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missing?”
    The woman had taken out a lacy, black gown and veil. “This belonged to a lady who met her lover at daily mass then came here for their lecherous trysts.” She shook the clothing in the air. “Si, no one would expect a fine, noble lady to come to a dock side inn. When her dress came up missing from her gear, what could she do? Say, ‘Husband a Moroccan stole my dress while I cavorted with a man.’”
    The old woman leaned her head back. “Hah! I know who I can take from and who I cannot. If not for pillaging my guest, I would make no money at all. Like you Ana, I do what I must.”
    That day, the humble milk maid became Dama Ana de Reyes, recent widow, seeking to plant and cultivate land on an unnamed planet, called X. Her new identity worked so far. They had not tossed her overboard as of yet.
    She climbed out of the hold onto the damp deck and breathed in the fresh air. Gazing at nothing but grayish clouds among patches of blue sky, her thoughts drifted to Ramon. Would he come at candle time to woo her? If he did, what of it? The upper class were born to pretty talk, it meant naught. At one time he’d been like a brother to her, then he’d become her first love though she stayed chaste. Now Ramon was nothing but a noble lord who wanted a tumble with her, nothing more. She had to remember that.
    Though he was the first man she’d kissed, she remembered their last kiss even more. It happened when her mother died and she needed him to comfort her. She recalled the warmth of his lips as they’d covered hers, the scent of him, leather and wood, and the floating, tingling sensation that overcame her. Yet, the memory would have to do. She’d never let him steal another kiss. She wanted so much more. More than he’d ever be willing to give her. She longed for a loving marriage like her parents had.
    She sensed someone’s presence and turned to find Ramon standing at her side. As she admired the bronze sheen of his face, his ebony hair, slicked back and tied at the nape, she brought up a solemn subject for distraction. “Ah, Don Ramon, soon we will reach Italy. Then what? Will we ever reach this planet in the black of space? Many say man is not meant to venture into the heavens.”
    “There is danger on any journey, but with Juan De Nunez as our leader we have nothing to fear.” Confidence shone through Ramon’s dark eyes.
    “He is a hard man is he not?” She turned and walked across the deck. The wooden boards creaked beneath her feet.
    Ramon strolled at her side. “You do not trust anyone. Your life would be easier if you did.”
    The lord of quality, how would he know what would make her life easier? “Don Ramon, my life is not your concern. I can take care of myself well enough.”
    “No need to be formal, call me Ramon. If you are so opposed to nobles, such as Juan De Nunez and me, managing servants and aliens, I fail to see why you are persistent in honoring my status by calling me lord every chance you get.” As he peered at her, his compelling eyes contained a sensuous flame.
    His smile sent her pulse racing. Oh, why did he always change the subject? “I was not speaking of servants and nobility. I only asked, do you not feel wary about leaving the ends of the Earth, and flying in the black vastness of outer space toward a strange new planet where we will be dependent on this man, De Nunez?”
    “No, I do not.” His intense gaze locked on hers. “Now, do you see how much better Ramon sounds? I love the sound of my name on your lips.”
    She stared at his mouth, edged with a neatly trimmed beard, which added a rugged power to his face. She recalled how it tickled her chin when they use to kiss. Her lips quivered and her heart pounded. She shut her eyes and tried to clear her head. A nagging inner voice said, he doesn’t care about you, a peasant.
    When his mother threw her out she thought Ramon would come for her. With her parents gone, he was the only person left who loved her or who