Courtesan of the Saints by Marina Oliver

COURTESAN OF THE SAINTS

  BY

  MARINA OLIVER

  Miles Talbot, spy, is sent to England by the exiled Charles II in the mid-1650s, to sound out what support there is for a restoration.

  He meets Cherry Weston, a beautiful and wealthy young widow who holds many entertainments for Parliamentarians at the time of the Parliament of the Saints.

  Among her frequent guests is Dare-to-be-Faithful-to-God Denham, a man who believes all enjoyment is wicked, but who is drawn to Cherry despite himself.

  Miles is soon welcomed to Cherry's bed, but while he fails to learn anything from her, he suspects she is attempting to discover his secrets. She has at least two other lovers, young Parliamentarians.

  He has to leave her while he travels the country, on the pretence of purchasing a small estate, but in reality to visit known Royalists and gauge what support there is for the King.

  He is involved in setting up the Sealed Knot, a secret society hoping to coordinate the various plots on behalf of the King, but not all the plotters are willing to be guided by a body they feel is not active enough.

  Courtesan Of The Saints

  By Marina Oliver

  Copyright © 2016 Marina Oliver

  The moral right of the author has been asserted

  Cover Design by Debbie Oliver

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed in any form, including digital and electronic or mechanical, without the prior written consent of the Publisher, except for brief quotes for use in reviews.

  Print editions published 1976 by Robert Hale, 2002 by Ulverscroft.

  See details of other books by Marina Oliver at

  https://www.marina-oliver.net.

  AUTHOR NOTE

  The mid-seventeenth century has always been one of my favourite historical periods, since so much was happening - the Civil War, the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell, and the Restoration of King Charles. All of these were exciting times, but many other important developments originated in the seventeenth century. There was the start of the agrarian and industrial revolutions, the Royal Society, the changes to Parliamentary rule, exploration of America, development of banking, and much more.

  COURTESAN OF THE SAINTS

  BY

  MARINA OLIVER

  Chapter 1

  'The Devil himself must be rubbing his hands with glee to witness this display of sinfulness amongst his enemies!'

  Miles Talbot, who had been leaning against the wainscot chatting with his friend Robert Peyton, turned round. The words had been muttered close to his ear, so he expected to discover they had been addressed to him. The only person near enough to have given expression to such thoughts, however, was turned away from Miles, and all he could see was a sober black suit and a close cropped grey head.

  Miles glanced back in some amusement at Robert, but his friend had not heard the remark and was continuing his own discourse. Miles shrugged, and transferred his attention back to Robert. He was not to be left alone.

  'God in His righteousness will punish the evil doers!'

  This prophecy had been uttered in a louder voice and Robert heard it, and grinned at Miles, raising his eyebrows.

  'Your first Saint,' he whispered softly, and Miles nodded slightly as he turned to the man behind him.

  This time the sober suited one was facing Miles, and viewed him with intense displeasure. Miles noted the thin straggly hair receding from a narrow brow, pale grey eyes that matched the hair, and a gaunt face, with pale, unhealthy skin stretched taut across prominent bones, apart from where there were deep lines of displeasure round the nose and mouth.

  The frown deepened as this individual looked back at Miles, noting the long curling locks, the width and strength of the shoulders under the brocade coat, and the wide lace collar and cuffs adorning it.

  'Were you addressing your remarks to me, sir?' Miles enquired courteously.

  'Aye, and to any of them that can hear, when they are not deafened by the seductive screeches of the fiddles!'

  'Did you not appreciate the entertainment?' Miles asked, raising his eyebrows.

  'It is an invitation to lewdness! Men should have a better care for God's wrath than to tempt the Devil with such trumpery entertainments that do them no good.'

  'Would you ban all music?' Robert asked, and received a fanatical glare from the prophet.

  'Aye, along with many other of the wicked temptations that abound, and that are seen here, even in this godly house!'

  'Have a care, neighbour,' interrupted another man seated nearby, who had overheard the conversation.

  'Why indeed should I have a care? Are you threatening me? Or insinuating that I am afraid?'

  The newcomer to the conversation laughed. 'No, indeed, Faithful! No one who knows you would ever accuse you of timidity or dare to threaten you. I but point out to you that you are in danger of insulting our hostess if you condemn her entertainments in such fashion.'

  The man addressed as Faithful pursed his lips, and drew himself up to his full height, still scarcely reaching Miles' shoulder.

  'I say no word against that gracious lady! You malign me to read such into my remarks. Mistress Weston is pure and innocent, and as such too like to be led astray by evil counsellors!'

  'Come, Faithful. There is nought sinful in a gathering such as this, where we but eat and drink and talk, and listen to a little music!'

  'It is an occasion of sin,' Faithful asserted stubbornly. 'We are told that such merrymaking, the wearing of indecorous clothing, and immoderate laughter, lead only too easily to sinful thoughts, and from them 'tis a simple step to sinful actions, both hateful in the eyes of God and all godly men.'

  'I wonder then that you venture yourself into such danger!'

  'You scoff, Dick Ashford, but your sins will be noted and you will in good time be punished for them.'

  'No doubt,' Dick Ashford agreed amiably. 'But I would prefer you do not accuse Mistress Weston of providing occasions of sin!'

  'She is unaware of the dangers, she is so pure and untouched herself.'

  'I do not think you need to concern yourself on her behalf.'

  'She has no one else to warn her. These folks who take so lavishly of her hospitality, her generosity, they do not care they may be guiding her into wicked ways. You taunt me for venturing myself, but I am in no danger. I will not fall from the path of righteousness. I but seek to aid others who are in danger from the ungodly company they are forced to keep!'

  With a fierce glare at Ashford, and then a scowl at Miles Talbot, he swung round and stumped away to the far side of the large room, and Ashford chuckled gently to himself.

  Miles looked across the room to where the hostess they had been discussing, whom Faithful was so anxious to save, was talking animatedly to others of her guests.

  Mistress Weston was a tall woman, fair skinned and dark haired. Miles guessed her age to be early twenties. She had large dark eyes that had appraised him frankly when he had first been introduced to her earlier in the evening. He could see now the dark lashes curling onto her delicately shaped cheeks, and the full mouth he had wanted to kiss the instant he had set eyes on it. She was wearing a simple dark blue gown with moderate amounts of lace at the cuffs and neck, and it could not have been called indecorous. But the way she wore it, so that it displayed her full breasts and narrow waist, and suggested supple limbs beneath the full skirts, could well, Miles conceded, distract men into sinful thoughts.

  He was not allowed to indulge in them for long.

  'Methinks we have not met before? Allow me to introduce myself. Dick Ashford's the name.'

  Miles turned to him with a smile lingering on his lips. 'Miles Talbot. Your service, sir.'
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  'I have seen you here before,' Ashford went on, turning to Robert.

  'Indeed yes, I come to visit Mistress Weston whenever the opportunity arises. I remember you, but we were not introduced. There were far more people here on that occasion. Robert Peyton, sir.'

  'You cannot come often, or I would have met you before.'

  'Unfortunately not. My estates are in the west, and I do not come to London more than once or twice a year.'

  'And you, Mr. Talbot?'

  'I have but recently returned from the Low Countries. I have been in the armies there for some years.'

  'Indeed? Then we must compare notes. I was until recently a Colonel in the New Model. What campaigns were you in?'

  'I was engaged for most of the time in Flanders. But after we captured Hulst, there was little fighting. I was unwilling to join either France or Spain at that time, and remained in Holland, but the situation in this last year between the States and England caused me to return here.'

  'You did well. If you have a mind for more, we could use your experience in the Army here.'

  'I thank you. To be honest, I have had enough of the army life.'

  'Aye, you seem to feel as I do. There is little excitement or chance of advancement in the army now.'

  'I was hoping to buy a small estate. I have some small inheritance, and intend to look around me.'

  'Well, if I can be of any assistance, should you change your mind, I will speak for you to one of our commanders.'

  'You appear to have much influence.'

  'The Colonel has other tasks now, in Parliament,' Robert put in.

  'Indeed? You are in this new Parliament then?' Miles queried.

  'I have indeed been so honoured by being called upon to help govern the country.'

  'It is an unhappy country in many ways, since the rebellion.'

  'Aye, and the inefficient Parliaments we have had to suffer have made it worse.'

  'The General was supported by most people then, when he dissolved the Rump? Forgive my ignorance, but I have been so long away from English affairs, I know only the merest details and nought of the truth of matters.'

  'The General will ensure for us good government. This present Parliament was selected by him and the Council. We know what needs to be done, and intend to do our duty.'

  Miles nodded. 'From the little I have seen of you, Colonel, I feel confident that England is in good hands.'

  The Colonel bowed graciously. 'We could do with some purging, I will confess,' he said, glancing across the room.

  Miles followed his glance, and saw that Faithful was standing aloof from the rest of the company, glowering at them.

  'You mean our recent friend?' Robert asked.

  'Surely he is not of your company in Parliament?' Miles said in surprise.

  'Unfortunately, yes.'

  'Who is he?'

  'His name is Denham. Dare-to-be-faithful-to-God Denham. Usually known as Faithful.'

  Miles grinned. 'I wondered at the appellation. I thought it might have some earthly connection.'

  'Not so. I believe he was named Francis by his parents, but no one has ever known him as aught other than Faithful.'

  'How comes he to be selected by the General?'

  'He needs to gain the support of the City for his new measures, and Faithful, though he does not look it, is an exceedingly wealthy man. He is one of the Skinners' Company, and that is one of the most influential Companies in the City.'

  'I see. What does he here, though?'

  'He seeks to turn others from sin! You heard him declare that was his object!'

  Miles laughed. 'Is he serious? One of the Elect?'

  'I do not in truth think he is concerned with me, or with you. No, 'tis the attractions of our hostess draws him, like a moth to a candle.'

  Robert smiled. 'Even such as he,' he murmured. 'Did I not promise you Mistress Weston was greatly to be admired?' he asked Miles.

  'You did indeed. I grant she is all you say of her.'

  Dick Ashford nodded. 'There are few to compare with Mistress Weston. She is beautiful and charming, and an accomplished hostess.'

  'She entertains a great deal?' Miles asked curiously.

  'Indeed yes. She is generous, and extends her friendship even to such undeserving boors as Faithful Denham. There are gatherings here most evenings, sometimes just a few friends, sometimes a goodly number, as tonight, and on occasion so many one can scarce move through the rooms for the crush!'

  Miles looked across the room at the object of their conversation. She was moving about competently amongst her guests, unobtrusively making sure they all were supplied with the plentiful food and wine, and were not neglected. As Miles watched, she moved away from one group, throwing a laughing remark over her shoulder, then moved to Faithful Denham's side.

  He was apparently surly. Miles could distinguish his frowns and imagine the protestations he was making. Dick Ashford's attention had been claimed by another guest and Miles was free to watch the woman, who was indeed little more than a girl, gradually charm the ill humour out of Denham's face, and then lead him over to a group of men and women who were seated round a table talking earnestly. Leaving him there, she circulated again, and Miles stood watching, leaning back against the wall, knowing she would eventually approach him.