The First Act

by Vanessa Mulberry

  “Should I have?”

  “I suppose not. I haven’t spoken to him in some years, and I rarely meet mutual acquaintances. I just wondered how he was.”

  “I’ve no idea, and I am surprised you asked. I heard you’d fallen out again some years ago, but I assumed that wouldn’t last.”

  Danbye didn’t sound suspicious, but Richard knew from his words that he was.

  “We’re not friends now,” he said with a tinge of sadness he did not need to fake. “Not that we ever were, in truth.”

  “I know what you were.”

  Richard met Danbye’s eyes and saw judgment and disappointment in them. He wasn’t their sort of man, but he hadn’t revealed their secret. Danbye spent his time dealing with scholars and probably couldn’t afford to publicly threaten their type.

  “Yes,” Richard murmured, “I was fiercely loyal to him once.”

  “And now?”

  “I’ve long given up spying, and that is all he ever wanted from me.”

  “And yet you’re here in my home.” Danbye finally took a seat in a large, high-backed chair and stared at him pointedly. “I can’t believe you came to me just to ask after Goldfox.”

  “I will talk plainly,” Richard said, although he had no intention of doing so. “For two years my company has toured the provinces, and we now have little to our names. I came to Cambridge to see if I could acquire some information to sell.”

  “To Bennett?”

  “If there is no other buyer. I can’t afford to be proud, but I won’t approach him until I have no other option. I decided to offer you my services first.”

  Danbye appeared to be thinking on the offer, but Richard was sure that whatever Danbye came up with would already be in his mind. They were just playing the game.

  “I may have a job for you,” Danbye said. “It is one I would prefer my own men do not do, and I know I can trust you with sensitive matters.”

  Richard had not told even Bennett Danbye’s secrets. He’d made a promise never to speak on them, and he only nodded, solemn and silent.

  “Have you brought your players?” Danbye asked.

  “Just my apprentice. I couldn’t afford the time or the cost of bringing the whole company. I need money quickly.”

  “A pity. They would have made things easier. But there are other ways.”

  Those “other ways” would be similar to Bennett’s. Richard would do a few jobs if he must and use whatever Danbye gave him to get into Trinity. “What do you intend me to do?” he asked.

  Danbye reassessed him one final time. Richard let him, confident he would find no fault.

  Satisfied, Danbye said, “It’s come to my attention that within one of the colleges, there is a list of names that are of interest to those looking to remove the Queen from the throne.”

  That sounded familiar and would certainly explain why Bennett had said nothing to its purpose. “Traitors?” Richard asked carefully.

  “Perhaps. Or innocent men being set up.”

  Danbye was good at protecting himself, but Richard noticed him spinning a ring around his finger. The list made him nervous.

  “Whose names are on it?”

  “That doesn’t concern you.”

  “I need to make sure I get the right paper.”

  Danbye left his seat and went to a table at the back of the room. He had various stacks of papers, but Richard noted that he plucked a piece straight from the top of one pile and didn’t need to search for it. This was a pressing matter.

  “You will know the list by the handwriting. It is kept by a man named Jacob Hobbes, hidden within his private room at Trinity College, but it was written by one of my men.”

  Richard took the paper and looked it over. It was a poem, and not a very good one at that, written to an older woman the writer was in love with.

  “Apologies for the subject matter, but this is all I am able to give you,” Danbye said. “You may dispose of it when you’re done.”

  Richard folded the note and tucked it into his doublet. “Why can’t your man do the work? Is he a traitor?”

  Danbye shook his head solemnly. “Not at all. He was a good man who risked his life getting close to his killer for me. Now he’s dead. Making that list was the last thing he ever did.”

  WILLIAM WAS growing cold in the hallway. He wrapped his arms around himself, tucking his hands into his armpits for warmth. Sitting down allowed his feet to swell, and he knew they would hurt when he stood to walk back to the inn. With no comfort to be had from Richard, it would be a long night.

  He stared around at the darkness, knowing that anyone could be watching him. It was an unnerving thought, but he forced calm into himself and exhaled loudly, as if intensely bored by the whole business.

  He hoped that, if someone was watching, they would be convinced. He was a bit bored in truth, as well as cold and tired. They probably would be too.

  Closing his eyes and resting his head on the wall, he formed a plan. He let himself appear to be nodding off, then, with a start, shifted forward as if jolted awake at the last moment.

  “Who is it? Who’s there?” he demanded, prepared to relax back a moment later if no one came forward.

  “Just me, sirrah,” said the servant who had met them previously, stepping into the light.

  William ignored the slight, though he was vexed. He wasn’t used to being spoken to that way. “Does my master need me?” he asked.

  “No. I’ve a notion to keep an eye on you, that’s all. Your master kept bad company last time he was here, and I do not trust you to be any better.”

  Given Nick’s previous behavior, William was not surprised. “His last apprentice let him down,” he acknowledged, “but I am a man of good character.”

  “I don’t know his previous apprentice, but I suspect he kept him up rather than let him down,” the servant replied with a wink as he sat next to him.

  William feigned ignorance and outrage on Richard’s behalf. “What do you mean?” he gasped. “Are you slighting my master? Give me your name, you bastardly fellow. His Worship must hear how you speak of his guests.”

  The servant seemed amused by the display. “You may call me Jack, and I mean no harm. I liked Master Brasyer when he was here. He was generous and kind.”

  “Then explain your words.”

  “I mean exactly as I say. He kept bad company and had to leave because of it. You are more than welcome to complain about what I have said, if you wish to embarrass him. His Worship forgave him the indiscretion, but your master could not remain in his employ after that.”

  So Jack knew what Richard had done for a living. This man was a pair of eyes and ears, and William wished he’d not drawn him out. Better that Jack watched him in silence for an hour than he give something away now.

  “That was generous,” he said grudgingly.

  “Master Brasyer was a good worker.”

  It had to be a test to see what William knew or how good he was at deception. He felt doubly stupid for inviting it.

  “What did he do here?” he asked, affecting an obvious curiosity. “Did His Worship have an acting troupe? In truth, I have been told by many people to keep away from him, that he has a wicked past, but no one will give me any details.”

  It worked. Jack stood and said, “I know little. Only that he had undesirable friends.”

  At that moment, a door creaked open, and Jack scurried away, leaving William alone in the hallway.

  He stood and dipped his head, waiting for Richard and Danbye, but the justice did not approach.

  “Come,” Richard said, “Let’s get back to the inn.”

  They let themselves out and walked back in silence.

  William was full of questions, but they would have to wait. Richard wasn’t looking to see if they were followed, but William wasn’t going to turn around and check. Eventually, they were back at the inn, carrying bowls of thick vegetable-and-bacon stew upstairs. Richard had a large loaf of bread to share between them
tucked under his arm, and William couldn’t wait to get into it.

  “Can we speak now?” he asked when they entered the room. He hurried across to place his bowl on the table and then sat gratefully on a stool.

  Richard joined him. He tore the bread in half and assessed the pieces to determine which was slightly larger. He gave that one to William. “We may talk.”

  “Well? What happened?”

  Richard gave all his attention to the spoonful of hot stew he was blowing on. He didn’t look up as he responded, “I negotiated a second pay for the same job. You will be a wealthy man.”

  “Me?”

  “Apprentice on the stage or not, I will pay you handsomely for a job well done here. You will have real work to do.”

  William knew Richard was generous, but this was well beyond his expectations. There had to be a catch. “So Danbye knows about the list too?” he asked casually as he stirred his stew, waiting for it to cool down. “Is his name on it?”

  “That is what we are to find out. Whoever sold him the information probably sold it to Bennett as well.”

  Richard still didn’t look at him. Their eyes had not met since they left Danbye’s home.

  Abandoning the spoon, Richard dipped a small chunk of bread into his dinner, blowing on it when he raised it to his lips. William fought the urge to press for more details, making himself wait. He wanted to know if Richard would tell him unprompted.

  Richard began to eat in silence, keeping his eye on the bowl. William didn’t begin his meal, though he was hungry. He let Richard see he waited.

  “You may ask if you wish,” Richard said eventually, “but I will speak no more if you don’t. As I said before, it will be safer for you not to know.”

  That might be true, but William wasn’t only worried for himself. Richard knew everything. “Just tell me what expensive secret you’re hiding. I’m not a fool. Your generosity can only be linked to my danger.”

  Richard put down his spoon and looked up at him. “Danbye said it’s a list of traitors to the Crown.”

  William’s heartbeat quickened, and he began to sweat, but he kept complete control of his outward appearance. He couldn’t show Richard his weakness.

  “We can’t do this,” he began. “If we are caught—”

  “We will end up dead. I know. But if we don’t do it, you will be hanged for thieving and I will be done for murder when I get hold of Bennett.”

  William would far rather take his chances as a thief on the run. “Traitors suffer worse,” he muttered, thinking he did not wish to see what his bowels looked like. “Death is a mercy to them.”

  “I know. I won’t force you to take part, but if you do, you will receive Danbye’s payment, which will be a large enough sum to buy a share in the company when you have completed your training. This will either guarantee your future or destroy it.”

  “And if I refuse?”

  “I will do the job alone. But you will have to leave the company. It would be too dangerous for you to remain with me, knowing what you do. Repercussions aren’t always swift, and I’ll not let you suffer for something you took no part in.”

  William had become too used to taking risks for Richard. He wouldn’t let him do this alone. “I’ll do it. I’m not leaving you. Not now.”

  For the first time since they left Danbye’s house, Richard smiled. “Thank you.” He took up his spoon and began to eat again.

  William joined him, but his earlier mistake played on his mind. He should confess. “I think I gave myself away this evening. I guessed I was being watched, and I drew a servant from the shadows. I’m sorry.”

  He explained to Richard the full content of his conversation with Jack, and Richard was unperturbed.

  “I wouldn’t worry,” Richard said. “I would be more concerned if you gave anything away about our reasons for being here. Bennett and Danbye are old rivals, but they’re fighting the same battle. I’ve known them to work for each other’s benefit in the past, each knowing the value of a favor owed. If Danbye thought arresting you might help Bennett in some way, then he would do it.”

  They finished their food, and Richard fetched the papers. Richard reread their instructions while William looked over the poem.

  William couldn’t help but laugh. “‘Raven-haired mistress,’” he began, giggling to himself, “‘keeper of secrets and my heart. In your eyes, I see only light. We come together in blackest night….’ This doesn’t even have rhythm, let alone beauty.”

  “I wrote it for you in earnest,” Richard teased.

  “I know you didn’t because we have barely come together at all.”

  “Give me time.” Richard winked. “It’s an example of the handwriting on the list we are to find, that’s all.”

  After a time, they swapped papers and William familiarized himself with the details of the job. He expected to be climbing into bed shortly afterward, but when he stood to leave the table, Richard shook his head.

  “There’s more?” William asked wearily, easing back onto his stool.

  “Not much. We must discuss what we will do if we are caught.”

  It would be a short discussion. “I know exactly what I’ll do. I’ll tell everyone Bennett Goldfox is the biggest traitor in England. I’ll tell them he moves against the Queen even as we speak, so she’d better hurry up and chop his head off.”

  “That is a tempting thought,” Richard said without humor. “But I think the blame should be placed with Danbye. It would ensure you are better protected.”

  “If I’ve been caught with a list of traitors, I’ve got bigger problems than a charge of theft.”

  “That depends who we’re caught by. We are nothing—the scum sent to do the job, not the men who’ll benefit from it—and if Hobbes finds us, our loyalty should be negotiable. It’s a slim chance, but you should prepare for it.”

  The dagger in his bag was William’s only preparation for an encounter with Hobbes, and he intended to do nothing but threaten with it. All he knew of Danbye was that the man kept Richard’s dalliances secret, and William thought he deserved a place in heaven for that.

  “I won’t blame an innocent man.”

  “We can if it’s the only way to save you.”

  That was in the back of William’s mind, of course, but he wasn’t sure he wanted anyone, even a stranger, dying for him. “No. I wouldn’t feel right.”

  Richard tidied up the papers and gave William a sympathetic look. “I understand how you feel, but from Danbye’s point of view, this isn’t about you, even if you are my only motivation. Do not spare him a thought. He has not scrupled about such things. You can’t in this business. Why do you think I got out of it?”

  “But you’re not out of it, and one day that could be you being betrayed.”

  “That day has been and gone. You are nothing to Bennett, and look what he tried to do to you. I’ve seen Danbye do similar. Who would question the word of the local justice of the peace? I like him no better than Bennett. He was good to me once, but that’s because I know his secrets. Don’t think that’s an indication of his character.”

  William was more concerned about his own, but he said nothing. He wouldn’t lose sleep over Bennett, and if Richard said Danbye was no better, then that was good enough. It had to be.

  Richard tucked the papers back into his bag and undressed. “Come,” he said, “We’ve a busy day tomorrow. It’s time for bed.”

  After two days’ walk, William was tired. His feet were still sore, and he was glad to lie down. He was almost grateful Richard would not be interested in his body that night. But Richard didn’t avert his eyes when William undressed, intense longing on his face.

  Climbing onto the bed with him, William said, “You told me that was bad luck.”

  Richard gave him a devilish look that betrayed his lust. “I’m only looking at you,” he said mock innocently. “That can’t be too bad.”

  “You can’t see your face.”

  Richard laughed and
pulled William close to him. William wriggled in his grip and turned so Richard was at his back. He could feel Richard’s excitement and found his own cock was swelling too.

  “This must be bad luck,” William said. “You are enjoying it far too much.”

  “You’re right,” Richard agreed, but he didn’t let him go. “I’ll not do any more than hold you now, but tomorrow all this will be over, and I may do to you whatever I like. One more night and I won’t be holding back.”

  William tried not to imagine what that might be, knowing he would not sleep until he came off if he spent time thinking about it. Instead he let his mind linger on the comfort he got from Richard’s embrace, the pleasure of knowing a man like Richard could want him, and most of all, the happiness he felt at his situation, no matter how bleak it had once appeared. Richard didn’t just desire him, he cared about him too, and that thought sent William off to a contented sleep.

  Chapter Seventeen

  DAWN WAS breaking, and William looked across at the college, with a frown on his brow. He wasn’t an educated man, but back in Oxford he considered himself a local and had admired the colleges there on many an occasion. They were quite spectacular.

  This one boasted some impressive parts, but much of it was a building site.

  “That’s Trinity?” he asked, wrinkling his nose. “I think the Oxford colleges are better.”

  Richard stood next to him, surveying the building for entry points. “I don’t know,” he said, eyeing the main entrance. “I think it’ll look good when it’s finished.”

  “I hope we’re not staying that long, but I grant, if the gate is anything to go by, the rest will be remarkable.”

  “That’s more like it,” Richard said, rooting through his bag. He found a folded paper and checked it before handing it over. “You must tell them that when you ask for work.”

  “Work?”

  “This is a letter of recommendation from Danbye. The story is that you have worked for him for two years and are now looking elsewhere for a contract.”

  William looked it over and noted that Danbye described him as a good worker, and honest, which was a kinder reference than he would likely ever receive again. “What do I do if they refuse me?”