She sighed. “It began long before we were wed, Niall. After Geoffrey’s death, when Lord Dudley forced himself upon me, I complained to the Queen. In effect Elizabeth gave me to Dudley as a toy, for his pleasure. I will never forgive her for that, for all she is Queen of England. In fact, her authority ought to mean a greater sense of responsibility. I wanted revenge on her and I still do. The privateers who have been harrying this coast since last summer are mine, my O’Malley ships and crews. Adam de Marisco allowed us sanctuary on Lundy, and helped us to dispose of the cargoes.”
“His price for this aid?” Niall managed.
“A percentage of the profits, Niall,” she said sharply, then continued. “In a few days we will take theSanta Maria Madre de Cristos, King Philip’s treasure ship meant for Elizabeth. She will never see so much as one gold piece!”
Niall was so stunned that for several minutes he could not speak at all. Various emotions rose and ebbed within him like a tide. Amazement and admiration at her daring. Anger that she should endanger them all in her quest for revenge. Sorrow that he had not been there to protect her from Dudley. He didn’t know whether to kiss her or kill her.
“You can’t beat me,” she said, anticipating him. “I am with child.”
“Good God, woman!” he burst out, and she began to cry. Then Niall started to laugh. “You’re the most impossible female God ever created, Skye. You wage war on England, and still retain all you possess. Did it never occur to you that you might be caught?”
“No!”
“Indeed, and why not?” He was fascinated.
“There is nothing to connect me, de Marisco, or the O’Malleys with any acts of piracy.”
“You’re sure?”
“Aye. My ships fly no flags. My people do not speak, they communicate with whistles and hand signals. The cargoes have been carefully disposed of, and I even pirated two of my own ships last summer to keep suspicion away from me.”
“But Cecil has obviously sent de Grenville to capture the pirates. You can’t take this bait.”
“My fleet sails tonight from Lundy. By the time Dickon and his people meet theSanta Mariaits cargo will have been long since removed and stored safely in caves on Inishturk. This is my last venture against the Queen, Niall. I swear it.”
“And de Marisco kissing you? I trust that was a last venture as well?”
“He was saying good-bye,” she said softly.
He pulled her into his arms and brushed her lips with his. “When is the child due?”
“Our baby will be born early next winter.”
“There will be no moreadventures, Skye,” he said sternly. “I want your promise.”
“I must think on it,” she said mischievously.
“Madam, your word!” he thundered.
“Very well, my lord,” she lisped meekly, and he looked at her suspiciously. Skye giggled. “I’m having a necklace and a pair of earrings made from the emeralds taken from the treasure ship. I shall so enjoy flaunting them under the Queen’s nose.”
Niall laughed again. “Impossible!” he said, and kissed her again.
Less than a week later, on Midsummer’s Eve, Skye and Niall stood in the west tower of Lynmouth Castle and watched the celebration bonfires spring up on Lundy. Three, lined up straight in a neat row, told her what she wanted to know. TheSanta Maria Madre de Cristoshad been successfully taken and its cargo was already hidden. A deep satisfaction swept over her. Turning to her husband, she said, and meant, the words he had so eagerly worked to hear.
“I love you, Niall.” With a glad cry he swept her into his arms and kissed her passionately.
The Devon summer was sweeter that year than any summer they remembered. But in London, Elizabeth Tudor fumed with impotent rage. King Philip’s treasure ship had been boldly pirated from under de Grenville’s very nose. The King was both outragedat the incident and frankly scornful of Elizabeth’s ability to keep order in her own land. This piqued Elizabeth more than the loss of the treasure. She had borrowed heavily from the goldsmiths to finance her household, anticipating the wealth of the treasure ship. Now she was heavily in debt and several of her creditors had already shown they were not intimidated by her royal office.
“Is there no evidence to connect Lady Burke with the piracy, Cecil? Surely there issomethingwe can use?” William Cecil had finally confided his suspicions to Elizabeth.
“Madam, there isnothing. All the O’Malley ships are where they should be, and there is no evidence of the treasure ship’s cargo anywhere. We searched both Innisfana and Lundy.”
“I want her arrested, Cecil.”
“On what charges, madam?”
Elizabeth whirled to face him and he saw the angry red patches on her white cheeks. “I am theQueen, Cecil! I do not need formal charges! Lady Burke has offended me, and I want her in the Tower!”
