Page 104 of Feathers in the Wind
She sighed and looked away.
Penitence looked him up and down. “You look unusually tidy. Do you have an assignation planned, Captain Collyer?”
He looked down at his best coat of fine wool, dyed a deep ruby, alleviated by a spotless linen collar edged with a good quality lace that he had chosen. Just for a few minutes it felt good to have left his military persona in the bedchamber, even if he still wore a sword and had a small pistol tucked into his belt.
An unaccustomed heat burned his cheeks, and he cleared his throat.
Looking at Deliverance, he said, “I was wondering if... that is... if you’re up to it, Mistress Felton, you would care to take a walk?”
Penitence gasped and he amended his invitation. “I mean both of you, of course.”
Penitence glanced at Deliverance. “I have chores to see to,” she said, “but I think a stroll would do you good, Liv.”
Deliverance looked from her sister to Luke. “Me?”
Thankful any confusion had been avoided by Penitence’s tact, Luke continued with more confidence, “When Farrington takes Byton, he will move on to us and then our chance for a walk in the fresh air beside the Teme will be lost.”
“A walk?” Deliverance repeated.
“That is an excellent idea,” Penitence said. “A little fresh air will put some colour back in your cheeks, Liv.”
Deliverance looked out at the fine summer evening and nodded. “Very well. Thank you, Captain Collyer. I really don’t need this,” she said, removing the sling.
He bowed low to her and offered her his arm. For a moment she hesitated, glancing at Penitence who just smiled.
* * *
As they walkedout of the residence into the mellow afternoon sun, a shout went up. The entire garrison had gathered in the courtyard and were clapping and cheering. Deliverance cast a questioning glance at Luke. He smiled and shook his head, gently disengaging her arm and standing back, leaving her alone at the top of the stairs.
Sergeant Hale disengaged himself from the crowd and climbed the stairs to her, one hand behind his back. As he stood before her he drew the hand out, and thrust a bunch of meadow flowers, already wilting, at her. She took them in her good hand and looked up at the huge barrel-chested man.
“Thank you, but I don’t know what I have done to deserve this.”
Hale whipped his hat off his head and stood straight, turning the greasy hat in his huge hands. “Lady, ‘twas a brave thing you did and we,” he indicated the entire garrison, “want you to know that you has our loyalty, to a man.”
Deliverance scanned the disreputable ranks of unshaven men, still covered in dirt from their day’s work on the defences.
She cleared her throat and looked down at the nosegay, the scent of the meadow sweetening the air around her. A lump rose in her throat and she swallowed it down. Tears were not appropriate at this moment.
With an effort she looked up and spoke, keeping her voice strong and clear. “Thank you, all of you. What I learned on our reconnaissance to Ludlow is that we will face great adversity over the coming weeks, and there will be times when we will need all the strength God gave us. It heartens me to know that we have such loyal men beside us.”
“Amen!” Sergeant Hale declared. “Let us join in prayer for the safe delivery of this castle from the hands of the foul fiends.”
When the seemingly interminable prayer had ended, Luke stepped forward. “Enough. Back to work all of you.”
The men dispersed and Deliverance looked down at the wilted flowers in her hand. “I didn’t expect this,” she said in a small, quiet voice.
“That is why it is important,” Luke said. “Those men will die for you now.”
She looked back at the empty courtyard and sighed. “They shouldn’t have to. They should be home with their own families, bringing in the harvest.”
“That is the tragedy of war.”
Luke took the flowers from her hand and handed them to one of the maids who had come out of the residence with a bucket of water.
“Put these in Mistress Felton’s chamber, girl.” He crooked his elbow. “Now, Mistress Felton, about that walk.”
As they strolled out of the castle, Luke glanced at his companion. He had ample opportunity to study her face on the long, fraught ride back from Ludlow. In the dark of the largely sleepless night that followed their safe return he had reached the conclusion that while she paled in the shadow of her classically beautiful younger sister, there was strength of character in her strong jaw and determination and intelligence in her bright eyes and the curve of her mouth. He found those characteristics infinitely more attractive than Penitence’s oval face, blue eyes and golden curls.
