Nine Days a Queen: The Short Life and Reign of Lady Jane Grey by Ann Rinaldi Read Free Book Online

what?" She glared at me.
    "Nothing," I said.
    She laughed. "Flirtation! He's wed. His wife expects a child in the summer."
    "Exactly," I said.
    "Don't speak to me of it! I won't hear sermons from the likes of you, a short little freckle-faced waif. You make your own flirtation with Sir Thomas." I never.
    "I see the worshipful eyes you make at him. So does he, don't worry."
    I fled the room.
    I knew I must do something. The ladies-in-waiting talked if they did nothing else. There were no secrets when it had to do with royal personages. What to do? Whom to go to?
    Christmas came and went. I looked to the tradition of it, the customs, the feasting, the company, the dances, the gift giving at New Year's, to erase the terrible knowledge from my mind. All the rest of the day, Elizabeth and Sir Thomas acted with decorum. It was as if I had dreamed this nightmare and it was all mine.
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    The Thames froze over in January. Afternoons, we sat by the large sunfilled windows and watched the people playing games on its frozen surface. Some children had bones tied to the bottoms of their shoes and were skimming around on the ice. Others pushed stones around with sticks, making a game of it. I was supposed to be embroidering a new shirt for Sir Thomas, when Mrs. Tilney came upon me staring out the window.
    "I would speak with you, Jane."
    I followed her into my own chambers, knowing this was important. Mrs. Tilney never interfered in my life unless it was important.
    Inside the door of my chambers, she turned to confront me. "What are you going to do about this business with Sir Thomas and Elizabeth?"
    I set down the shirt I was embroidering for him. "What business?"
    "Child, you are there every morning. Or so I've been told. You are a witness to this terrible behavior. Do you know the consequences, if they are found out?"
    I shook my head no. Truth be told, I was a bit glad she now spoke of this.
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    "Why, it's treason. She is now second in line for the throne and he makes bold with her. They could both go to the block if their foolishness is discovered."
    A chill ran through me. "What can I do?"
    "You must go to Katharine. And tell her. Before it goes any further."
    "I? Why must I be the one to tell?" I felt the unfairness of it in my bones.
    "Because of your love for Sir Thomas and Katharine. Because you owe them both. Because Katharine trusts you."
    "But he'll be angry with me."
    She scoffed. "For saving his life? For bringing him to his senses? I doubt it. Now you must do this, Jane. You know you must."
    I bowed my head and said yes, I would do it. For I knew, indeed, that I must. But the unfairness of it still stung me, and I knew no good could come of my actions.
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    NINE

    I
    told Katharine. And she was a true Queen Dowager. She acted like royalty, to be sure. She never betrayed herself, never let a tear fall or a lip tremble.

    "Thank you, Jane," she said.
    She was abed, though it was full light. I had intercepted the maid and brought Katharine her morning repast. She lay back against the pillows looking lovelier than ever, lovelier than Elizabeth of a morning, and near as young with her flowing hair and her silken gown.
    Why was Sir Thomas not in here awakening his wife?
    She answered the unspoken question for me. "Men have been known to do all kinds of erratic
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    things when their wives are expecting a child," she told me. "I cannot accuse him of anything. I shall have to wait to see for myself."

    If you got out of bed and went to Elizabeth's chambers you would see now,
    I wanted to say.
    For I heard her shrieking as I came this way.
    But I kept a still tongue in my head. The whole affair was too onerous for me.

    I turned to leave and stopped at the door. "You won't tell him I told?"
    "No, of course I won't tell Sir Thomas you gave me this information. He would be most put out with you, though you have done the right thing, Jane, and I thank you."

    I did not feel as if I had done
    the
    right thing. I felt prissy and proper