Cavalier Courtship

by Oliver, Marina

  She had not yet fully recovered from the horror of the past hour, and shivered involuntarily from time to time, but now she felt safe and happy with Philip beside her. She prayed they would no more be separated.

  After a few minutes, the sound of hooves came to them, and Jemmy held up the lantern. Bob and Will, the latter with a vivid cut on his cheek, appeared leading the ponies. Philip lifted Caroline on to one of them, then sprang on to another. Jemmy doused the lantern, and the others mounted, and in the dark they set off westwards. They travelled for about three-quarters of an hour, and in the faint light which came from the moon, partially hidden by thin clouds, Caroline saw a wall on her left, and could hear the pounding of the waves beyond it.

  Soon they halted. Jemmy dismounted and scaled the wall, disappeared for a moment, then came back into view.

  ' 'Tis well,' he whispered. 'Come on up, and we'll be away in an hour or so, when the tide turns.'

  They all dismounted except Will, who was to return the ponies to their homes.

  Philip gave him some coins, which he tried to refuse.

  'I do not want payment for helping you and your lass,' he said.

  'Then take it to your wife. She must be worried over you. And thank her from me for lending you to us. Now I know what love is I would not lightly ask any man to risk his life for me. Take it, for I do not expect to come this way again for a long time. England will be too hot for me.'

  'Please take it. Buy something for your wife and family.' Shyly Caroline added her persuasion. 'And thank you so very much for helping me.'

  Will took the money, then with blessings and good wishes on his lips, turned away and was soon lost from sight.

  *

  Philip helped Caroline climb the wall, over which Bob had already scrambled, and they walked across the flat top which was several feet wide, then slid down the far side on to the beach. In front of them, Bob and Jemmy were busy preparing a small boat for launching. Philip bade Caroline sit on a piece of driftwood which was lying on the beach, and went to help them. Soon the boat was riding the waves, and Philip came to carry her out into the sea and lift her carefully into the boat.

  As the tide turned, the wind freshened, and soon the boat was spreading her sails and skimming the water away from the shores of England. Caroline relaxed, feeling safe at last, and Philip held her in his arms while she slumbered peacefully.

  It was an easy crossing, the weather was calm, with just sufficient breeze to fill the sails, and on the next day they landed in a small bay near Boulogne. With many expressions of thanks they parted from Jemmy and Bob, who were anxious to set off on the return journey immediately, so as to reach home in the darkness, and Philip and Caroline watched from the rocks until the sails became specks on the foam-flecked waves.

  They had only a short distance to go to Boulogne, and they soon walked there.

  Philip ordered rooms at the best inn. They went round the town to buy new clothing, for what they had was torn and muddy.

  They decided it would cause less comment if Caroline retained her boy's attire, and this she did. Back at the inn they slept long and deeply, safe for the first time in many days, and early on the next morning hired horses for the ride to Brussels. Philip decided it would be too far to ride in one day, even though they had no baggage and could make good speed, so they enjoyed the ride through the fresh spring countryside, and spent that night at an inn some thirty miles from Brussels.

  The following day they rode into Brussels before noon, stabled the horses, then walked out to see the city, with its magnificent spires and towers, narrow irregular streets, and the old walls surrounding the town.

  Philip soon suggested they ought to find Lady Tomas, as they would have plenty of time later for exploring the city, and Caroline reluctantly agreed.

  'But I do not want to leave you so soon. They will insist on my staying with them.'

  'It will not be for long, I promise you,' he reassured her. 'I will make all the arrangements for our wedding, and we will be together for always in a few days from now. But you cannot marry wearing those clothes! You will surely wish to buy dresses and shoes and all the fine things you have been denied until now?' he looked at her quizzically.

  She denied caring about anything but him, though when he took her to see some of the wares displayed in the fashionable shops, he was fondly amused to see the delight in her eyes.

  They made some enquiries, and soon discovered where the King lodged. Here Philip found someone who knew the address of Sir Christopher and Lady Tomas, and could give them directions for finding the house. Philip asked to see the King, but was told that he was not at home, so Philip arranged to come back later. Caroline was disappointed not to see Charles, of whom she had thought for years, but Philip promised to present her as soon as possible.

  'Come, now I must deliver you to your aunt's, as I promised Hannah.'

  Half reluctant, half excited at the life she was about to embark on, Caroline allowed him to lead her towards the outskirts of the town, where they found the house they sought, a large new one set on its own.

  As they approached the door, it opened, and a tall figure filled the doorway. Caroline glanced up at the man, dressed soberly in somewhat shabby garments, and caught her breath. His hair was dark and curling, his face long and ugly, but the smile he bestowed on her and Philip filled her with a strange feeling of awe. She realised Philip had released her arm, and fallen on one knee.

  'Your Majesty!'

  'Why, the Comte de St Martin, by all the heavens! Get up, man, I am overjoyed to see your face again. I heard of your imprisonment, and did not expect to see you yet awhile!'

  It was the King! Caroline was confused, and sank into an unpractised curtsey.

  Charles's eyebrows shot up, and he looked closer at her, suddenly smiling, a smile that lit up his whole face.

  'Will you present me to your companion?' he prompted Philip.

  'With pleasure, sire. May I present my affianced wife, Miss Caroline Tame, who has lately worked with me for your cause, and was the instrument of my escape from Newgate.'

  'Well, well, I am honoured to have such charming adherents, madam,' Charles said to Caroline, taking her hand and kissing it. 'I must hear more of this extraordinary affair.'

  He stepped aside, and a pretty, fair woman who had been standing half hidden behind him came forward.

  'Forgive me, sire, but did I hear aright? Miss Caroline Tame?' She turned to Philip and Caroline, who stood with the King.

  'That is my name,' Caroline replied.

  'Then you must be my niece – daughter of my brother, Richard, who was killed at Naseby?'

  Caroline nodded, unable to speak, and the woman held out her arms to Caroline.

  'I am Lady Tomas, your Aunt Mary. My dear, I thought you were killed with your parents?'

  Caroline found herself folded in a warm embrace, and was speechless with relief and joy at the welcome.

  Charles tactfully began to say his farewells, but Lady Tomas turned to him.

  'Sire, will you not return to the house, for a short while, to hear their story?

  'I would leave you with your new found relatives.'

  'My Lord, you are anxious to hear the story, for I wager some part of it concerns your affairs, if the Comte has been working for you. And if you hear it now, it will satisfy your curiosity and also make it unnecessary for them to tell it again!' She twinkled up at him, and he laughingly agreed, so they all went into the house and settled in chairs in a parlour.

  Lady Tomas turned to Caroline.

  'I heard nothing of you after the battle, even whether you were alive still. I wrote occasionally to your Uncle John, but he did not reply to my letters. Were you living with him? He is your only other relative.'

  Caroline began to tell them all about her life at Lichfield. Philip interrupted to tell the tale of how she had helped him after the battle of Worcester, then Caroline explained how she had run away, and met Philip again. Together they rela
ted the events since then. The telling of the story took long, but they were all completely unaware of the passing of time, so enthralled were they at the narrow escapes and adventures. Philip concluded with the escape from London and his determination to bring Caroline to her aunt.

  'I have already, I am afraid, asked Caroline to marry me, and she has agreed. Mayhap I should have waited to ask your consent first,' he said to Lady Tomas. 'But I did not know you, and could not risk the possibility of losing her. Will you give us your blessing?'

  'With all my heart,' Lady Tomas replied. 'I consider Caroline fortunate in having found such a man to take care of her. When do you plan to wed?'

  The King did not allow Philip time to reply.

  'It must be tomorrow, for I insist on being there, and I am expected in Ghent the following day. I really cannot expect you to wait a whole fortnight till I return,' he smiled.

  Philip looked at Caroline, and she nodded, misty eyed. Lady Tomas promised her own sewing woman would sit up all night to make a gown for Caroline. Her other clothes could wait till later.

  Charles, highly satisfied, finally left, kissing Caroline before he left.

  'You make a most gallant boy,' he told her. 'But when you change into petticoats, you will be one of the brightest jewels at my Court. I hope you will be there often, when we come home.'

  He turned to Philip. 'You are a lucky man. I could envy you such love! Cherish it all your days!'

  'I am sensible of its value, sire,' Philip replied. 'I swear Caroline will have no regrets having thrown in her lot with me.'

  The King departed, and all was bustle as Lady Tomas sent the servants to prepare for the morrow. It was late in the evening when Philip and Caroline stood on the balcony of the house, alone with the stars that twinkled above them.

  Philip held Caroline tenderly.

  'I love you, my Puritan maiden. I vow I will serve you always, and you will have no regrets for having run away to me.'

  She laughed up at him, her love and trust shining clear and true in her eyes.

  'I know that, my beloved Cavalier.'

  THE END

  ###

  Marina Oliver has written over 60 novels, and has converted most of them to Ebooks. Others have been or are being published as Ebooks by other publishers.

  For the latest information please see Marina's web site:

  http://www.marina-oliver.net.

  Marina's next Civil War novel is also now available as an Ebook:

  A CIVIL CONFLICT

  BY MARINA OLIVER

  Chapter 1

  The little black pony and his green-clad rider trotted decorously out of the steep lane edged with dry-stone walls. Then, as they reached the open moorland the rider gave a whoop of joy, and touched her heel to the pony's flank. Needing no further encouragement, the pony set off at a brisk canter up the slope towards the belt of trees which sat round the summit of the hill like a collar.

  When they reached these trees Lysbeth reined in reluctantly. She had enjoyed the freedom of the canter, but now must pick her way carefully along the narrow paths through the trees. It was not an easy task. There were many roots stretching across the path, and low branches which she had to duck to avoid. She was concentrating on guiding the pony through the dim labyrinth and thus for a few moments did not notice the noises coming some distance from her left. Gradually they impinged on her consciousness, and she halted the pony the better to listen.

  There was a rustling and the snapping of breaking twigs, but it did not sound as though someone was moving through the undergrowth at the side of the path. Lysbeth looked round in concentration, then she heard an odd snuffling and snorting followed by an unmistakable sob.

  Lysbeth loved to comfort all creatures in distress, so, utterly unafraid, she leapt from the saddle, hooked the reins over a convenient branch, and plunged through the undergrowth in the direction of the noises.

  Within a few yards she had discovered the cause. Sitting with his back to her in an attitude of utter dejection was an ancient, bowed, grey-haired man. Lysbeth halted, narrowing her eyes as she peered through the gloom, then she stepped forward, letting out a gasp of amazement, for she had recognised the man. It was Ebenezer Hobbs, a shepherd employed by her father. At the sound of her approach he looked up, and the fear in his eyes halted her in her tracks.

  'Why, Eb, what is it?' she exclaimed.

  He did not reply, but held out a gnarled hand as though to ward her off.

  'Eb, what makes you so unhappy?' she persisted, and took the hand which was held out towards her, kneeling down at his side.

  'Why, Missee, I be afeard,' he muttered at length.

  'Eb, tell me what you are afraid of. How can I help you unless I know what it is? Please, Eb.'

  Gradually, in response to her persuasions, he began to tell her his troubles. Once he was well under way the story came flowing, interspersed with cries of 'What shall I do?'

  'Well, Missee Lysbeth, 'twas not my fault ! I swear I could do nothing!'

  'No, no,' she encouraged him. 'I am sure it wasn't your fault, but tell me what it was. Tell me what happened.'

  ' 'Twere they soldiers,' Eb muttered.

  'What soldiers? Where are the soldiers? What happened?'

  'I were in Springdale – ye know where I mean? Over the hill here and by the stream?'

  Lysbeth nodded. It was a place but half a mile away, and she went there often.

  'Go on, Eb.'

  'I were there wi' the sheep, lookin' after 'em, and suddenly a band of ruffians came upon me. They were ruffians,' he insisted vehemently, 'though they be fine-dressed gentlemen.'

  'What did they do?' asked Lysbeth, puzzled.

  'I be trying to tell ye. 'Twere not my fault. I couldn't stop 'em.'

  'No, no,' she reassured him. 'Couldn't stop them from doing what?'

  At last, with a wail of despair, the old man blurted it out. 'They took the sheep. They took your father's sheep!'

  'What? But why?'

  'They said 'twere for the King.'

  'The King? But what need has he of our sheep?'

  Ebenezer shook his head dolefully.

  ' 'Twas what they said,' he muttered. 'I suppose the King needs to feed his army, like all commanders.'

  'His army? But, Eb, surely his army is not near Lancashire?'

  'Nay. But there be troops going all over the country drumming men to join the King's army. I suppose 'twere one of 'em.'

  Lysbeth pondered. She had, of course, heard something of the quarrels of the King and Parliament, and the raising of the Royal Standard at Nottingham that summer of 1642, but so far she had heard nothing of recruiting in this district.

  'Are you sure they were the King's men?' she asked suddenly. 'Could it not be someone else making it an excuse?'

  Ebenezer shook his head at her.

  'They said they came from my Lord Derby. They showed me a piece of paper, but I canna read, and it meant nought ter me. When I protested they said they were acting under orders of Lord Derby. I told 'em they must see your father, but they laughed at me. They said they had no time for such formalities, that the King's soldiers could not wait for their supper, and so they pushed me out of the way, they took my staff, and they drove the sheep off wi' 'em.'

  'Well, of all the – ' Lysbeth exploded with anger.

  'What will your father do, Missee?' Ebenezer quavered. 'Will he turn me off? Will he turn me and the wife out of the cottage? I'm sorry. 'Twere no fault of mine! I could not help it!'

  Lysbeth turned to him swiftly.

  'Of course you couldn't, Eb!' she said gently. 'My father will understand that. He'll have no thought of turning you and Sarah out. Eb, come home now, let me help you. Why were you sitting here?'

  'I were afeared. I were afeared to go home and tell Sarah, and tell Sir Francis that I'd lost his sheep.'

  'You did not lose them,' Lysbeth said firmly. 'They were stolen. Stolen by ruffians, whatever they call themselves, King's troopers or not, and
you were not to blame. What could you do? An old man against many armed soldiers. Come, let me help you home, then I will go and tell my father. But did you see which way they went?'

  'Aye!' The old man nodded. 'They went further down the valley, towards the south.'

  Lysbeth nodded, then briskly getting up herself, she urged him to his feet, then, supporting him, she led the way back to the path where her pony was tethered.

  'Can you manage if I lead the pony as well?' she asked anxiously. It was a long walk to the cottage, and she did not want to have to waste time coming back to retrieve the pony. To her relief, Ebenezer nodded, and straightened himself somewhat.

  'I be not hurt, Missee,' he said to her. 'I were just downhearted and afeared.'

  'There's no need for either,' said Lysbeth firmly, unhooking the reins and pulling her pony round to retrace the way they had come.

  Now Ebenezer refused her help, but she walked on at his side, ready to offer assistance if it proved necessary. Soon they came out of the trees, and crossed the open moorland where she had so recently been cantering gaily. They reached the deep lane which threaded its way down the side of the hill, and after a mile or so, came to a few scattered cottages, each set in its own small plot neatly laid out with the autumn vegetables. At the second cottage, Lysbeth stopped, tied the reins to the gatepost, and went up to the door with Ebenezer. Before she reached it, a rosy cheeked, buxom woman had opened the door, and stood there looking anxiously at them.

  'Why, Eb, what is it? Are ye hurt?' she asked anxiously, meanwhile bobbing a curtsy to Lysbeth.

  'No, don't be concerned, Sarah,' Lysbeth answered. 'Eb is all right, it's just that some ruffians who pretend to be the King's soldiers have stolen the sheep, and Eb is naturally upset, and was afraid my father would turn him off.'

  Sarah's eyes grew wide with apprehension, and she looked worriedly at Lysbeth, who shook her head gently.