'The man is still stalking you, Christopher?'
'He will do, when he discovers that I'm still alive.'
'But you must have some protection against him.'
'I have it here,' he said, indicating his weapons. 'Next time, I'll be prepared for him. I'll take care to watch my back.'
'You sound as if you want him to attack you again.'
'I do, Susan. It's the only way that I can catch the rogue.'
'And you believe that he's the man who killed that fencing master?'
'Why else would he turn on me?' he replied. 'He knows that I'm on his tail and must be closer than I imagined. I've given him a scare. That's why he struck out.'
'You've given me a scare as well,' she said, touching his hand again. 'Please take the utmost care. I'd be so distressed if anything were to happen to you.'
'It will not, you have my word on that.'
Christopher gave her a warm smile and she relaxed a little. Moved by her obvious concern, he was sorry when Susan gently withdrew her hand. She looked around.
'I was told that your father was with you.'
'He was. We dined together then called on the lawyer to discuss Henry's case. Father is something of a lawyer himself so his support was welcome. Having seen my brother in prison, he knows what a dreadful state Henry is in and wants to secure his release as soon as possible.'
'Where is your father now?'
'Visiting the Bishop of London,' returned Christopher. 'He feels duty bound to defend the family name at the highest level of the Church. I admire him for that.' Still lifted by the joy of seeing her so unexpectedly, he looked at her with an affectionate smile. 'However do you come to be here'
'Purely by accident.'
She told him about the providential invitation from Mrs Cardinal and her son but did not explain that her sister had deliberately brought Jack Cardinal to Serle Court as a potential suitor for her. It did not seem a relevant detail to her. Unable to believe his good fortune, Christopher grinned throughout.
'So that's why you seized your moment today?' he concluded.
'Yes,' she said. 'I may not have another opportunity.' 'Then I'll have to come to you next time.'
'It may be difficult. Mrs Cardinal and her son know people all over London. This visit is in the nature of a complete tour of their acquaintances. On the ride here, Mrs Cardinal never stopped boasting about the friends she has in high places.'
'Where are you staying?'
'With Lord and Lady Eames. They have a house in the Strand.'
'A mansion, more like. Only the very wealthy can afford to live there.'
'It's a fine place,' she said, 'but I much prefer a certain house in Fetter Lane.'
'You'd have been welcome to stay here.'
'Mrs Cardinal would never countenance that. She watches me like a hawk. I'd better return there now before she wakes up again or it could be very awkward.'
He reached for his cloak. 'I'll make sure you get there safely.'
'Lord and Lady Eames are generous hosts,' she said. 'They could not have been nicer to me. In honour of Mrs Cardinal and her son, they are giving a dinner party tomorrow that sounds like a veritable banquet. Everybody will be there.'
'Except me, alas.'
'Mrs Cardinal was delighted at the fuss they are making of her. The Lord Mayor has been invited, so has the Attorney General, so have many other important people, including Sir Ralph Holcroft and Judge McNeil.'
Christopher was taken aback. 'Sir Ralph Holcroft?'
'Yes. I've heard Father speak disparagingly of him but the man cannot be as bad as that. Apparently, he has a young and beautiful wife. Is that true?'
'Very true,' he said, his mind racing. 'Susan.'
'Yes?'
'I have a big favour to ask of you.'
Chapter Thirteen
Jack Cardinal occupied the bedchamber next to his mother so that he could be summoned instantly, if the need arose. Their hosts had assigned a maidservant to look after Mrs Cardinal but the latter preferred to rely on her son. To that end, she always carried a little bell with her and had the satisfaction of knowing that he was only a tinkle away. While he waited for the sound of the bell, Cardinal mused on the way in which he had made the acquaintance of Susan Cheever. He had liked her at once and found it possible to talk to her about subjects that most of the young ladies he knew would have found irrelevant or boring. Susan had an inquiring mind.
What struck him most about her was a sense of self-possession. She had such poise and assurance. During the visit of her neighbours, Brilliana Serle made certain that she was the centre of attention but it was her sister who had provided the main interest for Cardinal. He was too modest to assume that he had made such a favourable impression on Susan but he was reassured by the fact that she was so willing to travel with them to London. It was a hopeful sign. His mother obviously approved of her. That was an even more hopeful sign. As he recalled the events of the past twenty-four hours, Cardinal's affection for his new friend slowly increased.
He was so lost in fond meditation that he did not at first hear the tinkle of the bell. It was shaken with more urgency. Rising from his chair, he went into the adjoining room.
'How are you now, Mother?' he asked.
'I feel faint,' she said. 'Where is my medicine?'
'I'll get it for you.'
He opened the leather valise that stood on the little table and ran his eye over the selection of bottles. Choosing one of them, he poured the medicine into a tiny silver cup that nestled amid the potions. Mrs Cardinal propped herself up on the day-bed so that she could drink the liquid in some comfort. She closed her eyes tight until it began to have some effect. Her son relieved her of the silver cup.
'That's better,' she announced, opening her eyes. 'How long was I asleep?'
'Well over an hour.' 'The coach would jostle us.'
'The roads are still hard, Mother, and you wanted to make good time. Besides,' he said, 'the journey seemed much quicker than usual - thanks to our companion.'
'Yes, Susan Cheever is a most agreeable young lady.' 'And a most intelligent one.' 'It's not often that I take to anyone as easily as that.' 'Nor me, Mother. She's such pleasant company.' 'I had a feeling that you liked her, Jack,' she said, patting his hand. 'It's wrong for you to be at my beck and call all the time. You need someone like her to bring a little colour into your existence.' He became defensive. 'I hardly know Miss Cheever yet.' 'But you approve of what you do know, I take it?' 'Yes, Mother.'
'Good. That's a promising start.'
'Do not rush things, Mother. We've only just met.'
'The girl is Lancelot Serle's sister-in-law. That tells you much.'
'I agree,' he said. 'But Miss Cheever is a handsome young lady.'
'So?'
'She'll have many admirers and may already have formed an attachment.'
'Then why was she staying at Serle Court?' 'To be with her sister.'
'And why was Brilliana so eager for us to meet her? Open your eyes, Jack.'
'I do not think she had any mercenary intent.'
'I'd not blame her if she had.'
'Mother!'
'We were invited for a purpose.'
'Yes,' he said. 'To enjoy the hospitality of good friends, that was all.'
'I have a sixth sense in these matters.'
