SHAKESPEARE’ SECRET Read online

Kelly smiled at him, tossing her hair. “What are you doing?”

  “Hanging out,” Danny said.

  Kelly shot a quick glance at Hero. “Who with?”

  Danny sat back on his heels and looked from Kelly to Hero, as if he didn’t understand what was going on but still found it funny. “Hero,” he said. “I’m hanging out with Hero.”

  Hero felt a warm tingling spread through her.

  Kelly snorted and started to say something, then stopped. “Well, why don’t you come over later?”

  “I can’t,” Danny said. “I’m going to be here for a while.”

  Kelly pursed her lips. “See you at school,” she said finally, and turned back toward the Netherfields’ house.

  Danny stood up, slapping the dirt off his jeans. He climbed the steps of the porch. The afternoon sun slanted over him, and Hero had to shield her eyes with her hand to see his face. “Is it weird for you?” she asked. “All the stuff with your mom?”

  He looked down at her, smiling his easy smile. “The stuff with my mom has always been weird. You won’t believe this, but the letter, and the picture she sent. . . that kind of makes it less weird.”

  Hero nodded. “I believe it.”

  She unzipped her backpack and pulled out the green book.

  “What’s that?” Danny asked.

  “A book of Shakespeare’s plays,” Hero said, scanning the table of contents. “Mrs. Roth gave it to me. I’m going to read the one about the girl named Hero. Much Ado About Nothing.”

  Danny laughed. “Well, yeah, that’s the story of our lives.” Hero liked the way he said “our.” He pulled open the door. “You coming?”

  “In a minute.”

  As the door banged shut, Hero leaned against the porch railing and opened the book across her lap. She smoothed the pages. With one hand she stroked the diamond, absently touching the chain.

  Then she began to read.

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  While the characters and plot of this book are entirely fictitious, all the historical figures and details are true, with the exception of the necklace. The necklace never existed, but I modeled it (and the diamond) on jewelry of the period.

  There is no proof that Edward de Vere, the seventeenth Earl of Oxford, was the real author of Shakespeare’s plays. But that theory has gained momentum recently—as Hero’s father relates—with the discovery that Oxford’s Bible contains marked passages corresponding with key verses in the plays.

  For the most part, scholars still favor the man from Stratford as the true Shakespeare. However, both the Stratfordians and the Oxfordians (as the two camps are known) believe that a significant relationship between Elizabeth I and Edward de Vere would further the case for Oxford. Any conspiracy to conceal Shakespeare’s true identity most likely depended on the blessing of the queen herself. While there is no proof that Edward de Vere was the son of Elizabeth I, there is clear evidence of a connection between them, and the notion that he might have been either her lover or her son continues to be discussed.

  The case for Edward de Vere as Shakespeare is compelling. Edward de Vere’s purported nickname at court was “Spearshaker,” perhaps stemming from his skill in tournaments or from his coat of arms, which depicted a lion bran-

  dishing a spear. While his published poetry is considered inferior to Shakespeare’s, scholars note that certain unusual poetic forms occur in both Oxford’s work and Shakespeare’s, but not in the poetry of their contemporaries.

  Moreover, many details of Edward de Vere’s life coincide intriguingly with aspects of Shakespeare’s plays. His travels to Italy might have influenced the settings of The Merchant of Venice and Othello. His notorious tennis feud with another young courtier appears to be referenced in Hamlet. And in the same play, the character Polonius is considered a parody of Oxford’s father-in-law, William Cecil, Lord Burghley.

  The biggest argument against Edward de Vere as the true Shakespeare is the fact that several of Shakespeare’s plays are believed to have been written after Oxford’s death in 1604. However, even the most ardent Stratfordians admit that the dating of the plays is uncertain.

  What do I think? As a historian, I don’t find the evidence to be complete enough—yet—to topple the man from Stratford from his literary pedestal. But as a novelist, I am more convinced. Writing this book reminded me of what I love so much about history. The past offers up its gifts: Anne Boleyn’s speech on Tower Green, the scandal that sent Elizabeth in a cloud of shame from her stepmother’s house, the poem she wrote with a diamond on her prison window, and the vague circumstances of Edward de Vere’s birth and close relationship to the queen. But it is left to us—as readers, explorers, detectives, and storytellers—to see the patterns, to make the connections. Perhaps the answer to the mystery of Shakespeare’s true identity is best found in the words of the Bard himself:

  All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts.

  HISTORICAL TIMELINE

  1532 Henry VIII grants his mistress, Anne Boleyn, the title of Marquess of Pembroke and its falcon crest.

  1533 Anne Boleyn weds Henry VIII; Elizabeth I is born.

  1536 Anne Boleyn is executed for treason on Tower Green.

  1547 Henry VIII dies.

  1548 Elizabeth is evicted from the house of her step mother Catherine Parr amidst rumors of sexual impropriety involving Catherine Parr’s second husband, Lord Admiral Thomas Seymour.

  1550 Edward de Vere is born.

  1554 Elizabeth is accused of treason by Queen Mary I and arrested and imprisoned at Woodstock; she uses a diamond to write poetry on her prison window.

  1558 Elizabeth becomes Queen of England; Edward de Vere becomes a ward of the court and a great favorite of the queen a few years later.

  1564 William Shakespeare of Stratford is born.

  1576 Edward de Vere’s poetry is published; he is ranked first among Elizabeth I’s courtier poets by contemporary critics.

  1586 Elizabeth I begins paying Edward de Vere an annual pension of 1,000 pounds.

  1589-1613 Shakespeare’s plays are written and performed; most are not published until twenty years later.

  1603 Elizabeth I dies.

  1604 Edward de Vere dies.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Writing may seem a solitary act, but in reality it depends on the goodwill and generosity patience and support of so many others. It is a privilege to thank the following people for their many contributions to this book:

  First, last, and always, my amazing family: my husband, Ward Wheeler, and my children, Zoe, Harry, and Grace. They put up with a lot in order for this book to be written, and incredibly, they seem to feel it was worth it.

  Christy Ottaviano, my gifted editor, who graced this project with a keen eye and a sure touch, asking all the right questions and wisely letting me find my own answers.

  My writing group—Claire Carlson, Anne Gaston, Laurie Krebs, Mary Reilly, and Peggy Thomas—who began this journey with me and were peerless traveling companions: exceptional readers, writers, and friends.

  Patricia Reilly Giff, whose generosity as a teacher and colleague is legendary in the field, and whose many insights guided me through a first draft of this novel in her class at the Dinosaur’s Paw.

  Liza Pulitzer Voges, who believed in the story and found it the right home.

  Steven Malk, who offered thoughtful advice and encouragement as the book made its way into the world.

  And finally, my talented company of readers, fact-checkers, and friends who lent this manuscript their valuable perspectives as historians, writers, mystery buffs, legal experts, artists, gardeners, jewelry appraisers, English teachers, middle-school parents, and above all, lovers of fiction: Pamela Benepe, Barbara Broach, Bill Broach, Mary Broach, Jane Burns, Laura Forte, the staff at Michael Goldstein Antique Diamonds, Jane Kamensky, Carolyn Meek, Carol Sheriff, and Susanne and David Smith. I am especially indebte
d to my middle-school readers: Sophie and Julia Broach, Alexis and Taylor Smith, Ellen and Jane Urheim, James Wayne, and Zoe Wheeler.

  GOFISH QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR

  ELISE BROACH

  What did you want to be when you grew up?

  A cowgirl, until I found out it wasn’t really a job, and then a veterinarian, until I turned out to be terrible at biology.

  When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

  I always loved to tell stories, from the time I was old enough to talk. When I was six or seven, I started writing little books, poems, and plays, sometimes with friends. In college and graduate school, I decided to study history because it allowed me to write other people’s stories. I feel so lucky now to be writing my own.

  What’s your first childhood memory?

  When I was three, living in Alabama, my brother and I climbed into the front seat of our station wagon to play. It was parked in the driveway and I pulled the gearshift into neutral, and the car promptly started rolling down our hilly backyard toward a creek. I have a vague memory of my panic-stricken mother running along next to us, the yard blurring past, and my brother looking quite impressed. Fortunately, it all ended undramatically, in a bank of shrubbery, with nobody hurt, not even the car.

  What’s your most embarrassing childhood memory?

  Maybe the time we went skinny-dipping at a friend’s lake house and it turned out the neighbor boys were already in the water. Or the first time I went skiing, when I misjudged the tow rope and got so tangled with the person in front of me that they had to shut the whole thing down. Or the time I knocked out my front tooth at a party for my grandparents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary, right before the family picture. I used to think my entire childhood was just one embarrassing incident after another.

  As a young person, who did you look up to most?

  A great role model for me when I was little was my aunt Annette, also my godmother, nicknamed “Auntie.” She was the fun, single aunt, always up for anything, passionately involved in various political and social causes, endlessly doting on us and ignoring the rules.

  What was your worst subject in school?

  Any kind of science. I did, however, marry a scientist to genetically improve my children’s chances in this area. . ..

  What was your first job?

  My first job ever was as a telemarketer for NBC when I was a teenager. My first real job when I graduated from college was as a management consultant for Bain and Company in Boston.

  How did yoy celebrate publishing your first book?

  Champagne, chocolate, flowers—the best way to celebrate anything. Actually, I’m still celebrating.

  Where do you write your books?

  Usually at a desk in an alcove of my bedroom, near a window that overlooks the woods. But I take my laptop computer everywhere. I often end up writing in libraries, coffee shops, or at my son’s chess tournaments.

  Where do you find inspiration for your writing?

  This is the hardest question to answer. Stories come in so many different ways—from a phrase that gives you the perfect title, or something that happens right in front of you, or a snippet of conversation you overhear, or a memory or dream. I tend to get good ideas while I’m walking my dog. Something about the fresh air and quiet is inspiring.

  Which of your characters is most like you?

  There is a little piece of me in all of my characters. I have a lot in common with both Hero and Danny, even though they’re quite different from each other. In her curiosity and willfulness, Lucy, the main character in my teen suspense Desert Crossing, is also like me.

  When you finish a book, who reads it first?

  I am incredibly lucky to have a great circle of readers for my work, including my sister, my teenage daughter, and several close friends. They’re all avid book-lovers, so they look at a story in terms of what seems believable, or what needs to happen for the reader to feel satisfied. I like to have my editor read the first draft, and then give it to my other readers in the course of revision.

  Are you a morning person or a night owl?

  Neither, really ... I’m kind of an afternoon person. I hate getting up before it’s light out, and I usually go to bed before midnight, though I’ll always stay up late for a good movie or a good conversation. My best writing time is the middle of the day.

  What’s your idea of the best meal ever?

  Breakfast or brunch, because I love croissants, fresh fruit, scones, coffee cake, and cinnamon buns. So the best meal would probably be a bountiful breakfast, with family and friends (and if it were in Paris, that would be even better).

  Which do you like better: cats or dogs?

  Dogs, because they are funny and playful and always happy to see you. I like cats, but I’ve never had a cat, so I’m a little wary of them. My brother used to have a crazy cat that would hide and then jump out when I walked past, latching onto my leg with its claws.

  What do you value most in your friends?

  Insight, sense of humor, kindness. Bonus points for a good imagination and a taste for adventure.

  Where do you go for peace and quiet?

  I take long walks with my dog on the country roads and in the woods near my house. It’s very peaceful (until she sees a deer or coyote).

  What makes you laugh out loud?

  Oh, many things! But they are often related to my kids and my dog.

  What’s your favorite song?

  Can’t pick one. Musicals: I love almost anything by Sondheim, especially “Finishing the Hat” from Sunday in the Park with George. Rock: I think The Who’s “Baba O’Riley” is one of the truly great rock songs. Hymns: I love “Amazing Grace.” Recent pop: I like Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars.”

  Who is your favorite fictional character?

  This is too hard! Here are a few: Huckleberry Finn, Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice, Almanzo from the Little House books, Charlotte from Charlotte’s Web.

  What are you most afraid of?

  I’ve always been afraid of the dark. Our electricity went off one night while my husband was away, and I had to go up the hill to the dark garage to get something, so I took the dog with me. When I pulled up the garage door, she refused to go inside; literally wouldn’t budge. She just kept cocking her head at the blackness and looking at me like, “Are you crazy? Who knows what’s in there?” Which is basically how I still feel about the dark.

  What time of the year do you like best?

  I love the summer, because it’s lazy and warm, with trips to the beach, late nights, ice cream, and no school. Time stops in the summer.

  What is your favorite TV show?

  Seinfeld is probably my all-time favorite, but I also like Grey’s Anatomy and Project Runway.

  If you were stranded on a desert island, who would you want for company?

  Well, if it could be anyone, and we rule out my family and friends, then I’d have to say Shakespeare. Good sense of humor, good perspective on human nature, good with words—who would make better company? And then I’d find out who he really was!

  If you could travel in time, where would you go?

  I would like to see dinosaurs. I think that would be amazing (but only if I could come right back again).

  What’s the best advice you have ever received about writing?

  I like the quote from Ovid: “Let your hook be always cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be a fish.” It’s good advice for writing and life. Great ideas and experiences are everywhere, but you have to go looking for them, and be open to finding them in unexpected places.

  What do you want readers to remember about your books?

  I would just be happy to have readers remember my books. The best books give you a feeling of being swept up in another world, totally absorbed, with characters you like and worry about as much as your own friends. If readers remember that feeling from my books—well, as a writer, I couldn’t ask for more.

  What woul
d you do if you ever stopped writing?

  I can’t imagine I’d ever stop writing, even if I stopped publishing. But there are lots of other things I do and would still do. I serve in town government and am active in politics; I’m involved in local arts centers and libraries; I help with fundraising for several causes.

  What do you like best about yourself?

  Probably my willingness to see things from a different perspective, and to embrace new experiences.

  What is your worst habit?

  Procrastination. I can always come up with very inventive and plausible reasons for not doing something that I should have done a long time ago.

  What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?

  This will seem strange, but it was probably leaving the history PhD program at Yale. Quitting hardly sounds like an accomplishment, but being willing to walk away from something that isn’t right for you can take more courage and conviction than sticking with it. It was very hard for me—and scary—to step off the path I was on, without being sure of the future. But it was the right decision. It’s led me to where I am as a writer (not to mention as a parent, since I had three children in the process).

  What do you wish you could do better?

  So many things! But if I had to choose one, I wish I were a better gardener. I love flowers and love the idea, in theory, of a beautiful garden in my backyard. My mother’s garden has winding paths, beautiful flowerbeds, benches, and a fountain. But I have the total opposite of a green thumb. I have trouble even keeping plants alive, much less coaxing them to flourish.