Pleasing Mr. Pepys by Deborah Swift

Author:Deborah Swift
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Accent Press
Published: 2017-09-20T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-eight

July

OVER THE FOLLOWING WEEKS, DEB could not get Jem out of her mind. It was a torture. This was it, this was love, she realised, this feeling that your insides were being torn apart by wild dogs.

She replayed their conversation over and over in her head, trying to find the moment when things shifted. At first she was inconsolable, then angry. What was clear was that while she was away he had changed. And worse, he was a man who disliked the King. So he would be even less enamoured of her if he were to know that she was working for the King’s agent, Abigail Williams.

As if sensing some sadness in her, Mr Pepys was even more attentive than usual, and his hot, pawing hands made her want to scream. Abigail had asked for her to listen to Pepys’ talk and note down anything about plans for re-equipping the navy. Deb was still copying tracts from his diary, the earlier years, but also couldn’t resist reading his daily entries, scouring them for references to her. When she found her name, it was always about how he had touched her.

There was never any reference to how she might feel. It was as if she was just another of his household furnishings, or a book, to be brought out from the cabinet when he wanted entertainment, and it hardened her towards him. Soon she thought nothing of it, this stealing of his diary.

Until one night when she crept down to his study and the door would not open.

She jiggled it again and rattled it as hard as she dared, but it would not give.

‘It’s locked.’ Jane appeared at her shoulder, the week’s laundry bundled in her arms.

‘Why?’

‘There’ve been burglaries round the corner in Crutched Friars. The master fears for his books. He’s worried about thieves.’ Jane gave her a pointed look. ‘Don’t know why you’re up. You haven’t to light the copper at this hour like I have to.’

Deb watched her go, feeling a little guilty that her life was not as arduous as Jane’s. But this feeling was replaced by relief. If she couldn’t get to the diary, she would not have to translate it any more.

But then the second, more disturbing thought came. Maybe Pepys was suspicious or had missed his papers. She turned cold. She would have to tell Abigail, and she did not know what would become of her if she displeased the King.

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