"Lee Edgar - Plot 03 - Plot For A King" - читать интересную книгу автора (Edgar Lee)

‘Nor was my husband. It’s not terribly important in the long run.’
‘It is to some. They fight about it all the time.’
‘Not over religion. Only over the prestige it brings. And of course...’
‘The money,’ they said together and laughed for a long time.
MARK finished reading the story to Antoinette and kissed her goodnight. He closed the bedroom
door quietly and went downstairs. John Henry and Rachel sat in the library, reading.
‘Is she asleep?’ Rachel asked.
Mark nodded. ‘Like a baby.’
‘But she is a baby.’
‘She’s not going to be the baby of the family for much longer, is she?’
‘Oh, it’ll be a few weeks yet. He’ll come in his own good time.’
‘He?’
‘You want a boy, don’t you?’
‘I don’t mind that much - just as long as he is fit and well, I’ll be happy.’ He tucked a pillow under
Rachel’s feet which rested on the low stool and then looked across at the young Lord Ramsden.
‘You’re very quiet tonight, John Henry.’
‘I’m just thinking about tomorrow. My first day at the Lords, you know.’
‘Oh yes, I’d forgotten. Will you leave early?’
The younger man nodded. ‘I’d better. You never know about the weather at this time of year. It’s
pretty murky outside.’


IT was snowing hard as Andrew crossed the border into Scotland and wondered about the future.
How would the Kirk react? Would they accept the message that he had brought from Charles?
How would it all work out and, most importantly, would he ever see Mary Beth again?



Friday 9th February 1649

John Henry was learning much about the way that Parliament worked. He was the youngest
active member of the House of Lords which was the only house left with any kind of power.
Two months previously, before the death of King Charles, the House of Commons had been
much reduced in size by Colonel Pride’s Purge and then had been compelled to be subject to the
Army. In effect, the Rump Parliament wielded no power whatsoever. The Army was still led by Sir
Thomas Fairfax, who had failed in his appeal for the King’s life to be spared. He was a fair man
who, though ruthless in action as a General was, nevertheless, a realistic man who played by the
rules.
John Henry rose, eventually, to present his maiden speech. ‘My Lords. I’m sure I will make you
happy when I say that this, my first speech here, will not be a long one.’
A titter went around the House.
‘However, I do have something to say which needs to be said.’
No titter this time. It was a time when outspokenness was regarded as sheer foolishness.
‘I once heard my father described as the “last of the old school”.’ He paused for effect. ‘They
were wrong! I have spent much time reading the notes of his speeches and listening to my
mother recall his views and I have to say that I wholeheartedly concur and intend to carry forward
his moderate views.’
‘He was known as a friend of the King - the first King Charles, that is. It is also well known that
he did not agree with all the King’s actions and neither do I. His claim to rule by the grace of God
offended many as it did in his father’s, day. However, despite his drawbacks, he was a King who