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Ursula Blanchard #17 Read Kindle PreviewAugust, 1582. The queenβs spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham, has ordered Ursula to keep an eye on her new neighbour, Giles Frost, who is rumoured to be spying for King Philip of Spain. Arriving at Knoll House on the pretext of teaching his two daughters embroidery, Ursulaβs secret mission is to feed false information to Frost to pass on to the Spanish. Walsingham has assured Ursula that sheβll be in no danger. But events take a decidedly sinister turn when a body is found in the woods near Ursulaβs home, a stained glass window is smashed and a bridal dowry is stolen. What secrets are contained within the Knoll House β¦ and is Ursula being lured into a lethal trap? Excerpt So far our nightβs adventure had been easy, but this was not. We did have light, but there were still misleading shadows. Furthermore, not only was the width of the stairs narrow but they had narrow treads as well, and in these restricted circumΒstances the chest seemed to grow in size and bulkiness, tilting wilfully and slipping a little because my fingers were sweating. I had thought that Dale would have had sweaty fingers, but I seemed no better. We descended gingerly one step at a time, with a certain amount of whispered acrimony. βItβs leaning to the left, straighten it up . . . My left, madam, please!β βI canβt! My thumbβs caught against the wall . . . Ow!β βDonβt make such a noise! Hoist it up a bit . . .β βIt wonβt . . . Yes, got it! Now itβs steady . . . Oh, God, whereβs the next step down . . .?β βDonβt lurch! Iβm being thrown off balance.β βIβm not lurching on purpose! Brockley . . .?β βWhat is it? Why have you gone rigid?β βIβm sure I heard something!β I whispered. βUp the stairs, behind us.β For a few breathless moments we stood absolutely still, but there was no sound beyond a creak as a gust of wind swept round the house. And then, distant now because we were almost at the first turn, there came a faint snore and after that a scuttle of rodentsβ feet. βThatβs what you heard, rats and snores. Hereβs the turn. Put your end down, madam, and move the lantern.β βThereβs no point in addressing me as madam while youβre giving the orders!β Start Reading A WEB OF SILK Now Ursula Blanchard
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