‘I understand.’ The king sighed. ‘I’ve always regretted the necessity to press men and your example deepens that feeling. These fellows here,’ he gestured to several men standing by with papers, ‘have the latest reports of the fire’s progress. Let them report to me and you may learn a safe route to your beloved.’ He beckoned one nearer who held a map. ‘Where do you think she might be?’
Coke stepped up. ‘Either in her old lodgings of Sheere Lane, near Lincoln’s Inn –’
‘In which case she is far beyond the wrath of even this inferno.’
‘Yet she also talked of laying in with the Pitmans. Mrs Pitman is also most near birthing.’
‘Pitman? My loyal follower?’ It was the Duke who now spoke. ‘That fellow, whatcha’mecallit, uh, Pepys. Navy office. The one who first brought news of this fire to Whi
