Филиппа Карр - Saraband for Two Sisters

It was a year after the death of the King. The war was not completely over, for the new King, Charles II, had come from the Continent to Scotland and was trying to raise his standard. But Cromwell was too strong and the Royalists had little hope.

I was in the garden one day when a traveler came to the Priory. He had asked for me and one of the servants brought him out to the garden. I took one look at him and knew.

Richard!

He had aged. How many years was it since I had seen him? Six ... seven ... seven hard years of hiding, secret planning ... escaping from his enemies. He took my hands and looked at me.

He said, “I went to Flamstead. They told me you were here.”

“Are you well? You look exhausted.”

“I have ridden far,” he said.

“Then you must come into the house.”

“It is not safe for you to entertain a fugitive from the King’s Army.”

“You would always find refuge here.”

He shook his head. “I could not allow you to endanger yourself and your family. The news is bad. The King has been defeated and forced to flee the country. We must all go ... and plan from someplace other than England. We shall not rest until Charles II is on the throne. I am going across the sea to plan for that day.»

“You must come in. You need food arid rest.”

He said, “What I need is a boat that will take me to France.”

“So you have come only to go away again.”

“I came to see you.”

‘They told you what had happened at Flamstead?”

He nodded.

“Your beautiful house ...” I said.

“But you were safe. I have come to ask you something. Perhaps it is too much. It could be dangerous.”

I said, “Life is dull here. I hate the Puritan rule. I have realized that I am an ardent Royalist.”

“It will not be easy in France.”

“No?” I said excitedly. “But there would be a cause ... something to fight for. I should have to bring the children-Arabella and Lucas. Dickon must stay with my mother. She would never let him go.”

“Bersaba,” he said, “you are the one thing in this world that hasn’t changed.”

I took his hands and looked into his face.

“I always knew what I wanted,” I said. “It is as though the world has started to turn again.”

“Then,” he said, “you will come with me?”

“I’m surprised that you ask questions to which you know the answer. That’s not like you.”

“I couldn’t believe it. I thought you might have changed.”

“Never,” I said. “Never.”

We were married in the church yesterday. My father was able to provide us with a boat. We are going to sail tomorrow with the tide. I, Arabella, Lucas, and Richard. This is my last night in Trystan Priory, and I write here in the room I once shared with Angelet, and as I write I feel she is standing over me and that she is content. I look out across the scene so familiar to me during my childhood. Somewhere beyond is the sea and tomorrow before it is light I with my husband and children will cross to France and there we will build a new future.