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low to reveal white shoulders and bosom. She saw his eyes quicken
with interest while she conversed lightly with him concerning his
wound, explaining that she had not wished to bother him before he
was well enough to receive visitors.
He acknowledged this with a smile, saying it was most thoughtful
CROMWELL'S CAPTAIN 57
of her. His eyes met hers with a slightly quizzical look in their depths
that sent a sudden pricking of awareness through her. She had the
uncomfortable feeling that this man would not be easy to deceive.
And he was certainly no dedicated Puritan not with those eyes!
Her first glance had told her he was not handsome: his face was
too angular, his nose too prominent. Yet despite that, he was one of
the most attractive men she had ever met. There was something
about him that was at once exciting and challenging. She set herself
out to charm him, while making no secret of his own effect upon her.
It did not take her long to discover his background; that he came
from a wealthy family with a large estate in Buckinghamshire, and a
house in Covent Garden. Their conversation turned to pre-war
days. Casual enquiry rewarded her with the information that he had
been no stranger to Court circles at one time.
Rachel's interest deepened. Originally she had intended to pay
him but a fleeting visit in order to take his measure. She would then
depart, with a promise of another visit on the morrow. But that had
been before she had met him
She was still there some time later when Cathie tapped upon the
door and in answer to the Captain's bidding entered the room,
coming to a sudden halt when she saw Rachel.
Her eyes widened. 'Oh I did not realise '
Rachel looked at her, managing to convey the impression that she
was interrupting a private conversation which would be resumed
immediately upon her departure.
The look was not lost upon Denham, and he smiled at Cathie.
'Good morning to you. I trust you are well?'
'Well enough, thank you.'
His eyebrows rose a fraction at the curtness of her tone. He saw
her gaze go to his forehead, and touched the scar.
'As you see, it is healing. Adam removed the bandage last night. I
must remember not to knock it again.'
'Indeed you must not.'
Rachel, aware that the chance of an intimate discussion with him
had gone, rose languidly and smoothed her skirts.
'I will bid you adieu, Captain Denham, for the time being.'
She smiled at him, her eyes shadowed by their long lashes. Cathie
saw, resentfully, the way the Captain smiled back.
She turned swiftly away and attacked the fire, replenishing it with
a great clatter of logs. When she had finished she found that Rachel
had gone, and the Captain was surveying her with a certain amount
58 CROMWELL'S CAPTAIN
of amusement.
'For one moment I thought you were going to bombard me with
them!'
She pushed back a fallen lock of hair, her face hot from bending
over the fire. 'Why should you think that?' Her expression was
defensive.
He beckoned her over to the bed. 'Come here.' And when she had
obeyed him, slowly, unwillingly, he added: 'Never let your enemy
see your weakness. Give me your kerchief, you have smudged your
cheek. Come along I cannot possibly reach you if you don't lean
towards me.'
She did so, feeling a trifle foolish. He wiped away the smudge of
dirt, and regarded her critically. 'That is better.' His hand was on
her shoulder, holding her there. 'Your bruise is fading,' he
observed, and let her go, returning the kerchief. She stood beside
the bed, eyeing him uncertainly. 'Sit down,' he said gently.
'Are you sure you want me to? I thought perhaps you might have
had enough of conversation.'
He gave her an enigmatic look. 'That would depend upon the
person conversing with me.'
She seated herself and then could think of nothing to say, frown-
ing down at the kerchief twisted between her fingers. She became
aware that he was watching her.
'John has ridden into the village,' she said hastily. 'Several of the
cottages were damaged in the storm. He has gone to see what can be
done.' Her voice trailed away, and she looked at him. 'What did you
mean about not letting the enemy see your weakness?'
His eyes began to twinkle. 'Do you really need me to tell you? You
positively looked daggers at Mistress Devereux when you found her
sitting here; which fact I am sure did not escape her. You play card
games, I am sure. Have you not learned to guard your expression?
Not to give yourself away to your opponent?'
'Ye-es.' Her face cleared. 'I understand!'
'I thought you would.'
When Adam came in, they were deep in a discussion of music and
Court masques. After Cathie had gone, he said, 'So Mistress Cathie
brought you a book to read, sir.' He himself could read and write
and was very proud of that fact, in an age when it was not considered
necessary to educate the humbler classes of society.
Denham picked up the copy of Comus, lying on the coverlet. 'No,
Adam. Mistress Devereux did.'
CROMWELL'S CAPTAIN 59
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