'Was there not a murder on Russell Street last night?' Howard asked. 'Some old bore was talking of it at White's . . .'

'Joseph Burden. Carpenter. He lived next door.'

Howard gave a jolt of surprise, then began to laugh, clapping a hand to his knee. 'Joseph Burden . . .' he chuckled. 'Haven't heard that name for a while. Now there was a vicious, G.o.dless rogue. He'll be roasting in h.e.l.l tonight, on my word.'

Kitty stared at him. 'G.o.dless?'

'He was a brothel bully when I knew him,' Howard said. 'Bawdy house off Seven Dials. Twenty years back, now . . . Blackest, meanest place in the city. Not for simpering boys, you understand. Rooms for every vice.' His eyes glinted. 'Whipping. p.i.s.sing. Dogs if you fancied.' He laughed and the rest of the company laughed with him. 'Burden was paid to stop the worst of it. If a man took a knife to a girl, or beat her too hard. But he had debts. One could always pay him to look the other way.' He laughed again. 'My G.o.d. The things Joseph Burden didn't see . . .'

Fresh cheering brought our attention back to the ring. Someone had entered the pit in a state of near undress. 'Neala!' Kitty gasped. I leaned forward. My G.o.d, so it was the Irish girl we'd met outside. She had removed her long riding cloak to reveal a tightly laced bodice and a short petticoat of white linen, her solid legs bare. She was holding a two-handed sword, the blade a good three inches broad. She raised it high, drawing another roar from the crowd. A second girl joined her in the ring dressed in the same uniform, though she wore red ribbons on her sleeve where Neala wore blue. Her blonde hair was tightly plaited close to her head, to keep it from her eyes.

'A guinea on the blue,' Howard ordered, pushing me towards the pit. 'First to draw blood.'

'And a pie!' Kitty called after me.

I found a man near the front of the tumult willing to take my bet the same waterman who had traded insults with Kitty. Neala was striding about the ring, calling out the many fights she had won. She spoke of her eight brothers back in Ennistymon, who'd taught her how to use a sword like a warrior. I was near enough to catch her eye as she pa.s.sed. She gave a curt nod before turning to shake her opponent's hand.

I had never seen a female gladiatorial battle before. I'd heard of them being used to entertain the crowds before the men came out to fight a little sport with no real danger. This was different. The point of Neala's sword was blunt, but the edge was sharp as a razor. I tapped the waterman's shoulder. 'How many rounds?'

He shrugged. 'They're fighting for coin. Depends how desperate they are.'

Neala was down on one knee, praying with her head bowed. As she rose she crossed herself, then bounced on the b.a.l.l.s of her feet.

'Papish b.i.t.c.h,' someone muttered beside me.

I suppressed a frown. My mother had been raised in the Catholic faith. I bet him a crown the b.i.t.c.h would win. Touched the gold crucifix hidden beneath my shirt for luck.

The fighters circled one another slowly as the men shouted encouragement. They both held daggers in their left hand to ward off blows, keeping the swords away from their bodies. The English girl was taller than Neala and moved fast. She was the first to attack, her sword crashing down hard enough to ring out through the tavern. Neala bowed her legs beneath the blow and sprang back.

It was a hard, brutal fight, and the packed room was hot as the centre of h.e.l.l. The girls were soon drenched in sweat, their skin glistening and their white petticoats clinging to their thighs. As I glanced over the seething crowd of men, I understood why Kitty had been so unwelcome tonight. It was not just a l.u.s.t for blood that had them baying at the girls. Several spectators had shoved a furtive hand in their breeches.

I leaned over to the waterman, pointed to a gang of apprentices across the ring rubbing themselves with vigour. 'Side bet on who spends first?'

The waterman snorted. 'Young puppies. They'll be spent before I'm done speak-' He stopped. Pulled a face. 'Told you.'

Howard squeezed in next to me and put an arm around my shoulder. 'Some sport, eh?'

I had to admit it was a great spectacle. The other girl was a pretty creature and knew how to play to her audience, flashing them smiles as she hacked hard and fast with her blade. With a quick dart she sliced open Neala's arm, blood spurting from the wound. First blood to England. The crowd cheered. Howard had lost his bet.

'Bad luck,' I said, but he didn't seem to care. But then, it wasn't his guinea.

He leaned closer and pointed at Neala's blood, spattered on to the sawdust. 'Nothing better, eh, Hawkins?'

A hundred thousand things.

'I'd like to see your scarlet wh.o.r.e in the ring. She's a wild s.l.u.t, no doubt. How d'you keep her to heel?' I shook my head, not able to trust my tongue. He laughed. 'You're not sick for her, are you? d.a.m.ned fool.' He pushed back into the crowds to talk with the landlord.

There was a pause as Neala's wound was st.i.tched and a bandage applied. She took a large gla.s.s of spirits to steady her nerves and returned to the ring, blade high.

'Game girl,' the waterman said at my side.

The fight continued. After half an hour Neala had suffered another cut across her chest and was bleeding heavily, but her opponent was staggering with exhaustion now, barely able to raise her sword to protect herself. Neala could have moved in ten minutes before and chanced an attack, but she took her time, prodding and thrusting and falling back until the crowd grew restless.

'Finish her off for f.u.c.k's sake!'

'Use your blade, d.a.m.n it!'

She ignored them, parrying a final, weak attack. Her opponent crashed to the floor and dropped her sword, hands raised in defeat as Neala approached. Neala threw her fist in the air and grinned as the few of us who had bet on her to win shouted our approval. Hah! I was up one crown! And down a guinea, but there was no need to think of that.

The loser was now walking through the crowds selling herself for the night to the highest bidder. No one seemed interested in buying Neala and she did not seem interested in selling, either. She took her winnings from the fight and crossed the ring to greet me. I congratulated her and invited her to join us for supper. Her eyes flickered up to Howard's bench where he was seated again, talking with Kitty. A guarded look crossed Neala's face. 'That's your woman up there? I would take better care of her, if I were you.'

I watched with a sinking heart as Howard laughed and smiled, the mask back in place. Neala was right to scold me but I could not send Kitty home on her own. The dark streets were just as dangerous as Howard and at least I could keep my eye upon him. I sighed to myself. So much for my pretty dream of my first full night with Kitty. So much for a blazing fire, a warm bed, and the finest wine I could afford. I bought her a wretched-looking pie and returned to the bench. The first pair of c.o.c.ks were out in the ring now, parading in their silver spurs once more as the landlord called out their pedigrees. Kitty broke off her conversation with Howard to take the pie.

'We should bet on that one, on the left,' she said, taking a huge bite. 'Saw his grandfather fight like a f.u.c.king demon in Clerkenwell.' She nudged her shoulder against mine. 'Is this not fun, Tom? We should come here every week.'

I knocked back some claret, grimacing as the fight began and the c.o.c.ks tore at each other. The truth was, I hated c.o.c.kfighting. I know I am alone with the Quakers, but I can't bear to watch two innocent animals ripping each other apart for sport. It's a shame, as there is good money to be made if one knows the birds' pedigrees and fighting history but I cannot help my squeamish nature. I tried to explain this to Kitty as her favourite gouged a wide hole in its rival's neck then stood on its lifeless body, crowing in triumph.

She wiped the grease from her fingers. 'You wish me to feel pity for a chicken?' She kissed my cheek. 'Dear Tom.'

The night drew on and Howard grew restless. He had won a few bets in the first matches, but was now down almost three pounds all of it borrowed from the pockets of the young sot under the bench, who had barely stirred all evening. I asked the most sober companion left standing who the boy was a n.o.bleman, I thought, judging from his clothes.

'That he is, Hawkins,' Howard interrupted. He dragged the boy to a seated position, leaning him against the bench. The boy's head rolled back. 'He's my son. Henry wake up, d.a.m.n you.'

Henry Howard. Henrietta's son her only child. I stared at the young rake sprawled in a drunken heap, a sloppy string of drool sliding down his chin. Then thought of his mother, gracious and composed, her face cool and still as a portrait. And yet the resemblance was there, beneath the debauchery. He shared Henrietta's high forehead and clear complexion, and the contours of his face were remarkably similar. I saw little of Howard in him, save for the drunkenness, of course.

Henry hiccoughed, then spewed a thin stream of vomit at our feet.

'Gah . . .' Howard cursed. At his signal, one of the chairmen threw the boy over his shoulder, pushing his way through the crowds. Hopefully the fresh air would revive him. 'Can't take his liquor,' Howard scowled after them both. 'It's his mother's fault, d.a.m.n her.'

I smiled, playing my part. I couldn't risk the night ending here, although I wanted it to with all my heart. Howard could tell a good story at the start of an evening, before the liquor scoured away the thin veneer of charm. There were old war stories, and wicked court scandals from his years attending the old king. He had lived a free, rakish life, and there must have been a time, long ago, when he had been entertaining company. But now he was an old, ruined man, on the turn like spoiled milk, sour and sickening.

Worst of all was his hatred of his wife, a poison running through his veins. He had spent much of the night regaling me with sordid tales of his marriage, before Henrietta had found sanctuary at court. I sensed that he told these stories often, to anyone who might listen. He took the part of the villain with a strange sort of glee, as if his life's great purpose had been to torture and degrade his wife in every conceivable fashion. He'd squandered her inheritance, roaming the town while she starved in filthy lodgings. And when he did come home, he brought back wh.o.r.es to torment her, f.u.c.king them in front of her.

'One son, that's all she gave me,' he sneered, as Henry was carried lifeless through the tavern. 'What use is a wife if she can't keep a baby in her belly?'

Somehow, I kept my composure. How would it serve Henrietta if I punched Howard, or stormed away in disgust? I must find something useful to bring back to the queen. 'You are separated now, I believe?'

'Not in law,' he snapped. 'She is still mine and always will be. She can hide in her rooms, but I'm still here, in her head.' He tapped his temple with his fingers. 'For ever.' And then he started upon another loathsome story, of some small rebellion punished with a savage beating. How it had left her deaf in one ear and why that was not his fault. How she should thank him now, as it spared her from listening to the king's tedious conversation.

It was not the first time I'd heard a man speak of beating his wife of course, nor would it be the last. Take a walk through the Garden and there are plenty of women with black eyes and split lips. But Howard spoke of it with a boastful pride I had never heard before, as if it were his duty and his pleasure.

It made me all the more determined to find something to stop him, for Henrietta's sake as well as my own. But what could I tell the queen that she did not already know? The gambling, the drinking, the whoring, the debts, the violence, the cruelty. What news could ever be enough, given Howard's position? Ned Weaver resented me because I was the son of a gentleman, and so favoured by the law. Charles Howard was a n.o.bleman. If his brother died without an heir, he would become Earl of Suffolk . . .

. . .Unless someone ran him through with a blade first. I confess, the thought did cross my mind. One quick stab in the back, in some dark alleyway. If I were a different man, how easily I could resolve the matter. If I were Samuel Fleet, in fact the man the queen expected me to replace.

'You hold your drink well,' Howard said, slapping my back.

I took the compliment, but in fact I had only sipped at my wine. It had been easy enough to pa.s.s my bottle on to one of Howard's companions, or spill a few glugs upon the floor. Kitty had spent most of the night at the ring, betting on the fights without drinking. We had both kept our wits sharp.

Howard leaned closer. 'I've hired a boat,' he shouted, his breath hot and wet in my ear. 'You must join me. Both of you. Plenty of drinking hours before dawn.'

I nodded and told him I would find Kitty, though I had no intention of bringing her with me. I took a slow circuit about the tavern, and found her at last at the door, talking to Jed. I drew her to a shadowed spot beyond the reach of the torchlight and explained about the boat trip.

'You must go home now,' I whispered, reaching for her hand in the gloom. 'Would Jed escort you home, d'you think for a fee? Or that Irish girl, perhaps?'

'Neala. She left some time ago.'

'It won't be safe on the boat, Kitty. There's nowhere to escape on the river, and I can't protect you from six men, even if they're half-dead with drink.'

She squeezed my hand. 'He doesn't remember you, Tom. And you need something to give to the queen.'

The c.o.c.kfighting was over and the tavern was emptying, men streaming out into the chill air. Some of the winning c.o.c.ks were being carried through in wooden cages, squawking and crowing and flapping furiously. I called over to Jed and asked if he would guide Kitty home for a fee. 'I have business with Charles Howard.'

'Howard? Keep away from that b.a.s.t.a.r.d. Take her home yourself.'

Kitty prodded me in the ribs. 'I am not a sack of potatoes to be carted about the city. I shall go where I please.'

'Kitty . . .'

'Now, now what's this?' Howard cried, clapping his hands as he stepped into the night. 'A lovers' quarrel?'

'Miss Sparks is a little tired. I'm arranging a safe pa.s.sage home.'

'Home? What the devil are you mewling about, Hawkins? No, no I will not part with my new friends. You must come with me.' He put his arms around our shoulders and dragged us away. 'I insist.'

The boat was waiting for us at St Saviour's Dock, bobbing and swaying against its mooring. It was a barge fit for a n.o.bleman, with a broad cabin in the stern and a smaller one at the bow. How this particular n.o.bleman had paid for the trip I could only guess he had lost a fortune in the tavern, and yet he tipped the head oarsman a crown as we boarded. His son must have deep pockets. Henry was still with us in a manner of speaking. He had puked several times along the way and had to be carried on to the barge by Howard's chairmen. The rest of our party we had lost to another tavern behind the cathedral. Praise the Lord.

As the boat pushed off I cautioned myself to remain calm. Howard had invited us as his guests. He had no memory of our fight and no reason to believe our meeting had been anything but pure chance. I had my sword at my side and was more sober than I'd been in years. And still . . . it wouldn't be wise to trust him. While he headed to the stern in search of more wine, I slipped a coin into the head oarsman's pocket. 'If I tap your shoulder, row us to the nearest steps,' I murmured.

The Thames was quiet, with only a handful of boats upon the water. And no surprise it was late, and the air was biting. A gang of revellers called out cheerfully as we pa.s.sed, and Kitty waved at them. A hard wind blew across the water and she shivered. 'Let's go inside. I think there's supper laid out.'

I touched her hand. 'Stay close to me.'

Howard emerged from the cabin with a fur blanket under his arm. 'Here you are, my dear,' he said, draping the blanket over Kitty's shoulders. She smiled and wrapped it tighter against the wind. A touching moment, if he had not spent the evening counseling me to beat her into obedience. He balanced his way over to his son, who was slumped at the edge of the boat, heaving bile into the water.

Howard knelt down next to him. 'You drink like a woman, Henry. It's a d.a.m.ned disgrace. Your mother has ruined you.'

'My mother is a wh.o.r.e,' Henry slurred into his father's face. They were the only words he'd spoken all evening.

Howard patted his shoulder. 'Good lad.'

Henry swivelled around and vomited into the river.

'Shall we go inside, Mr Howard?' Kitty said.

He smiled.

The world seemed to slow. Howard, smiling. The oars slicing the water. And Kitty, heading for the cabin. Out of my reach. I knew we were in danger, knew with that one smile that the evening had turned upside down. I touched the oarsman's shoulder. He kept on rowing. 'Sorry, sir,' he said, from the corner of his mouth.

'They're in my pay, not yours,' Howard said, pulling his pistol from his coat. He laughed, and tapped the cut on his brow as I stumbled back. 'Did you think I'd forgotten you, Sir n.o.body? My wife's champion?'

He had known all along. Lured me here to the river with Kitty.

'Mr Howard,' I said, keeping my voice steady. 'Turn this boat to sh.o.r.e.'

'Did you plan to kill me? Did she pay you?'

'Mr Howard-'

I heard a scuffle and a soft cry behind me. Howard's chairmen were dragging Kitty into the cabin, a blade at her throat. One of them whispered something in her ear and her eyes widened in fright. No, no, no. I ran after them, reaching for my sword.

A sharp crack on the back of my skull. Then nothing.

Chapter Fourteen.

I came to in an empty cabin, lying on the floor. My hands were bound roughly with rope and my sword was gone. I lay in the dark, half-senseless. Then I remembered. Kitty. I staggered to my feet, shaking my head to clear it. Pain stabbed my skull.

I'd been thrown in the small cabin at the bow. I lurched to the door, but it was barred from the outside. I threw my weight against it, but it wouldn't give. I pounded with my fists, screaming for help. She was alone with Howard. I'd let him take her. That monster. I kicked and yelled, but the door stood firm.

Then suddenly there was a heavy thud as the bar was raised and dropped to the ground. I pushed open the door and almost fell into Henry.

'What the deuce . . .?' he slurred, with a lopsided grin. 'A game?'

I held up my wrists. 'Aye, aye, a game. Untie me, Henry.'

But he was too foolish with drink, giggling and stumbling over the knots. I cursed and pushed him away, wheeling around to the head oarsman.

'For pity's sake help me.'

He hesitated, glancing over his shoulder, doubt in his eyes.

'On your conscience, sir. Say the boy freed me. Please.'

He leaned across and untied the knot. 'Stern. Hurry. I'll row closer to sh.o.r.e.'

They had taken my sword, but my dagger was still tucked somewhere in my coat. I searched for it in a panic until my hands caught the hilt. I seized Henry by the scruff of his neck and pushed him towards the stern.

He flailed in a panic. 'What's this? What's happening?'

I pressed the blade against his throat and he held still, sober enough at last to realise that this was no game. I kicked open the door to the larger cabin.