Will You Love Me in September

"They came down as far as Preston," said one of the travelers. "We was ready for him. Routed they was ... the Highlanders of Scotland. What are they up to coming into our country? Up to no good, that's what.”

"We soon sent 'em packing.”

"You don't think there'll be war?" asked one of the women. "We don't want none of that. I remember hearing my granddad tell me what it was like when there was war in the country.”

"There's been war only a little while back," said one of them.

"Oh, that wasn't here. Don't call that a war. I mean war ... when they're fighting here ... on English soil . . Englishman against Englishman, so your friend today is your enemy tomorrow .

. . and who's to know what's what. That's what I mean. We don't want none of that.”

"There's not going to be none of that. The Jacks is beat before they start. Come on, Bess, give us a song.”

So they sang, and Dickon and I sat listening, and at last we all retired to the gallery and lay down on our pallets. Dickon and I were very close to each other. We held hands but did not speak for fear of waking the others. There was no need for words.

I lay there thinking of the enormity of what he had done for me. He had set aside his loyalty to his uncle, his entire belief in the righteousness of his cause; and he had done this for love of me. I did not know how I could ever repay him.

I lay sleepless, and I know he did too. During the night the rain started to fall, and in the morning it had washed the snow away.

We were up early and ready to leave. We set off in the company of our fellow travelers, and just as dusk was beginning to descend we saw the towers of the minster and the ancient walls of the city.

"Your friends are here?" said the wool merchant to Dickon.

"Yes," he answered. "I thank you for allowing us to ride with you.”

"Eee, nothing to that, lad. 'Twas only decent. Two young 'uns like you shouldn't take journeys alone. Where be going?”

"To the mayor's house," said Dickon. I caught my breath. I had told him that when we were in York my uncle, Lance Clavering and I had stayed at the mayor's house.

The party was impressed.

"Didn't I tell you they was gentry?" whispered the oldest of the women.

We came through Goodramgate up to the Shambles and there we said goodbye to our companions.

I had come along this road before so I knew the way to the mayor's house. There it stood, an imposing residence, apart from the small houses of the narrow streets.

As we approached, my heart leaped, for Lance Clavering was walking out of the house.

He stopped in amazement and stared. Clarissa!" he cried. I had forgotten how handsome he was. He quite magnificent in his embroidered coat, the cuffs of which were decorated with mauves, and blues of the most delicate shading. His cravat was a mass of frills, and his pale-blue stockings were rolled above the knee, which I learned was the latest fashion. On his high-heeled shining black shoes buckles glittered. He swept off his three-cornered hat and bowed low.

"Oh ... Lance!" I exclaimed.

He took my hand and kissed it.

"Why ... ? What does this mean?" He looked at Dickon, who was gazing at him in a kind of wonder, as though he could not believe this scintillating apparition was real.

"This is er. ..." I hesitated, for fear had seized me. There was danger in the air and I must be careful not to betray Dickon. "Jack Thorley," I added. "He brought me here.”

"Good day to you, Jack Thorley.”

''This is Sir Lance Clavering," I said. "A friend of my family.”

There was no need to explain. I had already told Dickon how my uncle Carl and Lance Clavering had brought me to York. In fact, it was for this reason that I had been held captive.

"You had better come into the house," said Lance. "Then you can tell us all about it. We thought you were at Hessenfield. And we were anxious about it too, I can tell you ... the way things have gone. Let's take your horses to the stables." He walked beside me. "I'm surprised that your uncle let you leave Hessenfield.”

"There is a great deal to tell you, Lance. Is my uncle Carl here?”

"He will be back this night. There is a great deal to occupy him. Things have been happening since you left.”

"I know.”

Dickon had said nothing all this time. I guessed he was not sure what he ought to do now, having delivered me into the safekeeping of Lance Clavering and wondering whether it would be wise for him to leave immediately.

"Did you come alone?" asked Lance. "Just you two?”

"Well-we traveled with some other people," I said evasive- iy- "You had a good journey, I trust." Lance's glance took in Dickon.

"Yes, thanks," said Dickon. "No trouble at all.”

"Well, you must be weary. We'll see that you get some food f and a bed for the night. I suppose you'll want to get back to Hessenfield as soon as possible.”

"I must do that," answered Dickon.

"You won't run into trouble. We've sent off those accursed Highlanders. The impertinence!

Do you know, they got as far as Preston. They're well and safely back across the border now those that got away.”