Page 85 of Feathers in the Wind
Deliverance cast him a frowning glance of disapproval. “Melchior saw service with my father on the continent, Captain Collyer.”
Luke glanced at Blakelocke and then back at his mistress. “I didn’t mean to imply—”
She cut him short with a wave of her hand. “People are not always what they seem, Captain Collyer.” She turned to a set of stairs, pausing to look back at the two men. “Are you coming?
* * *
Deliverance openedthe door to the pleasant room that served her father as a library and study, when he was at home. In his absence she had taken it over, and it had become her sanctuary from the world.
The familiar scent of dust, beeswax polish and musty books greeted her. The papers she had dislodged in her haste to get to the walls, still littered the floor and the large table in the centre of the room could not be seen beneath the piles of books stacked haphazardly around a drawing of the castle and its surrounds. She had spent hours preparing this plan for the defence of her home.
Captain Collyer picked up a much-thumbed copy ofThe Exercise of Armesfrom one of the piles on the desk, and she caught the quick glance he exchanged with his colleague.
Heat rose in Deliverance’s face. “All my learning on the conduct of military operations is from my father’s books.”
She didn’t add that those books she had not found in her father’s collection had been secretly ordered from her long-suffering book seller in Ludlow.
“It’s an excellent book,” Luke Collyer said, setting it back on the table. The quirk of his lips into a quickly suppressed smile did not escape her notice. Her skin prickled at the condescension in his tone.
She pulled the plan of the castle from beneath the tomes. “I’ve had ample time in the last two weeks to consider the defence of the castle.” She flattened the creases from the paper. “Now, I think if we put a redoubt in here...” She stabbed at the paper with her forefinger. “And a defensive ditch, along here.”
When her remarks were met with silence, she looked up. Both men stared at her as if she had walked into the room stark naked.
“Is there a problem?”
Luke cleared his throat. “With respect, madam, but your father has placed me in command of this garrison and I—”
“Do you not think me capable of having an opinion on how to defend my own home?” She fixed him with a well-practiced stare which would make a weaker man quail.
The infuriating man returned her gaze without blinking. “I respect your opinion, madam, and if... when... I need your advice, I shall ask for it.”
She took a steadying breath and squared her shoulders. She was Deliverance Felton, chatelaine of this castle and this Collyer a mere… a mere… junior officer.
“And what experience do you have, captain?”
The man’s gaze continued to meet her angry eyes and he too straightened, resting his hand onThe Exercise of Armes. “I have been a soldier since I was nineteen, madam. I have fought on the continent and in the Scottish wars. Your father chose me for this task with every confidence in my abilities. You can trust me with the protection of this castle, and you can return to more appropriate concerns.”
“More appropriate concerns?” Deliverance bridled. “What is more appropriate than the safety of Kinton Lacey?”
Luke Collyer’s eyes narrowed. The unusual light grey eyes, at odds with the dark brown hair that framed his lean, tanned face were fixed on her, had lost all trace of humour. She saw a hard, uncompromising soldier. “Forgive me, madam, but military matters are not for gently bred women. All I am saying is that you are free to return to—”
“My embroidery, perhaps?” she said in a tone that dripped ice. “I assure you, Captain Collyer that the defence of my home is of far greater importance to me than its decoration. I have read all these books,” she gestured at the table, “and I warrant I know as much of matters military as you, Captain Collyer.”
“And I have had years of practical experience, madam,” he responded in a tone that matched hers for frigidity.
Melchior cleared his throat. “I think, madam, this is a discussion for the morning. These two gentlemen have ridden from Gloucester and fought a battle, vanquishing our foes. Sirs, you must be tired and hungry. Let me show you to your quarters and see you are fed. In the morning we will all be in a better position to discuss defensive works.”
Deliverance shot her steward a quick, angry glance. She did not need or want Melchior’s intervention but it had the desired effect, the tension in the room dissipating as if he had opened the window and let in the breeze.
She tossed the paper back on to the table and sniffed. “Very well. If you need me, I shall be in my chamber hard at work... at my embroidery.”
* * *
“Insufferable man,”Deliverance ranted to her sister as she concluded her summation of the discussion with Captain Collyer.
Penitence looked up from her needlework. “He is a man, Liv. Of course he will want to take command. What does Father say?”
Deliverance pulled out their father’s letter and read.
