‘He is no longer in Shyam,’ I said. ‘He’s come back to London. He said he would come here to seek protection. He says only Clarendon shares his desire for peace.’
He reached out a hand to touch my hair. ‘We worked on the same deputation, though I work for Clarendon and they worked for Arlington.’
I smacked at his hand. ‘Do you think Josselin killed Berkshire?’
‘No,’ he replied, eyes darkening. ‘They were the best of friends. They knew each other since childhood.’
‘Who killed Berkshire?’ I asked.
‘Why didn’t you ask Josselin?’
‘I did.’ I clenched my fists. ‘He said it was Arlington.’
He flicked at a fine wisp of hair that had fallen upon his cheek and carefully placed it back behind his ear. ‘Arlington’s spy walks into Clarendon’s house and asks questions. What makes you think anyone will reply?’
‘Lord Arlington told us to watch from outside the gate and let him know when Josselin arrived.’ Anger welled inside my breast. ‘I am not supposed to be here at all.’
‘Really?’ he exclaimed, doubt clouding his eyes. He watched me like I was a strange animal, something to be feared, or squashed. ‘I am supposed to believe that?’
I blew out through my cheeks and dug my fingers into my scalp. ‘Whether Josselin killed Berkshire or not, Arlington will see him die for it, and for his treachery besides.’
‘I know what Arlington says,’ the man said. ‘I don’t know why you come here to tell me it.’
‘Where is James Josselin?’ I insisted.
He shrugged. ‘I assure you he is not here, nor has he been. You said you spoke to him. If you spoke to him, then you know where he is.’
‘I spoke to him in Shyam,’ I replied. ‘I said I would meet him again here.’
The man stepped away, wiping his palms upon the seat of his breeches. ‘You entered Shyam? Then you may be plagued.’ He reached for his sword.
‘I am not infected,’ I replied with a confidence I didn’t feel. ‘I took precautions.’
‘Why are you here?’ he barked. ‘You barge in here headstrong, like a fool. Is this some crude scheme of Arlington’s?’
‘Make of me what you will,’ I said, raising my voice, ‘but don’t suspect me of the same malignant treachery with which you seem so familiar. Josselin ran from London when he was accused of murder, yet you know he is innocent. Why did Clarendon not protect him?’
He watched me carefully, eyes devouring mine. ‘He fled immediately, before anyone could help.’ I realised what question he was about to ask just before he asked it. ‘Where is Galileo?’
I felt my cheeks burn and I avoided his gaze. ‘Withypoll killed him,’ I replied. ‘On the road out of Colchester. Dragged him behind a horse.’
The man stared like he would punish me for it. ‘You left with Josselin?’
‘We left by ourselves, after Josselin,’ I replied. ‘He said he would come here first.’
He cracked his knuckles. ‘What else did he tell you?’
‘He said we should ask ourselves why the Dutch must fall.’
‘They must fall because we are at war,’ the tall man answered. ‘Peace or war. Now it seems the war will continue.’
‘Why so?’ I demanded.
He pursed his lips. ‘It is no secret, after all,’ he considered. ‘I am surprised Arlington has not told you himself.’
‘He said only that Josselin had sabotaged peace. That he betrayed his country, killed Berkshire and fled.’
Small lines of disdain appeared about the edges of his mouth. ‘You have heard of De Buat?’
‘No,’ I replied, feeling foolish.
‘Of course not.’ The man smiled without sincerity and glanced at the gate that led back into the house. ‘De Buat is a French nobleman who grew up in Holland. He held a post in the Orange court. The Princess Dowager appointed him to represent the House of Orange as envoy to De Witt.’
I was lost and the tall man saw it.
‘De Witt is the leader of the Dutch,’ he said, as if talking to a small child.
‘I know that,’ I growled, ears burning. ‘I am not a fool.’
‘De Witt is determined the provinces shall never again be subject to sovereign rule,’ which I also knew. ‘The House of Orange is determined that the Prince of Orange shall assume his rightful position. There has always been the possibility of civil war between De Witt and the House of Orange, a possibility that has obsessed Arlington these last few years.’
‘And so this Frenchman De Buat runs between Holland and the House of Orange, like you and Josselin ran between England and Holland.’
The tall man bowed as if in deference to my great wit. ‘Quite so. We came across De Buat often, for he is the Orangists’ ambassador to Holland.’
My head started to spin again.
‘Clarendon sought peace with the Dutch; Arlington sought civil war. Arlington sought to provoke the House of Orange into declaring war upon the Dutch so that England might make a treaty with the new government, on terms most favourable.’ The tall man spoke seriously now. ‘De Buat was in Arlington’s confidence. His spy within.’
‘What happened?’
He spoke in a low whisper. ‘Arlington sent Josselin to Holland with two letters. The first was the official letter De Witt was supposed to receive, intended to placate his suspicions, proclaiming England’s commitment to peace with Holland. The second letter was a personal letter for De Buat only, encouraging him to rouse the House of Orange to action, for Arlington became increasingly frustrated with the Princess Dowager, and her indecision.’
‘And De Witt read both letters?’
‘De Buat gave him both letters,’ the tall man barked. ‘The question is why.’
I let his words settle in my mind. ‘Josselin tricked De Buat into giving De Witt both letters?’
The tall man nodded sagely. ‘That’s what Arlington believes.’
‘Why would Josselin do such a thing?’
‘I don’t know why,’ the tall man replied. ‘No one does.’ He lofted his sword so it pointed at my chest, his stale odour sticking to my face. ‘I was hoping you could tell me. You or Galileo.’
I raised my hand to my forehead. ‘The Earl of Clarendon and Lord Arlington are both confidants to the King, are they not?’
He shook his head and snorted. ‘You don’t understand politics, Harry Lytle, nor the relationship between Clarendon and Arlington. It was Arlington who first persuaded the King to go to war with the Dutch, greedy for the rich trade the Dutch enjoy in West India. The King yearns to be independent of Parliament, which he can only achieve with new sources of revenue. Otherwise he is obliged to call Parliament for no other reason than he needs their money. Had England defeated the Dutch early then the King would have been rich.’
‘Clarendon would rather see the King beholden?’ I frowned, worried I would soon lose the thread.
‘Of course not,’ he sighed, impatient. ‘But Clarendon knew it was folly. Arlington is a risk taker. He has no care for this country, nor for its citizens, people like you.’ Which was true enough. ‘So he is happy to gamble what is not his, in return for great riches. The Earl knows how flawed is that logic. The cost of war will break this country. We have little chance of beating the Dutch, for our leaders are divided and headstrong. Arlington’s policy throughout has been to declare in favour of the House of Orange, so emboldening the Orangists to declare civil war. He will not recognise that the Orangists are more circumspect, that they have seen the consequences of our own infightings. It is a foolhardy policy, but Arlington will not be deterred. Indeed he went so far as to betroth himself to an Orangist.’
‘Elisabeth van Nassau-Beverweert,’ I struggled to remember.
He nodded. ‘Berkshire, Josselin and myself, we are the King’s ambassadors to Holland. We have worked for peace since the war started, and in October last year we almost succeeded, until Arlington persuaded the King to make demands so outrageous, the Dutch had no option but to seek an alternative policy.’