Belaset's Daughter - By Feona J Hamilton Page 0,27

than this. I know these waters better than anyone there’s no danger at sea, if I’m the captain of the ship! If you will excuse me, I must arrange for our extra guest to be taken aboard."

He got out of the cart, and took charge of the unhappy Pierre. With a nod of thanks to Isaac’s servant, he hustled the fisherman away. The other, suddenly pale, leant against the cart and sheathed his knife.

"Awake that time, I see," said Isaac, to his servant. The man looked up at him and smiled, shakily.

"I thought he would twist free," he confessed. "And I would have to use the knife."

"You did well," said Isaac. "Come, sit in the cart, while we await Master Bonami."

He put out a hand, and hauled the man into the cart, where he sat on the seat opposite to Brunetta and Judith. Despite the cold, beads of sweat stood on his face, and he wiped them off with his sleeve, then sat and stared at the floor, awkward in the presence of the two women.

Master Bonami returned quickly, without his prisoner.

"If you’re ready, my lady?" he said, politely.

Judith rose obediently.

"Let us escort you," said Isaac, standing too.

BOSON BOOKS

-54-

Belaset’s Daughter

"No need, Isaac," said Master Bonami. "Don’t leave your poor wife alone in a place like this, she will be taken for a slave to some Moorish potentate, if anyone sees her beauty."

His exuberant spirits were infectious. Brunetta tried to keep her face and her dignity in order, but a dimple appeared in one cheek. Isaac laughed aloud, and sat down again, putting his arm around his wife and hugging her. Bonami turned to Judith.

"Madam?" he said courteously.

"I’m ready, Master Bonami," said Judith. "But you must not call me ’madam’ I am a young man, as my clothes show!"

Bonami bowed, a twinkle in his eye.

"I’ll try hard to remember, young sir," he said. He looked closely at Judith’s face. "But it won’t be easy, with those features on display. Keep yourself well muffled against the cold and damp and hide your face."

It was a good piece of advice. Judith certainly had no wish to be discovered while still on shore, and preferably not at all on her journey home. She pulled the hood of her cloak over her head as far as possible. Standing, she hugged Brunetta and turned to Isaac, who opened his arms and gave her a quick, hard squeeze.

"Go quickly, Judith. God bless you and give you a safe journey."

"I cannot thank you both enough," said Judith. "I shall never forget what you have done for a stranger."

"Go!" said Isaac, his voice hoarse with emotion. He pushed her forward and she followed Bonami, who was already outside on the ground, and waiting for her. Together, they set off through the fog. After no more than five or six steps, Judith turned for a last look. She could see the shape of the cart faintly in the fog, but it was not much more than a darker patch. She shivered and walked on.

Master Bonami walked beside her without speaking, until they had crossed the narrow strand and come to the shore. The water lapped gently at their feet, almost noiselessly, and the tang of salt was added to the smell of the fog. There was a dripping sound from somewhere close by, adding to the melancholy feel of the place. Bonami motioned for Judith to stop and stood for a moment, his head cocked to one side, listening. Then he beckoned to her and turned to his left, following the shoreline, such as it was, for about fifty yards.

Suddenly, a figure loomed out of the fog.

"Master Bonami?" it said, in a low voice. "Is that you?"

"Aye!" said Bonami, cheerfully. "And a passenger with me. What of our other visitor?"

The sailor chuckled

"Safely stowed with the other cargo, snug in the hold," he answered. "And trussed like any fowl, to keep him there."

BOSON BOOKS

-55-

Belaset’s Daughter

Grinning, Bonami turned to Judith.

"Well, young sir," he said. "Are you ready for your sea trip?"

Judith nodded, keeping her head down, so that the sailor could not see her. The man glanced at her once, curiously, but made no comment. He turned and led them to where a small rowing-boat was beached and waiting for them.

"Get in," said Bonami, gruffly. He made no move to help her, keeping up the fiction of her sex. Judith stepped in as confidently as she could manage, despite the nervousness which made her legs feel so weak. She groped her way