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

      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.’