Page 133 of By the Sword
‘Checkmate, Tom,’ he said, without even looking at the board.
Kate’s pulse quickened. Nathaniel Freeman had warned them to expect a visit from Cromwell’s Secretary of State now Jonathan had recovered and his arrival could mean only one thing–Thurloe intended to revoke the house arrest and return Jonathan to the Tower to face trial and possibly death.
She remembered the times the Roundhead soldiers had pulled Seven Ways apart looking for Jonathan and thought she had been afraid then but now she knew real fear. She set her sewing aside and crossed the yawning expanse of floor to stand beside Jonathan.
‘Have you come to take him away?’ she demanded, determined not to let the man see her fear.
Thurloe looked her up and down. ‘I beg your pardon, Mistress. I do not believe we are acquainted.’
‘Ashley. Katherine Ashley,’ Kate replied.
Thurloe raised an interested eyebrow. ‘I know that name. Are you kin to David Ashley of Yorkshire?’
‘I am.’
Thurloe nodded, ‘I knew him from his days in Parliament. A fine man and loyal to our cause.’ Thurloe bowed towards her. He looked from Kate to Jonathan. ‘But what is the connection with the Thornton family?’
‘David Ashley’s wife was a Thornton,’ Jonathan replied.
Thurloe’s face betrayed nothing. ‘I see. Well, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mistress Ashley.’ Thurloe made a deprecatory gesture. ‘But if you would excuse me, madam, I have business with Sir Jonathan.’
Kate did not move.
Jonathan put his arm around Kate’s shoulder, drawing her close to him. ‘Whatever you have to say to me, Master Thurloe can be discussed in Mistress Ashley’s presence.’
Henrietta beckoned to Tom. ‘Come, Tom, let us leave these people to talk.’
Tom pushed his stool back and stood up. ‘Have you come to take Jonathan away again?’
A muscle twitched in Thurloe’s cheek. ‘You are very direct, young man. I have come merely to talk.’
‘Leave us, Tom,’ Jonathan said.
Tom scowled at the Secretary of State as he gave him a half-hearted bow before leaving the room, closing the door behind himself and Henrietta.
‘Forgive me if I sit, Master Thurloe,’ Jonathan resumed his chair. ‘I find I tend to tire somewhat easily.’ He waited for a beat before he asked, ‘So, as Tom just asked, have you come to return me to the Tower? If so, you have come extremely badly prepared. I see no escort for such a dangerous prisoner as myself.’
Thurloe smiled. ‘And I see no guard on the door. You surprise me, Thornton, I would have thought you may have seized the chance to escape.’
‘Aside from the fact that I am barely out of my sick bed, I have no heart for flight, Master Thurloe.’ His eyes narrowed. ‘Let’s not waste time. What is my fate to be?’
Thurloe regarded him for a moment before he spoke. ‘You are fortunate in your friends. Through the direct intercession of your uncle with our Lord Protector and the Council, I have come to offer you your freedom, on one condition, you undertake never again to take up arms against the lawful government of the Commonwealth of England and swear the Solemn Oath and Covenant.’
Thurloe reached into his jacket and handed a paper to Jonathan.
Jonathan read the document and handed it to Kate. It was not long but the closely written words danced and blurred before her eyes and it took an effort to process what she was reading.
As she handed it back to him, she read the question in his eyes. Surely he did not need her to supply the answer? His King had sworn the Oath and he could do it as well. It meant nothing. Just a few words on a piece of paper, nothing more.
‘Do you give that undertaking?’ Thurloe said.
Jonathan drew a deep breath. ‘Yes, I give that undertaking.’
He stood and walked over to the small table where an inkstand and pen stood. He laid the paper out and scratched his signature on the bottom.
As he turned to hand the signed paper to Thurloe, a black and white spaniel pushed its way through the door, hotly pursued by its small owner, who burst into the parlour with cries of ‘Oliver, bad dog. Come here.’
Tabitha pulled up short and stared at her father’s guest. ‘I’m sorry, Father,’ she said.
