Player's Wench

by Marina Oliver

  *

  The summer passed. Gervase appeared briefly on two occasions, once at the beginning of August, and again at the end of September. He gave no indication of what he had been doing, merely greeted Honey and Ben in a rather abstracted fashion and enquired how things were at the theatre.

  A day or so after he had come back to his lodgings the first time, the players heard with great dismay that one of the men in the company, Walter Clun, had been stabbed one night as he was going home from the theatre. He was well liked, and they could find no cause for the murder, concluding it must have been common footpads, not a rival actor or a jealous husband. A suggestion was mooted that it could have been some of the apprentices, for only a short time earlier there had been rioting between the butchers and the weavers on the occasion of the elections in the latter's Company, and it was found some of the boys had improved the occasion by running away from their masters, and might be skulking about Hampstead Heath, as the murder had taken place near Kentish Town.

  The gloom cast over the theatre was not lifted for some time, and the actors were also concerned at the rumours flying freely about the town that war with the Dutch was inevitable. Ships were being fitted out, and despite the news that most of the Dutch ships had plague aboard, it was anticipated there would soon be fighting. What would happen then to the theatres was doubtful, some maintaining people would wish to be given other things to think about, the more pessimistic predicting a closure of the theatres.

  Gervase shrugged when Ben excitedly repeated all that had been said, and told Ben not to be silly enough to believe the rumour that all Dutchmen were as tall as the giant then in London, a man more than three yards high, who was to be seen at Charing Cross by the curious. He had reported his findings to his uncle, with the information that it was thought the Dutch East India fleet, which the English hoped to intercept in the Channel, were being escorted home round the coast of Scotland. This news came too late for anything to be done, but confirmation came in the middle of the month that they were indeed safely in port.

  As suddenly as before he announced he was off again, and this time Honey was better able to suppress her dismay. He had been cool and detached, and she was apprehensive he might be regretting having befriended them. She considered moving to other lodgings, but the thought of it frightened her, and when she made the suggestion to Ben he looked at her in amazement, and said he saw no cause to go. She could hardly explain her reasons, and so remained where she was.

  The gap felt by the departure of Gervase was soon forgotten, however, when one of the actors came to the theatre to say there had been a great fire in Cheapside that morning. Honey paled, and asked where it had been, but he knew no details. Frantic to know if her family had been involved, Honey turned and ran from the theatre, going for the first time since she had run away back towards her old home.

  To her relief she found the fire had been some distance away from her father's shop, and although several houses had been burned, the fire was now over. She turned and walked back towards the theatre, unaware that Robert Reade, who had seen her as she passed St Paul's, was discreetly following her.

  *

  Robert had naturally heard all about her disappearance, and was intrigued to see her, her curls loose in a fashion she had never been permitted to wear them before, and wearing a gown far prettier than any she had previously possessed.

  He followed her to the King's House, and when she disappeared into a small doorway, whistled in surprise. What in the world could Honour Atwell be doing in such a place? By scraping an acquaintance with one of the snuffers, a stage hand whose job it was to snuff guttering candles, in a tavern after the performance, he soon discovered Honour had changed her name, and sometimes did small parts in the plays.

  Uncertain of how best to use the information, whether to approach Honey – yes, a definite improvement, he smiled – at once, or wait a while, he strolled home, while Honey, unaware her secret had been discovered, tried to forget her longing for Gervase by joining in Nell's plans to visit Bartholemew Fair, due to open in a few days.

  More than a month later Gervase again appeared. On the morning of that day one of the women in the company had fallen and hurt her ankle. She had only a small part, but it was important her dance was not spoilt. Tom Killigrew was busily rearranging his cast when John Lacy spoke.

  'Why not let Honey do the part? She knows the dance, for I've taught her myself, and I suspicion she knows the words too, for I've noticed how quickly she learns speeches.'

  Killigrew swung round on Honey.

  'Is that so?' he demanded. 'Can you do it?'

  'I – I think so,' Honey stammered.

  'Then we'll rehearse those scenes now. On stage, everyone!'

  Too surprised to be more than slightly nervous, Honey found herself the centre of attention, and was rigorously taken through the part, fortunately only a small one apart from the dance, which she knew well. At the end Killigrew nodded, then smiled briefly at her.

  'Good girl, you'll do. Go and borrow a gown if you've none suitable.'

  Unable to believe her good fortune, Honey went to do as he bade her, and spent the time until the performance alternately dreaming of the success in store for her, which she then told herself was a ridiculous notion, for the part was a very minor one, and fearfully saying her lines over and over again in terror she might forget them at the crucial moment. Nell, generously pleased at this chance for her friend, came to help her dress and insisted on lowering the neckline further than Honey had considered decorous.

  'You must dress the part!' she chided. 'It's no puritan you're playing!'

  Honey laughed, protested, and then submitted, being far more anxious about her words than her appearance. She need not have worried, for she forgot none, and spoke loudly and clearly despite her nervousness. The others, when the play was ended, crowded round to praise her for helping them out of an awkward situation, and admire her dancing.

  Flushed and happy, Honey found several of the gallants who frequented the green room after the performances were demanding to be introduced to the new, golden haired charmer. Shyly she smiled at their compliments, but her smiles fled when one, bolder than the rest, manoeuvred her into a corner and detained her by grasping her arm when she would have moved away.

  'No, my pretty, do not leave me, I beg of you. I was minded to ask you to sup with me. I know a place where the landlord will provide me with a private parlour, and we can be comfortable, so let us slip away now, my darling.'

  'Indeed sir, you mistake!' Honey protested, trying to shake off the hand on her arm.

  He laughed, and shook his head, then quickly slid his other arm about her waist, and bent his lips towards hers.

  'You need not be afraid, my little one. Come, be kind to me, and you'll not regret it!'

  'Let me free!' Honey gasped, twisting her head to avoid his kisses, and suddenly felt his grip loosen, and turned to see him sent spinning across the room by a blow on the chin from Gervase.

  *

  'Oh, Gervase! Mr Dunstone! I did not know you were back! Thank you! He would not release me!'

  'So I saw,' Gervase replied grimly. 'Do you have much trouble from fellows of his sort?'

  Honey laughed, shakily. 'No, indeed! Truly I do not!'

  'I should have known better than to have left you here!' Gervase said bitterly, regretting the necessity of going away, and being unable to protect Honey himself. 'You should not look so devilish enticing,' he added, but in so severe a voice that Honey thought he was angry with her, and was subdued as he escorted her to their lodgings.

  On the next morning Nell danced into the room where Honey sat at her old task of sewing.

  'So that's why you have been so cold to all the poor devils who have languished after you!' she said gaily. 'Lord, how did you contrive to snare him? All the women have been mad for him for months, especially when he takes a part, for his swordplay is so swift and skillful the fights on stage look more realistic.'
<
br />   'Takes a part? I did not know Gervase acted!' Honey said in surprise. 'And it is not as you think!' she added in some confusion.

  'Oh, no need to pretend with me, Honey. He acts occasionally, when Tom needs a good swordsman, or sometimes in his own plays. He has written several, and mighty good they are, full of wit! The King likes them especially, I'm told. But who was that impudent dog who was making a nuisance of himself last night?'

  'I did not know his name,' Honey replied.

  'Oh, well, there are many such, but now they all know Gervase Dunstone protects you, they'll have a care.'

  Again Honey protested she had it wrong, but she soon found the rest of the company were of the same opinion. Gervase knew it too, and decided it would be safer for Honey, despite the slur on her reputation, to allow them to continue thinking it. He knew no one would wish to offend him, with the ear of the King, and Honey would be safe when he had to be away.

  'I must go away again soon,' he informed Ben and Honey after a few days. 'Now there is news of Robert Holmes capturing more of the ports of Guinea from the Dutch, and even a rumour that Nicholls has New Amsterdam, war is inevitable. Prince Rupert is off to sea in a few days.'

  'So you go with him, sir?' Ben asked eagerly. 'I've a good mind to volunteer! The theatre is all very well, and now I'm permitted to paint some of the scenes, I like it better than ever, but the prospects might be greater in the navy!'

  'Greater prospects of being killed!' Gervase answered drily, not replying to the question about his own movements. He was in fact bound again for Holland, but it suited him to allow them to think he would be with the Guinea fleet.

  *

  In a few days he had gone, and Honey was bereft, but on the very first afternoon of his departure, when she was taking a small part in the play, she found Robert Reade waiting for her in the green room afterwards.

  'Robert!' she exclaimed, blushing and smiling at him, unable to say anything more.

  He came up to her and gravely took her hand, raising it to his lips.

  'Honey, now, I see! You little wretch! How did you come to be an actress? And a mighty fine one, from what I saw today!'

  'Oh, Robert, it is a long story. But you must promise not to tell my parents where I am. I beg you, they must not know!'

  'Of course I will not betray you, silly little Honey. But come and drink a glass of wine with me, and tell me all about it.'

  Soon they were seated in a pleasant, good class inn, and Honey related to Robert how she had persuaded Ben to take her to the play, and the consequences. She looked at him through her lashes when she came to the part about her dislike of William Sutton, but he merely nodded, saying he agreed with her, and did not know how any girl could bear to marry such a one. Honey sighed, thinking he must have forgotten his own hints, and continued with the story.

  'So there we were, outside the theatre, and Gervase Dunstone, who had rescued me on the previous day, came and found us, and as he knew Tom Killigrew, he obtained a job for us.'

  'Dunstone?' Robert said sharply. 'Is he the man I've seen you with, walking home from the theatre?'

  Honey nodded, and stared at him in astonishment.

  'You've seen me before?' she demanded. 'Why did you not speak to me?'

  Robert smiled grimly. 'Because you were with him! Is he in London now?'

  'No, he left this morning. But why do you speak so of him?'

  'Because if he is what I suspect, he is a most dangerous man, and I do not like the thought of your being entangled with him!'

  'Dangerous? What in the world do you mean?'

  'Where has he gone?'

  'I am not sure. I think he has gone with Prince Rupert,' Honey said doubtfully. 'Why do you want to know?'

  'I believe him to have gone back to Holland. Did you know he had an uncle in the Admiralty, and his father is friendly with many of the commanders, as well as he himself having the confidence of the King?'

  'I did not know all that, but why do you speak like this?'

  'He has gone back to Holland, where he has been these last few weeks, and he takes with him valuable information about the movement of the fleets, and the plans we have! He is a Dutch spy!'

  'No! I do not believe it!' Honey protested vigorously.

  Robert shrugged. 'I am not entirely certain, or I could have him arrested. I dare not accuse him without proof for he has highly placed friends at Court. Was he in England at the beginning of August?'

  'Yes, for a short while,' Honey replied, still refusing to credit what Robert had suggested.

  'When Walter Clun was murdered?'

  Honey opened her eyes wide at this.

  'What has that to do with it?'

  'Was he?' Robert insisted.

  'I think so. Yes, for we talked of the apprentice riots, and Ben was saying he was sure none of them would have killed Walter.'

  'I thought so!' Robert exclaimed. 'I was certain I recognised him!'

  'If you do not explain what you are saying, I shall go mad!' Honey declared angrily.

  'Poor Honey! I am sorry if you like him! I was riding back from visiting a friend of mine at Hampstead that evening, and I heard a man cry out he was set upon. I went to his aid, and drove off a fellow I afterwards recognised as Dunstone. I was unable to help Clun, for he was stabbed and dying, but he could speak, and he begged me to take charge of some letters which he said were private ones from Prince Rupert to the Duke of York, on Navy matters. Why they used him as a go-between, I know not, but the letters had gone. Dunstone had taken them.'

  'You cannot be sure it was he!' Honey said angrily. 'You saw a man with a chance resemblance, and cannot recognise him two months later!'

  'But that is not all. He spent many years in Holland, and has friends there. What is more, I saw him there myself not many days after Clun was killed, talking in a tavern with some of the officers from the Dutch Fleet!'

  'What is that? But I do not understand! How could you be there?'

  Robert laughed, a triumphant look in his eyes.

  'Oh, I have been travelling to Holland frequently of late for my father. He has many trading partners there, and whatever the politicians say trade must continue. I was there to await the arrival of the East India Fleet and buy goods from them. My father has made many losses and needs to trade where he can.'

  'Is that where you went – when you told me you were going to the Baltic?' Honey asked slowly. 'Your brother told me you had ridden for Dover.'

  'Aye. We did not want it known, of course, for many of the merchants in the city are as mad for war as the Court, and it would have been bad for my father to have been seen negotiating with them. You will not mention this, will you, Honey? I tell you only to convince you that Gervase Dunstone is a dangerous man, a spy, and is betraying his country!'

  *

  Chapter 6

  Honey stared at Robert in disbelief.

  'Gervase Dunstone is no traitor!' she declared vehemently. 'You say you have no proof, so why do you make such accusations?'

  Robert sighed. 'I have no proof, no. I have my suspicions, and I hope soon to be able to prove it. I would not have said aught to you had you not appeared on such friendly terms with him, but if he is what I suspect, then you could be in danger. Honey, my sweet, I must protect you! You know that.'

  He gazed into her eyes and smiled, and Honey felt a moment's wavering. Could it, incredible though it seemed, be true?

  'How can you obtain proof?' she said breathlessly.

  'I go again to Holland, and I shall seek out the men I saw with Dunstone, and try to discover what I can from them. I believe he travels back himself soon, and hope to follow him. Honey, will you help me?'

  'To find him a traitor?' she asked in horror.

  'To discover the truth! Now you are involved with him, I cannot hope he is guilty, for that puts you in danger, which I cannot want under any circumstances! Just try to discover for me when he leaves. Do not ask too many questions, for if he grows suspicious, and sees us to
gether, I stand less chance of unmasking him.'

  'He is going away?' she asked in some dismay. 'How can you know that?'

  'I have my methods,' he replied quietly. 'I dare not reveal more than is absolutely necessary for you to know, for fear of endangering you. I am reluctant to leave you in the same house, my dear, but I see no alternative until this thing is finished, for I must be free to go to Holland, or wherever the need is. I suppose you would not care to return to your parents?'

  Honey shook her curls.

  'Indeed I would not, for my father would force me into some horrid match with one worse than William Sutton – that is if he would take me back at all!' she concluded.

  'You will not wed with one such as he,' Robert promised, a warm look in his eyes, but he said no more about that, only briefly covering Honey's hand with his own before passing on to repeat his suggestion Honey tried to discover what Gervase's movements were.

  She was reluctant to act the spy, but reasoned to herself it could do no harm, and if Gervase were innocent as she fervently believed, Robert would be able to prove it. She was thoughtful as she went homewards, and did not, as was her custom when Gervase had not been to the theatre, knock on his door to report on the day's performance.

  In her room she pondered deeply, unable to believe what Robert had told her, but interfering with her thoughts about Gervase's possible treachery were delighted recollections of the endearments Robert had used, so naturally, and the implied promise in what he said. Surely, she told herself, when this business is finished, he will come to me and speak plainly. That night she dreamed of Robert, with his tall and upright figure, so strong and yet elegant, and his handsome face with the laughing eyes that looked at her so tenderly.

  Gervase was not visible on the following day, nor the next, and Honey began to wonder if he had gone on another of his journeys, but Mistress Betsy said nothing when Honey saw her, and as she would surely have lamented his absence, Honey decided he was merely busy. She had come to the conclusion Robert must have been mistaken. She had not for a moment believed Gervase was the murderer of Walter Clun, but there had been a few moments when she had wondered if there could be any basis for the suspicions Robert had expressed about Gervase's activities in Holland. Thinking it over calmly, she had to admit Gervase talked about himself and his affairs very little. She had known nothing of his family, or his boyhood spent in Holland, not even of the fact he wrote plays and occasionally acted in them. Was this normal or did it indicate an unusual degree of secrecy?