Page 46 of The King's Man
It struck him as ironic that he would trust neither of them as far as he could throw them. Thurloe’s web stretched wide, and he was almost certain these two were in Thurloe’s pay.
‘At least listen to what they have to say,’ Fitz whispered.
Fitz caught the eye of the taller man. They removed their hats and cloaks and sauntered over to the table with a look of studied casualness as if such a meeting was pure coincidence. The introductions to Gerard were made quickly.
‘Lovell,’ Henshaw said as he sat down, ‘I heard tales that you were one of The Ship Inn Plotters.’
‘So they have a name now, do they?’ Kit shrugged. ‘I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.’
‘Lovell was against the plan,’ Fitzjames said. ‘It was unfortunate that he was rounded up with the rest of them.’
‘So, Lovell,’ Gerard leaned forward. ‘Are you interested in a more serious game?’
‘A more serious game?’
‘To kill Cromwell,’ Wiseman said in a low voice.
Kit swallowed. This was not what he expected. He doubted very much that these two were agents of the Sealed Knot, which meant they, like Dutton, were off on a dangerous frolic of their own.
‘What will that achieve?’ he asked carefully.
‘Without Cromwell, this Commonwealth is nothing. There is no one to succeed him, they will be begging the King to return,’ Wiseman said.
‘What about Ireton?’
Henshaw’s mouth twisted into a grim smile. ‘We kill him too.’
‘You make that sound easy! What of the other generals? Knock off one head and another will replace it,’ Kit scoffed. ‘Does the King know of this plan?’
Gerard spoke up. ‘Not yet. Henshaw and Wiseman are leaving for France tonight. My uncle has arranged an introduction to Prince Rupert. With that, they hope to see Charles.’
‘And if he won’t see you?’ Kit gave both men a hard look.
Henshaw shrugged. ‘We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.’
‘So why include me? Surely The Ship Inn debacle should teach you that the fewer who know the better.’
‘Because you’re a good man, Lovell. We can trust you, and let’s face it, you speak French,’ Fitz said.
At the word “trust”, a shiver ran down Kit’s spine.
‘All of you speak French. So why does being fluent in French make me useful?’
‘You don’t just speak French, youareFrench, Lovell,’ Fitzjames said and caught his friend’s eyes. ‘Well, half-French. There is someone we must meet with and we don’t want any French tricks. If he knows we have one of our number who can’t be fooled, he’s less likely to try to outsmart us.’
Kit’s ears pricked. ‘Why would the French get involved in such a plan?’
‘Cromwell is treating with the French King over the Huguenot business. Not all the French agree with what is being discussed,’ Henshaw said.
‘They would like to continue massacring innocent women and children just because they are Protestant?’ Kit curled his lip in distaste.
Fitzjames laughed. ‘You’re a damned cynic, Lovell. Yes, let them do it if it keeps Charles in Paris and the French on his side.’
Kit kept his peace. This was not the time or the place to discuss the politics of the French or to mention that his mother’s family were Protestants. ‘Who is this Frenchman you are meeting with?’ he asked.
‘It doesn’t matter for now,’ Henshaw replied.
Kit looked around the circle of faces with a heavy heart.Another tavern, another plot.
