Shadow on the Highway by Swift Deborah

Author:Swift, Deborah [Swift, Deborah]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub, mobi
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Published: 2014-07-14T16:00:00+00:00

12. Letters and Lies

That night I sent up a fervent prayer that the Fanshawe men would return soon, and that my mistress would behave as a proper wife should and never see Ralph again. Lord help us, if word got out that my mistress had been on the common. Sir Simon would beat her senseless.

Our bruises were hard to explain away. Lady Katherine told Grice she had grazed her hands falling off her horse and that it had kicked me when I went to catch it. I could see he did not quite believe her, but could find no other explanation for the cuts on her hands or my bruised cheek. We were both forbidden to leave the house, or to ride unless he accompanied us, and his servants were to prevent us if we tried to go out. In one way it was a relief, to know my mistress was safe indoors.

Grice busied himself close to Lady Katherine in the main chamber, poring over property deeds and an inventory of goods. Every so often he would ask my mistress rudely what had been spent on vinegar for the polishing, or how much bran the horses ate. His presence meant Lady Katherine and I could have no conversation, and the day was airless. The room grew stuffy and still, except for my mistress’s quill moving over the parchment as she copied tracts from the Bible or stitched her sampler.

I saw a thought pass over her face, and she paused with her needle poised over the embroidery. ‘Can Ralph read?’ she mouthed.

I nodded, already wary.

She smiled thoughtfully, and got out a clean parchment.

Later, Mr Grice fetched maps of the county, and spent a long time tracing the boundaries with his finger and showing Pitman and Rigg routes to Worcester. I feared he was planning the movement of troops and horses for the King’s Army, and I immediately regretted the promise I made my father to let him know of any Royalist plans. When I had finished dusting the furniture and rubbing the windows I was dismissed.

When I went up again to repair the fire. Mr Grice and his men had their backs to us and Lady Katherine thrust a neatly-folded letter into my hand.

‘For Ralph,’ she mouthed.

I was reluctant, and tried to push it away, but Mr Grice turned round, sensing some disturbance and I stuffed the parchment hastily into my skirt waistband.

As I cleaned the rest of the upstairs windows, the letter was like a brand burning my stomach. I toyed with the idea of breaking the seal to see what was in it. But it was one thing giving Mr Grice letters from my mistress to Sir Simon or Thomas Fanshawe, but another handing over something meant for my brother. I’d never do that. I slammed the window shut and picked up my pail.

I was beginning to think it might be a good idea after all if my father could persuade Ralph to join the New Model Army. Then this business with my mistress would stop.

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