“What do you want?”
The question was abrupt, almost rude.
“I heard Master Hales say we are running away! It can’t be true. Surely you are going to stay and fight?”
“With two Spanish ships? It would be madness.”
He did not know why he troubled to answer her except that it was a relief to be able to express thoughts that were seething within his mind.
“Are you afraid?”
Lizbeth’s question was an impertinence which he could not allow.
“Not for myself,” Rodney snarled, “but for my ship, for the men who sail with me – for you, if it comes to that.”
“I would not have you play the coward on my behalf,” Lizbeth replied.
“Play the coward!” Rodney repeated the words beneath his breath.
Then suddenly he lost his temper. He turned and glared at Lizbeth with such fury in his expression that al
