Page 125 of The King's Man
Jem looked up from his position at the keg. ‘Still won’t let you see him?’ he asked.
Thamsine shook her head.
‘I’m sorry lass,’ Jem shook his head. ‘It’s a grim lookout.’
Heartsick, Thamsine turned for the stairs.
‘Hold on, lass. There’s a man in the parlour waiting for you,’ Jem said. ‘I told him I’d not heard of you but he insisted on staying. Says he won’t go till he sees you.’
Thamsine turned. ‘Not … ?’ Her heart skipped a beat.
Jem read her thoughts. ‘Not Morton. I’ve not seen him before. Weedy specimen. Middle height, thin face, fair hair. Balding. He gave me this for you.’ Jem held out a grubby note.
Thamsine took it and unfolded it.
Sister,
I know you will not wish to see me but I beg you hear me out. Jane has been taken ill and is asking for you. She has been ailing all winter and I fear she may not see out the summer. I have done many great wrongs by you and I beg this chance to be forgiven.
Yrs in penitence, Rgr Knott Esq.
Thamsine glanced at the parlour door. For a brief moment, she remembered that first night when she had sung for Kit Lovell. He had stood in that doorway, watching her, a tall, lean shadow with laughter in his eyes.
I saw a handsome proper youth
And he was wondrous fine
But when I understood the truth,
His case was worse than mine,
On wine and drabs, he did all spend
Which wrought his overthrow,
So fortune plac’d him in the end,
With beggars all a row.
She sang the words softly. So much had happened in those few short months since that day in February. She straightened her shoulders and opened the door.
“I’m right behind you, lass,” Jem said. “If he tries anything, he’ll have me to answer to.”
Roger sat straight-backed in one of the oak chairs, his hat and gloves neatly placed on the table before him. He stood up as she entered, his eyes flicking to the sturdy figure of Jem Marsh looming behind her.
‘She’s dying, Thamsine,’ were his opening words as he ran his fingers through his lank, thinning hair.
‘She seemed in good enough health when I last saw her,’ Thamsine replied coldly.
He shook his head. ‘She’s not been well for a long time. Her lungs, the doctor says. She wants to see you.’
Thamsine stood quite still. ‘Did she tell you where I was to be found?’
Roger nodded.
Thamsine fixed him with her eyes. ‘Did you betray Captain Lovell?’
Roger looked surprised. ‘Captain Lovell? No. Why would I do that? What are you talking about?’
