From Speculation: Undercurrents of Treachery:
“”Buenos días, Señor Dee,” the man said, his English carrying the distinctive accent of Castile. “A fine day to prepare for a journey, is it not?”
Dee maintained a neutral expression. “You have me at a disadvantage, señor.”
“Don Diego de Mendoza, at your service.” The Spaniard offered a slight bow. “A humble merchant with interests in various… commodities.”
“And what commodity interests you enough to watch me cross a marketplace, Don Diego?” He passed a penny to the wine seller receiving a beaker of gently steaming red wine in exchange and sipped it appreciatively; the scent of ginger tickling his nose even as the honeyed taste warmed his palate.
The Spaniard smiled, his dark eyes evaluating Dee with calculating precision. “The same that interests the Lord Protector, I suspect. Gold has a way of capturing attention, does it not?”
Dee felt a chill that had nothing to do with the autumn breeze. “I’m afraid I don’t follow your meaning, sir.”
“Come, Master Dee. We are not politicians, we can side-step the games that they are forced to play.”
Don Diego gestured to a quiet corner away from the busy stall. “A moment of your time may prove profitable to us both.””