Page 16 of The King's Man
‘This mad plot of Dutton’s. It’ll ruin everything.’ Willys’ fingers drummed on the rim of his empty pot.
Kit raised an eyebrow. ‘What will it ruin?’
Willys looked around the parlour. ‘It has no chance of success. You both know that. I saw it in your faces.’
‘I agree, but I do not see that it can be prevented,’ Fitz said, removing the pipe from his mouth.
Willys looked away. ‘No. It has gone too far already.’
‘What other plans is it going to ruin?’ Kit asked again.
Willys gave him a considered glance. ‘You’re a good man, Lovell. I’ve no reason to doubt your loyalty to the King.’ He lowered his voice. ‘There’s a committee with the King’s Commission set up to organise an insurrection.’
Kit set his tankard down and leaned forward. ‘Withthe King’s Commission?’
Willys nodded.
‘Who’s on it?’
‘That doesn’t matter. What matters is that part of the commission is to prevent such madness as this.’
Kit sat back and shook his head. ‘Willys, you, they, whoever this committee is, can’t stop it. While the King sits in France and Cromwell in Whitehall there are always going to be hotheads like Dutton who will be plotting in their cups.’
Willys stroked his moustache. ‘I know. All I can do is suggest that you disassociate yourself from this plan and try and persuade as many of your comrades as you can. Maybe it will die its natural death.’
Kit sat back, his fingers playing thoughtfully around his tankard. ‘They meet tomorrow night. Will you be there?’
Willys shook his head. ‘No. I will have no further truck with them.’
‘So what does this committee of yours plan?’
Willys shook his head. ‘I haven’t said I was on the committee, Lovell, but if they should have need of you, can we … they rely on you?’
‘If your enterprise has the King’s Commission, then you have my sword.’
‘Fitzjames?’
‘I’m with you both.’
‘Good man.’ Willys stood up. ‘I wish you luck, Lovell. If they can be dissuaded, you’re the man to do it. Dutton trusts you.’
Kit watched Willys as he left the room, shutting the door behind him. In the taproom, Thamsine was singing a sad, mournful ballad.Beggars all in a row, Kit thought and stared gloomily at his cup.
‘Aren’t you tired of this, Fitz?’ he asked.
Fitzjames shrugged. ‘Of course I am, but I’m tired of this hand-to-mouth existence, Lovell. I want the King back on his rightful throne. If there is a chance that this Committee ofWillys’ can organise something then yes, I will be there. What will you do?’
‘Dutton meets tomorrow night,’ Kit said. ‘I shall hear what he has to say and try to turn his mind to joining his enterprise with this committee.’
Fitz leaned forward. ‘The Sealed Knot,’ he said with a wry grin. ‘They call themselves the Sealed Knot.’
‘What sort of fanciful name is that?’
Fitz shrugged and drained his cup. ‘I for one will not attend tomorrow night. I’m with Willys. I want no further part of this plot.’
‘Sensible man,’ Kit agreed.
‘It’s getting late.’ Fitz rose to his feet.
