One of them exclaimed, "Why, Lady Somervell! You gave us a start! Toby here thought some gennelmen were runnin' a cargo up from the beach! "

Catherine tried to smile. "I am sorry, Tom. I should have known better."

The light was already strengthening, as if to dispel her hopes, lay bare her foolishness.

Tom the coast guard watched her thoughtfully. The admiral's lady, the one who was the talk of London according to some. But she had called him by his name. As if he mattered.

He said carefully, "May I ask what you be doing up 'ere at this hour, m'lady? Could be dangerous."

She faced him directly, and afterwards he was to remember this moment, her fine dark eyes, her high cheekbones, her utter conviction as she said, "Sir Richard is coming home. In the Anemone."

"I knows that, m'lady. We had word from the navy."

"Today, " she said. "This morning." Her eyes seemed to blur and she turned away.

Tom said kindly, "There be no way o' knowing, m'lady. Wind, weather, tides…"

He broke off as she slipped from the saddle, her stained boots striking the track as one. "What is it?"

She stared out at the bay as it began to open up, the light spilling above the headland like glass.

"Do you have a telescope, please?" Desperation put an edge to her voice.

The two coast guards dismounted and Tom lifted his glass from a long leather case behind his saddle.

Catherine did not even see them. "Be easy, Tamara! " She rested the long telescope on the saddle, still warm from her own body. Gulls were swooping around a tiny boat far out towards the point. It seemed much clearer than before, and pink on the sea's face she saw the first sunlight.

Tom's companion had also extended his telescope, and after a few minutes he said, There be a ship out there, Tom, by God so there be! Beggin' your pardon, m'lady! "