Page 124 of The King's Man
He placed a finger on her mouth. ‘Shhh … ’
He straightened, wincing as the cracked ribs caught. Nevertheless he managed a slight, dignified inclination of his head. ‘I am at your disposal.’
As he walked out of the Ship Inn, Kit did not look back. He could not face the hurt in Thamsine’s eyes again.
Chapter 41
‘Mistress Lovell? An unexpected surprise.’ Thurloe rose to his feet. ‘Shouldn’t you be on a boat to Barbados?’
Thamsine leaned both hands on the oak table. ‘He’s been arrested.’
John Thurloe’s eyebrows lifted in a look of genuine surprise, but the unguarded moment was fleeting and the familiar guarded look returned just as quickly to the dark face.
‘There is a warrant for his arrest. I did tell him that,’ Thurloe said.
‘But you know he was never intended to be arrested.’
He spread his hands. ‘I can’t control everything, Mistress Gran – Lovell. It’s unfortunate that my diligent officers affected his arrest, but I assure you it is not of my doing.’
‘Then undo it.’
Thurloe leaned back in his chair and shook his head. ‘I regret it can’t be undone.’
‘But surely there is something you can do?’
His expression was bland. ‘I warned him that there was nothing I could do if he was caught. I’m sorry, Mistress Lovell, but I’m afraid your husband is on his own and must face the consequences.’ He paused. ‘I’m sure I don’t need to tell you what those could be.’
Thamsine felt the blood drain from her face. ‘Are you saying that he could die?’
Thurloe’s mouth was a grim line. ‘Mistress Lovell, please understand, I can’t save him without betraying everything I have worked for. If it comes to a choice between the life of one man and the good of the nation … ’ He spread his hand.
Thamsine sat down unbidden as the reality of Kit’s fate sank in.
‘Will there be a trial?’ she asked.
‘Of course.’
She looked at the man across the desk and felt her resolve begin to wane. ‘But you said that there would be deaths.’
Thurloe looked away. ‘Unavoidable but necessary. The message must be sent that these conspiracies will not be tolerated. Go home, Mistress Lovell, and pray. That is all you can do.’
Thamsine rose to her feet and placed both hands on the desk, leaning towards Thurloe, trying to hold his gaze. ‘You can’t let him die. Not after all he has done for you.’
Thurloe returned her gaze without blinking and said in an icy tone, ‘He knew the risks.’
‘But he was doing it for his brother, not for himself.’
‘His motives are irrelevant.’
‘You blackmailed him into it!’
Thurloe pushed back his chair. ‘Mistress Lovell, don’t be fooled into thinking your husband acted purely out of concern for his brother. He was paid and paid well for his work. His brother will be freed. As far as I am concerned, the books areclosed.’ He strode to the door and opened it. ‘There is nothing further to be done. Now leave me.’
Thamsine felt her breath leave her body at the perfidy of this man who had used Kit for his ends and would now sit back and let him die. She turned on her heel and ran past the astonished secretaries in the outer room.
Chapter 42
Every morning for the next week Thamsine walked to the Tower of London, only to be turned away at the gate. After another abortive visit, she trudged back to The Ship Inn, which bustled with its usual dinnertime activity. May and Nan were back at work, skilfully avoiding the groping hands and ribald remarks.
