I prayed fervently that they would not think to seek me now, as I inched my way around to the blind south wall of the house and ran lightly through the long grass to the hollow, where I lost myself in the welcome cover of the forest. I ran blindly, as a frighted hare runs, mindless of my bare feet and rough clothing. I did not stop running until I was brought up short against the great oak door of Crofton Hall, and raising my fist I pounded upon it with all my remaining strength.
The door swung inward, revealing Richard's steward. The merest flicker of his eyes betrayed his surprise at seeing me, although he kept his expression carefully schooled.
'I must speak with my lord de Mornay,' I begged, nearly breathless. ' 'Tis a matter of great urgency.'
The steward nodded politely and stepped aside to let me pass. 'His lordship is in the Little Parlor, Mistress Farr. I believe you know the way.'
'Yes.' I smiled gratefully. 'Thank you.'
Richard was seated alone at his desk by the window, frowning over the papers spread before him. He turned his head as I entered, and lacking his steward's calm reserve he showed his surprise plainly. 'Mariana! How came you here?' His first reaction was one of pleasure that I should so visit him, but as his eyes roved my wild face and coarse, disheveled clothing, his smile vanished. 'What is it? What has happened?'
'Treason, Richard.' I took a stumbling step toward him, swaying a little on my unsteady legs. 'They mean to kill the king. I heard them talking....'
'Heard who talking? Your uncle?' I nodded, and Richard's features hardened. 'To whom did he speak?'
I shook my head. 'I know not. I could not see them, and the voice was unfamiliar. But they number seven, all in all, and Elias Webb is one of them. They mean to kill the king, and restore Richard Cromwell.'
'Richard Cromwell wants no part of politics.'
'They think to change his mind.' I took another step forward, but my legs were shaking too badly and they nearly collapsed beneath me. Before I could move again, Richard was there beside me, his warmth and strength reassuring as he led me to a deeply cushioned chair by the window and settled me in comfort there.
I tried to smile at him, ashamed of my weakness, but he was not paying attention. His eyes were locked in anger on the curve of my cheek, where the sunlight warmed my skin through the open window, and he raised an oddly gentle hand to touch the faint marks. 'Who has done this?'
'Richard,' I said, refusing to be drawn out, 'you must warn the king. He is in mortal danger, and one of his own guards is in league with the traitors.'
His hand fell from my face, and the forest-green eyes slid to meet mine. 'When do they plan to set upon him?' 'Tonight. They said the king will travel from Salisbury to Oxford tonight, with only four guards to accompany him, and one of them a false fiend who would lead him to his death.'
'Christ.' Richard brushed a hand across his eyes, looking away from me to where the rolling hills stretched peacefully toward the south.
I watched his face. 'You will warn him?'
'Ay, I will do my best to reach him, count on that. The blood of a murdered king has stained this country once, and I will not live to see it happen a second time. Besides,' he added with a tight smile, 'Charles Stuart is a kind man, and a generous one, and I would not wish his death.'
'Then you must take horse,' I urged him. 'My uncle will meet his companions in but a few hours, and then I know not where they go.'
'I would have you wait here, for my return,' he said firmly. 'My servants will take care of you.'
Again I shook my head. 'Richard, I cannot. If I am discovered missing, 'twill only warn my uncle and set him on his guard. And I cannot leave Caroline and the baby alone in that house. He is much worse since Rachel left—I know not what harm he might do them. I must go back.'
'I will see you free of Jabez Howard before this week is out,' he told me, touching my cheek again with that disturbingly gentle touch. 'Do not smile at me, so—I mean to do it, and I shall. Or do you find the prospect of marrying me so amusing?'
The smile died on my lips. "You cannot marry me.'
'Oh, can I not?' He grinned boldly. 'I have a reputation, my love, for doing the impossible. In one week's time I warrant you'll not doubt my word.'
He kissed me then, and offered a hand to help me to my feet. 'Come’ he said, 'I will see you safely home.'
'There is no time,' I protested. 'The king ...'
'... will wait until I see you home,' he finished smoothly, with an insistence that I knew better than to oppose. 'Faith, your safety is of more concern to me than that of Charles Stuart. His life has hung in the hedge so long a moment more is of no consequence. But we shall ride, if the time worries you. Navarre can carry the both of us.'
It was too brief a contact, I thought later—a short ten minutes cradled in Richard's arms, before him on the saddle, my hands clasping his coat for balance while the hilt of his sword pressed cold against my hip.
'You said you would not ride pillion,' he reminded me, teasing, 'so this will have to do.'
I bit my lip. 'If anyone sees us ..."
'Then we are seen,' he said, bending to brush my hair with a kiss. 'You must learn not to care so what others think.'
But he stopped the horse in the hollow to the south of Greywethers, beneath the spreading shelter of a rustling oak, and helped me to the ground.