Page 41 of Feathers in the Wind
Adam’s lips twitched as he looked past her. ‘Denzil too. What a pleasing family reunion this is.’
Denzil glowered. ‘What’s this about a relapse? Robin’s last report indicated you were well on the way to being fit enough to come to Oxford.’
Perdita glared at Robin who grimaced.
‘Relapses are not uncommon, particularly when Captain Coulter was used so ill. I warned Colonel Marchant there was a risk of lung fever.’
Louise responded with a hiss and a wave of her hand.
Adam ignored her, his gaze seeking out Denzil. ‘Even if I were fit to ride, I’m not going anywhere with you, Denzil. I take it you’ve not seen Prince Rupert?’
Denzil frowned. ‘Rupert? No, we cut across Stratford to reach here. Why should that concern you?’
Adam reached under the bolster and held out the pass Rupert had signed.
‘What’s this?’ Denzil took the paper and scanned it, the colour rising in his face.
‘What nonsense is this?’ Louise snatched the paper from him.
‘It’s what it says, Denzil,’ Adam replied, a little strength coming back into his tone. ‘The prince has revoked my parole and given me free pass to return to Warwick.’
‘Robin?’ Denzil rounded on his brother.
Robin held up a hand. ‘It was not my doing,’ he replied, and added in a low sulky tone. ‘I was not to know that Adam and the prince were old comrades.’
‘Denzil?’ Louise’s voice had a petulant edge. ‘What does this mean?’
‘It means, my dear, that Adam is a free man.’
Louise frowned. ‘How?’
‘He has evidently gulled Rupert into releasing him from his parole.’
‘But how does he know Prince Rupert?’ Louise frowned.
Robin retrieved the paper from her and returned it to Adam.
‘The prince himself came here. It seems he and Adam served together in Germany,’ Robin said. ‘I could hardly prevent his visit.’
The colour in Denzil’s face rose to an alarming puce.
‘Is there nothing you can do?’ Louise demanded of her husband.
Denzil shook his head. ‘Nothing.’
Louise paced the room, her lips set in a hard line, her eyes narrowed. She stopped beside her husband and a smile curled her lip. A smile that made Perdita shiver and cross her forefinger and thumb, the sign against witches.
‘But surely the parole does not apply if the charge is one of rape and murder?’
Denzil looked at his wife. ‘What do you mean?’
Louise turned to face Adam. ‘I mean, it is time Adam answered for his deeds that night. The old charges still stand.’
Perdita held her breath, not daring to look at Adam.
Even Denzil looked doubtful. ‘That was so long ago, and—’
‘And?’ Louise’s eyes blazed. ‘I told you then and I repeat it now, I will see Adam Coulter hang yet for the murder of my brother.’
