The Tudor Secret - C. W. Gortner [18]
Elation rushed from my head all the way to my feet. Master Shelton had warned me that trouble followed her wherever she went.
But in that moment, I did not care.
* * *
I moved after her into the palace, taking care not to overtake her. At the first opportunity, Mistress Ashley shouldered past me to the princess’s side, muttering something inaudible. I heard Elizabeth reply, “No. I said I would walk with him, and walk I will. Alone.”
Mistress Ashley retorted, “I forbid it. It will incite talk.”
“I hardly think a simple walk can incite anything, Ash Kat,” said Elizabeth dryly. “And you’re far too short to forbid me anything anymore.”
The matron glowered. Cecil interposed, “Mistress Ashley, the lad will do no harm.”
“We’ll see about that,” said Mistress Ashley. “He serves the Dudleys, doesn’t he?” With a glare at me, she reluctantly retreated.
I nodded gratefully at Cecil. He must have realized that I had been sent here by Robert and was trying to facilitate my first official duty, yet to my discomfiture, he avoided my gaze, slowing his pace to fall behind us. Equally discomfiting was the stranger in black named Walsingham, who moved with the soundless stealth of a cat, his long features a study in stony indifference.
I was surrounded by mistrustful strangers; I could almost feel their protectiveness toward the princess boring into my back. The only person whose face I had not yet seen was Elizabeth’s other attendant, though I assumed she too must view my presence as unwelcome; as I thought this, I glanced over at her and caught a glimpse of bold brown eyes looking back at me from within her hood.
Elizabeth interrupted my thoughts. “I said walk with me, squire, not dawdle at my heels.”
I hastened to her side. When she next spoke, her words were both rapid and hushed. “We’ve little time before we reach the hall. I would know the true reason for Robin’s absence.”
“Robin, Your Grace?” I said, drawing a momentary blank.
“Do you serve another Lord Robert, perchance?” She gave a terse laugh. “Urgent business, indeed; I’d have thought nothing save imprisonment would keep him away this night.” Her mirth faded. “Where is he? He well knows how much I’ve risked by coming here.”
“I…” My tongue felt like leather in my mouth. “I … I cannot say, Your Grace.”
“Meaning you do not know.” She turned into a gallery. I quickened my step.
“Meaning he didn’t tell me. But he asked me to give you this.” I reached to my doublet, forgetting in my haste to appease her that Robert had specified I deliver the ring in private.
Her hand shot out, gripping my wrist. Though her fingers were cold, her touch seared like flame. “God’s teeth, you are new to court. Not here! What is it? Tell me.”
“A ring, Your Grace, silver with an onyx stone. My master took it off his own finger.”
She nearly came to a halt. Even in the dimly lit passageway, I saw color flare in her white cheeks. For a second, the regal mask slipped, revealing the flush of a maiden who cannot hide her pleasure. I was so flustered by its revelation that I plunged on, reckless in my zeal to fulfill my orders.
“He said Your Grace would understand, and that he will soon arrange a time for you to meet alone, so he can have what he was promised.”
Dead silence followed my words. To my dismay, her entire person stiffened. This time, she did come to a stop. She turned to me, regarding me as if from a height I could not possibly hope to scale. “You may tell your master that I understand perfectly. And as usual, he thinks far too much of himself—and far too little of me.”
I froze. From ahead came muffled music and voices, signaling our proximity to the hall.
“My lady,” I finally said, “I’m afraid my lord was most insistent that you accept proof of his constancy.”
“Insist!” she exclaimed, with mortifying