The Tudor Secret - C. W. Gortner [83]
Again I received his unblinking stare. “What exactly do you ask, squire?”
“Nothing. I just want to clarify the situation.” I watched him fold his hands at his chin. Deprived of his caresses, Urian lay down on the floor with a dejected sigh.
“The council members would agree to anything to save their skins,” continued Walsingham. “The duke has badgered them into submission with threats that he has enough ammunition in the Tower to crush any revolt in Mary’s name. He’s also garrisoned the surrounding castles. Still, our sources indicate not a few of his so-called associates would as quickly see him hang as give him further rein over England. He’s made more enemies than is safe for any man. He may also soon face significant opposition from the Lady Mary herself.”
It was the longest speech I had heard from him, and it held a few unexpected surprises.
“Significant?” I said carefully. “I understood her Catholicism and doubtful legitimacy made her anything but.”
“It would be wiser not to discredit her quite yet.”
“I see. What is it you want of me?”
“The duke has not yet officially announced Edward’s death; however, with Jane Grey in the Tower awaiting coronation, it can’t be long in coming. Mary has let it be known she’s at her manor of Hoddesdon, from where she continues to issue demands for information. We suspect someone at court has warned her to stay away. She has no resources to draw upon, however, and few will risk themselves for a princess whose own father and brother declared her a bastard and whose faith is at odds with their own. There is the possibility she’ll flee the country, but we think it more likely she’ll head for the northern border and her Catholic noble strongholds.”
As if it were the most ordinary circumstance between us, Walsingham withdrew an envelope from his sleeve. “We want you to deliver this.”
I didn’t take it. “I assume that isn’t a safe conduct to Spain.”
“Its contents,” he replied, “are of no concern to you.”
I stood. “I beg to differ. Its contents could be my death, judging from past events. I’m as loyal as the next man, but even I have my limits. I need to know what it says before I agree to anything. And if you are not authorized to tell me,” I added pointedly, “I suggest you tell Cecil to come here instead.”
He deliberated for a moment. “Very well.” He gave me a slight incline of his head. “It’s from a few select lords on the council, an explanation of their predicament, if you will. It offers Mary their support, should she choose to fight for her throne. They would prefer she not abandon England, an absent queen being even less desirable than an illegal one.”
“Hedging our bets, are we? She must have become quite significant, indeed.”
“Accept the job or decline. It makes no difference to me. I can hire a dozen couriers.”
Cecil was behind this, naturally; he had seen the way the matter could go. I had no illusions as to whether he wanted the duke’s daughter-in-law or the Catholic heir on the throne, and so I took my time, smiling and patting my knee, enticing Urian to my side.
Walsingham’s black eyes turned stony.
After enough time had elapsed to establish I was no longer his for the taking, I said, “Since our last engagement, my rate has gone up.”
It pleased me to note that he visibly relished the introduction of money. It put us squarely in his terrain, where everything was open to negotiation. He removed a leather pouch from his doublet. “We are willing to double your fee, half in advance. If you do not deliver the letter or if Mary is captured, you forfeit the second half. Would you like me to put it in writing?”
I took the pouch and the letter. “That won’t be necessary. I can always take care of any misunderstandings when I next see Cecil.” I walked to the door and paused. “Anything else?”
He stared at me. “Yes. As you may know, time is of the essence. You must get to her before the duke’s men. We also don