A Stranger's Touch

by Anne Herries

  He flung from the room, leaving silence behind him. Morwenna sat down in one of the chairs. Jacques came to her. He knelt by her side and took her hand, looking up at her as he took a square of white cloth from his coat pocket and dabbed at the side of her mouth.

  ‘This wants cold water and a salve,’ he said. ‘I should have killed him for what he did to you, Morwenna.’

  ‘It does not matter.’ She glanced round as her servant entered.

  ‘Are you hurt, mistress?’

  ‘Bring cold water and salves,’ Jacques told her. ‘Your mistress has been attacked. If that man comes again, deny him access.’

  ‘Mercy on us,’ the woman cried. ‘The wicked brute for attacking you. I’ll tend to your hurts, mistress.’

  As she hurried away to fetch what was needed, Jacques stood up and walked over to the window. ‘If they catch him, Michael will hang,’ he said. ‘They have gunpowder—more than I’ve ever seen, though God knows what use they mean to make of it, for I could not discover it.’

  ‘You must tell Rupert—’ She broke off as someone entered and then gave a glad cry as she saw him. ‘You are back so soon.’

  ‘I forgot something,’ Rupert said, frowning as he looked at her. ‘You are hurt. What has happened here?’

  ‘Michael came looking for you,’ Jacques told him. ‘He beat Morwenna and threatened her when she would not go with him. I told him that he should flee to France, for he is in trouble. He and his friends must be stopped, Rupert. They have a huge quantity of gunpowder and whatever it is they mean to do they intend to use it soon.’

  ‘This much we know,’ Rupert said. ‘You are not the only one who has been following your brother. He was allowed enough rope, for we hoped to find the other plotters. Now he will be arrested as soon as he is found again.’

  ‘Where do they mean to use so much gunpowder? It would be enough to blow half of the city apart.’

  ‘If I knew, I could not tell you,’ Rupert said with a frown. He turned as the servant entered with a bowl of water and salves. ‘Thank you, mistress. Leave them and go.’

  ‘Yes, my lord.’

  The woman put down the pewter bowl, her linen and her pots and departed. Jacques moved forwards, but Rupert waved him back. He took a cloth, dipped it in the water and applied it to the cut on Morwenna’s mouth, frowning as she winced.

  ‘If I see Michael again, I shall kill him,’ he said coldly. ‘The man is a selfish brute and deserves no less.’

  ‘Let him be tried for his crimes,’ Morwenna said. ‘I would not have you do murder for my sake.’

  ‘Believe me, it would be merciful,’ Rupert replied grimly. ‘Have you any idea what they would do to him if he were taken and tried for treason? He will be tortured to reveal the names of his friends. If he meets death at the point of my sword, he should thank me.’

  Morwenna gave a little sob, for the idea of her brother fighting her lover appalled her. ‘What of you? Michael is skilled with the use of swords and other weapons. He might kill you. He has sworn it.’

  ‘He is welcome to try.’ Rupert’s expression was grim. ‘I show no mercy to traitors.’

  Tears filled her eyes and one trickled down her cheek. He wiped it away with his fingers.

  ‘Your pardon,’ Rupert said. ‘Do I hurt you, Morwenna?’

  She shook her head. ‘It is no matter. If you will excuse me, I shall go to my room and finish this myself.’ She took the bowl and the salves on the tray and walked from the room.

  ‘Morwenna is in shock,’ Jacques said. ‘I came in time to save her from worse, but the brute hurt her. We fought, but I should have killed him.’

  ‘It is as well you did not. He will be followed and if he thinks they are in danger of being discovered he may contact others amongst the plotters.’

  ‘I doubt it. He was amused, for I let slip that I had no idea what they planned to do. It will be shocking, I know that, something terrible indeed.’

  ‘You do not need to know more. You should keep out of this affair now for the retribution will be swift and bloody. Go to my house and take up the position of steward. I cannot tell you, but I know that information has been received. A letter of warning was sent to someone and we believe we may know what these evil men intend. God willing we shall apprehend the plotters before they can carry out their wicked purpose.’

  ‘Why do you not arrest them at once if you know?’

  ‘It has been agreed to wait until we have all the rats in the trap. I pray for your brother’s sake that he is out of it. If he has any sense, he will leave for France before it is too late. Once they have the ringleaders they will round up the others and they have no mercy. I pity those that live beyond this night, for they will wish they had died.’

  Michael fumed as he walked away from the house in which his sister now practised as a whore. Had that interfering whelp not arrived he would have had her away. She was his sister and she had shamed him. He would not allow her to continue as that man’s mistress.

  He knew that he should get away now before it was too late, but he could not go without Morwenna. If he left her behind as that rogue’s mistress, he would have failed in all he had tried to do. He had risked so much for his family and, had he stuck to smuggling, might still have been risking his life to give them all that had been taken from them, but he had been tempted into dangerous waters.

  He knew that he’d been a fool, but it was too late to go back now. He must begin a new life in France and he was determined that he would take his sister with him. Besides, he had lied to Morwenna before—he had not yet been paid for his work. Michael had risked so much, thrown away the easy trade that had caused him little trouble for the sake of all that was promised him. To run now without payment would ruin his plans for the future. One day he would be rich, a gentleman again, and he would force Morwenna to marry well and restore their reputation.

  It was just a matter of waiting until the time was right. In the meantime he must find somewhere new to hide.

  ‘Are you sure you feel able to go shopping?’ Rupert asked when Morwenna came down wearing a cloak over her gown a little later. ‘We could leave it until another day if you prefer?’

  ‘I should like to go,’ she said. ‘Forgive me if I do not smile at you. My mouth feels sore and stiff. I think I must look terrible.’

  ‘You are always beautiful to me,’ Rupert said. ‘Forgive me for allowing him near you. I did not think he would dare to molest you in this house.’

  ‘Michael said it is your house—is that true?’

  ‘It was mine, but is now yours,’ he replied, a serious expression in his eyes. ‘My family has a much larger house in London, which is my mother’s for the moment. She lives there with my sister when she is not at the castle.’

  ‘Why did you have another house if your family has a home here? Was it to house a former mistress?’

  Rupert glanced at her, seeing the shadow in her face. ‘I had a mistress. I shall not deny it, though I have parted with her on good terms. No, she never lived here. I bought the house so that I could be alone. I do not always wish to be in my mother’s pocket. We do not always agree and I find it more comfortable to live alone. I am not my mother’s favourite person.’

  ‘I see.’ Morwenna forced a smile, though it hurt and not just because Michael had hit her. ‘Where are we going this afternoon?’

  ‘To Spitalfields to the silk weavers there and perhaps Cheapside. There is a goldsmith’s that I would visit. I have commissioned gifts from him before and I wish to buy you something—perhaps a necklet or something for your hair.’

  ‘You mean to spoil me,’ Morwenna said, eyes very bright.

  ‘You are worth spoiling. As far as I am concerned we shall be together for a long time, Morwenna. No man can promise a lifetime, for none of us know what awaits around the next corner, but you are the woman I wish to spend my life with.’

  ‘Is that truly so?’ Her heart caught, then soared with sudden hope. If he loved her, a weddi
ng ring did not matter so very much.

  Morwenna looked at him as he smiled. ‘Aye, my love. Do not question my feelings for you. You have all I have to give of myself, though it may not be all you wish for.’

  ‘If you truly care for me, it is enough,’ she said and held back her sigh.

  ‘You are not ill? That brute did not harm you?’

  ‘No, though he might have, had Jacques not come when he did. Michael would have forced me to go with him.’

  Rupert cursed, his look as black as thunder. ‘Had I heard that he might not have lived.’

  ‘Forget him,’ Morwenna said and held his arm tighter. ‘I am looking forward to seeing the silk merchants and this goldsmith you spoke of visiting.’

  His expression lightened and she was relieved. Even though Michael had hurt her, he was still her brother. She would prefer that neither man harmed the other.

  She prayed that Michael had got away to France. If Rupert was forced to kill him, it might sour things between them. Far better that her brother should leave England while he had the chance.

  ‘Mother, you cannot be sure,’ the girl said, looking uncertainly at the older woman. ‘If Rupert were in town, would he not call for politeness’ sake if nothing more?’

  ‘Your brother is an unnatural son,’ the Dowager Marchioness of Melford said sharply. ‘We quarrelled when last we met and I think this is his way of punishing me. To be told that Rupert is in town by another when I had no knowledge of it is humiliating. It is all of a piece, I dare say. He loses no opportunity to insult me.’

  ‘I do not believe my brother would deliberately insult you, Mother.’ May looked at her doubtfully. ‘I have not heard from him for some weeks. I feared he must be ill.’

  ‘If he has not written to you, then something must be going on,’ the Dowager Marchioness said thoughtfully. ‘Depend upon it, May, there is some mystery here. Your brother is hiding something from us.’

  ‘Rupert is a man grown, not a child,’ May said. ‘If he has a secret, he is entitled to keep it.’

  ‘I am his mother and if he is keeping something from us it is because he fears my anger. I am determined to discover what he is doing, May. I will not have your brother bring disgrace upon us all.’

  ‘Mother, you should not suspect him of ill doing.’

  ‘He delights in thwarting me.’ The Dowager Marchioness glared at her. ‘If you hear from Rupert, you will tell me immediately, do you hear me?’

  ‘As you wish, Mother. May we not speak of other things? I believe we are to go to court this evening?’

  ‘Indeed we are, Daughter, and you must look your best. It is time we were thinking of your marriage.’

  May sighed inwardly. She had drawn her mother’s fire upon herself to deflect her thoughts, but now she would have to endure another lecture for the Dowager Marchioness had a sharp tongue and used it often on her children. May did not blame her brother for staying away. If she had her choice, she would leave too, but she must wait until she received a proposal of marriage. Since she would have little choice in the matter, she hoped that she could like the man her mother chose for her—although Rupert was the head of the family and could make his wishes known if he chose.

  As yet, there had been no offers and May had not met anyone she would care to wed. Perhaps when Rupert decided to visit she would ask him to find her a husband. He would be kinder in his choice than her mother.

  Just what was her brother doing and why had he stopped writing to her for so many weeks?

  ‘You are certain they know nothing, Morgan?’ the man with the dark swarthy face asked.

  ‘You should have slit your brother’s throat. If he guesses what we mean to do, we’ll all die.’

  Michael glared at him. ‘Jacques knows we transported a large amount of gunpowder, but he has no idea what we intend to do with it.’

  ‘If our plans are thwarted because of your carelessness, I’ll kill you myself,’ the man muttered. ‘We have not plotted for months to have that young puppy destroy us at the last.’

  ‘I tell you, he knows nothing. If I thought he had the least idea that we intend to blow up the King and Parliament when they sit together, I would kill him rather than let him speak.’

  ‘Hush. Never speak the words aloud. We have come so far. Tomorrow we shall be rid of that tyrant for good.’

  ‘Amen to that! May God go with you. You are a brave man, Guy. That amount of powder is unpredictable. Make sure your fuse is long enough or you will die as the roof of the tunnel falls in on you.’

  ‘We have made our calculations. I shall take my chances and trust in Providence. If it is my destiny to die in such a cause, then I die willingly. What would rot my soul is if we were discovered before I can set the fuse.’

  ‘If that happens I pity you, my friend. They will show you no mercy.’

  ‘As I show none to them. If the tyrant and his lapdogs are to be destroyed, we must be decisive. One bold step and the future is ours.’

  ‘May God be with you.’ The two men clasped hands.

  ‘What of you? Are you for France?’

  ‘In good time. I have something to do first,’ Michael said and his eyes gleamed. ‘I am owed money and there is a score to be settled.’

  Chapter Eleven

  ‘Kiss me,’ Morwenna said as she snuggled against Rupert in the large tester bed with its deep feather mattress. They had left the curtains open and the moonlight peeped in through the small window. ‘If you are careful it will not hurt too much.’

  ‘My sweet love.’ Rupert held her to him, one hand smoothing down the satin arch of her back. His lips against her hair, he murmured words of such tenderness that Morwenna pressed closer, her body trembling with need as she gave herself to him. ‘You are so beautiful. You know that I care for you so much. If anything should happen to me, I have made certain that you will be provided for. As I told you, the house is yours and my lawyer has money put aside for you. He would make sure you had all you need, even if my family objected. My sister would not—bless her, for she loves me—but my mother is another matter. However, I have signed the deed and my lawyer is a good honest man.’

  ‘Do not speak of such things. I want only you,’ Morwenna said lifting her face for his kiss. ‘I pray you will not speak of death or loss.’

  ‘I did not mean to worry, merely to reassure you, my love. There are things I must do and any man is vulnerable. Yet I do not foresee it.’

  Morwenna trembled as he bent his head, circling her nipples with the tip of his tongue. The heat was building inside her as she ran her nails lightly down his back and felt his shudder. All conversation was suspended as they explored each other, discovering new delights with each caress and touch, their passion white hot as they came together at the last in an explosion of desire and need.

  Afterwards, they lay together, sated and content, drifting into sleep.

  It was early morning when Morwenna woke and heard something that disturbed her. What was that noise within the house? Rupert still lay beside her and she knew he slept.

  She was certain she had heard something. Touching Rupert’s shoulder, she tried to wake him, but he was soundly asleep and did not stir. Smiling, she slipped from the bed and pulled on a wrapping gown of silk, tying the sash about her waist and slipping her feet into soft-soled slippers.

  Leaving Rupert to slumber on, she walked down the stairs to the hall below. Where had the sound come from? It might have been the kitchen. Perhaps the housekeeper had risen early to prepare for baking or some such task. She turned towards the back of the house and stood at the top of the staircase leading down.

  ‘Are you there, Mistress Janet?’ she called. ‘Does something ail you? Do you need my help?’

  Morwenna had not brought a candle with her for it was dawn and the light was beginning to shine through the windows. She hesitated, about to descend to the kitchen when she heard a slight noise behind her and half-turned just as the blanket was thrown over her head.

&nbs
p; ‘No!’ she screamed out. ‘Rupert! Help me. Rupert …’

  ‘Be quiet, you little fool,’ a voice she knew only too well instructed. ‘If he hears you and comes I’ll kill him—and you if you cause me too much trouble. Be quiet and no one will be hurt.’

  ‘Let me go!’ Morwenna struggled and protested, but she knew the sound of her voice would be muffled by the blanket and her brother had hold of her in a strong grip that prevented her from breaking away from him. Besides, Rupert was sound asleep. ‘Please, let me go,’ she sobbed, but knew he would not listen to her.

  Her struggles were in vain as he carried her from the house and then dumped her unceremoniously across his horse. Her head dangling against the beast’s neck, Morwenna was jolted over cobblestones as her brother put his mount to a fast trot, carrying her away from Rupert.

  ‘Lie still and you will not be harmed,’ Michael told her. ‘You’ve put me to trouble enough, wench. Cause me worse and I’ll make you sorry you were born. You are my sister and I shall not let you shame me with that rogue. Had I not feared to raise the house, I should have killed him.’

  Rupert would look for her and not find her. He might think she had run away and left him. Tears trickled down her cheeks beneath the blanket. She loved Rupert so very much, but she was afraid she might not see him again.

  ‘Where are you taking me? Why are you doing this? What do you mean to do with me?’

  The questions tumbled in her mind, but were lost in the thickness of the blanket. Would Rupert come to look for her again? He had found her once, but this time it might be too late.

  Rupert roused, thinking he heard a cry. His hand slid across the bed, searching for Morwenna. Her side of the bed was still warm, though she was not there.