The Bladesmith Read online

  They cantered upwards and soon came upon the two horses, both riderless now and quietly cropping at the short turf. A short distance away the first rider was kneeling over the inert form of his companion. John guessed that he was a young man – a boy even – his hat discarded on the ground beside him and his dark, unpowdered hair escaping from its ribbon.

  'We saw the fall from the road,' said John, dismounting. 'Can we help…' his voice trailed off as the rider turned towards him and he found himself looking down into the anxious face of a young woman.

  'Thank you,' she replied. 'It - it might be necessary to get help.' She turned back as the figure on the ground stirred, groaning.

  'Perhaps not.' John, coming forward to kneel beside her. 'Steady man.' He put out a hand to restrain the figure on the ground – a groom, he guessed, from the man's clothing. 'We must ascertain that you have no serious injury.'

  With his help the man sat up cautiously.

  'Well Gordon?' the young woman leaned forward.

  'It's nobbut m'wrist, Mistress, but that pains me mightily.'

  John quickly ran his fingers over the joint.

  'Most likely a sprain, I think. It is already swelling.'

  Matthew came up. 'I've checked the horse, sir. She's not hurt.'

  'Well that's a mercy,' sighed the young woman. 'Can you ride, Gordon? You look very pale.'

  'Do you live far from here?' asked John.

  'A little more than a mile. If you could help my groom to his horse, I will take him home.'

  'If you will permit, madam, we will escort you.' John saw her hesitation and added, 'Your groom could slip back into unconsciousness.'

  'I do not wish to trouble you,' she said doubtfully.

  'It is no trouble, madam. Our own journey is well advanced and we can easily spare an hour or so for such a cause as this.' He rose and turned to Matthew. 'Ride back to the road and give Sealy your purse. Tell him to feed the men at the Three Tuns in Sleaton and then go on to the Keep. We will follow later.'

  'Should I not go with the men, sir?'

  John glanced at the young woman who had removed the groom's neckcloth and was even now binding up his wrist.

  'No, come back to me. They both look very pale, I may need you.' When Matthew had ridden off John turned again to the groom. 'When my man returns we will help you to mount. Until then do not try to move. Madam, I think you, too, should sit still for a moment.'

  She responded shyly to his smile, relaxing now she knew her servant was not seriously hurt.

  'I must thank you, sir, for your kindness.'

  'You could repay it, madam, by telling me your name.'

  'That is easily done. It is Katherine Ellingham. And you, sir?'

  John lifted his hat and bowed. 'John Steel, at your service, Mistress Ellingham.'

  'Well met, Master John Steel. I am sorry that you should have come upon me in such uncommon garb.' She indicated the masculine breeches and riding boots, adding with a laugh in her voice: 'I am used to riding over my father's lands and never seeing a soul. You must think me a veritable hoyden.'

  'Mistress, if I told you what I am thinking you would consider me very forward.'

  She flushed and bit her lip, but could not help an unruly dimple appearing in one smooth cheek.

  'Your father does not object to you dressing thus?'

  'He does not know!' She chuckled, her grey eyes twinkling like a freshly polished blade. Then the smile and the twinkle faded. 'To be serious, my father is not in good health and does not venture from the house.'

  'You live alone with him?' He saw her stiffen and added quickly, 'Forgive me, I do not mean to pry.'

  'No, no, everyone in the area knows our situation so I am a little out of practice at explanations. My brother Henry lives with us.' She looked round. 'Your man is back, sir. Now let us try if we can to get Gordon upon his horse.'

  The groom was still very pale, but with Matthew's assistance he managed to climb into the saddle, although he gratefully accepted the suggestion that Matthew should take the reins and lead his horse. John helped the lady to mount and the little party set off, with Katherine insisting that she should ride behind, to watch in case her groom should faint again.

  John rode beside her, an amused smile hovering on his lips as he regarded the slim, girlish figure in men's clothing. Riding so close, he could see now that the breeches were sadly faded and the brown wool jacket had been patched, but the lady's back was ramrod straight and her profile, with its straight little nose and generous mouth was, in his opinion, quite perfect. Aware of his scrutiny, the lady blushed a little, and sought for conversation.

  'Wither are you bound, Master Steel?'

  He nodded towards the grey towers on the shoreline. 'To the Keep.'

  'To see Lord Warenford?'

  'Aye.'

  'You are a friend, perhaps?'

  John shook his head. 'I am here on business.'

  She nodded and did not enquire further, but it seemed to John that her easy friendliness has gone, that she had withdrawn from him.

  The path from the heath curved inland, away from the Sleaton Road, and they soon dropped down into a wooded valley. The dappled shade was very welcome, for the sun was at its height, but John's comments were met only with a brief smile before Mistress Ellingham rode forward to lead the way. A fork in the road and a pair of stone gate-posts marked the entrance to Ellingham Place and John found himself riding through an avenue of ancient sycamores. Beyond the trees the parkland looked much neglected and he wondered again about the lady's patched and faded garb. The avenue ended in a sweeping drive, its rough surface covered in weeds.

  The house itself was something of a surprise. It was built in the Italian style with red brick and stone ornament; a tall rectangular building of two storeys over a low basement. Tucked beneath the roof line was a line of small attic windows, but most of these had been blocked up. The house had a general air of decay: no servants ran out to greet them and Miss Ellingham continued past what was certainly the main entrance, double doors at the top of a shallow flight of steps, and rode around the side of the house and into the stable yard. The cobbled yard was enclosed by a range of barns and outbuildings that showed signs of neglect. Weeds grew against the walls and in places tiles were missing from the roof. A pile of logs was stacked against one wall, fronted by an empty wicker basket and a chopping block with an axe buried in the top. Katherine followed her companion's gaze and gave a sigh.

  'Gordon was cutting firewood this morning before I insisted that he come out with me. Papa likes to have a fire on all but the very warmest days.'

  Matthew was leading the groom's horse towards an open stable door where a diminutive stable-boy came running out to take the reins. John followed, dismounting just in time to catch the groom as he slid from the saddle.

  'Thank 'ee, master. I shall do now,' muttered Gordon, leaning heavily against his horse's flank.

  'The devil you will,' remarked John cheerfully. 'You are still green about the gills and in danger of casting up your accounts at any minute.'

  'You must lie down, Gordon,' said Miss Ellingham, dismounting lightly. 'Billy, help your master to his bed, I will take care of the horses.'

  Matthew caught John's glance and quickly came forward to put a sustaining arm about the groom.

  'Lean on me, man, I'll come with you. The lad's not up to your weight but I'll wager he knows where to find all we need to make you comfortable, eh, lad? Well then, lead on, young'un.'

  As Matthew and the boy took the groom away, Katherine gathered up the reins to take the horses inside. She raised no objection when John followed her and accepted his help in unsaddling the horses.

  'You appear to be short-handed, Mistress,' he observed, when they had finished. 'How will you manage while your man is laid up?'

  'We are not quite so alone as you think, Master Steel,' she retorted, putting up her chin. 'My brother is gone out and taken his groom with him. We shall go on very well once he retu
rns.'

  'Meanwhile, your father will need those logs for his fire.' John went out into the yard. He shrugged off his frock-coat and folded it over the mounting block, resting his hat on top. 'Do you go in, Mistress. I will follow shortly.'

  'No, no you cannot,' she cried, distressed. 'Perhaps, when he has finished with Gordon, your man – '

  He smiled down at her, and Katherine experienced the unusual sensation of her insides turning to water.

  'Madam, I am not such a fine gentleman that I cannot cut a few logs. Go in now and I will bring the basket in to you.' He waved her away. 'Go.'

  When John came into the house some half an hour later, he was accompanied by Matthew carrying a full basket of freshly-split logs. They entered the wainscoted parlour where Katherine was sitting at the feet of a white-haired old man who was wrapped in shawls and seated beside the fireplace. John had put on his coat again and as he approached his hostess he took his hat from under his arm and made a flourishing bow.

  'Billy showed us the way but I have told him to go back now and keep an eye on your groom.'

  'Thank you. You are very kind,' said Mistress Ellingham, rising.

  She had changed her riding outfit for an open robe of green watered silk that rustled as she moved. She smiled shyly at John, and he felt a moment's disappointment when she looked away to watch Matthew put the log basket beside the hearth. As he straightened, she thanked him prettily.

  'If you can find your way to the kitchens, I have asked the housekeeper to have a jug of small-beer ready for you.'

  Katherine glanced back at John Steel, thinking as she did so how unusual to see such blond hair, it was the colour of the fresh-split logs in the basket. She had watched him from the window as he cut those same logs, his shirtsleeves rolled up to expose muscled arms. He might be a gentleman, but he was no weakling, that was sure. The thought brought extra colour to her cheeks and she hurried into speech. 'And you, Master Steel: I thought, after your exertions, you might also prefer ale, but there is wine if you wish it?'

  John did not answer. He was staring at the vision before him, startled by the transformation from boyish urchin to woman. Matthew was obliged to nudge him surreptitiously as he passed him on his way out of the room.

  'What? Oh. As it pleases you, ma'am.'

  'Then you shall have ale, but first let me present you to my father.'

  Recovering himself, John stepped forward to be presented to Amos Ellingham. The man was not as old as he first appeared. However, his white hair needed no powder to lighten it, and his lined face showed marks of great suffering. John guessed that he had once been a big man but ill health had left him gaunt and wasted. Yet the eyes, sunk deep in their sockets, were still keen in their appraisal and John smiled, waiting patiently for the old man to speak.

  'Master Steel. My daughter has told me of how you came to her aid. Forgive me for not rising, but my legs do not support me as they once did.'

  'I am sorry to hear of it, sir.'

  'And I am sorry for it that my son Henry is not here to greet you in the proper manner.' Amos Ellingham frowned. 'Kate says you are a traveller, and cannot stay for dinner. Pity, sir, for I should like to repay your kindness.'

  'Thank you, sir, I too am sorry I cannot stay, but I am engaged to reach Warenford Keep tonight.'

  The older man glanced at him, a spark of interest in his sunken eyes.

  'The Keep, eh? Kate did not see fit to tell me that! Friend of Lord Warenford are you?'

  John caught the warning look in the lady's eye as she left the room and smiled at her.

  'No, sir, I have never met him. It is my brother's business I come upon. I am delivering a consignment of swords.'

  'Ah. That does not surprise me. Everyone is nervous, now that the Stuart Prince is in Scotland. Oh aye, they try to keep it from me, but I hear the news, and this means trouble, mark my words. So, what manner of man are you, sir?'

  John gave another little bow. 'I am a gentleman of leisure, Master Ellingham, nothing more.'

  'Hah!' The old man's eyes narrowed and he looked as if he was about to utter some derogatory remark, but Miss Ellingham had come back in with a jug of ale and he held his peace.

  'I have brought refreshment for our guest, Father. Perhaps you will take a glass of ale with him, it will refresh you.'

  She poured the ale into two tankards and handed them to the gentlemen, then took half a glass of wine for herself.

  'How is my groom, Master Steel?'

  'He shows no sign of fever so I hope he will be up and about tomorrow, although he will not be able to use his hand for a few days. Matthew tells me he re-bandaged his wrist before he left him.'

  'How came he to fall?' demanded Master Ellingham.

  John was watching Kate as she sank back onto the footstool beside the old man, her green skirts billowing around her.

  'I told you, Father,' she smiled up at him lovingly. 'We were riding on the heath when his horse stumbled. A rabbit hole, I expect.'

  'More likely he was going too fast. Trying to keep up with you, you baggage!'

  She gave a low laugh and reached up to cover one of his restless hands with her own.

  'No, no, how can you say so? I only ride as you were used to do, Papa.'

  The hand beneath hers turned and gripped her fingers.

  'You must take care of yourself, Kate, since I cannot do it and Henry has his own concerns. Have a care, my love. I could not bear to lose you too!'

  He ended on a querulous note and John watched as Katherine tended her father, removing the cup from his agitated fingers and soothing his fears until once again he sat quietly in his chair, eyelids drooping. John put down his own tankard.

  'I must go.' He was a little disappointed that she made no attempt to detain him. She glanced at her father, dozing in his chair.

  'I will accompany you to the stables, Master Steel.'

  They walked together to the yard, only the rustling of the lady's skirts breaking the silence between them. Matthew was waiting with the horses.

  'Miss Ellingham, tomorrow, when I have finished my business with Lord Warenford, perhaps I might – '

  'No.' She broke in quickly. 'We live very retired here, my father's ill-health, you see…' She trailed off, her hands fluttering nervously. He reached across and caught one of them.

  'Perhaps it is more to do with my association with Lord Warenford? Madam, let me assure you – '

  'No!' she pulled away her hand. She seemed to struggle to look up at him, to meet his gaze as she said slowly, 'I pray you will understand me, Master Steel. We will not meet again.'

  For a long moment John held her eyes, troubled and dark as a stormy sea, then with a faint shrug, he nodded.

  'As you wish, Mistress.' He took the reins from Matthew and swung himself up into the saddle. 'Goodbye, Mistress Kate.'

  Kate gazed up at him, feeling the warmth of the smile in his blue eyes. She knew that she had only to say one word and he would call again. Resolutely she held her tongue and with a final nod he turned his horse and trotted away.

  John led the way to the end of the drive, where he waited for his man to come up beside him.

  'Well Matthew, did you look in upon the groom again before we left?'

  'Aye, sir, I did. He was sleeping.'

  'Ah. Perhaps you had time to talk to the lad.'

  Matthew nodded. 'Seems a queer set up to me. Gordon is Miss Kate's groom, but from what Billy told me, it appears he does most of the work around the place, too. The only other menservants are the old butler and Master Ellingham's valet, Hadston, both too old to be of much use. Master Henry has a groom, but Billy don't seem to put too much store by the man nor his master – not that I listen to such tittle-tattle,' he added hastily, finding his master's sardonic gaze bent upon him. 'Just repeating what the lad said, sir.'

  'Of course. Yet I think in this case there might be some truth in it, Matty. It is sad to see such a fine house falling into disrepair.'

  'Aye, the f
amily's fallen on hard times, it seems.' He cast a sly glance as his master. 'And Mistress Ellingham is such a fine-looking lady, too.'

  'Aye.' John sighed, then squared his shoulders. 'But there's nothing we can do to help them. Come on, let's push on and mayhap we can yet catch up with our pack-train before it reaches the Keep.'

  CHAPTER THREE

  The two men rode into Sleaton and reached the Three Tuns as the pack-train was preparing to move on.

  'Shall we go on with them?' asked Matthew.

  'No, no,' laughed John, dismounting. 'We have not eaten since dawn and I am famished, even if you are not. Let them carry on, we will catch them up on the road.'

  The landlord shouted for a stable-lad to take the gentlemen's horses, then turned back to address John.

  'Well, as to food, sir, we've had a busy time of it, what with feedin' all your men. I had to bring in one of the girls from the village, like, to help out, and I'm not sure there's anything left suitable for a gentleman like yourself.'

  'Oh, I am not at all difficult to please. Tell me what you have.'

  The landlord scratched his head. 'Well sir, there's some veal pie, and cheese, like, and p'raps a bit o' pressed tongue.'

  'Excellent!' declared John. 'Serve it up, landlord, and to start with I pray you will bring a couple of tankards of your home-brewed for myself and my man.'

  Their host showed them into a small private room before going off to the kitchens. Matthew pulled out a map and spread it over the table.

  'The road follows the coast from here to the Keep. It looks to be no more than a couple of miles.' He broke off as a maid entered with a large basket on one arm, and a snowy white cloth draped over the other. She dipped a quick curtsey.

  'If you please, sir, Master says I'm to lay up for 'ee.'

  Matthew promptly folded up the map, giving her a broad smile. 'Of course. Carry on, my dear.'

  She giggled, blushing under his admiring look, then began to prepare the table. After a few moments she glanced up and, emboldened by Matthew's friendly smile, she said,

  'Begging you pardon, sirs, but I believe you're goin' up to the Keep? I, I know a man there,' she blushed rosily. 'A fine gennleman, like yourselves.'