The Spymaster's Daughter Read Online Free

so much that Frances had to read his lips. “Philip, it is my firm wish that you join me. A poet would not be suspect by Mary’s agents.”
    Frances could see that Philip was startled into a quick response, though she suspected it was well thought out, even practiced. “I thank you, sir, for your confidence in my poor power of poesy, but my duty to the queen lies elsewhere. Within days, I will take ship for Holland in advance of my uncle the Earl of Leicester’s army.The Spanish are preparing to invade the northern provinces. You and I will be doing the same duty for the crown, Sir Walsingham, you fighting the Inquisition here and I fighting Spain on the continent.”
    Frances held her tongue when Philip glanced her way with a somewhat sheepish smile, since he had not told her this news. For an instant her heart slammed against her breast, as if she had not seen this information in Lady Rich’s letter. It was one thing to read, another to hear the words from Philip’s mouth. Now his imminent departure was made totally real.
    Aware of their tenants looking on with curiosity, she raised her glass to him, acting the good, brave English wife sending her husband to war with eyes open and back straight. At least she was on his mind, for a short time. The sudden color rising in his cheeks told her that he knew he had been undutiful in not telling her earlier, and that was some recompense.
    Why was he watching her? Did he think her some fainting lady? Had he forgotten her until this moment? That such thoughts still had the power to wound was maddening. She refused to survive as a broken heart, a pitiable creature to others and a burden to herself.
    Walsingham nodded. “I understand a clever young man wanting to make his mark as a soldier, but I could use that man’s brains and daring.”
    Philip smiled, shaking his head with humor. “Your pardon, sir, but I think the queen would not welcome me in her court again.” He smiled slyly, like a boy caught out in a mischief. “A few years ago I made the great mistake of writing the queen my true feelings about her intended French marriage to the Duc d’Alençon. Her Majesty does not receive unwanted advice well…or ever forget it.”
    Sir Walsingham nodded without smiling. “I know that truly,Philip. Still, it is my duty to give such advice to her grace most every day.”
    Frances stopped playing with her cold fish. Impatience had risen in her throughout this discourse. She could be docile no longer. “Your pardon, my lord father, but there are women with brains and courage. I am born of your blood and have skills….” Before she could offer herself to her father’s work, Philip laughed, and her father’s dark face darkened still more.
    â€œWomen intelligencers? Nay, daughter, women are too tenderhearted, unless they be whores, and then they can too easily be turned by gold.”
    â€œBut, lord father, allow me to show you—”
    â€œI’ll hear no more on this matter, daughter. Have a care for our guests, as is a woman’s duty.”
    Fearing tears, Frances stood and curtsied to the openmouthed tenants about the table, who were rubbing their necks after straining so hard to hear.
    Jennet, always alert to her charge, stood and took her arm with a hard pinch.
    Frances pulled away. “I am no longer a child, Aunt.”
    â€œYou do not act the lady withal, and I see the forward child come again.”
    Frances took a deep, consoling breath. She would have to prove herself to Jennet, too.
    Lady Frances curtsied again politely to her guests and moved quickly to the stairs. Every step out of the great hall and up the stairs was accompanied by a muttered vow: “Father, you will one day have your mind changed for you by a woman…by this woman.”
    When she reached her bedchamber she threw herself on the bed, but refused to allow herself to dissolve in tears. If she did,