Nathan Fox- Dangerous Times Page 2

  A handsome young man sat by the window, watching her. Marie looked up at her brother and his friend with consternation.

  ‘Nathan! Why so rowdy?!’

  Nathan mumbled an apology and, as he turned to close the door, saw a strange look appear on Will Shakespeare’s face.

  The older man spoke. ‘Master Nathan Fox. And someone I believe I know quite well – Master Shakespeare.’ Shakespeare bowed. ‘Good day to you, Sir Francis.’

  Nathan’s eyes opened wide. ‘Sir Francis?’

  ‘Nathan, this is Sir Francis Walsingham,’ said Marie with a smile. ‘Her Majesty’s Secretary of State.’

  Nathan bowed hurriedly as his sister continued. ‘And, Nathan, Sir Francis has come here expressly to see you.’

  ‘Me!’ he spluttered. ‘Why?!’

  ‘I fear we are to find out,’ muttered Shakespeare gloomily.

  Nathan looked at Sir Francis Walsingham. His skin was sallow and what hair showed around his black skullcap was greying. He was dressed all in black, apart from the startling white ruff around his neck. His face was stern and his almost black eyes were piercing. But for all that, Nathan did not fear him. There was something about the man that fascinated him.

  Walsingham stood up, leaning heavily on a stick. He looks tired, thought Nathan, perhaps he is ill. Sir Francis motioned him to sit down.

  ‘Master Fox, allow me to introduce John Pearce. He works for me.’ Pearce bowed to Nathan and Walsingham continued, ‘Of course, you know Master Shakespeare, but what you do not know is that he also works for me.’ Nathan’s mouth dropped open as he looked at his friend, who seemed more than a little uncomfortable.

  ‘Will? Works for you?’ Marie was shocked by the news. ‘Then, sir,’ she added defiantly, ‘so do I!’ and she produced an embroidered handkerchief from her apron pocket.

  Walsingham smiled and turned to Shakespeare. ‘So this is the lady who produces the fine handiwork that enables us to send our secret messages?’ Shakespeare nodded and the four adults exchanged knowing looks.

  Nathan frowned in irritation, feeling left out of this conspiracy. He cleared his throat. ‘Begging your pardon, sire, but what exactly is your business with me?’

  ‘No, you must pardon me,’ said Walsingham. ‘But before I tell all, our friend John will play guard at the door, for what I am about to say cannot be overheard by anyone.’ And with that, Pearce, his hand firmly on his sword, left the room.

  Sir Francis began pacing slowly.

  ‘Master Fox, I am many things to Her Majesty the Queen. I am the Secretary of State, I am a member of the Privy Council, I flatter myself I am her confidante, but, above all, I am Her Majesty’s Spymaster General. I operate a network of many agents who are my eyes and ears, and sometimes my sword, both in England and abroad. We protect Queen Elizabeth in the best way that we can. These are dangerous times, Nathan. You know that the Pope, many years ago, excommunicated our Queen and called upon the world to depose her by any means – even by assassination?’

  Nathan nodded. Marie and Shakespeare looked on gravely.

  ‘And you know that last month the Queen of Scots was beheaded for her part in a plot to kill our Queen?’ Walsingham’s voice rose a little with passion.

  ‘It is certain,’ he continued, ‘that the King of Spain will now use force to make England part of the mighty Spanish Empire. My spies tell me that he is building and equipping a massive fleet of ships – an Armada, the Spanish call it – to come and crush us all. England has many brave men, and doubtless we can call on more, but we will never be able to defeat the Spanish in battle. We must do it by sabotaging their plans in secret. This is what my agents are trained to do.’

  Walsingham stopped pacing and faced Nathan.

  ‘I know something of your life – that you and your sister are orphans. And that your parents were gypsies from some European state. Is that so?’

  Brother and sister looked at each other. Marie’s chin rose defiantly. She knew only too well the drawbacks to having gypsy blood. Gypsies were not welcome in any country. Even the famously tolerant Queen Elizabeth had passed a law, in her youth, that gave the death penalty to any gypsy caught thieving or practising witchcraft.

  Walsingham smiled and patted Nathan’s shoulder reassuringly. ‘Your gypsy blood has given you your acrobatic skills, I’m sure. I have watched you in the theatre. You are strong and agile. But,’ Walsingham continued, sounding more sinister, ‘mark my words, if we are conquered by Spain, your skills and courage will not save you from the tortures of the Inquisition. Even now, there are Jews, Moors, Gypsies and Protestants burning in Spanish cities.’

  ‘Such intolerance is not theirs alone,’ murmured Shakespeare to himself.

  Walsingham rounded on him with fire in his eyes. ‘You live in a world of make-believe, Master Shakespeare, where good and evil are clearly separate and all stories end well. I am forced to live in the real world. Yes, I have executed Catholic priests and queens, but not because they were Catholics – because they were assassins.’

  He turned back to Nathan. ‘I do this work, Nathan, because I have travelled the world and there is nowhere like England. It is a precious stone set in a silver sea, a fortress built by Nature herself against infection and the hand of war – it is a scepter’d isle. This we must protect.’

  Out of the corner of his eye, Nathan could see Shakespeare scribbling furiously in his book.

  Walsingham turned to Will with an amused look. ‘Have my words impressed you, Master Scribe?’

  ‘Deeply, Sir Francis,’ muttered Shakespeare.

  ‘Then let us hope they have impressed Master Fox.’ Walsingham drew a deep breath. ‘Will you work for me, Nathan? Will you be Queen Elizabeth’s youngest, and perhaps most useful, spy?’

  Nathan was astounded, filled at once with a confusing mixture of fear, pride and excitement. ‘Me, sir? I am only an actor!’

  Walsingham laughed. ‘Then you have some of the very best training – for spying is all about deception and disguise. And where better to learn those than in the theatre? But I will not deceive you. It is dangerous work. Many of my agents have been killed or imprisoned. But if you came to work for me, you would have John Pearce as your partner and you could have no better protection. It was he who found you and it is he who thinks you would be of use to him. Together, you would make a formidable team. What do you say?’

  Nathan looked at his sister and her lack of enthusiasm was obvious.

  ‘I like it not, sir’ Marie said flatly. ‘Nathan is safe in the theatre. I swore to my father that I would take care of him. He is a mere boy. He should not be exposed to such dangers.’

  Walsingham nodded. ‘I understand your concern. But he would be trained to take care of himself. I would see to that. And he would be partnered by my best agent. John has survived far longer than many other men, in the most dangerous conditions. Perhaps he can reassure you himself.’ Walsingham strode to the door and opened it, beckoning Pearce inside. Then he turned to Shakespeare. ‘Will, stand guard for a moment. I will call you back when we have finished.’ With a bow, Will changed places with Pearce.

  Walsingham put his arm around Pearce’s shoulders. ‘John, Nathan’s sister feels that the work would be too dangerous for him and I said that you could reassure her.’

  Pearce told Marie that he would pledge his life to take care of Nathan and he spoke of how Nathan would be coached in all the arts of survival. Marie’s face softened just a little. Pearce’s sincerity was obvious.

  But before she could respond, Nathan cleared his throat and glared at his sister. ‘I will decide whether I choose this service or not,’ he said forcefully. He was not about to let his sister seal his fate.

  ‘But you are not of an age to—’

  ‘I have earned money for the both of us since I was eight years old!’ Nathan retaliated.

  ‘In the theatr
e, where you are safe!’ Marie countered.

  ‘If we do not save England from war, no one will be safe,’ stated Pearce plainly. ‘Nathan can be of more use with me – especially on my next mission.’

  ‘Which is what?’ demanded Marie.

  Pearce looked at Walsingham for permission to speak and his employer inclined his head in agreement. ‘I am to go to Venice to set up an alliance.’

  Nathan suddenly felt dizzy with excitement. Venice! The exotic setting for so many of the plays he had performed in the theatre!

  ‘I have always wanted to go to foreign places!’ he exclaimed.

  Marie remained stubborn. ‘And how would a young boy be of help?’

  ‘He would pretend to be my servant and would thus be able to find out things in the servants’ quarters that I could not. He could overhear gossip, eavesdrop on conversations. A young servant boy is invisible to the adults around him.’ Pearce turned to Nathan. ‘You speak several languages, do you not?’

  Nathan nodded eagerly. ‘Yes, sir. Marie taught me Italian and I learned French from some travelling actors. Greek and Latin were given to me at school. I learn languages very quickly.’

  Walsingham murmured his approval.

  Marie looked defeated. ‘Do you want to do this, Nathan?’

  Nathan’s chest felt tight and his face hot. Who could refuse the promise of such adventure? ‘Yes, I do. More than anything.’

  ‘Then I will allow it,’ said Marie in a small, almost sad, voice. She turned to Walsingham, her eyes suddenly steely. ‘But if any harm comes to him, you will find that I am your greatest enemy, sir. I will lay a gypsy’s curse on you forever.’

  ‘God forbid that any harm would come to the boy, but if it did, you may find yourself at the back of a very long queue; for I am hated by so many that I cannot count them. Come, John, we shall go now. Mistress Fox, please pack Nathan’s bags tonight, for John will come and take him away for training tomorrow. He must be ready to sail with Sir Francis Drake before the month is out.’

  Nathan’s eyes widened. ‘Sir Francis Drake!’

  Walsingham looked amused. ‘You like pirates, do you, boy? I like pirates too. They have a poor reputation, but they do good work for me.’

  With that, England’s Spymaster and his chief spy made their goodbyes and left. Will Shakespeare returned to the room. ‘So the puppet master has signed himself up another puppet,’ he said cynically.

  ‘A puppet, just like you, Will,’ Nathan reminded the playwright cheekily.

  ‘So, what is it exactly that you do for Sir Francis?’ Shakespeare smiled. ‘Show him, Marie.’

  Marie delved into her apron pocket and produced the embroidered handkerchief, along with a piece of parchment. ‘Read it,’ she said, handing Nathan the parchment.

  He scanned the verses on the page and recognized them as Will’s.

  My heart is longing, ordinary mortal I,

  No warmth to greet, no sweet murmurings

  From your cruel lips, sweet Elizabeth.

  Of’t fond of telling, fair nymph of the land,

  Our two souls must ne’er share those happy states

  Where parlous love lies in gravest beauty tamed

  And sighs are merely like soft wisps of clouds.

  Perchance your ill thoughts of me

  Arise from whispers that assail the ear.

  Would I might remove the slurs of others’ spite

  And in this action we then should be

  Entwined in all embraces, all lies forfend.

  And now I beg that you might cast away all doubts,

  To talk of hopes and not besmirch my name.

  I know that I am kept at length with cold visage.

  My dream is broken, spare your sour notes.

  We needs must part and we must break our troth,

  All joining in sweet remembrance, though

  We are together, tied in past sorrows.

  God will judge my heart, e’en though I be not well with you.

  ‘So?’ asked Nathan.

  ‘Is that all you can say – so? Does not the beauty of the verse strike you?’ asked Shakespeare, exasperated. Ignoring Will’s frustration, Marie instructed Nathan to place the parchment on the table and lay the handkerchief over it. Tiny strawberries, flowers and leaves were sewn all over the fine linen in a random pattern. Each flower had a small hole in its centre. Nathan laid the handkerchief over the square of parchment. It fitted exactly on top and he was surprised to see that certain letters were visible through the holes in each tiny flower.

  Slowly he read out .

  Nathan raised his head and looked at his sister. He smiled. For many months, Marie had been embroidering handkerchiefs and being paid well for them. Nathan had thought nothing of it, thinking it woman’s work and her business. Now he looked at his sister with new respect. Will Shakespeare and Marie: part of the intelligence web spun by the clever Sir Francis Walsingham. And now Nathan too had been drawn into the web.

  * AT THE FEET OF THE MASTER *

  Nathan woke as the first light of dawn filtered through the curtains. He crept silently out of bed and quietly dressed, taking care not to wake Marie. His sister had slept poorly that night. He had tried to reassure her that he would be safe, he would be careful – that he was nearly a man – but he had just made things worse. It had been just the two of them since their father, Samuel Fox, had left them in the care of Mistress Fast and disappeared. Nathan had been only five and barely remembered his father. Marie never spoke of him, except to say that she had sworn to him that she would protect her brother.

  Despite John Pearce’s reassurances that Nathan would only be away for a few months before he would be back in Shoreditch again, both brother and sister knew that once Nathan had the taste for adventure he would not return to his old life. Nathan’s barely contained excitement at the prospect of his new future had filled the room last evening while a very subdued Marie packed her brother’s clothes.

  Now Nathan resolved to take one last look at Shoreditch and the theatre before he left. No one was about. He strode along the middle of the road, to avoid being drenched by some early riser emptying a chamber pot out of the window, and made his way through the silent streets to the theatre. The air was cold and damp and Nathan shivered as he pulled his cloak around him. He was more than a little afraid, but he was excited too. He opened the back door of the theatre and fumbled his way through the gloom until he found himself on the wooden stage, half lit by the breaking dawn. He walked up and down, remembering all the parts he had played in all the plays he had performed in since he was eight years old. He realized, with a pang, that he would miss the theatre life more than he had thought. Tears pricked his eyes.

  ‘How now, Master Fox, it does no good to brood.’ Will Shakespeare stepped out of the darkness and Nathan jumped with surprise.

  ‘Will! You frightened me.’

  ‘You must be made of sterner stuff than that for the life that you are about to embark on,’ said Will gravely. ‘Are you sure that you want to do this? I know how persuasive Sir Francis can be.’

  Nathan nodded firmly. ‘I am sure, Will. I know that I can do it – and the work is important.’

  Will looked sad. ‘You understand that Walsingham’s agents live in a shadowy world? You may never be thanked or rewarded for the risks you take.’

  ‘I understand and I still want to do it.’

  Shakespeare patted Nathan’s back. ‘Well, then, we’ll speak no more of doubts.’

  Nathan looked at his friend gratefully. ‘Will . . . there is one thing you could do for me.’

  ‘Name it.’

  ‘Look after Marie while I am away. She will be lonely now and I fear that she will make herself ill with worry.’ Shakespeare smiled. ‘I shall keep her in my sights all the time.’

  Nathan suddenly
had another thought. ‘Master Burbage! I am leaving his employ without a word. He will be furious!’

  Will laughed ‘He will certainly have a fit of choler at this new turn of events – but am I not a great inventor of stories? I shall weave our friend Burbage such a story that he will be proud that you once served under him.’ Will looked intently at Nathan. ‘Now, Master Fox, there is a service you can do me.’

  ‘Of course.’

  A familiar gleam shone in Shakespeare’s eyes. ‘Remember all your adventures, Nathan – every single detail. I want to know the characters you meet, the devilment, the politics and the cunning. Keep your eyes and ears open for me and, when you return, seek me out while all is still fresh in your mind. Your life may prove to be a window into other men’s souls. Will you do that for me?’

  ‘Gladly, Will. I shall be pleased to have a friend to confide in.’

  The pair walked home through the awakening streets, reminiscing about their times on the stage. They were laughing so much that Nathan’s sides began to ache, but when they reached their destination the laughter stopped as they realized that a tearful Marie had been frantically pacing the floor with worry.

  ‘Nathan!’ she sobbed, flinging herself at him. ‘I thought you had gone without saying goodbye!’ Her embrace was so tight that her brother could hardly speak.

  ‘Calm yourself, Marie,’ said Will gently. ‘He was just saying farewell to the theatre, that’s all.’

  Nathan felt torn. He did not want to upset Marie further, but he was anxious to begin his adventures. It was a relief when a moment later there was a knock at the door and John Pearce entered.

  ‘Are we ready, young master?’ Pearce enquired with a broad smile. Nathan nodded and picked up his bag as Marie sniffed loudly and straightened his jerkin.

  Nathan shuffled awkwardly and mumbled a goodbye. Marie mustered a smile and a nod of encouragement, then let go of his hand.

  ‘I shall guard him with my life, sweet lady,’ said Pearce. Then he ushered Nathan from the room and they were gone.

  Outside the house, two horses waited, heads down to let the fine rain trickle away from their eyes. Pearce unhitched them from the post. ‘I trust you can ride, Nathan. I never thought to ask.’