Gavotte

by Marina Oliver

  'No, indeed!' Jack said viciously, throwing a glance of dislike at Jason. 'Isabella, get out of our way and go home!'

  She stared round at the four men, then addressed Jack.

  'You are foolish and stubborn, and I wash my hands of you.'

  *

  Fighting down tears of anger and humiliation she turned away from them and retreated into the shelter of the trees, but she could not bear to leave without knowing the outcome.

  The four men resumed their preparations. Jack and Jason discarded their cloaks to reveal close-fitting black coats. Jack defiantly sported white collars and cuffs, but Jason had no touch of white to relieve the black. Isabella thought of mourning clothes and her heart sank, but she had no time to dwell on this. Jason's second was holding a white handkerchief and as Isabella watched, frantic with anxiety, he let it go and it fluttered to the ground.

  Immediately the sound of two shots reached Isabella, and she waited numbly for one of the combatants to drop to the ground, but both remained upright. Isabella looked at each in turn, too amazed to feel relief. Then she noticed something odd about Jason's position, that his arm was raised slightly higher than normal. She realised from the angle he must have fired into the air. Isabella was not the only one to draw this conclusion.

  'By God! You deloped!' Jack cried, turning angrily towards the seconds, 'I insist on another shot! I will not be insulted!'

  'Really, 'twas no insult, but if you wish it I will apologise for not killing you,' Jason drawled.

  'You fired wide deliberately!'

  'Just because I did not hit you?' Jason queried. 'Then the same must be said of you.'

  'You never miss,' Jack protested.

  'That is a difficult word. All of us make mistakes, sometimes.'

  The seconds, having spoken together quickly, now joined in.

  'Methinks honour has been satisfied,' Mr Stowe said, looking meaningly at Jack. 'We can be gratified neither of you is injured,' he continued, and Jack, his anger abating, was flooded with relief at the realisation he was unhurt.

  'You will not admit it?' Jack asked quietly.

  'Of course not, for there is nought to admit. I agree with Mr Stowe 'tis fortunate neither of us is hurt. Can we not forget the incident and be friends?'

  Jack was silent for a moment then, swallowing his anger and bitterness, and the suspicion he had been made to look a fool, he nodded and held out his hand to Jason.

  'Good, then to breakfast,' Jason cried, taking the hand, then he flung his arm across Jack's shoulders and urged him to where the horses waited.

  Mr Stowe had been busy replacing the pistols in their case, and at this he looked up.

  'Er – Mistress Vaughan? Ought not one of us to escort her back to Lyndon House?'

  Isabella was close enough to hear these exchanges, for unconsciously she had urged her horse forward. They all turned and looked at her.

  'I require no escort!' she retorted, fighting to restrain her tears, turned, and was soon galloping towards Lyndon House.

  'I suppose I ought to follow her. She meant well,' Jack said doubtfully.

  'She will come to no harm, and mayhap 'twill teach her not to interfere in men's affairs,' Jason said bracingly.

  Jack looked at him, and somewhat reluctantly responded to his friendly smile.

  'Come, let us celebrate our achievement in not killing one another.'

  Jack laughed, and began apologising for his suspicions, but Jason cut him short and led him to Newmarket and the inn where breakfast for four had already been ordered.

  *

  All that day Isabella took little interest in the racing. She did her utmost to avoid both Jack and Jason, and was curt when they did speak with her. In the evening they had all been invited to a dance held at one of the large houses nearby. Isabella dreaded it, and had considered trying to escape it by pleading illness, but she thought of Jason's amusement at this, and resolved to face him. But both Jack and Jason avoided her, and there were many young men eager to solicit her hand for dances.

  She was hopeful she had avoided Jason entirely, but almost at the end he approached, neatly circumvented his rivals and led Isabella onto the floor. She expected some cutting remarks, but he did not mention the events of the morning, and talked so amusingly she almost forgot her embarrassment.

  Isabella had been so intent on her own preoccupations she had ceased worrying about Clare's activities, and she spent a great deal of time with Edward, dancing and strolling about the rooms. Clare had contrived to avoid private conversation with Mr Aloysius at the races, and he was not present at the dance. During the evening they took Jack aside and Clare explained her plans to him, begging for his assistance. At first he had been shocked, but soon, motivated perhaps by Clare's insistence Isabella was the chief obstacle, he agreed to give what assistance he could.

  'I would rather die than wed Mr Aloysius,' Clare said, shuddering.

  'That would be barbarous,' Jack agreed, 'but surely Uncle Stephen would not allow it?'

  'I am too terrified of the possibility to put it to the test! And it would not help Edward. Please say you will help us.'

  Clare had decided the best time would be after the Coronation, when everyone would be weary and wanting to rest. Then she would find an excuse to leave her aunt's house for a few days, saying her godmother, who lived some ten miles out of London, had invited her to stay.

  'She did, before we left home, so it will occasion no surprise. First bring me a message from her, then come to escort me. She is a distant cousin of yours, so you could say you are invited too. But instead of riding for Richmond we will meet Edward in Southwark, and I will be in France before they miss me.'

  *

  Friday's races were unexciting, and everyone went early to bed, for Lady Lyndon hoped to make the return journey in the one day, but it was very late when they arrived at Great Queen Street after a tedious journey in the bone-shaking carriage.

  On Sunday they attended the service at the Abbey, and spent the afternoon relaxing, only Isabella summoning up the energy to accompany Lady Lyndon for a stroll in St James's Park. When they reached home again it was to find Captain Vaughan there. He had leave from his duties and had come to spend the evening with them. Clare was most anxious to discover whether Mr Aloysius had approached her father, but she could not ask directly. However, it appeared from his questions about Newmarket he had not yet received such a visit.

  Later Lord Belvedere and Jason appeared for supper. Isabella still felt uncomfortable with Jason, but he smiled at her, and after a little general conversation proceeded to devote himself to Frances. Lord Belvedere, Isabella noted, her interest in Clare's affairs revived, was seated beside her sister.

  When they were at supper Captain Vaughan turned to Jason. 'We have already heard how you lost that race, most unfortunately.'

  Jason smiled deprecatingly. 'It was just another hazard,' he said.

  'But an unusual one, and already there has been more talk of it at Court than if you had won every race.'

  'They will soon tire of it. But will you be able to join us tomorrow, or are you fully committed?'

  Smiling at Jason's reluctance to talk of his feat, Captain Vaughan shook his head. 'I shall be on duty all day tomorrow and Tuesday.'

  They were up early on the following morning, to go to Cornhill where Lady Lyndon had hired rooms from where they could watch the King process to the Tower. Many friends were to join them, and soon these began to arrive, first Lord Belvedere, followed quickly by Thomas and Gilbert, who were effusive in their greetings and full of questions about Newmarket. Later Robert and Barbara Edes arrived, then Jack. A dozen or so other friends were there, mostly older friends of Lady Lyndon, but the Vaughans had met all of them, and there was a great deal of talk and laughter while the maids Lady Lyndon had brought along offered wine and cakes.

  Jack soon made an opportunity to cross to where Mistress Vaughan stood, and delivered the message he and Clare had invented.

 
'I have just paid a fleeting visit to Mistress Aubrey, and she bade me request you to allow Clare to visit her.'

  Clare, who was hovering nearby, turned to her mother. 'How kind of her! Please say I can go.'

  'When does Mistress Aubrey suggest a visit?' Mistress Vaughan asked, smiling to see Clare animated for once.

  'That is the rub. Next week she goes to stay in Bath for a month or so, therefore she suggests Clare goes to her on Wednesday, after the Coronation, for a few days. I return there myself for a couple of nights, and could escort Clare,' he added.

  Mistress Vaughan had been concerned at Clare's lack of spirits since Edward's offer had been rejected, and now she seemed to welcome this invitation, her mother did not want to disappoint her.

  'Very well, and thank you, Jack.'

  'I will call for you on Wednesday morning, Clare. 'Tis settled.'

  He moved on, and Clare went to talk with Barbara Edes, hiding her satisfaction from her family.

  *

  Soon the noise from the street increased, indicating the procession was approaching. The guests moved to the windows where chairs had been arranged, and Isabella found herself next to Thomas, who began to explain the order of the procession to her. They exclaimed at the brave sight of the gaily dressed men and their brightly caparisoned horses. The Knights of the Bath, the nobles, and the Bishops were all admired, much attention being given to discussing which costumes were the most effective in such a vivid display.

  Then came the King, in a brightly embroidered suit, with his cloak thrown back. As he rode along bowing and smiling to the cheers of the crowd, many of his subjects found their eyes wet with tears of joy that, after his tragic childhood and the years of wandering unwanted round the Courts of Europe, the Black Boy had come into his own again. Charles, a magnificent sight on his prancing charger, was looking about him in pride and delight at this welcome, and casting admiring glances at the many pretty women who waved to him. He looked up at the windows where Lady Lyndon's party was gathered, and paused for a moment while he smiled at the lovely girls there before, inclining his head in a salute, he rode on.

  Lord Monck, leading a spare horse in his capacity of Master of the Horse, came after, but was little heeded as the crowd turned to discuss the King's appearance and behaviour.

  Eventually the procession was gone. The small group of musicians Lady Lyndon had hired began to play, and the guests were invited to partake of refreshments set out on long tables in a room away from the street.

  Isabella looked round, wondering where Jason was, and told herself his absence pleased her, for it would give Jack more opportunity with Frances. Recalling her unconsidered suggestion he married an heiress, and having seen Frances seemed content in his company, she had begun to entertain hopes her cousins might marry, which would solve Jack's difficulties. But she had been dismayed by Jason's marked attentions to Frances on the previous evening, and telling herself firmly she was concerned over Jack's prospects with so much more experienced a rival, she tried to forget him by entertaining her aunt's visitors. But as so many of these wanted to question her about the races and Jason's daring exploit, this was difficult.

  'Is the news of it all over town?' she asked Sir Arnold, laughing slightly.

  'Indeed yes,' he answered, and then exclaimed, 'Here is the man himself. I must get a first hand account of this.'

  Isabella glanced over her shoulder to see Jason greeting Lady Lyndon.

  'I do not think he relishes such queries,' she warned hastily. 'He has said he wishes only to forget the whole business.'

  'He is unduly modest!'

  Sir Arnold did not, however, ask Jason questions, and bowed himself away when Jason approached Isabella.

  'Blue should be your favourite colour, Mistress Vaughan,' he said as he took her hand in his and bowed to kiss it.

  Isabella looked at him suspiciously and he laughed at her.

  'I would convey to you how charmingly you look today! Do not imagine I mock you.'

  'No. I – I thank you, sir,' she replied uncertainly. 'I am sorry you are late. Were you delayed by the crowds?'

  'Unfortunately I must blame myself, for I slept abominably late after my revels last night.'

  Isabella cast him a swift look, then lowered her eyes without replying.

  'Mayhap you would like an account of them?' he asked softly.

  'No, indeed not! Mr Marlowe, how can you suggest such a thing?'

  He laughed. 'What in the world do you imagine took place? I drank the King's health, and later played cards.'

  She blushed furiously as he regarded her with amusement. Suddenly realising that he still held her hand in his, she tried to pull it away, but his grip on it tightened.

  'No, no, my dear, you do not escape me so easily. We still have to arrange the details of the duel we promised one another.'

  'You jest, sir. I beg of you, release me. We shall be seen.'

  'If that is all you are concerned with, I can take you elsewhere to hold your hand.'

  'Mr Marlowe!'

  Smiling down at her, an expression in his eyes she could not read, he released her at last.

  'What did you think of the procession?' he asked.

  'Did you see it?' she asked, making a great effort to behave normally.

  'Aye. I remained in the street to watch, as I would have been too late to get here. Did you miss me, Isabella?'

  'Of course not,' she protested, and blushed again as he looked mockingly at her.

  'Then I must see what I can do to ensure you think of me more often.'

  *

  He bowed and excused himself, and Isabella fanned herself, hoping that her flushed countenance would be taken to be because of the heat of the room. She watched Jason speak with several of the guests, finally sitting beside Frances. She frowned, unaware that no thought of Jack had entered her mind on this occasion.

  Early the next morning the girls and their mothers were in the seats reserved for them in the Abbey, on the scaffolding. They stared in wonder at the magnificent scene and vivid colours, red, gold, silver and purple.

  They had several hours to wait until the King was escorted in by the clergy and nobility, but when he did arrive a great sigh rose from the people as they watched him proceed to the throne, the symbols of majesty borne before him.

  The ceremony was long, and the girls were disappointed to find the most important part took place out of sight on the high altar, but they witnessed the taking of the oath from the throne on the raised dais in the centre of the Abbey, the triple proclamation by the King at Arms, and the reading of a general pardon.

  By the time the ceremonies were all over they were aching from sitting so long and dizzy from the noise, but they went to Westminster Hall where seats had again been reserved for them and watched the feasting for a while, until Lady Lyndon suggested they went home. By this time it was raining hard, and the fireworks display had been cancelled, but after the exhausting day they were not greatly disappointed.

  Soon after they had partaken of a late breakfast the next day Jack appeared, and Clare's saddle bags were strapped onto the saddle of her horse. She had crammed her necessities into them and a change of clothing, hoping it would not be too long before she and Edward could pause, and her scanty wardrobe be added to. As she descended the stairs she felt the tears pricking the backs of her eyelids, not over any doubts about her actions, but that she had been forced to take this way of securing her happiness. She swallowed back the tears and managed to smile as she kissed her mother and Isabella farewell. By the time she had ridden from view she was looking forward to her meeting with Edward, and hesitated when, at the end of Drury Lane, Jack turned westwards.

  'Jack, where are we going? We must cross the Bridge.'

  'No. That might enable them to trace us. We will ride as far as Charing Cross, and leave the horses there while we take a wherry across to Southwark. Edward waits for us at the Bear.'

  'But this will delay us,' she fretted.


  'No more than half an hour,' Jack reassured her, 'and the delay will be worth while to throw them off our tracks.'

  'Mayhap you are right. I shall not believe I am safe until I am in France!'

  Clare urged her horse as quickly as possible through the crowds thronging the streets, and chafed even at the small delay while Jack stabled the horses and then hired a wherry to row them across the river. When they landed on the far side at the steps nearest the Bear he had to admonish her as she set off.

  'Do not run,' he chided. 'You will draw attention to us.'

  Clare threw him an anguished glance, but slowed her pace. At the Bear Edward awaited them in the yard with horses ready saddled. Jack transferred Clare's saddle bags while she greeted Edward.

  'I thought I would never reach you!'

  'You are earlier than I thought possible,' he answered, smiling calmly at her. Then he held her by the shoulders and looked deep into her eyes. 'Clare, my dear, are you utterly convinced? I will take you home if you wish it. You have only to say one word.'

  Clare shook her head vehemently. 'No, my love. This is what I most desire. Oh, indeed I would have had it otherwise, with my family's approbation, but since I lack that, I do not mean to lose you also.'

  He nodded, content, and after lifting her up onto the horse, turned to grasp Jack's hand.

  'My very deepest thanks, Sir Jack. We shall always be in your debt. I will keep you informed of when we return to England, and we hope you will come and visit us then.'

  'Yes, indeed, Jack, I am most grateful to you.'

  'Well, now Edward must be responsible for you,' Jack grinned, and with a quick bow turned and walked back towards the landing stage. Edward swung himself up into the saddle and he and Clare rode out of the inn and set off on the road to Canterbury and Dover.

  *

  Chapter 8

  Back across the river Jack made his way slowly to Locket's Ordinary in the Strand where he hoped to find some of his friends. He was disappointed in this, but after he had been sitting for some time in the tavern wondering how best to occupy himself while avoiding his relatives, who supposed him at Richmond, he heard his name called. Looking up he saw a young, elegantly attired man approaching his corner.