The Tudor Secret by C. W. Gortner Read Free Book Online Page B

Prescott, Your Grace.”
    “You’re a bold fellow, Brendan Prescott. State your purpose.”
    I suddenly realized I was trembling and recited in a voice that sounded far too rushed to my ears: “My lord asks that I convey his regret that he could not be here to receive Your Grace. He was called away on urgent business.”
    It was as far as I dared go. I had promised to deliver the ring in private and had the uncanny certainty that she would not like her association with Robert Dudley bandied about in public. As it stood, she was looking at me with an intensity that made me think of tales I’d heard of her late father, whom it was said had such a piercing stare, he could see through a man’s skin to his veins and judge for himself how true the blood ran.
    Then she arched her throat and released a gust of husky laughter. “Urgent business, you say? That much, I do not doubt. Lord Robert has a father to obey, does he not?”
    I felt my smile emerge, lopsided. “He certainly does.”
    “Yes, and I know better than most how demanding fathers can be.” With the laughter still on her lips, she handed Urian’s chain to Cecil and motioned to me with long fingers. “Walk with me, squire. You’ve given me cause for amusement tonight, and it’s a quality I value greatly.” She cast a pointed look at those behind her. “Seeing how little of it I find around me these days.”
    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