Page 66 of Exile's Return

‘It’s an old house, older even than this one,’ Agnes said. ‘There would be hiding places that were long forgotten. What if James had stumbled on this one when he was a child in that same nursery? He had no brothers or sisters who survived infancy. No one to know except him.’

‘If we could retrieve the gold…’ Jonathan Thornton mused aloud. ‘Kit, what say you?

Kit nodded. ‘It’s not a task for one man.’

‘No!’ Kate pushed her chair away and rose to her feet, colour high on her cheekbones. ‘Don’t even think it. You made me a promise, Jonathan Thornton.’

Jonathan rose to meet her, taking her hands in his. ‘I made you a promise never to take up arms again,’ he said, ‘and I have honoured that promise, Kate, but if the recovery of this gold can facilitate the restoration of the King, would you have me walk away? This is a different case, it’s not the same as openly taking up arms and riding into battle.’

‘A fine distinction, Jonathan!’ Kate shook off his hands and strode over to the window, where she stood with her arms wrapped around herself. She turned back to look at her husband, her face once more composed.

‘I know I cannot stop you, Jon,’ she said after a long moment, ‘and God knows we have suffered long enough under the rule of Parliament. Go, if you must, but come back to me.’

Daniel looked at his brother. ‘Kit? Your wife is not here, what would she say?’

Kit’s mouth quirked and he glanced at Kate. ‘Probably much the same as Kate, but I am weary of jumping at shadows and skulking behind hedgerows in Hampshire. I want…I need the King’s forgiveness.’

Agnes saw no humour in Kit’s face, just a terrible sadness, and she realised what Daniel’s freedom had cost his brother.

Kate gestured at Agnes. ‘You do realise that the only way to this gold is through this woman. Would you endanger her life for a few gold coins?’

Kit shook his head. ‘Kate’s right, Jon. It is not just about us. Daniel and I know better than anyone what Tobias Ashby is capable of.’

Agnes looked from one to the other.

‘Thank you for your concern, Lady Thornton, but the choice is mine,’ she said. ‘Not only does he have the lives of two innocent children in his hands, but Tobias Ashby betrayed James.’

‘How?’ Kit asked.

‘He came to James with stories of unrest in the Army. He persuaded him that in the event of an uprising, he could bring all his troops and more besides. James believed him and committed to joining Booth’s uprising in Chester. He was taken on his way to join Booth — by his cousin.’

Kit scowled. ‘He was a fool and now he is a dead fool.’

‘I tried to warn him,’ Agnes said, ‘but he believed his cousin’s blandishments. Tobias Ashby wants only the Elmhurst title and estates,’ she paused, ‘and the gold.’ She picked up the book. ‘Now I have what he wants and the power to knock on his door and demand admittance.’

‘What are you proposing, Agnes?’ Jonathan asked.

She swallowed. ‘If you are willing to help me, I can gain entry into the castle. With one of you posing as my manservant, I could buy some time to find the hiding place. You could take the gold and I…’ she tailed off. In the dead hours of the night, the plan had seemed so simple, now it seemed childish.

‘You want the children,’ Kate said.

Agnes nodded.

Kate looked at her husband. ‘Well?’

‘With one of us inside Charvaley, it could be done in a single night,’ Jonathan said.

‘Ashby knows me,’ Kit said.

‘And you would not pass as a manservant,’ Agnes said, looking at Jonathan.

Jonathan straightened. ‘I would have you know that I once enjoyed a formidable reputation as a master of disguise.’

‘She’s right,’ Kate said. ‘Not you, Jon.’

‘It’s my commission,’ Daniel said. ‘I was only a boy when Ashby last saw me, I doubt he would remember me.’ He glanced at Agnes, ‘And I owe it to Agnes to keep her safe.’

‘Very well,’ Kate said. ‘Agnes, with Daniel inside Charvaley and these two outside, I entrust these men with your life.’