Page 58 of Lord of Deception

Only come to me in the Salt Tower where I am held, and we will make our peace with one another.”

He read the letter a second time, his thoughts growing ever darker. Kate Aspinall was a Machiavellian manipulator, exploiting Alys’ compassionate nature, adding the sop that she had information. Which was probably a lie.

Alys tugged at the letter. “I must tell the queen immediately!”

He pulled it gently out of her grasp and folded it up “No. Walsingham must have it.”

“Why? Why must it go to Walsingham? It is not he who could pardon Kate, only the queen.”

He doubted Kate would receive a pardon under any circumstances, but if Alys still hoped for it, it would be churlish to disappoint her. But she must understand there was no point taxing Elizabeth with this—yet.

“Walsingham needs to discover how this letter made its way out of the Tower—it could give us a vital clue to the identity of the remaining plotter. Walsingham won’t go on Kate’s word alone, not when she is bargaining for her life. People will say anything. But if Kate names the same person who smuggled this letter out, there might be cause for leniency. Walsingham will put your cousin’s case before the queen when the time is right.”

Alys’ pallor had given way to high color, and she stepped away from him. “She wants to speak to me, not Walsingham.”

“It is far too dangerous for you to go. You know what these people are capable of.”

“You could come with me—it cannot be far from Hatfield to London. Surely on a fast horse, it wouldn’t take more than a day? Half a day?”

“If Walsingham thinks it a good idea, then certainly. Though I wouldn’t be happy about it.” Memories of seeing her struggling on the floor with Richard Avery on top of her assaulted him, as he remembered the sick feeling of dread that he might not be able to rescue her in time. Could he put himself through that again? All he wanted to do was keep her safe, by his side. Always.

He stroked a finger the length of her cheek before pushing her chin up to look at him. Yes, he could see the storm building in her eyes. He loved her fire, but for her own good, it needed to be redirected. Preferably into passion.

“There are few requests you could make of me that I would not fulfill. But to take you to the Tower to speak with your cousin is something I cannot do—unless Walsingham approves the scheme. We must find him immediately.”

Her head whipped back. “Walsingham? Walsingham? Is he still your master then, even when your name has been cleared and your reputation mended? Fie on you. I thought you had more backbone than that, that you could make your own decisions.”

He felt as if he had been struck. A thousand ripostes charged through his mind, but he couldn’t stand here in a passageway, wrangling with Alys when there was a chance of catching a traitor. And thus, keeping everyone safe.

He bowed stiffly. “I am sorry you think that of me, but I shan’t change my mind. I’m going to speak to Walsingham.”

Then he strode quickly away without looking back.