The Bladesmith

by Melinda Hammond

  Katherine shuddered.

  'Enough, Henry. You know he could not endure being shut up again.'

  'Then put away these missish airs, and act as if you are pleased to be here,' he growled. 'Come, there are people here waiting to greet us, so remember, madam. Smile.'

  The saloon was filling up rapidly and soon the very rafters were ringing with laughter and chatter and the chink of glasses. Katherine accompanied her brother around the room, greeting their acquaintances, although a quick glance had told her there was no one here she would call friend. In the main the guests were male, although one or two were accompanied by their wives and of course there was the Widow Skelton, Warenford's cousin who kept house for him. Upon being presented to the lady shortly after her betrothal, Katherine had wondered if the widow resented the prospect of being replaced by her cousin's new bride, but it had soon become apparent that the poor woman lived in fear of the earl, and wanted nothing better than to be pensioned off.

  Seeing Mistress Skelton sitting alone in a corner, Kate left her brother and went to enquire after her health. As always, she found the widow excessively grateful for the attention and her kind heart made her stay and listen to the lady's commonplace chatter long after any initial interest had waned. Mistress Skelton babbled on, and Katherine was just wondering how long she could maintain her look of spurious interest when the widow fell silent, her pale eyes fixed on a point behind Katherine.

  'Oh, it – here is my lord, come in search of you, Mistress.'

  'Indeed Cousin, you are right. Katherine, do you have a moment for me?'

  Remembering her brother's words, Katherine inclined her head and smiled. 'As many moments as you please, my lord.'

  She placed her fingers on his sleeve and went with him to a quiet corner of the room.

  'I was going to keep this until later, but you look so charming that I cannot wait. I promised that I would give you a fitting betrothal present, my love, and it has today come from my jeweller in Newcastle.' He put one hand into his pocket and pulled out a ring. 'The ruby has been in my family for generations, ' he said as he slipped it onto her finger. 'I had it reset for you.'

  Katherine gazed down at the heavy gold ring with its blood-red stone encircled by glittering diamonds.

  She said in a hollow voice, 'I am honoured, my lord.'

  'No Kate, you honour me by wearing it.' He lifted her hand to his lips. 'And soon it will be joined by another ring, a plain gold band, but until then, this will show the world that you are mine.' The earl looked past her and beckoned to someone to come forward. 'Ah, here is a gentleman I would like to present to you, Kate. A guest of mine that you will not know.'

  Relieved that the earl did not expect her to play the lover, Katherine fixed on her smile and turned, ready to be gracious.

  'Mistress Ellingham, may I present to you Master John Steel?'

  Kate's smile did not waver, only a slight widening of her eyes indicated that she recognised the fair-haired gentleman bowing over her hand.

  'Enchanted, Mistress.' He straightened and met her eyes, smiling, but although there was a twinkle in the depths of his blue eyes there was also reassurance: he was not about to announce that they had already met.

  'Master Steel is a stranger here, my dear. I hope you will assist me in keeping him entertained.'

  'Of course, my lord.' She risked another glance at that smiling face. 'You are making a prolonged stay here, Master Steel?'

  'Alas no, I leave the Keep tomorrow. My business here is done.'

  'So soon? But you have had no time to sample the delights of our country.'

  'On the contrary, I am well aware of its delights, madam, even if I have yet to explore them fully.'

  Katherine's eyes widened at this audacious speech. She lowered her eyes, murmuring, 'Such a shame, then, that you are leaving us tomorrow.'

  Lord Warenford interrupted them.

  'My dear, it is time to go into dinner and we must show our guests the way.' He held out his arm. 'Madam?'

  She laid one gloved hand upon his sleeve, unsure if she was most relieved or disappointed to be moving away from John Steel. With a slight nod toward the gentleman, she turned to accompany Lord Warenford into the great hall.

  John had no chance for conversation with Katherine during dinner. He was seated at the far end of the table where he made polite small talk with the gentlemen around him. Lord Warenford was a generous host, instructing his footmen to keep each guest's glass filled throughout the meal. By the time the covers were removed and the ladies had adjourned to the red saloon the talk was much more free, but John was aware that he was regarded as a stranger: no one was going to openly declare their allegiance to the rebel cause in his presence. However, when the earl called for them to drink a toast unto His Majesty he noticed several of his neighbours raising their glasses over their finger-bowls, an accepted sign that they were thinking of the king in exile rather than the German sitting on the throne in London.

  Mention was made of Charles Stuart's landing in the Highlands and John's neighbour turned to him.

  'You come from Durham, Master Steel?'

  'Aye, sir.' John had been introduced to Sir George Bedleston earlier, a thick-set man of middle-years with an air of self-importance.

  'And how does the city respond to the news that the Prince may be coming this way to claim his inheritance?'

  John ran his fingers over the stem of his wineglass. 'The same as every true English town.'

  'Hah!' cried the gentleman opposite, his Ramilles wig slightly askew. 'You mean they will wait to see which way the die is cast.'

  John smiled but said nothing and Bedleston leaned closer.

  'But what is the feeling there for the Stuart cause?'

  'Some sympathy, mayhap, but many had their fingers burned in the '15 Rising.'

  'Aye, the Commission ruined many a good Catholic family after that episode.' Charles Radleigh, sitting on John's left, joined in.

  Sir George Bedleston chuckled. 'Well they tried hard enough to ruin many in this county, eh Radleigh?'

  'And did they not succeed?' asked John

  Sir George tapped the side of his nose. 'There's ways to outwit those clerks in London, my boy. Placing property with Protestant relations, lands not registered … some of them got off very lightly.'

  The gentleman sitting opposite shook his head, making his wig slide even further.

  'Didn't work for everyone though. Some lost everything, even if they weren't Catholic.'

  John followed the man's glance up the table towards Henry Ellingham.

  'Oh? Did the Commission take Ellingham's estates?' He tried to keep his tone casual.

  Charles Radleigh shook his head, as if in sorrow.

  'The boy's father was actively involved in the '15. He was caught and tried, escaped with his life, but precious little else. He was imprisoned for years. Came out a broken man.'

  'Not so broken that he couldn't father a piece of perfection. Mistress Kate,' grinned Sir George, causing his near neighbours to laugh.

  John forced himself to smile, while his knuckles gleamed white as he gripped his wineglass. His anger surprised him.

  'Yet Ellingham still has the Manor,' he murmured, unwilling to let the subject drop.

  Charles Radleigh shook his head.

  'The house was renamed Ellingham Manor but it belongs to Mistress Kate. It was part of her mother's dowry, and settled on the daughter. The government took pity on the family and allowed her to keep it. Henry has nothing.'

  'And is as mad as fire. If the Stuart marches south he will declare for him immediately, you mark my words,' opined Sir George. 'After all, what has he to lose?'

  'What indeed?' murmured John.

  He continued to watch the guests, listening to their increasingly free speech as the wine flowed. Some openly professed their support for the house of Stuart. At last the earl held up one white hand.

  'Gentleman, such brave words within the safety of these four walls, where
you all know you can speak as you wish. But how many of you will actually come out and declare for the Prince, when he rides south?'

  Wine has loosened tongues but it had not made his guests too reckless. Some glanced towards John. The earl laughed softly.

  'Master Steel is a guest here and will not abuse our hospitality by prattling of what he hears within the Keep. Is that not so, sir?'

  Silently John inclined his head, but even this was not enough to make the other guests throw off their caution. Henry Ellingham muttered something but was given a warning nudge by his neighbour. A hush fell over the room. The man in the Ramilles wig spoke.

  'How do we know the Prince will march South? Would he not be better advised to strengthen his hold on Scotland first?'

  'Aye,' agreed Charles Radleigh. 'He will be a mighty thorn in Hanover's side if he sets up court in the north.'

  Lord Warenford lifted his glass and stared at the blood-red wine, turning the glass between his long fingers.

  'He will come.'

  John said quietly, 'And will you declare for him, my lord?'

  The earl regarded him for a moment. Then he smiled and spread his hands.

  'My dear Master Steel, everyone knows that my loyalty to the Crown is … undeniable.'

  Lord Warenford did not allow his guests to linger over their brandy and soon led them off to join the ladies. John immediately looked for Miss Ellingham. She was in a close little group that included Mistress Skelton, Lord Warenford's mouse-like hostess. Katherine looked up and met his eyes, but her cool appraising glance did not encourage him to approach, nor did she move away from her companions and it was some time before he found the opportunity to speak to her.

  One of the ladies had been persuaded to play an air on the spinet and was then joined by a husband and wife who performed a very creditable duet. John was aware that Lord Warenford had slipped from the room with several of the men, including his neighbours at dinner, Charles Radleigh and Sir George Bedleston and also Henry Ellingham. Observing that Mistress Ellingham was temporarily alone, John walked up to her.

  He nodded towards the couple at the spinet. 'A fine musical display, Mistress.'

  'Indeed. We have our accomplishments, even this far from London.'

  'I find nothing wanting in the company.' He led her to a window-seat and sat down beside her, leaning back against the velvet cushions. 'Lord Warenford is fortunate to have such persons about him. These are all close neighbours?'

  She looked surprised. 'Close? No, sir. Master Aspen and his wife are from Craster, and of course Henry and I are not too distant, but the other guests are from all over the county.'

  'And are many of them Catholics?'

  She glanced up quickly, a guarded note in her voice as she replied.

  'Some, of course, but I do not know them all.' She paused. 'Lord Warenford is not a Catholic, of course, and neither am I, but we are very tolerant in Northumberland, Master Steel.'

  'But the government will not show such tolerance if it fears rebellion.'

  'Then it is not only the Catholic families who will suffer.' Katherine spread her fan. 'Many of those here were ruined by the uprising thirty years ago. My own father – ' She broke off and began to ply her fan vigorously.

  'Will you not tell me?'

  For a moment there was silence, but John waited patiently, and was rewarded when she began to speak.

  'He was impeached,' she told him, her voice low. 'He forfeited his lands and titles, but thankfully was spared transportation. Or worse. Many of his friends were executed.'

  'But he survived, and for that one should give thanks. I know I do, for if he had not, you would not be here with me now.'

  She looked up at him, frowning a little until she realised his words were an attempt to lift her mood, and he was rewarded with a faint smile, although her eyes remained troubled.

  'You have seen the Manor, sir, and no doubt you think Henry should consider himself fortunate to have anything at all.'

  He held up his hands. 'I make no judgements at all, Mistress.'

  'Thank you. Henry is … Henry is very bitter over the loss of his birthright. He was a babe in arms when my father went away but he was raised in the knowledge that he was an earl's son.'

  'It could not have been denied, madam. The truth would come out at some time.'

  'I know, but my mother encouraged him to believe he could regain the title. She petitioned the King constantly until her death five years ago. She would not give up the dream of one day being Countess Ellingham again. Henry still holds to that dream.'

  Thinking of the Manor with its broken windows and weed-strewn drive, John considered the man would be better employed improving what he had, but he said nothing.

  'La, but you find me maudlin tonight, Master Steel,' said Katherine, making an effort to shake off the sombre mood. 'My lord asked me to entertain you and I am failing dismally. No quicker way to drive a man away, methinks.'

  On impulse he reached out and took her hand.

  'Not I, madam.'

  As his long fingers curled around her hand, Katherine's pulse began to jump. She looked into his eyes and unconsciously her hand twisted under his, she found herself clasping his fingers, taking comfort from his touch. The sound of men's laughter recalled her to her senses. Warenford had returned. His sharp eyes swept round the room and came to rest on Katherine and her companion. She knew he had seen that clasping of hands and she could not stop the guilty flush that flooded her cheeks. She raised her fan and used it to conceal her face while she spoke.

  'I pray you will move away, sir. I would not have you incur my lord's wrath.'

  'What, for enjoying a beautiful woman's company?'

  'He has a jealous temper, sir.'

  There was another jest upon John's lips but he saw her anguished look and capitulated. 'Very well, Mistress, I will leave you. For now.'

  He rose, bowed, and sauntered away, noting that Henry Ellingham lost no time in taking his place and haranguing his sister in a furious undervoice. Not by the flicker of an eyelid did he betray how much he wanted to stride back to Kate's side and defend her against such boorish behaviour. But there was no opportunity. Lord Warenford was before him and John acknowledged him with a nod.

  'It would seem I have caused a family argument, my lord,' he remarked languidly. 'I fear Master Ellingham has taken exception to the kindness his sister has shown to a stranger.'

  'Mistress Ellingham's generous nature renders her susceptible to importunity, Master Steel.'

  There was a veiled threat in the earl's tone and John's hand moved instinctively to his sword, but he replied calmly enough, saying lightly,

  'And her beauty renders mere men susceptible to temptation, my lord.'

  Warenford's smile did not reach his eyes.

  'Quite, Master Steel.'

  Servants passed amongst the assembly, refilling glasses, trimming candles and offering sweetmeats to the company. The guests had formed themselves into fluid groups, changing and reforming as the night progressed. Lord Warenford moved between them all, watching and smiling. John felt his host's gaze was frequently upon him and he was careful not to approach Katherine again, nor even to look at her. A lift of one white hand brought a footman to Lord Warenford's side, and he departed after a few whispered instructions from the earl. Then my lord clapped his hands to gain his guests' attention.

  'I have devised a little, ah, entertainment for you, my friends.'

  'Oh, charades, perhaps?' murmured one lady in an audible whisper.

  The earl's thin smile appeared.

  'No, not charades, madam. Something novel, for which I need the compliance of one of our number. You will know, mesdames and messieurs, that we have a new guest here tonight, a tradesman.' The tone was an insult. 'My friends you mutter amongst yourselves. You are shocked, outraged perhaps, that I should introduce such a one to you under the guise of a gentleman?'

  John was very still, his face impassive despite the frowning glance
s being cast at him. Lord Warenford continued.

  'Let me assure you that I do not despise an honest tradesman. After all, many a rich merchant has entered the ranks of the nobility, but Master Steel here is in a trade that is close to all our hearts. He is a swordmaker. Is that not so, sir?'

  'I regret I can no longer claim that honour,' replied John calmly. 'My brother is the master craftsman, I am no more than his courier.'

  'Come, come, you are too modest, sir. You must know something of the trade. The art of duello, for instance?' the earl looked around him. 'All gentlemen are instructed in that, I think.'

  John met his eyes steadily. 'Of course.'

  'Then I would like to provide our guests with a little demonstration of your wares, sir. My man is now bringing one of your swords to the great hall, where we will try it against my own fine blade.'

  A murmur ran around the room.

  'A duel, in the house, my lord?' cried Sir George Bedleston, 'Most irregular.'

  'No, no, Sir George, not a duel, for I would not wish to alarm the ladies. This will be more a display of swordsmanship.' He turned again to John. 'Well, Master Steel, will you oblige me?'

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Reason told John to turn away, to refuse the earl's proposal with a mild jest. Indeed, it was a gentleman's duty to avoid any form of conflict in front of the ladies, but he recognised the challenge in Warenford's eyes. This was to be more than an impromptu entertainment.

  'My lord, for a display of swordsmanship would it not be better to employ someone more practised in the art?' John suggested.

  'Come come, sir, my sources tell me you have been well trained and you are more than capable of defending the honour of your family name.'

  Damn Matthew, thought John. His servant was always alive to the merest hint of a slight, and their treatment on arrival at the Keep had been provocation enough for Matty to puff off his consequence. John bowed.

  'Very well, my lord. I am at your service.'