Assassin by Lady Grace Cavendish Read Free Book Online Page B

was working for the dastardly Guises, who are always plotting the Queen’s downfall. He tried to escape from the Queen’s pursuivants and they killed him in the fight. The Queen was furious, though I don’t think an execution would have made me feel any better.
    By drinking Her Majesty’s wine with the poison in it, my mother saved the Queen’s life—and England from a terrible civil war like they have in France. That’s why she is buried in Whitehall Chapel.
    And now I shall take the courage to open the package.

    Alas, I have made a blot in my daybooke—I’m afraid the package made me cry. As I opened it, a small leather purse fell onto the pillows. I left it there while I read my mother’s letter. Half of it is in my mother’s writing, with the letters getting bigger and more wobbly. Then it changes to the Queen’s handwriting, which is sweeping and beautiful. There are two blots from tears at the end. That must be why Her Majesty was putting pen and ink away when Mrs. Champernowne brought me in that night. I will keep the letter here always, tucked in my daybooke.
    My darling Grace,
I am dying. My heart breaks that I shall not see you grow to womanhood, nor find you a fine man to take care of you and your estates.
    As you approach thirteen years, you must be found a husband soon. The Court, for all the Queen’s kindness, is no place for a young maid. Her Majesty agrees and will take on the role of finding you a suitable match, so you may be handfasted and marry at sixteen.
    Rest assured that the Queen will do all that Iwould have done for you. You shall now have my pearl ring that came from your father, and all my gowns and horses. At your betrothal my pearl earrings shall come to you.
    You are the best of daughters, my love, and I had rather anything than leave you so soon, but none of us may gainsay God’s call. I pray that you will be happy and virtuous and always as beloved as you are of me.
    Farewell, my heart’s delight, and at Judgement Day be sure we shall meet again.
    Until then my love is with you always.
    Your mother,
Margaret, Lady Cavendish
    I opened the leather purse. Inside were the earrings. They are beautiful pearl ones, with a setting of garnets and diamonds, like a pair the Queen often wears, only not so big.
    Taking my candle, I went and looked in Lady Sarah’s glass and put the hooks in my ears. As I stared at myself, and watched the garnets and diamonds glistening in the candlelight, I was reminded of my mother wearing them, and laughing.
    Oh no, another teardrop blot. Time for bed.

    It is still very dark outside. Something woke me up. I am in bed, wearing my mother’s earrings for comfort. Her letter is under my pillow. It is only paper but it makes her feel closer, almost as if she’s in the room with me like she used to be when we shared a chamber near the Queen’s own. I hope I don’t get ink on the sheets.
    The other two are still asleep in their bed. Lady Sarah is still snoring like a pig, while Mary Shelton is now snoring like a billy goat. But that isn’t what woke me. There is some kind of flurry over near the Grace-and-Favour Chambers. I can hear hushed voices, somebody running, lots of nervous whispers. Nobody wants to wake the Queen, of course. She’s always bad-tempered in the morning, especially if it was a late night.
    There’s definitely something interesting happening. I’m going to find out what it is.

    I cannot believe it. I’ve never heard of such a thing. A duel, perhaps—they happen sometimes and thenthere’s a scandal until it all dies down. But this! I can hardly write, my hand is shaking so much.
    I have just told my bedfellows, Lady Sarah and Mary Shelton, and they’ve rushed off to look for themselves. I don’t want to go back just yet because I need to think about something.
    It seems hours ago that I got up, slipped a dressing gown over my smock, and put on my pattens, then clip-clopped out into the passageway. But it must only be five and