Courtesan of the Saints

by Marina Oliver

  Chapter 5

  Returning to his old lodgings, Miles sent a boy with a note to Cherry, and then sat before the fire drinking wine, and allowing his thoughts to dwell on her. When the boy returned, he took the note impatiently, having rewarded the lad. He almost pushed him out of the room, and then opened the screw of paper.

  It was brief, but he smiled in satisfaction. Cherry wrote she happened to be free that evening, and suggested he came for supper. Interpreting this to mean they would be alone, his first thoughts were thankfulness he would not have to endure a whole evening of polite conversation with numerous other guests before he could take her in his arms. Then he wondered whether he was simply fortunate to find her disengaged, or whether she had put off other arrangements for his benefit.

  It was almost time to go, and he changed into a wine colored coat and breeches, which had ample lace decoration, silver buttons, and heavy embroidery. He called for a link boy, and set out, fuming with impatience at the boy's leisurely progress.

  At last he arrived, and was admitted by one of Cherry's menservants who took him immediately to the small boudoir next to her bedroom.

  She was waiting for him, dressed in a loose gown of pale green satin. When the servant announced him, she rose from the chair, and stood gripping the arms of it tightly while he made his bow. The servant withdrew, and he held out his arms, moving across the room towards her. With a low cry, she let go of the chair, and came to him. They kissed hungrily, and it was several minutes before either of them spoke.

  'How I have missed you!' Miles said at length, holding her close and looking searchingly into her face as if to discover changes in it.

  'I too.' She laughed a little unsteadily. 'I began to wonder if you would ever return. I thought mayhap you had found your estate, and decided to remain on it.'

  'I returned as soon as it was possible,' he told her. 'I have been in London little more than an hour.'

  'You have ridden far? You must be weary. Forgive me, I am keeping you standing!' She laughed and moved to one of the chairs, waving him to another. 'Would you prefer to eat now, or have some wine?'

  He remained standing, smiling down at her.

  'I am hungry for neither food nor drink. I was hoping you would offer me what I do hunger for. I am weary of standing looking at you, and could think of better ways!'

  'You are forthright, sir!' she chided mockingly, but rose willingly enough when he took her hand, and led her into the bedroom.

  Their reunion was rapturous, for Cherry had been as impatient as Miles for his return, but had had the burden of not knowing when or even whether he would come. She had thought much about him during his absence, puzzling over what little she knew, suspicious of him. While he seemed ready to talk, and had told her much about himself, she admitted her questions had been of little use. He had adroitly avoided imparting the information she sought, and though it had been done cleverly enough, it was clear to her he was on his guard. Why? Who and what was he? Was he using her, trying to obtain information from her or from her guests? And if so, for what purpose?

  And so she had determined to be wary of him, and to restrict their meetings, though she knew herself well enough to realize she would find it difficult to refuse him. She had never felt like this before for any man, not even for Harry, her first love, whose memory had stayed fresh in her thoughts long after she had ceased to love him.

  But when she had received his note, simply saying he had returned and hoped to see her soon, she had dismissed all thoughts of caution in her fierce longing to be once more in his strong arms. She had thanked her good fortune she had planned a quiet evening visiting a young married couple who lived nearby, and had without hesitation sent a note excusing herself, explaining she had a slight fever. She smiled wryly to herself as she wrote the word 'slight', thinking it poorly described her state.

  After their first storm of passion was spent, they lay and talked, telling of what had happened during their separation. Miles described some of the houses he had visited, implying they were possible purchases, and explained his extended absence by saying he had felt it incumbent on him to visit the friends he had in the areas he had passed through. Cherry replied with some news about events in London, but little of moment had occurred.

  'Now,' she said, after a while, 'will you partake of the supper that is awaiting you? I arranged it should be cold, and we could serve ourselves.'

  He smiled in appreciation.

  'You anticipated some delay?' he asked softly.

  'I did not know what to expect. Mayhap you would be late in coming,' she replied demurely, and had to protest when he began to kiss her again.

  Eventually they slipped on loose robes, Cherry offering Miles one from the press, and looking mischievously at him as she waited for him to comment on her possession of such a garment large enough for him. He decided to tantalize her by ignoring it, and accepted without comment. They moved into the dining parlor, and sat at the table which had been drawn close to a brightly burning fire.

  'Now bring me up to date with all that has been going on,' he asked, as they helped themselves to the food laid ready. 'I feel such a country bumpkin, away from affairs. Besides, I have been wondering whether I might not hope to be elected for Parliament when this present one comes to the end of its term. Then I would have ample reason for visiting London.'

  He smiled at her, and she laughed. 'Methinks you do not need pretences for what you wish to do, Miles.'

  'No, but it is convenient to have them. What has the Parliament been doing?'

  'They have done as Faithful Denham promised, in hope of making the people holy. They have passed many laws forbidding such entertainments as bull baiting, and closed down cockpits, and theaters. 'Tis forbidden to dance round the maypole, and many other similar things. The punishments for doing so are severe.'

  'Do you not think this is unwise of them?' he asked slowly. 'They are harmless amusements, and the people will resent being made holy against their will!'

  She looked at him quickly, then glanced down, her suspicions reawakened. She had forgotten this while they were making love. Was he trying to trap her into criticism of these new laws?

  'They can do nought about it if they do,' she temporized. 'Those who break the law are usually fined, for there is much need of money, and many people in the prisons.'

  'Aye. What of all the people arrested after their plotting was discovered? I heard little more about them.'

  'Some have been released. I think the fright is like to prevent their joining in more conspiracies. The leaders are still held, apart from a few who escaped.'

  'Are the gaols not secure, then?' he asked.

  'I do not know how it is contrived. I hear much money is used for bribes, and there are secret supporters of Charles Stuart amongst the warders. It is to be expected in a divided nation.'

  'How divided do you think the people are?'

  'How can I tell? There are always the discontented, even when we have a Parliament that works hard as this one does to right the evils. Though even -' she stopped, and looked confused.

  'What would you say? Is there trouble?'

  'No, I do not think so, yet.'

  'What has happened that could cause trouble?'

  'Well,' she considered her words carefully, 'it is felt by some people that Parliament is trying to do too much. Some of them have been critical of the General, and the Army does not like this. Then Parliament tried to claim the right to make appointments in the Army.'

  'That would indeed antagonize the Army,' Miles said thoughtfully. He had not heard of this during his travels, and wondered what repercussions there might be if there was dissension between Parliament and the Army.

  'What does Dick Ashford think of it?' he asked suddenly, watching her closely to see how she reacted at his mentioning that name, but she merely shrugged.

  'He is a Member, and has said nought to make me think he does not agree with all that goes on.'

  'But as a sol
dier... Besides, he did not seem the sort of man to wish to ban all amusements.'

  'He has said nought.'

  'And you, Cherry? Do you find these new laws irksome? I have often regretted dancing is frowned upon, for I would dearly love to dance with you.'

  A gleam came into her eyes, and was swiftly suppressed, but not before Miles had seen it.

  'You are tempting me to turn traitor to my friends and to Parliament?' she asked, deciding to attack.

  'What matters it between ourselves? Are we not already breaking the laws and liable for severe punishments, should my visits to you be discovered?'

  'Do you wish me to turn you out, and refuse to see you again?' she asked, leaning towards him so that her gown fell partly open and he caught a glimpse of her breasts. 'Or will you risk three months in gaol, with no bail allowed?'

  'Is that the penalty? It is a small price to pay for a night with you, apart from the inability of repeating the offence! Would you come to gaol with me, Cherry? Would you help to pass the time?'

  'I would be in a different gaol, methinks,' she laughed at him, and, relieved that the conversation had turned from the dangerous channels where she had to take such care over what she said, she made but token resistance when he suggested they retire again to bed.

  When Miles had finally dragged himself away, Cherry was no nearer solving her problem as to his motives in questioning her. She was well aware there were many spies about whose task was to incriminate anyone who seemed to be against the rulers of the day. The very fact she entertained Miles was sufficient to condemn her in many eyes, yet she had taken the risk, feeling Miles was himself at a disadvantage if he attempted to use that against her. But he could well be laying a trap for her, hoping to discover resentments against the government, and then she would either be punished, or forced to work against her friends, trying to obtain evidence of disaffection amongst them. With the wide circle of acquaintances she had, and the vast amount of entertaining she did, she was in an excellent position to perform such tasks.

  With immense difficulty she resolved that she must be alone with Miles as little as possible. During the next few months, difficult though she found it sometimes, she kept to that resolution for most of the time. To her relief, yet at the same time perverse regret, he did not press her for meetings. He came regularly to her house for the social gatherings, and sometimes she found herself, almost against her will, asking him to remain. He never refused, but he did not suggest staying of his own accord. She was sufficiently in control of herself not to arrange any more intimate suppers, but greatly missed them. She could not know that Miles was conscious of renewed suspicions of her, and fears he might betray something of his missions if he became too accustomed to talking with her. He knew how fatally easy it was to let some word slip that would give a great deal away to someone knowing what to look for.

  In any event, Miles was busy during that November and December, and in the New Year had to undertake several journeys to different parts of England, and also to see the King.

  Shortly after his return to London he was contacted by another agent who had just come to England. This was Major Nicholas Armorer, who was also entrusted with the task of seeking out Royalist supporters and encouraging a movement for the restoration of the King.

  They met in a tavern, and after drinking and talking together of innocuous matters, left to walk to Miles' lodgings. Here they could be private.

  'What success have you had?' Nick asked, and Miles gave him details, and explained the arrangements that had so far been made.

  'I hope all the men I asked to come will be in London soon. There must be a meeting, and as you are so recently come over from the King, you had best be there if possible. They will be encouraged at hearing from you.''

  'I have work to do that will keep me in London for some time. I will attend your meeting when it is fixed. You are satisfied with the men chosen?'

  'They are as good as can be brought in. I contacted several on the list the King gave me who were unable or unwilling to offer more than good wishes, and mayhap some support if we organize an invasion, or start a rebellion against Parliament. Then I sounded several more who were recommended to me. The group of those prepared to put themselves in danger is small, and of those only a few have sufficient standing to be accepted as leaders by the rest. We must have prominent men, or the hope of a central direction to our plans will crumple, as each local plotter thinks he has the right to try his own ideas, and refuses to be guided or warned.'

  'These men are important, and have good connections,' Armorer said, considering the list.

  'But none of them are of the first rank. Oh, yes, they have birth, most of them, but they are all younger sons, and in most of the families there are those who are on the other side.'

  'It is hard to expect the heads of families to risk all by open rebellion.'

  'True,' Miles agreed. 'I am myself a younger son. But it makes the task so much more difficult.'

  'They might be sufficiently influential. But they are not our only hope. The King has many other schemes, even if some of them are as mad as Wogan's!'

  'Wogan?' queried Miles. 'Do you mean that crazy Irishman? A Colonel, wasn't he?'

  'Aye. First in the New Model, and he changed sides at Langdale, and brought his troop with him. Edward Wogan.'

  'What has he been up to?'

  ''He has persuaded the King to allow him to try and recruit an army here.'

  '' 'Sdeath! He must be mad. If any army is to be formed, the only possibility is gradual recruitment under known and trusted leaders who lived in England, not foreign adventurers.'

  'I agree, but it is a chance, and even if he fails, which is almost certain, it will give us an indication of how strong support for an armed rising there is.'

  'Is the King so desperate as to take any such slight chance?'

  'No, I do not think that is the case. Rather, would he seek to encourage all and every attempt, however wild. He would prefer his supporters to be willing to work together, but as they will not, being impatient like Wogan, he will not say them nay for fear of losing their support entirely. As with us, he prefers a central group to organize, but will not refuse other help. Indeed, there are times when he can scarce prevent these measures, even if he wants to.'

  ''Well, I wish Wogan good fortune, but have little hope for him. I judge there is much discontent, and this will make it easier for us to involve people.'

  'Have you heard aught of what goes on in Parliament?' Armorer asked.

  'Aye. It seems that Barebones and his fellows become too presumptuous. They are demanding changes in the army, and claiming the right to make appointments. That does not please Cromwell or the Army.'

  'What is he like to do?'

  'He set up this Parliament for fifteen months, yet it has had but four. If it tries his patience too greatly, he might do away with it. Also, the attempts at regulating the pleasures of the people are not popular. Englishmen are restive under Puritan rule, when their traditional sports are banned. There seems to be increasing avoidance of the law. Even the supporters of Parliament are somewhat uneasy at these developments, methinks.'

  'There is hope there also, then, if more people become discontented.'

  'Aye, but it will be a slow movement, unless some great event causes sudden change.'

  'You are impatient?'

  'Aye, who is not? We see so little of our work come to fruition, and must constantly start afresh as one promising avenue after another is closed to us.'

  'There is a way through, never fear.'

  'Oh, I do not despair. 'Tis merely that sometimes I would rather be out in the open fighting, as with Wogan, than burrowing secretly like a mole.'

  Armorer smiled, for he knew Miles was one of the most devoted and clever agents Charles Stuart had working for him. He was not surprised such thoughts should bother him, for they were familiar to everyone who had had to work in secret.

  'I will contact you again if there
is aught fresh you should know about, but the less we are seen together the better, methinks. I will leave regular reports with Sir Henry. Then we will meet when the people you have gathered come to London.'

  On these arrangements, Miles bade Armorer farewell, and they both attended to their own business for the next few days.

  Miles went once or twice to the address given by Sir Henry Villiers in Clifford's Inn, but it was yet early November, and the man had not yet returned from Norfolk. It was almost the middle of the month before Miles found him there.

  'Welcome, Mr. Talbot,' Sir Henry said jovially when Miles was announced.

  'My thanks, Sir Henry. You are in London in good time.'

  'Aye, to be sure. My wife was prompt in presenting me with the child.'

  'They are both well, I trust?' Miles enquired politely.

  'Indeed so, Emma seems to thrive on childbearing, not puling and sickly like some women. And the girl, for it was a girl as we hoped, is big and strong.'

  ''You must be very proud of them both.'

  ''Indeed yes. Emma is a good wife, she does her duty uncomplainingly, and her dowry was a good one, it enabled me to become independent. I do not need to earn my living, hence I have time to help with your business.'

  They began to discuss details of this, and Miles told Sir Henry what had been happening in London, and what new people he could expect to be visiting him with information or messages. He promised to bring Armorer soon, and Sir Henry added some comments of his own as to how the people were reacting to the decrees of Parliament.

  'There is too much discontent for Cromwell to allow these Saints too great freedom. I believe there are those who urge him to take the government entirely into his own hands. They fear the Puritans, and he is reluctant to hold proper elections for fear of Royalist success. If even his own puppets, as those 'Nominated' men are, will not do as he wishes, he must assume power.'

  'That might be a setback to us, if he provides security for the people, and a liberal rule.'

  'Aye, it is possible, for he is no hidebound Puritan of the same stamp as Barebones. Praise-God would call all pleasure sin, but Oliver relishes music and singing, and fine clothes. He would not seek to ban all that.'

  'We must be prepared for some changes soon. I trust we can counter them.'

  He took his leave, and spent the next few days visiting Royalists in and near London. Then the meeting he had spent so much time contriving took place, and the men who had been chosen as leaders met together.

  There were, besides Lord Belasyse and Sir Edward Villiers, Lord Loughborough, Colonel John Russell, Sir William Compton, and Sir Richard Willys. All, apart from the latter, were substantial property owners, but all were younger sons, so it was only their own property they risked, not that of the rest of their family, if they should be taken and the land sequestrated. They were all influential in their own counties, and could depend on considerable support from friends and relatives. They had wide contacts, and Lord Belasyse, as a Catholic, was able to influence the people who had most experience of plotting and conspiracy in the penal times, but who, until now, had taken little part in plots for the restoration of the King.

  The meeting was successful in that they agreed to form such a central organizing and controlling body as the King wished. They accepted the King's commissions, and made plans for the future, organizing the work each of them was to do, and arranging for contacts with Miles and Armorer.

  Miles came away from it slightly disturbed, however. He could not set a reason for his vague unease about the Sealed Knot, as the organization was to be known, unless it was the air of caution that had characterized everyone at the meeting. He chided himself for his mood of despondency, reasoning that it had been a first meeting, and time was needed to accustom them to working together in such a conspiracy. But this explanation did not satisfy him, and he determined he would not omit to follow any other promising avenues.