She had never listened at a door before. But now, without really knowing why, she found herself bending forward to press her ear against the keyhole. Their voices were very clear.
“We were discussing the situation in the West Country last even at headquarters,” Cato was saying. “Your knowledge of the king’s council’s views would be invaluable… even your opinion if you have no definite knowledge…”
“The concern in Oxford is that the West Country is on the point of going over to Parliament,” Brian replied after a moment. “The tyranny of the king’s commander in the West has done more harm to the king’s cause than a thousand enemies.”
“Aye, we had heard tell of some such,” Cato responded, his voice considering. “And what is the king proposing to do about it?”
“I believe he will recall Sir Richard.”
“And replace him with…?”
Again there was a pause, then Brian said slowly, “Hopton, I believe.”
“Ah” was Cato’s response.
“Have I satisfied the inquisition, sir?” Brian’s voice sounded light and humorous.
There was another short silence. Phoebe’s heart skipped a beat. She pressed her ear yet closer.
“You will understand our hesitation,” Cato returned. “We have still to digest what you’ve given us.”
“I’ll leave you to reflect, then, and hope most fervently that after some thought you’ll be convinced of my sincerity… and will be willing to convince your high command.”
To her horror, Phoebe felt the door latch lift. She fell back into the shadows, her hand clapped to her mouth, as the door was suddenly flung open. Brian stepped out into the corridor. His eye fell on Phoebe, shrinking against the wall. He closed the door at his back.
“Well, well, what big ears we have,” he murmured, his teeth glinting in a smile. “Hear anything interesting?”
Phoebe, terrified that Cato might suddenly open the door, darted past him into the hall, where she could reasonably have legitimate business. She stood casually with one foot on the bottom step of the stairs, her hand on the newel post, and said in carrying tones, “Have you completed your business with my husband, sir?”
Brian was still smiling as he approached the stair. “You’re well suited to conspiracy, Phoebe,” he said softly. “But you have no need to listen at doors. I will tell you whatever you wish to know.”
“I wish only to know what interests my husband,” Phoebe responded, casting a quick glance around. A servant appeared from the kitchen regions and went into the dining parlor.
“And of course he won’t tell you,” Brian said matter-of-factly. “Cato has always relied only on himself… oh, and on Giles Crampton,” he continued. “He follows his own path. Something extraordinary would have to happen for him to confide in anyone apart from Giles. It’s a point of principle with him.”
“You know my husband very well, then,” Phoebe said thoughtfully.
“Oh, aye. I’ve known him since I was in short coats.” He laughed slightly. “I understand him very well, Phoebe.”
“I wish I did,” Phoebe said.
Another smile flickered over his thin mouth, and his eyes glittered like hard brown diamonds. “You may not like what you understand.”
“Oh, now you’re talking nonsense!” Phoebe declared, a flare of anger in her eyes. “And I’ll thank you not to say such things to me!”
“My, my… it’s a lucky man who can inspire such loyalty,” Brian murmured. “But forgive me, Phoebe. My own experiences with Lord Granville have not given me quite such a rosy view of him as yours.”
Phoebe regarded him doubtfully. She could understand how one might find her husband distant and intimidating. She’d found him so herself until without volition she’d tumbled so violently into love and lust with him.
“I am his heir, Phoebe. And it pains me that we should be so constrained. It was inevitable when I took the other side in this damnable conflict, but now… now that I’ve seen the justice of Parliament’s cause…” He shrugged eloquently. “I have provided him with vital information. And still I believe he hesitates to trust me.”
“Yes, I can see that it must be hard to understand,” Phoebe agreed. “But Cato is never unreasonable. He’ll not hold past mistakes against you. I’m certain of it.”
“Ah, one would hope so,” Brian said. “One would hope so.” Then he smiled and reached into his pocket. “But I was forgetting. I was in Banbury yesterday and I found this in a bookshop. I thought you might like it.” He handed her a small leather-bound volume.
“Oh, the poems of Thomas Carew!” Phoebe exclaimed. “Why, how thoughtful of you. I am most particularly fond of his elegy on John Donne.”
“I find ‘The Rapture’ most appealing,” Brian said, watching her with a glint in his eye.
Phoebe regarded him suspiciously. “It is a very fine love poem,” she said after a slight hesitation.
“But a trifle licentious; you’re quite right,” he said, his smile broadening. “Perhaps too much so for innocent sensibilities.”
“I am no innocent!” Phoebe protested, feeling he was making fun of her. “I have read very widely, sir.”
“Oh, forgive me. It was not meant as an aspersion,” Brian said hastily. “Of course, as a poet yourself you would regard the more risque literature with more sophistication than the average young woman.”
“I do not know whether you’re mocking me or not,” Phoebe said frankly. “But you will not put me out of countenance, that much I can tell you.” She dropped him a curtsy. “I thank you for the gift, sir.”
Brian caught her hand, bringing it to his lips. “Forgive me. I meant no insult. Perhaps I was teasing you a little, but I find you quite enchanting.”
Phoebe blushed. “Indeed, you should not say such things. I am a married woman.” She pulled her hand free and turned to leave in some disarray.
Brian stood watching her. Absently he scratched his head. There was something about her… something elusive and yet curiously appealing. It was absurd that he should find such a tangled naif attractive. And it was very dangerous.
His lips thinned. He was here to destroy her, not make love to her… much as it would amuse him to cuckold that cold fish Granville. His stepfather was not the kind of man to appreciate Phoebe’s rich and vibrant brand of sexuality. Was she even aware of it herself?
Phoebe hurried from the house. Had he been trying to flirt with her? She gave a fastidious shudder. She could never imagine Cato flirting with her, or indeed with anyone. It was a pathetic game. So unstraightforvvard.
But it wouldn’t do to alienate Mr. Morse, she decided. If she played her cards right, he could prove quite useful. His fashion sense couldn’t be faulted, for a start. And if she could get him to tell her what Cato wouldn’t, then maybe she could surprise her husband with her informed commentaries on all those matters that absorbed him.
That conversation she’d overheard last night, for instance. Cato and Cromwell had been at outs. The situation had been defused, but it had sounded serious. A difference of opinion on how to conclude the war. That had to be a most serious question. Perhaps Brian would have some insights if she approached him discreetly.
Phoebe strolled through the village, surprised at how quiet it was. Usually at this hour of the morning, particularly on such a fine day, there would be folk around, working in their gardens, tending their chickens, chopping firewood. She saw a few backs as people hurried into their cottages, and as she passed the Bear a murmur of voices drifted through the open door into the street.