would make for tedious conversation.”
“I doubt that,” said Renard sharply, but Mary let out a guffaw.
“Now, now, Don Renard,” she chided. “Not everyone from the past is a potential enemy. Master Beecham may have served the duke’s secretary, but so did many others, and with far less integrity, I might add. I have assured him he’s welcome here.” She went silent, her brow creasing. “Perhaps we might find him a position on your staff? You, of all men, are best positioned to appreciate his talents.”
Renard’s smile vanished. The opportunity was too perfect to pass up.
“I do have experience working for men of distinction, Excellency,” I offered, “and I am literate in several languages, including Spanish.”
I was, too, at least partially. I could only hope he’d not put me to the test.
“Is that so?” The ambassador’s tone was icy. “As impressive as it sounds, I regret to say I’ve no need for another English clerk at this time.”
No, I thought, clerks, especially English ones, tend to gossip; and it would not do for there to be more speculation concerning his dealings to betroth Mary to Philip.
“Begging Your Excellency’s pardon, but I do not seek a post as a clerk. Unlike most men, I prefer to work outside confined spaces. Perhaps we could come to an arrangement?”
Renard regarded me with slitted eyes. He’d not expected me to press my suit so boldly.
Mary said, “Indeed. And I owe him a debt I wish to repay.” Her insinuation was not lost on Renard. While he’d clearly rather see me cleaning cesspits, he could not gainsay the queen. He inclined his head to her. “I am your devoted servant.”
“Good. I’ll leave you to settle it.” Mary motioned to her women. “Now, I must change for the council meeting. Don Renard, wait for me. We’ve business to discuss beforehand. Master Beecham,” she said, as I bowed once more, “it’s been a pleasure. I hope we’ll have the chance to meet again. You must let me know how you get on in your new post.”
Without awaiting my response, she swept through an opposite doorway, her women behind her, the little fleet of dogs yipping at their heels.
All of a sudden, I was alone with the ambassador.
“It seems you’ve more talents than I supposed,” Renard remarked.
“And I hope to employ them all in Your Excellency’s service,” I replied.
“We’ll see about that. Shall we say tomorrow, at around nine?” It was not a request. As I lowered my head, he abruptly crossed the space between us to seize my hand. He had an unexpectedly strong grip, more suited to a sportsman than one who made a living with his quill. “No need for that,” he said. “We’re just ordinary men who wish to serve, yes?”
I stepped back. His cordial words were anything but. He’d been maneuvered into a position of compliance, and he didn’t like it. But I had achieved my aim. I now had the chance to infiltrate his office and discover his plans.
“Rochester can give you directions,” he added, moving to the queen’s sideboard. He poured himself a goblet from the wrought-silver decanter. He did not offer me one.
It was a dismissal. I had already turned to leave when a voice said, “Master Beecham?”
I looked over my shoulder. Sybilla stood in the doorway of the queen’s private chambers, a folded paper in her hands. “Her Majesty is holding a banquet tonight for the Hapsburg delegation and hopes you can join us.” She gave me the paper, stamped with the royal seal. “This invitation from her will secure you a seat,” she explained.
As I took the note, I felt her fingertips graze mine.
Renard drew in an audible hiss of breath.
“Until tonight,” murmured Sybilla, and she retreated.
I did not realize I was still looking at the empty doorway through which she’d disappeared until the ambassador said coldly, “Are you also in the market for a noble-born wife, Master Beecham?”
I turned to him. “Alas, I cannot afford the
“I doubt that,” said Renard sharply, but Mary let out a guffaw.
“Now, now, Don Renard,” she chided. “Not everyone from the past is a potential enemy. Master Beecham may have served the duke’s secretary, but so did many others, and with far less integrity, I might add. I have assured him he’s welcome here.” She went silent, her brow creasing. “Perhaps we might find him a position on your staff? You, of all men, are best positioned to appreciate his talents.”
Renard’s smile vanished. The opportunity was too perfect to pass up.
“I do have experience working for men of distinction, Excellency,” I offered, “and I am literate in several languages, including Spanish.”
I was, too, at least partially. I could only hope he’d not put me to the test.
“Is that so?” The ambassador’s tone was icy. “As impressive as it sounds, I regret to say I’ve no need for another English clerk at this time.”
No, I thought, clerks, especially English ones, tend to gossip; and it would not do for there to be more speculation concerning his dealings to betroth Mary to Philip.
“Begging Your Excellency’s pardon, but I do not seek a post as a clerk. Unlike most men, I prefer to work outside confined spaces. Perhaps we could come to an arrangement?”
Renard regarded me with slitted eyes. He’d not expected me to press my suit so boldly.
Mary said, “Indeed. And I owe him a debt I wish to repay.” Her insinuation was not lost on Renard. While he’d clearly rather see me cleaning cesspits, he could not gainsay the queen. He inclined his head to her. “I am your devoted servant.”
“Good. I’ll leave you to settle it.” Mary motioned to her women. “Now, I must change for the council meeting. Don Renard, wait for me. We’ve business to discuss beforehand. Master Beecham,” she said, as I bowed once more, “it’s been a pleasure. I hope we’ll have the chance to meet again. You must let me know how you get on in your new post.”
Without awaiting my response, she swept through an opposite doorway, her women behind her, the little fleet of dogs yipping at their heels.
All of a sudden, I was alone with the ambassador.
“It seems you’ve more talents than I supposed,” Renard remarked.
“And I hope to employ them all in Your Excellency’s service,” I replied.
“We’ll see about that. Shall we say tomorrow, at around nine?” It was not a request. As I lowered my head, he abruptly crossed the space between us to seize my hand. He had an unexpectedly strong grip, more suited to a sportsman than one who made a living with his quill. “No need for that,” he said. “We’re just ordinary men who wish to serve, yes?”
I stepped back. His cordial words were anything but. He’d been maneuvered into a position of compliance, and he didn’t like it. But I had achieved my aim. I now had the chance to infiltrate his office and discover his plans.
“Rochester can give you directions,” he added, moving to the queen’s sideboard. He poured himself a goblet from the wrought-silver decanter. He did not offer me one.
It was a dismissal. I had already turned to leave when a voice said, “Master Beecham?”
I looked over my shoulder. Sybilla stood in the doorway of the queen’s private chambers, a folded paper in her hands. “Her Majesty is holding a banquet tonight for the Hapsburg delegation and hopes you can join us.” She gave me the paper, stamped with the royal seal. “This invitation from her will secure you a seat,” she explained.
As I took the note, I felt her fingertips graze mine.
Renard drew in an audible hiss of breath.
“Until tonight,” murmured Sybilla, and she retreated.
I did not realize I was still looking at the empty doorway through which she’d disappeared until the ambassador said coldly, “Are you also in the market for a noble-born wife, Master Beecham?”
I turned to him. “Alas, I cannot afford the
Similar Books
