Robert Harris - Will Shakespeare and the Pirate’s Fire

“I’ll see if I can find some,” said Caleb, shuffling off.

Beeston gazed after him. “I can’t think why you keep such a surly servant about the place.”

“He’s my assistant, actually,” said Dee. “There are servants too, but they come and go. None of them stays for long. I can’t think why.”

Beeston set the box down on the table. As soon as he opened it, Dee reached inside, clearly delighted. He lifted the books out one by one, handling them as carefully as if they were made of eggshells and gossamer.

“Tully’s translation of the Cyropaedia ! Splendid! And what’s this? The Voyage of Prince Madoc . This is treasure indeed! I’ll be sure to pay you double the usual fee, Master Beeston, as soon as I am in funds.”

“In funds?” Beeston’s smile drooped. “Not now?”

“Sadly my finances are at a low ebb,” said Dee absently, leafing through one of the books. “But even now I am taking steps to improve my situation.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” said Beeston, “but perhaps in the meantime…”

“Where’s the rest of your company?” Dee asked. “Not abandoned you, I hope?”

“The wagons were bogged down in the mud,” Beeston retorted stiffly. “They’ll be here presently.”

“In that case, Master Beeston, it’s not chance that brought you here but the guiding hand of all-seeing providence.” Dee set the book aside and looked up with a broad grin. “I am laying on a very special entertainment in two weeks time and the centrepiece of this revelry requires a troupe of players. I had thought of hiring Worcester’s Men, but—”

“Worcester’s Men?” Beeston cut in. “You can’t be serious! Tunstall can barely speak two lines without spraying the audience in spittle. And as for Dick Andrews, I’ve seen baboons that could pass for a woman better than he, no matter how much makeup they cake on him.”

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