Free Kissing Shakespeare by Pamela Mingle Page B

who left England. No, I believe that is the role he plays while here. We’ll find out for certain at Mass on Easter morning.”
    “Are the Jesuits really so dangerous to the government?”
    “The members of the Privy Council believe they’re in league with Spain to overthrow the government and put Mary, the Scots queen, on the throne. Treasonous acts. The Jesuits swear they come only to minister to their neglected flock.”
    “Who do you believe?”
    “I think the truth lies somewhere in between,” Stephen said, “as it so often does.”
    My contempt for this era rose to the surface. “I guess your rulers don’t believe in freedom of religion.”
    “Religious freedom is not a concept embraced by the queen and her Privy Council. One state, one religion. Things are different in these times. You know that.”
    “Why is this Privy Council so powerful?”
    “The council members are the queen’s closest advisors. Most are from the nobility.”
    “So the Privy Council is after the Jesuits, and we have one living right here. Wonderful.”
    In a soothing voice Stephen said, “Try not to worry. You must concentrate on your mission, which is to keep Will Shakespeare out of the clutches of the church. Let me worry about all the rest.”
    He reached up and smoothed my hair away from my face. I ducked my head, feeling unexpectedly shy, and he swiftly withdrew his hand. When I looked up, there was a softness in his eyes I hadn’t seen before. I believed he’d told me the truth, as much of it as he himself knew.
    “All right,” I said, feeling some of the pressure in my chest ease. “I’ll try.”

    Good Friday was marked by eating hot cross buns for breakfast. Spiced with cloves and filled with currants, each round bun had a cross carved in its top. Bess brought me a basket of four; I scarfed down two and saved the rest for later. She told me it was customary for all the meals to be served in our rooms because it was such a solemn day.
    I was restless, fidgety, so I decided to walk up and down the passage. All the sets of double doors were standing open. Although I saw no sign of Stephen, Copernicus loped over and joined me in pacing up and back. His claws made a soft clicking sound on the wood floors. “So, what would you do in my place, Cop?” He raised his head as though he was thinking it over.
    “Should I go on with this crazy scheme, or try to get out of it somehow?” I could pretend to be sick. If Stephen thought my life was threatened, he’d send me back, I was sure. When we reached the staircase at the end of the passage, Copernicus halted. I turned; he stood where he was, whimpering. I walked back to him. “Yeah, I know this is crazy, boy, but I’m afraid it’s the only exercise we’ll be getting today.”
    “Mistress Olivia,” a disembodied voice said.
    I jumped and whirled around to see Will Shakespeare standing there. He must have come from his room at the far end of the passage. God, I hoped he hadn’t heard me.
    “Master Will! I didn’t think anyone else was about.”
    “Pray forgive me for startling you. I thought you would hear me approaching.”
    “Nay, I did not.” Probably because I was having a fascinating conversation with a dog .
    Will was holding a small, oblong parcel, which he now handed to me. “This is for you, mistress.”
    I frowned, puzzled. “For me?”
    “Aye. Open it, pray.”
    I untied the string. The paper fell away to reveal a pair of leather gloves. “Oh! They’re beautiful, Will.” I smiled ruefully. “But I can’t possibly accept them.” I didn’t think an Elizabethan girl would accept such a personal gift, and I didn’t want to break any rules.
    “Will you not even try them on?” he asked.
    What could it hurt? “Very well.” I tugged one on, then the other. They fit perfectly, and I couldn’t help grinning up at him. “They’re so soft.” I stretched my fingers out and then fisted them, getting a feel for the shape and fit.
    “You will do me a