Page 39 of The King's Man
‘Excellent.’ Thurloe smiled. ‘In fact, it couldn’t be better.’
Thamsine shifted in her chair. Thurloe’s smile was unsettling.
‘You will be happy to know I have some useful employment for you.’
‘Doing what?’
‘Doing what you do best. Teaching music, Mistress Granville. Would that present a problem?’
Thamsine shook her head in amazement at this extraordinary turn in her fortunes. She had expected a pronouncement of death, not the offer of freedom and useful employment.
‘Who?’ She could barely aspirate the word.
‘The French Ambassador, Baron Bordeaux, has a pretty English mistress, Mary Skippon. He is anxious for Mistress Skippon to improve her accomplishments and has been looking for a suitable music teacher. He will pay handsomely, I do not doubt.’
Thamsine frowned. ‘And you wish me to teach this woman music?’
‘Singing, lute and virginals. Three mornings a week.’
‘And my remuneration will go to the repair of the coach?’
‘Oh no. What you do with your coin is your concern. I imagine food and lodging would be something of a priority.’ Thurloe leaned forward. ‘No, all I ask of you, Mistress Granville, is to keep your ears and eyes open. You speak French?’
Thamsine nodded.
‘You speak it well?’
‘Very well.’
‘Then you are to act as if you don’t. If they believe you do not understand what is being said, things may be said in your presence that would normally be kept behind closed doors.’
Thamsine’s eyes widened as the implications of what he was saying dawned on her. ‘You want me to be a spy for you?’
He flinched. ‘I prefer the wordagent.’
‘What do you want to know?’
Thurloe shrugged. ‘Anything that you think may be of interest. Any mention of Charles Stuart, for example. I am particularly interested in a man called Baron de Baas. Indeed, if an opportunity arises, it would be helpful if you were to befriend the good Baron.’
‘You expect a lot of me.’
‘The Baron likes a pretty face, and … ’ Thurloe regarded her with his head cocked on one side ‘ … clean and in a decent gown I am sure you would be quite presentable.’
‘Thank you,’ Thamsine replied in a voice heavy with sarcasm. ‘How friendly am I expected to be?’
If Thurloe detected the edge of sarcasm in her voice, he chose to ignore it. ‘That is entirely up to you, Mistress Granville. Now, do I have your agreement to this proposal?’
‘Do I have a choice?’
Thurloe’s hooded eyes considered her from over the top of his steepled fingers. ‘You always have choices, Mistress Granville. The obvious alternative is to spend the next few years in the Tower. Now, do I have your agreement? Your debt to the Commonwealth stands, and my next offer may not be quite so agreeable.’
Thamsine looked up at the intricate knots in the plasterwork on the ceiling. He had her trapped and he knew it. She gave a small shrug of her right shoulder.
‘Very well. When do I start?’
‘Baron Bordeaux will expect you the day after tomorrow at ten in the morning at his residence. You have been recommended to him by my wife, Dame Elizabeth Thurloe, should the question arise. You have been instructing her in music for the last six months.’
Thamsine blinked. ‘I have?’
