Marriage Under Siege (12 page)

'Honoria.' Sir William
bowed over her hand with the familiarity of age and family connection before
casting his cloak and hat on to a nearby chest. 'I trust you are well.'

'I am. This is Mary Hopton,
sister of Sir Joshua with whom you are acquainted. She has come to keep me
company for a little time.'

Sir William bowed to the
lady and then fidgeted with the hilt of his sword. He accepted the tankard of
small ale with a brief nod.

'I had hoped to speak to
Mansell,' he stated with typical bluntness, brow creased into an impatient
frown. 'I understand from your Steward that he is away from home.'

'Indeed. We expect that he
will have returned by tomorrow. Can I be of any help, my lord?'

Sir William looked at her
sharply, placed the tankard on the table with a sharp click of pewter on wood
and then took a hasty turn round the room before making up his mind.

'I have to say that my lady
and I were astounded to hear of your marriage. We had no idea... I cannot
pretend to understand why you should have willingly thrown in your lot with a
supporter of Parliament at this juncture, Honoria. Surely you would have done
better to take your jointure and establish yourself in London until hostilities
are done and the King once more holds sway. Then you could choose to live in
any of your properties—and consider another marriage if you wish it. But to
marry now...and to Mansell...'

'Perhaps your arguments
carry weight, Sir William, from a political stand. Indeed, I am sure they do.'
Honoria struggled hard to keep a conciliatory tone and her smile bland. 'But
there were reasons—personal reasons—for my marriage. I am sure that you will
understand that I am not at liberty to discuss them. And I have to say, my
lord, that I have no complaints about the situation.'

'You are no fool, Honoria.
You must have thought of the consequences.'

'Consequences, my lord?'
There was now a distinct edge to her voice. 'A secure marriage to a man of
substance and social standing who will treat me with all respect and cherish me
would seem to be nothing but an outcome to be desired for a widow.' She raised
her brows, defying him to question her logic. 'Lord Francis would seem to have
my wishes and my best interests at heart far more than Lord Edward ever did. I
am sure I need say no more. You knew Edward far better than I, my lord.'

Sir William flushed a deep
red as he took her meaning.

'True. Very true... Things
cannot have been easy for you. But I came here today to give you fair warning.
I said that I would when I spoke with Mansell at the funeral. I cannot be
expected to show too much sympathy in public but privately, for family
allegiance, I told Mansell that I would warn him if anything untoward
developed.'

'And?'

'There are strong moves
afoot in Hereford. The Governor, Fitzwilliam Coningsby, has every intention of
removing Parliamentarian influence in the county. Your husband is considered
to be too powerful here in the north-west of the county to ignore, so he will
assuredly he the first target.'

'And what does the Governor
propose?'

'To send a substantial
force and demand that Brampton Percy be turned over to the Crown—and all your
other estates as well.'

'And if we do not?'

'Then he will establish a
siege and starve you out.'

'I see.'

He expected more reaction
from the lady, but she kept her feelings well hidden, her expression all
serenity, merely indicating polite interest.

'Tell me, Sir William. Do
you support this policy against us?'

Sir William's brows rose in
surprise. He had not expected so bold a challenge. 'Well...'

'Would you join the siege
against us, my lord?' Honoria persisted.

'Yes.' There was no point
in avoiding the issue. 'If called upon to do so, I would. It is my duty to
serve the King.'

'Then I value your warning.
I must be grateful for so much family loyalty.'

'Come now, Honoria.' Gruff
impatience coated his accents as he addressed her. After all, she was little
more than a girl. 'Let us be frank. You yourself have been brought up with true
loyalties in the household of Sir Robert Denham. And many family connections
here stand against your lord's allegiance to Parliament... How much influence
do you have with your husband?'

'I cannot pretend to
understand you, Sir William.' Her voice and the glint in her hazel eyes were
suddenly glossed over with ice.

'I am very sure that you
do! Could you persuade Mansell to see the error of his ways?'

'You mean persuade him to
change his allegiance? I doubt I have so much influence. After all, although we
may be joined in matrimony, our acquaintance has been of a very short
duration.'

'Is there nothing else you
can do?' His fierce stare was now enigmatic but Honoria's senses quickly
picked up the implications.

'What are you suggesting,
Sir William?' She raised her chin and held his eyes with that same unexpected
assurance. 'That I betray my husband and arrange for the handing over of the
estate without his knowledge—perhaps today, in his absence? That I act the
traitor to my husband's principles?'

'No, of course not. Your
words are too extreme, Honoria...'

'My duties are clear, Sir
William.' She felt her blood run cool in her veins, even as she preserved the
calm exterior. 'My lord Mansell has left this house in my care in his absence.
I will hold it in his name as he requested. Talk of family, of local loyalties
and of my upbringing, hold no sway against such a trust placed in me.'

'But surely you believe
that the rightful power in the country is in the hands of His Majesty?' Sir
William spread his hands on the table before him and leaned persuasively
towards the young woman who faced him with such chilling authority.

'Perhaps I do. But the
rightful power and authority in this house is in the hands of my husband. And
thus his word shall be upheld—and as his wife I will do all in my power to
uphold it.'

Sir William straightened
and ran his hand over his face, curbing his exasperation. 'Then I must bid you
good day, my lady.' He withdrew into polite formality at the failure of his
intentions. 'I have done all that I can. I am sorry that we have to part like
this.'

'Indeed, Sir William. I too
regret the circumstances.' Honoria's voice softened a little as she read the
concern behind the annoyance in his lordship's stern gaze. 'You have my
gratitude, of course. You have always been more than kind to me. But I cannot
comply. I am sure that you must understand my position here.'

'I must accept the
differences between us.' A shrug, a stiff bow and a formal salute on her hand
brought the interview to an uncomfortable end. 'But there is one thing I would
have you remember, Honoria. Whatever my public response to the affairs of
Brampton Percy, you can always depend on my private regard. If you are in any danger
or need, do not hesitate to come to me for help. I will always do what I can.'
With a brusque nod of the head, Sir William took up his cloak and left.

Honoria felt her legs
weaken as the tension that had stiffened her spine and her resistance now drained
from her. She sank on to the nearest chair to rub her hands over her face and
turn to Mary in amazement.

'I never thought I could
have done that. To have stood against Sir William in such a fashion...'

'Well, Honor, what can I
say?' Mary smiled as she realised that she had been given some of the answers
to her questions concerning the relationship between Lady Mansell and her lord.
'It was most impressive. Perhaps marriage suits you.'

'Do you think so?'

'Why, yes. And so did Sir
William. Poor man. I got the distinct impression that he thought he could
browbeat you into abandoning your husband and handing over the castle without a
shot being fired against you.'

'Never!'
Does all the world believe me capable of such wanton behaviour?

'Well, I know that. And so
does Sir William now.'

'Oh, dear. I dislike bad
feeling—and I dislike even more being the cause of it.' She turned her face
away. 'I hate it.'

'Then you had better grow a
thick skin.' Mary kept her tone light as she recognised another chink in the armour
of this reserved, complex young woman who had so suddenly become her friend.
'I fear that this is only the beginning. So what now? Do we prepare for a
siege?'

'I think we might.
Mary...would you wish to return to Ludlow? You will be safer there, I think.'

'I am sure that you are
right. But I think I will stay.' Her eyes gleamed with excitement as she rubbed
her palms together in anticipation. 'Unless you wish me gone, of course?'

'How foolish. You must know
that I value your friendship. I have not had many friends to whom I could turn
when I needed advice.'

'You now have me.' Mary
moved to stand beside her, to put a hand lightly on her shoulder in a simple
gesture of support, touched by the brief flash of loneliness on Honoria's face
before she deliberately turned away.
Yes! You
definitely need a friend!
She noted the imperceptible withdrawal
at her touch and was sorry for it. 'I think you will need my support if we are
to resist the might of the Herefordshire gentry! Two women alone, holding off
the army that threatens to raze the castle to the ground.' Mary's laughter and
frivolity lifted Honoria's spirits.

'What a terrifying
prospect!' A smile returned to Honoria's face as she allowed herself to be
caught up in the mood. 'What do you think of our chances?'

'Oh! Total success, of
course. No doubt about it. Except that neither of us knows anything about
warfare and sieges, of course. Could that be a drawback, do you suppose?'

'Since when has ignorance
ever stopped a man pursuing an objective?' Honoria turned her head as her
Steward once more entered the solar, her face still bright with laughter.
'Master Foxton. I believe that we are about to be visited by Royalist forces.
Mistress Hopton and I need to discuss a few pertinent matters with you. Have you
any experience of sieges?'

'No, my lady.' Calm and
unshakeable as ever, he accepted the question with perfect equanimity and his
answer gave Honoria all the confidence which she could have desired. 'But I
expect that we will defend Brampton Percy most effectively. You need have no
fear. It shall not be lost to the enemy.'

'And so, Reverend Gower, I
would request that on the coming Lord's Day you give some advice to the
villagers after your sermon. Not to spread concern or panic, you understand,
but to ensure that they are prepared in case of attack from Royalist forces.
They should make their way to the castle at the first sign of trouble where
they will be made very welcome until the danger is past and they can return
home. I am sure that you will agree that it would be wise to awaken them to the
possibility.' Lady Mansell with gritted teeth, at her most urbane and
conciliatory.

They stood in the church
porch in the early morning to complete their business. It was not a
conversation that Lady Mansell had relished, but it had been necessary. And
she was interested to note her priest's reaction. She was not to be surprised.
The morning was cold and bleak, but not as cold as the expression in that
priest's pale eyes. Or as bitter as the lines of displeasure around his thin
mouth. Honoria sensed godly indignation, resistance even, but was determined to
brook no refusal. She, who had learned to compromise as a matter of course in
her short life, now discovered total commitment when those for whom she was responsible
might be in danger of their lives. In spite of Gower's arrogant stare, in an
attempt to dominate her as a mere slip of a girl, she was determined that he
would not intimidate her. She kept her eyes fixed firmly on his; she would not
give way.

'I believe that is all I
have to say on this matter, Reverend Gower.' She kept her smile deliberately
pleasant, her tone mild.

He could barely contain his
annoyance. 'But I will speak the word of God, my lady. My first obedience is to
the Lord. And I will denounce the works of the Devil.'

So. He would challenge her
quite blatantly. It was not unexpected. 'I would expect no less, sir, but I do
not see that the dangers for your congregation is in any way the work of Satan.
More likely Viscount Scudamore and Sir William Croft, leading the county's
trained bands against us. But I can understand and accept your discomfort.' She
smiled thinly. 'You must consider the state of your conscience, of course. But
also consider this—your livelihood in this instance is dependent not on God
but on my lord Mansell. You would be unwise to ignore his wishes.'

'Surely you blaspheme, my
lady. To threaten a man of God.' Gower's shoulders stiffened in outrage.

'I do not believe so. I see
no conflict of interest here. I have no problem with your
preachings
on the words of Our Lord. But I expect you to carry out my orders in this
matter of local unrest. The safety of my people is a priority and I do not
think that God would blame me for it.'