Page 116 of Feathers in the Wind
Remembering the impressive arsenal, they had seen demonstrated on the water meadow at Ludlow, Deliverance’s courage wavered. She looked away and took a deep breath to steady her nerve, as Luke swung off his horse.
“Is everyone inside?” he asked.
She nodded, and Luke turned to Sergeant Hale. “Shut the gates, Hale.”
“Sir!” Hale turned on his heel, already bellowing the orders.
Luke laid a hand on her shoulder. “Nothing more to be done, Mistress Felton.”
It took three men to shut the heavy gates, stoutly reinforced with new cut oak. With its chains clattering, the newly repaired portcullis juddered to the ground behind the gates with a resounding thump. On the walls above them, the garrison were already deploying to their rehearsed positions, the sun glinting from the metal on their muskets and helmets.
Buckets of water had been placed at strategic positions on the walls and around the courtyard, ready to deal with the inevitable fires. Ample food had been laid in and the lead roofing had been stripped and melted down for musket balls. They were as ready as they would ever be. Kinton Lacey had become once more the fortress it had been designed to be.
“When will he be here?” Deliverance asked.
“Within the hour.”
Deliverance nodded and gave Luke a brave smile. “Then we will be waiting for him.”
Preparing for the imminent arrival of a besieging force held some odd similarities with the expected arrival of an exalted guest. One dressed for the occasion.
In his bedchamber, Luke considered his rather limited wardrobe, and decided on grim, military efficiency. Toby had burnished the steel breastplate, helmet and gorget, and the leather of his baldric shone like glass. He donned the stiff leather buff coat and allowed Toby, who had, unasked, assumed the role of his manservant to buckle on his armour.
“You terrify me,” Ned said with a smile as Luke turned to leave the room.
Eschewing the heavy ‘pot’ helmet for his hat, Luke clapped his friend on the shoulder and the two men clattered down the grand stairs of the residence to wait for Deliverance.
She came running down the stairs, dashing past them in her haste to reach the battlements. Luke caught her arm as she passed. She whirled to face him, her eyes blazing.
“Unhand me, Captain Collyer,” she fumed. “I have to get to the wall.
Luke ran his eye over her slight figure, clad in a man’s breeches and leather jerkin. In her right hand she carried a handsome wheelock musket, nearly as long as she was high. He took the weapon from her and thrust it at Ned.
Luke shook his head. “You cannot wear that ensemble.”
Deliverance shook off his arm and glared up at him. “I’ve worn it before.”
He frowned. “What do you mean you’ve worn it before?”
“Last time Farrington was here. I took my place with my men on the wall.” She looked at Blakelocke. “Melchior will tell you, I am a very good shot.”
Luke glanced at Melchior’s impassive face. “I have no doubt you are, Mistress Felton, but I am not letting you out of this house dressed like that.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I am not staying in here like some helpless milksop while you negotiate with Farrington.”
“I am not suggesting you do that,” Luke took a deep breath and schooled himself to patience. “What I am saying is that I do not need you on the wall. I do not need to risk you being killed. You are too valuable.”
“Oh.” The defiance went out of Deliverance’s eyes. “What do you mean?”
“I will hate myself for saying this, but the men seem to adore you.” He paused and the corners of his mouth quirked into a smile. “Obviously they don’t know you well enough.”
Anger flared again in Deliverance’s eyes again and he held up a placatory hand.
“You have earned their respect and their admiration precisely because you are a woman who has shown incredible bravery. That is what is needed. They want to protect you and you need to show them you are worthy of their protection.”
Penitence, who had followed her sister down the stairs, laid a hand on her sister’s arm.
“Peace, sister. I understand, Captain Collyer. You need Deliverance to be a woman worthy of their affection,” she said.
