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[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] It was from John she had learned that Merrick was taking the Captain to Torrington under guard, and was then reporting, not to Lord Fairfax but to Cromwell himself, the result of his investi- gation. She recalled only too well Captain Denham telling her that Cromwell had a poor opinion of him, and would be only too happy to have him removed. Supposing he succeeded? If he did decide that the Captain was a traitor, what was to stop him from ordering him to be hanged? Fairfax would never know until it was too late. Her heart seemed to stand still, and she felt as though her blood had turned to ice in her veins. 'Oh no!' she thought wildly. 'I can't let that happen to him I can't!' Yet what could she do? It would be useless going to Torrington to appeal to the garrison commander there. He could do nothing. There was only one person who was in a position to help, and that was Fairfax himself, who, according to James, was going to Pen- dennis once the surrender terms had come into force, to see what could be done to capture the castle. Pendennis that was at Fal- mouth, miles and miles away. 'If only I were a man!' she thought desperately. 'I would ride there, and no one would stop me.' Her mind fastened upon the thought, enlarged upon it. In the book-room she found a map of Devon and Cornwall and pored over it, trying to memorise the route between Great Torrington and Falmouth. She was not ready to admit to herself the reason why she was doing this, but somewhere inside her the resolve was grow- ing by some means or other she would make her way to Penden- nis, and appeal personally to Lord Fairfax to save the Captain's life. Lost in thought, she became suddenly aware that John had come into the room. He glanced at the map, and then at her, brows raised 150 CROMWELL'S CAPTAIN enquiringly. 'Why are you looking at that? It wouldn't have anything to do with Captain Denham, would it?' 'Why should it?' she countered swiftly. He surveyed her wary expression, and seated himself on the edge of the table, one leg swinging. 'You'd better tell me, Cathie.' 'There's nothing to tell.' 'Then let me guess. You're going to write to Lord Fairfax con- cerning the Captain.' She looked down at the map. 'Do you think it would do any good?' 'It's worth a try, if the letter reaches him.' He paused, then added 'To make sure of that you would have to take it yourself, wouldn't you?' She looked up, startled, to find him grinning at her. 'You. didn't think you could fool me, did you? Directly I saw you with that map, I knew very well what was in your mind.' 'You won't say anything to James, will you?' He regarded her thoughtfully. 'You're not really serious, are you? You couldn't possibly go all that way on your own I presume you were contemplating going on your own?' 'Yes.' 'Sneaking out of the house at the crack of dawn? Stealing away to the stables, saddling Dickon, and then galloping off, hell for leather all the way to Cornwall?' Her chin lifted. 'Why not?' 'Because, you zany, you couldn't possibly do it! Have you any idea of what such a journey would entail, the dangers you might encounter on the way an unprotected female ?' 'I should keep to the main highways. I have money enough to meet expenses ' He shook his head firmly. 'No, Cathie. I'm sorry, but I can't let you do it. It would be madness.' 'You can't stop me!' 'I could. And so could James! He'd probably lock you in your room for a week, with nothing but bread and water for sustenance. Be sensible. Write a letter to Lord Fairfax by all means. I'll see that someone takes it for you, and try to keep James from finding out about it. But put the other idea right out of your head!' She looked at him without speaking. He could tell by the expres- sion on her face that she had no intention of taking his advice. CROMWELL'S CAPTAIN 151 The men had started the repairs on the stable roof. James went to see what progress had been made, and expressed himself as satisfied; he wished other matters could be as easily resolved. Cathie, for instance, for ever mooning after that pernicious Roundhead. Since the day he had reprimanded her she had withdrawn even further into herself, scarcely speaking unless spoken to, avoiding his glance and doing her best to keep out of his way. Her attitude engendered a feeling of growing irritation within him, which was by no means mitigated by the fact that she and John appeared to be on the best of terms. He was always coming across them, heads together, deep in conversation, or catching a glimpse of them riding away towards the moor. There was nothing new in this, of course. Since childhood days there had been a close bond between them. But now there was something more than that. He had the distinct impression that they had ranged themselves against him. Captain Denham's name was never mentioned by either of them in his presence, but he knew very well that they discussed the man when they were alone together. So did the servants, much to his [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |