Page 165 of Feathers in the Wind
Did she have strumpet tattooed on her forehead?
The Great Hall had filled with men in armour and uniform. Her father stood with his back to the screen, talking to Luke, who looked annoyingly calm and unflustered and perfectly attired. Deliverance wondered when he had found the time to draw a razor over his chin. At a word from Luke, Sir John turned. A smile spread across his face and he held out his arms, in a curiously uncharacteristic, paternal gesture.
“Here, they are. My beautiful daughters. Come here and greet your father!”
The two women came forward. Deliverance gave her father a dutiful kiss on the cheek and stepped back when he made no move to embrace her. He turned to Penitence, folding her in his arms and hugged her tight.
Deliverance saw Luke's quick glance in her direction. Nothing had changed. Penitence would always be her father’s darling.
Sir John released his younger daughter and looked from one to the other with a fond smile. “Girls, I know we have much news to exchange but run along. I have men's business to discuss. I will see you in the parlour shortly.”
“But, Father...” Deliverance stared at her father in disbelief. After all she had done, she was to be dismissed out of hand?
He waved at the door. “I will see you in the parlour.”
Luke looked at Deliverance and gave her a barely perceptible shrug and a sympathetic smile, as Sir John turned back to the officers of the garrison. “Now, Collyer, a full account of what has transpired here, please.”
* * *
Fuming,Deliverance paced the parlour floor. “Dismissed, like a pair of brainless ninnies,” she said for the fourth time.
“Liv, please stop your pacing, you are making me quite ill. You know what Father is like. I'm sure Luke will explain it all to him,” Penitence said.
It was an hour before Sir John entered the room. He sat down in his familiar chair, crossing his legs. He steepled his fingers and regarded his daughters.
“I hear nothing but good things about the way you two have conducted yourselves over the last few months,” he said. “I am very proud of both of you.”
“Thank you, Father,” Deliverance said. “We could not have done it without Captain Collyer.”
Sir John nodded and fingered his moustache. “I have to say I had my doubts about sending him here, but he was causing trouble in Gloucester. I've given him orders to escort Charles Farrington to London to stand trial. Collyer is best placed to give the evidence needed to see the man swing.”
“You’re sending him away?” Deliverance stared at her father in disbelief. “He will return here—after London?”
“Return here? Don't be silly, girl.”
Panic gripped Deliverance. A world without Luke in it was unimaginable. “But what if Sir Richard tries again?”
“If he does, I have every confidence in my new garrison commander.” He patted the arm of his chair. “Penitence, dear child, come here.”
Penitence glanced at her sister and like an obedient young girl, perched on the arm of her father's chair.
“Penitence, I have given my consent for Jack Farrington to marry you. I have no doubts about the boy's loyalty to you and that his commitment is to the cause of Parliament.”
“Oh, Father, that is wonderful!” Penitence kissed her father and jumped up, running over to Deliverance who hugged her fondly.
“The wedding will be conducted as soon as we call the banns and as my son-in-law, I have no hesitation in leaving Kinton Lacey in his hands.”
“What?” Deliverance released her sister and stood staring at her father. “Jack is your new garrison commander? Father, no. That's not fair.”
He met her outburst with surprise on his face. “Deliverance? Are you questioning my judgement?”
“Father, I held Kinton Lacey since the start of the war. I am quite capable…” She struggled to find the words to explain what Kinton Lacey meant to her. Words failing her, she ran from the room.
* * *
Luke,busy with Sir John’s orders, did not see Deliverance until supper. He took his place next to her, pressing his knee against hers. When she did not respond, he glanced at her, seeing the downward cast of her mouth.
The reason for her despondency became apparent when Sir John rose to his feet and announced that his daughter Penitence would marry Jack Farrington. Everyone stood to applaud the news. Amidst the cheers, Sir John held up his hand.
