Page 102 of Feathers in the Wind
Deliverance pushed back the sheet and swung her legs over the side of the bed. “I should get up. There are things to do.”
As she rose to her feet, the room swayed and the world roared in her head.
A strangled cry came from Meg as she jumped to her feet. “Now, that’s enough, Captain Collyer. Mistress needs to rest. She lost a deal of blood yesterday.”
Luke was faster. His strong hand steadied Deliverance, easing her back on the bed and pulling the covers over her. Embarrassed by her weakness, she looked away as he sat himself on the side of the bed.
“You must rest, Mistress Felton. Thanks to your hard work, we are already well prepared. The last remaining defences are my responsibility,” he said.
“You should not be sitting on my bed,” Deliverance protested, clutching the neckline of her voluminous nightdress.
The corners of his eyes creased as he smiled. “You have my word as a gentleman, you are in no danger while you are encased in that ridiculous night gown.”
“Captain Collyer, what are you doing in here?” Penitence demanded from the doorway.
Luke stood up, giving Penitence the benefit of a deep, courtly bow. “Just ensuring Mistress Felton has responded well to your tender care,” he said.
Penitence stood back and gestured at the door. “Out! I am sure you have work to do, Captain Collyer.”
Luke strode to the door where he paused and inclined his head, taking in all three women as he said, “Adieu.”
They waited until the sound of his strong, purposeful stride had died away.
“Pen, you’re very hard on him,” Deliverance commented as her sister sat down on the bed beside her, taking the place where Luke had sat just a few moments ago.
Penitence raised an eyebrow. “He nearly got you captured and killed. He is trouble, Liv, and it was improper that he visit you in your bed.”
Deliverance lay back on the bolsters and looked up at the carving of nymphs sporting above her, unable to meet her sister’s eyes. “Yes, of course, you are right. But I think I might have misjudged him. I must concede he is good at what he does,” she mused.
And, she had to admit to herself, their excursion to Ludlow had been the most exciting thing that had ever happened to her, with or without a sore arm to show for it.
Penitence raised an eyebrow. “Since when have you become such a petitioner for the talents of Captain Collyer? Is there something I should know about?”
Deliverance shoved a dim memory of a man stroking her hair to the back of her mind. “Of course not. He was a perfect gentleman. I just meant that now I have got to know him a little better, I have slightly more respect for his talents... his military talents.”
Penitence narrowed her eyes and studied her sister for a moment before she said, “Ned says Farrington could be at our gate within the week. Is it true about the guns?”
Deliverance nodded. “Yes. I need to send a message to Father. He must know what we will be facing.”
“I think Captain Collyer has already done so.” Penitence hesitated. “I didn’t want to worry you, but Ned has had word that Gloucester is now besieged.” Her mouth trembled. “We need Father here.”
Deliverance stared at her sister. Luke hadn’t imparted that piece of news. It changed everything. Her one hope had been that they would hold out long enough for Sir John to reach them.
“If Gloucester is besieged then we cannot expect Father to come running at our beck and call, Pen.”
Penitence bit her lip, a habit when she was worried. Deliverance patted her sister’s hand and hoped she sounded reassuring, as she said, “We are well prepared and I’m sure he will come as soon as he is able.”
Privately her heart sank. If Gloucester were truly besieged, they could not count on any help from that quarter.
Penitence lowered her head. “Luke said you encountered Jack and Charles yesterday.”
Deliverance nodded.
Her sister bit her lip again and looked out of the window to the soft summer day beyond. “Did Jack ask about me?”
“It was hardly the occasion for social discourse,” Deliverance said, her tone softening when she saw the naked yearning on her sister’s face. “Yes, he did ask after you and I think he misses you as much as you do him.”
“Do you suppose Jack will be with his father and brother when they come here?”
