HF - 01 - Caribee by Christopher Nicole Page A

A barren, bi tt er place. I have talked with those who came back from Jamestown. Yet is that vast continent the place of the future. I have also obtained a grant.'
    'You, my lord?' Even Winthrop seemed surprised.
    'And why not? My colonists will at least not lack financial support.And my grant is for the lands surrounding the Oyapoc'
    ' 'Tis in Guyana,' Edward cried, before he could stop himself.
    The men turned to look under the table. Then Warwick burst out laughing. 'Why, so it is, boy. You know your geography. But yet far removed from the Orinoco and the Spanish sphere. You'll remember Harcourt? He planted a colony there a few years back.'
    'And it died also,' Winthrop observed.
    'For lack of support. Now, Tom, my men shall do nothing of that nature. Roger North will command. He may be young, but he is ambitious and I have confidence in him. The fleet fits down in Plymouth, and will load for the be tt er part of this coming year. There you have the only reason I'd not go down on my knees and beg you to accompany them. A year may prove too long for you.'
    'But in any event, Guyana is an unlucky place,' Winthrop said. 'You'd do be tt er in the north, Tom.'
    Tom Warner looked from one to the other, and then at his wife in the comer, and smiled, which nowadays was sufficiently rare. 'Gentlemen, you fla tt er me. What, two such brilliant men bidding for my services? To carry your swords for you? Mistake me not, I am fla tt ered. Indeed, I thank you for your concern on my behalf, from the bo tt om of my heart. But sir, whatever the faults of my ancestors, whatever the faults of my own quick tongue, I have served this king too long and too truly for me to ever to believe that he would wish me harm. With due respect, my lord, I was quite unfi tt ed for the Lieutenancy of the Tower. I knew it ere I had been in residence a year, and yet I would not give it up, partly out of gratitude for your own great interest, and partly out of my own stubbornness.' Tom ...' Warwick began.
    'You'll pardon me, my lord. There is another reason why I shall remain here, and hope to find be tt er employment before long. 'Tis a secret to now reveal to you. I shall be a father this year, for the third time.'
    There was a moment's silence, and heads turned to regard Rebecca, who bent low over her sewing.
    'My most hearty congratulations, Tom,' Winthrop said.
    'You'll accept mine as well,' Warwick said. 'And I would beg your forgiveness, and yours, Rebecca, for all this careless talk which would seek to deprive you of your husband at such a time. Then I will redouble my efforts on your behalf at court, Tom. As you say, His Majesty will not forget one of his most faithful servants, when it is put to him properly. We'll have you a regiment of foot before the spring. Now I will take my leave.'
    'You'll not spend the night, my lord? ’
    ‘It would be my pleasure, Tom, but I must be at court by noon tomorrow, which means that I must travel at least part of the distance tonight. You'll accompany me for a while, Mr Winthrop?'
    'Of course,' Winthrop agreed, with some regret. 'Again, my congratulations, Tom. Perhaps you'll ride over to visit me, before too long.'
    Edward Warner heaved himself from his chair. ‘I 'll see you to the door, gentlemen. Tis truly sorry I am not to have the pleasure of your company for a trifle longer.'
    The men left the room, save for Tom and Berwicke. Tom remained by the fire, shifting from foot to foot. ‘It had to be done,' he mu tt ered.
    'And I have no grudge on that score, Mr Warner,' Rebecca said softly. ‘I would also say that my lord of Warwick and Mr Winthrop spoke a deal of good sense. There is no future for you here. Were you to decide to join Mr Carver's expedition, I would be more than happy.'
    'But...'
    'Your brother and Jane will see that I do not want, and I could join you, with the children, whenever the babe is strong enough to travel. Depend upon it, there will be more ships travelling west should the colony