License to Quill by Jacopo della Quercia Read Free Book Online Page A

oblivion in this office. Whether this kingdom lives to see a new century or whether it gets murdered in its sleep could come down to one missing letter, or a mistranslated word, or the unbelievable presumptuousness of one unthinking, unruly, uncontrollable playwright!” Walsingham threw his pages in a fury that blanketed the room. “You nearly destroyed us, William, and all those who would’ve ruled over our ashes would have heralded our downfall as God’s own will!”
    The bard kept his chin down but locked his eyes on his former master. “I am aware of my failings, and I like to think I paid for them. But while I admire your ‘religious’ zeal for your work, I am sorry that that same passion forced us to part ways.”
    â€œWho says it has? The door wasn’t locked when you reported in today, Master Shakespeare.”
    The playwright paused and lifted his head with surprise. He squared shoulders with Thomas Walsingham, whose posture exuded nothing but confidence after that last remark. “Is that what this is?”
    â€œOnly if you’re willing to go once more unto the breach,” the spymaster replied, borrowing from one of Shakespeare’s plays.
    The bard narrowed his eyes but then smiled. As did Penny in the next room.
    â€œJust because we monitor your work,” Walsingham continued, “does not mean we are incapable of admiring it.”
    The playwright’s smile dimmed slightly. “And what will it take for you to trust me with my work once more?”
    â€œOnly your trust in return.”
    The bard nodded, and W accepted.
    â€œVery good. Welcome back, master bard.”
    Shakespeare offered a handshake, but Walsingham had already turned his back and returned to his desk. “The world is right where you left it. Make sure you don’t keep any secrets from me this time around. If your suspicions are correct about your new employers, the only way we’ll know the full extent of their plans is if you help them on their efforts.”
    â€œSo, I should accept the commission?”
    â€œMore than that. I want you to find out everything there is to know about them: who they are, where they meet, and what their plans are for this play.”
    â€œVery well, sir.”
    â€œAlso…” Walsingham began to write a small letter. “Since you’ve been away for a while, pay Bacon a visit before you go home.”
    Shakespeare raised his eyebrows. “Master Francis Bacon?”
    â€œNone other. Things have changed since you’ve been gone. Bacon’s working at the Ordnance Office now—the Double-O.” Walsingham set his quill pen aside and looked up at the playwright. “Go to the Tower of London and hand Bacon this document. Also, see to it that you don’t give the man any trouble. You’re not a blunt instrument or a petty informant anymore. You’re a Double-O operative, so start behaving like one; even if it requires some of that famous ‘acting’ of yours.”
    W placed his seal on the letter and handed it to the playwright. Shakespeare accepted the document with a somewhat unexpected and renewed sense of duty. It seemed like another lifetime since he had last seen Walsingham’s seal, never mind received it on parchment. The bard admired W’s wax crest as the spy-chief looked the newly minted operative over.
    â€œI must confess this business with the Scottish play sounds troubling,” the spymaster noted, “but that’s why I believe you’re the best man to handle it. Don’t make me proud, master bard. Make me right.”
    â€œI will,” Shakespeare promised.
    *   *   *
    The bard emerged from Walsingham’s office to find Penny writing at her desk. “It looks like I’ll be seeing more of you,” Shakespeare teased.
    â€œYou will,” she flirted back. “Good luck.”

 
    Chapter V
    The Double-O
    A short walk