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.â
He sighed and looked into the flames, tears glittering in his eyes. âIt was a miracle he got away. Indeed, it is a sign of Godâs favour that he was preserved.â He lifted his cup to the stars, then drank deeply.
âMartha says itâs a sign of Godâs favour that Parliament won the day,â Luka said.
Lord Harry glanced at him and, unexpectedly, laughed. âIndeed, I guess we all believe it is by Godâs Providence that we are delivered, when in truth it is probably nothing more than blind luck.â
Emilia caressed the gold coin at her wrist, and said in rather a shaky voice, âIt was more than luck that saw you save us tonight. If it was not for you, weâd be on our way to the gallows.â
âLuck or Providence, who knows?â Lord Harry bent and patted his saddlebags, where he had thrust the papers he had taken from Coldhamâs coach. âEither way, I got what I was after, as well as some nice swag. Iâll be off to Gypsy Joeâs in the morning to sell those nags, and ââ
âGypsy Joe?â Both children sat up to attention.
âAye, do you know him? The innkeeper of the Herb of Grace in Salisbury?â
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.
âDo you know his last name?â Luka crossed his fingers, and Emilia held on tight to the golden coin.
âWood, I think. We generally just call him Gypsy Joe, heâs as dark as any gypsy.â
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 familyâs lucky charm. But what was a Rom doing running an inn in Salisbury?
âWe think he may be the man we are looking for,â Luka said carefully. âHeâs a relative of sorts. But we thought he lived in the New Forest.â
âOh, all the gypsies have been cleared out of the New Forest,â Lord Harry said. âCromwellâs cutting down all the trees to build new ships for his navy.â
âWhat happened to them all?â Luka said.
Lord Harry glanced at him, then said gently, âI donât rightly know.â
Luka said no more. Zizi looked up at his face, then patted his arm.
âWhy donât you come with me to the Herb of Grace?â Lord Harry said. âThen you can see if Gypsy Joe is the man you seek. Weâd 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 Cromwellâs pursuivants!â
âAll right,â Luka said.
Emilia yawned, and rested her head on her hand.
âWhy donât you get some sleep in the meantime?â the highwayman suggested. âItâs very late.â
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. âWould it be safe for me to play my fiddle?â he asked. âJust for a little while. Weâve been running and hiding for so long, itâs been ages since Iâve played, and she should be played every day. Itâs bad for her to lie quiet.â
âWeâre miles from anywhere here,â the highwayman said. âPlay away.â
Luka took out his violin and fitted it to his chin. He tuned the strings carefully, then began to play, glad