew from a previous occasion that she must not walk directly to the largest island but go via the two smaller ones, Little Eye and Middle Eye. She was over halfway across the sands when she started to question whether she had been a fool to set out so late, burdened as she was with her possessions. Shielding her eyes from the sun, she thought she could catch a glimpse of its rays sparkling on water towards one end of the island. If that was so, then the tide had turned and was coming in. It was too late to go back, so she must walk faster.

She managed to cover the next quarter of a mile with great speed and now Hilbre Island loomed closer. But already the sea was starting to trickle through grooves in the sand at her feet. Her saddlebags and lute were weighing her down and damp sand clung to the hem of her gown, which was flapping against her legs and hampering her progress. Determinedly, she forced her painful limbs on, keeping her eyes fixed on the hump of the island, where she could now see grass. Water swirled about her ankles, soaking her boots and the bottom inches of her gown. She trudged on, aware the sea was creeping higher. She told herself that she must not panic, for she was almost there.

With aching arms, she scarcely managed to fling her saddlebags on to a rock and was reluctant to throw her lute after them. As she hesitated, a harsh voice said, ‘God’s blood, Anna! What are you doing here?’

Her heart leapt in her breast at the sound of Jack’s voice. He seemed to have appeared out of nowhere and now loomed over her. His expressionwas thunderous as he snatched the lute from her and placed it beside her saddlebags. Before he could drag her up beside him, she placed her hands on the pinkish-brown rock and clawed herself up out of the water as it sucked about her thighs.

‘Your wits, my lady, have gone begging,’ he snapped, seizing her arm and hoisting her into a standing position.

‘I would not deny it,’ gasped Anna, staggering against him. ‘I will understand if you wish to toss me back into the sea.’

‘Don’t tempt me!’ His eyes narrowed. ‘Why are you here? You’re supposed to be on your way to the convent.’

‘I changed my mind. I wish you to take me to France,’ she said breathlessly. ‘I will pay for my passage. I have coin on me.’

He stared at her in horror. ‘You must be mad! I have no intention of taking you anywhere.’

‘I thought you might not and that’s my reason for not asking you earlier.’ Anna managed to avoid his gaze by reaching down and taking a handful of sodden skirt. She attempted to wring it out, but her efforts achieved little. Therewas no doubt in her mind that another of her gowns was ruined and would never be the same again.