Page 22 of My Gentleman Spy
He silently congratulated himself on having won her over, but knew he had to tread carefully. She was as skittish as a young colt thisafternoon.
On the road back down from Europa Point, he did his best to make smalltalk.
“Did I tell you that the ship I have secured passage for us on board for our journey home is a sister ship to theBlade of Orion?It’s called theCanis Major,and while I am led to believe it is a little smaller than the ship you arrived in, it should still suit usfine.”
Having made up her mind to accompany him to the cave Hattie appeared content to sit quietly and take in the view out over Gibraltar Harbor. After rambling on about the Spanish and how goods travelled back and forth between Spain and Gibraltar, and getting little in return from her, Will decided it was better to saynothing.
At the cave of St Michael, the guide showed them the path. Will took hold of Hattie’s hand and led her up to the entrance of the cave. At the entrance a man sold them two tickets and a grass torch. Will lit it as he and Hattie walked slowly into thecave.
Her hand gripped his. He turned toward her, offering her a reassuring smile. The light from the torch was reflected in her eyes. She was afraid, but she was with him. He would keep hersafe.
Several monkeys sat just inside the cave’s entrance. Will shooed them away. When it was clear than neither he nor Hattie had any food, the monkeys ambledaway.
“Is everything alright?” heventured.
Hattie looked away from the retreating monkeys and back toWill.
“Yes. I was just thinking of the monkeys. They are rather tame, aren’t they? I did see some at the Tower of London once, but they were quite aggressive,” shereplied.
“Yes well, these ones can be nasty when the mood suits them. I would caution against attempting to pat any of them. Come let’s venture into the cave, then we shall go and find some supper. I amfamished.”
He led her deeper into the cave. The torch soon became the only source of light. Hattie squeezed Will’s hand moretightly.
He lifted the torch and Hattie gasped as she beheld the whole subterranean world that spread out before her. She had never imagined that such a place couldexist.
“Oh,” shemurmured.
“That was my very same reaction when I saw the caves earlier this week,” hereplied.
The roof of the main cave towered many feet over their heads. Huge spear like stalactites hung down from the ceiling, while stalagmites rose in tower like formations from the floor of thecave.
“It’s wonderous. How far back does this cave go?” shesaid.
“Well there are ancient myths that it is a gateway to the underworld, but I expect it goes back quite some way. No one has really made a concerted effort to explore deeper into the lower chambers for fear of never being seen again,” hereplied.
Hattie released her hold of Will’s hand. Her fear of the monkeys and the cave were gone, she felt emboldened enough to explore a little on her own. The cave was empty of other tourists. Will was right, it was like something from Greek mythology. She half expected an ancient god or a monster to appear at the back of thecave
Reaching the nearest stalagmite, she put her hand againstit.
“It’s wet!” she exclaimed, pulling her handaway.
Willlaughed.
“The water from the roof has to gosomewhere.”
He pointed toward the roof of thecave.
“The rainwater seeps into the limestone on the top surface of the rock outside and over many years makes its way down into the cave. That water you just touched could be thirty yearsold.”
Hattie looked at her hand, and shook the water from her fingertips. Will clapped his hands indelight.
“You look just like my youngest sister Caroline does when the cat has licked her hand. It is the funniest sight you will ever see,” hechuckled.
Hattie snorted. Her family cat Brutus was more likely to take a piece out of your hand than give you a friendlylick.
“So, do you have many siblings?” sheventured.
She knew she was treading on dangerous ground asking about family, but she knew enough of her former maid’s family history to be able to rattle off a few names without too much hesitation if Will decided to turn the tables and ask about her ownfamily.
