Anne O'Brien - Puritan Bride

‘Perhaps.’ Hotham’s lips curled sardonically. ‘But would it not be better to fight for the inheritance through the Courts? Do you really wish to be beholden to the family of Oxenden, who despoiled the Priory in the first place?’

‘I do not see that we have any choice.’

‘You do. You know it. Let Katherine marry Richard. It is a union made before God. He is the direct heir to the property after Katherine—and marriage will provide a male claimant. That would sit strongly with the Courts. And it would unite and strengthen the family. I can think of no better means.’

‘I will not countenance that marriage.’ Sir Henry shook his head impatiently, but refused to meet Simon’s jaundiced eye. ‘I have no criticism of your son. Indeed, Richard is as fine a gentleman as I could wish to meet. If my own son had lived … But that is irrelevant. Such an alliance would not be of advantage to the family and nothing you say will persuade me differently.’

‘I would still say that Katherine has the matter correctly,’ Simon continued to develop his argument, ‘however much I might disapprove of her manner of saying it—such forwardness in a young woman is to be regretted. And I would hope that in marriage to my son she would learn to conduct herself with more seemly dignity and respect for those who know what is best for her.’ He ignored the flash of anger in Kate’s eyes as she strove to remain silent, but kept his own cold gaze fixed on her uncle. ‘But I agree with her that to unite with this Royalist family in the circumstances is despicable. I would have thought better of your sense of loyalty to the cause, Sir Henry. Do reconsider before it is too late.’

‘I will not.’ Sir Henry was not to be moved from a decision that had lost him some little sleep.

‘Then I have nothing further to say on this topic.’ Simon all but spat the words. ‘It is beyond my comprehension that … But it is not my wish to quarrel with you, Sir Henry, so I will take my leave. If you would arrange for my carriage … I find it difficult to express my displeasure in mild words.’

He struggled to his feet, wincing at the pain that attacked his twisted limbs, Lady Philippa hurrying to retrieve his sticks from beside the chair. He took them from her without comment and sketched a clumsy bow before hobbling from the room, his rigid shoulders expressing his intense disapproval.

Sir Henry sat silently for a long moment, contemplating his clasped hands, and then with the slightest of shrugs continued where he had left off before Simon Hotham’s departure. ‘It is a matter of inheritance and politics.’ He fixed Kate with a stern stare. ‘The future of Winteringham Priory is still in doubt. If your father had been more aware of his domestic duties and had been present to fight off the attack in 1643, this would never have occurred.’

‘But we did not give up our land willingly. No one could ever say that. Why should it not be restored to us now? Who can possibly have a better claim than I have?’

‘I am sympathetic to your family pride, Katherine, but we have to face the realities of the situation.’

‘Surely the reality is that the house was snatched from us: we were driven out with Royalist cavalry at our backs.’

‘Very true, my dear. And it became to all intents and purposes a Royalist estate, used by Viscount Marlbrooke to aid the King and his cause. Where do you think the rents went in the years before Charles was defeated? Why do you think there is no trace of the family silver? Sold! Or melted down! The result is the same.’ Sir Henry shrugged, extracted a document from a pile before him and held it out to Kate. ‘Here is the latest intelligence from London concerning the settlement of claims. If you can understand the legalities!’

Kate carried the letter to the window to struggle through the legalistic words and phrasing. The implications were only too clear.

‘I understand,’ she finally admitted with a sigh. ‘It seems that my inheritance will be given to whoever has the largest purse or the loudest voice at Court.’

‘Exactly. It will not be the Harley family, I fear.’ Sir Henry retrieved the document from his niece with a slight shrug. ‘A female claim is always unsatisfactory. And, of course, your father left no will, presuming that the entail would stand. If the land had been willed to you, it might have been different. But as it stands, there is little hope.’

‘What about Richard?’ Lady Philippa had recovered from her bout of tears and had followed enough of the discussion to see the possibilities for her favourite nephew. ‘Is he not the male heir to the Priory?’

‘Never! A foolish suggestion, which would be a disaster for the family. Besides, his claim is also through a female line, through his mother. But it is beside the point.’ Sir Henry threw back his head in an impatient gesture. ‘Marlbrooke is rich. He has the ear of the King. He has submitted his claim to the Priory and the Courts are likely to uphold it against us.’ He slammed his hands down on to the desk, sending up a cloud of dust motes to dance in the slanting sunshine. ‘It appears to be a hopeless case.’

‘Would the new King really be so unfair?’ Kate’s voice registered shocked surprise.

‘Ha!’ Sir Henry’s bitterness was clear. ‘Is it unfair to reward your own followers at the expense of those who took the sword against you? I think not. That, Katherine, is what I meant when I spoke of realities.’

He crossed the room towards her. He was still tall and upright in spite of advancing years, his hair showing only the faintest sprinkle of grey. His objective was now clearly to make amends and apologise for his earlier harsh approach to the problem. He stretched out a hand in supplication.

‘I’m sorry, Kate. I have fought hard for your rights. Not simply for the family, but because you have been the daughter I never had. It would have pleased me to see you re-established at the Priory in your own right. But we must now of necessity revise our plans to match present circumstances.’

‘I can see why you wish me to marry Viscount Marlbrooke.’ Kate’s tone indicated a dull acceptance of the inevitable.

‘Of course you do! You’re an intelligent girl. So come, let us work for a propitious outcome. What better way to restore out fortunes and mend our relations with the Royal Court than through this one marriage?’

‘I understand. Might I ask what Viscount Marlbrooke’s feelings are?’

‘That is immaterial. He has made an offer. It provides an excellent settlement and I will not allow you to throw it away. It is a political marriage and you should not look for emotional involvement. You will grow to like him well enough, I expect, and if you don’t—well, it will still have served its purpose and your children will give you plenty to occupy your time!’

Kate took another deep breath and threw caution to the winds. There was little point in doing otherwise. ‘I feel that I should tell you …’ she was angry to note the uncertainty in her voice but ploughed on ‘… I wish to marry Richard. I love him. And I know that he wishes to marry me.’

Any sympathy that Sir Henry might have felt came to an abrupt end as he swept aside her admission with an impatient gesture and returned to his chair behind the desk to take up his habitual position of authority.

‘Forget your cousin. And any of those ridiculous notions expressed by Simon Hotham. Richard has no claim on you.’ He began to shuffle the documents before him into a neat pile as if Kate’s announcement was of supreme unimportance.

‘But I love him,’ she whispered, struggling to prevent tears from gathering as she realised the strength of her uncle’s will.

‘Marriage to a Parliamentarian traitor would be less than advantageous to us at a time like this.’