Page 73 of The King's Man
‘He’s a very good liar, Jane.’
‘But Roger … ’
‘Roger will do whatever Ambrose wants and you are no match for either of them.’
‘I don’t understand what has happened to Roger. These last months, he’s changed.’ Jane looked away, and Thamsine thought she could see the glint of tears in her sister’s eyes.
‘He wants no scandal to touch his prospects.’ Thamsine held her tongue on the true reason for Roger’s uncharacteristic behaviour. Jane did not need to know that her husband was an adulterer. She changed the subject. ‘Let’s talk of other matters. How are the children? Are they here?’
Jane shook her head. ‘No, they have been staying with Roger’s mother. They are happy there.’
‘Are they well?’
Jane’s face lightened. Her world revolved around her daughters, who bore the biblical names of Rachel and Rebecca. ‘Oh, they’re fine, Thamsine. I wish you could see them. Rebecca is a good, dutiful daughter but Rachel … ’ Jane’s face softened at the mention of her youngest daughter. ‘Rachel is so like you. She’s always in trouble over some innocent misdemeanour oranother, from climbing trees in the orchard to failing to learn her Bible verses.’
‘I would love to see them, Jane.’
‘Oh, I am sure you shall. Perhaps I could bring them to Hartley when … ’ Jane’s face tightened and Thamsine answered for her.
‘When I am married?’
Jane picked up the Bible. She frowned as she looked at the book, its spine broken when Thamsine had hurled it against the wall. ‘The Bible is not to blame for your woes, Thamsine,’ she said, rising to her feet.
She set the book down on the table, her hand resting on it momentarily.
‘A short passage for you to consider, Thamsine. Ephesians 4, Chapters 25 to 31.’
When she was gone, Thamsine picked up the book and turned to the passage. It was a lovely piece that spoke of forgiveness.
… Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you …
‘Oh Jane,’ she whispered. ‘Do you think that will help?’
***
Jane returned the following morning. She smiled at Thamsine and held out her hands.
‘Roger says you can help me this morning.’
Thamsine raised her head and looked at her sister’s slight figure in the doorway. ‘You mean I am allowed out?’
‘Only to help me,’ Jane said hastily. ‘I am not to let you out of my sight.’
‘That’s very trusting of Roger. And how would you stop me if I made a bolt for freedom?’
Jane’s lips tightened. ‘I couldn’t, but please, Thamsine, if you do try to escape, I will answer for it. Roger has made that quite clear.’
Thamsine stood up and shook out her crumpled skirts. It would be good to be free of the four walls of her prison. Roger did not need keys or shackles. He knew that this sort of emotional blackmail would keep her subdued for the time being. She had one more day before Morton returned to claim her and no plan to make good her escape.
‘What do you need help with?’ she asked, tying the apron Jane handed to her as they went down the stairs.
‘The stillroom needs cleaning out in preparation for the summer herbs.’
Thamsine wandered around the little room, opening the pots and smelling the concoctions. At least it was an activity, and as much as Thamsine had always hated matters domestic, there was a certain pleasure in working with the sweet-smelling herbs. She opened a heavy earthenware crock and picked out a dried, slivered root. Mindful that she had paid scant attention to any lessons on the art of the stillroom, she held a piece up.
‘What’s this, Jane?’
Jane’s eyes widened. ‘Put that back at once. That is the root of monkshood.’
