Runaway Hill Read online

  'Did you not trust me to bring the receipts?' he asked with a laugh, and for a moment Drusilla stared at him uncomprehendingly. Then she smiled back at him and shook her head quickly.

  'I came on quite another matter. Indeed, how should I have known to find you here?'

  'I trust it is no great disappointment! In what may I be of service?' he asked, taking her unresisting arm and drawing her away from the doorway and into a corner where they could speak privately.

  'I came to see the King,' Drusilla replied, with what she afterwards chided herself was idiotic simplicity.

  'To be sure, as have half the town, it would seem. But was it mere idle curiosity?'

  'Of course not!' she said shortly, recovering her poise. 'My sister-in-law, who is ill, has been subjected to the most inconsiderate invasion of her house, threatened and intolerably abused!'

  'How is this?' he demanded, and Drusilla, stealing a glance at his suddenly narrowed eyes and frowning countenance, shivered, and thought how unnerving it would be were she to find herself the subject of his displeasure.

  She told him of the way in which the demands for beds for the soldiers had been made, of how the corporal, though polite, had forced his way into Elizabeth's room, and then suggested turning her out of it. Blushing, she recounted the coarse suggestions of the troopers and the unfortunate result on Elizabeth.

  'I fear she will miscarry again, she is so distressed, and I came to beg the King not to force these men, or indeed any of these despicable soldiers, into her house. The corporal promised he would send decent men, but how can I trust in his promises, for they all seem ruffianly! Besides, Elizabeth grows hysterical at the very idea, and I cannot persuade her that we have no choice!'

  He regarded her thoughtfully for a moment.

  'You have no men in the house, I collect, apart from servants. Do they sleep in the house?'

  'No, in the stable loft.'

  'It is impossible to make your sister-in-law an exception, for many others would also demand preferential treatment, but I have a suggestion. Would she be willing to accommodate women?'

  'Camp followers!' Drusilla exclaimed in horror. 'That would be even more of an insult!'

  'Not all camp followers are disreputable,' he said, laughing down at her. 'I am thinking of a lady newly arrived here, having been on her way from London to join her husband whom she thought to find in Oxford. Their house is too close to London for safety, and she has left it together with her three young children and her maid. Would your sister take pity on them, and the husband and his manservant? I do not think Captain Rogers and his family would be a threat or an insult to her!'

  'That would indeed be a solution, and I am sure I can bring her to agree,' Drusilla exclaimed gratefully, her eyes shining. 'Oh, that is most kind, sir!'

  'Then if you will await me here for a few minutes while I make the necessary arrangements, I will escort you home and explain the matter personally to your sister-in-law. Will you take a glass of wine with me first?'

  'Thank you, but I prefer to return as quickly as possible, for Elizabeth will be uneasy until I do.'

  *

  He nodded, and went swiftly back into the house. Within the space of a remarkably short time he reappeared, helped Drusilla mount her horse, and was riding beside her back into the town.

  Drusilla took careful stock of him as they went, and he chatted lightly about what they saw. In his late twenties, he was tall with broad shoulders and a slim but muscular body. Clothed in expensive, well-cut coat and breeches, he sat his horse as though he had been born in the saddle and Drusilla, no mean horsewoman, recognised the skill with which he effortlessly controlled his highly bred, spirited mount. His face was lean and tanned, with widely spaced laughing blue eyes, prominent cheekbones and an aquiline nose. His mobile mouth showed white, even teeth when he smiled, which seemed to be often. Dark curled hair was surmounted by a broad brimmed hat which sported a gaily waving plume. That and a jaunty moustache added the final touch to a dashing, attractive picture.

  'Are you aware we have not as yet introduced ourselves?' he asked suddenly, breaking into her reflections. 'I cannot but feel your sister would accept me more readily if you were able to present me with due formality!'

  Drusilla laughed and agreed. 'I am Drusilla Matthews, she informed him. 'I live in Devizes, where my father is a woollen merchant, but I am staying with my brother James, who at a the moment is – ' she paused, suddenly aware it might not be politic to tell a Royalist of her brother's activities, then went on quickly, 'is away from home.'

  He appeared not to have noticed her hesitation.

  'Sir Randal Thornton, of Thornton Hall, near Abingdon, at your service,' he replied. 'Is your brother a woollen merchant, too?'

  'A clothier. He was the second son, and when my uncle, who was childless, offered to make him his heir, my father agreed. Then Edward, my elder brother, died of smallpox last year and so James will have both businesses.'

  Chatting easily they rode on side by side until they were only a hundred yards from the house, when the shocked voice of Mr Blagrave smote Drusilla's ears.

  'Mistress Drusilla!' he exclaimed, stepping into the roadway and seizing the bridle so that she was forced to stop. 'What in the world has happened?' he demanded, glaring at Sir Randal, who looked him up and down in some amusement.

  'How dare you!' Drusilla exclaimed. 'Release my horse immediately!'

  'I will escort you home, Mistress, for it is hardly wise for you to be alone in the streets with the situation as it is!'

  'You will do nought of the kind! I have adequate protection, I thank you, and do not require yours!'

  'Nevertheless I could not reconcile it with my conscience to permit you to ride without my escort. What will your brother say when he returns?'

  Drusilla gritted her teeth.

  'Since you know nought of the circumstances, I trust he will tell you not to interfere in what does not concern you!' she snapped.

  'But what you do is very much my concern,' he replied, impervious to her snub. 'I promised James I would see to it you came to no harm while he was in London, and I intend to keep that promise.'

  Drusilla was about to reply angrily when she realised Sir Randal had quietly turned his horse and was coming forward so that the horse's nose almost touched that of the mare, who stretched her neck out inquisitively towards him.

  Fascinated she watched as, when Jacob Blagrave was pulled momentarily from his balance, Sir Randal quickly manoeuvred his horse's head between the mare and him, so he was forced to release the bridle or be trampled on. The intelligent steed even attempted to nip the hand that held the bridle, but it was snatched away in time, and suddenly Sir Randal was blocking her view of Mr Blagrave as he turned in a circle so that they could continue on their way. Stifling her laughter she cast a glance brimful of merriment at Sir Randal, and lost no time in urging the mare to a trot.

  'That was masterly,' she gasped when they were out of earshot of Mr Blagrave's indignant protests. 'He will be absolutely rigid with anger!'

  'Who was your overweening friend?'

  'A pompous, tedious ass!' she replied. 'Jacob Blagrave, whose family is very important here. He is only a very distant cousin, but he behaves as though the whole town exists at his bidding and for his pleasure. I am horribly afraid he intends to make me an offer, for his hints are too obvious to be ignored, and I shall be in disgrace with James when I refuse someone else.'

  'You make a habit of refusing offers?' he queried, laughing, and Drusilla blushed.

  'Well, no one I liked, only old, and worthy men have made me offers!' she retorted.

  'Are the young – and unworthy – men of Devizes and Reading so blind?'

  Drusilla gurgled, blushed again, and thankfully announced they had arrived. She led the way along a narrow lane to the stable entrance, and gave the horses into the charge of Willy, the elderly groom, who whistled through an almost toothless jaw in admiration of Sir Randal's horse. Leaving him
rapt in bliss at the prospect of dealing with such a magnificent animal, Drusilla took Sir Randal unceremoniously through the kitchen, and there discovered from Meg, whose eyes grew as round at the sight of Sir Randal as Willy's had at the sight of his horse, that Elizabeth was calmer now and had insisted on dressing.

  'She is sitting in the parlour, Mistress, thinking to protect the house from the soldiers, poor dear, while you are gone.'

  'Shall I go to her first and explain?' Drusilla asked, turning to Sir Randal, but he shook his head and smiled reassuringly.

  'I promise I will not upset her. Take me in and introduce me, and leave the explanations to me,' he said calmly, and Drusilla nodded and went on ahead.

  *

  At first Elizabeth was inclined to resent Sir Randal's visit, regarding it as yet another imposition, but he sympathised so readily with her grievances, apologising on behalf of his fellow soldiers, and promising they should not go unpunished for their impertinence, that she began to treat him with positive friendliness, and when he told her of the unfortunate plight of Captain Rogers and his family, she needed little persuasion to reach the conclusion that to house his family would be far more satisfactory to her than to fight unavailingly to keep her house to herself. Drusilla was left with the strong suspicion Elizabeth considered she had herself made the suggestion, and was highly amused as she watched her sister succumbing to the practised charm of Sir Randal. Then he caught her eye upon him and winked, most reprehensively, at her, causing her to colour up in confusion and hurriedly drop her gaze.

  'The King proposes to march towards London within a few days, Mistress Matthews,' Sir Randal explained. 'He expects to treat there with Parliament, and the major part of the soldiers go with him. I expect that as soon as Captain Rogers can arrange for lodgings in Oxford, he will remove his family there and you will be left in peace.'

  Elizabeth smiled wanly, but assured him she would be only too happy to give what help she could to the Rogers family, and within an hour Sir Randal had brought them to her, Mistress Rogers tearfully grateful to Elizabeth, and the children, aged from two to six years, still quiet and bewildered at the sudden disturbance in their previously orderly existences.

  While Elizabeth occupied herself in comforting the children, and seeing them fed, Drusilla took Mistress Rogers to the rooms Elizabeth had set aside for them, and helped her to unpack the few possessions she had managed to bring away with her. She was a small, lively woman, and gave Drusilla an account of the difficulties she had experienced, first from the attitude of her neighbours, who had all supported Parliament, and had been most offensive when they had discovered her husband had joined the King, and then from the journey, with only her maid and a single groom to aid her. She spoke of the enormous relief she had felt when she had heard the King's army was at Reading, and on turning aside had been fortunate to meet her husband almost at once. She knew of the King's plan to march towards London, and was most anxious her husband might be permitted to stay and escort her to Oxford.

  'For I cannot wish to impose on dear Mistress Matthews for longer than is absolutely essential,' she asserted.

  When she repeated this to Elizabeth after the exhausted children had been put to bed, Elizabeth quickly reassured her, and had so recovered her spirits as to be able to laugh when she told Mistress Rogers of the unwelcome alternative she had been spared. Captain Rogers soon appeared, embarrassingly grateful to Elizabeth, and they all sat down to supper, which proved to be a merry meal.

  *

  On the following morning Elizabeth and Mistress Rogers were talking in the parlour while Drusilla, sitting with some sewing in her hands, was lost in a world of dreams from which she emerged with occasional starts to set another few stitches, before her hands again grew idle and she sat, a smile trembling on her lips, recalling every word she and Sir Randal had exchanged, and every look on his handsome face.

  These pleasant thoughts were shattered when Meg came in to announce Mr Blagrave had called, and Drusilla moved quickly to sit in a solitary chair beside the window before he could enter the room.

  For some time he chatted inconsequentially, and then informed the ladies the King proposed moving from the town shortly. Since he was unaware of Mistress Rogers' connection with the army, and had assumed her to be a visiting friend, he was visibly put out when he found the ladies knew more of these proposals than he did himself. Before the cause could be explained to him, Meg, considerably flustered, announced another caller.

  'Sir Randal Thornton, Mistress!' she said in some awe, and he followed her into the room to be greeted with enthusiasm by all the ladies, and cold, somewhat astonished civility by Mr Blagrave.

  Drusilla watched them curiously, wondering how they would refer to the encounter of the previous day, but when Sir Randal laughingly apologised for his horse's apparent bad manners it was clear Mr Blagrave preferred to ignore the incident, since he looked blankly at Sir Randal, then pursed his lips before turning back towards Elizabeth.

  Sir Randal, regarding him with a derisive eye, chatted for a few minutes with Mistress Rogers and then, seeing there was no seat near Drusilla, calmly picked up a chair and came to sit beside her, to the obvious annoyance of Mr Blagrave.

  'I came to ask you to walk out with me, to show me the town, Mistress Drusilla,' Sir Randal said softly after a while.

  'I – I should be honoured,' Drusilla replied, somewhat breathlessly.

  'Then let us ask your sister-in-law's permission at once, and escape while the good Mr Blagrave holds her attention,' he suggested audaciously, and suited his actions to his words, scarcely giving Elizabeth time to consider his suggestion before he had whisked Drusilla out of the room, leaving Jacob Blagrave, disapproving but impotent, to listen scowlingly to the effusions of the two ladies, who had nought but admiration to lavish on Sir Randal.

  *

  'He seems very taken with your dear Drusilla,' Mistress Rogers commented. 'It would be quite a triumph for her to attach him, for he is a wealthy man, and high in the councils of the Prince Rupert.'

  'A courtier?' Mr Blagrave asked, his tone leaving no doubt of his opinion of courtiers.

  'Yes, sir, and very much sought after by the ladies. He is exceedingly popular.'

  'H'm. A trifler, no doubt, merely amusing himself at the expense of a young, inexperienced girl. If you take my advice, Mistress Matthews, you'll warn Mistress Drusilla to be wary of him.'

  'Drusilla knows her own mind, Mr Blagrave,' Elizabeth said sharply, for even she was growing tired of the young man's presumption.

  'Sir Randal is no trifler, but is undoubtedly attractive. He has for ten years resisted all the lures thrown out to him. That is why I said it would be a triumph were Mistress Drusilla to capture him, but she is lovely enough, and good-natured enough to succeed, and indeed I hope she may,' Mistress Rogers commented, and turned to regale Elizabeth with stories of the Court, which she knew from before her own marriage, leaving Mr Blagrave a prey to the direst anxiety.

  *

  If he could have seen the excellent terms Drusilla and Sir Randal were on, he would have had even more cause to lose hope. Sir Randal, with his address and charm, soon banished the last lingering shyness Drusilla felt for him. They wandered in the meadows beside the river, talking together about many topics, though afterwards Drusilla could recall little of what they said, only the delight she had found in his company. It was with considerable surprise that she realised how far they had come when he eventually suggested turning back.

  'Indeed we must return, or I shall be late for dinner,' she said reluctantly, and looked longingly towards the distant hills, wishing they could walk all day without interruption.

  They were almost home when Drusilla's dreams collapsed at Sir Randal's news that he was leaving on the following day. She turned a dismayed face to him, and he smiled wryly.

  'What will happen now?' she asked. 'Does the King leave, too?'

  'He is hoping to meet a deputation from Parliament. If matters can be a
greed, no doubt we will move into London. If not – 'he shrugged. 'Who knows? They might decide to fight there, or the King may prefer to withdraw for the winter to some strongly fortified town. If no agreement is reached, I cannot see a speedy end to the war.'

  'Reading is not strongly fortified,' Drusilla said slowly. 'Are we in danger of attack by Parliament?'

  'None can tell. But as it guards the river and the gap in the hills, the King will wish to make it secure. If the treating fails, you will see us back in Reading soon, I have little doubt.'

  They had reached the door, and though Drusilla, wistful and confused, invited him in, he refused, saying he had much to do and begging her to make his apologies to Mistress Matthews. With a cheerful smile and a wave of the hand he was gone, and Drusilla stood looking after him, bemused, until the realisation she was cold caused her to turn and enter the house.

  She was bewildered and disturbed by the tumultuous feelings aroused in her by his entrance into her life. He was handsome, young and charming, a man of resource and easy command, yet a delightful companion. She knew she had never met his like before, and he had made so profound an impression on her she had thought of little apart from him since the first encounter. Was this love? She was unsure, and the manner of his departure, with no definite promise of ever seeing her again, made her wary of misreading the admiration she had seen in his eyes when he looked at her. She had no need of the warnings Elizabeth, worried by her abstraction, proffered about the placing of too much reliance on attractive men, courted as they must be by many rich and lovely women. Only too well did she realise the impossibility of a rich, handsome, titled young man considering marriage with the daughter of a merchant, even though a prosperous and ambitious one, but the mere glimpse of what life could have been with a man such as Sir Randal made her even more determined to resist the offers of Jacob Blagrave and his kind.