The Lady's Slipper by Deborah Swift Read Free Book Online Page B

to open her house to these ranters and ravers. It would never have happened in the days of the old king,’ he said.
    ‘How will we ever have any sort of stability if we let these pockets of civil disorder continue? You know what they say–one bad apple could brown them all,’ Geoffrey said. ‘No, these dissenters need to be put back in their place. Cromwell gave them too much free rein to get above themselves. There was no discipline in his army. Did you hear there was looting over at Kendall’s house?’
    Robert shook his head.
    ‘And although the king is back, our good men have been routed; their lands cut up and dispersed. It’s a complete scandal.’ Geoffrey paced the room, tankard in hand. ‘Have we even enough loyal men left for a new committee?’
    ‘You will join us yourself?’
    Geoffrey nodded his assent.
    ‘Then we have Fairfax, Kendall and Hetherington. They are all staunch royalists and churchgoers and can be relied upon.’ Robert leaned back in his chair and stretched his stomach, clasping his fingers over his barrel-like paunch.
    ‘What about Lord Esham?’ asked Geoffrey. ‘I know he is a good day’s ride from here, but we need six.’
    ‘I am not sure he is trustworthy. I heard he had cast his lot in with the Puritans–that leather-seller Barebones and his bunch of uncouth ruffians. But if there is no one else then he will have to suffice. We can carry his vote if necessary.’
    ‘Well, times have changed. We must do what we can with who we have. With a properly formed committee we might be able to detain Wheeler’s rabble through the magistrate, and make sure the charges stick.’ An image of Richard Wheeler’s ridiculous brown hat came back to him. ‘But tell me this, have we the power to confiscate Wheeler’s land should we decide tithes are due?’
    Robert shook his head, pressing his lips together. ‘Not without good reason. I’m not sure we could prove without a doubt that he has withheld his dues. But the committee can be, how shall I put it, enthusiastic, about ensuring tithes are paid.’ He gave Geoffrey a smile. ‘But you say he is hand in glove with Lady Swainson?’ Robert rubbed his cheek, considering, before saying, ‘Dorothy Swainson is not without influence. She is from one of the oldest families in Westmorland, and has her staunch supporters. It is one thing to hold one of them a few days–it would be quite another to confiscate their land or charge them with treason.’
    ‘I see what you mean,’ Geoffrey said. ‘Let us meet as soon as is convenient then. The sooner we quash this revolt and things return to the way they were, the better.’
     
    Geoffrey was glad when he could summon the Rawlinsons’ carriage and was free to retire to his chambers. The long-awaited bath was ready for him, and he was glad to peel off his uncomfortable stiff breeches and long shirt. Patterson had left two jugs of hot water on the tallboy and a brown parcel marked with a postal seal from Preston. He had also discreetly put out a decanter of port and a glass on a silver tray. Often Patterson seemed to know exactly what Geoffrey required even before he asked for it. Patterson’s family had served the Fisks for four generations, despite their changing fortunes. Geoffrey gratefully poured himself a large measure of port into the glass and drank. Then he turned to the parcel with curiosity.
    He untied the jute string and opened out the paper. It contained a deal-wood box, with a small flat porcelain jar packaged in straw, and a note accompanying it. This was written in an unsteady round hand and gave a barely intelligible list of ingredients, along with instructions to apply the tincture every day. He remembered that he had sent for this from a herbalist and so-called cunning woman he had heard of from the Master Mariner before leaving on his voyage, a Widow Poulter. A potion she provided had cured the Master’s gout, and immediately Geoffrey sent word to her from the dockside,