Page 109 of Feathers in the Wind
Luke leaned on the wall and let out his breath. He hadn’t been aware how braced he had been for that conversation with Deliverance. He had fought many battles, but none had drained his energy so much as a conversation with Deliverance Felton.
“I’m serious,” he said. “They do not understand what they are in for. I don’t want to be responsible for them.”
“I rather suspect it is the lady who feels responsible for you, rather than vice versa,” Ned said.
“What do you mean?” Luke stiffened, guilt clutching at his sleeve. He wanted Deliverance away from this hellhole, because that is what this castle would become. He wanted to know she was safe and if he had to drive her away with cruelty, he would. It was the only way he could protect her, keep her safe from the horrors he knew were coming.
Ned shrugged and swept a hand across the castle and lands beyond the wall. “Her father left her with the task of defending her home and she feels that responsibility and the lives of everyone in it, you included.”
Luke gave an unconvincing snort. Ned could be uncomfortably perceptive and despite his harsh words, he knew in his heart Deliverance could never walk away from Kinton Lacey. If she died in its defence, she would consider it her duty and honor to do so.
“Do you have any word on Byton?” he asked, changing the subject. He turned to look in the general direction of their brother garrison. There had been no noise from the guns for at least twenty-four hours and the silence was ominous.
His scouts had confirmed that Charles Farrington had command of the siege. Sir Richard hadn’t wasted his big gun on such a small prize, but he had deployed some smaller siege cannons and these had proved effective on the inadequate preparations of the castle.
Ned shook his head. “They’ve held out nearly two weeks but it can’t go on much longer.” Luke gave his friend a sideways glance. “They’ve beaten the odds I would have given them.”
* * *
The rain liftedby evening and a perversely serene twilight descended on the castle. Luke only left his position on the curtain wall to catch a snatched meal before returning to keep watch.
The smouldering embers of the cottages he had razed that afternoon provided a strange comforting glow as darkness fell.
Every nerve in his body was on edge, the soldier’s instinct telling him to expect trouble. It came late in the afternoon when he heard several explosions coming from the direction of Byton.
The soldier standing beside him, Truscott, one of the Kinton Lacey men, glanced at him. “Byton?”
Luke nodded. “Farrington is slighting the castle.”
Truscott frowned. “Slighting, sir? What’s that?”
“He is destroying it to make sure it cannot be defended again.”
Truscott’s eyes widened. “And that’s what he’ll do if he takes Kinton Lacey?”
Luke nodded. “It’s what I’d do.”
He heard a rustle of skirts, and Deliverance joined him, greeting Truscott like an old friend. The man grinned, saluted and moved away, leaving Luke and Deliverance alone together. Deliverance leaned on the bulwark, looking out at the glowing remnants of the cottages.
“I’m sorry about the cottages,” Luke said at last.
She shook her head. “You were right. We can rebuild them. My people have gone to relatives. The ground had to be cleared.”
My people. Luke recalled Ned’s words. He had been right. Deliverance took the responsibility for everyone in Kinton Lacey on her slender shoulders.
She took a deep breath of air that smelled of smoke. “The guns at Byton have gone quiet. Do you think...do you think it is over?”
He looked at her. “I will send a couple of scouts out in the morning, but I am sure it has fallen.”
“There’s no chance—?” She stopped as he shook his head. “When do you suppose they will march on us?”
“Tomorrow. I’ve no doubt the guns are already on the move.”
She shivered, and he resisted a sudden urge to put his arm around her and draw her in towards him.
Too many eyes, and she wouldn’t thank him.
“I haven’t asked about your arm,” he said, changing the subject.
