Page 66 of The King's Man
‘Your Majesty, we want nothing more than your restoration to your rightful throne,’ Lord Gerard began.
‘Then if that is all you desire, your understanding of my predicament is naïve, Gerard.’ Charles closed his eyes and waved a hand. ‘Very well, tell me your plan.’
Gerard turned to Fitzjames, who cleared his throat. ‘Sire, we have a contact here in the French court who is desirous of assisting us.’
Charles gave a derisive snort of laughter. ‘For what purpose?’
‘To be blunt,’ Lord Gerard said, ‘if you were to return to the throne of England, well disposed to the French court, then France will be highly relieved. There is considerable resentment about Cromwell’s high-handed support of the Huguenot cause and the way he is playing the Dutch against the Spanish.’
‘And why would I be any different? I cannot countenance the wholesale slaughter of innocents on account of their religion.’
‘Your Majesty, we are straying from the point. Our plan is quite simple, to destabilize the army by removing Cromwell.’
Charles’ eyes took on a hooded, thoughtful look. ‘What do you mean by “remove”?’
Fitz spoke. ‘We plan to assassinate him, and while the army is in uproar there will be a rising in London. With less than a thousand men, we could take and hold Whitehall, the Tower and other key positions.’
‘And with you waiting in the Thames Estuary to land, England will fall,’ Lord Gerard concluded.
‘And what help will the French provide?’
‘The means to remove Cromwell,’ Fitzjames said quietly.
Charles closed his eyes; when he opened them they were fixed on Kit. ‘Lovell, you’re silent. What are your thoughts on this plan?’
A cold shiver ran down Kit’s spine. ‘I think we need some guarantee of general support before we embark on it. Without a firm commitment of men and money, we are talking about a dream, Your Majesty.’
‘I agree,’ Charles said. ‘Gentlemen, it is, I believe, now generally well known, that there is a committee in England that holds my commission for a general uprising should the circumstances prevail. I do not believe that the death of Cromwell alone will achieve anything in itself but … ’ he raised a finger, ‘ … should such an event occur as a prelude to an uprisingsanctioned by the Sealed Knot, then it may be a worthwhile venture.’
‘But Your Majesty, we do not know who comprises the Sealed Knot. How can we discuss such matters with them?’ Fitz posed the question that had been on the tip of Kit’s tongue. He gave his friend a sharp glance, relieved that Fitz seemed ignorant of the composition of the Sealed Knot.
‘Who comprises the Sealed Knot is no concern of yours,’ the King said. ‘Gentlemen, officially I will not countenance an act of aggression against the person of Cromwell unless it is done in conjunction with an organised general insurrection.’
‘Your Majesty … ’ Lord Gerard began in a pleading tone.
Charles raised a hand. ‘That is my decision, Lord Gerard. Return to England but do nothing until agents of the Sealed Knot contact you. Is that clear?’
The men nodded.
‘Good day to you, gentlemen.’ The King gestured at the door.
The group walked out of the audience chamber. Heads turned and bent to whisper to companions as they passed by. It was only when they had secured the privacy of their lodgings and adjourned to a private parlour that Lord Gerard gave vent to his frustration by hurling his hat onto the table.
‘What is it going to take to convince him?’ he snorted.
‘I think the memory of Worcester is close to his heart,’ Kit said. ‘Who can blame him?’
‘Worcester was three years ago,’ Fitz said. ‘Lovell, pour the wine. I feel like getting drunk!’
‘Well, that will be a real contribution to the cause,’ Kit said. ‘Let’s all get drunk!’
He looked up as the door opened, without a knock, to admit a tall, dark man. They all jumped to their feet.
‘Your Highness!’ Lord Gerard said, bowing.
Prince Rupert of the Rhine poured himself a glass of wine and, looking around the assembled company, took a seat.
‘I hear your meeting with my cousin was not satisfactory,’ he said.
