A Queen's Spy, - [best books under 200 pages .txt] 📗

would they not believe it?” Richard supplied, his voice reasonable.

“And those who wish to keep Elizabeth as heir?”

“Will be relieved that Wyatt’s confession has not been revealed, and the very fact that it has not also reinforces the fact of Elizabeth’s survival as heir.”

Derby’s brow furrowed.

“As long as there remains conjecture both sides can draw from it the conclusion that best suits them, and Mary will get the support she needs from Parliament to sanction Spain’s marriage deal. What happens afterwards is very much a different issue as Mary will then be wedded to Phillip and the process will have served the cause,” Richard concluded, his eyes meeting the Earl’s.

“I can see how this could work,” Derby pulled thoughtfully at his beard, “it would need to be carefully managed.” The Earl walked to the front of his desk and faced Richard, “And where does your loyalty lie I wonder.”

Richard frowned, “Have I not proven myself to be a loyal servant?”

“You have, however I am well aware that you were part of Thomas Seymour’s household and of the incident that occurred there.” The Earl said.

“Any why would that effect my loyalty? If anything I would have thought it would have ensured it,” Richard said, an edge in his voice.

“How so? You supported the lady Elizabeth, how do I know that you no longer do?” The Earl asked pointedly.

It was now Richard’s turn to adopt a look of utter dismay. There was an undercurrent of bitterness in his words when he spoke. “Sir, I tried to save a woman’s honour, and I admit I would act again the same way if those circumstances presented themselves. However, after that event I was banished by Seymour, disinherited by my father and left with nothing as a result. I do not owe that lady any loyalty.”

“Lady Elizabeth, does she know you bear her such ill will? You were, by all accounts, close friends.” Derby said.

“She would have no reason to know, I have not spoken to the lady since, it was many years ago. We were childhood friends, that was true, but time has severed that bond,” Richard replied.

“Perhaps you are someone she might believe she can trust,” Derby continued.

“She might,” Richard said slowly.

“I believe that our problem with Wyatt wasn’t a singular event, there are rumours that Elizabeth is involved in another plan to take the capital. Your idea that we can use her to secure Parliament’s approval I can agree with, however it would all amount to very little if the lady did indeed involve herself with yet more insurrection.”

“There is a truth in that,” Richard agreed. “I am assuming you would like me to see if I can find anything out?”

“Elizabeth is resident at Whitehall, under guard. Her visitors are recorded and closely guarded, so how you get to speak to her I shall leave with you,” Derby said.

“I shall find out what I can,” Richard replied seriously.

Derby regarded Richard in silence for a few moments before he spoke again. “Good, join me tomorrow and let me see if we can together convince Somer. The man has no liking for his task, and he may see some worth in what you propose.”

 

 

 

†

 

 

 

Richard finally went to see Elizabeth at Whitehall, it had taken longer than he had wished. The relief on Kate’s face when she had seen him had been painful to see, and he was sorry he had so little comfort to bring.

The meeting with Elizabeth had been a brief one, there was little news to pass on, he had only wanted to reassure her of his loyalty, no matter what she heard.

When he emerged from Elizabeth’s room he found Kate was outside, pacing nervously in the corridor, her hands knitted together, waiting for him to emerge.

“Kate,” Richard said, taking her hand in his, “Elizabeth is lucky to have you with her.”

“You brought good news, I hope,” Kate said earnestly.

“No doubt she will tell you soon, but I have a favour to ask now,” Richard told her, as he led her down the corridor.

“If there is anything…”

He lifted his fingers to her lips to still her words. “I know you would do anything, there is no need to say it. There are a limited number of people you can trust, and I know even fewer.” He led her to a window and pointed to a house in the distance. “You see that attic room with the light in it?”

“Yes, I can clearly see it,” Kate said as she looked at the distant window lit with a pale yellow light.

“When it is lit as it is tonight I will meet you in the garden near the briar gate at ten o’clock. You can get there?” Richard asked.

“Yes, I am allowed into the small garden, but it is heavily guarded. How do you propose to get in and out?” Kate replied, a worried expression on her face.

“Don’t worry about that.” Richard smiled and turned to leave, crossing the dark garden and disappearing noiselessly into the foliage.

Kate, watching his retreat, could not see where he had disappeared to, and after a few moments switched her eyes instead to the lit window in the room Richard had pointed out, its dim light clearly visible across the housetops.

After a moment Kate lifted her skirts and returned to her mistress, keen to learn of any news Richard had brought. When Kate found her Elizabeth was standing, arms folded and a look of consternation on her face, staring at the lit fire in the hearth.

“Well?” was all Kate said as she closed the door behind her.

“Not much, Kate. It appears Wyatt has not confessed just yet, but that is probably a matter of time only. Renard is still pressing Mary to condemn me to the Tower, but the Council feels there is not sufficient evidence. I am safe here for the time being. I will be requested to stand before the Queen’s Council as I expected, probably after Wyatt has been executed and there is no danger of his final words being changed,” Elizabeth said matter-of-factly.

“Should you petition Mary again for a hearing?” Kate asked, her hand on Elizabeth’s arm.

“She didn’t reply to my last letter. However, I can but try. It might be that I can get my case heard, before Mary’s Council is set upon me,” Elizabeth replied.

“I had hoped there might be more,” Kate said, sounding disappointed. “I had hoped to hear that Mary might have finally granted you a private audience so you could personally put your case before your sister.”

“Unfortunately not,” Elizabeth replied, staring again into the flames.

 

 

 

†

 

 

 

Richard left the way he had entered, climbing easily over the ivy-clad wall. The sandstone beneath the vegetation had powdered and crumbled providing easy hand and footholds. After peering into the quiet street below for some moments, he dropped noiselessly to the ground. If he knew he was watched as he made his way from Elizabeth’s house, he gave no sign.

 

 

 

†

 

 

 

“Feet!” yelled Jack, exasperated. Marc altered his stance obligingly, moving his boots back two paces to where they were supposed to be.

“Oh no, I think I shall die. Please save me, Jack,” Dan said, backing off from Marc’s erratic blows.

“Dan, this is not supposed to be amusing,” Jack said, annoyed, and then to Marc, “feet, for the love of God, do you take no notice of me?”

Catherine was leaning on the fence, her arms spread on the top bar and her head resting upon them. Jack moved to stand near her, picking up his own sword from where it was propped against the fence.

“You make it look so light,” Catherin said, her eyes looking at the blade.

“What, this?” Jack asked, turning the sword over expertly in his hand. “It is. Here,” Jack offered the hilt to Catherine.

Catherine wound her hand around the grip and Jack let go. The sword plunged to the ground, so unready was she for the weight of it. Jack grinned.

“Damn!” Catherine swore, Jack laughed and she immediately flushed, trying to ignore the chorus of laughter from the men on the other side of the ring. “That wasn’t funny either,” she complained.

“Sorry,” Jack returned half-heartedly.

“Is this a private game or can anyone join in?” There was no mistaking Richard’s silken voice. “Dan, if you please.” Richard threw his riding cloak at Dan who obeyed the unspoken order and left the yard.

“The rest of you can get out of here as well.” Richard commanded.

“Richard! So you’ve finally decided to join us.” Jack’s attention was riveted on his brother and his eyes were wide with expectation.

Richard, ignoring Jack, carefully removed his gloves, laying them on the fence post. “I am pleased to find the lady suitably entertained.”

Catherine stood still, eyes wildly staring at Richard, the sword dropped at her feet.

“Pick it up,” Richard said conversationally. He stood in front of her, arms crossed. Catherine did not move. “The first lesson you will learn today is that you do as I say.” Richard drew his own sword. “The second is that contrary to popular belief, I do have some family loyalties. Now,” the point hovered in front of her face, “pick it up.”

Catherine stooped to obey.

“Richard, no!” Jack protested, “What are you doing?”

“Stay out of this, Jack. Patience, I know, is not one of your virtues, however the lady is not all that she seems,” Richard said. Then, addressing Catherine, “Are you?”

There was a long silence during which Jack forgot to breathe.

“Now, let us see what Master Jack has been teaching you, shall we?” Richard smiled maliciously at her. “You do not move? Perhaps you feel I have some advantage over you?” Richard placed his sword in the mud, point down and stepped back. “Now, does that even things up a little? I am unarmed. You have the advantage.”

“Richard, no!” Jack knew where this was leading but Richard ignored him.

“Come on, Catherine, you have no liking for me and I give you the opportunity to strike at me. Why do you not take it? This is what you’ve waited for, isn’t it?” Richard continued. “Perhaps you think Jack will come to your rescue, do your work for you? Well, I hate to disappoint you there, but he won’t.”

Catherine shook with rage. “You are a bastard,” she hissed.

“No. I think you’ll find that is what they call Jack, not me,” Richard said in the same light tone.

“Ignore him,” Jack shouted the warning.

Tightening the grip on the hilt, rage swelling within her, knowing she would lose, she still swung the blade true at his head. Her expression changed to one of surprise. She heard Jack yelling; felt the impact of steel on steel jarring her right shoulder and the sword flew from her grip.

“Oh dear,” Richard said. “You missed.”

“What do you want?” Catherine yelled back.

“A bloody explanation, lady, and make it a good one.” Richard’s sword point was pressed against her shoulder.

“Richard, it’s my fault she’s here. You have no argument with her,” Jack tried.

“Leave it, Jack. She knows what I am talking about, don’t you?” Richard pressed the point a little harder into her shoulder but she kept her ground. “Well?”

“I don’t have to answer to you,” Catherine yelled. The steel point was