HF - 01 - Caribee by Christopher Nicole Page B

prove to be a success, and should it prove a failure, why, then, will you not be back in short order, in any event?"
    Tom smiled, and held out his hand for another glass of the mulled wine. 'You are a true wife, Rebecca, and would, I have no doubt, make a good pioneer. Nor did I for one moment suppose that you would oppose my departure. But truth to say, my sweet, I have no faith in these colonizing expeditions. God knows I value and trust John Winthrop above any other man, but he seeks room to practise his own religion, and his own views on government, which are more than a li tt le republican, although he would never admit it. He is himself the most tolerant of men, but you may be sure he will populate his colony with those of a like mind to himself, and these will lack his toleration. So we shall exchange the rule of king and bishop for that of elder and pulpit thumper; the first pair is at least ordained and encouraged by God. As for Mr North and his patron, they too play a false game. 'Tis well known that Harcourt's colony failed because the place is not suitable for tobacco on any scale. Warwick dreams of El Dorado, although he has more sense than to admit it.'
    ‘It is there, Father,' Edward said. 'Mr Raleigh was convinced of it.'
    Tom glanced at his son. 'Eavesdropper. No doubt it is there. But gold brings a man no more happiness than does tyranny. Indeed, they are but different sides of the same coin. Now, were someone to propose an expedition to a place where there would be no religious persecution, no grasping after wealth, no political adventures, no laws, perhaps, but the sheer good of all, well, then I might be tempted.'
    Rebecca smiled. Then should you not apply for your own le tt ers patent, Mr Warner, and lead your own expedition?'
    'Aye,' Tom said. 'Had I the slightest notion where to go. But every colony ever launched has seemed to depend upon the climate, the necessity to fight for existence, and more, to fight their fellow man, be he Indian or Spaniard, for survival. To begin with injustice were no way to found a paradise. I'll stick to my profession, and do the best I can with a regiment of foot.' He raised his finger as his wife would have spoken again. 'And there's an end to it, woman.'
    But with the spring, and no news from town, he became restless. Rebecca was now beginning to swell, and some of her good humour had departed. The best of mothers and of wives, she needed the stimulus of sex to be also the best of women; Tom now avoided her bedroom, and she was left to Mother Elizabeth, who was inclined to fuss. With spring, as well, Edward Warner and his sons were hard at work from dawn until dusk.
    'Farming,' Tom said, with a snort. ' Tis downright slavery. I've a mind ...'
    'You'll not go to town, Mr Warner,' Rebecca said. 'You'll not beg George Villiers.'
    Tom sighed, and nodded. ‘I 'll not. But you'll agree that in this imperfect world a man is nothing without patronage'
    'And you have the best in the world, Mr Warner, if you would be patient.'
    'Now that is not a characteristic of the Warners, my sweet. If I stay here I'll be fit for nothing. Would you spare me for a week?'
    She picked up her sewing. ‘If I knew where you'd gone.'
    To Plymouth. I know Rich is down there, fussing over his fleet, I have no doubt at all 'tis his preoccupation with this venture that prevents him giving thought to my problems, nor do I in the least blame him for that. But perhaps were I to be more in his sight. . .'
    'A splendid conception, Mr Warner.' Rebecca put down her needlework and raised her head. ‘I 'd have you know that you have not changed my mind, sir. Should my lord of Warwick have no cheer for you, or indeed, should he paint a more gloomy picture than when he visited here in the New Year, and should you in those circumstances decide to seek your fortune in a new land, be sure that you will have my blessing.'
    Tom laughed, and kissed her on the forehead. ‘I am neither seafarer nor colonist,