Free The Judas Blade by John Pilkington Page B

Catholic.’
    Having delivered his little speech, Mullin poured himself more wine. He was about to refill Betsy’s cup, but she waved the jug away; the news had stunned her, as it had the others.There had always been rumours of Charles’s religious leanings, she knew; his brother the Duke of York was already believed to be a Catholic. But if the King were to convert too …
    ‘Now you see, madam, why I wished to think over the intelligence you brought,’ Mullin went on. ‘Rumours of plots always abound, of course, and they seldom amount to anything. But there’s been an odd atmosphere about London in the past year or two. Men speak of the Jesuits now seen in the capital, and the number of masses being said. It’s almost as if the Papists knew something we didn’t, wouldn’t you agree?’
    Now Betsy’s mind was busy. ‘Perhaps,’ she allowed. ‘In which case, I suppose those who are angry at the way things move might resort to desperate means. Hence—’
    ‘Hence the need for us to investigate the doings of your friend the late Mr Venn, and his circle,’ Mullin finished. ‘This
Projection
of theirs, the chief mover in which appears to be a bogus priest …’ He frowned. ‘It’s real enough, I’d say, though its shape remains to be discovered. I don’t imagine these hotheads would attempt a repeat of the Gunpowder Plot, and yet …’ He smiled faintly. ‘Once in Delft, we must busy ourselves. This priest—’
    ‘The
Papenhoek
– the Papists’ Corner,’ Crabb broke in, as if only now finding his voice. ‘We should scour that first—’
    ‘And scare him off?’ Mullin snapped. ‘The man will bolt at the first hint that anyone’s looking for him. In any case, he may no longer be posing as a priest.’
    ‘Then where would we begin?’ Betsy put in. ‘We don’t even know what he looks like.’
    ‘But that’s why we’re here,’ Mullin said, somewhat impatiently . ‘To move among the malcontents – the English, that is. You’ll be surprised by how many of them there are in this country, madam. Scots and Irish too – the sweepings of Britain. Then, having charmed them and won their confidence—’
    ‘I know – befriend and betray,’ Betsy broke in drily. ‘Isn’t that what you were about to say?’
    When Mullin didn’t answer, Crabb spoke again. ‘For myself, I’ve no orders apart from to protect Beatrice, and help in any way I can,’ he said. ‘Nor do I speak the language, save for
ja
and
nee
. The captain knows the terrain, so I must be ruled by him. Yet,’ – he eyed Mullin again – ‘I’m uneasy about this whole venture. So wherever Beatrice goes, I believe I should go too… with your approval, that is.’
    ‘Of course, Crabb,’ Mullin answered. ‘Though I assume you’re not referring to her bedchamber. That might excite suspicion , don’t you think?’ Turning pointedly to Betsy, he put on his most winning smile. ‘I’ve engaged the best room for you, madam,’ he said. ‘Though I regret I won’t be sharing it with you. I have a friend in Flushing, whom I’m eager to see.’
    With that he stood up, dabbing a napkin to his mouth. ‘Until morning then,’ he added. ‘Let’s hope the weather holds, eh?’

    Mercifully it did hold, at least until the party arrived at Rotterdam the following afternoon. There, Betsy noticed, Mullin grew ill-at-ease. The port, he said, seemed busier than he had ever known it, and the reason was clear enough.
    ‘The Hollanders are re-arming,’ he told her. ‘They smell the coming war.’ He pointed out several large vessels, riding at anchor. ‘Those are old merchant ships, but I’ll wager a guinea they’re being fitted out as men-of-war. May I suggest, once we’re ashore, that if there’s talking to be done, you allow me to do it?’
    Betsy was tired, and numb from sitting on a hard seat for the best part of two days. All she wanted was food and a comfortable bed. Last night in Flushing she had had both and, as promised,