Cavalier Courtship

by Oliver, Marina

  Hence she did not hear the sound of laughter coming from behind a small copse of trees in her path, nor did she see the tethered horses near by, and it was with utter unawareness that she cantered round the edge of the copse, headlong into the midst of a group of soldiers who had been resting and eating.

  She reined in quickly, and the soldiers scattered. As the mare came to a halt, one of the soldiers grasped the reins, and the others came crowding round.

  'There's a fine captive for ye, Tom!'

  'Better than some of these Royalist scum we've been hounding out of their holes, eh?'

  'Aye. A pretty Puritan maid can beat the lot of them.'

  'Well, my beauty, how about getting down and joining us?'

  'Let me go on my way!' Caroline ordered angrily.

  'Not so fast, my pretty. What are you doing riding out here on your own?'

  'That is no business of yours. Let me go, I say.'

  Caroline raised her whip, and would have struck the man who was holding the horse, but one of the others grasped her arm, and then, putting his other arm round her waist, pulled her, struggling, to the ground, so that she stood locked in a fierce embrace, which the soldiers were quick to jest on.

  She was helpless, though her fury was obvious in her blazing eyes. The soldiers were enjoying their capture immensely. One of them led away the mare and hobbled her, and they formed a ring round Caroline. Only then did her captor release her. She immediately drew back her arm to strike at him, but her whip was caught from behind, and wrenched out of her grasp.

  One of the soldiers stepped forward. He was a head taller than the rest, with a sunburnt face and red, crinkly hair. Though there was no apparent difference in the uniforms, he was obviously the leader, and Caroline instinctively turned to him.

  'Will you order your men to release me? You have no right to detain me and use me in this way. My uncle shall hear of this, and your superiors will punish you as you richly deserve!'

  'Oh, will they, young mistress? When we are only doing our duty?'

  'I can scarce credit the Protector's men have the duty of molesting unprotected girls!'

  There was a loud guffaw from several of the soldiers, and the leader grinned.

  'What, may I ask, is a girl like you doing here, alone?'

  'It is none of your concern.'

  'Oh, but it is. We are scouring the countryside for the enemies of the republic, and we may question anyone we choose, and keep them under guard, if we see fit.'

  'I will volunteer first guard,' one of the soldiers offered, grinning.

  'No, we draw lots!'

  'Take it in turns!'

  The leader smiled. 'Owing to the undoubted importance of the prisoner, I will take it upon myself to do guard duty.'

  'Shame!'

  'You always pick the best, and leave us the scrawny, or the old, or the weeping willows. Never a firebrand like this one!'

  Caroline, though she did not let it show in her face, was beginning to be frightened.

  'I cannot think what harm someone such as myself could do to the republic,' she told them, 'though if they are all like you who support it, I would try!' she could not resist adding.

  Instead of being offended, the soldiers laughed.

  'Let's pass her over to the plotters,' one suggested, 'she would be an asset to them.'

  'Why help them? Let us keep her. She will be an asset to us, without any doubt.'

  Suddenly the leader grew tired of their jesting.

  'Enough. She has a rare spirit. Besides we have no time for dalliance. Girl, if you will drink with us, we will release you unharmed.'

  Caroline longed to refuse, but was too frightened to reject this offer of escape.

  She nodded acquiescence, and the soldiers led her to where their baggage was lying.

  Ceremoniously they bowed her on to a cloak, and reluctantly she sat, and accepted the mug which one of them held out to her.

  They were still jesting good humouredly amongst themselves, but not watching her so closely, and she managed to pour away most of the drink undetected, while they were filling their own mugs.

  She sat in an agony of impatience while they drank, then, as they began to collect up their baggage, she looked at their leader, and he ordered her horse to be brought. He insisted on lifting her into the saddle himself, holding her for what she considered an unnecessarily long time.

  Then as he bent over, ostensibly to tighten the girths, he said in a low voice, so that only she could hear, 'Think yourself lucky to have met us all together, my fine beauty. I swear that should we meet again, alone, you will not escape me then!'

  Furiously, Caroline dug her heels into the mare's flank, and as they leapt forward, the man was almost thrown off his feet. He swore angrily, then, with a brusque laugh, turned back to the men, while Caroline made as much haste as she could to her home, as thankful to reach it as she had earlier been anxious to escape.

  *

  Chapter 4

  Caroline took her mare to the stables, and stayed there to see she was well rubbed down and watered after her long ride. She was also unwilling to face her aunt and uncle until she had recovered somewhat from her encounter with the soldiers, so she lingered for a long time, making one excuse after another, visiting the other horses in the stables, looking at one that had been ill, inspecting some new bridles that had just been delivered.

  It was while she was looking at these she heard the sounds of arrival in the stableyard. She was intrigued, since no one had been expected, and by the sounds coming in to her, there were several horses in the yard.

  She replaced the bridle on its nail, and went to the door to see what was happening. There were several men in the yard, some standing holding the reins of their mounts, others still mounted. With an intense shock, she recognised them as the soldiers who had molested her earlier that day. She could see the leader standing a little apart from the others, and as she watched apprehensively, wondering if the soldiers were here because of their encounter with her, Uncle John appeared from the direction of the house, and met the soldier. He had a paper in his hand which he offered to Uncle John, who read it hastily, then asked the man a few questions.

  He then turned towards the grooms who had appeared from the stables and were awaiting instructions.

  'Stable the horses for the men,' he ordered, and the grooms led the soldiers into the stables, and intense activity ensued.

  In the confusion Caroline managed to make her way unobserved to the house, and there she loitered on the stairs hoping to see someone who could tell her what the meaning of this visit was. But she was disappointed, for the only people she saw were her uncle and the red-haired soldier, who came into the house together, so that Caroline, to avoid being seen, had to run up the stairs as quickly as she could.

  Impatiently she waited in her room till it was time for supper, then, when she could no longer delay, she made her way slowly to the dining hall. She had not heard the soldiers leaving, and, as she feared, the soldier was still in the house. Beyond a meaning smile, he gave no indication of their earlier acquaintance when they were introduced.

  'Prudence, my niece, sir, who has been brought up as one of the family. This is Colonel Masters, who is to be quartered here with his men for a few days. He is on Parliamentary business in the neighbourhood.'

  'I am enchanted to meet your niece, sir,' replied Colonel Masters. 'I trust that, if my duties permit it, she will show me some of the sights of the area. I have never visited Lichfield before, but I understand that the city, and the surrounding countryside, have great charm.'

  'Prudence will do all in her power to entertain you, Colonel.'

  Caroline was desperately looking round for a means of escape, but none offered, and she had to endure more pleasantries from the Colonel until they were interrupted by the entrance of her aunt. Caroline noticed she had put on her best gown, and had dressed her hair with more than usual care. She also detected more than the usual amount of colouring in
her aunt's lips and cheeks.

  Aunt Jane was exceedingly affable to the Colonel, and since it transpired they knew some of the same people in London, which the Colonel had but lately quitted, they had much to say to one another, and kept the conversation lively, to Caroline's relief, as she was not called upon to contribute more than the barest civilities.

  *

  As soon as she could after supper, Caroline excused herself on the plea of tiredness and went to her room, there to ponder over the events of the day, especially the discovery that she and Geoffrey were no longer betrothed. The later excitements had driven from her mind all thought of this, but now she had leisure to consider it, and her unhappiness was great. She had met few young men, and her heart had been touched by none, even Geoffrey whom she knew so well. She had accepted her betrothal as something which would enable her to escape from her uncle's house, not with joy, or anticipation of love, but as an end to her present restricted and miserable existence. Now it was over, and what would be the outcome for her? Though she did not regret the loss of Uncle John's fortune for itself, she was well aware it could have helped her make a good marriage.

  Now that possibility was gone. Would she have to stay in her uncle's house for ever? Or perhaps become a governess or companion to some other family? She could not say which prospect filled her with the greatest horror.

  Worn out by the emotions of the day, exceptional in the normally even tenor of her days, she fell asleep at last, only to be disturbed by dreams of red-haired soldiers dragging her from her horse and throwing her into prison, and there subjecting her to beatings and torture. Twice she awoke screaming, and Miriam, who slept nearby, came in to soothe her and coax her back to sleep.

  In the morning she was heavy-eyed and listless, and her aunt took her to task.

  'I am sorry to see you make so little attempt to be pleasant to the Colonel.'

  'Was he invited here?'

  'He came on Parliamentary business, and your uncle, who is, as you well know, a loyal supporter of the Protector, was happy to afford him all the assistance in his power.'

  'How long is he staying?'

  'You seem unduly anxious to say farewell to him! Do you not like visitors? I would have thought that someone as lively as yourself, shut away in a quiet place like this, would have welcomed a change in routine. I am finding this place exceedingly dull after only a year in it. I shall make your uncle take me to London as soon as may be, but in the meantime, I am glad for any diversions that occur.'

  'But I do not like him.'

  'Oh, child! Like and dislike! In your situation you cannot have the luxury of liking or disliking people. You must be glad if they like you, and prepared to take the utmost advantage of it, too.'

  'I do not see what possible advantage to me Colonel Masters's liking would be!'

  'Do you not?'

  Aunt Jane laughed, an unpleasant laugh, but further exchanges were cut off by Uncle John's entrance.

  'Ah, Prudence, my dear. I have had no time to talk to you since yesterday, but your aunt tells me that she has already broken to you the – h'm – unfortunate news of Geoffrey's breaking of your betrothal. Believe me, I am most truly sorry. I had thought you were securely provided for. The young man's conduct is regrettable.'

  Caroline was unable to reply.

  'I understand my good friend, Geoffrey's father, has lost a considerable sum of money, in the very worthy efforts he has been making to further the Protector's cause. Ah well, some are unfortunate. He never was too wise in how he spent his money. But the situation is such that he can be saved from ruin only by a wealthy and immediate match by his son. It is very noble of Geoffrey to make the sacrifice, though of course what is to be expected of a good son. I am sure, Prudence, that despite your own disappointment, you will understand and appreciate his actions.'

  Caroline remained silent. There was nothing she could say.

  'As for your own position, I must give careful thought to it, but that will be impossible while Colonel Masters is here, as I will be much occupied with him. But I recommend you make yourself as agreeable as possible to him, and after he is gone, we will be able to discuss your future. For the present, the Colonel has asked if you will show him some of the surrounding villages. Please prepare to ride out with him.'

  It was a command, not a request, and Caroline did not know how to refuse, so she reluctantly left the room and made her way upstairs. On the landing, she was surprised to see the Colonel, who, on seeing her, stepped quickly back into the corridor leading to her room. As she approached, he had moved halfway down the corridor, and was standing looking out of one of the mullioned windows. When she came up to him, he turned, and smilingly regarded her.

  'Well, my fine beauty, we meet again, earlier than either of us anticipated, methinks.'

  'Why did you come here?'

  'Oh, not to pursue you, my dear, enticing though you are. I am on business, as your uncle said. It was an unexpected pleasure to find you here too. But now we are together, I intend to make the most of my good fortune. Come here!'

  She was standing only a few feet from him, unable to pass, for he was blocking her way. On the last words, he stepped towards her, and before she could move, pulled her roughly towards him. Imprisoning both her hands in one of his large ones, he put his other arm round her, and when she would have bent her head away from him, he grasped her hair and forced her head back so that she could not avoid the hot wet kisses with which he covered her face, smothering her cries of protest with more kisses.

  She was struggling with all her strength, but because of his size she was helpless, apart from a few kicks which she managed to direct to his shins. But they made no difference to him, he scarcely noticed them, and he had begun to pull her towards the door of her room, a few yards distant, when they heard the sound of footsteps.

  Hastily he released her.

  'We'll meet again, soon, my pretty temptress,' he whispered, as she stood back, breathing heavily and eyeing him with loathing.

  *

  It was thus that Miriam found them a few seconds later, as she came round the corner of the corridor. With a smile at them both, the Colonel swaggered away, and Caroline ran to Miriam, who gently led her into her room, where she cried distractedly against the old woman's comfortable bosom.

  Miriam did not need telling what had happened, and silently she comforted Caroline until the first storm of weeping was over.

  'There, there, lovey. He shan't harm ye. I'll look after ye.'

  'Miriam, he frightens me! My uncle says I must be pleasant to him, but how can I? I'm too frightened.'

  'You had best stay in the house, near me, and he cannot harm ye beyond a fright such as he gave ye today.'

  'But my uncle expects me to go out riding with him.'

  'Then ye had best tell your uncle the truth. Then he will not force ye to mix with such vermin!'

  After some persuading, Caroline agreed to tell her uncle, so she went downstairs to find him. He had, however, left the house, and she found only Aunt Jane.

  'Mercy, child! Are you not ready yet? Your uncle told you to prepare to ride with Colonel Masters. Do you so lightly disregard his wishes?'

  'Aunt, I cannot go out with him!'

  'Cannot? What nonsense is this? You must do as your uncle ordered.'

  'But I am frightened of him.'

  'Come, what is there to frighten you? Are you so unused to associating with visitors to the house? He is a pleasant, cultured man, not like some of the riff-raff that have won high command in the army, being mere boorish fighting machines.'

  'Aunt, he – he just kissed me, upstairs, when I was going to my room. He would not let me go, until Miriam came along and saved me.'

  'He kissed you?' Aunt Jane looked surprised and amused. 'And for that you are weeping and fainting all over the house? Girl, what am I to do with you? Any red-blooded man will try to kiss a pretty girl when he catches her alone. There is nothing in that!'

  'But he was
horrible! He frightened me! Besides, I met him with his soldiers, earlier yesterday, while I was out riding, before they came here, and they pulled me from my mare, and were jesting at me and leering in the most disgusting way, and made me drink with them before they would release me. I do not think Uncle John would allow me to ride with him if he knew what manner of man he is!'

  'My dear child, what are a few jests, or kisses, for that matter? It is a wonder you have reached sixteen without more than that to offend your virtue. Listen to me. Your uncle said just now he was concerned for your future. Are not you also? Do you expect to remain here, receiving our charity, all your life? You are a penniless, nameless orphan, and as such can expect to be fortunate if you achieve a marriage, of any sort, let alone with someone of breeding.'

  'I can work. I could be a governess – or something of the same kind.'

  'And what sort of life do you think that to be, always at the mercy of your employers? No. To be a wife and mistress of even a small establishment were better than that. This Colonel, now. He seems smitten by you. He is not married, I have ascertained that. He has only a small estate, but better than you might hope for. Now, if you behave with some cunning, who knows what might not result from this unexpected visit?'

  'You are suggesting I entrap him into marriage?' Caroline could scarcely believe her ears.

  'So, you have some understanding of the world, after all! I was beginning to think you a simpleton, but mayhap your innocence is assumed. Yes, if you care to put it so crudely.'

  'How could you suggest such a thing? I would not, even if I liked him, which I most certainly do not. I detest him! The very thought of him makes my skin creep. I would rather spend the rest of my life scrubbing floors than have him touch me again.'

  'If you do not take my advice, that may well be your fate. Think on't. And now you ought to be changing for your ride with the Colonel. He will not like being kept waiting so long – though a short while might play on his appetite.'

  Without another word, Caroline left the room. She did not return to her own, but sought out Miriam, and confided in her the talk with her aunt.