Murder at Fontainebleau by Amanda Carmack Read Free Book Online

fine velvet robe of subdued gray, which matched his beard. Rob waved at her as she lingered in the doorway. Everyone was silent, gazing around with slightly confused expressions.
    Kate shared their puzzlement. The queen’s dining chamber was usually used only by Elizabeth herself, on evenings when there was no grand banquet or masque. She would be served by her senior ladies-in-waiting, taking the small portions of vegetables and broiled game she preferred. Sometimes she would dine with a favored courtier, such as Robert Dudley. Tonight, theyseemed a motley collection whose chief connection was the upcoming voyage to France.
    The queen was not there yet, nor were Sir Henry’s wife and niece. Kate found a quiet corner and surreptitiously smoothed her hair beneath her small embroidered cap and adjusted the skirt of her blue silk gown. She had feared she would be late and had rushed through her toilette, but luckily she seemed rather early.
    Rob came to stand beside her. Unlike her, he did not seem to have rushed through his change of clothes, for he looked almost gleaming in his scarlet satin and black velvet in the torchlight.
    â€œWell, Kate,” he said quietly in her ear. “Are you looking forward to our voyage?”
    â€œMayhap not the voyage itself,” she admitted. “I have heard little encouraging about a Channel crossing in winter. But to see France—aye, I
do
look forward to that. They say it is most beautiful, and surely Queen Catherine de Medici has brought the newest Italian plays and songs there, long before they will appear in London.”
    Rob smiled. “They say there is an Italian troupe at the Queen Mother’s court that allows a woman on their stage.”
    â€œNay!” Kate gasped, shocked.
    â€œAye. I suppose we shall see for ourselves. Mayhap you will even run off to join them?”
    She laughed. “It does sound tempting. I look forward to seeing it.”
    Rob crossed his arms, studying the room in a seemingly casual way. “Did you know Thomas is also to go with us?”
    â€œYour apprentice?” Kate was surprised. Out of all the men in Rob’s troupe, men who had traveled much and performed many roles for many different types of people, Thomas seemed an odd choice. He was young and in the past had been susceptible to romantic misadventures.
    But those things could also work in his favor. Robust, and handsome, he was surely eager for adventure. He was loyal to Rob, who had given him a good place in his acting troupe. And they did say Queen Mary had a keen eye for a fine-faced young man.
    She will have a good many choices of faces among this little group,
Kate thought as she studied the gathering around her. Master Ridley and Master Throckmorton were both appealing in their very different ways, and Rob was one of the most handsome men she had met.
    â€œSomeone must assist with the entertainments, and Lord Hunsdon says Thomas has no family or sweetheart here to pine for,” Rob said. “Thomas does seem excited by the prospect. Do you think he will elope with a pretty mademoiselle as soon as we arrive?”
    â€œHe very well might,” Kate said with a laugh. “He does seem to enjoy swooning for love at every opportunity, and a whole new kingdom full of ladies seems a rare opportunity.”
    The door to the dining chamber flew open and threeladies rushed inside, a blur of bright satins, jewels, and fluttering ribbons.
    Kate studied them carefully. Sir Henry Barnett took the arm of the eldest lady and whispered in her ear, his bearded, lined face thunderous. Kate thought the woman must be Lady Barnett, and she did not seem in the slightest abashed by her husband’s scolding. She laughed and tapped his sleeve with the peacock feather fan that dangled from the silver-and-pearl chain at her waist.
    She must have once been a rare beauty, and she was still lovely and delicate, with an oval face painted lightly with white lead and