Victims of Victory
It was strange to see the formal address on the reverse: “Mistress Stephanie Roydon, at the sign of the Hart and Crown, the Blackfriars.” My wandering fingers easily summoned up an image of Mary Sidney’s intelligent face. I carried the letter over to the fire, slid my finger under the seal, and sat down to read. The paper was thick and crackled as I spread it out. A smaller slip of paper fluttered onto my lap. “What does Mary say?” Seven asked after dismissing the messengers. He stood behind me and rested his hands on my shoulders. “She wants me to come to Baynard’s Castle on Thursday. Mary has an alchemical experiment under way that she thinks might interest me.” I couldn’t keep the incredulity out of my voice. “That’s Mary for you. She’s cautious but loyal,” Seven said, dropping a kis
- Writer
