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brought it to them on a tray, accompanied by a trooper who followed
144 CROMWELL'S CAPTAIN
her in and watched while she set out the things on the table. She gave
Adam an anxious glance, and he grinned cheerfully at her.
'You'll soon be rid of me, my dear! We're off to Torrington
shortly.'
'I know.' She shot a swift look at the trooper, standing near the
door. 'They're questioning all of us; wanting to know everything
that 'appened that night. Oh, Adam ' she moved closer
' what'll they do to 'ee?'
'What's it to you?' he teased. 'I didn't think you cared, one way or
another.'
She blinked, her cheeks reddening. 'Well, I do, then!' And with
this admission, she turned on her heel and scurried out of the room,
her hand pressed over her mouth; brushed past the trooper on guard
outside and disappeared, leaving Adam staring after her, his eyes
round with surprise.
The trooper who had accompanied her made as if to leave, but
Denham detained him for a moment.
'Is Colonel Merrick questioning everyone in the house?' he asked.
'Yes, sir. Except for Lady Gifford, that is.'
'I see. Thank you.'
The man, thus dismissed, went out, leaving Denham gazing into
space. By 'everyone' he had meant Cathie. He had not wanted her to
be dragged into it; it seemed she was, willy-nilly. He wished he
knew what she had said to Merrick, whether the man had treated her
courteously, or in his usual brusque fashion.
Behind him, Adam coughed. 'Sir, shall we eat our dinner?
There's venison steaks, and I see Annie has baked a trout.'
It was late afternoon when Merrick had finished his enquiries and
gave orders for departure.
John and Cathie stood together in the hall as Denham descended
the stairs, unfamiliar to them in his blood-stained buff coat. He
seemed all at once a stranger. He crossed the hall towards them,
aware of Merrick and Tindall watching him, of the servants peeping
nervously round the screens, one or two of the maids crying into
their aprons, of the troopers guarding the entrance.
His gaze came to rest on Cathie's face, and for one aching moment
his stern resolve almost cracked. He loved her as he had never loved
any other woman in his life, and never would. And yet, for her sake,
he must leave her without once betraying his true feelings, must let
her believe she meant nothing to him.
'So it is "goodbye",' he said lightly. 'Thank you both for all
CROMWELL'S CAPTAIN 145
you have done for me; and will you kindly convey my gratitude to
Lady Gifford? I shall never forget '
Merrick stepped officiously. 'Come, Captain. We are waiting.
Time is pressing.'
John glared at him. 'Goodbye, Captain Denham. And good luck!'
'Thank you.' Denham shook hands with him, and turned for the
last time to Cathie.
Her hand was cold in his. Pressing a swift kiss upon it, he then
turned away and strode out without a backward glance.
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
THE next day James was home, bringing with him the men from the
estate who had survived the years of fighting.
He was given a warm welcome by John and Cathie, and after a few
minutes' conversation with them, hastened upstairs to see Mary and
the new son of whose existence he had hitherto been unaware. He
remained with them until the dinner hour, and then joined the
others in the dining-parlour.
Upon his arrival at the house he had worn an air of strain and
fatigue. This had lessened somewhat, but the toll of the past few
weeks had left its mark upon him. He was much thinner, and there
were lines of weariness carved into his face, a dour look that had
never been there before.
'What is this I hear about Captain Denham?' he asked.
John looked at Cathie, but her gaze was fixed on her trencher, and
as she seemed unwilling to speak he took it upon himself to reply to
his brother's query.
James dismissed the matter with the words, 'Utter nonsense! If he
and Fairfax are such close friends, Denham will soon be released
again.'
He found Cathie gazing at him earnestly. 'Do you really think
that? You don't suppose he will he will be severely punished?' Her
voice trembled.
He looked at her in surprise. 'Why should you concern yourself?
He is only a Roundhead '
'He is not! He ' With a choking sob, Cathie flung down her
napkin, and rushed out, leaving James staring after her with raised
brows.
'What in heaven's name is amiss?' he demanded.
'She is in love with him,' said John.
'What! Cathie?' His tone was incredulous. 'In love with a Round-
head? She cannot possibly I never heard anything so preposter-
ous!' He resolved to speak to Cathie at the earliest opportunity and
have it out with her.
CROMWELL'S CAPTAIN 147
When he did so, however, it seemed to him that his arguments
were falling upon deaf ears. She refused to listen to reason and was,
in his view, behaving in an unnecessarily stubborn and capricious
manner. He told her so, in no uncertain terms.
'Listen to me, Cathie. You are to forget this man. You are merely
infatuated with him, that is all. If he spoke of love to you, he had no
right '
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