Garland of Straw (Roundheads & Cavaliers Book 2)

by Stella Riley

  Eden paused and, looking him in the eye, Gabriel said gently, ‘Go on.’

  Knowing how his next words were likely to be received, Eden grimaced ruefully.

  ‘The Remonstrance concludes that the person of the King – on whose behalf all our wars and troubles have been – may be speedily brought to justice for the treason, blood and mischief he is therein guilty of.’

  There was a long, thoughtful silence. Then Gabriel said acidly, ‘In short, Henry wants to clear the path for some settlement – as yet undisclosed – by means of charging the King with making war on the nation.’

  ‘More or less. Do you consider that unreasonable?’

  ‘Since the Parliament bears an equal responsibility for the first war – yes. But, more importantly, I consider it dangerous. Don’t you?’

  ‘It’s certainly a mammoth step,’ agreed Eden cautiously, ‘and it’s already arousing a fair amount of opposition. Fairfax is against it, of course. And some of the Colonels are worried about the Army being seen as a trouble-maker and would prefer that King and Kingdom be joined in what they charmingly call a three-fold cord of love. But the things Ireton says of the King are true. His word can’t be trusted – and he’ll carry on playing Westminster off against the Army till Doomsday. So how else can we make a lasting peace except by removing him?’

  ‘We could stop making it possible for His Majesty to drive a wedge between ourselves and the Parliament by thrashing out some mutually acceptable compromise. Then, if the King fails to accept it, Parliament could simply pass the necessary bills without further ado.’ Gabriel’s mouth curled in a sardonic smile. ‘After all, compared with putting His Majesty on trial, forcibly removing his veto ought to be relatively easy. And it would at least have the merit of preserving something of the old order – instead of destroying it completely in favour of some mythical Utopia. Unfortunately, however, Henry Ireton is about as likely to reach agreement with the likes of Denzil Holles as he is to cast himself into the arms of John Lilburne.’

  ‘Much less likely, actually,’ murmured Eden. And then, meeting the Colonel’s eyes, ‘The Levellers won’t support any move to either purge or dissolve Parliament until a suitable settlement has been drawn up. There was some mention of talks being held between them and the Officers’ Council in order to try to come to an understanding.’

  The dark brows rose.

  ‘Henry’s wooing Free-born John? My God! I’d give a lot to see that.’

  ‘Once Ireton knows you’re back, you probably will see it. But the present situation is that, though the Council has agreed to abide by any treaty struck in Newport, it plans to send some proposals of its own directly to the King. If His Majesty accepts them, they’ll be laid before the House. If not … well, I imagine we’ll be back to looking at the Remonstrance again. And, in the meantime, the Council has adjourned itself until Thursday.’

  ‘You’re telling me that nothing more will happen for three days?’ Sighing, Gabriel reached for the jug and refilled both their tankards. ‘What a shame. If I’d known that, I needn’t have rushed.’

  *

  As it turned out, things continued happening in rapid succession. On the following day, while the House of Lords was agreeing to liberate the Duke of Hamilton in return for a paltry hundred thousand pounds, the Derby House Committee was learning of His Majesty’s latest plans to flee the Isle of Wight and also discussing the worrying likelihood of the Royalist fleet – now under the command of Prince Rupert – joining forces with Lord Ormonde in Ireland. When Colonel Brandon dutifully presented himself at Headquarters, he was immediately bidden to a meeting of officers and Levellers at the Nag’s Head tavern in two days’ time.

  He finally saw Mr Larkin that evening and was accorded a shrewd black stare and the usual taciturn greeting. Undeceived by this, Gabriel said, ‘Eden tells me you’ve been busy. Anything I should know about?’

  ‘No.’ Wat had no intention of admitting that, having wasted the last month dogging Ellis Brandon’s every step, he’d signally failed to find anything that might link that gentleman to the mysterious fire in the workroom. ‘I’ve just been minding my own business, same as always. And it’d be no bad thing if everybody else did likewise.’

  ‘Meaning me, I suppose?’

  ‘If the cap fits,’ shrugged Wat. And then, casually, ‘How’s the missus?’

  ‘Busy, I expect,’ came the deliberately unhelpful reply. ‘And that reminds me. Jane Skilbeck was asking after you.’

  The seamed face expressed total disinterest. ‘Was she now?’

  ‘Yes. But don’t worry,’ said Gabriel blandly. ‘I told her you were still just as cantankerous as ever.’

  His duties at the Tower not being particularly arduous, Gabriel decided to use the day before the Nag’s Head meeting to pay a visit to Shoreditch. He arrived to find Annis and Bryony out on a shopping expedition and Jack busy in the workshop, putting the finishing touches to a particularly fine basket-hilt. For a moment or two, Gabriel looked on unobserved before strolling forward, saying, ‘I’m glad to see business continues to thrive. Is that pretty toy destined for anyone I know?’

  ‘Colonel Desborough,’ replied Jack tersely. And then, laying down his work and turning a cool gaze on his visitor, ‘I suppose you’ve come back because of this so-called Remonstrance we’re all hearing so much about.’

  ‘You suppose right. There’s no need, of course, for me to ask your views on the subject.’

  ‘No. As far as I’m concerned, the King should have been brought to London months ago to talk directly with the Parliament – and the Army ought to keep its nose out of what doesn’t concern it. As for the criminally insane notion of bringing His Majesty to trial – words fail me. But I’ll tell you one thing. Neither I, nor anyone I know, want our lives ordered by the likes of Henry Ireton.’

  ‘I entirely agree with you,’ said Gabriel mildly.

  Jack stared at him. ‘What?’

  ‘I said I agree. Unlike Ireton and a good many of his cohorts, I’m just a common mercenary. I didn’t choose to fight for the Parliament out of any massive conviction but because William Waller persuaded me that its cause was just. All I ever asked was that both I and my men should be paid – and I still want that. But if the cost of it is going to be the King’s head and a Parliament under military control, then the price is too high for me.’

  ‘I – I see,’ said Jack, faintly taken aback. ‘So what are you going to do to stop it?’

  ‘Use my vote on the Officers’ Council and join forces with any others who feel as I do. It’s not much, I grant you – but it’s all that’s open to me.’ Gabriel continued to hold his foster-brother’s eyes for a moment and then grinned. ‘And now, if I’ve satisfied you on that point, perhaps we can discuss the things that are really bothering you. Such as the continuing saga of Bryony and Samuel, for example.’

  Jack’s response was a brief, irritable expletive.

  ‘Ah. As bad as that, is it?’

  ‘Worse. The house has become a battleground and they’re driving Annis and me mad.’

  ‘So why not put a stop to it by wishing them joy of one another?’

  Jack’s brows soared.

  ‘There are times when I find your sense of humour misplaced.’

  ‘I daresay. But, odd as it may seem, I’m not joking – so just listen for a moment. They’ve been consorting with each other for some sixteen months now and have considered themselves in love for the last six. Does that sound like an adolescent infatuation to you?’

  ‘Bryony’s too young to know her own mind.’

  ‘She’s eighteen, Jack. And as for Sam … your objections to his politics ought to be less than they were. The Levellers are almost respectable these days, you know – and they’re currently using their influence to prevent the Army interfering with Parliament. You ought to be glad of that. You ought also to be glad that Sam’s safely employed by Gilbert Mabbott and that, since the Moderate’s circulation reputedly rivals that of the D
iurnall, our young friend can probably afford to support a wife.’

  Mr Morrell looked back at him over folded arms.

  ‘You’re very eloquent today. Come to think of it, you’re looking remarkably pleased with yourself as well. Things looking up at Brandon Lacey, are they?’

  A hint of rare colour touched Gabriel’s cheekbones.

  ‘In a manner of speaking.’

  There was a small silence broken only to the roaring of the furnace. Then, with a slow, knowing smile, Jack said, ‘I see. And presumably Venetia feels the same?’

  Gabriel thought of and discarded a number of smart answers.

  ‘I … believe so. We haven’t discussed it.’

  ‘Why not, for God’s sake?’

  ‘Because I’ve only recently admitted to myself that I want to know,’ came the wryly truthful reply. ‘And because after eleven stormy months of marriage, it’s really quite difficult to start telling your wife that you love her.’

  *

  Afterwards, it seemed that having admitted the truth to Jack made it easier for Gabriel to admit a few other things to himself – such as the fact that he missed Venetia at every turn. By day, he missed her voice, the scent of her hair – even the turn of her head; by night, he missed the warmth of her body and the exquisite, terrifying explosion of passion she created in him. It was an unfamiliar sensation … and his only refuge lay in work.

  By the time he walked into the oak-beamed room above the Nag’s Head tavern, Gabriel was already aware that those officers who thought as he did were at that very moment holding a meeting of their own at the Bull’s Head. In certain respects, he regretted not being with them. On the other hand, the art of a successful campaign lay in good intelligence … and where better to get it than here?

  One look around was enough to tell him that he was without visible means of support amongst those present – for Ireton was backed by Harrison and Desborough and a clutch of others who wholeheartedly supported the Remonstrance of the Army. But amongst those standing around Lilburne were John Wildman and William Walwyn; and, less well-known but equally conspicuous, Samuel Radford. Gabriel met a satiric dark gaze and gave an almost imperceptible nod of acknowledgement. Sam responded with a faint twitch of his brows and restored his attention to Free-born John.

  Commissary–General Ireton opened the proceedings by expressing the hope that their deliberations might be attended by harmony and good sense - and then went on to deliver a reasoned argument in favour of dissolving a Parliament that showed every sign of sitting forever. Speaking on behalf of the Levellers, John Wildman replied that the only objective he and his friends had in supporting the war was in securing a just and stable government.

  ‘Then we must first cut off the King’s head,’ called a soldier from the back. ‘Cut of the King’s head – and purge or dissolve the Parliament.’

  There was a rumble of assorted reaction into which Lilburne rose and said bluntly, ‘It’s true that the King is an evil man in his actions – and others of his party as bad. But it’s equally true that the Army has cozened us this last year and fallen from all its promises until it can’t rationally be trusted any more without good cautions and security.’

  Gabriel sat perfectly still while the officers around him roared their disapproval. Samuel Radford leaned back on his bench, folded his arms and grinned.

  ‘That is not so!’ said Ireton sharply.

  ‘By your leave,’ responded Free-born John dryly, ‘it is so. Thus far, the Army has done nothing for the liberty of the people or the settlement of the nation. It has merely extended its own power and influence. And where there are two tyrants, it is in the interest of the people to keep one to balance the other – until we know for certain that the tyrant who pretends fairest will actually give us our freedom.’

  There was another upsurge of disagreement which Ireton allowed to run its course before he spoke.

  ‘Then how,’ he asked coldly, ‘would you suggest we proceed?’

  ‘By drawing up the settlement we wish to achieve. If the King is beheaded and Parliament purged, the whole government will devolve upon the will and swords of the Army. And therein lies no security that I can see. Indeed, our slavery in the future might be greater than it ever was in the King’s time. Consequently, I propose that we join together in drafting a second Agreement of the People – for once that is done, we will be protected from tyranny by King, Army or Parliament.’

  For a little while longer, Ireton and Harrison continued to argue in favour of bringing the King to justice first and settling the affairs of the nation afterwards. But Lilburne stood his ground, with the result that a committee of four-a-side was chosen to write the new Agreement. This came to grief almost immediately when John Price refused to sit down with William Walwyn – causing Free-born John to declare that, if there were no Walwyn, there would be no Lilburne either. But matters were smoothed over when both Price and Walwyn agreed to withdraw and the remaining six sat down to begin their work over a jug or two of ale.

  Strolling out into the street with Samuel Radford, Gabriel said quietly, ‘I never thought to applaud Lilburne’s good sense – but I do so now. He would be wise, however, not to place too much faith in any promises Ireton may make at this stage. Just to be on the safe side, you know.’

  Sam shot him an acute glance.

  ‘I’ll tell him.’

  ‘Do.’ Gabriel paused briefly. ‘You might also consider abating your assault on Jack. I suspect it’s currently doing more harm than good. And, for what it’s worth, I put in a word on your behalf myself yesterday.’

  ‘Oh. That was uncommonly good of you.’

  ‘It was, wasn’t it?’ He smiled suddenly. ‘But don’t expect me to make a habit of it. What you do from here on is entirely up to you.’

  ‘Then I’ll take your advice and see what happens during the next month. After which – if Mr Morrell is still saying no – I’ll do my damnedest to marry Bryony out of hand.’

  ‘I didn’t hear that. Neither do I wish to.’

  ‘Point taken,’ grinned Sam. And then, pausing briefly before following his colleagues, ‘You might, however, like to know that my sister and her husband are safe and sound in their own home and blessing you thrice-daily.’

  ‘Good,’ said Gabriel ambiguously. ‘It’s comforting to know that somebody is.’

  *

  While the Moderate officers at the Bull’s Head were declaring their unanimous resolutions for peace, the committee of Independents and Levellers came to the reluctant conclusion that, since there wasn’t enough time for a new Agreement of the People to be drawn up before the King received and replied to the proposals being sent to him by the Officers’ Council, a suitable interim measure was needed. They therefore adjourned to St Albans where the Levellers set about adding a few vital paragraphs to the Remonstrance, on the strict understanding that no attempt should be made to dissolve Parliament until both sections of the committee were in total accord. Gabriel smiled to himself and hoped that Sam had passed on his warning to Free-born John.

  The Council of Officers, meanwhile, sent the King the terms on which he might be restored to a condition of safety, honour and freedom. These wisely omitted all mention of religion and concentrated on asking for a permanent settlement, rather than three years of this and ten of that. Parliaments were to be held biennially, the Militia placed under the control of a Council of State and only five English Royalists were to be denied pardon. Gabriel thought the proposals eminently reasonable. Parliament sniffed and declared that the King could only be restored if he accepted, unconditionally, the terms offered to him at Newport.

  On November 17th, His Majesty received the officers’ proposals and on the 18th he replied with his usual, gently evasive rejection – causing the officers to immediately vote to adopt the Remonstrance. Only three voices were raised against this … and one of them was that of Colonel Brandon.

  Gabriel’s defection naturally won him an interview with the Commis
sary-General, during the course of which he confined himself to saying that – although the Remonstrance of the Army doubtless contained many worthy things – he couldn’t reconcile his conscience to the paragraph concerning the King’s trial. This was the right tack to take and had the merit of being true. But Gabriel, who would have preferred to make a more positive stand, found it left a bitter taste in his mouth.

  The Commons postponed consideration of the Remonstrance for a week and spent the time choosing which Royalists to banish and which to exempt from pardon. The first list contained the names of Lords Norwich, Holland, Capel and Loughborough – and the second those of Newcastle, Digby, Byron and Langdale. No one saw fit to dwell on the fact that Newcastle, Digby and Byron were already safely overseas, or that – living up to his sobriquet of The Ghost, Sir Marmaduke Langdale had recently escaped from Nottingham to join them.

  While the Army transferred its Headquarters from St Albans to Windsor, His Majesty refused to make any further concessions in the matter of church government. And, on the 27th – a full month after the date originally set – Denzil Holles and his fellow commissioners gave up and headed gloomily back to London.

  *

  Having spent the last week skirmishing with Hugh Peter and trying to drum up some resistance to the Remonstrance without bringing himself into open conflict with Ireton, Gabriel went back to Cheapside on that Monday evening wanting nothing more than a brief respite from the fray. He didn’t get it. Major Maxwell returned from Windsor with the news that Cromwell had written from Pontefract, signifying his agreement with Ireton’s demand for justice without respect of persons. This naturally resulted in a heated argument. And almost before the dust of this had settled, Samuel Radford appeared with his hair all on end and Bryony clinging tearfully to his arm.