‘Don’t worry, boy, they’ll never hit us at this range, and in the dark too. Just hold on and we’ll soon have you safe and sound.’
He settled the horse into a steady canter and they rode on, the stranger whistling nonchalantly into the darkness, while Elinor clung on behind him, her head resting wearily against the rough cloth of his greatcoat. She had no idea how long they travelled, nor in which direction. They crossed roads and fields and splashed through numerous icy streams, the sure-footed steed never once stumbling over the frosty ground. Now that she was no longer active, the cold air pierced the velvet coat and thin knee-breeches that were Elinor’s only protection against the elements and she tensed her tired limbs to prevent herself from shivering. She kept her head down, sheltering her face behind the broad shoulders of the rider, but she could do nothing to prevent the cold wind biting into her bare hands, which were clasped around his body.
At last the pace changed and they slowed to a walk, then to a complete stand.
‘It’s time we gave old Devon a rest. You can be sure we’ve lost those hounds now. Jump down, lad, and we’ll walk a little.’
Elinor slid to the ground, but as her feet touched the ground she feared that her numbed limbs would not support her and she clung to the saddle cloth to prevent herself from falling. The rider dismounted and came to stand beside her.
‘Now what’s this, are you hurt?’
‘No, it – it’s only the cold.’
Her companion paused, then taking her by the shoulders he pulled her into the moonlight, staring hard into her face. He whistled softly.
‘Why, ‘fore Gad, ‘tis a wench!’ his eyes appraised her, and from the depths of his thick beard she caught the gleam of his white teeth as he smiled. ‘A fair dainty one at that, too, I’d wager! Why in Heaven’s name – but we can talk later,’ he said briskly, as he felt her body shivering beneath his hands. ‘The first thing to be done is to set you before a warm fire. Come on, Devon’s rest will have to wait.’
Without ceremony he threw her back into the saddle. She sat astride the great horse, her rescuer smiling up at her.
‘There now, are you comfortable? Good. I’ll lead you for a while. Just try not to fall off.’
Elinor gave a tired smile.
‘I’m not in the habit of falling off horses, sir.’
He laughed. ‘That’s the spirit!’
‘What is your name, sir?’
He stopped, took off his hat and made her a flourishing bow.
‘I am Ralph Belham, at your service, ma’am!’
‘I am
very
pleased to meet you, Mr Belham.’
‘And you, ma’am, do you have a name?’
Elinor shook her head.
‘No, I beg you will let me keep my name a secret a little longer. I promise to explain everything later.’
‘Very well, and I look forward to the explanation!’
They set off again, the gentleman leading his horse along the easiest course while Elinor concentrated on staying in the saddle. She had never used a man’s saddle before, and it took her a little while to get comfortable, but once she was accustomed to her mount she found it difficult to stay awake. They had travelled about a mile when Belham, glancing up, saw Elinor swaying dangerously.
‘Sit forward,’ he commanded, climbing into the saddle. ‘Poor child, your hands are so icy you can hold nothing. Swing your leg across – that’s it,’ He settled Elinor before him, sitting her across the saddle and cradling her in the crook of one arm. ‘I cannot trust you to sit up behind me, you are so chilled that before we knew it we should have you sliding off and cracking your head upon the ground. Much better that I should have you here, where I can look after you.’
Elinor was too tired to protest.
‘You are very kind,’ she murmured.
‘Kind!’ he laughed. ‘Aye, call it that if you will, my dear, but when I rescue a comely lass I expect my reward! Let’s get you back to my quarters, where we can warm you with a hearty meal and a good fire, then we’ll see how grateful you can be. What do you say to that?’
Receiving no response, he glanced down at his charge. Her head was resting against his chest, the face turned in towards him, yet even so he could make out the dark lashes lying upon her pale cheek. She was asleep.
* * * *
When Elinor awoke she lay very still, unwilling to shake off her sleepy comfort. She opened her eyes and looked up at the pattern of blackened roof beams. Although she recognized nothing of her surroundings, Elinor felt strangely calm and untroubled. Without moving her head from the soft pillows she looked about her.
The steep pitch of the roof and roughly plastered walls made her think the building was a cottage, or perhaps a farmhouse. She guessed it must be night, for the room was lit only by the fire that blazed high in the large open hearth at one end of the room, causing the shadows to dance upon the ceiling and walls. Wooden shutters were tightly closed across the windows, which were set low under eaves that came nearly to the floor. The room was sparsely furnished, a small chest beside the bed, a cupboard in one corner and a small round table.
Shifting her gaze to the fire, Elinor could see beside the hearth two wooden chairs, in one of which sat a large, bearded man, smoking a pipe. There was something familiar about him, but she felt too tired to search her mind and was content to lie still and watch him. He wore no coat, and the sleeveless waistcoat over his loose shirt was unbuttoned. His legs were encased in buckskins, and his feet in their shining black riding boots were stretched out before him. He had thick, dark hair held back by a thin ribbon but for all his casual dress he looked to be no farmer. As if aware of her scrutiny, he turned his head towards her and seeing she was awake, he laid his pipe upon the hearth and rose from his chair.
‘So you have come to life at last.’ He spoke in a deep, mellow voice and smiled as he came up to her. He leaned over and rested a hand gently upon her brow. ‘No fever now. That’s good. Are you thirsty?’ He picked up a cup from beside the bed and held it before her, deftly slipping his free hand behind her shoulders to help her to rise. His smile grew as he saw her eye the cup suspiciously.
‘It’s only barley-water. Megs made it up for you.’
‘Megs?’
‘Mistress Carew, the landlady.’
He helped her to drink and when she had done, he laid her gently back against the pillows.
‘There now, would you like some food?’
‘Thank you, no. I would like to talk.’
‘Very well.’ He sat down on the bed. ‘What would you like to talk about?’
‘Where am I? And who are you?’
‘You are at the Green Dragon, a small inn a few miles from Hoddesdon. It’s well off the main roads and our host, Jem Carew, helps his brother with the neighbouring farm. Out of necessity, I daresay, for the inn itself would scarce support him and his wife.’
‘And you?’
‘Ralph Belham. I introduced myself to you upon the road, but doubtless it has slipped your mind.’
Elinor continued to stare blankly at him.
‘Why am I here?’
‘Can you not remember?’
She stirred uncomfortably in the bed.
‘I’m not sure. There are dreams – nightmares …’
‘Aye, ‘tis often so with these cases,’ he murmured, almost to himself. He smiled at her again. ‘I came upon you in a lane close to the London road. I was hidden in the trees, having come to see who could be making such a devil of a commotion.’
‘Yes, I remember – the dogs.’ Elinor closed her eyes, shuddering. ‘They were almost upon me….’
‘Aye, you should be thankful they were leashed, or you would not be here now!’ he told her grimly.
Elinor stared up at the blackened rafters, a faint crease between her brows. She felt very tired, her powers of reasoning frustratingly slow.
‘Don’t try to think too much now,’ his voice seemed to be drawing away from her. ‘You need to sleep.’
‘Yes,’ she closed her eyes, ‘I think I do.’
When Elinor woke again the room was much brighter. The shutters had been removed from the windows to allow the daylight into the room. A good fire still crackled in the hearth, but the chairs beside it were now empty. She was alone. She lay still, trying to piece together the hazy memories that seemed to float around in her head, defying her to put them into order. She recalled waking to find the bearded man smiling down at her, what had he said was his name? Belham. Ralph Belham. She was pleased to find her thoughts were more coherent. She could also remember a woman being in the room at times, a round, rosy-cheeked woman in a snow-white cap, who had wiped her brow and given her a soothing draught to help her sleep, but she could not be sure – perhaps it was a dream. The noise at the door made her turn her head and she saw the bearded gentleman entering the room.
‘Well, ma’am! You are looking a deal better this morning,’ he told her, coming over to the bed, ‘There’s more colour in your cheeks today.’
‘How long have I been here?’
‘Four days – don’t look so shocked, lady! When I brought you in you were so cold that our good landlady despaired of saving you. However, thanks to her ministrations you seem to have survived.’
‘Who – who put me to bed?’
‘Mistress Carew, of course. She stripped you, washed off the dirt and provided one of her own night-gowns for you to wear.’ He grinned and added teasingly, ‘Not that you’d have known, had it been the King himself tending you. Rest easy, child. I am here as nursemaid, nothing more. Megs has much to attend to and once it was clear you were out of danger I agreed to stay with you and allow her to return to her housework. You have been delirious, you know, and it was not safe to leave you unattended.’
‘Did – did I say a great deal?’
He shook his head.
‘Little of any worth, although I am curious to know your history. But you need not worry yourself with that just yet. Your health is the first consideration.’
‘It seems I owe you a great deal, Mr Belham.’
‘Call me Ralph – it would seem in order, since you are in my bed.’ The quizzical gleam in his eyes changed to a look of surprise. ‘Faith, madam, I was speaking in jest!’ He frowned as he saw the terror in her eyes, and he stepped back a little murmuring, ‘Poor child, I’d wager you have suffered at some man’s hands, am I right?’ When she did not answer him he continued: ‘Think, child, if I had wanted to take you I could have done so anytime these past four days. You must learn to trust me, my dear.’ He knelt beside the bed, holding out a hand to her. Silently she gave him her own, and he squeezed it gently. ‘You need have no fears for your safety, ma’am. It is not my way to take advantage of a lady in your circumstances. I have no designs upon your virtue. At least, not yet,’ he added with a grin.
Elinor was surprised to find his improper speech did not shock her, rather it allayed her fears and she found herself smiling back at him.
‘I should hope not, sir!’
Ralph Belham seated himself upon the edge of the bed, saying gently, ‘Will you tell me your name? I cannot call you ‘madam’ for ever.’
She hesitated, her fingers nervously plucking at the coverlet.
‘Elinor.’
‘Just Elinor?’ He picked up her left hand, glanced at her wedding ring and looked an enquiry.
‘I am a widow,’ she said quietly, withdrawing her hand.
‘Well, that is some relief. At least we shall not have an irate husband to deal with. Would you like to tell me why you were abroad in the middle of the night, dressed as a boy and pursued by a hunt in full cry?’
For a full minute Elinor lay staring up at him, a speculative look in her green eyes.
‘I – I was escaping from a man who thought I would destroy him.’
‘You were on Boreland’s land.’
She nodded.
‘He – he had imprisoned me in his house and – I think he would have killed me, had I not run away.’
‘From what I know of the man I can well believe it. But if that is so, why did he not order his men to loose the dogs? They would have made short work of you.’
‘He – I think he wants information from me… in fact – where are my clothes?’
‘They are safely stored away in the cupboard. And while we are on the subject, why the boy’s clothes?’
The question brought a faint flush to Elinor’s pale cheek, and the hint of a smile to her eyes.
‘I had nothing else to wear. It was far too cold to venture out without some protection, so I took what I could find.’
He grinned down at her. ‘And mighty fetching you looked too, my dear. But I don’t doubt you would like something a little more feminine once you are on your feet again. I’ve asked Megs to see to it – you can trust her to provide you with all you need.’
‘Th – thank you,’ she stammered. ‘You are very kind – but I cannot stay here …’
‘Well, I think for the moment you have little choice. If James Boreland is looking for you it is most probable that his men are still scouring the countryside and watching the roads, too, I don’t doubt. He’s not a man to give up easily. It would be best for you to lie low for a while and get your strength back, then we can decide what’s to be done with you.’ He rose. ‘Now, I’ll go and find Megs and tell her to bring you some food. Oh – one thing more. Since you are loath to disclose your identity, I think it would be a good idea to adopt a new name. Megs will want to call you something: will Mistress Brown do? Not very inventive, but it will suffice, I think.’
‘Yes. As you wish.’
She watched him go out. She felt too weary even to think properly. It was only a few minutes before the door opened again, this time to admit the landlady, carrying a tray. Elinor remembered seeing her face, the ruddy cheeks and kind eyes, during the more lucid moments of the past few days, and she smiled shyly at her hostess.
‘Well, my dear, it’s good to see you looking so much better.’ Mistress Carew set down her tray and helped Elinor to sit up, arranging her pillows behind her and saying as she did so, ‘Master Ralph said you was awake, so I’ve brought you a little broth, and some chicken too. Do you think that you can manage to eat just a little of it? You need to build up your strength, you know, for you have not eaten for quite a time.’