Strife Beyond Tamar

by Oliver, Marina

'War is serious.'

  'I know,' she answered, seriously. 'Is there really likely to be war, Jon?'

  'I trust not. But the King has spent all summer attempting to raise support in the north. Let us hope he does not succeed in dividing the country!'

  'Surely 'tis Parliament that is doing that? They have defied him.'

  'Or he has refused to listen to their advice.'

  There was no time for more as they had reached the substantial house set in its own gardens at the edge of the town where the Anscombes lived, and as soon as Jon had been welcomed by Kate's parents she hurried off with Morwenna into the kitchens to help prepare the fish they had bought for dinner.

  Later Jon came to seek her out and persuaded her to walk in the gardens with him for a while until dinner was ready. She smiled and agreed, and soon they were strolling beneath the fruit trees in the orchard that bounded one side of the property.

  'Kate, my, dear, I am a little worried,' Jon began, and she turned to him in surprise.

  'What about? This possible war?'

  'Well that, of course, as everyone must be. But I meant about you, my love. Is it wise to go about alone so that any man who dares to may accost you?'

  She stared at him, nonplussed. 'What do you mean?'

  'I did not like the familiar way that man Tremaine was looking at you.'

  Neither had Kate, for his eyes had seemed to say more than his tongue, but she was not going to admit that to Jon.

  'He is a friend of Morwenna's and her brother's too, I understand,' she said stiffly.

  'That does not excuse him. But it is not only him, Kate. There might be others, and I may not always be there to extricate you.'

  She laughed. 'Jon! I am perfectly safe here in Saltash, for everyone knows me!'

  'You are still too young to realise the temptation you present to men of a certain sort,' he said slowly. 'I want you to promise me you will not go out again without a maid's escort.'

  For a moment she stared at him in amusement, then burst out laughing.

  'Jon! How could they be spared to wander all over the town with me?'

  'Is that what you do? Wander all over the town alone?'

  'Of course not!' Kate replied, annoyed that her words had been taken so literally. 'Besides, I do not know what protection you think Moll could be, for she is a good three years younger than I am!'

  'Nonetheless, you should not go out alone. I shall not permit it when we are married, that is certain.'

  She threw up her head and clenched her fists tightly. Never had she taken kindly to restraint.

  'You do not own me yet, Jonathan Peyton!' she flung at him. 'And if you think that when we are married you will be able to dictate to me what I do, you are mistaken! I shall do as I wish and you will not prevent me!'

  He caught at her hand as she began to run towards the house, but she tore it free and escaped, shaking with fury, and managed to reach her bedroom unseen by any of the household. She breathed deeply for a while to calm herself, and briefly considered pleading illness to escape dinner. But she knew her mother would be distracted if she did, for she was so rarely ill, and so she did her best to compose herself in the few minutes that remained before she was summoned to join the rest of the family and a few guests in the dining parlour.

  Jon tried to speak to her when she entered the room, but she evaded him by approaching her aunt, Morwenna's mother, and brightly enquiring whether the visits her aunt had been making that morning had been pleasant. Determinedly she ignored Jon until they were seated at the table, and then she adroitly placed Morwenna between them so that they could not exchange private conversation. Jon looked at her reproachfully, but she smiled unconcernedly and chatted to her other neighbour, a young woman married to one of her father's captains, as much as possible.

  They had all heard of the events in the town that morning, and the talk was mostly of the political situation and the disputes between the King and his Parliament. Opinion was fairly evenly divided as to the merits of the case, but they were unanimous in hoping that if war came it would not affect Cornwall.

  'Though 'tis bound to damage trade,' Mr Anscombe said gloomily.

  'Will it affect your plans for your next voyage?' Mr Trevose asked.

  'No, I shall continue with that, for until there is something definite 'twould avail nought to sit and wait about.'

  'I am glad of that,' Robert remarked, and his father laughed at him.

  'You do not care to miss your first voyage, eh, my son?'

  'Not after I have waited so long before being allowed to go,' Robert agreed. 'Though I am not sure I would not prefer to become a soldier after all.'

  Mistress Anscombe exclaimed in dismay, but Robert's father laughed. 'You will find enough excitement aboard ship,' he promised.

  'I doubt if there will be much fighting,' Jon put in. 'I do not see more than a skirmish developing, for the King has not been able to raise more than a few hundred supporters in all the north. He was mistaken to leave London, and will soon find there is no alternative but to return there and accept the advice given him.'

  'But he could not tamely give in to rebellious subjects!' Mr Trevose objected.

  'The Members are there to advise him. It is a well established custom that the kings take the advice,' another neighbour agreed.

  'Only when they need money,' Jon laughed. 'And this time he does, to pay for the war against the Scots that he brought on by his dogmatism over the Prayer Book.'

  'Advice, yes, but rebellion, no,' Mr Trevose declared.

  'I hope it does not spread to Cornwall,' one of the women commented. 'What would you do, Mistress Anscombe, if your husband and son were not here to protect you?'

  'I do not expect that to happen,' Mistress Anscombe said comfortably. 'But if it did, then I would retreat further west to where there are many of my family.'

  'You would always be welcome with us at Fowey,' her sister said quickly. 'Promise me Jane, that if there is any hint of fighting here you will come straight to us?'

  Laughingly Mistress Anscombe agreed, and then begged that they talked of more cheerful matters, which they were very ready to do. Kate, however, found herself unable to dismiss thoughts of war, and recruiting officers, and Petroc, from her mind.

  When the rest of the guests had departed, Jon was able to corner Kate and demand that she come out into the garden with him. Repenting of her anger and her treatment of him during dinner, Kate readily agreed and led the way out.

  'Kate, I love you so much,' Jon said simply, and Kate smiled up at him tremulously. 'I did not mean to offend you, but I care for you so deeply and consider only your welfare. Promise that you will do nothing rash.'

  'You trust me?' she asked in a low voice.

  'Oh, yes, that was never in question! But I see danger all about you, and fret when I cannot be here to protect you. Marry me soon!'

  'Will you keep me locked up in a tower?' she asked teasingly, and he laughed.

  'No indeed! But you shall be well protected. All I want is to be allowed to take care of you, my dearest one!'

  'Do not stifle me,' she warned, 'or I shall pine and die like a caged bird longing for freedom to spread its wings.'

  'We shall work out a way to satisfy us both,' he promised, and when she nodded, took her hand and bent to kiss her.

  Chapter 2

  'The King has raised his standard at Nottingham!' Robert cried, running into the house a few days later.

  'What is that?' Mr Anscombe appeared from the little room he used as an office, and Mistress Anscombe came out of the kitchen followed by Kate and Morwenna.

  'How do you know?'

  'Are you certain?'

  'Who told you?'

  He laughed. 'Give me a chance. I met that man, Mr Tremaine, and he had just come across from Plymouth where they had received the news an hour since. He asked if Uncle John were still here. I think he means to come and see him.'

  'But what of the King?' his father demanded.

&nb
sp; 'That is all I know, apart from the fact that the standard fell down during the storm that night. A bad omen, they are saying.'

  'At Nottingham? Has he many men with him?'

  'I know not. Mr Tremaine was in a hurry and did not stay long, but I expect he will soon be here. I'm off to tell Edward and Will.'

  He disappeared as abruptly as he had descended on them, and left them staring at one another.

  'It seems to have come at last, Jane,' Mr Anscombe said at last. 'Would you prefer me to stay here with you for a while, until we see how things go?'

  His wife smiled and shook her head. 'No, of course not. We are so far from Nottingham, and I do not expect we shall be disturbed.'

  'I could wait a few days,' he offered.

  'What good would that do? It cannot make any difference to us. I would far rather you decided to go and came back as early as may be. This is not a long voyage, and the sooner you are back the better it would be, my dear.'

  He nodded, only half convinced. 'I wish your sister were staying longer.'

  'John has to return to his business now, and there will be plenty of warning should I need to go to them. Fowey is not far away.'

  They moved into the office, and Kate looked mischievously at Morwenna.

  'Petroc is coming,' she said softly, but Morwenna grinned at her.

  'I heard,' she replied calmly.

  'Are you not excited?'

  'Why should I be? I see him often enough at home. He and Nick have always been friends.'

  Kate laughed. 'But when you saw him before, you were so confused! You blushed most adorably!'

  'He always flusters me, for I never know what he will say next.'

  'I suspect you are in love with him. Do you remember you were talking that day of marrying someone you loved.'

  'Petroc?' Morwenna laughed. 'I could not be in love with Petroc! Why, he half frightens me!'

  'Truly?' Kate was surprised.

  'Yes. I do not know why, except he is always laughing at me, or that is what I feel!'

  Kate looked at her closely, and decided this was the truth. 'Then I cannot pretend he has the motive of seeing you to bring him here. What can he want with Uncle John?'

  'Oh, they often do business,' Morwenna said carelessly.

  'Business? What sort?' Kate was surprised, for Petroc had not seemed like a merchant.

  'He has his own boat and often brings cargo to my father for him to sell. He has no need to, for his father owns a great deal of land and they are one of the wealthiest families in the Fowey area, but he likes the sea and it gives him an excuse for voyaging.'

  'Where does he go?' Kate asked, wondering as she did so at her interest in Petroc Tremaine's doings.

  'Many places, I hear.' Morwenna giggled suddenly. 'I know my father suspects that he attacks Spanish ships, for there is much Spanish ware that he brings. Father asks no questions!'

  'A pirate!' Kate was shocked.

  'He comes from Polruan, and 'tis rumoured every man there has been a pirate at some time,' Morwenna said calmly.

  'Why does he attack Spain?' Kate persisted. 'I thought the King was friendly towards Spain.'

  'Yes, but Spain is at war with the United Provinces, and Petroc spent some years fighting for them. Nick was wild to go with him, but Mother persuaded him to remain at home.'

  'I see,' said Kate, wondering if she did.

  Petroc appeared some time later, and was closeted for above an hour with both Mr Trevose and Mr Anscombe. He was then invited to dinner, and Kate had leisure to study him in the light of the knowledge she had recently gained. She was unusually quiet during the meal, but as Petroc was being asked many questions about the King and the approach of war, her silence was unremarked. Afterwards, with barely a smile at the two girls, he left, and the family discussed his news.

  'There has already been fighting in Somerset,' Mr Anscombe said worriedly.

  'Petroc does not think it will spread to Cornwall yet, if at all,' Mr Trevose said comfortingly. 'There will be a deal of recruiting for both sides, but it should not disturb us.'

  'I wish I did not have to leave you,' Mr Anscombe said, turning to his wife.

  'We have discussed that, my dear. It must be, and now you have agreed to bring provisions for the army it is important you go.'

  'What is this?' Kate asked in surprise, and her father turned to her swiftly.

  'Mr Tremaine has commissioned me to bring some supplies instead of my normal cargo. But I would that you do not talk of it.'

  'Of course not.'

  'It will be more profitable, and I must not condone rebellion,' Mr Anscombe said worriedly. 'If the war continues long, heaven knows what will happen to the trade.'

  'Who is paying then?' Kate asked.

  'Mr Tremaine has already paid me. But I must leave tomorrow, earlier than I had planned. Jane, I shall not have time to visit the Peytons and make all the arrangements for Kate's wedding. I had hoped to have it all settled so that the wedding can take place when I return.'

  'You are not to worry, Edward. Most of the details can be left to me and Mistress Peyton. The settlements are agreed, we can managed the rest,' his wife soothed him, and he smiled gratefully at her.

  'I know you will do all perfectly. I confess it will be a relief to me to see Kate settled and in safe hands.'

  The next day was filled with the bustle of departure. First the Trevoses left on their journey home, insisting that Kate and her mother should come to them if there was any fear of fighting in Cornwall, then Kate and Mistress Anscombe went down to the quay to bid farewell to a worried Mr Anscombe and an excited Robert.

  The house they returned to was incredibly quiet. Even the maids in the kitchens were hushed.

  'I had not realised what a flurry we have been in these last weeks,' Mistress Anscombe said slowly. ' 'Twill take time to become used to peace again. Before there was always Robert to make it noisy!'

  She turned away and surreptitiously wiped her eyes, and Kate silently put her arms about her shoulders and hugged her.

  'You will be even more lonely when I leave to marry Jon,' she said quietly. 'Would you like me to wait awhile? I am still young, and would willingly remain with you longer.'

  'No, of course not, child!' her mother declared. 'It has been long arranged that you would wed when you were seventeen, and you cannot keep poor Jon waiting for ever!'

  'A few months would not matter so greatly,' Kate argued, and her mother took her by the shoulders and eyed her with suspicion.

  'Do you not wish for the marriage? If you have doubts, say so now Kate, and we can stop it.'

  Kate laughed shakily. 'No, 'tis not that. I have no doubts, and do wish to marry Jon. But I do not wish to leave you all alone.'

  'You are a good child! But you will come often to stay with me. Plymouth is so near. Why, you sail your own boat across frequently enough! If you are certain then I will visit Mistress Peyton soon and make the arrangements. Your father will return before the end of October, if he is fortunate with the winds, and you can be married by Christmas.'

  The next few weeks passed quickly, despite the absence of Mr Trevose and Robert, for events moved more speedily than anyone had anticipated. Both Royalist and Parliamentarians had been busy recruiting. The commissioners of array for the King included many of the noted Cornish landowners. Lord Mohun of Boconnoc and Sir Bevill Grenvile of Morwenstow were perhaps the most esteemed, but there were also other Members of Parliament, John Arundel of Trerise, and Sir Nicholas Slanning, governor of Pendennis Castle. Arundel's son-in-law, another Member, was John Trevanion, the eldest son of Charles Trevanion of Caerhayes, who had been both Sheriff and deputy Lieutenant. Mohun was but twenty-two, Sir Bevill over forty, but the rest were in their late twenties and thirties, men of some experience, yet still vigorous and fully active.

  Parliament, for its part, sent what Cornish Members it could to execute the Ordinance for the Militia, and it was one of these, Sir Richard Buller, who descended on Saltash in the
middle of September on a recruiting foray. Kate and her mother had no warning and were not able to escape.

  'I do not expect they will remain long, and we are not in danger simply from recruiting,' Mistress Anscombe declared.

  'I heard that they are intending to meet at Bodmin,' Kate reported, having made the most of her expedition to the market.

  'You ought not to talk with the soldiers,' her mother said worriedly.

  'They are mostly lads I have known all my life,' Kate said, laughing slightly. 'It was Robert's best friend Edward who told me this. It's odd,' she said, putting her elbows on the table and resting her face in her cupped hands as she stared through the window.

  'What is, the evidence of war?'

  'I suppose 'tis part of it. No, the fact that good friends and neighbours, even brothers, may be on opposite sides. Edward said his elder brother Richard had gone to join Lord Mohun and the King. What if they should meet in battle?'

  'That is the tragedy of a civil war, my dear. 'Tis far worse than any other sort. I pray that we shall all remain united. But it may not come to anything else. Mayhap they will stop before there is too much fighting.'

  Kate did not reply. She had seen the enthusiasm of the recruits, and somehow she doubted whether these young men, many of them little more than boys, would readily relinquish their hour of glory, even if they knew it would be the last hour for some of them.

  The following day there was more news, and again it was Edward who came to tell them.

  'We march today,' he said excitedly. 'The enemy have invaded Cornwall! Only a small garrison is to be left here.'

  'What enemy? Who?' Kate demanded.

  'A man called Hopton. 'Tis said he crossed the Tamar early today, because he is being chased from Somerset and has nowhere else to go. We shall catch him. We are to meet with the rest of the militia at Bodmin on Wednesday, three days from now! I must go, but I thought I would tell you so that you would not be afeared the Cavaliers would murder you! We shall soon rout him and his paltry few horsemen!'

  He was off before they could question him further, and it was soon obvious he had been correct as least as far as the movements of the men were concerned, for they left Saltash that day.