Courtesan of the Saints

by Marina Oliver

  Chapter 9

  Miles soon contrived a meeting with Gerard, the leader of this new plot, and presented his credentials.

  'I have come to ask you to reconsider your plans,' he said. 'To assassinate the Protector will turn people against all Royalists.'

  'But he is the stumbling block. No one else in his following has the authority to lead,' Gerard explained.

  'That does not help us. Unless we can get the King established, the situation would only get worse.'

  'I do not see that. With Cromwell gone, the King could come back when he wished, and none to say him nay.'

  'There are many, not only in the Army, but the Puritans, who would resist. I know full well there is little enough positive support in the country at this time for a landing by the King to be successful, it would simply lead to more useless fighting, and undo all the progress we are making.'

  'In other words, my plan conflicts with yours, and you wish me to step down so as to leave you with a clear field? Is that it?'

  'No so. We are exploring many ways, but most importantly we are trying to win support so that the King can rely on many people when he does come back. This action, whether successful or not, would cost us much of the support we are already gaining amongst moderate people.'

  'I cannot agree. There is great need for action. The Sealed Knot does nought, and people are wondering why. They will lose hope the longer time that passes without some sign the leaders are leading!'

  'I agree it seems as though nought is being done, but it is not so. A great deal is being done in a quiet way, and when the time is ripe action will be taken. But we cannot afford to move unsuccessfully, and dissipate our support and our hopes. It was agreed with the King that all plans should be put first to the Knot, and be carried out only with their approbation and under their general guidance. Thus we can direct the many efforts into what we think the best ways of proceeding.'

  Gerard looked at him for a time, and then shook his head.

  'But they are doing nought to encourage the people who desire the King's return, but who are not involved in the plotting, and who do not know something is being done. What I plan will do that, and I cannot accept it would make the situation worse.'

  Miles laughed. 'You seem unwilling to think what would happen if you were successful. The Army would institute many repressive measures, and many people now at liberty would be arrested. Do not underestimate Thurloe. He has an excellent spy system. How do you think I came to know of your plans?'

  'I confess I had been wondering who had been to consult with the Knot.'

  'No one has. But someone has been indiscreet, for the Council know all about it, and it was only because one of our agents discovered it from them that we heard of it.'

  'What?' Gerard was shaken out of his calm. 'You say all is known?'

  'Aye, and arrests will be made unless you give up the idea and, for your own safety, leave the country.'

  'I do not believe you.'

  'I am but issuing a warning. I can see I will not dissuade you from your attempt by appealing to your reason, but I know well you will not be allowed to succeed. You will be permitted to incriminate yourselves sufficiently, and then an example will be made of you and our friends.'

  'With evidence provided by the Knot, no doubt?' Gerard sneered.

  Miles looked at him coolly. 'I resent that implication, sir, and would call you to give satisfaction for it if it were not that to fight might bring too much unwelcome attention to us. But if we meet in another country one day, I will remember it.'

  'Bound by orders, no doubt! Or fear.'

  ''Are you trying to provoke me? You will not succeed unless I consider that removing you would be for the good of the cause we are both supposed to be serving. That is another warning you had best heed!'

  Clenching his fists tightly to restrain himself from attacking the man, Miles swung on his heel and left Gerard, furious the man had been able to insult him, and for the sake of the King's cause he had been forced to swallow the insult. He strode along unseeingly for some time, then the worry of what Gerard might do, and the harm this could cause displaced his personal anger.

  After further consideration, he called on Sir Richard Willys and told him all that had passed. 'Could you use your influence with the man?' he asked. 'The more warnings he receives the more the chance he might take some heed of them.'

  Sir Richard promised to use what influence he had, and said he would consult with his fellow members of the Knot.

  'You are right that we must stop such madmen.'

  'Aye, but I could not help agreeing with some of his feelings. We are not doing enough to keep the spirits of our supporters high.'

  'We cannot afford to risk all before the time is ripe.'

  'I know that, and argued so with Gerard. But I begin to wonder, as I know many people do, what else we might do,' Miles answered slowly.

  'You criticize us?'

  'I begin to feel we are overcautious.'

  'Would you have us behave as this fellow, and try to kill the leaders of the Council, mayhap?'

  'By no means. Yet there is an immense desire in the country for action. If we made more efforts to concert and organize it, I am sure we could plan a rising that would have a high chance of success.'

  'The time has not yet come for that. We need more support. '

  'Are you certain it is not there, waiting for a lead to be given? I argued with Gerard that he could not expect the whole country to fall at Charles' feet once Cromwell were out of the way, and I know that to be so. It needs organization, more contacts, people in every county and every town who will raise support when the word is given. With such support, we might begin to plan for a rising.'

  'We have considered such possibilities, believe me, Mr. Talbot,' Sir Richard said a trifle coldly. 'The King's authority rests with us, and we shall decide what is best to do.'

  Miles shrugged, and soon departed, feeling considerable dissatisfaction with the whole business. He wondered whether he was being unduly affected by his frustration over Cherry, but believed the Knot was acting too cautiously.

  The day before the planned assassination, Miles visited Sir Henry to see whether he had heard any more.

  'There have been no arrests until now,' Sir Henry told him, 'though our agent is convinced something is planned. She cannot get the details, but says the men round the Protector are fully aware of the plot. All she can discover is that they say it cannot succeed.'

  'I wish the fools would give up and leave London. They are bound to be arrested if they do not.'

  'Come to me tomorrow. The agent may have more news then,' Sir Henry suggested.

  'We leave it late. Tomorrow Cromwell travels to Hampton, and surely the arrests will be made before then?'

  'There is nought we can do to prevent them.'

  'What if your agent is wrong, and there is no knowledge of the plot other than a general sort? What if they do not know all the men?'

  'You can discount that idea. This woman is one of the most successful and accurate agents we have ever employed. She has never been wrong in the information she has given us. Do not fear the assassination will be permitted, and the cause harmed.'

  'I trust you are right. Till tomorrow, then. I will come early.'

  The next day Miles was with Sir Henry soon after it was light, to find the agent had already been to him.

  'The Protector will travel by river, and the plotters are to be foiled,' Sir Henry informed him.

  'Then there are to be no arrests? That I do not believe.'

  'It appears more evidence is wanted. They seem to think that if this attempt is foiled, another will be made, and they will pounce then.'

  'They are confident about it,' commented Miles. 'The Protector is in danger while they wait. '

  'That is true, but probably no more than at any time, for there could be many fanatics waiting to murder him.'

  There was no more to be gained by further discussion, and Miles left,
but could not stop worrying about the plot. After he had breakfasted in a nearby tavern, he made his way to Gerard's house, and took up a position in a tavern nearby, where he could keep the door of the house under observation. It was some time before his patience was rewarded, but eventually Gerard appeared, wearing a long dark cloak, and set off in the direction of the Bridge.

  Miles followed at a cautious distance. Gerard was walking quickly, and casting many suspicious glances around. Miles was able to keep out of view, staying well back and ensuring there were always many other people between him and his quarry. Gerard turned down Fish Street Hill and began to cross the Bridge. Here the traffic was so congested progress was slow. Miles saw Gerard, after another look round, hastily dive into one of the shops which lined the side of the bridge.

  At that moment two carts travelling in opposite directions became entangled as their wheels locked, and the drivers began to sling invective at each other, appearing to be in no hurry to release the carts and remove the obstruction in the roadway, which was very narrow. Miles joined the interested crowd that collected round the carts, and watched for Gerard's reappearance. In the meantime he listened with appreciation to the comments of both participants and spectators, who were vociferously disparaging the looks, parentage, and probable futures of the two drivers.

  Out of the corner of his eye Miles perceived Gerard emerge from the shop. He carried a bundle, long and thin, and Miles pursed his lips. It was as he had feared. Gerard had not abandoned his attempt at assassination.

  Gerard hurried over to the far side of the Bridge, and casually extricating himself from the crowd about the carts, Miles followed. At the south end of the Bridge, Gerard turned aside and entered an inn. Miles hovered nearby. Then Gerard came out from the stableyard, riding a mangy horse. Waiting only to be certain of the road he took, Miles went speedily to another inn and hired a horse for himself. Then he set to trail Gerard, who had taken the road towards Lambeth.

  Miles judged that Gerard was aiming to reach the bank of the river by Lambeth, and from there attempt to shoot the Protector as he travelled by barge from Whitehall. He hoped there were no others of the plotters stationed elsewhere along the river, but if there were, he could do nothing. Gerard at least he could stop, and possibly prevent his arrest as well as his attempt at assassination.

  Here in the open country it was more difficult to trail Gerard without rousing his suspicions, and Miles had to keep a long distance behind. He could see Gerard, and maintained as great a distance as he dared between them. But now he had left the City behind, Gerard did not seem to be so concerned. He rode along at a moderate speed, and as there were several other travellers Miles was not too conspicuous.

  Arriving at Lambeth, Gerard stabled his horse at an inn, and then made his way towards the river. Miles, having seen to the disposal of his own mount, followed. Gerard was standing on a path at the side of the river, in a spot where he was hidden from the village of Lambeth behind him, and anxiously scanning the river. Miles looked across towards the northern bank, but there was nothing nearby at the moment that could be the Protector's barge.

  Miles walked up to Gerard, and greeted him.

  'Well met, Mr. Gerard.'

  Gerard spun round, and Miles saw the pistol partly concealed by the voluminous cloak.

  'Well now, my friend, are you expecting some challenger to a duel?'

  'What do you here?' Gerard asked furiously.

  'Is it not a free road? I but take the air, as you are doing.'

  'You are spying on me!'

  Miles laughed. 'Correct, my friend. I am also going to prevent you from what you have intended.'

  'Oh no you do not.' Gerard swung the pistol menacingly towards Miles. 'You have done your best to betray the matter to the authorities, but you have not succeeded, and will not!'

  'Do you propose to shoot me to prevent it?' Miles asked indicating the pistol.

  'Aye, if argument will not deter you from your interference.'

  'Then let us see what argument will do. What do you hope to gain by this murder?'

  'We have argued this before,' Gerard said wearily. 'We need action, and Cromwell is too powerful to destroy any other way.'

  'If I agree more action is needed, and could obtain the King's consent to it, would you be willing to work with me and with others to produce it?'

  'What? Are you considering deserting the Knot?'

  'No, but I do see that more could mayhap be done. But there will be no success without some authority at the centre to coordinate the plans.'

  'It is but a trick. The men of the Knot would not agree They are too timid, and fearful for their own skins. We are not. '

  'Sensible caution is a necessary attribute for fighters,' Miles observed.

  'It is a name for cowardice.'

  They continued to argue for some time, but Miles could not persuade Gerard there was any hope of more action under the present leaders of the conspiracy. He was determined to follow his own plans.

  While they had been talking, they had both been watching the river, and Gerard at last spotted the barge he had been awaiting. Miles had seen it too. It was not far away, and being rowed rapidly towards them, near to the bank on which they stood as the rowers approached the bend in the river.

  Gerard moved away from Miles, and took up a position where he had an uninterrupted view of the barge for a considerable distance. Miles stayed where he was, a few yards back.

  The barge came nearer, and was almost level with Gerard. He raised the pistol, but before he could take aim Miles leapt forward, and catching Gerard about the body swung him round. Gerard stumbled, and Miles was able to grasp the pistol and wrench it away. He tossed it out into the water, and the faint splash it made was scarcely noticeable. Gerard was struggling furiously, but Miles was strong and had a firm hold on him. He managed to twist Gerard's arms behind him, and held them while Gerard gasped with pain.

  'I do not like assassins, but understand your feelings,' Miles said quietly into Gerard's ear. 'Will you give up your plans? Will you join us in working together for a restoration?'

  'You devil! 'Sblood, I will pay you back for this. You have ruined the best chance we had!'

  'Will you not answer my questions?' Miles persisted.

  'No! I will never work with one so treacherous as you! You are no friend of the King to prevent me from killing his enemy.'

  'I do not like murder.'

  'We are at war, it is no ordinary killing!'

  'It is murder, and you would have the King stained with the blame for it.'

  'Nonsense! He had nought to do with it!'

  'How are we to tell the uncommitted people that? How will they know, when it is his agents that do the deed?'

  'I care not. You have destroyed this opportunity, but do not think you have silenced us!'

  'I do not think that. I merely wonder why the authorities have not done so before now. They will, be sure on it. Will you not save your skin by fleeing abroad?'

  'So, you would have me a coward too?'

  'Why not go to the King, and put your arguments to him? He would mayhap be able to convince you, and there would be nought to prevent you from returning when the matter has been forgotten, and working for the King's cause again.'

  'Have you any more tricks? Any more blandishments to hold out to me?'

  'No. For I see you are as stubborn as a mule! I have tried to prevent you from damaging the King's cause, and at the same time save yourself. If you will not listen, I can do no more. I must then let events take their course, and mayhap you will be convinced when Thurloe has his say!'

  With that, Miles threw Gerard roughly to the ground, and turned to retrace his steps, fuming with anger that he had not succeeded in convincing the man, but with a slight glow of satisfaction that on this occasion at least, he had retrieved matters for the King.

  He rode back to London, and left the bitterly angry Gerard to follow. On the way he made plans for a visit to the King and try to
persuade him to allow more actively inclined men a say in the conspiracy, for he realized much of the truth in Gerard's assertions that support would be lost if hope were not soon provided for the King's supporters.