Wild Bells to the Wild Sky Read Online Free PDF

word as easily as that on board the Arion . Besides, ‘twill serve us well having those hungry sea pups sailing these waters. The Spaniards will be too busy worrying about what mischief the Swan and her hot-blooded young crew is about to give us more than a passing thought.”
    Basil Whitelaw frowned. “You think they will find trouble?”
    Geoffrey Christian grinned, and Basil would have sworn that his friend was envious of the Swan ’s chances of crossing bows with a Spanish galleon or two.
    “You needn’t worry about Valentine,” Geoffrey finally said, relenting when he caught sight of his friend’s worried expression. “Valentine is sailing with Drake, and he’s learned his trade well. One day there’ll be none finer, mark my words. Besides Valentine reminds me of myself when I was that age. Bold as brass, he is, but then he has every reason to be; he’s clever, that one. Inherited that from you. He’ll be captain of his own ship soon enough,” Geoffrey predicted.
    That hardly set Basil Whitelaw’s mind at ease.
    “You worry too much about that one, Basil,” Geoffrey advised.
    But Doña Magdalena met Basil’s look of concern with one of understanding. “There is little you can do, Sir Basil, once the sea gets into their blood. You must just continue to have faith. We have no say in what is meant to happen. Valentine could live peacefully in the city, perhaps become a wealthy merchant,” Doña Magdalena said , then shrugged. Then one day the plague comes, and he is dead. As long as he is happy, content. Is that not the best way to live a life?”
    Basil could not fault her reasoning, for she was right, but still he could not stop worrying about Valentine. There were so many years between them, close to fifteen, that he had always felt more like a father to Valentine than an elder brother.
    “Mama! Mama! Look at me! I’ve touched the stars, and now I’m going to touch the sun!” Lily called down excitedly to her mother as Magdalena calmly watched her husband and daughter make their way down out of the rigging.
    Sir Basil stared in amazement at Magdalena’s serene face. Not once had she caught her breath in fear or called out anxiously to Geoffrey. Feeling Basil’s eyes on her, Magdalena smiled, and Basil would have sworn that she nearly reached out and patted his hand as if trying to comfort him for his fears.
    “Her shoe?” she asked, noticing the small object Sir Basil still held in his hand.
    “Yes, I thought it was a cannon ball when it landed on my shoulder.”
    Magdalena chuckled in appreciation. “There, you are already beginning to laugh at yourself. But not too much, we wouldn’t wish Her Majesty to ask you to become the court jester when we return to London.”
    Sir Basil laughed, then seeing Geoffrey slip slightly as he neared the deck, he asked with genuine curiosity, “Do you not worry?”
    Doña Magdalena frowned, then she smiled when she caught his meaning as he continued to stare nervously at the pair coming down. “Geoffrey would not have taken her up there unless he knew she would be safe. He would never do anything to put any of us in harm. His own safety perhaps he is careless of, but never another’s, and especially not his daughter’s. If he had thought she would be afraid, then he would not have taken her aloft. But Lily is Geoffrey’s daughter. I do not think she is afraid of anything. We debated bringing Lily along, but I could not bear to leave her alone in England, nor would she have allowed us to. I am certain she would have stowed away rather than have been left behind. Besides, I would like my mother and father to see my daughter. I am very proud of her and of my marriage. I want them to see that I am so very happy. That I have been blessed.”
    Sir Basil remained silent. “You must be looking forward to returning home, Doña Magdalena.”
    “Home?” Doña Magdalena shook her head. “I am looking forward to seeing my mother. I have missed her greatly, Sir