Page 85 of The King's Man
‘I hear our friend Fitzjames is dead,’ De Baas said.
‘Drowned at sea,’ Willys said shortly, ‘but we have another to take his place.’
‘And who may that be?’ De Baas enquired.
‘Peter Vowells. He’s a schoolmaster from Islington.’
‘A schoolmaster?’ De Baas’ lip curled in distaste. ‘What can a schoolmaster do?’
‘He has good contacts and can raise the London apprentices,’ Willys said, his tone even.
De Baas raised an eyebrow. ‘The London apprentices? That is a considerable talent.’
Gerard leaned forward. ‘It is generally agreed that the plan will go forward. Baron, is your promise of a … friend still certain?’
De Baas nodded. ‘I am returning to Paris in a couple of days, and I shall make the necessary arrangements. Only the very best, I assure you.’
Willys flinched. ‘Baron, I’m not sure we can afford the very best.’
De Baas smiled, showing a row of even, white teeth. ‘You may repay us when the deed is done.’
Gerard nodded. ‘Well, gentlemen, we are agreed.’
‘When do we plan to accomplish the task in hand?’ Kit asked.
‘I think we should aim for early in May. That gives us a month to finalise matters,’ Gerard replied.
The conspirators stood, briefly clasped hands and dispersed. Kit remained at his table, his hand curled around the stem of his wineglass, considering what more he needed to do.
With a rustle of skirts the two girls sat down opposite him. He looked at them questioningly. Nan punched May on the arm.
‘Go on,’ Nan said. ‘You tell him what she told us.’
‘Ow!’ May gave her sister a rueful look. ‘It’s about Thamsine,’ she said. ‘She made me promise not to tell and I’m a girl of me word.’
Nan gave a snort of disgust. ‘Gawd, May, she could be lying dead in some ditch. You tell him.’
‘She told us that she was running away from a man what wanted to marry her for her money,’ May said in a rush.
Kit nodded. ‘I know that much,’ he said. ‘Did she mention the man’s name?’
May shook her head. ‘No, but she said he were mean and vicious.’ Her eyes widened. ‘You don’t suppose … ?’
‘I don’t suppose anything, May,’ Kit said quickly, the same thought crossing his mind. He rose to his feet and took May’s face in his hands, kissing her forehead. ‘You did right to tell me.’
May looked relieved. ‘So you’ll find her?’
He smiled. ‘Of course I will, and I’m sure she will be just fine.’
***
Kit stumped up to the parlour of Lucy’s house, tossed his hat in a corner, and sat down beside the parlour fire, toying with his pipe, which lacked the tobacco to smoke. Lucy was not at home and he felt an odd sense of relief. Since his return from Paris, he had found Lucy’s company cloying and a little too demanding.
A timid knock on the door jolted him from his reverie. The kitchen scullion stood in the doorway, twisting her hands in her apron. He didn’t even know her name. Something plain – Mary or Jane?
‘Beg pardon, sir.’
‘Yes?’ he snapped.
