Her coachman was standing to attention just inside the door. He stared at Shakespeare, barring his way, until Eliska said something in her native tongue, then he turned and bowed to her before departing, without a word. ‘I was not expecting you, Mr Shakespeare. Solko has quarters in the east wing, but I am beginning to fear that no one in this house is safe so I asked him to stay with me.’ He had noted that the coachman was a powerful, good-looking man. It was no business of his, so he did not pursue the question of what might or might not pass between them. ‘You have no need to explain to me, my lady.’ ‘Then why are you here?’ ‘I want you to help me.’ She smiled. ‘Indeed?’ ‘I must visit Richard Hesketh’s widow. She lives a day’s ride from here at a place called Over Darwen. I want you to come with me.’ ‘Well, that would be a pleasant diversion, but why me?’ To keep an eye on you, as I have been commanded, he thought. ‘I think a soft woman’s voice might draw more information from poor Isabel Hesketh,’ was what he said.
