The Devil's Plague by Mark Beynon Page A

very best in your endeavours."
    There was genuine warmth in Bray's voice and Davenant truly felt as though he had made a friend for life.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
     
    Evesham Abbey
    12th September, 1651
     
    It was becoming increasingly likely that Betterton had sold them out to Cromwell's mob and so Davenant began the task of organising his troupe. They had to leave before the wrath of Parliament caught up with them.
    As Davenant snuck into Middleton's tent to wake him, Middleton mistook him for an intruder and grabbed him in a vice-like headlock, much to Charles' amusement. In spite of his embarrassment and evident discomfort, Davenant recognised the need for Middleton's prowess. The man was a thuggish brute, he thought, but was equally glad that he was on his side. And he was immediately apologetic - although that was the least he could do, Davenant pondered. The man had almost broken his neck.
    After gathering their possessions, the men crossed the dewy grass to join their companions.
    Davenant was still cagey around Elizabeth and her discontent towards his secretive past. He resigned himself to the fact that he would have to remedy this problem before they could function again as father and daughter. Davenant understood her feelings for Betterton and had attempted to convey his disappointment in the boy to her as reasonably as possible. In the end he had managed to stop short of threatening to kill the bastard, which was about as reasonable as she could have possibly expected. And then there was Mary - he hadn't quite made up his mind whether to leave her in Evesham, or to utilise her bizarre ability. He was in no doubt that the answer to his quandary would present itself at the right time. He was presently more troubled by his feelings for Faith and had tried to put his attraction to her to the back of his mind. This was no time for lust, he kept on telling himself. Yet the more he spoke to her, the more he felt beset by her beauty. He cast his eyes over her companions and was shocked, although not totally surprised, to find Mary staring at him intently.
    "Good morning, Mary," said Davenant, as politely as he possibly could. He noted that the others were beginning to stir.
    "Good morning, Master Shakespeare."
    Davenant could feel his blood rising, and just as he was about to launch into a foul-mouthed tirade, he saw Faith smiling at him as she let out a restrained yawn. It calmed him immediately.
    "I'm so sorry to have disturbed you," he said. "But we have to leave as soon as possible."
    "Why?"
    "We have a traitor in our midst."
    "A traitor? But who would do such a thing?" replied Faith, as she gathered her belongings.
    Davenant steadied himself - he was fully aware that what he was about to say would hurt young Underhill, as Betterton's closest friend, the most. "I have reason to believe that our so called friend, Thomas Betterton, has informed Cromwell's troops of our whereabouts."
    Underhill was now fully awake. "How can you be sure? Have you any proof, other than the fact that he's gone?"
    "After he left without telling anyone where he was going, it was brought to my attention that he had kept hold of the wanted poster he had found in Pershore."
    "That's not proof! Has it occurred to you that perhaps Thomas wanted to leave because of your choice of plays?"
    "Enough, Cave!" interrupted Anne, barking at her brother to keep quiet. "Have some respect."
    A stony silence descended
    "Please, Cave. You must believe me." Davenant said.
    "Very well," replied Underhill, cagily. He grabbed his belongings together rather petulantly and stuffed them into his sack.
    Elizabeth sat alone on a rock by the Bell Tower and Davenant sauntered nervously up to her, half expecting her to stand and stride off at any moment.
    "I'm so very sorry, Elizabeth," stuttered Davenant, as he knelt down beside her. He was surprised that she'd given him the chance to apologise, although she still looked glumly down at the damp undergrowth.
    He decided to seize