Runaway Hill

by Oliver, Marina

  Jacob had recovered himself.

  'Of course not. I merely meant that in these days one can have little knowledge of, or control over, the men one employs.'

  'No, indeed, for they all make mistakes, do they not?' Drusilla agreed coldly.

  Jacob nodded and changed the subject.

  'Had you heard the Governor asks for a parley? He has been flying the white flags since early this morning.'

  'But – where is the King? I thought he was coming!' Drusilla exclaimed in dismay.

  'It seems he has been defeated. Hostages have been exchanged, and the Corporation are meeting at this very minute. They will be in a great puzzle to know what to do!'

  'Have you made up your mind?' she asked, momentarily diverted.

  Before he could reply, they heard the sound of firing coming from the north, and as they looked up, startled, running feet pounded along the street outside. Drusilla ran to the window, opened it and leaned out, while Jacob begged her to take care.

  'What is it?' she cried, and one of the pikemen running past gave her a cheery wave.

  'The King is here!' he called. 'He's behind Essex and attacking Caversham Bridge. We'll soon show those Parliamentary rebels how to fight!'

  Chapter 5

  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 The King's attack had been halted, thanks partly to a fierce hail storm, and the King's forces had withdrawn to Caversham Church.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.