OUTLAW in the Tudor Court: Ransom Bride / The Pirate's Willing Captive

She followed the servant down to the grand salon where the Contessa was waiting for her, and her heart sank as she saw the expression in the older woman’s eyes. She had pretended to be welcoming while Lorenzo was here, but there was no mistaking her hostility now.

‘So,’ the Contessa said. ‘I must make you welcome since Lorenzo asks it of me. In return I demand that you behave with proper modesty while in my house, Mistress Rowlands. I would not have you disgrace me before my friends.’

‘In what way do you fear I shall disgrace you?’ Kathryn lifted her head, eyes flashing with pride. She felt humiliated and was angry. What was this woman implying?

‘You have been travelling alone with Lorenzo Santorini. You stayed with him at the Santorini Palace in Venice. What do you imagine people will think of you if they discover your shame?’

‘I have done nothing to be ashamed of—and I had my maid with me at the palace, and on the journey from Venice to Rome.’ Kathryn did not tell her of the time she had spent alone on Lorenzo’s galley after her abduction, for it could only make her situation worse. ‘This awkwardness is not of my making.’

‘A servant is not a chaperon. You have forfeited your reputation, girl,’ the Contessa said harshly, her mouth twisting with spite. ‘What you choose to do is your own affair, but do not shame me by speaking of it in public, if you please.’

Kathryn’s cheeks flamed. Her anger at being spoken to so unfairly banished the tears that had been hovering. Had there been any other alternative she would have left this woman’s house at once, but there was no way out for her. She must endure the Contessa’s spite, at least until Lorenzo was ready to escort her to her home.

‘I shall behave as befits an English gentlewoman,’ she said with dignity. She lifted her head high, refusing to be cowed by the woman’s hostility. ‘I cannot change your opinion of me, Contessa. For both our sakes, I hope that Lorenzo will remove me from your house very soon.’

‘Very well. This has been distasteful to me, Mistress Rowlands. This evening I attend a private supper at a friend’s house. Tomorrow evening there is a grand reception, which you will attend with me. I hope you have suitable clothes?’ Her tone suggested that she thought it unlikely, stinging Kathryn on the raw.

‘My trunks are on the ship. Once they are delivered, I believe I shall not disgrace you.’

‘See that you do not.’ The Contessa waved her hand. ‘You may go. I shall tell you when I require your presence. If you wish, you may use the gardens and the salons at the back of the house.’

Kathryn left the room, her back very straight. She was humiliated and upset, but anger made her keep her spirits up. How could Lorenzo have brought her to the house of such a woman?

Kathryn dressed in a gown of dark green silk the following evening. She wore a small ruff of gauze that was stiffened with wire and stood up at the back of her neck. Her hair was swept up on her head and covered by a green velvet hood trimmed with silver and brilliants. It was the most matronly of her gowns and chosen to make her look as ordinary and respectable as possible.

The Contessa looked her over as she went down to join her in the salon. ‘Yes, that is well enough,’ she said, her mouth sour with disapproval, for even in this plain apparel Kathryn was beautiful, young and desirable. ‘Do not forget what I have told you.’

‘I shall not forget.’

Kathryn would have preferred not to accompany the Contessa to the reception that evening, but she had little choice. She must do as she was told while she lived under this woman’s roof.

The reception was being held in a large villa built in the hills overlooking the city. Kathryn joined the other guests, smiling but saying very little as she was introduced to the Contessa’s friends as the ward of a dear friend. She was in public a very different woman, smiling and calling Kathryn a sweet child, which made Kathryn want to run away and hide.

However, she stood obediently at the Contessa’s side, speaking only when addressed and wishing that the evening might be over. She liked none of these people and remembered how kind Aunt Mary’s friends had been to her in London, something that made her heart ache as she wondered if her friend was still alive. Would she ever see her kind friends again? Would she ever be able to return to her home?

Seeing that the Contessa appeared to have forgotten her, Kathryn moved towards the marble arches that opened out into the huge gardens, needing suddenly to be alone. She felt lost and alone and so unhappy that she was having to fight very hard to hold back her tears. She went out into the cool of the night air, looking at the stars. Somehow she must find a way to bear this time of unhappiness.

‘Why are you out here?’ Lorenzo’s voice close behind her made her jump for she had not been aware of him. ‘The Contessa was anxious about you.’

Kathryn turned to look at him. Was he angry with her too? She felt a tear slip down her cheek and turned aside, not wanting him to see. She walked away, wanting to escape deeper into the gardens.

He came after her, catching her arm, swinging her round to face him. ‘What is wrong? Why are you crying?’

‘I’m not crying,’ Kathryn sniffed, brushing her face with the back of her hand.

‘Something has upset you. Tell me, Kathryn!’ She shook her head. ‘Are you crying for your uncle and aunt?’ She shook her head again. ‘Then it is the Contessa…’

‘She hates me!’ The words burst from her.

‘Do not be foolish, Kathryn. Why should she hate you?’

‘She says that I have lost my reputation, that people will think I am your—’ She broke off and turned away from him once more.

‘Ah.’ Lorenzo looked at her thoughtfully, seeing the pride and anger, and the despair. ‘I understand. There was always the risk that this would happen, but the damage is done, Kathryn.’

‘I know. There is nothing anyone can do.’

‘No…unless you become my wife.’ He smiled oddly as she whirled round, her eyes wide with shock. ‘Forgive me. I know the idea cannot please you, but it would stop the vicious tongues before they can start.’

‘But you do not want to marry me!’

‘It is a matter of indifference to me,’ Lorenzo said with a shrug of his shoulders. ‘ have no wish for a wife, but it would be a marriage of convenience only. You have told me that though you may marry one day, your heart belongs to the man you lost so many years ago. Therefore it can make no difference who you marry. As well me as another. Indeed, I may be the only chance of marriage you will have.’

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