The Silent Woman (Nicholas Bracewell Mysteries) by Marston Edward

Author:Marston, Edward [Marston, Edward]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Published: 2012-03-06T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Bankside was not a part of the city that Margery Firethorn often visited. Her only reason in the past for coming to Southwark was to watch Westfield’s Men perform at the Rose, one of only three custom-built theatres in London. Since the other two—the Theatre and the Curtain—were both in Shoreditch, she could walk to them from her home. With a servant for company and protection, she crossed the Thames by boat and made her way to the house of Anne Hendrik. The latter was surprised and slightly alarmed to see her. She took Margery into her parlour.

‘Have you heard any tidings?’ she asked.

‘The courier returned to London this very afternoon.’

‘Did he deliver my letter?’

‘In person,’ said Margery. ‘Nick is alive and well.’

‘Thank God!’ Anne waved her visitor to a chair and sat opposite her. ‘Where did the message reach him?’

‘In Marlborough.’

‘And he is well, you say?’

‘Excellent well, and delighted to hear from you.’

‘Haply, our fears were in vain,’ said Anne. ‘We send a warning that he does not need. The man in my drawing may not be stalking him, after all.’

‘He is, Anne.’

‘How can you be so sure?’

‘The courier told me,’ said Margery. ‘He drank with the players before he set off on the return journey. They were anxious to learn all the latest news from London but they had some of their own.’

‘What was it?’

‘Someone is indeed following the company.’

‘They have seen him?’

‘Worse still, Anne. They have tasted his venom.’

‘He has attacked?’

‘Nick has twice been his target.’

‘Heaven protect him!’

‘It already has,’ said Margery. ‘The courier spoke with Owen Elias. Our noisy Welshman, it seems, saved Nick from a dagger in the back on the second occasion. He paid for his bravery, too. Owen’s arm was sliced open from top to bottom.’ She gave a chuckle. ‘But it did not stop him from playing in Marlborough. Owen Elias is another Lawrence. Nothing short of death would prevent him from going onstage.’

‘This villain will not easily be stopped.’

‘Nick has good friends around him.’

‘But he’ll go on to Barnstaple alone.’

‘Trust him, Anne. He is a shrewd fighter.’

‘Yet still in danger.’ Anne fought to control a rising concern. ‘Was there…any reply to my letter?’

‘He sends thanks and good wishes.’

‘No more than that?’

‘Nick is judicious,’ said Margery. ‘He wanted to send his love but he was not sure how it would be received. You pushed him on his way and there was nothing in your letter that called him back.’ She watched the other woman closely. ‘Do you wish for his return?’

‘I do not want him murdered.’

‘And if he should escape—would you have him back?’

‘To lodge in my house?’

‘In your house and in your heart.’

Anne Hendrik shrugged her confusion. She was still in two minds about Nicholas Bracewell. Days and nights of brooding about him had yielded no firm decision. She feared for his life and, since he was so far away, that fear was greatly intensified. If he had still been in London, she could see and help him, but Nicholas was completely out of her reach now.

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