She read Nell's reply, and realizing the import of what it contained, Kate immediately rode over to consult with William and Suzanne.
In the warm, familiar parlour of Barton Hall, Kate read Nell's letter aloud.
Dearest Kate,
My heart bleeds for your sister over the loss of her son, so I do understand your delay. Oh but, Kate, what am I to do? We had barely buried Sir Francis before Colonel Price and his bullies from the County Committee were at our door. We explained that the property was now Thomas’ but they would not believe me. Price wants the Thornton land so badly, he will not leave us in peace, and every day one of his men are seen on our land. I have no one else to turn to. Please come and soon.
Yr loving Nell.
Kate laid the letter down and met her sister's agonized eyes.
"You're not going!” Suzanne exclaimed.
"I've no choice, Suzanne,” she said. “Firstly, I have a duty to see that Tom's inheritance is secure from the grasp of men like Price, and secondly Nell is my friend and she needs me."
"I am your sister,” Suzanne's voice was harsh. “I need you!"
"You have William. You have your children,” Kate replied. “Nell has no one. She is utterly alone, trying to run a house and an estate that is legally my responsibility now, whatever my feelings on the subject. I'm sorry, Suzanne. I must go."
"I wish I'd never advised you to go to Seven Ways in the first place,” Suzanne said bitterly. “The devil take the Thorntons. All of them!"
"Suzanne!” Kate took a step toward her sister, who shrugged off her hand and walked over to the window where she stood with her back to the room, her arms wrapped defensively around her body.
Kate turned back to William. “You understand don't you, William?” she asked, her voice shaking.
"Aye, lass. You and Thomas have to be seen to take possession of Seven Ways. I've no love for these damned Committees. Too quick to feather their own nests most of them and this Price sounds no better than any. I think mayhap I should come with you and deal with the man myself."
Kate hesitated. It would be so easy to allow William to take control and deal with the likes of Colonel Price in his forthright Yorkshire manner. William was right when he said Seven Ways was a man's job. However it was not his fight, and Sir Francis and Jonathan both had confidence in her ability. She did not want to betray that confidence to them or to herself. She glanced at her sister's stiff back and slowly she shook her head.
"No, William. You're needed here. I'm on my own,” she said.
William frowned. “Is there no one you can call on for help? Surely you cannot be the last living relative of the Thorntons."
Kate frowned. “There is an uncle in London. Nathaniel...” She grappled for the surname, wondering now if Jonathan had ever told her. “He was a lawyer."
"Nathaniel Freeman?” William sat up in his chair.
Kate shook her head. “I can't remember."
William slapped his knee. “It can be no other. That's how David Ashley met Elizabeth Thornton. Nathaniel Freeman! His sister had just wed a Thornton. He and David were at Cambridge together and when David sat in the Parliament, he would stay with Freeman. Ah, lass, you don't know it, but you've a powerful ally there. Freeman has done well for himself under this rule."
"You mean he took Parliament's side?"
William nodded. “Lost a boy in one of the early battles if I remember rightly."
Kate shook her head. “I don't recall David ever mentioned him."
William shrugged. “They'd not have met since the last Parliament was dismissed in ‘41. Now it's none of my business, but you get this lass, Nell, to write to her uncle and ask him to come to Seven Ways to meet with you and between the two of you, you'll set this man Price on his ear."
Kate nodded. “I'll do that.” She stood up and walked over to her sister, laying a hand on her shoulder. “I won't be gone long, Suzanne. My plan is to see the estate settled. The bailiff at Seven Ways is a good man. I trust him. I will shut up the house and bring and bring Nell and the bairn back here."
"A papist in Barton?” Suzanne said, without moving.
Kate took a steadying breath. “Jonathan's sister. Tom's cousin ... a person who needs help, Suzanne.” She turned back to William. “I'll take Ellen and Dickon with me again, if they'll come, and if I need anything I'll send for it. God willing we will leave by week's end."
Suzanne gave a strangled cry and ran from the room.
William watched the door as it slammed shut behind his wife. “Well, lass,” he said, “you'll have your work cut out for you but you've a good head on your shoulders.” He paused. “And don't you fret for Suzanne. She'll come round, you'll see."
That night Kate sat in her own parlour and penned a letter to Nell, assuring her that she and Thomas could be expected within the next few weeks, depending on how long it took to arrange her affairs in Yorkshire and the state of the roads. Kate also asked Nell to send for her uncle as William suggested. She sanded the letter and sealed it neatly.
She stood slowly and walked over to the window. The window faced north, north to Scotland. Instinctively she wrapped her arms around herself and closed her eyes, willing her mind to reach out to Jonathan, wondering if he had returned. She had been lonely after Richard's death but the loneliness of uncertainty was worse, far worse.
She opened her eyes and thought of the journey she and Tom would make. Strangely, now the decision was made, she had no regrets. It was as if she had cast herself off from her old, familiar, safe life and was sailing like a Drake or a Raleigh into strange waters. She felt no fear, only a sense of exhilaration and freedom that had nothing to do with the Ashleys or the Thorntons but came entirely from within herself.
Nine
As the little party of travellers crossed the gravelled forecourt, Kate looked up at the familiar windows of the rose-coloured house. She smiled and waved at Nell, who stood watching for them at the parlour window. She saw Nell briefly raise her hand then turn away from the window. They clattered across the bridge and into the cobbled courtyard.
Nell all but flew out of the front door and hardly waited for Kate to dismount before she threw her arms around her neck, half-sobbing. “Kate, Kate, I can't believe you have come!"
Kate gently disengaged the girl and took a step backwards. Nell seemed a shadow of the bright, lively young woman of a year ago. Her black dress and plain white collar accentuated her pallor. Her fair hair, drawn back severely from her pale face, had lost all its lustre.
"Oh, Nell,” Kate said, “I had no idea how hard it's been for you."
Nell put her hand to her mouth to stifle the sob. “I've had no one to turn to,” she said. “I've been so alone."
Kate slipped her arm into Nell's and walked her into the house and to the upstairs parlour where Nell subsided onto a chair.
"It is all such a mess,” Nell said, the tears bright in her eyes.
"Well,” Kate said soothingly, “I am sure things can be put to rights."
Nell looked up at her. “No, it is worse than you can imagine,” she said. “You don't know the whole story. I can only compromise you."
"What do you mean?"
Tears started trickling down Nell's face. “Kate, you have to know. I'm a Catholic."
"I know that,” Kate said.
Nell sniffed. “You know?"
"Jonathan told me. It makes no difference to me, Nell. You're still welcome here. This is your home. Now,” Kate said briskly, changing the subject. “Tell me everything that has happened."
Drawing in a great, shuddering breath, Nell began, “Sir Francis was barely cold, when Price came with three others of the County Committee. They had a paper with them, an order to sequester the house. I refused to admit them. I told them that they were mistaken and that according to Sir Francis’ will the estate was now the property of one Master Thomas Ashley of Barton in Yorkshire."
Nell allowed herself a small smile. “I told them to verify my story with the family lawyer i
n Worcester and ascertain the truth of the situation before making such wild assumptions."
"And did they?"
"Oh yes, but Price returned a couple of days later.” Her face darkened. “He threatened to burn the house down over our heads and that this Thomas Ashley would regret the day he inherited Seven Ways."
"Did you write to your uncle as I asked?"
Nell nodded. “And he wrote such a kind letter in reply. He cannot get away from London but he has written a letter, verifying Thomas’ claim on the estate and threatening Price with action should he pursue any claim for sequestration. He's a powerful man in London these days, Kate. I don't know why I never thought of turning to him before."
"You had no reason to."
Nell shrugged. “I suppose so, but the real reason is that Uncle Nathaniel, like David Ashley, sided with Parliament. None of us would have had contact with him these ten years past.” She sighed heavily. “Kate, I'm so very tired of this war and these estrangements."
Kate held her close. “The gaps are closing, Nell. Now my plan is to settle matters here and take you and Nan back to Barton with me."
Nell's eyes widened. “You'd do that?"
"You've nowhere else to go and I'm not leaving you alone in this big house."
"You wouldn't stay?"
"Barton is my home, Nell."
"I understand,” Nell said, “just as Seven Ways is mine."
Kate stood up and walked over to the window. The green fields, the Thornton lands, rolled away, fringed by the woods. How could it all seem so peaceful? Without William or Suzanne to turn to, and no Jonathan, Kate had never felt so utterly alone in her life.
* * * *
Her first action the following morning was to send for the bailiff of the estate, Jacob Howell. She had met him once on her last visit and then only fleetingly. She recalled that he was a quiet, almost taciturn man with a long, mournful face. His father, and his father before him, had been bailiff for the Thorntons.
Obedient to Kate's command he waited patiently in the downstairs parlour, with the estate books tucked under his arm. Sir Francis had relied heavily on Jacob in the last few years and Jacob was well liked and well respected by the tenants. In short he was a good bailiff and a fair man. However, Nell warned, he was also extremely reticent in his dealings with women, having never married, and despite Sir Francis’ recommendation he viewed the new mistress of the house with the greatest suspicion.
Kate smiled at him as she swept briskly into the parlour. “Master Howell—” she indicated a seat at the table “—please sit down. Are those the books?"
He set the books on the table and sat down. She pulled her chair up next to him and opened the first volume.
It was early afternoon before Kate laid down her pen and leaned back in her chair. Due mainly to Sir Francis’ careful management over the last few years, the estate was not as badly off as it could have been. The fines, which had been massive, had mostly been met by the sale of lands not connected with Seven Ways itself and while no means wealthy, the estate had at least begun to pay its way again. However, there were a couple of disturbing matters revealed by the figures.
The first concerned the low price at which the stock was sold at market. Jacob, hastily swallowing the last of the pie the maid had supplied for his lunch, said, “That's Price's doing. We're forced to sell to him. No one else durst go over him for fear he will turn on them. It's no secret that he covets this land for himself and he hopes to beggar us by buying our stock at below cost."
Kate frowned. The necessity for an interview with Price became more urgent. She did not relish the prospect.
"What about the reports that his men have been trespassing on our land?” she asked.
"Aye. They've been harrying the tenants and there have been a few unexplained fires and stock losses.” Jacob frowned. “Nothing we can prove. Anyway even if we could, Price is the local magistrate."
Kate set aside the problem of Colonel Price for the moment and turned back to her tenants.
"What about the Barlows?” Kate tapped the cover of the second volume. “They're months behind in their rent."
Jacob nodded slowly. “I'll admit I've done naught about them,” he replied. “Truth is, Mistress, I've no heart to chase them. Old Jem Barlow took a bad knock on the head during the war and has been addled ever since. Good for naught is Jem. His wife Susan and their boy have tried their best but...” He shrugged eloquently.
Kate looked at him. “What do you suggest?"
"Well, Mistress, rightly speaking you should turn them out.” Jacob left an unspoken ‘but’ at the end of his sentence.
Kate sighed. “We'll ride over and see them tomorrow,” she said, “but first I think a visit to Colonel Price is called for."
"Do you want me to come?” Jacob asked.
Kate smiled. “Jacob, you're an old soldier, surely you have faced worse in the field?"
Jacob sighed, “Aye, Mistress, but I were better armed. Yon Colonel Price, he holds the whole armoury."
Kate stood up, briskly shutting the books. “Tomorrow morning, Jacob, please."
* * * *
Colonel John Price stumped heavily into the parlour of Longley Abbey where his man had shown Mistress Ashley. He had no idea who this Mistress Ashley was or what her business with him could be, although the name sounded somewhat familiar.
The woman stood by the window looking out over the garden. She turned as he entered the room and curtsied politely. He returned the compliment. He saw a young woman with a comely face and a pleasing figure, dressed neatly in a plain black dress, enlivened only by a spotless linen collar edged with lace.
Kate, in her turn, saw a small, portly man, with a receding hairline, unsuccessfully disguised by brushing his hair over his pate. His florid, self-important face told her all she needed to know about the sort of man she had to deal with.
"You have business with me, madam?"
Kate smiled politely. “May I sit?"
He indicated a chair. “You have the advantage of me, Mistress..."
"Ashley ... of Seven Ways."
Price's eyebrows rose at the name.
"Ah, of course ... Seven Ways.” He took a seat. “Your, er, husband is not with you?"
"My husband is dead,” Kate replied mildly.
Price frowned. “Then who is this Thomas Ashley, who is said to have come into the Seven Ways estate?"
"My son."
Price blinked a couple of times.
"Your son? But surely you are not old enough..."
"My son is nine years old. I am guardian of his estate."
"You're a woman!"
"So I am!” Kate gave him the benefit of a charming smile. “And as your new neighbour, Colonel, I thought it incumbent upon me to make your acquaintance. You know my bailiff, of course?"
She indicated Jacob, who lurked uncomfortably in the shadows of the room. Price cursorily acknowledged his presence.
He began to recover his presence of mind. “It's my understanding that Sir Francis had only one grandson,” he said.
"You refer to the notorious delinquent, Jonathan Thornton? From what I hear tell of his exploits, he should be damned for all eternity.” Kate said a silent apology to her lover. “My late husband, Captain David Ashley of Sir Thomas Fairfax's Regiment, was also a grandson of Sir Francis and by his will Sir Francis has left Seven Ways to my son."
"Your husband fought for ... Parliament?” Price was visibly shaken. He could see all his careful plans slowly unravelling.
Kate nodded. “His father was a member of both Parliaments and,” she added for good measure, “a personal friend of the Fairfaxes."
Price rose to his feet. “Madam, you must be aware that I hold an order to sequester Seven Ways and the Thornton land."
Kate pulled out Nathaniel Freeman's letter. “And I have a letter under seal of the Council of State, verifying Thomas Ashley's claim to Seven Ways and countermanding the sequestration order."
; Price took the letter and turned it over in his hands as if it burned him. He opened it and scanned the contents. His lips tightened as he sank back on the chair.
"That appears to be in order,” he said.
"I should hope it is!” Kate said stiffly.
"You're aware, madam—” Price grappled to regain some lost ground “—that you are harbouring a nest of papists?"
Kate pursed her lips. “I am, Colonel, but in the name of Christian charity I can scarcely turn Lady Longley and her daughter out. As you are well aware, they have nowhere else to go."
She looked pointedly at him and was rewarded by an embarrassed flush rising to the Colonel's face.
Price leaned forward in his chair. “Mistress Ashley. You are obviously a woman of undoubted good sense, perhaps we could discuss the possibility of my taking Seven Ways off your hands. The estate requires a man's hand to bring it to rights again."
"Colonel Price, that is a very kind offer but you see I am merely trustee for my son, and Thomas has formed a great attachment for Seven Ways. At this point in time I feel honour-bound to continue Sir Francis’ work and perhaps restore Seven Ways to some of its former glory."
She stood up.
Price leaped to his feet. “Well think on my offer, Mistress Ashley. I am sure you will find you have set yourself a major undertaking."
"Thank you, Colonel. I shall think on your offer."
Kate held out her hand, and Price ponderously bowed over it. “Madam,” he said. “It only remains for me to bid you welcome and if I can be of any service?"
As Kate slowly pulled on her gloves, she said, “Well, there is one small matter, which you as a Justice of the Peace may be able to assist me with. My tenants are being harassed by men who claim, wrongly I am certain, to be acting on your orders."
Price blustered, his face going a pleasing shade of puce. “This is outrageous, madam. I shall make immediate investigations and such men will be sternly dealt with."
Liar, thought Kate, but she smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Colonel, for your time. I hope we may meet again soon."
"You must dine with us, Mistress Ashley.” Colonel Price bent over her outstretched hand.
By The Sword Page 13