Pirates and Patriots: A Tudor naval adventure (The New World Nautical Saga Book 1) by David Field

Author:David Field [Field, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2023-06-01T22:00:00+00:00

Back on shore in Plymouth, Francis was a little alarmed to be met, not by Mary, but by William’s wife Judith, who smiled determinedly as she embraced him and welcomed him home. ‘Mary’s not so well,’ she told him, ‘an’ she don’t even know you’re home. When it were reported that you’d been seen coming up the Sound, we kept the news from ’er, else she’d’ve insisted on rising from ’er bed, an’ the physician sez as ’ow she mustn’t.’

‘I knew there was no baby,’ Francis replied, ‘else I would not have put to sea. But is there some other ailment?’

Judith’s face fell even further. ‘There weren’t no bubby, no, but the soreness in ’er bosom that she mistook for one’s still there, an’ the physician thinks there might be a canker.’

Francis raced home, took the narrow wooden stairs two at a time and rushed to Mary’s bedside. She’d been sleeping under the influence of a draught prescribed by the physician, but half opened her eyes sleepily to smile up at Francis.

‘Am I dreaming? Is it really you?’

‘It’s really me, my sweet, home from my voyaging. How is it with you?’

A tear rolled down her face as she gripped his hand harder. ‘Sore, but all the better for having you back by my side. Help me up, so I can kiss you.’

‘You can do that lying down,’ Francis said, leaning forward and pressing his lips on hers.

She looked content for a moment, then her face fell again. ‘The physician says I may die, Francis. Please stay with me until I do.’

‘Of course, darling one,’ Francis reassured her as a tear rolled down his own face. ‘The Spanish can wait.’

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