Jacob immediately announced he must go to discover the truth of this latest rumour, and Drusilla would have gone with him had Elizabeth not just then called out to her.
For the whole of that day Elizabeth grew worse, relapsing again into delirium, and so restless Drusilla could scarcely leave her to snatch an hour or two on her own bed. Meg and Jacob brought news, but Drusilla was too worried about Elizabeth's condition to take much of it in. The King's attack had been halted, thanks partly to a fierce hail storm, and the King's forces had withdrawn to Caversham Church. Colonel Fielding was to be permitted to cross the lines and confer with the King, and terms would be agreed with Essex.
'The Royalists are about to leave,' Jacob stated with a gleam in his eye when he came and saw Drusilla briefly on the Wednesday evening.
She hardly cared, for Elizabeth was now so weak there seemed no hope for her. Even when Drusilla tried to rally her by saying James would be there on the following day, Elizabeth's eyelids barely flickered in acknowledgement. The surgeon, with a respite from his garrison duties during the truce, shook his head and told Drusilla he doubted whether she would last the night. Mistress Tanner joined Drusilla in their last sad vigil, and before midnight Elizabeth breathed her last.
Spent with grief, Drusilla allowed Mistress Tanner to tuck her up in bed, and slept heavily. When she awoke, Joan was sitting beside her bed and, her own eyes full of tears, said she had orders to see that Drusilla remained there for a while. She helped Drusilla brush out her curls, saying she would feel more the thing when she had eaten, and went to fetch a tray with a bowl of chicken broth. To her surprise, Drusilla did feel better, and insisted on getting up.
'There is so much to be done,' she said slowly, as she pulled on a sober grey gown.
'Well, Mistress Tanner and – and – we have done a great deal!' Joan stammered.
Drusilla looked at her, puzzled, but was too weary to probe into this strange remark. She went downstairs, and hearing voices in the parlour, opened the door and looked in. Mistress Tanner and Sir Randal were sitting there talking quietly. Sir Randal rose immediately and came to take her hand and draw her to a chair beside the fire.
'Sit down, there is much to discuss,' he said quietly.
'How – do you come here?' Drusilla asked, frowning. 'I – what is happening? I thought the siege was over? Did not someone say you were leaving?'
'Yes,' he replied curtly. 'We leave tomorrow, and that is why I am here. I want you to come with me.'
Drusilla looked at him blankly.
'But Elizabeth? I cannot leave her – like that!'
Mistress Tanner came across and took Drusilla's hand.
'No, my dear, and that is why Sir Randal and I – Sir Randal came last night, you see, just after you had gone to bed – why we have taken it upon ourselves to speed up the arrangements for the burial. I laid out your sister-in law's body early this morning, and she is to be buried in an hour's time, before the garrison leaves.'
'So soon? But if you leave,' she said, turning to Randal, 'does that not mean the Parliamentary army will enter? James might be there! He would never forgive me if I had Elizabeth buried in so much haste, and he had no last opportunity to make his farewells!'
'James is unlikely to be there, Drusilla. It was merely a rumour some of Waller's troops were at the siege. He is still on the Welsh borders, and James, too. It will be weeks before James can be told and return to Reading. In the meantime you will be alone here, and at the mercy of the Parliamentary troops. I propose to take you to Devizes, to your parents.'
'I cannot like it, sending you away so,' Mistress Tanner said worriedly, 'but it is the only safe plan.'
'And leave James' house and business for Parliament to plunder?' Drusilla said sharply.
'They are his friends.'
'Do you truly believe they will show respect for it, Sir Randal?'
'No, neither do I believe they will show respect for you,' he said bluntly. 'You could not prevent them doing what they chose, and so you must consider your own safety.'
'No, I will not run away.'
They pleaded and argued with her, but Drusilla would not move from her stance. Someone must protect James' property, and if there were no one else, she would have to do it.
'He has lost Elizabeth, would you have me throw away all else?'
*
Randal suddenly gave way, and he and Mistress Tanner left for a while to prepare the final arrangements for the burial. Later Mistress Tanner returned to sit with Drusilla when Elizabeth's body was taken to the churchyard, accompanied by only a few of James' neighbours and business associates who, in the bustle and confusion of the ending of the siege, had heard of her death and came to pay their last respects.
Randal came back afterwards to make his farewells, and to return, with a smile, the pistols which had been the cause of his first meeting with Drusilla. When he again asked her to leave with him she was desperately torn, for she knew it was most unlikely she would ever see him again, but she shook her head, repeating she must protect James' house, and watched bleakly as he finally left the room.
Mistress Tanner remained, and her talk of Elizabeth appeared to soothe Drusilla, who had refused either to eat any supper or to retire to bed. In an odd way, thinking of Elizabeth eased the pain she felt at the departure of Sir Randal. It was late in the evening when Mr Blagrave's voice, raised in anger, was heard at the front door.
'Announce me, girl! I have a better right than any to be with your mistress at such a time!'
'She's not fit to see visitors,' Meg's high, indignant tones could be heard as she protested vigorously, but she was rudely thrust out of the way and Jacob entered the parlour unceremoniously, to glare about him suspiciously before he advanced to take Drusilla's hand.
'My dear, I have but this moment heard! I have been with my cousin most of the day, preparing for the entry of the Parliamentary army tomorrow, and it was only when Dr Wilde came to us I heard of the tragic death of Mistress Matthews.'
Drusilla shrank from his loud voice, and tried to withdraw her hand, but he held it tightly, and began to pat it as he talked.
'Naturally I would have been here to support you had I known, and would have aided you in the arrangements. Why did you not send for me? I would have advised you, and I cannot think whoever urged you to so hasty a burial did right,' he added, shooting a glance of dislike at Mistress Tanner. 'However, I am here now, and you need turn to no one else for help. I heard,' he said bitterly, 'that the fellow who has been making such a nuisance of himself has been here, interfering in what was none of his business.'
'If you mean Sir Randal Thornton,' Drusilla declared, two bright spots of colour appearing in her cheeks, and her spirits roused by this unjust attack, 'indeed he has been here, and most considerate and helpful he has been! And pray release my hand, Mr Blagrave!'
She succeeded in snatching her hand away, but Jacob, undeterred, seated himself beside her on the settle.
'He was scarcely the right person to turn to,' he commented. 'After all, he has no connection with the family.'
'And neither do you, and you will not have!' Drusilla cried.
'Oh, my dear, you speak hastily because you are distraught. It has all been settled these six months past. No doubt, with all there is to be done, and because of Elizabeth's death, naturally, our wedding will have to be delayed a while, but as soon as James returns we will arrange it.'
Drusilla almost stamped her foot with rage.
'Understand me, Jacob Blagrave, I have never contemplated or agreed to any marriage with you, and I never will! If you have no more sense or consideration than to come worrying me with your unwelcome attentions almost before my sister is cold, then it is time you learned! I hate and detest you, do you understand? You are the last man I would ever marry, and I wish you would go away and stay away,' she concluded, and promptly burst into tears.
Mistress Tanner came swiftly across the room and took the weeping girl into her arms.
'Pray leave us, Mr Blagrave,' she said coldly, but he shook his head.
'Drusilla is overwrought, indeed, and upset by the interference of strangers. I have urgent matters to discuss with her, and when she is a little calmer, as no doubt, being a well-conducted female normally, she soon will be, we can talk seriously. You need have no qualms about leaving us alone together for a while, Mistress Tanner, when you have soothed her, for we are a betrothed couple.'
Mistress Tanner looked at him in utter amazement, and fearing Drusilla would fly out at him and attack him physically, as, she afterwards confided to her spouse, she had very nearly done herself, she manoeuvred herself and the girl out of the room to find Meg, still bursting with annoyance at having been forced to admit him, standing in the hall.
Carefully Mistress Tanner shut the door.
'Leave him to cool his head for ten minutes or so, and then tell him Mistress Drusilla has gone to bed and is asleep,' she said, and as Meg nodded, led an unprotesting Drusilla upstairs.
'I must go home for a while, my dear, when we are sure he has gone, but I will come back and sleep here. I do not care to leave you alone with none but servants.'
'You are kind to me!' Drusilla whispered. 'Pray make him go!'
'You may be sure I will, if I have to send for the constable! Although he's been spreading it about the town, I had an idea you did not want the match, and after tonight I am not surprised. Of all the senseless, pompous fools!'
'James wants it,' Drusilla said listlessly.
'H'm. Then he's no more sense than a bantam, though I shouldn't be saying so to you!'
Drusilla smiled faintly.
'He does not regard it that I detest Mr Blagrave!'
'No wonder you do, if his behaviour is often so foolish. Sir Randal is so totally different, is he not?'
Drusilla bit her lip, suddenly recalling Sir Randal would have left Reading by the following morning, and she was unlikely ever to see him again, then turned to bury her face in the pillows. Mistress Tanner, smiling at this confirmation of her own suspicions, whispered goodnight and blew out the candle, then went downstairs to learn from Meg that a disgruntled Mr Blagrave had taken himself off, saying he would return in the morning.
'That he will not!' Mistress Tanner declared. 'I'll bring my husband's man, Ned, to answer the door. No Jacob Blagrave will force his way past him!'
*
This ploy succeeded, and Drusilla was left in peace. Meg had been out to wave goodbye to her soldier friends as they marched out, and she was full of the news.
'The Governor, Sir Arthur, was carried out first, poor man. Fancy, he has not spoken since he was hit on the head by that tile! He was carried in a scarlet horse litter, lined with white. I wonder if the Queen has one so grand? After him went the coaches and wagons, and then the troopers and dragoons. My, it was a brave sight, to see them march so proudly, drums beating and trumpets sounding, and the soldiers following, carrying their colours.'
'Did you see Sir Randal?' Drusilla could not forbear to ask.
'No, Mistress, but I was too far away to recognise one man.'
'Have the Parliamentary troops come into the town?' Mistress Tanner asked.
'Aye, they almost passed one another at Friar's Corner. But before that there was some sort of scuffle on the far side of the river. It looked as though the Royalists were being attacked, but it was not for long. I was told that their officers stopped it.'
'Let us hope they are as successful at preventing disorder within the town.'
'For sure it will be fine, Mistress Tanner,' Meg replied blithely. 'I hear they have all been promised twelve whole shillings instead of plunder so we shall not have trouble.'
Her confidence was misplaced, for soon loud shouts and the sound of singing could be heard in the streets. Drusilla, fearful, ordered the doors and windows to be barred, and stationed herself, armed with a large carving knife, at a front upstairs window from where she could see what went on. She insisted on having her dinner on a tray there, saying she dared not leave, and soon afterwards her fears were confirmed when a band of riotous infantry, brandishing sticks and swords and whatever weapons they could find, turned into the street. They began, systematically, to break into the houses on the far side, dragging out the frightened inhabitants, carrying off valuables and any other goods that took their fancy.
One man, wearing a tasselled nightcap, was gnawing at a leg of chicken when a terrified girl, a maid Drusilla recognised as coming from the apothecary's house, tried to run out of the house and escape. With a roar of triumph two of the men dropped armfuls of booty and lunged after her. There was a brief tussle, and then one of them, shrugging his shoulders, turned to argue with another soldier who was gathering up some of the things he had let fall, while the successful one dragged the screaming girl back into the house, urged on by the guffaws of his companions, and already tearing at her bodice as they disappeared.
Drusilla trembled, and then, with new anxiety, realised a band of horsemen had ridden into the street.
They were laying about them with the flats of their swords, and the soldiers quickly dispersed. The group halted under Drusilla's window, and she opened it a crack to listen to what they said.
'It is but a few wild, undisciplined men, my Lord Essex. I think it will cease now we have shown we do not intend to condone it.'
'That is what you said last time,' Lord Essex replied. 'However, all seems quiet now, and I do not propose to abandon my dinner altogether, so we will return to it again.'
So saying, he turned and rode away, and Drusilla closed her eyes in momentary relief. She did not, however, share the belief that no more looting would take place, and was racking her brains for new methods of securing the house, and protecting the maids, when the door behind her opened.
She sprang up, seizing the knife, and faced the door, then gave a cry of relief and sped across the room to fling herself into Sir Randal's arms.
*
Laughingly he removed the knife from her nerveless grasp, saying he was relieved she had apparently still not learned to use a pistol, and between tears and laughter she gasped out she thought he had left that morning.
'And leave you to that?' he asked, kissing her, so that she suddenly realised she was clasped firmly in his arms, and was returning his embrace. In embarrassment she extricated herself, and stood shyly looking at him.
'You will not be able to protect the house from such as those men,' he said gently. 'Now will you come with me?'
She ignored the question.
'How did you get in? I thought all the doors were barred?'
'Yes, but I engaged Mistress Tanner's co-operation, for she agreed with me you should leave the town. I have been waiting at her house, and when I saw how matters were I came through the gardens. Ned let me in.'
'Mistress Tanner has been hiding you? But you are in danger!'
'No more than you. Now you have seen the reality of men looting a defenceless town, despite promises of rewards if they did not, will you come with me?'
'But Meg and Joan! I could not leave them alone!'
'They will not be. Mistress Tanner will take them into her house, and her menservants and her sons will be sufficient protection. That rabble will seek easier prey.'
'Then I could go to her, too.'
'To what purpose? That would not save James' property, and surely, now you are alone, you wish to return to your parents? I can take you there now, with little risk, but who knows what might happen, and whether you would be able to travel to them during the summer, while the campaign is waged?'
'How could we leave?' Drusilla asked in a small voice, accepting his arguments, and firmly telling herself it was the sense of them, not her desire to be with him, that made her agree.
'We'll go under cover of darkness, by boat, for they'll not have guards on the river. Mr Tanner says he can borrow one for us. When we came in by barge I left my horses at Sonning, and once there we can ride for Oxford or my home at Abingdon first, and then, if it is safe, to Devizes.'
Thankfully Drusilla agreed, and Mistress Tanner almost cried with relief to learn she had been persuaded. Joan, who had developed an admiration akin to worship for Mistress Drusilla since her rescue from the soldier, wept with dismay while Meg, her eyes round with wonder and her brain busy with speculation, thought Mr Blagrave had had his nose put properly out of joint.
*
Mistress Tanner helped Drusilla select a few possessions to take with her in a bundle, and packed the rest, saying she would send them on to Devizes as soon as the wagons were safe travelling that way again. She promised to tell James, should he appear, that Drusilla was safe, and Drusilla left a letter for her brother, expressing all her sorrow at Elizabeth's death, and hoping to see him again soon. When all was ready they locked up the house as securely as possible, and everyone, including the horses in the stables, left. Drusilla was sad to say farewell to her mare, but Randal comforted her by saying no doubt she would soon be able to come for her, or have her sent to Devizes, and Willy, who was also to join the Tanners' household, promised to take the greatest care of her.
'They pesky rebels shan't get her, that I vow!'
Supper was as merry as it could be in a large family, overshadowed as it must be by Elizabeth's death, and when it was time to leave, Drusilla kissed her kind hostess warmly, promising she would write as soon as she was able to tell of her safe arrival home.
'Thank you for all the help you have been to me,' she said gratefully, and Mistress Tanner hugged her tightly.
'You'll be happy,' she said obscurely.
'Best go the back way,' one of her sons came in at that moment to say. 'Mr Jacob Blagrave is knocking at your door, Mistress Matthews, and bawling to be let in as if a wolf were at his heels!'
Drusilla giggled, and with the escort of Mr Tanner and three of his sturdy sons, they crept out, trying to stifle their amusement.
The boat had been prepared earlier in the day, and was lying near a small wharf, concealed by a larger barge. Two of the Tanners were to accompany Drusilla and Sir Randal on the first stage of their journey, and bring the boat back, the same night or the next. The approach to the wharf was by a narrow lane, and they went in single file, keeping to the shadows. The lane was steep, and the ground rough, and they were half way along it when Mr Tanner's feet slipped on some loose pebbles and sent some of them clattering away, the noise seeming as loud as cannon fire in the silence of the night. They froze into immobility, and Sir Randal, who had been in front of Drusilla, turned and swiftly put his arm round her shoulders, giving her a comforting hug.
Dick Tanner, in the lead, drew out a knife from his belt as they heard footsteps to the front, and a voice demanding to know who was there. He was about to step forward when Sir Randal, pushing Drusilla back, spoke and moved into a patch of moonlight.
'It'sh me, old fellow,' he muttered, contriving to scatter more of the loose stones underfoot. 'I think I'm losht. Plaguey wench, her wine was bad! Wher'sh - confound it, I've forgot the name of shtreet! By a church! Aye, that'sh right, hard by a church!'
Mr Tanner stifled a chuckle as they listened to Sir Randal, mumbling somewhat incoherently, draw closer to the man who had spoken. Then another voice chimed in, and Drusilla gasped in dismay as she realised there were two of them. Straining her eyes, she could distinguish vague shapes moving in the shadows, and then, where the lane widened at the entrance to the wharf, she saw two men emerge from a doorway and into a greyer, dimly lit area.
Randal had moved quickly over the ground separating him from the two men, apparently unsteady with drink, and as he came up to them he grasped one by the arms, and began to explain at tedious length how he had been cheated and robbed and had now lost his way back to his billet. They were attempting to disengage from his persistence when, so suddenly they did not even have time to cry out, he felled one man with a blow to the head and seized the other, twisting his arms behind him in a vicelike grip, and clamping one hand over his mouth to stifle any sounds.
The Tanners moved swiftly to help, and Dick was about to plunge his knife into the man Randal held when the latter prevented him.
'No, we have no need. Gag them and tie them, and we'll put them where they'll be found in the morning. Quietly now.'
They did as he directed, and then, keeping an anxious watch for fear there were other soldiers about, set about the task of hauling in the boat from behind the barge, and settling into it. The Tanner brothers indignantly refused Sir Randal's offer to row, saying he would be riding for most of the night, most likely, and they could rest when they wished, so he sat with Drusilla in the stern, and under cover of darkness took her hand in his and held it comfortingly.
*
Sonning was less than four miles downstream, and the farm where Sir Randal had left his horses was before the town, so they hoped to complete the journey in less than an hour. Moving cautiously through the town, they soon came into the open, and rowed past the ghostly tents in the river meadows. When they were safely past Dick Tanner whispered there had been a vast amount of sickness in the camp.
' 'Tis said they dug pits at Tilehurst to bury the dead, there were so many.'
'Was that why they took so long to attack?' his brother Walter asked.
'Lord Essex appears a hesitant commander,' Randal said. 'He lost the initiative at Edge Hill, too, by failing to attack.'
'Were you there, sir?'
'Oh, tell us what happened! It has all been rumour.'
He was kept busy answering questions, and when they arrived at the small landing-stage which was their destination, the Tanners said they could have wished for a row twice as long.
'You will find it harder returning upstream. Good fortune to you! Do not run risks, and pray give our thanks to your parents for all they have done. One day we will be able to thank you all properly.'
'Thank you, indeed I am most grateful,' Drusilla added, and stood with Sir Randal to wave until they had pulled out of sight.
'It is but a short distance. I trust my friends will not be too surprised to have me return at such an hour,' Sir Randal said briskly, taking Drusilla's arm and guiding her along a path which led for a few yards along the river bank, and then turned to follow a hedge up a steep slope until they came to a cluster of farm buildings, faintly illuminated by the moonlight.
Quietly, Sir Randal led the way across a yard, halting when a dog barked. Then a window was flung open and a man called to know who was there.
'Sir Randal Thornton, Thomas,' was the reply, and the window closed, a candle was lit, and Drusilla could see its faint glow as the farmer passed down the stairs and through an uncurtained room to open the kitchen door.
'Welcome, sir. I heard you'd left Reading, and was expecting you earlier, but the others said you had been delayed. Nought serious, I trust?'
'It depends on your viewpoint,' Randal replied with a laugh. 'I had to escort the lady. We must leave at once, Thomas, and put as many miles as possible between ourselves and the Roundheads before daylight. Can you ride a man's saddle, Drusilla?'
'Yes, I often did as a child,' she answered, and the farmer regarded her with approval.
'If you'd not think it an impertinence, Mistress, I could find you an old pair of breeches, which would be more comfortable, and also help to hide the fact you're a woman riding so.'
'The very thing!' Drusilla exclaimed, and the gratified farmer bustled off to procure a pair of somewhat tattered, but clean and suitable breeches.
Shown into a small room off the kitchen, Drusilla had soon divested herself of her petticoats and stuffed them into her bundle. The breeches were a few sizes too large for her slim form, but she discovered some twine in one of the pockets and tied it about her waist, then returned to the kitchen, suddenly blushing as she saw the admiration in both men's eyes.
'Here is some ale and bread and cheese,' Thomas said hurriedly, and thankfully she sat down and tried to forget her unconventional attire.
*
They were soon riding away, Drusilla on a small compact mare that had no difficulty in keeping pace with Randal's own horse. The moon had risen, and they were able to make good speed, covering most of the distance towards Oxford before the dawn.
'Are you tired?' Randal asked, as they paused to eat some more bread and cheese Thomas had provided.
'A little. How far is it now?' Drusilla asked, lying back on the cloak he had spread out for them.
'That village to the left is Dorchester. It is about ten miles, slightly less, to Oxford. But my own home is less than five miles away, towards Abingdon, and since Oxford is like to be unpleasantly crowded, I suggest I take you to Thornton Hall and leave you in the care of my sister, who is living there for the moment, while I go into Oxford and discover what I can of the situation, whether it is safe to set out for Devizes after you have had an opportunity to rest.'
'Your sister?' Drusilla queried anxiously.
'Jane is some years older than I, with a daughter of fifteen. Her husband died a year since, and she is living with me until she marries again, which she plans to do this summer. She will make you very welcome, there is no cause to fear her.'
Drusilla smiled tremulously.
'I think I would prefer that to Oxford, especially in these clothes,' she said breathlessly, and Randal suppressed the desire to take her in his arms and tell her just how delectable she was, despite being tired and dirty and attired in ragged breeches much too large for her. Instead, he rose to his feet and attended to the horses.
'You look charmingly,' he said in a neutral tone, 'but mayhap not conventional enough for the Court! Come, we will soon be there, and you will be able to sleep for as long as you wish!'
He lifted her up into the saddle, and they set off again. Drusilla was almost dropping with weariness when they rode into a large stable yard, and she took very little notice of the house or its surroundings, beyond a dim realisation that it was a mellow stone house, perhaps a hundred years old, covered with creeping plants, many of which were beginning to flower and clothe the house in their bright colours.
Randal had to lift her from the saddle, as a startled stable boy came running out of one of the many doorways to take the horses, but she straightened her shoulders and assured him that although she was exceedingly stiff she could walk into the house. She retained a confused impression of a large, somewhat overpowering lady exclaiming in amazement, and then she was led to a pleasantly furnished room by a motherly housekeeper, who bade her not to talk, and ruthlessly stripped off her clothes before tucking her into what Drusilla, on the verge of sleep, thought must be the most comfortable bed in the world.
*
She awoke at dusk, and a maid sitting beside her told her that Sir Randal had given orders she was not to make any attempt to get up, but was to eat and then go back to sleep again. Drusilla chuckled but was only too ready, once her hunger had been satisfied with some delicious veal pie and an omelette flavoured with herbs, accompanied by an excellent glass of wine, to obey the instructions.
The sun was shining through the windows when next she awoke, and she found one of the gowns she had brought with her, a rose coloured one trimmed with blonde lace, had been unpacked from her bundle and the creases ironed out. She got out of bed, rubbing her still aching limbs ruefully, and dressed, tying back her curls with a matching ribbon. Tentatively, she opened the door of the room and found that it led into a wide gallery, at the end of which were some shallow, curving stairs leading down into the great hall, furnished with massive oak tables and chairs, and with a faded but still lovely tapestry hanging on the wall opposite the enormous fireplace.
A large dog rose to his feet as she appeared on the stairs, and moved ponderously towards her, his tail waving in welcome. Drusilla, after her expeditions on the downs with her shepherd friend, when she had watched him handling many wild animals, had no fear of dogs, and came unhesitatingly down the stairs, holding out her hand for the dog to sniff.
'You are a beauty, are you not?' she said, patting him on the head, and then turned suddenly as a laugh came from a doorway on her left.
A girl some years younger than herself, but most fashionably dressed, stood there, looking at her in candid admiration.
'Are you not afraid?' she asked.
Drusilla laughed. 'Should I be? He looks to be friendly enough.'
'Oh, yes, Uncle Randal says Nero would not hurt a kitten, but Mary screamed when she first saw him, and still will not be alone with him.'
'Mary?' Drusilla said, her heart suddenly cold.
'Mary Percy. Mama says Uncle Randal is going to marry her, though I wish he would choose someone less – less beautiful!' the girl said.
'Oh, is she beautiful?' Drusilla asked, her heart sinking even lower.
'Vastly, and it is so depressing to feel people are for ever comparing us! She has big blue eyes, and truly golden hair, not just fair like mine, and a pink and white complexion. She is small, but has a most shapely figure. All the Court are mad for her, and Mama says Uncle Randal is fortunate to have captured her, for besides all that, she has a simply enormous fortune, and important relatives who will be of great use to Uncle Randal when this wretched war is over, and he can be a courtier again instead of a soldier. She makes me feel so big and clumsy. Why should some girls have everything, when I am not even pretty, and have a mere pittance, besides a tendency to freckles!'
'And a tongue which is a deal too busy,' another voice chimed in, and the large lady Drusilla recalled from the previous morning came out of the room, holding her hands out to Drusilla and smiling down at her. 'You poor child,' she went on, drawing Drusilla into the room. 'Randal has said how you have suffered, and we all intend to look after you until you can be restored to your parents. Now come and break your fast.'
Trying to talk sensibly when all she could think of was the lovely, rich, aristocratic and influential Mary Percy, Drusilla did not dare to ask where Randal was, but his niece, who was introduced to her as Barbara, soon informed her he had ridden off to Oxford the previous day.
'He went after dinner, saying he had rested enough, and had much to do,' she explained, and Drusilla wondered if he had been anxious to return to Mary.
She started when she found her thoughts echoed by Mistress Jane Burton.
'No doubt he wished to pay his respects to Mistress Percy before asking audience of the King,' she said, smiling at Drusilla. 'It is fortunate Randal has returned, for Mistress Percy is coming to visit me, and he can escort her here tomorrow. I hope she will be company for you while we are making arrangements to send you home,' she added. 'A charming girl, and considering her advantages, so very unassuming.'
Drusilla muttered something suitable, but it did not appear to matter that she could make so inadequate a reply. Mistress Burton, like her daughter, had a busy tongue, and did not seem to desire answers to her observations.
'Thornton Hall is so lovely in the spring,' she went on. 'I did so want Mary to see it at this time of year, and it is fortunate I can be here to play hostess, for as you may know, I am about to marry again myself, and soon Mary – well, you heard my chatterbox of a daughter, and it is no great secret – we expect she will soon wed my brother.'
Somehow Drusilla endured the meal, and afterwards, pleading she was still tired from her journey and the strain of nursing her sister-in-law, apart from the anxiety of the siege, evaded Barbara's offer to show her round the house and escaped to her room. There she dissolved into helpless tears, weeping both for the loss of the gentle Elizabeth, whom she had grown to love dearly, and even more for the crumbling of the hopes she had rashly permitted to rise again during the past two days.