Katherine [070-011-3.9]

By: Helen Dickson

Synopsis:

Blake gave a laugh of unbridled amusement.

"Your generosity embarrasses me, Mistress Blair.  Indeed it does."

His amusement irked Katherine somewhat, but she continued to smile
softly.  "I would not have believed a man of your phlegmatic character
capable of embarrassment, my lord," she said with a hint of sarcasm.

"By that I take it that you mean I am not easily
excitable--dispassionate, even."  His eyes narrowed and glittered
meaningfully and his voice softened.  "Oh, come now--after what
occurred between us the last time we found ourselves alone together, I
think you know me better than that."


Helen Dickson was born and still lives in South Yorkshire with her
husband and two sons on a busy arable farm where she combines writing
with keeping a chaotic farmhouse.  An incurable romantic, she writes for
pleasure, owing much of her inspiration to the beauty of the
countryside.  She enjoys reading and music; history has always
captivated her, and she likes travel and visiting ancient buildings.

Recent titles by the same author:

MASTER OF TAMASEE

HONOUR BOUND

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CHAPTER ONE

ON THIS day in March, 1641, Katherine Blair had particular reason to
feel happy, for it was her nineteenth birthday and already a hint of
spring was in the air.

Her face was lovely and serene, her skin smooth and as white as
magnolia and she was humming softly as she busied herself with her
needlework.  Seated by the window she made a pretty picture, with the
sunlight streaming through the latticed panes, giving the room a soft
warmth and bringing out the richness in the wood of the carved oak
chests and cupboards, the depth of colour in the tapestries which lined
the walls and the burgundy brocade hangings of the canopied bed.

Often her gaze would stray out of the window of Ludgrove Hall, a large
Tudor mansion pleasantly situated on the banks of the Avon, close to
the city of Warwick, and home of the noble Russell family.  It was a
quiet, gabled manor house, surrounded by walled courtyards and gardens.
The Russell coat of arms stared out of every room--modelled in plaster
over the chimney-pieces or embroidered on hangings and cushions.  On
the death of her father, Thomas Blair, eight years ago, Katherine had
come 5

to live at Ludgrove Hall as her Aunt Harriet's ward.

Katherine raised her head when her cousin Matilda came in, her round
face flushed and grey eyes wide.  As always Matilda, an exact replica
of her mother in face and form but, thankfully, not in character, was
overdressed.  Katherine felt sorry for her.  Matilda had forever been
in awe of her mother, who always insisted that her daughter look her
best. It was imperative that she made a good impression at all
times--her future depended on it.

In Katherine's opinion, all the ribbons and frills only succeeded in
making her look ridiculous but, out of consideration for her cousin's
tender feelings, Katherine would never dream of telling her this.

"Mother wishes to see you, Katherine," Matilda said breathlessly,
having run up the stairs too quickly in her eagerness to do her
mother's bidding.

A summons to her Aunt Harriet's presence was enough to cause Katherine
some alarm.  Putting her needlework aside, she rose.  "Do you know why,
Matilda?"

Matilda 'shook her head.  "No, but Sir George Cartington has just left.
He's been with Mother for the past hour or more.  Maybe it has
something to do with him."

"No--I think not.  You must be mistaken.  Why should Sir George's visit
possibly concern me?  How did your mother look?  Angry?"

"As well you know, Katherine, one can never tell with Mother.  If you
don't mind, I'll wait here in your room until you return," she 'said
with some agitation, twisting her hands in front of her, a habit which
always irritated and angered her mother.  As Katherine hastily tidied
her hair, pushing the stray rebellious golden locks behind her ears,
she thought anyone would think Matilda was the one being summoned to
the sanctum.

, But Katherine was fond of Matilda, who was a year younger than she
was; Matilda and Henry, who was away at his studies at Oxford, were her
cousins, her Aunt Harriet's children to Lord Russell, a widower prior
to this marriage, who had two children from his previous marriage,
Blake and Amelia.

Smoothing her skirts with trembling fingers, Katherine hurried along
the gallery which ran along the entire first floor of the house.  A
shaft of late afternoon sunlight pierced the leaded windows and shone
on the fine portraits of the Russell family, the great men and women of
the past who lined the walls on either side of the gallery.

She moved down the wide oak staircase, wondering as she went what she
had done now.  She ran through her mind any misdemeanour serious enough
to give her Aunt Harriet cause to summon her to her presence
immediately.  Had she forgotten to visit one of the sick on the estate
the other day when her aunt had been unable to do her weekly round of
good deeds, ministering to the sick and needy, and had ordered her to
go instead?  No, she thought, that could not be it.

Matilda, with her astute and methodical mind, had been with her.  She
would have made sure that no one was missed.  Katherine had not been
out walking or riding unattended either, so that could not be the
reason.  Perhaps she had been seen talking too long to Sir George
Carrington's house guest, the handsome Lord Forbes, when he had waylaid
her in the church porch after the service last Sunday.  But he had
approached her and it would have been impolite of her to ignore him.

Confident that her conscience was clear, unable to think of anything
she had done which was serious enough to warrant a reprimand, she
knocked on the door of her aunt's sitting-room, a room few entered
unless summoned.

Ever since Katherine had come to live at Ludgro~e Hall, she had been
pair dully aware of her aunt's continued dislike.  She had only taken
her in because, on the' death of Katherine's father, Aunt Harriet's
brother, She had considered it her duty to do so.

Katherine had been allowed to live as a member of the Russell family,
sharing Matilda's lessons, learning all the manners and customs of the
household, in the hope of one day making a suitable marriage.  Aunt
Harriet did not ask for gratitude' but she expected it, nevertheless.

Katherine considered her aunt a hard, unfeeling woman, who showed
little love for her children.  As to her suitability as a wife; o~y
Lord Russell could put an answer to that.  But there was no escaping
the fact that he had begun spending a great deal of his time in London,
having become more involved with the running of the family shipping
company started by his father.

The Western Trading Company was a highly profitable mercantile company
and becoming increasingly so as more of the West Indian islands and the
American mainland passed into British hands.  Lord Russell had employed
others to do the work; his oldest son, Blake, having left the Navy, had
captained one of the vessels, trading commodities across the
Atlantic.

However, at this time the country had been in a state of depression,
for which the Crown had to take much of the blame.  Many London
merchants had been suffering infringement of charter rights and heavy
losses.  It was a time when Lord Russell had considered his presence
was required in London to oversee the running of the Company--much to
his wife's chagrin.  She had thought his time would be best spent at
Ludgrove Hall to oversee the upbringing of his children and to run the
estate, instead of leaving it all to herself and a bailiff.

Harriet was tall and statuesque, and still a handsome woman though in
her late forties.  Her round, strong-jawed face, enhanced by her dark
eyes and fine arched brows, still bespoke some of the beauty

KATHERINE

which had once captured the attention of Lord Russell.

She had been a Blair prior to her marriage.  The Blairs, an authentic,
if sadly decayed family, their roots firmly embedded in the north of
the country, belonged to the old English aristocracy.  Despite the loss
of their estates and their subsequent financial distress, Lord Russell,
on the death of his first wife, had deemed it an honour to marry into
such an old and distinguished family.

Katherine was aware of her aunt's deep displeasure, as Harriet observed
her from across her small writing desk.  In her aunt's opinion, she
lacked humility and was considered wilful and stubborn with a
tempestuous nature and a reluctance to conform.  This was due, her aunt
believed, to the fact that she had inherited bad blood from her
mother-a Roman Catholic--who was never mentioned in the Russell
household.

It had been with great reluctance that her aunt had taken her in,
making her her ward, but thankfully her father, who had been an astute
and shrewd businessman', had succeeded in acquiring immense wealth,
having risen by his own good fortune and endeavours.  On his death, all
was left to Katherine, ensuring she would be eagerly sought after in
marriage.

"So--here you are," Harriet exclaimed, watching Katherine advance
towards her.  "I told Matilda to fetch you immediately."

"I came straight away, Aunt."

Harriet gave her one of her dangerous looks, believing she scented
sarcasm.  "Don't be imperil-nent, Katherine," she snapped.

Katherine resented her aunt's tyranny towards her, but open conflict
between them was rare.  Better to endure, she thought sensibly, than
make life too unpleasant for herself at Ludgrove Hall.

"I've just had a visit from Sir George Carrington," her aunt went on,
her eyes taking on a sudden gleam, as if in triumph.  "No doubt you saw
him leave?"

"No, Aunt.  I was employed at my needlework."

"Such a charming man--don't you agree?"

"Yes," Katherine replied, wanting to disagree but knowing better than
to do so, wondering where this was leading.  Something was definitely
afoot and she did not like the feel of it.  Ever since she had reached
the age of eighteen, a year ago, she had been aware of her aunt's
increasingly anxious efforts to find a husband for her.

Always being one to come straight to the point, her aunt did just that.
"I have decided on a match for you, Katherine.  Sir George has asked
for your hand in marriage and I have accepted on your behalf.  Consider
yourself fortunate."

Katherine stared at her.  All the colour drained out of her face.
"Fortunate?  Sir George?  No, Aunt.  You cannot mean that.  I cannot
marry Sir George.  Why--he--he is so old."

"Old?  I do not consider fifty old.: Sir George is a fine figure of a
man still--and by no means too old to sire children.  He is a good
catch for any woman, I would say.  He has long shown an interest in
you, Katherine.  You must be aware of that?  "

The only thing Katherine was aware of was that Sir George was eager for
money and Lord Russell eager to acquire more land' which Sir George had
plenty of.  How valuable a union between two families of Substance
could be, she thought bitterly.

"I suspect it is my inheritance Sir George is interested in, Aunt,
not

I. "

Although her aunt's expression remained hard and inscrutable, she could
not deny that what her niece said was true.  Katherine's inheritance
was enough to tempt any man.

"Gracious, what aris you, Katherine?  Sir George could have the pick of
any girl in the district but he chose you.  Why--you should be down on
your knees in gratitude that he should show interest in you at all."

"I do not feel gratitude, Aunt.  I am obliged to Sir George for his
interest but I must refuse his offer Of marriage."

Her aunt's face hardened and her lips became set in a thin line; she
had half expected this reaction from her niece.

Katherine knew that her aunt would not be beaten on this; if she
succeeded in marrying her off to Sir George, then her problems where
Katherine was concerned would be at an end.  She would be able to
concentrate on finding a suitable match for Matilda," who would no
longer be overshadowed by her beauty.  ~Unlike Katherine~ Matilda was
more biddable by nature and had a quiet demeanour; while ever Katherine
remained on the scene, Matilda stood little chance of acquiring a
husband.  Her aunt's lips parted from their compressed line.

"You are too stubborn, Katherine, too wilful by far.  When you are
married to Sir George, it will, no doubt, cure you of these
tendencies."

Katherine smiled wryly.  "Then all the more reason for me not to marry
Sir George, Aunt.  Not only is it my inheritance he covets but he sees
me as someone to be a mother to his brood of six children.  Why--his
oldest daughter Mary is almost as old as myself."

"Nevertheless, you will get over your aversion.  I doubt Sir George
will bother you overmuch.  At every opportunity he will be away in
London."

"Spending my inheritance at the tables, I don't doubt," said Katherine
dryly.  "I have heard that Sir George's family fortunes are in decay,
that he is an inveterate gambler and has taken to drink and low
company.  No, Aunt.  I don't want to marry him.  I won't marry him,"
she said defiantly.

Katherine saw the muscles of her aunt's neck quiver and her face go
white with anger at her disobedience, but she stood and faced her,
unflinching beneath her hard gaze.

"You should know better than to listen to gossip, Katherine, for that
is all it is--exaggerated gossip put about by idle tongues with nothing
better to do.  However--I find your manner singularly tiresome," she
said icily, 'and your behaviour unmannerly--and the pleasure it gives
you to thwart my every wish conveys to me your ingratitude.  I shudder
to think what your father would think of you now."

Memories of her beloved father, dead these eight years, caused
Katherine's eyes momentarily to cloud with sorrow, and the sensitivity
that was so rarely shown to the world softened her lovely face.  Her
early years with her father at their home in Rochester in Kent--the
town where he had chosen to live after the loss of his family's estate
in the north of England--had been particularly happy ones; it was
perhaps for this reason that the shock of being reminded of him was all
the greater.  She blinked tears from her eyes.

"I don't mean to seem ungrateful, Aunt, and if you think so then I do
beg your pardon, but if I were to marry Sir George then I would be an
unw'filing bride.  My father would not have wished that for me.  I.will
not give myself to any man I do not love."

Lowering her eyes, she thought achingly of the one man to whom she
would give her very soul, how she longed to see Blake.  This longing
that tore at her heart was more profound than Sir George,s obsession
that she became his wife.  But the love she carried for Blake was
hopeless, for when he had been in England one year ago he had not come
to Ludgrove Hall but had gone instead to Oxfordshire and become bet
tother to Lady Margaret Tawney, the beautiful daughter of the Earl of
Rockley.

Her aunt stared at her as if she had taken leave of her senses.  With
her chin thrust out her face became ugly with scorn.

"Love?  What has love to do with anything?  Marriages in families such
as ours are made for gain, not love.  Sir George's fortunes may be
somewhat depleted but he comes from a family rich in lineage, with an
estate to equal our own.

"You are nothing but a girl with LITTLE to do other than let your mind
dwell on idle fancies.  I will not have it.  Do not try ~my patience
further, Katherine.  Now--go to 'your room and let there be no more
talk of your refusing to marry Sir George.  It is all arranged.  You
will be married within the month and that is final."

Sparing herself just enough time to go to her room and explain
hurriedly to Matilda what had transpired between her aunt and herself,
and desperate to concentrate her thoughts on what could be done,
Katherine left the house in a helpless rage, heedless of the biting
cold wind penetrating the vents in her clothing.  After passing beneath
the high stone archway of the gatehouse, she took the path leading her
away from the house and the nearby village of Appleby.

She headed in the direction of the open countryside, uncaring that her
aunt would be furious that she had dared to disobey her and not
returned to her room as ordered, but had fled the house to walk the
countryside unattended.  This very act of defiance gave Katherine a
fierce sense of satisfaction, an action she knew she would have to pay
dearly for when she returned to the house.

Her situation seemed hopeless--to be trapped like this when life was
beginning to hold such promise.  In two years' time she would be of
age, independent of her Aunt Harriet, free to do what she wanted with
her life.  But her aunt couldn't wait to marry her off.  If only she
had someone to fight her cause in the house.

Lord Russell, with his kindly manner, would have provided a sympathetic
ear, but he was in London.  Amelia--whom Katherine had missed
dreadfully since her prestigious marriage to the Earl of Landale last
summer--who had little affection for her stepmother, would have
championed her cause and encouraged her to rebel.  But she resided in
London with her husband, where her life had become one long round of
gay excitement at the Court of King Charles and his French wife,
Henrietta Maria.  There was no time to appeal to either.

Lost in thought, Katherine was unaware of Lord Forbes until he reined
his horse beside her.  mounting, he courteously removed his
wide-brimmed hat adorned with soft white plumes.

"Why," he smiled, "Mistress Blair.  It is most unwise to be out walking
alone."

Katherine looked at him, slightly taken aback by his sudden appearance.
Lord Forbes was Sir George Carrington's house guest and, when she had
first been introduced to ihim, she had treated him as she would any
other young man.  In fact, his expression of perpetual boredom had
irked her somewhat.  But as she had got to know him better, her
feelings had undergone a subtle change and she had been flattered by
his attentions~ although he stirred nothing very deep inside her.  ::
'

Rowland Forbes was young, in his early twenties, of slender build,
slightly taller than Katherine, and with fair wavy hair falling to his
shoulders; His face was handsome enough, though marred by his slightly
prominent eyes and a faint sulkiness to his full mouth.  Had Katherine
looked a little deeper into his character she would have seen that,
beneath his elegant exterior, his manners and his aristocratic
affectations, he possessed a ruthlessness which would stop at
nothing.

"Why, Lord Forbes," Katherine breathed.  "Forgive me if I seemed
startled, but you took me quite by surprise."  :

"Then I apologise most sincerely.  But why so downcast, Mistress
Blair?"  His eyes narrowed and he smiled teasingly, knowingly.
"No--don't tell me," he laughed.  "But could it possibly have something
to do with Sir George's proposal of marriage?"

Katherine's eyes flew to his.  "You know of this?"  He nodded.  "Aye~ "
Sir George did speak of it.  I

take it that by your despondency you are not enamoured of marriage to
Sir George?  "

"I most certainly am not.  The mere thought of such a thing appals me."
She sighed almost despairingly.  "The problem is--how to get out of it.
Aunt Harriet is determined that I shall marry him before the month is
out."

"Can she make you?;

"Yes.  Since I became her ward on the death of my father--and until I
am of age--she has complete control over me.  Sadly, there is no one I
can appeal to."

"Not even Lord Russell?"

"No.  Lord Russell is in London."

"I see."  He sighed, replacing his hat.  "I also in a day or so."

"Oh?  You are to leave Appleby?"

"That is so.  I have been Sir George's guest for the past four weeks
and, pleasing though it has been," he said with a wicked twinkle in his
eye as he looked at her, 'tomorrow I must depart for London.  "

As he was about to climb hack onto his horse, on impulse, Katherine
reached out and placed her hand on his arm.

"Wait--please."

Lord Forbes turned and looked at her.  "How--how are you to travel to
London?"

"Sir George is to send his carriage to London to fetch his daughter
home.  She has been staying with friends.  He has kindly offered me the
use of it."

HELEN

Katherine looked at him with new interest; already, the semblance of a
plan was beginning to form in her mind.  This was better than she had
dared hope for.  At the prospect of escape from her Aunt Harriet and
marriage to Sir George, her heart began to beat fast and she felt a
great sense of excitement.

"Lord Forbes--will you take me with you?"  she asked, the words
tumbling out of her mouth.  Lord Forbes stared at her askance.

"Oh--please--do say you will~ There is no one else who can help me."

"But--but--Mistress Bla~, What you are suggesting is highly
improper."

Katherine gazed up at ~ imploringly.  "I don't care.  Please take me
with: you

"But--London.  Where will you go?"

"To Amelia.  She is my aunt's stepdaughter and married to the Earl of
Landale.  I know she'll let me stay with her a while.  Pleaseyou cannot
refuse me this."  The request came straight from her heart.

"But what you are asking is reckless.  in the extreme, Mistress Blair.
What of your reputation?  Have you not thought of that?"

"I care little for my reputation--it is small price to pay to escape
marriage to Sir George.  Besides, even with my reputation mined, I
shall still have my inheritance."

The mention of her inheritance caused Lord Forbes to look at her
sharply.  "Which will go to your husband on your marriage,
naturally?"

"Yes.  Or, failing that, to myself when I become twenty-one."

Lord Forbes became thoughtful as he appeared to consider her request,
but he had already made his mind to take her with him.  Rowland Forbes
had an in built instinct for self-preservation--always quick to grasp
an opportunity.  The mention of Mistress Blair's inheritance had swayed
him, for when his father had died he had left him with a rundown estate
in Hereford and a pile of debts.

The only way out that he could see--and born to the ease of life as an
aristocrat--was for him to marry an heiress.  And here was the
delightfid Mistress Blair, almost offering herself to him.  How could
he possibly refuse her request?  By the they reached London he would
have made sure she would be so compromised that she would have.  no
choice but to marry him.

A ruthless gleam appeared in his eyes and he hardly able to conceal the
excitement he ing nothing of his thoughts to show, he nodded slowly.

"Very well, Mistress Blair.  I shall escort you London if that is what
you wish.  But--you do the position you place me in, do you not?  It is
the way for me to repay Sir George's hospitality carrying off the lady
he hoped to marry.  If he discover what I have done, there is every
chance he will call me out.  You must take care to tell one of what you
intend, otherwise," he said amusement--and more truth behind his words
than Katherine realised, 'your Aunt Harriet may insist upon you
marrying me instead of Sir George.  "

Katherine flushed scarlet at his words for, indeed, this was something
she had not considered.  "Oh--you need not worry, Lord Forbes.  I shall
make quite certain that no one learns of my intention to leave--or how,
on reaching London, I happened to arrive there."

Good.  Then meet me at Appleby Lane End tomorrow afternoon at three
o'clock.  It is a quiet enough spot.  I shall tell the coach driver to
expect another passenger.  Cover your face to avoid recognition.  "

As Katherine made her way back to Ludgrove Hall, perhaps she would not
have felt so elated had she seen the ruthless gleam in his eyes and his
lips set in a savage grin of satisfaction that fate had dealt
favourably with him at last, and realised that she had played right
into Lord Forbes's hands.

Stretching out his long booted legs in front of him, well satisfied
after his meal of pigeon pie and vegetables, with bread cut from a
giant loaf on a wooden trencher, Blake Russell relaxed on the
high-backed settle to one side of a glowing sea-coal fire, his hand
resting on the handle of a pewter tankard foaming with fresh brewed
ale.

As he sat, he correctly gave the impression of being a tall man and
strongly built.  Everything he did was controlled and sure.  His hair
was of blackness, thick and with a hint of curl to it, falling to his
shoulders.  His eyes were so deep a brown as to be almost black and his
skin the colour of bronze, burnt by the tropical winds and sun.

He sat in the shadow of the overhanging caves.  the wainscoted room of
the black-and-white timbered coaching inn where he was to stay the
night, along with others en route for London or the west country.  The
room was full of occupants, most them dining.  Blake was to travel on
to Hall at first light.

In mellow mood his thoughts turned to his and of how sudden his death
had been.  Why, he scarcely had time to moor his vessel at the below
London Bridge, having just returned

West Indies, when Amelia had sent word for him go at once to her home
where his father had taken critically ill.  Unfortunately, and sadly,
he died before Blake had time to get there.

Frowning and intent, Blake thought of the this would make to his own
life, for there would little time for adventuring.  Now he must settle
to the humdrum life at Ludgrove Hall and running of the trading company
in London.  Still thought of his betrothed, the fair Margaret, his
return at Rockley Hall in Oxfordshire, and impending marriage did much
to compensate:

Margaret was the sister of Rupert friend of his.  Blake had been at
school with and it was Rupert who had introduced him to Margaret.  She
was fair and sweet, with all the right attributes a man could wish for
in a wife, but the Navy and, later, his journeying to and from the
Indies had kept them apart.  ~Now that his father was dead and the
shipping company belonged to him, he saw no reason why their marriage
could not go ahead.

But there was no denying that he was more at home on water, feeling the
heaving of the ship's deck beneath his feet, than on dry land.  Dear
Lord, how he would miss that, he thought with regret.  No more sailing
the ships--the great mobile fortresses embattled against piracy and
storm--to Barbados, Antigua or the American mainland, acquiring cargoes
of tobacco, indigo or cotton.

How he would miss the familiar shipboard smells of hemp and pitch, the
feel of the savage, burning sun on his face and of seeing the white
sands shimmering in the heat as the sun blazed down mercilessly out of
a sky bluer than England had ever seen.

Swallowing his ale, his thoughts turned to Ludgrove Hall and his
stepmother.  How would she take the news of her husband's death?  he
wondered.  Amelia was to bring his body back to Appleby for interment
two days hence.  He had come on ahead to break the news.

At a sudden rush of cold air he glanced towards the door, his gaze
taking in a young couple who had just entered.  The room was crowded
but the landlord made room for them at a small table.  It was the woman
who held Blake's idle attention.  She was shrouded in a cape, the hood
pulled over her head putting her face in shadow.  She was quite tall
and moved with a regal grace, causing more heads to lift' momentarily
from their food and stare in curiosity~ Blake watched her sit down at
the table, her back towards him as she faced the young man she was
with.  He noticed how long and slender her fingers were when she raised
her hands and removed the hood of her cape covering her hair.

The sight his eyes then beheld was so unexpected that it caused his
breath to catch in his throat.  The soft light from the oil' lamp above
shone fully on her, lighting her hair, the colour of burnished gold,
with an unearthly brilliance, like a living and bright, shining like a
beacon in the a moonless night on a black sea.  He relaxed, conte~ to
let his eyes dwell on that glorious mass.

It held him entranced as he watched the light on its changing colours
as she moved her head she ate and chatted to her companion.  Only had
he seen hair that colour but, devil take it, couldn't for the life of
him remember where.  had always been an important feature in his life
there were few who could resist his charms when had had the time and
chose to exert them.  Most had dallied with, he remembered--but this

With hair that colour?  If he had known her intimately, then how could
he forget?

Having finished eating, the young woman stood 'up and appeared to bid
her companion goodnight.  By her very manner Blake suspected that she
was not his wife.  Then she turned, the light falling fully on her
face.

At that moment he recognised her, remembering in a rush where he had
seen hair that colour before.  He was dumbfounded.  For a moment he
thought fatigue had produced some kind of hallucination--surely this
lovely young woman could not be his stepmother's niece, Katherine
Blair?  It was two years since he had last seen her and she was much
changed, no longer an adolescent girl but a stunningly beautiful young
woman.

"Good Lord," he breathed.  "Who would have thought it?"

But what the devil was she doing here?  With narrowed eyes his
attention became focused suspiciously on her companion.  He was of
youthful appearance, his features somewhat pale and delicate, but being
a man of the world Blake's experienced eye told him the type of man he
was.  The Court of King Charles was rife with men such as he.

CHAPTER TWO

KATHERINE did not see Blake in the shadow of the room, sitting
motionless, watching as she moved away and climbed the stairs.  What
was Mistress BI~ doing here?  he asked himself.  Alone and with a who
was unknown to 'him--what game was this?  Again he fixed the young man
with his full attention, anger beginning to stir against him and

Blair, for it was plain to him that something was afoot.  After a while
the young man rose conspiratorial smile and a wink at the Blake watched
him disappear up the stairs certain of his intent, gave him no more
than a before he, too, rose and climbed the stairs.

But it was a minute too long.  The terrible

Lord Forbes's scurrilous intent had dawned Katherine and, too late, she
realised her mistake i putting her trust in him.  What a fool she had
She had brought this upon herself, had been like the green girl she
was.  Panic sprang her as Lord Forbes advanced towards her, a glint in
his pale eyes.

Having already divested herself of ~her felt particularly naked and
vulnerable.  She had been close to a man before--never been kissed

26'

caressed.  These were things she had dreamt of happening to her with
Blake--but things did not always turn out as they did in dreams.  It
had been foolish to hope that Blake might notice her one day.  However,
she had not envisaged that her first experience of love would be like
this--forced upon her against her will.  She shrank back and began to
tremble as Lord Forbes approached her, his hands outstretched, and he
laughed, a particularly piercing laugh, which plucked at her taut
nerves.

"Please, Lord Forbes, leave my room this instant.  I did not invite you
in."

Not discouraged, he moved closer still.  "No?  Oh, come now, Mistress
Blair, do not tell me you're going to be difficult.  I do not think I
misread the signals.  For someone who cares so little for her
reputation, one night of love will not go amiss.  Why--you're
trembling," he said softly.

"It is hardly surprising," replied Katherine crisply?  Lord Forbes's
hand closed over her arm and, drawing her towards him, his fingers
reached up and gripped her bare shoulders, making her tremble more than
ever.  However hard she struggled to escape, his vice like grip was
relentless.

Held captive against him, Katherine saw the slackness of his lips and
the fire in his eyes as his face descended on hers.  Utterly revolted,
she turned her head to avoid his mouth, letting out a shrill cry of
desperation.  It was this desperate cry that alerted

Blake to the chamber she was in and, without hesitation, he flung open
the door.

At Blake's sudden appearance Lord Forbes spun round, reacting
angrily.

"Sir--kindly leave," he ordered.  "You are not welcome."

Ignoring the request, Blake moved into the room, a murderous expression
on his face, his eyes flashing dangerously.  Lord Forbes released his
grip on Katherine who stumbled back, as startled as he was by the
arrival of this man looming in the doorway like an angry, avenging God.
At first she did not recognise the tall figure, so relieved was she
that rescue had come, in whatever form.

It was only when he moved further into the light that she recognised
those darkly handsome features that were so dear to her heart.  He was
just as she remembered, his mouth large and firm with a hint of
flashing white teeth beneath his slightly parted lips.  His'jaw was
square and strong but it was his eyes that held her.  In the dim light
of the chamber they looked black, with mocking lights dancing in Their
depths.

Katherine found the whole of him vaguely disturbing and frightening--in
fact, there was something almost satanical about his presence.  She
stared at him, rendered speechless.  Her mouth formed his name but no
sound came.  For one brief moment she forgot her predicament and-looked
at him with loving eyes, her heart beating with the unbelievable joy
and comfort of knowing he was there.  His face was tanned, and with his
presence the contours of the room were swept away, replaced by the wide
blue seas that washed the shores of the faraway lands he had
frequented.

But now she was filled with shame and humiliation that he should find
her in such sordid circumstances.  She wanted to die.  She felt weak
and lost as his eyes raked over her: with disgust or contempt--what
matter which?  Unable to meet those accusing angry eyes, in her anguish
and self-consciousnes~ she lowered her lashes.

Only for an instant did Blake's expression betray what he felt upon
seeing Katherine, who did not see his face quicken or the admiration
which shone fleetingly in his eyes.  Her eyes were the colour of a
tropical sky, he thought, as blue as blue could be, her mouth full and
soft.  Why had he never noticed how lovely she was before?  But when he
had last seen her she had been no more than seventeen years old and, to
him, still a child.

He was overcome with anger at himself, for so readily falling victim to
her charms, which he directed against her and the man she was with. Had
he not enough to deal with at this time with his father's death without
Mistress Blair creating an outrageous scandal?  Curse the wench, he
thought angrily, for her foolishness and thoughtless stupidity.  He
glanced at Lord Forbes, his murderous rage cooling to ice-cold anger,
and the iron control his military training had taught him to employ
came to his aid as he looked with freezing contempt from one to the
other.

Katherine shrank back beneath the look that Blake fastened on her, and
she was aware of the anger he must feel at finding her in such a
compromising situation, A man such as he, with a hard inflexible will,
would never.  understand the situation, for she knew how her conduct
must look to him.

Having no idea who Blake was, who had intruded on what had promised to
be a night of unbridled passion, Lord Forbes continued to glare at
him.

"I asked you to leave, sir," he repeated angrily.  "Can't you see that
the lady and I wish to be alone?  You are in the wrong chamber.  Kindly
find the innkeeper and ask him to direct you to your own.  You have no
place here."  '

Blake arched his dark brows.  "I am by no means lost," he said,
speaking slowly, each word enunciated, making quite sure this stranger
understood all he had to say, 'and when you say I have no place here
then' you are mistaken.  " You see, I am Lord Russell of Ludgrove Hall.
The lady you have so compromised is my stepmother's niece--and while
ever she resides in my house and is under age, then she is under my
care and protection.  What was your intention, pray?  To seduce her or
rape her?~I must say that what I witnessed when I entered the room was
no gentle seduction of an innocent maid."

Lord Forbes gaped at him, at first too astonished to speak.  His face
had gone quite grey.  He looked at Katherine, swallowing nervously.

"Is this true?  Is he who he says?"

Katherine shook her head.  "No," she said, having regained some of her
composure, angry that Blake, as he always used to, had succeeded in
making her feel foolish.  "This gentleman is Blake Russell, Lord
Russell's son.  Ludgrove Hall is his father's house and I will only be
answerable to him."

"My father is dead," Blake 'threw at her coldly.  "I am on my way to
Ludgrove Hall to break the news to his widow--your aunt."

Katherine stared at him in bewilderment, swamped with remorse at this
terrible, unexpected news, for she had been truly fond of Lord Russell.
She lowered her head, close to tears.

"I--I am so very sorry.  I--I did not know."

"How could you?"  said Blake, knowing how much she had cared for his
father and that he should have chosen a more private moment to break
the news to her, but he was too angry to pay court to Mistress Blair's
tender feelings.  His cold brown eyes continued to look at her without
emotion.  "Amelia is to accompany his body back to Ludgrove Hall two
days hence."  He turned his attention once again to Lord Forbes.
"Kindly enlighten me as to your identity, sir?"

"Of course," gulped Lord Forbes, an ambarrassed flush at being caught
out like this spreading over his face.  "I am Lord Forbes of Swinburn
Manor in Hereford."

Blake nodded.  "Ah--yes, I have heard of your family," he said,
understanding at last what the knave was about.  This man's father had
been unable to resist the rattling of the.  dice box or the smile of an
accommodating.  whore had squandered his entire fortune, and had left
his son with nothing but a pile of debts and a dilapidated heap of
stones in Hereford.  By all accounts this son was of the same ilk.

Little wonder he had set his sights on Mistress Blair, seeing in her a
means of paying off some of his debts--or creating more--whatever the
case.  "Were your intentions honourable," he went on, 'then you would
have paid court to Mistress Blair in the usual manner, but by your
actions I am made all too well aware of your intentions and am right to
suspect that your motives regarding her are dishonourable.  "

The words were delivered in a cold and lethal voice which caused Lord
Forbes's face to pale.  "You--you are mistaken, sir," he stammered,
'and if that did prove to be the situation then I would be prepared to
marry Mistress Blair.  indeed--I would be honoured to do so.  "

"How gallant of you," Blake growled sarcastically, 'and I'm sure you
would be.  I am aware of the dire straits you find yourself in since
the death of your father.  Having made an accurate assessment of your
situation, I do not think I would be far from the truth when I say
that, being aware of Mistress Blair's inheritance--which is quite
substantial, I believe--you intended to place her in an impossible
situation-to compromise her in such a way--thus ensuring that she would
have no choice but to marry you.  Correct me if I am mistaken.  "

Lord Forbes gave a nervous, almost apologetic laugh, aware that Lord
Russell had made.  him look a hapless fool.  "Sir--that was not my
intention," he said.  "Mistress Blair asked me to take her to
London--begged me, in fact.  I-- I thought"

"What?  That by doing so she was asking you to seduce her?"

"No--I--' ~ ~

"Save your excuses, Lord Forbes.  The hour is late.  I would be
grateful if you would delay your departure for London until I have
spoken to you in the morning' when I shall leave for Ludgrove
Hall--taking Mistress Blair with me.  Now leave us.  I wish to speak
with her alone."

Lord Forbes did not need telling again.  Blake Russell's reputation was
such that he knew better than to stay and argue.  With immense relief
he quickly made his escape.

Blake watched him go with contempt before turning to Katherine.  :
Still in her state of semi-undress, she held her head high, in defiance
of Blake's forthcoming anger,.  making no attempt to cover herself,
Perhaps now he would notice her, would see that she was no longer a
child.

Ever since she had set eyes on him when he had been an arrogant sturdy
youth, she had come under his spell.  Being ten years older than she,
he had always kept himself aloof, spending much of his time away from
home in the Navy--and over the last few years sailing to and from the
West Indies in charge of one of his father's merchant ships.  In
between times he had paid court to Lady Margaret Tawney, which had torn
at Katherine's heart.

No one had ever guessed at 'the emotion the sight of Blake or the mere
mention of his name always aroused in Katherine.  Not Matilda or
Amelia.  Not anyone.  She did understand that he must be deeply
saddened by the tragedy of losing his father and deeply regretted that
in running away from Ludgrove Hall~ she had only succeeded in adding to
his troubles.

Blake came to stand over her, seeing her lips tremble, her hair a wild
tangle tumbling about her shoulders.  In her struggle with Lord Forbes
her breasts had almost sprung free from the bodice of her petticoat.
Reaching out, he picked her cloak up from where it was lying on the bed
and handed it to her.

"Here--cover yourself," he ordered harshly, for he found it extremely
disconcerting speaking to her while she was in this state of undress.
If she had been anyone else, and at any other time, he would have let
his eyes feast with pleasure on this tantalising vision of loveliness.
But she was his stepmother's niece and, by all accounts, the cause of
so much disruption at Ludgrove Hall of late.  The only feeling he could
allow himself where she was concerned was anger, for by her own fault
she had brought about an impossible situation at a sad and difficult
time.

But there was no denying that he was disturbed by the recollection of
the graceful figure she had presented before wrapping her cloak about
her nakedness.  For a brief moment he felt a sharp pang of regret and
uncertainty that he was betrothed to Margaret for Mistress Blair had
suddenly and unexpectedly presented herself to him as an ideal
candidate for a wife.

Like Margaret, she was fair, with blue eyes, and 'equally as wealthy,
but there the similarity ended, for by nature they were entirely the
opposite.  Margaret had a sweet and gentle disposition, not the fiery,
volatile nature of Mistress Blair.  Whoever married her would have to
curb her spirit, otherwise she would lead him a merry dance.

"Well?  I am waiting for an explanation," he demanded harshly, angry
with himself for letting his thoughts run on in this way.  "What have
you to say for yourself?  Are you aware of what would have happened had
I not seen you below and followed you up here?"

By the very coldness of the voice with which he addressed her,
Katherine felt the full force of his anger.  Drawing her cloak tightly
about her, she turned from his accusing eyes.  She would have to tell
him the truth.  He would find out anyway when he reached Ludgrove
Hall--and how else could her presence here with Lords Forbes be
accounted for?

"I was running away from Ludgrove Hall," she said softly.

"Running away?  Why would you wish to run away?  Have my family not
given you all the care and consideration you could have desired since
coming to live at Ludgrove Hall?"

"Oh, yes--of course," she replied, turning to face him, 'and I do not
mean to seem ungrateful.  " She sighed deeply.  " In truth, it was ~my
aunt I was running away from.  She has arranged a match for me, you
see.  "

"By your actions one you 'do not find agreeable, take it?  Who iSm the
unfortunate fellow?"  he asked dryly.

"Sir George Carrington."

Her answer was such as to cause Blake some amazement, but he gave no
indication of this.  "Oh, I see.  And what is wrong' with that?  Sir
George is a fine man.  You should be grateful," he said, echoing her
'aunt's words.  But, as he said this, he could not explain the relief
he felt, knowing that she had disobeyed her aunt, It was the first time
he had ever condoned her defiance, which surprised him,

Now,.  looking at her with fresh eyes, at her glorious coloured golden
hair and extraordinary looks, he could not help feeling that such
perfect beauty would be sadly wasted on Sir George Carrington.

"I will not marry him."

"What is your aversion to Sir George?"  as~ Blake.

"His age--and--among other things, I dislike !~ exceedingly."

Blake gave her an enquiring look.  "So--I take that you would prefer it
to be an affair of the he when you marry?"

"Yes.  I will marry for love--nothing less," replied, meeting his eyes
steadily, wishing she co tell him all that was in her heart.

Blake cocked an' eyebrow with wry amusem and mastered a faint smile.
"Love!  My dear Mistl Blair--how naive you are.  People rarely marry
love.  '

"Oh, but you are wrong, my lord," she said pa ssi lately~ "What of
Amelia?  Did she not love the Ear Landale?"

On reflection, Blake nodded slowly.  "Aye, I s pose Amelia loved him
well enough;' but he fai to add that the Earl of Landale had been w
attracted by the generous dowry Amelia had brot him--that his love for
her had been only luke warm.

"And--and then there is yourself, my lord," dared to venture
hesitantly.  "Are you not marr~ the " Lady Margaret for love?  "

Blake looked at her steadily for a long moment before replying, "Lady
Margaret is all I could ,~ in a wife.  We understand each other.  She
is ge'.  and pure and loves me well enough."

"There you are, then," said Katherine, her heart twisting painfully at
his~ reply--although he had failed to say that he loved Margaret in
return.  "No power on earth will force me to marry Sir George
Carrington."

"You may not have to.  I doubt even Sir George will have you when he
learns of this.  I understand that you asked Lord Forbes to take you to
London.

Where had you amind to stay?  "

"With Amelia."

Blake nodded, relieved to learn that she had not been eloping with Lord
Forbes after all.  "Then your efforts would have been in vain~ ~Not
wishing to bring about our displeasure~ my sister would have sent you
back to Ludgrove Hall in humiliation.  You are under our care until you
are of age.  I would advise you to remember that, should you have a
mind to run awayagain."

He turned from her and went to the door.  "I shall see about securing a
carriage for the morning.  Be prepared to leave at first light."  He
removed the key from the lock and held it up.  "Should Lord Forbes
decide to come seeking you the moment my back is turned, I shall make
quite sure he gets no further than the door.  Goodnight, Mistress
Blair."

Katherine watched him go--so formal, so terse, for there was a time
when he had addressed her as Katherine: His departure, followed by a
click of the key turning in the lock, brought burning anger to her
cheeks.  How dared he lock the door?  How dared he lock her in as one
would a naughty child?

After a while, her anger abated and she sank onto the bed, her thoughts
turning to Blake's father.  Her heart was heavy with his loss and what
it would mean to her life at Ludgrove Hall.  One consolation was that
Blake would be present more often--although she suspected that his
marriage to Lady Margaret would now soon take place.

Going to seek his own chamber, Blake's thoughts were travelling along
the same lines, triggered by the change he had found in Katherine.
Because of his father's death he was having to think seriously about
spending more of his time running the estate.  He was returning to
Ludgrove Hall as the new Lord Russell and intended to establish new
rules.  Blake had found a letter delivered to his father from his wife
two weeks ago, complaining bitterly of her niece's conduct.  After this
latest escapade of hers, it seemed high time that leniency was replaced
by more positive action.  No.  longer would her defiance be
overlooked--he intended to be obeyed.

The following morning it came as no surprise to Blake to discover that
Lord Forbes had left the inn before dawn in an attempt to avoid meeting
him.  Unperturbed by this, and having secured a carriage, he took a
subdued Katherine back to Ludgrove Hall in deep disgrace.  Her
disappearance with Lord

Forbes had been found out and had shocked and scandalised the whole
household.

Katherine had not been as discreet as she had thought on leaving
Ludgrove Hall.  One of the servants had seen her slipping out furtively
by a back entrance to the house and had reported it to her Aunt
Harriet.  She had also been observed waiting at Appleby Lane End and
climbing into Sir George Carrington's carriage.  On enquiry, it had
soon been established that Katherine had run off with Lord Forbes.

Scandal such as this had travelled swiftly.  By the following morning,
Katherine's disappearance had been talked about all over Appleby.
People loved a scandal and had gathered in clusters to whisper, and
some to laugh, with malicious pleasure, while others in the higher
ranks of Appleby society had been shocked and outraged that, after
providing a roof over her head, Katherine Blair had ungratefully repaid
her aunt's generosity by running off with a scoundrel.

By the time Blake deposited her in the hall of Ludgrove Hall, its
woodwork gleaming and.  with the familiar smell of lemon polish and
beeswax, the whole house was a-buzz with her fall from grace.  But
another subject of conversation would soon temporarily overshadow
Katherine's escapade--when the death of Lord Russell was announced, the
whole of Appleby would be plunged into mourning a man they had both
loved and respected.

For Katherine, it took a great deal of courage to step out of the
carriage.  She paused, tired and despondent, almost too afraid to enter
the house.  An air of quiet hung over the great building, as if it
already knew of its master's demise.  She wanted to turn and run back
to the carriage rather than enter through those huge oak doors and face
her aunt's wrath.  As though he read her mind, Blake's hand clpsed
firmly over her arm.

"Come, Mistress Blair~'~ he said' harshly " Don't tell me your courage
has deserted you?  ".

The words gave a jolt to Katherine,s, heart.  Lifting her chin she set
her jaw indignantly, narrowing her eyes in anger as she fixed them on
his.

"My courage is as intact now as it was whenI left this house.
yesterday, my lord."  ~Wrenching her arm from his grasp, she moved
ahead of him through the great double doors, which had been opened by
one of the household servants.  Behind her, admiration flickered
briefly in Blake's eyes for the way she squared her narrow shoulders in
a determined effort to meet her adversary head one like a soldier going
into battle, he thought.  '

It was cold in the hall, despite the fire blazing in the huge iron
grate which threw tall, grim shadows up the grey stone walls.  The
journey back to Ludgrove Hall had seemed interminable to Katherine. She
had struggled against an overwhelming desire to fill the silence
between herself and Blake, but his stony profile had been enough to
prohibit any suggestion of conversation between them.  Physically he
was so near to her but mentally so far away.

"I do not wish you to speak to Matilda until I've broken the news to
her about our father," said Blake.  "You will go to your room, where
you will remain until either myself or your aunt send for you."

Katherine's eyes flashed rebelliously for just an instant, but Blake
threw her a hard warning look, his expression one of seriousness and
impatience, reminding her that this was not the time for a display of
pique.  Lowering her lashes, Katherine nodded.  "Very well," she
uttered meekly.

At that moment there was a flurry of skirts and a pattering of
slippered feet on the wooden boards of the stairs.  Looking up, they
saw Matilda, holding her skirts up in both hands so as to allow her to
move more quickly.  Her cheeks were aglow as She ran across the hall,
such was her delight in seeing Katherine back.

"Katherine!"  she exclaimed 'joyfully.  "How glad I am to see you
back..."  but there she faltered as Blake stepped forward.  "And
Blake." With ~a squeal of sheer delight she flung herself at him,
wrapping her arms about his neck and pressing her cheek to his.  Like
everyone else at Ludgrove Hall, it was two years since last she had
seen her half-brother of whom she was especially fond.

Watching their fond reunion, pain twisted Katherine's heart.  How she
wished she could be accorded the same intimacy whenever she met
Blake.

When Matilda stood back, her eyes were full of bewilderment as she
looked from one to the other, wondering how they had come to arrive
together.

"I cannot believe that you are both here.  But--but, Blake--how did you
come to find Katherine?  And Katherine--why--I thought--we all
thought..."  she stammered before falling silent with embarrassment.

Blake's face was set hard as he looked at Katherine whilst addressing
his sister.  "Let us say our paths just happened to cross," 'he said
dryly, causing Katherine to lower her eyes at the memory of their
meeting.  "Where is your mother?"  ~

"In her sitting-room.  She is in a rare temper because of Katherine's
disappearance," Matilda said, casting Katherine a nervous look.

"Aye--I don't doubt," growled Blake.

"Perhaps I should go and see her and explain," offered Katherine
tentatively.

"No--better not.  Now is hardly the time.  I will' see her first.  If
she is as angry as I suspect, then you will only succeed in enraging
her further.  (So to your room and wait until you are sent for," Blake
said in a tone which made Katherine stiffen.  "You, too, Matilda," he
said gravely.  "There is a serious matter I have to speak to your
mother about.  I will speak to you shortly."

Alarm filled Matilda's eyes.  "Why--what is it?

Blake, what has happened?  Please tell me?  It is something terrible!
sense it.  Tell me now?  "

Blake's whole expression softened, as it always did whenever Matilda
was distressed.  "Not until I've seen your mother," he said gently.

"Oh, very well.  If you insist," she said with a sigh.  "But--can't I
stay with Katherine until you've seen her?"  ,

"No."  The harshness returned to his voice.  "Mistress Blair will go to
her own room and await the outcome of my meeting with your mother."
Downcast, her shoulders drooping, Matilda proceeded to climb the
stairs.  "You; too, Mistress Blair," said Blake.  "I will send word to
you shortly."

His manner caused Katherine's cheeks to flush with burning colour and
anger once again to stir in her breast.  His look was one she had
learned to detest for it was the same one he had often used when she
had first come to live at Ludgrove Hall--quelling--a look an adult
would give a cross and troublesome child.

"Do not make yourself my gaoler, my lord.  I am not a child."

"No?  How old are you, Mistress Blair?"  "Nineteen."

"Ah," he sighed.  "And still an incorrigible child.  Tis worse than I
thought."

"I am not to be dismissed and sent to my room because I have
misbehaved.  I shall go to my room because it pleases me to do so and
to be free of your odious company."

Her outburst caused Blake's black brows to draw together dangerously.
"I see.  Well--because of your infantile ~behaviour, Mistress Blair, it
seems that I must treat you like a child.  However much you dislike me,
you will be seeing a lot of me from now on--so you will have to endure
me with the best grace you can.  And while you live in my house I will
be spoken to with respect.

"It might have escaped your attention, but I have the unenviable task
of informing your aunt that her husband is dead.  I am seriously
concerned of the effect his demise will have on every member of this
family.  I find your attitude ungracious.  If you thought so little of
my father after he gave you a roof over your head when you needed it
most, then 'twill serve us all if you are out of sight.  I doubt very
much that your aunt will wish to be bothered with the embarrassment
your foolish escapade has caused her at this present time.  She will be
too distressed."

His voice was so harsh that Katherine started, but there was something
about his expression that caused her to step back, not offended.  She
was not insensitive and did understand the strain he was under; she
should have known better than to provoke his anger~ Beneath his burning
gaze she lowered her eyes, immediately contrite.

"Yes--of course.  Forgive my thoughtlessness--my insensitivity. Despite
what you think I was truly fond of your father and shall miss him
terribly'I did not mean to seem ungracious.  "

Looking at her quiet face as she was about to turn from him, Blake
found himself touched by the sadness in her lovely eyes.  Had he not
had his father's death to deal with, he would have seen that none of
this was easy for her either.  By her own naYvety and foolishness she
had brought her situation upon herself and would doubtless have to
suffer the consequences of her actions.

Her aunt had always tyrannised her in an effort to curb her wilfulness,
but to try and force her into a marriage with a man--who must seem as
old as Methuselah to a young girl' ms sheer folly on her aunt's part.
Who could blame Katherine for running away?

Blake's expression softened, taking Katherine by surprise when he spoke
more gently.  "I know you didn't.  This is not going to be an easy time
for either of us.  Now--do as I ask and go to your room.  I am aware of
the antagonism that exists between you and your aunt and I shall try
and do my best to smooth the way for you.  But I cannot do that if you
see her just now,"

Oddly touched by the change in his voice and the look in his eyes,
Katherine nodded and without a word turned from him.  Blake watched
until she had disappeared up the stairs before going in search of his
stepmother.  Not a woman he was particularly fond of, but she had been
his father's wife and, as such, he had always treated her with the
respect her position warranted Fortunately, because of his naval
career, he'd had little to do with her over the years.

CHAPTER THREE

A8 AIR of oppression hung over Ludgrove Hall.  Servants moved with
stealth about the house, afraid of raising their voices above a
whisper.  Henry was brought home from Oxford at the same time that
Amelia and her husband arrived from London, having accompanied Lord
Russell's body back to Ludgrove.

Confined to her room and still not having spoken to her aunt, who
Matilda said was bearing up well after the shock her husband's death
had caused her, Katherine was glad to see Amelia, whose features were
so like Blake's but without his serious countenance.  Amelia had a warm
and open manner and she and Katherine had always been close.  Although
deeply saddened by her father's death Amelia was more in control of her
emotions than Matilda, who was inconsolable and in the habit of
bursting into uncontrollable sobbing whenever he was mentioned.

Lord Russell had been much loved and respected by most people in
Appleby.  As the solemn cortege moved slowly from Ludgrove Hall to the
village church where he was to be interred with his ancestors, the road
was lined with all the estate workers tied to Ludgrove Hall, the great
house--the bailiffs and tenant farmers, whose rents supplied most of
the Russells' wealth, the herdsmen, the shepherds, the keepers and
foresters, who maintained the deer park, the thatchers, the carpenters
and masons, who built or maintained all the buildings on the Russell
estate, all there to pay their last respects.  Bowing their bare heads,
hats clapped to their chests, silent as they watched, wondering about
the changes his passing would make to their own lives now his son had
taken over.

But many suspected already that there were dark days ahead, that
whatever changes the new Lord Russell made to his estate would be like
a drop in the ocean compared to what might happen in the country as a
whole.  The general atmosphere in England was one of restlessness and
uncertainty, brought about by a trade depression, unemployment and the
plague.  After a vain attempt in sixteen thirty-nine to suppress the
rising of his Scottish subjects, the King had been compelled, after
eleven years, to call another Parliament to Westminster asking for
financial aid, and now the whole country was united in its grievances
over forced loans and taxes which many refused to pay.  It was being
whispered that Civil War was probable and pamphleteers had never been
so busy, but in 'the main people prayed that peace might somehow
prevail.

It was several days later that Amelia and Katherine, accompanied by
Thomas, one of the grooms, rode down the busy main street that ran
through the centre of Appleby, which was flanked on either side by
small thatched cottages.  They were just passing the village inn, The
Black Boar, when Katherine's horse chose that moment to shed one of its
shoes.  Fortunately the day was unseasonably warm, so they sat and
waited at one of the tables outside the inn whilst Thomas took the
horse off to the blacksmith's across the street.  Honoured to have such
important guests, the innkeeper brought them some lemonade to drink
while they waited.

As they chatted Katherine's eyes went past Amelia to where a young man
was sitting outside the inn some distance away, abstractedly staring
down at a leather bound book in his lap.  She noticed how the sun shone
on his head, bowed slightly as he read, his fair, s'flken tresses tied
neatly back with a ribbon in the nape of his neck~.  He was of slender
build and Katherine imagined he would be quite tall when standing.

He looked to be in his mid-twenties, an intelligent, thinking sort of
gentleman, out of place here at the inn among rural folk.  He would be
better suited to one of the towns of learning, she thought, staring at
him with frank curiosity, but then her attention was claimed by
Amelia.

"It seems that your escapade with Lord Forbes has created a fine bit of
gossip for the folk in Appleby, Katherine," she said, indicating a
couple of gossiping women across the street who kept throwing
meaningful, conspiratorial glances their way.

"It appears so," she sighed.  "I do find it all so very tiresome.  I
was hoping that with all the attention paid to your father's passing,
interest in my own indiscretion would be brief."

"It will pass 'when something else occurs to give them something to
gossip about.  No one will think the less of you.  Although, I must say
that it seems to be taking your aunt some time to get over it.  I doubt
she'll recover in a hurry from your running off with Lord Forbes/

"But I didn't run off with him, Amelia," said Katherine emphatically.
"You know I wouldn't do that.  I merely asked him to take me with him
to London.  Nothing happened.  Lord Forbes tried to compromise me so
that I would have had little choice but to marry him.: Blake, thank
goodness, intervened."

"Matilda told me you were running away to avoid marriage to Sir George
Cartington.  Is this true?"

"Yes.  I was going to come to you, Amelia.  I would rather die than wed
Sir George.  Marriage to Lord Forbes would be preferable to that."

Amelia laughed.  "I quite see what, you mean, Katherine--although if I
were you I would beware of such men.  Lord Forbes has quite a wicked
reputation at Court.  His father led the most lavish, dissolute life
imaginable; should his son acquire the means then he would be no
better.  However, much good it would have done you to come to me for,
regardless of what I had to say about you remaining in London--where I
would have had such fun showing you around--Blake would have been
furious and ordered you to return to Ludgrove Hall at once."

Katherine's eyes clouded at the mention of Blake.  "Whatever I do seems
to meet with his displeasure.  All I ever do is provoke his anger.  In
his eyes I have very few virtues.!

"Oh, come now, Katherine," said Amelia quickly Tm sure he doesn't mean
to be angry with you.  You have to understand him--and your own
resentful attitude whenever he is present is apparent to him.  "

Katherine frowned crossly from across the table.  "Why, Amelia--I'm
sure I don't know what you mean."

Amelia loved Katherine as she would her natural sister and was not
afraid to speak her mind.  "Yes, you do.  You know, Katherine, Father's
death is going to make a profound difference to Blake's life.  It isn't
going to be easy for him having to adjust to life on dry land.  He
loved the sea--his ship and his crew.  It was his life.

"There hasn't been much room for family matters in his life for quite
some time.  Perhaps if Henry Were older and could shoulder some of the
responsibilities of the estate, then it might relieve some of the
pressure but, as it is, Henry must complete his studies.  Although I
imagine that now Blake is home for good his marriage to Margaret will
go ahead.

Having someone by his side should alleviate some of the pressure.  "

Katherine lowered her eyes so that Amelia would not see the pain her
words had caused her, saying a silent prayer of apology for the fierce
joy she would be sure to feel if his marriage did not take place.

"Unlike Father," AmeFla continued, "Blake was born with a spirit of
adventure and independence.  Oh," she laughed, 'and with an
insufferable arrogance which everyone is aware of.  But I do not
believe you have need to fear him.  Beneath his many moods I believe he
is extremely fond of you.  "

Feeling that Amelia was being kind to spare her feelings, Katherine
sighed wistfully.  "I know and I shall always be grateful for the
kindness he showed me when I first came to Ludgrove.  But of late he
has been so disagreeable.  I don't believe he sees me half of the
time."

"Come now, Katherine, you misjudge-him.  My dear brother hasn't seen
you for almost two years--I am sure the change in you has come as
something of a shock to him.  Haven't you looked in the mirror
recently?  You, my dear, have become a very beautiful young woman.  No
man in his right mind, unless he is short-sighted, could fail to
'notice you.  In London you would be all the rage.  If you come some
time, it will give me great pleasure to take you under my wing and have
you presented at Court."

"I would like that," smiled Katherine, delighted at the prospect.  "But
I doubt Aunt Harriet or your brother would allow it.  How I wish I had
some say in my life.  Suddenly your brother thinks he is my keeper. "

"Well, in a way he is--while ever you live under his roof, that is. But
don't worry.  For the 'short time I remain at Ludgrove I shall try and
keep him out of your way as much as possible."

"There is something much more important that you can do for me,"
Katherine said seriously.  "When you do return to London ~the day after
tomorrow, will you try and persuade him to let me go with you?"

Amelia did not hesitate in her reply.  "I will try," she said, draining
her tankard.  "But you know how stubborn he can be and anyway--your
aunt may still insist on you marrying Sir George."

Katherine looked at her steadily.  "I won't marry him, Amelia, not
ever.  And with any luck he won't want to marry a woman whose
reputation has been sullied."

"Mmm," murmured Amelia, not convinced, for she was aware of the power
money had over impoverished gentlemen.  "He may be prepared to overlook
that.  After all, your dowry is quite considerable."  She rose
suddenly. "Come.  See--Thomas is waving to us.  He is ready to leave. 
We don't want to give your aunt cause to reproach us.  She'll never
believe your horse lost a shoe."

Conscious of the young gentleman's continued regard, Katherine turned
her head as she was about to follow Amelia.  She met his direct gaze,
which did not falter.  Though some distance away, she could see that
his eyes were as blue as her own, with faint laughter lines at the
corners.  Unselfconsciously, she studied him.  His look was thoughtful
and inquisitive-his eyes did not light up with flattery or admiration
as was often the case when men looked at her.  He smiled, his teeth
white and even, and then he rose, bowing his head courteously in her
direction before disappearing inside the inn.  Katherine climbed onto
her horse, still thinking of him.  It had been a casual encounter which
she found disquieting and puzzling, one which was temporarily forgotten
on reaching Ludgrove Hall.

When they rode 'into the stable yard Blake strode across the cobbles to
meet them, his lean sunburned face breaking into a warm smile, his eyes
lighting up with pleasure when they came to rest on his beloved sister.
Reaching up, he assisted her to dismount.

"You look pleased with yourself," he said.  "You've had an enjoyable
ride, I take it?"

~Extremely," Amelia replied, 'apart from Katherine's' mare losing a
shoe.  Fortunately it happened close to the blacksmith's so Thomas was
able to have it re shod while we took refreshment at The Black Boar.  I
was just telling Katherine about life at Court."

"Now that should be interesting," laughed Blake lightly, moving towards
where Katherine still sat on her horse.  Reaching up, he placed his
hands on her waist, lifted her down and set her gently on her feet.  He
did not let her go immediately; the firm clasp of his hands remained on
her trim waist as he looked deep into her eyes.  "And what of you,
Mistress Blair?  Is that what you would like?  To be presented at the
Court of King Charles?"

His warm strong grip disturbed Katherine, stirring up dark, hidden
pleasures deep within her, but she managed to school her features to
express nothing but polite interest to his question,

"Why--I would deem it an honour--as anyone would.  It would certainly
be interesting and exciting," she answered.  But, she asked herself as
he continued to hold her gaze, was it what she wanted if going to
London meant being away from' him?  If remaining at Ludgrove Hall meant
seeing him married to Lady Margaret--which would be too painful for
'her to bear--and the threat of marriage to Sir George, or some other
as disagreeable to her, remained, then yes, she would rather be in
London,

"I doubt there is much excitement 'at this time;' he said releasing
her, trying not to think of how fetching she looked in her dark blue
habit, the ribbons of her hair and hat of the same colour, emphasising
the whiteness of her skin and the deep rich colour of her golden
hair.

"Oh, and why do you say that, pray?"  asked Amelia, turning away,
smiling slowly to hem elf having observed the way Blake had looked at

5'7

Katherine, how his hands had lingered too long on her waist after
lifting her from her home.  It seemed her brother was not as immune to
her charms as Katherine thought.  But what of Lady Margaret?  wondered
Amelia.  Was he beginning to forget how lovely and charming she was
after such a long period of absence?

Together the three of them walked across the cobbles towards the house
as the grooms led the homes away.

"The recent riots in London should speak for themselves," Blake
continued, referring to the previous December when there had been an
uprising of the apprentices of the city.

The political and economic crisis in England had caused chronic
unemployment, providing a reservoir of idle youths and men.  They had
descended with arms on Parliament, demanding that bishops be excluded
from government and the chumh.  The violence of the mob had been so
extreme that the King, afraid for the safety of his own household, had
been forced to form a corps of guards as protection.

"Did you tell Mistress Blair how the Court of King Charles revolves
mainly about the Queen and her frivolous friends?"

"And what is wrong with that, pray?"  said Amelia with fervour.  "It is
hardly the place of sinful pleasure as it was in his father's time--in
fact, the Court of King Charles is the most formal in the whole of
Europe.  Were it not for the Queen's fondness for dancing and penchant
for the theatre, then it would be an exceedingly dull place indeed."

"It is not the Queen's licensed gaiety I object to but her Catholic
cohorts--who will not be satisfied until England comes once again under
the rule of Rome.  I've had little time to give to religious matters
these past months but I have always been of the opinion that the King,
under the influence of his strongly Catholic Queen, is an inadmissable'
danger to Protestant England.  Even your husband, my dear sister, has
expressed his concern that you spend too much time in the company of
her papal retinue--that you have even visited her chapel at Somerset
House."

"And so I have.  Out of curiosity, nothing more--and one can not fail
to be impressed by its beauty.  I assure you, Blake, that I have no
more intention of becoming a convert to Catholicism than I have to
Presbyterianism, if that is what you are afraid

"Heaven forbid that should be the case," Blake laughed, a deep rich
sound.  Katherine, listening to the light banter between brother and
sister, was glad to see he had shaken off some of the gloom which had
been present since his father's death.

"And by all accounts," he went On, glancing sideways wickedly at his
sister, 'you are not averse to the attentions ~of the licentious young
gallants who frequent the Court.  "

"Ha!"  she exclaimed good-humouredly.  "And I remember a time--not so
very long ago, either when you could be named as one of them.  Methinks
you have been at sea too long, Blake, and the sun has addled your
memory.  Recollect the time when you were one of those wild young
courtiers seeking additional pleasures away from the good taste and
manners of the Court--be it at the gaming tables of Piccadilly, the
race track of Hyde Park or the pleasure gardens south of the river. The
taverns of Westminster and the Strand held no secrets from you,
either."

Blake laughed.  "You know me too well, Amelia."

"Too well, brother."  She paused, looking from her brother to
Katherine, suddenly curious.  "And what nonsense is this, Blake--that
you should address Katherine as Mistress Blair?  I remember a time when
you used to call her Katherine--and you, Katherine, addressing Blake as
" My lord", making him sound so grand?  It is quite ridiculous.  Why,
since you came to live at Ludgrove Hall you have been more like a
sister to us all."

Katherine's eyes met Blake's, which shone with derisive humour.  She
tossed her head, instantly on the defensive.

"It was your brother who introduced the formality between us when he
took to addressing me as Mistress Blair."  But, yes, she did remember a
time when he used to address her as Katherine, a time wich would remain
one of her most treasured memories and which now seemed to belong to
another life.  She looked at him, waiting for him to respond to
Amelia's question, A smile moved across his lean brown face.

"Well, Blake?"  prompted Amelia.  "What have you to say?,

He gave Katherine a cool, sardonic look.  "It may have escaped your
notice, Amelia, but Mistress Blair is no longer the girl she was when
she first came to live at Ludgrove Hall.  And nor is she my sister to
be treated and spoken to as I would you or Matilda.  She is our
stepmother's niece and no blood relative."

Secretly he thanked the Lord that she was not his sister--by the way
she had begun to appeal to his senses, the desire he felt whenever he
looked at her would be quite incestuous.  She was beginning to trouble
him greatly.  It would be a relief when she had found a husband and was
no longer within his sight.  "I trust it suits you that I continue to
call you Mistress Blair?  That it gives no offence?"

There was mockery in his voice and a challenge in his dark eyes which
caused hot angry words to bubble to Katherine,s lips which, with
difficulty, she checked, although she seethed inwardly; angry that they
should talk of her as if she were not present.

"No, my lord," she replied haughtily, longing to slap the arrogant
smile from his lips with her riding whip~ "It suits me well enough."

"I am relieved to hear it.  Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you," he
said, his eyes holding hers, very much aware of the effect of what he
had to say would have on her, 'your aunt was asking for you.  She
wishes to see you on your return from your ride.  "

Katherine paled.  "I will go right away.  Pray--excuse me."  She turned
and, with a dignified step, hurried on ahead of them.  This was what
she had dreaded ever since Blake had brought her back to Ludgrove Hall
in disgrace.  If it had not been for Lord Russell'sdeath, no doubt she
would have been summoned sooner.

Linking her arm through Blake's, Amelia watched her.  go before giving
him a reproachful look.  "Blake--how could you?  That was downright
wicked."

He sighed.  "Wicked?  Perhaps."  He spoke absently, his eyes following
Katherine thoughtfully as she went on ahead of them.  "I am merely
trying to preserve my own sanity."

Katherine stood facing her aunt, consumed with dread.  It was the first
time they had spoken since the day she had told her she was to marry
Sir George Cartington, although she had been aware of her deep
displeasure since then.  She stood waiting for her to speak--or erupt.
The eyes that bore into hers were as cold as ice.  Unable to stand the
Silence or her aunt's scrutiny a moment longer Katherine spoke
quietly.

"You wish to see me, Aunt?"

"No--but I thought it was time I did," Harriet said coldly.  "The grief
I suffer over the death of my husband is overshadowed by the shame you
have brought on us all.  Your defiance and the gossip directed against
the whole family, brought about by your scandalous behaviour, the
pointing fingers and malicious whisperings, are all too much.  When I
learned what you had done--running off with Lord Forbes, Sir George's
guest of all people--I found it hard to believe--even of you,
Katherine.  "

"I am deeply sorry to have caused you so much trouble but I could not
marry Sir George.  Not out of duty or even gratitude to you, Aunt, for
all you have done for me.  But I was not running off with Lord Forbes.
He--he was taking me to Amelia."

"So I understand from Blake.  Although there is little difference to my
mind.  You left this house without a chaperon or a word to anyone.  If
you had not been seen climbing into Sir George's carriage then no one
would have known what had become of you and feared the worst.  I
understand that Lord Forbes took advantage of the situation and tried
to compromise you.  Well," she said, taking a deep angry breath, 'it
would serve you right if I insisted on you marrying him instead of Sir
George.  "

"I have not changed my mind," said Katherine steadily.  "I still refuse
to wed Sir George."

"And what makes you think he still wants you?  Your reputation is in
ruins.  Even if you changed your mind and agreed to marry him it would
be futile, for in the light of what has happened he has withdrawn his
proposal--and I have to say that I cannot blame him."

At the absolute relief that flooded Katherine's eyes her aunt's anger
increased.

"So, that pleases you, does it?"  she hissed through gritted teeth,
breathing deeply in an effort to control her anger.  "I had hoped you
might regret the folly of your wildness but it seems that is not so.  I
had hoped to find more submission in you-obedience, even, but I see it
is not in your nature."

"I cannot change my nature, Aunt," whispered Katherine, feeling the
tension between them increasing~' ,

Enraged by what she considered to be Katherine's insolence, Harriet
became even more incensed.  "You ungrateful girl," she fumed, "Why--you
are just like your mother after all.  Her ingratitude to your father
was unforgivable, also,"

Katherine looked at her, her eyes widening in puzzlement.  "What has my
mother to do with any of this?"  And why should she have felt the need
to be grateful to my father?  "

"He married her, didn't he?"  replied her aunt with seething contempt.
"It is 'high time you knew what kind of woman she was."  Anger had made
the blood rush to her face.  She gave a shrill laugh that sounded ugly
and brought a deadly glitter to her eyes.  She looked so frighteningly
angry that Katherine almost turned and fled the room.

Katherine had always been aware of the hatred her aunt felt for her
mother, whose name was never mentioned between them.  The reason for
this hatred had always remained a secret to her but she felt it must be
something deep and profound.  Suspecting that her aunt was about to
enlighten her as to her mother's character she turned away, unwilling
to hear anything to discredit her.

"Pray excuse me, but I will not stay and listen to anything you might
say that is disparaging about my mother."

"Oh, yes, miss, you will listen.  For too long have I allowed you to
live in ignorance.  I can see only one reason for your disgraceful
behaviour--which I am certain is caused by the bad blood inherited from
your mother."

Katherine turned, facing her aunt with defiance in every line of her
body.  "My mother died giving birth to me.  Even though I did not know
her, I shall cherish her memory forever.  Do not tarnish that, Aunt,
for I will never forgive you."

"So-your father would have had you believe--that she died giving birth
to you in an attempt to hide the filthy truth: your mother was a whore.
She did not care for your father.  The man she loved--whose bed she had
wallowed in and whose child she had conceived when she wed your
father--was married to another."

Katherine was filled with an overriding horror at what she was hearing.
She felt as though she were encased in ice as she listened to her
aunt's ravings.

The whole world seemed to be rocking about her.  And then a thought, a
thought so monstrous occurred to her that she was almost too afraid to
ask the question that sprung to her lips.

Are--are you telling me that--that my father was not-- ?  "

"Oh, never fear--he was your father.  You Came later.  The child she
was carrying--that she paraded so insolently about his house--was her
lover's child.  Your half-brother."

No, screamed a voice inside Katherine's head as she stared at her aunt
in bewilderment, trying to comprehend what she was saying.  "Brother? I
have a brother?"

"Aye, and dead or alive after these many years I care not one way or
another.  Your mother was unable to marry the boy's father--who was
also your own father's close friend, Like a fool your father worshipped
her. She could do no wrong in his eyes.  He believed her firstborn to
be his own son.  After you were born, 'things began to go wrong between
them.  it was mainly to do with her faith.  She'was ;a Catholic, you
see, and he despised Catholicism.  When he ~nsisted that you and your
brother should be brought up in the Protestant faith the truth came out
and she told him he had fathered a bastard.  Only then did he do what
he should have done from the start.  He turned her and her child
out."

Katherine stared at her, sick with horror at what she had been told.
Feeling a lightness inside her head she swayed slightly, gripping the
back of a chair firmly, praying she would not faint.  After a moment
she regained control of herself, breathing deeply.

"What happened to my mother?  Where did she go?"

"That I do not know."

"And my brother?"

"I do not know that, either."

"What was his name?"  she asked, wanting and yet dreading to know all
there was to know about her unknown brother.

"I don't remember.  Edward--or something like it."  Katherine looked at
her aunt coldly.  "You could have spared me this and gone on with the
deception.  Why tell me now?"

"Because I have reached the limits of my endurance where you are
'concerned," she hissed.  "I believe it is time you knew what sort of
woman your mother was."

Wanting to remain faithful to her mother's memory, Katherine had every
intention of giving her the benefit of the doubt.  "I doubt it is as
sordid as you would have me believe, Aunt.  Is there nothing more you
can tell me?"

"Why?  So that you can go looking for them--bringing further shame on
us all?  It is best that you think of them as dead."

"Does anyone else know of this?  Does--does Blake know?"

"No--and it will stay that way.  Is it not enough that he has to house
an obstinate and unruly girl under his roof without him knowing your
mother was a slut?"

Katherine's cheeks burned with indignation and heated words rose to
'her lips in defence of her mother, regardless of what she had just
been told, but her aunt silenced her before she could utter'a word.

"I shall continue to do my duty towards you as your guardian~ which is
what your father requested of me, and see that a husband is found for
you as soon as possible' for the sooner you are no longer in my cmre
and I do not have to deal with your disobedience, the better it will be
for us all."

How Katherine got back to her room she could not remember, for she
could think of nothing other than the fact that her mother might still
be alive and somewhere she had a brother.  She tried telling herself
that none of what her aunt had told her was true, but then she realised
that it must be, that it was the reason why her father had told her
almost nothing at all of her mother.  She had always supposed that this
was because he had loved her so much that it pained him to speak of
her.  But now she knew it went much deeper than that.  Her aunt had
told her that he had worshipped her mother.  Had he stopped loving her
when he had learned the truth and banished her and her son from his
life forever?  And what of her mother?  Where had she gone7 Had she
missed the child she had left behind7 These were questions her mother
alone could answer.

No matter what her aunt had said, she could not think of her or her
brother as dead.  How could she find them7 The house in Rochester had
been sold on the death of her father.  The questions which tormented
her must all remain unanswered for now, but never had Katherine felt so
lost, helpless and alone and, she thought bitterly, never had she
wanted to leave Ludgrove Hall as much as she did just then, even if it
meant leaving Blake.

CHAPTER FOUR

IN D pounds ~' pounds A?  ION the following day Katherine went in
search of Blake, hoping she could persuade him to have a word with her
aunt on her behalf so that she might leave with Amelia.  After all if,
as her aunt had said, he considered her to be an obstinate and unruly
girl, then maybe he would be happy to be rid of her.  But if she had
thought this, then she was mistaken.

Katherine faced him in his study.  On hearing her reason for seeking
him out, his expression became hard.

"Amelia has mentioned the matter to me but i prefer you to remain here
for the time being."

Katherine stared at him with understandable dismay.  "But why?"  she
asked.  "I cannot understand why you are so set against my going with
Amelia; Since I-seem to have such a disruptive influence I cannot see
why you are so insistent that I remain,"

"And I cannot for the life of me see where you have got the notion that
I consider' you a disruptive influence.  You have had one fall from
grace; I am merely trying to ensure~ there will not be a second, That
is all.  I hope I have never given you reason to believe that I have an
aversion ~to your living in this 69

house--quite the contrary, in fact.  Ludgrove Hall is as much your home
as it is Matilda's or Henry's for as long as you choose to make it so.
"

"Or until my aunt orders me to marry."  Katherine's expression became
one of desperation as she moved towards him.  "Please," she implored,
"I would so like to leave with Amelia."

Blake looked at her curiously, wondering what had happened to make her
so desperate to leave Ludgrove Hall.  She wouldn't normally appeal to
him in this manner.

"May I ask what transpired between you and your aunt yesterday to bring
about this apparent urgency to leave?"

Katherine's expression changed quickly, her face becoming like a closed
book.  "Why--nothing.  Nothing at all.  It is no secret that my aunt
and I have never been.  able to see eye to eye.  And, anyway, I am not
obliged to discuss.  the matter with you."

Blake frowned, curious as to what lay behind her lowered lids.  He
realised just how much she had changed in the two years since he had
last seen her.  There was no sign of the buoyant, unruly adolescent
girl.  Now there was about her a strange new quality he had not known
she possessed.  She was poised, with a gentleness and a heartwarming
charm; at that moment he was trying hard not to let his mind dwell on
how lovely she looked lest it weakened his resolve for, however hard
she pleaded with him he would not let her go with Amelia.  Not with the
villainous Lord Forbes at liberty in London.

"No," he answered~ coldly.  "You 'forget how well I know my sister, for
however much I adore her, I know she will take every opportunity of
dangling you under the nose of every eligible male at CouP.  Given the
circumstances I have no intention of allowing you to make yourself
ridiculous~ Also, I am well aware that Lord Forbes will be at Court.  I
think we ought to allow time for the attention your misdemeanour has
attracted to settle down before you flaunt yourself abroad."

Katherine stared at him with growing anger.  "And who is to say Lord
Forbes will notice me among all the beautiful ladies who grace the
Court?"  she fumed.  "The chances are he has forgotten all about me."

"You: underestimate your charms, Mistress Blair," Blake said dryly. "Of
course he will notice you.  He is hardly likely to forget the
circumstances of your last meeting."

"And what if I take it upon myself to leave?"  said Katherine in
defiance.

A gleam of anger showed in Blake's eyes.  His features hardened as he
wondered how he could have been foolish enough to believe she had
changed.  She was still the same wilful girl he remembered of old.

When he spoke, his toiae was merciless 'and cutting.  "I do not advise
it, for then you would find you had not only your aunt's displeasure to
contend with but my own.  So--let that be an end to the matter.  The
subject is no longer open to discussion.  You are not going to London
and that is final.  I shall lock you in your chamber if need be."

"As you did that night at the inn?"  she scorned.

"If you like--and with a guard outside if necessary.  I think you've
caused enough mischief for the time being.  Heaven only knows what
devilment you would get up to under my sister's guidance at Court.  I'd
be failing in my duty if I let you go, and I am certain your aunt would
agree with me."

Katherine set her chin mutinously and they glared at each other like
two combatants.  "You, my lord, are a tyrant and you do your sister an
injustice.  You also take your duty towards myself too far.  You play
the role of an aggressive brother or father whose family honour has
been besmirched by my indiscretion.  You said yourself that I am
nothing to you--that I am no blood relation--so stop behaving as my
guardian."

Blake moved towards her, his eyes, narrowing dangerously, glittering
like two black coals.  Katherine should have known better than to
provoke him to further anger but her own anger was such that she was
unable to stop.

"No, Mistress Blair, not your guardian--merely the master of this
house, and while you live under my roof you will conduct yourself in a
fit and proper manner."

"Why, what is it?"  Katherine scoffed, caring not that she goaded him
further, for to her mind his refusal to let her go to London with
Amelia had turned him into a monster puffed up with ruthless pride.
"Are you afraid that I might begin to enjoy myself--to feel pleasure at
being admired?  That I might be desired by the gentlemen of the Court?
If so, what is so ridiculous about that, pray?  Perhaps you have been
at sea so long that you have forgotten the meaning of the word."

Blake's look became one of thunder.  Instinctively, Katherine turned
from him, intending to leave the room, but taking a step towards her,
with a quick movement he reached out and swung her round to face him,
gripped 'her shoulders and drew her towards him with a force which made
her cry out in surprise, She stared up at him.  He was breathing
heavily, his eyes burning down into hers, his expression hard, and she
was suddenly afraid of the violent force her disobedience had unleashed
in him.  She had dared to taunt him and that alone was enough reason
for him to teach her that he was not a man to be made a mockery of.

"So, you believe I do not know the meaning of the word desire," he said
with sarcasm, his face close to hers, causing her to tremble at the
naked passion which shone from the depths of his eyes.  "Let me tell
you that it is an emotion I am well acquainted with, one which I can
prove very simply."

Suddenly he drew her into his arms and, before

Katherine could resist or utter one word of protest, his lips were on
hers, hard and demanding.  He began to kiss her ardently.  Taken
utterly by surprise, she struggled against him, but Blake was a man in
full- possession of his strength and she didn't stand a chance.  She
felt herself weakening and slowly began to melt within his arms, the
pressure of his embrace not nearly as disturbing as the pleasure his
kiss aroused.  His lips left hers and travelled slowly down her neck,
burying themselves in the soft curve of her throat before finding her
lips once more.  But he released her as suddenly as he had caught her
to him.

Shaken to the core by what had happened, they looked silently at each
other.  This new turn of events was more than either of them had
expected for, no matter how attracted he was by her, Blake had no
intention of becoming involved with her in any way.  How could he, when
he was betrothed to another?  He stared at Katherine's lovely face,
framed by ~her golden hair flowing down her back.  He noticed how her
young breasts strained beneath the bodice of her gown, how her moist
lips trembled as she tilted her head slightly to look at him.  How
could he have let such a thing happen?  He cursed himself for his
weakness and stupidity, having to turn away to escape the soft
bewitchment in her wonderful, imploring eyes.

"My apologies, Mistress Blair," he said curtly, managing to regain most
of his composure.  "I forgot my manners.  I have done you a wrong and
Margaret, my betrothed, an even greater wrong.  I assure you it will
not happen again."

Her shoulders tender from the grip of his hands, Katherine stared with
confusion at the closed door for a long time after he had gone, for his
kiss had kindled a spark of hope in her heart--for now, her cup of
happiness was brimming over.

Not normally given to displays of emotion, Blake had taken her in his
arms with a passion sharpened by anger, forgetting everything--even the
fair Lady Margaret.  He had tried to throw a cloak over what had passed
between them, apologising, telling her it would not happen again, and
her instinct told her that already he must be tortured with
self-castigation as he angrily reproached himself for his weakness of
having given way to his feelings.  But sooner or later they would have
to meet.  How would he react to' her then?  she wondered, experiencing
a heady exultation, a sweet joy, knowing that she had the power to make
him want her after all.  But deep down inside her she knew that the
love she carried for him in her heart was still an impossible dream.

The following day Henry returned to Oxford and Amelia and her husband
left for London without Katherine, whose mind was filled with confusion
over what had transpired the previous day.  It had been dominated by
two events: the first, the shattering discovery that she had a
half-brother and that her-mother might still be alive; the second,
Blake's kiss.

When the euphoria of his embrace had worn off, it was like waking from
a dream, one that Katherine had been living on, feeding on, for a long
time,~ and her face had become hot with shame when she had begun to see
her folly in a true light~ The kiss had changed everything--things
would never be the same between her and Blake again.  She had felt that
she had lost a happiness which had never been hers in the first place,
and in that bitterest moment of all she had looked clearly at her
situation as it was:

Blake'was betrothed to Lady Margaret Tawney, committed to her. Margaret
was the one who would live with ~him, share his thoughts, sleep in his
arms at night, bear his children, not her.  Margaret, trusted him,
loved him, probably aS much as she did herself, and for this reason she
must abandon any hope that he would turn from Margaret to her.

Katherine had remembered the onetime she had met Lady Margaret, when
she had come to Ludgrove Hall two years ago with her brother to see
Blake, before there had been any romantic attachment between them; she
had liked her, warmed to her, and she would not wish to hurt her in any
way.

Although Blake had been against her going to London with Amelia, she
could see that now it would be unwise for her to remain at Ludgrove
Hall close to him.  Her aunt was keen for her to marry--maybe that was
the answer.  But she could not marry someone she did not love and it
would be a long time, if ever, before she would be able to rid her mind
of Blake's image~ or her heart of the love she carried, and it was
going to make all the difference to her feelings for anyone else.

Over the following days that ran into weeks, Katherine never saw Blake
alone.  She understood how busy he was as he familiarised himself with
the running of the estate, pouring over ledgers with his bailiff,
tending to the 'needs of the tenant farmers, returning to the house
with his thick hair tied back, his handsome features thoughtful.  as he
contemplated some new problem that had presented itself.

On the occasions when they had met at meal times, when he had addressed
her his voice had always been cold and terse.  She might just as well
have been transparent for he had seemed to look right through her.  He
had distanced himself from her.  completely evading her about the
house, and his determination to ignore her presence had hurt and had
offended her deeply, reawakening all her old doubts and fears that he
had cared nothing for her after all.

Katherine became quiet and withdrawn as she began to consider how she
might discover further information about what had become of her mother
and brother all those years ago.  Her aunt would tell her no more than
she already had, saying that what had been was dead and buried.  Why
couldn't she leave it that way?  But, no, God help her, she~ could not.
Curiosity and the need to know drove her on.

Had she been free to do so, she would have made for Rochester at once
to see if there was anyone who remembered her mother, but fear of being
caught by Blake and brought back to Ludgrove Hall, bringing further
disgrace upon herself and the family, made her dismiss the idea.
Besides, she had no wish to divulge to Blake what her aunt had told
her, preferring to keep it to herself.  Her mother had been a Catholic.
Knowing of Blake's aversion to anyone of that faith, and with the
present resurgence of hate and persecutions throughout the country
directed against them, then the things about her mother's past could be
dangerous to her own present safety.

She would have to find some other way of finding out what had become of
them.  But how else could she go about it?  There was' no way that she
could see.  If still alive,~ they could be anywhere.  With reluctance
Katherine had to admit that she could do nothing at this time.  But she
would not let it lie and was fiercely determined to' pursue the matter
when she was no longer her aunt's charge.

Life at Ludgrove Hall went~ on as usual until one day, at dinner--which
was eaten at midday--her aunt announced without prior warning that
Blake was to leave for London.  Katherine's heart contracted with pain
and Matilda immediately dropped her napkin onto her plate, looking
across the table at her beloved brother with dismay.

"Blake--no.  Why--you've only recently arrived back home.  After all
those years you were absent I--I thought--I hoped you were back to
stay.  Will you be away for long?"

"I don't know as yet.  What with the government all in pieces and our
ships lying idle in the dock, trade is so depressed that I must go and
see what can be done.  The tonnage and poundage which has been levied
by the King, without the consent of Parliament, is causing much
discontent among the merchants, and the increased taxation on imported
tobacco has-affected the profits of the Western Trading Company
considerably."

It was these very taxes which had forced Blake's father to spend much
of his time in London, overseeing the running of the company.  Blake
was certain that the stress brought about by this had proved too much
for his Father and had resulted in his fatal seizure.

"Also," he went on, 'the Earl of Stratford's trial has provoked riots,
with armed mobs roaming the streets--many of them out-of-work mariners
and dockers.  I could be gone for quite some time.  "

Blake's eyes came to rest on Katherine where she sat directly across
from him, 'the table between them laden with a gargantuan side of roast
mutton and other dishes.  She sat with her back ramrod straight, her
golden hair forming a glistening bright halo in the sunlight streaming
through the window behind her.  Her eyes were fixed steadily on his.

Blake had observed a change in her of late.  Her smile was no longer
spontaneous and, when she was with Matilda, he noticed that her laugh,
once unselfconscious, sounded artificial.  He was disturbed by this
change in her, suspecting she was angry because she had not been
allowed to go with Amelia to London.  '

Or could it be that, after what had passed between them, she felt shy
and awkward in his presence?  But then he bethought himself and
frowned.  Awkward?  Possibly, But shy?  Never.  She still had a look of
defiance, he thought, and impatience as she carefully kept her
temperament in check.  How would she take what he had to say to her?

"Your aunt and I are in agreement that you will accompany me to London,
Mistress Blair."

"Seeing that no gentleman of worth in the district seems to want
anything to do with you," said her aunt scathingly, 'we think it best
that you go to London after all, Your chances of acquiring a husband
will be increased somewhat at Court.  The scandal you created should
have subsided by.  now.  Amelia has agreed for you to stay with her,
and Blake will be there to see to it that you behave in a proper and
ladylike manner,"

Katherine's hands were trembling as they gripped the arms of her chair.
She wanted to shout that she did not want a husband.  For so long she
had resolutely pushed any idea of going to London from her mind.  Now,
all of a sudden, quite unexpectedly, here was her aunt telling her that
she was to go and that she was to go with Blake.

New life began to flow through her veins but nothing of what she was
feeling showed on her face, which took on a calm serenity that was
shattered a moment later by Blake's next words, forcing her mind back
to painful reality.

"The Earl of Rock Icy will also be in London with Margaret who is eager
to set the date for our wedding.  However, that should not interfere
with what is planned for you."  He lazily elevated one brow.  "Come,
Mistress Blair.  What have you to say?  Is this not what you wanted?"

Katherine stopped her hands from trembling by placing them in her lap,
her eyes as blue as the temperate speedwell.  She continued to look at
him steadily, giving no indication of her thoughts, of how much seeing
him with Lady Margaret Tawhey would pain her.

"Yes, I shall be glad to go, and I am sure Lady Margaret must be
impatient to see you after so long an absence."

Blake frowned.  How small her voice sounded, he thought, pure and
childlike, and this somehow pierced his armour.  The sensations she had
aroused in him the day that he had kissed her surged through him anew.
He was perplexed by the strong emotions he had felt as her lips had
opened under his, yielding a sweetness which had made him want to drink
his fill.

He was taking her to London in the hope of finding her a husband, but
strangely, the thought of her with another man--in his arms, kissing
him, lying with him--disgusted him.  He was confused and this angered
him.  He told himself that only when she was wed and he was married to
Margaret would he be purged of these feelings.

"When are you to leave?"  asked Matilda, looking as if she would cry in
a moment, so distressed was she at the thought of losing Katherine.
What on earth would she do without her?

"A few days--no more," Blake replied.

"Can I not go with Katherine?"  she asked, looking across at her
brother beseechingly.

"No, Matilda," said her mother sharply, for she had high hopes of the
young gentlemen in the district taking an interest in her once
Katherine was out of the way.  "You will stay here."

Matilda turned quickly to her mother, an anxious look on her face. "But
if, as Blake says, there are armed mobs roaming the streets, surely it
is unwise that Katherine should be subjected to such danger?"

"It is true there is serious unrest in London," said Blake calmly, not
wishing to alarm them further, but his stepmother fixed him with a hard
questioning look.  He knew she would: not be deceived into believing
all was well with the nation.

"Just how serious is it, Blake?"  she asked.

"Tis serious enough.  As well you know, there is deep resentment over
the new prayer book the King has imposed on his subjects in England,
and Scotland where it has stirred up a hornets' nest.  The Scots are a
fiercely independent people and are up in arms, resenting anything
imposed on them from England.  They have drawn up a National Covenant
in defence of their Kirk.  The King has been forced to summon
Parliament to ask for subsidies to subdue them, but unless he satisfies
their demands with regards to their religion then he must provide the
means to fight them.  I believe England is drifting towards crsis."

"Civil war?"  asked Harriet bluntly.

Blake nodded slowly, his expression grave.  "It could come to that,
although his soldiers do not want a war with Scotland, for if it is to
be about a matter of religion, then they would rather direct their
discontent against the Catholics within their midst, than against the
covenanting Scots.  The King's actions have become the subject of much
criticism, some of it related to the fact that he does little to quell
the growth of Popery in England which is poisoning the waters of
Protestantism.

"Feelings are running high, with people clamouring for the abolition of
episcopacy and the head of Stratford.  And more is to follow, for we
must not forget that William Laud, the Archbishop of Canterbury,
languishes in the Tower awaiting trial.

Like Stratford, he too worked in the King's best interests before being
accused of high treason.

"I have told you that riots are commonplace on the streets, resulting
in damage to people and property.  Our own offices of business close to
the Royal Exchange have suffered some considerable damage which I must
repair."

"The Earl of Stratford," whispered Matilda with something like dread,
for many of the tales she had heard about him had made him into
something of a bogey man.  "He's the one they call " Black Tom Tyrant",
isn't he?  Will he be executed?"

Blake sighed, thinking of the King's most loyal subject, Thomas
Wentworth, the Earl of Stratford, the strongest man in his.  Privy
Council.  He had been sent to rule Ireland, which had been troubled by
constant rebellions, but his bold and masterful methods for bringing
the country to a better state had made him countless enemies in both
Ireland and England.

His aim was to make the King all powerful in that country, to show both
Catholics and Protestants that they must depend on the King's power,
which had deepened the hatred the leaders of Parliament already felt
for him--especially the all-powerful John Pym, the' leader of the house
and prominent opponent of the King.

"I fear so," he said in reply to Matilda's question.  "The leaders of
Parliament are set on it.  After two weeks the trial did collapse and
it looked like victory for Stratford--but Pym has introduced into.  the
Commons a Bill of Attainder which simply states that Stratford is
guilty and should be put to death?

"What is it--this Bill of Attainder?"  asked Matilda, who had not the
slightest understanding of politics,

"It means, Matilda, that the Earl of Stratford's crime does not come
under the recognition of any law or statute, so a new one has been
made," explained Blake patiently.  "

"And having been passed in the Commons, will the Bill pass the Lords
and the King?"  asked his stepmother.

"I believe it will, The pressure will be too great for them to
resist,"

"Do you think he should lose his head, Blake?"  asked Matilda.

"No.  There is no doubt he has acted like a harsh' tyrant, but nothing
he has done can be called treason.  The strongest charge against
him--that he suggested bringing over an Irish army to' subdue
England--cannot be proved and is probably untrue.  My belief is that it
was to help quell the, rebellion in Scotland.

"His trial has virtually monopolised the nation for weeks
now--deflecting discontent away from the King.  Stratford is a
scapegoat.  He has been chosen to carry the sins of the past on his
shoulders as well as be an excuse for those in the future.  Everyone
believes that once his head has been removed then the country will run
smoothly."

"And what do you think, my lord?"  asked Katherine, finding her tongue.
She had listened to Blake air his views with some interest.  "Will the
King live happily ever after with his subjects once Stratford is
dead?"

"No," he answered, meeting her gaze directly, pleased to see he had
captured her interest.  "More than likely there will be a period of
calm while the King tries to woo Parliament--but it will not last.  I
feel there are perilous days ahead."

"Then why are you taking Katherine to London?"  persisted Matilda, who
did not begrudge Katherine this chance of going to the city but she
would miss her sorely.  Besides, she had no wish to be left alone at
Ludgrove Hall.  "Surely she will be safer here?"

Blake continued to look at Katherine.  "Stratford's trial will soon be
over and affairs at Court will return to normal for a while.  You will
stay away until that time.  It will then be arranged for you to be
presented to the King and Queen."

Katherine wasn't thinking of the honour of this future occasion, only
the relief she would feel at no longer being under her aunt's
dominance.

"Oh, Katherine, you will have to have anew wardrobe," gasped Matilda in
a rush of excitement, hoping she would be able to assist in the
choosing of the sumptious garments she would most certainly need to
wear at Court.

"Most of what.  Katherine already has will.  be perfectly suitable,"
said her mother sharply.  "Anything

8?

else she needs Amelia will see to when she reaches London.  Which
reminds me," she said rising, " I am expecting the seamstress shortly
to measure you for two new gowns.  Come, Matilda.  "

As Katherine was about to rise and follow them Blake spoke, reluctant
to let her go.  Besides, if he was to take her to London then they
should at least try to get on with each other.

"Do you need to hurry away also, Mistress Blair?"  he said as his
stepmother, with Matilda in tow, disappeared out of the room.  "Does my
presence offend you so much that you have to hurry away whenever you
find yourself alone with me?"

Katherine looked at him, startled.  How could he accuse her of avoiding
him when he was the one who had deliberately distanced himself from
her?

"I was not aware that I did," she answered stiffly.

"I have apologised for my ungentlemanly behaviour on the last occasion
we found ourselves alone.  I had hoped I was forgiven?"  he said,
smiling slowly.

Taken completely by surprise that he should refer to the incident,
Katherine sank back into her seat, an embarrassed flush covering her
cheeks at the rush of memory.  How could he remain so calm and
unconcerned as to mention something that had meant so much to her?  But
that he had spoken in such a casual, matter-of~ fact way confirmed her
fears that he cared little for her after all.  Since his kiss she had
dreamed of little else.

Fearing that he should guess her thoughts, she lowered her eyes, afraid
to meet his penetrating gaze lest he should lay bare the hopeless love
she carried for him in her heart.  But she was angry at herself, angry
that she could have succumbed so easily to the embrace of this hard and
unfeeling man.  In control of her feelings again, she looked across at
where he lounged indolently in his chair, watching her like-a cat
watching a mouse, waiting patiently with faint amusement for her
reaction to his question.

Katherine smiled at him sweetly.  "Having heard of your exploits where
ladies are concerned, my lord, your behaviour came as no surprise to
me.  And as for apologies--well--it is a little late in the day to
withdraw what happened, don't you think?  How-ever--you may set your
mind at rest.  You are forgiven.  My memory of the incident is
extremely hazy.  As far as I am concerned, it never happened."

Blake gave a laugh of unbridled amusement, doubting the truth of her
statement.  "Your generosity embarrasses me, Mistress Blair.  Indeed it
does."

His amusement irked Katherine somewhat, but she continued to smile
softly.  "I would not have believed a man of your phlegmatic character
capable of embarrassment, my lord," she said with a hint of sarcasm.

"By that I take it that you mean I am not easily
excitable--dispassionate, even."  His eyes narrowed and glittered
meaningfully and his voice soRened.  "Oh, come now--after what occurred
between us the last time we found ourselves alone together, I think you
know me better than that."

A silence fell between them, broken only by the yawning of one of the
hounds at Blake's feet.  His dark eyes remained fixed on Katherine's
face with just the trace of a smile.  It was he who broke the silence,
caressing the silken ears of the dog that had raised its head and
placed it in his master's lap.

"So, Mistress Blair, is Matilda right?"  he asked indolently.  "Do you
consider it might be too dangerous for you in London?"  '

"Should that be the case then I doubt you would have agreed to my
going-unless, of course, my aunt is so desperate to have me gone from
here that she cares not one way or the other.  That I find--or
purchase- a husband is all important to her whatever the case may
be."

"Make of it what you will but what you take to your husband will be the
customary--and if I might say so, in your case--somewhat generous
dowry.  But purchase?  No."

"That's how it seems to me,"

"Clearly.  But you can rest assured that I shall do my best to find you
a most suitable husband."

"I am grateful to you, my lord," she said with an ingratiating smile,"
'but if I am to marry then I shall marry a man of my own choosing."

"Oh, yes.  One you can love."  His lips twisted with sarcasm.  "I
remember you saying."

"My heart is set on it.  I shall not surrender tamely to any other.  I
would as soon cross to the Continent and enter a nunnery.  " Blake
frowned and his expression became grave and serious.  " You are not
destined to  wear the habit of a nun.  The Court of King Charles is a
very alluring place to someone as lovely as you, Mistress Blair.  There
are many eligible young gallants there hand.  some enough to turn your
head.  "

Katherine stared at him with frank amazement~ Never had she thought to
hear such a compliment pass his lips.  "Handsome enough--I do not
doubt.  Rich enough I do."

Blake's eyes narrowed.  "So--you would have your eyes on a fortune
after all?"

"No.  But neither am I so stupid or naY ve as to fall at the feet of
the first handsome gentleman who makes eyes at me, my lord, such as Sir
George Cartington or Lord Forbes, seeing not myself but the fortune I
carry as a means of paying off his debts.  I would rather not marry at
all, if that be the case."

"But if you should fall in love?"  Blake murmured softly, speaking
slowly, his eyes never leaving hers for a moment.  "What will you give
then?"

His voice reached out to her and held her.  She looked at him
enquiringly, her eyes held by his.  There was something in their
depths, in the way he was looking at her which seemed to convey a
message, and it was a moment so momentous as not to be broken.  At
length she managed to answer.

"Everything.  It's as simple as that."  She rose to' her feet, lowering
her eyes over the flush on her cheeks.  "Pray excuse me, my lord.  I
must see if the seamstress has arrived.  I promised to assist her in
measuring Matilda up for her new gowns."

"Of course," said Blake, also rising.  "Run along.  I did not mean to
detain you."

He watched her go out of the room before seating himself again,
frowning at the closed door, deep in thought, the silence broken only
by the sound of her footsteps becoming fainter on the stone flags in
the passage outside.

CHAPTER FIVE

AFXER all the packing had been done, Katherine had been ready to leave
for London, optimistic that she would enjoy being away from her aunt
and with Amelia.  Her maid, Rose, had accompanied her.  Blake was to
have travelled inside the coach with them-although for most of the
journey, having been disturbed by Katherine's close proximity, he had
escaped the confines of the interior, having preferred to sit up front
with the driver.

He had considered taking one of his own horses but, on reflection, had
decided against it, for there would be plenty of mounts to choose from
at Landale House.  Amelia's husband prided himself on his stables.

It had been a tearful Matilda that Katherine had said goodbye to.  She
had felt sorry to be leaving her, wishing that she'd been allowed to
come too.  Doubtless, by the time she returned to Ludgrove Hall her
aunt would have succeeded in finding Matilda a suitor.

The journey to London had been uneventful and it was with relief that
they arrived at Landale House.  The Earl of Landale had recently moved
from his house close to Westminster and the river--from the smoke and
soot-grimed buildings, the overcrowding and congestion of the
streets--to the more wholesome, fashionable atmosphere of Covent Garden
where new houses were being built and where people of social eminence
were beginning to live.

Despite the authoritative sobriety of the Court of King Charles, Amelia
was an extremely popular and sought-after figure, her title as the
Countess of Landale giving her access to the Court.  She surrounded
herself with luxuries and enjoyed a lavish lifestyle, throwing herself
into all the activities at Court, never missing a ball or a masque--of
which the Queen was particularly fond, or going to see the opening of a
new play at the theatre.  She often stayed in rooms at Whitehall or
threw supper parties at Landale House, entertaining on a grand scale.
Her husband George; the mild-mannered Earl of Landale, gave her free
rein to do as she wished.

Katherine was immediately enthralled and excited by it all--unlike
Blake, who frowned with abject distaste at what he considered to be his
sister's wanton extravagance, and was: beginning to distrust the
influence she would have over the ha' lye Katherine.  But there was
little he could ~do about that now.  He could hardly return her to her
aunt, so he became determined to set about finding her a husband
immediately--although he already had a young man in mind who might
prove to be suitable.

Amelia frowned on Katherine's wardrobe, which her aunt had pronounced
suitable but which Amelia cast aside with distaste, commenting that her
dowdy and uninteresting clothes might be suitable for the country but
not for the Court.  She immediately whisked her off to the Exchange on
the Strand where she set about having her fitted for a whole new
wardrobe.

During her early days in London, her mother and brother were never out
of Katherine's thoughts for long and she yearned for the time when she
could discover What had become of them.

She saw little of Blake.  His time was spent at the London residence of
the Earl of Rock Icy in the company of Lady Margaret, and at the
warehouses and wharves where he was overseeing the unloading and
storing of a cargo of tobacco from one of his ships that had just
arrived from the West Indies, and where he was also busy arranging
contracts for the ship's next voyage and fulfilling the plantation
owners' orders for European goods.

As London awaited the outcome of the Earl of Stratford's trial there
was a nervous unease.  about the city; The Commons had passed Pym's
Bill of Attainder but now it faced two higher hurdles--the Lords and
the King.  If the Bill passed the Lords, what would the King do?
everyone was asking.  Like any other Bill, it was subject to the King's
assenL The King owed much to Stratford and had promised him he would
never consent to his execution, but could he weather the storm of
maddened, uncontrolHELEN

able crowds besieging Whitehall and Westminster demanding Stratford's
head?

Unable to have Katherine presented at Court because of the present
troubles, Amelia had been busy arranging other activities, like supper
parties and visits to the theatre.  She even managed to coax Blake, on
one of his rare moments of inactivity, into escorting them on an outing
in Hyde Park.  Her own husband had temporarily left London for his
estate in Kent.

The park, which sported two bowling greens and where horse racing took
place and dairy maids walked round with fresh creamy milk for the
thirsty, was a rendezvous of fashion and beauty.  Where anyone with a
splendid equipage went to see and be seen.  Blue skies spilled sunlight
onto the many courtiers out to make the most of it, in open carriages
with impressive coats of arms emblazoned on doors, and handsome young
bucks prancing along the pathways on superb horse flesh.

Ladies were dressed in full splendour, their hats trimmed with
delicate, tantalising plumes and tied with satin ribbons.  Katherine
sat beside Amelia in the carriage while Blake rode alongside, cutting a
dashing figure on a big bay stallion, attracting many raised eyebrows
and admiring, languishing feminine glances from behind unfurled
fans--none of which were lost on Katherine.  Amelia had seen to it
that

Katherine's saffron coloured costume was as grand as any in the park.

It was when Blake had stopped to speak to an acquaintance, falling some
distance behind, that a man boldly rode towards them, pulling on the
reins and stopping his horse beside their carriage, which had paused by
a flowered border to wait for Blake.  Katherine was so absorbed with
trying to take in the names ~of everyone of note whom Amelia pointed
out that she failed to notice him until she looked round and recognised
Lord' Forbes At first she was as startled as if she had seen a ghost.

"Why--my dear Mistress Blair!"  he said, smiling broadly and removing
his wide-brimmed hat from his pale blond locks.  "So it is you.  At
first I thought I must be dreaming.  How good it is to see you
again."

Katherine stared at him.  The memory of their last meeting made her
cheeks flush with embarrassment but, recollecting the humiliation she
had suffered at his hands, her spine stiffened and she gave him a cold
stare.

"Lord Forbes!  I do not know how you have the audacity to face me, let
alone speak to me after what transpired on our last meeting."

"I know I have fallen into disfavour and I wouldn't blame you if you
refused to speak to me.  You may not believe this but I still feel
wretched about the way I treated you.  My conduct was quite
inexcusable."

It was the kind of graceful remark any gentleman would have made under
such circumstances but Katherine could not help feeling that he did not
mean a word of it.  His face had taken on an expression of
self-reproach but there was a hint of mischief sparkling in his hooded
eyes.  "Yes--it was, indeed," she replied.

"I have thought about you often, Mistress Blair, and wondered if you
could ever find it in your heart to forgive me?"

~Forgive you?  What?  After the way you tried to degrade me, how can I
possibly forgive you?  "

"Please believe me when I say it was not my intention to degrade you in
any way.  Oh, come now," he almost begged, 'can we not call a truce?  "
His face suddenly broke into an impudent smile, his eyes appraising her
warmly, and clearly he felt no shame for his actions of that night at
the inn.

Katherine would have liked to remain cool and Composed but his smile
was infectious and irresistible.  In spite of herself, her irritation
fell away and she could not resist returning his smile--to Amelia's
shock and deep displeasure.

"You are extremely persuasive, Lord Forbes."  "So--I am forgiven?"

Katherine hesitated but, believing him to be sin-cere-although no mater
how friendly he became she would always have Cause to mistrust
him--finally she nodded, which made his smile widen.

"You have made me a very happy man, Mistress Blair.  I'm not so bad,
you know, but at the inn that night, on finding myself alone with you,
I quite lost my head.  You bowled me over.  There'I have admitted
it."

"Dear me!"  Katherine exclaimed, bursting out laughing.  "Your
impudence knows no bounds.  You are incorrigible, sir.  But I must tell
you that I do not return the sentiment.  Oh," she said, remembering her
manners and turning to Amelia.  "May I present the Countess of Landale.
I'm staying with her for a while."

Amelia bridled when Lord Forbes's eyes came to rest on her and she did
not miss the icy glint in their depths.

"Lord Forbes and I are already acquainted, Katherine," she said, fixing
him with a cold stare.  "But I do not believe you are aware that Lord
Russell is my brother, Lord Forbes.  Knowing of his antagonism towards
you, you would be wise to ride on this instant before he sees you and
demands to finish the business you started, before you left the inn
like a scared rabbit with the pack hot on your tail."

Glancing back along the path, an uneasy expression crossed Lord
Forbes's face for he could see Lord Russell was already looking towards
the carriage.  He turned and smiled once more at Katherine.  "I'm happy
to see your aunt didn't force you into marriage with old Sir George.
What a waste that would have been."

"Believing me to be despoiled, Lord Forbes,"

Katherine replied drily, "Sir George would not have me."

"Then roe thinks you have much to thank me for, Mistress Blair, I did
you a favour."

"One I shall not return, Lord Forbes," she replied, fixing him with a
steady gaze.

"I would not presume," he purred.  "However, I am grateful that you
spared the time to speak to me.  If I can be of service to you--please
do not hesitate to ask.  I'll see you again, I hope," he sg~d,
addressing Katherine.

"Not if my brother has anything to do with it.  Good day, Lord Forbes,"
said Amelia, dismissing him abruptly.

Still smiling broadly, Lord Forbes bowed and rode away.

"Really," she gasped, 'the cheek of the man--and as smooth as ever.  "
She cast Katherine a glance of exasperation.  " And you, Katherine.
Why--some-times I worry about you--truly I do.  Your nature is too
forgiving.  You are too easily won over.  After what that blackguard
did to you you should have ignored him completely.  "

Katherine smiled at Amelia.  "I know, but ~you cannot deny that there
is something charismatic ally appealing ~about him, Amelia. Besides--he
was pleasantly civil."

Amelia drew in a sharp breath.  "So he should be.  He's had plenty of
practice.  Don't be deceived by his honeyed voice and drooping eyes,
Katherine.  He has a lying, flattering tongue and spends his time
prowling the galleries of Whitehall and the drawing-rooms of London's
elite in search of an heiress.

"Women without means swoon at the sight of his fair locks and his
elegance.  They fall for him like dominoes in a row, but when they get
to know him they change their tune.  Anyone with any sense at all will
have nothing to do with him.  You already know him for the vile seducer
he is.  He's been the cause of many an open scandal, and why--he almost
succeeded where you were concerned.  Don't be fool enough to fall for
his' charming allure a second time."

Katherine laughed lightly.  "What a simpleton you must take me for,
Amelia.  Rest assured--I know Lord Forbes for what he is and shall not
be duped again."

"I sincerely hope not--for, mark my words, whatever happened between
the two of you at the inn that night hasn't changed a thing where he is
concerned.  It would be a coup indeed if he were to win your hand."

"Don't worry, I shall keep my wits about me at all times.  I promise.
But he did seem genuinely sincere in wanting to make amends."

"To you, maybe, but I very much doubt it--and I doubt Blake will see it
that way, either.  I only hope he did not see him talking to you for
there will be the devil to pay."

Blake had seen--and also the smile on Katherine's face as she conversed
with Lord Forbes.  Anger at her stupidity rose inside him.  Excusing
himself to his acquaintance, he rode quickly away in the hope of
accosting him, but the wily knave had seen him advancing towards the
carriage and quickly disappeared into the crowd.  Blake's face was like
thunder when he looked at Katherine, who was still smiling softly,
adding fuel to his rage.

"Did my eyes deceive me or was that that reprobate Lord Forbes I saw
you conversing with so happily?"

The smile disappeared from Kattterine's lips and she scowled up at him.
"You may rest assured, my lord, there is nothing wrong with your eyes.
It was Lord Forbes--apologising most sincerely for his unseemly conduct
on our last meeting."

"And like a naive little fool you believed him," he growled.

Blake'S eyes shifted to where Amelia sat, eyeing him nervously.  She
was well accustomed to her brother's fits of temper and usually stood
up to him, but this time she knew better than to argue--unlike
Katherine, who glared at him.  "And you, Amelia," he continued, 'should
have known better than to allow him to approach the carriage.  "

"It was not Amelia's fault," flared Katherine, coming quickly to her
defence, Blake's readiness to blame his sister making her furious.
"Lord Forbes was upon us before we could do anything about it."

"And by the simpering look on your face you accommodated him readily
enough.  You know as well as I what is in his mind.  "

"Ha," Katherine scoffed.  "The same that is in the minds of most men, I
should think."

Blake's eyes narrowed dangerously and his expression became venomous,
but he chose to ignore her remark.  "I object to the way you made a
display of yourself, for there are few here in the park today who are
not aware of what took place between the two of you the last time you
met.  Was not his attempt then to ruin you enough?  By accepting his
apologies so readily then, mark my words, he'll continue his pursuit of
you."

Katherine's eyes flamed rebellion sly "Owing to your own past
experiences, my lord, you are extremely quick to suspect the worst."

"Oh--do stop it, you two," Amelia burst in.  "Do you have to argue here
in the park--making a spectacle of us all?  See--people are beginning
to stare."

"You are right," Blake replied, observing the glittering, gossiping
passers-by looking their way.  "Come, it is time we returned to the
house."

Angry that her first outing to the park was to end so abruptly, for an
instant Katherine almost voiced the protest that rose to her lips, but
on seeing the grim set of Blake's countenance, forbidding any further
argument, she did not dare.  She merely threw him a sullen glare and
turned her head away.

The House of Lords had passed the Bill of Attainder on the Earl of
Stratford, leaving the final decision as to his fate up to the King.
Ugly mobs had besieged the palace, howling for justice and Stratford's
head, threatening to storm it if their wishes were not met.  This had
been the King's darkest hour and the terror that had gripped him in his
misery had been real, At last, fearing for the safety of his family,
especially that of his beloved Catholic Queen, who would hardly survive
if the maddened mob broke the barriers of the palace walls, he had
agreed to the execution.

Amid the celebrations of the marriage of William of Orange and Princess
Mary, the King's eldest daughter, there had still prevailed an
undercurrent of unrest within the city.  Riots and demonstrations
against the King and all he stood for were an everyday occurrence. But,
as Blake had predicted, now that Stratford was dead, the pressure
surrounding the King and Queen had relaxed, although the troubles were
far from over.  Storm clouds were again gathering to the north with
Scotland.

Blake's dark eyes were increasingly troubled.  He was deeply concerned
not only with what was happening to the country, but even more so with
what was happening between the King and his Parliament.

With rare discretion Katherine had tried hard to please Blake.  Since
the unfortunate incident in the park, once his anger over her tardy
respect for her pride had abated, surprisingly, he had become more
civil towards her.  The softening in his eyes had made her believe that
maybe he was beginning to warm to her.

On returning from the docks one day, Blake was greeted in the hallway
of Landale House by a loud cacophony of feminine chattering and
laughter coming from the upper floors of the house.  He did not wonder
at the cause of such feverish merriment and excitement.  Today
Katherine was to make her debut at Court.  He heard the sound of her
laughter, which rang in his ears and seemed to fill the whole house, a
sound all the sweeter because of its rarity.

He looked up the stairs, totally unprepared for the sight his eyes
beheld.  At that moment Katherine appeared before him like a mirage
rising out of the desert, tall and beautiful--not the innocent beauty
of yesterday, for that had been without art, without the glittering
jewels that adorned her throat and hung from her ears like droplets of
sparkling water, halted in its flow.

Now the expertise of the dressmaker and hairdresser had changed her.
She had been lovely before--now she was glorious.  The gown she wore
was of cloth of gold, covered with a deeper delicate gold lace, the
same colour as her hair.

Managing to conquer a traitorous rush of tenderness, Blake moved out of
the gloom and into the light cast from the large windows, knowing that,
looking as she did, she would be sure to fire the blood of many of the
courtiers.  With this thought in mind he was determined to introduce
her; to Lord Soames, the young gentleman of good breeding and
sufficient means whom he intended her to marry, without delay, and who
would take her away to his country seat in Devon.

Unaware of Blake's thoughts, which would not have pleased her,
Katherine stared down at him with some surprise for she had seen little
of him of late.  Excited at the prospect of going to Whitehall at-last,
her eyes sparkled and a happy smile hovered on her lips--as Amelia's
ladies had dressed her, all the while she had been thinking of Blake
and that she was dressing for him alone.

She felt so happy and elated that not even the prospect of meeting Lady
Margaret Tawney once again was allowed to cloud her day.  With her
heart beating like a drum, lifting her skirts slightly to reveal the
velvet toes of her slippered feet, i she descended the stairs, seeming
to glide over the polished wood floor.  She paused in from of him, her
blue eyes wide as they gazed into his, aware of the change he must see
in her.

"So, my 'lord, your presence here at this time of the day surprises me.
I would have thought you had much to occupy your time at the
wharves."

"My business for today is concluded.  I have not forgotten that it is
today you are to be presented at Court and--if I may say so," he said
softly, breathing in the sweet, heady scent of apple blossom, 'you look
exquisite.  Not even the Queen will be able to outshine you looking as
you do.  "

' For a moment there was a flash of genuine feeling in his eyes as they
raked Katherine from head to toe, the first expression of true
appraisal she had ever seen on his face, causing her heart to swell
with love and hope, giving her a buoyant sensation.  She looked at him,
wide-eyed.  His hair was untidy~ his face lined faintly with fatigue,
his jacket and breeches stained from his work at the docks, his
wide-topped boots and spurs dusty-still the sight of him did not fail
to stir her heart.

She was tempted to reply--What?  Not even Lady Margaret?  but thought
better of it, not wishing to sound malicious or ungracious.  Why--I
thank you, my lord," she replied instead, delighting that sl{e had
succeeded in winning his admiration.  She suddenly felt so bold that
she dared to let a faint provocative smile touch the corners of her
mouth and she gave him a sidelong look from under her lashes.  " A
compliment from you is a rarity indeed.  "

If she had hoped for further appraisal from him then she was to be
disappointed for, undeceived, her coquettish air found no favour with
Blake, who frowned with disapproval.

"Doubtless there will be many eager young gallants falling over
themselves to pay tribute to your beauty at Whitehall, all too ready
with their compliments today and in the days to come.  But do not play
the coquette with me, Mistress Blair.  The role does not become
you--and I know you too well.  I have never been one to indulge in the
meaningless plaudits which seem to be all the fashion at CourL'

The unexpected harshness of his words caused Katherine's eyes to open
wide with genuine amazement and innocence.  "Why--I am sure I do not
know what you mean."

No, thought Blake, she truly had no idea.  But he refused to let
himself be swayed from the course he had set himself where she was
concerned by explaining.  His heart softened but his expression
remained hard.

"I think my meaning is plain enough.  The excitement of going to
Whitehall, combined with the ~litter you imagine you will find there,
has made you realise the effect your beauty will have on the male
members of the Court.  It may have temporarily slipped your mind but I
am betrothed to Lady Margaret, so do not count me as one of them."

Katherine scowled up at him, indignant at the slight.  "You flatter
yourself unduly, my lord, if you think that--and no, it has not slipped
my mind that you are to marry Lady Margaret.  I look forward to making
her acquaintance once again, but in my opinion I cannot help but think
that some time spent at Court--with its reputation for orderliness and
ceremony might well improve your manners."

Blake's lips twisted with irony.  "I lay little store by what happens
at Court, which reeks of the Vatican.  There's more to life than having
to spend it with knaves and fools--with little else to do but become
embroiled in intrigue--all plotting and scheming against each other and
fawning around the King for favours unearned.  "

Katherine's heart had contracted painfully at his reference to the
Vatican, reminding her of her mother and his aversion to the Catholic
faith, but she gave no indication of this.  "Then what do you want from
life, my lord?"

"What I want is unimportant for the present.  It is what England will
ask of me and every other Englishman that matters--whatever I might
think."

His voice had become quiet, his expression grave, and his eyes looked
past Katherine as they journeyed ahead of her into the future.  She
knew he was thinking of the ~troubles that beset the country, which in
all probability was fast tumbling into a situation that would result in
civil war.  She thrust these ugly thoughts from her mind for they were
too fearful to contemplate at this time.

"Meanwhile," Blake continued, "I would be obliged if you would save
your flirtations for someone who is available and more gullible.  In
the absence of the

Earl of Landale, who is more familiar with the Court than myself and
whom I had hoped would present you to the King and Queen because I have
been too long away, I shall escort you to Whitehall myself.  "

Katherine flushed, realising that her silly attempt to flirt with him
had been treated with the contempt he would have accorded someone of no
accounL

Inwardly raging at his ability to read her mind, and shocked at her own
transparency, she drew in a sharp breath and would dearly have loved to
turn on her heel and tell him to go to the devil, that she would go to
Whitehall without him or not at all.

But pride and the cold hand of commonsense prevailed.  After all, she
could hardly present herself at Court and she did so want him to be
with her.  Swallowing her anger she assumed an expression of pleasant
dignity and again smiled up at him.

"As you wish," she murmured sweetly.  "But," she said, wrinkling her
nose with distaste, "I have to say that your apparel is more in keeping
with the docks than the elegance of Whitehall."

"Which can soon be rectified.  I left instructions for my valet to have
my clothes in ready ness for when I returned.  So--if you will excuse
me I shall go and change."

CHAPTER SIX

FILLED with excitement and happiness at being escorted to Whitehall
Palace by Blake, Katherine sat opposite him in the carriage with Amelia
beside her, whose ladies were following on in another carriage.  She
sat straight backed, staring at everything she saw out of the window as
they travelled along the Strand of this centuries-old city, its skyline
peppered with innumerable church spires.  The city was attractive,
repelling and fascinating all at once, its vitality springing from a
variety of commerce and industry within its walls.  It was vibrant and
violent, thriving and alive, the centre of England and, as far as
Katherine was concerned, the whole universe.  It stirred her deepest
emotions and she never ceased to be enthralled by it all.

Within London's walls the conglomeration of muddled and unplanned
narrow streets, abounding with beggars and footpads, were like a rabbit
warren; a mixture of splendour and squalor, dark, dirty and ugly, often
running with filth and the air reeking with the stench of decaying
refuse, and yet at the same time possessing a rotten kind ~of beauty,
colourful and noisy, with street vendors and rowdy markets to which
people came from all over the surrounding countryside in droves to sell
their produce.  There was a marked contrast between the residences of
the rich and poor, and when one reached the rich men's homes that lined
the Strand and the royal palaces which stretched along the river front
from Whitehall to the mouth of the Fleet, the squalid hovels of the not
so privileged were less frequent.

They reached Whitehall Palace, a huge sprawling mass of buildings to
the west of the city, the chief residence of the Court.  It was a
labyrinth of streets and alleyways, of apartments inhabited by noblemen
and armies of their dependents.  Through its middle ran the narrow
thoroughfare of King.  Street, the north side of the Palace housing the
cockpit and tennis courts and the tiltyard where tournaments and bear
baiting were held.

Usually anyone who had anything to do with the Court could enter and
wander about at will, but because of the present riots and the threat
to the King's person, security at the gates was tight.  They entered
through the Palace Gate; inside there was great bustle with lackeys and
footmen in a multitude of coloured liveries flitting about all over the
place.  Blake escorted Katherine and Amelia, followed by a chattering
group of her ladies, up the stairs to the long Stone Gallery. Katherine
gazed about her rapt with enchantment, for never had her eyes beheld
anything as splendid.  From what she knew of King Chafies's Court it
was said to be the abode of elegance and learning, of purity and
refinement,

where culture flourished, but upon seeing it for the first time she
knew it to be also a place of great beauty, where bejewelled ladies
shimmered in sat-ined gowns.

"Well?"  asked Blake, watching Katherine's reaction to the scene with
interest.  "Are you impressed?"

"Most certainly," she gasped with wide-eyed wonder, thrilled by the
splendour of it all.  "How beautiful it all is--and so many people.
Where do they all come from?"

"All over England and the Continent.  Are you all' right?"  he asked
suddenly with measured concern and a genuine desire for her well-being,
sensing the strain lurking beneath the glow on her face.

She gave him a shaky smile.  "If you must know, I'mterribly nervous."

Blake smiled down at her reassuringly.  "Then don't' be.  The King will
be charmed by you--as will every other courtier here today when they
see you.  There's nothing like a new face at Court--especially a
beautiful one--to set tongues wagging.  Although, compared to the
rumbustiousness of his father's Court, many find the Court of King
Charles rather dull.  There are few drunken brawls or spicy scandals
but there are still a certain amount of profligate characters who hang
around, nevertheless.  Come--let's move on."

Gently but firmly taking her arm, Blake escorted her through the
throng.  Katherine was grateful to him for the way he tried to put her
at her ease and she wondered when she would meet his betrothed.  Was
Lady Margaret already there--somewhere in the crowd waiting for him to
arrive?

Katherine was eager and full of admiration for everything she saw, her
eyes darting about so as not to miss a thing, becoming very much aware
of the attention Blake was attracting from the ladies present-although
he appeared not to notice.

The walls on either side of the gallery were embellished with carefully
chosen works of art, some by the Italian masters Titian and Raphael,
which spoke of the King's own excellent taste and his love of art. They
were just a few of the superb collection he had accumulated over the
years.

After leaving the gallery, they entered the King's presence chamber
which was packed with courtiers and where presentations were already
taking place.  Even from the gilded doorway Katherine had no difficulty
in distinguishing the figure of the King, with the Queen by his side,
seated on a dais.  Katherine was a little disappointed at her first
sighting of him, for seeing him in the flesh he did not live up to the
larger-than-life image she had built of him in her mind, but as she
moved closer she became aware that, though he must be slight in stature
when standing, his majesty was undiminished.

The King was exchanging jovial words with those who surrounded him.
Blake and his party were announced by a court usher and as he drew
Katherine forward the King looked towards them,

as did the courtiers who surrounded him.  The presentations almost
over, ignoring ceremony, the King rose, stepping down from the dais and
moving for, ward to greet Blake, for whom he had a particular liking
and who had been absent from his Court for some considerable time.

"Why, Lord Russell, it is good to see you among us once again.  My
Court has been noticeably poorer by your absence."

"My apologies, Sire," Blake replied bowing low, un phased at being in
the King's presence, 'but owing to the death of my father since my
return from the Indies, matters have kept me in Appleby.  "

The King's expression became grave; he'd had great respect for the old
Lord Russell, a scholarly man of sound judgement--though with little
interest in politics.

"My commiserations.  Your father will be sorely missed.  He brought us
joy and we loved him well.  I, for one, valued his sound common-sense
and views and opinions greatly.  I hope you are to remain in London for
a while and to take your seat in the Lords vacated by your father.
Although," he said, smiling wryly though speaking not unkindly, "I
always felt he had little interest in matters of state, preferring
instead to be embroiled in his mercantile business or estate matters in
Appleby.  Although--when one considers the state of the nation--ah,
well--who can blame him?"  he said, sighing deeply.

Blake smiled.  "There is much truth in what you say, Sire.  My father
liked nothing better than organising his ships as he did his estate. As
for myself, I hope to take my seat in the Lords in-due come."

"I'm glad to hear it--and I must congratulate you on your forthcoming
marriage to Lady Margaret Tawney.  A fair maid indeed."  His eyes
shifted with interest to the still figure of Katherine by his side.
"And who is this, pray?  Can it be the young lady we have heard much
about from Countess Landale?  Who, I might add, has sung your praises
to the Queen ever since your arrival in London."

"Sire--may I have the honour of presenting to you Mistress Blair--the
ward of Lady Harriet Russell, her aunt and my stepmother," said Blake,
his dark gaze falling on Katherine as he drew her forward.

Lowering her eyes, Katherine sank into a deep curtsy, feeling more
nervous than she had ever felt in her life.  Her legs were trembling so
much--as were her hands, encased in elbow-length gloves, tucked into
the folds of her dress.  Managing to rise with dignity, she hardly
dared to breathe as she gazed at King Charles with awe and respect,
feeling all the eyes in the room converge on her.

There was an abiding air of sadness about-him.  Blake had told her he
mourned the passing of the Earl of Stratford deeply and that he was
haunted by him but, deep though his sorrow was, he would have to
overcome it to give attention to the important matters of state that
pressed heavily on his shoulders.  "Mistress Blair is a welcome
addition to the Court,

Lord Russell--and, moreover, a most beautiful one.  Take care, my
dear," he said softly, his eyes twinkling good humouredly, 'for I fear
your arrival among us will set many a masculine heart beating to
distraction.  But I daresay that under the firm guidance and protection
of Lord Russell I'm sure you'll have little trouble in keeping any
unwanted amorous advances at bay.,

Katherine dared to east a sideways look at Blake who was completely at
his ease and was looking at her with some amusement.  She looked back
at the King, captivated by his dark eyes and warm effortless charm,
feeling some of her nervousness evaporate.  She smiled, flushing
softly, wishing that the only amorous advances she would be likely to
procure would be from Blake himself.

"Yes, I'm sure you're right, Sire."

"Your arrival among us is bound to cause a sensation-but do not be
taken in for the greater a lady's popularity with the gentlemen of the
Court the quicker the other ladies' venom rises.  Is that not so, Lord
Russell?"  chuckled the King, giving Blake a sidelong conspiratorial
look which caused him to laugh outright with genuine amusement, the
King's words holding some secret meaning known only to those familiar
with the ways of the Court.

"Indeed it is, Sire," Blake replied, 'as many have found out to their
cost.  "

"Tell me, Mistress Blair, are you from Warwickshire?"

"No, Sire.  My family is from the north--although my childhood was
spent in Kent with my father."

"I have known Mistress Blair since she was ten years old, Sire,"
explained Blake.  "Upon the death of her father she was made her aunt's
ward and came to live with us at Ludgrove.  Hall where she was brought
up with my younger brother and sister."

The King bowed his head slightly.  "My Court is very happy to receive
you, Mistress Blair."  He turned to the Queen whose attention had been
drawn to the beautiful girl with the golden hair being presented to her
husband.  "Madam, may I present Mistress Blair, the ward of Lady
Harriet Russell?"

Queen Henrietta Maria, in a crimson gown, her dark shining curls
threaded through with a rope of pearls framing a small face with large,
brilliant dark eyes and an ivory quality to her skin, bestowed a
charming smile on Katherine who felt a flickering of admiration for
this Catholic queen who, despite the trials and tribulations of the
past months and the loss of her three year-old-daughter at the end of
the previous year, still managed to look adversity in the eye.
Katherine sank into another deep curtsy.

"So--you are Mistress Blair.  We've heard a great deal about you from
Countess Landale," said the Queen.  Her voice held a heavy trace of her
French accent that added to its charm.  She beckoned to Amelia who had
come to stand among her group of ladies.  "You did not exaggerate,
Countess.  Mistress Blair is fair indeed.  If you feel so inclined,"
she said,

again addressing Katherine, 'come with Countess Landale and visit us at
Somerset House.  You will be most welcome.  "

"Thank you.  Your Majesty is too kind," said Katherine rising.

Katherine stepped back as the Queen and Amelia continued to converse.
The words that passed between them appeared to be formal banalities,
but to Katherine, looking on, it had the appearance of being a relaxed
conversation between established friends.

The presentations over, the King took Blake to one side, speaking at
length of his late father and how matters fared with the Western
Trading Company during this depression.  Katherine stood aside for so
enraptured was she at being in this magical place with Blake that she
was content to let her eyes dwell on him, thinking how handsome he
looked in his violet suit with his dark hair falling heavily to his
broad shoulders.  Beside him, every man in the room paled into
insignificance.

How easily he conversed with the King--so sure of himself--so utterly
confident.  She noticed how his eyes would occasionally sweep the room
and a heaviness descended on her heart; no doubt he was searching for
Lady Margaret who did not seem to have arrived yet.  But then his eyes
would meet hers and he would smile with an unusually warm intimacy
which made her volatile spirit soar with happiness.

At that moment she loved him so much it was like a deep physical
pain.

That every lady in the room was enamoured of Blake was evident from the
way they were gazing at him--some with starry eyes and others like
hungry wolves, and they stared at her with such open curiosity as to be
almost rude.

Oh, she thought wistfully, if only she were his intended instead of
Lady Margaret.  Wouldn't that give them all something to gossip about?
The very idea gave her a heady sense of dizziness, and a powerful
longing, to feel his arms about her and the thrill of his lips on hers
once again, swept over her.  She was brought abruptly out of her dreamy
state when Amelia claimed her,.  sweeping her away to introduce her to
her friends,

After a while and quite unexpectedly, Katherine became aware of an
attractive, foreign-looking nobleman not twelve feet away from her.
Casually her eyes passed on to his companion.  Her attention was drawn
to him because he was dressed in the sombre bla~ garments of a cleric,
yet seemed to be watching her Closely.  He had a pleasant countenance
and a shock of bright blond hair.  Not wishing to stare, she turned
away; feeling his eyes still on her, she turned and looked at him
again, her bold stare meeting his blue, somewhat inquisitive, eyes.

He was quite tall and of slender build and, she thought, in his early
twenties.  At first sight there was nothing out of the ordinary about
him--he was a priest like any other.  As she was about to turn away
again, suddenly something familiar stirred in her memory, taking her
back over several weeks to Appleby and the day when her horse had shed
one of its shoes and she had been sitting outside The Black Boar inn.
sipping lemonade with Amelia, watching the young man who had been
sitting close by reading his book.

Why, this man in the robes of a priest and the man she had seen that
day were so alike they could almost be the same.  But it could not be
possible.  It was mere coincidence, that was all.  But the longer she
looked into his steady, intense eyes, she began to experience the same
disquieting feeling of puzzlement as she had on that day.

He began to move away with his companion and Katherine's eyes followed,
but she was distracted when Blake, having noticed her standing alone,
her eyes with their long shadowing lashes gazing across the room and
the interest she was showing in the priest, came over to her.  She
smiled up at him, but her eyes again sought out the young priest who
was leaving the room with his companion.

Blake frowned with irritation, "You have a way of gazing at Father
Edmund that alarms me, Mistress Blair," he said quietly.  "It is most
unmannerly to look at any man with such intensity, let alone a
priest."

"Father Edmund," she murmured.  "So that is his name."

"Why the interest?"

"He--he seems familiar, that is all," she replied, still watching the
priest's retreating figure.

"Familiar?  How can that be?"  Blake sighed crossly, annoyed that she
continued to gaze after him and at his own inability to hold her
interest.  "What can his fascination be, I ask myself?  His looks?  For
he is fair, that I grant you.  Or could it be the priestly mystique of
his faith that draws you to him?  It does many other ladies who
surround the Queen."

Having watched Father Edmund disappear from sight, Katherine once again
fixed Blake with her questioning eyes, sensing his aversion to the
priest.  "What have you against him?"

Blake shrugged.  "I have nothing against him personally.  In fact, I
know very little about Father Edmund--only that he is English by birth
and has lived for some considerable time in France and Rome where he
was ordained.  He came to London in thirty-nine with Count
Rossetti--the papal envoy to the Queen."

Katherine looked at him sharply.  "But how is it that Father Edmund is
allowed to remain when all priests have been banished from Court?"  she
asked curiously.  "Why, Amelia told me that foreign ambassadors of
Catholic countries, fearing for their lives, have asked to be called
away from England--that even the Queen has been asked to dismiss her
Catholic servants."

"Yes, that is so--and some priests have been arrested and already put
to death."

"And do you condone such punishments, my lord?"  asked Katherine
quietly.  "That a man should die for his beliefs?  Should Catholics
continue to be persecuted with the old severity as was the case in
Queen Elizabeth's time?"

Blake looked down at her upturned enquiring face gravely, relieved
there was no one within earshot to hear their conversation.  It was
dangerous to be heard speaking of so grave a matter which could be
construed as plotting.

"There was a time when the open practice for Catholics at Court
attracted general attention, when the Queen was surrounded by
intelligent and cultivated priests.  Lord knows I am not a Puritan by
any means and neither am I deeply religious, but in the early days,
when the King married his French Queen, when the Catholics descended on
us in droves, my Protestant soul was offended and cried out to have
them removed.

"I always disapproved of the freedom they were accorded at Court,
distrusting the influence they had over the Queen and knowing they were
taking advantage of the King's clemency to make converts.  But," he
said, looking down at her seriously, 'in answer to your question, no, I
do not think a man should be persecuted or put to death for what he
believes in.  "

"Then why does Father Edmund remain at Court?"

"That I cannot answer.  He is close to Count Rossetti--that was Count
Rossetti he was with.  He is a private emissary sent to the Queen
according to her marriage treaty.  As far as I am aware Father Edmund
hasn't been seen for quite some time; it was thought he might have fled
the country.  Odd that he should reappear today.

"Since the death of Stratford the pressure may have eased somewhat on
the King and Queen-Parliament being occupied with excluding bishops
from Government office--but nevertheless neither House ignores what
goes on at Whitehall and both are indignant that Rossetti continues to
reside in England.  He will be sent back to Rome sooner rather than
later, I should think."

"And what of Father Edmund?"  asked Katherine, saddened by the thought
that anything dreadful should happen to him,

"He will not be accorded the same leniency.  He is an Englishman and
will eventually be imprisoned like the rest and--unless he takes an
oath of allegiance, recognising the sgvereign as the lawful and
rightful king, repudiating the papal claim to depose heretical
princes--he will be executed."

On seeing the horror enter Katherine's eyes, Blake smiled reassuringly.
"He is aware of what will happen so it is up to him to do something
about it before it is too late.  If he has any sense and is discreet
then he might be able to escape back to Rome.  But," he sighed~ his
dark eyes twinkling in an attempt to lighten the conversation, to draw
her mind away from Father Edmund, 'to my mind it is a sin for one so
fair to be shrouded in the confining robes of a 'priest, which forbid
the pleasures we ordinary mortals take so much for granted and enjoy.
"

Katherine's cheeks dimpled in a smile, wishing this rare moment of
intimacy between them would never end.  "Methinks the pleasures you
speak of, my lord, are of the immoral kind, without the sacred oath of
fidelity which comes with marriage.  No matter how fiercely you assail
the Catholic faith, it proves unshakeable to those who belong.  They
are more to be envied than reviled, Father Edmund is a priest and has
forsaken all earthly pleasures.  It does not make him any less a man
because of it.  If that is what he wants then so be it."

She spoke with such ardour that it had brought a gentle flush to her
cheeks.  Blake looked down at the seriousness in her eyes with mild
amusement, thinking how lovely she was.  He nodded slowly.  "Aye--so be
iL What matter is it to anyone else how one chooses to live one's
life?"  In good humour he took her arm.  "Come.  Enough talk' of Father
Edmund.  I want to introduce you to a few people I know who are eager
to meet you."

The warm reassuring pressure of Blake's hand on her arm set Katherine's
pulses racing and she floated by his side in a state of euphoria, but
she could not resist one last look at the doorway through which Father
Edmund had disappeared a short while before with Count Rossetti.

Her euphoria soon evaporated.  Lady Margaret Tawney arrived on the arm
of her father, the Earl of Rockley, who paused to speak to an
acquaintance.  Margaret's eyes swept the room, alighting almost
instantly on Blake, whose face brightened when he saw her.  Leaving her
father, she threaded her way through the throng, moving towards them, a
smile curving her lips.

She was smaller than Katherine, the bone structure of her face fine and
delicate, and there was a certain frailty about her slender form.
Katherine looked at her with some concern, thinking how ill she looked,
for Margaret was much changed from what she remembered.  There was a
hollow, pallid aspect to her skin and she looked as if she would faint
at the least exertion.  But there was a quiet dignity about her which
was touching and drew people to her.

Despite the fact 'that she was betrothed to Blake, Katherine's opinion
of her had not changed.  She liked her--although it would have been
easier for her if she didn't--but it was difficult not to like someone
who exuded so much warmth and friendliness.

When she smiled, Katherine thought how pretty she was.  She noticed how
Margaret's eyes lit up with an inner fire when she looked at Blake,
telling the whole world that he belonged to her.  It was then that
Katherine saw that Lady Margaret Tawney was completely in love with the
man she was to marry it was like a dagger thrust to the heart.  What
chance did she stand in Blake's eyes against such loveliness?

Blake greeted her warmly, before drawing her towards Katherine.

"You remember Mistress Blair, don't you, Margaret?"

Her face lit up.  "Of course," she smiled.  "Katherine and I met two
years ago when I went to Ludgrove Hall with Rupert.  I'm happy to meet
you again, Katherine.  Blake tells me that this is your first time at
Court.  Tell me, what do you think of it?"

"It's all so very exciting and new to me," she replied, noting the
peaceful quality to Lady Margaret's voice.  "It's so different from
anything I've known and it will take a long time before I become
properly acquainted with it all."

"I know what you mean," laughed Margaret,.  linking her arm
possessively through Blake's.

"Are--are you to remain in London long, Lady Margaret?"

"Possibly two weeks--no more," and she favoured Blake with a
conspiratorial smile.  "I'm returning to Oxfordshire to make
arrangements for our wedding," she murmured softly.  "Has Blake told
you that we have decided it will take place next month?"

Katherine felt her heart leap with dismay as Blake caught her eye, but
quickly averted her gaze--she could not trust herself to look at him.
The expression on her face did not change.  After all, it had to happen
in due course.  It was what she'd both dreaded and expected.  It was
hard, but she must smile and let no one know how wretched she felt. "SO
soon?"

"Yes, We have waited over a year and Blake has been absent for such a
long time that we see neither sense nor reason in delaying any
longer."

Blake was looking at Katherine intently, as if to assess the 'effect
Margaret's disclosure would have on her.  He had wanted to tell her
himself but somehow hadn't found the right moment.  Amelia knew but had
obviously said nothing to Katherine.  Although, 'he thought, why should
it matter to him what Mistress Blair thought?  But he could not escape
the irritating fact that it did:

"Then I wish you both every happiness," said Katherine graciously,
feeling the tears sting her eyes.  She swallowed down a hard lump of
disappointment and misery that had risen in her throaL "Truly."

"Thank you, my dear," smiled Margaret, reaching out and squeezing her
hand, 'but I have to say that, looking as lovely as you do, it won't be
long before some fine gentleman captures your heart.  "

"Which reminds me," said Blake,~'there is someone who is eager to be
introduced.  Come, Mistress Blair.  I think I see him now.  "

Blake guided Katherine to where a group of courtiers were merrily
conversing with each other, and he seemed to single one out with
particular care which made her inclined to think he had something up
his sleeve and set off a feeling of alarm.

The young man he introduced to her as Lord Soames was of boyish,
personable appearance, slender, with light brown hair and rather
soulful brown eyes, but it didn't take long for Katherine to realise
that Blake had contrived this meeting, that Lord Soames was more than
likely the first of the gentlemen he intended to parade before her,
whom he considered suitable for her to marry.

Dismay washed over her and pain twisted her heart.  Would she never
learn?  There was little wonder he had been so attentive, so keen to
accompany her to Whitehall, when all the time he had every intention of
abiding by his promise to her aunt to find her a husband.

Katherine would not give Blake the satisfaction of letting him see how
hurt she was.  Swiftly her eyes sought his.  He saw the softness had
gone from her face--she looked alert and challenging.  He smiled,
telling her that Lord Soames was from Devon, but his smile maddened
her, whipping up her anger.  Her eyes flamed rebelliously and her chin
went up stubbornly.  Forcing herself to remain calm, she turned away
from him, leaving him in no doubt as to the depth of her anger.

Focusing all her attention on Lord Soames, she bestowed on him her most
radiant smile.  Hearing the music start up, she placed her hand on his
arm and allowed' him to lead her away from Blake towards the dancers
who were congregating across the room.

For the rest of the evening, which had lost some of its magic and which
Katherine now wanted to end, she could not prevent her eyes from
straying to Blake but, since he talked intimately with Lady Margaret,
he had plainly ceased to notice she existed.  No one looking at her
would guess, as she laughed and tossed her head at one of Lord Soames's
compliments, at the depth of misery in her heart.

To everyone present she was outstandingly beautiful-undoubtedly the
most beautiful woman in the room and the centre of attention.  As the
crowd of admiring young bloods thickened around her, complimenting her
outrageously, vying with each other to dance with her, Katherine could
not fail to be aware of her growing popularity and looked to see if
Blake was aware of it also.  With immense satisfaction she saw he was,
for he was scowling angrily.

Fluttering her fan vigorously, she turned from him and in defiance made
it look as if she were enjoying herself, throwing herself into the
lively dance, smiling invitingly at the young buck intent on flirting
with her, setting out to provoke Blake--a game she overplayed.  He
recognised it immediately and her deliberate attempt to draw attention
to herself brought about his deep displeasure.

Lord Soames was utterly captivated by Katherine, his dark liquid eyes
swimming with the same kind of adoration that reminded her of a small
liver and white spaniel she'd once had as a child.  Continuing to draw
attention to herself, she laughed too loud, conversed too long, totally
ignoring Blake--although she could feel his dark eyes burning holes
into her back.  Fury at his arrogant-assumption that he could
light-heartedly select a husband for her at will, without consulting
her first on the matter of choice, was too much to be borne.

Finally, unable to watch her making a fool of herself any longer, Blake
decided that it was time to leave.

It was then that Katherine' felt someone's fingers grip her arm.
Turning, she saw Blake, Not a feature stirred on his face but she could
sense his anger.

"Come, Mistress Blair," he said very calmly.  "The hour is late.  It is
time to leave.  I am sure these gentlemen will understand if I whisk
you away."

They didn't understand and stared at Lord Russell incredulously.
Ignoring their protestation she drew Katherine away, unable to stop her
as she turned her head and smiled gaily back at their disconsolate
faces.  After bidding the King and Queen goodnight they left the
gathering.  The Earl of Rockley and Lady Margaret were not yet ready to
leave.

Walking along the Stone Gallery to return to their carriage which was
waiting for them in the Palace yard, they saw none other than the
debonair, elegantly attired rake, Lord Forbes, moving towards them.  As
he recognised them, surprise registered on his face, which then broke
into a charming smile, and he stepped aside to let them pass, making

Katherine an elaborate bow as his eyes swept over her with confidence
and familiarity.

To drive Blake to even further anger, Katherine favoured Lord Forbes
with her most ravishing, appealing smile as she passed by.  When they
finally reached their carriage, Blake's face was as black as thunder.

CHAPTER SEVEN

BLAKE was silent all the way back to Landale House, as was Amelia, for
the threatening quality of his behaviour and the stern mask of his
face, that she knew in all its moods, had rendered her silent.  She
suspected by his black look that something was gravely amiss, that once
again Katherine had succeeded in ant agonising him.  How Amelia wished
she wouldn't provoke him to such fury.

Katherine sat opposite Blake where he lounged in the corner of the
carriage, looking frighteningly angry, the marble severity of his face
etched sharply in the silver light shining in from the carriage lamps.
She swallowed hard, a feeling of fear steeling through her.  No doubt
she would experience the full force of his fury when they arrived at
Landale House.

Katherine was right; the minute they entered the drawing room Blake
turned his simmering anger on her.  Amelia hovered in the doorway,
wanting so much to retire to her room yet afraid of leaving Katherine
alone, feeling very strongly that a battle was about to erupt.

Katherine faced Blake who stood watching her, his eyes as hard as
granite, and suddenly he seemed taller and darker than usual.

"Well?"  he demanded, tossing his gloves into a chair and moving to
stand over her intimidatingly.  "I await your explanation.  What have
you to say for yourself--of your astounding conduct?  It would appear
that you had suddenly taken leave of your senses.  Your behaviour was
disgraceful.  Your performance impressed no one."

"I was not out to impress anyone, my lord.  I was merely being polite
and enjoying myself.  What is so wrong with that, pray?"

"Then did you have to do so in quite so open and outrageous a manner? "
Tis clear you do not understand the virtue of restraint and 'tis small
wonder Lord Soames did not run a mile.  "

"Why--this is most interesting.  It is important what Lord Soames
thinks, is it?"  she fumed and the smouldering, quarrelsome inner fire
which possessed her came to the fore, lighting her eyes with anger.
"How dare you try to manipulate me in this way?  Is it your intention
that I cultivate his friendship in the hope that I shall marry him?"

Blake's eyes narrowed dangerously.  "Marriage?  Did I once mention
marriage?"

"Do you deny that you introduced me to him with the intention of
arranging a match between us?  Without any reference to my feelings?"

"Why not?  He is a good, honourable man and comes from a respectable,
well-to-do family.  I do not deny that I consider him a good prospect
for a husband.  After all--that is your reason for being here in
London," he said icily.  " I had assumed you understood that by now,"

"You seem to have a curious urge to make decisions for me, my lord, as
if you alone possess the key to my future happiness."  She sighed
deeply, lowering her eyes, suddenly feeling chilled to the heart,
wanting nothing more than to cast herself into his arms, but since Lady
Margaret had told her of their impending marriage her pride forbade her
to yield to his desire that she wed another.  Miserably unhappy, she
had no choice but to stand firm on this.

"I told you that when I marry it will be to a man of my own
choosing--not yours.?  She spoke simply, without anger, merely stating
a fact which Blake had to contradict.

"That is unfortunate--although, with a look like that," he said,
referring to her brooding countenance, 'you will frighten away any
eligible suitor.  "

"Then, if that be the case, I shall have to retain this look," she
quipped, looking more unhappy than ever and turning down her mouth at
the corners.  "You cannot force me to marry anyone."

"Can I not?"  Blake hissed through clenched teeth.  "If needs be, I
will.  You have no choice.  At the altar you will speak your words as
instructed."  But even as he spoke he knew it was going to be no simple
matter to marry off his stepmother's ward.

"No.  I am not a chattel to be disposed of at your will.  You are a
brute, my lord, cold, cruel and heartless, for only someone with a
black heart would treat a person so abominably."

"Your opinion of me is of little interest, Mistress Blair," he said,
his eyes fierce, his voice like thunder, 'and I'm beginning to feel
some sympathy for your aunt; It cannot have been an easy matter dealing
with your disobedience all these years--whereas I will not abide your
insolence.  The sooner you are wed the better.  Mayhap a husband will
curb that viper's tongue you unfortunately possess and your'
wilfulness.  And while we are about it there is the matter of Lord
Forbes.  "

"Oh?"  Katherine had wondered how long it would take him to come to
that.

"Your attitude towards him, your look, which has far too much
eloquence, encourages him.  It amazes me that a woman with your
intelligence can tolerate such a fool.  No doubt you will see him again
about the Court.  You will ignore him, of course.  The man is a
scoundrel."

"An affable and charming scoundrel, you must admit," said Katherine
with an infuriating, barely discernible quirk to her lips, which Blake
could not but fail to see and goaded him to further anger.
"Nevertheless, you will ignore him."

"No.  I protest.  Why should I?"

Blake thrust his face close to hers, his eyes glittering like two black
coals.  "Methinks you protest too loudly and too often, Mistress Blair.
You will do as I say.  I will not have your name coupled with the likes
of him.  There are many at Court with reputations of ill repute. You
will steer clear of them.  Do you understand?  "

"By all accounts in the past you were equally as promiscuous--whereas
now you behave like a reformed rake," snapped Katherine accusingly.

Her words caused Blake to draw back apace and regard her steadily.  His
anger abated, somewhat, and he nodded slowly.  "Aye--maybe you are
right.  But at least I have the good sense to see the error of my
ways."

He turned from her, suddenly weapj of this conflict that existed
between them.  Since Margaret'~ disclosure of their wedding arrangments
there was so much he wanted to say to her, but he only succeeded in
drawing out a long and painful silence.  He sighed deeply.  "Must you
be so disagreeable all the time?"  he said, turning once again to face
her, his face lined with strain.  "Your behaviour this evening was
quite outrageous, you must admit.  I possess a greater power over your
senses than you give me credit for and I realise it was a show you
staged for my benefit--to infuriate me for introducing you to Lord
Soames without prior warning.  Well--content yourself in knowing you
succeeded."

Surprised at the unexpected change in Blake's tone, Katherine took a
deep breath.  His eyes were as soft now.  as a moment before they had
blazed with anger.  She had been bitterly furious at his lack of
consideration, of introducing her to Lord Soames without first
consulting her, but he was right, there had been no need for her to
behave so outrageously-and, moreover, she was honest enough to admit
her wrongs.

"You are right," she said softly.  "I do ask yoUr pardon.  I behaved
badly.  But I was so angry when you introduced me to Lord Soames.  I
knew what you intended.  Only why did you not tell me?  Why did you not
prepare me?"

"I realise now that I should have."

Taking advantage of.  the softening of his mood Katherine came to stand
close to him.  "Why must I marry?  Why can't things be like they were
when I was at Ludgrove Hall?  Why?"

At the sudden note of anguish in her voice, for an instant Blake leaned
towards her and looked as if he were about to reach out and put his
hands on her shoulders.  She even moved closer towards the expected
gesture of affection.  But Blake stopped himself, thinking of Margaret,
and stiffened, trying to check his own emotions as well as hers;
because of this he unwittingly made his words sound harsh and
peremptory.

"You are no.  longer a child, that is why, and you cannot remain at
Ludgrove Hall indefinitely."  In truth, Blake would not be able to
endure her closeness at Ludgrove Hall once he was married to Margaret.
She would be even more of a threat to his peace of mind than she was at
present.

Katherine stared at him.  Drawing herself up straight, she sighed with
resignation, having to admit defeat.

"You disappoint me.  How quickly you forget what you said to me on the
day at Ludgrove Hall when I asked you to speak to my aunt on my
behalf--to allow me to leave for London with Amelia.  I remember the
occasion vividly."  She spoke softly and with meaning, her gaze holding
his, forcing him to remember, also, what had transpired on that
day--the kiss, which neither of them could forget.

"You told me that Ludgrove Hall was as much my home as it was Matilda's
or Henry's for as long as I chose to make it so.  How foolish of me to
believe you meant it.  But never fear, my lord.  I shall marry if that
is what you desire.  Maybe if Lord Soames proves to be as satisfactory
to me as you say he is, then it could very well be him--or someone of
my own choosing.  We shall see.  But whoever I choose, I give you my
word that I shall do so quickly--and so relieve you of all
responsibility where I am concerned."

Turning away, Katherine walked from him.  Brushing past Amelia who
still stood in the doorway, she left the room, beyond knowing or caring
what she was to do next.  Blake had driven her away.  He had made it
plain he wanted rid of her.  Beyond that she could not think.

From where she stood' in the doorway Amelia eyed her brother seriously,
before moving slowly into the room, coming to stand before him.  He
looked quite wretched.

"Katherine is quite right you know, Blake.  Since father agreed to her
coming to live with us Ludgrove Hall has been as much her home as
anyone's."  Her brother glowered at her from beneath his lowered lids,
causing Amelia to sigh.  "Oh, dear.  How she does antagonise you."  '

"Aye.  The wench has some growing up to do," he growled.

"If you did not quarrel every time you meet, you might see her for what
she is.  From what I have seen of her since her arrival in London--and
every other male at Court today could see--Katherine has come of age.
She was undoubtedly the most beautiful woman there.  She is no longer a
child, Blake."

"Do you think I don't know that?"  he flared.  "Do you think I haven't
seen the way others look at her?  Oh, yes, she's beautiful--no face
more~ lovely or form so perfect--but she is not for me, Amelia."

"Come, now," said his sister gently, "I am not blind.  I have seen the
way your eyes seek her out in company.  Why, at Court you were
positively incensed by the attention being paid to her, Anyone can see
you're more than fond of her.  Are you quite sure you're not in love
with her?"

"Don't be ridiculous," he retorted fiercely.  "It is Margaret I love,
Amelia, Margaret I will marry.

Mistress Blair is too impressionable, too difficult for her own good
and as obstinate and stubborn as a thousand mules--with the temper of a
savage and the tongue of a wasp.  Any man who marries her will be
welcome to her.  "

Amelia suppressed a smile.  "Oh, dear.  I do believe you have just
given me a perfect description of yourself.  You are too hard on her,
Blake.  It has not been easy for Katherine, living at Ludgrove Hall.
Her aunt has always been against her and of late-well-I feel there is
something troubling her.  I know it."

Blake glanced at her sharply.  "What makes you think that?"

"I'm not sure--but there is something.  Perhaps if you weren't so busy
at the docks all the time--and trying so hard to find her a husband,
you would see it, also," she reproached.  "Maybe she is all these
things you say, but she does mean well and has the softest heart.  I
have watched her, Blake.  I have seen the look in her eyes whenever
they alight on you.  She loves you--that is plain--and I believe she
has done so ever since she first came to live with us at Ludgrove
Hall."

Blake looked at her as if she had taken leave of her senses. "Nay--that
is impossible.  " Tis imagination-infatuation-call it what you will,
Amelia--but love?  "

"Yes, I believe so."

"Then that is unfortunate for Mistress Blair."

"Nevertheless, do try to be more patient with her, less hard on her."

"I will try, but if only she will endeavour to be less antagonistic
towards me.  Every time we meet she brings out the worst in my
nature."

Amelia sighed.  "If you are in love with her, then you must do
something about it, Blake, for there will come a day when you can no
longer struggle against it and it is Margaret who will be hurt, I know
that love is rarely a matter for consideration in most upper-class
marriages--but it is because there are so many cold marriages that men
and women seek their pleasures elsewhere."

Blake looked down at his sister, seeing a deep inner sadness in her
eyes.  Her own marriage to the Earl of Landale had come as a huge
disappointment to her.  What it lacked in passion she made up for in
other ways, but no amount of laughter and gossip, of extravagant social
ising and a wide circle of friends, could make up for her loveless
marriage.

"I shall marry Margaret," he answered firmly.  "I would not betray her
trust and I do love her.  Perhaps not in the way I should--but I admire
her.  I love her gentleness, her purity.  We have mutual respect and
understanding.  What more is there?"

Amelia moved closer and looked deep into his eyes.  "A great deal more,
Blake.  Although you will not admit it, you know it yourself.  I have
not seen the same.  intensity of feeling between you and Margaret that
exists between you and Katherine."

"Enough," said Blake fiercely, suddenly angry, Amelia had touched on a
raw nerve.  For his own self-protection he purposely didn't want to
think of Katherine, of her courage, her spirit, her fire, which he
could not help but admire and which, although he would not admit it,
appealed to his.  primitive soul, ii "Margaret and I will be
married--as will Mistress Blair as soon as it can be arranged."

"And if you think you will be free of her then--when she is out of
sight and married to another--then you are a fool, Blake."  '

He nodded.  "Maybe you're right.  I don't

But I have lived by the code of honour I learned at our father's knee.
I have pledged myself to MargareL Nothing will make me break that
trust.  "

Amelia longed to plead Katherine's

Blake refused to listen and she could not pierce through the armour he
had built around himself.  Bt she knew her brother too well--nothing on
would make him go back on his word to

It was Katherine she felt sorry for, Maybe Blake right' the Sooner she
was wed the better it be.  She was young, young enough to get over love
and find someone else.  ~

Amelia told her when they met the morning, after Katherine came to her
rooms plaining of Blake being a tyrant, "Have a little patience,
Katherine, and do try not to anta Blake so."

Katherine gave her a smile of affection.  "I

mean to," she said, listening to the lighthearted laughter and banter
of Amelia's ladies as they assisted her with her toilet, a function
which never ceased to fascinate Katherine who, with the sole help of
her own maid, Rose, had managed to do almost everything for herself all
her life--and in a fraction of the time.  " Blake is always so
disagreeable.  Whenever we meet he rouses me to anger and my thoughts
become muddled.  "

Noticing how downcast Katherine looked, Amelifi brushed aside the maid
who was about to slip her dress over her carefully arranged hair and
came and sat beside her.  Her eyes seemed to bore into Katherine's
innermost heart.

"Then perhaps it's because you are in love with him," she said gently.
"That's it, isn't it, Katherine?"  Katherine stared at her.  "How did
you know?"

"Oh--it's not difficult," she smiled.  "Your eyes, your every look when
you are together, betray you."

Katherine nodded, swallowing hard.  There was no use denying it, "Yes.
Oh, Amelia, there is nothing I can do--and yet I would do anything to
win his love.  There are moments when I think he.  cares for me--in a
look--in a glance--but it means nothing.  I do see that.  I am right,
aren't I?  He's your brother--you know him better than anyone.  He
doesn't feel anything for me, does he?"

Amelia lowered her eyes lest Katherine read in them the truth, for she
could not disclose any of the conversation she'd had with Blake the
previous evening.  That would be disloyal.

"I am so very sorry," she answered in a low voice, 'but what do you
expect me to say?  Oh, my dear Katherine," she said with deep concern,
seeing the sadness in her eyes, 'do not delude yourself with that hope
any longer.  Blake will marry Margaret and so I urge you not to resist
his will.  Find someone else to give your affection to.  You will only
succeed in hurting yourself if you continue to think of Blake."

"What--more than I already have?"  Katherine retorted bitterly.

"Yes."

"What you are asking me to do is impossible, Amelia.  You cannot stop
loving someone just like that."

Katherine bowed her head, feeling a deep sadness.  In the time between
her conversation with Blake the previous evening and now, she'd had
plenty of time to consider the COurse she would take with her life.
Looking up, she met Amelia's eyes and it seemed to her that she saw
pity in them--which was one thing she could not endure.  To hide her
true feelings she forced herself to smile.

"Don't worry, Amelia, I'm not going to make fool of myself over him or
anything like that.  I dO have my pride and self-respect.  I like Lady
tremendously and would not wish to hurt her for world.  But I cannot
help being jealous of makes me deeply ashamed.  That is why I must
cannot bear the thought of staying and seeing them together.  That
would be too painful.  I realise now that my presence causes Blake some
embarrassment so I will take my leave just as soon as the opportunity
arises.  When I have found myself a husband."

Talk of marriage suddenly made her think of the young priest she had
seen at Court the previous day, reminding her that there was something
else she wanted to speak to Amelia about.

"Amelia--do you remember that day in Appleby when we were out riding
and my horse lost a shoe?"

"Why, yes," she replied, relieved by the change of subject.  "We took
refreshment at The Black Boar."

"Do you remember the young man who was also sitting outside while we
waited for Thomas to get the shoe fixed at the blacksmith's?"

Amelia became' thoughtful.  "Only vaguely.  I didn't pay much attention
to him, I'm afraid.  Although... from what I recollect," she smiled,
'he seemed to be more interested in gazing at you--when his head wasn't
buried in his book, that is.  Why?  "

"Oh--it's just that I saw a priest at Court yesterday and I'm almost
certain they're one and the same."  Amelia frowned.  "But how can that
be?"

"I don't know, but the more I think about it I become more certain."

"You must mean Father Edmund.  He was the only priest I saw yesterday.
Owing to the recent increase in persecution against Roman Catholics,
especially priests, they have either gone to ground or fled the
country.  "

"Yes--that's what Blake told me."

"You must be mistaken, Katherine.  It must have been someone who looked
like Father Edmund.  And anyway--what on earth would he be doing in
Appleby?"

"Mmm," murmured Katherine thoughtfully.  "That's what puzzles me.
Still--perhaps you're right and I am mistaken."

After her presentation at Court Katherine was made aware of Lord
Soames, seeing him on occasion, knowing that he searched her out.  but
she had become so absorbed in the excitements presented to her at the
Queen's residence, Somerset House, and Whitehall, that she thought
little of him.

On Amelia's advice Blake began spending less time at the wharves,
keeping strict watch over Katherine, seeing to it that none of the
dissolute characters who hung around the Court compromised her.  He had
also given much thought to his sister's concern about her and, on
studying her, he had to agree that she was right.  When Katherine
though~ she wcs unobserved there were times when a sadness would enter
her eyes and she would become deeply preoccupied with her thoughts. '

He thought back to the day at Ludgrove Hall when she had sought him
out, almost begging him t~ allow her to go to London with Amelia.  He
remembered how upset and angry she had been when he had refused to
speak to her aunt on her behalf, and he had suspected then that
something unpleasant had passed between them, but he had thought little
of it since.  Whatever it was, could it still be troubling her?  ~

With the intention of' seeking a husband upper, most in her mind,
Katherine relaxed into the general atmosphere and gaiety that
surrounded the Queen, despite her aura of sadness caused by the recent
troubles.  On occasion she was acutely aware of Father Edmund, watching
her from a distance, and she began to feel uneasy and disturbed by his
regard.  But, strangely, perhaps because he was a priest, unlike other
men, there were no danger signals emanating from him--nothing amorous
or suggestive in any way.

Lord Soames, however, was a different matter.  He was totally
captivated by Katherine's beauty, seeking every opportunity to become
better acquainted with her, but he became dismally confused by her
indifference and the lengths she would go to to avoid him.  After all,
Lord Russell had expressed his desire that they become acquainted.  :

It was not that Katherine disliked him; she found him pleasant enough
and charming to be with--but so were many other gentlemen who
surrounded her, not only handsome young gallants of the Court but also
a colourful gathering of poets and writers whose effusive compliments
she accepted most graciously.

Seeing nothing improper in acknowledging Lord Forbes, Katherine often
cast him a smile--more to add to Blake's irritation than anything else.
Yet she was sadly too inexperienced in Courtly matters to realise that,
as she indulged in her mild flirtation, her friendliness could be
construed as something else by him, for Lord Forbes did take it
seriously.  Katherine Blair was a beauty and a prize he still meant to
have--however strong and obstructive the opposition.

Father Edmund was present at a dinner they were invited to being given
by Lucy Hay, the Countess of Carlisle, a beautiful widow and member of
the Queen's bedchamber.  Her lodgings were down Cockpit Lane, close to
the recreation area of Whitehall Palace.

Katherine's eyes were drawn to the priest immediately.  Regardless of
Amelia's insistence that Father Edmund was not the same-man they had
seen in Appleby, Katherine was now convinced that it was.

Blake watched as her gaze kept wandering to the priest until his
patience snapped.  Having taken her to one side as they waited to be
ushered into dinner, he was prompted to say, "If the fellow weren't a
priest I'd say he wanted to make an assignation with you."

To.  which Katherine replied tartly, "And if he weren't a priest then
maybe I'd accept."

Blake's eyes narrowed.  "So, you are attracted to him?"

Katherine stared at him.  He was so close she could feel his warm
breath on her cheek and she wanted to say--not in the way she was
attracted to him.  Father ~Edmund did not possess the same powerful
male aura that drew her to Blake, nor did she experience the warm tide
of feelings that overwhelmed her and made her want to fall into his
arms, to feel his lips on hers.  It wasn't like that, but how could she
make Blake understand?

"No, of course not," she sighed.  "Not in the sense you mean, anyhow. I
told you--he seems familiar.  I believe I have seen him before, that is
all."

Blake became curious.  "Can you remember where?"

"Yes.  In Appleby."

He seemed surprised.  "I cannot for the life of me imagine what Father
Edmund would be doing in Appleby--unless he was on some private mission
to a Catholic family there.  An act he could have been hanged for if
discovered."

"But he was not wearing clerical garb that day."

"Missionary priests disguise themselves in both name and apparel--and
many in their behaviour, so that no one would think or suspect them of'
being priests or popish scholars.  I don't doubt Father " Edmund will
be well practised in the art of such deception," he said drily.

Katherine frowned up at him.  You are unduly harsh whenever you speak
of him.  "

"Nay, I've told you I have nothing against him, but the fellow does
have an irritating habit of vanishing completely and then reappearing
when you are present--skulking around in the shadows.  I've a mind to
have a word with him and see what he's about.  "

Katherine placed a restraining hand on his arm as he was about to move
away to where the priest was quietly conversing with a group of people
across the room.  "No," she begged.  "Please do not draw attention to
the situation or myself.  I'm sure you read too much into it."

Blake turned and looked down into her upturned face, noticing how her
skin glowed in the light from the numerous candles.  Conquering a
traitorous rush of tenderness he sighed, smiling softly.  "Aye--maybe
you're right at that."

Katherine moved on, hoping to divert his attention from Father Edmund.
Of late, not once by a look or a word had Blake betrayed to her
anything other than the affection of a guardian or a friend, but he had
ceased to be disagreeable whenever they were together, keeping to the
limits of punctilious courtesy.  This saddened her far more than his
harshness, so she was more than happy for this rare moment of
conviviality between them.

"I am surprised Lady Margaret isn't here with you this evening," she
said as Blake fell into step beside her.

His face became troubled and his dark eyes clouded.  "Margaret has
already left London for Rockley Hall."

"Oh," said Katherine with some surprise.  "But I understood she wasn't
to leave for several days yet?

"She didn't intend to but she wasn't feeling well.  Her father thought
the country air would be beneficial to her recovery."

"Dear me," Katherine replied with some concern, for she had thought
Lady Margaret looked unwell on their last meeting.  "Tis nothing
serious, I hope?"

"I pray not.  Although, according to her father, she has not enjoyed
good health for quite some time--becoming tired after the least
exertion."

"Then ought you not to have gone to Oxfordshire with her?"

"I wanted to, butt she wouldn't hear of it.  The wedding arrangements
have had to be postponed until she's feeling better--but I cannot deny
that her health does give me cause for some concern and I feel that her
father is more anxious than he admits.  Margaret makes light of it,
scarcely allowing her feelings to be alluded to," '

"Then I shall pray that the country air and rest will soon make her
feel better,"

Blake smiled down into her wholly sympathetic eyes.  "I know she would
appreciate your concern.  I just wish she hadn't been so adamant that I
remain in London, but then--' he laughed, his eyes losing their
troubled look and dancing mischievously '--I still have a husband to
find for you.  I,d be failing in my duty if I did not abide by my
promise to your aunt to do just that.  And besides--you do need some
protection with Lord Forbes prowling the corridors of Whitehall like
some predatory animal."

Katherine smiled.  "You need not worry yourself about Lord Forbes.  I
was foolish once, and in my foolishness allowed him to escort me to
London--believing him to be a gentleman."

"A gentleman would not have taken advantage of your foolishness-and I
still do not trust the fellow."

"Do not worry yourself on my account, my lord.  I think your display of
solicitude and concern for my well-being boils down to your perpetual
desire to be rid of me."

She spoke lightly, with a hint of mischief, which had always bewitched
yet often angered Blake.  His face took on a seriousness when he spoke
and, resting his eyes on hers, there was-something in his voice which
made Katherine's heart quicken.

"You are sadly mistaken if you think that, It is important to me that
you will be happy and safe~ That you can be sure of.  I am aware that
there have been times when you have been unhappy at Ludgrove Hall, that
your aunt has treated you harshly, and it bothered me a great deal when
she became intent on sending you to London to find a husband.

"You needed someone to guide you, to protect you, for you were ignorant
of the realities of Court life, unfamiliar with the disciplines this
would enforce on you and ill equipped to deal with the reprobates who
loiter about.  I was happy I was able to be here--however severe and
disagreeable I must~ have seemed at times."  Although, he thought, much
of his severity had been reigned for his own protection.

Katherine smiled at him, happy to see the warm friendliness in his dark
eyes, but how she wished there was something else, for his marriage to
Lady Margaret would not erase her love for him.  She laughed with a
lightness.

"Aye, my lord, there are times when ~you can be excessively
disagreeable--but I do forgive you.  I pray that once Lady Margaret
takes you in hand she manages to tame you.  Oh, see," she said,
glancing across the room.  "There's Amelia with Lady Carlisle,
beckoning to us.  I think everyone is beginning to move into the
dining-room."

Blake's brow creased into a disagreeable frown on sighting Lady
Carlisle, which did not escape Katherine's notice.

"You frown," she said softly, placing her hand lightly on his proffered
arm as he led her towards the crush of people milling around the
dining-room doors.  "I have a distinct feeling that you are not
overfond of our hostess--that you would prefer to be elsewhere this
evening."

"I would have refused the invitation had my sister not cajoled me into
escorting you both.  I cannot for the life of me think what Amelia sees
in the woman," he growled.

"She's very beautiful and, I'm told, extremely wealthy."

"And meddlesome and manipulative.  She's the Queen's closest friend but
I believe she plays Her Majesty false."

"Oh?  Why so?"

"She has close associations with John Pym--his informant, would be the
correct term to use, I think.  Our hostess has a passion for power with
a will to be at the hub of things and to influence them.  It is my
belief that Pym and his colleagues are on a propaganda campaign and are
behind the riots with an aim to break down the prerogative of the Crown
beyond any hope of recovery--and--as happened with Stratford--to remove
all the King's loyal councel, lots.  Let us pray the Queen does not
confide in Lady Carlisle too much--for it could have dire
consequences."

CHAPTER EIGHT

IT WAS at the end of the evening at the Countess of Carlisle's supper
party, when Katherine was standing alone near the doorway, thronged
with departing guests all awaiting their carriages, that she dropped
her.  fan.  She bent to retrieve it but at the same moment so did
someone else, who picked it up before her.  It was Father Edmund.  He
held it out and must have noticed how perplexed and shy she suddenly
looked for he smiled.

"You dropped your fan."

"I--I thank you," she stammered, surprised at finding herself so close
to him at last, nofcing how soft his voice sounded.  She took the fan
from him~ "That was careless of me."

"Not at all.  We all drop things at times."

"Pardon me for asking but--but it was you I saw in Appleby, wasn't it?"
she asked in a rush ofwords~ "When I saw you at Court it-it came to my
mind that I knew you.  Forgive me if I'm wrong--if I were mistaken."

"No, you were not mistaken," he admitted calmly.  "I'm surprised and
flattered that you should remember the occasion.  I was passing through
on my way to London--and--' he said, becoming thoughtful, " I was
hoping to see someone there.  "

"Then I hope you were not disappointed."

"No," he smiled, revealing his white and even teeth.  "I was not--in
fact, I was pleasantly surprised.,

Katherine looked at him curiously but they were distracted by Amelia
crossing the room to join them.  Seeming reluctant to be seen speaking
to Katherine, Father Edmund stepped back.

"I must go," he said in low, measured tone, his expression becoming
suddenly serious, 'but it is important that you and I talk.  "

Katherine fixed him with a puT~ led suspicious stare.  "Talk?  But I
don't understand.  What can you and I possibly have to talk about?"

"There isn't time to explain now," he mumbled hurriedly.  "I will
contact you."

Katherine stared at him in consternation.  She noticed how blue his
eyes were, that his features seemed familiar somehow.  His gaze had
always been enquiring and curious and: she wondered why.  Slid, demy
and from somewhere far back, came her aunt's voice saying his name was
"Edward--or something like it."  She thought it strange that she should
remember this just now, but as realisation dawned on her, of the shape
her confused thoughts were beginning to take, she froze~

At first she didn't feel anything at all.  Everyone around her
disappeared into a haze leaving her insensate, her face drained of
colour as she stared in disbelief at the man taking his leave of her.
No, said a tentative message travelling Ul: to her brain.  It isn't
possible.  It cannot be.  But as he turned from her and disappeared
through the open doorway, where the blackness of the night wrapped
itself around him like a shroud, she knew that this man was her
half-brother.  Why else would he have shown such interest in her?

On the way back to Landale House Katherine had been unusually quiet. If
Blake or Amelia had been aware of a change in her, they had given no
indication of this, probably thinking she had been tired.  It had been
a long evening, and the hot sultry weather had still prevailed.

But Blake's sharp eyes had told him that something had occurred to
bring about this change in Katherine.  He'd observed Father Edmund pick
up her fan and exchange words with her.  Perhaps it had been
innocent--maybe he had also remembered seeing her in Appleby that
day--but why had he this insidious, nagging suspicion that it was
something more?

That night Katherine had been unable to sleep with all the questions
she had wanted to ask Father Edmund spinning around inside her head.

For days afterwards her mind had been in a confused and bewildered
state.  She had been impatient to see him, to talk to him, but she had
been disappointed for she had not seen him again for quite some time,
which she had thought odd.  Until Lady Carlisle's party he had seemed
to make a habit of materialising out of the stonework, often
encountering her along the way, be it a corridor at Whitehall or
Somerset House, or when she had been walking in the Palace gardens with
Amelia and her ladies.  So what had happened?

As time passed and still she had not seen him, she had begun to suspect
that he had gone into hiding because of the rising frenzy of hatred
against Roman Catholics in London.  On all sides there had been
widespread conviction that the crisis facing the nation had been the
work of a conspiracy of papists~ ~with alarm Katherine had heard how
priests had been arrested--two had been brought to trial, one being the
attendant of the Venetian ambassador, and had been sentenced to be
hanged, drawn and quartered; not long after that, two English priests
from the household of the Portuguese ambassador had been arrested.
Fortunately, they had been rescued, but these tales reaching Katherine
had made her afraid for Father Edmund's safety.

~Vhenever she had thought of him being her half, brother, the stark
realisation of what it would mean had overwhelmed her with emotion,
making her realise that the days before she had known him had been
comparative peace compared to this new kind of horror which had taken
hold of her, for she felt he had been caught in a powerful, relentless
machine from which he would be unable to free himself, one which would
eventually destroy him.

She had become noticeably withdrawn and pre occupied with her thoughts,
spending less time at Court, which had become dispersed anyway since
the King had left for Scotland to attempt to win the Covenanters to his
side.

The Queen had moved to Oatlands, their count~ estate, where she had
continued to suffer the ongoing hatred directed against her, for it had
been suspected that she had conspired to have French soldiers brought
over to England to aid the King in Scotland, and had sent out appeals
to the Catholics in England to contribute money for an army to be used
against fellow Protestants.

Finding the prospect of looking for a husband tiresome after her recent
suspicions about Father Edmund being her brotheri Katherine had found
the long wait to see him intolerable.  If he were indeed her
half-brother, then why had he not sought her out?  He had told her he
would contact her.  Do not let it be too long, she had prayed, for she
would never rest until she knew the truth.

Katherine was alone in her room--Amelia having gone to the Exchange to
purchase some materials for some new gowns--when news came to make her
temporarily put all thoughts of Father Edmund from her mind.  Lady
Margaret Tawney had taken a turn for the worse and her father had
written, urging Blake to go to Rockley Hall at once.  Rose had rushed
upstairs to tell her this; in alarm, Katherine went in search of him,
finding him in the hall donning his hat and cloak, about to depart, a
tense, anxious look on his dark countenance.

Picking up her skirts, Katherine hurried over to him.  "Forgive me but
I had to see you before you left.  Oh, Blake, I'm sorry to hear that
Lady Margaret is so ill.  Please convey to her my good wishes and I
shall pray for her recovery."

Blake paused and looked at her intently, the very whiteness of her face
expressing the shock this news about Margaret had had on her--and the
fact that she had unthinkingly called him Blake confirmed this.

Ever since the evening at Lady Carlisle's she had not been 'herself,
rarely leaving the house except to go tiding in the park.  She had
become absorbed and brooding, often stating vacantly at some unseen
object, maintaining a strange silence, whilst at other times she seemed
nervous and restless and he perceived a struggle going on within her.

"Thank you," he said gently.  "I'm sure with such heartfelt prayers she
will get well."

"And--and with you by her side to give her added strength and
comfort."

"Aye--let's hope so."  A frown creased his brow~ "Before I leave, tell
me what is troubling you?  You have not been yourself of late.  There
is something on your mind--I can tell."

It was more of a statement than a question and Katherine's heart soared
with the unbelievable comfort of hearing the warmth in.  his voice, his
concern for her, despite his own troubles.  It had that strange effect
upon her that made her long to cling to him, to tell him of the fears
and terrors haunting her where Father Edmund was concerned, Oh, if only
he wouldn't fly into a rage if she confided to him that she suspected
Father Edmund--a Roman Catholic priest--of being her half-brother.  But
she could not.  Lady Margaret was ill, probably dying, and now was not
the time for any words to pass her lips other than those of sympathy
and hope for her recovery.

"I am grateful for your concern--but it is nothing--truly.  And,
anyhow, you have enough to worry about at this time."  ~

How she wished $she~ could find some words to comfort him, but they
failed her--yet here, alone in the hallway, she felt a closness between
them that she had never felt before and suspected he felt it, also.

Katherine was correct in her.  assumption.  He had thought much of her
of' late, pondering over, the conversation he had had with Amelia on
the night Katherine had been presented at Court, and his thoughts
disturbed him deeply and angered him

He could not deny that she roused emotions and feelings in him no other
woman had before--not even Margaret, And yet this anguish and betrayal
he felt, at a time.  when Margaret was waiting for him and could be so
close to slipping into ~ eternal dark~

heSS, filled him with profanation and made him feel even more wretched
and contemptuous of himself.

But he could not resist reaching out and taking Katherine's hand.  At
his touch her fingers trembled beneath his and she felt it hard to meet
his eyes, She had not realised that his fingers could be so strong, yet
at the same time comforting;

"You will take care, won't you?"  he said, knowing his duty lay with
Margaret and yet feeling reluctant to leave Katherine, His gaze slipped
pale upturned face, seeing the luminous in her eyes.  She looked so
defenceless, so childlike and pure that he felt a strange urge to
protect her from whatever it was that plainly troubled her.

Katherine swallowed hard, her eyes never ing from his intense gaze.
"You need not worry yourself on that score, my lord.  It is hardly a
for festivities with the King in Scotland and the i, Queen at Oatlands.
I shall not stray far from Landale House; only to ride in the park.  I
shall anxiously ~ await news of Lady Margaret."

Blake's fingers tightened before he released he hand.  "Thank you," he
said hoarsely, not trusting himself to say more or to remain with her
any longer:

Katherine watched him pull on his leather gloves and she ~thought her
heart would burst with love.  She looked at him mutely, her mouth under
dry and her heart written all over her face.  Blake's eyes met hers,
tortured, imploring silence, but every line of.  i his face admitted
that he understood the truth of what her eyes told him.

As the door closed beind him, in that moment Katherine knew the
hopelessness of despair, that, while ever he was promised to Lady
Margaret, what was in her heart must remain unspoken.  But he had
reached out and taken her hand.  Had she misread the signals that he
cared for her after all?  Had it merely been comfort he needed for what
he knew lay ahead of him at Rock Icy Hall?  She refused to let herself
think what would happen if Lady Margaret were to die, for however much
she loved Blake she did not want him at the price of Lady Margaret's
life.

But would she ever be cured of this ill fated love she felt for him?
This longing to have him close--to be near him always?  She had always
thought love would be a beautiful and wondrous thing but instead it was
pain and torture to her heart, a living flame which would not be
satisfied until it had consumed her peace of mind.

Katherine had fallen into the habit of riding in the park early in the
morning with a groom in attendance.  She would have preferred to ride
alone but this was absolutely forbidden.  She held her grey spirited
mare, groomed to perfection and fretting to be off, to an impatient
trot before reaching the park where she spurred her on to a faster
pace, the marc's coat gleaming silver in the early sun.

She rode silently, revelling in the soft rush of wind in her face,
breathing deeply of the cool, scented morning air, thankful that the
suffocating summer heat had gone at last.  Her groom, knowing of her
love of riding, rode behind at a respectful distance.  Few people were
abroad which was why Katherine always chose to ride at this hour.

Upon seeing a horse and rider coming towards her out of a thicket close
by, as if he had been waiting for her, she slowed her mount to a trot,
watching warily as he came closer.  The rider was shrouded in a large
enveloping cloak, his wide, brimmed hat pulled well down over his
features so that she was unable to see who it was until he reined his
horse in front 'of her.  It was only then that she recognised the
handsome lean face of Father Edmund.

Katherine stared at him with a fearful look, almost too overcome to
analyse her feelings now that she was face to face with him at last,
finding it incredible to believe that this tall handsome priest, whose
features she now realised resembled her own, was her half-brother.
Suddenly she was swamped with immense joy that they had found each
other.

"You!"  she gasped.  "I had not thought to see you.  here."

Father Edmund glanced around him furtively to make quite sure they were
unobserved, aware of the dangers for both of them should he be
recognised and she be seen talking to him.  Satisfied that no one was
paying them any attention he smiled, dismountc ing quickly, but
Katherine could see by the tight lines around his mouth and the worried
look in his blue eyes that he must be under considerable strain.

"I hope you don't mind my seeking you out like this.  I could have sent
a note to Landale House asking you to come to my lodgings, but being a
priest and owing to the secrecy I am forced to employ--which I am sure
you will understand--I was afraid it might fall into the wrong hands or
you might be followed, I am aware of your habit of riding in the park
at this hour; I have been waiting for an opportune moment to attract
your attention.  It is my intention to escape to France as soon as the
opportunity arises and it is safe for me to do so, but I had to see you
first.  We must talk."  ~

Katherine nodded.  Turning to her groom--who had just caught up with
her, alarmed as to the identity of this person who had waylaid his
mistress, was about to question him--Katherine instructed him to wait~
for her, dismounting hurriedly and insisting that there was no cause
for concern because the gentleman was a good friend of hers.  The groom
held his tongue; he had recognised the priest: and was confident that
she would come to no harm.

Katherine fell into step beside Father Edmund; only when they were
within the confines of the trees, partly hidden by their shaggy leafy
branches, did they stop and face each other.  To anyone observing them,
their meeting.  could be construed as an early morning tryst between
two lovers--which to them was just as endearing, for as brother's and
sister's eyes met, devouring each other, it was as if to make up for
all the lost years of their lives they had been apart.

Timidly taking both her hands in his, Father Edmund looked down at
Katherine intently.  "You know who I am, don't you, Katherine?"

Swallowing hard she nodded.  "Yes.  I--I guessed the truth at Lady
Carlisle's party."

"I thought so.  I saw recognition in your eyes as was leaving."

"It wasn't just seeing you in Appleby that day.  You were a
stranger--and yet I felt that I knew you."

"Many times I have been on the point of making myself known to you but
I hesitated, afraid of the effect it would have on you, I have always
known I had a sister--a half-sister--whereas you--I did not know what
you had been told--that is, if you had been told anything about me at
all.  I had to admit that to confront you, to tell you who I was, could
a shattering experience for you.  What do you know of our mother,
Katherine?"

"Very little.  Only that my father--when he upon you and I being raised
in the Protestant fait he which was against her own wishes as a Roman
Catholic--learned that you were not' his son and.  from that day on
shut her and you out of his life.  was only a baby so I remember
nothing, It must have hurt her dreadfully having to leave like that."

"Yes.  She never got over it.  She devoted the rest of her life to
me--or what was left of it.  She died when I was twelve years old,
leaving me in the care of Jesuits in France.  It broke her heart when
she had to leave you behind--this I know.  She talked about you often.
I grew up knowing I had a half-sister.  I was curious about.  you.  I
wanted to see you--to know what had become of you--what you were
like."

"What was she like--our mother?"

He smiled, a softening entering his eyes as he prepared to answer her
question.  "You are very much like her.  In spite of her folly she was
a loving person, gracious and devout, which was why she took me to
France to be raised within the church."

"Why did you become a priest?"  asked Katherine, curious about this
brother of hers.

He smiled.  "I never considered doing anything other than entering the
priesthood.  I-became a priest so that I could dedicate myself to God.
I am bound to him as surely as any husband and wife are bound.  I was
ordained in Rome and it was there that I met Count Rossetti, a
Florentine nobleman, When I learned he was to come to England as a
private envoy to Queen Henrietta Maria, I came with him in the hope of
seeing you--in spite of the open hostility directed against Catholics
here.  It.  wasn't difficult to discover where you were living."

"I did not even know of your existence until recently."

"How did you find out?"

"My aunt Harriet told me.  She is my father's sister.

I was made her ward on his death when I was ten years old and taken to
live at Ludgrove Hall with the Russell family.  "

"I believe Lord Russell is away just now?"

"Yes.  Lady Margaret Tawney, his betrothed, is extremely ill.  He's
gone to her home in Oxfordshire to be with her."

Her brother nodded, having noticed how her eyes clouded over when she
told him this.  He had seen the way her eyes dwelt on Lord Russell, how
they followed him, and he suspected that her feelings for him went
deeper than she would care to divulge.  "And you?  Doyou like
London?"

"Perhaps I would like it more if my aunt hadn't sent me here with the
intention that I find a husband."

He smiled.  "Oh?  And have you?"

"No.  There are several whom Lord Russell considers suitable but none I
would care to live with for.  the rest of my life."

"And what of Lord Forbes?"  he asked tentatively.  Katherine looked at
him' quickly thinking it strange that he should refer to him.  "Dear
me, no.  Lord Russell has a fit every time I look at him."

"Small wonder.  Lord Forbes is a man of notorious conduct--although,"
he said looking at her meaning.  fully, "I don't think you need me to
tell you that,"

Katherine flushed hotly, embarrassed to that he Obviously knew all
about her indiscretion with Lord Forbes.  "Oh--you know about that?"

"Indeed, I do.  As did most of the Court at the time."

"Lord Forbes took advantage of my helplessness at a time when I needed
a friend."

"Please," laughed Father Edmund lightly, 'do not feel you have to
explain yourself to me.  I know what happened and also the character of
Lord Forbes.  But I feel I must warn you, Katherine," he said on a more
serious note, 'to have a care.  He watches you constantly.  I fear that
now you are no longer under Lord Russell's protection--in his
absence--he will try and take advantage of you.  I believe he is biding
his time, waiting for an opportunity to get you alone so that he can
compromise you again."

Katherine looked at him in alarm.  "No--surely not."

"I do believe so."

Katherine smiled at him, feeling it strange and comforting that he
should be so concerned for her wellbeing.  "Whilst I have been
foolishly friendly enough, towards Lord Forbes, I am careful to be
nothing more.  Please--do not worry on my account."

"Nevertheless, I cannot help but feel 'brotherly concern.  Will you
tell anyone that I am your brother?"

She shook her head sadly.  "No.  At least, not yet.  It is something I
must get used to myself first.  Besides--everyone will ask interminable
questions and I do not feel able to answer them."

"Yes, you are right."

"And you?  Will you admit that I am your sister?"  His eyes filled with
loving emotion.  "I would like to tell the whole world but I fear that
to do so would most likely condemn you.  No one would believe that,
being my sister, you are not a Catholic, also."

"But what of you?"  she asked, a look of earnest concentration on her
lovely face as she suddenly became fearful for his safety.  "When I did
not see you I thought something dreadful must have happened.  I hear
such awful tales about Catholics and priests being arrested--some
condemned to death,

even.  "

Her brother's features hardened.  "Yes.  That is so."

"If only you had left England with' Count Rossetti--for the very fact
that you stood so high in his fay our and the Oueen's, will lay you
open to suspicion and the utmost danger."

"Unlike Count Rossetti, I was not accorded the refuge of the Venetian
embassy--nor was I allowed to leave the country with him.  Count
Rossetti is Italian whereas I am an Englishman so I was not granted any
such concessions.  Mr.  Pym may have'~: agreed to his departure but an
order was put out for my arrest."

Katherine had gone very pale and her heart tightened painfully.  "But
you may be caught."

"I know--and there are those who search for me.  I have taken refuge in
a safe house close to the docks until it is safe for me to cross over
to France.  I can only hope my pursuers believe I have already left
England."

"If you are caught the penalty is death," she whispered, feeling tears
stinging her eyes, unable to bear the thought of losing him to a
horrible death so soon after they had found eath other.

"I know.  But if I am captured I will not deny my faith--and if it
comes, then I have steeled myself to die.  But if it should become
known that you are my sister--that very fact could implicate you,
also."

"Oh, let it, for I do not care," she cried passionately and her heart
swelled: with a great wave of tenderness.  "You are my brother--I
cannot just abandon you to your fate now that we have found each other.
If there is anything I can do to assist your escape, then I shall not
hesitate."

"No.  And if there were I would not ask it of you," he said examining
her sweet beseeching face, her.  brilliant eyes awash with unshed
tears, with a kind of wonder, for there was something in her pose that
reminded him so very much of their mother.  "But it does: my heart good
to hear you say it,

He sighed, touching her cheek gently with his fingers, unable to
believe that she was with him at last, that they were speaking like
this.  "You know, when I returned to London after seeing you in
Appleby, I was considering leaving for France immediately, but on
hearing of your own arrival at the Court, I could not leave until I had
seen you once more.

"And now--even if I am captured--my decision to remain will have been
well worth it.  This will be my reward: that I shall not have to
endure, through the long years to come, the regret of never having seen
or spoken to you.  And now you must go.  We have talked long enough.
Your groom will become suspicious if we keep him waiting much
longer."

Panic seized Katherine.  "But will I see you again?  We cannot part
like this."

"If God wills~ it, we shall.  Now go, Katherine," he said, taking her
in his arms and placing a tender kiss on her cheek, now damp with her
tears, 'and my love goes with you.  "

Unable to speak, Katherine did as he asked and mutely walked back to
her groom.  Mounting her horse, she returned to Landale House.

As Father Edmund rode away he was unaware of the narrowed, watchful
eyes of Lord Forbes, who had also been observing Katherine's movements
of late.  He had witnessed the meeting between her and the Catholic
priest with some surprise, recognising Father Edmund when he had
removed his hat and exposed his golden hair before entering the
confines of the trees.  Smiling broadly, he had been believe his good
fortune.  On observing their embrace and fond farewell, he had
immediately reached his own conclusion and thought the worst.

Well, well, he thought, gloating over this astounding discovery, so
that was the way of things.  Maybe he could use this to his own
advantage, for how would Mistress Blair like it if he were to expose
her indiscretion with a Roman Catholic priest?

Without hesitation he spurred his horse on, intending to follow Father
Edmund to his hiding place.  A warrant had been issued for his arrest,
making the priest a fugitive--for hadn't Parliament concluded that the
only way to save the nation was to.  purge the country and the
government of such men?  It could be in the nation's best interests if
he' were caught-and his own, of course.

At Rock Icy Hall, Blake mourned the tragic death of Margaret, his
betrothed.  When he had first arrived, he had been unable to believe
the change in her; her condition had worsened and he knew that she was
dying.  She ate and drank only minimally, just enough to sustain life
in her frail body, and the consumptive cough which attacked her like so
many knives seemed to go on and on until she could cough no more.

Now she was dead, and the shock of this to Blake's system was deep and
profound.  He tried to hold in the crippling pain of her loss~ but he
could not escape the seating guilt that swamped his thoughts of not
having loved her enough.

In his wretchedness his thoughts turned to Katherine, of the intimate
warmth of their last meeting in the hall of Landale House, and the
comfort it gave him to think of this; but he dared not let her image
form in his mind although, despite himself it was traitorously forming
already.  It was sacrilege to think such thoughts, before Margaret's
pure and gentle body was hardly cold in her lonely grave.  In fear of
being so soon unfaithful to her memory, after having remained for a few
days to share in the grief of her family at Rockley Hall, he went on to
Ludgrove Hall to give himself time to overcome his grief and torment
before returning to London.

CHAPTER NINE

THW rain had kept Katherine indoors the previous day, but today was
fine and, when she took her usual ride, the silver-grey quietness of
early morning possessed the park.  Brown, bronze and gold leaves,
still' shining with yesterday's rain, blazed bright, spinning gently
down from the' tops of ancient trees and carpeting the ground with
autumn splendour.  A faint mist lined the horizon to the north and
there was a strange, eerie quietude to the park that morning, with few
people about.  Even the small sounds of birds and beast seemed more
subdued than usual.

Occasionally she glimpsed the odd rabbit and the bushy.  red tail of a
squirrel, nimbly running along the branches of the trees or scampering
in the damp undergrowth in search of nuts; even the solitary deer in
the distance caught her eye as, fearful of the hunters, it ran for
cover as she approached.  Eventually Katherine slowed her horse down to
a walk, feeling euphoric, her cheeks aglow with vitality, realising
that she had been galloping hard, forgetting all about her groom.  Her
thoughts had been centred on Blake, wondering how he was--and Lady
Margaret, for they'd had no word from him at Landale House since he had
left three weeks ago.

She leaned forward and patted the neck of her sweating mare, seeing
white blobs of foam dripping from the corners of her mouth.  Suddenly,
thinking it strange that she could hear no following hoof beats, she
turned to see how far behind she had left her groom, but he was nowhere
in sight.  She stared about her, having ridden further than usual. This
part of the park was completely deserted apart from a carriage ahead of
her.  For several minutes she waited, watching for her groom to appear,
until her vague fears became a certainty that something must have
happened to him.

Katherine was completely alone.  A breath of cold wind drifted past her
and she shuddered, for it came in the nature of a warning that
something was afoot.  She looked ahead when she heard the rumbling of
the carriage as it came closer to where she waited; but thought nothing
strange or alarming about this at that moment.  It was only when it
drew alongside, and: she could see that its occupants were two
gentlemen, that she felt the urge to ride away.

But it was too late--what happened then happened very quickly.  Someone
leaped out of.  the carriage and wrested her from her home, her roughly
inside the carriage where, in the struggle that ensued, something was
forced between her lipsi In her surprise, Katherine swallowed the
bitter liquid that trickled into her mouth, aware of the creaking and
the swaying of the carriage as it hurried on its way.  She struggled to
fend off the weird sensations which began to take over her mind and
body almost at once, but her efforts became weak.  As she descended
down into blackness, the last sight that she remembered was a vague
vision of Lord Forbes, a triumphant smile of satisfaction on his slack
lips as he watched her from where he sat in the corner of the
carriage.

Gradually, she felt a vague emergence from unconsciousness to a feeble
sense of existence.  Katherine lay with her eyes closed, darkness all
around her, at first remembering nothing, but slowly, as her senses
returned, she was conscious of a terrible weariness in her whole body.
She tried to.  move her limbs, but they were so heavy she could only
lay where she was.  Even her eyelids had a heaviness about them.  She
lay in a state of semi-lethargy for a long time--how long she had no
way of knowing, for time and place had no meaning.

After a long interval she became aware that someone was in'a room with
her--two people, a man and a woman, and they were talking in low tones.
Katherine made a positive effort to think, to remember, and tried to
move her lips to speak, but no voice issued from her mouth.  Someone
was close to where she was lying and hands were placed 'beneath her
head, raising it, placing something between her lips.  A fiery liquid
which she recognised as brandy was poured into her mouth which she
swallowed, making her cough and choke, causing rigour to flow anew
through her body.

At length her eyelids fluttered open and waves of nausea swept over
her.  She saw that she was not in her own bed, that this was not her
room.  The one she found herself in was larger than the one at Landale
House, with an oriental strangeness to it, making her wonder if she had
been spirited away to some foreign land.  There was a sweet aroma, not
unpleasant, of sandiewood and musk, and not even the candles' glow
could diminish the vibrant, shimmering colours.  of gold and greens and
blues of the embroidered wall hangings and jade and silver ornaments.

Heavy drapes hung at the windows, which were drawn so that she was
unable to tell whether it was night or day.  Katherine felt as if she
were awaking from no ordinary sleep as the shadows in her mind began to
retreat and shrink away.  What was the strange potion she had been
given to subdue her?

At last she looked fully at her captors.  Recognising Lord Forbes, she
realised that her tortures were to endure.  Why hadn't she listened to
her.  brother?  He had warned her that this would happen, that Lord
Forbes would take advantage of Blake's absence and seize the
opportunity to compromise her again.  She should never have gone riding
in the park at such an early hour when few people were about.  With
some surprise she saw that the woman was Indian, tall and with jet
black, glossy hair and almond-shaped eyes.  She was dressed in a
gold-spangled purple said, with an assortment of delicate gold bangles
circling her lower arms.

Seeing that Katherine was awake, Lord Forbes snapped his fingers and
the woman scuttled out of the room, leaving Katherine completely at his
mercy.  Apprehension made her shrink against the pillows.  As he moved
closer to the ~bed where he stood looking down at her, she was revolted
by him to the point where she was almost physically sick.

"Where am I?  Why have you brought me here?"  she asked.  Her voice was
almost a whisper, but she was surprised that she could speak at all.

"There is no reason to be afraid, Mistress Blair," he replied, a sneer
to his voice.  "I do not intend to hurt you."

"No?  Then what did you give me that rendered me insensate?"

"An opiate--quite harmless--but effective.  A friend of mine, whose
house this happens to be, is a merchant of the East India Company and
travels extensively in the Far East.  It is quite surprising the things
he manages to purchase besides silks and exotic spices."

Katherine closed her eyes, feeling so tired.  Lord Forbes sighed.  "I
had hoped you would come to me of your own free will but I began to
realise that your smiles were false and meaningless.  You were only
playing a game with me, weren't you?  Well--as it has turned out it was
a dangerous game, one which,

'in your naievety and innocence, you were unqualified to play.

"I like to play games, also," he said smiling thinly, speaking slowly,
'but I never begin without an ace or two up my sleeve or a trump card.
You see, I want more from you than you are prepared to give.  "

Katherine opened her eyes and met his bold stare blazing down at her,
insolently taking in her slender form beneath the silk covers and her
frightened face.  She was aware that she had been divested of her
clothing and that a different, loose garment covered her nakedness.  By
whose hand she had been undressed she was too horrified to contemplate
just then, but prayed it had been the Indian woman.

"You are speaking of my wealth, I believe?"  she said coldly.

"And your delectable self, of course," he said smoothly.  "Among the
aristocracy wives are chiefly sought for their dowries and ability to
provide heirs.  Love has much more to do with mistresses.  However,
you, my dear, are fortunately well endowed with desirability and
wealth.  Put the two together and you have a perfect combination.  What
more could a man want in a wife?"

"What more, indeed?"  replied Katherine scornfully.  "If you think for
one moment that you will succeed with this insane plan, then you are
mistaken.  Think of the consequences of your action.  My absence will
have been noted by now and there will be people looking for me this
very minute."  As she spoke her thoughts flew achingly to Blake, but he
wasn't even in London so he would not have missed her.

"I don't doubt it, but they will not find you.  No one will find you
here.  We are quite isolated.  And--anyhow--I doubt Lord Russell will
show much enthusiasm in searching for you.  Rumour has it that his
betrothed, Lady Margaret Tawney, has died and, grief-stricken, he has
returned to Ludgrove Hall."

Katherine stared at him in disbelief.  No, that could not be true. Lady
Margaret dead?  Wretchedness swamped her; she knew how Blake must be
suffering.  Oh, if only she could go to him, to comfort him.

Lord Forbes smiled cruelly for it was plain by the shock in her eyes
that she did not know this.  "So--you did not know of Lady Margaret's
demise?  Oh, well," he sighed, "twill make little difference to your
situation.  It would be much simpler if you comply with my wishes and
agree to marry me.  It would save everyone a great deal of time and
trouble, you know."

"You will hardly endear yourself to me by this show of violence;' she
said through gritted teeth.  " Is it your intention to ravish me, Lord
Forbes?  To compromise me as before?  For, as you see' you have
rendered me quite helpless.  It seems I am at your mercy.  "

"Dear me, no.  I said I never play games without an ace or two up my
sleeve--or a trump card."

"You talk in riddles, sir.  Be done, if you please,

and speak plainly.  I would rather die than marry you.  Even if you
keep me here for ever, I will never agree to that.  "

Her captor smiled, his fleshy lips pulled back over his teeth, which
reminded Katherine of a snarling animal.  When he spoke his voice was
as smooth as silk, but there was no disguising the underlying threat of
his next words that made her blood run cold.

"No?  What--not even to save the life of the priest?"

Katherine's heart missed a beat and her face went as white as the
pillow on which she lay.  "Priest?  What--what do you mean?"

Lord Forbes chuckled under his breath, pleased to see that his words
had had their desired effect.  "Father Edmund.  He is your lover, is he
not?  For why else would you meet him so clandestinely and at such an
early hour in the park?  Why, he is a fugitive--no less."

Katherine stared at him in horror.  "He is not my lover.  You
blaspheme.  He is a priest--a man of God."

Lord Forbes raised his eyebrows derisively.  "He is also a man--who is
equally as susceptible to the charms of a beautiful woman as the next
man, priest or no.  Deny it if you wish, but anyone observing the two
of you that morning would take some convincing that you weren't lovers.
Come--admit it, my dear.  I saw you.  Touching it was, too--and with
such ardour.  An affair of this sort would cause a merry scandal and no
mistake if it came out."  He smiled, sensing victory could not be far
away.

"Come now, use your common-sense.  I shall put it plainly and leave you
to think on it.  Either you agree to marry me--at which I shall have
the cleric brought here and the ceremony performed at once--or else I
shall give Father Edmund up to the authorities.  So-what is it to
be?"

Overwhelmed by a terrible feeling of helplessness and despair,
Katherine realised the terrible danger that could befall her brother,
Lord Forbes would carry out his threat if she did not comply with his
wishes, this she was rare of.  She turned her head away so he would not
see the team start to her eyes.  The man was a monster, cruel and
unscrupulous.

"You cannot do that to force my hand.  And anyway, how do I know if you
are telling the truth?  No one knows where Father Edmund is.  He is in
hiding."

"From everyone else, i. grant you, but not from me.  You see, after I
saw you together in the park i followed him.  It is not the most
comfortable of hiding places--close to the docks with the disgusting
stench and rats--but a great deal more hospitable than Newgate."

The mention of this infamous prison made Katherine blanch.  Lord Forbes
smiled coldly.

"Sooner or later you will agree to my terms--and if not--well," he
said, a low, threatening quality to his voice, 'the priest will be
arrested and no doubt hanged and quartered--as is the practice--however
unsavoury, but there it is.  And you, my dear, well--people do have a
habit of disappearing without trace.  "

So, she thought, he' would kill her also if necessary.  Oh why had she
not listened to Blake when he had warned her about Lord Forbes?  What a
stupid fool she had been, for she had brought this wretched situation
upon herself.  She had been thinking hard whilst she lay there, her
eyes darting about the room, desperately wondering how she could escape
from this prison~ but Lord Forbes had guessed her thoughts and he
laughed with gentle mockery, interrupting any thought she might have of
escape.

"I will leave you to think about what I have said--but," he said in
menacing tones, 'do not forget that if you refuse me then the priest
will die.  And just in case you have an impulsive desire to escape I
have taken additional precautions to prevent it.  "

He clapped his hands once, the sound harsh and offensive to Katherine's
sensitive ears, and at the command the woman returned.

"There is no way out of this room except by the door which will be
guarded at all times.  Sita," he said, indicating the Indian woman,
'will also be with you for most of the time and should you prove
difficult then she has orders to subdue you.  "

That he referred to the opiate was plain to Katherine, causing a thrill
of horror to shoot through her when she realised she might have to
suffer another of his mysterious narcotic potions, which would plunge
her into that terrible dark abyss where she had no control over her
body or her senses.  She shrank against the pillows in fear, shaking
her head, the tears that she was too weak to repress flowing down her
cheeks.

"No.  You cannot."

He smiled thinly.  "Yes, Ican.  You are completely helpless, Mistress
Blair.  I advise you to make up your mind quickly and then your ordeal
will be at an end."

Quite exhausted, the effects of the drug not having left her, again a
wave of unconsciousness was sweeping over Katherine, making everything
swim before her eyes.  But before the drug-induced sleep took her over
she glared at Lord Forbes.

"I hate you," she whispered with great effort.  "I hate you."

Lord Forbes gave her a twisted smile.  "I am not disturbed by what you
think of me.  I. shall have you and your wealth.  I am set on it."

Katherine continued to lie in a strange apathy.  She slept and woke
intermittently.  Sometimes the woman was in the room tending her.  She
spoke quietly, not unkindly, but when Katherine made an attempt to
climb out of bed she was restrained.  by the woman, which took little
effort on her part since all the strength had gone from Katherine.

She awoke during the night and, finding herself alone in the room with
the light from just a single candle, managed to drag herself out of
bed, but the effort of doing so made her head begin to spin and her
knees to buckle.  She fell in a heap onto the carpet.  After several
minutes she managed to draw herself up and crawl towards the door.
Reaching up, she tried the handle but the door was locked.  In. despair
and desperation she began to bang on it with all her might, but there
was no one to hear.

Leaning against the door, exhausted, she looked around her prison.  In
a moment she took stock of her situation--alone in an isolated: manor
house, drugged and helpless in the hands of Lord Forbes who was biding
his time until she would consent to marry him.  He would have thought
this through carefully, choosing the house where he would keep her
prisoner with care, far away from anyone and beyond suspicion.  She was
alone in this house with her captors, unfrequented by anyone and the
improbability of any help whatsoever.  Oh, she saw it all and despair
such as she had never known engulfed her.

Blake arrived back in London to find Landale House in turmoil.
Katherine had been missing for four days now.  It was as if she'd
disappeared into thin air.  Fortunately, the groom was none the worse
for having been knocked from his horse by a sudden blow to the head
from an unknown assailant, rendering him senseless for some
considerable time.  Amelia was beside herself with worry over
Katherine's whereabouts, and deeply concerned about Blake and the grief
he must be suffering on account of Margaret's death.

Blake was quite unaware that anything was amiss until he met Amelia in
the drawing-room and saw the anxiety on her face.  Initially, he
thought it was purely out of concern for himself and nothing more.

Her two hands outstretched, she came to him quickly, seeing how weary
he looked, with grief and strain etched on his dark countenance.  How
would he react when she told him of.  Katherine's disappearance?

"Oh, Blake--thank the dear Lord you're back.  I was so sorry to hear of
Margaret's death.  So terribly sorry.  It came as a terrible shock to
us all."

Blake looked at her calmly, his dark eyes heavy with fatigue. "Yes--God
rest her.  At least her suffering is at an end."

He frowned, suddenly aware that Amelia did not seem herself.  She
looked agitated and dark rings circled her eyes, making them look
larger than ever, Her face was as white as the lace at her throat.  He
took hold of her hands, his heart already leaping with alarm in his
chest, his senses telling him that something was badly wrong.

"Amelia, what's wrong?"  he demanded.  "Tell me?"  Her composure
finally broke.  "Oh, Blake--it's

Katherine.  She's disappeared.  No one knows where she is.  We--we
believe she has been abducted.  "

Blake stared at his.  sister.  His face whitened and horror and
disbelief flared in his eyes.  "Oh--my God," he whispered.

The words were barely audible but the horror in them shocked Amelia and
she had no trouble imagining the thoughts going through his mind.  "How
long has she been missing?"

"Four days."

"He stared at her, ~aghast.  " Dear Lord--she could be anywhere.
Abducted, you say?  Have you not heard anything as to her whereabouts?
A ransom note?  Anything?  "

"No--no.  There has been nothing.  I know abduction by desperate lovers
is not unheard of--and that where Katherine is concerned there are many
eligible and titled men on the scene.  But I cannot think of one of
them who would be guilty of such a despicable act."  She began to cry
with despair.  "What can we do?  We must find her.  Oh, Blake--you
don't know what it's been like.  Since her disappearance I have worried
day and night.  Georgeis out this very minute looking for her."

The sight of his sister'sdistress sent a pain through Blake's heart.
"Tell me exactly what happened?"  he said gently.

"It was when she was out riding in Hyde Park.  You know how she loved
to ride in the early morning--when it was quiet and not many people
were about?"

Blake nodded, swallowing hard.  Yes, he knew.  It was just like her,
for it was a pleasure she had always enjoyed at Ludgrove Hall.

"Go on," he urged.

"The--the groom who always went with her--aware how much she liked to
give her horse its head when they reached the park--always rode at some
considerable distance behind.  On the day she disappeared someone--he
did not see his assailant--knocked him from his horse.  He was un
ouscious for quite some time and when he recovered Katherine was
nowhere to be seen, Only her horse.  It--it was as if she'd been
spirited away into thin air," she finished quietly.

"Did she ever meet anyone on her rides?"

"No, not that I know of.  But--yes," she said, suddenly thoughtful,
'there was just the one occasion when she was approached by a
gentleman.  "

Suddenly alert, Blake looked at her sharply.  "Oh?"

"The groom saw nothing unusual in.  this for she did seem pleased to
see him.  They both dismounted and walked and talked together for quite
some time, it appears."

Blake's expression became grim as he forced himself to ask the next
question, strongly suspecting that the gentleman in question was none
other than that reprobate Lord Forbes.  "Who was it?  Did the groom
know the gentleman?"

"Yes.  It--it was Father Edmund."

Blake stared at her incredulously.  Amelia had taken him completely by
surprise.  "Father Edmund?"

She nodded.  "Do you think he could have anything to do with her
disappearance?"

He shook his head slowly.  "No~ Whoever abducted Katherine resorted to
violence.  This I believe Father Edmund to be incapable of.  Where is
he?  Does anyone know?"

"No.  Some say he has left the country while others believe he is in
hiding.  A warrant has been issued for his arrest.  Did you know
this?"

Blake nodded.  "Aye.  I expected it ~before now."

"Like you, I do not believe he is capable of doing anything unpleasant.
Besides--what ~would be his reason?"

"None that I Can think of," Blake replied.  Although, he thought,
Katherine's meeting with Father Edmund in the park was suspicious in
itself.  But it had to be coincidence--what other explanation could
there be?  Lord knows the man was handsome enough to cause many a
feminine heart to flutter--and with the correct approach Blake was
certain he would succeed in converting all the who, surrounded the
Queen to Catholicism--but was a priest and supposed to be far removed
from all sinful pleasures of the flesh.

But he was not ignorant of the corruption venality that besmirched some
of these priests and the dignity of their apostolic office.

considered opinion was that these men were human, not divine,.  beings,
who had spurned riches and earthly honours in order to promote piety
and breathe a wholly heavenly spirit.  And, he thought with cynicism,
there were some he could think of who had oft broken their vows of
~chastity--but he doubted that Father Edmund could be numbered as one
of them.

Blake remembered the evening at the Countess of Carlisle's when he had
seen Father Edmund speaking to Katherine.  However brief.  their
conversation had been, he had been aware of her quiet preoccupation
since then.  He still discounted the idea that the priest had played
any part in Katherine,s abduction but he was baffled by the awareness
they had shown in each other, nevertheless.

Unless, of co urge he hoped to make her a convert to his faith?  But
no, that could not be the reason.  In fact, it was quite ridiculous,
for to do so he: must have a willing party and Katherine was not devout
enough about religious matters.  At least, she did not appear to be,
but then, he thought,.  becoming troubled, how would he know?  Had he
not been away for most of her impressionable years of adolescence?

And then another thought occurred to him.  Hadn't his father once told
him that her mother had been a Roman Catholic?  At the time he had
thought little of it, his mind being full of other things, but if'
Katherine was aware of her mother's Catholicism,

then perhaps her curiosity to know more had got the better of her.

But this did not explain her disappearance.  It had to be someone else
and there was only one other' man he could think of who was capable of
committing guch a dastardly act.  Rowland Forbes.  He had compromised
her once, and when he recalled the way his eyes had followed her every
movement since, he was wholly convinced that he was the man he should
look for.

"Forbes," he said suddenly.  "Lord Forbes.  Now there is a man I
believe is capable of anything to achieve his own ends."

Amelia looked at him and nodded.  "Yes," she said in a low and
thoughtful voice, 'we thought of him~ too.  George has made enquiries
as to his whereabouts but he ~has not been seen about London for ages.
Besides--surely he would have demanded a ransom for her release by now?
"

"Not necessarily.  The lure that attracted Forbes to Katherine in the
first place was her handsome fortune.  She has enough money to enable
him to live a life of absolute ease.  But to abduct her forcibly
against her will is monstrous.  I doubt she went with him without a
struggle.  He will think that all he has to do is compromise her--as he
tried to do before--and she will have no choice but to.  marry him.

"However, I believe he underestimates her.  She has teeth and claws and
would suffer the indignities of degradation and dishonour rather than
surrender to his will.  Send the groom to me, Amelia.  I will
interrogate him myself."

This Blake did, but the man could ~tell him no more than he already
knew.  When he'd left the room, noticing the anxiety in her brother's
eyes, Amelia placed her hand affectionately on his arm.

"Katherine will be all right, Blake.  She's got to be."  He looked down
at his sister and their eyes locked in a silent prayer that she was
right.  But the thought.  of Katherine humiliated and bewildered in the
hands of her abductor, especially if, as he strongly suspected, it was
Lord Forbes, caused a dull rage to fill his being and, for an instant,.
everything seemed to go dark around him.  He dared not let his mind
dwell on the tortures she was probably being subjected to.  But when he
could think more calmly he remembered her loveliness, which had been
overshadowed in the past by his devotion and betrothal to Margaret. Now
he remembered with amusement and affection the times she had pitted
herself against his will, and he realised that, however unpleasant her
ordeal, Katherine had the strength and ability to survive until he
could find her.  ~

Following his instinct, fervently hoping that he was right to do so,
Blake concentrated all his efforts on hunting down Lord Forbes and,
hopefully, Katherine.  He became like a man in the grip of a nightmare,
refusing to rest in his determination to find her, but the task proved
to be well nigh impossible--it seemed that Rowland Forbes had
disappeared off the face of the earth.  A trusted secant was sent to
his home in Hereford in case he had turned up there, but the journey
proved fruitless.  Blake questioned everyone who knew him, exhausting
all his usual disreputable haunts on both sides of the riverg but still
he came up with nothing.

News of Katherine's abduction went through the upper echelons of London
society like gunshot, becoming all the gossip.  Blake would have
preferred to avoid this, but he had to admit that the more people
talked of the affair the better chance he had of uncovering Lord
Forbes's whereabouts--some-one might remember something, however
trivial, and come forward.  And that was precisely what did happen.

It was late when the sealed note was delivered to Landale House.  Blake
was exhausted but still refused all forms of rest.  His eyes were over
bright his skin stretched tight over his cheekbones, the strain of the
past three days since his return to London evident, which left Amelia
in no doubt as to the depth of his feeling for Katherine.  Margaret's
death had hit him hard but Katherine's disappearance had hit him
harder, and she prayed that, for both their sakes, she was found
quickly, alive and unharmed.

Amelia handed the note to Blake with shaking hands, watching with hated
breath as he broke the seal and tore it open, scanning the neatly
written words hungrily.  Only when he'd come to the end did he look up,
a slightly dazed expression on his face.  "What does it say?"  asked
his sister impatiently.

"That I am to go to the house of Sir Matthew Mayhew in Highgate."

Amelia's brow puckered in a thoughtful frown.  "But--who is Sir Matthew
Mayhew?  I do not believe I can recall the name."

"It appears that he's an acquaintance of Lord Forbes.  He's a merchant
with the East Indi~ Company who happens to be out of the country at
present.  It seems that he has temporarily let his house to Lord
Forbes."

Amelia permitted~ herself to smile with relief for the first time in a
week.  "Oh, Blake--that's wonderful news.  At least it's a lead which
may take us to Katherine.  Whereabouts in Highgate is this house?"

"It is called Wycliffe Manor--situated in an isolated spot close to the
woods."

"Who sent the note?"  asked Amelia curiously.  "Does it say?"

Frowning, Blake glanced again at the note.  "No,

that's what p~,~les me.  It's unsigned.  "

"How strange."

"Yes.  Whoever it was must have good reason to wish to remain
anonymous.  Still--whoever is responsible I am grateful.  It says I am
to proceed with caution."  Folding the note he strode to the door with
fresh impetus.  "There's no time to be lost, Amelia.  I must begin
making arrangements immediately."

CHAPTER TEN

IN NO time at all Blake was riding towards Highgate, five miles north
of the city of London.  Many aristocratic members of London society, in
order to escape the discomforts of the city, had taken to building
themselves mansions on these pleasant northern heights.

Three capable men from the Earl of Landale's household rode with him,
mounted on some of the Earl's finest hunters.  Fortunately they were
familiar with the countryside, but they were hampered by the rain which
was lashing down out of heavy blankets of cloud, being driven across a
moonless sky by a cutting wind, growing stronger with an
ever-'increasing force.

Such was Blake's determination to reach Highgate quickly that he
completely disregarded the discomfort caused by the water collecting in
the folds of his cloak and running in a thin stream down his neck.
Hunched over their horses' necks they rode swiftly, concentrating all
their efforts on their route, knowing where to take short-cuts down
narrow lanes and over fields to lessen their journey.

On reaching the village of Highgate they quickly commandeered the
services of two constables of the watch who, on hearing what they were
about, led them to the home of Sir Matthew Mayhew.

Wycliffe Manor was a large Tudor manor house surrounded by a high wall.
It stood gaunt and forbidding at the edge of a dense wood and, despite
the raging storm, it seemed wrapped in utter stillness, its only sign
of life being a dull reddish glow shining from the cracks in the heavy
drapes covering the mullioned windows.  The band of horsemen slowed
their horses to a walk, advancing towards the house slowly and keeping
to the grass so as to avoid any noise they would make on the gravel
driveway leading up the the heavy doors of the house, and thus alerting
anyone inside to their presence.

Beneath ~the shelter of some trees,.  which gave them brief respite
from the still driving rain, Blake dismounted and indicated that the
others should do likewise.  His face was grim when he faced them.

"Remain close by my side and employ the utmost stealth.  And
remember--we have no idea what we shall encounter when we enter the
house.  Have your swords to hand but do not use them unless it is in
defence of your life."

With an awful sense of foreboding and dread in his heart at what he
would find within the house looming before him like some giant animal
about to uncoil from sleep, Blake moved towards it.

Meanwhile, having no idea that rescue was at hand, Katherine, having
feigned sleep, had watched between half-closed lids as Sita, seated
before the fire, had been lulled into a deep slumber by the warmth.
After enduring a week of Lord Forbes's odious presence and his
insistence that she would marry him in the end, Katherine had given him
the false impression that she might be beginning to.  weaken.  She had
thought to hold out, as long as possible in the hope of giving her
brother time to leave the country, but she could see that Lord Forbes
was becoming increasingly impatient and angry.  It was imperative that
she did something quickly.

Bent on.  escape, although she had no clothes other than the one
shapeless garment which covered her nakedness, and losing no time,
Katherine had watched and waited for an opportunity such as this--when
Rita would fall asleep without locking the door.  She slid out of bed
and, after slipping her feet into pair of slippers, moved stealthily
towards the

Her shaking fingers closed around the knob which she turned, pulling at
it, drawing a deep: breath of relief when the door opened
soundlessly.

Peering out onto a long gallery, she discovered that there was no guard
outside her room as Lord Forbes had indicated.  Gingerly she stepped
out, jumping nervously when she heard a door bang somewhere inside the
great house.  After a moment," and feeling confident that it was safe
to do so, she moved along the dimly lit gallery, stealthily picking her
way between pieces of furniture standing against the wall, moving
towards a staircase 'ahead of her and soundlessly gliding down it to
the hall below.  Several passages led off from it, the candlelight
casting deep shadows on the walls.

Hearing heavy footfalls moving in her direction down one of the
passages, feeling utterly afraid, Katherine slipped inside a darkened
room, pressing herself close to the wall while looking through a crack
in the slightly open door.  An elderly man, who she thought must be one
of the servants, walked past, his footsteps heavy like the terrified
beating of her heart.  She remained where she was as she heard him move
on down another of the passages.

Katherine was completely unaware of the figure of Lord Forbes standing
stiffly by the window looking out, having been alerted by the faint
sound of a horse whinnying over the noise of the storm.  Ever since he
had come to Wycliffe Manor he had been constantly on his guard.  At
first he had thought he had imagined the noise, for on a night such as
this, with the driving rain thrashing mercilessly at the windows and
falling faster and heavier by the minute, all sorts of noises were to
be heard~ but he soon realised he had not.

Peering out, he could just make out the dark shapes of men moving
quickly across the ~grass towards the house, disappearing as they
pressed themselves against the sheltering walls.  Realising he must act
swiftly if he was to prevent them entering the house, he turned from
the window at the same moment that Katherine entered the room, and he
realised immediately that she had somehow managed to slip past Sita.

Over the noise of the storm it was the sound of someone uttering an
angry curse that impressed Katherine's sharply awakened senses, and she
became transfixed by indescribable terror.  Her knees began to shake
when she realised that she was not alone in the room but, peer as hard
as she might, she could make out nothing in the darkness.

She heard soft footsteps on the carpet coming towards her and she
realised that whoever it was must have seen her in the shaft of light
stealing in through the slightly open door.  Some.  power that made
flight impossible held her remorselessly there, her eyes glued to the
place where she could hear the footfalls.

She uttered a shrill cry when she found herself suddenly seized and
roughly picked up and swung over someone's shoulder.  Only then, to her
shattering dismay, did she see at a glance the grim features of Lord
Forbes and she knew all was lost.  Hurriedly he carried her back to her
room where a worried, looking Sita had just realised that her charge
had gone.

Placing Katherine unceremoniously on the bed, Lord Forbes issued an
order, at which the Indian woman produced a small glass half-fliled
with liquid.  "You will drink this quickly," ordered Lord Forbes.

Realising with a rush of horror his intent, that she was once again
going to have to swallow the potent

20i drug, which would render her helpless and plunge her into
unconsciousness, Katherine gave an earth-shattering scream, desperately
twisting and clawing at Lord Forbes as his cruel hands gripped her
shoulders and pinned her to the pillows, The woman, with superhuman
strength, stopped her head from thrashing about and forced the glass
between her lips, pouring the bitter-tasting liquid into her mouth, her
hand then covering her lips and nose so that she was unable to breath
or spit it out, forcing her to' swallow it down.

Katherine began to slip into unconsciousness as Lord Forbes picked her
'up and carried her towards the oak panelling, determined that no one
would find her.  At the same moment, alerted by Katherine's desperate
cry, Blake abandoned all hope of trying to enter the house secretly and
began beating with great urgency on the door.

It was the same elderly servant Katherine had seen earlier who opened
the door to Blake.  At the authoritative note in his voice the man
stepped aside to let them pass, the newcomers dripping water from their
sodden cloaks all over the floor.  A few strides inside, Blake looked
past the servant to another man coming slowly down the stairs.

So, thought Blake with grim satisfaction, I have found Forbes at
last.

Looking surprisingly confident and self-assured, Lord Forbes was moving
down the stairs calmly,

considering Blake, a nonchalant, bored expression on his face, as if
he'd been disturbed from sleep.

"Well, gentlemen," he greeted them ever fly 'to what do I owe the
pleasure of this unexpected visit?  The hour is extremely late.  I was
about to go to bed.  "

Blake's eyes narrowed.  After the strain of the last few days he wanted
to forcibly extract the information he required from.  this blackguard,
but he had to admire the man's poise.  He moved towards Lord Forbes
menacingly, without taking his eyes from his, making a visible effort
to control his temper.

"Don't take me for a fool a second time, Forbes," he growled.  "You
know perfectly well that we are here to recover Mistress Blair.  Where
is she?  What have you done with her?"

Lord Forbes stared at him with absolute amazement.  "My dear fellow, I
have really no idea what you are talking about--and why all these
men?"

"We have reason to believe from this gentleman that Mistress Blair is
in this house," said one of the constables, stepping forward, beginning
to wonder if he had been brought to Wycliffe Manor on a wild goose
chase, but he had heard of the young lady's abduction.  If he could
secure her release, it would be a feather in his cap indeed.  "He
strongly that you have abducted her and are holding her against her
will."

Lord Forbes appeared in no way disconcerted by the accusation, and
anyone would have sworn by his apparent concern for Mistress Blair that
he was not a man so base as to go around abducting young ladies.

"Why--this is absurd.  I have not seen Mistress Blair for some
time--three weeks, I believe.  If the lady has indeed been abducted,
then I sincerely hope you find her.  But why assume that it is i who
took her?"  he asked looking at Blake.

His surprise and anxiety seemed genuine enough to those who did not
know of his unsavoury character, but Blake was not deceived.

"Knowing of your regret able passion for abducting young ladies--and
that you are desperate to obtain a large amount of money to enable you
to retain your property and pay off your innumerable debts--who else
would I look for?"  growled Blake.

Lord Forbes's eyes remained shuttered but Blake sensed his hostility,
also a nervousness beneath the surface and some degree of agitation.
Silently damning Rowland Forbes to hell and back, and unable to control
his growing impatience, he thrust his face forward, his dark menacing
eyes drawn together in a straight line as he glared at the man he would
delight in beating to a bloody pulp for his dastardly treatment of
Katherine.

"Before we entered this house we heard someone scream--a young lady, I
would say, So--I will ask you again, Forbes, before we are compelled to
search this house.  Do you have Mistress Blair here?"

His voice was low and threatening, leaving Lord

Forbes in no doubt as to his hatred, and that, however strongly he
continued to deny having any part in Mistress Blair's abduction, Blake
was determined to seek her out.

He paled visibly.  "She is not here," he said flatly.  "Now kindly
leave this house and take your friends with you."

"You lie, Forbes.  Dealing with persons of your sort ... one learns not
to trust them.  She is your prisoner--come--admit it?  But I tell you
this--if you have harmed her in any way then I swear I'll have your
head," Blake hissed.  "Now, where is she?"

At Lord Forbes's continued defiance all Blake's fears and anxieties
over Katherine began to explode in his brain.  In his anger he reached
out and grasped Lord Forbes's cravat, pulling him close so that his
face was on a level with his own.

"Aren't you forgetting something, you blackguard?  I do not forget that
you have tried this once before with Mistress Blair and that I still
have a score to settle with you over that affair."  Blake released him
suddenly, turning to those around him.  "Search the house," he
commanded.  "Enough time has been wasted."

Lord Forbes stepped forward.  "I advise you not to.  This is Sir
Matthew Mayhew's house and he will nc, t take kindly to you trampling
through it.  You'll be wasting your time, anyway.  She is not here."

"I believe she is," said Blake with ominous cool heSS, 'and by the time
I've finished with you, Forbes, you'll regret ever setting eyes on
Mistress Blair.  "

Like a tidal wave Blake and his men swept through the rooms of Wycliffe
Manor, one by one, and to their surprise they met with no resistance
for the house, built to accommodate a large staff, was unoccupied,
apart from the elderly man and the strange Indian woman, who calmly
watched them search the room Katherine had occupied until a little
while before with little interest.

After a fruitless search one of the men, believing that Katherine was
not there, suggested the scream they had heard could have been a trick
of the wind, but Blake was adamant that it had been Katherine they had
heard.

It was when he entered the room where she had been kept prisoner that
he became convinced she was secreted away somewhere within the house.
It was a strange house, filled with murals and mosaics depicting
colourful Eastern scenes, with low divans strewn with velvet cushions,
bordered with gold tassels and fringes, and rooms filled ~with exotic
objects and curios, all accumulated by Sir Matthew Mayhew on his
travels with the East India Company.

He noticed a strange lingering sickly sweet aroma which had invaded all
the rooms of the house, mingling with musk and scents of Eastern
essence.  In one of the rooms he came across a curious collection of
pipes, but took little notice of them just then, being intent on
examining the walls, aware that this was a house built in Tudor times
and that, as a precaution to secure the safety of priests, the
construction of hiding places had been commonplace.  A house such as
Wycliffe Manor could have many such places.

He soon realised that the strange aroma was stronger in this room than
in any other.  On closer inspection of the pipes, he came across a
small spirit lamp and a scale, the type apothecaries used for weighing
powder for medicaments.  He suddenly went cold at the suspicion
beginning to form in his mind, for he knew that this was paraphernalia
used by opium smokers--a drug he knew from his own experiences on his
travels.  It was derived from the opium poppy and grown in abundance in
India, Turkey and China, where it had been acclaimed for its medicinal
properties for centuries, but if misused it was known to corrupt and
weaken the 'mind.  Sir' Matthew Mayhew would know all about it, for he
had traded with peoples in the Far East for years.  Lord Forbes was a
close friend of Sir Matthew'~

it was possible that he could have obtained the drug through him.

Now Blake was truly afraid for Katherine's safety.  Had Forbes drugged
her to force her compliance?  If so, her condition could be quite
desperate.

He returned to the room where the Indian woman still hovered, her
chiselled features unreveaFing.  She was obviously attached to Sir
Matthew's for on investigation before he had left Landale House for
Highgate, he had discovered that Sir Matthew Mayhew, who was well known
for his eccentricities, had a colourful array of foreign servants.
Forbes had clearly engaged the services of this Indian woman for the
duration of his stay at Wycliffe Manor.

Ignoring her presence, Blake became thoughtful, gazing around, finding
the room was much.  the same as before, when suddenly his eyes became
focused on some lighted candles on a small table standing close to one
of the panelled walls.

He stared at them curiously, for he was sure he saw the flames waver
and flutter.  n slightly, as if caught by a sudden draught, though not
strong enough to extinguish them.  But how could that be, he asked
himself, when there was neither window nor door in the wall to cause a
draught?  At least not one that was apparent.  ~

With hated breath, hardly able to contain his eagerness, Blake moved
towards the wall and care~ fully ran his hands over the oak panelling,.
shouting for the others to join him when he felt a faint rush of cold
air which indicated there was a cavity behind it.  Momentarily
distracted by the swish of silk behind him, he turned just in time to
see the Indian woman disappearing through the doorway.

Unperturbed by this, for he knew she wouldn't get far, he again turned
to examine the panelling, searChing for something which could be a
catch to open it,

Fumbling behind one of the wall hangings to his right at last his
fingers came into contact with a small projection.  Pressing it, he
heard a faint click.

Standing back he watched in amazement as the panelling swung back
against the wall to reveal a narrow passage.  His heart began to beat
heavily with expectation, his eyes straining into the blackness of the
passage beyond, his ears listening for a sound that would tell him
Katherine was in there somewhere, The tension was agony and his nerves
were raw as he stepped inside, now able to see a faint glow filtering
out of a doorway further along.  He hurried towards it and an
overwhelming.  surge of relief flowed through him when at last his eyes
beheld Katherine.

It was dim inside the room, so small there was scarcely room for the
pallet on which she lay.  At the sight of her pale face.  on the
pillow, so still and lifeless, as if it had been carved out of delicate
ivory, a wave of sickness swept over him, not only at the sight of her
helplessness but because he had been unable to prevent it.  '

Although he had refused to admit it to himself, there had been times
when he had thought he had lost her forever.  Looking down at her, he
was drawn by her sheer loveliness and a rush of warmth pervaded his
whole being.  He was swamped with emotion almost beyond his control,
and suddenly he was down on his knees by her bed, her small lifeless
hands locked in his, and all his nerve centres,

numbed by despair over Margaret's death, were reawakened, betraying
just how deeply he felt for Katherine.

With relief he saw the gentle rise and fall of her chest beneath the
covers.  She was~ unconscious but alive, thank God--although he knew
there was no point in trying to wake her, for Forbes had clearly not
administered the drug until after she had screamed.  It would be some
~time before she woke.  Picking her up gently in his arms, he carried
her back into the room she had occupied earlier and laid her on the
bed, looking up when the others entered.  Seeing Forbes among them, he
pulled himself upright, an icy rage in his heart.

"So" Forbes--she isn't here, you said.  This is your work, I believe,"
he said accusingly, indicating Katherine,s inert form, his quiet voice
like an unsheathed blade.

"She isn't dead, is she?."  asked one of the men stepping forward in
alarm.

"No, thank.  God.  She's unconscious--drugged."  "Drugged?"

"Yes.  An opiate has been administered--which you know all about, don't
you, Forbes, since you are the one who administered it?  They were your
pipes I saw downstairs, weren't they?  Used for smoking opium, if I'm
not mistaken."

Lord Forbes was beginning to look discomfited by this unfortunate turn
of events, his eyes darting too and fro uneasily, for he had truly
believed Mistress

Blair would not be found.  "There is nothing secret or wrong in the
habit of smoking opium.  As you well know it is widely used in the
Orient," he blurted, 'where there is approval for its powers.  "

"Yes, I know all about its powers," growled Blake scornfully.  "I also
know that, if administered incorrectly, a single overdose.  can lead to
instant death.  I doubt Sir Matthew knows of the purpose to which his
house is being used--or that you have clearly commandeered the services
of members of his household to assist you in your evil deed.  It is
fortunate for you, Forbes, that you are not facing a charge of murder.
Abduction is a serious enough charge in itself."

Lord Forbes tensed before Blake's wrath, but, infuriated and desperate
at being caught before he had cornered his prey, and frustrated by
Mistress Blair's failure to comply with his demands in time, he did not
intend being arrested without first incriminating her in some way.

"Why--in doing so I might have saved her from making a fool of
herself," he sneered.

Blake's eyes narrowed.  "What the devil are you talking about?"

"Why--the priest--Father Edmund.  Didn't you know?"  He spoke slowly,
enunciating each word, his lips forming a slow smile of satisfaction at
the horror and doubt which was beginning to cloud Lord Russell's
eyes.

"Know?  Know what, damn you?"  snarled Blake,

Forbes's faint, contemptuous smile adding to his rage.

~"That they are enamoured of each other.  It is not uncommon for a
priest to fall for a pretty face, you know.  And they did make their
feelings for each other abundantly clear to anyone.  who happened to
see them locked in each other~'s arms in the park.  Although ~they did
meet at an early hour--when the park was more or less deserted."

In a-couple of strides Blake was in front of him, his features
transfigured with fury, finding anger a release from the dark
suspicions Forbes's insinuations had raised in him.

"What did you say?  HOw dare you slander either Mistress Blair or
Father Edmund with your lewd accusations?"

"Come now, Lord Russell, why such anger?  After all, Mistress Blair is
nothing to you.  You are not even her guardiam' Lord Forbes's eyes
narrowed as a thought suddenly occurred to him and he smiled
insolently.  " Or is your rage and valour inspired because you want her
for yourself?  If so, then why not marry her since the demise.  of Lady
Margaret Tawney has left you free to do,so?  "

His words caused murder to flare in Blake's eyes.  He looked gigantic
in his rage, his fists white and bunched by his sides, which caused
Lord Forbes's unease to return.  Fearing he was to be the recipient of
those fists, with a look of desperation, realising he

Blair would not be found.  "There is nothing secret or wrong in the
habit of smoking opium.  As you well know it is widely used in the
Orient," he blurted, 'where there is approval for its powers.  "

"Yes, I know all about its powers," growled Blake scornfully.  "I also
know that, if administered incorrectly, a single overdose can lead to
instant death.  I doubt Sir Matthew knows of the purpose to which his
house is being used--or that you have clearly commandeered the services
of members of his household to assist you in your evil deed.  It is
fortunate for you, Forbes, that you are not facing a charge of murder.
Abduction is a serious enough charge in itself."

Lord Forbes tensed before Blake's wrath, but, infuriated and desperate
at being caught before he had cornered his prey, and frustrated by
Mistress Blair's failure to comply with his demands in time, he did not
intend being arrested without first incriminating her in some way.

"Why--in doing so I might have saved her from making a fool of
herself," he sneered.

Blake's eyes narrowed.  "What the devil are you talking about?

"Why--the priest--Father Edmund.  Didn't you know?"  He spoke slowly,
enunciating each word, his lips forming a slow smile of satisfaction at
the horror and doubt which was beginning to cloud Lord Russell's
eyes.

"Know?  Know what, damn you?"  snarled Blake,

Forbes's faint, contemptuous smile adding to his rage.

~"That they are enamoured of each other.  It is not uncommon for a
priest to fall for a pretty face, you know.  And they did make their
feelings for each other abundantly clear to anyone.  who happened to
see them locked in each other is arms in the park.  Although they did
meet at an early hour--when the park was more or less deserted."

In a couple of strides Blake was in front of him, his features
transfigured with fury, finding anger a release from the
dark-suspicions Forbes's insinuations had raised in him.

"What did you say?  How dare you slander either Mistress Blair or
Father Edmund with your lewd accusations?"

"Come now, Lord Russell, why such anger?  After all, Mistress Blair is
nothing to you.  You are not even her guardian.," Lord Forbes's eyes
narrowed as a thought suddenly occurred to him and he smiled
insolently.  "Or is your rage and valour inspired because you want her
for yourself?  If so, then why not marry her since the demise of Lady
Margaret Tawney has left you free to doso?"

His words caused murder to flare in Blake's eyes.  He looked gigantic
in his rage, his fists white and bunched by his sides, which caused
Lord Forbes's unease to return.  Fearing he was to be the recipient of
those fists, with a look of desperation, realising he had gone too far,
he spun round, looking for a way of escape like a cornered animal.

He ran quickly towards the door but, aware of his intent, Blake's
reaction was swift and he strode after him, seizing him by the shoulder
and forcing him to abandon any hope he might have had of escape.  Lord
Forbes's violent instinct for self-preservation made him lash out at
Blake, but Blake's lust for vengeance was so powerful it made him the
stronger, and the next moment his fist smashed into the side of Lord
Forbes's face, felling him to the floor.

Blake turned to the constables, his face contorted with demoniacal
fury.  "Get him out of here.  Take him out of my sight before I kill
him.  And make sure he doesn't escape."

Without hesitation the two constables dragged Lord Forbes and the
Indian woman away to spend the night in Highgate gaol.  There was no
doubt in any of the minds of those present that, after appearing before
the magistrate the following day he would be sent to the Tower.

Alone in the room with Katherine, Blake moved towards the bed and stood
looking down at her thinking over Rowland Forbes's accusations
regarding her and Father Edmund, and once again he was forced to ask
himself what it was that drew them to each other.  He discounted as
ridiculous Forbesis implication that they were lovers, but there was no
doubt in his mind that Katherine had made impression on the priest.

HELErq DICK SON Forbes had told him he had seen them locked in an
embrace.  How much truth was there in this?  he asked himself.  But
then.  he told himself not to go jumping to conclusions and thinking
the worst.  He would not believe Forbes,s accusations before Katherine
had had a chance to speak.  He must give her a chance to defend
herself, for there could be a perfectly reasonable explanation to
~their meeting in the park.

Katherine seemed to float in and out of consciousness for a long time~
It.  was like being in a fog, which she struggled desperately to
pierce. The time passed in some kind of haze that had no meaning as she
drifted in and out of darkness.  She had the sensation of being afraid,
so terribly afraid.

But then, merciful Lord, Blake ~was there.  and everything ceased to
exist but him.  His dark figure hovered above, silently regarding her;
his handsome features drawn, She wanted to-reach out and draw him down
to her but it was strange because she couldn't move her.  arms, They
were too heavy.

Blake was reaching out his hands to her, slowly~ ever so slowly, and
she so dearly wanted him to touch her, but then the face bending down'
to hers didn't resemble Blake at all--the man she loved.

No, this was Lord Forbes, whose countenance was fair, his eyes blue and
ice cold and his lips formed in a cruel sneer.  It was then in her
delirium that she screamed and thrashed about in an attempt to ward

Off this terrible evil and then he was gone, leaving her body trembling
violently.  It was stilled when she experienced the pleasant sensation
of being rocked and comforted in someone's arms.

Eventually Katherine was able to claw her way to the edge of the mist
and she had a sense of waking out of an interminable nightmare.  Her
head ached and felt so heavy.

When she awoke the following morning to find herself in her own bed at
Landale House she thought she must be dreaming, that her abduction and
the time spent in that strange house as Lord Forbes's prisoner had
never happened.  But gradually, as the memories came flooding back, she
realised it was all too real.

But how had she got here?  She closed her eyes; when she opened them
again it was to find the sunlight streaming into her room, with no sign
of the night's violent storm in which Blake, having borrowed one of Sir
Matthew Mayhew's carriages, had brought her back to Landale House.

Amelia was standing beside the bed.

at her.  The nervous strain of Katherine's disappearance showed dearly
on her face.

"Amelia!  How did I get here?"

"Blake found you and brought you back."

"Blake," Katherine murmured, closing her with a long, tired sigh.
"So--I wasn't dreaming after all."

Sinking down onto the bed, Amelia took one of her hands in her own.  "I
can't tell you how dreadfully anxious we have been, Katherine.  We were
all out of our minds with worry.  We had no idea what could have
happened to you--who could possibly have had a hand in your
disappearance--not even the smallest clue.  It was as if the devil had
carried you off."

Katherine grimaced.  "He did.  Lord Forbes is the devil incarnate."

'"We had no idea where to start looking for you--if you were alive,
even.  When our hopes were beginning to dwindle, Blake arrived from
Ludgrove Hall," "Did--did he think that I was dead?"

"No.  He never had a moment's doubt, He absolutely refused to consider
it, rejecting the very idea But you know Blake, Katherine.  Even if he
had, he would have his tongue cut out rather than admit it.  He would
not give up on you--refusing all rest--becoming like a man possessed in
his determination to find you."

Katherine's eyes clouded with tears and her heart soared with joy at
this revelation by Amelia.  For Blake to show such concern for her
well-being told her that he must care for her after all.

"I am so sorry, Amelia.  I did not mean to give you all such a fright.
I--I must thank Blake for rescuing me.  I owe him more than I can
express.  What has happened to Lord Forbes?"

Amelia's expression tightened at the mention of Katherine's abductor.
"He has been arrested and, I hope, thrown into the Tower by now--where
he will languish until he is brought to trial--when he will be exposed
for abduction.  "

For a moment Katherine stared blankly at Amelia's kindly, anxious face
and then, still under the effects of the drug, she broke down and wept
bitterly, all the anguish and fear which had accumulated inside her
coming out, her body racked with terrible sobs.

Moved by her terrible distress, Amelia edged closer to her, taking her
in her arms and cradling her head against her, as if she were 'a
child.

"Oh, Katherine, my dear--that's it--weep all you like.  The pain will
go away.  You're safe now.  We'll look after you and Lord Forbes will
never touch you again," she said fiercely as she continued to rock her
in her arms.

As Katherine,s tears subsided, bit by bit she told Amelia, who listened
to her with an imperturbable calm, of her abduction, of how.  Lord
Forbes had drugged her and her imprisonment--of how he had constantly
insisted that she would marry him, come what may, revealing all the
things that had hurt her, for it was necessary that Amelia knew the
full extent of her suffering.  There was only one thing she did not
mention and that was his threat concerning Father Edmund--to expose him
if she did not comply to his demands--for until she knew he safe she
thought it best to keep this to herself,

"The man is indeed a monster and will get what deserves."  Amelia held
Katherine at arm's and looked at her gravely.  "Katherine, forgive me
if I uncover unpleasant recollections by my impertinence, for what I am
about to ask you is of a delicate nature--but--I must ask you.  Did
Lord Forbes touch you in any way?  Did he?"

Katherine shut her eyes, feeling sick with anger and disgust.  "I am
aware of what you're about to ask, Amelia," she interrupted fiercely,
'and the answer is no.  No, he did not.  I am a virgin still.  But I
feel violated, nevertheless--as if he had raped me.  The manner in
which he treated me was barbarous.  Mercifully, unlike the time at the
inn, he was more interested in obtaining my money than he was my body.
But had he wanted that then he would have had to take me by force.  If
he beat me and starved me, I would never have given in.  "

Katherine turned her head away from Amelia as fresh tears filled her
eyes.  There was only one reason she would have complied with Lord
Forbes's wishes--to save the life of her brother.

But she dare not let her mind dwell too long on this, for in her panic
and fear, resulting from her ordeal at the hands of Lord Forbes, she
was swamped with tormenting dread and despair that, as a result of
refusing to marry him, she might somehow have played a part in her
brother's downfall, and that she would never see him again.  She was
terrified that Lord Forbes, in his desperation to save his own
neck--and his desire for revenge--would reveal where he was hiding.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

AFTER the physician had been to see Katherine, declaring her to be fit
and well considering her ordeal, and that the effects of the drug would
soon wear off, Blake knocked on the door of her room and entered.  When
he saw Katherine propped up against the pillows, the tears still wet
and glistening on her cheeks, his breath caught in his throat and he
was hard put to restrain himself from going to her and gathering her up
into his arms, but he could see that she was making a concerted effort
to be brave.  She had been through a terrible ordeal and her nerves
were strung tight--any strain might cause her to snap.

With an effort he restrained the urge to move close to her: She looked
at him directly, without smiling, with gravely questioning eyes. Amelia
rose and met her brother halfway into the room, laying to rest his
worst fears by telling him quietly that Katherine was all right. She
had not been violated.

The dark rage Blake felt, that Katherine had been made to suffer so,
was at last overshadowed with relief, for that had been his greatest
fear.  He moved closer to the bed and stood looking down at her.

"I--I must thank you for coming to my rescue," 218

Katherine said weakly.  "I was so afraid that no one would find me."

"Thank God you are safe now and that villain is locked up."  Blake
turned his head away to hide his feelings, the emotions her delicate
loveliness evoked in him--weakening him.  She would never know the
tortures he had endured on her behalf.  The image of all the
indignities heaped on her defenceless body by Forbes had almost driven
him to distraction.

Katherine looked at him with concern.  He looked strained, his face
seemed thinner and his mouth had taken on a sterner set.  Remembering
what Lord Forbes had told her, of Lady Margaret's demise, in a
lightning flash of understanding she reached out tentatively and
touched his hand lightly with her fingers.

"Oh, Blake, forgive me for all the distress I've caused you.  I--I know
about Lady Margaret and--and I am so terribly sorry.  You had enough to
contend with without my disappearance.  I wish I could have spared
you."

Blake smiled softly.  "None of it was your fault.  You weren't to know
of Forbes's evil scheme to abduct you a second time."

"How did you know where to look for me?"

"We received a note telling us."  "A note?  Who sent it?"

Blake shrugged.  "It was unsigned.  I'd like to know who it was so that
we could thank them."

"How strange.  Where was the place I was taken to and kept prisoner?"

"Highgate.  " The house was called Wycliffe Manor and is the home of
Sir Matthew Mayhew--who happens to be a close friend of Lord Forbes.
Sir Matthew is a merchant with the East India Company and is away at
present.  He is expected to be gone for some considerable time.  The
Indian woman and the elderly servant have been left at Wycliffe Manor
as caretakers until he returns.  "

"I see," murmured Katherine.  "Then that explains the Indian woman's
presence and the exotic strangeness of the house.  What will happen to
her?"

Blake shrugged.  "As to that I cannot say--not knowing how large a part
she played in your abduction.  I strongly suspect that she had no
choice but to do as Forbes ordered.  No doubt she will be imprisoned
until the trial."

"I see.  What do you know of the drug Lord Forbes used to render me
senseless?  Is it harmful?"

"If administered incorrectly then it can be.  But you need not concern
yourself.  The physician has assured us that although you have been
physically it is only a temporary state.  As soon as the have worn off
then there is no reason for you to remain in bed."

"What was it?  Did he say?"

"He believes it was a concoction called whose principal ingredient is
opium."

"Opium?  I believe I've heard of this.  Isn't it grown somewhere in the
Far East?"

Blake nodded.  "Yes, although it is extremely limited in Europe--but I
should think Sir Matthew can come by it easily enough on his
travels--which Forbes obviously obtains from him.  And it seems," he
said with some amusement, 'if the smell and the opium pipes I noticed
in the house are anything to go by, he has acquired the habit of
smoking it.  Although, come to think of it, he admitted as much
himself--which would explain why he seems to be half out of his mind at
times," he grinned.

"Ugh, how utterly distasteful," Katherine grimaced.  "After having it
forced upon me--and having suffered its horrendous, hallucinating
effects--I cannot for the life of me imagine how anyone can take it
voluntarily.  What will happen to him?"

"The villain took you against your will, and the base methods he
used-~violence and drugs--will sit heavily upon him."

"Amelia tells me that you went to Ludgrove Hall before returning to
London.  How did you find things there?"

"Much the same as when you left."

"And Matilda.~ How is she?"

"Missing you," he said, smiling softly.  "Although there is a young man
in the offing, I believe."

"Of my aunt's choosing, I don't doubt," uttered Katherine with irony.
"How is my aunt?"

"Much the same."

"And angered, no doubt, because I haven't found myself a husband
yet."

"It was mentioned," he said with a sudden twinkle in his eyes.  "But
you can rest assured, Katherine that I set her mind at rest by telling
her there many eligible young gentlemen, all vying with other for your
hand--and that it is only a matter of time before you make up your mind
as to which one you will choose."  '~

A tremor ran through Katherine when he her name and she smiled softly,
gazing wonderingly into the dark depths of his eyes.  "How good it is
hear you speak my name.  Is there a reason for this sudden change of
heart?"  :

"Aye, minx," he laughed, 'since you took to me Blake.  And," he
murmured, his eyes full tenderness, the sort of tenderness Katherine
despaired of ever seeing when he looked at her, do agree with you.  I,
too, think it is high time dispensed with the ridiculous formality

The l pallor of Katherine's face beneath a delicate flush and she
looked up, at the amusement dancing in his dark eyes, had not realised
that she had dispensed with formality.  "Have I?  Oh--forgive me--I was
aware of it."

"There is nothing to forgive.  I was glad to hear As they continued to
talk Blake saw that Katherine had endured was written clearly on face.
Her pallor returned, and the haunted look her eyes bore testimony to
the terrible experience she had lived through.  She told him a little
of her ordeal but she was careful to avoid any mention of Father
Edmund, and Blake, sensing this, postponed the inevitable questions.

People listened in horror and stunned disbelief as news came to them of
the outbreak of rebellion in Ireland.  The reasons were deeply rooted
in the past, and since the death of the Earl of Stratford and the
breakdown of his administration in that unhappy land, the populace of
England heard of British settlers being barbarously massacred in their
thousands by discontented Irish Catholics, who had long smarted under
English dominance and had been driven desperate by the injustices they
suffered.

The conviction was that the rebellion was part of a Catholic
conspiracy, and that priests were generally the ringleaders, going
about the country, working among fellow Catholics and stirring them up
to rebel against the English.  Pamphlets that poured from the presses
gave details of Catholic atrocities that turned people's stomachs.

These horrendous acts of violence perpetrated against the English
settlers in Ireland raised the political situation and public
excitement in England to fever pitch, and measures against Catholics in
England were prosecuted with new vigor.  In their abhorrence of popery
the odium of the populace was thrown upon the papists.  They were
rounded up, tormented, interrogated and imprisoned.

Having recovered from her ordeal at the hands of Lord Forbes Katherine
heard these stories with growing alarm.  She had heard nothing from, or
about, her brother, and she thought she would go mad with the strain of
not knowing how he fared.  ~ Day after day she heard of fresh arrests,
of priests being dragged before the courts and imprisoned~ until, at
last, her worst fears were realised.  Blake, having just come from
Westminster, was met by Amelia in the hall.  He was not aware of
Katherine's presence, for she hung back in the shadows.

Amelia greeted him eagerly.  "What news is there, Blake?"

His dark countenance was grim as he handed his cloak and gloves to a
footman.  "The usual riots around Whitehall and in the Palace
yard--with Catholics being hounded and rounded up."  He sighed deeply,
looking gravely at his sister.  "The worst of it is that Father Edmund
has been arrested and imprisoned."

Katherine received this terrible news in silence, without any warning,
and the impact of it struck her like a whip, causing her heart almost
to stop beating.  As blood flowed back into her veins she stepped into
the light, white and trembling.  Gazing straight ahead: she moved
towards them, fixing Blake with a stricken look.  ~: "Imprisoned, you
say?  Where is he?"

"In Newgate," he said gently.  "I'm sorry to have to be the bearer of
such tragic news."

She nodded slightly, swallowing hard.  "What will happen to him?"

"As to that--no one can say."

Anguish tightened Katherine's heart and tears caused by her.  sudden
desire to weep misted her eyes.  She fell silent, then bowed her head,
turning from them.

"Pray--excuse me.  I must go to my room."

Deeply concerned and curious by Katherine's reaction to the news about
Father' Edmund, Amelia watched her go.  "I must go to her," she
murmured, about to go after her, 'but Blake put a restraining hand on
her arm.

"No.  I will," he said curtly, frowning deeply.  "It is high time the
extent of Katherine's feelings towards this Catholic priest was made
clear."

On entering her room, he dismissed Rose and moved to where Katherine
stood perfectly still, staring into the flames of the fire.  She did
not turn her head but sensed his presence.

"I'm sorry if my behaviour seemed odd, but news of Father Edmund's
imprisonment came as quite a shock to me."

"Clearly.  Father Edmund!"  said Blake with bitter emphasis.  "How
anguished you sound when you speak of him.  I feel you have involved
yourself enough with this priest, Katherine, He is not the only priest
incarcerated in Newgate."

"I know," she said sadly.  "But he is the only one that I care
about."

Her words caused a deep frown to crease Blake's brow as resentment and
jealousy flared inside him.  Grasping her shoulders, he turned her
round to face him and Katherine shrank before his angry gaze, loaded
with suspicion.  He thrust his face close hers so that she could feel
his warm breath on her cheeks.

"So--it is true; There is more to this.  Tell me what it'is you feel
for him--for it is not just kindness or pity that causes this concern
for his well-being?  Nor is it the tragic tale of a girl falling in
love with a ~man who cannot return the sentiment because he is bound to
the chumh by vows of chastity.  No--it is something deeper--something
warmer than that.  What is it, Katherine?  And what precisely was the
reason why you went to meet him in the park .7,

Katherine paled, staring up at him, feeling trapped within his burning
gaze, feeling his hands her shoulders.  "You know about that?  Who
you?"

"Forbes."

"I should have known," she whispered.  "He witness our meeting that
morning, but I swear you, Blake, that I did not arrange to meet must
believe that."

"Then what is it between you?  Tell me?"  demanded, his face
darkening.

"Father Edmund is my friend, Blake, and merits my compassion.  It is
right that I am concerned."

Blake frowned.  "I.  am not wholly convinced, Katherine, for you have
not known each other long enough to establish such a close
friendship."

Katherine sighed, prepared to endure his close questioning rather than
reveal the truth of her relationship to Father Edmund, for still there
was something inside her which obstinately prevented her from telling
him.

In her anguish, she mistakenly thought Blake's anger was caused by her
close association with Father Edmund, but in truth Blake was in the
grip of jealousy.  Since the death of Margaret and the trauma of
Katherine's.  abduction, he had come to realise just how much she meant
to him, and he could not bear the thought of her being enamoured of any
man but himself--be it courtier, king or priest.

"I cannot help what you think, Blake, but please tell me what will
happen to him?"

"Because of his close association with Count Rossetti--and the fact
that he is looked on favourably by the Queen--he will be called before
the Commons and asked to take an oath on the King James Version of the
Bible."

"What does that mean?"  asked Katherine in a small voice.

"That he must recognise the Sovereign as lawful and rightful
King--repudiating the papal claim."

Katherine blanched, for she could not envisage her brother doing this.
"And if he should refuse?"

Blake shook his head.  "That is not for me to say."

She swallowed hard.  "He--he could hang, couldn't he?"

"Katherine," Blake said gently, his features softening in the hope of
placating her, 'few priests have been put to death in recent years.
Conditions for Catholics improved greatly in England after the marriage
of the King to Henrietta Maria, you know that.  "

Katherine Smiled with irony: "I do not delude myself with that.  Since
the convening of Parliament those halcyon times have ended.  In the
light of what happened in Ireland I have heard the people in the
streets baying for the blood of Catholics.  The popularity of the Queen
is sadly diminished and she is surrounded by hostility.  Her royal
servants have been exiled and she and her attendants are living like
prisoners while the King is in Scotland.

"What chance does Father Edmund have in Newgate?  He is alone at the
mercy of other prisoners, and his gaolers, who will treat him as less
than vermin.  They will torture him, I know, regardless of the fact
that he had no part in the rebellion in Ireland--his crime being that
he is a Roman Catholic priest, who chose to live his life serving
God."

"Take heart, Katherine.  He may take the oath.  Some do."

"And in doing so he will die as surely as if they had hanged him, for
he will not be set at liberty.  I am not ignorant as to what it is like
in Newgate, Blake.  Father Edmund will die of the vile conditions he
will be forced to endure there."

"It is true that in the past those priests who suffered death might
have saved their lives had they taken the oath, and those who did were
left to languish in prison.  But there is a chance that if Father
Edmund does this then he will be banished from England."

"Then, for his sake, I pray he will take the oath."  Blake did not tell
her that the ones who had taken the oath had brought on themselves the
condemnation of Rome, that the denunciation of the Pope had proved
infinitely far worse than death, and that, in consequence, they were
deposed and shunned by fellow Catholics.

Again he placed his hands on her shoulders and' looked deep into her
eyes.  "I appreciate the ardour with which you spring to his aid,
Katherine but, believe me, there is nothing that can be done.  His life
is in his own hands.  For conscience' sake, I doubt his noble and pious
heart will allow him to take the oath--but, for your sake, I pray that
he will."

He turned and left her then, cursing himself for being a fool, for he
still did not know the reason, and neither did he understand--her
devotion to the priest.

Alone, Katherine paced the carpet in her room as she thought fervently
what could be done to save her brother.  There must be something she
could do.  He must be persuaded to take the oath at all costs.  She
summoned Rose to her, a light of decision in her eyes, for she had made
up her mind to see her brother herself.  However, whether or not the
Master Keeper of Newgate gaol would allow ~her to do so was a different
matter.

"Come, Rose," she ordered.  "Get your cloak.  We are going out--and not
a word to anyone about where we are going.  Do you understand?  If
anyone should ask, we are merely going for an airing in the park."

"Where are we going?"  inquired Rose with growing apprehension.

"Newgate gaol," answered Katherine, stuffing a small leather purse with
coins with which to bribe the keeper, and placing it in the pocket of
her skirt beneath her cloak.

Rose stared at her mistress in genuine astonishment, alarmed by her
excited state.  ~Newgate gaol?  " She could not keep the note of fear
out of her voice, for its very name conjured up hideous images in her
mind.

"Yes.  I'm going to try and see Father Edmund myself.  I only hope I
have enough money with which to bribe the keeper into allowing me to
see him."

Rose had been Katherine's maid for so long that there was little she
did not know about her, but that she should show so much interest in a
priest she strongly disapproved of, and-she was shocked that she should
even consider entering Newgate gaol to see him.  It just wasn't
natural.

Katherine could not repress a shudder when she stood in the grim shadow
of the tower above the gate of Newgate gaol which spanned the street.
Leaving Rose inside the coach, she climbed out, being met by an
unkempt-looking guard who had been lounging by the gate.  Slipping a
coin into the man's grimy hand, she asked to see the Master Keeper.
Grinning unpleasantly, the guard slipped the coin into his jacket
pocket and took her to the Master Keeper, who turned out to be equally
as unkempt, an ignorant, surly~ looking individual.

When Katherine told him who it was she wished to see, he was somewhat
surprised by her request and, after spitting noisily on the ground,
flatly refused--until he saw the size of the purse in her hand and
heard the irresistible clink of coins.  A greedy sparkle entered his
cold little eyes as he pocketed it.  Picking up a heavy bunch of keys,
he handed them to a turnkey, telling him to take the lady to see the
priest in the Stone Hold.  Not that she could stay long, mind, for the
priest was no ordinary prisoner.  He was under orders not to let anyone
see him--but seeing as the lady looked quite desperate, and was clearly
in a position to make the priest's stay in Newgate more comfortable, he
leered, then he could see no reason why not.

"Where is he?"  Katherine asked, finding it difficult to hide her
revulsion for the man.

"Down in the Stone Hold--stinking, dismal and dark it is," he rasped,
throwing her a challenging look.  "A lady of quality, like yourself,
might not have the stomach for it."

Drawing a deep, determined breath, for already the foetid rotten air
had assailed her nostrils, Katherine stepped forward.  "I'll stand it.
Just let me see the prisoner."

"As you like."

Muffled in her cloak Katherine followed the turnkey, trying to keep her
eyes fastened on his back so as not to see the full horror of this
place.  Ventilation was almost non-existent and the dank, stale air hit
her in the face almost knocking her backwards.  Even covering her nose
with a handkerchief dipped in lavender water did nothing to lessen the
smell.

She heard the sound of dan king chains from inside the cells that she
hurried past, feeling sure they must be inhabited by demons.  The
prison housed murderers, debtors, thieves--the cream of London's
criminal underworld.  Criminals who could afford to pay for privileges
were allowed to sleep in less undesirable parts of the appallingly
overcrowded gaol.  Every day felons died of the virulent fevers which
often emptied the cells quicker that the carts bound for Tyburn.

Katherine looked about her with horror and distaste, her eyes beginning
to smart with the effects of smoke from the sea-coal fires, around
which felons huddled for warmth.  She continued to follow the
turnkey--hearing a varied assortment of voices, groans, curses,
laughter, even, which sounded hideous in this hell hole--down a steep
stairway, which seemed to plunge into the bowels of the earth, having
to take the utmost care not to slip on the narrow stone steps by
holding on to the damp, decaying wall, convinced she was descending
into hell itself.

Eventually she came to what she thought must be the Stone Hold, which
was underground and where no daylight could penetrate, It was a place
that the turnkey took great delight in telling her had been where Roman
Catholic martyrs had been incarcerated during the last century.  In the
dim yellow light Katherine saw it was a stinking, dismal place where
the prisoners, having no beds, were compelled to sleep on the stone
floor, surrounded by stagnant pools of water, enduring great
hardship.

Katherine's eyes scanned the thin gaunt faces for the one she knew.  It
was his fair hair she saw first.  Her brother sat leaning against the
wall with his head bowed and his eyes closed.  He came awake at once
when the turnkey went to him and kicked his leg roughly, telling him he
had a visitor, before turning from him and growling to Katherine that
he'd be back soon.

Thinking Katherine was some kind of mirage, Father Edmund could do
nothing but stare at her in amazement.  Katherine fell to her knees
beside him, noticing with horror the heavy iron shackles around his
ankles, the chain fastened to the.  wall, cruelly restricting his
movements and preventing any escape.  Already he was showing signs of
incarceration.  His clothes were dirty and his normally clean-shaven
face was showing a growth of beard.  But neither the horror of his
surroundings nor his appearance could detract from the youthful glow of
his eyes when they lighted on

"You!"  he gasped, gripping her hands in his.  "This is madness.  You
should not have come here."

"Forgive me--I had to.  I don't have much time, Edmund.  The turnkey
will be back in a few minutes.  Oh, why did you not escape to France?
Why?"

"Because I discovered you were missing, Katherine.  I could not leave
until I knew you were safe."

Katherine stared at him in wonder.  "You waited for me?"

"Yes.  I suspected immediately that Lord Forbes had something to do
with your abduction.  Knowing of his close friendship with Sir Matthew
Mayhew, who was out of the country, and that Lord Forbes often stayed
at Wycliffe Manor, and after doing some investigating of my own, and
speaking with Sir Matthew's elderly servant whom I happened to meet one
day at the Angel Inn at Highgate, I discovered that I was right--that
Lord Forbes was indeed staying there with a young lady.  I was
convinced that the young lady he spoke of was you."

"Edmund--did you send Blake the note telling him where he could find
me?"

"Yes.  I was sorely tempted to try rescuing you from that man's
clutches myself, but thought better of it.  I knew Lord Russell stood a
far better chance than I of freeing you."

"And tell me--was it Lord Forbes who informed on you?"

"Yes, I believe so."

"Dear Lord," whispered Katherine.  "Then it is all my fault.  If you
had not been waiting for me, you would have left the country--and if I
had given in to Lord Forbes's demands and agreed to marry him, you
would not be here now.  You see, he--he saw us together that morning in
the park and drew his own vile conclusions.  He threatened to expose
your whereabouts if I did not agree to marry him.  Oh, Edmund, I should
have listened to him."

"No Katherine," he said fiercely, gripping her hands tightly, 'do not
think like that.  None of this is your fault.  I am relieved Lord
Russell found you safe and well, that you did not give in to Lord
Forbes's scurrilous demands on account of me.  But you did not tell him
of our relationship, did you?  " She shook her head.  " No.  "

He sighed with relief.  "Thank goodness.  Now--tell me, why are you
here?  There is a reason other than just to see me, isn't there?"

"Yes.  I came to ask you to take the oath of allegiance, Edmund.."
Feeling his body stiffen beside her, she gripped his hand fiercely.
"You must.  It is your only chance."

Her brother spoke with gravity.  "Your concern touches me deeply.  "
But, my dear, you do not know what you ask.  I cannot take the oath.
"

"But you must.  They will torture you.  They will kill you.  Oh,
Edmund'I cannot bear to think of it."

Edmund drew her closer, neither of them conscious of the curious stares
or sniggerings of the other prisoners, who obviously found this kind of
behaviour between a priest and a beautiful woman unorthodox.

"Listen to me, Katherine.  I know I shall be accused of treason, but I
cannot in conscience recognise 'the substitution of the Pope by the
King.  It is an abomination to me.  It is a demand of this approval and
submission that I cannot give.  Even if I took the oath my confinement
might become easier, but I would not be set at liberty.  Better to die
than to spend my life incarcerated here."

"But there is just a chance that, if you take the oath, when the King
returns from Scotland then we could ask him to use his royal
prerogative.  You may be released on condition that you leave the
country."

"And then where will I go?  Anyone who takes the oath is condemned by
Rome.  I am not a heretic and nor did I plot against the state or deny
any doctrine of the Christian faith but it seems I am to die for some
kind of treason.  And do not even think of approaching the King on my
account, Katherine.  His personal influence cannot save me.  He cannot
use his prerogative to reprieve priests as he has in the past.
Parliament would not tolerate it."

Katherine bowed her head over their hands still clasped together,
placing her lips on his fingers as her tears washed over them.
Disentangling them, her brother cupped her face gently in his hands,
looking deep into her eyes.

"If it has to be then so be it.  I shall die a faithful witness to the
Catholic teaching which I have followed all of my life.  To serve God
is the only life I want.  I am the most faithful servant of kings and
princes, Katherine, but God's first of all.  Tell me you understand
this?  That you will reconcile yourself to this?  It is important to me
that you do."

She nodded.  "Yes--yes, I do, and I am deeply ashamed that I have asked
you to do such an ignoble thing.  Forgive me.  But I cannot accept that
you might die--so please understand why I must try to find a way to
free you."

He smiled.  "Of course.  But, Katherine, my dear, dear sister, if it
has to be then I ask you not to torment yourself with my death.  Do not
suffer for me.  You have so much to live for--so much ahead of you.
Take it and be thankful for this short time we have had together.  It
is more than I ever hoped for."

The turnkey returned and Katherine left her brother, her heart heavy
within her; she was fiercely determined to do all in her power to
enable his escape.  But, as she journeyed back to Landale House, she
could not rid herself of the overriding fear of hopelessness and
despair that haunted her, that grew more agonising with each gaping
mile the carriage took her away from her brother's prison.

What could she do?  she asked herself desperately.  She had to seek
help for she could not possibly open those prison gates alone.  There
was only one man she could turn to in her desperation--only one man who
could help her--and that man was Blake.

CHAPTER TWELVE

AMELIA and her husband were not at home when Katherine arrived back at
Landale House.  Rose disappeared to the domestic quarters and Katherine
went in search of Blake.  Having only just returned from the' docks
himself, and being told by the servants that Mistress Blair had gone
for a drive in the park with her maid, in the light of her recent
abduction he was at first perturbed and anxious, and then angry, which
increased as the minutes ticked by, for it was growing dark.  He had a
creeping suspicion that the park had been the last place she had
intended going to when she had set out.

When she eventually returned and entered the drawing room, his face
expressed relief and a fierce joy that she was back safe and unharmed
from wherever it was she had been, but then he 'recollected himself and
strode towards her with an expression of violent exasperation, reaching
out and gripping her shoulders.

"Where the devil have you been?"  he demanded.  At the sight of so much
anger Katherine almost took flight.  Never before had she seen Blake in
such a towering rage.  "I--I went to the park," she lied.

"So you would have everyone believe," he thun de red "You went nowhere
near the park.  It may have escaped your notice but it is almost dark.
Where have you been?"

Katherine looked at him steadily, preparing herself for a fresh tirade,
knowing the moment of truth had come--that it could no longer be
avoided.

"I--I went to Newgate gaol."  She quailed before Blake's hard stare of
disbelief.

"You went to Newgate?  So--at last we have the truth.  I must say that
I suspected as much but hoped that not even you would be foolish enough
to do anything so stupid--dangerous, even.  And did you succeed in
getting in?  Did you offer a substantial enough bribe to satisfy the
keeper into letting you see the priest?"

Katherine nodded dumbly.

"Dear Lord," said Blake incredulously.

"But I had to," she burst out in a voice quivering with emotion. "Don't
you understand?  I had to."

"But why?  In God's name, why?  Tell me, Katherine?"  he demanded, his
hands tightening on her shoulders.  "What is it that exists between you
and Father Edmund?  It goes deeper than friend-ship--that is plain."

Katherine raised her face imploringly to his, tears of despair misting
her eyes, half out of her mind with fear of what his reaction would be
when he knew the truth.

"Don't you know?"  she cried.  "Can you not see when you look at us
both?  Are you still as blind as I

was when I first came to London and saw him at Whitehall that day? Have
you not looked at us together?  Seen the resemblance?  "

Blake stared at her, a sudden dawning in his eyes as he realised what
she was trying to tell him.  Before the thought had formulated in his
mind, she spoke withlall the passion of hopelessness and despair.

"He is my brother, Blake.  My half-brother.  He is of my own flesh and
blood.  Now do you see why I must do all in my power to help him?  I
cannot abandon him to his fate."

Blake's hands dropped to his sides.  All trace of anger had vanished
from his expression but his face remained tense as he realised what the
implication of this could mean--of the dangers to herself during these
troubled days.

"Your brother?  Yes," he murmured, 'you are right--I have been blind. I
should have seen it myself.  At least this explains your strange
behaviour where Father Edmund is concerned--and why, after not being
seen for some time, he suddenly appeared when you arrived in London,
But why did you not tell me of this sooner?  Why have you allowed me to
believe it was some kind of affair of the heart that drew you together?
"

"But how could I know you thought that?"  she cried in dismay, her
tears beginning to spill over and course slowly down her cheeks.  "I
did not know for certain that he was my brother until that morning in
the park when he sought me out.  I did~ not even know I had a brother
until my aunt told me--the day I came and asked you to intercede on my
behalf and persuade her to allow me to go to London with Amelia.  Do
you remember that day, Blake?  Do you?"

"Yes," he said softly, a deep tenderness in his eyes, remembering their
kiss and how it had felt to hold her in his arms.  'it is a day I shall
never forget.  It is the day I kissed you.  So--that was what had upset
you.  Oh, Katherine, why did you not tell me?  "

"I did not tell you because my aunt told me not to.  Also, because my
mother was a Catholic.  I knew of your aversion to anyone of that
faith, and because of the resurgence of hate in the country against any
Catholic, I believed it was in my own.  best interests to keep
silent."

Blake sighed, placing his hand gently beneath her chin and tilting her
face to his.  Katherine saw his expression change.  In a voice that was
suddenly sympathetic and understanding, he said, "You little feel.
Didn't you realise that I already knew your mother was a Catholic?  My
father told me years ago."

With a wildly beating heart, Katherine stared at him.  "You knew all
the time?"  she whispered.

"Yes--and I have to tell you that after my father told me I quite
forgot about it.  So, there, Katherine--that is how little it meant to
me.  And as to the Catholic faith as a whole--well--I must say that I
no more wish to be dictated to by the

Presbyterian Kirk of Scotland than I do the Pope of Rome and that I
wish for nothing better than a peaceful coexistence with my neigh
hour--whatever his religion happens to be.

"And there is something else you should know," he uttered in a
strangely quiet voice which made Katherine's pulses quicken, for his
handsome face was grave and unsmiling and he was looking at her as he
had never looked at her before.

"Oh?"

"Yes.  " Contrary to what you believe, my dear Katherine, I love you
too much to let the fact that your brother is a Roman Catholic priest
come between us.  I 'would not care if he were the Pope himself.  "

Katherine stared at him in bewildered disbelief.  He was looking down
at her as if he had never seen her before, as if his eyes could not get
enough of her.  She drew in her breath sharply, aware that something
was happening between them--some-thing wonderful and glorious.

"But--Blake--what are you saying...?"

Cupping her face in his firm hands so that, the candlelight lit up her
magnificent eyes, he looked at her, his dark eyes burning with' all the
love and passion Katherine had despaired of ever seeing there.

"What I am saying is that I love you, Katherine," he said softly, 'and
that is the truth of it.  I love you more than I ever thought it was
possible to love any woman--and yes, may God forgive me--even Margaret,
and it was because of my betrothal to her that I could not disclose to
you how I felt--for I did not have the right to love you.  I knew
before she died how I felt, but I had promised to marry her.  I was
prepared to enter into a most solemn contract in the sight of God and
man, loving not my intended bride but another woman--which would have
been a sin in itself.

"But how could I have believed for one moment that I could live the
rest of my life away from you?  Each day would have brought fresh
torment when I imagined you in the arms of another man.  But how I wish
the situation could have been resolved in some other way--without
Margaret's death."

Katherine's tears ceased to flow.  Waves of great joy swept over her
and inwardly she prayed that this marvelous moment would go on for
ever.  "Oh, Blake," she sighed, 'if only you knew how I have prayed for
you to say those words to me.  I have loved you for so long and so much
that sometimes it has been too great for me to bear.  I have always
loved you--ever since I first saw you when I was just a girl.  "

Gently Blake laid his hands on Katherine's shoulders and drew her to
him, his strong arms folding round her and drawing her close to his
hard chest as his head descended to hers.

"Say you love me again?"  he murmured.  "Let me hear it again?"

For answer she put her arms about his neck and turned her face up to
his and offered him her lips, feeling his mouth on hers, firm and
demanding, with all the pent-up passion of something long desired but
which they thought would always be denied them.  There was no
tenderness in that kiss.  It was hard and violent, filled with
desperation, and for a moment time seemed to stand still for them as
they were swept along on a savage tide of love.

Katherine 'clung to him, her passion equalling his own so that
everything and everyone was forgotten in their desperate need for each
other.  Blake's mouth moved from her lips to her eyes, her throat, and
back to her lips, and again they kissed as if to quench this demanding
thirst which, even when they thought they had drunk their fill,
remained unslaked.

When desperation ebbed, slowly they drew apart and looked--without fear
or any obstacles between them--deep into each other's eyes, with
silence all around them.  Never had Blake known a love like this and he
was reminded of how it had been with Margaret, with reticences and
gentleness.  Theirs had been a comfortable, close kind of friendship,
but with Katherine it was so different.  They shared an unashamed
passion for each other.  There would be no ale fences between them, no
reserve.

Her face was still so close to his that he could see her beautiful
black-lashed eyes dark with love, the soft down on her flushed cheeks,
how her moist lips quivered and were parted slightly to reveal her
teeth gleaming like pearls.  He longed to taste once again the
sweetness of those lips, to feel their softness, but time enough for
that later.

At that moment a footman, having knocked on the door and told to enter
by Blake, stood in the doorway and announced that Lord Soames had
arrived, requesting to see Mistress Blair.

Before Katherine could tell.  him to show Lord Soames in, Blake stepped
forward.

"Tell Lord Soames that.  Mistress Blair is not at home."

When the footman ~had disappeared Katherine turned to him with a look
of teasing reproach but, in truth, she had no wish to see or speak.  to
anyone other than Blake at that moment.  "Really, Blake, I should have.
seen him.  What will he think?"

"My love--I care not one way or the other.  You are no longer on the
marriage market and I shall let it be known.  The only man you will
receive from now on is myself, and very soon we shall set the seal on
our love when we become' husband and wife--but first we have the urgent
matter of your brother to consider~ Come," he said, drawing her down
beside him on to a sofa, 'and tell me about Father Edmund and how you
discovered he was your brother?  "

His words brought Katherine out of her cloud and down to earth with a
feeling of guilt for having so easily forgotten her brother's desperate
plight.  With her hands in his she sat and faced him, trying to still
the throbbing in her veins.  She loved him so much but she must try not
to think of her fiercely urgent desire for him to take her in his arms
again, for his kiss, which a few moments before had wiped all thought
of her brother from her mind.  Blake was right.  She must remain
clearheaded at all costs in order to help Edmund.

Quickly Katherine told him all she knew, all her brother had told her
of his life in France and Rome, of how he had come to England to find
her.

"So--it seems you were not mistaken.  It was your brother you sawin
Appleby that day?"

"Yes, it was.  He was there looking for me--to see me--to reassure
himself that I was well taken care of.  He did not know whether or not
I had been told of his existence and so, to spare my feelings, not
wishing to hurt or embarrass me in any way, he had no intention of
approaching me.  But is it not an abomination when a brother cannot
make himself known to his sister--his crime being that he is a Catholic
priest and could incrimiate her, even though she does not share his
faith?"

"Sadly, that is the case.  If it becomes known that Father Edmund is
your brother, then attention would be drawn to you and that would not
help matters.  It would only make things worse, for you would be
arrested and interrogated."

"There must be something that can be done to help him.  I cannot bear
to see him in that place--shackled to the wall like a dog."  She hung
her head with a crushing sense of guilt.  "It is my fault.  It is all
my fault.  I am so dreadfully ashamed that I have unwittingly been the
cause of his capture and imprisonment."

"Hush, Katherine, you have nothing to blame yourself for.  Lord Forbes
is the one responsible for your brother being where he is, I know that.
No one else."

"But it is my fault," she persisted.  "If I had agreed to marry Lord
Forbes then none of this would have happened and my brother would be
safe--across the water in France by now.  Lord Forbes threatened to
expose him but I would not listen.  I prayed that the longer I held out
against him the more chance Edmund would have of getting out of the
country.  It is my rejection of Lord Forbes which has brought my
brother to this pass.  Oh, Blake, how could I have brought so much
misfortune on him of all people?  It was he who sent you the note
telling you where to find me."

Blake nodded, not surprised by this.  "So--I should have known.  When
you saw him in Newgate did you ask him to take the oath?"

Katherine nodded.  "Yes.  That was my reason for going there, but he
will not take it."

"That comes as no surprise to me."

"He gave me no encouragement to hope and seems resigned to his fate."
She looked at Blake imploringly.  "What can I do, Blake?  There must be
a way to help him.  I can pay for his release.  Do you think one of the
keepers Can be bribed?"

Blake frowned, shaking his head firmly.  "No, Katherine.  In Newgate
gaol bribery can effect most things save liberty."  Seeing her stricken
look, once again he drew her into an embrace.  "I promise you that I
will do all in my power to help him.  Now I know who he is, believe me,
I desire his release as much as you, do.  But I beg of you--be patient;
Wait until after the trial."

"I cannot remain calm, Blake.  After the trial may be too late."  :

"Nevertheless, you must.  To arrange his escape will be no simple
matter and will require perfect planning if it is to have any possible
chance of success.  When we know the verdict we.  shall act quickly."
.

"Very well," she acquiesced, "But meanwhile, is there anything we can
do to make his imprisonment more bearable?  He is in the most wretched
place--the Stone Hold, they call it--deep underground.  I know many of
the prisoners pay for privileges--that prisons are places of profit for
keepers and turnkeys alike."

Blake nodded.  "I'll do my best to ease his suffering, Katherine."  I
promise.  "

Content with this, Katherine nestled into his embrace, overcome with
joy at the amount of assistance she had scarcely dared to hope for.

Blake had set the wheels in motion immediately in an attempt to secure
the release of Father Edmund.  He had gone to see the Queen at Oatlands
to plead his case.  Henrietta Maria had been deeply saddened by the
priest's imprisonment but with deep regret had been powerless~ to help
him.  At 'one time, perhaps, but not anymore.  He had not been the only
priest Parliament had removed from her side.  There was only one man
who might still have had the power to help secure his release--King
Charles, although his powers had been drastically diminished of late,
and he was still in Scotland.

Katherine had been numb as she had awaited news of her brother--of the
outcome of his trial.  What if he were found guilty of treason for
refusing to take the oath of allegiance and taken from Newgate to
Tyburn and hanged?  How could she bear it?  Such thoughts as these,
combined with her inability to help him, had lowered her spa' its

Those agonising days of waiting were over when Blake returned from
Westminster one day, lines of worry etched on his face, and Katherine
was instantly alert that something was wrong.  She went towards him the
moment he entered the hall, her two hands outstretched.  Blake noticed
how enormous her eyes were in her pale face, the dark circles of pain
and grief making them look even larger.

"What is it, Blake?  Tell me; It's bad news, isn't it?"

"Yes.  The worst--but I expected no less."  Katherine put her hands
over her mouth in horror.

"No.  Oh, no," she whispered.  "Tell me.  Do not spare me.  Edmund
refused to take the oath, didn't he?  He--he has been condemned to
die?"

Blake nodded, wishing he could spare her this torture.  He took her
cold hands in his own and drew her close.  "Yes, Katherine," he said
gently.  "He is to be executed."

Because of the weight of grief she was struggling under, he did not
tell her the full horror of her brothefts sentence--that he was to be
fastened to a hurdle and dragged through the streets to Tyburn, where
he was to be hanged before having to suffer the full agony of being cut
down while still alive, disembowelled and quartered.  She was
sufficiently unhappy without knowing that.

"Dear God," she whispered.  "How can I endure it?"  Blake reached out
and placed his hands firmly on her shoulders in an effort to inspire
her with that same indomitable spirit he always associated with her,
which had temporarily deserted her.

"Katherine, look at me," he demanded fiercely, resisting the urge to
shake her.  "You have to be strong for your brothefts sake.  You must
maintain your courage."

Katherine looked at him direct as gradually his words and the biting
grip of his hands on her shoulders caused life to return to her brain
and her body began to function after days of being drained of courage
and all.  capacity for thought.  Her instinct that she must fight on to
help her brother revived in her.

"Yes, you are right.  I must be strong.  We must save him.  But I fail
to understand why he has to die, Blake?  How can they condemn a man
because he is steadfast in what he believes.  in?"

"It isn't that alone that has condemned him.  Because of his friendship
with Count Rossetti and his closeness to the Queen, it is believed that
he might have known something of the circumstances concerning the Irish
uprising."

"But that is nonsense," cried Katherine bitterly.  "That may be, but
the uprising, which is said to have resulted in the massacre of
hundreds of English settlers--and which has deepened the opposition
already felt towards the Catholics in this country--is conceived to be
a vast conspiracy emanating from England construed by the Queen and her
cohorts.  Rumours about the Queen's intrigues and appeals to Roman
Catholic powers abroad in the past, have already inflamed public
opinion.  Credence has been given to the involvement of priests in the
uprising by witnesses who claim to have overheard plots being made by
them."

"And, naturally, the populace--feeling such abhorrence towards anyone
belonging to that sect--are all too ready to swallow anything.  And it
is because of this that my brother is to die," Katherine said bitterly.
"They have no evidence that he took part in any-thing--but they are
looking for a scapegoat to appease their anger--and who better than a
Roman " Catholic priest who is highly thought of by the

Queen?  What can be done, Blake?  "

Katherine saw there was a deep and thoughtful look in his eyes, that a
serious frown creased his brow.  "Come," she.  said sharply.  "I know
that look.  You have a plan in mind.  Tell me?"

Blake guided her into the drawing room, out of earshot of curious
servants, closing the door behind them before he spoke.

"I intend to get him out of Newgate," he said decisively, glad to see
Katherine brighten visibly at his words.  i "Although I have not seen
him myself--the reason being that.  I want no one to associate me with
him at this time--I have managed to make his time in Newgate more
bearable."

"How?"

"By sending enough money to the Master Keeper--anonymously, of
course--asking him to see that Father Edmund be allowed the liberty of
a cell above ground--and without shackles.  This will prove convenient
for what I have in mind later.  Also, nothing can be done in that place
without money, so I have seen to it that he has been given enough with
which to bribe the turnkeys into providing him with extra food and
warmth?

Katherine was overwhelmed with relief to know Edmund was no longer
being forced to exist in that miserable hole beneath the prison.  "That
is good news, Blake.  I can't tell you how grateful I am to you, that
your time has been spent on my brother's account.  But how did you get
the money to him?  "

"By recruiting the aid of another prisoner--Jack Nolan, who just so
happens to be a member of the crew from one of our ships, who has been
languishing in Newgate for several days now."

"Why?  What has he done?"

"When his ship docked after a voyage from the Indies, like all sailors
who have been without drink and women for weeks on end, his first night
on dry land was one for celebration.  As is usually the case, the
celebrating got out of hand and he became involved in a drunken brawl
which resulted in the death of another sailor.  He has been charged
with murder."

"What will happen to him?"

"He hasn't been taken before the sessions as yet--but doubtless he will
be found guilty and will hang."

Katherine paled, finding there was nothing she could say, for she felt
that the sailor probably deserved his fate if he had killed a
man--whereas her brother had killed no one and he was to die, also.
Where was the justice in this?

"You said you intend getting Edmund out of Newgate.  Tell me what you
have in mind?"

"I've given the matter a great deal of thought.  The day after tomorrow
is a public hanging day, when prisoners to be hanged are taken from
Newgate to Tyburn."

Katherine gasped in horror.  "Not Edmund.  He is not to die so soon?"

"No--calm yourself, Katherine.  The day for his execution has not yet
been decided--although it cannot be too far away, so we must act
quickly.  You have never seen a hanging day at Tyburn, have you?

All the colour drained from Katherine's face as she envisaged the
horror if it.  The very name "Tyburn?"  chilled her: blood.  "No," she
whispered, 'and I pray God I never have to.  "

"They are public holidays," he explained, ~for it is considered that
the sight of an execution will prove a deterrent to the multitude of
spectators who attend.  Sadly, it takes on the aspect of a fair day
rather than a public hanging, You can imagine the amount of confusion
in and around Newgate there will be on such a day.  I consider this the
time to act.  I have enlisted the services of Jack Nolan to help me
once I am inside.  "

"Is he to be trusted?;

"Yes.  None better."

"Do you think you can save him?"

"I hope so.  It is our only chance," he said, averting his eyes
quickly, but too late, for Katherine had seen the cloud of doubt darken
his eyes.

Katherine, whose hopes had risen considerably, was forced to admit the
horrifying prospect that it could all go disastrously wrong.  She felt
her throat go dry at the mere thought, and with a despairing groan she
went to him, clinging to him.  She felt his arms go around her, his
~warm breath in her hair.  A tear rolled down her cheek, for at that
moment she thought of nothing other than the mortal danger he would be
placing himself in.

"I cannot let you do this," she said, her head pressed against his
chest.  "Not for me.  Nothing must happen to you, for that I could not
bear.  If you do not succeed, they will hang you too."

Blake's arms tightened around her.  "I have to do it, Katherine, for
both our sakes--and for his.  I have to save him from an unjust fate.
If I do nothing then, his tragic captive figure will always be between
us.  We will succeed.  We have to."

Despite the hope his: words held, they scarcely penetrated Katherine's
mind.  "No--no.  I cannot let you do this.  It is madness--nothing but
a forlorn hope."

Blake gripped her arms, holding her away from him.  "You must not say
that," he said fiercely.  "If you think like that then we are doomed
from the start."

Before Katherine could utter one more word Blake stopped her mouth with
a kiss, infusing into her all the force and passion of his love for
her.  When he raised his head he looked fiercely down into her
tear-filled eyes.

"Before God, Katherine, I am going to get him out."

The savage look of determination on his face, burning in his eyes,
revived Katherine's failing hopes and breathed new spirit into her,
making her feel deeply ashamed.  How could she ever think of losing
hope when Blake was by her side, willing to brave anything on her
behalf?

She swallowed hard.  "Tell me what it is you have in mind, Blake?  What
can I do to help Edmund's escape?"

"Nothing.  You must leave that part to me.  No more questions.  You
will have to trust me."

Yes, Katherine thought, she would trust him with her life.  " But what
could he do?  He would be one man alone against the solid might of
Newgate gaol and its multitude of keepers.

As if reading what was going through her mind, Blake smiled.  "Don't
worry.  If everything goes to plan everyone will be too busy with the
day's hangings to take much notice of what is taking place in your
brother's cell.  One of our ships will be sailing with the tide for the
Indies on that day.  With any luck your brother will be on board.  The
captain will have instructions to put in briefly at a port on the
French coast."

Katherine listened to him in amazement.  He smiled once more.  "Don't
worry," he said softly, gathering her into his arms again.  "You will
be able to say goodbye to him.  I will tell you more when the time
comes.~ Now, kiss me, Katherine--' his eyes took on a merry tuinkle as
he attempted to relieve the tension inside her '--for I feel your
kisses will give me the sustenance I am going to need if I am to
relieve your brother of his captivity."

Blake's lips were on Katherine's ring her no time to object--not that
she would have wfintcd to if he had.  She abandoned herself to him,
feelin the hardness of his male body pressed close to hers, and with a
low moan she melted against him, robbed of her senses as she kissed him
passionately, her whole body shuddering against his, feeling the rising
of her desire for him grow almost beyond her power.

When she drew back she was amazed by her own Sensually, but Blake took
it for what it was and was overwhelmed with tenderness for her, for, in
contrast to himself, she was innocent of any experience.  His eyes were
languid as he looked down at her upturned face and he smiled slowly,
for spirited and quarrelsome she might be, but in this he would have
complete control.

At this point Amelia entered the room, taking in the scene at a glance,
completely oblivious to what they had been discussing.  Slowly
Katherine disentangled herself from Blake's arms, not in the least
embarrassed that they should be caught out in such an open show of
affection.

Amelia swept across the room, smiling broadly, for she had been a
bright-eyed observer of the situation developing between them for some
time now~in fact, she had gone out of her way to encourage it--and she
was absolutely delighted that they had neither the reason or desire to
deny their love for each other any longer~ It was good to see that the
pain in Blake's eyes caused by Margaret's death had disappeared.

"Don't mind me," she laughed.  "I did not mean to interrupt.  You
cannot conceive how happy I am for you both.  I always knew you were
meant for each other.  The fact that you were always at each other's
throats did not-fool me for one minute.  But I shudder to think what
your lives will be like together--both strong-willed and determined to
have your own way.  Unless this means that from now on we are to be
blessed with a more tranquil relationship between you both?"  she
queried, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

Blake grinned lovingly down at Katherine.  "No doubt she will continue
to plague me with her quarrelsome, shrewish tongue, but it-should make
life stimulating enough--until I have taught her to curb it, that
is."

Katherine poked him in the ribs with teasing reproach: "I will overlook
that conceited remark--but I would hasten to say that I am no shrew, my
lord, and I am only quarrelsome when provoked.  And I will have you
know that if you think you are to have it all your own way when we are
wed then you are mistaken."

"Then maybe I should seek a quieter, more subdued woman to be my
bride," he mocked jokingly.

"Aye--do that, my lord, and die of boredom into the bargain."  Blake
planted a kiss firmly on her lips, placing his arm about her waist and
drawing her close, serious once more.  "As if I could think of spending
my life with anyone other than you.  As soon as we are able we shall
return to Ludgrove Hall and be married."

The happy smiled faded from Katherine's face and Amelia's observant
eyes saw in her expression that which suggested something like
distressi Contemplating both their features she frowned curiously.

"I'm sorry--but I sense there is something amiss?"  Blake looked at her
steadily.  "Aye--there is, I have just returned from Westminster and
told Katherine of Father Edmund's sentence."

"Yes.  I have heard," Amelia replied.  "Tis a terrible business.  Such
a nice young man and highly thought of by both the King and Queen. What
a great pity he did not escape to the continent when he had the
chance."  She looked from one to the other, her eyes narrowing
suspiciously, for she had a creeping feeling that all was not well.

"But there is more to this, isn't there?  What is it?  Come--please do
not be evasive, either of you.  There is something I do not
understand--but what I do know is that it has something to do with
Father Edmund; Many of our acquaintances have been condemned to death
for something or other over the years, but I do not remember.  this
sadness.  What is so different about Father Edmund, pray?"

"The sentence is unjust, Amelia," Blake answered.  "I have no mind to
see an innocent man die."

"Then what will you do, Blake?  What can you do?

I see no reason why you should endanger your own life for him--as I
would any other condemned felon in Newgate for that matter.  This man
is a priest.  He has been tried and condemned fairly.  "

"Fairly?  Oh, no, Amelia," said Blake fiercely.  "You do not
understand."

"No--you are right--I don't," she said sharply, her eyes darting from
one to the other.

Katherine looked up at.  Blake, placing her hand gently on his 'arm.
"Tell her, Blake.  She should know."

He nodded.  "Very well."

Quickly Blake told his sister all about Father.  Edmund being
Katherine's half-brother--of how he had come to England to look for her
and how surprised she had been, for the fact that she had a brother at
all had remained unknown to her until her aunt had told her shortly
before she had left Ludgrove Hall.

At first Amelia listened in a stunned silence which gradually became an
imperturbable calm, for she now realiged that, with Blake loving
Katherine-as passionately as he did, he felt duty bound to try and help
her brother.  But at what cost to himself?  His life?  When he had
finished speaking she turned to Katherine, her face deathly pale.

"I am so sorry, Katherine.  I knew nothing of this.  But I see no
reason why Blake should risk his life--for this is what it amounts to,
isn't it, Blake?"  His dark, blank expression told her that this was
indeed so, "You will not succeed.  It will only result in the death of
both you and Father Edmund.  Why did you not say anything to me,
Katherine, about Father Edmund being your brother?"

"I'm sorry, Amelia, but I could not--and, anyhow, I did not know
'myself umil shortly before my abduction.  Also, because of the harsh
treatment being inflicted on the Catholics at this time, I did not wish
to endanger any of you should it become known that my brother was a
Catholic priest?

Very much aware of her deep sadness, Blake drew her close.  "No matter
what your opinion, Amelia, I have to try to save him."

She nodded, swallowing hard.  "When?"  she.  asked with difficulty.

"The day after tomorrow on the hanging day--when it will be a public
holiday."

"Yes--well--' sighed Amelia, knowing how useless it would be to argue
with him, but she was not convinced that he was doing the right thing
'--I suppose that will be as good a day as any other.  But you must
perceive the danger and take heed, for do not imagine for one moment
that it will be an easy matter getting him out of Newgate alone, Blake,
You will need help.  But you must take care, for it is difficult to
know who to: trust in these days of~ suspicion and scheming."

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

WHEN Blake arrived at Newgate, a large crowd had already gathered at
the prison and along the street, peering in through the gates like a
theatrical audience, seething and noisy, the sound reverberating
between the walls of the houses and shops.  He climbed out of the
coach, glancing back to make quite sure the second coach was close by,
empty except for the coach driver.  When Father Edmund emerged from the
prison dressed in the clothes Blake now wore, this was.  the coach that
would whisk him away to the docks and the waiting ship.

The driver of the coach Blake had just alighted from had instructions
to wait until the other coach had been gone for some thirty minutes
before enquiring of the Master Keeper as to what could be keeping Lord
Russell inside the prison.  If all went to plan, the Master Keeper
would be under the impression that Lord Russell had left some time
since.

Blake approached the prison on foot, hearing the doleful tolling of the
bell at St.  Sepulchre's which always tolled upon hanging days.  The
carts with the condemned prisoners were beginning to collect in the
prison yard.  There were three of them today,

three prisoners to each cart--a mixed bunch of men and women, young and
old, some sitting on their coffins, others beside them.  Some had their
heads bowed in misery while others cast fearful glances at the seething
crowd in the street which was hostile today, and as soon as the carts
were sighted the prisoners were showered with a storm of missiles.

When the procession set out on its long journey to Tyburn it would be
escorted by the City Marshal and constables, stopping at taverns along
the way to allow the prisoners to partake of their last drink.  Often
the journey could take two hours or more, and by the time they reached
Tyburn many were drunk when they were hoisted up to the gallows.

Taking advantage of the confusion Blake slipped into the prison yard,
finding the Master Keeper in conversation with the prison chaplain who,
on Blake's approach, moved away and climbed into one of the carts with
the condemned to offer solace and prayers on their way to Tyburn.

The Master Keeper saw nothing unusual in Blake's request to see Jack
Nolan--'the sailor who had killed a man in a drunken brawl and was
expected to hang--for it wasn't the first time the gentleman had paid
him a visit.  Remembering the large purse he had handed over, and
receiving the same again, he had no objections and handed him over to
one of the turnkeys,

Blake followed the turnkey inside the prison with its great thick
walls.  The very name of Newgate was enough to make one tremble.  The
turnkey unlocked iron gates, locking them again after they had passed
through.  They moved along a dimly lit stone passage, cold and dirty,
passing the top of a flight of stairs leading down to the underground
cells.

His face grim, his mind fixed on the task in hand, Blake was undaunted
by this forbidding place.  He followed the turnkey along dark
corridors, taking care to keep his head lowered, his features in
shadow, for it was important that the man would remember his elaborate
garb--his scarlet suit and short swaying cloak, the wide.  brimmed hat
with swaying white plumes.  which covered his hair--rather than his
features.

At last they entered the interior of Newgate gaol which Blake was ~sure
was on the entrance of hell He was met by the deafening clamour of a
multitude of people, a cacophony of noise--shouting, singing, cursing,
laughing, all attacking his ears at once.  They passed through rooms
crowded with men and women mixing freely with each other--a dreadful
army of criminals who inhabited this accursed world--people from all
walks of life and different classes--from gentlemen in faded finery to
the lowest debtor.  Hunger and cold were the lot of those who couldn't
pay the turnkeys for food and warmth, while those more fortunate had
grown fat on idleness.

The recent inmates to the gaol were down and dejected while others, the
hardened criminals, were

reconciled to the conditions so that it had become tolerable.  Few
gentlemen retained manners of good breeding and had fallen into the
degenerate ways that were Newgate.

Finding Jack Nolan si~ting dejectedly on a stool, the turnkey left
Blake, eager to return to the spectacle of the condemned felons being
carted off to Tyburn.  ~

Jack Nolan was a tall, strongly built man, the skin of his face like
weathered parchment as a result of many years spent at sea.  He may
have unintentionally killed a man in a drunken brawl but he was
prepared to pay for it with his own life.  Blake knew that above all
else he was a man to be trusted, and seeing it as his only chance of
procuring Father Edmund's escape, he had taken him into his confidence
on his previous visit, telling him of his plan.

Jack thought he was mad to even attempt to get a man out of Newgate,
but' it was not for him to argue and so he agreed to assist him.  After
all, he had nothing to lose and his family, his wife and children, had
everything to gain.  When the hangman had done his work and his wife
was widowed, Lord Russell, who was a gentleman and a man of his word,
had promised to see they would be well taken care of--that they would
want for nothing.

Jack glanced up when Blake approached.  He rose.  "Why, my lord, you'
honour me with your visit," he said for the benefit of others who were
looking their way, for there were those who had been incarcerated for
years, who had forgotten what a gentleman resplendent in such fine garb
looked like.  Such a visit was always an occasion for ribald
curiosity.

Blake ignored the attention he had drawn to himself and, as he took
Jack to one side, already people were beginning to turn away.

"Have you seen the priest?  Spoken with him?"  "Aye."

"He knows to expect me?"

Jack nodded.  " " Come with me--and act casual, like, while we talk.
"Tis fortunate that he is in a cell on this landing and not too far
away--but we do not want to attract too much notice to ourselves so we
must be especially careful."

They moved on down a dark corridor which to Blake seemed endless.  It
was with abject relief that they slipped unnoticed into Father Edmund s
cell.  He was sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall, but rose
quickly and moved forward to greet them when Blake and his companion
entered.  In the dim light which came from a. small window high up in
the wall running with water, Blake could see that his clothes were torn
and dirty, his face pale, his hair lank and hanging loose, and that he
had lost weight as a result of his incarceration.  Apart from these
outward signs of discomfort and distress, Blake was relieved to see he
remained physically fit and well.

"Lord Russell!"  he exclaimed.  "Mr.  Nolan told me to expect you but I
did not delude myself into believing you would get past the guards."

KATH pounds INE

"Money will attain anything in Newgate save freedom," Blake replied.
"But it is my intention to deliver you from this wretched place."

"How can you?  It cannot be done."

Blake smiled grimly.  "I would not be here if I did not think
otherwise."

"But the risk to yourself is too great.  I appreciate what you are
trying to do, my good sir, but you must leave me.  I am comfortable
enough--more so than most in this place.  I believe--although my
benefactor remains a mystery to the Master Keeper--that after speaking
to Mr.  Nolan, I have you to thank for this--and for having me taken
from that frightful dungeon I was thrown into at the beginning of my
imprisonment.  I cannot express the gratitude I feel.  It is beyond
words.  But I have to say that your plan to get me out of here is
foolhardy.  Men have been condemned for less,"

"That I know, But I am already in your debt.  It was you, was it not,
who sent me the note informing me where Katherine could be found?
Without that I shudder to think what could have befallen her at the
hands of her abductor."

Edmund fixed him with his steady penetrating gaze.  "It was important
to me, too, that she was found safe and well."

"I know that, also.  I also know that your death cannot be right.  A
man should not die for his beliefs.  I am not a Catholic--and nor could
I be called a devout Protestant, but I do believe there should be more
tolerance--that people of different faiths should be making friends,
not denying each other.  You must understand why I could not make it
known that it was I who gave the money to have you moved from that hell
hole, why I must deny any relationship with you.

"It is imperative that we are not seen together--not for myself--but in
order to protect Katherine and my family, you understand?  There are
those who might conceive' it their duty to punish them.  However
innocent they might be, no one would believe they had no part in your
escape should we succeed.  And Katherine must be protected at all
costs, for she is your sister and the authorities would take some
convincing that she is not of your faith."

Edmund gazed at him steadily.  "So, she has told you that she is my
sister?"

-"Aye, she had to.  She is to be my wife so there must be no secrets
between us."

"You love her?"  "More than my life."

Edmund put out his hand and Blake gripped it hard in both his own.
"Then may you find great joy and comfort in each other," Edmund
murmured.  "I am glad, indeed you don't know how glad I am--how
relieved it makes me feel to know that she will be taken care of."

"That I guarantee.  Now--come.  We must make haste for there is no time
to lose.  The turnkey will be back shortly."  Blake immediately began
unfastening his jacket.

"No--please," protested Edmund with a quiet dignity.  "I cannot let you
do this for me.  God has prepared me to face death.  I am reconciled to
my fate."

"You, maybe," replied Blake with a saturnine twist to his lips, 'but
not so your sister.  "Tis I who will have to face her wrath should I
fail to get you out of this place."

"Katherine?"  said Edmund with some surprise.  "But I would have
thought her to be the gentlest of women."

"Ha!"  exclaimed Blake, struggling with his buttons.  "The wench is
wilful, troublesome and quarrelsome, I'll have you know."

Edmund gave him an amused sidelong look.  "And yet you will marry her?
Then it seems that life will not be dull for you."

"Aye--that's true," grinned Blake.  "I love her and would not have her
any other way.  ~When I learn how to handle her correctly I promise you
that she will coo like a turtle dove.  Here," he said, handing Edmund
his jacket, breeches 'and boots, standing in nothing but his hose.
"You're almost my height not as broad but the cape will conceal
that;:

Feeling there was little to be gained in further protestation, that
Blake would not be swayed from this plan of escape, Edmund began
pulling on the scarlet suit, and as if by magic Jack produced some
soot, rubbing it into Edmund's fair locks before covering them with the
wide-brimmed hat.  Standing back, Blake surveyed their handiwork,
nodding with approval.

"You'll do," he said.  "The turnkey didn't take a good look at my
features but remember to keep your face in shadow in any case.  The
Master Keeper is a different matter so steer clear of him.  A carriage
will be waiting outside the' prison to take you to the docks where a
ship, the Western Star, is due to leave for the Indies.  The captain
has instructions to put in at a port on the French coast."

"And you?  How will you explain this?"

"Don't worry.  It is all taken care of.  A good blow to the chin--given
me by Jack, here, should render me senseless for a while.  By the time
the alarm is raised by my coachman waiting outside--when I am
discovered robbed of my clothes and knocked out--and you are nowhere to
be found--then it will be assumed that you are responsible--that you
saw a chance to escape and took it.  By that time--please God, you will
be far away from here, ready to sail with the tide."

Edmund's features were suffused with emotion and he swallowed hard.
"How can I ever thank you enough?"

"I do not wish for gratitude," said Blake gravely.  "It will be enough
to see the joy on your sister's face when she knows you are safe across
the water in France.  She will be at the docks waiting to bid you
farewell."

"You are a fine man, Lord Russell.  How I wish that things could have
been otherwise--that I. had been allowed the chance to know you better.
My sister is indeed fortunate.  "

"Then let us pray that we will meet again in better times."

Leaving Blake senseless on the cell floor, Father Edmund's escape from
Newgate gaol was ridiculously easy and uneventful, but the lack of
opposition owing to the turnkey's curiosity to watch the condemned
felons leave for Tyburn under a heavy barrage of missiles being thrown
by the crowd, and the complete unexpectedness of it; made it
understandable.

The turnkey who had escorted Lord Russell inside the prison returned to
escort him out, seeing nothing different about his person to make him
suspect he was any other than the gentleman he had shown in earlier.
Clad in Blake's clothes Father Edmund, keeping his face in shadow
beneath the wide brim of his hat, passed through the prison gates and
walked towards the waiting carriage and climbed inside.  The coach
driver whipped up the horses and headed off in the direction of the
docks.

The docks were congested that day as Katherine waited for her brother,
the air rent with the harsh cry of seagulls.  The wharves and
warehouses, built during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, crammed both
sides of the Pool of London, serving not only quay side traffic but
also the bigger ships that were unloaded in midstream.  Cargoes which
had been discharged from ships and cleared by customs were piled up and
there was a strong smell, a mixture of boiling tar and rotting fish.

For Katherine, sitting inside the coach on this crucial day with
Amelia, the agony of waiting for Edmund to arrive was almost
intolerable.  Before she had come to the docks she had been buoyed up
with the hope that everything would go as planned, but now the waiting
whs beginning to get to her, What if everything had gone disastrously
wrong and Blake had been arrested?  What if they both should hang?
Haunted by these terrible apprehensions, she gripped Amelia% hand.

~Oh, Amelia--why doesn't he come?  What can have happened?  "

Amelia, equally as tense for she was anxious about her own brother's
safety, patted her hand conffortingly.  "Calm yourself, Katherine.  We
are early.  I'm sure everything will be all right.  Blake is aware of
the risks involved and will take the utmost care."

With this Katherine was obliged to be content, but as she continued to
wait she felt as if she were suspended in time as she nervously twisted
her handkerchief in her trembling fingers, The tide was high and her
eyes sought out the Western Star among the many colourful ships at
anchor on the river, where great activity was taking place as seamen
scrubbed and swilled decks, repairing broken seams and canvas
sailcloth.  The Western Star was ready to weigh anchor in midstream as
soon as its expected passenger climbed on board.  A boat with an
oarsman waited at the quay side to row him out to the great ship with
its gilded hull and tall skeletal masts.

At long last a coach came careering onto the wharf and Katherine knew
at once that it carried her brother, but terror, fear, doubt, all these
feelings she had experienced in the past hour, rendered her numb.  At
length she gasped, "I must go to him."

~No--Katherine, wait," but ~Amelia let her go, knowing it was useless
to try and restrain her until he had alighted from the carriage.  She
watched, transfixed, as Katherine flew across the ground that separated
them and tumbled into her brother's arms as he stepped down onto the
wharf, although Amelia scarcely recognised him as the sombre priest,
dressed as he was in Blake's scarlet suit and his fair hair blackened
with soot.

At first Katherine was too deeply moved and happy for speech.  At last
they drew apart.

"Thank God you are safe," she gasped, and then she asked the question
uppermost in her mind, searching her brother's eyes for confirmation.
"Blake?  Is--is he all right?"

"I am certain he will be.  I told him it was foolhardy to attempt such
a thing, but he would not listen."

"That's just like him.  Is he still inside the prison?"

"Yes, but when they find him they will release him.  Fear not,
Katherine," he said, seeing the fear cloud her eyes, 'there is nothing
to connect him with me.

It will be thought that he was set upon by me when he left Jack Nolan
to find his own way out of the prison.  I shall be eternally grateful
to him.  He is a good man--indeed, one of the finest men it has been my
privilege to meet.  He was prepared to lay down his life for me,
Katherine.  No man could ask for more.  "

"Did--did he tell you that we are to be married?"

"Yes, he did, and I wish you every joy and happiness together.  Before
I go I have something to give you."

Katherine watched as he removed a plain gold ring from his finger and,
taking her hand, he placed it on the middle finger of her right hand.
He was visibly moved as he raised it and pressed it to his lips,
looking down into her eyes bright with unshed tears.

"This was our mother's ring, Katherine.  The ring your father gave to
her on their wedding day.  It was her dearest wish, just before she
died, that if we should chance to meet I should give it to you."

Katherine stared down at it, feeling a hard choking lump rise in the
back of her throat.  Her heart swelled with a great wave of tenderness
and love for her mother, who she had never known but who had thought of
her daughter in her last hour.

"Thank you, Edmund.  I shall treasure it always."  Her heart was heavy
within her that her brother should leave her so soon after finding her.
She would have clung to him, reluctant to let him go but, aware of the
impatience of the boatman waiting to row him out to the ship, and the
danger to them both if they lingered too long, he cut their farewell
short.  Taking both her hands in his own, he drew them to his lips,
kissing them gently.

"Farewell, Katherine.  We have only known each other for a short while
but I feel as if I had known you for a lifetime.  And--who knows, when
times are less troubled, one day I might find myself knocking on your
door at Ludgrove Hall.  I will write to you from France before going on
to Rome--I promise."

He smiled at her in his tender way, wiping away an unhappy tear which
trailed slowly down her pale cheek, which betrayed her inner sadness.
"Don't weep, Katherine.  Be happy, for you, my dear, dear sister, have
everything to live for," and with those final words he bent and brushed
her cheek with his lips before turning from her and striding towards
the boat.

Katherine watched until the boat had reached the Western Star and
Edmund had climbed the ladder thrown over its side.  She saw his tall
figure being greeted on deck by the captain, and before he disappeared
from her sight he turned and looked towards where she stood on the
wharf and raised his arm in a gesture of farewell.

Before Katherine left the wharf, the Western Star was already on its
way, dipping gracefully in the choppy ~waters as it manoeuvred its way
between other ships, heading out to sea.

Katherine's wait at the docks for her brother to arrive safe from the
bowels of Newgate gaol had been intolerable, but back at Landale House
her wait for news of Blake had been doubly so.  She had been incapable
of sitting still for a moment, pacing the hall like a restless animal,
her eyes fixed on the door leading to the street, her ears straining to
the sounds of horses' hooves and carriages passing by outside, her
hopes rising, her heart almost ceasing to beat, when she 'had thought
they were stopping, only to sink back down into the dark depths of
despair when they had carried on their way.

And then all of a sudden there he was, striding into the house with his
easy gait, as casual and devil-may-care as if he were returning from a
day with the hunt.  Katherine's heart gave a joyful leap and for one
blissful moment she let her eyes feast on his handsome features, on his
skin, which still retained a hint of bronze from the tropical sun and
wind, on his dark eyes and firm lips, crooked in a slow smile, his
thick black hair tumbling untidily about his face.

This was the man she loved more than anything or anyone 'else in the
whole world.  That he wore the shabby clothes of a vagabond, which were
the finest garments the prison could provide for his journey home
without waiting for a fresh suit to be sent from Landale House, went
unnoticed, for all Katherine could think of was that he was there.  He
was safe.

Tears were streaming down her cheeks, but they were the blessed tears
of relief and gladness and she was carded along by an emotion of joy so
strong it was almost madness.

"Blake," she cried in a blaze of love.

He looked up and saw her flying across the hall towards him and then
she was in his arms, laughing and crying at once, feeling herself
caught in his strong grip.

As they came together they were unaware of anything around them, of
Amelia and her husband stealing discreetly away--dispersing the
inquisitive servants and leaving Blake and Katherine alone, cut off
from the world by a storm of relief and passion that overwhelmed them.
They stood pressed together in complete rapture as tears continued to
flood Katherine's cheeks, washing away all the despair, the anxiety,
which had gripped her all that day and which had seemed like an
eternity.  The minute Blake had walked through those doors had
abolished all her suffering at one stroke.

Slowly Katherine calmed down, feeling a delicious feeling of security
and well-being, given to her by the warmth and love of this man she
adored above all else.  She turned her face up to his.

"Oh, Blake--how I feared for you.  You have no idea how much.  The
brutal images I conjured up in my mind--of what they would do to you
should you be caught--passed all bounds of imagination."

Blake put a gentle hand beneath her chin and looked deep into her eyes.
"Nothing is going to happen to me, my love.  It's all over."  He bent
and kissed her, cupping her face in his strong hands.

Only when he lifted his head did Katherine notice the faint purple
bruise on his chin.  Reaching up, she touched it gently with the tips
of her fingers, her eyes enquiring.  He grinned.

"Jack Nolan gave' me that.  It added credence to my story.  So
convincing was my anger--that I had been knocked.  senseless by an
inmate while making my own way out of the prison--the turnkey having
failed to turn up on time to escort me, owing to the fact that he was
too absorbed in watching the condemned felons being carted off to
Tyburn--that the keeper was quite beside himself.  After almost
suffering a seizure upon discovering the priest had escaped, he became
a deperate bumbling fool--no doubt worded that he will be replaced--and
was full of apologies at the dastardly treatment I had experienced
inside the gaol.  He had no reason to associate me with Father Edmund
in the slightest.  As far as they 'are concerned, he saw a chance to
escape and took it.  Needless to say, a desperate.  search is under way
to recapture him.  Did you see him at the docks?,

"Yes.  He'll be halfway to France by now," Once again Katherine melted
into his arms.  "I cannot thank you enough for all you 'have done,
Blake.  Without you he would never have got out of that place--only on
the day of his execution."  She tilted her head and looked up at him,
her eyes filled with brilliance.  "You are a truly remarkable man, Lord
Russell."

"No--not remarkable," he amended.  "Lucky, I would say.  Lucky that I
have you."

Carried away by the touch of her, the scent of her hair, feeling her
slender form pressed close, Blake realised he was in danger of letting
his fiercely burning desire get the better of him, and in another
moment he would swing her up into his arms and carry her up to his
chamber and make love to her.  Gently he pushed her away and
Katherine's heart soared at the desire she saw glowing in his.  dark
eyes. Tenderly he took her hand and kissed her palm, and then, resting
his hands on her shoulders, he looked deep into her eyes.

"We must take care, my love," he said huskily, 'else there is a strong
probability that I shall make you mine before we have taken our vows. "
He sighed deeply, brushing a heavy lock of dark hair from his face. " I
am heartily tired of London.  Tomorrow we shall leave for Ludgrove
Hall.  There we shall be married as soon as it can be arranged.  Then
you will be mine, Katherine--flesh of my flesh--wholly and completely,
How will that please you?  "

"Yes," she whispered.  "I can think of nothing that would please me
more."

"And your aunt?  How do you think she will react to the news that you
are to be my wife?"

Katherine frowned.  The spell was broken.  Abruptly she turned from
him, struggling against this looming menace which had invaded her
peace, for indeed this was one obstacle she had not considered.

"My aunt!  In all truth there has been so much happening of late that I
have not given her a moment's thought.  I have a distinct feeling that
she will set herself against the match.  When she sent me to London to
look for a husband she wanted me out of her life for good.  She will
not take kindly to my returning to be the next Lady Russell.  She will
never accept it."

Blake turned her round and caught her up in his arms fiercely.
"Frankly, Katherine, I care not one way or the other what your aunt
thinks.  She cannot stop us marrying.  If she cannot accept you as my
wife then she will have to retire to the Dower house.  I love you
deeply, Katherine, and I mean for us to be happy together at Ludgrove
Hall.  I will not allow your aunt, or anyone else for that matter, to
spoil our happiness.  So--you can set your mind at rest."

Katherine and Blake were married at Appleby church at a time when new
trials and dangers beset the nation.  News came to them at Ludgrove
Hall that trained bands of volunteers in London had taken up arms in
defence of the liberty of the Commons.  There, the friends of the King,
in fear for their lives, fled.  The Queen had secretly left England,
nominally to visit her daughter in Holland, but in reality to pawn
Crown jewels with which to buy arms.  The King had left London and had
begun summoning all loyal subjects to his aid.  Already the country was
divided into two great parties--King and Parliament.

Lord Forbes still languished in the Tower awaiting trial, when he would
be found guilty of his crime and given a further few months'
imprisonment before being released.  Out of favour with the Court, he
would return to his home in Hereford before taking up the call to arms
and going to join the King.

To Katherine and Blake on their wedding day all this was set aside.
Katherine had been right when she had told Blake that her aunt would
never accept her as his wife.  When she saw they were determined on
this she moved to the Dower house, which was in close proximity to
Ludgrove Hall, of her own accord, although she did attend the wedding
and, as time went by, she slowly mellowed towards the situation.  As
expected, Matilda, with her own wedding to a wealthy, personable young
man looming close, was delighted with the whole affair.

In Appleby the nuptial bells peeled out for their wedding which was a
truly grand affair.  Guests began arriving at Ludgrove Hall the day
before and the whole village turned out in its Sunday best to watch the
brilliant procession which made its way to the church and then back to
Ludgrove Hall.  Katherine had never thought she could be so happy, and
as a bride in her ivory silk gown she was by far the loveliest lady of
them all.  A magnificent banquet had been laid in the great hall at
Ludgrove Hall where

Blake and Katherine held centre stage, while secretly longing to be
gone from all these people and to be alone together.

It was late when they reached their chamber and it was not until the
servants had been dismissed and they lay together on the huge
four-poster bed, with firelight caressing their bodies, that they came
together, naked and unashamed.  The ecstasy of their union, the sweet
agony of their passion, was a joy undreamed of which, even when they
drew apart, remained unslaked.  Blake deFlberately and artfully awoke
passions in Katherine she hadn't known she possessed, turning her into
a shameless, uninhibited wanton.

Only later, when they drew apart, did Blake smile and draw Katherine
into the warm circle of his arms.  Sighing with dreamy' contentment
Katherine placed her head on his chest, her glorious hair spread over
them like a silken sheet.

"Do.  you hear it?"  she whispered, her lips against his flesh,
listening to the merrymaking of the guests still engaged in celebrating
this memorable wedding.  "The guests are still celebrating.  Were we
selfish to leave when we did?"

"No.  Tonight I want you all to myself, Katherine.  Call that selfish
if you like, my love, but to my mind every man and woman have the right
to be alone on their wedding night."  He placed his lips against her
hair.  "In fact, looking as ravishing as you did today, then 'tis a
wonder I did not whisk you away sooner."

He sighed deep with contentment, letting his head fall back onto the
pillow.  "I ask for nothing more than to live a life of ease and
contentment here at Ludgrove Hall with.  you, where, God willing,
neither King nor Parliament can intrude."

Katherine raised her head and looked at him, his words making her
conscious of the one threat to their happiness.  "But what if it is
true, Blake?  That England faces civil war?  What will you do?"

Blake's arms~ tightened about her as he looked towards the glowing
embers of the fire.  "If it comes to that--as I fear it will, then I
have a loyalty to the King.  You cannot destroy something unless you
have something constructive to replace it with.  The alternative which
Mr.  Pym and Mr.  Cromwell would foist on us is more far reaching than
the transference of power from the King's hands into that of the High
Court and Parliament.  It fills me with dread."

When Blake saw Katherine about to ask another question he put a finger
to her lips,.  silencing her.  "Not now, Katherine.  Now is not the
time to speak of such matters.  What will be will be, for nothing we
can do or say will change that.  But whatever comes, my one sure
recompense is that I'll have you with me; always," he murmured,
lowering his head to hers and seeking her lips once more.  "But first
we have our own happiness to think of--a future of our own which we
will build together.  So, now--my wilful--stubborn--wonderful wife,
kiss me.  The night is still young and I do not intend wasting one
minute of it."