His Dark Lady Read Online Free PDF Page A

Twist at the Curtain playhouse tonight and give him this gold. But I’ve been unable to get anywhere near the place. My face is too well-known, and I can’t risk alerting anyone to my return yet. There are agents on every corner between here and Bishopsgate.’
    ‘Walsingham’s men?’
    Goodluck shook his head. ‘I’ve nothing to fear from that quarter. No, these are Catholic agents who would pay well for news of my presence in London.’ With a grin, he indicated his bruised face. ‘I had a recent disagreement with a drunken Spaniard. It’s a long story, but at least he will not be carrying any more tales to his masters.’
    She closed her eyes. ‘Goodluck!’
    ‘Some of his Catholic friends saw me arrested for his murder shortly afterwards. So they won’t take kindly to my wandering the streets of London as a free man while Signor Fernandez is stiffening in his shroud.’
    ‘When was this “disagreement”?’
    ‘Four days ago on Bankside.’ Goodluck rubbed his bruised face, grimacing at the pain. ‘We needed to search his lodgings, and Fernandez came back unexpectedly. Took out one of my men on the door below. I hadn’t intended to kill him, but the fool drew his sword and insisted on making it a fight. I called on Walsingham’s help after I was thrown in the Clink, and he arranged for my release. But for all our Catholic friends know, I’m still locked up there and awaiting trial for murder.’
    ‘You want me to give the gold to Master Twist?’
    He nodded, and handed her a roll of parchment. ‘Along with this letter.’
    ‘Will it be dangerous?’
    ‘I’d not send you if it was dangerous. It’s only me they’re looking for, and I’d trust John Twist with my life.’ Master Goodluck shook his head at her expression. ‘Come, would I risk my own ward’s life? You’ve known John since you were a small child. The man used to bounce you on his knee, for pity’s sake. You are as safe with Twist as you are with me.’
    Lucy raised her brows, smiling faintly. ‘Is that supposed to comfort me?’
    ‘Rascal!’ Goodluck laughed, and pinched her chin. ‘It’s a sad truth, and not something I am proud of, but I often think I taught you too well. You trust no one, Lucy. Not even those whom you must trust.’
    She thought of the endless intrigues at court, the plots within plots, the secret affairs and political wrangling.
    ‘There is no other way to live at court. Once, the intrigues hardly touched me. Now I am too close to Her Majesty. Everyone thinks I have her ear.’
    ‘Don’t you?’
    She shook her head. ‘The Queen has grown cold towards me. Some days I fear …’
    ‘That the Queen will cast you off?’
    Lucy hesitated. ‘That she looks for an excuse to do so, perhaps.’
    ‘Then we must not give her any reason to doubt you.’ He drew down his hood again. ‘Back to Whitehall with you before your absence from the Queen’s side is noted, and be sure not to be seen when you visit Twist.’ Goodluck paused. ‘Whatever you do, Lucy, keep that letter safe. You are in some danger while you carry it.’
    She stared at him. ‘You said it was not dangerous.’
    ‘Just keep the letter close until you hand it over to John Twist. You will not be searched, for you will never be suspected of carrying anything.’
    Goodluck’s face was unreadable in the shadow of his hood, but she heard an odd note in his voice.
    ‘Besides,’ he added drily, ‘if you find yourself in difficulties, you have only to mention Walsingham’s name and you will be restored safely to court.’
    ‘Only by the Queen’s men.’
    ‘So try not to get tangled up with any of those tricky Catholics. You promise to be careful?’
    ‘I promise.’
    ‘Good girl.’ Master Goodluck kissed her on the cheek, his face suddenly distant. It was like being five years old again, dismissed after one of his fleeting visits with a pat on the head and a new peg doll. ‘Now we must go our separate ways. I will contact you again once