King's Shadow by Denvil Barbara Gaskell

Author:Denvil, Barbara Gaskell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Andrew left within the hour and he took Casper with him. He left Tyballis brooding. It was still raining.

He mounted one of the horses previously used to escort Throckmorton on his initial escape from the country, a horse that had come back with Davey’s body across its rump. It was one of the baron’s own horses that Andrew rode to Throckmorton’s house in Bradstrete, dismounted outside the stables and strode into the house. The baron, vivid in scarlet and clearly dressed to travel in the rain, met him mid passage.

Andrew said, ‘Your horse is a miserable bag of bones, Harold, and about as uncomfortable to ride as a lame donkey. You may have it back. But I am, of course, enchanted to find you at home. It would certainly have been far more wearisome if forced to sail to Venice just to have the pleasure of speaking with you.’

Throckmorton’s face flushed the same shade as his hair and doublet. ‘You! That is, I’m exceedingly pleased to have the opportunity to . . . explain. But Feayton, indeed, not knowing where you live – a matter you have always kept so unnecessarily secretive. But now unfortunately I am in a great hurry, sir, and must leave at once. Perhaps another time?’

‘Oh, I think now will do very well,’ smiled Andrew. ‘I’m sure your appointment can wait. No doubt Marrott’s men will manage to keep their swords in their scabbards a little longer.’ He stood blocking Throckmorton’s way out.

The baron snatched off his hat and flounced back to the small solar, Andrew at his heels. ‘A few minutes, sir, if you must,’ Throckmorton said. ‘The fact is, I had every intention of escaping the country and was most obliged to you for arranging it for me. I was on board speaking to the captain, and on the point of handing over the price of my fare, when the ship was boarded. I was not pleased, as you can imagine. In fact, the captain was furious. But four armed men, very large men, took hold of me. Loudly asserting I was a criminal wanted by the king’s men – terrible lies they told the captain – they dragged me off to a horrid little rowing boat they had waiting in the water below. I was taken to shore, and forced to ride back to London in their company.’

‘And then?’ Andrew smiled. He was standing, the closed door solid behind him.

The baron paused, eyeing the unreachable door. ‘Very well, I shall tell you. They threatened me, of course. Marrott’s men, as I’m sure you guessed, sir. They’ve instructed me to renew their – supplies – as previously required. Naturally I’ve promised to do so, though the next shipment will not come until after Easter. The Venetian galley – April perhaps if the weather turns fair – and then – ’

‘My dear Harold,’ Andrew said, ‘I am not at all in the mood for games. When did you deliver the arsenic, how did you get it and who took possession of it?’

Throckmorton blanched.

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