Before he answered, Calvin took in the little church, which looked sunny inside and yet felt heavy. He saw out of the corner of his eye that Lucy had immediately picked up on this atmosphere. Her hand was pressed to her chest, and he wanted to talk to her, yet not to appear rude to Alex.

“He was the first to use the term ‘British Empire’—and to help the Queen’s ships discover it, using his maps. He had a vast library, one of the great libraries of Europe. His collection ran to more than three thousand volumes and rare manuscripts, when your university at Cambridge had about three hundred books! Some people believe that when it was ransacked and dispersed it was a loss comparable to the burning of the library in Alexandria.” Calvin had focused back on Alex.

“Yes. Some of the volumes are in the Royal College of Physicians—I remember, now that you say that. Clearly the inspiration for Prospero’s books…” Alex was drifting somewhere Calvin didn’t follow, but he picked up his narrative.

“He was also the very first James Bond, so to speak—one of Walsingham’s rather special clique of spies, which had included Sir Philip Sidney—his own son-in-law—and Sidney was tutored by Dee. “007” was Dr. Dee’s personal cipher—it signified that he was the Queen’s “eyes” alongside the spiritual power of the number seven, which was the holy number, of course, and had some further personal significance for Dee. But what’s even more interesting, he and a man named Kelley”—Calvin cleared his throat—“performed alchemy. And they could also talk to the angels. Astonishing secrets were said to have been given to them.” He looked right at Alex. “If you believe all that.”

“Possibly you do!” Simon had been hovering and had overheard this account from the American.

His retort encouraged a smile in Alex’s face again, bringing him out of the curious mood he had entered a moment before. He had been lost in the lovely vision of Lucy, who was looking searchingly at the high altar, and the chancel, as though she’d misplaced something, with all the hushed reverence of a small child. Such a delightful day, Alex was grinning, his thoughts his own. So many diverse and unexpected entertainments.

ALL SOULS’ DAY, 1609, ST. MARY’S CHURCH, MORTLAKE