The Bladesmith

by Melinda Hammond

  'Master John!'

  He looked around. On the landward side was the black shape of Matthew and the horses.

  'Can you come to me, Master John? I don't want to risk the horses over there.'

  John stumbled away from the bracken and onto the sand dunes. He felt dispirited and desperately tired, almost too tired to climb into the saddle.

  'Well?' Matthew's short enquiry was almost whipped away by the wind coming off the sea.

  'I started a fire, but the blaze was spotted too soon. I don't know how much damage will be done. We can only hope that the fire reaches the boxes. Then it will be unstoppable, the chaff will burn like a furnace.'

  'Then let us pray it is so,' said Matthew. 'Come on, man, let's away from here.'

  They set off, trusting to their horses to lead them safely through the darkness, and John's spirits rose as they rode away from the Keep. There was no telling if his mission had been successful, so he tried to put it from his mind. At least he had escaped without being recognised, which meant he could try again, if necessary. They had reached the gates of the Manor before Matthew bethought himself of another problem.

  'If we ride in at this ungodly hour it will look mighty suspicious.'

  John's teeth gleamed as he grinned in the darkness.

  'Gordon was there before you, Matty! He said he would wait up for us. We must leave the horses at the stable entrance and attract his attention by means of a stone or two rattled against his window.'

  Thus it was that when Master Steel came down to breakfast at daybreak, no-one remarked on his overnight absence. Only Katherine knew of the night-time escapade. She looked relieved to see him and gave him a questioning look, but he hoped she would be content with a reassuring smile, at least for the moment. He had no doubt she would want to hear every detail, but that was for later, when they were alone.

  She finished her repast and excused herself to attend to the household accounts. Her suggestion that Henry should assist her was brushed aside, and he announced that he was riding up to the Keep.

  A look out of the window showed that a sleety rain had set in, and John gave up any idea of going out himself. He would leave it to Matthew to don his greatcoat and ride out in search of news. Instead, he offered to read to Master Ellingham, a suggestion that earned a glowing look from his hostess before she left the parlour.

  They did not meet up again until noon, when Katherine came into the parlour to find her father deep in conversation with John.

  'Well, my accounts are in order, and I thought to reward myself with a little company.' She smiled. 'I am sorry, gentlemen, that you have been left to entertain yourselves.'

  'Master Steel has been explaining the mysteries of steel-making to me,' her father replied. 'Most interesting.'

  'It is a subject I have lived with all my life, sir. It has never lost its fascination for me.'

  Katherine frowned. 'Making weapons?'

  'Until all men can live in harmony I fear such things will always be necessary,' John replied. He met and held her eyes, his own blazing with passion. 'I am a bladesmith. One of the best in the country, I have been told. I can take a bar of plain iron and work it until it becomes a thing of beauty. A fine blade or, if you like something less dangerous, a paperknife, or even a watch-spring! It is the process that fascinates me, Kate. Men of science are even now trying to improve upon it, seeking ways to make cheaper, better steel with new methods of heating it, or working it.'

  She smiled at his enthusiasm. 'I see that you really do love your subject, sir.'

  'Aye. There is so much yet to be discovered, so much to learn!' he broke off, then added diffidently, 'I know some would say it is not fitting for a gentleman to demean himself in such a way, but I do not see it like that.'

  Her father chuckled.

  'Nor I,' he said, smiling. 'If it is in your blood, Master Steel, then you should go to and pursue your subject.'

  When John went up to change before dinner his first thought was for news of the Keep. Matthew shook his head.

  'The rain has kept most people indoors, sir. I saw Lily briefly, before her father appeared, but she had heard nothing. I tried all the inns in both Sleaton and Craster, no one from the Keep has been abroad today.'

  'Disappointing. I was hoping to hear of a calamity. However, Henry Ellingham went off to see Warenford early this morning, we must hope he will be able to enlighten us.

  But shortly before the dinner hour a message arrived from Henry saying that he was remaining at the Keep until the wedding morning, when he would return to accompany Katherine to the church.

  John hid his disappointment at this news as best he could and sat down to a quiet dinner with Katherine and her father. When they had finished he acquiesced to Amos's suggestion that they should take their brandy with Katherine.

  'Well despite Henry's absence that was a pleasant meal, my love,' remarked Amos as they made the short journey to the parlour.

  John heard the laughter in her voice when she replied. 'I think perhaps it was because of his absence, dear sir!'

  'Mayhap, mayhap, but the young scamp should send you word if he is not dining with us. It is most uncivil.'

  'But not unusual,' she retorted. 'Now sir, shall I fetch the backgammon board for you and Master Steel, or will you play chess this evening?'

  He elected to play backgammon, and he and John were halfway through the first game when the sounds of heavy boots and jingling spurs were heard in the passage. Morwick's subsequent announcement was redolent with disapproval.

  'Captain Thropton, sir.'

  The captain marched in and stood for a moment, regarding John with an unusually solemn demeanour.

  'I do not think we have met before, Captain?'

  Amos's gentle words captured the captain's attention. He said heavily, 'No, sir. Until recently I was stationed in this area in the role of a Riding Officer, but I have now been given the task of patrolling the coastal roads with His Majesty's troops.'

  There was an ominous gravity to his words. John watched as Katherine moved closer to her father, one hand resting protectively on his shoulder. The old man, however, looked unperturbed and smiled benignly upon the visitor.

  'And how can we help you, Captain?'

  Captain Thropton shifted uncomfortably. He cast an apologetic glance towards John as he drew a paper from inside his jacket.

  'Sir, I have been issued with instructions that all known Jacobites should be placed under house arrest until such time as the present threat from the Pretender Charles Edward Stuart is over.'

  'Dear me, is he so close then?' murmured Amos.

  'Carlisle has fallen. Marshall Wade is taking defensive measures to secure the county for the King.'

  'I see. And does this house arrest extend to my family and my guest?'

  'I very much regret that it does, sir.' The captain looked towards John and his formal tone softened slightly. 'I'm that sorry, Master Steel, for you know that I took to you from the start, but orders is orders, and your consorting with a known rebel sympathiser means that I have no option but to keep you here. We will be patrolling all the roads hereabouts, and no one will be free to move without good cause.

  'But that is preposterous!' declared Katherine. 'We have to go out!'

  The Captain looked sympathetic.

  'Doubtless you are thinking of your wedding, Mistress Ellingham. Lord Warenford has already spoken to me about that and given me the guest list, both for the wedding and the ball to follow. You will be pleased to know Lord Hertford has arranged travel permits for all your guests, so they may celebrate your nuptials, and special arrangements will be made for you and your father to travel to the church and the Keep. As I said to Lord Warenford today, it is not our intention to inconvenience the King's supporters.'

  John looked up. 'You have seen Lord Warenford today?'

  'Aye, that's right Master Steel. He rode over to Alnwick earlier today, to demand our protection.' Captain Thropton rubbed his chin. 'The earl wa
s most put out. It would appear there was an intruder in the Keep last night, tried to set the place on fire.'

  'Dear me,' murmured Katherine, her hands going to her cheeks. 'Was, um, was there much damage?'

  'Fortunately no, madam. The alarm was raised before the fire could take hold and resulted only in a little scorching of a door on one of the store rooms, and the destruction of a hand-cart, so I understand. Seems whoever started the fire escaped over the wall. The earl is anxious that it should not happen again, and he has asked me to have my men stand guard about the Keep from now until the wedding, to ensure the safety of all his guests.' He remembered the purpose of his visit, and drew himself up. 'Master Ellingham, my men will be stationed at the gates to the Manor, and they have instructions to prevent you from leaving the grounds.'

  Master Ellingham merely chuckled. 'My dear Captain, I have not set foot outside the grounds for several years. It is unlikely that I shall wish to do so now. Except, of course, to see my daughter wed.'

  The Captain was relieved at this prosaic attitude. He nodded sympathetically. 'I think there can be no harm in you attending church on Tuesday, sir, to see Master Applewood pronounce God's blessing on your daughter's marriage. And Master Steel, too.'

  'And what of the village?' put in John. 'Weddings are by definition public affairs. Will you prevent the villagers from being present?'

  'No, sir, my men won't stop them. Although if only half the names on the guest list go to the church I fear there will not be room for anyone else. All the county will be in attendance, by the look of it. And more good news for you, Mr Ellingham. The earl brought your son with him to Alnwick, to introduce us and say he would stand surety for him. He has asked particularly that Master Henry be allowed to move freely between the Keep and the Manor for the next couple of days, in order that he may escort his sister to the wedding, and thence to the ball on Tuesday evening.

  'The earl is well aware that Master Henry has been more than a little, shall we say, outspoken in the past, but now that Lord Warenford has taken him under his wing I am sure he will settle down. And as the earl says, by allowing him to be in the company of such men as Lord Hertford he is in no danger of going astray. Yes, you are surprised,' the captain continued, smiling, 'but Lord Warenford is a very sensible man, and you, Mistress, must be full of gratitude for the understanding he is showing towards your brother.'

  * * *

  'It is outrageous!'

  Katherine and John were alone in the parlour, Master Ellingham having retired after assuring his daughter that Hadston would see him safely to bed.

  'That your father has been placed under house arrest? It was not unexpected.'

  'But he is an old man!'

  'The government does not see that. They see only a threat that has to be contained.' He caught her hand as she walked past him and pulled her onto his lap. 'Don't fret, my love. He is safe enough.'

  After a brief moment's resistance she sighed and leaned into him, nestling her head against his shoulder.

  'He knows,' she murmured. 'Father knows about us. Why else would he let Morwick take him upstairs, and say that we must have a dozen things to talk about?'

  John chuckled. 'I have always had the greatest respect for your father's wisdom.'

  'I wish Henry had inherited a little more of it!'

  'You brother is a hot-head. We can only hope that the Stuart is defeated before he declares himself.'

  'Do you think defeat likely?'

  'Yes, but not assured. I believe Warenford means to persuade the local landowners to rise up against the king, and he means to provide the arms for their people to fight with. Think how much that would add to the Pretender's strength. And once it looks as if the Stuart might succeed, others will rally to his banner. That is why I must stop the earl.'

  Katherine shuddered. 'My father maintains that the people need to be very aggrieved to risk an uprising. Unfortunately, Henry considers he has a grievance. He even upbraided my father as a coward and a traitor to the cause. My father is no coward, John, but he does not want the country to be torn asunder again. Is that so very bad of him?'

  'Not at all. But what of you, Kate? If things go badly then Henry and I could be fighting from different camps.'

  She read the question in his eyes and kissed him.

  'I have made my decision, my love.'

  His arms tightened and he would not release her without another kiss. At last she rose, sighing.

  'Oh, John, it is all such a muddle. And your swords must still be at the Keep, and undamaged. What shall you do? Captain Thropton said the roads are being watched.'

  'I must make another attempt. Tuesday's ball will be the perfect cover. The Keep will be so filled with strangers no-one will notice two more.'

  'But there will be no ball. At least, not one to celebrate my marriage. I have decided to tell Warenford as soon as possible that I have changed my mind. In fact, I have already started a letter to him.'

  'Then tear it up, madam.'

  'T-tear it up?'

  John grinned. 'Faith, my dear, I think you will have to marry him after all!'

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Katherine stared at him in horror and John shook his head, smiling.

  'You must not be frightened, my love. All I want you to do is go through a sham ceremony with Warenford. There will be no marriage, and even if by some mischance the marriage was lawful I would make sure you were a widow by midnight!'

  'Pray, John, do not joke, not now, not about this. I am frightened.'

  He saw that she was truly anxious and immediately became serious. He cupped her face in his hands.

  'My love, if I could spirit you away now, today, and leave all well I would do so, but it is impossible. There is too much at stake now. Warenford is set upon plunging this country into another bloody conflict, and using my family's weapons to do so.'

  'But John, you tried to stop him, and only narrowly escaped with your life. Can you not tell Captain Thropton your suspicions? He has an army.'

  'Do you think he would believe me? I am the guest of a known Jacobite and I am in love with you. Thropton believes that is the reason I want to see Warenford brought low. No, the captain will wait for orders, and by the time he sees just what is happening it will be too late. Warenford will have given vital support to the rebels in both arms and money.'

  He looked into her anxious face, and his eyes softened.

  'I beg you to trust me, Kate. Go through with his plans for Tuesday, my love, but you may be sure that I will steal you away before the ball has ended.'

  'And just how do you mean to do that?' She demanded.

  John shook his head. 'Trust me,' was all he would say.

  Katherine could prise no more detail from him, and even when the vicar came to visit her father the following day, she was kindly but firmly shown out of the room.

  'And it has come to this!' she fumed, minutes later when she went down to the stables where she found John busy polishing Dorcas's bridle. 'I was dismissed as of no consequence. Like a child, while they discuss my wedding. My wedding!'

  'Hush, my love. Master Applewood and your father are old friends. They will have much to talk about other than wedding plans.'

  She pouted, then gave a sigh.

  'I know, and it is selfish of me to resent his visit. Why are you polishing a bridle? Could not Gordon do that for you, or Matthew?'

  'Gordon is preparing the coach for Tuesday, and Matty has … gone out.'

  She was immediately suspicious.

  'Gone - where? Oh I can see you do not mean to tell me!' She stamped her foot. 'Why do all men think themselves so superior? Why am I not allowed to know what is going on?'

  When John only smiled, and carried on polishing the bit, she turned on her heel; and walked away, grinding her teeth as she heard John's laughing voice following her.

  'Faith, Mistress, if I did not know you better, I would say you were flouncing!'

  Kate was so cross with John that
she remained icily polite to him for the rest of the day. When her father came into the parlour alone after dinner, explaining that John had excused himself, an expression of discontent settled over her usually sunny features. She made her father comfortable in his chair then at his bidding she brought up a footstool and sat down at his feet. For a while they both remained silent, staring into the flames, Amos resting his hand lightly on her shoulder.

  'So,' said the old man at last, 'tomorrow is your wedding day.'

  'Yes, Father.'

  'You do not seem very excited at the prospect, love.'

  'I am…nervous, Father. And sad, because it will take me away from you.'

  He squeezed her shoulder.

  'You have been a good daughter, Kate. 'Tis time now for you to have a better life.'

  Sighing, she rested her head against his knees and after a moment she felt his hand on her hair.

  He said, 'For years I have dreamed of your wedding, my love. It was always my hope that you would marry a man worthy of you but also one that you could love with all your heart.' He paused. 'That man is not Lord Warenford, I fear.'

  She closed her eyes. 'No, Father.'

  'No. I think that he is marrying you for his own reasons. That you are lovely and desirable is, I think, a bonus for him, but he wants you mainly because you are my daughter.' He looked into the fire before continuing in a more thoughtful tone, 'Master Steel, on the other hand, wants you for yourself alone.'

  With a gasp she straightened, looking at him in alarm. Smiling, he cupped her face with his palm.

  'It is John Steel you love, is it not, my child?'

  'Yes.' She whispered, her eyes swimming. 'And he loves me. He, he says he has a plan, but he will not tell me what it is.'

  'Well I am sure it will all become clear in good time. Applewood is looking forward to the morrow.'

  'Well I am not!'

  He chuckled, and patted her head.

  'Trust Master Steel, Kate. He will look after you.'