The Queen's Man Read Online Free PDF

Leloup is here to set her free?’
    At his side, Walsingham had a small silver cup. He picked it up and sipped delicately. ‘This is part of a greater plan – to seize the crown of France, too. King Henri is vulnerable. Like a fool, he goes away on retreat just as Guise reaches the height of his power. The people of France love Guise. The Catholics would crown him in an instant. He believes that if he can seize the thrones of England and Scotland, Henri would be powerless to withstand him. This is what the Guise family have desired and conspired towards for many years.’
    ‘Then we must stop him,’ Leicester said, hammering his right fist into his left palm. ‘But surely Mary is safely guarded.’
    Walsingham stroked his dark beard as though trying to lengthen his sombre face. ‘I pray it is so.’
    ‘Do you have reason to think otherwise?’
    ‘We have been receiving reports for eighteen months now of Guise’s intentions to secure her freedom. Every week, we hear more reports of greased priests in the region around Sheffield Castle where she is held. And nor can we trust the northern lords who inhabit – infest – those parts. Beware former enemies. Never trust a man whom once you have harmed.’
    Never trust a man whom you have harmed . It was a familiar refrain from Walsingham, one of the first things John Shakespeare had learnt from his master when he left his law studies at Gray’s Inn and entered the great man’s service four years since. What Walsingham meant was that though the noble families of the north had been punished and humiliated when their rebellion was quelled in the bloody year of sixty-nine, it would be dangerous to believe them chastened. And while that vicious event now seemed long gone, the northern lords still felt aggrieved and would do anything in their power, seize any opportunity, to take revenge on those who had brought them low.
    ‘Has the time come to move Mary Stuart south?’ Shakespeare suggested tentatively. ‘Away from such people.’
    ‘The Queen will not hear of it. She does not wish her cousin any closer to her than is absolutely necessary. But there are other possibilities. We need to prove to Her Majesty that Sheffield has become ill-equipped for the task. I want you to go there, John. Use your judgement carefully. Is Sheffield Castle a fit place to hold this Queen of Scots? Is it well-guarded? If there are holes, find them. Then bring me a full and detailed report.’
    Shakespeare bowed. ‘Yes, Sir Francis.’
    ‘Look for Leloup while you are there. For I believe you are right in suggesting that is his motive for coming to England. And in Sheffield, you will have assistance. You will find one of my seasoned men there. His name is Richard Topcliffe. He is there on another matter, but I would like you to work together.’ Walsingham paused and pressed his fingers together. ‘Dick Topcliffe is a very different man to you, John, so you may not agree with him on every point. However, your opinions will both be of great interest to me. To that end, you will take letters from me ordering him to help you. I merely warn you of this: you will doubtless find Mr Topcliffe to be strong meat, but he has the Queen’s trust, and mine. You do not need to like him, but you will work with him.’
    Shakespeare bowed.
    ‘Return with Mr Topcliffe by way of Tutbury where Mary was held before. It is far enough from the north and a good distance from the court. Sometimes, I wish we had never moved her from there. See what state of repair the castle is in. How soon could it be brought into service again? Mr Topcliffe’s help will be of great value, for he knows Tutbury of old. Do you understand this? And most importantly, set the search for Leloup. Return to Seething Lane this day and have Mr Phelippes send out word to all our intelligencers and agents to find him. He may have headed north, but we must not take that for granted. If he is in London, Tom Phelippes will find him soon