Rory Clements: The Heretics

‘But why did she do all this?’

‘Like so many secret Catholics she felt helpless in the face of the religious settlement. I suspect that for years she attempted to subsume her feelings, but they could not be contained for ever and eventually burst forth like the lid on a kettle.’

Or perhaps it was simply the devil within her, a lust for pleasure and evil that could not be contained.

‘So we were all taken for fools? The Queen and all her courtiers, the Countesses of Kent and Cumberland, and all their circle?’

‘All of us. Myself included.’

‘Do not be too hard on yourself, John. It was the work you had already done that alerted Margaret of Cumberland. It was your warning that made us ready.’

Shakespeare nodded graciously, then continued to unload his thoughts. ‘Lucia kept up her facade perfectly, even reading to Her Majesty from that great Protestant tome Foxe’s Book of Martyrs — without ever once disclosing that she considered the burning of heretics by Queen Mary to have been entirely laudable. Yes, we were all fooled. One day, I am certain, she will appear at the Escorial with a fan at her face, jesting at our expense to her new friend the Infanta.’

‘Perhaps you are right. But, John, I hope not.’ Cecil sat back in his chair and, for the first time in months, almost seemed relaxed. ‘I like it the way it is. Utter silence. I think the fate of Lady Lucia should remain a mystery for all time. You know Her Royal Majesty feels betrayed and has no wish to hear of her again.’

Shakespeare looked hard at the young statesman. ‘It would suit everyone, I suppose, if she had somehow met an accidental death, do you not think?’

‘Such as falling from the back of a packet boat from Dover to Calais, you mean? Yes, you are right, that would be most convenient. But if such a thing had happened, none would ever know, would they?’ He stood beside Shakespeare and together they gazed out of the leaded window at the empty sky. ‘None but the seagulls and the fishes. .’

John Shakespeare’s table had never been so heavy laden. Almost every inch of the large, oak refectory board was covered with platters of fine food and flagons of wine and beer. He stood at the head and looked at his guests with warmth, satisfaction and a little impatience. One of them was late.

Grace and Mary sat side by side, giggling about the turkey, which they said was the biggest chicken they had ever seen. The time at Cecil’s house had been an adventure; they had been overawed by the size of the place and the dozens of servants who ran the household, but they were clearly happy to be home.

Next to them, Thomasyn Jade was talking to Ursula, who was just glad to have everyone back in the house. As soon as she heard they were returning, she had thrown over her swain because she had decided she really could not abide his mother.

Then there was Simon Forman, tousled and stocky, beaming at everyone through his bushy beard and holding his knife at the ready for when the eating began. His eyes swivelled from the food to the delectable Ursula and back to the food again. Why did Shakespeare not just say grace and get on with it? He had a mighty hunger on him, and his belly was rumbling in anticipation.

Beside him sat Jane with her promise of a swollen belly. She was plainly nervous of Forman’s presence here, but Forman was playing his part, as was Thomasyn. They had shaken hands with Jane like strangers and were keeping up the pretence well.

Boltfoot stood awkwardly behind his chair, seemingly more bent and shrunken than ever. But for all that, the cares in his face had fallen away, now that they were home again and he no longer had to chase around England at his master’s behest. Shakespeare wondered whether he suspected the good news that his wife had held back from him.

He wondered, too, whether it might not be time to start eating. The reason for the delay was the empty space at the other end of the table. Shakespeare did not wish to begin until the final guest arrived, but they could not wait for ever and he was just about to say grace when there was a knock at the door.

Jane stood up to answer it, but Shakespeare stayed her.

‘Not tonight, Jane. You are no servant tonight. I will go.’

Francis Mills stood before Shakespeare like a ghost. His skin was grey, his eyes deep and his body gaunt; his clothes hung like long jute sacks from his thin shoulders. He brought to mind an ill-fed jackdaw.

‘It is a fine thing to see you, Frank.’

‘And you, John.’

‘Welcome. We were about to start without you.’

They did not embrace, nor even clasp hands. Such gestures of affection would have seemed out of place to both men. But even at a distance, Shakespeare could tell that Mills had washed himself and returned to the world of the living. He had even trimmed his hair and beard. For the first time in many months, Shakespeare felt there was hope for him.

‘Come in, come in.’

Mills stepped into the house; Shakespeare showed him to his seat and then said grace.

The two potboys from the Swan hovered behind the diners like mayflies, pouring wine, clearing platters and bringing more food as required. Soon, the strong drink and convivial atmosphere had everyone talking and laughing as though they were all old friends. Simon Forman held everyone’s attention with his bawdy tales of patients and their problems.

‘Enough,’ Shakespeare said, banging the table and standing up as the laughter died away. ‘I have asked you here this evening to celebrate our safe return home.’ He looked down the table. ‘First, it is my pleasure to welcome Mr Mills — Frank — back from the dead, as it seemed. He was an innocent man almost brought to the gallows for a heinous crime that we now know for certain he did not commit. Frank, you have suffered terribly. Your loss has been great and we must all pray that you can find a way to live again.’

Mills nodded, but said nothing.

‘It seems that Her Royal Majesty could not sleep the night before you were meant to hang. You were on her mind, because she knew your story — and she knew you to be a good and faithful servant. In the early hours, when the palace slept, she summoned Lord Chamberlain Hunsdon from his slumbers and ordered him, personally, to carry a royal pardon to Newgate. From what I am told, there were no more than a few minutes to spare. .’

Mills nodded again.

Shakespeare turned and held his goblet up to Thomasyn. ‘But more than anything, this evening is about this young lady, who has endured such horrors in the name of superstition that few could bear to imagine it. And so, I would ask you all to drink a toast. To life.’

Thomasyn smiled and looked around the group of friendly faces. In her hand she clasped a pearl, sent to her by the Queen of England. She raised her goblet, her demons all gone.