Page 56 of Exile's Return

‘Are you going to stand there all day?’ she enquired. ‘Or shall we break our fast?’

Agnes slid into her now-familiar seat at the table. Jonathan Thornton, intent on reading a letter, did not glance up. The only other person at the breakfast table was Tom Ashley.

‘Father’s had a letter from the Freemans,’ Tom said, addressing his mother.

Kate’s face lit and she glanced at Agnes and Daniel. ‘Our uncle and aunt in London,’ she said. ‘Jon, what news?’

Jonathan set the letter down. ‘They are intending to visit in the spring,’ he said.

‘That is something to look forward to,’ Kate said. ‘What other news?’

Jonathan tapped the table with his forefinger. ‘I’m not sure what to make of it, but Nathaniel writes that the Committee of Safety is in disorder. Rumours are flying around that General Monck may raise the Army against them.’

Thomas Ashley’s eyes widened. ‘But Monck’s in Edinburgh. Lambert holds sway in England.’

Jonathan’s mouth quirked. ‘It would not take Monck long to march on London, Tom, and if the Army does defect to him then Lambert may find himself with no troops. Interesting times.’

Kate sighed. ‘I am weary of interesting times. I long for peaceful times.’

‘They are coming, Kate,’ Jonathan said, laying his hand on hers. A look of silent understanding passed between them.

Agnes glanced at Daniel, whose attention was devoted to buttering a large slab of bread, and wondered what it would be like to have a man who could look at you in such a way.

Daniel turned his attention from the bread to Jonathan. ‘But it is not such a simple matter of the King returning. There isa whole system of government to be restored.’ He cast a quick glance around the table. ‘And past wrongs to be righted.’

Jonathan nodded. ‘You are right. There are still many obstacles to the King’s return.’ He glanced at his stepson. ‘Tom, if you have finished eating, I need to speak with Daniel.’

Tom cast Daniel a questioning glance and rose from the table, excusing himself.

Daniel cleared his throat. ‘Before you begin, I owe you an apology for my high-handed behaviour yesterday.’

Jonathan shook his head. ‘You owe no apology, Daniel. I blame Kit. It is typical of your brother to make an entrance and a quite understandable shock…for me as well, believe me.’ He held up his hand. ‘But that was yesterday, and I had a long talk with Kit about the circumstances of his return from the dead.’

Agnes glanced at Daniel. His face had drained of colour. ‘What did he say?’

Jonathan shook his head. ‘That is his story to tell, not mine. He tells me you were pardoned.’

Daniel traced a pattern on his platter with the point of his knife. ‘‘I owe him the right to an explanation. I suppose he is halfway to Hampshire. If I leave immediately I may stand a chance of catching him up.’

A smile creased the corners of Jonathan Thornton’s eyes. ‘It is a long way to Hampshire, but I don’t think you need to travel that far. You should find him at the Black Cross in Bromsgrove.’

Kate Thornton leaned forward. ‘Go and seek him out, Daniel.’ She glanced at the window. ‘It’s perishing cold outside, so dress warmly — we don’t want a relapse of the fever. Your horse will be saddled and ready in half an hour.’

Daniel pushed back his chair and stood up. ‘Thank you for persuading him that I was not a completely lost cause.’

Jonathan shook his head. ‘He knows that, Daniel, and besides, it is Agnes who went after him.’

Daniel shot Agnes a glance, indecision and annoyance flashing behind his eyes.

Agnes met his gaze. ‘I have no family, Daniel. Mother, father, brother…all dead and buried, and now even my sister’s children have been taken from me. If Kit were my brother I would not want to lose him. Not again.’

Daniel looked away, a muscle working in his jaw. ‘So you would go after him, would you?’

‘Without hesitation.’

Half an hour later they gathered in the courtyard where the black gelding stamped impatiently, its breath frosting in the crisp air.

Kate stepped forward and straightened the linen around Daniel’s neck. ‘Make peace with your brother, Daniel, and he is welcome to return with you. The beds at the Black Cross can be a little lumpy.’