A Conspiracy of Violence by Susanna Gregory

Author:Susanna Gregory [Gregory, Susanna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General, Historical, Mystery & Detective
ISBN: 9780748124527
Google: 94J-0gZFxOEC
Publisher: Hachette UK
Published: 2010-12-01T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 8

‘You enjoyed that,’ said Sarah accusingly, as she and Chaloner walked to the Lincoln’s Inn stables to collect her horse. ‘I had something interesting to tell him, and you pre-empted me.’

‘It was not important anyway – as you said yourself.’ He wondered why she was making such a fuss. ‘Everyone knows Buckingham harbours a liking for Lady Castlemaine.’

She regarded him curiously. ‘The mole … did you see … I mean, how did you find out?’

‘Your brother trained me well. Just as he did you.’

She pouted. ‘I wish that were true. You know how to locate birthmarks on royal mistresses, while I can barely decode the simplest cipher. I have begged him to teach me more, but he always has an excuse as to why he cannot.’

‘Spying is not a game. It can be dangerous.’

‘John has always been good to me, and I would like to return the favour. Bennet and his minions have been loitering near his gate most of today, which is why I have only been able to visit now – I dared not come before. Is there anything we can do to drive them away?’

‘Not without arousing their suspicions. You should not meddle – it may do more harm than good.’

‘You said you would help protect him, Thomas Chaloner. Are you reneging on your promise?’

He watched her lead her horse into the yard, horrified that she – a woman of whom he was intensely wary – should know his real name. He wished Thurloe had kept the matter to himself: he might dote on his sister, but Chaloner had no reason to trust her. He was also puzzled. Thurloe had refused to confide in Downing, with whom Chaloner had worked for five years, but had revealed the secret to Sarah, someone Chaloner had met only twice – and one of those was when she was committing murder. Why would Thurloe be cautious with one person, but so rash with another?

Sarah petted her restless pony, and Chaloner stepped forward to lift her into the saddle. She was surprisingly heavy, far more so than Metje, although he sensed her bulk was more muscle than fat. The blow she had dealt Storey attested to the fact that she was strong. He took the reins and started to lead the horse towards the gate, but she pulled them from him and made a pretence at untangling them.

‘Tell me about Claracilla,’ he said, intending to learn a little more about her character while she kept him waiting. ‘I saw The Parson’s Wedding once, but it was a poor performance.’

She was surprised. ‘You are familiar with Killigrew’s work?’

Since a spy was obliged to cultivate a knowledge of all manner of subjects, he had acquired a grasp of the performing arts that allowed him to converse about them with at least a modicum of intelligence. ‘I met him in Holland once, when Downing invited him to dinner.’

She was impressed. ‘What was he like?’

He had been petty, foul-mouthed, sharp-tongued and dissolute. ‘A learned gentleman, but passionate in his temper.

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