*
Miles had, unknowingly, escaped the net when he left early that morning, and his journey to Mons, where the King was staying at that time, was uneventful. He greeted Miles cheerfully, and begged to be told all that Miles knew of events.
Much of what Miles said about the events in England Charles already knew, but he was pleased to have Miles' opinions on them, for he rated him very highly as an agent and a judge of men. Miles explained the possibility of the Gerard faction being infiltrated by an agent provocateur, and Charles agreed it seemed probable.
'We hope to discover who it is, Sire. We have some lead, the name Cotes. Have you any knowledge of such a person?'
'No, I cannot recall, but I will have enquiries made and inform you if I hear of aught. We must discover him.'
Miles went on to describe the sense of frustration he had found at the lack of activity and true leadership from the Sealed Knot. He stressed this could lead to other mad plots like those of Gerard, and begged the King to sanction some other leaders.
Charles was thoughtful. 'I have received other similar representations,' he said. 'You advise it too?'
'Yes, I do, Sire. At first I was of the opinion the direction had best be kept in the hands of a few people, the Knot, but I realize they are not the ones likely to dare much in your cause. Others, many who have attempted to raise support for you in the past, might succeed in organizing a rising. At the moment I see that as the best hope, for Cromwell is becoming stronger. There are even suggestions he take the crown, and once that happened, it would be more difficult to dislodge him.'
'I will consider carefully, but before you go, have you any names of likely leaders?'
'Some I have met, or know by repute. Sir Philip Musgrave, Sir Thomas Peyton, Sir Humphrey Bennett, Lord Byron. Many others, I will write them all down now I am safely here. But I beg we contrive to use the Presbyterians. We cannot rely solely on the old Royalists. Many Presbyterians support you, even, I hear it rumored, Fairfax himself. He has kept very quiet these last few years. I do not think he approved of his former lieutenant taking so much power to himself.'
Charles did not reply, but Miles was satisfied he would consider the suggestion, and was pleased at the indication the King was receiving similar advice from others besides himself. He spent a few more days at Mons, and had several more interviews with the King, then, with instructions to sound the people he had not yet seen but thought might be useful, he returned to England.
Faithful had not awaited his return. For some days he had been in a stupor, unable to see to his business and incapable of any thought but of Cherry. He attended her last party, and though he was conscious of little else, absorbed the fact she was leaving two days later early in the morning. This was a merry party, and Faithful stayed until the end, when he was firmly eased on his way by Dick Ashford. Jealously, Faithful watched John Taunton leave, and his mind began to function again as he wondered whether he or Dick would be creeping back to enjoy a last night in Cherry's arms.
Again he sat up all night, but by the morning the beginnings of a plan were working in his fevered brain. He sat before the fire he had ordered to be lit, despite the warm July day, and rocked back and forth as he worked out the details. Then he went to work, and spent what was left of the day visiting various people. At length, satisfied he had done all that was necessary, he returned home smiling once more. For the first time since he had realized Cherry was probably about to marry Miles, he sat and rubbed his hands together, and enjoyed a meal before falling exhausted into bed.
Cherry had been busy with her packing and with plans for the changes she wished to make when Miles returned and they were married. She was making a final tour of the house with her housekeeper, giving last minute instructions before retiring to bed, when there was a knock on the door. She looked up, surprised, for it was late. The manservant who answered the door came to tell her two men requested her presence, and she went to see who had sent this odd message.
In the parlor where the visitors had been shown, she found a Sergeant and a trooper of the Army.
'Well, gentlemen, what can I do for you?' she asked, puzzled.
They looked embarrassed, and the trooper began to straighten his already immaculate uniform.
The Sergeant coughed, and muttered something.
'Will you not sit down? Would you care for some wine?' Cherry asked, moving to where a decanter and glasses stood on a table.
'No, Mistress, I thank you,' the Sergeant said, and Cherry smiled, relieved to hear intelligible speech from him.
'Then will you not tell me why you are here? I was about to go to bed, for I start tomorrow on a journey.'
'Oh, no. That is, I am afraid you will be unable to go!' the man said abruptly, and Cherry stared at him in amazement.
'Not be able to go?' she repeated slowly. 'Why? What do you mean?'
'I very much regret it, Mistress. Please understand I do but obey orders, I would not desire this, but I am under orders.'
Cherry found it increasingly difficult to keep her patience with the man, and spoke sharply.
'Pray be good enough to come to the point. What are you trying to tell me?'
He gulped. 'We have a warrant for your arrest.'
Cherry paled, and stepped back, feeling for a chair. The trooper, thinking she was about to faint, stepped forward, but before he could reach her she had seated herself in the chair. She surveyed them calmly.
'I do not understand. Please explain.'
The Sergeant was full of further apologies, but she cut him short.
'On what charge am I arrested, and by whose instigation?'
The Sergeant looked at her unhappily. 'I know not how it started, Mistress, but the charge is twofold, for you are charged with adultery and fornication.'
Cherry almost laughed in relief. She had feared to hear charges of spying or activities against the state, and this, serious though it was, came as an anticlimax. She wondered briefly who was responsible, and then began to consider who would be most likely to be able to help her out of this entanglement.
'Then I suppose I must come with you, gentlemen. May I give some instructions to my staff first? As I told you, I was about to make a journey, and I must cancel my instructions regarding that.'
Relieved she was taking it so calmly they made no demur, and she was able to give detailed instructions to her housekeeper, and also ask the woman to let Mr Ashford know what had become of her.
'Tell him I depend on him,' she said firmly, and, having finished, turned to accompany her visitors.
'I am ready,' she said quietly. 'I do not propose to take much baggage, for it is all some stupid mistake, and I do not expect to be detained for long. My housekeeper will bring what I need most in the morning.'
'Ludgate, Mistress,' the Sergeant said briefly, and that was where Cherry was taken.
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