The King's Man Read Online Free

hands on a grubby apron, Jem Marsh appeared in the kitchen door and lumbered over to the table. He loomed over them.
    "Well, Cap'n Lovell. The girls said you was out of the Clink. You must have the luck of the devil. I thought you was locked away for a goodly time."
    The badly tied patch over his left eye didn't quite disguise the ugly scar that ran from his temple to his cheekbone. Out of the corner of his eye, Kit saw Thamsine recoil.
    "Mercifully, Jem, that little misunderstanding was resolved. Now, old friend, I have a favor to ask of you."
    "Anything, as long as ‘tis legal.” The big man laughed.
    Kit indicated Thamsine. “This is my friend, Thamsine Granville. Mistress Granville is a lady, who through the vicissitudes of fortune with which we are all familiar, finds herself in somewhat dire circumstances."
    Jem peered closely at Thamsine's shabby person. “She doesn't look much like a lady."
    "Well, she is and she needs some work, Jem, to pay for lodgings and food."
    "What's she good at?"
    Kit gave Thamsine a quick, appraising look. “Not much that is useful, unfortunately, but I'll warrant she's a quick learner."
    Doubt creased Jem's brow. “You wouldn't want to work here, love."
    "I have little choice, Master Marsh.” Thamsine looked up at him.
    "Jem to me friends, miss.” He scratched his head. “Well, if you've a mind to it and can manage a few rough sorts I'll take you and...” He lowered his voice and tapped his patch. “...if you've a mind to making a few shillings on the side, I'm willing to turn a blind eye, lady or no."
    "No,” Thamsine said hastily. “I've no need of those sorts of shillings. I am happy to serve drinks, sweep floors, wash dishes, anything, Master Marsh."
    "Well, if the Cap'n vouches for ye, tha's good enough for me,” he said. “You can doss in with the girls. You met my sisters, Mistress Granville, Nan and May? Nan's a bit of a tongue in her head but she don't mean much by it. You won't mind, will you, girls?” he bellowed across the room.
    Nan and May poked their heads out of the kitchen. “Mind what?” Nan asked.
    "This here's Cap'n Lovell's friend, Thamsine. She's coming to work for us for a little while. You don't mind her dossing down wiv you?"
    The ensuing pause indicated that neither girl thought this arrangement particularly satisfactory.
    "Just as long as she's the open-minded sort,” May said at last.
    "Good. That's settled.” Kit drained his cup and rose to his feet. “If you'll excuse me, Thamsine, I have an appointment to be kept."
    "Will I see you again?"
    He inclined his head. “Undoubtedly. My friends and I meet here often for a drink and a game of cards. In fact you will probably see me tomorrow night."
    She stood up to face him and held out her hand. “Good night, Captain Lovell, and thank you."
    He took her hand and pressed it to his lips. He smiled. “Until next time, Thamsine. Keep her away from brickbats, Jem."
    The big man frowned. “Brickbats?"
    Thamsine stared at Kit, the alarm shining in her eyes.
    "Doesn't matter,” Kit said and winked at her. “Until tomorrow."
    "Private parlor?” Jem asked.
    Kit nodded, shrugging his cloak across his shoulders. As he opened the door on a flurry of snow, he turned to look back.
    Thamsine had turned to face the Marsh twins, who regarded her with such intensity that she looked like a moth trapped in a flame, her wings singeing under their gaze.
    "So, m'lady, fancy yourself as a taproom wench, do you?” Nan flung a grimy apron at Thamsine. “Well, you can start with washing the platters."
    Kit smiled and shut the door.
    * * * *
    Kit walked through the snow-driven streets to High Holborn where Lucy Talbot, the widow of the late Martin Talbot, wine merchant, had a small, comfortable house.
    "Kit!"
    He barely had time to shut the door against the snow, as Lucy hurled herself down the stairs and into his arms, covering his face with kisses.
    "Where have you been? Where have you been?” she cried between