Page 18 of By the Sword
‘Forgive me, Jonathan. I didn’t mean to sound so harsh but you know it’s not Thomas who will have the responsibility for this house and family, it will be me. There is no one else.’
He straightened and looked at her, taking her hand in his. Where before he had thought it strong and capable, now the bones seemed to have no more substance than those of a bird. Such a huge responsibility for such a small hand.
‘Grandfather knows that, Kate. He has every confidence in you.’
She pulled her hand free and turned away. ‘Does he understand what he’s asking of me?’
Of course, his grandfather knew exactly what he was doing. His body may be dying but his mind had lost none of its acuity.
When he didn’t reply, Kate turned back to look at him.
‘He’s no fool, is he?’ she said with a shadow of bitterness in her tone. ‘There’s more to it than the simple question of finding an heir. Despite what you said about Nell, she could still have taken on the inheritance. I’m an Ashley; my son is an Ashley–good, respectable Parliamentarian stock. Seven Ways will be safe with me. Tell me, Sir Jonathan, if the King returns, are we expected to hand the estate back to you, its rightful owner?’
Jonathan shook his head. ‘No. Seven Ways will always be Tom’s.’ He placed his hands on her shoulders, forcing her to look up into his face, seeking to give her the assurance she needed. ‘If he didn’t trust you, Kate, he wouldn’t do it, and my grandfather is not a man who gives his love or his trust easily.’
She shook her head. ‘He’s dying, Jonathan. It seems to me he has few options.’
‘He’s never wrong in his assessment of people, Kate, and for what it’s worth, I think he is right about you.’
‘The widow of a man who fought for Parliament?’ Kate said, her mouth twisting in a bitter, humourless smile.
‘A sensible, capable, intelligent woman, Kate. A worthy guardian for your son.’
A sensible, capable, intelligent woman? That seemed an inadequate description for this woman he had only known a few hours. Even in the gloom, he could feel her eyes on his face, wanting to trust him.
His fingers tightened on her shoulders, drawing her closer. She leaned into him and as she lowered her head, he breathed in the faintest scent of rosemary over the headier scent of the roses. Rosemary for remembrance he thought, resisting the urge to bury his face in her hair.
To hold her closer would be a mistake. He would be bound to her.
He released her and took a step back, looking up at the darkening sky. ‘I think it’s time we went in, Kate. I have an early start in the morning.’
They walked in silence through the gathering gloom of the peaceful garden. As they approached the house, Kate stopped and turned to him.
‘Do you mind?’ she asked.
‘Mind what?’
‘Losing Seven Ways.’
‘Kate, I knew long ago that losing Seven Ways was the price to be paid for the trouble I’ve brought this family. I’ve no right to complain. It might have been my father who made the decision. It was he who committed Seven Ways to the King’s cause, but I am the one who survived the war and I bear the price of that decision. That’s enough.’
‘I don’t understand…’ Kate began, but he shook his head.
‘There are things about me you don’t need to know, Kate. Leave it at that.’
A long silence stretched between them.
‘Will I see you again?’ she asked at last.
He glanced down at her. Every sensible intention would dictate he should never see her again, but then he had never been known to be sensible.
Instead, he smiled. ‘As my family will tell you, I turn up when least expected. Perhaps I may have cause to come and visit you in Yorkshire. Would I be assured of a safe place in my cousin’s house?’
‘A safe place? I think Tom would enjoy the adventure of hiding so dangerous a fugitive. He thinks highly of you.’
‘And I of him. Now I must go and say my farewells to grandfather. I think it will be the last time we meet on this earth.’
He looked back at the garden, drawing in a deep breath, willing the memory of the lovely evening to remain with him for the long months to come.
