Free The Herb of Grace by Kate Forsyth Page B

Worcester, and a braver prince never lived! Again and again he charged into battle, calling to all the men by name, and when it was clear the battle was lost and the common soldiers began throwing down their arms, he cried to them that he would rather they shot him then and there than surrender. All through the city we fought, till the gutters ranwith blood, but still he would not give in. It was only when it was clear that the day was lost then he was convinced to flee, and even then his men had to drag him away.’
    He sighed and looked into the flames, tears glittering in his eyes. ‘It was a miracle he got away. Indeed, it is a sign of God’s favour that he was preserved.’ He lifted his cup to the stars, then drank deeply.
    â€˜Martha says it’s a sign of God’s favour that Parliament won the day,’ Luka said.
    Lord Harry glanced at him and, unexpectedly, laughed. ‘Indeed, I guess we all believe it is by God’s Providence that we are delivered, when in truth it is probably nothing more than blind luck.’
    Emilia caressed the gold coin at her wrist, and said in rather a shaky voice, ‘It was more than luck that saw you save us tonight. If it was not for you, we’d be on our way to the gallows.’
    â€˜Luck or Providence, who knows?’ Lord Harry bent and patted his saddlebags, where he had thrust the papers he had taken from Coldham’s coach. ‘Either way, I got what I was after, as well as some nice swag. I’ll be off to Gypsy Joe’s in the morning to sell those nags, and –’
    â€˜Gypsy Joe?’ Both children sat up to attention.
    â€˜Aye, do you know him? The innkeeper of the Herb of Grace in Salisbury?’
    The children looked at each other, torn between hope and disbelief. An innkeeper did not seem very likely, but the name of the inn was encouraging.
    â€˜Do you know his last name?’ Luka crossed his fingers, and Emilia held on tight to the golden coin.
    â€˜Wood, I think. We generally just call him Gypsy Joe, he’s as dark as any gypsy.’
    Luka and Emilia caught their breath in delight. The innkeeper was one of the Wood tribe, maybe even the one who carried the sprig of rue that wasthat family’s lucky charm. But what was a Rom doing running an inn in Salisbury?
    â€˜We think he may be the man we are looking for,’ Luka said carefully. ‘He’s a relative of sorts. But we thought he lived in the New Forest.’
    â€˜Oh, all the gypsies have been cleared out of the New Forest,’ Lord Harry said. ‘Cromwell’s cutting down all the trees to build new ships for his navy.’
    â€˜What happened to them all?’ Luka said.
    Lord Harry glanced at him, then said gently, ‘I don’t rightly know.’
    Luka said no more. Zizi looked up at his face, then patted his arm.
    â€˜Why don’t you come with me to the Herb of Grace?’ Lord Harry said. ‘Then you can see if Gypsy Joe is the man you seek. We’d need to leave pretty soon, though, as I have no desire to ride into Salisbury in broad daylight with four horses that belong to one of Cromwell’s pursuivants!’
    â€˜All right,’ Luka said.
    Emilia yawned, and rested her head on her hand.
    â€˜Why don’t you get some sleep in the meantime?’ the highwayman suggested. ‘It’s very late.’
    Emilia lay down, pulling her shawl about her, but Luka felt in the dark for his violin, which lay in its case next to his knee. ‘Would it be safe for me to play my fiddle?’ he asked. ‘Just for a little while. We’ve been running and hiding for so long, it’s been ages since I’ve played, and she should be played every day. It’s bad for her to lie quiet.’
    â€˜We’re miles from anywhere here,’ the highwayman said. ‘Play away.’
    Luka took out his violin and fitted it to his chin. He tuned the strings carefully, then began to play, glad