Sibylla and the Privateer Page 3

  “Mother and Father have already breakfasted,” he told her. “I have work to do and Charles and Thomas have expressed a wish to see something of the countryside. Will you be their guide and show them? I have ordered the horses to be got ready in half an hour.”

  Sibylla frowned, guessing his work was to tell their parents of her misdemeanors. She could scarcely refuse such a request, especially as Charles had begun to express his admiration of the Devon scenery, so different from that of the flat midlands where his home was.

  Reluctantly, hating Gerard for his successful maneuvering that gave him time with her father while preventing her from getting in touch with Randolph, she changed into her riding habit. Joining the young men in the stable yard Charles assisted her to mount and complimented her on her looks. They set off, Charles suggesting they ride along the shore in the direction of the little fishing port a few miles westwards. Sibylla led the way listlessly, her mind on her own problems, and did not at first see the horseman who came galloping after them.

  “Well met!” he hailed them, and she looked up with a gasp of surprise as Randolph drew alongside. He smiled reassuringly at her and greeted her companions. Having met him at her parents’ house, they had no reason to think he was an unwelcome visitor.

  When he informed them he was bound in the same direction, they rode on together chatting of inconsequential things. Randolph tried several times to persuade them to talk about the navy. They declined to offer any but the most general remarks to his questions or comments and immediately turned the conversation to other topics. Sibylla hoped they were not so reticent the previous evening or her exploits and discovery were in vain.

  As they came to a steep lane leading down into the port, Randolph managed to come alongside her where there was room only for two riders abreast.

  “What has happened?” he asked quickly in a low voice.

  “I have not seen my father yet. Gerard made this excuse to get me out of the way this morning. I have no doubt he is telling father all, now.”

  “Have you told Gerard aught of the truth?”

  “No, of course not, until you give me leave.”

  “Good girl. I concocted that story in haste last night, but I do not think we ought to change it now. It is plausible and does not compromise you, as I feared at first would happen. Do not say aught else. I will explain to your father when I come to see him.”

  “I shall have to admit we have been meeting.”

  “Yes, that will be obvious. Do not fear, my little love, they will accept me as your suitor.”

  There was time for no more private conversation and Sibylla had to be content, but she was curiously happy now her love was to be spoken of to her parents. She bade Randolph farewell as he left them, and was a gayer, more light-hearted companion on the remainder of the ride. When she returned to the house, and was told her father wanted to see her immediately in his study, she went there with little apprehension, though she knew full well he would be angry with her.

  * * * *

  He was indeed angry, more so than she had ever known him. In vain she protested she loved Randolph, and it was only the lack of prospects that had led them to conceal their love. Hoping to mollify her father, she said that Randolph was now coming to see him.

  “It is somewhat late now. I would have thought better of the young man had he approached me first, whatever his prospects or lack of them. It is unforgivable he should treat you so. I do not entirely absolve you from blame, whatever your youth. You know such behavior is unfitting for a well bred girl.”

  “I could do nought else!” she pleaded piteously.

  “Where do you think such behavior would have led you? Do you not know of the reputation Randolph Stern has with women, and has had since he was sixteen?” He regarded her white face. “No, I am unjust, how could you?”

  “I do not believe it!” she whispered. “He has done me no harm and never suggested aught improper!”

  “Apart from entering the house late at night!”

  “He explained that,” she said dully.

  Patrick Hurst looked sorrowfully at his beloved child. He fully believed she was virtuous, but he had heard some ugly tales about Randolph, and was shocked to find how far he had won Sibylla’s trust and love.

  “I will not refuse to see him then,” he said gently. “I will condemn no man unheard, but you must not see him again until I give you leave.”

  Sibylla lowered her head, and did not reply. Her father, ever disliking to be severe with her and regretting the need for harshness, took it as assent. He hastily dismissed her, feeling that if he had to look on her distress much longer, he could not bring himself to insist on what he knew was necessary to save her from her own infatuation with Randolph Stern.

  She hung about the hall all afternoon, but had no opportunity for speech with Randolph, who was conducted straight to Mr. Hurst when he arrived, and seen off the premises by Mr. Hurst in person after an hour closeted together in the study. Sibylla watched helplessly, and did not dare approach her father to discover what had passed between them. It was some time later that one of the maids was sent to find, and tell her, her father wished to see her.

  Anxiously she sped to the study and entered when he called to her timid knock. One look at his face showed her case was hopeless. He shook his head at her, and held out his arms to her. She ran to fling herself onto his knees as he sat beside the fire in the same manner as she had done countless times in the past when something in her world had gone wrong. Gently he stroked her hair as she sobbed, then when her sobs lessened, began talking to her quietly, telling her it was no use. Randolph had been unable to convince him he had any prospects at all, and she must forget him.

  “There are many far worthier men in the world. You have little experience and have met but few young men. I know it seems your whole life is ruined, but most of us fall in love several times in our lifetimes. Sometimes before marriage, sometimes afterwards, but that is not the only thing to look for in a marriage, and many survive happily without the fierce love you feel now. Your mother and I wish to choose a man for you who will make you happy, provide you with a good home, care for you, honor you and respect you. If you can love him too, and he you, that will be an extra happiness for you, but do not imagine a successful marriage can be built on love alone. The most ill assorted people fall in love with one another, and we wish to protect you from the consequences of an unhappy mistake.”

  As he talked to her, she grew calmer, accepting some truth in what he said, but passionately refusing to think for a moment that in any way but wealth Randolph was unsuited as her husband. She had the sense not to argue, or disagree. When he passed on to talk of the visit to London, planned for a couple of weeks ahead after Gerard had left for Plymouth, she was plotting means of seeing Randolph. She thanked her good fortune her father had not thought to demand a promise from her that she would not try to see him.

  By supper time, she was able to face everyone with dry-eyed composure. The younger girls and the visitors had no idea of what had occurred and chatted normally, but Gerard was especially solicitous towards her, and both her parents gentle and concerned.

  There did not seem to be any restrictions on her movements, though Charles was attentive, which meant she could not always evade him and slip out of the house alone as had been her wont. Several times she escaped, and went to the places she had used in the past for her meetings with Randolph. It was several days, however, before they met, and Sibylla could tell him all that had occurred.

  “You will not let them part us?” he asked, holding her closely.

  “Never! But what can we do? I cannot be sure of getting away as I did in the past.”

  He looked at her and sighed. “Meet me at night,” he suggested. “It will be easier and there is less chance anyone will see us and tell your family. I must soon go to Lond
on and when I have a position I can once more approach your father. He did not refuse me outright. I have hopes I could convince him, so long as we do not anger him in the meantime by defying him.”

  Sibylla considered this suggestion and realized the necessity for it. She was sure that even if her father believed she would not make that attempt to meet Randolph, Gerard would watch her, and if they continued to meet in the daytime discovery was probable. It would be fairly easy to slip out at night. Randolph began to suggest they meet in the barn behind the house.

  “You will have little distance to go, it will be completely safe and we will be hidden there as we never could be anywhere in daylight,” he urged, and she nodded.

  “Very well, it is all we can do. I do not like to deceive my father and disobey him, but I must see you!”

  He kissed her and she clung to him. They parted reluctantly, having arranged to meet the following night.

  * * * *

  They met regularly for several nights, but Sibylla was unhappy. As well as the feeling of guilt that she was not now simply meeting Randolph unknown to her parents, but against their express commands, she was disturbed at his behavior. He was the first man who had kissed her and she had welcomed this, responding shyly at first, but gradually becoming accustomed to the feel of his arms about her and his lips on hers. Now he was more demanding, caressing her body, pulling her down beside him in the hay. She had protested. At first he had laughed at what he called her prudery, but had desisted. Now his hands became more urgent, and she had difficulty in restraining him. One night, when she pushed his hand away and sat up, he had turned on her angrily.

  “What do you think you are? You tempt me with your kisses then deny me. Are you in love with me as you protest?”

  “Of course I love you,” she answered in a low voice, “but I do not wish you to behave so.”

  “Then what is love for? Are you a coward, afraid of love? I had thought better of you, Sibylla. I did not think you were a mealy mouthed miss who prated of love, vowing you loved me, but not permitting innocent caresses.”

  “If you loved me, you would not try to force such caresses on me against my will!” she cried, suddenly angry.

  He laughed, and pulled her towards him. “My love, I am sorry. I do not mean to distress you, but you stir my senses so, I swear I cannot help myself. I will behave, I promise. Will you forgive me?”

  She had kissed him, and for a while he was restrained, but the arguments became frequent. Sibylla often found herself in tears because he was angry with her, yet she could not bring herself to let him have his way with her. He had one night suggested she run away with him.

  “Throw in your lot with me,” he had said suddenly. “Come to London. Sibylla, I vow I cannot do without you. We will marry despite your family.”

  She had recoiled from the idea. “No! I could not! Randolph, they will relent in time, especially when you have a position.”

  “Very well. I must do as you say; but I must leave in a day or so.”

  “Gerard goes in three days,” she told him, “and we will ourselves be setting off for London a few days later. We must be able to meet there!”

  “I will bring a map with me tomorrow and show you where you can find me. Will you come and see me there, my dearest little one?”

  “If I can get away, though it will be more difficult there than here. I shall try, for I cannot bear the thought of not seeing you!”

  * * * *

  The next night Sibylla slipped out of the house hoping Randolph would be early at the barn. He was usually there when she herself arrived, and she knew this was almost the last time they would be able to meet for perhaps a long time. She arrived at the barn and called softly, but there was no reply. She settled down to wait, sitting outside, for the night was warm and the barn stuffy.

  It was only a few minutes later that she heard footsteps approaching, and stood up. The sound of a voice froze the greeting on her lips. It was an unknown voice, but she could distinguish the words clearly as the owner stopped beside the door of the barn, a few feet round the corner from her.

  “I will bid you farewell then, Mr. Stern. Here is the money you need. You have done well and our master will be pleased. You have, however, yet to obtain the written proof that will condemn Gerard Hurst.”

  “Do not be concerned. I will obtain that soon and send it to Mr. Thurloe at once. I have a boat waiting to take me to Jersey, and will set off the day after tomorrow. Hurst will be on his way too, and once he has made contact with the Royalist plotters there, we can arrest all of them red handed. What better proof would we wish for?”

  Sibylla listened, rigid with horror. Gerard, plotting for the Royalists? And Randolph betraying him? Randolph, a spy in Government pay? It was incredible, and she closed her eyes as if to shut out the knowledge, but deep in her heart she knew what she had overheard meant just that.

  As the realization she had enabled Randolph to overhear Gerard and his friends and thereby probably helped to betray him came to her, she swayed, and put her hand to the wall of the barn to steady herself. She tried to tell herself it was not true. It could not be true! Randolph, her charming, attentive, loving, Randolph, would not demean himself as a spy, nor would he betray his former friend. There must be some other explanation. When she heard the two men bidding one another farewell, she knew she was incapable of facing Randolph immediately after this double shock that had caused her brain to reel.

  She looked round for escape. Luckily there was another building close by, and she was able to slip behind that. Unseen by Randolph she made her way back to the house leaving him to ponder on her failure to appear, while she herself digested this startling information and decided what to do with her knowledge.

  Chapter Three

  Sibylla had a sleepless night, and was heavy-eyed when she appeared in the morning. She looked curiously at Gerard sitting opposite her as she sat down at the table, considering him for the first time as a conspirator for the exiled Charles Stuart, whom many people believed was the rightful King and for whom many people risked their lives and fortunes. Gerard was one of them!

  She felt a thrill of pride in the brother she loved deeply and a rising excitement at the thought of a monarchy restored. Her parents did not encourage discussion of politics in the house, and Sibylla was ill informed on events and issues of the time. She knew her father had supported the King in the wars of the forties and had been impoverished by the subsequent fines imposed on him by the victorious Parliament. Since that time he had lived very quietly, taking no part in public life, tacitly approving the government.

  He was unlikely to be actively involved in plotting, whatever his private wishes and Sibylla thought it was unlikely he would encourage Gerard, so where had Gerard discovered his fervor? His friends must be involved also. Was the navy disaffected? Were they about to mutiny?

  When she shivered, her mother asked solicitously if she were cold. Sibylla shook her head and smiled, trying to dismiss her problems from her thoughts while she was with the family, but succeeding very little. All day she pondered the knowledge that had come to her on the previous night, and tried to imagine reasons for Randolph’s involvement that did not condemn him as a spy, and worse, one who did not scruple to betray the brother of the girl he swore he loved. Try as she might, she could think of no other meaning for the conversation she had overheard, and mixed with her fear for Gerard was her distress at the tarnishing of Randolph, and the knowledge she could love him no more.

  Should she warn Gerard? It was clear to her this was her duty, and she desired with all her heart to save him from discovery, but there was a lingering hope that mayhap Randolph could explain the matter in a way she had not thought of. Or, though this was an even fainter hope, Randolph might be persuaded, if he loved her truly, to give up his designs and somehow save her brother. Clinging forlornly to these
hopes, she decided she must give Randolph the benefit of the doubt and make an attempt to hear his explanation. She resolved to go as usual to the barn that night and confront him with her suspicions.

  * * * *

  The decision made she waited impatiently. As soon as the household slept she crept down, unbolted the side door and made her way to the barn. Randolph was already there and pulled her to him hungrily as she entered. After a moment he sensed her lack of response, and released her.

  “What is it? Are you ill? I was so concerned when you did not appear last night. I had determined that if you did not come, I would come to the house and demand to see you.”

  “Had you? I thought you were planning a visit to Jersey.” He drew in his breath sharply, and there was a slight pause.

  “What gave you that idea?”

  Sibylla sighed. “Do not play with me, Randolph. I overheard you last night, with that other man. That was the reason I did not come to you, I was too stunned by what I had heard. Please, what does it mean? You are not going to betray Gerard? Randolph, tell me!”

  “What did you hear, my love, to give you that idea?”

  “Enough to know you received money for telling someone Gerard was plotting for the King’s restoration, and promised to betray him and others in Jersey. Randolph, I cannot believe it, but what other meaning is there? Oh, if I have misread your meaning, pray tell me and put me out of this agony! Say you do not mean to betray Gerard, say it!”

  He was silent, and she grasped his arm, shaking it furiously.

  “Randolph, tell me it is not true!”

  “You have heard enough,” he said slowly at last. “What can I say? Aye, it is my job to rout out those who would destroy the government free-born Englishmen have chosen, and bring discord and the misery of war again. Besides,” he laughed the unusual note of seriousness gone from his tone. “It’s the easiest way I know of to make a good living and have a fat purse for expenses into the bargain. I am truly sorry your brother is one of the plotters. He was suspected and I was sent on his track before I met you.”