Edward Marston - The Devil's Apprentice

‘Give me the play,’ said Pye, ‘and I’ll remove its venom.’

‘You’re too late to do that for Robert Partridge.’

‘We’re not sure that there’s any connection between his death and The Witch of Colchester ,’ said Hoode. ‘The deceased just happened to be a lawyer.’

‘Who was poisoned just like the lawyer in the play.’

‘Are you certain of that?’ asked Pye.

‘Nick Bracewell is and he’s seen the effects of poison before.’ He rounded on the playwright. ‘You were supposed to have written a comedy, sir, not a stark tragedy.’

‘Blame the witch, sir, and not me.’

‘I blame you for purchasing her spells.’

‘Her sorcery was limited,’ said the other. ‘There’s no way that her incantations could have brought about the death of a member of the audience. If the gentleman was poisoned, as you claim, it was done by human agency.’

Firethorn threw up his arms. ‘Who would want to do such a thing?’

‘Someone determined to bring us down, Lawrence,’ said Hoode.

‘We’ve too many enemies to name.’

‘I think we can put a name to this one. He’s desperate enough to arrange an ambush for us and to set someone to burn down the stables. Master Pye is innocent of those charges. The man I’d accuse is that rabid Puritan.’

‘Reginald Orr?’

‘He’ll do anything in his power to expel Westfield’s Men.’

‘Anything?’ said Firethorn quietly as he was seized by a dreadful thought. ‘Is there no crime to which he’ll not stoop? Do you think he would even try to murder our book holder?’

Oakwood House was over five miles from Silvermere. When he eventually found it, Nicholas Bracewell realised why he had missed it on his earlier ride through the area. Situated on the far side of the forest, the house was set in a hollow and encircled by a protective ring of oak trees that blocked it from view. The place was old and rambling but kept in good repair. Thatch had given way to slate on some roofs. Wood had been replaced by brick in the most recent addition to the property, a series of outbuildings. Clement Enderby was evidently a man of substance with a fondness for his home. Even in its winter garb, the formal garden that fronted the house was a remarkable sight. Smoke curled up from every chimney. The place looked warm and welcoming.

When Nicholas dismounted, he first stole a glance over his shoulder, convinced that he had been followed for some part of the journey. Nobody was in sight. He decided that he was mistaken and rang the doorbell. When the visitor asked to see the master of the house, he was invited into a little hall with a fire burning brightly in its grate. Portraits hung on every wall and he was still scrutinising them when Clement Enderby came out to meet him. Enderby was a broad-shouldered man in his forties with the manner and attire of a merchant. Having been brought up in a merchant’s household, Nicholas recognised the telltale signs at once. Enderby winced when he saw his visitor’s injuries. After introducing himself, Nicholas explained the purpose of his visit.

‘Bless me!’ said Enderby with alarm. ‘Young Davy has gone astray?’

‘I wondered if he might have come here,’ said Nicholas.

‘Why should he do that?’

‘I understand that he used to play with your children, Master Enderby.’

‘He did, sir,’ admitted the other, face darkening. ‘But that was some time ago when his father and I were on speaking terms. Jerome Stratton was a friend of mine once even though we are rivals in business. Yet he suddenly announced that his son would never come here again and that my children were no longer welcome at Holly Lodge.’

‘Did he give no reason?’

‘None that made any sense.’

‘Might not Davy be defying his father on purpose in coming here?’

‘He might,’ said Enderby, ‘but that’s not the case. It would be a wasted journey on the lad’s part because my children are not even at Oakwood House. My wife has taken them to visit their aunt and uncle in Chelmsford.’

‘I see.’

‘They’ll not be back until tomorrow and I’ll hold them to that.’

‘Will you, Master Enderby?’

‘Of course,’ replied the other with a chortle. ‘We’ve been invited to Silvermere to watch Henry the Fifth . How often do we get a chance out here to see a famous theatre company from London? Sir Michael is keeping open house while you’re here.’

‘His hospitality has been overwhelming.’

‘I’m sorry that Davy Stratton has not found it to his taste. But, then, I’m rather surprised that the lad has been apprenticed to you in the first place. I’d assumed that he’d follow his father into trade.’

‘Not all sons of merchants wish to ape their fathers, Master Enderby.’

‘Mine do,’ said Enderby firmly. ‘I made sure of that.’ His eyes narrowed. ‘It will be interesting to see how Jerome Stratton greets us at Silvermere. He’s sure to be there.’

‘By that time, we hope to have Davy back in harness.’

‘Did you have any forewarning of his disappearance?’

‘A little,’ conceded Nicholas. ‘He hasn’t taken to the life. Davy’s been fretful and picked fights with the other apprentices.’

‘That doesn’t sound like him. Whenever he was here, Davy always behaved very well. It was my own sons who had to be schooled for rough play. Poor lad! He must be so unhappy to run away from you like that.’

‘It’s upset us all, Master Enderby.’

‘What does his father say?’

‘He knows nothing about it yet,’ said Nicholas, ‘and there’s no reason why he should if we can retrieve Davy. The one certain fact is that he’s not gone home to Holly Lodge. I don’t think Master Stratton would be too pleased to see him.’

‘No, Jerome could be very strict with the lad.’

‘So I gather. But I’ll trespass on your time no longer, sir. Davy is not here, alas, so I’ll have to continue my search elsewhere.’

‘How are you finding things at Silvermere?’

‘We’ve no complaints at all, Master Enderby. Sir Michael has seen us like old friends. He could not have done more for Westfield’s Men.’

‘Romball Taylard is the man to thank.’

‘Yes, we’ve seen rather a lot of the steward.’

‘He runs the household superbly,’ said Enderby. ‘Taylard is not the most appealing individual but he knows how to control his staff. Anyone who has worked at Silvermere is a cut above the ordinary servant. Well,’ he added, tossing a look over his shoulder. ‘Kate is a perfect example.’

‘Kate?’

‘Katherine Gowan. One of my own servants here. A splendid young woman. She was employed at Silvermere for a while then she moved to Lincoln. When she wanted to come back to the area, I offered her a post at once and have never regretted it. Silvermere leaves its mark upon people.’

Nicholas gave a pained smile. ‘I fancy it will do that to us, Master Enderby.’

‘Good luck with your search.’

‘Thank you.’

‘I hope to see young Davy back on stage tomorrow,’ said Enderby, opening the front door. ‘What can we expect from Henry the Fifth ?’

‘Stirring words and hard-fought battles.’

Enderby grinned. ‘Those may occur if I bump into Jerome Stratton.’

‘Has he always been so truculent?’

‘It’s got worse since the death of his wife. That changed everything.’

Nicholas bade him farewell and went out to his horse. Though he had not found Davy, he had learnt facts about him that helped him to understand the boy a little better. He rehearsed them in his mind as he rode through an avenue of trees past the neat lawns with their rectangular flowerbeds and well placed statuary. Nicholas noticed for the first time that the ice in the fountain had melted in the midday sun but all that concerned him was where Davy Stratton had spent a cold night.