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'Good morrow, Mistress Cathie,' said a voice from the other side
of the room; and to her surprise she saw that Denham was seated in a
high-backed chair by the fire.
'Why, you are dressed!' she exclaimed, and went over to him. 'Do
you think it is wise?'
'You are as bad as Adam,' he returned. 'Allow me to assure you I
should not have attempted to get up if I had not felt equal to it.'
His doublet and breeches were dark red, of fine quality cloth, the
doublet fastened with silver buttons and elaborately trimmed with
silver braid. His linen collar and wrist-bands were edged with heavy
lace, his breeches tied at the knee with loops of red ribbon over black
stockings. His shoes were black leather, with ribboned rosettes and
red heels. The whole effect was one of quiet elegance.
'I did not feel capable of stamping into my boots,' he remarked.
'I should think not!' Cathie exclaimed. She sat down on the stool
beside his chair and told him about Edmund Hill's brief visit, and of
the news he had brought to them. 'Oh, how I wish this war would
end!' she said, in despairing tones.
He looked at her downbent head. Her hair had fallen forward on
each side of her face, leaving the nape of her neck uncovered. He had
a sudden desire to kiss it, but before he could do so Rachel tapped
upon the door. Biting back an oath, he bade her enter.
'Why, Captain Denham!' she cried. 'I am delighted to see that
you are now well enough to leave your bed.'
In her emerald green gown with the wide lace collar, she looked
graceful and elegant, her black hair drawn back from her face into a
heavy coil, the side pieces dressed in fashionable little ringlets. It
seemed to Cathie that the Captain's gaze dwelt upon her with
appreciation. All at once she felt her own gown to be plain and
64 CROMWELL'S CAPTAIN
ordinary, the blue ribbon threaded through her curls too childish.
Rachel looked at her. 'Mary sent me to find you. She is in the
still-room.'
'Oh!' Cathie got to her feet. 'I had better go. Pray excuse me,
Captain Denham.'
She found Mary measuring out a dose of physic for Polly, who was
troubled by a cough.
'So there you are!' Mary exclaimed, giving Cathie a sharp glance.
'I suppose you have been sitting with Captain Denham. Why you
must be for ever going in to see him, I don't know! Belittling
yourself in such a forward manner!' Ordinarily she would never
have spoken so openly before a servant, but for once she allowed her
feelings to get the better of her.
Polly accepted the physic, swallowed it down and bobbed a
curtsey. 'Thank you, m'lady.'
She thereupon returned to the kitchen, all agog to recount what
she had heard. Annie and the others shook their heads, and agreed
that her ladyship had been quite right to speak so firmly to Mistress
Cathie. Sir James would never have countenanced such unseemly
behaviour. She was only demeaning herself and with a Round-
head, too!
Later, recalling Mary's words of condemnation, Cathie was
forced to acknowledge to herself that, much as she might resent
them, they were nonetheless justified. In her heart of hearts she
knew she had been wrong to spend so much time with Captain
Denham unchaperoned. Mary had said she was belittling herself.
Could he be of the same opinion? Somehow it hurt to think that.
Mary had apparently mentioned the matter to John, who told
Cathie in blunt, brotherly fashion, to stop making a fool of her-
self the Captain was no concern of hers. In future she had best
keep out of his room. The servants were already talking.
Bristling at this no less than at his manner, she retorted that it was
a pity he did not say the same to Rachel, who appeared to spend far
more time in the Captain's bedchamber than she did in any other
room in the house.
His face darkened ominously. 'Leave Rachel out of it! You never
have a good word to say for her! If she wishes to sit with the fellow,
let her!'
He flung himself off, leaving her staring after him, struck by the
savage note in his voice. Could it be that he was at last losing his
infatuation for Rachel, and if so, was it due to the fact that the latter
CROMWELL'S CAPTAIN 65
was finding Captain Denham's company more attractive than his?
With a sudden rush of compassion, she went after him. 'John,
don't let us quarrel. Please!.'
He looked at her, then shrugged. 'Very well.' He hesitated and
then in offhand tones, added, 'I am going up on to the moor. You
can come, if you like.'
It was a long time since he had invited her to accompany him
anywhere, and her face lit up. 'I'd love to!'
'Don't be long, then, I will wait for you in the stables.'
Cathie changed swiftly into her warm riding-dress and thick
shoes. Her hat was of black felt, its wide brim adorned with a
sweeping plume. She put it on, and snatched up her riding cloak.
Downstairs she paused only long enough to tell Mary where they
were going, before running out of the house to join John.
On the moor the horses picked their way along the track between
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