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

loved his country.’
Murmurs of agreement. Not too loud in case someone was listening.
‘I am here neither to excuse nor accuse him - the past is past. However, we can learn by it and
influence the future by what we say and do at present. I have heard many of you bemoaning the
current situation and you are right to be unhappy, but we must be constructive.’
Lots of surreptitious nods.
 ‘I am young and have lots to learn from your good selves and your experience. I pray that where
I lack, you will assist me to understand the implications of what is happening. I now seek to
understand where we go from here.’
Flattery will get you everywhere, young John.
‘I was most distressed by something I heard this morning. I was told that some of the leaders of
the Army are claiming to govern by Divine Right. I am disturbed by this. How different is this to that
which has been openly and repeatedly condemned as words of the former King? If we are not
careful, then will we claim to rule by Divine Right? Will the Squire make demands of his workers
by Divine Right? Will perhaps, a thief steal by Divine Right? Where will it end?’
Semi-uproar.
‘I beg you, my Lords, to think ahead, to the future. If matters are allowed to continue in this
matter, there will never be an end to this situation. Do not be misled into thinking this brief period
of peace is the end to war. As I speak, plans are being made to install the young Prince Charles
as King. He needs your support now; not as fighters, but as persuaders. The time to fight will
come, but it is not now.’
A murmur broke out as the implications sunk in. John Henry waited until there was silence
again.
‘You may be surprised to learn that I have been contacted by Charles and he needs to know
where he stands with yourselves. I am in no position to make demands of your Lordships, but he
needs to know and he needs to know now.’
There was a hush as he sat down.


PRINCE Philippe arrived to see Carrie in the afternoon. He clarified the final arrangements for the
wedding and agreed with her decision to use Minette as second bridesmaid. About three hundred
guests would be present including Gaston, Duc d’Orléans.


BY the end of the day, John Henry had received promises of support from quite a number of the
Lords. The most staunch supporters of the King were not present. Many had been killed in action
and the best of the rest were in exile with the new King. But it was a start.


ANDREW Bosvile rode into Edinburgh Castle amid a blinding blizzard. He was not stopped by the
soldiers on guard at the gate but inside, out of the wind, they were more enthusiastic and he was
quickly surrounded as he dismounted.
‘What is your business here?’ he was asked.
‘I come to speak with the Kirk on a matter of international importance.’
‘I will need more than that before I disturb their lordships at this late hour.’
Andrew took out his dagger and reached towards his saddlebag. The sound of a musket being
cocked behind him stopped him but the Captain nodded, watching carefully. From the false lining
of his saddlebag, he cut away the papers from King Charles which bore the Royal Stuart seal.
The Captain glanced at them briefly before leading him inside. Their boots echoed as they
climbed the stairs and walked along the stone corridor. At the end, the Captain knocked on a large