Page 87 of Feathers in the Wind
“Yes, of course, we will start this morning,” Luke said, trying to keep his tone light and pleasant. “However, there will need to be some modifications to your excellent plan.”
Deliverance crossed to the table and looked down at the paper, now covered in crossing out, and notes written in Luke’s impetuous hand. Her back stiffened, and she rounded on him, her eyes hot with anger. “What have you done? Do you know how long it took me to prepare that plan?”
“And a fine plan it is, Mistress Felton.” Luke sounded condescending even to his own ears. “But, in the circumstances we find ourselves, impractical.”
Deliverance picked up a book from the stack on the table and waved it at him. For a moment Luke wondered if she planned to throw it at him. He tensed in anticipation.
“I followed the principles of defence to the letter,” she said.
“And as an academic exercise it cannot be faulted, but I’m sorry, we do not have the men or the resources to do anything more than excavate the ditches on the west wall and put palisades against the north wall. The east wall is well protected by the river. I don’t see that as a problem.”
“But what about the south wall?”
Ned drew an audible breath and Luke glared at him.
What about the south wall?They had debated that point over breakfast after a quick inspection of the castle in daylight and Luke had to concede that the woman really did know what she was talking about.
“Mistress Felton, please do not presume to teach me my business,” Luke said. “I’ve made an assessment of the castle and its surrounds this morning, and I see the major threat being to the east and north walls.”
Deliverance drew herself up, and he could see from the cast of her mouth and the determination in her chin she was not going to meekly walk out of the room and return to her preserves… or embroidery… or whatever she should have been doing.
“Deliverance, please let’s not argue among ourselves,” her sister said. “That is not what father wants.”
Deliverance cast Penitence a quick glance. “Of course, Captain Collyer. You may do as you wish. I would not presume to interfere with the command of your men.”
Something about the acquiescent smile and the sudden demure way Deliverance clasped her hands in front of her skirt, filled Luke with a cold premonition of dread.
“Thank you, Mistress Felton. I am glad you agree,” he said.
“You have made the position quite clear, Captain Collyer.” As she turned to leave the room, she stopped and without turning back, she added. “Of course, my men will continue to answer to me.”
Luke clenched his jaw shut and cast an appealing glance at Penitence who merely smiled and shrugged before gliding from the room in her sister’s wake.
* * *
Deliverance movedthe food around her plate with her knife, conscious of the awkward silence around the table. Ned Barrett and Penitence had been chatting brightly but their forced cheerfulness only emphasised the brooding atmosphere between Luke Collyer and herself.
Penitence and Ned fell silent as Luke cleared his throat. “Perhaps, Mistress Felton, you could tell me a little more about Sir Richard Farrington?”
Penitence looked up, her brow furrowed with undisguised distress at the mention of the Farrington name. Deliverance sent her a warning glance and her sister returned her gaze to her plate.
“What do you wish to know?” Deliverance asked.
“What manner of man is he?”
“Sir Richard owns Brandon Hall, ten miles to our north. He and my father enjoyed relatively cordial relations before the war, and indeed—” She gave her sister’s bent head a quick glance. Luke Collyer did not need to know about Penitence’s broken betrothal to Jack Farrington. “He has two sons who serve with him. The eldest, Charles, is a ...” she struggled to find the right words to describe Charles. “He is a bully. Even as a child he could be cruel.” She looked up at the high beams of the ceiling, remembering. “On one occasion I saw him kick a puppy to death.”
She returned her gaze to Luke and read the understanding in the grey depths of his eyes. She didn’t really notice people’s eyes, but Luke’s eyes were the colour of autumn smoke.
“I see,” Luke said “And his other son?”
“Jack is quite different,” Deliverance said, conscious of Penitence stiffening in her seat. “He did not go willingly to war whereas Charles is probably thriving on it.”
“Thank you. It is always helpful to know who we are facing,” Luke said. “And Sir Richard, what resources does he bring to this affair?”
“Money and the King’s ear,” Deliverance said with a trace of bitterness in her voice. “He would like to own Kinton Lacey. We have forestry rights and a tin mine that he covets.”
Luke raised an eyebrow. “Rich pickings.”
