The Silver Skull (62 page)

I deserve Jenny, he thought.

His smile and a nod were enough for her. Pleased, she took her leave and went to tease Marlowe who was caught in a huddle of bickering players.

"You will break her heart, Will," Nathaniel cautioned.

"What do I do, Nat? I must protect her from harm. I cannot keep her at arm's length to do that. She mistakes my care for love and will not hear any different."

"She may be right, though. She loves you-"

Will's cautionary glare stopped him in his tracks.

"Yes, yes, I know. There is only room for one woman in your heart." Nathaniel shook his head in frustration. "Do not complain to me in your bitter, lonely old age. You work a cold business in sour times. You need some warmth to stop your heart becoming as hardened as the world you inhabit."

"You are like an old wife, Nat." Will feared his friend spoke true, but in his hand he clutched at hope. He unfurled his fingers to reveal the glint of gold.

"What is that?" Nathaniel asked.

"Something I found on Dartmoor."

"A locket?"

Jenny's locket. Within it was a fresh rose petal, a mark of a love that had not died in all the years apart.

Although the High Family would be invigorated by their loss and there would be no respite in the long battle, he now had a hope that he scarcely dared believe.

On stage, the players put away their true selves. Intricate layers of trickery and emotion unfolded in the subtle spin of their words. The crowd laughed at the conceits, applauded the deceits. At the side of the stage, Marlowe nodded in approval at how the players danced to the strings he pulled.

Will clapped a hand on Nathaniel's shoulder. "Our Lord Walsingham muttered something about more work, in France. In Krakow. And in fair Venice. And on the Spanish Main. No rest for the swords of Albion, ever. But for now the sun is shining, and time runs away from us.

There is wine to be drunk, and women to be romanced. Whatever lies ahead, the here and now is good, Nat, and we must make the most of it. Let us celebrate our great victory and drink to a world made right."